101-year-old Hindu temple given five days to vacate

Temple chairman R.A Balasubramaniam (far left), temple secretary Nalini Rani (third from right), temple committees and devotees standing outside the 101-year old Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman Hindu temple in Jalan P Ramlee off Jalan Tengah which has been served DBKL notice to vacate.

The 101-year old Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman Hindu temple located at Jalan P Ramlee, off Jalan Tengah in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle business district faces the threat of demolition as it has received notice issued by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) requesting the temple owner to demolish, within five days from date of notice, the structure sitting on DBKL reserve land.
It has reached an impasse as neither side would compromise.
The temple owners said they are staying put despite the notice as they wanted the temple to be saved for its heritage.
“This temple is a historical building. It is more than 100 years old with historical value and we want to stay.
We are against the demolition,” said temple chairman R.A Balasubramaniam, 47.
The DBKL notice dated July 16 was received by the temple on the same day and the five day notice given to vacate means it will expires on July 20.
The century-old temple occupying 5,199 sq feet of DBKL reserve land was set up in 1911 by the great grandfather of current owners who are the fourth generation children of the founder.

The 30-storey high office tower under construction behind the temple which is under threat of demolition.

“Our temple has been here on this same spot for 101 years, even before DBKL existed (DBKL was set up in 1971) and long before any of the surrounding buildings were up.
We conducted our prayers with peace and harmony and do not face any problem from local authorities or anybody.
A big building is being built beside us and now we are told to pack and leave to make way for the building project,” added R.A Balasubramaniam.
The 30-storey high office tower right behind the temple currently under construction requires 2,020 square feet of the temple’s DBKL land to build an 8-feet wide walkway end-to-end in order to comply with City Hall’s requirement.
“This is a government land. Why must they (the developer) take the land from the government?” he asked.

Protest banners hung outside the temple.

Several meetings had been held earlier to resolve the issue including one where the developer had offered to relocate the temple to a piece of land in Sepang.
“Our forefathers set up this temple here since Day 1 in 1911 and we have the rights to stay here,” said temple secretary Nalini Rani.
The latest meeting held on July 17, between DBKL officials, Hap Seng Land officials (the developer), Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing deputy minister Datuk M.Saravanan, lawyers representing both parties and temple chairman and secretary remain locked in stalemate despite long discussions.
Balasubramaniam said: “At that meeting, they claimed they have a court order to vacate the place and asked us to ‘surrender’ the 2,020 square feet of the ‘temple’ land to resolve it.
If we do not, they will implement the court order once the notice expires. We told them, look, you withdraw the court order first then you give us a copy of the court order before we can revert to you after meeting our 30-man temple members.”
The temple has about 300 devotees and houses the two main deities Muneswarar and Kaliyaman, hence the temple’s name.
Other resident deities in the temple are Siva, Murugan, Ganesha (elephant-headed deity), Saraswati (Goddess of Learning), Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) and Buddha.
The Chitirai Pourami festival of this temple are celebrated with much religious fervour.

Temple secretary Nalini Rani showing the tree said to be more than 100 years old.

Nalini Rani said: “It would be good if they can incorporate the temple in the building project just like what the developer there did for a temple in the Mid-Valley development project instead of asking us to relocate.
“We have applied for a land title early this year and are awaiting the outcome. We will not move as the temple has historical value and is a heritage which should be saved and preserved at all cost for future generations. If we are forced to, we will go on a hunger strike to draw attention to save the temple.”
A long-time devotee Revathry, 39, who works in the office building nearby said she has been going to the temple for 15 years to pray to Mother Goddess Kaliyaman who has always answered her prayers.
She is against the demolition of the temple to make way for the new building project saying that it receives many devotees from nearby offices who come for their spiritual needs.
She said that about three years ago, a thunderstorm uprooted a big tree near the temple.
It felled on the side of the road. Devotees believed the tree did not fall on the side of the temple owing to the powerful presence of these Gods.

The Mother Goddess Kaliyaman is very powerful and devotees have personally experienced it.

A caretaker at the temple claimed that many years ago, construction workers encountered numerous problems during the construction of the former MUI Plaza (now Menara Hap Seng) and this frustrated the developer and affected schedule.
Someone informed the developer about this temple nearby and an official came to offer lime to the Goddess and after that it was reported that construction work went on smoothly without any hindrance until the building was completed on schedule.

Kuala Lumpur safe?

Top Syrian officials killed in major blow to al-Assad's regime

Syrian Defense Minister Dawood Rajiha, left, and Assef Shawkat, right, the brother-in-law of President Bashar al-Assad.

(CNN) -- A deadly attack on top Syrian officials Wednesday delivered the harshest blow yet to President Bashar al-Assad's regime, bringing the bloodshed into his inner circle, and even his family.

Jordan's king calls Syria attack 'a tremendous blow' to al-Assad regime

Four top officials were killed in an explosion at a national security building in Damascus, and some other people were wounded, state TV reported.

The attack came after several days of growing violence in the capital. At least 102 people were killed across the country on Wednesday, including 34 in Damascus and 11 in suburbs of the city, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.

The four officials killed in the bombing were Defense Minister Dawood Rajiha; Deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat -- al-Assad's brother-in-law; Hasan Turkmani, al-Assad's security adviser and assistant vice president, and Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar, state TV reported.

Getting to know Syria's first family

The attack, during a meeting of ministers and security officials, was coordinated by several rebel brigades in Damascus, said the deputy head of the opposition Free Syrian Army, Col. Malek al-Kurdi.

The government described it as a suicide bombing. But al-Kurdi said a remote control was used to detonate an explosive device planted inside the meeting room.

Al-Assad quickly named Gen. Fahd Jassem al-Freij as defense minister, state-run news agency SANA said.

Video from a Damascus suburb showed Syrians rejoicing after news spread of the bombing.

Soon the pro-government Shabiha militia took to the streets, attacking some people with knives, shooting others and saying, "this is retribution for what you have done," according to an opposition activist in Damascus, who is going by the name Lena to protect her identity.

There were bodies in the streets around the Yarmouk, a Palestinian refugee camp, and people were too afraid to collect the bodies, Lena said.

"The people are really scared," she said, adding that mosques were blaring the messages "stay in your homes" and "God is great."

A Damascus resident said there were clashes and shootings in the middle of Baghdad Street, a major road that includes branch offices of state security agencies.

In the neighborhood of Medan, where violence has raged in recent days, Free Syrian Army fighters "launched their biggest attack yet all over Damascus, in 17 points" said Abo Abdo, a rebel fighter. They were working to "disperse the regime's forces all over the capital," he said.

A mortar fell on a house close to him, he said.

Video showed a tank firing in what appeared to be an empty Damascus road with a couple of abandoned cars.

A teenager, going by the name Firas, said that in the Bab Musalla area, people told him the neighborhood was being closed. He said he saw a group of people in the distance carrying rifles and knives. "I then saw them attacking everyone on the street," he said.

Syria, on state-run news agency SANA, said its armed forces "chased down terrorists who infiltrated" Medan, and "killed and arrested a large number of them. The military units also chased down terrorists who terrorized some families in the neighborhoods of al-Qaboun and Tishreen and forced them to leave their homes."

With the Syrian government restricting access to the country by foreign journalists, CNN cannot independently confirm reports of violence or details about the attack.

The building where the bombing took place is in Rawda Square, near al-Assad's home and the U.S. Embassy. Security officials and government spies have had a heavy presence in the area.

The U.S. Embassy suspended operations in February.

Next for Syria: Showdown or stalemate?

The attack represents "a massive psychological blow to the regime" and will accelerate al-Assad's "demise," said Anthony Skinner, an analyst with the think tank Maplecroft, which provides risk assessments on global business.

It could suggest that, after a 16-month relentless uprising, "the regime itself is crumbling," said Rime Allaf, an analyst with Chatham House, a think tank focusing on international affairs.

Events in Syria show "a real escalation in fighting," said U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

It "tells us that this is a situation that is rapidly spinning out of control, and for that reason it's extremely important that the international community, working with other countries that have concerns in that area, have to bring maximum pressure on Assad to do what's right, and to step down and to allow for that peaceful transition," Panetta said.

The U.S. government announced Wednesday a new round of sanctions against members of the Syrian government. A previous round this year included Rajiha.

"It's clear that the Assad regime is losing control of Syria," said Tommy Vietor, spokesman for the National Security Council.

He urged a political transition to help avert "a lengthy and bloody sectarian civil war."

"We continue to work closely with the Syrian opposition to ensure that a transition guarantees fundamental rights as well as those of minorities," he said. "... In the meantime, we continue to squeeze the regime financially. U.S. and international sanctions have had a significant effect on Assad's reserves, and are making it difficult for this regime to finance its brutality."

Timeline: How the horror has unfolded

Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zubi, speaking on state TV, vowed that those behind the attack will be held accountable, even if they are outside the country.

The attackers targeted a committee that deals not only with security matters but all sorts of problems facing Syrians, he said.

He also insisted that those trying to divide the army are failing. "This army has not been divided," he said.

But increasing numbers of officials in the Syrian military have defected in recent days.

Two more brigadier generals fled to Turkey overnight, bringing the number of Syrian generals in Turkey to 20, a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said.

Rajiha, a member of the country's minority Christian community, was named by the United States Treasury in sanctions this year. U.S. citizens were prohibited from engaging in transactions with him and some other officials amid what the U.S. government called Syria's "continued use of violence against its people."

In 2006, the Treasury named Shawkat -- then Syria's director of military intelligence -- in an executive order, freezing his assets and prohibiting U.S. citizens from engaging in transactions with him. At the time, the U.S. government called Shawkat "a key architect of Syria's domination of Lebanon, as well as a fundamental contributor to Syria's long-standing policy to foment terrorism against Israel."

What we need to know about Syria

Days ago, Nawaf al-Fares, the former Syrian ambassador to Iraq who became the country's highest diplomatic defector, told CNN that Shawkat had run an al Qaeda in Iraq training camp.

A U.S. official said al-Fares' claim was "broadly consistent with our understanding" of the Syrian regime's cooperation with al Qaeda "elements."

But the Syrian regime has repeatedly denied involvement in terrorist activities -- and in fact has blamed the violence of the past 16 months on "armed terrorist groups."

Al-Zubi, speaking Wednesday on state TV, noted that the attack that killed the four men coincided with a meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

The council could vote Wednesday on the fate of 300 U.N. monitors as a Friday deadline looms.

Dark images of horror and despair smuggled out of Syria

The observers' work has been largely curtailed due to relentless violence that has surged in recent weeks and has moved into the capital, Damascus.

Western countries are pushing for a resolution that threatens sanctions against al-Assad's regime if government forces don't stop attacks. That draft also calls for renewing the U.N. observer mission for 45 days.

But throughout Syria's 16-month crisis, Russia has opposed any international effort that seeks to blame, punish or change the Syrian government. Russia -- along with China -- has vetoed two previous draft resolutions in the U.N. Security Council, leading to accusations that Russia is protecting the Syrian regime.

Syrian soldiers jump through flaming hoops as helicopters fly over city

Russia, meanwhile, has put forth its own draft, which "strongly urges all parties in Syria to cease immediately all armed violence in all its forms." The Russian draft also calls for renewing the U.N. observer mission for three months.

Kofi Annan, joint envoy to Syria for the United Nations and the Arab League, asked Wednesday that the vote on a draft resolution be postponed, the British mission to the United Nations said.

Annan earlier this year forward a peace plan that has failed to stop the violence.

He met Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Syria's al Qaeda boomerang

Since the crisis began in March 2011, the United Nations estimates, more than 10,000 people have been killed in the violence; the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria estimates that more than 16,000 have died.

Infant died five minutes after burial, autopsy shows

Autopsy report shows two-day-old girl had no physical impairments. PHOTO: FILE

MULTAN: The post-mortem report of a two-day-old girl has confirmed that she was buried alive and died five or more minutes later due to suffocation. The autopsy was conducted by Dr Muhammad Tariq and Dr Rubeena from the Kacha Khu rural health centre.

The grave of the child had been dug on the orders of the Khanewal magistrate and civil judge Justice Rehman Elahi, with the permission of the victim’s mother and in the presence of the residents of the area and the police.

The grave itself was identified by the infant’s father, who buried her alive last week claiming he did not like her looks.

Dr Tariq told The Express Tribune that the initial medical report confirmed the death was a result of the seven kilogrammes of mud which was thrown upon her. Dr Rubeena confirmed that she was physically healthy and had no impairments. The only thing unusual about the child was that her face was large. Samples have been taken from the child’s body and sent to Lahore to a forensic laboratory for a detailed autopsy report.

Earlier, the perpetrator of the horrific crime justified his act, saying that “It was my will because she was my child and every person has the right to do anything with their children.”

The man, who is in the custody of the police, has been threatened by residents who angrily demanded from the area magistrate that he be buried alive in the same grave where he buried his daughter.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.

Why am I a dictator?

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is puzzled why he has been branded a dictator and asks for proof.

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who celebrated his 87th birthday recently, cannot fathom being branded a dictator and pointed to others who were more deserving of the title such as Adolf Hitler.

In his latest blog posting, the former premier lamented that such labels, given with basis or otherwise, were difficult to erase and remained with a person for a lifetime.

“So labels are essential in politics, especially those which run down an opponent. Whatever you do, the opponents will not cease using the labels,” he said.

“When I was prime minister, I was given numerous titles. ‘Mahazalim’, ‘Firaun’ and ‘dictator’ were among the titles invented by my political foes,” he added.

Mahathir had been accused of ruling with an iron fist as critics claimed that under his 22-year watch, the independence of key institutions such as the media and judiciary was shackled.

The doctor-turned-politician’s tenure was also marred by the Internal Security Act crackdown on opposition politicians and activists as well as allegations of widespread corruption.

Mahathir had denied the alleged transgressions and claimed that whatever bank balance he had, resulted from his savings.

But what dealt an indelible taint to his reputation both here and abroad was the sacking and jailing of deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

It is said that the latter’s successful smear campaign had led Mahathir to despise him.

Look at Mubarak

The former premier said that when he is interviewed now, the questions posed indicated that those fielding them believed the labels used to describe him, especially that he was a dictator.

“What have I done that equates me with the qualities and actions of a dictator?” he asked.

Travelling as far as Egypt to substantiate his argument, Mahathir cited the rule of Hosni Mubarak who was accused of massacring thousands of Muslim Brotherhood members and amassing a wealth amounting to US$70 billion.

The former premier recounted that when he was in Cairo during the Mubarak era, streets were vacated for the president’s motorcade and armed troops lined the sidewalks.

“Mubarak’s enemies were not allowed to be political, they were often arrested, imprisoned without trial and eventually vanished. During the 30 years that he was president, the post was never contested by anyone else and he obtained 99% of the votes.

“There was no press freedom nor freedom of expression… Mubarak could elect anyone to be a minister and terminate their services whenever he wanted,” Mahathir added.

The former premier also listed the names of several other dictators such as Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Ferdinand Marcos, Nicolae Ceauşescu, Muammar Gadaffi and Saddam Hussein.

“I want to know from the visitors to my blog, what is it that I have done as prime minister which can prove that I am a dictator,” he said.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/18/why-am-i-a-dictator/#ixzz2105j1tTS

‘Laws against gays can protect marriages’

However, the opposition leader says that archaic laws must be reviewed to prevent the innocent from being penalised.

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has lent his support for discriminating against homosexuals in order to protect the sanctity of heterosexual marriages.

However, the PKR leader, whose sexual preferrence had been the subject of much debate, allegations and denials, said that archaic laws must be reviewed to prevent the innocent from being penalised.

Anwar said this in response to questioning by Utusan Malaysia’s counsel Firoz Hussein during the hearing of the former’s suit against the Umno-owned daily.

Firoz: Should the laws discriminate against homosexuals?

Anwar: Yes.

Meanwhile, High Court judge VT Singham reminded Firoz not to badger Anwar with questions.

“The court does not want to interfere in your cross-examination but be fair. You keep asking on interpretations. Lawyers are here to assist the court,” he said.

Singham also reprimanded Firoz for not questioning with regard to defending Utusan.

“I don’t know the direction that you are taking. What are you trying to achieve? I am not a recording machine,” said the judge.

He said this when Firoz questioned Anwar’s interpretation regarding an Utusan report interview with former PAS man, Hasan Ali.

No questions on reputation

Singham also ruled that questions relating to Anwar’s reputation will not be allowed.

“I am not allowing it [any question] to be raised about [his] reputation because it is not mentioned in the justification… This case is related to defamation, [not reputation],” he said.

Earlier this morning, Firos cited Anwar’s sodomy case under Section 377 of the Penal Code (for carnal intercourse against order of nature) as the reason for Anwar having no reputation to defend.

Anwar had filed a RM50 million suit against Utusan and its group editor-in-chief Abdul Aziz Ishak in January following its front-page report that was published on Jan 15.

The Utusan report referred to a BBC interview with Anwar and alleged that he had said that the laws on homosexuality in Malaysia were considered “archaic” and “not relevant”.

In the said interview, the BBC reporter had reportedly asked Anwar whether he was prepared to push for the idea of anti-discrimination as far as gay rights were concerned, to which he had allegedly said: “We will have to review some of our archaic laws.”

“We Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia generally believe and are committed to support the sanctity of marriage between men and women, but we should not be seen to be punitive and consider the archaic law as relevant,” Anwar had told BBC.

Hasan’s comments were published in two articles in Utusan Malaysia entitled: “Tolak Anwar – Hasan” (Reject Anwar – Hasan) and “Parasit ancam Pas, Anwar mesti ditolak” (Parasites threatening PAS, Anwar must be rejected).

In the articles, Hasan had reportedly referred to the interview when slamming Anwar for allegedly calling for homosexuality to be made legal in the country.

Anwar was represented by N Surendran, Latheefa Koya and Murnie Hidayah Anuar. Utusan was also represented by Hafarizam Harun and Wan Azmir Wan Majid.

Umno owned

Meanwhile, Firos’ application to expunge three points in Anwar’s statement was also postponed.

All three points are related to Umno’s alleged ownership of Utusan Malaysia.

Earlier, Anwar testified that Utusan takes orders from Umno and Umno appoints its representative into Umno board of director.

In response to another question, Anwar said: “I don’t have the evidence now but I will bring it during the next hearing.

“The name of the director is not specifically stated in the Companies Commission but he is powerful.”

The hearing continues on Aug 13.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/18/discriminating-gays-can-protect-marriages/#ixzz2105SeEmv

Wan Azizah, S’gor MB in waiting?

Naming her as the candidate for the post will solve many problems in Pakatan as well as secure the support of women voters.

PETALING JAYA: In politics nothing is impossible. In recent weeks it is clear that Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim is facing stiff internal pressure from PKR deputy president Azmin Ali’s camp when the latter’s supporters waged a war against Khalid’s private secretary Faekah Hussin through the Internet and social media.

Even though both Khalid and Azmin never publicly showed that they are at odds, the strained ties between the duo is an open secret.

About a year ago sources told FMT that there will be a major reshuffle in Selangor after the 13th general election. At that point of time it was said that PKR de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, planned to field Khalid only in a parliamentary seat (Bandar Tun Razak) and make him a Cabinet minister if Pakatan Rakyat marched into Putrajaya.

Meanwhile, Azmin will contest in his Bukit Antarabangsa state seat and eventually be made the new Selangor menteri besar.

However, recent developments in Selangor PKR, including the Faekah saga and few other internal crisis, requires Anwar to act on the issue carefully in order not to hurt both Khalid and Azmin respectively.

He needs to find a strong figure to unite Selangor PKR in order to hold the state with the help of PAS and DAP as well.

One such figure is his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Personal touch

Wan Azizah has always been addressed as Kak Wan by PKR leaders and members even in the division and branch levels. That is the personal touch and closeness that Wan Azizah has with PKR grassroots members that not even Anwar has.

So speculation is rife that a few PKR division leaders in the state who are unhappy with both Khalid and Azmin are proposing that Wan Azizah contest in a Selangor state seat and eventually be made as the new menteri besar if Pakatan retains the state.

On July 15, Azmin was quoted by Sinar Harian as saying that Selangor PKR is willing to accept Wan Azizah if she decides to contest in a state seat in Selangor.

However, he said that she must first get the support of the PKR grassroots in the state.

Although a very democratic practice, it seems strange that a party president has to go through the state leadership and grassroots in order to secure a seat.

Imagine if Umno president Najib Tun Razak suddenly decides to contest in Negeri Sembilan and Menteri Besar Mohd Hasan says that he needs to seek the permission of his grassroots leaders first?

Yesterday, the speculation of Wan Azizah contesting in Selangor grew stronger when Kapar PKR publicly offered her to contest in the Sementa state seat.

The Sementa seat was won by Umno’s Abdul Rahman Palil uncontested during the 12th national polls when the PKR candidate failed to turn up on nomination day.

The pros and cons

Let’s start with the cons first.

If Wan Azizah contests in a state seat in Selangor, Umno may accuse PKR of practising cronyism and brand the party as a family party.

However, this strategy may not have much of an impact as by now the majority of Malaysians don’t see the Anwar and Wan Azizah combination as an element of cronyism even after their daughter Nurul Izzah was elected as the party’s vice-president.

Malaysians know why Wan Azizah is there and how the party was formed and under what scenario the party was established. Umno and several BN component parties too have the family connection in their leaderships at the national, state and division levels.

Malaysian are largely not bothered about who sits in the party but rather how the leaders run the state and country and how the people can benefit from the policymakers.

On the positive side the move to nominate Wan Azizah as Selangor menteri besar will trigger an excitement among Malaysians, especially the women not only in Selangor but also nationwide.

Wan Azizah and Pakatan will be making history as she will be the first woman menteri besar should Pakatan win back the state.

It will also boost the support of women for Pakatan as internal surveys have shown that the opposition lacks the support of this gender.

Don’t be surprised if even Umno is forced to nominate a woman for the post should Pakatan name Wan Azizah.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/18/wan-azizah-sgor-mb-in-waiting/#ixzz2104Qx5Sl

Clarify Sri Lanka fund, Rama told

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II asked to account for the estimated RM73,000 collected for war victims in 2009

GEORGE TOWN: A DAP branch leader today urged Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy to clarify the status of the party’s Sri Lanka Tamil War Victims Relief Fund 2009.

G Asoghan, chairman of Jalan Bagan Luar branch, said Ramasamy must explain what happened to the estimated RM73,000 collected from mainly Malaysian Indians for the fund.

He said his branch was indirectly involved in the issue as it organised the first meeting of the relief fund committee presided by Ramasamy.

Due to his branch’s involvement in the initial stage, Asoghan said many contributors have been questioning him on the status of the funds collected.

“The public wants to know if the money reached the Tamil war victims of Sri Lanka,” he told FMT.

He said rumours were circulating that the money had been deposited to a personal account of a London-based Sri Lankan called Patmanaban.

He said there were allegations that Patmanaban has since been detained by British authorities for having links with terrorists and for money laundering.

“There are numerous claims, allegations and queries about the fund. We can’t possibly answer for Ramasamy.

“As a responsible party deputy secretary-general and state deputy chairman, Ramasamy must come clean on the issue to safeguard party interests.

“This is not a small matter and he can’t go on being quiet. He’s got to clear the air once and for all to prevent DAP from being accused of sponsoring terrorists and terrorism,” said Asoghan.

Reports with police, MACC


Several contributors are contemplating lodging reports with the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the issue if Ramasamy fails to explain publicly soon.

Asoghan said he had openly called on Ramasamy to “clear the air” only after failing to obtain replies from the party leadership.

Penang DAP launched its Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund to help ethnic Tamil civilians injured in the fighting between the military and Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009.

Ramasamy in a news report in 2009, said the campaign was endorsed by the state government.

“This campaign is being launched on humanitarian grounds and is not racially-motivated,” he said.

Efforts to reach Ramasamy today for comments were futile as he did not reply to calls and text messages.

DAP Penang chairman Chow Kon Yeow has claimed that he knew very little of the details of the fund, except that “it had been sent out.”

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/18/clarify-sri-lanka-fund-rama-told/#ixzz21045ttcI

Dogs put down in violation of MPAJ by-laws

Five cannies and four puppies euthanised without observing seven-day grace period.

PETALING JAYA: A police report was today lodged against the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for euthanising homeless dogs in breach of the council’s own by-laws.

M Siva, 33, lodged the report at the Pandan Indah police station at about 7pm yesterday. He was accompanied by his wife T Uma.

Siva said that there were five homeless dogs that used to loiter around his apartment at Bukit Pandan Bestari that went missing last Thursday.

“The dogs are friendly and many of us feed them ,including the security guards at my apartment. I was attached to one particular dog that looked like a Golden Retriever,” said Siva.

When asked about the dogs disappearance, Siva said that the security guards informed him that the canines were caught by local council officers.

Siva, an executive in a multi-national company, called up the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) the following day as he wanted to adopt the dogs and found out that that it was not City Hall that caught them.

“I realised that if it was not DBKL it must have been MPAJ. So I called up the office on Saturday morning but they were closed,” he said.

On Monday, Siva said that he called up MPAJ again and was attended to by an officer who went by the name Amy Fadhil.

“He told me that he’ll call me back but he didn’t. I called once more and insisted on some information. He transferred my call to another officer by the name of Vijay.

“He confirmed that they caught the five dogs together with four puppies. And to my horror, Vijay told me that all the dogs were put down on Saturday, the day I first called,” he said.

Outsourced to third party

Angered by the news, Siva and his wife went to MPAJ in the afternoon and checked with the local council’s legal department on their regulations in dealing with stray animals.

Siva claimed that he found out that MPAJ by-laws stipulate that dogs caught by the council must be kept for at least seven working days before deciding the next course of action.

He later confronted Amy and Vijay but claimed that the duo ended up blaming each other. The officers even accused a doctor employed by the MPAJ for the killings.

Siva was also livid when the officers refused to reveal details on how and where the dogs and puppies were to sleep, citing confidentiality.

“The officers simply told me that they outsourced the matter to third party, meaning they engaged private dog catchers to deal with strays,” said Siva.

Unhappy with the outcome, Siva said that he will consult his lawyers to get a court order to get the dogs’ carcasses.

“I may try get the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to conduct a post-mortem on the carcasses to find out how they were put down,” he said.

Selangor DVS deputy director Dr Fadzillah Radan, when contacted, said that she had not heard of the case but added that MPAJ should have followed its own by-laws in dealing with the dogs.

“Even then, the dogs must be put to sleep under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian,” she said.

FMT could not reach Selangor exco for local council affairs, Ronnie Liu for comments.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/frontpage/2012/07/18/dogs-put-down-in-violation-of-mpaj-by-laws/#ixzz2103cfTvV

MIC may ‘lose’ state seats

It is the prime minister's direct influence with the NGOs in the Indian community that has helped regain their loyalty to BN.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC, touted to be the largest Indian-based political party in the country, may have less seats to contest in the 13th general election.

Political pundits and party loyalists are predicting that the party, which claims to have some 630,000 members, will see its parliamentary and state seats slashed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

In the 2008 general election, the party was allocated nine parliamentary and 19 state seats under the Barisan Nasional banner.

But it only managed to win three parliamentary and seven state seats. MIC later won another parliamentary seat through a by-election in Hulu Selangor in 2010.

A party veteran whom FMT recently spoke to said MIC has lost its “vibrancy and visibility”.

“The MIC is not as vibrant as before… whatever said and done S Samy Vellu [former MIC president] made the party vibrant and visible.

“Now the party looks to be in a slumber. They need a wake-up call.”

He said the “wake up call’ would be in the form of a “seats slash”.

“I expect to see Najib reducing the number of seats the party will contest.

“MIC is assured of the three seats it won [in 2008]. Hulu Selangor will also be given back to the party… but the other seats are still questionable,” said the leader who declined to be named.

‘Best formula for BN’

At the 2008 general election, MIC won in Segamat (Johor), Cameron Highlands (Pahang) and Tapah (Perak) parliamentary seats.

The Segamat incumbent is party deputy president Dr S Subramaniam while Cameron Highlands and Tapah are held by party vice-presidents S K Devamany and M Saravanan respectively.

The Hulu Selangor seat was won by P Kamalanathan, who is a member of the party’s central working committee member.

Currently, MIC president G Palanivel is “seatless”. He lost his Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat in the 2008 polls by a mere 198 votes.

According to the veteran leader, who has been a party member for the past 40 years, Najib’s recent statements and moves point towards a “restructuring” of the seats-allotment.

“Don’t forget the BN president [Najib] has insisted [in the last BN supreme council meeting] that it is not necessary that all seats are allocated to components parties.

“He also declared at the last Umno general assembly that he only wanted winnable candidates.

“Also, don’t forget he has been engaging the NGO leaders and BN-friendly parties who are seen as dedicated and will help the coalition in achieving its ‘people first’ policy.

“The prime minister in finding the best formula to remain in power is considering fielding candidates who are not politicians,” he said.

During last month’s BN supreme council meeting, Najib had warned all component parties not to claim any right of seat or demand it belongs to them.

NGOs support for Najib

Najib had reportedly said that the seats will be allocated based on ground performance and that he will decide on a suitable candidate.

According to Najib, a BN internal analysis showed MIC as one of the weakest links in BN, having failed to regain the Indian support it lost in the 2008 national polls.

The analysis also indicated that BN had regained its “clout” among Indians but this was through Najib’s direct contact with the community.

“The time has changed now. MIC was once the ‘sole spokesman’ for the Indian community. It’s now lost that right.

“The community now has a multitude of representatives. The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry [MAICCI] led by Kenneth Eswaran has played a major role in Najib’s Indian Economic Transformation Programme.

“MyNadi, chaired by Dr S Jeyaindran, is focused on Tamil schools through ‘Project Ilmu’ and other Indian-based parties like PPP, IPF, MIUP and MMP have done a wonderful job of taking up Indian issues to the relevant authorities.

“Now the community has various channels to help them fulfil their demands and expectations.

“Based on this fact alone, I strongly believed that MIC may lose several of its seats.

“I foresee Najib giving a chance to others to contest in the general election,” he added.

Palanivel a ‘wrong leader’

The veteran leader was also of the opinion that MIC might work out a compromise with the BN leadership.

“I think they will surrender most of the 19 state seats and ask to keep the nine parliamentary seats.

“I won’t be surprised if Najib granted state seats to language-based bodies like Telugu association, Malayali associations and other smaller Indian-based parties.

“By allocating seats directly to them, Najib can enjoy and draw more support from the Indian community without the intervention of MIC,” he added.

When asked to explain the current leadership, the veteran leader described Palanivel as a “wrong president in a right time”.

“What has he done since taking over the party leadership?

“Palanivel is just blowing his own trumpet by claiming that MIC is gaining the trust of the Indian voters when the ground feeling is totally different.

“The community has benefited from Najib’s direct influence. Palanivel did nothing. He is always silent.

“Compared to the former prime ministers, Najib is the best prime minister the Indian community has had todate,” he said.

‘MIC counting its days’

The leader also said the 13th general election was “the best chance ever” to convert all partially aided Tamil schools into fully-aided schools.

“But, until today Palanivel has not voiced out about the issue. He can claim that he raised the matter in Cabinet meetings but it is a public interest matter.

“So, he should make the demand in public,” added the leader.

MIC, he said, is running out of time, now that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had indicated that the general election will likely be held this year.

“It seems like the party is now counting its days to doomsday,” he said

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/18/mic-may-lose-all-state-seats/#ixzz2103Hibe6

Indian debate debacle

The Traveler, Sunday,
Politics find strange bed fellows. In July 2010, K P Samy organized an anti-Samy Vellu gathering, during the height of MIC deputy president Palanivel’s conspiracy to depose Samy Vellu, at Klang Dewan Hamzah. Sensing a huge turnout, Samy Vellu sent his attack dogs led by the Selangor MIC Information chief Subramaniam who successfully completed the mission to disrupt the meeting at any cost.

On July 14, 2012, K P Samy and very same attack dog Subramaniam who spewed vulgarities and flexed his mussel, joined hands to debate Klang MP Charles Santiago and Senator Ramakrishnan at same Klang Dewan Hamzah venue. K P Samy & MIC Attack dog Subramaniam However, the debate did not take place as planned. MIC secretary Murugesan earlier has sent a letter stating the MIC disinterest in the debate, PKR wanted to debate only with UMNO and MP Kulasegaran only wanted to debate with Palanivel. Apparently, the organizer’s of the debate disallowed MIC’s unsanctioned representatives K P Samy and attack dog Subramaniam to participate resulting both of them to walkout, according Malaysia Nanban Tamil daily. Furthermore, the DAP duo only interested to take on MP’s, Senators, Deputy Ministers, Ministers and not political underlings. By the same logic, why should Palanivel take on Kulasegaran? Who is Kulasegaran? Why this Kulasegaran specifically calling Palanivel to debate? Why not Human Resources Minister Subramaniam? Why not deputy minister Saravanan? Why not deputy minister Devamani? The obvious reason is Palanivel’s Tamil sucks. Those who watch Tamil news can see how Palanivel wobbles to complete a sentence in Tamil.  He has to mix Tamil, English and BM. How is he going to reach the Tamil masses? Unlike Palanivel, the rest are quite proficient in Tamil and can easily swallow Kulasegaran. Both Penang Chief Minister Lim Eng Guan and MCA president Chua Soi Lek must be commended for facing each other in two debates, English and Mandarin, affecting Chinese community. Our fellows in MIC, DAP and PKR are good only in giving all kind of lame excuses. A Tamil proverb come to my mind, “Aada theriyathaval aRangam kONal endralzam” which translated can be “Blame the stage, when you don’t know dancing”. That’s the case with Indian Politian’s.

Malaysia Nanban 15072012

Akhbar didakwa fitnah Kit Siang isu raja Melayu

oleh Malaysiakini

DAP hari ini mendedahkan pengedaran sebuah akhbar anti Pakatan Rakyat tidak berdaftar yang didakwa mereka-reka kenyataan penasihatnya Lim Kit Siang berhubung isu raja-raja Melayu.
Akhbar dengan nama Selangor Kita itu dengan memetik “sumber DAP” antaranya memetik Lim sebagai berkata, tidak perlu menghormati pemimpin tertinggi negara Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Ia tidak benar. Saya tidak pernah berkata demikian.
“Pemimpin-pemimpin DAP lain juga tidak pernah berkata demikian,” kata Kit Siang merujuk kepada petikan kenyataan dalam halaman kedua edisi Mei 2012 akhbar tersebut.
Bercakap dalam sidang akhbar di Petaling Jaya pagi tadi, Lim berkata, penerbitan itu bersifat menghasut dan memberikan gambaran yang salah tentang dirinya.

“Ini adalah penerbitan yang sangat tidak bertanggungjawab untuk mewujudkan rasa tidak percaya dan kurang senang antara kaum.
“Ia juga bertujuan memberikan gambaran seolah-olah saya ini menentang sistem kesultanan Melayu dan seolah-olah saya ini tidak hormat kepada Raja-raja Melayu,” katanya.
Akhbar dengan reka letak ala Selangor Kini – penerbitan rasmi kerajaan Selangor pimpinan Pakatan – tanpa nama penerbit, pengedar dan penulis itu mempunyai hanya lapan halaman dan didakwa dikesan sekitar Puchong.

 

Antara tajuk beritanya “PKR Selangor PENAKUT!”, “Politik dendam Khalid Ibrahim tiada batasan”, dan “PTPTN: Pemuda Umno bidas kerajaan Selangor”.

Turut dimuatkan kenyataan dan gambar Timbalan Ketua Perhubungan BN Selangor Datuk Noh Omar yang mengkritik pentadbiran Selangor.
Sementara itu ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Kampung Tunku Lau Weng San yang mendakwa menerima akhbar itu berkata akan membuat laporan polis petang ini.

Guidelines will be out soon, says IGP

Malay Mail 
by Thasha Jayamanogaran

THE standard operating procedure (SOP) for police handling of media personnel during mass gatherings will be implemented soon, says Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar (pic).

He said the police were drafting the SOP.

“Immediately after the chaos at the recent Bersih 3.0 rally, we addressed this issue and it (the SOP) is in the process of being analysed and studied,” he said when commenting on the findings of the Bersih 3.0 independent investigative panel that police had no SOP on how to handle the media during crises.

Panel chairman Tun Hanif Omar had said the lack of such an SOP could have caused the alleged violence against media personnel covering the rally by some lower rank police officers.

Said Ismail: “We also learn from experience. I will be receiving the full report from the panel today (Monday). If there is any weakness from our side, we will definitely look into it.”

On allegations that recent criminal activities were the work of former Emergency Ordinance (EO) detainees released following its repeal, Ismail said that while it was a challenge for the police, he would not agree it had contributed to an increase in crime.

“They do not have figures or proof. It is our job and we are here to stay and deal with the new challenges. We are not running away from anything. The ex-EO detainees also have moral obligations and we do not look at them as criminals,” he said.

Ismail reiterated his statement last week that one of the police’s main goals now was to meet public expectations in their handling of crime.

He said police were studying the changing methods used criminals and adopt the necessary counter-measures.

It was reported that at a closed-door meeting between Ismail and his men last Friday, police agreed they must ensure that the public felt safe following the recent series of violent mall and street crimes.

Yesteryear Bollywood Superstar Rajesh Khanna Dies

NEW DELHI, July 18 (Bernama) -- Yesteryear Bollywood superstar, Rajesh Khanna, has died at the age of 69 in Mumbai.

Indian media reported that the actor suffered from cancer.

Rajesh Khanna, who was married to "Bobby" heroin Dimple Kapadia had appeared in more than 160 films, including hits such as Kati Patang, Aaradhana, Andaz, Haathi Mere Saathi and Amar Prem.

Khanna and his ex-wife, Dimple had two daughters, Twinkle Khanna, who is married to actor Akshay Kumar, and Rinke Khanna, who is married to a businessman, Sameer Saran.

The BBC made a film on him, titled 'Bombay Superstar' in 1974. A textbook prescribed by Bombay University contains an essay, 'The Charisma of Rajesh Khanna'.

Anti-Lynas protesters gathered in Sydney

Anti-Lynas protesters gathered in Sydney on 14 July to express solidarity with their Malaysian counterparts who cast their ballots in a mock referendum on the rare earth refinery in towns across Malaysia.

Hindraf tuntut Pendidikan Moral tak wajib lulus

Uttar Pradesh : Talibanisation in Heartland India. Islamic Taliban Insiders are the main threat in India.

The majority Muslim panchayat also said girls have to cover their heads while stepping out of house. Photo – Daily Mail.

When the whole of India will come under a ‘Talibani Fatwa’? Who are helping the Talibans of India?

‘Talibani’ panchayat: UP panchayat bans love marriage, forbids girls from using cell phones

By MAIL TODAY BUREAU

“The self-styled guardians of morality and social values in India are getting more brazen day-by-day.

In a Talibani diktat slapping several restrictions on women, a village panchayat in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh – around 40 km from the national Capital – banned girls from using mobile phones when out on roads and women less than 40 years old from going out shopping.

The panchayat of Asara village also banned love marriages and ordered girls to cover their heads while stepping out of their houses.

The decisions were taken by the panchayat in February this year. It met on Wednesday to ensure strict enforcement of its decisions.

‘We noticed that some girls and their parents were not taking our order seriously. So, we held a meeting on Wednesday in which we resolved that those who defy the order would be first ostracised and then expelled from the village. There are other ways also to make them follow the instructions. But that would be decided when such a situation arises,’ Mohammed Mohkam (50), a member of the panchayat, said.

While 70 per cent villagers are Muslims, 30 per cent are Hindus, most of them Jats.

The meeting on Wednesday was attended by 200 people, representing the two communities in proportion to their population. To be sure, there were some welcome decisions also as the panchayat ruled that taking or giving dowry would be a punishable offence.

Besides, it barred boys from using headphones/earphones on roads and in bylanes.

‘We also want even our boys to stop using earphone because they fail to listen horn on the roads and meet with accidents. Our women are also expected to cover their heads in the village. They can remove it once out of the boundary of the village,’ Mohkam said.

But most of the fatwas were aimed at curbing the freedom of girls. The panchayat slammed love birds planning to enter into wedlock.

Love marriages are a shame for society. It is very painful for the parents, specially the girl’s family, because

“homes are the more suitable place for the women”- prohibited for Ramadan marketing in Bhupal, Madhya Pradesh last year.

such marriages dent their respectability. Anyone who goes for love marriage will not be allowed to live in the village,’ Sattar Ahmed, another member of the panchayat, said.

Justifying the bizarre decision to ban women below 40 from going to the market, Ahmed said: ‘It gives rise to crime.’

Defending the fatwa on girls covering their heads: ‘This is for their safety.’

Most villagers welcomed the orders. Vijendra Kashyap, a local, said: ‘Women must follow them.’

‘I would have been more happy had the panchayat imposed a complete ban on girls using mobiles,’ Tarun Chaudhary, another villager, said.

Mohammed Islamuddin (62), another panchayat member, said: ‘We are of the view that our immature daughters and sisters shouldn’t carry a mobile phone because it leads to various complications. You know well how mobile phone has been misused to make MMS clips. We want to prevent them from any wrongdoing and protect them from bad elements.’

Even women appeared to support the panchayat’s diktats. Geeta Devi, 40, said: ‘Whatever they have decided would be followed. There shouldn’t be arguments.’

However, Neetu Singh, a 23- year-old MA student in Baghpat who belongs to the same village, said: “I agree with the order that women should cover their heads in the village.

But using a mobile is necessary to be in touch with our parents. The panchayat must know that women are no less than men in any walk of life.’

Baghpat’s superintendent of police V.K. Shekhar said: ‘A deputy superintendent of police is probing the matter and suitable action will be taken once I receive the report.’

State Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshis said: ‘We will take up this Talibani order with the National Women’s Rights Commission. Such bizarre orders can’t be accepted at any cost.’“

This (“__”) was the report of Daily Mail about the bare Talibanization of an Indian village of Uttar Pradesh and various places in India those were not covered in that report.

The reality of Islamization in many fronts throughout India, mainly in Uttar Pradesh which is now under the control of Samajwadi Party and Muslim Operators of Talibanization, is dreadful.

Hindu Existence sites have been trying to surface the truth about the Talibanisation of India, despite various obstacles put on us. Now, the news from horse’s mouth cannot be described as communal enough though it is always branded most communal when it appears in Hindu Existence.

A THREATENING TO HINDUS IN INDIA BY INDIAN TALIBANS.

“”[[This Country ‘India’ was never a nation of Hindus. It was ruled and governed by Muslims for hundreds of years. And we the students of tahreek-e-taliban-hindusthan, demand that the Muslim majority areas should be and must be ruled according to the Sharia Law.

Threatening letter to Hindus by Talibans.

Therefore we pass This verdict from today onwards that all the non-muslim living in muslim majority areas should start paying ‘JIZYA’- A tax that every non-muslim has to pay to Live and Work under Muslims.

You have only three choices:

1) Convert to our great faith ‘Islam” and u will be safe.

2) Or pay the Jizyah on our terms and conditions and live.

3) Or accept our challenge and fight us on the battle field.

Ten % of your monthly income must be deposited to the local Mosques on the 1stdate of every month. Failing to do so Or taking this verdict lightly will result in very harsh and serious punishment and it will be considered as act of treason and provocation to War.

INSHALLAH!!! We will make you sure in a way you can never imagine.

Darul Uloom Deoband, India.

You can contact us on the following e-mail address, Phone or Fax:

info@darululoom-deoband.com

Phone: 91-1335-222429 Fax: 91-1336-222768]]””

Hate speech, xenophobia, racism in comic book on foreigners in Malaysia

A shot of the new booklet in Malaysia showing racist views of black foreigners.

KUALA LUMPUR: Black face is never a good idea. Malaysia’s new comic book aimed at educating the country’s taxi drivers as cultural ambassadors for the country has shown that racism and xenophobia can find a place in the location one least expects it.

For the Malaysian government to employ it and publish Africans in this lens is “disrespectful and racist,” said cultural psychologist Mariam Razq, who told Bikyamasr.com that she was “shocked that in today’s modern multicultural world, this kind of overt racism continues.”

She was referring to a recent “M1-Malaysia” magazine aimed at educating the governments recent addition of taxi drivers to be the frontline for tourist relations in the country.

The booklet reveals the dark side of racism and its undercurrents that can be shown publicly. In the magazine, dark-skinned foreigners are depicted with large mouths, white lipstick and slapstick-type qualities in what experts and organizations haave condemned as “highly crude and discriminatory remarks.”

In a statement the Working Group on National Ratification of International Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said the booklet is a distorted propaganda publication bearing the 1Malaysia logo and was widely distributed at the 1Malaysia People’s Taxi Program launch on June 25.

“We strongly and collectively condemn the discriminatory cartoon in the comic booklet entitled “M1-Malaysia – Majalah untuk rakyat,” the statement said.

“The irony is this degrading comic book was actually given to the thousands of tax drivers who were being heralded as the “tourism ambassadors” of our country,” the coalition of NGOs said in the statement.

The booklet continued to refer to black foreigners as “Mr. Charcoal.”

Razq said that getting beyond racism can be a difficult process and one that takes time, “but government officials should have known better than to publish something so blatant and which could have horrible affects for black people visiting the country.”

“This negative depiction of any race or nationality based on skin color is a violation of basic human rights. Sadly this embarrassing document obviously contradicts the spirit, sentiment and principles of “1 Malaysia” as espoused by PM Najib’s government.

“Respect, unity and tolerance for all are not values only to be enjoyed by Malaysian Citizens but they are universal principles applicable for all human beings on this earth!

“This “Xenophobic” behavior or the ridiculous and unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners is truly embarrassing for our nation and our multicultural population. It is a total contradiction to the common claim that Malaysians are very sensitive to each other despite racial and religious differences, and we have achieved the delicate balance of “unity in diversity”,” said the statement in demanding the government immediately remove the document from circulation and publish a new magazine that accurately represents dark-skinned visitors to the country.

The statement continued to warn and question what the result would be if children in Malaysia came in contact with the booklet.

The Malaysia Information Ministry said it was looking into the matter and would investigate the groups’ argument and claims.

For now, the booklet remains in public view, and for the first line of “ambassadors” and taxi drivers who will meet and greet visitors to the country, there are worries that it could have dramatic consequences.

Razq said that more efforts are needed to “educate Malaysians on differences between people, but in a manageable way that does not divide and show people that it is all right to promote racist behavior.”

BM

Imam's call for women to cover up is 'offensive'

By Jenny Yuen, QMI Agency ,

TORONTO - A law forcing women to dress conservatively to prevent sex assaults would "push the blame onto victims," women's rights advocates said Monday.

Calling Muslim cleric Al-Haashim Kamena Atangana's proposal to change Canadian laws to require women to cover themselves "offensive," the executive director of the women's shelter Nellie's said how a woman dresses has nothing to do with sexual assaults.

"I would like to find out the stats in the Muslim countries," Margarita Mendez said.

"The issue is the violence against women, power and control, and it has nothing to do with how women dress. I find his views very oppressive, and it's blaming the victim when we don't have control over men who are abusive."

Atangana has been criticized since he publicly aired his views Sunday that women should have a "dress code." The imam also commended Const. Michael Sanguinetti for advising a group of York University students last year that women should avoid "dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."

But many women claim those views are out of line.

"Who's going to be passing a law like that in Canada?" Mendez said. "This is against women's right to safety and women's right to say no regardless of how they dress. No means no. Don't try to force me dress in a way that's not within my culture or beliefs."

Harmy Mendoza, of the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto, recalled her "blood boiling" after reading about Atangana's stated beliefs.

"Women are not to be blamed in this country or any other country in the world," she said. "These ideas have to be challenged."

jenny.yuen@sunmedia.ca

Muhyiddin mahu singkirkan Najib seperti Pak Lah

"Saya rasa TPM tak sabar nak jadi PM," kata Mahfuz Omar dalam sidang media di lobi Parlimen hari ini.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena Datuk Mahfuz Omar mendakwa Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin cuba menyingkirkan Datuk Seri Najib Razak daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri apabila mahu Pilihan Raya Umum 13 (PRU13) diadakan pada tahun ini juga.

Muhyiddin semalam dalam laporan media membayangkan tahun ini merupakan masa terbaik PRU13 dan tidak fikir ia akan berlarutan sehingga tahun depan.

“Sekarang sudah hendak masuk bulan puasa (Ramadan). Ada orang tanya apakah bulan puasa nak diadakan pilihan raya? Saya kata apa salahnya.

Bulan raya (Aidilfitri), apa salahnya. Selepas itu sambutan Hari Kebangsaan (31 Ogos), apa salahnya. Masuk September (sambutan) Hari
Malaysia. Bila dah sampai waktu, maka jadilah ia (pilihan raya),” katanya dipetik Bernama.

Mahfuz mendakwa, kenyataan Muhyiddin itu sangat bercanggah dengan hasrat Najib sebelum ini yang mahu menggunakan sepenuhnya mandat tempoh PRU sehingga April tahun depan supaya semua janji kepada rakyat dapat ditunaikan.

Katanya, sebagai orang kanan Muhyiddin sepatutnya mendukung hasrat Najib namun beliau dilihat sekali lagi mahu cuba menggunakan ‘formula peralihan kuasa’ yang sama semasa pengunduran mantan Perdana Menteri Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pada tahun 2010.

Ulang seperti desak Pak Lah undur

“Nampaknya dia ulang apa yang dilakukannya pada tahun 2010 apabila mengeluarkan kenyataan mendesak Pak Lah undur lebih awal daripada tarikh yang dipersetujui Kabinet.

“Saya rasa TPM tak sabar nak jadi PM,” katanya dalam sidang media di lobi Parlimen hari ini.

Naib Presiden PAS itu mendakwa Muhyiddin mempunyai perkiraan sendiri apabila menyedari BN tidak mungkin memperolehi kemenangan majoriti 2/3.

Katanya, jika perkara itu terjadi semasa PRU 13, Najib harus melakukan perkara yang sama seperti Abdullah iaitu melepaskan jawatannya.

“Dia (Muhyiddin) mengharapkan kalau BN nak menang pun jangan menang majoriti besar.

“Kalau menang majoriti dia tiada harapan…jadi biarlah kalah yang berbaloi,” katanya.

Katanya, kenyataan Muhyiddin itu mungkin akan menumbulkan krisis dalam Umno selepas kedua-dua pemimpin tertinggi itu menimbulkan spekulasi tarikh PRU13 yang berbeza.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/16/muhyiddin-mahu-singkirkan-najib-seperti-pak-lah/#ixzz20trvSFUj

Another sodomy trial in the making?

A popular pro-Umno blogger claims of a new sodomy allegation against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim while critics have already started to call it 'yet another Umno conspiracy'.
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: Pro-Umno blogger Papagomo (http://www.papagomo.com/) has claimed that a fresh sodomy case was being brought against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

In a blog posting yesterday night, the blogger claimed that he had received information that a university student had lodged a police report againt the PKR de facto leader, claiming to have been sodomised the previous night.

The blogger alleged that the report was made in a police station in one of the northern states in the country.

“It is not known if the report is real or not but what is certain is that all embassies in Malaysia must not to protect Anwar if he decides to hide himself like he did in the previous sodomy case,” wrote the blogger.

Without divulging more, the blogger teased his readers, asking them wait for more in the next development.

Attempts by FMT to obtain a confirmation from the police if such a police report existed were unsuccessful.

Papagomo had also posted a photo of the said student in a police vehicle. The student was accompanied by another man in what appeared to be a police patrol car.

When contacted today, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar however said no such report had been lodged.

“No report so far,” he told FMT.

Anwar’s aide meanwhile said the opposition leader was presently away on an official visit to Jakarta.

Umno’s new tactic

In an immediate response, Edy Noor Reduan, a spokesperson for the PKR-linked Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) said that this ‘Sodomy III’ would be Umno’s brand new tactic.

He noted that this third installment followed the failures to prove the previous two other sodomy ‘conspiracies’ against Anwar.

“The public is sick with news items that are obscene in nature and will be nauseated if another conspiracy is created. Utusan [Malaysia] will once again compete with Playboy magazine.

“And for sure tens of millions of public funds will be used to construct a ‘state of the art’ conspiracy since Sodomy II failed to put Anwar behind bars,” he said in a statement.

PKR’s strategic director Rafizi Ramli also rubbished this latest claim in a tweet feed late last night.

Two sodomy trials

On Jan 9 this year, High Court Judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah acquitted and discharged Anwar of the charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari.

Three years ago, Anwar was accused of committing the act at a Desa Damansara condominium unit in Bukit Damansara between 3.10pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

The offence of “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” under Section 377B of the Penal Code carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping on conviction.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers is appealing Anwar’s discharge and acquittal.

Following Saiful’s police report against Anwar then, the PKR leader had temporarily sought refuge at the Turkey embassy before he finally agreed to be questioned by the police. This was why Papagomo had made reference to diplomats not to protect Anwar over the latest accusation.

The first time Anwar was accused of sodomy was in 1998, where he was charged together with his adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja, with sodomising his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s driver Azizan Abu Bakar.

Anwar was found guilty in 2000 and sentenced to nine years in jail.

However, Anwar was freed on Sept 5, 2004 after the Federal Court set aside the sodomy conviction and jail term. The court also overturned the conviction and six-year jail sentence of Sukma.

Latheefa urged to reconsider resignation

Selangor PKR deputy chairman Zuraida Kamaruddin credits Latheefa Koya for the new political culture in PKR and the local council.

PETALING JAYA: Selangor PKR wants PKR information chief Latheefa Koya to reconsider her decision to resign as a Petaling Jaya councillor.

Selangor PKR deputy chairman Zuraida Kamaruddin in a statement said: “While Selangor PKR respects her decision, we also want her to reconsider her decision as she had been very instrumental in driving new political culture in the party as well as the local authority.”

Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP and the party’s Wanita wing chief, said this in response to Latheefa’s resignation as Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor.

Zuraida also revealed that Latheefa had quit as the PKR councillors whip as well.

In Latheefa’s resignation letter dated yesterday, she stated that the exposure of an internal email to the media is the reason for her resignation.

In the email to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, she allegedly had questioned the state policy on housing for the poor.

Zuraida also reminded the state government to be more open to criticism, especially those that are done in confidentiality as in Latheefa’s case.

Selangor PKR also expressed its regret over the manner the state government “had taken the issue in its own hands” without consulting the party’s state leadership.

This is because the state government had been mulling over sacking Latheefa earlier. Sources said that Khalid had put the motion during a state exco but no decision was made.

Dr M doing BN more harm than good

The former premier's comments on vernacular education has got the Indian and Chinese fuming.
COMMENT

Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s critical comments on the existence of Tamil and Chinese schools in this country has drawn an unprecedented tirade against him from the Tamil media, with many Indian leaders firing salvos at the former premier for his unacceptable stand.

In a recent interview with Utusan Malaysia, Mahathir’s comments suggested that vernacular schools should be abolished to have one single education system.

Everyone was surprised because during his tenure of 22 years as the premier of this country no one remembered such remarks coming from him. Knowing the political dangers of making such statements as a prime minister, Mahathir never seriously ventured into the arena of vernacular school education during his days.

Upon the publication of Mahathir’s comments, the Tamil media went into a frenzy as many Indian NGOs and leaders lambasted Mahathir for his comments on removing Tamil schools as it would ultimately eradicate Tamil education in this country, a subject close to the hearts of Tamils who form the largest segment within the Indian community.

“A venom known as Mahathir” was the heading of the editorial serial of Tamil daily Thinakural written by the newspaper’s editor BR Rajan. In a series of articles, Rajan outlined Mahathir’s venomous attacks on minorities and their right to learn their mother tongues.

Other Tamil newspapers also carried similar statements attacking Mahathir.

Several Indian NGO leaders soon joined the fray in condemning Mahathir for making statements against minority races and vernacular education.

However, the senior MIC leaders carefully avoided a confrontation with Mahathir on this issue for reasons best known to them. MIC is also known for its continued battle for the betterment of Tamil schools and Tamil education.

Can BN repair the damage?

Mahathir is always seen as the voice of Umno and BN. Reports suggest that even Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s actions are to some extent influenced by Mahathir’s thinking.

Mahathir is going around the country whipping up support for Umno and BN with the 13th general election in his mind. He has even summoned government officers for his meetings with BN-Umno party leaders, but it remains to be seen whether his campaigns are in fact helping BN or pushing the minority votes away from BN, thereby further spoiling its chances of retaining Putrajaya.

Some of Mahathir’s recent comments are causing colossal damage to BN’s efforts in getting the crucial Chinese and Indians votes during the forthcoming general election.

The Chinese community is not pleased with his views on Chinese private schools and before their perceptions could be corrected by the BN government, Mahathir further angered the Chinese community by criticising Najib for recognising educational certificates from Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) college, which is run by MCA.

While the Chinese community is upset with the comments from Mahathir, his Utusan interview has also clearly caused discontentment among the Indian community.

The Indian community is already upset and unhappy with Umno-BN for its actions against S Ambiga. Before the dust surrounding Ambiga’s issues could settle, Mahathir’s comments have caused further displeasure within the Indian community.

Mahathir’s comments cannot be ignored just because it is not coming from a government minister of the day. He is still seen as part of the government, greatly influencing its affairs.

The Indian community, too, had a respectable view about Mahathir for his past contributions to the country but that seems to be shattered now in view of his comments on the Tamil schools.

Some segments of the Indian community still argue that Mahathir’s racially inclined policies during his 22-year tenure as premier was one of the key factors that retarded the growth and progress of the Indian community and some single him out for the sorry state of the Indian community today.

Some firm and unwavering assurances from the prime minister or his deputy on vernacular education – which may be forthcoming – would be able to change the perceptions created by Mahathir on vernacular education in this country, but the damage has already been done as far as the Indian votes are concerned.

Only time would tell us whether the mighty BN machinery would be able to overcome and correct the damage.

RJ Rajah is an observer and writer on politics and social issues with a keen interest particularly in Malaysian Indian affairs.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/07/17/dr-m-doing-bn-more-harm-than-good/#ixzz20tq05P7G

Woman wants name cleared

(The Star) - A WOMAN implicated in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's alleged RM3bil controversy has demanded that the Opposition Leader clear her name, reported Mingguan Malaysia.

Zaliah Zakaria said it was important for Anwar to explain the issue so people would know the truth and for her family not to become his political victims.

“I want Anwar to explain the truth,” she was quoted as saying.

“I feel pressured because a close acquaintance even labelled me as Anwar's mistress,” she said.

Zaliah has lodged a police report in Kuala Lumpur and a complaint with Pertubuhan Islam Gabungan Amal (Pertiga), a Muslim-based welfare organisation.

Utusan Malaysia had earlier reported Zaliah's confessions after Ummi Hafilda Ali, one of Anwar's critics, linked a mystery woman to his alleged RM3bil wealth.

Zaliah claimed that her children don't feel safe following Ummi's allegation that she had to pay over RM50mil in income tax, and that she either owned or was associated with 62 luxury units, including condominiums and bungalows.

“I fear that Ummi's statements could put my children in danger of being kidnapped,” she said, while calling on Ummi to stop linking her to the issue.

Pertiga president Sabaruddin Ahmad said that by remaining silent, Anwar had caused a third party to suffer the brunt of his political agenda.

Najib doing the greatest disservice to national unity and 55-year Malaysian nation building by insisting that the BN 13GE campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati” is adopted as this year’s theme for National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak is doing the greatest disservice to national unity and 55-year Malaysian nation-building by insisting that the Barisan Nasional 13th General Election campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati” (Promises Fulfilled) is adopted as this year’s theme for National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

National Day and Malaysia Day should be national occasions where Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region, class, gender, age and most important of all, political beliefs and affiliations, can come together as Malaysians first and last to celebrate the attainment of Merdeka on August 31, 1957 and the formation of Malaysia on Sept. 16, 1963.

However, when the National Day and Malaysia Day theme this year is the blatant and partisan Barisan Nasional 13GE campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati”, whose dissemination had been spearheaded by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a highly politicized tour dubbed “Jelajah Janji Ditepati” all over the country in the past few months, the Barisan Nasional government is deliberately provoking instead of avoiding a national division among Malaysians based on their political beliefs and affiliations on these two national occasions.

The question that must be asked is – Who is being petty-minded and even being anti-national?

Is the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the Barisan Nasional component parties so desperate about getting electoral support in the next general election that they cannot afford to allow National Day and Malaysia Day to be celebrated by all Malaysians without bringing in party politics or partisan political differences?

In fact, if Najib and the Cabinet are serious about the 1Malaysia policy to create “a nation where every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second and where the principles of 1Malaysia are woven into the economic, political and social fabric of society” (1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme – The Roadmap), they would have ensured that at least on National Day and Malaysia Day all forms of political party slogans would have been put aside to allow all Malaysians to celebrate these two national occasions as Malaysians, regardless of whether they are Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

Pakatan Rakyat component parties are prepared to put aside all its slogans on National Day and Malaysia Day, but clearly UMNO and Barisan Nasional are not prepared to make such an important national gesture.

I do not know whether Muhyiddin, who have declared that he is “Malay first, Malaysian second” would have agreed that at least on these two days of National Day and Malaysia Day all be Malaysians first, but it is most inexcusable, unforgivable and anti-national when Barisan Nasional leaders failed to rise to the national occasion by insisting that UMNO/BN campaign theme of “Janji Ditepati” becomes the National Day and Malaysia Day theme despite causing division, discord and disunity among Malaysians.

This is a classic example where those-in-power are unable to see the important distinction between the nation and parties-in-power or among the government, political parties and private personal interests.

It is the failure to make the important distinction between the nation and the parties-in-power , or among the government, political parties and personal interests that is the real cause of the overwhelming misgovernance in the country, whether gross abuses of power, massive corruption or rampant cronyism.

The “Janji Ditepati” theme for this year’s National Day and Malaysia Day stands as a powerful reminder to Malaysians why there must be change in Malaysia particularly in the 13GE – where the important distinction between the nation and the political parties in power, and among the government, political parties and personal interests are scrupulously observed and upheld if Malaysia is to start a new chapter of national life where promises of the government to serve the people and nation are to be truly fulfilled.

From now to Malaysia Day on Sept. 16, let the “Janji Ditepati” slogan all over the country be a constant reminder to all Malaysians that they must stand united to demand for change in the 13th general election if they want the promises of democracy, justice, progress, clean and honest governance in Malaysia to be fulfilled!

Law to bring back prisoners

The New Straits Times 
by ILI LIYANA MOKHTAR

IN THE WORKS: Act will have them serve their sentences here

KUALA LUMPUR:  A COMMITTEE has been formed to draw up legislation to have Malaysians in prisons overseas serve their sentences in local prisons, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday.

Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay said the committee, established by the Home Ministry together with the Foreign Ministry, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and the Prisons Department is considering drafting a specific law to make this possible.

"The Act is called Akta Pemindahan Antarabangsa (International Transfer Act).

"When it is accepted, we will also need to sign a bilateral treaty with other countries to enable us to bring back Malaysians who are imprisoned overseas to serve their sentences here," he said in reply to Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin during question time.

Chin wanted to know the number of Malaysians who were in prisons abroad, the crimes committed and the government's efforts to extradite them back to be tried.

Kohilan said that the Home Ministry as the lead agency was in the midst of studying and preparing the protocols and mechanisms to bring home the prisoners and enable them to serve their sentences locally in accordance with the Prisons Act 1995 and Prisons Regulations 2000.

He said as of June, there were 2,500 Malaysians detained in foreign prisons for various offences such as drug trafficking, murder, falsifying credit cards, commercial offences, theft, illegal immigration, cheating and falsifying documents and human trafficking.

He said there were 10 countries with a large number of Malaysian prisoners, with Singapore heading the list.

"In Singapore, 1,096 Malaysians are detained, followed by Thailand (404), China (231), Indonesia (148), Taiwan (137), Australia (77), Spain (47), Kuwait (33), Vietnam (29), and France (25)," he said.

Kohilan said the government was always concerned about the fate and welfare of Malaysians detained abroad.

But he stressed that the government respected and would not interfere with the laws of other countries.

Selangor Government Must Present Water Plans - Muhyiddin

TAMPIN, July 17 (Bernama) - The Selangor government must present water plans to federal government if it wants to takeover supply from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas).

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the takeover could not be done arbitrarily as the federal government must be informed based on provisions in the concession agreement.

"The Selangor government must inform the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui who will study whether they have grounds for it.

"We want to see their plans on how to resolve the water crisis in Selangor," he told reporters after a meet-the-people session at SMK Taman Indah near here Tuesday.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state government was considering taking over from Syabas as it failed to carry out duties according to the concession agreement.

The takeover could not be done unilaterally but with mutual consent of the state and federal government.

Muhyiddin said uncertain weather conditions caused water supply at treatment plants to remain at low level.

"This is of great concern to consumers and the state government must take responsibility.

"We had submitted and discussed the proposal for a long time but they did not not make a decision."

On another note, he said the government did not stop teachers from wearing traditional dress in schools provided they adhere to the dress code.

"Nowadays, the Chinese and Indians wear the Malay baju kurung while the Malays wear the Cheongsam. We have no restrictions," he added.