Still no decision on Altantuya murder

 

 It is exactly six months yesterday since the prosecution's appeal against the acquittal of two police Special Action unit officers, chief inspector Azilah Hadri and corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, was heard at the Federal Court in the case involving the death of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

However, no decision by the five-member bench led by Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria in the country’s highest court is forthcoming.

This was confirmed by Deputy Solicitor General I Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, and lawyers Hazman Ahmad and J Kuldeep Kumar for Azilah and Hasnal Rezua Merican for Sirul.

"As of now, there is no date set," Tun Majid told Malaysiakini. The other lawyers also spoke to Malaysiakini on separate occasions this week.

Generally, judges are given up to three months to write their judgments.

However, Justice Arifin when commenting on the Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II case said earlier this month that judges should be allowed a reasonable time frame to complete a judgment as each case is different.

The top judge said the standard practice for the Court of Appeal and Federal Court is to complete the judgment within three months after the case was heard.

"But in some cases, the courts (the Court of Appeal and Federal Court) would take a longer time, may be until six months to complete the judgment. It depends on the complexity of the case," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Besides Justice Arifin, the other judges who sat in the five-member Federal Court panel in the Altantuya case were Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judges Abdull Hamid Embong, Ahmad Maarop and Suriyadi Halim Omar.

The prosecution's appeal was heard over three days in June.

Unsafe to convict Azilah and Sirul

The two Special Actions Unit officers were accused of murdering Mongolian national Altantuya who was harassing former lover and political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of then Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

She was allegedly murdered between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006 and 1am Oct 20, 2006 at a jungle clearing at Puncak Alam, Selangor.

Abdul Razak was acquitted by the Shah Alam High Court without his defence being called and his acquittal was not appealed by the prosecution.

While the Shah Alam High Court convicted Azilah and Sirul of the heinous murder which captured the world's attention, the three-member Court of Appeal panel ruled otherwise on Aug 13 last year, resulting in the prosecution's appeal.

Justice Tengku Maimun who wrote the unanimous Court of Appeal judgment ruled there were several misdirections by the trial judge, including Najib Abdul Razak's aide de camp DSP Musa Safri not called to testify.

She also ruled the inconsistency in the testimonies of several police officers in the trial, including those who accompanied Azilah to the scene of the crime, and also the officers who led to the recovery of Altantuya's belonging in Sirul's house.

The Court of Appeal judgment also questioned the authenticity of the phone records of Azilah and Sirul provided by the telephone companies which shows calls made between Azilah and Abdul Razak, while the two were on the way to the scene of the crime.

'Rare to take so long'

It is rare for the final appellate court to take so long to decide on a case such as this.

Besides this criminal case, Altantuya's father, Shaariibuu Setev, had filed a suit against the government, and that is pending on the outcome of the two police officers’ case.

When contacted, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, whose late father Karpal Singh represented Shaariibuu Setev, said the apex court may take some time to write judgments.

“In fact this is quite common. There have been cases which have taken longer.

“It would depend on the complexity of the issues involved in the appeal. The judges may need time to write their grounds as well. So there may be a combination of reasons,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted about the late delivery of the verdict.

Screams of desperation as two drown in flood waters

The tragedy occurred in broad daylight and was captured on video. Watch only if you have the stomach for it.



FMT

KOTA BHARU: In a real-life drama that will probably leave one in tears, screams of desperation are heard piercing the air, as two young men, unable to fight against the strong undercurrent of wild river waters, succumb in exhaustion as they go under.

The heartbreaking scene was captured on video.

The two were apparently bathing in the river when strong undercurrents yanked one of them deeper into the water.

In the video, people along the banks are heard screaming out to him, trying to help him to safety but the gushing waters are seen clearly overwhelming him despite his struggles to stay afloat.

In a desperate attempt to help him, the other man tries to get closer, before he too is pulled under and the two drown amid gut-wrenching cries of utter disbelief from onlookers at the tragedy unfolding before their eyes.

Perkasa declares war on pig farm

Perkasa rallied 100 Malays (and two chickens) to hand a memorandum to the Selangor MB, protesting a pig farm in Muslim-majority Kuala Langat.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Representatives from non-governmental organisation Perkasa and 100 Malay villagers handed a memorandum of protest to the Selangor menteri besar, voicing their disapproval over the building of a high-tech pig farm in Kampung Sepat in Kuala Langat.

The memorandum, accepted by Azmin Ali’s press secretary Radzi Razak at the Selangor State Secretariat building, was also accompanied by two live Mutiara chickens, brought in cages, which one villager was adamant be delivered to the MB, saying it was a sign of “love”.

According to Malaysiakini, Selangor Perkasa chief Abu Bakar Yahya, when speaking on behalf of the villagers, suggested the pig farm be built in an area where there was a high number of consumers of pork and not in a Malay village.

Reiterating the people’s right to oppose what they felt was wrong, Abu Bakar said, “Why is the government so adamant on approving the building of a pig farm in that village? Are there that many pork consumers in Selangor that the government needs to build such a massive farm?

He also said Azmin should speak up in defence of the Malays and added that building a pig farm in Kampung Sepat village was akin to insulting the Malays, who everybody knew was sensitive to the issue of pigs since its consumption was forbidden in Islam.

He asked, “What, you think Malay people are without honour? You give all the dirty places to us. Where is the dignity for the Malays?”

Meanwhile village chief of Ladang Tumbok, Mohamad Tarmudi Dushiran explained that while the group was not opposed to others consuming pork, there were already far too many pig farms in their largely Muslim-majority area.

“There used to be around two or three farms before, but now there are more than 62 pig farms in the village area,” he explained.

He said the villagers also had to put up with the stench emanating from the pig farms including the discarding of pig waste. “They even throw away piglets near the drains. It’s disgusting,” he said.

He added the villagers also worried about the outbreak of diseases such as the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Nipah viruses that had occurred years ago.

The proposal for the farm, which was tabled on December 16 has not been approved by the Selangor state government yet.

As the floods, expected to the worst in nation’s history since 1971, are already “worse than expected” according to Muhyiddin, Najib must rush back to chair an special meeting of Cabinet within 24 hours to pave the way for declaration of a state of emergency

By Blog Lim Kit Siang

I commend the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for finally starting to visit the flood-hit states starting with Kelantan this morning to oversee the Federal Government’s flood-relief operations in what could be the worst floods in recent history.

I also fully support his call for deployment of more air, sea and land assets and the stockpiling of one-week food supply instead of only for four days in every evacuation centre.

The authorities had warned those on the east coast to brace themselves for the worst floods in recent history as a result of a powerful combination of king tides and strong winds, and the communities in the coastal areas and along river mouths had even been warned to ready themselves for immediate grab-and-go evacuations.

But it is clear that the ravages caused by the floods, with the total number of flood victims in six states exceeding 100,000 had been even worse than what the National Security Council (NSC) had envisaged.

This is the only interpretation of Muhyiddin’s statement at the flood relief centre in Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bahru, this morning when he said that the floods was worse than anticipated – as if seeking excuses for the many weaknesses in the flood-relief operations so far.

This could only mean that although the Federal Government had expected the floods this year to be worst in recent history, it had not anticipated that the floods could be so bad – which is as good as admitting that the NSC was caught with its pants down.

With such a background, with the worsening flood situation with flood victims exceeding 100,000 in six states, and worse to come, the Cabinet should hold a special meeting within the next 24 hours to declare a state of emergency to concentrate all federal and state resources to handle the latest natural disaster in the country.

Muhyiddin had said that there is no need to declare a state of emergency over the nation’s worst floods as a state of emergency could only be declared if a critical situation occurred, such as when the electricity and water supply were completely cut off or when the number of flood victims reached hundreds of thousands of people.

The majority of Malaysians find these conditions for the declaration of a state of emergency over a natural disaster unacceptable and even obtuse.

Surely Muhyiddin, the Cabinet and the NSC are not expecting for fatalities to pile up to tens or hundreds accompanying the number of flood victims reaching the scale of hundreds of thousands before a state of emergency as a result of a flood disaster is declared!

A quick search on the Internet will show that other countries do not wait for hundreds of thousands of flood refugees before declaring a state of emergency.

1. Aljazeera reported that on 28 November last month, the United Nations declared a state of emergency in the Gaza Strip after two days of heavy rains and flooding in the war-battered enclave, as “hundreds of residents in the flooded areas around Sheikh Radwan storm water lagoon have evacuated their homes”.

2. On Christmas Eve, Jakarta Post reported that Bandung regency declared a state of emergency after hundreds of thousands of hectares of paddy fields were flooded in Central Java, West Java and Aceh. “The state of emergency effective as of Tuesday will last seven days or until Dec. 29, and could be extended depending on the situation.” At least 17,000 houses in Dayeuhkolot and Baleendah in Bandung Regency had been flooded and more than 6,000 people vacated their homes as a result of the flooding caused by the overflowing Citarum River. Hundreds of homes and thousands of hectares of farmland in Central Java have also been affected although no one has vacated their home yet.

3. On Dec. 9, CBS News reported that the east coast of Vancouver Island, the City of Courtenay, declared a state of emergency because of flooding caused by a powerful subtropical storm – walloped with 200 mm of rain in a 36-hour period.

4. On December 16, the Bay Area in San Francisco in Northern California declared a state of emergency because of massive flooding caused by heavy storms.

I don’t think all these four cases of serious flooding in Gaza, Indonesia, Vancouver and San Francisco would have declared states of emergency to centralise flood-relief operations if they have rules requiring hundreds of thousands of flood victims before an emergency could be declared.
There is an urgent need for the immediate review of such outmoded, archaic and obsolete rules for the declaration of states of emergency arising from a natural disaster, which is why there should be an emergency meeting of the Cabinet meeting in the next 24 hours.

Another reason for the special Cabinet meeting is the announcement by Minister for International Trade and Industry and UMNO Kelantan Chairman, Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamed that a report on the worsening flood conditions in Kelantan will be submitted to the Cabinet.

It will be ridiculous for the Cabinet to wait until next Wednesday on Dec. 31 to deliberate on the report, when the nation’s worst flood in recent history needs urgent measures to be taken on a 24/7 basis, and not on a leisurely week-by-week basis.

Furthermore, it is not just the flood situation in Kelantan, but also in all the other states badly ravaged by floods, like Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Perlis and states like Kedah and Johor which are expecting to be hit badly in the next few days, where contingency measures should also be taken.

At the special Cabinet meeting within 24 hours, UMNO Ministers should be assigned to visit and take charge of the flood-relief operations in the flood-hit states to show the commitment and concern of the Federal Government in tackling the natural disaster, which is quite absent today.
Leaving Kelantan for instance in the sole charge of Datuk Mustapha Mohamad, who is a Kelantan MP, will only reinforce an image of Federal Government indifference and even neglect.

I would urge the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak to rush back from his vacation in Hawaii to chair the special Cabinet meeting within 24 hours, as he could still come back in time as taxpayers have provided him with an executive jet, and the flying time from Hawaii to Malaysia is 14 hours.

As the floods, expected to be the worst in recent history since 1971, have already proved to be “even worse than anticipated”, according to Muhyiddin, there is no reason for Najib to tarry any further in Hawaii but to rush back to take personal charge of the flood-relief operations.

Floods worsen, displacing 90,000 in five states

KUALA LUMPUR: The floods ravaging five states in the peninsula showed no signs of letting up, displacing 90,250 people as of this morning in what is seen as the biggest number of flood evacuees in the nation's
history.

Kelantan had the highest number of evacuees at 32,343, followed by Terengganu (28,991), Pahang (24,316), Perak (4,335) and Perlis (265).

In KELANTAN, 5,190 people were moved out of their homes overnight to add to the 27,153 already evacuated as of last night, according to the state government flood portal.

The latest evacuees were from the Tanah Merah and Kota Baharu districts. The state capital Kota Baharu was paralysed by the floods after Sungai Kelantan burst its banks there yesterday.

Seven of the eight other districts in the state are also affected by the floods, they being Gua Musang, Jeli, Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Tumpat.

Fifteen more stretches of road in Kelantan had been closed as of this morning, raising to 37 the roads impassable to traffic due to the floods.

[PHOTO GALLERY]: FLOODS HIT THE EAST COAST

In TERENGGANU, the 28,991 evacuees from 6,975 families are being housed at 124 relief centres.

Kemaman is the worst affected of the districts, with 19,405 evacuees from 4,607 families.

A total of 5,022 people in the Dungun district have been moved to 33 relief centres. Kuala Terengganu district saw 3,203 people moved to 14 centres; Hulu Terengganu, 640 to 11 centres; Besut, 562 to eight centres; Marang, 115 to two centres and Setiu, 44 to three centres.

In PAHANG, the number of evacuees in eight districts rose by 8,372 to 24,316 this morning, up from 15,944 last night.

A spokesman of the Pahang Police flood operations room said Kuantan district had the highest number of evacuees at 14,350 from 4,119 families, now housed at 44 relief centres.

The Maran district has 2,744 evacuees accommodated at 17 relief centres, Jerantut, 2,478 (34 centres), Lipis, 2,319 (26 centres), Pekan, 1,402 (18 centres), Temerloh, 649 (15 centres), Rompin, 265 (four centres) and Bera, 109 (four centres).

In PERAK, the people moved out of their homes in the three districts of Kuala Kangsar, Hulu Perak and Perak Tengah has risen to 4,335 from 1,079 families.

A spokesman of the Perak National Security Council (NSC) said Perak Tengah was the latest area to experience floods, beginning yesterday afternoon. He said six more relief centres were opened today, in Bota and Kampung Gajah.

The Kuala Kangsar district, which also encompasses Sungai Siput town, had the highest number of evacuees as of this morning, at 2,767 from 659 families.

Twenty-three relief centres have been set up in the district.

Hulu Perak, which covers Lenggong, registered 615 evacuees while Perak Tengah had 953 as of this morning.

In PERLIS, the floodwaters in the northern part of the state remained stagnant but the number of evacuees had risen overnight.

The Perlis Social Welfare Department disaster operations room reported that 265 people from 81 families had been evacuated as of 9 am, up from the 253 from 71 families last night.

They are being housed at five relief centres, namely the Beseri Mara Junior Science College, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Abi, the Malau hall, Beseri Dalam hall and Seri Pilihan hall.

To watch more of Astro's popular programmes and infotainment, use Astro on the Go http://onthego.astro.com.my

Read more at: http://english.astroawani.com/news/show/floods-worsen-displacing-90-000-five-states-50898?cp

Najib To Oversee Flood Situation In Kelantan Tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will visit Kelantan tomorrow to oversee the flood situation in the state as well as oversee the response to the floods in four other states.

Upon his arrival, Najib would chair a meeting and receive briefings from the National Security Council, the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee, the state government and local emergency responders.

Najib said he was deeply concerned by the floods, and felt for the people who had lost their homes, and the families who had lost loved ones.

"While I have been away, I have been in constant contact with the National Security Council and the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee, who have assured me that they are doing everything they can to help those who have been affected.

"But I want to see the situation for myself and be with the people," said Najib, according to the statement from the Prime Minister's Office today.

Meanwhile, the statement also quoted a government spokesperson as saying that the prime minister had decided to return from the United States to oversee the emergency response to the floods, and would land in Kelantan on Saturday.

The spokesperson said that during his time abroad, the prime minister received daily updates on the flood situation in Malaysia.

Najib had also spoke to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to instruct the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee to step up efforts to assist those affected by the floods, said the spokesperson, according to the statement.

"Following recent reports that the situation had continued to worsen, the Prime Minister felt it was necessary to return to personally oversee the response," the spokesperson said.

During his visit to Kelantan tomorrow, the prime minister would also meet the people affected by the floods and discuss new measures to support those who had been displaced, said the statement.

Hudud: Mahfuz gesa Kelantan beri taklimat

ISIS Says It Will Conquer Europe Soon, Undertake Religious Cleansing And Kill Ruthlessly

By Kalyan Kumar

The radical terror group ISIS has claimed that it is only a matter of time before its fighters conquer Europe. The claim was made by the spokesman of the outfit to veteran journalist Juergen Todenhoefer, who undertook a risky visit to the the ISIS controlled areas in Mosul of Northern Iraq.

"We will conquer Europe one day. It is not a question of we will conquer Europe, just a matter of when that will happen. But it is certain. ... For us, there is no such thing as borders. There are only front lines," the spokesman identified as a German ISIS fighter told the German journalist.

Religious Cleansing

Defending mass enslavement and beheadings, the ISIS spokesman said it is planning to carry out "the largest religious cleansing campaign" in history and will not hesitate to kill hundreds of millions of people, if required, reported the Christian Post.

"Our expansion will be rapid and perpetual. The Europeans need to know that when we come, it will not be in a nice way. It will be with our weapons. Those who do not convert to Islam or pay the Islamic tax will be killed," the spokesman said. Todenhoefer visited the Iraqi city of Mosul, which had a large Christian population before it was taken over by ISIS in June and clamped Islamic laws on the land, forcing people to convert to Islam or face death.

On Shiite Muslims not ready to share the same beliefs as ISIS, the spokesman said anyone refusing to convert will be killed. "150 million, 200 million or 500 million, it does not matter to us, we will kill them all." The ISIS has already captured a number of cities across Iraq and Syria and continues to shock people with its horrendous acts like beheading of prisoners on camera and enslaving of religious minorities and women, including Christians.

The terror group claims it is on a divine mission to establish an Islamic caliphate across the Middle East region and eventually take over the world. The German journalist in his comments noted that Islamic State is a lot more dangerous than it has been perceived by Western leaders, reported Independent.

Brave Journalist

Todenhöfer, 74, is the first Western journalist in the world to be allowed access to ISIS territories in Syria and Iraq. Todenhöfer took the challlenge of travelling through Turkey to ISIS held Mosul, after holding months of negotiations with the group's leaders.

(The writer can be contacted at kalyandelhi@gmail.com)

To contact the editor, e-mail: editor@ibtimes.com

ISIS sex slaves: Captured Iraqi women strangling each other and killing themselves to escape rape

It is feared thousands of Yazidi women from Northern Iraq may have suffered torture, rape and other sexual abuse from Islamic State fighters

Terrified women captured by Islamic State thugs are strangling each other and killing themselves to escape rape and torture as sex slaves.

It is feared thousands of Yazidi women from Northern Iraq may have suffered torture, rape and other sexual abuse from Islamic State fighters.

Some survivors have even told how they tried to kill each other by strangulation in a bid to avoid suffering at the hands of the IS murderers.

Some young girls in their teens are among the victims after being captured by Islamic State as the group went on an ethnic cleansing rampage.

In a shock report released today and called Escape from hell: Torture, sexual slavery in Islamic State captivity in Iraq - Amnesty International probes the horrifying abuse suffered by possibly thousands of Yezidi women and girls seized by the marauding extremists in Northern Iraq.

One young woman Wafa, 27, who escaped IS told Amnesty how she and her sister attempted to end their lives one night after their captor threatened them with forced marriage.

They tried to strangle themselves with scarves but two girls sleeping in the same room awoke and stopped them. Wafa said: “We tied the scarves around our necks and pulled away from each other as hard as we could, until I fainted … I could not speak for several days after that.”

Many women are being forcibly married, “sold” or given as “gifts” to Islamic State fighters or their supporters.

Often, captives were forced to convert to Islam.

Video link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/isis-sex-slaves-captured-iraqi-4857970

Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Response Advisor Donatella Rovera, who spoke to more than 40 former captives in northern Iraq, said: “Hundreds of Yazidi women and girls have had their lives shattered by the horrors of sexual violence and sexual slavery in Islamic State captivity.

“Many of those held as sexual slaves are children - girls aged 14, 15 or even younger. Islamic State fighters are using rape as a weapon in attacks amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

The women and girls are among thousands of Yazidis from the Sinjar region in north-west Iraq who have been targeted since August in a wave of ethnic cleansing by Islamic State.

Nineteen-year-old Jilan committed suicide while being held captive in Mosul because she feared she would be raped, her brother told Amnesty.

One of the girls, who managed to escape, was held in the same room as Jilan and 20 others, including two girls aged ten and 12. She told Amnesty:

“One day we were given clothes that looked like dance costumes and were told to bathe and wear those clothes.

“Jilan killed herself in the bathroom. She cut her wrists and hanged herself. She was very beautiful; I think she knew she was going to be taken away by a man and that is why she killed herself.”


Several former captives said they had been held in family homes where they lived with their captors’ wives and children.

Many Yazidi survivors are also struggling to cope with the loss of dozens of their relatives, murdered or still in captivity.

A 16 year-old girl called Randa, from a village near Mount Sinjar, was abducted with scores of her family members including her heavily-pregnant mother.

Randa was “sold” or given as a “gift” to a man twice her age who raped her.
She recalled: “It is so painful what they did to me and to my family. Islamic State has ruined our lives... what will happen to my family? I don’t know if I will ever see them again.”

Malaysia deports Indonesian illegal migrants

Malaysia deported nearly 500 undocumented Indonesian workers today, in what analysts said was part of a push to clamp down on illegal labour as the economy starts to slow.

The workers were brought in shackles to the Subang Airport, near Kuala Lumpur, where Indonesian officials said they would be loaded onto military C-130 aircraft to be flown to their native country.

Another 200 will be deported tomorrow, Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia Herman Prayitno said, adding that more illegal workers may be sent back next year.

Muhammad Arifuddin, who worked as a labourer in construction for four years in Malaysia before being arrested, said he hopes to return to seek legal employment.

"I will try to get the legal documents and return to Malaysia to work," the 36-year-old told AFP.

Malaysia draws migrants from across the region and even from South Asian nations such as India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

More than six million foreign migrants, most of them illegals, are thought to work in factories, plantations, restaurants and in other jobs largely shunned by more affluent Malaysians.

But Yeah Kim Leng, dean of Malaysia University of Science and Technolgy, said it looked like authorities were clamping down on illegal workers as growth has started to slow.

"The Malaysian economy is softening. The deportation of the illegal migrants seems to coincide with the economic slowdown," he told AFP.

Kuala Lumpur in October forecast solid economic growth of between 5-6% next year, but the World Bank recently trimmed its forecast to 4.7% , citing lower exports and weaker commodity and oil prices. – AFP, December 23, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-deports-indonesian-illegal-migrants#sthash.R0PumzbJ.dpuf

Anti-graft NGO wants harsher penalties for white collar crimes

Putrajaya should immediately amend relevant laws to tackle white-collar crimes such as graft by imposing harsher punishments, said Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Datuk Akhbar Satar.

Akhbar, in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's proposal for heavier penalties to givers and takers of bribes, said white collar crimes are more brutal than violent crimes because actions of one or few corrupt individuals can affect the livelihood of thousands.

"The punishment must be a deterrent so that offenders will not repeat the act. The implementation of harsher punishments would most likely reduce corrupt activities in this country.

"Surveys indicate that both the public and offenders consider prison to be the most severe or effective punishment of criminal behaviour including white collar criminals. In China, white-collar criminals can be given the death penalty," he said in a statement today.

Earlier this month, Najib had described corruption as the root cause of many problems, ranging from environmental degradation, citing the illegal farming issues in Cameron Highlands, to illegal activities such as gambling.

He had urged for stricter action against those who gave kickbacks, including by private companies, while political parties should take a common stand to address the issue.

Akhbar said Putrajaya should move ahead with the necessary amendments to increase the penalties immediately and institute other amendments or new laws as needed.

"It is worth to amend the existing law to provide a more severe punishment by at least inserting Section 16 of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 to replace the penalty in the MACC Act 2009.

"By reinforcing this clause, anyone found guilty will face a prison sentence of no less than 14 days to a maximum of 20 years in prison," he said.

The Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) had been repealed following the enactment of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption (MACC) Act in 2009.

Under the old ACA, there was a provision of a jail term between 14 days and 20 years, as well as a fine of at least five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000 whichever higher for those found guilty of graft.

In contrast, those found guilty of corruption under the current MACC Act will be subjected to jail of not more than 20 years and a fine of at least five times the bribe amount, or RM10,000 whichever higher.

"Therefore, the ACA Act 1997 actually carries a more severe penalty," he said.

He said even offences related to criminal breach of trust carries a heavier penalty under the Penal Code, whereby those found guilty will be subjected to jail time of between two and 20 years, as well as whipping and a fine.

As for the penalty for cheating, those found guilty will be jailed between one and 10 years, whipping and a fine.

Akhbar said TI-M also supports the proposed amendment to the MACC Act to include corporate liability offences.

He said once the amendment comes into effect, companies can be held responsible if their employees commit bribery, unless they can prove that they had taken measures to prevent it.

Currently under the MACC Act, companies are not held liable for graft or corruption, as it is individuals, such as employees, who can be charged for bribery offences under the Act.

"There is already in the international arena the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Anti-Bribery Act, both of which have extra-territorial jurisdiction and hold corporations liable for corrupt acts of their employees and their subsidiaries’ employees.

"Malaysia is already behind on this and following in these footsteps will be a good move in the right direction," he said.

In referring to KPMG Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Survey 2013 of which 90% of respondents stated that bribery and corruption is the major problem for businesses in Malaysia, Akhbar said corporate liability has to be extended to cover the private sector so that companies will be taking responsibility for offences committed by its employees and sensitive in ensuring their business entities are transparent and corruption-free.

"Such an amendment would also strongly encourage companies to immediately look into their internal control policies to prevent bribes and ensure that there is comprehensive training programmes given to staff on ethics and integrity and promote good governance," he added. – December 23, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anti-graft-ngo-wants-harsher-penalties-for-white-collar-crimes#sthash.g9OGQO30.dpuf

'PAS central committee never agreed to hudud Bill'

 

PAS central committee members said they never agreed to bring the Kelantan's Private Member's Bill on hudud to Parliament.

This means PAS-led Kelantan government may be doing more than what it is allowed to by PAS.

PAS’ central committee only agreed to the Kelantan government to work on the technicalities with the Umno-led federal government, they said.

The state government was then supposed to come back to the PAS central committee to present their findings.

Central committee members Mujahid Yusof Rawa (right), Dr Hatta Ramli and another member who preferred anonymity said that this was what was agreed.

"We had decided for the federal government to table the motion," Hatta said.

Hatta, who is Kuala Krai MP, also refuted Kelantan PAS state deputy commissioner Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah who said the state had the blessing of the PAS central committee.

Mohd Amar, the deputy chief minister of Kelantan, in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini said all PAS MPs are duty bound to bring the Private Member's Bill on hudud to Parliament, as the orders are coming from the party’s central committee.

We've yet to discuss it

Mujahid, who is Parit Buntar MP and PAS Unity Bureau chief said that Kelantan government did not get back to the central committee over discussions it had with the federal government.

"They were supposed to come back to us with the government-to-government discussions and then we (PAS central committee) were supposed to decide if we were to be the ones to bring the Private Member's Bill to the Parliament.

"In fact, in recent meetings, we were too busy with other issues that we did not even discuss hudud," Mujahid said.

Party deputy president Mohamad Sabu (left) was only willing to say that the hudud issue is still very much under discussion and that there is no decision on who will table it in Parliament.

The Kelantan government will hold a special state assembly sitting on December 29 to amend the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (II) Enactment 1993 before it is brought to the Parliament in a Private Member's Bill, to enable to state to implement the hudud.

'1MDB report nothing to do with Najib or Umno'

 

Batu Kawan Umno division deputy chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan today said that the police report he had lodged against 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) had nothing to do with party president Najib Abdul Razak or the party itself.

Despite 1MDB being the brainchild of Najib, Khairuddin said that his actions were actually an attempt to "clear" the name of Najib as prime minister and finance minister.

"Because I love Umno, I had taken this determination to clear the name of the prime minister and finance minister.

"The 1MDB issue has nothing to do with Umno or its president," he told Malaysiakini today.

The police report, coupled with an interview with Malaysiakini where he had accused some Penang Umno leaders as "sleeping" on their duties, had resulted in both the Penang Umno and Kedah Umno Youth chiefs urging for stern action to be taken against Khairuddin.

However, Khairuddin noted that the actions of Penang and Kedah Umno Youth chiefs were "less intelligent".

He also stressed that he remains unfazed despite the criticisms that had been coming his way.

"What they (Umno Youth chiefs) are doing will only make people grow even more tired of Umno," he said, telling them to continue "apple-polishing" whoever they want.

"I will continue to shoulder this responsibility and will continue to uphold the principle of protecting the people's interests," he added.

Minister tells Isma to 'butt out' over X'mas greetings

Housing, Local Government and Urban Well-Being Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan has asked Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) to "butt out" with their claims that Muslims should not wish “Merry Christmas” to Christians.

In a series of Twitter postings this morning, the Umno MP from Kota Belud showed defiance by wishing Christians “Merry Christmas” before making sarcastic swipes at Isma.

"Not only (do) I wish Merry Christmas to all, I will host a bigger Christmas celebration this year in Kota Belud. Isma is invited to learn about moderation," he posted on his Twitter handle this morning.

"Isma is not my voice. They don't represent me and millions of Muslim Malaysians. Religious bigotry has no place in moderate Malaysia," he added.

He was responding to claims made by Isma activists recently that wishing Christians “Merry Christmas” would be tantamount to Muslims admitting that God had a son, and that Muslims should conduct preaching instead during the festive season.

Abdul Rahman also pointed out that Isma “will never understand” the respect that people in Sabah give to non-Muslims.

"Isma will never understand this. So butt out!" he said.

'Malays begging Chinese in economy as well?'

 

Setting aside the issue of Malays imploring the Chinese for votes, a former top editor wonders if the same roles are being played out in the economic sector as well.

Despite the New Economic Policy (NEP) and its successor policies, A Kadir Jasin said the Malays still lagged behind the Chinese and Indians.

"The game of catching up that the NEP intended to achieve had not succeeded.

"Bulk of the expenditure spent to eradicate poverty irrespective of race and to restructure society went to the Chinese long before the bumiputera felt their effects.

"Maybe the Malays are not begging the Chinese as clearly in the economic sphere as they are in politics.

"But we cannot also deny the intricate interdependence between the Chinese and the Malays in the economy," he added in his latest blog posting.

Kadir, who once spearheaded the government mouthpiece the New Straits Times, said the Malays are producers and consumers whereas the Chinese are middlemen and traders.

"The Malays are not consummate consumers. As such whatever is recommended to them by Chinese traders they will buy even at the risk borrowing at exorbitant interest rates.

"Remember the stories of Malay rubber smallholders buying refrigerators during the Korean War rubber boom in the early 1950s even though they had no electricity at home? They apparently used the refrigerators as cupboards.

"They are still buying refrigerators and many more electrical goods from the Chinese at exorbitant interest rates.

"But they are also buying those big noisy exhaust pipes and strobe lights to fix to their ageing Proton Saga because the Chinese workshop operators say these accessories are good and make their cars run faster. In short, the Chinese sell, the Malays buy," he added.

Kadir said while the NEP had enlarged the Malay professional class, they are limited to the government sector.

Without government contracts and employment, he added, few can hope to make the grade.

Umno begs, Najib stabbed

As for the political sphere, Kadir said it is Umno that appears to be begging for Chinese votes.

And like all those associated with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he blamed Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for Umno being in the same mendicant predicament at present.

"Being used to enjoying the support of the non-Malays for so long, BN is the one that is more desperate.

If it continues to lose non-Malay support and younger Malays continue to lean towards Pakatan Rakyat, he said, BN could find itself on the opposite side of the House in the coming general election.

Kadir was responding to Mahathir's latest vitriolic spewing about Malay parties being forced to beg the Chinese for votes.

By the look of things, the newsman said, the one that is really begging for Chinese and Indian votes is Umno.

In taking the customary swipe at Najib, he added that despite fashioning himself as the prime minister for all and "buttering the Chinese with gifts of money and entertainment", the Umno leader was rejected in the polls.

"This is also one of the reasons putting Najib at odd with members and supporters of his own party. He is portraying himself as being desperate for non-Malay support, especially Chinese, at the expense of the Malays.

"But all his strategies in this direction had not produced results," he added.

In the present situation, Kadir said Malays are neither here nor there and the three-way split has forced all Malay-based parties to appeal to the Chinese to stay in power or to take over power.

He also questioned if the Malays still controlled politics.

"As I have argued repeatedly for decades, the power of the Malays rests with their number. Being in the majority and united, they controlled politics.

"Political control is important to the Malays because they are not on control of the economy. I am speaking in past tense because I am not anymore sure if the Malays still control politics," he said.

Going by the number of Malay elected representatives in Parliament and state legislative assemblies, Kadir said the Malays still dominated by way of arithmetic.

"But do they lead the debate and set the agenda? I am not sure," he added.

Suaram queries Malaysia’s role in US ‘torture’ flights

SUARAM wants Putrajaya to establish an independent commission to probe the involvement of Malaysian authorities.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) has denounced a 500-page executive summary released by the US Senate on December 9, some 13 years after the 9/11 attack on the United States by the terrorist group al-Qaeda.

It has demanded the full report which totals more than 6700 pages, and remains classified, and steps taken by Washington to bring Malaysians and others involved to justice.

SUARAM also wants Putrajaya to establish immediately an independent commission to probe the involvement of Malaysian authorities in the rendition, detention and torture of alleged detainees in collaboration with the CIA in the global war on terror.

“Malaysia was named in having assisted the CIA in at least two cases in an earlier report titled ‘Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition’ by the Open Society Justice Initiative, February 2013,” said SUARAM

Executive Director Yap Swee Seng in a statement. “The names of U.S. allies had been omitted from the executive summary.”

“The details of the extent of ‘contribution’ by the Malaysian government remains unknown to the public.”

The Washington administration, added SUARAM, must fulfill its international and national obligations and prosecute those who are responsible for the abuse of power, especially in the use of torture, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and punishment on the detainees.

“It is apparent from the executive summary that the CIA’s program is akin to criminal actions and severely violates the international law and human rights law on prevention of torture and arbitrary detention.”

In the fight against terrorism, continued SUARAM, it is a shame that the leaders have turned to state terrorism in addressing the problem.

“Despite the skill and purported numerous successes of military, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, tragic and terrorist events continue to grow, in particularly the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),” noted SUARAM.

The executive summary, by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence of the United States, is on the full report on the assessment of the Detention and Interrogation Program and various torturous practices (which the U.S. called “enhanced interrogation techniques”) employed by the CIA on detainees between 2002 to 2007.

The report, supported with documents and photos, detailed numerous examples of inhumane interrogation practices by the CIA viz. water-boarding, rectal rehydration, detainees were slapped, slammed against walls, sleep deprived for up to seven days, some were stuffed into coffin-sized boxes amidst death threats.

At least 26 of the total detainees held by the CIA were subsequently found to have been improperly detained.

“Help! My boss is abusing me”, pleads desperate maid

An Indonesian maid is recuperating after her employer allegedly pulled out her teeth, shoved objects into her privates and kicked her face.

FMT

AMPANG: A distraught Indonesian maid took to pasting a hastily scribbled note on her employer’s apartment door, desperately begging for help from her neighbours, in a bid to escape the horrific abuse she has suffered in the hands of her employer for the past eight months.

According to a report from The Star, the 32-year-old woman, who is now recuperating in Ampang Hospital, alleged that her employer had pulled out several of her teeth and even shoved objects into her private parts.

Unable to tolerate the abuse any longer, she resorted to sending out a call for help by pasting a note bearing the words: “Tolong, boss dera saya” (Help, my boss is abusing me).

A neighbour, on seeing the note called the police immediately.

A source told The Star the woman’s injuries were horrific and that her face was “completely swollen” from being allegedly kicked and punched at by her 47-year-old employer.

Ampang Jaya deputy OCPD Supt Mohd Nazri Zawawi confirmed that the maid’s employer was under remand until Saturday and that police had also arrested a 39-year-old woman friend of the suspect the following day.

“We are investigating if she had also been involved in the alleged abuse.

“She is also remanded until December 27,” said Supt Mohd Nazri.

Hudud ‘apartheid’ under guise of religion

Federal Constitution does not allow for a people to be judged by different laws for the same offence.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Hudud can be considered a form of apartheid similar to South Africa in the 1960s except that this tie concerns religion instead of race.

“Our current civil laws are already enough to prevent crime, and there is no need to introduce harsher punishments simply because it is part of your religion,” said Lua Choon Hann, the MCA Kelantan State Liaison Committee Secretary, pointing out that Malaysia was a secular state although Islam is the religion of many people as acknowledged in the Federal Constitution.

“The implementation of hudud law will also create a major headache for the legal system of our nation, and only move to further segregate Muslims from non-Muslims with different laws for different people.”

The Federal Constitution, he points out, does not allow for a people to be judged by different laws for the same offences. “The Federal Constitution enshrines equality under the law.”

Deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah Mohd Amar has also conceded the gender bias in the application of hudud law when he admitted to “the lesser weight given to women’s testimonies”, added Lua who is also MCA Kelantan Economic Consultative Committee Chairman and MCA Central Committee Member.

He urged DAP and PKR to talk sense into PAS, and “if PAS refuses to listen to them, then leave the Pakatan coalition so as to deny them the support they need to pass their private member’s Bill on hudud law in Parliament”.

He noted that Mohd Amar’s promise, in an online interview, “not to be overzealous on hudud”, is sheer proof that PAS will not back down on their hudud agenda, and that DAP and PKR must do something to dissuade them.

The interview, he continued, “probably an attempt to make hudud more appealing to the non-Muslim community, has only served to frighten them more”.

“The only assurances that we have been given by Mohd Amar is that PAS will promise not to be overzealous while implementing the harsh punishments of their hudud law,” he said.

“However, saying and doing are two different things entirely, and from past policies implemented by the PAS Kelantan state government, as well as in Kedah when PAS was in power, we know very well that PAS can be overzealous.”

He cited their gender segregation policies for public places, cinemas, and the ban preventing hairstylists from attending to customers of the opposite gender.

What about the fines issued by the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) to female workers who were deemed indecent simply because their sleeves were not long enough?

“Besides that, the fact that PAS is still adamant on implementing inhumane punishments such as stoning and amputation is also proof of their over-zealousness in trying to become more religious than other Islamic nations,” he said.

“Can PAS provide any other proof that we will not end up like Nigeria or Pakistan other than their ‘promise’, which we all know by now to be untrustworthy?”

Mohd Amar needs to further clarify how “chopping off hands is to save society” when unemployment and stigmatization that follow after a limb is hacked off renders the victim destitute, stressed Lua.

Another Mamak gang member arrested

The 31-year-old suspect was caught in a raid on a house at 6pm last Thursday.

FMT

IPOH: Police have detained a man believed to be a member of the Mamak gang in Kampung Larut Tin Sambungan near Taiping.

Perak police deputy chief A. Paramasivam said following a public tip-off, a team from the Taiping district police headquarters Criminal Investigations Department conducted a raid on a house and arrested the 31-year-old suspect.

“In the 6pm raid last Thursday, police arrested the suspect who was in the bedroom of the house,” he told reporters after a duty handover ceremony for the new Perak police chief Osman Salleh at the Perak Contingent Police Headquarters meeting room here.

Paramasivam said the suspect, who has a record for luxury vehicle theft, is remanded until Thursday to facilitate investigations.

He said the arrest was the fourth involving members of the Mamak gang.

On December 7, police detained a 50-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, believed to be members of the gang, in a 10.30pm raid at a house on Jalan Kuala Kangsar here.

Another suspect, 37, was nabbed on December 14 after Ops Cantas Khas in Lenggong near Kuala Kangsar, here, at 11.30am when police detected a suspected car.

The Mamak gang, which has long been active, was mostly involved in the robbery of banks and luxury cars.

– BERNAMA

Finding ‘dirt’ on the 25 is dirty, to say the least -Dr Azmi Sharom

By Dr Azmi Sharom -  Rakyat Times

Ah, Awang Selamat.

One can always depend on you to say the most ridiculous things.

Today, I read that this 'person' (in reality the collective editorial voice of that paragon of journalistic virtue: Utusan Malaysia) wants the 25 Eminent Malays investigated.

Their backgrounds and lifestyles should be put under the microscope, they say.

I guess this is so that the erstwhile 'newspaper' can find out any “dirt” on the 25 and then they will be able to dish it out with orgasmic glee.

In this way they can detract from the fact that respectable individuals, who are essentially conservative people who have served the nation all their working lives, and who I am sure would be happy to spend their retirement in peace with their grandchildren, have felt that this country is in such a poor state that even they have to say something about it.

It is odd that the Utusan feels no need to delve into the murky past of other retirees who have something to say.

I am thinking of course of the noisiest Malaysian retiree in the world, the indestructible and seemingly immortal Dr M.

The longest-serving PM in the country (sometimes I wonder if he is still not serving as PM) has said that Malays are so politically impoverished that they have been reduced to begging from the Chinese to maintain their political power.

Of course I am not of the same ilk as Awang Selamat, so I will not be casting any aspersions on the good doctor’s character. I don’t know him at all. So I will just look at some facts.

Sixty per cent of Parliament is Malay; 63 per cent of the Cabinet is Malay; 60 per cent of the Deputy Ministers are Malay. We have always had a Malay Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister since independence. All the states except Penang have a Malay Chief Minister.

Is this clear grip on political power due to all these Malay men and women going on bended knee to the Chinese community for their favours and blessings?

It seems extremely unlikely, but I must admit that I don’t know. But then I am not as wise and knowledgeable as the great Mahathir.

He must have some secret power to see things that ordinary folk can’t. I wish I could find out what that super power is.

But unlike Utusan and the 25, I respect the old man’s privacy and I have no wish to investigate him.



Dr Azmi Sharom, Associate Professor of Law

Umno cabar S'gor, benarkan bukan Islam guna 'Allah'

PAS: Hanya dengan Umno hudud boleh dilaksana

Video: Palestinian Cleric at Al-Aqsa Mosque: Husbands Must Know Password for Wives’ Facebook Accounts

In a lecture delivered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on December 16, Palestinian cleric Sheik Khaled Al-Maghrabi said that for a woman to have a cell phone, laptop, or Internet account that is blocked with a password unknown to her husband constitutes a violation of Islamic law.

Taxi driver fined £1,000 after refusing to pick up blind woman in pouring rain because she had a guide dog

• Sue Smith, who is blind, phoned taxi to collect her from Birmingham centre
• But when Shahzad Ahmad arrived he said his six-seater car was too small
• Ms Smith, 50, was left 'embarrassed' on the street with guide dog Sonny
• Ahmad was fired from the taxi company and now faces losing his licence

By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline

A taxi driver has been fined £1,000 after he refused to pick up a blind woman who was standing in the pouring rain because she had a guide dog.

Shahzad Ahmad, 32, told Sue Smith that he could not accept her fare because his vehicle wasn't big enough to fit five-year-old Labrador Sonny - even though he was driving a six-seater people carrier.

Ms Smith left feeling 'scared' and 'embarrassed' when Ahmad drove away, leaving her and Sonny to be soaked on the street, Birmingham Magistrates Court heard.

The 50-year-old had phoned taxi firm T.C. Cars after visiting the headquarters of Action for Blind People in Birmingham on March 27.

But she was stunned when Mr Ahmad arrived and told her that he could not take her with Sonny.

She was left 'embarrassed' and 'disorientated' in the street for 20 minutes as she tried to find her way back into the building she had just left.

Ms Smith said that the incident has 'dented her confidence' and has left her scared to get into a taxi.

It is an offence for a taxi driver not to take a blind person and their guide dog unless they have a medical exemption certificate for an allergy.

Ahmad was found guilty in his absence of breaching the Equality Act 2010 at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He was fined £1,000, ordered to pay court costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £100.

On Thursday, Ms Smith, who lives with long term partner, Colin, 50, said: 'I was so angry and scared. It was horrible.

'It was pouring with rain and if I hadn't been going to the Action for the Blind building I would have just been stranded in the city centre. God knows what I would have done.

'I have been on antidepressants since and I'm scared to get a taxi now. It has really dented my confidence.

'He just kept saying "no, no, no" even though I told him it was illegal. He was very rude and just drove off.'

Ahmad, from Birmingham, has since been sacked by taxi firm and now faces losing his license.

John Kington, promotions manager at T.C. Cars, said: 'We acted swiftly and sharply as we do not tolerate this kind of behaviour at all.

'He was sacked straight away. Accommodating guide dogs is a requirement we are happy to meet and will continue to meet in future.'

Sue Bushell, from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, added: 'Some drivers may have a fear of dogs but it is a legal requirement.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2882716/Taxi-driver-fined-1-000-refusing-pick-blind-woman-pouring-rain-guide-dog.html

Najib met Dr Mahathir over 1MDB, say sources

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has met Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to discuss the former PM's criticisms of national strategic investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), say sources.

The prime minister met Dr Mahathir on Saturday but details of the meeting have not been revealed.

"It was cordial. The PM is satisfied with the meeting," a source told The Malaysian Insider.

The meeting comes after the country’s longest serving prime minister had repeatedly raised questions about the heavy debt and usage of funds at 1MDB in his blog and had complained about its operations via his blog as well as at various media conferences.

It also comes amid the ringgit's slide against the US dollar, which has caused a ballooning of part of 1MDB's debts which are in the greenback.

Today, The Edge Financial Daily reported that the depreciating ringgit would hurt 1MDB, which has a sizable chunk of its total RM42 billion in debts in the US dollar denomination.

This chunk, which amounted to RM22.25 billion according to 1MDB's financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2014, has now grown to about RM25.7 billion – an increase of about RM3.96 billion - due to the ringgit's decline by 6.5% in the past nine months.

The former prime minister in a posting in September had noted that 1MDB had spent billions of ringgit buying power plants from the Genting Group and tycoon T.Ananda Krishnan and had paid above market prices for them.

He also lamented that 1MDB is heavily indebted. It has debt of around RM38 billion after just five years in operation as the country's sovereign wealth fund.

"The money for 1MDB is not from the country's surpluses. It is debt, billions of ringgit of debt that has added to the already high national debt," Dr Mahathir wrote.

The former PM, who in an earlier posting had said he was withdrawing support from Najib, said as the government was already facing a deficit budget problem, it would not have the ability to help pay the 1MDB debt.

He also noted that a large part of the money raised from the issue of debt paper by 1MDB has been sent to the Cayman Islands, a move which many had questioned.

Critics have complained about the lack of transparency in how the money is managed out of the Caymans and it has been estimated that at least RM18 billion of 1MDB's money is parked there.

1MDB is Malaysia's second sovereign wealth fund after Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

Dr Mahathir had also questioned why the Umno annual general assembly held in November had failed to discuss a public interest issue like 1MDB.

A Penang Umno division leader, Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, has recently lodged a police report against 1MDB over its alleged dubious financial activities and massive borrowings.

His move subsequently led to him being criticised by the state Umno chapter, which had denied knowing of his intention to file the report. – December 22, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-has-met-dr-mahathir-over-1mdb-say-sources#sthash.dtGwjLES.dpuf

Zam: 'Eminent 25' making things worse for Najib

 

Former information minister Zainuddin Maidin has accused the ‘Eminent 25' group of making things worse for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and further ruining the latter's reputation with their statements.

In a blog posting, Zainuddin called the views espoused by the group - comprising mostly of former top civil servants and ex-judges - as "ultra liberal" in nature, and does not take into account the sensitivities of Muslims and Malays in the country.

He was flaying the group for recently questioning the need to demolish a surau in Mersing, Johor because a group of Buddhists had conducted prayers there.

The comments were made by the group's spokesperson, Noor Farida Ariffin, published in the Sunday Star last week.

"If such thoughts had come from DAP or non-Malays, then it would have been considered as being seditious, but just because it came from a Malay and Muslim with a high stranding in society, this issue had been looked at silently by the Home Ministry," he said.

"This is an example of how the Eminent 25 are adding problems for Najib (left) even though the PM has not recovered from the trauma of wanting to repeal of Sedition Act, though he dropped that intention later," Zainuddin noted.

"They are worsening Najib's image because the group is believed to be supported by Najib," he said.

He also claimed that the "public talk" right now is that the group is backed by the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM), which has liberal Umno ex-deputy minister Saifuddin Abdullah as its CEO, with The Star CEO Wong Chun Wai in its board of directors.

As such, Zainuddin said that it comes as "no surprise" that The Star is promoting the Eminent 25 in order to cover their "hidden agenda” of promoting “non-Malay bigotry" by "pointing fingers at Malays and Muslims".

"In my next posting, I will show how the Eminent 25 have insulted Umno," he added.

The group rose to prominence after penning an open letter to Najib on Dec 7 condemning rising extremism in the country.

Teen's future uncertain as gov't appeals IC case

 

The future of M Navin, 16, a teenager born of a Malaysian father and a Filipina mother, remains uncertain.

This follows the National Registration Department (NRD) and the Home Ministry are appealing against a Kuala Lumpur High Court order last month to issue him a MyKad.

Navin’s lawyer Annou Xavier told Malaysiakini that they received a copy of the notice of appeal from the Attorney-General’s Chambers today.

“This is truly a sad day as the government decided to appeal,” he said.

A notice of appeal is filed after 30 days following the judgment and following that, the judge will provide the written judgment. The Attorney-General’s Chambers will then submit the grounds for their appeal.

On Nov 25, KL High Court ordered the NRD and ministry to issue the MyKad after ruling that their decision not to grant him citizenship was unjustified.

Navin was issued a birth certificate and an international passport previously, but they revoked the birth certificate later on July 21, 2010 based on Article 15A of the federal constitution over “special circumstances” on the grounds that the father did not register his marriage.

Following this, Navin filed the originating summons application in December last year in which he sought a declaration that he is a Malaysian citizen and for the NRD to issue him a MyKad.

Justice Hue Siew Kheng, in her decision in granting a mandamus order to compel the authorities to issue Navin the MyKad within 30 days, said the “special  circumstances” in not issuing the card were not defined and she used existing laws in the country in respecting children and for the authorities to act in the best interests of the child.

Hence, she said special circumstances should be what is done to promote the child's welfare and not render the person as stateless.

“This is an undesirable circumstance for the child,” said Justice Hue in her decision.

She noted that as the passport and birth certificate were issued to Navin, it is within the plaintiff's limited expectations for him to make the application.

“Firstly, his birth certificate states he is a citizen and the passport issued means a valid travel document recognised by the government was issued recognising him. This implied or recognised that he is a citizen of Malaysia and has a legitimate expectation to do so.”

Marina Mahathir ‘ignorant’ for attacking God’s law on hudud, claims Isma

(Malay Mail Online) – Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) branded today Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir ignorant for criticising hudud, a law the Islamist group claimed was part of God’s order for an Islamic country.

The right-wing group said Marina was jahil (ignorant) of Islamic teachings when the social activist and daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said implementing the Islamic penal code in Kelantan would end up splitting Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious society.

“The obligation to implement it is not just because it is God’s instruction, but more importantly, it is for the benefit of society,” said Isma’s ulama council official Ustaz Muhammad Firdaus Zalani in a statement.

“It is impossible for God who created humans and the entire world to order something that will bring detriment to humans,” he added.

Last Friday, Marina was reported criticising the PAS-led Kelantan government’s plan to enforce hudud, saying that it was against the Federal Constitution and would inevitably affect non-Muslims although the strict Islamic criminal law was only meant for Muslims.

Opponents of hudud have said a Islamic criminal justice system cannot be implemented in Malaysia as the country is secular.

PAS’ renewed push for hudud law in Kelantan has once again put the Islamist party at loggerheads with its allies PKR and particularly, the DAP, in the federal opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Firdaus said today that bad things will happen only if people ignore God’s teachings.

“Saying that God’s teachings will bring harm to us all is as if we’re saying that God has failed and cannot understand the things that will bring us good,” he said.

He stressed that Muslims need to understand that God will not obligate believers to do something unless it benefits the world or brings them good in the afterlife.

“For me, there’s no problem discussing the technical parts of hudud so as to insert it in the country’s legal system, whether it’s about the current obstacles or how to make it appropriate based on current technological developments,” he said.

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob announced recently that the state legislative assembly will hold a special sitting on December 29 to table and pass amendments to the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code Enactment II.

The move is in preparation for PAS’s plan to table in Parliament a private member’s Bill to amend the Federal Constitution and to allow Kelantan to implement the Shariah Criminal Code Enactment II passed by the state assembly in 1993.

In Islamic jurisprudence, hudud covers crimes such as theft, robbery, adultery, rape and sodomy. Punishments for the crimes are severe, including amputation, flogging and death by stoning.

Let complainants of polls fraud air views

MIC cannot afford to have long-term political bickering and group feuds anymore, says deputy president.

FMT

GEORGE TOWN: MIC deputy president Dr S. Subramaniam said there was a need for the party leaders to hold a meeting with the members who complained about irregularities in last year’s election before arriving at a solution.

“The solution to this is to be holistic. First, we recognise the issues. The earlier we recognise the issues, the faster we can solve them. Bring all the members together and discuss it in the spirit of one team and to move forward, so that we can solve whatever problems there are, in a manner which is acceptable to everybody,” he told reporters after visiting the Penang Hospital, here today.

Subramaniam was asked on the statement by MIC president G. Palanivel yesterday who had reportedly described the protesters at the party headquarters last week as a mere “minority group of troublemakers”.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also the Health Minister, said the party could not afford to have long-term political bickering, group feuds and infighting anymore, or else MIC would face a major problem.

“The party has been weakened over the years since 2008. If we do not pull ourselves together, by 2018, we would face a major problem. I have expressed these views in the central working committee (CWC),” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the proposal for the party’s state leaders to be elected, Dr Subramaniam said the proposal was a good thing for the party to look at for greater democracy in MIC.

“At the moment, all branch, division and national leaders in the MIC are elected. The only group that is appointed is the state leaders. We are thinking of how to have the state leadership elected. A committee is working on it,” he added.

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) had nullified the election for the three vice-presidents and 23 CWC posts held during the party’s general assembly in Malacca last November.

In the letter dated December 5, the ROS had recommended that a re-election be held within 90 days of the directive, following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.

The ROS has also advised the MIC not to hold its annual general meeting until the matter was resolved.

– BERNAMA

Musa: We are going through another May 13 run-up!

Former Deputy Prime Minister declares he’s a “liberal” and very proud of it in supporting the Group of 25.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam, 80, entering the debate on the way forward for Malaysia in the face of political Islam competing with extremists of all shades, has declared that he’s a “liberal” and very proud of it.

“Only moderation and liberalism will allow us to survive,” said Musa in remarks carried in The Star and mainstream media. “But I don’t know what’s happening now.”

“I have always been a liberal and a moderate and am proud of it. My family, my parents, my elders brought me up that way, and in my more grown up days since I entered politics.”

He thinks that many Malay leaders were trying to instill fear and a siege mentality in Malays.

“They are also instilling a very serious inferiority complex among the Malays. This is misplaced,” added Musa. “So many Malays are capable, yet every day these groups are saying ‘You are inferior, you need protection’ and ‘Those superior people are attacking or threatening us’.”

Malays, he believes, should not continue to live in fear as they are well-equipped to face challenges and compete with anyone.

Musa’s declaration comes in the wake of a December 8 Open Letter by a Group of 25 Eminent Malays, former high-ranking civil servants.

Musa lauded the efforts of the Group.

“That was a very good symbolic statement made by them in that they triggered thinking, arguments and conversations,” noted Musa. “Then there were the responses (good), which I compliment also because they are not calling names. They are not arguing based on irrationality but arguing on an almost point-by-point basis. This was absent before.”

He deplored the use of racial and religious issues to play to the gallery and win political support. “It reminds us of the run-up to the May 13 race riots in 1969,” he warned.

The Crooked Bridge: Mahathir’s Revenge

The good doctor's ego had been severely bruised by his having to "beg" and his humiliation in Singapore.

By Andrew Gomez - FMT

It was the crooked bridge that never came to be. A proposed new bridge to replace the Pre-War Johor Causeway, it was arguably a thing of breathtaking beauty.

The benefits of demolishing the old Causeway were many. Alleviating the daily jams by allowing more lanes for bi-directional travel. A raised semi-bridge which would allow sea-going vessels to pass unhindered beneath its spans, potentially allowing the free-flow of water and sea traffic for the first time in more than half a century. For the first time, smaller vessels could travel south down the Straits of Malacca and make their way to the South China Sea while completely bypassing Singapore and the world’s busiest port, saving them both time and money.

In fact, if you study the artist’s rendering closely, you might notice that something is missing. The road is present, as is the KTM railway line with a fancy rotating bridge. Now have a glance at The Causeway today:

Notice the water pipelines that were missing from the Crooked Bridge rendition? Yes, the water pipelines from Johor that, back when the Crooked Bridge was first proposed, carried Singapore’s sole source of life-giving water. Let the ramifications of that sink in while you think about it from Singapore’s perspective.

Now, exactly what gives? To answer that, we need to reach further back into history. Specifically, the years of 1997 and 1998 and The Asian Financial Crisis or what the Thais called Tom Yung Goong.

The then Prime Minister was in a quandary. He had sacked his deputy, Anwar Ibrahim and to make matters worse, the country was experiencing a financial crisis unlike any other before. Currency speculators had devalued the Malaysian Ringgit to a fraction of its previous value. Attempts by the Central Bank to prop up the ringgit’s value had been expensive and ultimately futile. Malaysia was virtually bankrupt. There was no more money left.

With metaphorical hat in hand, Dr. Mahathir made a visit to Singapore to meet with PM Goh Chok Tong. Although unreported in the Malaysian media, Singapore’s media nevertheless broke the news that Dr. Mahathir had asked Singapore for a 5 billion dollar loan, as Malaysia was in dire straits financially. PM Goh responded positively. Singapore was willing to lend Malaysia the five billion but with “conditions”. It remains unclear exactly what these conditions were as only Dr. Mahathir and PM Goh were privy to the details.

Dr. Mahathir in any event decided that these conditions were unacceptable and returned to Malaysia empty-handed. Indonesia’s President B.J. Habibie had been closely observing these matters and pronounced loudly that “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

Although the IMF had offered Malaysia a similar loan, that too came with IMF-imposed conditions and obligations which Dr. Mahathir similarly refused to accept.

Ultimately, as we may now recall, the ringgit was made non-convertible outside Malaysia. Effectively, the ringgit became overnight utterly worthless in every country on earth except for Malaysia.

Over time, Malaysia’s financial situation stabilized. Malaysia’s relationship with Singapore, however, had irretrievably broken down. The good doctor’s ego had been severely bruised by his having to “beg” and his humiliation in Singapore.

Malaysia started to question quite loudly and publicly the rationale of selling raw water to Singapore at a mere 3 sen per 1,000 gallons while buying treated water back from Singapore at a much higher rate. It wasn’t as though Malaysia needed Singapore to treat raw water ; other states in Malaysia were perfectly capable of treating raw water to make it potable without needing conniving, condition-imposing Singapore’s help, thank you very much.

Subsequently, relations between the two nations became even more acrimonious. Malaysian media regularly carried negative news about Singapore.

The hidden message was made very clear when Mahathir proclaimed “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

The Lion City, no doubt bristling at the threat, shot back via Prof Jayakumar “No cat will simply lie down and wait quietly to be skinned.”

When plans for the demolition of the Causeway were revealed and the images of the new Crooked Bridge were made public, the penny dropped.

Before resigning as PM, Mahathir obtained the assurance of his successor Pak Lah that the Crooked Bridge would become a reality.

Meanwhile, Singapore now realized that their only source of national water was no longer certain although water supply contracts were still in force. Heavy expenditures were made on desalination technologies as well as “NEWwater” which was purified raw sewage that was “clean enough to drink”. Various Singaporean MPs were shown on television “enthusiastically” gulping down glasses of NEWwater with occasional trembling of the glass against the lips to indicate the internal battles that must have raged within, knowing that you were drinking purified poo.

And Mahathir got his revenge for the humiliation of having to be a “Beggar”. Or, in the end, did he?

Call on Najib and Cabinet to endorse the Open Letter of 25 Eminents to send a clear message to the nation and the world that Malaysian government fully committed to moderation against intolerance, extremism and bigotry

By Lim Kit Siang Blog

The Open Letter by 25 Malay former top civil servants and personalities on December 8 asking the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to show leadership against festering extremism and intolerance is undoubtedly the No. 1 News Event of the Year.

Never before has an Open Letter by the citizenry struck such a resounding chord in our multiracial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation, as evidenced by the enthusiastic support from all groups of Malaysian society, not confined to Malays and Muslims, like ‘I am #26’ online petition with over 5,000 supporters; “KamiJuga25″ (We, too, are 25),signed by over 1,600 supporters; 95 NGOs in Malaysia, 22 Muslim activists and a multitude of support demonstrated by diverse groups and strata of Malaysian society in the past fortnight.

But the reaction has started, and the assaults on the 25 Eminents will escalate in personal attacks, character-assassination and viciousness employing the full resources of the intolerant and extremist media and social as we witnessed in the past two days.

This is the time for all moderates, crossing race, religious, gender, age and even political party lines to take a stand for moderation and marginalize, isolate and defeat intolerance, extremism and bigotry which are the greatest threats and enemies of a plural society like Malaysia.

This is the time for the positive politics of inclusion to replace the negative politics of exclusion!

At international fora in the past four years promoting wasatiyyah and the Global Movement of Moderates, Najib had called for a movement of moderates to drown out the extremists.

As he said in one such wasatiyyah conference, “We must ensure that our voices are heard — not just the voices of moderate Muslims but those of moderate Christians, moderate Hindus, moderate Jews and even moderate atheists.
“If these voices are to become loud enough to drown out the extremists, they need to be heard from every corner of the world.”

The voices of moderate Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, gender, age or political affiliation, are being raised to drown out the cacophony of the coarse loud-mouths and thugs from those preaching intolerance, extremism and bigotry.

The question is whether Najib will provide leadership for the voices of moderation to drown out siren calls of intolerance, extremism and bigotry.
It is now two weeks since the Open Letter of the 25 Eminents and the resounding support from all strata and groups of society, both Muslim and non-Muslim for moderation to drown out extremism in Malaysia, have shown the power of their call.

Is Najib prepared to present the Open Letter of the 25 Eminents to the Cabinet to get Ministerial endorsement to show to the nation and the world that the Malaysian government is fully committed to the course of moderation against intolerance, extremism and bigotry?

Is every Minister a moderate and prepared to take a stand against intolerance, extremism and bigotry?

Floods In Kelantan Extraordinary - Shahidan

TUMPAT, Dec 22 (Bernama) -- The floods inundating east coast states in Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Kelantan, have been regarded as extraordinary, and all quarters must view the matter seriously to avoid untoward incidents.

Stating this Monday evening, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said, currently, several major rivers in the states were reported to have returned to the danger level, and more people might have to be evacuated.

"At the same time, the water levels of rivers have gone up again in Gua Musang. People are being reevacuated in Kuantan, Pahang and Besut in Terengganu.

"Take cognizance of this phenomenon because the continuous rain can result in a bigger (second) wave (of floods)," he told BERNAMA when visiting a flood relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Tumpat 2 in Tumpat.

As in the night, more than 16,000 flood victims had been evacuated to 60 relief centres in eight districts in Kelantan.

The floods had caused almost 200 residents in Gua Musang to be evacuated after the water level in Sungai Galas, Sungai Lebir and Sungai Kelantan exceeded the danger level following heavy rain since Sunday.

Shahidan expressed regret that some residents in the state were turning the floods into a festival by swimming and bathing in flood waters, an act that could result in a mishap for them.

"This is not an ordinary flood. It is extraordinary. Do not regard it as a festival.

"This time around, the current is strong, and I hope everyone will be extra careful," he said.

Shahidan also expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the agencies involved in helping the flood victims.

"Overall, they did a good job despite facing minor problems at certain centres," he added.