Zam, Ibrahim blame ISA repeal for bomb blast

They say the abolition of the law deprived police of a powerful prevention tool.

PETALING JAYA: Two prominent advocates of Malay rights have attributed today’s bombing of a Bukit Bintang nightclub to the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali and former information minister Zainuddin Maidin aka Zam both said today that the government, in repealing the ISA, had taken away from the police a powerful crime prevention tool.

Ibrahim, speaking to FMT, also said the government should take the incident as a warning against repealing the Sedition Act.

Zam, in an article at zamkata.blogspot.com, castigated Prime Minister Najib Razak for his decision to repeal the ISA. He said it was prompted by his desire to be seen as a champion of democracy and liberalism, especially in the eyes of western leaders.

He lamented the repeal of the ISA as the “loss of the guardian of national security”.

“Najib has destroyed a fortress built by his father and with blood and tears,” he said.

Ibrahim said the ISA’s repeal, like current calls for the repeal of the Sedition Act, represented the interest of politicians, not of the security forces.

“Today’s tragedy would not have happened if the government had been firm in keeping the ISA, as it should be firm in maintaining the Sedition Act,” he said.

Thailand’s Coup and the Threat of the King’s Death

The reasons behind the kingdom’s 19th coup

This is excerpted from a much longer article discussing the implication of the Royal succession which can be found here

The Thai Army’s claim that it is politically neutral, is seeking to find a peaceful solution to the country’s crisis and that it genuinely wishes to broker reconciliation between different political factions is simply fraudulent.

In retrospect, from November 2013 to May 2014, it was evident that the military had cooperated closely with antigovernment protesters to make the country ungovernable in order to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and her government.

At the time, there were relentless anti-government demonstrations, accompanied by the occupation of state offices, the blockage of roads and highways and the disruption of general elections on Feb. 2.

The demonstrators held Bangkok hostage, defying arrest warrants and resorting to violence against some “red shirt” activists who support the Yingluck government. As antigovernment “yellow-shirt” protestors roamed the streets in defiance of the law, the military was waiting for the appropriate moment to directly intervene in civilian politics. It was clear that the chaotic situation served to legitimize the coup.

In addition, while politicians from the ruling Pheu Thai Party were summoned or even in some cases arrested after the coup, no members of the antigovernment faction led by Suthep were detained. In fact, they were allowed to continue their political activities. For example, the Suthep faction organized several post-coup parties to celebrate what was deemed a political triumph – but one that ended in a military coup.

Maj. Gen. Amnuay Nimmano, the acting deputy commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, even attended a birthday party for Suthep on July 5, despite political gatherings being prohibited by the military. This reaffirmed the existence of a plot drawn up by the military and antigovernment protesters to remove Yingluck from power.

In retrospect, I was among many analysts who were initially convinced that the time was not ripe for the military to stage another coup. This was simply because the previous coup of 2006 offered various valuable lessons for the Army. That coup gave birth to the pro-Thaksin red-shirt movement with their strong anti-coup agenda. I was convinced that the military would not want to become entangled in another complicated situation. For one thing, the brutal crackdowns on the red shirts at the hands of the Army in Bangkok’s Rachaprasong district in 2010 have not been resolved, and no soldiers have been brought to justice. With this still in play, it should have kept the Army out of politics for a while.

It is important to note that the Thai Army has never worked alone in staging a coup; it has often received instructions from the Royal Palace. However, it seemed that the monarchy was not in a position currently to influence internal politics the way it once did. Partly, this is because King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, is in ill health, in addition to his many years of self-politicization. When there were no instructions from the palace, not making a move was usually seen as the best move for the military.

There were other political weapons that could have been used to undermine political opponents, rendering the blunt instrument of a military coup unnecessary or even counterproductive. Here, the role of the Thai courts and independent state agencies is crucial.

Months prior to the coup, these institutions apparently launched coordinated attacks against the Yingluck government, with the Constitutional Court ordering her to step down over the bizarre case of her transferring Thawin Plainsri from his post as secretary-general of the National Security Council, and then there was the Anticorruption Commission’s ardent investigation into the state rice-pledging scheme.

Topping this off, following the dissolution of parliament in December, the election commission initially obstructed the government’s plan to hold a new election. Meanwhile, the highly politicized Human Rights Commission, led by Amara Pongsapich, was rather quiet when the Suthep-led protesters threatened the electoral rights of fellow Thais by blocking polling stations and even harassing voters.

On the contrary, Amara rushed to condemn the government whenever possible, for example, by warning Yingluck not to “touch” antigovernment protesters. All this convinced me that a coup would have been redundant. Meanwhile, the Yingluck government seemed passive, with the prime minister agreeing to step down at the behest of the Constitutional Court. Obviously, there seemed to be no incentives for the coup. But how wrong I was.

Taking into consideration the context, in many ways, the coup came as a surprise. Its abrupt nature could well indicate some changes within the walls of the Royal Palace in Bangkok. Yet without solid evidence, any discussion on what could have happened among key figures of the Royal Family would only be speculation.

Instead, the 2014 coup was a Royal coup. But it is a Royal coup in a slightly different political context, compared with the one in September 2006. Back then, the military and Royal Palace worked together to try and permanently remove Thaksin, who was first elected prime minister in 2001, from Thailand’s political scene. Thaksin had emerged as a looming threat to the political domination, economic wealth and social status of the country’s old establishment.

Thaksin’s effective populist policies were successful in winning the hearts and minds of Thailand’s remote regions, thus competing with the long years of Royal projects that underpinned the relationship between the King and his subjects.

The 2014 coup was staged to manage the imminent royal succession. Therefore, it was a royal coup with the urgent task of taking back political control of Thailand. “It’s like a musical chairs game,” said Ernest Bower, an expert on Southeast Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “When the music stops – when the king dies – whoever has power gets to organize the next steps.”

Getting rid of Thaksin and his proxies remains a priority, but more importantly, the coup makers wanted to ensure that the next monarch would benefit their own position in the country’s power structure. It is an open secret that key members of the “network monarchy,” which is driven by the old establishment, have expressed disapproval of the heir apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.

A series of cables turned up in Wikileaks in 2010 detailing discussions between Gen. Prem Tinsulanond, head of the Privy Council; Anand Panyarachun, a former prime minister; and Siddhi Savetsila, a Privy councilor, with John Eric, who was US ambassador to Thailand 2007-2010. The contents revealed that these palace representatives perceived the Crown Prince as unsuitable to be the next monarch.

With his complicated personal life and lack of popularity and moral authority among the Thai public, the palace’s inner circles feel the Crown Prince is not a good choice. But more importantly, what the traditional elite fear most is the possibility that the Crown Prince forged some kind of political alliance with Thaksin, a claim that had been reported in the press a decade ago.

This could prove to have been the underlying cause of the 2014 coup. The military may seek to hold onto power until after the royal succession. Thailand’s military ruler and prime minister, General Prayuth, has a reputation as a staunch monarchist and has ruled that violations of the controversial lèse-majesté law – a sweeping ban against anything deemed as offending the monarchy – will be heard in military, rather than civilian, courts.

Of course, one may never know the real relationship between the Crown Prince and Thaksin. Yet, the unknown itself stirred up enough anxiety on the part of the palace and its network for it to ensure that during the royal transition, they must be in charge of the parliament and that the military will be on their side.

The elite also needed to guarantee that Thaksin and his proxies were not able to make decisions that could affect the royal succession in ways that would serve Thaksin’s own interests.

It is premature to assume that the network monarchy might already have an alternate candidate in mind to be the next monarch. But according to the Succession Law, it is clear and undeniable that the Crown Prince will ascend to the throne. He was given the title in 1972 – a quintessential step that prepares the king-in-waiting for the throne. There is a misperception that Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, his younger sister, was elevated to Crown Princess. It is not true.

Much of the talk about other candidates reflects wishful thinking, or a lonely hope, by members of the traditional elite who may dream about replacing Vajiralongkorn with Sirindhorn.

The looming transition and its political impacts

The point of this essay is not to discuss possible candidates to become Thailand’s next monarch. Rather, it is about discussing the reasons why the royal succession has become so important for Thailand in reshaping the contour of its politics, and how the crisis has deepened on the eve of the royal transition.

First, one must come to terms with the fact that the monarchy has an immense role in politics, and that King Bhumibol has been an active political actor. The King sits at the apex of the Thai political structure, and since the early days of the Cold War, has worked closely with the military to build a new political landscape.

As Australian professor Andrew Walker argues: “Thailand’s democratic failure is the most striking legacy of his [Bhumibol’s] long reign. For decades, antidemocratic forces in Thailand have been able to use the image of the King to undermine the credibility of elected politicians. A long series of military coups have been staged in the name of the King, in order to supposedly protect the country from the depredations of corrupt politicians.

“The King has never used his pre-eminent stature to challenge the use of military force to overthrow an elected government, but has consistently permitted antidemocratic acts to be staged in his name. Since Prayuth’s seizure of power, there has not been one word from the palace about the importance of protecting Thailand's democratic system. Thailand’s overinvestment in the monarchy as a symbol of national unity means that institutions which can constructively manage conflict have never been able to flourish.”

Sadly, it is unlikely the monarchy will be willing to negotiate with democracy anytime soon.

The next significant conundrum concerns the coup’s impact on Thailand’s political and societal landscape. The fact that the monarchy has become politicized over the decades, while openly taking sides amid the political divide, will also accelerate its decline.

At the same time, there have been mounting lèse-majesté cases since the 2006 coup. The more royal defenders use the law as a weapon, the more this will hurt the monarchy, and overusing it could inevitably bring an end to the institution. Currently, there is a move by the junta to silence, not just critics of the coup, but also those critical of the monarchy. Writers and academics have been hunted, not just because they have spoken out against the coup, but also because they were seen as a threat to the monarchy.

Despite this pessimistic view of the current political crisis, the eventual Royal succession could benefit Thai democracy in the long run. Any conflict inside the palace would be a lose-lose situation for the current Chakri Dynasty. Conflict between contenders for the throne would likely bring instability to the monarchy, and possibly enable democracy to find a way to blossom.

Second, the Army itself will be affected by the coup. This is Thailand’s 19th coup since it abolished the absolute monarchy in 1932. The latest putsch will surely further deepen military involvement in Thai politics. The military has long lost its professionalism. In many ways, the coup paved the way for the military to perpetuate its role in politics. Once entering politics it is difficult to withdraw. This time, like during many past coups, the military used its so-called mission to defend the monarch to justify its intervention.

That explains why the military is keen to exploit the lèse-majesté law to prove its responsibility and duty as the defender of the monarchy, which in turn means the defender of national security. But the longer the military remains in politics, the more it will serve to obstruct democratization.

Already, the military has sought to weaken democratic institutions, aroused by the fear that strong politicians such as Thaksin could return to the political scene. It is therefore expected that the military will redesign the Constitution to be even less democratic. Some analysts already suspect that the junta will adopt Myanmar’s parliamentary model, which reserves 25 percent of its seats for the Army.

Alternatively, the coup leaders could opt for a combination of elected and appointed members of parliament. And if the ultimate objective is to take control of the Royal succession, which could be a few years away, we may see the military further entrench itself in politics.

This is dangerous for Thailand’s long-term prospects. The Army has reportedly begun the process of totally dismantling the red-shirt movement in the country’s North and Northeast provinces. Troops have been sent to these peripheral regions to harass and detain its members. Already, many red-shirt villages have been closed down and core community-level leaders have been detained and released on condition that they don’t get involved in politics again. Some have been forced to befriend the yellow shirts. In early July, there were cases of Thai soldiers forcing a squid vendor to take off her red T-shirt, and a shopkeeper to remove a Pheu Thai sticker on her icebox, citing the need to prevent conflict. The eradication of red shirts could weaken democratic networks in Thailand.

Third, the coup will have implications for key independent state institutions, including the courts. It is clear that during the past decade, these institutions have not really been independent, but instruments of the traditional ruling elite used to undermine its opponents.

In the period leading up to the May coup, there was a formulated attack against democratic institutions to bring down Yingluck. These institutions have been politicized and employed by the country’s leaders to safeguard their interests. But in so doing, they have destabilized the judicial system. In the long run, if the courts cannot guarantee justice for all Thai citizens, it will remain a source of conflict. Violence could be inevitable.

Indeed, the political role of the courts has already instigated a sense of anger and resentment among the red shirts over the persistent injustice and double standards of the judicial system.

Fourth, Thai society will directly taste the sour fruit of the coup. The deep-seated polarization has gone beyond the point of reconciliation. It all began in 2005 when the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy began politicizing the monarchy to separate itself from its enemies. A political fault line has been drawn along the monarchy to the extent that those who disagree will immediately be painted as an enemy.

Yet, the rhetoric has continued among the Royal family and Army generals about the need to create a kingdom of unity, reconciliation and, now, a “happy society.” The fact that the military has embarked on cracking down against “one color” while leaving the “other color” untouched is a double standard. The coup has done nothing but widen the rifts within Thai society. Unless all sides come to terms with the country’s political changes and begin to respect democratic rule, Thailand might never have a stable society.

Where will Thailand go from here? It seems that the military is there to stay, assuming that its political interference is linked with the Royal transition. The Army chief has not clearly stated when an election will be held. The short-term prospects for Thailand remain grim. Freedoms will be curbed, the media will be further controlled, and political parties will cease to exist.

Human rights violations will become the new normal. In the long term, Thailand will move backward, perhaps as far back as the 1960s, when authoritarian regimes were considered a political necessity, on the pretext that Thai society needs to be urgently healed and only the military can do the job.

Without a doubt, the royal succession will add another layer of complication to Thai politics. If Vajiralongkorn becomes the next king, the royalists may be unhappy, while his supporters, possibly within the red-shirt camp, may approve. This will prolong the conflict. If the Princess somehow becomes the next monarch, then a bigger problem is waiting for Thailand. A Royal struggle will come to define Thai political life, as the eligible heir apparent will exercise his legitimate right to defend his throne. Thailand could slip into a political coma.

Somewhere along this road, democracy will eventually re-emerge. The question is: when and in what form? It will take time before democracy can be restored, especially after so many years of politics being dominated by the network monarchy. Hopefully a new monarch – no matter who it is – operating in a shifting political environment will realize that the monarchy will have to adapt and become compatible with democracy. Its survival depends on how well it does so.

The Army has been entrenched in politics for several decades, and it will be a challenge for future civilian governments to depoliticize the military. It will not be an easy task, and the Army will not allow it to happen easily, as was evident in the case of Thaksin when he tried to emasculate the military during his premiership. The result was the coup of 2006.

However, one must also bear in mind that while domestic factors, such as the role of the future monarch and possible actions by the red-shirt movement, are important, international factors can also play a role in strengthening Thailand’s battered democracy. Democratization has swept across Southeast Asia, most notably Indonesia but even Myanmar seems set to go in that direction.

Thailand cannot turn its back on such a phenomenon. External pressures will come to partly influence future governments in accepting international norms and practices, and in behaving as responsible members of the international community.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a frequent contributor to Asia Sentinel, wrote this for the Asian Strategic Review, a journal of policy and ideas based in Indonesia.

If I’m charged, I know I’m in good company, says Ambiga

As police initiate investigations into Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, the former Bar Council president said she was proud to be among those caught in Putrajaya's sedition dragnet.

Ambiga said that the probe into her “may be a good thing” for the future generation, but added that she had yet to receive word from police, and may not even be charged.

“Nevertheless, if I am charged, I know I am in good company and am proud to stand with all the others who are presently facing the odious Sedition Act,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider.

The Malaysian Insider reported today that police are now investigating the Negara-Ku patron for sedition following remarks she allegedly made about Biro Tata Negara (BTN) or the National Civics Bureau at a conference in Kuala Lumpur recently.

The Malaysian Insider learnt that a police report was lodged against the lawyer by a Malay group, Persatuan Pertubuan Merah Terengganu, on October 2, after she allegedly claimed BTN camps were nothing more than brainwashing sessions to turn Malays into racists and bigots.

“I think this may turn out to be a good thing after all. Let the truth emerge,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider in a text message.

“We all want what is best for our children and we must never be afraid to speak up in defence of our children, the next generation, if there is any instruction that has the effect of narrowing their minds, thus depriving them of the chance of achieving intellectual excellence.”

She said as taxpayers, every Malaysian had a right to question the government’s actions.

“I note with interest that in other cases, similar words may have been used in relation to vernacular schools and no action was taken because the words are not considered seditious.

“This is why it is best to wait and see if in fact there will be a charge,” added Ambiga.

She was apparently referring to Umno deputy division chief Mohamad Azli Mohamed Saad’s call to abolish vernacular schools in the country.

It was reported yesterday that Sepang police chief Mohd Yusoff Awang said Azli’s statement did not contain seditious elements and the case has been classified as a civil matter.

“This was just a suggestion from him, not a public statement,” Yusoff was quoted as saying in a Malaysiakini report.

“Therefore, we won’t open any paper to investigate it.”

Ambiga joins a slew of opposition politicians, academics and activists who have been charged, convicted or are being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.

Last week, constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari was asked to give his statement to police after reports were lodged against him for allegedly insulting the Sultan of Selangor.

Earlier last month, activists Safwan Anang and Adam Adli Abd Halim were sentenced to 10 months and 12 months in prison respectively, for remarks made at a May 13 forum last year calling on the people to take to the streets over the general election results.

Activist Ali Abd Jalil faces three sedition charges for allegedly insulting the Johor royalty and the Selangor Sultan in Facebook postings. Ali, declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was released on bail after being detained for more than 20 days.

On September 26, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had his statement recorded by police over a report lodged against him in 2011, where he allegedly uttered seditious remarks over his second sodomy case.

On September 20, police recorded a statement from lawyer Edmund Bon, who is being investigated for sedition for saying that non-Muslims are not subject to fatwas or the Shariah courts.

Former Selangor PAS ulama committee member, Wan Ji Wan Hussin, was charged on September 10 with sedition after posting allegedly seditious words on Facebook that belittled the Selangor Sultan’s role as head of Islamic matters in the state.

On September 4, journalist Susan Loone was arrested in Penang over her article based on an interview with state executive council member Phee Boon Poh and the mass arrests of the state’s Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) on Merdeka Day.

Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom was charged with sedition on September 2 for his remarks on the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis published in an online news portal.

Other opposition politicians who have been charged with sedition include Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, Padang Serai MP N. Surendran, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Batu MP Chua Tian Chang, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer.

A group of United Nations (UN) human rights experts have urged Malaysia to withdraw the colonial-era law, noting that it was reportedly used to prevent Malaysians from freely expressing political opinions.

“It is time for Malaysia to adjust its legislation, including the 1948 Sedition Act, to be in line with international human rights standards, and take firm steps towards the effective enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression,” they said. – October 9, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/if-im-charged-i-know-im-in-good-company-says-ambiga#sthash.8WyJayUF.dpuf

Najib Stresses Deficit Reduction Ahead Of Budget 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has stressed the importance of continuing the government's deficit reduction measures to ensure the country achieves a balanced budget by 2020.

On the eve of unveiling the 2015 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, he said the government was on track to meet its fiscal deficit targets which included reducing the deficit to 3.5 per cent by year-end and three per cent by end-2015.

"It is wrong to pass the burden of debt to the next generation. We must pass on a stronger economy with less debt.

"We must do what is right for Malaysia's economy, not what is popular. By doing so, we will ensure long-term prosperity for the people," he said in a statement.

Saying that the current subsidy levels were unsustainable, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, underscored his commitment to subsidy rationalisation, noting that fuel subsidies had increased from RM1.6 billion per year in 2002 to RM2 billion per month in 2014.

He added that Budget 2015 would be "pro-rakyat" and would include measures to ease concerns over the cost of living.

He also said the Budget would help enhance job opportunities, improve education and create more affordable housing.

Najib too, underlined the importance of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme.

"BR1M will continue as it is part of our manifesto. It is part of our subsidy rationalisation. By switching from blanket subsidies to more targeted support, we are getting better value for money," he said.

For more information, please can contact bajet2015@treasury.gov.my. and visit www.treasury.gov.my to watch the Budget speech live, to download the Budget speech after it has been delivered, the Economic Report and other key documents.

Parliament sees red due to anti-fuel hike, GST protest

Hutang RM32 juta Deepak, ahli parlimen bertikam lidah

Pro-ISIS radicals with machetes, knives attack Kurds in Germany (VIDEO)

Still from Ruptly video

Peaceful protests against IS in Syria and Iraq organized by Kurdish nationals in several German cities ended with serious clashes with pro-jihadist Muslims in Hamburg and Celle. Police had to request reinforcements to restore order.

Police in Hamburg, a port city of 1.8 million people, used water cannons, batons and pepper spray late Tuesday to disperse crowds of warring Kurds and pro-jihadist Muslims, armed with knives and brass-knuckles, following a protest against Islamic State militants who are attacking the Kurdish town of Kobani in Syria near the Turkish border.

Read more: http://rt.com/news/194060-germany-kurds-muslims-brawls/

ISIS veteran among four terror suspects arrested in London raids on suspicion of plotting UK attack

One of the four men - who are all aged between 20 and 21 - is believed to have trained with the Islamic State in Syria before returning to Britain

Four terror suspects were seized in dawn police swoops yesterday - including an Islamic State veteran suspected of plotting an attack in the UK.

At least one of four suspects - all arrested in London - is thought to have trained with ISIS and returned to the UK after fighting on the Syrian killing fields.

Dozens of IS fighters are thought to have been stopped at the border as they attempt to return to the UK but this person is understood to have gone home and remained under surveillance.

The men - aged between 20 and 21 – were held by counter terror police and assisted by armed officers who tasered one during the the early morning raids.

They were arrested in the early morning on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and have been taken to police stations in central London and remain in custody.

A number of residential addresses and vehicles were last night being searched by specialist officers in west and central London as part of the investigation.

The ISIS suspect was taken in West London and armed police were at least one of the raids.

Much of the focus of MI5’s battle against Islamic extremism has switched to West and East London after a number of successful counter-terror operations in North London.

British police arrested 11 people last month in other Islamist-related operations. It was not immediately clear if the various investigations were connected.

A Scotland Yard statement said: “These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism.”

Video link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/isis-veteran-among-four-terror-4397805

In August the Security Service pushed up the UK’s threat level warning about international terrorism - like that from Islamic extremism - to “severe” meaning an attack is “highly likely.”

The level had until then been set at “substantial” for more than a year - even though the sudden increased alert status was recently said not to be related to a particular plot.

On social media British jihadists fighting in Syria have threatened to launch a terror attack in Britain in a mark of retribution against UK airstrikes in Iraq.

They claim the attack would parallel the 7/7 London bombings and beheading of soldier Lee Rigby.

Reacting to RAF missions that have struck Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) militants, vehicles, and positions, a British jihadist based in the Middle East delivered an in-depth interview via social media on Wednesday.

He said that those who have travelled to war-torn Syria to fight in the region could potentially return to conduct attacks in Britain.

The message said: “Tell the Brit govt to withdraw unless they want the days of 7/7, and Adebolajo [to] become regular days,” he warned, referencing Michael Adebolajo, one of two young men who murdered Rigby in Woolwich last year.

Chinese schools more multiracial, says PKR - Malaysiakini

 

Turning the table on the argument from Umno leaders that vernacular schools sow the seeds of division, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the racial composition showed otherwise.

Nik Nazmi noted that many Chinese schools are more "multiracial" than national schools and “some race-based parties out there".

Children from all ethnic backgrounds, including Malays, can be found thriving in vernacular schools at present.

Though Nik Nazmi admitted that multiple education streams posed challenges to national unity, the "social contract" guaranteed the right to vernacular education and this cannot be changed without the consent of all ethnic groups concerned.

He also called on detractors to stop barking up the wrong tree.

Instead of wasting time and needlessly increasing ethnic tensions by trying to abolish or handicap vernacular schools, Nik Nazmi said, efforts should be made to improve the conditions in national-type schools so that these schools become the first choice for all Malaysian parents.

"At the end of the day, education is a matter of parental choice.

"Parents will choose whichever stream will give their children the best education and an inclusive learning environment,” he added.

The Seri Setia assemblyperson also had some choice words for those harping on the vernacular schools issue.

"We should be working to push all our children upwards, rather than seeking to drag everyone down," he said.

'Cops talking nonsense'

Meanwhile, DAP MP Gobind Singh Deo rapped the police for classifying the case against Petaling Jaya Umno deputy division chief Mohamed Azli Mohamed Saad, who called for the abolition of vernacular schools, as a civil matter.

"With respect, this is absolute nonsense," Gobind said.

"How can this be? We have a case almost on point, in which charges were brought against a MP for uttering somewhat similar words in Parliament itself," he added in a statement.

The Puchong MP cited the case of Public Prosecutor vs Mark Koding in 1978, in which Mark, then a Sabah Umno MP, was charged with sedition for his speech and was convicted.

Mark's speech, delivered in Parliament, questioned the policy of the government in allowing Chinese and Tamil schools to continue in this country.

He advocated the closure of Chinese and Tamil schools and suggested that if such closure contravened Article 152 of the Federal Constitution, then the constitution should be amended in the interest of the people and the nation.

Based on the above case, Gobind called on Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail to explain.

"Are there double standards here? If a MP could have been hauled up and charged for sedition for saying that, why not the Umno politician?

"This is a very serious matter. Is this not another classic example of the abuse of discretion when it comes to the use of the Sedition Act?

"Why is it used against some and not others in cases with similar facts? Are we not entitled, in the absence of any reasonable explanation to the contrary, to say this is evidence of selective prosecution?" he added.

'Distraction tactic'

Yesterday, Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Albahshee also suggested that the time has perhaps come to shut down vernacular schools in favour of a single-stream system.

Syed Ali said a single-stream system would foster racial unity, whereas vernacular schools sowed the seeds of racism.

Sprinkling a dose of conspiracy on the issue, another DAP parliamentarian said the call from Umno to abolish vernacular schools is an act of distraction.

"The tactic is to distract the non-Malay community and make them lose focus on the presentation of the 2015 Budget on Friday," Lim Lip Eng said.

The Segambut MP said the tactic is also to shift attention away from the failures of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration that has plunged the nation into high national debt

Police detain bride-to-be over IS involvement

She was supposed to marry a Malaysian in Syria, who is also an ISIS member.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Police detained a Malaysian bride-to-be for alleged involvement with the international militant group, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (IS), at the KL International Airport (KLIA) 2, on Sunday.

The 25-year-old woman from Negeri Sembilan, was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012.

She was supposed to marry a Malaysian in Syria, who is also an IS member.

According to a police source, who spoke to Bernama, the man had given the woman RM6,000 for travel expenses.

The police source said initially she had booked a ticket to Istanbul, Turkey, but changed her flight route to Brunei before heading to the Middle East to elude the authority’s detection.

It is understood that the Malaysian man had a brother, who was killed on September 30 in Syria in the ongoing conflict in that country.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar when contacted here to confirm the arrest said, “A press conference will be held.”

It was the fourth arrest made by police, after three Malaysians were arrested at KLIA on September 27 on suspicion of planning to depart for Syria to take part in the IS struggle.

Wisma Putra had recently said that the Malaysian government regarded the IS as a terrorist organisation and did not agree with any of its activities.

From April to September 21, 19 Malaysians have been arrested on suspicion of being involved with IS.

- BERNAMA

Students bear the strain of Malaysian school ‘crisis’

Re-examinations were held last week, with additional subjects set for Thursday, despite wide complaints that children were paying the price for official incompetence.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Bowing before an altar in a Hindu temple, 12-year-old Dharmishta Ramachandran prayed for strength and wisdom before taking high-stakes Malaysian school exams that have huge bearing on her future.

She looked weary, and for good reason: it was the second time in weeks that nearly 500,000 students took the exam, after initial results were invalidated when test questions were found leaked online.

The fiasco has incensed families and spotlighted mounting criticism of a government-run school system seen to be in disarray.

The Primary School Evaluation Test taken by nearly 500,000 pupils can decide coveted access to elite government-run secondary schools or private-school scholarships, and the re-examination has only magnified that pressure.

“My fear is I may not perform well,” said a pensive Dharmishta, primly dressed in her Kuala Lumpur school’s blue uniform.

“I’ve had trouble sleeping and eating the past few weeks.”

Re-examinations were held last week, with additional subjects set for Thursday, despite wide complaints that children were paying the price for official incompetence.

Around a dozen people have reportedly been arrested over the leak, mostly teachers.

While authorities have released no details, many parents attribute the scandal to fierce jockeying to stand out in an education system they say is failing to prepare students for the world.

“It’s a crisis. It’s ‘code red,’” Sivaraman Sabapathy, a public relations consultant with a school-aged son, said of the school system.

“It’s sad. The government is unable to provide a good education for its citizens.”

Poor marks

The school system was respected during and after British colonial times, credited with aiding Malaysia’s growth from agrarian backwater to regional economic standout.

It has some of Asia’s highest per-capita education funding, and access is near-universal.

But in 2012 standardised tests, Malaysian 15-year-olds were the worst in East Asia, outperforming only Indonesia.

Of 65 countries worldwide, Malaysians ranked no higher than 52nd in any subject, and were 39th out of 44 countries in problem-solving skills.

Universities also have slipped in global rankings over the past decade, and employers frequently lament the quality of graduates.

English skills, long a Malaysian advantage in attracting foreign investment, have “deteriorated” as well, the World Bank said in a report last year, adding to an erosion of national competitiveness vis-a-vis regional rivals.

It said student abilities were “not on par” with ambitious government development promises, citing poor administration, the standard of teachers and excessive bureaucracy.

Malaysia’s race-based politics also loom large.

The ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has long imposed controversial policies favouring majority ethnic Malays — UMNO’s political base — including quotas that ensure Malay numbers in the best secondary schools and in public universities.

This often shuts out better students from the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, contributing to a much-chronicled “brain drain” overseas of some of Malaysia’s best talent that has economic planners worried.

“Perhaps the most serious problem is that (education officials) see their role as ensuring the well-being and interests of Malay students,” said Lim Teck Ghee, head of the Centre for Policy Initiatives, a Malaysian think tank.

“Teacher recruitment has been politicised for over 30 years and we are paying a heavy price.”

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan denied any racial bias, but said criticism of schools was “quite accurate.”

However, ambitious reform plans announced last year will, by 2025, address key problems including student performance, teacher quality, school management, and excess bureaucracy, he said.

“The aim is to empower parents and teachers while creating an educational system that brings out the potential of students to meet global standards,” he told AFP.

Down the ‘drain’

But Lim said the government, frequently accused of corruption and misrule by critics, has a “bad record” on institutional reform.

“The most we can hope for is not to fall further back,” he said.

Meanwhile, many parents complain of unqualified instructors, or none at all for extended periods due to chaotic administration. Poor students often receive passing marks despite learning little.

Policy flip-flops, including a recent move to abandon English as the medium of instruction for math and science, sow confusion, they add.

The government had switched to English in 2003, hoping to enhance students’ high-tech competitiveness. The latest reversal is widely seen as an admission that English levels were insufficient for that.

“(Students) may get straight-As but when they enter university they have poor problem-solving and writing skills, especially in English,” said Tengku Azita Tengku Aziz, a telecommunications lecturer at Universiti Kuala Lumpur.

“Many parents want their children to enter (elite government-run) boarding or private schools, a clear indication of deteriorating standards.”

V. Ramachandran, Dharmishta’s father, hopes to enrol her in an expensive private school and, eventually, university in Singapore, another drop in Malaysia’s “brain drain”.

“She can live there and not come back,” he said.

- AFP

Latheefa flicks off pesky mosquito

PKR lawyer says tweet cannot be interpreted as a death threat by any stretch of the imagination.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Like flicking off a pesky mosquito, Lawyers for Liberty co-founder Latheefa Koya simply remarked that the police report lodged against her by Kinabatangan Umno Youth as false and orchestrated by Umno.

“I find the police report lodged against me as false and mischievously orchestrated by those in Umno,” she said referring to the tweet in question where she wrote, “Rather than get rid of the Sedition Act, it’s better to get rid of the Kinabatangan MP (Bung Mokhtar) instead”.

She also said the report was lodged in a move to intimidate her and apply pressure on the police to take action against her although no crime had been committed.

Implying Bung had an active imagination, Latheefa maintained she had never threatened Bung and as such the tweet could not be construed as a death threat “by any stretch of the imagination”.

Saying she was ready to take legal action against those who lodged the report against her, Latheefa said the same went for any other party who dared make more false allegations against her.

Kinabatangan Umno Youth came to the aid of their MP Bung Moktar Radin who had earlier issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Lateefa to either offer an explanation regarding her tweet or apologise for it, before a police report was lodged.

Failing to receive either from Latheefa, except for the tweet being deleted, a police report was lodged thereby taking the twitter brawl a step further.

Is it OK now to burn holy books?

DAP men denounce 'abuse of discretion' in racial incitement cases.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Two DAP MPs today decried what one of them called an “abuse of discretion” by the authorities in treating cases of alleged incitement of communal hatred.

They pointed to recent cases of offenders being let off for the apparent reason that they happened to be Umno members or supporters.

Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming, in a press statement that condemned the police for refusing to act against Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn Malay-language Bibles, asked whether Bible burning was now acceptable in Malaysia.

Referring to a police statement that Ibrahim’s outburst was “not intended to incite religious tension but to protect the sanctity of Islam”, Ong asked: “Does this mean that one can now threaten to burn the sacred texts of other religions all in the name of protecting one’s own religion?”

He also criticised the Attorney General’s decision not to prosecute KL Umno Youth Chief Razlan Rafii, who was investigated under the Penal Code for threatening to burn down the DAP headquarters last May.

He asked whether the AG was tacitly approving the torching of buildings belonging to opposition parties.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh denounced the leniency shown towards an Umno divisional leader Mohamad Azli Mohamed Saad who recently called for the abolition of Chinese schools.

Referring to a police statement that police had dismissed the case as a civil matter, he said, “This is absolute nonsense.”

Gobind recalled the case of former MP Mark Koding, who was convicted of sedition for a speech he made in Parliament, in which he advocated the closure of Chinese and Tamil schools.

“I call upon the Attorney-General to explain,” he said. “Is there a double standard here?

“If a member of Parliament could have been hauled up and charged for sedition for saying that, why not the Umno politician?

“Is this not another classic example of the abuse of discretion when it comes to the use of the Sedition Act? Why is it used against some and not others in cases which present similar facts?

“Are we not entitled, in the absence of any reasonable explanation to the contrary, to say that this is evidence of selective prosecution?”

WONG CHEN CATCHES AHMAD MASLAN IN A LIE: Which law says billionaires’ tax bill must be kept SECRET?

Malaysia Chronicle

This morning Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim asked if the government is willing to disclose how much income tax the top 20 richest persons in Malaysia, collectively pay. He did not ask the Minister to disclose individually how much each of them is paying. He asked for a collective sum.

The Minister Ahmad Maslan later said that he cannot disclose the information because section 138 of the Income Tax Act forbids him to do so.

I have read section 138 and here is my response.

First, there is no provision in section 138 that says that a collective number cannot be disclosed. Income tax is happy to say that it will collect RM140 billion this year from 2.3 million tax payers and 100,000 companies. That's a collective number. So why can't they announce a collective number of how much the combined 20 richest persons pay?

Second, section 138(2)(c) actually ALLOWS the Minister unfettered powers to disclose whatever information he sees fit.

So there you have it.

To quote X-files: A Minister can say what he wants but "the truth is still out there".

Yesterday Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat he could not disclose the tax paid by the top 20 richest people in Malaysia as it goes against Section 138 of the Income Tax Act.

He was responding to Anwar, who named the son of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Mokhzani, and business tycoons T Ananda Krishnan and Vincent Tan as among the top 20 richest people in Malaysia.

When asked by PKR MP for Bayan Baru Sim Tze Tsin to give a lump sum figure instead, Ahmad said he needed to check if this is allowed.

Govt drafting new bill to replace, complement the Sedition Act

The Sun Daily
by Karen Arukesamy

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is in the midst of drafting a new bill to complement the existing Sedition Act 1948, which also may be amended accordingly, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri said the government needs to maintain the Sedition Act until the new bill is drafted because there is no other law to prosecute those who instigate or spread hatred in the community.

"For now we are in the midst of drafting a new bill either to replace or to complement the existing law if it is amended.

"It is still in force because we do not have any other law to act against those who have the potential to threaten public order," she said to a question from Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar had earlier raised the question in the House whether the government is of the opinion that by prosecuting some Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including a few MPs, activists and intellectuals accused of sedition is in line with his commitment to make Malaysia a more democratic country.

Nancy reiterated that the government does not practice suppression of power and does not interfere in the roles and functions of other agencies adding that in this it is the Attorney-General's Chambers that decides to charge or withdraw the charges.

"We are in the midst of looking into a new bill to take over all the cases under Sedition," she said.

Repeatedly pointing out that the commitment to abolish the draconian law was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself, Anwar said that the sedition charges has been contradicting his commitments.

"First of all, the PM himself has given the commitment to abolish the Act that was introduced by the British under the excuse to fight communists.

Anwar said Malaysia is matured today and the government cannot use the Act as and when it likes.

"Are you saying that when academicians criticise the government policies and administration, they are threatening public order?

"Are you saying there is no such criticisms from the (Barisan Nasional) side?" he said, adding that he would still not support even if anyone from the ruling party was charged under the Sedition Act.

"I would not agree, because I am against the Act in principle.

Dewan Rakyat: 1MDB Has Total Assets Worth RM44.67 Billion - Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Tun RazakKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) has accumulated assets amounting to RM44.67 billion until March 31 last year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the agency was tasked with raising funds by bringing in foreign direct investments for national projects and issuing bonds, apart from securing loans from domestic and international financial institutions.

"1MDB, set up by the government in 2009, has secured loans guaranteed by the government amounting to RM5.8 million, but has not receive any government guarantee for bonds or other financing.

"It issued RM5 billion guaranteed Islamic medium-term notes (IMTNs) for a tenure of 30 years and borrowed RM800 million," he said in a written reply to Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Kluang) at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said 1MDB spearheaded long-term projects by capitalising on foreign investments and expertise to clinch investments that have high multiplier effect and innovations.

He said the ongoing 1MDB's ventures included the City of Malaysia Project, which entailed the development of affordable housing, particularly for young executives.

The integrated development project involves the redevelopment of the Sungai Besi Airport as an icon for sustainable living in the capital, he added.

He said 1MDB also focused on the energy sector by acquiring energy assets from Tanjong Energy Holdings, Genting Sanyen and Jimah Energy Ventures Sdn Bhd to fulfil the government's aspirations in ensuring long-term sustainable energy security.

"1MDB-Mitsui Consortium also won the Energy Commission's 3Boleh Project involving the construction and operation of a 2000 megawatt coal-fired plant adjacent to the Jimah power plant in Negeri Sembilan," he said.

Hence, 1MDB has become the second biggest independent power producer in the country in terms of energy production capacity.

Najib said 1MDB was also tasked with the development of the Tun Razak Exchange to turn Kuala Lumpur into an international financial hub in line with the government's aspiration to make the capital a global city.

He said the project, scheduled for completion in 15 years' time, was identified as an enabler in the National Economic Transformation Programme in the quest to double the country's per capita income by 2020.

"The agreement signed by 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd and Lend Lease's is expected to attract up to USD$1 billion (RM3.2 billion) in foreign direct investments into Malaysia," he said.

The Prime Minister said 1MDB was set up in accordance with the Companies Act 1965 to spearhead sustainable strategic economic development initiatives and encourage the inflow of foreign investments into the country.

"1MDB was established to drive long-term high impact economic development and forge strategic partnership globally to attract foreign direct investments into Malaysia that focus on the energy, real estate and hospitality sectors," he said.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues tomorrow.

Cops acted as executioners, court rules in awarding family RM351,000

The Court of Appeal today awarded RM351,000 in damages to the next-of-kin of a car repossessor who was shot dead by police in 2008.

Judge Datuk Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, who delivered the unanimous judgment, said police could not be executioners and the court had a constitutional duty to deal with "police excesses".

"In this case, the shooting of the deceased by a police team within a space of 10 seconds is not an exercise of spontaneous act of self-defence," Hamid said in allowing the appeal by Abdul Jaafar's widow, Abra Bibi Shahul Hamid and daughter, Norasmira Abdul.

Datuk Linton Albert and Vernon Ong were the other two judges on the bench.

Hamid said the court was mindful of police sacrifices in maintaining law and order but what was reprehensible was the need to be condemned in a fake encounter as in this case.

He said Abdul's shooting was a violation of the right to life as stated under Article 5 (1) of the Federal Constitution.

"It is an unlawful shooting," he added.

The court awarded RM51,000 in dependency claim and another RM300,000 in exemplary damages.

Lawyer V. Rajadevan, who appeared for the appellants, said high exemplary damages were awarded when the court found that acts by civil servants were arbitrary, oppressive and unconstitutional.

Facts revealed that members of the Special Action Squad shot Abdul six times while he was seated in the front passenger seat of a car.

The incident occurred at 8am on September 2, 2008 near a petrol station in Section 13, Shah Alam. Abdul was 45 years old at the time of his death.

The plaintiffs filed a dependency claim in 2009 but the High Court last year dismissed the suit. – October 8, 2014

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Perkasa chief’s Bible-burning call to defend Islam, says minister

The police decided not to take action against Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali over his call last year to burn copies of the Bible containing the word "Allah" because he was merely defending Islam, a minister has told Parliament.

Nancy Shukri, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of law, said the police concluded that his words were only directed at specific individuals, and not a threat to larger society.

"The statement he made was not intended to cause religious chaos but only to defend the sanctity of Islam," she said in a written parliamentary reply dated yesterday to a question by Bagan MP, Lim Guan Eng, on why Ibrahim had not been charged with sedition.

Lim had asked the prime minister to explain why Ibrahim had not been charged for calling on Muslims to burn Malay-language Bibles containing the word "Allah" and other Arabic words.

Ibrahim's call in January last year prompted outrage from politicians and Christian groups, with critics accusing Putrajaya of double-standards in using the Sedition Act against critics while sparing Ibrahim over his remarks.

Nancy, replying on behalf of the prime minister, said investigations by the police into Ibrahim's statement found that what he had said was aimed at the activities of some individuals who allegedly distributed Christian literature outside a school in Penang.

"The words he uttered were directed at individuals who were distributing Bibles with the word 'Allah' and also Jawi writings to students at Sekolah Menengah Jelutong, Penang, including Malay students," she said, referring to the police's findings.

Lim had also asked why the Sedition Act was still being used despite the government's promise to repeal it in 2012, and wanted to know when it would be repealed, as well as whether it would not be abolished.

In her reply, Nancy referred to a press statement from the Prime Minister's Office on September 12 this year that full consultations would be held before the government decided whether or not to repeal the colonial-era law.

On the number of court cases under the act, she said there had been one each in 2009 and 2011, eight in 2013 and 12 from January to September this year. There were no cases in 2010 and 2012, she added. – October 8, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/perkasa-chiefs-bible-burning-call-to-defend-islam-says-minister#sthash.7aJiEeZZ.dpuf

We spare no one, says top cop Khalid

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has denied that police were selective in their investigations and were only focused on the opposition and critics of the government.

The inspector-general of police said they have investigated everyone including ministers and the police.

"When a report is made, police will investigate. We do not have to publicise it to the world,” he said today after visiting the I-City in Shah Alam.

He was asked to comment if police had taken action against Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi following a police report during the Pengkalan Kubor by-election.

DAP's Canning assemblyman, Wong Kah Woh had lodged the report, accusing the Umno vice-president of inciting racial sentiments by claiming at a ceramah that DAP tried to pit the Chinese against the Malays during the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis.

"It does not matter who the subject matter is, we will investigate,” Khalid said. – October 8, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/we-spare-no-one-says-top-cop-khalid#sthash.uNQGEhws.dpuf

Anwar: Berapa cukai 20 orang hartawan M'sia bayar?

The Muslim nation where ISIS is free to recruit

CBSnews

CIANJUR, Indonesia -- A businessman who proclaims himself leader of the Indonesian chapter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group says he has personally overseen the departure of scores of fighters from this Southeast Asian nation to Syria and Iraq. Police detained him for a night recently, but were unable to charge him with a crime.

Chep Hernawan reflects both the success ISIS has had in attracting support in the region, and the challenges Indonesia faces in responding.

The government, home to most of the up to 200 Southeast Asians believed to be fighting in Syria and Iraq, has forcefully spoken out against ISIS, as have mainstream Muslim organizations in the country. But translating that into stronger legal tools that could stop suspected militants from traveling abroad, for example, will be a challenge given the fractious nature of the next parliament and other legislative priorities, according to a recent report into the evolution of ISIS by the Institute of Policy Analysis for Conflict.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said his force could only monitor ISIS supporters.

"If they have no record of terrorism activities then they can't be charged under our criminal law," he said.

For the first time since the 1990s and the Afghan jihad, Indonesians, Malaysians and other extremists in Southeast Asia are traveling abroad in an organized fashion to join a global militant movement, picking up battlefield skills and militant contacts.

Security officials fear they could take part in terrorism on their return to Southeast Asia, as those trained in Afghanistan did in attacks such as the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people. Radicals at home also could heed ISIS's exhortations to carry out revenge attacks on Western targets.

In response to the threat posed by foreign fighters, the United Nations Security Council last month adopted a resolution demanding member states prevent the recruitment and travel of people to join militant groups like ISIS, which is also known as ISIL, and which calls itself simply the "Islamic State."

Hernawan's brush with the law has not stopped him from campaigning on behalf of the group or defending its actions, including the beheading of journalists and opposition forces.

"I'm convinced that these are religious acts based on Islamic teachings (permitting acts) that strike fear in the hearts of enemies of Islam," he told The Associated Press recently in an interview in his plush home.

Hernawan, 63, a longtime public supporter of radical Islam, said he was appointed the head of ISIS in Indonesia at a meeting of radicals on March 16. While he is a well-known for speaking on ISIS' behalf in the country, two experts on militancy in Indonesia said it was unclear or even unlikely whether he had any structural links to the group's leadership in Syria.

Like some other radicals in Indonesia, he says violent jihad within Indonesia is not justified because the country doesn't meet the conditions required under Islamic law. Not so elsewhere.

"In countries where there are wars such as Iraq, Syria and Palestine, you either kill or get killed," Hernawan said.

Earlier this year he addressed a gathering of ISIS supporters in the heart of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

On the stage with him was a man called Bahrumsyah, who in July later appeared in an ISIS propaganda video with other Indonesians in Syria.

ISIS has quickly achieved popularity among a section of extremists in Southeast Asia because it has a territory that welcomes those willing to fight, a slick social media campaign and a reputation for battlefield success.

The danger posed to Indonesia from ISIS was brought into focus last month when police arrested four ethnic Uighurs they allege were being taken to meet the country's most wanted militant to discuss recruitment for ISIS. The militant, Abu Wardah Santoso, has taken responsibility for the killings of several Indonesian police officers and has pledged allegiance to ISIS.

In Malaysia, authorities have revoked the passports of 30 suspected militants who had previously been arrested under the country's new defunct national security act, said Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

In late September, police detained three suspected jihadists at Kuala Lumpur International Airport as they were about to board a flight to Turkey. Ayob Khan said at least 22 Malaysians were known to have left for the war in Syria.

Sri Yunanto, an expert on militancy at Indonesia's anti-terrorism agency, said many jihadi groups within Indonesia are trying to use the war in Syria to create a pool of combat-trained and indoctrinated recruits.

"Their goal is to send young people to Syria to provide them with expertise and experience," Yunanto said. "When the time comes for terrorism, they will have skilled operatives."

At least four Indonesians are known to have been killed in Syria and Iraq. The first was Wildan Mukhollad, who blew himself up in a restaurant in Baghdad earlier this year. He grew up in the same village as two notorious militants convicted and later executed for their role in the Bali bombings, and attended a school founded by them.

Ali Fauzi, his teacher at Al Islam boarding school, remembers Mukhollad watching the funerals of the two militants in the village.

"He was a good boy, a smart boy," Fauzi said. "I knew that it was his dream, he had reached what he dreamed of as a kid: to be martyred and go to heaven."

© 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Indian jihadist group calls for attacks on non Muslims

By Rupam Jain Nair

(Reuters) - A group of Indian Islamic militants, operating out of Pakistan, has called for attacks on non Muslims in the region in retaliation for U.S.-led air strikes on fighters of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The head of the little-known Ansar al-Tawhid fi’Bilad al-Hind urged Muslims to kill foreigners and other infidels in mainly Hindu India where Muslims have largely stayed away from global jihad.

"If you are in the fortunate position to kill an American or European, whether French or Australian or Canadian, or other unbelievers who have declared war on the Islamic State, then do so," said Maulana Abdul Rehman al-Nadwi al-Hindi in a 30-minute video posted online last week.

Indian security analysts said that Maulana Abdul Rehman is a pseudonym for fugitive jihadist Sultan Abdul Kadir Armar, a former resident of southern India who attended an Islamist seminary before going to Pakistan.

"Kill the idol worshippers wherever you find them ... shoot them if you can, stab them, throw stones at their heads, poison them, run them over, burn their fields - and if you are unable ... spit in their faces," al-Hindi said, referring to Hindus.

The emergence of a Islamic State-aligned militant group in India comes weeks after al Qaeda announced the formation of an Indian branch, aiming to rouse the world's third largest Muslim population into action.

"There is no doubt that the radicalisation process has begun in different parts of the country. Islamic fundamentalists are seeking to indoctrinate Indian Muslims," said Ajay Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi which monitors militant groups across South Asia.

The rapid rise of the Islamic State has evoked admiration among some groups in India and the flags of the insurgent group have appeared at rallies in Indian Kashmir, the country's only Muslim-majority state and the site of a nearly 25-year armed revolt.

The push for new jihadi recruits comes at a time of increased tension between Muslims and Hindus in India following the election of Narendra Modi as prime minister in May. Some of Modi's Hindu nationalist followers have been stirring up communal differences.

India has long believed that its democracy provided a platform for Muslims and other minority groups to address grievances and that they didn't have to turn to violent jihad to pursue their aims.

Modi said last month that al Qaeda would struggle to recruit members from India's 175-million strong Muslim community and praised Muslims for their commitment to fight for the country.

Two suspected al Qaeda supporters were killed when a bomb they were making exploded in a house in the state of West Bengal on Oct. 2, police told Reuters. Police said they found documents linked to al Qaeda and Chechen rebels.

(Additional reporting by Sujoy Dhar in KOLKATA; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Jeremy Laurence)

RM2,500 salary enough for those who manage their finances well – Bernama

A starting salary of RM2,500 for graduates who have just entered the employment world will suffice as long as they manage their finances well and live within their means.

Economist and financial management experts say this average starting salary can be considered reasonable especially when looking at the fact that these greenhorns have no skills or experience and that the employer has to take the risk of employing them.

The head of the education division of the Credit Counseling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), Mohd Adnan Anan Abdullah says on how much graduates should start off is up to the individual but for the spendthrift even a bit fat pay cheque will not suffice.

"Whether what one earns is enough of otherwise is all dependent on the individual's profile. Say in Kuala Lumpur, if one eats out every day it could cost up RM30 per day, and the spending will be greater if one has habits like smoking".

Apart from that, those who have just started work should not rush into buying luxuries, like a car. They should stabilise their financial position beforehand.

Newcomers are certainly disappointed

"Owning a car at a very young age is definitely 'cool' but one should not forget of the additional ownership costs involved – fuel, toll, parking charges, maintenance and insurance coverage when lumped up could prove to be hefty", he said.

A study on job seekers going through the job portal Jobstreet found degree holders felt that the average RM2,500 being insufficient with 77% of the 2,062 respondents could hardly save after spending on the basic necessities.

About 60% of the respondents expected a starting salary of RM3,500, while 30% of them asked for RM6,500. On the employers side, 66 of them said they were ready to pay between RM2,500 and RM2,800 depending on the qualification.

However, Mohd Adnan refuted claims that a salary of RM2,500 is insufficient to keep aside some amount for savings and saving 10% of one's monthly income is part of good financial management.

"Saving is important, but calls for tough financial discipline and perseverance, and can be done through unit trusts or separate bank accounts. As long as there is balance in the bank account one will be tempted to spend, thus savings must be something that one is forced to do", he says.

Graduates have to see the bigger picture

The Executive Director of the Federation of Malaysian Employers, Shamsuddin Bardan points out the aforementioned starting salary could be considered as reasonable for graduates who have no experience and the fact that employers have to spend to teach them on the trade.

"They have to realise that the employment openings are limited and if they are too demanding on the salary they may end up being unemployed.

"So take a positive view and see your first job as the opportunity to seek knowledge, and after having garnered some experience they could 'test the market' at other places. There is no obligation for one to remain loyal to an employer".

Shamsuddin adds that if they excel, along with additional qualities like good communication skills, don't be surprised the employers themselves give a pay rise within a short time.

Employers are well aware that they could easily lose good employees if they are not rewarded accordingly.

Take it as a practical training

An economic lecturer with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Professor Dr Shazali Abu Mansor shared similar views with Shamsuddin.

Prof Shazali says graduates should consider themselves as still undergoing practical training while at their first job.

"The key here is patience. If during your practical training you could take a bus, why not do the same now? Don't think that as soon as you start work you could just forget how you lived as a student.

"To help them tide over the tight financial situation, those who have provided them with study loans like the PTPTN should defer the repayment of the loans to two years after starting work as by then salary increments would have taken place," Shazali said.

The committee member for the economic and management cluster of the National Professor Council, Professor Dr Samsinar Md Sidin says the younger employees, especially those who reside in towns, should spend wisely.

"At times it is better to rent a room near the workplace, though it may be expensive it is better than traveling from far away, as this also helps to avoid the waste of time and energy", he says.

The lecturer at the economic and management faculty of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) added that parents could help them financially at the initial stage.

"Some of those who had just graduated also do part time work, including through online means, however they have to ensure their main occupation is not affected. Don't waste any opportunity", he says. – Bernama, October 7, 2014.

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Isma says Jewish, Christian interests will lead ‘new government’ if Sedition Act goes

Repealing laws like the Sedition Act "in a package" will give rise to liberalism and expose the nation to foreign intervention, allowing Jewish and Christian capitalists to determine and shape the country's policies, said Islamic non-governmental organisation Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma).

Its president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman (pic) said the repeal of certain laws could also lead to the downfall of the government and be replaced by a government that supports these capitalists.

He said the Sedition Act was a man-made law, which was not based on Islam, so it could be reviewed from time to time, changed or even abolished.

"For the context of this discussion, is it good to abolish or keep it?" he said in a statement on Isma's website today.

Abdullah Zaik said the repeal would allow certain quarters to debate core issues that cannot be challenged such as the position of Islam, the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, the privileges of the Malays and Bumiputeras, and matters concerning the Malay language.

"Everything will become debatable and abolishable ... it will have huge implications on the social contract and the structure of the nation's future," he said.

Repealing the Sedition Act, he said, has to be seen in the form of a 'package' since it came off the heels of the repeal of the Internal Security Act and Emergency Ordinance, calls to abolish the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, as well as calls for Press freedom.

"If these laws are repealed as a package, we will see a wide limitless liberalisation and a rise in problems like allowing people to question the Federal Constitution, and invite foreign intervention by Jewish and Christian capitalists.

"They will determine and influence our national policies according to what they want, bring down the government and install one that listens to them," Abdullah Zaik said.

He warned that harmony would be threatened without these laws, and expose the country to larger problems.

"What more if we look at the demography, racial polarisation and others that are already so critical in our society now. It will bring more dangerous clashes between parties of interest," he said.

Abdullah Zaik said the real issue here was the misuse of the laws, the abuse of power by parties with political interests or what was often called 'selective prosecution' of late.

He said in the issue of power abuse, enforcement has to be controlled, instead of repealing laws to solve the problem.

"A good law in the hands of a bad person can become something bad. A bad law in the hands of a good person can bring about good.

"The issue whether a law is good or not, depends on whether the person enforcing the law is pious or not," he said.

Abdullah Zaik said Isma agreed with some quarters that suggested the Act be improved with provisions to uphold the sovereignty and position of Islam in the Federal Constitution.

"Any effort to amend the Act should be towards preventing power abuse, selective prosecution, actions that are against Islam and the violation of the law itself.

"That is what we think should be done," he said.

Calls to repeal the Sedition Act has intensified over the last few months after numerous Pakatan Rakyat leaders like Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP vice chairman Teresa Kok, and activists were investigated and charged one by one under the Act.

Abdullah Zaik himself is also facing a sedition charge for allegedly calling the Chinese community "trespassers brought in by the British government" on May 6 this year.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/isma-says-jewish-christian-interests-will-lead-new-government-if-sedition-a#sthash.Rxa5vZdH.dpuf

Armed police patrol at Heathrow Airport as Kurds protest against Isis

Alexandra Rucki

A terminal at Heathrow Airport has been occupied by Kurdish and Turkish anti-Islamic State protesters.

The campaigners have blocked ticket barriers in terminal two of the airport and have been occupying the airport since 12pm today.

A group of about 50 demonstrators are holding banners reading ‘Stop facist attacks in Kurdistan’ and ‘Kobane’, following news the Islamic State flag was seen on the border of Turkey and Syria.

A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said: "We were called at 11.55am to reports of a demonstration at Heathrow Airport.

"Officers are at the scene and an appropriate policing plan is in place."

A spokeswoman for Heathrow Airport said: “There is currently a peaceful protest taking place in Terminal 2 in the departures area. Heathrow supports the right for peaceful protest. There is no impact on operations and passengers can travel as normal through the airport.”

Passenger Adam Tuckwell said: "The protesters are in good voice but all seems peaceful."

The same group of pro-Kurdish campaigners blockaded Oxford Circus tube station yesterday afternoon.

Transport for London were forced to evacuate the station for an hour as the demonstration blocked passengers passing ticket barriers.

Umno leader: Vernacular schools obstacle to unity

 

Stirring the hornets' nest, Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee urged the government to look into setting up a single-stream school system.

In a blog posting today, Syed Ali said the time has perhaps come to abolish vernacular schools, which are considered a platform to fan racial sentiments.

"Vernacular schools are no longer practical in this country seeing how it had sprung from the British colonial administration, which wanted to divide the races," he added.

However, Syed Ali (right) stressed that the move is not to "kill" mother-tongue languages of other races, which could be taught in the single-stream school.

Being in line with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s 1Malaysia concept, he called on BN component party leaders to view single stream schools as tools to shape a Malaysian identity, irrespective of race.

He also noted that the suggestion to debate the matter at next month’s Umno general assembly did not mean that the party wanted to be a "hero" but that it prioritised racial unity.

Syed Ali said that since its inception in 1946, the basis of Umno’s struggle is to do whatever is necessary to ensure that all races live in peace.

"Under the stewardship of Umno, no race has been sidelined by BN, which is sensitive to the interests of all races in this country," he added.

Syed Ali also explained that his defence of a single stream school is not to shortchange or oppress the other races.

On the contrary, he said, Umno believes that national unity could only be shaped by the education system.

The Umno leader recalled how the issue was raised by the late educationist Aminuddin Baki half a century ago due to his foresight that racial problems would arise as a result of the different streams.

An environment for interaction

On the same note, Syed Ali did not discount the possibility that a handful of teachers, regardless of races, would fan racial sentiments among the students.

"To stop this from becoming widespread, a single stream school system is the best medium to take steps in inculcating clear and genuine interracial ties

"Such schools will also provide an environment for students of all races to interact and understand the sensitivities of others, apart from ensuring political, economical and social stability," he added.

Syed Ali was also disappointed with certain quarters, including MCA leaders, who were against the single stream system due to concerns that their racial identity and language would erode.

He said MCA leaders could offer their views but should utilise the proper channels in order to avoid their statements being misinterpreted by those with political agendas.

Citing Singapore as an example, Syed Ali said there are no Chinese-medium schools in the republic, whose citizens are predominantly of Chinese origin.

Similarly, he added, Thailand and Indonesia have done the same as well.