Eurocopter Deal: No More Cover-Up, Badawi

The investigation into the RM2.3 billion Eurocopter deal must go on even if the controversial deal is called off, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said.

MCPX

His call came in the wake of a news report over the weekend, quoting sources as saying that the deal to purchase 12 Cougar EC725 helicopters from a European firm has been called off due to the current economic situation.

The public accounts committee (PAC), a powerful parliamentary committee tasked to ensure that public funds are well spent, is scheduled to hold a two-day inquiry from tomorrow to look into the matter.

“Even if the helicopter deal is cancelled, PAC is duty-bound to investigate the highly dubious and controversial procurement process, as this runs counter to all principles of accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance,” Lim said in a statement today.

The opposition stalwart, who is also DAP’s Ipoh Timor MP, said the PAC should identify whether any irregularity or oversight exists in the deal, and to ensure that the integrity of the Defence Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Air Force is intact.

“Parliament and the nation are entitled to a searching and no-holds-barred PAC inquiry to produce a report to be tabled by the end of next month which can answer many controversial questions,” Lim noted.

This includes why the price offered by Eurocopter has ballooned from its RM1.1 billion bid price to RM2.3 billion, as well as why is the government paying over twice the price for the aircraft
compared to aircraft from other countries.

The Eurocopter controversy was first highlighted in a letter dated Oct 7 addressed to Najib Abdul Razak, who is deputy prime minister and finance minister.

In the five-page letter, Mentari Services Sdn Bhd chairperson Kapt (rtd) Zahar Hashim suggested that the tender process, initiated during Najib’s tenure as defence minister, could have been a “gimmick” since the ministry appeared to favour one company.

Zahar also accused Najib (left) of providing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who took over the defence portfolio on Sept 17, with an “inaccurate” report pertaining to the contract.

The government had decided to purchase the new aircraft to replace the ageing Nuri aircraft following a series of crashes in recent years.

The opposition has lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Agency calling for a probe on Najib’s alleged involvement in the deal.

Letter of Award not issued

On Sunday, Internet news portal Malaysian Insider quoted sources as saying that the deal will be called off after the government reviewed its expenditure “in light of failing revenues from crude oil and palm oil and slowing economic growth for the next few years”.

According to the report, Eurocopter won the deal as it also proposed to invest RM250 million to upgrade Malaysia’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity in its Subang facility as part of its tender.

Eurocopter has already invested about RM45 million in Malaysia and had plans to spend another RM20 million this year to expand its Subang facility as well as MRO facilities in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, the report added.

National news agency Bernama later reported that the government has yet to discuss the Eurocopter deal, but will do so to determine whether or not to go ahead, given the global economic crisis.

Bernama also quoted government sources as saying that the procurement of the new helicopters was only at the Letter of Intent stage and that no Letter of Award had been made to any party.

www.malaysiakini.com

The United Malays National Organisation is said to be suffering from senility

Former Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam shrewdly diagnosed the multiple diseases afflicting the ailing United Malays National Organisation, the country’s biggest political party and the leader of the ruling national coalition, when he talked to the press after launching a forum on Oct 22.

Musa said the party is "too introverted", its leaders preoccupied with self-interest and oblivious to the interests of the masses, and incapable of rectifying fundamental flaws such as corruption, poor accountability and abuse of power. As a result, the party has lost popular support.

Musa politely described this phenomenon as penyakit tua (old age sickness), but I think it will be more appropriate to call it Alzheimer's disease, as the state of corruption of the party has already reached a stage of no return.

Just flip the daily papers, and one reads stories of money politics in the run up to the party election galore. One senior UMNO minister was so exasperated by this rampant practice that he sarcastically suggested that party might as well auction its leadership positions by tenders. And the chairman of the party’s disciplinary committee Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen, who often admonishes party leaders against money politics, recently expressed shame over the hopeless state of corruption in party elections, as even informers on such corruption could reap bumper rewards from the corruptors, thus depriving the committee’s access to incriminating evidence.

In fact, election corruption in UMNO has been so ingrained – it has been practiced for more than two decades according to Rithaudeen – that a search in Google would show that “money politics” has become synonymous with UMNO.

When money and politics become so negatively intertwined, party leadership inevitably falls into the clutches of wealth-seekers and wealth-dispensers. This explains why UMNO lacks political idealism, and its leaders mired in mediocrity.

Abhorrent as such money politics may appear, it is however only the tip of the iceberg and symptomatic of a larger scourge that is destined to put UMNO to eventual oblivion.

Started as a nationalist party in the 1940s to unite Malays in their political struggles for independence, UMNO has seen prouder days as true nationalists when it worked shoulder to shoulder with other race-based parties to build the young nation. However, the watershed event of the May 13 racial riot in 1969 changed the course of history. Thenceforth, UMNO assumed absolute political dominance. As the famous saying goes "absolute power corrupts absolutely," corruption began to spread rapidly in the UMNO-dominated government in the 1970s. However, it was during Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's two-decade rule that the art of corruption was perfected and institutionalized and lifted to the high level that we are all familiar with today.

Mahathir was able to do all this, unscathed by law, because he had amassed vast dictatorial powers through numerous amendments to the Constitution and legislation of repressive laws. With such power, and with electoral victory guaranteed by playing racial politics, he subdued political dissent and subjugated institutions of state to serve party and personal interests.

Through sweeping privatization of state assets and through a policy of public procurement by private negotiation, party leaders and cronies were enriched beyond their dreams through political favoritism under the all-embracing façade of the affirmative New Economic Policy, giving rise to overnight millionaires and even billionaires in the process, aggravating income disparity within Malay society.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the entire hierarchy of UMNO was financially sustained through this largesse system. Remove the system, UMNO would have crumbled overnight. In short, Mahathir’s iron grip and race-backed rule was sustained through repression and corruption.

Then what about Abdullah Badawi's reign? He won an unprecedented electoral victory by promising to undo the evils of the Mahathir era, but he also suffered the greatest electoral set back four years later for failing to fulfill any of that promise. Now he is on the verge of handing over power to his deputy Najib Tun Razak, while promising to carry out a few reforms before he leaves the scene as his legacy to the nation. These reforms are aimed at improving the independence of the judiciary and the effectiveness of the anti-corruption and other law enforcing bodies.

But will UMNO allow him to do that? Highly unlikely. Pak Lah, as Badawi is called, himself knew as much, as revealed in his uncharacteristic outburst against clamours for him to make another shift forward of his retirement date, this time from March 2009 to December this year (the earlier shifts were from June 2010 to June 2009, and again from June to March 2000). Speaking to reporters in Kota Kinabalu on Oct 19, he angrily rebuked Minister of International Trade and Industry Muhyiddin Yassin, who had been at the forefront agitating for Badawi’s premature retirement and had just suggested the party poll be brought forward from Mar 2009 to December 2008, and asked:

"Is he (Muhyiddin) afraid of reforms? He doesn’t want to see reforms? Why must he frustrate reforms which have been yearned for by the people? The people have been angry with me for not honouring my reform pledges in 2004 when they gave me strong electoral support. ...Why must he make the suggestion now (to shift the party poll forward)? This means my reform efforts will be thwarted. But I will not step down until the reforms are carried out."

It looks like Pak Lah is fighting a lonely battle, as there is no political will among UMNO leaders to change the status quo.

One must realize that from UMNO's perspective, it is perfect logic for the leaders to resist any reform that would make the judiciary more independent and law enforcement bodies more effective. For who would protect the corrupt and the abuser of authorities, when judges and policemen become no-nonsense enforcers of the Constitution and the law? And without the complicity of these institutions, how could UMNO maintain its repressive and corrupt rule? The plain truth is that UMNO cannot possibly survive politically on a level playing field against its opponent in a democratic environment where rule of law is upheld.

Musa Hitam is of course right when he said that UMNO is trapped in the mindset of 20 or 40 years ago, when religious and racial issues reigned supreme in an UMNO politician's agenda. But time has changed, so have the people, including the Malays who had been the bedrock of UMNO's electoral support. The younger generation of Malays does not view UMNO with the same perspective as their parents. UMNO must prove it is capable of leading the country decidedly forward in this global environment before they would give their electoral support.

Exploitation of racial and religious issues is no longer a safe political trump card. With this trump card in question, and with no capacity to reform and evolve with the march of time, where can UMNO head to except political oblivion?

At this time of global financial meltdown not seen since the Great Depression of 1929, the nation is of course anxious how Malaysia can get through this storm without getting too badly battered. Is our political leadership up to the task of leading the nation safely through this rough sea? Are our institutions sufficiently competent to meet the anticipated challenge? Do our people have the skills and resilience to rise to the occasion?

Looking at how the Barisan Nasional coalition has been completely embroiled in intra-party and inter-party struggles for power and political survival of its own with scant attention to the external world, and its reluctance to cast off the race-inspired protectionism which is the main impediment to economic re-invigoration, the prospect ahead is bleak.

Munawar Appeals

Dr Munawar Anees, who is appealing his conviction for sodomy in 1998, at the Federal Court in Putrajaya this morning. Munawar was one of Datuk Anwar Ibrahim’s friends when the opposition leader was also charged in court in 1998 for various offences

No Umno/MCA/Gerakan/MIC MP to emulate Billy Abit Joo?

Is there not a single Umno, MCA, Gerakan or MIC MP (including Minister/Deputy Minister) in Peninsular Malaysia who dare to emulate Sarawak BN MP, Billy Abit Joo (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) to support a parliamentary debate on the review of the Internal Security Act (ISA) – and if so, why do they want to get elected into Parliament?

Barisan Nasional MPs from whichever component party cannot remain blind, deaf and dumb to the increasingly widespread and popular demand from all sectors of Malaysian society for review and repeal of the draconian Internal Security Act, which stands as a symbol of the lack of democracy and rule of law in the country.

Yesterday, October 27, was the 21st anniversary of the Operation Lalang mass ISA arrests in 1987, with 13 MPs among 106 persons arrested under the infamous detention-without-trial law.

If the BN MPs suffer from amnesia of history of what happened two decades ago, they cannot be unaware of the blatant and scandalous abuse of the ISA only last month when the ISA was used against the latest trio of ISA victims – Sin Chew senior reporter Tan Hoon Ching, DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin on completely baseless grounds.

In recent weeks, MCA and Gerakan leaders have been making headlines with their demands for the review and repeal of ISA – but all these noises are made just for “syiok sendiri” and out of the hearing or presence of top Umno leaders.

Both MCA and Gerakan annual conferences this month passed resolutions on the review of the ISA but this is only for party and public relations consumption but never meant to be pursued seriously in Parliament or Cabinet.

This is why there is not a single MCA or Gerakan MP (including Minister/deputy Minister) who can emulate Billy Abit Joo to put his signature to support the requisition for a priority debate in Parliament on the review and repeal of ISA.

The requisition, which has the support of 85 MPs (81 Pakatan Rakyat, three Independent and one Barisan Nasional) is not committing any MP to a stand to repeal the ISA but only to support priority debate in Parliament on whether the ISA should be reviewed and repealed.

Even MPs who want to retain the ISA can support the requisition for a priority parliamentary debate on the ISA as it is very clear that there has been radical deviation from the original purpose and character of the ISA when it was enacted by Parliament in 1960 – what more, in the case of MPs in MCA and Gerakan who have just been entrusted by their national delegates with the specific mandate to demand the review and even repeal of ISA?

I reject the explanation by the new MCA Youth chief and Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong why MCA MPs cannot join 85 MPs (including Billy Abit Joo) to requisition the holding of a parliamentary debate on the review of the ISA.

He claimed that the MCA have “our own way of resolving matters”, that “the right forum is the Cabinet”, even claiming authority for this approach by declaring that Malaysia is following the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy.

Everybody knows that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had publicly slapped down the call for review of the ISA when he spoke at the opening of the 55th MCA General Assembly ten days ago.

Which of the four MCA Ministers is going to raise the MCA General Assembly resolution for a review of the ISA in the Cabinet? I am sure none, especially as one MCA Minister is not very sure about his Cabinet tenure after losing out in the MCA Deputy President election while the new MCA President, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Kiat would be more preoccupied about ensuring “smooth sailing” for his recommendations to the Prime Minister for MCA appointments in government.

If MCA Ministers dare not raise the ISA review in Cabinet and MCA Deputy Ministers and MPs dare not even support a requisition for priority parliamentary debate on a ISA review, what is the use of having MCA represented in Parliament?

As for Malaysia practising Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, let me remind not just MCA but all BN Ministers, Deputy Ministers and MPs that this had not prevented some 140 Labour Party MPs from voting against the British government’s motion on Iraq War in March 2003 on a matter of conscience and public policy.

Nobody is asking any MCA or BN MP to go against the Barisan Nasional government but to support a requisition to the Prime Minister that there should be priority parliamentary debate on the question of a review of the ISA.

Let Presidents of UMNO, MCA, Gerakan, MIC and the Sabah and Sarawak BN component parties declare whether they have prohibited their MPs from supporting the requisition by 85 MPs for an urgent debate on the ISA review?

If this is an impossible mission to them, then there should be an immediate stop to all the chest-thumping claims by UMNO, MCA, Gerakan and MIC leaders that they have learnt the lessons of the March 8 “political tsunami” and that they are going to be articulate and outspoken as they are nothing but just hogwash!

Abdullah’s Resignation: Pakatan’s Ploy for Power?

Although it is a little dated, I think John made a few observations which will be worth thinking about. Forming a new government is not an easy undertaking. It requires painstaking work full of inherent risks since the other side (UMNO-BN) is not to go down without a fight. Anwar Ibrahim told us that he has the numbers to form the government. There is no reason for me to doubt the PKR leader. Even Nik Aziz, the Menteri Besar and PAS’s spiritual leader, did not harbour any doubt.Technically, we could have formed the government on September 16, 2008. So as far as I am concerned, Anwar kept his promise to deliver the numbers, which he did.

The reality of forming the government is something else. We have to do it in an orderly and constitutional way. The Prime Minister refused to meet Pakatan leaders while the Speaker, Dewan Rakyat ruled against any attempts to debate the issue. In the meantime, our country is facing a possible recession, given the financial and liquidity crisis in the United States which has spread to Europe and parts of Asia. PR has decided that the move for a change of government must take a back seat since our economy is entering a difficult phase with a recession looming in 2009. Let us read what John thinks about the subject of the change of government.—Din Merican

by JohnLeemk@Dartmouth

(dated September 18, 2008)

September 16 has come and gone, with no change in government. While I will leave an analysis of the implications of this for another time, the mechanism by which Pakatan Rakyat would take power is worth examining. After all, September 16 falls smack in the middle of Parliament’s recess, which will last for about two weeks more; how can the government fall when Parliament cannot meet to pass a vote of no-confidence? Most speculation here suggests that Pakatan leaders would meet with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong submitting the names of MPs supporting the new government. But I think a very plausible, if not likely scenario is the Prime Minister simply tendering his resignation.

After all, most analyses assume a hostile takeover. But the last thing Pakatan wants is instability and resistance from the politicised institutions of our country. To form a new government, Pakatan would want more than just the support of a slim majority of MPs; it would require some sort of acquiescence from at least a few of the elite in the current government. If the present government does not acquiesce, if it fights tooth and nail to hold on to power, it will jail MPs indiscriminately, do anything it can to prevent a vote of no-confidence in Parliament; it will commence a scorched-earth campaign to ensure Pakatan can get nothing of value when it takes power, while salting away its own ill-gotten gains in offshore bank accounts.

So ultimately at the very least we must have a Prime Minister willing to let go of power, and willing to step down. And if we are willing to accept that Abdullah Badawi will let himself be voted out of power, why not go one step further? I think there are grounds to believe that he may simply resign before things get to that stage.

If Anwar Ibrahim, the Leader of the Opposition, can broker a deal with Abdullah to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of power, both men will benefit immensely. Thus far it seems clear that history will not judge Abdullah very well; at best, his attempts to reform the government were stillborn and half-hearted. But if Abdullah becomes the first Prime Minister to make way for a real change in government, if he places institutions above politics and personal gain, his reputation will be significantly rehabilitated.

You may say that this is not much, but look at it another way: he is definitely going out as Prime Minister, with no concrete accomplishments to his name. It is unlikely that he will last until 2010, with so many within his own party baying for blood. Whoever succeeds him as Prime Minister is unlikely to lavish him with praise or mark his administration with pride; Abdullah’s term as premier will at best be seen as a benchwarmer for his successor, and at worst, be seen as setting Malaysia down a dangerous and poorly-planned path. Considering the relative vehemence of calls for him to step down, it is probable that his leadership would be vilified by the government-authored history books; Abdullah would be lucky if his term was just ignored and forgotten.

On the other hand, if Anwar takes power, Anwar does not have much to gain from going after Abdullah. He will be too busy fixing broken institutions and dealing with the day-to-day problems of governance to make Abdullah-hating a priority; it would be especially unseemly for him to denounce the man who so generously made way for him to accede to the premiership. Accusations of corruption and impropriety on Abdullah’s part aside, the fact is, Abdullah is hardly criminally responsible for our nation’s problems today; even if the new Pakatan government tried to hunt him down, it would not solve any fundamental problem. If anything, Pakatan will probably see to it that Abdullah goes down in the history books as a visionary Prime Minister who presided over the rebirth of democracy in Malaysia, and whose attempts to reform our institutions were blocked by shortsighted bigots in his own political party.

You may think this kind of historical rewriting is unlikely or unseemly, but it has already happened: the case of Dato Onn Ja’afar comes to mind. Dato Onn today is seen by everyone — including the government historians — as a man ahead of his time in trying to found a multiracial party. What we don’t remember is his bitter return to racism after his own party failed; some historians actually blame his rhetoric for spurring UMNO to outdo him in fighting for ketuanan Melayu.

The raw material for Abdullah’s reimaging as a visionary ahead of his time, blocked by dunderheads in his own party, is already there: his attempts to reform our institutions, his redefinition of ketuanan Melayu into a positive ideology empowering the Malays to stand on their own two feet as equal partners with other Malaysians. Abdullah can easily go down in history as one of our best Prime Ministers, given the right spin. The only thing is, he has zero chance of this happening if an UMNO man succeeds him, while it is very likely he will eventually be hailed as a great patriot if he makes way for a Pakatan leader.

For Anwar, Abdullah stepping down solves a lot of key headaches. For one, there is no need to go through the vote of no-confidence; the Agong has complete discretion in appointing the Prime Minister if the post falls vacant (one of the very few real discretionary powers the Agong has). Anwar can meet with the Agong and submit a list of MPs who have agreed to support him, and once the Agong actually appoints him as PM, it is very unlikely that MPs would be falling over themselves to pass a vote of no-confidence against the Pakatan government.

The matter is smoothed over even more if Abdullah states that he has made way for Anwar, and that Pakatan has enough MPs on its side to make things work. With that statement, the Agong appointing Anwar would be a simple enough formality. There’s not even a need for Parliament to meet, and if the handover occurs this month, the Parliamentary recess gives Anwar breathing room to form a Cabinet and start governing, building momentum on his side and further forestalling any Barisan move to topple him. It’s a huge logistical win for Anwar if he can accomplish it.

Moreover, Anwar and Abdullah will have ammunition at the ready to face down their opponents from UMNO. I quit because you wanted me to, Abdullah can say. It’s clear I didn’t have your confidence, as you can see from the defection of your colleagues and your own voracious calls for me to step down. And the King himself appointed me, Anwar will say. Do you really want to question the King’s decision? Spinning themselves out of this situation will be fairly straightforward, I believe, especially with public opinion on Pakatan’s side.

So is it any wonder that Pakatan’s agenda at the moment is to meet first with the Prime Minister, before seeking an audience with the Agong? I would not be surprised at all if a deal like this winds up being cut eventually. It benefits both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition; it benefits the country by bequeathing it some stability and smoothness in the transition; everyone comes out smelling like roses.

Ultimately it is not to Pakatan’s benefit to form a government speedily but haphazardly. A Pakatan legislator I met three weeks ago told me that they were then sorting out a smooth transition with institutions such as the Police and military. The excuse of stability they presently cite may seem weak but I believe it holds water.

History hinges on Abdullah’s decision: to quit or not to quit? His position is growing increasingly untenable. It’s a question of when, not if, he will step down as a lame-duck Prime Minister. But one successor offers the real potential of fixing the country and its government, and the temptation of going down in history as a great Prime Minister ahead of his time. The other successor offers more of the same under a different name, and the probable vilification of Abdullah’s name in the history books. I think Abdullah would be a fool not to make way for Anwar, if Anwar has any Barisan MPs at all on his side — and that I think he does.-Din merican

PAS lends support to 10 detainees

(Malaysiakini)
Andrew Ong | Oct 25, 08 3:06pm

PAS is sympathetic with the plight of 10 individuals who were arrested while attempting to deliver a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Thursday, its vice-president Husam Musa said.

“I came from Kelantan today to express our sympathy to our fellow Malaysians who have been bullied by the Barisan Nasional government,” he said.

Husam said this when meeting family and friends of the 10 individuals who have been remanded until Sunday at the Putrajaya district police headquarters.

The 10 were arrested while accompanying six-year old W Vwashnnavi, the daughter of Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, and her mother K Shanti to the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.

Vwashnnavi’s letter was an invitation for Abdullah to visit the family’s Deepavali open house which also called for the release of all Internal Security Act detainees.

Asked to elaborate on his “bully” remark, Husam said the government had used the authorities to suppress legitimate grievances by a marginalised community instead of understanding the issues raised.

“This will hurt the feelings of the Indian community,” he said.

Negative portrayal

Commenting on Hindraf’s objectives, Husam said there was a need for “social re-engineering”, without reviewing the social contract, to resolve the woes of the Indian community such as in areas of education, welfare and business.

Accompanying Husam was PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub who said that the government was wrongly portraying Hindraf and its supporters as anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

“The leaders in PAS, DAP and PKR will fight against this,” he said, to cheers from family members and supporters.

Hindraf came to prominence last year after the group had protested heavily against the demolition of Hindu temples, particularly in Selangor.

Following a mass demonstration of some 30,000 people on Nov 25 last year, five of the group’s top leaders were detained for two years under the ISA, while Waythamoorthy went into self-exile in London.

On Oct 15, the Home Ministry declared Hindraf illegal. The 10 who were arrested on Thursday are being investigated under Section 48 of the Societies Act for participating in an unlawful organisation.

RM5000 donation

Husam hoped that the authorities would free the 10 detainees todayso as to enable them to celebrate Deepavali on Monday.

“I hope they are released immediately as a good gesture ... we should show respect (for religious customs),” he added.

Husam also attempted to visit the 10 detainees but was denied permission by the police, much to the disappointment and disapproval of those present.

Following this, Husam brought some festive cheers when he presented RM5,000 cash donation to the families of the 10 detainees for Deepavali.

He said that the money was contributed by Kelantan PAS.

Taliban plucked eyes

Sayed Ghulam, told the media how his both eyes plucked by armed attackers in southern Afghanistan.

Kandahar on October 26. - A farmer who is charged as government spy and the international soldiers have been plucked out eyes set by the men believed to be Taliban fighter.

Farmers from the area of the Helmand, Ghulam notify sayed, plucked eyes with a knife through Thursday and then in front of his family members.

He was however reluctant to tell who is responsible for the felonious act.

According to him, some men have been pull him out of the house while accuse him as traitor.

"After pull out approximately 20 meters from my home, they hold hands and continue to tear my eyes.

"I feel very sick world and then switch to a dark," said Sayed effect from the hospital where he was treated in the Kandahar .

According to him, his wife and children scream only able to see the event.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson Helmand region, David Ahmadi claimed the act was carried out by members of the Taliban movement is active in the area.

"They have killed many people who are innocent, such as farmers, children and women because they accuse involved in spying.

''But this time they acted unkind to a poor farmer who is not guilty, "said David.

This was before the Taliban decapitate the head and cut off the ears and nose of the population who are accused of a rope diaper government.

Malaysia Government Bans Minority Human Rights Organisation

Press Release Malaysia Government Bans Minority Human Rights Organisation
The Hindu community has been suffering systemic persecution at the hand of the Muslim majority Malaysia. Laws have been passed to discriminate Hindus in jobs and other economic benefits which have been exclusively reserved for Muslims. Having silently suffered since independence for over 60 years, the community had decided to form a non political organisation in the name of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in order to raise a united minority voice. Over 80 Hindu temples including one over 100 years old MAHA MARIAMAN TEMPLE at Padang Jawa have been demolished under fake reasons. No alternative facilities were given to the community for their religious rights. The Hindu priests were beaten up and the statutes of Hindu deities were dishonoured.	Malaysian Home Minister bans a Hindu Minority Organisation
In November 2007 the community had decided to hold a demonstration in front of the British high Commission to hand over a petition demanding intervention of the British government acknowledging that it was the British who brought them to Malaysia under indentured labour policy. The Malaysian government had then banned the demonstration and had fired tear gas and water cannons at over 20 thousands demonstrators who had gathered there. They had arrested many of them but owing to the intervention of international media they had decided to let them go except, however, more than 100 were charged with fake criminal offences. They also arrested the five leaders of the Hindraf and charged them under draconian ISA law, which is detention without trial for anti-state activities. The Malaysian Government has also cancelled the passport of the chairman of Hindraf Mr. P Waytha Moorty who had come to the UK in order to draw attention for the plight of his community and have thus made Mr. Moorthy a stateless person without any passport. The atrocities of the Malaysian government are still continuing. Two weeks ago after banning HINDRAF, last week they arrested on remand eleven persons including a woman who had gone to convey Dewali greetings to the Prime Minister and to request him to release the arrested Hindus before Dewali festival. Hindu Council UK severely condemns the actions of the Malaysian government and requests: That the ban on Hindraf is lifted and the Hindu minority community should be accorded with legitimate human rights. That the criminal cases against leaders of Hindraf should be withdrawn and the HINDRAF leaders released unconditionally. That the UK government as head of the commonwealth should prevail upon the Malaysian government to adhere to the charter of universal human rights and safeguard the interests of the Hindu minority. Suraj Sehgal Director for Defence and Security Hindu Council UK

The call of Kali

The Nut Graph by Eddin Khoo "...will you walk through your fears, to dance with me?" – from a hymn of Kali AS often as the story has been told, it can't be told enough. The narrative remains an essentially "modern account". It encapsulates the great transformations of the last century affecting human movement and encounter. For all that it tells of developments in communication, history and politics, it remains principally a narrative bound with the expression of individual faith and haunting hope. In the port of Madras, towards the end of the 1890s, young Tamil men and women awaited to board steamers that would bring them to the Malay peninsula. Here, they would serve as labourers, part of the kangany system in the newly cleared rubber plantations sprouting throughout British Malaya. This indentured workforce only had the promise of three square meals, a small plot of land at the end of the term's labour, or a pass for the steamer back home. Disembarkation at the ports of Penang and Klang was followed by resettlement throughout the Malay peninsula and the hapless task of clearing the land. It was the early experience of entering into darkness. A Tamil proverb cautions: "Settle not on land where there is no temple." The act of creating the estates and commencing cultivation of them was always then accompanied by the more personal effort of constructing a shrine and enacting religious observance. Whether driven by superstition or plain bhakti (devotion), the shrines served as the centre of activity and communion for these isolated communities. The deities who presided there, it was held, guarded their devotees' plight. By the early part of the 20th century, Indian immigration intensified in the urban centers of the peninsula where a principally Tamil workforce was assembled to help in railway construction and administration. Again, a similar process occurred. Urged by a dream or portentous incident, a shrine would be erected, a suitable mythology forged, a congregation gathered. The practice of faith in these shrines remained diverse, polyglot, demotic; expressed in the forms and rituals of a folk tradition far removed from the puritanical observances of an institutionalised faith. The choice of presiding deities reflected this. There was Muneeswaran, the cheerot-smoking Tamil folk god, sword in one hand, warding off evil; and Subramaniam, also known as Murugan, the archetype of Tamil consciousness whose trident brought light unto the world. And always Kali, mother goddess, goddess of death and destruction who ruled over this age, the age of Kali (Kali Yuga), characterised by its incessant stress, strife and endless turmoil. Kali the slayer The noted historian of Kali, David Kinsley, has written an evocative portrait of the mother goddess: "The goddess Kali is almost always described as having a terrible, frightening appearance. She is always black or dark, is usually naked, and has long, dishevelled hair. She is adorned with severed arms as a girdle, freshly cut heads as a necklace, children's corpses as earrings, and serpents as bracelets. She has long, sharp fangs, is often depicted as having clawlike hands with long nails, and is often said to have blood smeared on her lips. Her favourite haunts heighten her fearsome nature. She is usually shown on the battlefield, where she is a furious combatant who gets drunk on the hot blood of her victims, or in a cremation ground, where she sits on a corpse surrounded by jackals and goblins." Among the many myths associated with her is one that locates her in an age where evil forces reigned relentlessly. Responding to supplications from his followers, the god Shiva sent the goddess of war, Durga, to enter the battlefield and slay the demon king Rakavija. Unknown to the goddess was a boon that had already been bequeathed to the demon king by the god Brahma. Every time a drop of the demon's blood was spilt, he would be reborn a thousand times more powerful. Unable to quell the multitude and increasingly powerful incarnations of Rakajiva, Durga summoned pure shakti (energy) from her brow — Kali, the incarnation of destruction and eternal justice. Slaying the demon king with her sword, Kali placed her lips on the wound to drain his body of all blood. But drinking his blood sent her into an uncontrollable rage and she ventured to slaughter all who crossed her path until Shiva himself was forced to place himself at her feet, bringing a temporary calm. Transcending fear Philosophically, Kali devotion locates itself at the very centre of the Hindu belief system — the transcendence of spirit over body and matter. Confronting, worshipping and embracing the goddess in her dark Self serves as the act of transcendence over fear and illusion. Commonly associated with the rise over adversity, Kali worship naturally beckoned an ascendance among the working communities of the Malay peninsula. In estates, in the squatter areas of the menial workforce, where light was scarce and conditions intense, the appeal of the dark goddess was natural. Apparitions of her were frequent, and shrines, devoted to her presence, immediately constructed. So it was some 80 years ago when a dream inspired a railway worker to plant a trident at his home, break the ground, and invite the goddess Kali to enter. Bequeathed to his daughter Muniamma Superaian, and now attended to by her daughter Gowri Arumugam, this shrine, the Kuil Sri Padhpathira Kaliamman Alayam, located in Brickfields, attests to this lineage of faith. Home to an ever-growing, multiracial congregation, regular prayers and rituals — all the details of a living faith — are still held at this shrine, culminating each year, at mid-year, when the image of the goddess Kali is "taken for a walk" within the surrounding vicinity. That month is Amma (mother)'s month. The ritual ablutions and bath that precedes the walk serve as a symbol for the act of renewal and creation through destruction — according to the Kali way — of the individual ego, of self-delusion and the material. In a climate where the viability of modest, old shrines are being challenged, occasions such as the walk and the daily rituals remain testament to the particular histories of communal practice that have shaped our diversity. And in this age of formalising and institutionalising almost every aspect of human life, even the expression of faith is contained. Where belief was once expressed in the form of events and vibrant rituals conducted at modest local community shrines, these are now occasioned in grand structures replete with the solemn murmurings of an organised faith. Eddin Khoo is a poet, writer, translator and journalist. For a decade he has worshipped at the Kuil Sri Padhpathira Kaliamman Alayam.

Hindraf and the supremacy of State

NEW DELHI, Oct 27 — Of unusual international importance is the fact that Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has, with a topical political touch, extended Deepavali greetings to the Hindus among the country's ethnic Indian minority.

Unlike in India, where even the greetings of interest to only some sections are extended to all citizens regardless of their sub-national identities, it is customary in Southeast Asia to specify the target group on such occasions. This, of course, is not the real issue at stake now in Muslim-majority and multicultural Malaysia, insofar its two-million-strong ethnic Indians are concerned.

The relevant point is that Najib, who has been designated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to succeed him next year, linked the mystique of Deepavali to the challenges faced by the Indian-origin citizens today. Noting that the festival marked a traditional celebration of the triumph of good over evil, Najib expressed the hope that Malaysian Hindus would, in that "spirit," seek to "resolve any problem in the best way possible." Why has he chosen to strike this line? The answer is not far to seek.

Malaysian Indians, many of them mobilised by the recently-banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for over a year now, want to keep their grievances in global focus. And, Najib is equally determined to reassert the supremacy of the state. The authorities have recently taken actions that the opposition parties in the country see as a political "offensive" against an outfit with "a core human rights agenda."

An alternative view, favoured by the Malaysian government, is that Hindraf, which began making its presence felt at the time of Deepavali last year, is divisively communalist, as different from being merely ethno-centric. The country's social contract has fostered power-sharing among race-based political parties that are drawn from the ranks of either Malays or ethnic Chinese or, indeed, the people of Indian origin. However, these predominantly ethno-centric parties have, by and large, fought shy of readily accepting religion as the wellspring of a political or social outfit.

A striking example is the general hostility of race-based parties in the ruling coalition towards Pas. Over a noticeably long period, Pas stridently advocated Shariah-based Muslim polity as the best model for the country. In the run-up to the recent snap general election, though, Pas publicly gave up its political patent — the advocacy of an Islamic state. This aspect clearly helped the fast-changing party endear itself to secular voters across the spectrum. And today, Pas is a proactive member of the three-party opposition alliance, the Pakatan Rakyat, at the federal and state levels. Two of the PR's constituents are multiracial in outlook, while Pas fielded an Indian-origin candidate for a state seat in the last poll.

Viewed in this perspective, Hindraf leaders have not tried so far to distance their outfit from its religious mooring. They have instead specialised in using the Hindu temple as "a safe sanctuary" to carry forward their campaign for a "fair deal" for the Indian-origin minority. The temple, they say, is the only platform accessible to them in the face of a "state-sponsored crackdown."

Debatable as this argument might be, especially so in the eyes of the Malaysian government, the fact remains that Hindraf, proscribed with effect from Oct 15, had not adequately disputed its “religious orientation”. On the other hand, Hindraf activists are often accused of having capitalised on the sentiments that gripped the ethnic Indians when an “unauthorised” temple was demolished, for “development” purposes, before Deepavali last year. Soon thereafter, this outfit, led by lawyers and other professionals, began articulating an ethnic Indian political agenda of seeking rights "on par" with those of the other communities.

And, after Hindraf's campaign picked up momentum, evident during a mass protest rally in Kuala Lumpur last November, a senior Malaysian Minister apologised for the temple demolition which had served as a “flash point”.

Five proactive Hindraf leaders — P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganapati Rao (also known as Ganabatirau), M. Manoharn, T. Kengadharan, and T. Vasanthakumar — were served with two-year detention orders last December under the Internal Security Act. The law provides for detention for prolonged periods without any formal charges and judicial trial. Another leader, P. Waytha Moorthy, who was abroad at the time his colleagues were detained, remains in self-imposed exile.

Political speculation is rife that the current ban on Hindraf is an aspect of Malaysia's national security update, with or without reference to the ongoing preparations for a smooth transfer of power to Najib.

On a parallel track, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has publicised his "plans" to unseat the present Prime Minister and form an alternative administration. Sympathetic to the cause of ethnic Indians, Anwar wants the equality-agenda articulated in a non-polarising fashion in multi-religious Malaysia. In another development in the opposition camp, Pas, shedding its “Islam-exclusive” image, has now offered to mediate between Hindraf and the authorities. — The Hindu

தீபாவளி வாழ்த்துகள்

உங்கள் அனைவருக்கும் இனிய தீபாவளி நாள் வாழ்த்துகள்

Separation of Islam And Justice

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

It appears like Yang Berhormat Zulkifli Nordin, a Member of Parliament for Kulim has put his foot in his mouth again. After his very embarrassing performance at the Bar Council recently, one would imagine he would have learnt his lesson by now. Yesterday Zulkifli said he does not care about anyone’s opinion and he only cares about Islam. He gives an impression that he is an Islamic Mujahiddin who fights for Islam and who fights to uphold Islamic principles.

They say those who forget history are doomed to repeat its mistakes and I do not know whether Zulkifli Nordin is a student of history or not, but maybe he should brush up on his history, in particular history concerning Islam before he next opens his mouth and embarrasses the party that he is representing in parliament, which is Party Keadilan Rakyat. Party Keadilan Rakyat, as the name suggests, stands for justice. Islam and justice go hand in glove. You cannot separate Islam from justice or vice versa.

Let us look at just the last 50 or 60 years of Islamic history and try to get a good idea on what happens when Muslim leaders try to separate justice from Islam. Let us look at Algeria in the 1950’s and the 1960’s when they fought against French colonization or French occupation of Algeria. Both sides, the French colonists and the Muslim mujahiddins perpetuated crimes against humanity, to use the current key word that is banded about. Women were murdered. Women were raped. Children were murdered by bashing their heads on the wall. People were shot in cold blood and all sorts of crimes against humanity were perpetuated under the disguise of fighting for justice. What justice can there be when millions of citizens are killed in the struggle to gain a foothold in a territory? The French called it French territory and the Algerians said “This is free Algerian territory” and they wished independence. But in the fight seeking justice many, many people were massacred. It was almost like an ethnic cleansing.

Eventually the French decided to leave. Charles des Gaulle, the French who went on to become the French president made a decision that it was no longer tenable for the French to hold on to Algeria and they decided to give Algeria independence. But did the killings stop? No. A secular government was set up and the Islamists not being happy, decided they wanted an Islamic government. And the killing continued. This time it was no longer between the French and the Algerians but it was between the Algerians and the Algerians. And many Christians and many Jews were killed in the crossfire as well. Recently the FIS which is an Islamic party, won the elections and the military immediately walked in and took over and sacked the government. The killing continues into its 3^rd phase since the fifties and sixties.

Look at other countries, for instance in Iraq. When Saddam decided to oppose the Shia Islamic government of Iran, he moved his forces across the border and the 8-year war that ensued resulted in 1 million deaths. 1 million Muslims, Muslims killing Muslims. And today those deaths continue as Iraqis now fight against the American occupation of their country. Hundreds of thousands of Kurds were killed even before the American invasion of Iraq. And these Kurds were massacred, they were gassed. And entire colonies and community of Kurds who are Muslims were killed by their own Muslim government. The list continues. Afghanistan has resulted in 2 millions deaths. At first it was Afghans killing Afghans. Then it was Afghans killing Russians and vice versa. And now it is back to Afghans killing Afghans.

More Muslims have died in the course of struggling for justice. More Muslims have died in Muslim killing Muslim then in all the other Muslim-Christian wars over the last 1000 years.

Zulkifli Nordin is an Islamist. He probably claims he has been detained twice under the infamous ISA. The ISA is a law that stifles freedom of speech and freedom of association and Zulkifli Nordin says he does not care about other people’s opinions. The ISA therefore suits him well because the ISA also does not care about other people’s opinions. Does this mean that Zulkifli Nordin therefore supports the ISA? If so, let him speak now and make his stand clear as to what he thinks about the ISA. It is strange that a person like Zul who raids the bar council and who makes statements that he only cares about Islam and does not care about anything else would have that kind of mentality.

Was it not Abu Bakar, the first caliph of Islam who took out his sword and placed it before him and said, if he deviates from Islam, to take his sword and cut off his own head? Abu Bakar was responding to a question from the floor where one of the followers of Islam asked how can they be sure that Abu Bakar would be a good leader and will rule justly and will not deviate from Islam. And Abu Bakar’s response was, he offered his head to be executed with his own sword! That is a mark of a true Islamic leader, an Islamic leader who cares about other people’s opinion.

Zulkifli Nordin said he does not care about other people’s opinion. He is not a true Muslim and he is certainly not a true leader. He should redeem himself by resigning. Resign from the party and remain an independent candidate just like Ibrahim Ali who said he supports the ISA. Better still, Zulkifli Nordin should resign his seat in Kulim and allow for a by-election so that we can see whether the voters would like to continue to vote for a member of parliament who does not care about other people’s opinions. Zulkifli Nordin is a disgrace not only to Parti Keadilan Rakyat but also to Islam. A member of parliament who does not care about other people’s opinion should no longer remain a member of parliament.

Hindraf supporters released on police bail

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 26 - The 10 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters who were remanded for assembling in front of the Prime Minister’s office on Thursday, were released on police bail today.

They left the Putrajaya district police headquarters at 1.30pm, accompanied by their lawyers, led by Gobind Singh Deo and Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad, and Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Wira Mohammad Sabtu Osman said that the eight men and two women were released on police bail and had to report back on Nov 25.

Some 50 supporters and family members had gathered outside the police headquarters early this morning.

Eleven Hindraf supporters, including three women, were detained on Thursday after they tried to hand over to the Prime Minister’s office a memorandum calling for the release, before Deepavali, of the Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act. They also brought along a six-year-old girl to display a poster promoting their cause.

One of the gr

Letter to Prime Minister of malaysia by 6 year old

The following is a threat to National Security in Malaysia:

Delegation invites PM to flowers and cakes - 11 people arrested, child taken to police station

(by Nathaniel Tan,jelas.info)I was pretty angry to read about the arrest of the delegation to the PM’s office earlier today.

The arrest of a group that included an 11 year old child is infruriating enough.

Once again, the simple question was: were these guys doing anything rowdy? Illegal? Threatening national security?

All they wanted to do was give a letter to the PM. That’s all.

Was it a letter threatening violence? Sending ill will?

Malaysiakini:

Contacted on her handphone while waiting for police to record her statement, Shanti said the group had attempted to submit a handwritten letter calling on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to release all those detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) .

“The appeal letter (in Vwaishhnnavi’s handwriting) asked the prime minister to release her uncle, (and other Hindraf leaders as well as) RPK (blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, among other ISA detainees,” said Shanti.

“She said that Deepavali would not mean anything to her and all Malaysians, if they are not released.”

Shanti said the letter also included a invitation for Abdullah to attend the family’s ‘open house’ in conjunction with Deepavali.

“(Vwaishhnnavi) wrote that she would be waiting with flowers and cakes,” she added.

A small group of 11, with a letter of appeal, and invitation to flowers and cakes.

The response? Arrests.

This government has got to go.

ps- and while millions of Malaysian Indians are facing real problems, the lovable Wong Chun Wai choses to blog about Mahathir and Shah Rukh Khan, sigh..

'Govt action not anti-Indian'

PUTRAJAYA: The action against the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) should not be construed as a clampdown on Indians or Hinduism by the government, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said the action taken so far against the outlawed movement was simply because of their association with militancy and their extremist views.

"We are very clear on this and I don't offer any apologies for taking action in order to protect the peace, security and harmony of the country," he said when commenting on the arrest of the 10 Hindraf supporters who had turned up outside the prime minister's office yesterday.

On another matter, Hamid said it was the British authorities who had seized the passport of Hindraf chairperson P Waytha Moorthy, who is currently in self-imposed exile in London.

Speaking at his ministry's Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering yesterday, Hamid said they had seized the passport in London upon Waytha Moorthy's return from an overseas trip and then sent it to the Malaysian High Commission.

"I have given the instruction for the passport to be returned to him. The travel document was never cancelled. It expires in 2010."

Asked why the passport was seized, he said the British authorities did so based on its police-to-police network information, which showed that Waytha Moorthy was under investigation and had charges levelled against him.

Hamid also lambasted Waytha Moorthy for labeling him a "racist, extremist and liar" in response to the minister's justification in banning Hindraf.

"I cannot be a racist as in my family there are Indians, Chinese and Malays."

- nst

Hindraf 10 could be jailed 5 years

PUTRAJAYA: The 10 supporters of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) who were arrested for gathering outside the prime minister's office on Thursday face a maximum five years' imprisonment if convicted under the Societies Act 1966.

Under Section 48 of the Act, those convicted could also be slapped with a maximum fine of RM15,000.

The 10 were produced yesterday before magistrate Nurdiana Mohd Nazir who allowed police to detain them up to tomorrow to carry out investigations.

Earlier, investigating officer ASP Rajali Agong applied to the court for a 14-day remand order to enable police to find out the motives of the assembly and who the organisers were.

However, counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad informed the court that amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code only allowed a magistrate to allow a maximum seven-day detention if the offence investigated was punishable with a jail term of up to 14 years.

Amer, instead, applied that they be freed on police bail pending investigation.

He also argued that the 10 be released on bail as Deepavali was on Monday.

During the remand hearing, one of the female detainees fainted while explaining the conditions of the lock-up to the magistrate. She was rushed to Putrajaya Hospital.

N. Surendran, a lawyer who appeared with Amer, said the detainee was a diabetic and her legs had swollen as she had been unable to obtain insulin since her detention.

Another male detainee, was also admitted to Putrajaya Hospital on Thursday night, due to medical complications.

Surendran said the 10 detainees and a six-year-old girl had gone to the prime minister's office to hand over a memorandum, seeking the release of all Internal Security Act detainees and to invite Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to their Deepavali open house.

Police released the girl last night but she chose to remain with her mother who was also detained.

The girl was handed over to a family member outside the court.

- nst

Not all NEP elements will go, Najib aide clarifies

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 —Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said he is ready to dismantle a decades-old policy favouring Malays, marking a significant change from the government's staunch defence of the policy in the past.

A close aide to Najib, however, told The Straits Times that the Deputy Premier had said there would be a “gradual liberalisation of some of the elements of NEP”, and not the entire programme.

This could take place in the “not-too-distant future”, Najib had earlier said of the New Economic Policy (NEP) set up in 1971 by his father, Tun Abdul Razak, the then-premier, to help the country's Malays.

His remarks appear to be aimed at appeasing disgruntled non-Malays as well as disillusioned Malay youth who say the NEP serves only the interests of a select few, say observers.

“If we do not change, the people will change us. In the not-too-distant future, we will see all the elements of the New Economic Policy being replaced,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg.

The policy favours ethnic Malays and indigenous groups, or Bumiputeras, in public offerings, housing, government scholarships, procurement and employment. It has repeatedly drawn criticism from non-Malays, who complain it has led to distortions in the economy and cronyism.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also capitalised on unhappiness with the NEP while pushing his multiracial platform — which contributed to his coalition's surprise victory in the March polls — and said he would scrap it if he seizes power.

With his latest comments, Najib — who is slated to take over from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi in March — is beginning to sound like Anwar. His remarks could be part of Umno's efforts to stem a slide in support, which saw it suffering major losses at the polls.

Some analysts remained sceptical, however, over Umno's readiness to give up the NEP, noting that it has helped many of its members.

James Chin, political science lecturer at the Monash University Malaysia Campus, said Najib was simply making the right noises to impress the non-Malay electorate as well as the global business community.

“Najib's statement was aimed at the business community. He understands that with the financial crisis the world is facing, Malaysia has to reform, especially on its NEP in order to attract new foreign direct investment,” he told The Straits Times.

“‘Not-too-distant future’ can mean any time between now and 100 years.”

Najib yesterday was also quoted as saying it was time for Umno leaders to conduct themselves in such a way that they would appeal to a wider audience, if they wanted to stay in power.

He was responding to former deputy premier Tun Musa Hitam's stinging criticism this week that the party was “too introverted” and suffering from old-age sickness.

Another Umno politician who is now whistling a different tune is Khairy Jamaluddin, the 32-year-old son-in-law of Abdullah. A year ago, he was taking the ultra-Malay approach of many politicians but now he is all for multiracial politics.

“The level of multi-ethnic camaraderie within BN is still lacking. It is as though we come together only for electoral purposes because we are part of this pact, the same coalition,” he said in an interview published in The Sun yesterday.

“There is no genuine feeling of a shared destiny, of a common future. That's something we have to change and I feel very strongly about that.”

But critics say the change could be too little, too late to save Khairy's reputation.

Even within Umno, he is struggling to garner nominations in the race with Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, son of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for the post of chief of Umno Youth. — Straits Times

Waytha Live Speech Part 1

Click the link below:-)
Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

ISA memo handed over at PM's office

From right Lim Lip Eng,William Leong,Loh Gwo-Burne,Siti Mariah and Fong Poh Kuan holding the petition for a debate on repeal of ISA. - Photogrpah by Choo Choy May

By Debra Chong

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 24 - A group of opposition lawmakers today submitted a petition to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi at his office here as part of an effort to have a Parliamentary debate of the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA).

MP for Selayang William Leong told The Malaysian Insider: "We want a motion to debate the ISA. We are not asking even for a review or for it to be repealed, but to allow the matter to be debated in Parliament."

He explained that this was because Parliament was the "right place" to bring up the law that allows for detentions without trials.

Leong noted that the motion to debate the ISA had first been mooted since the first sitting of Parliament after the March general elections by Teresa Kok, the MP for Seputeh who herself had been detained under the Act for a week last month.

However, the motion has been stagnating as the Speaker for the Dewan Rakyat has not allowed its debate.

Leong called on Abdullah "as a defender of democracy and human rights" to fulfil his promise to "liberalise the country's democracy" before his tenure as prime minister ends in March next year.

The petition bears the signatures of 85 out of the 222 MPs, with 81 from the triparte Pakatan Rakyat, the three independent MPs and one from Barisan Nasional.

Leong explained that they had only approached "20-something " MPs from the government coalition so far and would be mounting another session to persuade them soon.

None of the MPs were willing to disclose the identity of the sole BN MP who signed the petition. When asked, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said: We cannot disclose. I can only tell you it is not from MCA."

Apart from Leong and Lim, the other MPs who were present included Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), Dr Siti Mariah Mahmood (Pas-Kota Raja) and Loh Gwo-Burne (PKR-Kelana Jaya).

They handed over the petition to Datuk Ahmad Yaakob, the PM's chief senior private secretary at the Prime Minister's Office here today without much fuss.

Dim Deepavali as police remand 10 Hindraf followers

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 24 - Police have won a three-day remand until Deepavali on Monday for 10 followers of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) arrested yesterday for trying to petition the Prime Minister to free their leaders held under the Internal Security Act.

Police earlier freed exiled Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy's wife K. Shanti and her six-year-old daughter Vwaishhnavi while another two of those remanded - coordinator S. Jayathas and Lourdes Mary - have been warded in Putrajaya hospital as they are unwell.

The 10 - eight men and two women - were taken to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya as the Kajang court was sitting there due to renovations in its courthouse.

The Federal Reserve Unit threw a tight security cordon around the building from morning leading to complaints from lawyers and the public although the remand proceedings only began late evening.

Magistrate Nurdiana Mohd Nazari allowed the remand order under Section 48 of the Societies Act for assisting an illegal organisation, which carries a penalty of RM15,000 or five years' jail.

The government banned Hindraf on Oct 15 although it has never been registered.

One of the six lawyers representing the group, M. Manogaran, who is also Teluk Intan MP, criticised the heavy police presence in the court complex, saying he will lodge a complaint with the Bar Council.

"Why are there FRU personnel in a court of law? This is not the Government's court or (Home Minister Datuk Seri) Syed Hamid Albar's court?" he was quoted as saying by The Star.

"This is the first time where a lawyer is being asked to turn in his MyKad so that he can see his clients. They won't even accept my MP card," he said, adding that the supporters should not be remanded at a time when Deepavali was so near.

Several Opposition MPs - including Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam - were there to lend support to the Hindraf group.

Syed Hamid: NGOs involved in Hindraf activities face action

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 24 - Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar today warned that any non-governmental organisation (NGO) found to be involved in Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activities would face the law.

He said this was because Hindraf was declared illegal by the government on Oct 15 for its militant activities, and that its actions contravened Section 5 (1) of the Societies Act 1996 and were a threat to public order, peace, civility and moral values.

“It doesn't matter what name they use, action will be taken...it's not an action against Indians or Hindus. This is action against groups that associate themselves with militancy and have extremist views,” he told reporters at the ministry's Aidilfitri open house, here.

The Kajang Magistrate's Court today ordered the remand for three days of 10 Hindraf followers arrested yesterday under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code and investigated under Section 48 of the Societies Act 1996 over an alleged illegal assembly to submit a memorandum to the prime minister.

On Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy who is now in Britain and claiming that the Malaysian government had cancelled his passport, Syed Hamid said Waythamoorthy could take back his passport at the Malaysian High Commission there.

The minister said Waythamoorthy's passport was taken by the British police when he entered the country due to the police-to-police networking as he had a case at that time.

Asked about the status of the Hindraf leader for staying in Britain without a passport, he said it was up to the British government to deal with him.

In another development, Syed Hamid said the cabinet meeting today was informed of the setting up of a task force under his ministry to look into delays in handling citizenship and identity card applications and problems involving birth certificates.

He said to date, there was a backlog of about 30,000 applications for citizenship and the cabinet was keen to see the problem resolved as soon as possible.

“I've already made a visit to Sabah and will be visiting Sarawak to look at the problems there. And I've ordered the formation of a mobile team to process the applications and I hope that we can buy a few vehicles for the purpose,” he added. - Bernama

Vwaishhnnavi, 6, released: Living in a topsy-turvy world

(anilnetto) P Vwaishhnnavi, the six-year-old niece of detained Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, and her mother K Shanti were released today

But should they even have been held in the first place?

They were held until late last night. (But both didn’t want to leave their comrades after they were allowed to go, reported Malaysiakini.) For what? Reading out a memo, sending a greeting card and appealing for the release of ISA detainees ahead of Diwali?

And why were the other 10 arrested and now taken to court? To faciliate investigations, apparently. The KL police chief is reported in today’s Sun as saying they were detained for representing or acting for an outlawed organisation or group under Section 48 of the Societies Act.

We live in an upside-down world. In a functioning democracy, investigations are carried out first and only then are arrests made, if their are solid grounds to secure a conviction in court. Here it appears to be the other way round. Arrest first and then investigate later.

Would anyone in government care to look into the root causes of their unhappiness and grievances?

Membantah Penahanan Reman Aktivis Hindraf

Entah apa pertimbangan dan percaturan pimpinan Umno-BN tatkala saban tahun mereka melakukan penindasan ke atas masyarakat India. Tahun lepas kita menyaksikan perobohan Kuil Rimba Jaya menjadi ‘hadiah’ Deepavali Umno-BN buat masyarakat India.

Tahun ini, dalam keadaan beberapa hari saja lagi masyarakat India akan menyambut Deepavali, 11 individu ditahan - termasuk seorang anak kecil berusia 6 tahun - di saat mereka mahu menyerahkan memorandum secara aman di Pejabat Perdana Menteri semalam.

Hari ini Mahkamah Majistret Kajang menetapkan supaya 10 daripada mereka direman selama 3 hari sebermula hari ini. Sekaligus keputusan mahkamah ini menafikan hak mereka untuk merayakan Deepavali sebagaimana masyarakat India lainnya.

Saya berasa kesal dengan tindakan dangkal yang diambil oleh penguasa untuk menahan kumpulan 11 individu semalam. Hujahnya masih samar dan tidak jelas. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab mereka untuk memberikan justifikasi dari konteks perundangan dan hak asasi, bukan mengambil tindakan cacamarba yang hanya memburukkan keadaan.

Kenyataan terdahulu Menteri Dalam Negeri bahawa Hindraf diharamkan atas alasan penganjuran demonstrasi yang menganjurkan keganasan adalah tidak munasabah. Waima ada pelanggaran undang-undang sekalipun, wajar bagi beliau membuktikan setiap butir katanya dengan fakta dan pembuktian jelas, bukan mengadu domba tanpa hala!

Saya menyeru agar Kementerian Dalam Negeri khususnya Menteri yang berkenaan tidak bersikap selektif terhadap berpuluh lagi gabungan dan pertubuhan yang acapkali berselindung di sebalik sentimen perkauman sempit, sekiranya mereka mahu membuktikan mereka adil di mata rakyat.

Kita tidak boleh terus berkompromi dengan slogan anti-keganasan dan anti-sentimen perkauman untuk terus menghalalkan kezaliman!

ANWAR IBRAHIM

A non-explanatory explanation

I'm not sure whether the Bar Council issued this press release to clarify the posting I made here or the articles that appeared in The Star or/and Utusan Malaysia. No reference is made in the press release to any of the above.

The explanation does not explain why the Bar refused to give dispensation to Salleh Abas and apply its discretion through Rule 62 when it had done so with KC Vohrah. It is this apparent unwillingness to apply the same privilege to the former Lord President that has brought about the perception that the Bar practises double-standards.

If there had been a "mistake" in giving KC Vohrah dispensation, why is that mistake not being admitted here?

But then again, the precedence in the form of KC Vohrah is not even mentioned in the press release!

If the Bar Council is hoping to close the issue with this sorry excuse of a press release, I'm really disappointed with it.

SYED HAMID IS A RACIST, EXTREMIST AND LIAR

We refer to the statement by Syed Hamid justifying the HINDRAF ban.

The allegation that HINDRAF is an extremist group and allegedly caused to declare that Malays and Islam are their only enemy is absolutely ridiculous and a blatant lie.

We challenge Syed hamid to prove those speeches were evermade. We know he would not have the courage to do that but would continuously lie to enhance his ailing political career within UMNO. It has always been UMNO’s tactic to raise racial and religious feelings whenever there are problems within UMNO. History of Malaysia and the history of UMNO have proven this.

Each and every HINDRAF gathering and meetings are recorded and kept in safe. We knew these and many other dirty and cheap methods would be used by UMNO to demonise and paint an evil picture of HINDRAF and were ready for the negative propaganda campaign especially when the entire state machinery and media are controlled by them.

Recent deliberate negative publicity given by the Malay Dailies controlled by UMNO and mainstream TV3 are expected and we are prepared for worse to come. But nothing can stop our pursuit for justice and democracy.

Syed Hamid is no doubt a racist, extremist and Liar. There is no point asking for his resignation because this man does not have any moral dignity left in him. He would continuously lie and pretend as if he is the serving “justice”.

HINDRAF was never a religious body. It only raises legitimate rights of HINDUS and INDIANS to practise their Religion in peace and quiet under the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have always maintained we never have any problems with Malays and Muslims but we have serious problems with UMNO, which is a bully, and practises racist and extremist divide and rule policies to survive and maintain its political rule in Malaysia.

P.Waytha Moorthy
CHAIRMAN
HINDRAF

Anwar now 'in no hurry' to topple BN

Syed Hamid: Utusan 'given warning'

Utusan Malaysia

MCPX

has been “given warning” by the government over some of the controversial articles which the Umno-owned newspaper has published, revealed Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

However, he did not elaborate on the issue after being asked to comment why action was taken against some newspapers and not Utusan.

The Malay daily has come under severe criticism for publishing a short story on the assassination of a politician modelled on opposition parliamentarian Teresa Kok.

The minister also said that the police are investigating Bukit Bendera Umno chief Ahmad Ismail for sedition and action could be taken against him soon.

Again, Syed Hamid did not divulge more details on the probe against his party colleague in Penang, stating that he would rather let the police do their job.

The minister nevertheless defended the police’s handling of the controversy which was sparked off by the allegedly racial remarks made by Ahmad against the Chinese community during the Permatang Pauh by-election in August.

After a public outcry, Ahmad was suspended for three years by Umno in September.

“The party has taken action against Ahmad Ismail and now he is being investigated under the Sedition Act,” said Syed Hamid in an hour-long exclusive interview with Malaysiakini at his ministry in Putrajaya on Tuesday.

He was responding to questions as to why no action had been taken against Ahmad while Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested under the Internal Security Act for reporting Ahmad’s alleged racial remarks.

“Don’t ask why this person is not arrested and why that person is. That sort of thing, the police has got their own reasons...,” said Syed Hamid tersely.

Tan was arrested on Sept 12 and was released less than 24 hours later.

At that time, Syed Hamid had said that Tan was arrested for her own safety and to maintain public order.

For her own protection?

However, it was his “for her protection’ remark which bemused many observers. When asked about this, Syed Hamid blamed the media for highlighting the matter.

“I think I would laugh at it, but I will tell you that it was not the core and fundamental reason (for her arrest).

“That was the reason that was highlighted by the media. If you listen to what I said – there is a threat and the police perception of this threat to public order, to security. That is the reason this person was (arrested under ISA).

“Maybe they want to bring her in to ensure that nothing happens to her. I mean this is not the (only) reason – surely you are matured enough to know that this is not the reason.

“A person like me would not use an irrational thing (like this) but I was hit very badly on this thing to say that ‘Oh, it is for her protection’ when it was never the core or the fundamental issue of her arrest,” he virulently defended himself.

Syed Hamid reiterated that Tan’s arrest was to maintain public order and security.

“Things were getting very tense, everybody was talking about it and it was becoming highly politicised, and the polemic was not productive and it was not contributing (to the situation),” he said.

Syed Hamid ended the interview by appealing to Malaysians to try to understand his difficult role as home minister.

“I am subjected to criticism, I do not need sympathy. I need a lot of understanding from people, that’s all,” he said.

Shanti: I stayed in police station in protest

K Shanti, wife of Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, voluntarily spent the night at the Putrajaya district police headquarters in protest of the detention of her 10 friends and relatives.

MCPX

"I told them that I was not leaving without my relatives and friends, as a protest. I only left at about 7.30am today to go to court," said Shanti, who looked exhausted from lack of sleep.

She was among 11 individuals arrested yesterday evening when they accompanied her daughter, Vwashnnavvi, 6, to the Prime Minister’s Office to deliver a handwritten letter.

In it, Vwasshnnavvi invited the prime minister to her family’s ‘open house’ during Deepavali celebrations and appealed for the release of all Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.

Police obtained a three-day remand order against the remaining 10 detainees, from Kajang magistrate Nurdiana Mohd Nazari this afternoon.

Met outside the court, Shanti said the police finished recording her statement at about 9.30pm yesterday and she was allowed to leave at about midnight.

Shanti also confirmed that she was informed earlier today that police were investigating her for alleged child abuse and would be taking statements from her at a later date.

"I don’t know. It seems so ridiculous," said Shanti, when asked for her reaction.

No statements recorded yesterday

Meanwhile lead counsel for the 10, Amer Hamzah Arshad, criticisised the police for denying the detainees their right to legal counsel up until remand proceedings.

He also criticised the police for seeking a long remand period of 14 days despite failing to record any statements from the detainees yesterday.

"If they deny the right to counsel, then they should have done their work and investigation during the first 24 hours. Instead, they now have the gall to come to court to seek a remand order," he said.

According to Amer Hamzah, the police had told the magistrate that they were trying to establish the purpose of the assembly and who was behind it.

He said the police did not argue on grounds that the suspects would abscond or tamper with evidence.

The police have the authority to seek an extension to the remand order when it expires on Sunday (Deepavali eve).

"Under the law, the police can seek a maximum three-day extension. We hope that common sense prevails and all will be released immediately," Amer Hamzah added.

Detainee collapses in court

The 10 are being investigated under Section 48 of the Societies Act for allegedly participating in an unlawful organisation.

Hindraf, an unregistered organisation seeking empowerment for marginalised Indians, has been banned since Oct 15 by the Home Ministry.

A minor commotion occurred during the remand proceedings when one detainee, Lourdes Mary, collapsed and had to be rushed to hospital.

Friends and supporters of the detainees demanded that the court police should call for an ambulance, but when it failed to arrive, they carried Lourdes Mary into a car and sent her to the Putrajaya Hospital. (See pix)

Court police initially tried to stop them from taking her away before the ambulance arrived, but a police officer eventually got into the private vehicle and accompanied her to the hospital.

An ambulance arrived 10 minutes later.

Police Watch and Human Rights Committee coordinator S Jayathas who is among the 10, was also warded at the Putrajaya Hospital for health complaints.

The magistrate is expected to read the remand order to both warded detainees later today.

Child, mother freed, 10 remanded

(Malaysiakini)P Vwaishhnnavi, the six-year-old niece of detained Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, and her mother K Shanti were released late yesterday but opted to spend the night at the Putrajaya police station.

Mother and daughter were with 10 others arrested yesterday when they attempted to submit a letter at the Prime Minister Department's office in Putrajaya, appealing for ISA detainees to be freed.

The duo were released late last night but they refused to leave the police station and stayed with the rest.

The remaining 10 were taken to the Kajang Magistrate's Court this morning where the police have applied for a two-week remand to facilitate their investigation.

However, the magistrate only extended remand to three days till Sunday when hearing resumed in the afternoon following a lunch break. This means that the 10 will be able to celebrate Deepavali with their families on Monday.

Security was tight at the court complex, where six riot police FRU trucks as well as a water-cannon truck have been deployed. About 50 supporters and family members of those arrested have gathered outside the courthouse.

Journalists have also been barred from entering the court complex.

Police showed a document signed by Kajang magistrate Nurdiana Mohd Nazari stating that only the lawyer representing those arrested and their family members are allowed into the court.

Lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad (left) from the Bar Council's Human Rights Committee, who is leading a six-member team on behalf of the 10, spend this morning arguing over the remand proceedings.

At 1.15pm, the court ended the arguments for lunch break. The magistrate announced her three-day remand decision at 2.30pm.

Detainees may miss Deepavali celebrations

According to lawyer N Surendran, the remand proceedings today were delayed because the legal team was not allowed to meet with the detainees prior to the proceedings.

“Police did not give the opportunity for the lawyers to meet with our clients last night and the court has to stand down in order for us to take instruction (from the 10),” he said.

According to him, the 10 are being investigated under Section 48 of the Societies Act for participating in an unlawful organisation.

“These people want to give a letter to the Prime Minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), what has that got to do with unlawful organisation?” asked Surendran.

He added that it is unlikely for the 10 to abscond since all of them have a permanent address and therefore releasing them on a police bail would suffice.

“Any attempt to remand is an attempt to punish them especially with Deepavali being around the corner,” he stressed.

During the remand hearing, one of the female detainee, Lourdes Mary, fainted in court while explaining the lock-up condition to the magistrate.

According to Surendran, the detainee is a diabetic and her legs have swollen twice the size as she was unable to obtain insulin since her detention yesterday.

“I have never seen this kind of neglect in court before,” lamented the lawyer.

Meanwhile, another legal team member M Manogaran criticised the police for demanding lawyers to register themselves before entering the court building and for barring journalists from entering the complex.

“This is a tragedy. As an officer of court, I have a statutory duty to go into the court [...] We will take this issue to Bar Council. It’s a breach of statutory duty,” said the lawyer, who is also the Teluk Intan MP.

Police: Vwaishhnnavi not arrested

Vwaishhnnavi is the daughter of Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, who is currently in self-imposed exile in London.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman told Malaysiakini yesterday that eight men and three women were arrested during the incident.

He clarified that Vwaishhnnavi had not been arrested and was with her mother.

According to the police, those held are being investigated under the Societies Act following the Home Ministry's imposition of a ban on Hindraf on Oct 15, declaring it an illegal organisation.

The Home Ministry today clarified that Shanti (right) had her statement taken at the Putrajaya police district headquarters for "taking part in an organisation that has been banned under Section 48 of the Societies act and subsequently released the same evening".

"Her daughter, Vwaishhnnavi, chose to stay with her and was not questioned," said the statement, which was sent to Malaysiakini.

"Shanti and her daughter were not detained by the police last night but they still chose to stay at the police station and spent the night at the lobby lounge of the police station."

Police Watch Malaysia coordinator S Jayathas, who was also held, claimed that they had been told that they were part of an illegal assembly for having gathered near the entrance of the building.

"We were trying to obtain permission from the security guards for Vwaishhnnavi to submit her letter. They said that we were from Hindraf, but we insisted that we were 'concerned Indians' who were accompanying Vwaishnnavi," Jayathas had said yesterday.