Bloody cow's head thrown in front of Rayer’s home

 

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A bloody cow's head was found in front of DAP’s Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer’s house in Jalan Tingkat Tembaga, Island Park this morning.

Rayer (right) said his wife discovered the head, which is completely skinned, when she was about to send their daughter to school this morning at about 7am.

“My wife alerted me at about that time and I went down and saw it was at my front gate,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

“We don't know who did it and why. We do not want to speculate,” he added.

“However, the owner of the shop in front of my house saw the incident, and said a man came by in his motorcycle and threw it there,” he said.

By 9am, police have cordoned off Rayer's semi-detached house and carted away the cow's head for investigation.

Rayer said the police also recorded a statement from him and took a copy of the CCTV footage.

"The recording showed that the unknown man came at 5.58am, he wore a helmet and (his face) was fully covered. After he did the act, he danced around," Rayer added, showing reporters a video clip of the CCTV.

"It would be hard to identify him," he lamented.

"My wife and I were shocked to see the cow's head. We feel it is a threat and an insult to our family," he stressed.

Guan Eng: Insult to all

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who arrived on the scene at 9.15am said he was appalled at the incident.

"The perpetrator insulted the whole community, not just to Rayer. It is a rude act and a threat to national security," he added.

Lim recalled that pro-Umno groups had done a similar act in front of the Selangor secretariat office in Shah Alam in 2009.

"I am not accusing pro-Umno groups of this incident but they had done something similar in 2009, which insulted the Hindu community," Lim said.

Lim also said that Perkasa leader Zulkifli Noordin's recent threat of the recurrence of May 13 and Prime Minister Najib Razak's remarks asking Umno to be like ISIL militants (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) can lead to acts of “disharmony”.

"If Najib had denied supporting ISIL militants, he must withdraw his remarks immediately," Lim said.

"The police must act against Zulkifli for his May 13 remarks if peace is to be restored or else it would appear as if it is okay to threaten minority groups," he added.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported saying this was the merely the "price" Rayer is paying for being "foul-mouthed", and that the latter should realise his “celaka Umno” had "angered the public".

“As a politician, I sympathise with him. But that is the price he has to pay for being foul-mouthed,” the online news site The Rakyat Post quoted him saying today.

'Celaka' remark

Rayer riled pro-Umno supporters when he uttered the words “Umno celaka” inside the Penang legislative assembly on May 20.

Pro-Umno supporters held a noisy rally outside the state assembly the next day, while 16 people forcefully barged into the hall looking for Rayer.

They demanded that Rayer apologise and withdraw his “celaka” remarks.

Rayer was arrested for his remark last week but his charge under Section 4(1)(b) of the 1948 Sedition Act at the Sessions court was postponed indefinitely, on an order from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The 15 intruders (one still at large) were charged in the magistrate’s court with trespassing.

Meanwhile northeast district police chief assistant commissioner Mior Farid Alatrash said the incident will be probed under Section 298A of the Penal Code.

"The section deals with causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing, the maintenance of harmony or unity on grounds of religion," he told the media.

Should the far right only decide the Malay/Muslim community’s agenda?

Who speaks for the Malay/Muslim community? Political parties such as Umno, PAS and PKR? Or the likes of Datuk Ibrahim Ali, Datuk Zulkifli Noordin and the Isma leadership?

Who else?

Fact is, why is the Malay/Muslim community allowing the likes of Ibrahim Ali, Zul Noordin and the Isma fellows dictate the agenda for the country's most dominant demography?

These people are poor advertisements or poster boys for Islam and the supposed tolerance of the Malays – nature's finest gentlemen, according to the British.

There was a time when men like Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, former Bank Negara governor Tun Mohd Ismail Ali were the ones who showed the finer side of the Malays.

But now, we have the few who are prone to rash and incendiary statements that want to provoke and incite rather than lead and influence the community to a better and peaceful future.

Why are the rest of the Malays quiet? Do they agree with this few or have given up to set things right? Do they want these few to represent them just as some extremists appear to dominate the narrative in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq and other Muslim nations?

It is about time other voices come to the fore and show the finer nature of the community. Too much is at stake for them to keep quiet and let the loud and swaggering far right take centre stage.

We are talking here about the very future of Malaysia, the future of multiracial Malaysia and the future of multi-religious Malaysia.

Do we want to see a Malaysia that is less what it set out to be in 1963 and more a country of extremes and dominated by the few with a blinkered vision. Is this the Bangsa Malaysia that was envisioned in "The Way Forward" speech of 1991?

The reality is that we are all Malaysians and the majority are the Malays. They have to step up and take charge with their fellow Malaysians to take Malaysia forward as a country for all.

Educated Malays cannot trust the country's politicians or Umno to articulate their views or hold the line against extremism. They have to do it themselves and they have to do it right from today.

Malaysia is too precious to be left to the extremists who appear to want to instil their version of the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant. It is time we all stand up and let the far right know that they are the fringe and we are the centre.

That Malaysia is a country for all, in peace and harmony. Not for the few who spook and bully people to follow their narrow and racist path.

Another cow-head incident, another minister shows his lack of class

Blame Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi if you find Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi offensive, classless and an absolute duffer.

The former Umno Youth chief was consigned to political oblivion after resigning from the post, and was even detained under the Internal Security Act, after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the government in September 1998.

To those who have forgotten the illustrious history of Zahid, he was supposed to launch the attack against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, accusing the then PM of cronyism and nepotism.

The attack did not take off and Dr Mahathir instead laid bare the hypocrisy of Zahid, showing how he had benefited from cronyism and how he had amassed millions of ringgit.

Zahid (pic) was politically dead until Abdullah brought him back into Umno and the government when he replaced Dr Mahathir as PM.

The rest as they say is history. Sadly. Zahid rose up the ranks and today is the home minister. What an irony? The man who allegedly beat the boyfriend of his daughter to pulp is now in charge of law and order.

He speaks like a thug; he can't differentiate when he should speak like an Umno man or the home minister, and is a daily reminder that Najib's XXL cabinet is full of incompetent individuals.

Today, instead of being disgusted and disturbed by the act of throwing a cow’s head in the compound of R.S.N. Rayer's home in Penang, he chastised the DAP man for having a loud mouth and said that he brought on the attack because he called Umno "celaka" in the state assembly recently.

Remember, this is the home minister speaking. It seems that he is endorsing the actions of those behind the cow-head incident.

He is speaking like another former home minister from Umno, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who sympathised with his party-men after they paraded around an area in Shah Alam with a cow’s head in 2009.

Do you think that any individual or group is going to be discouraged from repeating this offensive action against other Hindus? Is it any wonder that in recent months, minority groups have had animal carcasses thrown into places of worship and other places?

There is little downside to these provocative actions for them. Get caught? When was the last time the police arrested anyone worth arresting?

It is easy to just say that this is about Rayer and that other Malaysians should not get too excited about what Zahid said. Too easy in fact.

Zahid's flippant comment once again demonstrates that many in the government can't tell right from wrong, and don't understand a fundamental fact of governing: that those in position of leadership must be colour-blind and impartial in carrying out their duties.

Zahid has shown that he is incapable of being an honest broker. He is an Umno man, nothing more. He is just an offensive and classless individual.

Just another gift handed down to Malaysia by Abdullah Badawi, much like the toothless Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the discredited judiciary.

Kula to file contempt proceedings against IGP

 

Lawyer M Kulasegaran said he will proceed to file a case to cite inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar for contempt of court over a child custody case.

This is for failing to carry out several orders from the Ipoh High Court in relation to the interfaith custody battle, where the Ipoh Barat MP is the lawyer for the mother M Indira Gandhi.

The court orders include a committal order, an arrest warrant for Indira’s ex-husband K Pathmanathan @ Muhd Ridhuan Abdullah and a recovery order for the child Prasana Diksa.

Speaking at a press conference in Ipoh today with his client, Kulasegan chided the IGP as perhaps the only IGP in the world who would refuse to execute a warrant of arrest, and said Indira’s predicament could easily be solved if the Khalid (above) would just enforce the court orders.

There would be no need for the attorney-general (AG) to intervene either if the orders were enforced, he added.

“Today, after five long years of pain and sufferings and having obtained a court order for the child to be returned to her, Indira’s agony and trauma are not yet over due to the inaction of the IGP, the wrong advice of the prime minister and the wrong action of the AG," he said.

"The IGP Khalid has refused to enforce the committal order, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has advised that the case be brought to the Federal Court, while the attorney-general (AG) Abdul Gani Patail wants to apply to intervene in both the civil and syariah courts and suspend their orders on the police,” he said in a statement today.

In the Indira’s case and a similar interfaith custody dispute in Seremban, the civil courts have awarded mothers the custody of the children overruling previous syariah court rulings that favoured the Muslim convert fathers.

The civil courts in both cases have also issued recovery orders for the children, which the police have refused to execute.

Blaming the purportedly conflicting court orders from the judicial  systems, Khalid said the police are caught in a dilemma over which court’s order to enforce.

“So we will not be enforcing either of the court orders. That is our stand,” he said.

This is despite the Ipoh court specifically ruling that its supercedes the syariah court's.

What of cabinet decision, Najib?

Meanwhile, Kula urged Najib to speak up on whether the cabinet still stands by its April 2009 decision on such custody disputes.

“Najib cannot keep silent on this issue. He must inform the public if his cabinet is still committed to the 2009 cabinet decision on unilateral conversions of minors and if so, when will the necessary law changes be tabled in Parliament.

“If his cabinet has abandoned the 2009 decision, the prime minister must explain to the people the reasons for the U-turn and how the government is going to resolve interfaith custody matters,” he said.

Citing the conflicting court orders from the judicial  systems, Khalid said the police are caught in   a dilemma over which court’s order to enforce.

“So we will not be enforcing either of the court orders. That is our stand,” he said.

In 2009, the cabinet decided in response to Indira’s plight that unilateral conversion of minors should be not be allowed, and laws will be changed to reflect that.

To date, the necessary amendments have yet to be made and the government has dragged its feet over the matter.

Bar Council president Christopher Leong yesterday mused that the amendments may have been "quietly forgotten".

Waytha: BN has to fulfill obligations to Hindraf otherwise face court -FZ.COM

MELBOURNE (June 25): The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Hindraf and the federal government on April 18, 2013 is legally binding and could lead to court action if the BN fails to honour it.

So said Hindraf leader, P. Waythamoorthy, during a forum in Melbourne last night titled Malaysia At The Crossroads.

Waythamoorthy told the small crowd that the first line in the MoU clearly states that it is a binding agreement, and that the BN has to honour that despite him resigning from his government posts earlier this year.

The agreement caused an uproar within the Indian community when it was signed just weeks before the GE13, after which Waythamoorthy was appointed senator and deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

He relinquished both positions eight months later claiming that the government had dragged its feet over implementing the MoU.

“But it doesn’t mean just because I’ve resigned that they shouldn’t fulfill their obligations, right?” Waythamoorthy said.

“We can take them to court but within two months the case will be thrown out and the matter will be forgotten. But we're not giving up."

“We’re consulting our team and re-strategising. Hindraf is very clear on what we want - solutions for our people. So we pressure the government to fulfill its promises and if it doesn't then at the right time, we have to take them to court.”

“We had no choice but to trust Umno”

The main question in the room last night was why Waythamoorthy even considered striking a deal with BN to which he replied that Hindraf had “no choice”.

He explained that Hindraf had held close to 25 meetings with Pakatan Rakyat in 2012 but reached a dead end when the opposition coalition refused to endorse any of the six demands.

“At the height of our discussions we even asked them to agree to just one of the demands but they still refused,” Waythamoorthy said. He however declined to elaborate on the reason behind Pakatan’s reluctance.

Hindraf was then “forced” to turn to BN which agreed to four of the six demands. According to Waythamoorthy, the BN also acknowledged that the Indian community had been neglected for 30 years and that the government had failed to register those born in Malaysia.

“We knew we were signing a pact with the devil but we couldn’t find the angel,” he said. “We were then obviously forced to support the government but our heart was bleeding. It was very difficult for us to openly tell our people to support BN.”

“But we did it for the sake of the poor and downtrodden, and because we had no choice. We could keep on fighting while the community continued sinking so we had to do the unthinkable.”

"Najib intended to fulfill his obligations"

After his resignation Waythamoorthy had hit out at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for being a “weak leader” who lacked the political will to make decisions and push for agreements to be implemented.

He reiterated this last night saying that Najib truly intended to fulfill his obligations towards Hindraf as he had been very involved in the negotiations, but he didn’t receive backing from his Cabinet.

“There were also objections from the MIC because if we were able to solve these issues then they would be irrelevant,” he added. “There were also the ultra-Umnos who didn’t want us to do our work because they couldn’t forgive us for raising the sensitive issue of Article 153.”

Waythamoorthy had declared in February that Hindraf would no longer strike any partnerships and would go solo in its quest to uplift the Indian community.

When asked if he would reconsider this stand if BN agreed to all Hindraf's six demands before the next general election, he was swift to answer, “Of course not!”

IGP: We're 'just monitoring' Indira's ex-husband

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has denied that police will arrest Indira Ghandi ex-husband for refusing a court order to return their child to her.

Instead, he said, Perak police are only searching for Riduan Abdullah @ S Pathmanathan to "monitor" him and "ensure the child is safe".

The IGP said police are not budging from its position not to enforce either the civil or syariah court order, which sided with Indira's ex-husband Riduan Abdullah, Bernama reports.

This follow's Malaysiakini's report quoting Perak police chief Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani (left) that it the state police is searching for Riduan @ S Pathmanathan following an order by the IGP.

He also said that police will take the same position in the custody battle between S Deepa and Izwan Abdullah @ N Viran, who snatched their son.

"The fact for the Perak and Negri Sembilan cases are the same. We first received a syariah court order instructing police to place the children with the father.

"Then we got a civil court order to place the children with the mother. So you see the conflict between the two court orders, which place the police in a dillemma over which order to enforce," he was quoted as saying in Seremban.

"So we will not be enforcing either of the court orders. That is our stand."

'Court will decide if I'm in contempt'

He also said that Article 121(1A) of the federal constitution places the syariah and civil courts at the same level.

Article 121 (1A) state that the civil court has no jurisdiction on matters under the jurisdiction of the syariah court.

Asked if his position means he is committing contempt of court, Khalid reportedly said it is up to the courts to decide on that.

He also urged online news portals to report the situation clearly to show that how the police are trapped between court orders.

Last month, the Court of Appeal rejected Izwan's application to stay the Seremban High Court's decision to award custody of their two children to Deepa.

The Ipoh High Court, meanwhile, found Riduan (above) in contempt for failure to return their youngest child to Indira, following a court order which awarded custody of their three children to Indira.

Malaysia is becoming so hateful; that is true. But I am not yet ready to hate it. Are you?

MALAYSIA is turning into a hateful country

Hate; it is such an ugly word. Yet I can’t think of anything else to describe what is happening here, the land where I am to spill my blood.

But then, why should I care? I am after all an intruder and immigrant.

Yes, I realise that when the racists speak about intruders and immigrants, they mean non-Malay intruders and immigrants; this despite the fact that many so-called Malays are actually of foreign origin. But I am not a hypocrite like them.

I know my roots and they spread to Yemen, to Medan, to Singapore. I wasn’t even born here. Yet I believe that I have as much right to be here as anyone else and my fellow Malaysians have just as much right as me.

And still the question remains: why should I care?

I don’t have the answer to that question because I am not a very philosophical man. Yet I know this; I have no desire to live in the Yemen, or Medan or Singapore.

And as much as I loved my significant time in England, I always knew that I would come home. And home is here, Malaysia.

Forgive the overly sentimental tangent this article is taking, but I am trying to make sense of my world as I write. It is hard to be purely analytical when one’s home is being slowly destroyed by the bigoted, small-minded, cruel and vicious.

This place is my home because I grew up here. My memories and therefore my identity are tied up to this place.

My tastes, my relationships, my way of thinking, in short everything that makes me the individual that I am, are due to this place.

But what kind of place is it now? It looks to me like the kind of place where the vicious can threaten to behead people, where those who are meant to be the final arbiters are unwilling or incapable of making judgments based on the principles they have sworn to uphold.

It is a place where cowardly leaders think only of their votes and not of making a stand against vile people and their vile deeds.

There is so much going on which is going to affect our basic needs of hearth and security. While the wheels of capitalism turn, we the ordinary folk are going to find it harder and harder to just make ends meet.

Yet we allow thugs to set the agenda. We allow non-issues to become national debating points. We allow the vicious to go on screaming malicious words with God on their lips and hatred in their hearts.

All this when we are living in a country with so much potential and wealth. If we can ensure that the truly needy, regardless of their creed or colour are protected and helped; if we can move our education system towards one where we produce thinking people and not well-educated automatons; if we can create a government in all its guises which is dedicated to honesty and the rule of law.

If we can do all these things, then the future will be more secure for all of us. It is there, within reach.

Instead there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel and all I see is a darkness populated by the shrill screeching of the hatemongers.

It does not need to be like this. If the face of this country is as twisted and ugly to you as it is to me, we can still do something.

We can challenge our elected representatives into a corner. Force them to tell us where they stand.

We can support the downtrodden. We can gather together in huge numbers to make a stand not for any political reason, but to show the bigots that they are not the only ones in this land and that their cruel philosophies are not welcome.

We can think for ourselves and not simply allow those with so-called authority to dictate our thoughts for us. We can be fearless in deed, words and thoughts to uphold the values that surely any country needs to hang on to – fairness, compassion, kindness, freedom and justice.

This country is becoming so hateful; that is true. But I am not yet ready to hate it. Are you?

> Azmi Sharom lectures environmental and human rights law in a public university. He can be reached at azmisharom@yahoo.co.uk. The views expressed here are entirely his own. Via The Star

Thousands of wild birds imprisoned in shoplots

 

VIDEO | 0:54mins

PHOTOS

The question is not, “Can they reason?” nor, “Can they talk?” but rather, “Can they suffer?” - Jeremy Bentham.

Human are causing unnecessary trouble and distress towards animals which were created in this world. We do not have any reason for causing misery to the creatures which can’t express their feelings. We are the weak and cowardly creatures in this earth by troubling other living beings. For that reason the entire human race is suffering and fighting against each other. Karma will take revenge.

Recently, while I was teaching my brother how to drive a car, we went to a residential area where it was very quiet. That was my first time to enter that place. It was called Taman Jayamas phase 1, Jalan Tun Dr Ismail, Seremban. Negri Sembilan. When I passed by a shoplot, I heard terrific noises from birds which seemed like they were crying. It was a heartbreaking sound.

I do not have any idea or clue about the whole row of shoplots. I went to the second row where terrace houses were built, and I asked a resident, “Why are there a lot of birds sounds from the building?” According to him, a man who is allegedly the owner of the project has approximately thousands of birds in a shop. That means more than 10 shophouses have more than 500,000 birds caged or imprisoned in the shoplots.

The question is how did Majlis Perbandaran Seremban give a licence for such a cruel project? The worst part is there is no light in the building nor an electricity connection. I am not sure how often the birds were fed. There is no proper space for birds to get fresh air. There are a few holes in every building but they are not sufficient for them to get fresh air.

Besides this, the shoplots were plastered with cement because apparently they didn’t want the neighbours to listen to bird-crying and noises. Wild birds are not supposed to be kept in homes, what about thousands of them in a shoplot. Who is to be blamed?

In the first place who, how and why did Majlis Perbandaran Seremban approved a licence for rearing birds in a residential area? If this can happen, is it possible for others to rear chickens, goats, cows in the shop lots especially in residential areas? A big question mark arises here. It should not be possible for someone to do so even if he owns the shoplots.

Majlis Perbandaran Seremban is fully responsible for this animal cruelty. Malaysia should tighten animal cruelty laws. Last week I had highlighted dog killing by Majlis Perbandaran Johor Tengah, and this week bird-keeping within the jurisdiction of Majlis Perbandaran Seremban. Are we thinking that we are supreme towards all living beings which are created by the creator?

What I have mentioned above is just my own view. Now it is time for every Malaysian to watch and see the pictures which are linked above. Rational-thinking Malaysian should push the government to tighten animal cruelty laws. If the current government fails to listen to this request, I will highlight the case to international organisations.

MALAYSIA BRUTALITY WAYS OF KILLING STRAYS

THIS IS MALAYSIA WAYS OF KILLINGS STRAYS SHARE THIS TO SHOW HOW THE LOCAL COUNCIL MAJLIS PERBANDARAN JOHOR BAHRU TENGAH AT JALAN MAKMUR, SKUDAI KILLS 7 STRAY DOGS WERE IN THE LORRY. Mr.SUHANTHAN GHANESEN TRAILED THEM. WHAT HE SAW WAS SHOCKING. ALL WERE DRAGGED OUT, STRANGLED AND BEATEN TO DEATH WITH AN IRON ROD. SHARE THIS BRUTALITY TO THE WHOLE WORLD. THIS PLACE ON, 5 JUN 2014 AROUND 10.30 AM AT THE MBJB PREMISES.

'Tribunal better than court in custody tussles' - Mkini

 

Malaysian Muslim Lawyers Association president Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar has proposed that a three-member tribunal be formed to deal with interfaith custody disputes.

According to him, this is a better option as opposed to bringing the cases to the Syariah High Court or civil High Court.

Zainul (left) said this is because non-Muslims would not want to go to the syariah court and the converted spouse may not want to go to the civil High Court allegedly for fear they would not get a fair judgment.

He noted that religious disputes in Malaysia have become a "sensitive matter", saying in other countries like Brunei there are no problems of non-Muslims seeking justice in syariah courts even in hudud law matters.

Hence, Zainul proposed that existing laws such as the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (Civil), and the various State Islamic Family Laws (syariah) be amended to cater for the formation of a tribunal to settle such disputes.

"I propose that the tribunal consists of a representative of the judiciary from the Civil High Court, the second member a judiciary from the Syariah High Court and the third panel member would be a representative appointed by the ruler, the sultan or the yang di pertua negeri.

"Having representatives from the Syariah and civil courts would ensure the interests of the conflicting parents would be safeguarded," he told Malaysiakini yesterday.

Asked over concerns of the ruler or sultan's representative not being able to act impartially, as the ruler is also the head of Islamic affairs, Zainul said they are not rulers for Muslims alone but also non-Muslims.

"There must be some level of trust in the ruler. If everything concerning Islam is not trusted then there would not be a resolution to this problem," he said.

Zainul added that once the tribunal arrives at a decision on the custody cases, the sultan or ruler could announce it and this would be final.

The parties involved, he said, should agree that the tribunal’s decision is final and cannot be appealed at the Federal Court.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Kedah PAS Youth and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (Mapim) proposed that the respective rulers step into the issue.

Two different jurisdictions?

Presently, a person who converts to Islam would go to the Syariah Court to seek custody of the children while the non-converting spouse would go to the civil High Court to settle the dispute.

This has resulted in conflicting orders.

In the past, interfaith custody battles like the R Subashini and S Shamala cases had been brought to the Federal Court but there was no resolution.

As an example, in the recent case of S Deepa (right), the police refused to act on the High Court ruling that granted her custody of her children overruling the earlier Syariah Court decision in favour of the father.

The judge ruled that the marriage was conducted under civil law prior to one of the spouse's conversion, and hence was bound by civil laws regardless.

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar however continued to claim there were "two rulings" and instead suggested that the children involved in the dispute be placed in childcare centres.

Commenting on the controversy, Syarie Lawyers Association Malaysia president Musa Awang argued both orders by the civil court and the syariah court are of equal strength and that is where the IGP faces a problem.

"The order issued by the civil court does not limit or result in the Syariah court order to be declared null and void," he said.

However, Zainul viewed that the IGP (left) was wrong in taking the middle path as he has to enforce the orders issued.

"He is the law or policy implementer and should be enforcing it (the laws) and not interpret at his own whim and fancy," he said.

"The proper way is for him to seek advice from the attorney-general over the matter," he added.

So far, the Attorney-General’s Chambers has been silent on this issue.

This despite a subsequent Ipoh High Court ruling on a separate case of M Indira Gandhi with similar circumstances where the ruling specifically mentioned that the civil court supersedes the syariah court rulings.

'IGP's childcare solution problematic'

Meanwhile, Musa said if the IGP wants to place the children in childcare centres, then based on Section 17 of the Child Act, a court order may be needed to do this.

Zainul pointed out that to see the plan through, the IGP or the police would have to make the application before the court, but the problem is they are not parties in the custody dispute.

Several politicians from BN and the opposition have slammed the IGP's stance of not abiding by the civil High Court order in the S Deepa and Indira Gandhi cases at the Seremban and Ipoh High Courts respectively.

Several lawyers when contacted have said that the civil court order is superior, as the syariah court order is not binding on non-Muslims, and in these cases, the non-converting spouse.

Musa, however, disagreed. He said both the Syariah High Court and the civil High Court have equal footing based on Article 121 (1A) of the federal constitution, which gives both courts its powers.

Ipoh court orders cops to find Indira's daughter - Malaysiakini

 

The Ipoh High Court yesterday directed the police to retrieve kindergarten teacher, M Indira Gandhi's youngest daughter Prasana Diksa within 30 days - failing which they would have to answer the court why they did not comply with the order.

Indira Gandhi's lawyer M Kulasegaran (left) told Malaysiakini it was rare for the court to issue such order but he was glad that Justice Lee Swee Seng had allowed it.

“The application was done ex-parte. The former husband's lawyers have been informed about it,” he added.

“With this order, the police are required to find and bring back the girl. If they fail to do so, they have to state the reasons via an affidavit.

"With this, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar will have to comply with the order and not propose something else,” he said.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Khalid had proposed a middle path to resolve such inter-faith child custody disputes by placing the children in childcare centres for both parents to visit until their cases are settled.

The Ipoh Barat MP also revealed the Ipoh police had also called Indira Gandhi and him for a meeting to resolve the issue following the solution proposed by the IGP.

“However, we turned down the meeting. We want the police to comply with the order for them to get back the child,” said Kulasegaran.

June 6 deadline

Yesterday's court order follows Indira Gandhi's former husband K Pathmanathan @ Mohd Ridhuan Abdullah’s failure to comply with the Ipoh High Court order dated May 30, for Ridhuan to return the five-year-old girl by June 6.

Ridhuan had been found guilty by Justice Lee of contempt of court for not returning the child, an order the court was willing to revoke, should the father return Prasana Diksa or her Muslim name Ummu Habibah, to Kulasegaran or the mother by that time.

On May 30, Justice Lee also ruled that the civil High Court is superior to the syariah High Court and declared the latter’s order which granted custody of Prasana Diksa to Ridhuan, to be declared null and void.

Besides Prasana Diksa, the couple have a son and a daughter, who were also converted by Ridhuan to Islam but they are now staying with the mother following the Ipoh High Court order.

It was reported that following Ridhuan's failure to return the child, Indira Gandhi had wanted her former husband to be arrested for contempt.

Khalid’s  (right) ‘middle path’  to resolve inter-faith child custody disputes by placing the children in child care centres resulted in mounting criticism at the IGP from various quarters including BN and opposition politicians.

However the IGP reportedly said the police will stick to its position as it is 'sandwiched between' two jurisdictions of the syariah High Court and the civil High Court.

Several lawyers have argued that the police should follow the civil High Court order in such disputes.

Zarina's dad: I complained to Perkim - Malaysiakini

 

The father of the bride whose Hindu wedding was disrupted by Islamic authorities said that he had complained about his convert wife raising their children as Hindu to the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Association (Perkim).

However, Abdul Majeed Gulam Kader, 54, told Berita Harian that no action was taken on his complaint, which was lodged in 1996.

“So my wife and our children followed her earlier religion. My in-law's also interfered even before my children were teenagers, then I lost my job and became unemployed.

“My in-laws are Hindu but my wife converted to Islam in 1979. I was born Muslim, but libelous reports say that my name before converting was Mahendran,” he was quoted by the daily as saying.

Perkim, among others, assists those interested to convert or have converted to Islam.

Abdul Majeed reportedly said that his wife, who is bride Zarina's mother, converted to Islam at Perkim and that all his children were born of Muslim parents.

Children taught Hinduism

Abdul Majeed added that he was at loggerheads with his wife and in-laws as his wife's family insisted on exposing his children to Hindu teachings when he was at work.

The pressure led him to drug addiction, resulting in imprisonment for three months in 1990.

He said they became estranged after a fued with his in-laws in 2000 when he scolded another daughter for staying out late.

Zarina's wedding according to Hindu rites at a Petaling Jaya temple was disrupted by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) as the department suspected she is Muslim.

She insists that she was born and raised Hindu and was converted without consent by her estranged father, who converted to Islam.

Jais has since said that they will assist Zarina, who is now not in the country, to amend her name and religious status with the National Registration Department (NRD).

However, the NRD said that it can only change someone's religion status from Islam upon order form the Syariah Court.

PM: Electricity tariff hikes to avoid subsidies for TNB

Sexual abuse: Prayer leader tries to molest minor

Villagers in Mansehra catch the accused and hand him to the police after thrashing him publicly. PHOTO: FILE

MANSEHRA: A prayer leader was caught while allegedly attempting to molest a minor girl in Chaihr village of Mansehra on Thursday.

Villagers who caught the accused handed him to the police after thrashing him publicly. Police and eyewitness said eight-year-old Maryam* was on her way to school when a prayer leader from the village mosque took the girl to the mosque after tempting her with sweets.

When he tried to molest her, the girl reportedly started shouting and crying which attracted the attention of passersby who barged into the mosque and caught the culprit red-handed. After beating him, they called the police who arrested the prayer leader.

A criminal case was also registered against him.

This was the second incident of sexual abuse in four days. Earlier, a seminary teacher allegedly raped a girl with the help of her friend in a moving vehicle.

(*Name has been changed to protect the victim’s identity)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2014.

We have taken statement from Isma chief, says deputy IGP

Police will submit the investigation papers against Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president

Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman to the Attorney-General's Chambers next week.

Abdullah Zaik is being investigated with sedition after he accused the Chinese of being "trespassers" and further questioned their citizenship and wealth. He refused to apologise despite an outcry against his remarks.

The DAP and MCA lodged numerous police reports against the leader of the controversial Muslim group and today, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin told The Malaysian Insider that Abdullah Zaik was questioned last week.

"Abdullah Zaik had his statement recorded two days after the police reports were lodged on May 7. I can confirm this," Bakri said.

On May 7, both the DAP and MCA lodged separate reports against Isma at the Dangi Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Abdullah Zaik's remarks sparked outrage among the Chinese community, with politicians across the divide demanding that action be taken against him.

But he insisted there was no harm in his statement as he was just stating "a historical fact".

"Why should I apologise for what I said? It was a historical fact. The Chinese have forgotten their origins, so I must remind them.

"I refuse to apologise; it is they (the Chinese) who should be mindful of our (the Malays') feelings."

Abdullah Zaik had originally asked on Isma's website: "Who gave them (the Chinese) citizenship and wealth until the results of their trespassing are protected until this day?

"This was all the doing of the British, who were in cohorts with the Chinese to oppress and bully the Malays."

Abdullah also said this was a mistake which had to be corrected but he did not say how.

"Nobody has the right to mortgage the sovereignty of Islam and the Malays on this land,” he said in a statement posted on Isma’s website.

Today, the Muslim group sparked further controversy when they attacked the DAP through their website, saying that the opposition party can cause another May 13 if left unchecked.

Isma vice-president Abdul Rahman Mat Dali wrote on the Muslim NGO's website that DAP's struggle had caused a lot of hurt and pain to the feelings of Muslims.

"If DAP is left alone, it could cause splits and divisions similar to what happened on May 13, 1969," Abdul Rahman said.

"The party has rejected Malaysia as an Islamic nation and the Muslims as the original race who should receive special rights," he said.

"DAP has been trying to change Malaysia's identity from an Islamic nation to a country which has a non-Islamic status," Abdul Rahman said.

He said DAP leaders had been fighting for the word Allah to be used in Bahasa Malaysia Bibles and have been against the implementation of hudud.

In a nutshell, Abdul Rahman said, DAP's actions and that of the Chinese community who support the party, were a threat to national unity and harmony.

'Islamic university bars forum on hudud'

 

 Participants and panellists attending a planned forum on hudud at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) found themselves barred from the venue, claims PAS.

The university’s security personnel locked the entrance to the hall "at the last minute", alleged PAS Youth's legal and human rights director Noorazmir Zakaria (right) in a statement today.

This was despite preparations and setting up of equipment for the event on Wednesday night having already been made in the hall, he said.

He maintained that the forum’s organisers, the Islamic Revealed Knowledge Students Secretariat, had obtained prior approval from the university’s administration for their ‘Hudud: Understanding before implementation’ event, which was held on Wednesday night.

Undeterred, the organisers proceeded with their event outside the locked venue as the participants had already arrived, laying out mats, said Noorazmir, one of the panellists.

“I would like congratulate the youths for attending the forum that night and would not budge although pressured by the administration.

“It is proof that youths today are familiar with the law and are not pak turut (blind followers) who are frightened by cheap threats,” he said.

Noorazmir also claimed organisers have told him that security personnel had locked the doors because his name was allegedly blacklisted by the police.

He vehemently denied the allegation and said it was merely an excuse given as an afterthought to stop the forum.

He said he has never been accused or charged with any crime, nor was he ever arrested by the police.

“I wish to stress that the excuse given by the UIA administration is a malicious slander mean to insult me.

“I ask that the university show proof that I have been blacklisted by the police in such a manner,” he said.

In addition, he said he was informed that another forum on hudud at the university has also been cancelled, and questioned the university on why it is so fearful of the issue since the subject is taught to Syariah law students at the university.

He added that universities should be places of learning and there should be more forums to help students develop.

Malaysiakini is attempting to contact the university for its response.

Zaid torches 'hypocrite' Najib for fuelling fire

A responsible prime minister extinguishes the flames that can burn a nation and does not add fuel to the fire. But Najib Abdul Razak has failed this fiery test, according to Zaid Ibrahim.

He questioned the prime minister's transformation from a self-proclaimed reformist prior to the last general election to sounding like a warrior of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) now.

Castigating Najib for his reckless statements, he said as a leader, the prime minister should be the voice of moderation and reason.

"A responsible prime minister does not put fuel on fire," he added in his blog.

Zaid was commenting on the prime minister's recent remarks about the dangers of liberalism and the threat posed to Islam.

Without mincing words, the former law minister also branded Najib and like-minded leaders as annoying hypocrites.

He also asked who were the supposed enemies of Islam, the superpowers or Christianity?

"But wasn't Najib showing off how close he was to (Barack) Obama just a few weeks ago? He even had a free ride in the presidential car.

"If Christianity is the enemy, why didn't Najib sort out the matter when he visited the Pope?" he added.

These leaders adore the 'topless' West

According to Zaid, leaders like Najib adore the West and the things it offers.

"That's why leaders like Najib like go to Western countries for their holidays. There, they buy books that they ban in Malaysia and watch movies they would not allow in their own country.

"Some even like the nightlife, the casinos, and the same 'immoral activities' that they say will cause harm to Islam and Muslims in Malaysia.

"They have not found the music, topless parties or gay parades so revolting that they must turn their backs on the West," he added.

Zaid noted that Malaysians realise that these leaders are pretending and soon this truth would also dawn on those who reside in Felda settlements.

"There are no real enemies other than manufactured ones. Our leaders will manufacture enemies for the Muslims because they do not want their fellow Muslims to experience the comfort of this liberal society, or to enjoy this freedom like they do.

"They are afraid the truth will be discovered: when the people have no imaginary enemies, they do not need leaders who are hypocrites," he added.

KJ's confusing and ridiculous defence

As for Khairy, Zaid took a swipe at the Oxford-educated Umno Youth chief for attempting to shield his boss with  ridiculous and confusing explanations.

"Every time Najib says something silly, which happens quite frequently, Khairy is there to provide the necessary clarification or explanation so that the damage is minimised.

"The latest offering was an explanation that Najib's statement — liberalism is dangerous — had been misunderstood because the prime minister used the word 'liberalism' too liberally (that's confusing enough but never mind)," he said.

"Khairy then went on to explain that the prime minister was trying to say there could not be 'unfettered liberalism' or liberalism in excess, such as gay parades on the streets or topless parties," he added.

According to Zaid, this is the trick the prime minister’s apologists play on Malaysians.

"They always use ridiculous examples to distort points raised by the public," he added.

KDN tidak lantik orang tengah urus pekerja asing

Ketua Setiausaha KDN Datuk Seri Mohamad Khalid Shariff berkata sebarang permohonan pekerja asing perlu diuruskan secara terus oleh majikan.

PUTRAJAYA: Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) hari ini menegaskan bahawa kementerian tidak pernah melantik mana-mana pihak sebagai perantara atau orang tengah bagi memudahkan urusan permohonan pekerja asing.

Ketua Setiausaha KDN Datuk Seri Mohamad Khalid Shariff berkata sebarang permohonan pekerja asing perlu diuruskan secara terus oleh majikan.

“Justeru, jika ada pihak yang mengaku sebagai agen atau wakil kementerian maka ia adalah tidak benar,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Mohamad Khalid berkata KDN sentiasa memandang serius terhadap sebarang dakwaan dan aduan orang ramai mengenai penglibatan sindiket atau mana-mana agen yang menawarkan permohonan pekerja asing kepada majikan.

“Sekali lagi KDN menegaskan tidak akan berkompromni dan akan mengambil tindakan terhadap mana-mana pihak yang terlibat secara langsung dan tidak langsung dalam kegiatan yang tidak berintegriti ini,” katanya.

-Bernama

Priest calls for police presence in church area

'Attack on nuns came after numerous car break-ins and snatch thefts.'

SEREMBAN: The Visitation Church here has urged the police to set up a post near its compound and conduct daily morning patrols in the area.

In a press statement that came in the wake of Wednesday’s violence against two nuns, parish priest John Gnanapiragasam said: “There have been numerous incidents of break-ins into cars within church premises and surroundings, and snatch thefts that have been reported to the police.

“We hope and pray that finally a police pondok will be set up on Sundays in front of the church on Jalan Yam Tuan and daily morning police patrols be carried out.”

Gnanapiragasam also gave some details about Wednesday’s attack, in which Catholic nuns Julianna Lim and Marie-Rose Teng were seriously injured.

“Contrary to numerous initial reports and unwarranted speculations and biased interpretations by others, two of our 13 CCTV cameras have captured part of the incident as it occurred, aided by our brightly lit garden lights,” he said.

“Based on our CCTV recording, at 6.05am a passing motorcyclist, on seeing potential victims, makes a U-turn and rides into Gate 2, a minute after the sisters’ car had driven in.

“The assailant, wearing a screened crash helmet and with a lighted torch in hand, runs after the two sisters, who dressed in everyday clothes.

“The assailant is seen running towards his motorcycle and taking off at 06.07am.

“The sisters are then found lying on the ground when the main door of the church opened at about the same time.

“The ambulance from the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital arrives within minutes to take the sisters to the hospital.”

Gnanapiragasam recorded his gratitude to the staff of the hospital, saying they were giving the nuns “the best medical and surgical care”.

He criticised comments about the incident made on the Internet and in the conventional media that he said had “sensationalised and politicised” the incident.

“Given the current tense situation in the country, any incident like this is unfortunately immediately seen in relation to racial sentiments and religious intolerance,” he said.

“We appreciate the care and concern expressed by citizens, netizens, our Prime Minister and our chief of police.

“We want to reiterate that as Christians and in solidarity with all true Malaysians we will continue to believe, pray and promote genuine racial integration and true religious harmony in Malaysia.

“This isolated incident and diverse reactions and differing responses are testimony that crime, be it hate crime or theft crime, is a deplorable occurrence in our society.”

EC starts probe on DAP campaign style

DAP's style of campaigning in Bukit Gelugor by using the portrait of Karpal Singh in banners has not gone down well with the rivals.

GEORGE TOWN: The Election Commission (EC) has started investigating several complaints on the DAP campaign style of projecting the late Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh as the candidate for the parliamentary constituency.

State EC deputy director Mohd Faiz Syaswan Zainal Abidin said he had received several complaints on Karpal’s portrait used in posters and banners depicting him as a candidate.

Mohd Faiz told FMT that he would probe and take action if the DAP was found to have breached election campaign rules.

The DAP posters and banners have depicted Karpal as the party candidate rather than his son Ramkarpal Singh Deo, 38.

A random check in the constituency showed that DAP had put up many election billboards and banners with portraits of Karpal using the tagline “I am Karpal Singh” in English, Malay, Tamil and Chinese.

The election materials have also depicted pictures of Ramkarpal and several unknown individuals of all ethnic groups.

Malaysia Tourist and Travellers Association pro tem chairman Syed Kamarul Sufian, 40, and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) vice-president Huan Cheng Guan’s aide T Thirunyanesambathan, 34, have also questioned the DAP style of campaigning.

They said the banners with large portraits of Karpal Singh and unknown individuals would mislead and confuse voters.

Thirunyanesambathan said they wanted the EC to probe and clarify whether this style of campaigning was allowed under the election laws.

Syed Kamarul also asked if the DAP feared losing in its so-called fortress Bukit Gelugor by embarking on a “I am Karpal Singh” propaganda blitz.

“DAP is exploiting and capitalising on Karpal’s legacy to confuse the people, voters and tourists as well.

“The party should not abuse Karpal’s name for selfish political gains,” said Syed Kamarul.

Not banking on sympathy votes

However, Ramkarpal denied he was stirring the “Karpal sentiment” to woo sympathy votes but acknowledged that it was difficult for him to come out from his father’s shadow.

“I cannot detach myself as even my name is part of my father’s. I don’t see anything wrong in continuing his legacy.

“People can say whatever they want but I am comfortable in carrying on my father’s tradition,” Ramkarpal told newsmen during a walkabout in Seri Delima today.

Favourite Ramkarpal faces Huan, 53, and, independent candidates lawyer Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, 46, and Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohamed Abdul Sathar, 63, in a four-cornered fight for Bukit Gelugor.

The federal seat fell vacant after Karpal was killed in an accident on the North-South Highway near Kampar, Perak, on April 17.

The latest Election Commission data shows Bukit Gelugor has 82,431 voters comprising 61,267 (74.33%) Chinese, 11,913 (14.46%) Malays, 8,848 (10.73%), Indians and 403 (0.49%) others.

The late Karpal polled 55,839 votes to score a majority victory of 41,778 votes against Barisan Nasional candidate Teh Beng Yeam, who could just garner 14,061 votes, in the 2013 general election.

DAP can cause another May 13, says Isma in its latest salvo

Lee Shi-Ian, The Malaysian Insider

Controversial Muslim rights group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) today claimed that DAP was capable of causing another May 13 racial riot if the party was left unchecked.

Isma vice-president Abdul Rahman Mt Dali wrote on the NGO’s website that DAP’s struggle had caused a lot of hurt and pain to the feelings of Muslims.

“If DAP is left alone, it could cause splits and divisions similar to what happened on May 13, 1969,” Abdul Rahman said.

He said DAP was a party which practised socialist and secular ideologies, and demanded equal rights for all races.

“The party also disputes Bumiputera rights,” Abdul Rahman said, adding that socialist and secular ideologies were against Islamic principles.

“DAP has also brought the concept of a Malaysian Malaysia, which has been labelled as the ‘New Malaysia’,” Abdul Rahman said, adding this was against the Federal Constitution.

“The party has rejected Malaysia as an Islamic nation and the Muslims as the original race who should receive special rights.

“DAP does not acknowledge the social contract and pretends to forget about it although it was drawn up during the early days of Independence.

“Malays sacrificed a lot to accept foreign immigrants (pendatang) as citizens in a wholesale manner in the spirit of the social contract although their loyalty to Malaya had yet to be ascertained.”

Abdul Rahman said there were even some “pendatang” at that time who could not speak a word of Bahasa Malaysia.

“But ever since DAP managed to garner 90% of Chinese support in Malaysia, they have become arrogant and bold enough to pressure Putrajaya for the interests of the Chinese community.

“DAP has been trying to change Malaysia’s identity from an Islamic nation to a country which has a non-Islamic status,” Abdul Rahman said.

He said the party had even challenged the position of Malays and claimed that Malays were not the original inhabitants of Malaysia and as such, there was no need for special rights to be given to the Malays.

Abdul Rahman said all of these was in direct violation of the meaning and spirit of the Federal Constitution.

He said DAP leaders had been fighting for the word Allah to be used in Bahasa Malaysia Bibles and have been against the implementation of hudud.

In a nutshell, Abdul Rahman said, DAP’s actions and that of the Chinese community who support the party, were a threat to national unity and harmony.

Abdul Rahman said Malaysia was the inheritance of Malays for the past 60,000 years and the country had been an Islamic nation since the early 15th century.

"Malaysia's status has remained unchanged even until today despite the entry of intruders of various races and nationalities.

"Isma's stand is that the Malays are deserving of the special rights conferred upon them as this land is their inheritance.

"Malays are still not strong because they have been plagued by various colonies and intruders over the past 450 years.

"The riches of the land have been plundered by intruders and colonials of ancient times. Some of these riches were taken back to the West, and some to China."

Early this month, Isma sparked anger among non-Muslims when its president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman said Chinese migrants brought to Tanah Melayu by the British were "trespassers".

Abdullah Zaik had also warned non-Muslims in Malaysia that they had no right to oppose the plan to implement hudud, and said non-Muslims should understand that there were limitations to what they could say.

He had said non-Muslims “should be thankful that they have more than what they need in this country”.

“I don't see what their contributions are for them to be given so many privileges in the first place,” Abdullah Zaik had said.

Abdullah Zaik had also claimed that hudud should not just be imposed on Muslims but on all Malaysians.
Following his comments against non-Muslims, police began investigating Abdullah Zaik under the Sedition Act 1948 after numerous reports were lodged.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also advised Isma to pipe down as their comments were hurting Malaysia.

ISMA Dakwa DAP Mampu Cetus Tragedi 13 Mei Sekali Lagi

(Malaysiakini) – NGO kontroversi Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) mendakwa, perjuangan DAP dan kaum Cina jika dibiarkan mampu memecah-belah dan mencetuskan huru-hara di Malaysia.

Naib Presiden II ISMA Abdul Rahman Mat Dali berkata, ia ekoran perjuangan DAP berpaksikan ideologi sosialis, sekular, hak sama rata semua kaum di samping membawa konsep Malaysian Malaysia.

Semua fahaman itu, menurutnya, jelas sekali bertentangan dengan Islam dan perlembagaan, lapor laman web pertubuhan itu.

“Dalam masa yang sama mereka turut mengatur langkah untuk mencair dan mengubah identiti Malaysia sebagai negara Islam kepada negara berstatus bukan Islam.

“Jadi jika terus dibiarkan, kelak ia mampu memecah-belah dan mencetus huru-hara seperti yang pernah terjadi pada 13 Mei 1969,” Abdul Rahman dipetik sebagai berkata.

Katanya, DAP yang mendapat sokongan hampir 90 peratus kaum Cina di negara ini menjadi lebih angkuh dan berani apabila sering mendesak kerajaan demi kepentingan kaum itu.

Mereka tidak mengiktiraf dan “buat-buat” lupa tentang kontrak sosial di ambang kemerdekaan dahulu yang mana ketika itu orang-orang Melayu berkorban menerima pendatang asing sebagai warga negara, lapor laman itu.

Laporan itu juga menyebut, setelah diceroboh lebih 450 tahun, khazanah bumi dipunggah sebanyak-banyak oleh penceroboh pelbagai bangsa sesuka hati dengan membawa harta pulang ke negara mereka.

Maka, tambahnya, sudah tentu orang Melayu lebih-lebih lagi patut dibantu untuk benar-benar mampu bangun bersaing.

You will hear me roar — Dyana Sofya

MAY 15 — My mother was active in politics. As her kids, my brothers and I were exposed to politics at a very young age. We would frequently meet our politician uncles and aunts during dinners, teh tarik sessions, Hari Raya open houses and birthday parties. Some of them made it to ministerial posts in later years, while some were not as lucky.

Growing up observing my mother taught me many, many things. With the good came also the bad. I soon learned that politics was a dog eat dog world which required one to have nerves of steel and skin as thick as oak before one could even begin to participate.

My older brothers in particular saw what my mother endured. They read the books she brought home from work. They saw the dirty games and Machiavellian tactics that my mother had to put up with in the name of “perjuangan.” For the party. For the country.

They also saw how she was betrayed by her own comrades and best friends for the sake of position and power. As a result, they have sworn themselves off from the world of politics.

It all began in the late 1980s, when my mother was a UMNO worker. She had loyally served the party for years, but all her sacrifice and hard work counted for nothing when the newly constituted UMNO Baru of Dr Mahathir decided not to rehire staff that had been inclined towards the “Team B” of his opponent, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, during the 1987 UMNO election.

At the time, she was just about to return to work after maternity leave.

She had just given birth to me.

*

Twenty years later in 2007, I began the first year of my Bachelor in Legal Studies at UiTM. Malaysia had moved on from Mahathir by then, the Prime Minister being Pak Lah, a former “Team B” man.

As social movements in Malaysia began to gather pace — such as Hindraf, Bersih and anti-ISA rallies, my friends and I began to get interested in politics. We googled, we read, and we became aware. The next obvious step was to begin attending political ceramahs of various parties and groups. Some were pro-establishment, but mostly were anti-government. When my mother found out, she asked me: “Aren’t you afraid? You might get arrested for being pro-opposition.”

It was the same thing some of my friends said to me. My only reply was to say that some of these “anti-establishment” leaders who fought long and hard for what they believed in despite suffering under detention were now prominent leaders and would be, when history is written fifty years from now, be seen as heroes.

Only cowards fear the judgement of history.

*

In 2011, I made the decision to join the DAP. Once again, my friends thought: “There she goes again, doing something no one would think of.”

The truth is, I didn’t do it just to be different. I did it because I felt Malaysia needed a new kind of politics. I had seen how racial politics was nothing but a scam. My mother is Malay, yet she was shunned by the very party that claims to protect Malays. Hence, the racial model is nothing but a means of power-hungry leaders to stay in power. The only way forward for our country was to break this model of racial politics.

And so I chose DAP. For its principle of multi-culturalism. For its principle of standing up for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. For its principle of doing what is right, despite the risks and repercussions. I knew that if I made this choice that I believed was right, I would not have to fear the judgement of history.

Of course, joining DAP came with a price. I was immediately scrutinised and lambasted. False stories were created. My words were twisted. I was labelled a “pengkhianat.” I was also called many other names.

Just a few days ago, rumours began swirling around that I may be a possible candidate for a parliamentary seat. I was of course just as surprised as everyone else. But I was even more surprised by the wave of attacks that ensued.

My personal details were misused. My phone number was distributed and I have since been the target of hundreds of lewd messages. Another thing I have realised — Malaysian society is misogynistic!

And now, to tarnish my image further, there appears to be a photo of me allegedly wearing a bikini. While I think the Pinay actress in question is very attractive, I feel this really displays the level of guttural politics that our opponents would go to, especially against a female. Guys, please grow up.

Try as they may, they will not break me. My mother and my mentors have taught me well. They had warned me that there would be days like these. As much as I have been attacked, I have also received titanic support from my family, friends, comrades, former colleagues and fellow Malaysians across all age groups, races, faiths and parties.

Many have called to encourage me. Some have said they believe in me. But the truth is, it is Malaysians like them who make me believe in what I’m doing. And it is Malaysians like those who have been attacking me that give me even more reason to continue the “perjuangan.”

As I said earlier, I am confident that I will fall on the right side of history.

And so to my detractors, I wish to paraphrase Katy Perry. You will hear me “roar!”

* Dyana Soya is political secretary to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang.

Najib's Visit To UAE Enhances Malaysia-UAE Bilateral Ties In Various Sectors

From Sharifah Nur Shahrizad Syed Mohamed Sharer

ABU DHABI, May 16 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from May 17-19 is expected to pave the way for new opportunities for collaboration in bilateral ties, including in the education, tourism, trade and investment sectors between Malaysia and the West Asian oil producer.

Malaysian ambassador to UAE, Datuk Ahmad Anwar Adnan said the visit of Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to Abu Dhabi would also open up opportunities for the two countries to exchange views on the regional political and economic development in the Middle East and Gulf countries.

"The visit will enhance Malaysia-UAE bilateral relationship that is already established," he told Malaysian journalists here Friday.

Najib's three-day visit was at the invitation of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UAE is one of Malaysia's main trade partners in the Middle East and last year's bilateral trade between the two countries recorded RM27.7 billion, an increase of 11.7 per cent compared to RM24.8 billion the previous year.

Najib is expected to arrive in Abu Dhabi tomorrow and will be accorded an official welcome at the Mushrif Palace on Sunday morning before taking part in a four-eyed meeting with the Crown Prince.

"The official welcome accorded to the prime minister is a tribute because the Mushrif Palace is opened only to certain world leaders," said Ahmad Anwar.

Also joining the trip are Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and several senior government officers.

The prime minister is also expected to have a meeting with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al-Maktoum, who is also Ruler of Dubai.

Ahmad Anwar said the highlight of Najib's visit is the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) ceremony between 1Malaysia Development Bhd and Awqaf, an Abu Dhubai authority in Islamic affairs.

He said the MoU was expected to include the construction of a mosque, Islamic resource centre and Permata activites, child care and early education fund, which was the brainchild of Rosmah.

Najib and Sheikh Mohammed will also witness the execution of further collaboration between Malaysia and Abu Dhabi partners in the field of education and tourism.

Najib is also scheduled to witness an MoU signing between Felda and Lulu International Group based in Abu Dhabi pertaining to the setting up of the Lulu hypermarket in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Rosmah has a separate itinerary, including a visit to the Abu Dhabi Autism Centre and a courtesy call on Abu Dhabi Women Association President, Sheikha Fatima Mubarak in Sea Palace.

Dyana unfazed by 'bikini' attack

Crime against women: Girl sold a year ago recovered, ‘buyer’ arrested

The SP said she was ‘sold off’ to a distant relative, Basheer Masih, for Rs40,000 a year ago. PHOTO: FILE.

LAHORE: The police on Tuesday night arrested a man who had allegedly ‘bought’ a girl from her brothers a year ago.

Model Town SP Tariq Aziz Sindhu told The Express Tribune that Mariam*, youngest of seven siblings, lost her parents in a motorbike accident three years ago.

She then started living with two of her brothers, Shamoon and Asif, in Bhai Pheru.

The SP said she was ‘sold off’ to a distant relative, Basheer Masih, for Rs40,000 a year ago.

He said Mariam ran away from Masih’s house in Youhanabad on Friday and went to her uncle Bhola Masih for help. He said her uncle brought her to the police.

Sindhu said the police found and arrested the man on Tuesday.

He said he claimed he had married the girl at Model Town courts a year ago. He said the man could not furnish proof of the marriage.

“He is obviously lying as no court would allow him to marry a 12-year-old,” Sindhu said.

Sindhu said that the girl had accused the man and his 18-year-old nephew of sexually assaulting her.

Sindhu said the nephew had also been detained.

Bhola Masih, the girl’s uncle, told The Express Tribune that Basheer was an alcoholic and had been involved in drug peddling cases some years ago.

Kot Lakhpat SHO Atif Meraj told The Express Tribune that the girl was presented before a judicial magistrate on Wednesday and permission was sought to get her examined by doctors.

He said that the court had allowed the medical examination and the girl would be examined by doctors of the Lahore General Hospital on Thursday (today).

A case under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was initiated against Basheer and his nephew. SHO Meraj said action under Section 109 of the PPC had been initiated against the girl’s brothers, Shamoon and Asif.

*NAME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT IDENTITY

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2014.

Saudi Arabia: Farmers flout Mers warning by kissing camels

People are taking photos and videos of themselves kissing camels in defiance of a warning from Saudi health authorities not to go near the animals, which have been linked to the deadly Mers virus.

In recent days, Saudi Arabia has urged people to wear masks and gloves when dealing with camels, to stay away from raw camel meat and camel milk, and not to go near sick animals, the newspaper Gulf News reports. But some people have refused to listen to the government's advice, posting videos and sending messages in support of camels.

In one video, a man stands between a pair of camels and asks it to sneeze. "Look at me! Sneeze, sneeze! They say there's Corona in this," the man says, while hugging and kissing his two camels. Then he shakes one of the camels' heads and says, "She says no. Is there Corona in you? She says no."

Meanwhile, a Twitter user with the handle @fheed6666 - who has more than 90,000 followers - tweets to acting Saudi Health Minister Adel M Fakeih: "@adelmfakeih #the_campaign_against_camels_exposed And we call for it to stop or for evidence to be produced because camels are fine and all the ill people are in cities." An info-graphic circulating on Twitter suggests camels are more valuable than petrol.

Saudi Arabia is the country by far most affected by Mers, with 133 deaths since the virus was detected in 2012. Nearly 500 people in the kingdom have been infected.
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Sarawak suspends ‘Anak Angkat’ programme after complaints of covert conversions

Sarawak's education department today suspended the controversial "Anak Angkat" (adoption)

programme in schools in the state following protests from parents that the event was a covert attempt to convert Christian students to Islam.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman (pic), who ordered the suspension of the programme, however, said the entire issue was a misunderstanding.

He said it was a sanctioned motivational programme funded by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, aimed at students from poor families.

He said the programme was run by an NGO called the Organisation of Graduates and Educational Institutions Malaysia, or better known as Haluan, which is based in Bangi, Selangor.

Daud said all religious elements in the future module of the programme would be removed.

“There was no intention to convert non-Muslims to Islam in the programme,” Daud said.

Yesterday, Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing highlighted this issue after parents of students in SMK Balai Ringin complained about the programme.

The parents told Masing the programme, first held at SMK Serian, a school about 60km from Kuching, was attended by about 50 mostly non-Muslim students on March 8.

The second was held at SMK Balai Ringin, a school about 6km from SMK Serian, last Saturday but the number of students who attended was only 21.

The whole programme was supposed to be run for 10 weeks on every Saturdays.

Students told their parents two teachers picked who should attend the programme and said it was a co-curriculum activity, but added they were asked questions on Islam.

They also pointed out that the programme facilitators were all Muslims and the talks had religious elements.

Daud said the suspension would allow the education department to review the module of the programme to remove all suspicions about it being a covert religious conversion programme.

“What happened in SMK Balai Ringin is a very regrettable affair. Even though the intention of the motivational programme was good, it was misunderstood by the students and their parents,” Daud said.

He said if it is found that there was an attempt by the NGO, Haluan, to use the programme to convert students in Sarawak schools, action would be taken against them.

“We believe that conversion is up to the individual. Any attempt to covertly convert non-Muslims to Muslims is not right.”

Daud made it clear that it was the policy of the state that Islamic religious agencies in Sarawak would never become involved in attempts to convert non-Muslims into Islam.

He also said to preserve the harmony and religious tolerance in the state, the Sarawak Majlis Islam kept tabs on all “dakwah” (missionary) activities in the state.

“Any missionary group coming into the state would be vetted and their programmes scrutinised.”

He said those that do attempt to break the state's "no-forced conversion" policy would be deported.

Haluan started its programme in 2009 with the aim to motivate poor students to perform better academically. – May 15, 2014.