Sabah ‘colonised’ by Malaya, says Jeffrey Kitingan ahead of Malaysia Day - TMI

Sabah’s presence in Malaysia will become meaningless if the federal government continues to dominate through its officers and agencies from the peninsula, Sabah opposition politician Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said in his Malaysia Day message.

Sabah had become “just a colony of Malaya” through the appointment of government officers, federal ministries, departments and agencies instead of allowing locals to fill these posts, the Bingkor assemblyman said.

"Sabah is slowly becoming a Malay unitary state of Malaya," said Kitingan, who is also chairman of Borneo Heritage Foundation.

He said Putrajaya had robbed Sabah of its independence, re-engineered the population and given political franchise to illegal immigrants.

Malaysia, he said, had become a “takeover project” through Umno, and through federal control of oil resources and tax revenues.

"Even our rights to visit and honour our Oath Stone, (Batu Sumpah) in Keningau has been denied to us. Do not brand us as trouble makers when we question what is wrong," he added.

A group of Sabah natives under the Jaringan Orang Asal Sabah had tried to hold a traditional ritual at the oath stone on August 31. The stone located within the premises of the Keningau District Office commemorates the 20-point agreement that protects Sabah’s rights as a member of Malaysia.

The state government had issued a directive to ban the group from holding the ritual near the stone.

Of late, Sabah has seen a rise in anger against the federal government over the erosion of rights and provisions in the Malaysia Agreement.

The Facebook group, Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia, has grown increasingly vocal about calls to secede from Malaysia in the run up to Malaysia Day, as long-standing issues such as unequal development, federal control over Sabah’s oil revenue and under-representation of Sabahans at senior levels of the federal service, come to a boil. – September 15, 2014.

51 years of Malaysia, and where are we?

 

COMMENT Tomorrow, Sept 16, will mark the  nation’s 51st anniversary of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, by way of an agreement to form a ‘united nation’ of four entities - Peninsular Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.

The island republic left us in 1965. Or, as some would insist, was expelled in that year.

More than half a century ago, our forefathers fought tirelessly to gain independence for Malaya, which was achieved back in 1957. And then came independence from British colonial rule for Sabah and Sarawak, which in 1963 joined with Malaya and Singapore to form Malaysia.

What have we become today?

It has been a great relief for me, after years of working in Singapore, to finally resettle back in Malaysia, after missing peers and of course, the Malaysian atmosphere.

Life in a developed country was rather different, despite it being just a Causeway over a narrow straits. I honestly felt Singaporeans were more ‘Malaysians’ than Malaysians themselves. Weird, but it is a bitter pill to swallow for some.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 boasts about the lushnes of greenery in the country, forged by the multi-ethnic diversity of its people, welcoming tourists around the world with warmth. And all these despite the real situation in many parts of peninsular Malaysian being marred by a series of racial and religious intolerance. Be this in the urban or rural areas, the situation is felt throughout the country.

Major news dailies and portals too never cease to ‘detour’ from such sensational religious and racial spats in the country, giving much coverage to the various, so-called ‘defenders of faith and race’. After all, stirring emotions and sentiments of the people will annoy the ruling government, and get it to be on its toes at all times.

Gone are the days of the far-fetched stories of the early days of Malaysia, where people were jolly and a young nation like Malaysia was way ahead among her peers in the South-East Asian countries.

Fast forward to the year 2014, with barely six years to go to the year 2020 and the infamous Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Vision 2020, what have we achieved in order to become a fully developed nation? Socio-economic stability? Inclusive politics?

The nation seems to be more divided than ever during these hard times with countless politicians, activists, journalists and academicians hauled up to the court for sedition and various charges. Freedom of speech, as we stand for, is but all in vain as we turn backwards in our direction.

Threats to the very foundation of a nation

The failure to subdue the imminent threats to the nation has serious long-term effects to nation building; not from terrorism or militants, but from the divisive mentality and policies of various political parties and NGOs in the country.

The fact that the country was built by Malaysians in diversity, and the emergence of three different groups, namely radical conservatives, moderates and secessionists in East Malaysia, have taken a toll on the direction of the country.

Are we getting more and more divided than before? It is so, it seems. However, in my honest opinion, the Law of Nature will take its course in striking the equilibrium of a ‘bell curve’ of moderation.

Coming from the humble city of Kuching, I have known life in the East Malaysia to be far much different than what I see here in the peninsula.

And we have the message, “Sarawak for Sarawakians”, spreading throughout the state among Sarawakians, it is to ignite nationalists in the state to stand up against the divisiveness and racism that is so common in peninsular Malaysia.

With the Sarawak election looming around the corner and expected to be called next year, the election will be the first test for the state's newly-minted Chief Minister Adenan Satem, even as he is widely expected to retain a stronger majority in Malaysia’s oldest state assembly.

With growing factionalism in the state Barisan Nasional, will the call of “Sarawak for Sarawakians” continue to echo among its people?

Disparity between the East and West Malaysia seems to be brewing since the general election last year. Incidents and events of racial and religious intolerance in West Malaysia have irked most East Malaysians, and have been likened to a ‘virus’ seeping into the state.

Growing dissatisfaction of these events have certainly contributed to the emergence of secessionists in Sabah and Sarawak.

Confucius in Analects 8:2 wrote: “The Master said, 'Respectfulness, without the rules of propriety becomes labourious bustle; carefulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes timidity; boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination; straightforwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness'.”

The only way to seal the bonds and break the differences is to adopt the principles of loyalty, filial piety, propriety and righteousness.

'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' – A way forward

‘Unity in Diversity’, literally translated from Indonesia’s national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (in Javanese) should be a reflection for all of us as we celebrate 51 years as a nation.

The recently concluded United Nations Alliance of Civilisations Global Forum held in Bali, Indonesia, was a great eye opener to efforts made by many nations, like Malaysia even, in forging stronger inter-cultural and inter-religious understanding and dialogues. We are not alone in facing such racial and religious bigotry, after all.

Hate speech, religious and racial intolerance are among the global phenomenon as the world continues to drown in the turmoil of clashes and conflicts.

As we move ahead to the years to come, bridging our divided nation by supporting efforts of understanding is the way forward. And this begins with the simple acts of mutual respect, understanding and humility.

We live in a world of diversity, and so is Malaysia, a nation that proudly calls itself ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’. A call, I would say, is also one to unite everyone under the umbrella of a sovereign nation we call home.

There will be those who will go against the efforts of equality and justice for all, belittling people of other races and of different faiths. The nature shall take its course, as the voice of ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ ignites the conscience of Malaysians to stand together once more in unity.

Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysians! Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban!

---

NORMAN GOH is a member of the Malaysiakini Team.

Zaid: Spell out what insults Zahid's 'sacred four' - Malaysiakini

 

If there are no detailed laws and prohibitions covering the four sacred areas mentioned by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, then it would be unfair to punish Malaysians for talking about them, said former law minister Zaid Ibrahim.

Despite the sedition crackdown, he did not mince words in claiming that the apartheid system in South Africa was better than the situation in Malaysia as the laws then were clear.

"If you listened carefully to the home minister's speech a few days ago, you would have been troubled by its lack of clarity about exactly what constitutes an offence to the four sacred areas he grouped together as the social contract.

"Umno would use all available laws to punish those who question them, the minister screamed," he added in his blog post today.

Starting with Bahasa Malaysia, Zaid pointed out that no right minded Malaysians are opposed to the national language.

"It probably exists only in the mind of the minister. If the PM speaks in English at his press conference (and he likes to do this), would he be insulting the national language?

"Must a Malaysian speak in Bahasa Malaysia at least once a day to be regarded as 'not opposing' the language? We should have laws passed to make it clear what constitutes an offence.

"If we don't, then Umno would always be able to say so-and-so is not loyal to the language or is opposed it. In other words, things would be even worse than what it was like under apartheid because the people would not know what the offending act is. It's all up to Umno," he added.

On the issue of royalty, Zaid asked when does one insult a ruler, and called for it to be put in writing as well.

"If a Malay ruler decides to have executive powers in the administration of the country and that is permitted by Umno, then say so in our laws so that the people understand it is an offence to oppose it.

"Pass a clear law that prohibits even commenting on the wishes of a ruler. That was the situation with the Chinese emperor in the Middle Kingdom.

"At least then we would not be duped into thinking that we have a right to ask questions and then face criminal charges for that. We cannot pretend to be a normal democracy when we are actually semi-apartheid in substance," he added.

Islam and Malays' special position

Terming Islam as the "big issue", the former minister also wondered what amounted to insulting and challenging the religion.

"For now, everything the authorities do cannot be questioned, for this might be construed as insulting Islam. Help the people by spelling out the issue or circumstances clearly.

"For example, Rosli Dahlan, a friend and lawyer, is facing disciplinary action for defending another Muslim, Kassim Ahmad, in the Syariah Court," he added.

Touching on the fourth sacred area of Malay special rights, Zaid noted that during apartheid,  questioning the whites for their discriminatory policies was an offence.

"How different is this from what the home minister said in his recent speech? For now, no one knows what constitutes the Malay rights that he was talking about.

"Article 153 is about 'privileges' so I am not sure what Malay 'rights' are. If I say we should send more Malays to vocational and semi-professional courses, and therefore fewer of them to universities, the minister will probably think I am anti-Malay.

"(Former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently said Malays are lazy or lacking in integrity. Is this an offence? We should list out all the situations where we are prohibited from talking about the Malays, the way the Afrikaaners did to the blacks," he added.

In the absence of clear laws, Zaid noted that Umno would become the sole authority to define what is and isn't an offence .

"It is already clear that if you make Umno angry or feel insulted, it’s an offence. This is pernicious and unfair , and far worse than the laws that were in place during the apartheid era, surely," he added.

As Dr M backs Anwar, Selangor palace loses moral ground

For one thing it was Mahathir who instructed Anwar, who was then an Umno vice-president, to lead a negotiation with the rulers after Umno lost Kelantan in the 1990 general election.

Aziz Bari, The Ant Daily

It is not really necessary as the law and practice on the point have been very clear. But when former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad revealed on Sept 11 that he, when he was Umno president, actually submitted one name to the palace, the octogenarian had virtually vindicated his arch nemesis Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The latter had, two days earlier, apologised to the Sultan of Selangor for just submitting one instead of two as HRH has required. The Sultan has made his displeasure public and he rebuked both PKR and DAP. Only PAS has complied with the palace request.

Apology notwithstanding Anwar, like DAP, stuck with the name of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the MB-designate as it was, the Pakatan Rakyat leader said, a matter of constitutional principle.

Not many people know that Mahathir actually disliked the Umno-led power grab in Perak in 2009 when the Malay party depended on the royal assistance to wrest the state back after losing it in the 2008 general election. I had the privilege to hear this from the horse’s mouth itself over a meal. Mahathir knew that making such matter public would incur the wrath of Umno which was desperate to claw back to its former glory.

Be that as it may, for those who were old enough to see how Mahathir fought tooth and nail to circumscribe the rulers’ powers and influence during his two-decade premiership would not be too surprised.

For one thing it was Mahathir who instructed Anwar, who was then an Umno vice-president, to lead a negotiation with the rulers after Umno lost Kelantan in the 1990 general election. The Malay party was humiliated 36-0 by PAS who was with Semangat 46, a splinter party led by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

The party general assembly that followed was filled with attacks on the nine rulers, most of which would have caught the net of Sedition Act 1948. Umno eventually came out with one resolution: that power to appoint menteri besar at the hands of the rulers must be abolished. Back to the negotiation itself the rulers were then led by the late Sultan Azlah Shah of Perak who used to be the Lord President – the judiciary chief – before he ascended the throne in 1984.

Given the amendment procedure in the Federal Constitution itself, as well as the unpredictable nature of general elections, Umno later realised that such abolition could not be done. But somehow the Malay party still wanted to score political points. Hence their insistence on putting on a limitation on what Umno claimed the rulers’ interference in politics. This was spelt out in a document, officially known as Declaration of Constitutional Principles 1992, which was actually concluded after a series of talks between the rulers and the Umno team led by Anwar.

Up to now, I would say the consistent practice has been along the line laid down by the Federal Constitution. Thus what has been done by the Sultan of Selangor – ignoring the prevalent majority in the house and insisting on new names to be submitted – stands as the only deviation from the otherwise smooth transfer of power in Selangor following the sacking of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim from PKR on Aug 9.

If we narrow down the law to situations prevalent after a general election or change of guard during the term, the precedents are overwhelmingly against the Selangor palace. I know some will raise the points put up by two lawyers – Datuk Sallehudin Saidin and Datuk Param Cumaraswamy – on Sept 10.

My short response to them is that we need to understand the provisions of the Federal Constitution within a parliamentary context, hence the need to refer to the practice of Commonwealth countries. This was recommended by the Reid Commission that drafted our constitution. The two lawyers apparently took the provisions out of that context. And that is why they came out with strange result.

The overwhelming precedents I mentioned above include the smooth transfer of power between Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak in 1970. Other occasions include the one between Datuk Hussein Onn and Mahathir in 1981 and the one between the latter and his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2003. We saw the same pattern in 2009 when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak succeeded Abdullah. The fact remains that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to use the term by constitutional authority Professor Rodney Brazier, did not play any significant role in the process: a mere bystander. Indeed this is what is expected from a good referee who must stand above the fray.

We have similar law governing the states. That is why we saw the similar phenomenon in Sarawak and Terengganu earlier this year. Even in Selangor we went through the same route. Remember 1997? The Sultan accepted the one name submitted by Mahathir. And it is interesting to note that the MB-designate then was not even a member of the Selangor Assembly: the MB designate Datuk Abu Hasan Omar was still a federal minister in Mahathir’s cabinet! As such, one finds it weird that Wan Azizah, after showing the 30 statutory declarations with her on Aug 14, is still waiting for the royal audience.

Dr Abdul Aziz Bari is formerly IIUM law professor who now teaches at Unisel. He is also Senior Fellow at independent think tank IDEAS and state-owned Penang Institute.

The lazy, greedy, dishonest Malay

The point is many Chinese and Indians talk fondly about the Malays they knew back in the 1950s and 1960s. Then, by the 1970s, things started to change. The Malays started to become more aggressive, abrasive, competitive and greedy. They started to look at things from a Malay versus non-Malay perspective.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Quite a few people, Umno as well as opposition leaders and supporters, have commented about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement regarding the lazy and dishonest Malays.

It appears like Malaysians are divided on the issue, though. Even some Malays think that Dr Mahathir is right while some Malays think he is wrong. And opinions both for and against are not divided along political affiliations. There are some Umno people who agree with Dr Mahathir and other Umno people who do not.

I believe this is the same for the non-Malays as well. There are non-Malays who think that Dr Mahathir is right while there are others who think he is wrong. And this is the beauty of free discourse. You are free to offer your views and opinions even if they may not be correct.

Dr Mahathir has always been irritated with the Malays since long before he became Malaysia’s Prime Minister in 1981. Hence I do not view Dr Mahathir’s view as racial in nature. And if any Chinese, Indian or ‘others’ agree with Dr Mahathir I would not consider them racists as well.

It is just that many do not understand the Malay psyche, Dr Mahathir included.

Back in 2003, when asked what his greatest regret in his 22 years as Prime Minister is, Dr Mahathir replied that his greatest regret is that after 22 years he still could not change the mindset and attitude of the Malays. “Why can’t the Malays be more like the Chinese?” lamented Dr Mahathir.

Well, if the Malays were more like the Chinese, then the British would not have needed to bring the Chinese to Malaya from the mid-1800s onwards to work the tin mines. It is because the Malays did not want to work the tin mines that they needed to bring in the Chinese labourers.

And the same goes for the Indians who were brought in to work the estates. It was because the Malays did not want to do that job so they had to bring in the Indian estate labourers. If the Malays were prepared to do that job then, today, Malaysia’s population would not be only about 60% or so Malays. Malaysia’s population would probably be 95% Malay like in the East Coast of West Malaysia (except for the population of the main towns, of course).

I faced this same problem back in the 1970s-1980s when I operated a small fleet of fishing boats in Terengganu. Initially I tried to use Malay fishermen but could not make any money. The Malays were not prepared to fish for long periods of time. They would go out in the morning and return the same day. Hence we lost money.

I then brought in Chinese fishermen from Sungai Besar and Sabak Bernam. They would go out and return three, four or five days later once the hold was full of fish or once they ran out of ice and fuel. Invariably we made money because the cost of ice and fuel for three days or more was not that much different from the cost of ice and fuel if you just fished for one day.

Unfortunately, Umno was not happy that I brought in Chinese fishermen into what they considered ‘Malay territory’ and this matter was raised in the Terengganu State Assembly. I was then summoned to the State Fisheries Department and the Director, Seow Kuan Tow, told me about the complaint and advised me to get rid of the Chinese fishermen.

I eventually had to sell off my boats at a great loss because used fishing boats do not really have a good second-hand value. I lost about RM100,000 at a time when a Mercedes Benz cost only RM47,000. So in that sense I lost two Mercedes Benzes. And it was because it was not profitable to operate the boats with Malay fishermen and Umno would not allow me to use Chinese fishermen.

By the way, this was around the time that Dr Mahathir was complaining about the Malays and when his book ‘The Malay Dilemma’ was banned because it was too critical of the Malays and of the Umno Malay leadership.

So what is wrong with the Malays? Are they really very lazy? Dr Mahathir thought so plus he thought that the Malays lacked ambition and a competitive spirit. That was why he wrote that book and whacked the Malays. And what Dr Mahathir said in his book was quite accurate although his prognosis of the reason why the Malays are like that may be wrong.

You see; Malays are also Muslims so the Malays are Muslims first and Malays second. And in Islam you are taught to be shukor (satisfied, grateful or contented). God will provide and all you need to do is to be a good and obedient Muslim and follow the teachings of Islam and God will never abandon you. Have you not heard Christians, too, say that the Lord shall provide?

So Malays will work only as far as their needs are fulfilled. Any surplus and it is no longer need but greed. “How much can you eat?” the Malay will ask. As long as there is food on the table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head, that is all you need.

Malays differentiate between needs and wants. You need a car. You do not need a Ferrari. A Ferrari is what you want, not what you need. So a Proton is good enough to drive you to work and to send your kids to school. Anything else is just to show off that you have money. And this is considered pride and ego and a sin in Islam (as it is in Christianity as well).

Then along came Dr Mahathir and his book ‘The Malay Dilemma’ and Umno’s New Economic Policy in the 1970s to tell the Malays that they should not be contented. Why should they be contented? Malaysia belongs to the Malays but the non-Malays have ‘stolen’ all the wealth. The Malays must become successful and not be hamba di negara sendiri (slaves in your own country). And Malays were told to stop working for others and to start their own businesses even if they do not have a head for business.

To get rich is glorious. In fact, it is mandatory. If not how to take back the country from the pendatang (immigrants)?

But not everyone can be a good businessman. And not all the Chinese are successful as well. There are many more failures compared to success stories amongst the Chinese community. Cleverness or stupidity is colour-blind. Remember I mentioned above that I employed Chinese fishermen from Sungai Besar and Sabak Bernam? So there are poor Chinese fishermen as well, just like there are poor Malay fishermen.

But these Chinese fishermen from Sungai Besar and Sabak Bernam worked hard not because they are cleverer than the Malay fishermen from Terengganu but because they had no choice. If they could not give me a profit I sent them home and replaced them with other Chinese fishermen. And they needed the work so they feared being sent home.

Anyway, I am digressing. The point is many Chinese and Indians talk fondly about the Malays they knew back in the 1950s and 1960s. Then, by the 1970s, things started to change. The Malays started to become more aggressive, abrasive, competitive and greedy. They started to look at things from a Malay versus non-Malay perspective.

But that is what happens when you wake the Malays up and ask them to fight for their rights (whatever that is supposed to mean). And when you cannot win the fight in a clean way you fight dirty. The objective is to win and not in how you play the game. Hence matlamat menghalalkan cara or the end justifies the means.

Keshukoran or contentment/satisfaction is no longer the in thing. You must be successful. And success is measured by your wealth. People look down on you when you are not wealthy. You command respect when you have plenty of money.

And the shortcut to becoming wealthy is politics. In politics you have power and with power you can become wealthy, although the non-halal way.

In the 1940s and 1950s no one wanted political power. You practically had to beg them to lead you and they would do so most reluctantly. Today, they will fight tooth and nail to gain political power. And nothing is haram when it comes to politics.

So why lament now that Malays are greedy, lazy, dishonest, inconsiderate, and more. That is what we wanted the Malays to become and they have become just that. Just be happy that the Malays will resort to anything to get ahead, whether fair means or foul. Old values no longer apply. The Melayu Baru is now a most brutal beast that will kill its own mother if necessary.

Maybe Dr Mahathir should celebrate this as a success rather than a failure.

Zaid: Situation here is worse than apartheid

At least under apartheid the laws are clear-cut and precise unlike in Malaysia where the people do not know what the offending act is.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zaid Ibrahim has said that while the whole world, including Malaysia, condemned apartheid when it was in place in South Africa, Malaysia was no different, probably even worse.

Zaid also said although offensive, apartheid was at the very least clear-cut and precise.

He added that laws were enacted to preserve the separation between race communities and discrimination against the black population, and everyone knew where they stood.

“Can we say the same is true in Malaysia?” he asked.

He added that the whites made no bones about their position and did not care what the rest of the world thought about them.

“How different are we in Malaysia?” he asked.

Zaid said the Home Minister’s speech a few days ago lacked clarity about exactly what constituted an offence to the four sacred areas he grouped together as the Social Contract.

The minister had said that Umno would use all available laws to punish those who questioned them.

“How can one be thought to be opposing Malay as a national language? No right-minded Malaysian will oppose to the national language.

“We should have laws to make it clear what constitutes an offence. If we don’t, then Umno will always be able to say so-and-so is not loyal to the language or are opposed to it.

“Things will be even worse than what it was like under apartheid because the people would not know what the offending act is. It’s all up to Umno.

“The second sacred issue is the royalty. What are the things we must not do against a Ruler?

“If a Malay Ruler decides to have executive powers in the administration of the country and that is permitted by Umno, then say so in our laws so that the people will understand it is an offence to oppose it,” he said in his blog, Zaidgeist, today.

Zaid said another big issue was Islam and everything the authorities did could not be questioned as it might be construed as insulting the religion.

He said the government should spell out the issue or circumstances clearly.

He added that in South Africa, questioning the whites for their discriminatory policies was an offence – how different is this from what the Home Minister said in his recent speech?

“For now, no one knows what constitutes the Malay rights that he was talking about. Article 153 is about ‘privileges’ so I am not sure what Malay ‘rights’ are.

“If there are no detailed laws and prohibitions covering the four sacred areas, it would be most unfair to punish Malaysians for talking about them,” he added.

“Then Umno would be the sole authority to define what is and isn’t an offence,” he added.

Zaid said it was already clear that if you make Umno angry or feel insulted, it was an offence.

He said this was unfair and far worse than the laws that were in place during the apartheid era.

Writer charged over tweet on IGP

The Malaysian People's Party member pleads not guilty to charges of posting comments meant to “demean” and “annoy”.

KUALA LUMPUR: A freelance writer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of posting comments through his Twitter account that allegedly demeaned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

Wong Hoi Cheng, 43, entered the plea after the charge was read out to him before Judge Abdul Rashid Daud.

He is alleged to have deliberately posted the comments to rouse anger and embarrass IGP Khalid Abu Bakar and the police force. The offence was allegedly committed at a restaurant in MidValley, Brickfields, at 2pm on August 31.

Wong, a Malaysian People’s Party (PRM) member, was charged under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail sentence of two years or a fine or both.

He also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of posting the offensive comments about Khalid with the intention of annoying others. For this, Wong was charged under Section 233 (1) (a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, punishable under subsection 233 (3) with a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum of a year’s imprisonment or both.

Abdul Rashid allowed bail of RM4,000 in one surety and fixed Oct 27 for mention of the case.

Wong was represented by Arafas Abdul Razak.

Kula to IGP: Listen to your predecessor

DAP’s Kulasegaran urges the IGP to carry out his duties and arrest Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah immediately.

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s M.Kulasegaran has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar to arrest Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah for contempt of court after failing to surrender his six-year-old child to his ex-wife, Indira Ghandhi.

Kulasegaran cited former IGP, Musa Hassan who openly supported the arrest of Ridzuan and called for Khalid to abide by the Judge’s order to set aside his “personal opinion” and “carry out his policeman’s duties without fear or favour”.

“I am sure the former IGP has deeply thought how unfair the present IGP is on refusing to exercise his power to act against Ridzuan and retrieve the child”.

“The IGP should take the views of his predecessor very seriously and be persuaded to carry out his duties with vigour and arrest Ridzuan and retrieve the child immediately,” said Kulasegaran.

He added, “Section 20 is crystal clear and has spelt out the duties and obligations of an IGP. The IGP must carry out the orders of the court.”

Confirming that the police already know the whereabouts of Ridzuan, Kulasegaran said, “This is an open and shut case for the police to locate the fugitive.”

He added, “Nobody is above the law and that includes the IGP.”

Indira has struggled since 2009 to regain custody of the child she had with Ridzuan, who was 11 months old when Ridzuan took her away along with two older siblings and converted them to Islam.

The High Court later granted Indira full custody of all three children. In a decision on March 11 2010, Ridzuan was ordered to return the child, now six to the mother, an order he has refused to abide by.

Malaysia: Sedition Act Wielded to Silence Opposition

Government Campaign Violates Free Expression Rights

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014

(Bangkok) – The Malaysian government should cease using the country’s sedition law to arbitrarily arrest opposition lawmakers, activists, and critical academics, Human Rights Watch said today. Since 2013, at least 14 people have been charged under the Sedition Act 1948 for criticizing the government or government officials. Those found guilty face up to five years in prison and a fine of RM 5,000 (US$1,600).

The government of Prime Minister Najib Razak should repeal the Sedition Act, which has repeatedly been used to prosecute people for political purposes in violation of the right to freedom of expression.

“The Malaysian government is increasingly using the Sedition Act to instill fear and silence in political opponents and critics,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. “Prime Minister Najib’s crackdown on free expression has shown his true rights-abusing colors.”

The Sedition Act prohibits vague offenses such as uttering “any seditious words” without defining what constitutes “sedition” or “seditious words.” It broadly outlaws any “seditious tendency” that would “bring into hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against any Ruler or against any Government.”

In the period before the general election on May 5, 2013, Prime Minister Najib repeatedly said that he would lead an effort to repeal the Sedition Act and replace it with a so-called Harmony Act. However, following the election, in which the ruling coalition the Barisan Nasional retained power despite major losses in the national parliament, he retreated from his pledge.

Malaysian authorities have used the vaguely worded act to charge four opposition members of parliament with sedition, including Party Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Vice President Tian Chua and Democratic Action Party (DAP) Vice President Teresa Kok.

On August 19, 2014, the authorities charged PKR Vice President N. Surendran with sedition in connection with a statement to the media attacking the decision of the appeals court. A second sedition charge was brought against him on August 29 for alleging that the renewed sodomy charges against his client, the parliamentary opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, were “an attempt to jail the opposition leader of Malaysia,” and that Prime Minister Najib was responsible.

On August 26, the authorities charged Khalid Samad, a member of parliament from the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), with sedition for allegedly critical remarks he made regarding the Selangor state sultan and the State Islamic Affairs Council. Khalid had called for reviews of laws after the state council failed to abide by the attorney general’s decision that Iban and Malay-language Bibles seized by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department must be returned to the Bible Society of Malaysia.

In June, authorities charged Kok with sedition for her Chinese New Year video “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014,” which depicts Kok as host of the program with three volunteers playing characters before a small audience. The video makes no mention of any individual or the government.

The DAP Penang State Assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer was charged on August 27 for allegedly saying “celaka celaka UMNO” (“damn, damn UMNO”) to several state assemblymen of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) during an assembly session in May.

On September 3, the authorities brought sedition charges against David Orok, a politician from the state of Sabah, claiming that he defamed Islam and the Prophet on Facebook. He has pleaded not guilty and apologized on his Facebook page, but the authorities confiscated his passport and the court released him on RM 7,000 ($2,200) bail.

The authorities charged five activists and Tian Chua with sedition for remarks made on May 13, 2013, at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. The group had accused the government of pervasive voter fraud and suggested that under current election regulations, the opposition coalition could never win an election. On September 5, 2014, a Kuala Lumpur sessions court sentenced Safwan Anang, former chair of Malaysian Students Solidarity, an activist group, to 10 months in prison, although he was released on RM 15,000 ($4,700) bail pending his appeal. Cases are still pending against Tian, the activists Hishamuddin Rais, Haris Ibrahim, and Tamrin bin Abdul Ghafar, and the student leader Adam Adli.

The government is also prosecuting academics and journalists under the Sedition Act. On September 1, Dr. Azmi Sharom, a University of Malaya professor, was charged with sedition for comments related to a political event five years ago. On September 10, a group of academics and students organized a public rally on Azmi’s behalf and to decry the threat the Sedition Act poses to academic freedom. The Attorney General’s Chambers announced that it would review the sedition charge against Azmi and possibly others.

On September 4, the authorities arrested Susan Loone, assistant editor at Malaysiakini, an online newspaper critical of the government and ruling coalition, on suspicion of sedition for her article that included statements by Phee Boone Poh, a Penang State executive councilor. Loone was held and interrogated for nine hours before being released on bail. Police had earlier detained Phee because of his role as chairman of the Penang People’s Voluntary Patrol, an auxiliary force connected with the state government that the inspector general of police alleges is illegal. The story reported Phee saying that during four hours of police questioning he was “treated like a criminal.”

The government has also investigated several senior opposition politicians but ultimately charged them with sections of the penal code that severely restrict expression. On August 28, the authorities charged Rafizi Ramli, a senior member of the PKR and member of parliament, with article 504 of the penal code, which criminalizes “intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.” The charge was based on statements he made in a newspaper article that suggested that UMNO was attempting to undermine and destroy the PKR leadership in Selangor State by using policies emphasizing race and religion.

Similarly, on August 25, authorities charged the former Perak State Governor Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, from the opposition PAS party, for defaming Prime Minister Najib in remarks he made in Ipoh in April 2012.

“The Malaysian government has apparently decided that its vaguely worded Sedition Act is its new catch-all charge against its most vocal critics,” Robertson said. “Prime Minister Najib should realize that throwing activists and opposition leaders in jail for what they say is a slippery slope to authoritarian rule.”

Perodua Axia Sets New Benchmark In EEV Market - Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The all-new Perodua Axia, the latest energy efficient vehicle (EEV) model launched by Perodua will set a new benchmark in terms of quality, cost management and productivity in the EEV market.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Perodua Axia, the Malaysia's first EEV car has proved that Perodua is able to adapt and flourish in the country.

"It is our hope that the brand will emerge as a regional player and later, a globally recognised brand," he said when launching the car at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here, Monday night.

Also present were Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Hamim Samuri, Second Deputy Education Minister, P. Kamalanathan and Perodua president and chief executive officer, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.

Muhyiddin who is also chairman of the special committee to tackle the cost of living lauded Perodua for introducing an excellent model that is value for money.

With this new model, Muhyiddin said Perodua has amply rewarded Malaysians with what they truly deserve, by developing the car that the market wants.

"This is the car that offers a simple and contemporary design which combines functionality, practicality and eco-friendly, and yet is available at a very affordable price.

"Based on the price list and the features of the car, I believe that the Perodua Axia will be well accepted by MalaysianS. I further hope that this model will be marketed to the Asian region in the near future."

Muhyiddin also said the Malaysia's EEV focus is not merely on fuel efficient vehicles, but also encompassed the whole automotive green life cycle.

He added it was imperative to take into account the entirety of the automotive value chain in transforming the industry towards a sustainable one.

"The emission of greenhouse gases need to be controlled throughout the process in producing vehicles, while both vehicle and component manufacturers have to improve their processes to reduce the impact on the environment.

"And this should include optimisation of energy usage and resources management," he said.

With continuous ‎investments by companies like Perodua, Muhyiddin said the government's plan under the National Automotive Policy 2014 in making Malaysia an EEV production hub would be realised.

ISIS claims third execution

'Melayu malas': Orang ramai tidak setuju

ISIS Video Shows Execution of David Cawthorne Haines, British Aid Worker

David Cawthorne Haines Credit Reuters

By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI and KIMIKO DE FREYTAS-TAMURA

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria released a video Saturday of the third beheading of a foreign hostage, a British aid worker. The execution was a clear message to Britain, a vital ally of the United States as it builds an international coalition to target the militant group, which has made stunning advances across Syria and northern Iraq in recent months.

The video shows the aid worker, David Cawthorne Haines, kneeling on a bare hill under the open sky, in a landscape that appears identical to where two American journalists were killed by the group in back-to-back-executions in the past month. In the moments before his death, the 44-year-old Mr. Haines is forced to read a script, in which he blames his country’s leaders for his killing.

“I would like to declare that I hold you, David Cameron, entirely responsible for my execution,” he said. “You entered voluntarily into a coalition with the United States against the Islamic State.” He added: “Unfortunately, it is we the British public that in the end will pay the price for our Parliament’s selfish decisions.”

Nearly 1,000 French Citizens Joining 'Islamic State'

French Islamists reportedly streaming to join radical jihadi group, including 60 women; threat of attacks in Europe growing.

Around 930 French citizens or residents, including at least 60 women, are either actively engaged in jihad in Iraq and Syria or are planning to go there, the interior minister said Sunday.

In an interview with Le Journal de Dimanche weekly, Bernard Cazeneuve said: "930 French citizens or foreigners usually resident in France are today involved in jihad in Iraq and Syria."

According to the minister, "350 are on the ground, including 60 women. Around 180 have left from Syria and 170 are en route for the zone."

In addition, some 230 people are looking to head to areas held by jihadists. Added to this total of 930, an estimated 36 have already died out there, said Cazeneuve.

Western governments have voiced concern about the possibility of their citizens joining Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria and then returning home to commit atrocities.

The man who carried out the apparent beheading of British aid worker David Haines speaks with a British accent; he is believed to be the same jihadi who appeared in the beheadings of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff.

Cazeneuve said that some returning jihadists boast about what they have done and "say they are ready to leave again."

"Others, destroyed by the violence and atrocities they saw or participated in, say they no longer want to be involved."

"Some claim to have left on a humanitarian mission, but we have reliable information that they fought in jihadist ranks," explained the minister.

He announced that "at least 70" people had been prevented from leaving after authorities received around 350 alerts about possible jihadists.

This included around 80 minors and 150 women.

France has created a law aimed at stopping aspiring jihadists from travelling, which includes a ban on foreign travel of up to six months for individuals suspected of radicalisation and gives authorities powers to temporarily confiscate and invalidate their passports.

In a recent parliamentary report, France had previously estimated that 950 suspected of engaging in jihad.

Asked about Frenchman Mehdi Nemmouche, suspected of killing four people at Brussels' Jewish Museum in May, Cazeneuve said: "The perversity of the terrorist jihadist system means that you do not necessarily have to receive a mission to carry out a terrorist act."

"When people are psychologically destroyed by daily acts of extreme violence, decapitations or other acts of barbarism, all their moral values fall, all their points of reference are wiped out."

Dr Mahathir malu dengan kaum Cina sebab Melayu malas

Bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad mempertahankan kritikannya kaum Melayu malas, serta mengakui malu dengan kaum Cina yang disifatkannya lebih maju ke hadapan.

Dr Mahathir berkata, kaum Melayu masih tidak rajin, memberikan contoh situasi yang berlaku di pusat pengajian tinggi di mana hampir majoritinya perempuan berbanding lelaki.

"Belum rajin. Umpamanya tidak rajin belajar. Kalau kita pergi universiti, 70% perempuan. Budak-budak jantan (lelaki) apa dia buat? Jadi mat rempit, itu saya kata tidak rajin," kata Dr Mahathir dalam wawancara eksklusif bersama Mingguan Malaysia hari ini.

Menurut Dr Mahathir, walaupun mendapat tempat di institusi pengajian tinggi, kaum Melayu tidak manfaatkan masa sepenuhnya untuk belajar secara serius dan tidak membaca buku.

Dr Mahathir mengaku malu dengan kaum Cina, mengambil contoh dalam penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris.

"Saya malu, budak-budak Cina belajar tiga bahasa tetapi bercakap Bahasa Inggeris lebih fasih daripada budak-budak Melayu.

"Kita belajar dua bahasa, Bahasa Melayu dan Inggeris, tetapi orang Melayu cakap cukuplah apa hendak belajar Bahasa Inggeris lagi," kata beliau merujuk kepada keputusan Putrajaya memansuhkan Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris (PPSMI) yang diperkenalkannya.

Bekas presiden Umno itu berkata lebih mengecewakannya, kaum Melayu tidak bersikap jujur dan amanah serta terlalu mementingkan wang berbanding kaum Cina.

"Kedua berkenaan kejujuran, ikhlas dan amanah.

"Sekarang ini saya ada kedai roti, saya hendak terus terang, saya amat malu kerana di antara pekerja Melayu, Cina dan Myanmar atau mana-mana, pekerja Melayu kadang-kadang kalau tengok duit dia lupa, dia tidak jujur.

"Dia nampak duit, kalau boleh sapu, dia sapu.

"Orang Cina tidak begini," katanya kepada akhbar Utusan Malaysia edisi Ahad itu.

Dr Mahathir turut mengungkit sikap orang Melayu yang tidak mahu membayar hutang walaupun berkemampuan.

"Berapa banyak orang Melayu bila berhutang, tidak bayar.

"Dapat biasiswa tidak bayar balik. Bukan tidak ada duit tetapi tidak bayar. Kita kena amanah," katanya.

Menurutnya lagi, atas faktor itu juga banyak kontrak diberikan kepada Cina kerana lebih amanah berbanding kaum Melayu.

"Kita hendak beri kontrak, kita beri kepada Cina sebab kita tahu dia buat elok.

"Ini kelemahan kita, kita tidak amanah," katanya.

Bekas perdana menteri paling lama berkhidmat itu mengakui beliau mengkritik kerana enggan menipu diri sendiri, sebaliknya belajar untuk berdepan dengan realiti.

"Saya tidak pernah hendak tipu diri. Kalau malas, saya kata malas.

"Kalau orang tidak suka, tidak sukalah," katanya.

Baru-baru ini, Dr Mahathir juga secara terbuka mengakui gagal mengubah kaum Melayu yang dianggap sebagai pemalas.

Baginya, untuk kaum Melayu berjaya, mereka perlu menjadi lebih rajin dan tekun, serta mengubah cara bekerja.

"Kita kena kerja lebih tekun, lebih kuat dan lebih rajin.

"Macam saya perkenalkan Dasar Pandang Ke Timur kerana saya perhati orang Jepun rajin bekerja," katanya.

Zahid: I'm not racist, just defending Malay rights

Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been championing the four key thrusts printed in the Federal Constitution as the national social contract, today said that he was not being racist or trying to deny the rights of other races.

Instead, he said he just wanted to uphold the rights and privileges of the Malays in the country.

The four main thrusts were Islam as the official religion in the federal region, sultan as constitutional rulers, Malay rights and Malay language as the national language.

"They (other races) want equality and what we want is fairness. Why matters concerning our rights, which are clearly stated in the constitution, should be questioned? Are we racist if we try to defend our rights?

"Only the Malays can defend the rights of the Malays, but while doing so, we are not denying the rights of other races," he said when opening the Parit Umno divisional delegates' meeting.

Zahid said, right now, there were certain quarters who were trying to disturb the four key thrusts, especially after witnessing several disputes that had caused disharmony among the Malays.

"Let's stop fighting, no matter whether we are in Umno, PAS or PKR. We, as Malays, should stand united to defend the four key thrusts because they were too valuable and we don't want to be deleted from the constitution," he said.

He also called on Umno members to set aside their differences and take initiatives to close ranks in a bid to assist the government in helping the people.

Meanwhile, Zahid, who is also home minister, also stressed that any quarters who tried to question and disturb the four key thrusts could be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.

- Bernama

 

Makin parah…Nasrudin Tantawi dakwa PasMa rancang nak jatuhkan Haji Hadi

Rosli Ismail, Agenda Daily

Hari demi hari yang pasti belum ada langsung tanda-tanda ketegangan dalam PAS dan begitu juga hubungan parti itu dengan PKR dan DAP makin reda.

Buktinya baca sendiri tulisan Ahli Parlimen PAS Temerloh Nasrudin Tantawi dibawah tajuk Pasma: Timbulnya Sebuah Kapal Selam di laman facebooknya petang Ahad.

Baru saja pada pada 9 September ,Nik Abduh anak kepada Musyridul Am PAS Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat cetus sensasi di facebooknya menerusi tulisannya ‘ Siapa Pengkhianat?’ dalam isu Menteri Besar Selangor.

Kebetulan kedua-dua mereka ialah Ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat PAS dan diketahui umum adalah ‘panglima’ Presiden PAS Datuk Seri Haji Hadi Awang.

Kebelakangan ini mereka berdua terus menerus menghalakan senapang kearah gelagat degil PKR dan DAP serta tindak tanduk sesetengah pimpinan PAS yang tidak mahu mendokong pendirian Haji Hadi dalam isu Menteri Besar Selangor.

Apapun isu ini sudah menjadi bertambah hangat sekarang dengan pendedahan Ketua Angkatan Muka Keadilan (PKR) ,Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad mengenai pertemuan beliau bersama Ketua Pemuda PAS dan DAP dengan Haji Hadi pagi Jumaat lalu

Presiden PAS itu bukan sahaja tidak berganjak malah secara terbuka memberitahu mereka beliau merasakan jalan keluar kepada krisis Menteri Besar ini ialah Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim dikekalkan pada jawatannya.

Ini membuatkan ramai pemerhati meramalkan Muktamar PAS yang dijadual berlangsung di Batu Pahat dari 18 hingga 20 September ini pasti hangat dan tegang.

Melihat pada senario yang makin kusut ini mungkin ramai tidak terkejut mendengar dakwaan terbaru Nasrudin.

Dakwaan itu mengambarkan krisis dalaman PAS akibat dari isu Menteri Besar Selangor sudah sampai ke tahap yang serius dan genting.

Semua orang sudah tahu tentang kewujudan PasMa yang didakwa oleh penerajunya cuma sebuah NGO dalaman parti itu.

Sebaliknya Nasrudin secara terbuka mendakwa dalam tulisan di facebooknya bahawa PasMa bukan sebuah NGO yang berorientasikan kebajikan.

“Ia adalah sebuah NGO yang diluncur ke tengah arus politik tanahair dengan sentimen dan agenda politik tersendiri,” dakwanya.

Nasrudin mendakwa satu pertemuan yang diadakan Pasma di Kota Bharu pada 31 Ogos lalu telah membincangkan bagaimana hendak menjatuhkan Presiden PAS.

Dakwanya pertemuan itu sarat dengan perbincangan dan kritikan terhadap Haji Hadi.

Juga dakwanya pertemuan itu membincangkan rancangan untuk menubuhkan sebuah parti baru bagi mengantikan PAS dalam Pakatan Rakyat.

Beliau mendakwa parti itu barangkali dinamakan Parti Ummah Sejahtera.

Bagaimanapun salah seorang yang mendakwa hadir dalam pertemuan itu menulis komen dalam facebook Nasrudin dibawah tulisan berkenaan menafikan mereka bincang rancangan untuk menjatuhkan Haji Hadi.

Katanya dakwaan Nasrudin itu fitnah dan meminta ia dihentikan.

Orang itu mengakui Presiden PAS dihentam teruk dalam pertemuan itu dan mereka bersetuju kepimpinan PAS termasuk Presiden harus ditukar tetapi tidak sampai peringkat bincang strateji menjatuhkan Presiden.

READ MORE HERE

Scorpene case will be a long drawn out affair

The indictment of the former French President and Najib becoming PM were cited as reasons for the delay.

PETALING JAYA: Suaram is asking the public to be patient over the Scorpene scandal as the French
Courts’ investigation is expected to be a long drawn out affair.

Cynthia Gabriel of Suaram explained that among the reasons for the delay was Najib’s rise to the post of prime minister of Malaysia. She said this development complicated things for the French investigation as he could no longer be subpoenaed due to the diplomatic immunity accorded to him.

She also cited the recent indictment of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy as another reason because one of the two judges in the Scorpene case was moved to Sarkozy’s corruption investigation.

Gabriel said, “Some people have decided there is no case. But there is a strong case here and it is still in progress. We are entering into the third year of the case.

“After 2012, the case was elevated to a higher court in the French judiciary system, ‘Tribunal de grande instance’ parallel to the High Court of Malaysia.”

Gabriel added, “The case was elevated to the higher courts with two new independent judges appointed, who also act as investigators as the case was getting more complicated.”

According to Gabriel, Suaram’s initial complaint of RM146 million as a service charge to Perimekar Sdn Bhd raised further questions and revealed a complex web of illicit transactions involving Malaysian companies set up in Hong Kong.

Among the companies were Terasasi (Hong Kong) Ltd, owned by Abdul Razak Baginda, a political analyst and confidant of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Terasasi is alleged to have sold secret documents belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy to French ship builders Thales Group.

Terasasi is also alleged to have received payments for the transaction from Luxembourg, Malta and Belgium, according to documents released by French prosecutors.

Gabriel recalled warning the press back in March 2012 that the probe on Scorpene was going to be a long drawn out affair, but felt it was important to remind the public that the “journey to reveal the truth” that started in 2010 is still very much on course.

Suaram first filed the complaint in the French judiciary in February 2010, enquiring about the formation of Perimekar after shipbuilding giant DCNS signed the deal with the Malaysian Defence Ministry, then headed by Najib.

Gabriel said, “A similar Pakistani case which involved the same French companies, took about 12 years to conclude.

“It’s going to be about the same time frame for us.

“It’s going to be a crazy wait.”

Have we wasted 51 years in nation building?

For five decades, Sabahans and Sarawakians have been taken for granted and their development forgotten.

By Zainnal Ajamain

In theory democracy is an appealing idea. In practice it is far from perfect.

There are people who take the cynical stand that democracy is the tyranny of the majority. In fact, that is what the people in Sabah and Sarawak have suffered in our quest to build a nation for 51 years.

The Malaysia project was never a merger of states into a complete country but a work in progress towards the building of a federation called Malaysia. This was what our founding fathers believed in and what we have been made to believe for 51 years.

The unfortunate thing is that the Malaysia project is looked upon by many as a way to sustain and maintain an elite class made up of people who are not democratically elected to be in office.

It was not the people of Malaysia that elected the Prime Minister, but a small group of people in a political party that did. As such, the Prime Minister needs only to satisfy the demands of this small group at the expense of others.

Therefore forget about seducing the people with promises that once in Putrajaya, all our problems can be resolved. Thinking this way is delusional; societies cannot simply be engineered or manufactured to suit a particular circumstance. Societies must be given a chance to evolve organically and find its own equilibrium.

It looks like we have wasted 51 years trying to build a nation.

Instead of a multi-cultural nation, we have ended up with loony supremacists and religious bigots who can only show their mob strength domestically but are out-performed and out-classed internationally.

Is this not the result of the untiring work of a benevolent despot whose objective was to establish the perception of racial supremacy based on religious beliefs rather than on the intrinsic strength of its own cognitive faculties?

These people are useful only as long as their minds are wrapped in ignorance and their lives are manipulated to serve the elite’s craving for more power. They can never understand that Malaysia is dependent on other countries.

The only strength a country has in facing global challenges is its people and the value of their intelligence. For Malaysia, this can happen only when all Malaysians stand as one, not as a slogan but as a country. Failure to understand this means the country can be easily threatened and manipulated by others for their own purposes.

Certainly Sabah’s and Sarawak’s founding fathers did not bargain to build a nation of religious zealots and bigots. They did not bargain to be manipulated and taken advantage of, and certainly they did not bargain for their wealth to be pillaged and plundered as an excuse to build this nation.

They agreed to Lord Cobbold’s definition of Malaysia: “Malaysia should be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners, combining in the common interest to create a new nation, but retaining their own individualities.”

Is Malaysia today an association of partners? Do we have a common interest to build a nation? Do Sabah and Sarawak, as partners, still retain their individualities?

We in Sabah and Sarawak have been denied many things these past 51 years, but manipulating our societies and, specifically, the minds of our youth, is unforgivable.

We have been unconscionably taken for granted and our development forgotten. Malaya is prospering at our expense.

It cannot be denied that it is our wealth that has caused all these ills and stunted Malaysia’s growth as a nation. It is our intrinsic right to take it away legally.

We have allowed Malaya and its elites to determine the pace and direction of nation building. However the present corps of intellectuals in Sabah and Sarawak are not interested in compromise any longer. If ever we consider rebuilding Malaysia, it should be from our perspective and by our standards, not the vision and standards set by Malaya and its elites.

There is obviously no beauty in division and there is no strength in unity as well. Democracy for all intents and purposes has proven to be the tyranny of the majority.

A nation is built through hard work and perseverance, not by protecting and pampering the majority at the expense of others.

Japan did it, Korea did it and Singapore did it. Why should Malaysia be an exception to this rule?

Happy Malaysia Day.


Zainnal Ajamain is an FMT reader and an economist by profession

Four detained over UPSR leaks

Home Minister says UPSR culprits will not be protected.

BUTTERWORTH: Police today detained four teachers during a raid in Penang and Parit Buntar, Perak over the leakages in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) Science and English examination papers.

Home Minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the police had opened an investigation paper and were liaising with the education ministry to jointly carry out a detailed probe into the leakages.

Saying police would not protect the individuals or senior officers involved in leaking the exam questions, Zahid added, “More information will be unearthed by the police, especially on the method of distribution of question papers of not only UPSR, but also other examinations.

“The education ministry and the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate have given us much information to facilitate investigations.

“I wish to give my assurance that the police will not do a cover-up on any individual or senior officer involved in the leakage,” he told reporters after opening the Batu Kawan Umno division delegates meeting here today. - Bernama

Cabinet on Wednesday should order a halt to the “white terror” intensified in the past month using the colonial law of sedition to create a new climate of fear after the Mahathir “Dark Age” as it is totally against Najib’s promise to make Malaysia “best democracy in the world”

I welcome the courageous stand taken by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato Sri Idris Jala who is the first Cabinet Minister to openly speak out against the sedition charge against Universiti Malaya law lecturer Dr. Azmi Sharom.

Idris said the charge against Azmi was wrong and that the law professor should not be charged for sedition.

In a series of Twitter postings yesterday, Idris said: “Academic freedom is required in pursuit of knowledge.”

Stressing that Malaysia must continue to pursue moderation, Idris twittered: “Constructive criticism and dissent should be allowed, as long as it does not create serious fault in the social fabric of our society.”

Although admirable and commendable for daring to speak out against Azmi’s sedition charge, it is a great pity that Idris did not have the full courage of conviction that constructive criticism and dissent are lifeblood of any meaningful transformation of Malaysia to take an equally forthright and courageous stand against the sedition blitz intensified in the past month to stifle criticism and dissent which saw the malicious prosecution and persecution of some 20 Pakatan Rakat Members of Parliament, State Assemblymen, a journalist, a lawyer, an academician and several social activists under the undemocratic and repressive colonial law of sedition.

Nonetheless, Idris stands out as the lone and courageous Minister so far to speak out against the “white terror” intensified in the past month using the colonial law of sedition to create a new climate of fear in the country after the Mahathir “Dark Age”.

What about the other Ministers? Are they all craven and cowardly who dare not speak out against the sedition dragnet against virtually all and sundry who are not on the side of the powers-that-be, to strike fear among the citizenry that they will have to pay a heavy price if they stand up for justice, fair play, multi-racialism, human rights, democracy, rule of law and good governance?

It is these values and issues of justice, fair play, multi-racialism, human rights, democracy, rule of law and good governance which will decide whether Malaysia regresses into a backward, authoritarian and police state or moves forward to a more free, democratic and prosperous future.

All Cabinet Ministers should therefore take a stand at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to order a halt to the “white terror” intensified in the past month using the sedition law to create a new climate of fear after the Mahathir “Dark Age” as it is totally against the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s promise to make Malaysia “the best democracy in the world”.

In the national interests, is Idris prepared to take the lead for the charge in Cabinet on Wednesday to end the reign of “white terror” intensified in the past month through the undemocratic, repressive and indiscriminate use of the colonial sedition law?

(Speech at the Johor Jaya DAP Pesta Tanglung in Johor Bahru on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 9 pm)

Government Policies On Right Track, Effective - Muhyiddin

SUNGAI SIPUT, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Government policies formulated by past leaders and continued by current leaders are on the right track and have been effective, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said this was evident with the country's numerous success, including recognition at international level, while the nation's policies has also been emulated by other countries.

"We have carried out the national socio-economic development agenda which turned Malaysia into a fast developing nation," he said when speaking at the opening of the Sungai Siput Umno division delegation meeting and the new Sungai Siput Umno division building here Sunday.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Sungai Siput Umno division head Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun who is also Lintang state assemblyman.

Muhyiddin who is Umno deputy president said economic experts have also anticipated Malaysia to reach developed nation status earlier as economic growth and household income has increased as well as better employment opportunities.

Muhyiddin said if Malaysia had been unruly, it would not be possible to record rapid economic growth as enjoyed by the people of all strata, now.

"We need to be grateful to the policies put in place by our leaders and government which we will continue to improve and strengthen," he said.

He said Umno also needed to continue its struggle with its partners in Barisan Nasional so that peace and prosperity we enjoy today can be preserved for the future generation.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister approved the application of Sungai Siput Umno division to build a fully residential religious school in the area.

Dr Mahathir defends ‘Malays are lazy’ remark, says they prefer to be Mat Rempit

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad defended his criticism of Malays, admitting that he was ashamed that they had been left behind by the forward-thinking Chinese community.

Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister said the Malays were still lazy, citing the gender imbalance at institutions of higher learning where the majority was women.

"The Malays are lazy, they are not interested in studying and revising. If we go to the universities, 70% of the students are women, where are the men?"

"They prefer to become Mat Rempit, that is why I said they are lazy," Dr Mahathir told Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia in an exclusive interview published today.

Earlier this week when launching a book, Dr Mahathir had lamented that Malays do not feel ashamed of failures anymore.

He had admitted that he failed to change the mentality of the Malays in his 22 years as prime minister.

"I spend 22 years trying to change the Malays but I admit I failed. However, there are a few success stories," he said in his remarks after launching a book by Anas Zubedy on Thursday.

"If anyone asks me today, I would have to say Malays are lazy," he had said.

Dr Mahathir said although the Malays had been awarded places in institutions of higher learning, but they did not make full use of their time to focus on their studies.

"I am ashamed when I see the Chinese students studying three different languages but still have a better grasp of the English language compared to their Malay peers.

"The Malays study two languages, Bahasa Malaysia and English, but they keep saying all right, that is enough, no need to learn English anymore."

Dr Mahathir was referring to Putrajaya's decision to abolish the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, which he had introduced in 2003.

The former Umno president said it was disappointing that the Malays were dishonest and lacked integrity because they prioritised money more compared to the Chinese.

Dr Mahathir said he was operating a bakery and had various staff working for him, including Chinese, Malay and Myanmar nationals.

"However, what I am ashamed of is that when some Malay workers see money, they forget themselves and their values.

"They see money and if they can steal it, they steal it. The Chinese are not like this," Dr Mahathir told the weekend edition of the paper, Mingguan Malaysia.

He also raised the issue of Malay attitude when it came to debts, saying they could afford to repay their debts but refused to do so.

"How many Malays are there who refuse to settle their debts? They receive scholarships and student loans but refuse to pay back.

"This is not a question of being unable to, they have the money but just refuse to honour their commitments. We must be honest."

Dr Mahathir said this was one of the factors why many contracts had been awarded to the Chinese community because they were more honest than Malays.

"When we issue a contract, we give it to the Chinese because we know they will keep their word and do a good job. That is the weakness of the Malays, we lack honesty."

Dr Mahathir admitted that he had criticised the Malay community because he did not want to lie to himself and it was better to face up to reality.

"I do not like to delude myself or lie to myself. I will call a spade a spade. If some people do not like what I say, it is their choice.

"Why did I introduce the Look East policy in 1982? It was because I admired the Japanese for their attitude towards work," Dr Mahathir said. – September 14, 2014.

Pakatan failed to be alternative to Barisan, says Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak took a swipe at the opposition today, saying Pakatan Rakyat has failed in its attempt to be the alternative to the ruling coalition.

The prime minister said there is no “viable alternative” to the BN as the opposition has failed to copy the ruling party’s formula in promoting cooperation and mutual respect between all races.

"The opposition tried to imitate us. But in Selangor, the political understanding between the three parties has broken down," Najib said when opening Makkal Sakti’s annual meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Comparing Pakatan with BN, Najib said the ruling coalition has 13 parties and many other parties which it regarded as “friends of BN”.

"We are sincere and we want to achieve our mission together because we believe in power sharing, in the National Transformation policy, one Malaysia and New Economic Models," said Najib.

He said this is what BN is all about despite the accusations levelled at the coalition in social media and in the opposition’s campaign before and after the 13th general election.

"But today what we can see is they tried to be the alternative to BN but they failed," he said.

Najib said for a better future for the nation, there was no other viable option or alternative to BN.

"Imitation goods are not better than originals, originals are way better," he said.

Najib also said that he may not be able to fulfil all “requests” as he has to be fair to everyone.

“I may not able to satisfy and fulfil all but I have to be fair to every party. I have to take into consideration everything before making a decision. There are things that I can do and there are things that I cannot do.”

He said this was the way BN ruled the country.

The prime minister also touched on the goods and services tax (GST) which will be implemented next April. He said if the government raised more revenues, it was easier to help the people.

"Many of us are not paying tax. We cannot afford to sustain our increasing expenses. Our aim is not to burden the rakyat. GST is for the future of the rakyat. The more we make, the easier it is for us to channel aid to assist the rakyat.”

He pointed out that 162 countries have implemented the GST and Malaysia’s rate will be among the lowest at 6%.

"This is our way of managing the country. Having populist policies are not enough to rule the country.

"If we do business, we cannot give everything for free or else we will go bankrupt."

Najib said BN was a responsible party and even though it may not be able to fulfil all requests, it could ensure a brighter future for Malaysians.

Critics of the GST have claimed that the consumption tax would hit low- and middle-income earners but Najib’s administration claimed it was necessary to trim the national deficit.

MAS MH198 to Hyderabad forced to turn back, emergency landing in KLIA

Malay Mail

A screengrab from Flightradar24’s Twitter feed showing MAS flight MH198's forced u-turn.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Malaysian Airlines (MAS) flight MH198 from Kuala Lumpur to Hyderabad, India was forced to turn back and made an emergency landing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport shortly after its departure last night after its crew detected a problem, global flight tracking agency Flightradar24 tweeted.

The Boeing 738 plane, which took off at 10.20pm last night, landed without incident at 2.01am today, MAS said in a statement posted on its website.

The national carrier attributed the cause for the turnback to a "technical problem" but did not go into specifics.

"The defect did not have any impact on the safety of the aircraft or passengers, however as a precautionary measure, the operating Captain decided to turn back," MAS said.

It added that the passengers aboard disembarked safely and have been provided with accommodation at hotels nearby the airport.

It also said Flight MH198 has been rescheduled to operate as MH198D and will leave the city at 12 noon today. The rescheduled flight is expected to land in for Hyderabad at 1.35pm local time today.

News of the unexpected emergency landing was first reported by Flightradar24, which said the plane started maintaining a holding position shortly after take-off and burnt fuel to prepare for an emergency landing.

"Yeah I was on #MH198 apparently some issues with their radio & they had to land manually after burning out fuel," a Twitter user posted on the microblogging site under the handle ‏@im_not_sana.

The late night incident follows two air disasters for MAS this year, the first being the mysterious disappearance of Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8.

More recently was the shooting down of Flight MH17 over Ukraine on July 17, killing all 298 people on board.

PM: K'jaan tak tergesa-gesa mansuh Akta Hasutan

Rotherham MP Opposed Call for Inquiry into Mass Sex Abuse

It has emerged Labour Members of Parliament in the North of England may have conspired to ignore the abuse of young girls by Pakistani grooming gangs because of the "vast reservoirs" of votes the "Kashmiri Muslim" community afforded them, and that crucial detailed evidence about the scandal has "disappeared" from archives.

A local MP has confided the abuse remained unspoken of for so long because "there was a culture of not wanting to rock the multicultural community boat, if I may put it like that". A culture of intimidation locally may have also played a part.

Although reports about child sexual abuse began to surface relatively regularly in the national press in 2011, a year later when John Healey, a Labour MP local to Rotherham, received a letter from a constituent expressing concern he dismissed it. London newspaper The Times reports today that the man, an engineer, wrote to his MP in 2012 to inform him locals were “deeply disturbed by what . . . is happening in Rotherham”.

The constituent asked whether Healey, MP for the area since 1997 (also believed to be the year the abuses of the 1,400 girls in Rotherham began), would "call for an investigation of all parties at fault", meaning local child protection agencies and police as well as the perpetrators. Healey replied" "I am not sure an inquiry would help the girls and their families, especially if it focuses solely on Rotherham and on Asian men grooming white girls".

A reluctance to focus attention on the perpetrators of these crimes for reasons of "community cohesion" or electoral expediency appears to be a common theme. Former Rotherham MP Denis Macshane who was first elected in 1994 but resigned in 2012 prior to a six month jail sentence for expenses fraud, has admitted his political leanings stopped him from addressing the problem.

Speaking to the BBC, Macshane said he was aware of illegal incest and "the oppression of women within bits of the Muslim community in Britain" but turned a blind eye. He admitted: "Perhaps yes, as a true Guardian reader, and liberal leftie, I suppose I didn’t want to raise that too hard". The Times reports him as having said: "I, like so many MPs, preferred to keep silent on some of the dirty secrets about bad practices in the Kashmiri Muslim community", a community that supplies "vast resevoirs" of votes at election time.

Blaming the abuse on British culture, and linking the Rotherham abuse gangs to celebrity groomers, he said: "Nobody pursued Jimmy Saville, nobody pursued Rolf Harris, nobody pursued Cyril Smith… There is in our country, just a dreadful culture and I wouldn’t pick particular on one ethnic community but it is a real problem, it’s a longer story about the nature of that community, their sexual relations, and the way they treat women".

The first Times report from 2011 which referred to a place in "Northern England" where local sources "are so scared of reprisals that their town must not be named" went some way to explain why the abuser's own community didn’t reveal their activities, which were often conducted in broad daylight.

The article refers to comments by the community sources, who speak of the "widespread view that betraying members of one’s own community to the police would be an even greater sin than child sexual exploitation." White girls are targeted by such men because "if they did it to a Muslim girl, they’d be shot".

As the parliamentary inquiry into the conduct of local agencies and authorities continues questions have been asked of the competency of the very bodies that were supposed to protect the abused. During the questioning of resigning Rotherham chief executive it emerged that an important and detailed piece of evidence, a 2008 report on child abuse has “disappeared” from the council’s archives.

The inquiry continues.