Sweden drops rape accusation against founder of WikiLeaks

Stockholm, Sweden (CNN) -- Swedish authorities say they have revoked an arrest warrant that had alleged rape against Julian Assange, the founder and editor of the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, less than a day after issuing it.

Assange is "no longer wanted" and "is not suspected of rape," Chief Prosecutor Eva Finne said in a statement posted on the agency's official website Saturday. He is also no longer arrested in absentia, the statement said.

The arrest warrant filed Friday had also mentioned a molestation charge, but molestation -- which is not limited to child victims in Sweden -- is not a crime punishable behind bars in Sweden.

Karin Rosander, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office, told CNN affiliate TV4 that Assange is still being investigated for molestation. Earlier, Rosander told CNN that Assange was arrested in absentia Friday night, and faced charges in relation to two separate instances, but she did not have more detail about when the alleged crimes occurred or the identities of the alleged victims.

Assange denied the allegations in a posting Saturday on the WikiLeaks Twitter page, saying, "The charges are without basis and their issue at this moment is deeply disturbing."

WikiLeaks had also called the arrest a "dirty" trick in a Twitter post early Saturday morning.

Assange was in Sweden last weekend, but it wasn't clear whether he was still in the country and, thus, couldn't be reached for comment.

Rosander told TV4 that the decision to make the arrest was made by an "on-call prosecutor," and that the arrest was revoked Saturday by the chief prosecutor. Rosander said such differences in prosecutorial judgment are common in Sweden.

She also said she does not believe that Assange had contacted police yet.

Swedish media, citing unnamed sources, reported that two women, ages 20 and 30, took the allegations against Assange to police Friday, leading to the warrant issued by the first prosecutor. The AftonBladet, a respected Swedish daily, said the 30-year-old woman told the newspaper that the younger woman approached her with a story similar to hers -- that she had consensual sex with Assange but that the situation had turned abusive.

Rosander would not confirm the reports.

An elusive figure, Assange reportedly lives part-time in Sweden. He told the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet this week that he chose Sweden to host several servers for WikiLeaks because of the country's privacy laws.

He also told the paper, in an interview published Monday, that he had been in Sweden because he wanted a safe place to go after the high-profile leak of U.S. documents related to the war in Afghanistan.

A statement was posted by the "WikiLeaks team" on the website earlier Saturday, saying, "We are deeply concerned about the seriousness of these allegations. We the people behind WikiLeaks think highly of Julian and and he has our full support."

WikiLeaks will continue its work as "Julian is focusing on his defenses and clearing his name," the statement said.

WikiLeaks has sparked major controversy by posting some 76,000 pages of the Afghan documents online last month, in what was called the biggest leak since the Pentagon Papers about the Vietnam War.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates criticized the leak, saying it would have a significant negative impact on troops and allies, revealing techniques and procedures.

Assange has defended the leak by saying it can help shape the public's understanding of the war. He said the material was of no operational significance and that WikiLeaks tried to ensure the material did not put innocent people at risk.

Assange reportedly has spent his life developing the tech skills needed to set up WikiLeaks. When he was a teenager in Melbourne, Australia, he belonged to a hacker collective called the International Subversives, according to the magazine Mother Jones.

He eventually pleaded guilty to multiple counts of breaking into Australian government and commercial websites to test their security gaps, but was released on bond for "good behavior," the magazine said.

As WikiLeaks has grown and published increasingly high-profile items, Assange has found himself the target of what he says are many legal attacks -- though not necessarily of the type he now faces in Sweden.

"In my role as Wikileaks editor, I've been involved in fighting off many legal attacks," Assange said in an e-mail to the BBC earlier this year. "To do that, and keep our sources safe, we have had to spread assets, encrypt everything, and move telecommunications and people around the world to activate protective laws in different national jurisdictions.

"We've become good at it, and never lost a case, or a source, but we can't expect everyone to go through the extraordinary efforts that we do."

In a news conference following the release of the Afghan documents, Assange said the site has 800 part-time volunteers and a loose network of 70,000 "supporters."

Tamil daily editor receives death threat

MS Maryanandy, the editor-in-chief of Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban today lodged a police report claiming he had received a death threat over the telephone.

Maryanandy said an Indian youth telephoned him at about 9pm yesterday and issued the threat after hurling some abusive words.

"Speaking in Tamil, he threatened to kill me and attack the Malaysia Nanban newspaper office if the daily continues to report on the problems of Indians," he told reporters after making the report at the Sentul police headquarters.

Maryanandy also said that a director of the newspaper, Shafee Zaman Sikandar Batcha, received a death threat and a similar warning about the publication over the telephone 10 minutes before he did.

He said the newspaper reported the news in the hope of seeking solutions to the problems faced by the Indian community.

"All the news is neutral. We do not take sides," he said.

Sentul police chief ASP Zakaria Pagan confirmed receiving the police report and said the matter would be investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

- Bernama

Malaysian Court of Appeal denies justice to Hindu widow whose husband’s body was snatched by Islamic extremist state.

And neither will this widow Kaliammal get justice in the Federal Court, Malay-sia’s highest Court.
The Court of Appeal held that only the Syariah Court can hear an alleged conversion to Islam of her husband which the widow has no knowledge. But in full knowledge that Madam Kaliammal and her non muslim lawyers are not even allowed to even step their foot in the Syariah Courts and no muslim lawyers will take up her case.
So much for Justice in One Malay-sia.
P.Uthayakumar

Penang tells Umno to stop politicising sermon issue

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 21 – Penang today told Umno to stop politicising claims that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s name was mentioned in Friday sermons, saying the Malay party should just lodge reports to police and the Islamic authorities for investigations.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman and state religious affairs executive councillor Abdul Malik Kassim however admitted that some prayer leaders had mentioned Lim’s (picture) name in the context of seeking Allah’s grace to get the chief minister convert to Islam.

However, they maintained in a joint statement that Lim’s name was never used to replace the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as claimed by the state Umno and splashed in party-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia yesterday. Another Malay daily, Sinar Harian, also carried the report by state news agency Bernama.

“Let investigations be conducted. If the allegation is true, we will not think twice take action,” they said, adding that only “insane imams” would replace Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s name with Lim’s.

Yesterday, Malik denied Penang Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s allegations that Fridays sermon in several mosques in the state had replaced the name of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin with Lim’s.

He said the state or the religious affairs department have not received or issued any directive regarding the issue.

Mansor and Malik today said “Umno’s dirty politics have tarnished the names of khatibs and imams in the state”.

“Some mosque committee members have backed Umno’s allegation by claiming that Lim’s name was indeed used in Friday sermons. However, his name was used in a different context where it was prayed that Allah would show him the right path for him [Lim] to embrace Islam,” they said.

They said the allegation was serious because it could incite anger and hatred between the different races in the state.

They added that the allegation also victimised Lim who had never gotten himself involved in the state’s religious administration.

“Lim Guan Eng was the first among all mentri besars to ban sports betting in the state. Is Umno holding a grudge against him because although he was not a Muslim, he humiliated Umno by being the first to ban sports betting which was legalised by Umno?” they asked.

Both PKR leaders also said Umno’s efforts to portray the state government as discriminating the Malays and Islam will not succeed as the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administration had done more for the community than previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administrations.

They cited the doubling of allocations for Islamic affairs administration from RM12.3 million in 2008 to RM24.3 million in 2010 and contributions for the fasting month and for religious schools.

“Is BN and Umno angry that the Chief Minister is willing to attend Islamic religious events, such as the Ihya Ramadan contribution, Maulidur Rasul and organising breaking of fast events at Penang mosques which wasn’t done by previous chief ministers?” they asked.

The truth: Racism is rife in Malaysia

By Qayum Rahman
KUALA LUMPUR: From housing to jobs, education to citizenry, bigotry in Malaysia is a simmering cauldron.
Since MCA’s boldly brazen demand last weekend for an end to the 30% bumiputera equity, it’s not only the politicians and NGOs who are openly slamming each other over a broad range of unfair policies but the man-on-the-street is also spewing his disgust.

In Kuala Lumpur, a recently married engineer, who declined to be named, said he had trouble renting a double-storey property in a housing estate in Old Klang Road because he was Indian.

“It’s not the first time I have faced this problem. A Chinese landlord is not likely to rent you a room or house. It took me three months to find a landlord who would rent a house to us and even then we had to reassure him many times... I had to show him my payslips!” he said.

In Penang, Nabriza Ghazali, a private sector employee, said racism was rife in the commercial sector which is controlled by the Chinese community.

She said the situation was so bad that it was difficult for Malays and Indians to secure high-paying jobs in certain sectors although they had the right qualification.

“Many Malays and Indians who have been in employment for years and who are qualified for higher posts don’t move up. This is mostly because the Chinese who are less qualified and with lesser experience are given priority.

“I have had the experience of going for a job interview and the first question they asked me was if I knew Chinese. The employer said their company was looking for someone who was fluent in Chinese to liaise with other employees,” she said.

Another employee, Edmand Steven Grumach, echoed Nabriza’s views.

He said many private sector workers in Penang had problems “even getting an interview” because many of the large companies including the manufacturing sector required employees to speak Chinese.

“This condition is not applicable to low-paying jobs… it clearly shows the racist attitudes by employers. As a private sector employee, I hope that companies in Penang will not be bias and provide all with equal job opportunities,” he said.

Now an open truth

According to Penang Malay Association deputy chairman Azmi Merican, racism in the job sector was now an open truth.

“It has become so extreme that it is denying Malays and Indians of opportunities in the private sector. Race has always been a priority with the Chinese and the majority of Malays and Indians have been deprived of employment opportunities for irrational reasons.

“Among the reasons made mandatory in the Penang private sector is that applicants must be fluent in the Chinese language and most of the positions are limited to the Chinese community.

“Many of the positions advertised in the papers carry this condition. It is a subtle oppression of the Malays and Indians in Penang,” he said.

Azmi said even if there were Malays and Indians who met the criteria, the salary scale offered to them as compared to the Chinese, was different.

“Now it's the new Chinese community which controls the private sector in Penang. But what was once a subtle practice of racism was now open and obvious. The Chinese are always touching on bumiputera equity but the Malays don’t complain about their (Chinese) racist practices in the commercial sector,” he told FMT.

Azmi said although it was understood that the Chinese community practiced double standards it had never been raised as an issue but now they (the Chinese) were openly voicing their dissatisfaction with the Malays and the policies enshrined in the constitution.

"If the Malay and Indian communities don’t voice up to the way the Chinese treat them than they will continue to be sidelined,” he said.

Missing billions: Taib in the spotlight again

By FMT Staff

KUCHING: The so-called “billionaire” Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is back in the news. This time for the RM1.825 billion allocated to “persons unknown” in 2009.

In an explosive revelation, investigators claimed that the amount represented more than half of the State Development Budget.

Sarawak Report, in disclosing the figures, made available in a DAP report, said Taib failed to account for RM4.8 billion of government expenditure over the past three years alone (2009 included).

Below are excerpts of the article which appeared in the portal.

Secret projects:
DAP, which recently triumphed over Barisan Nasional in the Sibu by-election, has produced a closely argued Alternative Budget for 2010, in which they demand a return to proper accounting methods, so that taxpayers can know exactly how their money has been spent.

This is their right and it is also Malaysian law, in line with the rest of the civilised world.

DAP figures show that Taib has not only reserved 80% of the state’s entire Development Budget to the three ministries controlled directly by him, but that shockingly, most of that money has been spent on “secret projects” about which he has provided zero information.

Under the circumstances, the people of Sarawak are entitled to assume that the money has been stolen.

Taib appears to think he can get away with not telling the people where he has decided to spend this money, but we can be certain that none of these secret projects benefitted the impoverished people whose lands he has taken for palm plantations now owned by his family and friends.

So what is going on and how has all this money disappeared? DAP budget documents provide a detailed analysis.

Firstly, it outlines the extraordinary level of personal control that Taib has assumed over Sarawak’s expenditure.

The septuagenarian personally manages the three main spending departments in the state. This means that almost every spending decision has to go through him and that no other minister can do anything without getting his permission.

In particular his three ministries (the Finance Ministry, Planning and Resources Ministry and Chief Ministry) together control 80% of the Development Budget, which alone accounts for around three quarters of all money spent, although it is argued that many of the projects would more sensibly belong under different departments.

Secondly, the documents explain the secretive system that the chief minister has developed for allocating more than half of this huge sum of money.

Where is the money going?

Over the past years, Taib employed a highly mysterious expenditure category termed “Government Contribution towards Approved Agencies Trust Fund” into which this money is channelled.

There is no specification as to who these “Approved Agencies” are or which Trust Fund is being referred to and the government has consistently refused requests for information on the subject.

It could be going to his aunty, his sister, cousins, kids, or mistress... how is anyone supposed to know and what right has he to keep it secret?

Thus, in 2009 RM1.825 billion (59.3% of the total state budget of RM2.430 billion) is unaccounted for in the Development Budget, according to DAP's calculation.

In 2008, it was RM1.719 billion (60% of the total RM2.865 billion) and in 2007, it was RM1.257 billionn (54.8% of the total RM2.294 billion).

DAP raised a valid question as to what is the point of carefully auditing 40% of the budget if the remaining 60% is kept secret?

Legal battle over Iban land

By FMT Staff

KUCHING: It’s a perennial tale of Sarawak natives battling for their land against corportate outfits and the state government. Taking a stand on Wednesday, 80 representatives from three longhouses turned up at the Kuching High Court to face BLD Resources Sdn Bhd. The much anticipated trial of the residents of Rumah Ranggong longhouse against BLD Resources, the Sarawak Land and Survey Department and the Sarawak government got off to a lively start with the representatives of the longhouse holding a peaceful demonstration in front of the court complex.

The representatives came in two buses and congregated in front of the court complex at 9am. They held a short demonstration before proceeding into the court house where the trial started at 10am.

Three witnesses from three neighbouring longhouses were called to testify and acknowledged the existence of the native customary rights (NCR) claims of the residents of Rumah Ranggong and their communal boundary between them.

The three witnesses are Tuai Rumah Belili anak Liom from Rumah Belili, Buak anak Jenau from Rumah Ampau and Tuai Rumah Umpor Anak Lunsa from Rumah Umpor.

At 4pm, the trial was adjourned. The next hearing was set for Jan 24 –28, 2011.

Sued for trespassing

In 2008, BLD Resources sued Changgai Anak Dali, an Iban, for allegedly trespassing into BLD's plantation.

Changgai disputed this suit saying that he and the residents of Rumah Ranggong have NCR over the said land.

In 1999, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between BLD Sdn Bhd (sister company of BLD Resources), Sarawak Land Development Board (SLDB) and the NCR landowners at Ulu Niah, where Rumah Belili and Rumah Ranggong were the participating longhouses, to develop the Ulu Niah NCR land based on the joint venture project called “konsep baru”.

However in 2008, Changgai and his fellow villagers discovered to their horror that their NCR JV project was cancelled - reason given was the government made a mistake saying the land is NCR.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu and the then Sarawak Minister for Housing Celestine Ujang handed out the 10% upfront payment worth RM294,990 in 2001 to the participants of the scheme.

The promised dividends or bonus payments for the participants of the scheme were not paid until 10 years later when the residents protested against BLD's suit.

In 2008, Jabu in an attempt to pacify the angry villagers handed a cheque amounting to RM436,708.20 in dividends and bonuses to 226 participants of the Ulu Niah NCR Joint Venture Project.

However, the suit made by BLD against them was not withdrawn and worse still, the state government does not recognise the land as NCR.

In court on Wednesday, Judge Albert Linton presided while Harrison Ngau Laing represented the Plaintiffs headed by Changgai Anak Dali and a few others from Rumah Ranggong.

George Lo represented the first defendant, BLD Resources Sdn. Bhd. and Joseph Cheoh represented the Sarawak Land and Surveys Department and the Sarawak State Government.

Victims cry foul, lodge report against police

By Zefry Dahalan - Free Malaysia Today

SEREMBAN: It was an improbable story. Four family members were beaten up in their house by a gang of 20 thugs. Three of the victims lodged a police report, but two were promptly arrested.

Now the two victims have lodged a report against the Rembau district police for alleged abuse of power.

It all started on Aug 15 when the gang entered the house of E Nadeson at Ladang Perhentian Tinggi, Sungai Gadut.

Using helmets, wood and bottle, they assaulted Nadeson, 48, his wife, his six-month pregnant daughter and his son-in-law S Sivakumar, 25.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia Negri Sembilan secretary S Tinagaran, who spoke on the victims' behalf, said Nadeson called the police who arrived 40 minutes later after the attack.

Nadeson's wife, daughter and Sivakumar were taken in an ambulance to the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital.

Sivakumar received six stitches on his head, while his wife who sustained wounds to her abdomen is still in the hospital.

"On Aug 16, Nadeson, his wife and Sivakumar lodged a report at the Rembau district police. After an officer recorded the statement, both Nadeson and Sivakumar were arrested under the Riots Act,” Tinagaran said.

"Why did the police use the Riots Act to arrest the victims? They arrested only three of the assailants.

"On Aug 17, all five were released,” Tinagaran said at a press conference yesterday.

He said he was puzzled why Nadeson and Sivakumar were held in the first place.

"We want to know why the victims were arrested. We also want to know why the three assailants were released.”

No confidence in police

Tinagaran said the two victims want an investigating officer from the Negri Sembilan headquarters
to take over the case.

"They don't have confidence in the IO from Rembau,” he added.

Tinagaran also want the police to give protection to Nadeson and his family.

He also questioned why the Rembau police have still not given them a copy of the police report lodged by Nadeson and Sivakumar.

"I was told by Nadeson and Sivakumar that the Rembau police will only give the copy once they are represented by a lawyer," he said.

Meanwhile, Rembau PKR secretary Norazizi Abdul Aziz said the incident showed the public no longer trust the police institution.

"Where is the justice when the victims were assaulted in their own house by outsiders, and yet the police arrested the victims?

"I want an explanation from the state police chief, Inspector-General of Police and Minister of Home Affairs. We want to know what is happening in the police force,” Norazizi said.

Later, Tinagaran, Norazizi and other state PKR leaders accompanied Nadeson and Sivakumar to lodge a report at the Seremban police station, which is next to the police headquarters.

Manogaran to Muhyiddin: You are a hypocrite

By Zefry Dahalan
TELUK INTAN: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today was accused of putting on an act when he ordered the setting up of a task force to investigate allegations that a school principal had made racial slurs against her students.
Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran slammed Muhyiddin for being hypocritcal and double-faced about the whole affair.

In the incident on Aug 12, SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra principal Siti Inshah Mansor allegedly uttered offensive remarks against non-Malay Muslim pupils during the launching of the school's national day celebrations.

Siti Inshah was reported to have said that "Chinese students should go back to China" and likened Indian students to "dogs".

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, ordered the setting up of the task force to be headed by ministry's deputy secretary-general (management) Rosli Mohamed.

Said Manogoran: “He (Muhyiddin) is merely play acting. He should know that the Biro Tata Negara (BTN or National Civics Bureau) emphasises racial hatred in its training modules.”

"Doesn't he know that principals, headmasters, teachers and civil servants sent to BTN for so-called self-motivational courses are indoctrinated to hate other races?”

"Principals or teachers should use common sense and be sensitive about other races. But I blame the government for this kind of incident.

"Where are we heading if the government stirs up racial sentiments with the Malays through BTN courses?”

Manogaran also said it was common to see Indians or Chinese being treated rudely when they deal with government departments.

He added that the BTN courses conducted by the Umno-BN government are merely aimed at making Malays hate non-Malays.

He said he doesn't have any confidence that Muhyiddin, the State Education Department or Public Service Department will take action against the principal.

"The most they will do is tranfer her to another school or give her a warning. This is just to appease the disgruntled parents,” he added.

NGO hits out at racist 'venomous' principal

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: A local "racial unity" NGO has condemned the recent alleged racist remarks by the school principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in Kulai, Johor. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) said its members were appalled that such "venomous bigotry... has emanated from an educator entrusted with shaping the character of our Anak Bangsa Malaysia".

"We are saddened that the alleged remarks go against the very precepts of Rukunegara that schoolchildren have been religiously reciting for the past 40 years," said SABM in a statement.

"It is equally distressing to note that she is the head of the school that carries the name of our beloved Bapa Malaysia!"

SABM also condemned the initial response from the Ministry of Education in saying that the incident was a “misunderstanding” arising from “miscommunication”.

However, SAMB welcomed the ministry's move to establish a task force to investigate the incident following widespread public outcry.

"We hope that the task force will conduct a full, fair and transparent investigation and the report will be made public. We call upon the government to take expeditious action in implementing the recommendations of the task force," said SABM.

"We urge all Malaysians to send a clear and unequivocal message that we as a civilized society will not condone any form of racism, which seems to have reared its ugly head in recent times in our beloved land."

In the incident on Aug 12, SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra principal Siti Inshah Mansor allegedly uttered derogatory, offensive, insensitive and racist statements against non-Malay Muslim pupils during the launching of the school's national day celebrations.

The principal was reported to have said that "Chinese students should go back to China" and likened Indian students to "dogs".

The principal had also allegedly labelled non-Malays as “penumpang” (passengers) in the country during her speech.

Early last week, a second case of a “racist principal” also emerged in Kedah.

A principal was reported to have allegedly told off several non-Muslim students to "balik negara asal China" at a national school in Bukit Selambau, Sungai Petani.

It was reported that the principal had scolded the students for taking breakfast at the school compound, saying they were insensitive because Muslim students are fasting. At that time, the canteen was closed.

Why I say Muslims don’t understand Islam

Islam says that 124,000 Prophets were sent by God although only 25 are mentioned by name in the Quran. And, according to Islam, every community without exception received a Prophet, sometimes more than one at one time.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

This was a comment posted yesterday by Malay Ultraman in my article The perception of right and wrong:

Salam and greetings.

Faith is so precious. Yet, it doesn’t carry a price tag. It can’t be bought or sold. Even a father can’t transfer the same faith to his children.

Being a Muslim, as what being written in scriptures, Allah had sent down thousands of anointed prophets since Adam pbuh until prophet Muhammad pbuh.

When the prophets delivered the message about "ilah" and the only God, there were sceptics, denials and rejection very much like what we are seeing in MT. These people asking questions like "why can’t God send an angel rather than a mere human being? Why can’t God descend himself? Why can’t we worship whatever we like? Why can’t we do whatever we enjoy to do?” Why is this, why is that, all kind of intelligent questions, and very much like we are seeing now.

YM Raja Petra, you are very smart. I believe you have read Surah Yassin and read the translation as well. Then, you can relate your piece of writing to Yassin. See how it works.

May Allah bless you, Insyallah.

By the way, MT has always been a good platform to bash Islam. I never see anybody bash other religions. What a great job! I hope you are not advocating Atheism.

**********************************************

I really don’t know what Malay Ultraman is trying to say. What is the point he is trying to make?

This is the problem with some ‘apologists’. They feel it is their religious duty to ‘defend’ Islam but they don’t understand what the issue is and are certainly less equipped to engage in a debate.

If you had understood what I wrote, you will see that my article was not an Islam bashing article at all. In fact, it is not even about Islam. For all intents and purposes, it should be the Christians who should be upset with me, not Muslims like Malay Ultraman.

My article talks about the Christian era of almost 2,000 years ago. I was of course not specific but any learned person would know that I was talking about Nicaea of the 300s, an era before Islam. This was a city that is now in Turkey but then part of the Eastern Roman Empire under Constantine. Resulting from this, the Nicene Creed was adopted and, more than 50 years later, the doctrine of the Trinity became the akidah (foundation) of the Christian faith.

Malay Ultraman, Islam was even not around yet then.

Of course, just like in all religions, Islam included, not every Christian accepted this and many opposed what was decided in the 300s. And those who rejected the ‘new Christianity’ were persecuted and killed.

That was what I was referring to.

Christianity came to England’s shores around the years 100-200 and for more than 1,000 years England was under papal authority. Then, around the 1500s, during the reign of King Henry VIII, England broke away from Rome and the Church of England was founded.

York refused to adopt the ‘new Christianity’ and it revolted and tried to declare its independence from England. The revolution was put down and the leaders all hanged and their bodies left to rot. Henry VIII also ordered all the churches in York to be burned to the ground.

That, Malay Ultraman, is what I was talking about in my article and I even mentioned that until today no Catholic can sit on the throne of England or became the British Prime Minister. Remember the case of Tony Blair who converted to Catholicism only after he retired as Prime Minister?

So, Malay Ultraman, you need to read more than just the Surah Yassin, as you suggested I do. The issue has nothing to do with the Surah Yassin or even Islam. And, as I said, if anyone should get upset it should be the Christians, not you.

You mentioned ‘angels’ in your comment. I take it you are talking about Malaikat. Are you aware that Malaikat comes from the word Mal’akh, which is a Hebrew word meaning a messenger of God or an angelic envoy?

You also mentioned ‘ilah’. Il or El means God for both the pagan and Israeli religions. And Ilahi means ‘The God’ or the Chief of Gods. So the word existed before Islam and was even a word that pagans used for God.

Malay Ultraman, Muslims must read more than just the Quran, the Surah Yassin of course being one small part of the Quran. I also suggest you read more than just the scriptures. And when I mention scriptures you take it I am talking about the one sent down to Prophet Muhammad whereas there is more than just one scripture.

Malay Ultraman, you also talk about the thousands of Prophets whom God sent to humankind. Islam says that 124,000 Prophets were sent by God although only 25 are mentioned by name in the Quran. And, according to Islam, every community without exception received a Prophet, sometimes more than one at one time.

What is the purpose of Islam telling us all this? Why not just talk about Prophet Muhammad and leave it at that? Why talk about 124,000 Prophets and tell us that every community has received a Prophet from God?

So you see, Malay Ultraman, there is still much we need to learn and things may not be exactly what we think they are.

My pursuit of religious knowledge is not focused on trying to learn about the differences between the many religions. I am exploring the possibility that there is only one religion. You, Malay Ultraman, would say that there is only one religion, Islam, and that all other religions are false. Yes, I have heard that argument thousands of times from fellow Muslims.

I am not about to agree or disagree with that. I reserve judgment at this stage mainly because I consider myself not yet fully learned enough to come to any conclusions. And I admit I am still looking for the answers.

So what is the focus of my research then? Simple. Is there a possibility that there is actually only one religion and that through the ages it transformed and mutated into versions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and so on?

In other words, what is the oldest religion? And did this religion change over time so that, for example, the religion of Moses is an improved version of the religion of Abraham and the religion of Jesus is an improved version of the religion of Moses and the religion of Muhammad is an improved version of the religion of Jesus?

Is this far fetched? If it is then why would the Quran say that the true believers or submitters (Muslim) are those followers of Moses and followers of Jesus who abide to the teachings of Abraham? And do we not call Judaism, Christianity and Islam the Abrahamic faiths, which means the roots are all in Abraham’s teachings, as what the Quran declares?

Note that the Quran says the followers of Moses and Jesus who follow the teachings of Abraham. The Quran does not even mention the followers of Muhammad in that particular verse.

So, if all religions are merely new versions of the old religion then we should go back even further -- before Moses, Jesus or Muhammad -- and see where it all started. This would then take us to what Islam calls the Majusi or fire worshippers. Islam regards these as also ‘People of the Book’, which means Islam recognises this religion.

Yes, Zoroastrianism, the religion I am talking about, overlaps Islam in many areas. They also have the kabah and the practice of tawaf and they take wuduk before they conduct the ritualistic prayers just like in Islam, and much more.

So, Malay Ultraman, hold your horses and don’t be too quick to label any discussion on religion as an Islam bashing exercise. And when I talk about faith that is not meant to bash Islam. It is meant to show that faith can make us accept what cannot be proven, that is all. And religion needs faith because without it we would never believe in religion since very little can be proven according to modern standards of what is considered proof.

Why fast during Ramadan if one is non-Muslim?

Sideways by Deborah Loh | The Nut Graph

Buka puasa! (© Amrufm | Flickr)

HOW many non-Muslims do you know who fast during Ramadan? And why would they?
So far, I’ve found two non-Muslims who are conscientiously fasting the whole of Ramadan. Of these two, one fasts the Muslim way, eating only at sahur and iftar in accordance with the Muslim prayer times. The other doesn’t follow the fasting timetable and does a partial fast of eating only one meal a day at dinner.
There were more I spoke to who said they fast but only for a day or two out of the entire month of Ramadan. For this, what I call the “casual” group, fasting usually means skipping lunch and only eating in the evening, usually because a buka puasa buffet feast with Muslim friends has been planned in advanced.
The reasons for non-Muslims fasting during Ramadan included a) wanting a personal challenge, b) to accompany Muslim friends or colleagues, or c) to show solidarity.
Showing solidarity. Er, but why?

(© zainiabdullahpjk@zakulaan | Flickr)

It’s “to show solidarity” which intrigues me the most. I’ve found that overall, among non-Muslims who’ve fasted during Ramadan whether conscientiously or casually, “solidarity” was the first thing off the top of their heads when I asked why they did it.
And yet, just what does “showing solidarity” mean in our context where Muslims and Malay Malaysians are the majority? And where non-Muslims have to abide, not by choice but by decree, to various directives such as a ban on new non-Muslim clubs in schools and a ban on using the word “Allah” when it isn’t exclusive to Islam?
Or where non-Muslims have no say in the unilateral conversion of children if one’s spouse converts to Islam, and have to give up burial rights over a deceased Muslim family member’s body? Why should solidarity be shown with the majority if such are the circumstances for the minority?
Unpacking solidarity
Maybe I am totally wrong in looking at solidarity this way. Maybe I am taking politics too personally. But I think, after awhile, even the toughest of cynics cannot help but feel disheartened and resentful of the frequent labelling of non-Malay Malaysians, and by extension, non-Muslims, as “pendatang”, as ingrates, and as plotters who will one day take over the country.
As if to reinforce the position of non-Muslim citizens in Malaysia, the cow-head protestors were merely fined RM1,000 for illegal assembly, no charges were pressed against the Al-Islam magazine reporters, and a police report has now been lodged against a church for staging a play during Ramadan.
How do I not let such insults and disrespect eat into me? One could say that it’s all just political posturing or media spin. And yes, that may be true but only some of the time.

Ahmad Ismail (source: Oriental Daily), against a map of Malaya (public domain. Source: wikipedia.org)

What about the times lesser-known figures like Datuk Ahmad Ismail, Datuk Nasir Safar, and most recently, a school principal in Kulaijaya, Johor, said similar things about non-Malay and non-Muslim Malaysians? These incidents suggest that it isn’t always just politics; that such views do have currency on the ground. Maybe Utusan Malaysia is merely reinforcing is subscribers’ perceptions.  Maybe Perkasa is just echoing the voice of its 200,000 members.

Confused, I asked two non-Muslims who fast during Ramadan why they do it and what they get out of it. It’s best to let their own words speak for themselves.
Tricia Yeoh, Selangor state government researcher:
“I observe the full fast timetable, waking up for sahur at dawn and breaking fast at iftar in the evening.
“Despite the fact that we [in Malaysia] are so exposed to different communities, many of us either can’t be bothered or don’t have the initiative to truly take the effort to understand the other.
“I don’t think [the question of solidarity with the majority or minority] matters. As a human being, my commitment and my responsibility is to do what I can to understand people and the environment around me.

Tricia Yeoh (pic courtesy of Tricia Yeoh)

“I want to know what makes people tick. And in order to do that, you have to enter into their world. Obviously [Ramadan] will not mean the same thing for me as it does for them because I lack the spiritual element which Muslims apply to it, but the physical fast is the extent to which I can enter into their world.
“[Disciplining the body also] makes you question whether there are other excesses I don’t need. It gets you focused on what’s important in life and often that comes back to the communal aspect of coming together as a family or as a people. I wake up for sahur alone in my house as I’m the only one in my family doing it, but knowing that there are hundreds of thousands of families all doing the same thing at the same time is special. As much as possible, I try to break fast with others who are Muslims.
“The communal experience is a beautiful thing that we sometimes lose in an increasingly individualistic society. But if we were to think bigger, then communal also means looking out for the nation’s best interests. Those who are fasting should be reminded that there’s a greater purpose out there and the borders between races ought to thin. It’s all the more essential for everyone to step into the shoes of the ‘other’ in this time and age. We all have to make these efforts, these baby steps.”
Dr Ong Kian Ming, political analyst and USCI lecturer:
“I don’t follow the fasting timetable strictly. I fast in the sense that I eat only one meal a day at dinner. It’s to stand in solidarity with Muslims and it is also good discipline for me. It’s about learning to control my physical appetite and is the part of Ramadan I find attractive — learning to mengawal nafsu, or controlling one’s desires.

Ong Kian Ming

“Showing solidarity is basically about just trying to understand my Muslim friends better. I’ve always been inspired by the book To Kill a Mockingbird, about standing in somebody’s shoes and seeing life from their point of view. It’s something we should all do, to understand and sensitise ourselves to others.
“Extending these ideas about controlling desires and understanding the other to a national level, I think we ought to fast from the desire to be accusatory of each other and instead try to see things from each other’s perspective.
“I also have a personal dimension to fasting and I’m fasting for Sarawak because of several issues — state elections might be held soon, the bumiputera rural population there have been severely neglected, and I’m fasting as a way of hoping that change will come for these people. I try to accompany my fast with prayer and to give to charity whatever money I save from not eating.”
Pockets of hope
I’m still not fully convinced about the need to show solidarity if that is the reason for participating in a Ramadan fast as a non-Muslim. Maybe I am selfish and want some kind of reciprocation in understanding, or I unnecessarily attach too much political baggage to the idea of adopting aspects of the dominant culture and religion.
I do agree, however, that it is important to step into the shoes of the other. And maybe the value of fasting and breaking fast with Muslim friends is to at least remember that despite the prevailing national rhetoric, there are still pockets of hope where genuine interfaith friendships exist.

MCCBCHST CALLS FOR A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL

Rev. Dr. Thomas Philips
President
MCCBCHST
21 August 2010

In the light of the latest, in an increasing line of provocative racist remarks, this time by a principal of a school in the state of Johor, MCCBCHST calls upon the authorities to take prompt, and appropriate action to demonstrate that such dastardly acts and words perpetrated by government servants regardless of their rank is not and will not be tolerated in Malaysia.

The Johor school incident occurring as it did in the runup to the coming National Day celebrations casts a sombre shadow over the nation’s commitment to a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society where all citizens can be guaranteed a shared destiny in Malaysia as Malaysians based on peace and justice.

The time has passed whereby mere platitudes and words from the national leadership and enforcement authorities in themselves will be enough. The nation needs just and fair actions rather than just words.

MCCBCHST calls for its component religious communities and all other Malaysians regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation to join together to pray that the sitting government will take responsibility to take appropriate action to stop blatant racist acts and utterances.

At the same time, let all peace-loving, fair-minded Malaysians join together to raise an unignorable chorus of disapproval against racism in all its forms.

LET US STOP RACISM BEFORE RACISM STOPS OUR NATION.

Bumiputera Equity: I Was Only Giving My View, Says Chua

IPOH, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said on Saturday, his speech at the recent Chinese Economic Congress which touched on the Bumiputera equity issue was just stating his views, not a form of demand.

He said that when such a congress took place, there would be views being voiced out.

Speaking at a news conference after chairing the Perak MCA meeting here, Chua said MCA welcomed the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, reminding leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to resolve problems in the BN spirit of consensus.

Chua said the party thanked the prime minister for the advice, which he said was in line with the BN's vast experience in dealing with issues of common interest.

The MCA president's remark at the congress, in which he called for the gradual removal of the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity, received a wave of protests particularly from Umno leaders and members.

In another development, Chua said the Perak MCA viewed the draft of the Ipoh Local Plan 2020 as an important document and would form a special committee to scrutinise it.

He said the committee would also carry out discussions and dialogues with traders, petty traders, school managements and other stakeholders affected by the plan.

"Input, suggestions and issues raised during the dialogue would be included in a memorandum to be forwarded to the state government for consideration," he said.

Costs soar after health services privatised

By Anil Netto,

Ever since health care support services in general hospitals were privatised, costs have soared.
In 1996, health care support services were privatised to three companies: Faber Medi-Serve Sdn Bhd (FMS), Radicare (M) Sdn Bhd and Pantai Medivest Sdn Bhd.
In 1997, the payments made to these companies added up to RM340 million, broken down as follows:

• Faber RM127m
• Radicare RM150m
• Pantai Medivest RM63m

In 2009, costs rocketed to over RM1.0 billion, made up as follows:

• Faber RM452m
• Radicare RM377m
• Pantai RM214m

For the 13 years from 1997 to 2009, the three companies were paid a total of RM8.7 billion, broken down as follows:

• Faber RM4.0b
• Radicare RM3.2b
• Pantai Rm1.5b

The above information was provided by Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai in response to an oral question in Parliament on 8 April 2010 by Dr Lee Boon Chye.  The MP for Gopeng had wanted to know how much was paid to these concessionaires .
Now, let’s look at Faber Medi-Serve (FMS) more closely.
In June 1995, the government decided to award the company a 15-year concession (hey, that means the concession ends this year!) “to manage, operate and provide five core support services to 71 out of the 123 MOH-owned hospitals”.
FMS’ business centres on clinical waste management, building and facility engineering management, linen and laundry, biomedical engineering, and cleansing and janitorial services.
FMS currently provides such support services to 75 public hospitals in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Sarawak and Sabah. The firm is a subsidiary of Faber Group Berhad and a member of the UEM Group of Companies.
The substantial shareholders of Faber Group Berhad as at 31 March 2010 are as follows:

• UEM Group Berhad 34.29% (direct)
• Khazanah Nasional Berhad 34.29% (indirect)#
• Universal Trustee (Malaysia) Berhad 23.42% (direct) (who is behind this?)

# Deemed interest by virtue of its substantial interest in UEM Group Berhad
According to its Annual Report 2009, Faber Group Berhad actually has a 43 per cent ownership interest and voting power in FMS. (Who owns the rest of FMS?)
For the year ending 31 December 2009, Faber Group Berhad posted a profit before tax of RM141 million on the back of turnover of RM805 million.

BN clamps down on more books, Chinese radio

By Nathaniel Tan,

Knowing full well how they feel, I wanted to express solidarity with Kim Quek, Amir Muhammad, Pang Khee Teik, Jerome Kugan, et al. Their two books pictured above have been confiscated from bookstores – years after their publication :P
(I can just imagine our government officials pouring over Body 2 Body: “Eh, maksud ‘and gave it to him’ itu… homoseks ke?” You got more speculation to add? :)
That’s not the only clampdown of today – looks like the government is also coming down hard on Chinese radio. Feeling that 9% heat there, BN?
This ridiculous clampdown on fundamental rights of responsible freedom of expression is deplorable, and puts paid any delusions we might have of a reformed BN government.
It’s almost impossible to believe that they’d be so stupid as to think this would make them more popular in the long run. Perhaps they really have written off the urban areas completely.

Burned girl a symbol of Roma hate and hope

Vitkov, Czech Republic (CNN) -- Natalka Kudrikova is a bright-eyed, three-year-old girl recovering from the severe burns she suffered when far-right extremists threw a Molotov cocktail into her home.

Her family and authorities say she was targeted because they are Roma, or gypsies. Natalka lost 80 percent of her skin, two fingers (a third was later amputated) and spent months lying in an induced coma following the attack last year in Vitkov, in the Czech Republic. She is still recuperating after 14 major surgeries.

In May, Natalka returned to Ostrava Hospital for rehabilitation sessions so that one day she may be able to get around without support. "I'd rather not take her back to the hospital," said her mother, Anna Sivakova, "but if she must return, my dream is that she learns how to walk without any help."

The very next day, four young men accused of attacking Natalka, filed into Ostrava District Court to hear the indictment: a racially motivated attempted murder.

According to the prosecutor, the attack was planned for the 120th anniversary of Adolf Hitler's birth. Court experts confirmed swastikas and other Nazi memorabilia were found in the defendants' homes.

In court, Ivo Muller and Vaclav Cojocaru described their coordinated Molotov cocktail attack. Their only excuse -- they said they thought they were attacking an empty storehouse of stolen goods.

Under cross-examination, Muller and Cojocaru admitted attending anti-Roma demonstrations organized by right wing extremists.

The other defendants, Jaromir Lukes and David Vaculik, did not take the stand. Lukes is accused of being the ringleader, a claim his defense counsel strongly denies although he concedes Lukes drove the getaway car. His lawyer also vehemently denies there was any racial motivation to the attack.

An anti-fascist website published a photo of Lukes walking next to the leader of the far-right Workers' Party. Another photo showed Vaculik wearing the armband of the Workers' Party, the public face of the Czech far right.

The leader of the now banned Workers' Party, Tomas Vandas, denied any involvement.

"Yes, we may have used those people as organizers of our public meetings but how could we know they would commit a crime?" said Vandas. "I hope Natalka gets better soon," he added.

Miroslav Mares, from Masaryk University in Brno, is the leading academic specialist on Czech extremist groups.

He thinks it's unlikely that the Workers' Party was directly involved in the arson attack, but he says they were responsible "for inflaming anti-Roma sentiment."

"Maybe some youngsters from the neo-Nazi scene said to themselves, 'If the whole population is against Romas we are justified in carrying out such attacks,'" he said.

And surveys do show anti-Roma sentiment is widespread. The European Union EURoma website says Czech Romas endure extremely high unemployment rates, low educational standards, isolation, and the prejudices of the majority population.

"In regions with high unemployment and poor social conditions, the rise of extremism is popular with unemployed young men but we can see more and more women on the neo-Nazi scene," Marek said.

Lucie Slegrova, 20, is a flag-waving militant of the now renamed Workers' Social Justice Party. She denies her party is inspired by Hitler's Nazi ideology.

Instead, she says, they follow their own nationalist ideas. "The Czech Republic should be for people who know how to behave. If the gypsies don't want to follow the rules, they're free to leave," she said.

Only one percent of Czech voters supported the Workers' Social Justice Party in the last elections, but Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer worries that 7 percent of Czech students voted for the far-right party, according to an unofficial nationwide poll.

"A lot of people are frustrated with politicians, and have troubles due to the crisis and recession. My message to them is please think it over and don't believe these very bad prophets," Fischer said.

The far-right movement has made bigger gains in neighboring Hungary where 17 percent of voters chose the Jobbik party in the last elections.

Violence has been much worse as well. In the last two years, nine Roma have been killed in Hungary in unprovoked night-time attacks, according to the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC).

Roma bashing also became an issue in the Slovakian election campaign. The far right Slovak National Party commissioned billboards showing a dark-skinned man with tattoos and an inflammatory message: "Vote SNS so we don't feed those who don't want to work."

In eastern Slovakia many Roma live in segregated communities like the village of Ostrovany where municipal authorities spent some $16,000 to build a wall separating the Roma from their white neighbors, because of fears of "alleged Roma crime," said Stanislav Daniel from ERRC.

"To me the wall is a symbol of segregation because public finances were used to target a stereotype, not what's real," Daniel said.

The wall separates a tidy town from a rural slum. Roma, living right next to the wall, have no sewage or garbage collection and there's just one tap with drinking water for dozens of families.

Back in the Czech Republic, Natalka's father, Pavel Kudrik, has chosen to stay in the region and rebuild a comfortable home for his wife and four daughters.

After police asserted that Natalka's family were victims of a racist attack, many Czechs opened their wallets and their hearts.

Prime Minister Fischer's wife and son spearheaded a nationwide campaign to help them -- a move that led to the Fischer family having full-time police protection after they received anonymous death threats.

But the current climate is not the only reason Fischer wants to clamp down on right wing extremism.

Everyone in his family died in the Holocaust except for his father and grandmother. "Sixty-five years after WWII, the societal memory is getting weak," he said.

And Roma activists complain that recognition of their sacrifices under the Nazis has never been properly acknowledged.

Half-a-million Roma perished in what they call the "Devouring" -- Hitler's campaign to eliminate them as a people.

Last May, several hundred Czech Roma gathered at a memorial for the victims of the Lety concentration camp. Hundreds of Czech Roma children died there and are buried nearby in a mass grave.

Jan Vrba is one of the camp's last survivors. He was born there. His sister perished there.

"What happened in Vitkov made me cry", said Jan. "Little Natalka reminded me of my sister who died in this camp."

'Racist' HM: What you get from teachers in politics

'The ones who suffer most are the students. So let the teachers just teach - after all, they are paid handsomely to do so.'

'Racist' headmistress: DPM orders probe

Phan Gaik Cher: This uncalled for incident amplifies the danger of allowing teachers to get involved in politics. When teachers fail to draw the line between politics and education, this is what happens and you can bet that most of the time the outcome will be much worse.

The ones who suffer most are the students. So let the teachers just teach - after all, they are paid handsomely to do so.

Faithful Malaysian: Here we go again. Same stupid 'method' of giving an excuse to avoid responsibility by using the word 'investigate'. Remember Port Klang Free Zone, Teoh Beng Hock, A Kugan, Altantuya Shaariibuu, the VK Lingam tape, etc?

Investigate, investigate, investigate and then nothing. This is just a ploy used over and over again to calm the anger and save Umno's behind. After a while, lives go back to normal because Malaysians 'memang mudah lupa'. Sad.

Alexander Yuan: Why does it take 10-plus days, a botched 'cover-up' by the Education director-general and numerous protests from parents as well as political parties before the deputy prime minister finally decides on a probe? It shows just how 'effective' he is.

Jaguh: Why even waste time on a task force for this simple case of racial abuse and slurs? Fire her to warn all educationists; remove her pension. That's the least you can do for a Malay culprit. If she was non-Malay, it would have been sedition and the ISA. If she gets away with negligible punishment, can I also do the same?

KillBN: What do we need another stupid taskforce for? This so-called 'educator' spoke in front of the whole school during an assembly. Hundreds of pupils and teachers heard it, otherwise no one in their right mind would want to waste their time at our police stations making police reports (apart from lazy people who don't work like the Perkasa people). Sack this headmistress and stop wasting our taxpayers' monies on her salary.

Singa Pura Pura: Going by the simple and logical 'ejusdem generis' rule, the phrases 'Chinese students go back to China' and 'Munusamy and Chong were only passengers. They cannot claim any right to the car' are completely in sync with the phrase 'I'm a Malay first and a Malaysian second'.

And also, by necessary implication, they are all of the one and same genre as the phrase 'Malays first, Chinese second and Indians third'. This is why, irrespective of his or her personal sentiments, a national leader and a prime minister-in-waiting ought never to declare that his or her ethnicity comes before his nationality.

Bapak Toyol: If such comments were made by a non-Malay headmaster/headmistress, he or she would have been arrested and detained under the ISA. Just because the comments were made by a Malay, the Education DG had the audacity to say, 'It was only a misunderstanding and everything has been settled'.

What a lie by a Muslim in this holy month. The police as usual will say she was misquoted and hence, no case. This is what I call '1Malaysia' and 'Malaysia Boleh'.

Anonymous: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin should stop casting aspersions on the case. He seems to be telling everyone that the incident is not true and it looks like he knows what his next move will be. Why did the headmistress apologise if she did not do it?

DOC: The irony of the situation is such that this education minister is ordering a probe for an allegedly racist headmistress for inciting racism. Basically as I see it, the HM (headmistress) was only mimicking her boss's action. 'Monkey see, monkey do'. I guess we can safely assume how this probe will end - 'tutup kes; salah faham'.

ONG: The deputy prime minister is only 63 years old but his reaction time is getting very, very slow - it took him almost a week to react. This extremist headmistress should be sacked, and not just transferred.

Otherwise there is no proper message for others like her. Can I assault somebody I don't like and later apologise and claim that it was all a 'misunderstanding'?

Mohd Naim Ismail: Don't worry, this headmistress will be an Umno candidate for the next general elections since graduate teachers can now be involved in politics. The DPM needs more of these kind of people as Umno candidates.


Another 'racist' principal in Kedah

Peoples Voice: What has happened the past 15 years? I raised five children and could write a book on what they tell me happens in their schools. PE (physical education) teachers will ask the Malay boys to play ball elsewhere and then group the non-Malays to one side. I think the minister of education should resign.

ISA@Penyu: Recently the Malays have been getting all worked up and raising a lot of racial issues. Why? It is simple. They are sick of others questioning the royalty, Malay rights, the bumiputera status and equity. PKR and DAP started this trend and we are now heading towards more and more problems.

Even MCA now wants to be the champion questioning Malay equity. So just go back to what our forefathers have agreed and stop questioning the social contract for the betterment of all. If you don't like the country, you can always migrate but don't create problems here.

There a lot of Indians and Chinese who are happy with Malaysia where they earn good living and the politicians are spoiling it all by creating divides.

Chris T: Racists are a global issue. Whether they are educated or not, they are already set in their moronic minds. You can't change them but the laws can definitely stop them. It is only a problem when those in power refuses to apply the law because they are racists themselves.

Mamboking: During my time in school, during the 70s and 80s, we never had these issues. The canteen was open to all and non-Muslims students ate there. Then again, those were the glory days of being 'muhibah'. Now all have been messed by the same 70s and 80s era politicians. What a shame.

Mohd Hazwan: What kind of school principals are we churning out? This is all due to the negative consequences of Biro Tata Negara's social engineering. My advice to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is to stop going on this unhealthy course once and for all.

Jaguh: This will not end. All the racists use the same terms, sing the same song and all because of Umno. It's really getting bad and the racists are getting bolder each day because they are not penalised.

Coming back to the non-Muslim kids in schools, they have to eat - so where do they eat? So what if they eat in the same canteen? They are not feeding and tempting the Muslim kids are they? This country is really getting ridiculous.

Hadi warns BN from using racial politics

Hadi Awang warns Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties against using

racial politics to win support among voters. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang today issued a stern warning to Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties against using racial politics to win support among voters.

The PAS president claimed that BN had been ramping up its efforts in using “racist” and “narrow-minded” politics as a desperate attempt to try and woo over the different races in the country.

“The narrow-minded politics and racist sentiments have now become weapons and a means in which BN leaders are desperately trying to win back support, as though voters would be so easily swayed in today’s information world,” Abdul Hadi said in a statement posted today on his blog.

Abdul Hadi took a swipe at the MCA’s recent Chinese Economic Congress, claiming that the issues raised by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was a mere “manifestation” of the failure of BN in understanding the needs of the different races in the country.

“The issues raised by the MCA president in the form of resolutions from the economic congress held recently are nothing more than a mere manifestation of the failure of Barisan Nasional in understanding the needs and rights of the different races in the country,” said the PAS president.

The MCA’s Chinese Economic Congress held on August 14 had called for economic liberalisation and a merit-based and needs-based system to contribute to the path for Malaysia to be globally competitive.

The congress had called for an abolishment of the 30 percent Bumiputera equity target, which had resulted in a verbal war between Umno’s top leaders and MCA.

Abdul Hadi however dismissed MCA’s seemingly bolder stance, accusing the BN component party of being “elitist” and having failed to look after the poorer Chinese population.

“The situation becomes more complicated when MCA, which is an elitist party led by the rich has not been able to defend or look after the needs of the Chinese poor. This failure is also seen in MIC,” said Abdul Hadi.

The Marang MP also lashed out at Umno for discriminating against Malays in unfair economic distribution of wealth over the years.

Abdul Hadi said that only Malays who were aligned to Umno-BN benefited from the economic policies practiced by BN.

“The Malays in this country can no longer trust in Umno to look after their interests, as we have seen over the years how the country’s economic system has led to unfair economic distribution of wealth to Umno-putras.

“This injustice is not only felt by many races in our country, even within the Malays as there is discrimination towards Malays and Bumiputeras who are not politically-aligned with the Umno-BN government,” he said.

Abdul Hadi’s remarks calling for BN to stop playing up racial politics comes amid fresh allegations by Umno against the Penang Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government under DAP’s Lim Guan Eng.

Penang Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zabidi had claimed that several mosques in the Tasek Gelugor, Permatang Pauh and Jelutong areas had replaced the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s name with Lim’s name during Friday sermons.

The Penang state government has vehemently denied Umno’s allegations.

PR have also slammed the Najib administration for its silence on reports of a Johor school principal uttering racially sensitive remarks During a school assembly speech last week.

The school principal had allegedly told the Chinese students to go back to China and said the Indians looked like dogs when they wore their prayer strings.

Yesterday, another school principal in Kedah was accused of telling her Chinese pupils to “return to China”.

“I plead with everyone in this country to stay calm and judge fairly the stirring up of racial hatred that is being propagated by Umno-BN on a daily basis.

“Let everyone stick together with PAS and PR in order to create a wave of change and get out of this sick cycle of politics being played by Umno-BN. Let us together put this country on the right path, in midst of challenging times to a better better, stable and just Malaysia,” added Abdul Hadi.

The Best Malaysian Drama Awards Night

The Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Rais Yatim, will be gracing The Best Malaysian Drama Awards Night at the TV3 auditorium tomorrow night to choose the best Malaysian dramas aired by the Umno-owned television station. The following is the list of nominees and their categories.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

1. The best alternative lifestyle drama award

a) Ahmad Ismail, the ex-Umno Chief of Bukit Bendera, Penang, in ‘Boys to men’ (shot in his apartment in Batu Feringgi in Penang)

b) Kevin Morais, the DPP of MACC, in ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ (shot in England)

c) Khairil Annas Jusoh, the special aide to the Prime Minister, in ‘Never kiss and tell’ (shot in Seri Perdana in Putrajaya)

And the winner is…

2. The best courtroom scene dialogue award

a) The Karpal Singh sedition trial, ‘ultra virus means insulting the Sultan’

b) The Teoh Beng Hock death inquiry, ‘Have you ever jumped off from a building?’

c) The Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial, ‘Charged for sex with a duck but evidence for sex with a chicken’

And the winner is…

3. The best double-speak dialogue award

a) Ibrahim Ali for his ‘I am a Director of Vincent Tan’s company because I am opposed to the Chinese controlling the economy’

b) Muhyiddin Yassin for his ‘I support Najib’s 1Malaysia as long as we maintain the Ketuanan Melayu policy’

c) Chua Soi Lek for his ‘The Chinese are not running dogs to the Malays but Umno is the big brother to MCA’

And the winner is…

4. The highest budget drama award

a) PKFZ: RM12 billion and still counting

b) MAS: RM9 billion down and no end in sight

c) Bakun: damn that dam and what was the cost again?

And the winner is…

5. The best comedy award

a) Zainuddin Maidin in ‘Malaysia has erections every five years’

b) Rais Yatim in ‘Okay, I will change my mode’

c) Anifah Aman in ‘Malaysia’s legal system is the most respected in the world’

And the winner is…

6. The leading actor/actress musical award

a) Mahathir Mohamad in ‘It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to’

b) Rosmah Mansor in ‘Girls just want to have fun’

c) Razak Baginda in ‘We all live in a yellow submarine’

And the winner is…

7. The best career comeback award

a) Chua Soi Lek in ‘So you thought I was history’

b) Mahathir Mohamad in ‘Who do you think calls the shots?’

c) Khairy Jamaluddin in ‘The show’s not over till the fat lady sings’

And the winner is…

8. The best script award

a) Sodomy 2: Riding on the same plot

b) PKFZ: The Chinaman as the fall guy

c) Karpal Singh Sedition: I no speakee Inggeris

And the winner is…

Malaysia tops in political freedom, Singapore in business, survey shows

by Dr. Dzul

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Member of PAS Central Working Committee.

Given the recent enormous drop in the nation’s FDI to a whooping 81% (World Investment Report, WIR 2010), the announcement of 8.9% GDP growth in the 2Q compared with -3.9% yoy in 2009, came as a great relief to many. It is the third consecutive quarter of growth. Though it’s slightly lower than the 10.1% of the 1Q, it nonetheless brings the much needed comfort and assurance. Overall, the economy grew by 9.5% for the first half of 2010.

More substantively, the growth has been essentially driven by stronger domestic demand due mainly to higher private consumption and continued improvements in both private and public spending. So it was claimed. Additionally robust growth in external demand and trade similarly spurred the supply-side of our domestic manufacturing and services sectors.

Just as we are about to be back on our bullish view of the economy, this writer unfortunately will gently remind us that not all is well, over and done with. Quite on the contrary, we are in fact dangerously treading a precarious path of recovery with the pending double dip always lurking devilishly ahead.

More importantly and on a longer timeline, some fundamental and structural problems need serious addressing. These are economic malaises that have entrapped us in a decade of stagnation with a negligible increase in real wages hence stuck in the prolonged middle-income trap, a low value-added activities and low productivity.

Global Economy is Slowing Down

Firstly, back to the issue of relying on a robust external demand to drive growth and domestic production. A robust growth in the second half of this year is not as promising. The global economy after receiving massive fiscal and monetary stimulus is now heading for a sharp slowdown as the multiplier effect of those measures wanes.

Worse still is the scenario where governments and consumers of the advanced economies – US, UK and Europe – will be spending less and are now concerned with de-leveraging their debts. Meanwhile nations saving too much – China, Asia, Germany and Japan – are not willing to spend and produce more for obvious reason to compensate for the fall in demand by the de-leveraging countries earlier. Hence you have a ‘double-whammy’ situation of diminishing global aggregate demand in the recovery exacerbating the softer and lower economic growth.

Even if the global economy is to escape a W-shaped double-dip recession, the likely scenario for advanced economies, is at best a U-shaped not a V-shaped recovery. In the Euro-zone meanwhile, the outlook will be even worse as governments’ austerity drives set in and stock market falls.

If we are to rely on China to drive our growth, we may be in for a disappointment as China is already slowing their growth for fear of economic overheating. With the other advanced economies and Euro taking a continued beating, it will have a further knock-on effect on China’s growth. This will be bad news for all other Asian economies shifting expectation to piggy-beg on China’s imports for sustaining their growth.

With the scenario of US growth decelerating to 1.5%, the Euro zone stagnating, while Japan’s economy continues to be in an L-shape recovery, even if the global economy were to escape a double-dip, the extreme downsides of these all acting in concert could similarly trigger a recession-like shock.

Our Growth Curve is on a Downward Path

Besides, a closer look at the claim of the Bank Negara may not after all be that assuring. Bank Negara noted that the manufacturing sector registered the highest growth of 15.9 percent followed by the service sector at 7.3 percent.

However, the first quarter performance revealed that manufacturing registered a growth of 17 percent, while achieving 8.5 percent for the service sector. The growth for the construction sector has similarly dwindled from 8.7 percent to 4.1 in the second quarter. In other words these indicators are all on a downward path.

For the year-end outlook, Bank Negara said that the domestic demand was expected to increase and support growth in the second half of the year. If this writer recalls correctly, the consumer’s sentiment as recently reported by MIER is not as bullish as the government painted it to be, as to support domestic demand.

In anticipation of further withdrawal of subsidies and the introduction of a new consumption tax, the GST, the government doesn’t seem to be getting their fiscal policy right– subsidy and taxation- it seems to this writer, anyway. There is a clear mismatch of encouraging domestic spending with both the fiscal and monetary policy of the BN government going in the opposite direction.

Recent spate of OPR increases, though described as ‘normalisation’ may affect cost of funding and eventually affect domestic investment and spending. Although inflation is under control for now, it is beginning to gather pace especially in Asia. Commodity prices are on an upward trend globally as a result of greater demand and poor weather condition. We shall not be spared.

Burdened with increasing debt and fiscal deficit, the degree of freedom in using such stabilizing fiscal and monetary measures is much stifled and limited.

Hence, it pays if the BN government is to be honest and truthful about the very cautious optimism, lest it has to eat humble-pie for the second half of the year.

Addressing Structural and Fundamental Economic Malaises

On a more substantive approach and on a longer timeline, there are clear ‘mismatches’ both structurally and fundamentally that need to be addressed, dismantled and reconstructed. Najib’s policies of ‘liberalization’ and ‘inclusiveness’ that generated an immediate appeal, were in apparent collision course with his own party’s ethnic-based ideology. So far it doesn’t move beyond his rhetoric. His flip-flop is ever more pronounced of late.

Talks of moving into a higher income economy and spurring growth through private investment, both domestic and foreign have already hit a snag with the WIR report. Concrete measures to attract and increase the appetite for both local and foreign investors, over and above doing ‘more of the same’ are not identified.

Excuses of failures abound. We seem not to understand that Fiscal Reform has to be a part of a wider programme of macroeconomic and political reform.

Besides, a higher income economy is premised on higher productivity hence presupposing a fundamental shift from labour-intensive to capital-intensive and finally to knowledge-based industries and enterprises. However, willingness to address serious labour and industrial policy are evidently missing. Evidently we are not ready to bite the bullet.

Let’s get real and see what is on the ground.

A recent survey of conducted by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) on their members who were mainly wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers, professionals, service providers and construction entrepreneurs, revealed that 63% of the respondents are heavily dependent on foreign workers.

To all intents and purposes, until and unless we address the over-reliance on foreign workers, not only to man our construction and plantation industries but as well our manufacturing and service sectors, rest assured that we will be stuck to this ‘low-income’ trap to doomsday.

The question to ask is how possible is to execute such reforms? Or perhaps a blunt way of putting it is do we want to go that way? Are we prepared for that shift?

Much as we know that this is the bottle-neck of it all, we still need them to rack up decent growth numbers yearly and the vicious cycle continues unending. To answer the above question of whether it is possible after all, the answer is yes. We have simply to break the vicious cycle if we seriously want to move in that direction. Perhaps it is best not to view the ‘foreign labour’ issue as mutually exclusive to a ‘higher income and a high performing economy’. We need to think out of the box.

To do that it presupposes that we must be prepared to re-skill and retool our workforce to be at least semi-skilled and to focus on greater specialization of production. Meanwhile a more concerted programme at the tertiary level of education must be put in place to prepare a greater pool of skilled and knowledge workers.

With 77% of secondary school leavers entering the workforce armed with merely SPM qualification, we are in for a major overhaul. It challenges our earnestness and commitment to put money where the skill and talent are to be produced.

But with the news of big ticket infrastructural projects back in the pipeline, the like of the multi-billion Greater KL development, alongside the jaw-dropping RM43billion MRT mega-project, 3,300 acres of Sungai Buloh, Sungai Besi etc, it doesn’t take a professor of economics to tell us that we are back to square one.

Yes we may be back on Growth Trajectory albeit driven again by huge Government spending (G-factor) and already many dubious direct-nego dealings in the 2nd wave privatization (PFIs?) with a concomitant enlarging circle of billionaires club of old and new rent-seekers. Even if we were to achieve the income target per capita of RM38,850 in 2015 with an annual growth of 6%, will it bother us then to witness the yawning income-disparity, malignant corruption and leakages to continue unchecked?

So what are we in for? It’s back to the old paradigm of development and growth model. So what is new of the NEM?

That spells doom for the already ailing Malaysian economy. Will it be a case of a Misplaced Optimism?

MACC loses again

Din Merican
My wife, Dr. Kamsiah and I were at the Courts today to listen to the tail end of prosecution’s submission and Dato Shafee Abdullah ‘s brilliant rebuttal.  In not more than 25 minutes, the respected lawyer convinced the Honorable Judge Somathy that his client, Dato Ramli Yusuff, should be acquitted with his defense being called as the prosecution could not establish  a prima facie case, despite  the  best efforts of the DPP. That precisely what the Judge did.

Finally, and to the relief of family, friends and associates,  Dato Ramli is spared further humiliation and agony from the MACC working in concert with the IGP and the AG. Earlier, this cabal had pursued him in Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur. In both  cases, the MACC lost.

It is indeed a good day for Dato Ramli and his friends and supporters. But upon reflection, I am saddened by the fact the MACC had incurred a lot of taxpayers’ money by charging Datuk Ramli for the third time , failing again for the third time and the Court was asked to hear a case for which there is no basis to charge him in the first place. Even more painful is the fact in order to uphold his honour and dignity , Dato Ramli had to incur legal expenses to defend himself.

Without sounding like a soothsayer, I knew at the start of this case that there was no basis to charge  Dato Ramli. Most of us  who attended the trial knew that he had the permission of his boss, the then IGP Tan Sri Bakri Omar to establish a company Kinsajaya Sdn. Berhad but he was not  a director on May 2, 2006 as claimed by the persecution. As for his involvement in business while being a public servant, the prosecution could not establish that Dato Ramli  was engaged in trading, even if it could show that he was director on the aforementioned date (which the prosecution did not, since his two sisters were still directors of the company and had signed the financial statement for the year ending June 30, 2006). By the way, Kinsajaya  is a dormant company.

The MACC has again discredited itself in the eyes of the Malaysian public. It showed itself  to be  an instrument of selective prosecution. It is not interested in fighting corruption but it is part of a conspiracy, in this case to “finish off” a public official who had the conviction and courage to investigate people in the corridors of power.
Having failed three times to obtain a conviction against Dato Ramli, the MACC is well advised to drop the case against Lawyer Rosli Dahlan  because they will  again not be able to establish prima facie case. I have written quite extensively on the Rosli Dahlan case and the antics of a certain Kevin Morais and the DPP who is pursuing the case. Stop the fabrications and lies and get on with the real business of fighting corruption. Take justice seriously.–Din Merican

MACC loses a string of cases against Dato Ramli Yusuff
by Joseph Sipalan@www.malaysiakini.com

Former commercial crime chief Dato Ramli Yusuff can finally heave a sigh of relief as the Sessions court today dismissed the third and final criminal charge against him.

Judge SM Komathy Suppiah ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against the ex-top cop on the charge of breaching laws preventing civil servants from being involved in private business.

She said that the evidence presented by the prosecution could not prove that Ramli (right) had in fact taken on the role of director at Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd on May 2, 2006, which she said is the “essential ingredient” of the charge.

She argued further that even if that point could be proven, the prosecution again failed to show that Ramli was engaged in any form of trading while in his alleged capacity as a director of the said company.

The prosecution’s submission that Ramli had indeed engaged in trading by virtue of becoming the company’s director rang hollow as the definition of trade must consider that it involves at least two parties in a bilateral exchange and is “habitual or a regular cause of conduct”, she said.

“The evidence shows that the defendant was a director of a dormant company… the company had no business, had no partners, so it cannot be said that the defendant had engaged in trade,” Komathy said when delivering her judgment.

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