HRP’S BREAKING NEWS: HRP’S S.Jayathas arrested on ISA black second year anniversary 13/12/2009 at 2.45pm when walking with a group of 50 HRP and Hindraf supporters from the Headquarters of HRP at Jalan Abdullah to the nearby Nagaswari Amman Hindu Temple 5 minutes away.
P. Uthayakumar
Secretary General
03-22825622/012-6362287
Until today there is still no response from Abdul Rahman or the MACC and it appears like they are stumped and do not know what to do. To respond would mean that the MACC would have to meet Bala and take his statement, which is clearly something they would not like to do.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
(The Star) - Kapar Member of Parliament S. Manikavasagam has filed a police report over alleged abuse of power by a senior official of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The report was filed by at the Klang district police station at 11.30am Sunday.By G. Manimaran and Neville Spykerman
Najib (centre) with his ministers in charge of KPIs, Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon (left) and Datuk Seri Idris Jala. — Picture by Jack Ooi
The prime minister said he will meet some ministers over the next few days to complete the task that was initially scheduled for November, six months after he named his Cabinet.
“I will meet some ministers tomorrow and next week, and the others after the climate conference in Copenhagen,” Najib said after chairing the third Cabinet retreat to finalise the KPIs.
The Cabinet had also discussed some 300 programmes proposed for the six National Key Result Areas (NKRAs).
“All submissions will be completed by the end of this month,” he added.
Sources told The Malaysian Insider that the Najib administration’s focus on the economy has precluded any talk of a cabinet reshuffle.
He hopes to stimulate economic growth to six per cent in 2010, leading to talk of snap polls a year later.
“The government transformation programme by the NKRAs is historic,” said Najib, who pointed out that this was the first time such move was being carried out so comprehensively.
Also with him at the joint press conference were ministers Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and Datuk Seri Idris Jala, both in charge of the KPIs and NKRAs.
Najib also announced that the public will be able to view and give their feedback on the NKRAs and its 300 programmes in Bandar Sunway on Dec 18, a day after special guests and non-governmental organisations preview the event.
“I hope the public takes the opportunity to learn what the government is doing and see for themselves the targets which have been set,” he said, adding that the government was being transparent and committed to achieving the targets.
He thanked the ministers and government servants whom he said were working day and night in labs set up to formulate specific initiatives for each NKRA.
Idris, who is minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, had set up eight labs last Oct 5 for the six NKRAs and the 1 Malaysia concept for the various race communities in the country, whose relationships have frayed over several incidents involving the majority Malay-Muslims with the Chinese and Indians.
Complaints have also surfaced that some natives in Sarawak could not obtain scholarships or university openings because only one of their parents held Bumiputera status.
Detailed studies have been carried out on the needs of every village in the country; 7,000 primary and 3,000 secondary schools; and 44,000 lower income
He added that the government had also issued MyKads to the Penan community in Sarawak, in line with the 1 Malaysia concept.
“The philosophy of 1 Malaysia runs through all the NKRA,” he said, adding that a comprehensive document on national unity will be produced in January.
However, he acknowledged that the government is unlikely to obtain unanimous consensus on all issues because they were dealing with a wide spectrum of society.
Najib has heard presentations from all six lead ministers involved in the NKRA and while generally happy, said there was still room for improvement.
Najib says direct membership to
BN is a possibility. — Reuters pic
Najib took the top job in April and charged ahead with renewing a government that was rocked in polls last year as voters forsook the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that has ruled the country for over half a century, tired of broken pledges to tackle graft.
While opinion polls suggest that Najib has rebuilt support for his own party which dominates the 13-strong coalition, the MCA and MIC — smaller parties who represent substantial numbers of Chinese and Indian voters — remain weak.
One option being considered could be to open BN to direct membership, a radical move that would fundamentally alter Malaysia’s decades-old, race-based political party system.
“I think anything is possible because I don’t think anything is a sacred cow within Barisan Nasional.”
Najib has stabilised a government that was so wobbly in September 2008 that it had to ship 40 MPs to Taiwan to put them out of reach of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s bid to lure them to join him and topple BN.
Anwar’s three-party alliance, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has won seven of nine by-elections held since the Election 2008 but has been hit by frequent infighting.
“Of course he (Anwar) is not without skills as a politician ... but there is a huge difference between running for office and managing the country,” Najib said.
Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, will stand trial next month charged with sodomising a male aide. All homosexual acts are illegal in Malaysia.
If found guilty of what he says is a repeat of an earlier political conspiracy that saw him ousted from government, Anwar could be jailed for 20 years, ending his political career.
Despite promises made by Najib and his predecessor to end corruption, Malaysia has fallen to a record low for the country of 56th place among 180 countries in anti-graft watchdog Transparency International’s 2009 corruption perception index.
That has hit its image at a time when neighbours like Indonesia have made big progress fighting corruption and Malaysia’s share of foreign direct investment versus Thailand and Indonesia fell to a touch over 30 per cent in 2008 from over 50 per cent from 1990-2000, according to United Nations data.
The issue hit the headlines recently with an investigation into a scandal over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) close to the capital of Kuala Lumpur that exposed links between politics and business.
False government guarantees given when the bonds were sold have triggered concerns among holders of US$1 billion (RM3.4 billion) worth of bonds that they might not be repaid
Three officials linked to the PKFZ project have been charged for corruption, although none of them were politicians, prompting the opposition to say the government is still covering up.
“People believe, rightly or wrongly that PKFZ is a litmus test and we have proven that action will be taken,” Najib said.
His reform efforts so far have seen some elements of the New Economic Policy (NEP), a four-decades-old economic and social affirmative action
While Najib has received a positive response for that and other measures to lift investment caps in areas such as finance and tourism, investment money has still not flowed.
The latest data showed that in the first three quarters of 2009, portfolio outflows pulled RM55.3 billion out of the country.
In a bid to reverse outflows and tempt money back into a stock market where foreign ownership stands a touch over 20 per cent, lower than during 1998 Asian financial crisis, Najib has told state funds to cut their stakes in companies.
Bodies such as state investment fund Khazanah and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) own almost 70 per cent of Sime Darby, the country’s largest company, limiting the stock available to foreign funds.
“It is up to the management of Khazanah (and) of EPF to decide the particular companies that they divest their holdings (in) but the government has given instructions to them to them and they do have specific road map to reduce their holdings,” Najib said.
He also has pledged to cut thebudget deficit from a more than 20-year high and has taken the risky decision to remove universal fuel subsidies, a measure that caused the popularity of his predecessor to nosedive before it was reversed.
Najib said a new system to ensure that the poor continued to receive aid for fuel would be based on car engine size.
“If you drive a Mercedes 500 you don’t need a fuel subsidy,” he said. — Reuters
By G Manimaran - The Malaysian InsiderKUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 — PKR has rejected Sabah strongman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s (left) decision to quit as party vice-president over a leadership tussle as de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seeks to strengthen its footprint in East Malaysia.
Anwar is due to announce that Kitingan, the estranged brother of former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, remains as party vice-president when opening the Sarawak PKR convention this afternoon.
The Sabah leader announced his resignation two months ago and hinted at forming a new party when rebelling against another vice-president, Azmin Ali, who was made Sabah PKR chief. Anwar lated named Thamrin Jaini to head the state leadership.
"They rejected my letter. The (official) announcement will be today," Kitingan told The Malaysian Insider this morning.
It was understood that the party leadership had decided not to accept his decision together with Sabah PKR Wanita deputy chief Christina Liew to quit their post at the federal level. Christina could not be reached for her comment.
Anwar’s announcement ahead of the Sabah PKR convention next Sunday is seen as conciliatory move to Kitingan, who remains an influential leader in the state.
When asked about PKR’s move to keep him, Kitingan said that he is happy as many of his requests were accepted by the party.
On his next move, he said: "Wait for announcement first, this afternoon... will tell later."
The Keningau PKR division chief denied previous reports that he intended to form a new party.
"That (forming new party) is nothing to do with me," he stressed.
He had surprised the party when announcing last Oct 28 that he wanted to resign as vice president, further clouding the leadership turmoil in the party.
“I’m quitting the post as I’ve lost confidence in the party’s leadership decision-making process in terms of decisions affecting Sabah,” Kitingan had said.
He claimed that there appeared to be no seriousness on the part of the party leadership in taking the views of Sabah PKR leaders.
“As such, I see no reason for me to remain in the party position,” he said.
In October, he also rejected his appointment to the party’s newly set up National Integration Council. The change came about after Kitingan disclosed that 18 Sabah PKR division chiefs had signed a memorandum submitted to Anwar that Azmin be replaced with a local Sabah leader.
It was reported that Sabah PKR division leaders had suggested that Azmin be replaced as state party chief by Kitingan or either deputy chiefs, Datuk Dr Hamzah Amir or Datuk Kong Hong Ming.
Meanwhile Sabah PKR chief Thamrin Jaini when contacted declined to comment further.
“This is federal issue and let them (the federal leaders) to make a proper announcement,” he said.
“But I will be happy if Jeffrey back active (at the federal level) as he is one of the vice president. He is still one of the members of state liaison committee on his capacity as division chief,” Thamrin said.
Both Sabah and Sarawak offer 56 out of the 222 seats in Parliament and is seen as a safe vote bank or "deposit box" by the ruling Barisan Nasional federal government.
Dari Malaysiakini
Oleh Rahim Sabri
Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) menggesa kerajaan memberi lebih perhatian kepada bukan Islam, termasuk menambah peruntukan untuk rumah ibadat mereka.
“Kita memahami apa yang disebut (oleh DAP), dan (ia) bukan berhasrat untuk mempertikaikan agama Islam,” kata timbalan presidennya Amidi Abd Manan kepada Malaysiakini.
“Jadi kita menggesa kerajaan memberi perhatian yang lebih kepada bukan Islam.”
Beliau diminta mengulas kontroversi kenyataan ahli parlimen Taiping, Nga Kor Ming, di Parlimen berhubung peruntukan besar kerajaan dalam membina rumah ibadat Islam dan tetapi kecil sahaja peruntukan untuk bukan Islam.
Kenyataan Nga, juga setiausaha DAP Perak, itu merujuk jawapan seorang menteri bahawa kerajaan memperuntukkan RM748.26 juta untuk membina dan menyelenggara 611 masjid tetapi hanya RM9 juta diagihkan untuk tujuan agama bukan Islam, iaitu 1.2 peratus sahaja.
Susulan kenyataan tersebut, beberapa tokoh dan NGO mempertikaikan Nga dengan alasan beliau tidak wajar mengungkitkan peruntukan untuk membina masjid kerana perlembagaan mengiktiraf Islam sebagai agama rasmi.
Amidi, yang kini memangku jawatan presiden Abim, berkata kerajaan seharusnya mengikut contoh Rasulullah yang bersikap adil kepada penganut agama lain sewaktu memimpin di Madinah.
“Jadi selaku kerajaan yang memerintah, kerajaan juga seharusnya mencontohi Rasulullah SAW, terutama dari sudut peruntukan kepada bukan Islam,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, ABIM menyokong jika kerajaan juga memberi perhatian kepada kesejahteraan agama lain memandangkan masalah sosial yang semakin banyak berlaku.
Disoal sama ada kerajaan harus menambah peruntukan bukan Islam, Amidi berkata kerajaan bukan sahaja harus menambahkan peruntukan tetapi juga perhatian untuk melahirkan masyarakat beragama di Malaysia.
Bagaimanapun pembahagian itu juga harus menepati lunas Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang meletakkan Islam sebagai agama rasmi negara.
“Maka satu masyarakat yang beragama harus menjadi satu ciri kepada rakyat Malaysia,” katanya.
“Ia juga membolehkan masyarakat agama lain mempraktikan ajaran agama mereka tanpa dipengaruhi oleh mana-mana pihak.”
Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) pula menyifatkan “tidak elok” dibandingkan peruntukan untuk masjid dengan rumah ibadat bukan Islam.
“Tidak elok dikaitkan bersama. Permohonan peruntukan (orang bukan Islam) boleh dimajukan tanpa dikaitkan dengan (peruntukkan) umat Islam,” kata presidennya Zaid Kamaruddin.
“Penganut bukan Islam boleh memohon untuk rumah ibadat mereka secara berasingan.”
Ditanya kewajaran kerajaan menambah peruntukan kepada rumah ibadat bukan Islam, beliau berkata menjadi tanggungjawab kerajaan untuk memastikan keperluan rakyat dipenuhi tanpa mengira bangsa dan agama.
Manakala Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) pula berkata mengikut tafsiran Islam sebagai agama rasmi persekutuan, ia bermaksud kerajaan berhak mengeluarkan dana kepada orang Islam khususnya untuk pusat ibadat umat Islam.
“Jadi tidak timbul masalah ketaksamaan mengeluarkan dana kepada rumah ibadat Islam atau bukan,” kata presidennya Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz.
Mengulas kewajaran menambah peruntukan kepada bukan Islam, beliau berkata ia bergantung kepada keperluan masyarakat bukan Islam dan jumlah pertambahan penduduk bukan Islam di sesuatu kawasan.
“Populasi bertambah ramai, maka keperluan dana untuk rumah ibadat pun bertambah. Ia bergantung kepada keperluan. Tiada keperluan, tidak wajarlah ditambah.
“Begitu juga masjid atau surau, dana bergantung kepada keperluan pada satu kariah,” kata Muhammad Faisal.
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has directed all his ministers to end the polemics on the divisive, racist and seditious Biro Tata Negara (BTN) courses.
He said he himself would evaluate BTN’s training modules and arrive at a decision on them later.
Shouldn’t the decision on the divisive, racist and seditious BTN indoctrination course be the collective decision of the Barisan Nasional leadership rather than the decision of one man, even if he is the Prime Minister?
This demonstrates an exacerbation of an already very unhealthy, undemocratic and dangerous concentration of power in the hands of the Prime Minister at the expense of the collective decision of the Cabinet and the Barisan Nasional parties.
Even putting aside for the moment the issue of the divisive, racist and seditious BTN indoctrination course which engenders racial hatred and illwill totally inimical to the nation-building objective to foster national unity and Malaysian consciousness, the issue of what Najib’s 1Malaysia really means cannot be evaded any longer.
It is a great national disservice on the part of Barisan Nasional Ministers, whether from UMNO, MCA, Gerakan, MIC, or from Sarawak and Sabah, that they continue to allow the racist doctrine of “ketuanan Melayu” or “Malay supremacy” to be disseminated.
Najib should come out with clear-cut statement that 1Malaysia does not mean “Ketuanan Melayu” or “Malay supremacy” and declare that all Malaysians whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, Kadazan or Iban are all co-owners of Malaysia without any differentiation of the ethnic groups into first-class, second-class or third-class citizens.
It is not only shocking but most outrageous that Ministers from MCA, Gerakan, MIC, Sarawak and Sabah continue to condone the passing of “ketuanan Melayu” or “Malay supremacy” as part of Barisan Nasional philosophy and doctrine, with the accompanying messages of hate and intolerance such as describing the Chinese in Malaysia as the Jews in Asia, non-Malays as “orang tumpang” and rational and thinking Malays who reject such a racist doctrine as “traitors of the Malay race”.
Najib, the Cabinet and all Barisan Nasional parties and leaders should stop avoiding the issue but should forthwith take a clear-cut stand that 1Malaysia stands clearly for the concept that all Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity or region, are all co-owners of Malaysia.
Haiyo. Small thing like this still want to arrest.
A short prayer ceremony to mark the Internal Security Act (ISA) detention of five Hindraf leaders two years ago was marred by the arrest of one of the movement’s key leaders S Jayathas.
His alleged crime – wearing an anti-ISA button badge.
Shortly after leaving a Hindu temple in Bangsar Utama where the prayers were held, a uniformed police officer grabbed Jayathas and said the arrest was because the latter had sported the button badge.
The police had been a little quiet since the days of the wanton Perak vigil arrests, but it seems they are back to their old nonsense now.
Thankfully, Jayathas has been released, but seriously – what on earth was all the fuss about? One little badge threatening national security?
And fifty cops needed for this whole operation? A dozen in riot gear?
Need we any clearer indicators that our police are hopelessly mismanaged? Out hunting badges when they could be stopping crime?
Sigh.
THE DAY THAT THE GLOVES CAME OFF FOR UMNO
The 4 Hindraf lawyers were arrested on that fateful day.
On that day, the main protagonist among the power elite, UMNO now began a phase of open assault on the Indian community. Before the 13th of December, they had operated in a behind the scene conniving relationship of the Tuan-Mandore type. Tuan UMNO and Mandore MIC. On the 13th of December 2007, all that changed. The Tuan’s hand lay exposed.
Before that day, they had used subtler and I daresay treacherous methods of
control of this ‘noisy Keling’ community . They had slanted the perceptions of these ‘Kelings’ using the media by creating illusions of a benevolent government. They had bought influence through bribing and throwing crumbs at the impoverished and marginalized ‘Kelings’. They had kept the ‘Kelings’ ignorant and misinformed, They had taken away any modicum of true leadership for these otherwise ‘noisy Kelings’.
The Indians had awakened to this grand drama of 50 years and it was all upturned on the 25th of Nov 2007. On that day the Indians saw a way to marshall their discontent in one synchronous flow. Getting together and throwing away all illusions, they united and in one grand stand that day, they showed a very strong hand. A hand that reverbrated and had the capacity to change the political landscape.
That was too threatening to the ruling power elite of the country. Their 50 year, Tuan Mandore game was up. There was to be no more waiting. The gloves came off 18 days after the Grand Hindraf Rally on the 13th of December 2007. The ‘kecoh Keling’ had to be dealt with and disposed off as had been done to various other rebellions in the past – through force, through fear, through intrigue and through treachery directly and openly by the Tuans themselves now..
That was the starting point for the “now-not-so invisible hand” of the power elite to begin its machinations against this restless Indian populace.
The 13th of December signified the beginning of this assault which continues till today two years after, in so many ways. I project the assault will continue till there is a completely new concept of the Malaysian Nation and of completely new National policies. Policies which fully recognizes the rights of every citizen regardless of ethnicity and makes reparation for the damages and neglect of the Indian marginalized over the last 50 plus years.
As Uthayakumar says in the video before his ISA arrest, he is prepared to lead the Indian community till the objectives are reached. He is not intimidated by threats to his personal liberty. He will continue to struggle because there is just no other choice to throw off this mantle of tyranny and injustice. The privileged few are not going to change just for the asking. So Uthayakumar will continue his struggle and we will be there with him in that struggle as will many of you . There will therefore be more Dec 13th s until this system based on tyranny and injustice is totally demolished.
We will see more December 13ths………………..
Viva la Makkal.
(CNN) -- On the heels of a U.S. announcement of a massive troop surge for Afghanistan, an al Qaeda spokesman Saturday appeared to be trying to improve the group's image in the region with a new audio message in English.
Adam Gadahn, also known as Azzam the American, appeared in a 17-minute video released on Islamist online forums late Friday, offering condolences to the families of innocent people killed in al Qaeda attacks.
Gadahn said al Qaeda "have condemned and continue to condemn" all attacks by Western powers or "secular political forces."
"We express our condolences to the families of the Muslim men, women and children killed in these criminal acts and we ask Allah to have mercy on those killed and accept them as shohadaa (martyrs)," he says in the video.
"We also express the same in regard to the unintended Muslim victims of the mujahedeen's operations against the crusaders and their allies and puppets, and to the countless faceless and nameless Muslim victims of the murderous crusades" in Afghanistan, Pakistan's Waziristan regions and Swat Valley, and elsewhere, he said.
It is a rare example of al Qaeda offering condolences to the families of those killed in the group's own attacks.
The video comes nearly two weeks after U.S. President Barack Obama announced the deployment of 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, as part of a strategy to reverse the Taliban's momentum and stabilize the country's government.
Obama said he would begin sending the additional troops in early 2010, with the goal of starting to withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by July 2011. The additional forces, Obama said, will help accelerate the handing over of responsibility to Afghan forces.
U.S. commander: We cannot have endless surge
The video did not address the troop surge, but Gadahn had a general warning to any countries partnering with the United States in the region.
"Those who have made the foolish decision to stand with America and its allies in their losing war against Islam ... you have not only betrayed Islam and Muslims and left the fold of faith, but you have also caused the destabilization of nations and the displacement ... of thousands of weak and oppressed people," Gadahn said.
"The blood of countless Muslims is on your hands, and the security and very future of the countries you claim to defend and serve has been placed in jeopardy because your external enemies are taking advantage of your heedlessness as you fight and kill your fellow countrymen for American dollars."
The al Qaeda member is an American-born Muslim convert who has released video and audio statements in the past.
Gadahn is on the FBI's list of most-wanted terrorists. The FBI says Gadahn was indicted in the Central District of California for treason and material support to al Qaeda, charges related to Gadahn's alleged involvement in a number of terrorist activities, including providing "aid and comfort" to al Qaeda and services for al Qaeda.
Pakistani news outlets reported twice in 2008 that Gadahn had been killed by a predator drone strike, but al Qaeda then released a video message by Gadahn to prove he was still alive.
Al Qaeda uses Gadahn to issue messages to a wider and English-speaking audience. His whereabouts are unknown. Many analysts believe Gadahn remains in touch with al Qaeda's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
(Malaysian Mirror) - Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that the opportunity given to more bumiputras to enter public universities should not be disputed as a racist act which prioritises one race at the expense of others.
The former prime minister said the move was to ensure a balanced racial development so that the bumiputras were not left behind in mainstream education, which could have negative repercussions.(Harakah Daily) - Rakyat sama ada penyokong PAS atau Umno akan merasa senang hati sekiranya orang kuat Umno sendiri yang terbabit dengan kesalahan didakwa sama ada yang dikaitkan dengan rasuah dan penyalahgunaan kuasa, bahkan imej pihak pendakwaan itu juga dianggap telus.
Mursyidul Am PAS Dato’ Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat ketika mengulas isu dakwaan penyalahgunaan kuasa yang dikaitkan dengan Setiausaha Politik Perdana Menteri Datuk Mohd Shafei Abdullah dan gesaan supaya dijalankan siasatan segera berkata kalau orang kuat Umno turut disiasat atas dakwaan itu, rakyat di negara ini merasa senang hati.“Kalau orang kuat Umno kena siasat juga maka itu menimbulkan rasa senang hati di kalangan rakyat, tanpa mengira (sama ada mereka itu dari) PAS atau Umno, kena belaka.
“Bahkan imej pihak jawatankuasa siasatan pun dianggap telus,” katanya kepada media selepas menyampaikan kuliah mingguannya di Medan Ilmu di sini pagi ini.
Mengenai isu dakwaan berkait dengan Setiausaha Politik Perdana Menteri itu, Gerakan Rakyat Integiri dan Anti Korupsi (Gerak Malaysia) dalam satu kenyataan medianya 10 Disember lalu menggesa Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) memulakan siasatan segera ke atas dakwaan salahguna kuasa oleh Setiausaha Politik Perdana Menteri itu agar dapat diadili sebaik mungkin.
Pengerusi Gerak Malaysia, Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus berkata Gerak memandang serius dakwaan itu oleh kerana ianya telah pun disebutkan secara langsung di Parlimen Malaysia.
“Jika tidak ada tindakan daripada pihak SPRM, maka dakwaan yang disebut di Parlimen itu telah dianggap remeh.
“Demi menjaga kemuliaan Dewan Rakyat dan Parlimen Malaysia khususnya adalah amat wajar siasatan SPRM dilakukan segera,” katanya.
Menurut Nazree, fenomena kewujudan “Mr Political Toll” seumpama itu sebenarnya menggalakkan budaya rasuah dan korupsi dalam pentadbiran.
Oleh itu, kata Nazree, demi usaha kerajaan untuk memperkasakan integriti dan kredibiliti SPRM, maka amat wajar untuk SPRM sendiri secara segera memulakan siasatan setelah Parlimen menubuhkan jawatankuasa khasnya untuk menyiasat isu tersebut.
Dalam perkembangan lain, PAS Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur baru-baru ini telah menghantar laporan serta memohon dakwaan tentang salah laku Setiausaha Politik Perdana Menteri itu sagar disiasat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rakyat Malaysia (SPRM).
Menurut Ketua PAS Wilayah Kamaruzaman Mohamad, sekiranya SPRM tidak membuka kertas siasatan, maka pihak PAS Wilayah meminta supaya ianya dibangkitkan semula di Parlimen.
Menurut Kamaruzaman, kertas laporan yang diserahkan kepada SPRM Wilayah Persekutuan itu dilampirkan sama hansad Parlimen 7 Disember 2009, halaman 35 hingga 38 yang tertera butiran ucapan Ahli Parlimen Wangsa Maju Wee Choo Keong mengenai isu tersebut.
Sementara itu, Dato’ Nik Abdul Aziz yang juga Menteri Besar mengulas dakwaan yang menyatakan Umno parti rasis dan perkauman, oleh itu harus ditolak.
Beliau berkata, memang PAS sudah lama mempertikaikannya.
“Memang sudah lama ditimbulkan. Satu daripada yang kita sebut (timbulkan) ialah bahawa (parti) Umno kena tolak.
“Ini kerana Umno menolak Islam dan mengambil kebangsaan (sebagai dasarnya). (isu ini) bukan benda baru, benda lama.
“Selagi orang Melayu ‘sebut’ Melayu, (maka) selama itulah orang Cina akan ‘sebut’ Cina, dan selama itu pula orang India ‘sebut’ India. Memang hak mereka. Justeru menimbulkan perbalahan selamanya.
“Oleh sebab itu (hendaklah) ditolak belaka. Tolak belaka ‘Melayu’, tolak belaka Cina dan ambil Islam, yang mana Islam itu bukan hak orang Melayu, bukan hak orang Arab (tetapi) hak Allah. (dengan itu) tenang hati.
"Nak cari lebih senang daripada penerimaan Islam, tidak ada di dunia ini oleh kerana ianya sampai ke akhirat. Melayu, Arab itu hanya setakat dunia saja (menyebabkan) bertelagah, tidak selesai,” katanya.
Sultan Sharafuddin also advised Selangor royal families to protect the good name of the royal house
(Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed worries over the situation in the state as the political agenda had gained the upper hand rather than the development agenda. He said sometime petty matters were blown out of proportion, thus causing confusion among the people.Dari Malaysiakini
Oleh Rahim Sabri
Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) menggesa kerajaan memberi lebih perhatian kepada bukan Islam, termasuk menambah peruntukan untuk rumah ibadat mereka.
“Kita memahami apa yang disebut (oleh DAP), dan (ia) bukan berhasrat untuk mempertikaikan agama Islam,” kata timbalan presidennya Amidi Abd Manan kepada Malaysiakini.
“Jadi kita menggesa kerajaan memberi perhatian yang lebih kepada bukan Islam.”
Beliau diminta mengulas kontroversi kenyataan ahli parlimen Taiping, Nga Kor Ming, di Parlimen berhubung peruntukan besar kerajaan dalam membina rumah ibadat Islam dan tetapi kecil sahaja peruntukan untuk bukan Islam.
Kenyataan Nga, juga setiausaha DAP Perak, itu merujuk jawapan seorang menteri bahawa kerajaan memperuntukkan RM748.26 juta untuk membina dan menyelenggara 611 masjid tetapi hanya RM9 juta diagihkan untuk tujuan agama bukan Islam, iaitu 1.2 peratus sahaja.
Susulan kenyataan tersebut, beberapa tokoh dan NGO mempertikaikan Nga dengan alasan beliau tidak wajar mengungkitkan peruntukan untuk membina masjid kerana perlembagaan mengiktiraf Islam sebagai agama rasmi.
Amidi, yang kini memangku jawatan presiden Abim, berkata kerajaan seharusnya mengikut contoh Rasulullah yang bersikap adil kepada penganut agama lain sewaktu memimpin di Madinah.
“Jadi selaku kerajaan yang memerintah, kerajaan juga seharusnya mencontohi Rasulullah SAW, terutama dari sudut peruntukan kepada bukan Islam,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, ABIM menyokong jika kerajaan juga memberi perhatian kepada kesejahteraan agama lain memandangkan masalah sosial yang semakin banyak berlaku.
Disoal sama ada kerajaan harus menambah peruntukan bukan Islam, Amidi berkata kerajaan bukan sahaja harus menambahkan peruntukan tetapi juga perhatian untuk melahirkan masyarakat beragama di Malaysia.
Bagaimanapun pembahagian itu juga harus menepati lunas Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang meletakkan Islam sebagai agama rasmi negara.
“Maka satu masyarakat yang beragama harus menjadi satu ciri kepada rakyat Malaysia,” katanya.
“Ia juga membolehkan masyarakat agama lain mempraktikan ajaran agama mereka tanpa dipengaruhi oleh mana-mana pihak.”
Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) pula menyifatkan “tidak elok” dibandingkan peruntukan untuk masjid dengan rumah ibadat bukan Islam.
“Tidak elok dikaitkan bersama. Permohonan peruntukan (orang bukan Islam) boleh dimajukan tanpa dikaitkan dengan (peruntukkan) umat Islam,” kata presidennya Zaid Kamaruddin.
“Penganut bukan Islam boleh memohon untuk rumah ibadat mereka secara berasingan.”
Ditanya kewajaran kerajaan menambah peruntukan kepada rumah ibadat bukan Islam, beliau berkata menjadi tanggungjawab kerajaan untuk memastikan keperluan rakyat dipenuhi tanpa mengira bangsa dan agama.
Manakala Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) pula berkata mengikut tafsiran Islam sebagai agama rasmi persekutuan, ia bermaksud kerajaan berhak mengeluarkan dana kepada orang Islam khususnya untuk pusat ibadat umat Islam.
“Jadi tidak timbul masalah ketaksamaan mengeluarkan dana kepada rumah ibadat Islam atau bukan,” kata presidennya Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz.
Mengulas kewajaran menambah peruntukan kepada bukan Islam, beliau berkata ia bergantung kepada keperluan masyarakat bukan Islam dan jumlah pertambahan penduduk bukan Islam di sesuatu kawasan.
“Populasi bertambah ramai, maka keperluan dana untuk rumah ibadat pun bertambah. Ia bergantung kepada keperluan. Tiada keperluan, tidak wajarlah ditambah.
“Begitu juga masjid atau surau, dana bergantung kepada keperluan pada satu kariah,” kata Muhammad Faisal.
While the uproar over the BTN continues, let’s look at what happens to some of our university students after they graduate.
The following was the answer received by Selayang MP William Leong in Parliament recently:
In 2004, there were 4,594 unemployed graduates of whom 163 were Chinese, 207 were Indians and 4,060 were Malays;
In 2005, there were 2,413 unemployed graduates of whom 31 were Chinese, 70 were Indians and 2,186 were Malays;
In 2006, there were 56,750 unemployed graduates of whom 1,110 were Chinese, 1,346 were Indians and 50,594 were Malays.
In 2007, there were 56,322 unemployed graduates of whom 1,348 were Chinese, 1,401 were Indians and 49,075 were Malays.
In 2008 (as of June) there were 47,910 unemployed graduates of whom 1,403 Chinese, 1,569 Indians and 49,075 were Malays.
This more or less tallied with the 47,733 active graduate registrants on the Malaysian Labour Exchange in June 2008.
By March 2009, Najib was talking about 60,000 unemployed graduates. This was more or less in line with the 57,701 graduate registrants on the Exchange in March 2009.
By October 2009, we were looking at 81,046 active graduate registrants on the Labour Exchange.
Clearly, we have a problem with unemployed graduates; what more those with diploma and other certificates.
Either we are producing graduates with skills that can’t be used/knowledge that cannot earn them a living or the skills and knowledge they have are not up to employers’ expectations. Or maybe they are not taught how to be independent and self-sufficient and how to put their skills and knowledge to good use. Perhaps they are spoon-fed so much they don’t have the ability to think analytically. Or maybe they are not taught how to do independent research and inquiry either.
Check out how much it costs to re-train these graduates here.
We demand that they recognise these two subjects because their move is actually marginalising our mother-tongue," Thiruvenggadam (left) said.The action followed protests from the Indian and Chinese communities which feared that the move will eventually marginalise vernacular schools.
Soon after the new decision was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, it was endorsed by Wee, saying that this will benefit the Chinese community and those in vernacular schools.
In the case of Indian students, they will be allowed to sit for the Tamil Language and Tamil Literature papers but will not be recognised and considered in the overall SPM results and for scholarship purposes unless it is for language-related jobs such as teachers.
However, argued Thiruvenggadam, it is unfair for the government to come up with such a decision as the students' future is at stake.
"How can students decide at the Form Five level, to become teachers? Nobody knows. Even us, grown adults who have gone through the SPM, we could never decide our future career in Form Five. No way," he said.
Five resolutions get the nod
Around 400 people from various Indian NGO's participated in the forum which adopted five resolutions including the following;
(Thiruvenggadam argued that the educationalists "have been there longer than the education ministers who always come and go while the educationalists have full knowledge of the real issues.")
Thiruvenggadam said he hopes to meet MIC vice-president and Human Resource Minister S Subramaniam, who was directed yesterday to continuously hold discussions with the education ministry to resolve the ongoing dispute.
No confidence vote
However, Thiruvenggadam is sceptical of any positive outcome as he reckons that Subramaniam's request was born out the pressure that the issue had generated.
"The reconsideration came after the cabinet has already made its decision... time and time again why are such controversial decisions made in the first place?
"But, yes of course I'd like to see him. I have spoken to him over the phone and he said he wanted to meet me," he said.
Despite all this, Thiruvenggadam pointed out that Indian ministers could have done something about the issue a long time ago instead of just kow towing.
"They said they represent the Indians, but why agree to such a decision?" he asked.
Today's forum also saw the attendance of ousted Perak DAP speaker V Sivakumar, PKR MP N Gobalakrishnan and Kampung Tunku DAP assemblyperson Lau Weng San.
Sivakumar when met after the function told reporters that the issue can be resolved.
"This is a simple administration matter that can be solved by the education minister.
He added that he is campaigning in support of this movement in his constituency, Tronoh.
"I was surprised to know that many on the ground aren't aware of this problem.
The group would be handing the 5-point memorandum to the Education Ministry at 11 am on Dec 16.
The 4 Hindraf lawyers were arrested on that fateful day.
On that day, the main protagonist among the power elite, UMNO now began a phase of open assault on the Indian community. Before the 13th of December, they had operated in a behind the scene conniving relationship of the Tuan-Mandore type. Tuan UMNO and Mandore MIC. On the 13th of December 2007, all that changed. The Tuan’s hand lay exposed.
Before that day, they had used subtler and I daresay treacherous methods of
control of this ‘noisy Keling’ community . They had slanted the perceptions of these ‘Kelings’ using the media by creating illusions of a benevolent government. They had bought influence through bribing and throwing crumbs at the impoverished and marginalized ‘Kelings’. They had kept the ‘Kelings’ ignorant and misinformed, They had taken away any modicum of true leadership for these otherwise ‘noisy Kelings’.
The Indians had awakened to this grand drama of 50 years and it was all upturned on the 25th of Nov 2007. On that day the Indians saw a way to marshall their discontent in one synchronous flow. Getting together and throwing away all illusions, they united and in one grand stand that day, they showed a very strong hand. A hand that reverbrated and had the capacity to change the political landscape.
That was too threatening to the ruling power elite of the country. Their 50 year, Tuan Mandore game was up. There was to be no more waiting. The gloves came off 18 days after the Grand Hindraf Rally on the 13th of December 2007. The ‘kecoh Keling’ had to be dealt with and disposed off as had been done to various other rebellions in the past – through force, through fear, through intrigue and through treachery directly and openly by the Tuans themselves now..
That was the starting point for the “now-not-so invisible hand” of the power elite to begin its machinations against this restless Indian populace.
· Put away the leader, Uthayakumar using the Internal Security Act
· Introduce a special branch mole into the rebellion, and elevate him to the status of a leader.
· Create an illusion of a split among the 5 arrested on the 13th by manipulating them during the detention.
· Confuse the awakened Indians by reporting in the media the damage being done by the mole barely a month into the detention period.
· Give the power elite controlled mainstream media, full latitude to spread falsehoods by playing up the cooked up claims and allegations of the mole against the true leader of Hindraf.
· Link the Hindraf movement to the LTTE with fabricated evidence – ala Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq.
· Persecute the movement that started all this by more arrests and more unjust charges in court.
· Outlaw Hindraf altogether.
The 13th of December signified the beginning of this assault which continues till today two years after, in so many ways. I project the assault will continue till there is a completely new concept of the Malaysian Nation and of completely new National policies. Policies which fully recognizes the rights of every citizen regardless of ethnicity and makes reparation for the damages and neglect of the Indian marginalized over the last 50 plus years.
As Uthayakumar says in the video before his ISA arrest, he is prepared to lead the Indian community till the objectives are reached. He is not intimidated by threats to his personal liberty. He will continue to struggle because there is just no other choice to throw off this mantle of tyranny and injustice. The privileged few are not going to change just for the asking. So Uthayakumar will continue his struggle and we will be there with him in that struggle as will many of you . There will therefore be more Dec 13th s until this system based on tyranny and injustice is totally demolished.
We will see more December 13ths………………..
Viva la Makkal.