Shahrizat felt humiliated by 'cow minister' tag

(Malaysiakini) Former minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil described in detail in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today her humiliation at being called "Cow minister of the year" by parliamentarian and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.

No one, even politicians, deserved to be called in such a manner, the former women, family and community development minister told Judicial Commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera when testifying on the RM100 million defamation suit she filed on Jan 19.

"Surely nobody deserves to be insulted in such a manner. This is beyond acceptable ‘political bantering'.

"It is obvious that Zuraida realises the reference to ‘lembu' is a deragotory remark and in the colloquial Malay sense suggests stupidity, and this is slanderous and insulting," Shahrizat said.
A minister for 13 years, she described the words uttered as meant to humiliate and tarnish her reputation as a woman and that this went beyond the permissable extent, even in the political arena.

Zuraida made the remark during the PKR delegates conference last year, Shahrizat said in the suit she filed against PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli and Zuraida for implicating her in the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) Sdn Bhd fiasco.
Rafizi and Zuraida have filed a counter-claim against the former minister.
The Umno Wanita leader and seasoned politician also said the Internet had resulted in the allegations "to be unstoppable", despite she being cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
'Internet a strange creature... unstoppable'

"The Internet is a strange creature in that once it has built sufficient momentum, it becomes unstoppable. Reading about a politician being allegedly corrupt is sensational and creates interest.

"However, reading any publication subsequently declaring the innocence will often go unnoticed.

"You must understand that if abused, the Internet can be an unchecked and uncontrollable weapon to spread rumours and lies, until such time a euphoria of hate is created among the public," Shahrizat said.
She said these accusations against her became a topic of conversation even in the Internet and on social networks.

Shahrizat said the very nature of social networks, when one posts comments, invite others to comment.

“This is when embellishment takes place. In fact, I was informed the allegations against me spiralled into suggestions and accusations that the National Feedlot Corporation funded holidays for me in Phuket.

“My whole family and I have never ever been to Phuket. This is a ridiculous and blatant vicious lie orchestrated to produce anger and hatred towards me and my family,” she said of the allegation raised by Rafizi.

Rafizi at in one of his press conferences, Shahrizat said, claimed that the NFC booked a holiday through travel agency Impian Global Network Services. However, Shahrizat said, as a travel agency, Impian Global arranged tickets for business and pleasure as well.

“Let me explain how mischievous Rafizi is. In his press conference, he identified that payments were made through the travel agent by NFC. He then produced a print-out of their website, which revealed that this travel agent also advertised holiday packages to Phuket, Bandung, etc.

“He then made this insidious and deceptive conclusion that since these packages were advertised, NFC must have bought packages to Phuket, Bandung and other advertised holiday destinations.

“In all honesty, NFC never bought me any holiday packages but instead, merely used the travel agent for its ticketing for business travel,” she said.
'Rafizi planted seeds of doubt and suspicion'

Shahrizat said Rafizi planted seeds of doubts and suspicion in his press conference by referring to the website advertisements for holiday packages and concluded that NFC bought holiday packages for her.

The former minister and Umno Wanita chief said hundreds of articles were now circulated on the Internet on the NFC issue, along with widespread postings on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.

She also touched on her decision to resign from the cabinet when her term as senator expired.

“As a responsible leader, I wanted to do the right thing. I do not want the opposition to use me as the wife of the NFC chairperson to malign or cast aspersions on the government while I hold public office.

“I was being investigated by the MACC, judged by the court of public opinion as a result of the lies orchestrated by the defendants (Rafizi and Zuraida).

“It was not tenable for me to carry out my public duties so I resigned as minister at the end of my term as a senator. However, I am still the Wanita Umno and Wanita BN chief,” she said.

Shahrizat is expected to be cross-examined by lawyers for Rafizi and Zuraida on Friday before Justice Vazeer Alam. Also present in court today was her husband and NFC chairperson Mohd Salleh Ismail and their children.

Men with weird hairstyles risk arrest in Saudi

[Image via Shutterstock]

Saudi Arabia’s feared religious police warned men they could be arrested if they are caught in public with a weird hair style deemed against Islamic tenets.

The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said it has plans to enter schools next academic year to warn teen age boys against styling their hair in a way that violate tradition in the conservative Gulf Kingdom.

The Commission’s chairman, Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, was reacting to reports about what newspapers described as a widespread phenomenon involving teen age Saudis wearing weird dresses and styling their hair in a bizarre way.

“Hair is a personal thing in which we should not intervene directly,” he said, quoted by the Saudi Arabic language daily Okaz.

“But if the young man wears strange clothes and his hair style violates Islamic tradition and tenets, then he will be stopped…if we find that this boy’s aim is to harass women and hurt the society in a way that will make us a subject of sarcasm among other societies, then we have to prevent and deter him.”

‘Christian’ Indonesia a big threat to Malaysia, says Muslim academic

Tee has long styled himself a champion of Islam.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — A Christian-majority Indonesia could be a threat to a small Muslim nation like Malaysia, controversial academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has said as growing Christian proselytisation in the Southeast Asian giant fuels fears of Islam’s followers leaving the religion.

The Chinese-Muslim convert was weighing in on a recent furore in the world’s most populous Muslim nation that is experiencing a growing wave of converts to Christianity — as many as two million people a year — that had sparked a recent campaign to reverse the religious trend called “Save Maryam”.

Indonesia used to be 90 per cent Muslim, he said, but was now recording only 200 million Muslims out of a total population of 240 million.

“Mengikut jangkaan, jika sesuatu tidak dilakukan, pada 2035, Indonesia akan menjadi negara majoriti Kristian (According to estimates, if nothing is done, Indonesia will become a Christian-majority country by 2035).

“Jika perkara ini berlaku, ini satu ancaman besar kepada negara Islam kecil seperti Malaysia (If nothing is done, this will be a huge threat to a small Muslim nation like Malaysia),” said the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia lecturer, in his column “Buka Minda (Open Mind)” published today by Malay daily Sinar Harian.

Tee, who is a member of the Islamic Consultative Council and Wasatiyyah panel in the Prime Minister’s Department, has long styled himself a champion of Islam.

He noted that many Muslim Indonesians converted to Christianity due to a variety of factors including the high poverty rate there that caused some to “sell out” their faith and the lack of laws to protect Muslims against Christian proselytisation in contrast to Malaysia.

But the columnist, who also writes for Umno-owned Malay broadsheet Utusan Malaysia, said the Christianisation movement was on the upswing here.

Tee appeared to suggest that Christians were the “enemy” of Muslims, citing a passage from the Quran, Surah Al-Anfal.

He said Christians had great financial power around the world and the Malay archipelago was now their main target after they had “failed” in their missionary attempts in the West.

He warned that Christian evangelical movements could attempt to employ similar tactics here as they did in Indonesia and called on Muslim Malaysians to “save” their brethren in the archipelago.

“Ingatlah wahai saudaraku, orang Indonesia itu juga adalah saudara kita (Remember my brothers, the Indonesians are our brethren too).

“Selamat mereka, selamatlah kita (If they are safe, we too are safe),” he said.

In multicultural Malaysia, non-Muslims are barred by the law from proselytising their faiths to Muslims even as they are constitutionally guaranteed the freedom to practise their religions.

However, several right-wing religious groups have accused churches here of converting Muslims to Christianity and turning them into apostates, which is viewed as a serious offence and which has strained Christian-Muslim ties here over the past few years.

Hudud: Is Karpal fighting lone battle?

With the clock ticking away, it is imperative that the DAP-PAS verbal war over the hudud issue be dealt with as quickly as possible.
COMMENT

The DAP-PAS row over the latter’s refusal to budge from the hudud issue has reached a boiling point and, if not dealt with quickly and wisely, this altercation is going to deal a severe blow to Pakatan Rakyat’s mission of becoming the next federal government.

Leading the objecion to PAS’ determination to implement the Islamic law should Pakatan win the coming 13th general election is DAP national chairman and seasoned lawyer Karpal Singh.

Karpal remains steadfast in rejecting any plans by PAS to put in place the hudud law. And to prove that he means business, Karpal recently once again warned PAS to drop any idea of turning its dream of setting up an Islamic state and instituting hudud laws into reality.

The aggressive lawyer is worried that PAS’ stubborness in wanting to do so will only sabotage Pakatan’s chances in the coming polls.

Karpal had said: “PAS is only scuttling Pakatan Rakyat’s march to Putrajaya in the coming election with contradictory statements on its stand on Islamic state. Hudud is not included in the Pakatan’s common policy framework, Buku Jingga. Likewise, it will not be included in the common manifesto of Pakatan.”

Prior to Karpal’s remarks, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi claimed that those rejecting God’s laws would be considered “kufur”, an Arabic word often translated as “disbelievers”.

According to the New Straits Times, Nasrudin, in a posting on Twitter, had said: “Karpal is consistent in rejecting hudud because he is a kufur. PAS must continue with its struggle to uphold Islam.”

That led to the DAP-PAS scuffle, with Karpal urging PAS to “stop supplying cannon fodder to the Barisan Nasional to be aimed at Pakatan”, saying that it was “counter productive and politically naive”.

Karpal also cautioned Nasrudin to “mind his language” and also questioned if the latter was the “spokesman of PAS”.

“I must warn this political upstart to mind his language. No one, no party, no organisation can claim to have a monopoly on God. I must state with all the force at my command that I believe in God. There is only one God and all religions reflect that,” Karpal shot back at Nasrudin.

Is PAS clear on what it wants?

Karpal is worried that PAS’ ambiguous “yes” and then “no” and “yes” stand on its hudud laws and Islamic state agenda will spoil Pakatan’s chances in the 13th general election.

The lawyer, better known as the “Tiger of Jelutong”, for his 20 years of service as the MP for Jelutong, recalls that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had on June 3 last year publicly stated that the Quran mentioned a “welfare state”, not an “Islamic state”.

“This reflects beyond the pale of a doubt that PAS has given up its aim to set up an Islamic state. PAS has, clearly, opted for a welfare state,” Karpal said.

To Karpal, as hudud was a component of the Islamic state, “any attempt by PAS now to espouse the introduction of hudud in the country would badly reflect on the decisions made during the last PAS muktamar – shifting its agenda for an Islamic state to a more inclusive ‘welfare state’”.

Another point that Karpal raised was that on June 8 last year, the New Straits Times quoted PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat as saying that the party was right in shifting its focus from

“Islamic state” to “welfare state”.

Clearly, PAS’s inability to make up its mind might just worsen the debate over the hudud issue, with Karpal left wondering what more would it take for PAS to come to its senses instead of confusing and worrying supporters of Pakatan.

Does Karpal have the support he needs

While Karpal continues to defend DAP’s refusal to entertain PAS’ hudud and Islamic state agenda,

ironically, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and his son and party secretary-general Guan Eng have been silent on the Islamist issue.

This is equally worrying for it makes one wonder whether Karpal actually has all the support he needs in putting an end to PAS’ hudud and Islamic state controversy.

Or is Karpal fighting a lone battle here?

It does not seem so, going by the support shown by DAP Bagan Dalam state representative A Tanasekharan who reproached Terengganu PAS Youth chief Mohd Nor Hamzah for “being rude” by calling on Karpal to quit politics over the Islamist party’s hudud issue.

Mohd Nor also claimed that Karpal’s “outdated views” had become a liability to Pakatan” The Bukit Payung assemblyman claimed that Karpal’s media outbursts against the implementation of hudud had strained the relationship among Pakatan parties.

To this, Tanasekharan said: “Who is he to call Karpal to quit… is he qualified to do so in the first place? It’s rude, uncalled-for and unjustifiable.”

Tanasekharan said Karpal was consistently the most vocal elected representative to voice out against any threat against the secular ideals of the Malaysian constitution.

To Tanasekharan, it was about Karpal being duty-bound to criticise PAS’ unconstitutional and extreme Islamist agenda, which posed a threat to national unity in the long run.

And he further admonished Nor Hamzah, saying he had to learn to show respect to elders like Karpal, given the DAP leader’s political experience.

With the clock ticking away, it is imperative that the DAP-PAS verbal war over the hudud issue be dealt with as quickly as possible; otherwise, the Islamic agenda being harboured by PAS would throw a spanner in the works as far as Pakatan’s objective of gaining control over Putrajaya is concerned.

As for Karpal, be it a lone battle or otherwise, what is evident is that he has regularly spoken against the PAS Islamic brand, a move which the Islamic party’s leaders refuse to accept, claiming instead that Karpal is all alone in the DAP opposing it.

Does PAS’ claim that Karpal is all alone in rejecting the hudud and Islamic state issue hold water? Or, for that matter, will the DAP and Pakatan stalwarts take a stand and lend Karpal the much- needed support?

Jeswan Kaur is a freelance writer and a FMT columnist.

Bukan warga di negara sendiri

Selagi polisi tidak diubah, selagi itulah masalah dokumen pengenalan diri tidak akan selesai.
COMMENT

Sejak hampir setahun lalu, saya sering mendengar dan membaca mengenai kempen pendaftaran dokumen pengenalan diri yang diterajui pihak tertentu. Kempen dan jerayawara (roadshow) diadakan di pelbagai tempat, khabarnya untuk membantu orang ramai mendapatkan kad pengenalan dan sijil kelahiran.

Bagaimanapun, dua perkara membuatkan saya ingin tahu lebih lanjut mengenai usaha berkenaan. Pertama, adakah “kempen” itu bersifat sementara atau masalah yang timbul benar-benar diteliti pada peringkat akar-umbi lalu diselesaikan sepenuhnya.

Dengan erti kata lain, apakah benar-benar dilakukan dengan ikhlas atau sekadar kempen bagi kepentingan politik pihak tertentu. Selepas tempoh kempen selesai, mangsa tetap kekal sebagai bukan warganegara di negara sendiri.

Persoalan kedua yang muncul dalam fikiran saya adalah mengenai penglibatan Persatuan Jaringan Pembangunan Manusia Luar Bandar, Malaysia (DHRRA Malaysia).

Setahu saya, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) itu terlibat secara aktif dan berterusan sejak 2003 dalam usaha-usaha menyelesaikan masalah dokumen pengenalan diri. Lalu, mengapa nama DHRRA Malaysia tidak muncul langsung dalam kempen dan roadshow kali ini?

Saya bertemu presidennya, Saravanan M. Sinapan untuk mendapatkan penjelasan berhubung persoalan itu serta beberapa isu berkaitan.

Menurutnya, isu ketiadaan sijil kelahiran, kad pengenalan dan kewarganegaraan (statelessness) sesungguhnya diketengahkan oleh DHRRA Malaysia dengan kerjasama ERA Consumer Malaysia sejak 2003.

“Kami menjalankan pelbagai kempen untuk membantu anggota masyarakat yang menghadapi isu dokumen pengenalan diri. Kami berusaha mendaftar mereka agar mereka mendapat hak-hak asasi mereka,” katanya sewaktu ditemui di pejabat DHRRA Malaysia di Petaling Jaya pada 2 Ogos 2012.

Saya difahamkan bahawa suatu seminar diadakan pada 2005, melibatkan sekitar 250 individu yang menghadapi masalah dokumen pengenalan diri. Sambutan daripada Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) sendiri didapati kurang baik kerana gagal menghantar wakil ke seminar berkenaan.

“Tetapi kami mendapat wakil dari UNHCR dan pelbagai NGO lain yang menghadiri seminar polisi itu untuk berkongsi pengalaman cara-cara mengatasi masalah dokumen pengenalan di Thailand, Sri Lanka dan sebagainya. Selepas itu, kami cuba berhubung dengan agensi kerajaan terbabit dan menegaskan bahawa salah satu isu dalam kalangan masyarakat India di Malaysia adalah dokumen pengenalan diri,” Saravanan menghuraikan.

Kempen MyDaftar

Sambil mengakui bahawa pihak-pihak tertentu tidak mengambil serius isu tersebut, beliau menegaskan bahawa DHRRA Malaysia tetap meneruskan usaha dan kempen secara berterusan bagi membantu masyarakat pelbagai kaum.

“Selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12, kerajaan persekutuan di bawah pimpinan Datuk Seri Najib Razak menubuhkan satu pasukan khas yang dipengerusikan beliau sendiri dan bertujuan mengenal pasti apakah punca-punca masyarakat India tidak menyokong (mengundi) Barisan Nasional pada 2008,” katanya.

Agak menarik bahawa salah satu isu yang turut dibangkitkan oleh DHRRA Malaysia dalam perbincangan Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh adalah isu dokumen pengenalan diri. Tentulah amat wajar kerana tiada gunanya segala RMK sekiranya rakyat negara ini tidak mempunyai dokumen pengenalan diri yang membolehkan mereka mendapat apa-apa kebaikan daripada RMK itu.

Hasil daripada saranan itu, Special Implementation Task Force (SITF) ditubuhkan dan dipengerusikan Datuk Dr S Subramaniam, lalu memulakan kempen “MyDaftar”.

Wajar disebutkan bahawa jawatankuasa itu mengundang DHRRA Malaysia untuk melatih pegawai terbabit supaya kempen “MyDaftar” dapat dijalankan dengan berkesan; dan bukan hanya hangat-hangat tahi ayam atau indah khabar dari rupa.

“Semasa perbincangan dengan kumpulan SITF, kami telah tegaskan bahawa masalah dokumen pengenalan ini tidak boleh diselesaikan dalam masa singkat kerana isu sebenar adalah berkenaan dengan polisi,” Saravanan menegaskan.

Perkara ini amat penting kerana kebanyakan individu yang berdepan dengan masalah ketiadaan dokumen pengenalan tidak mempunyai bahan bukti yang cukup; sekali gus sukar untuk diselesaikan dalam masa yang singkat – misalnya dalam tempoh kempen selama dua minggu.

Maka, suatu hakikat yang perlu diterima adalah bahawa walaupun kempen “MyDaftar” diadakah secara besar-besaran selama beberapa minggu di seluruh negara, isu sebenar yang dihadapi “mangsa” masih belum selesai.

Sebagai sebuah NGO yang bukan mementingkan “hasil” dan “nama” dalam masa yang singkat, DHRRA Malaysia meneruskan pula kempen berterusan yang dinamakan “My Document” dan mendapat sokongan Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM).

Turut dilancarkan adalah “My Search” iaitu talian Pusat Panggilan Komuniti yang beroperasi sepanjang tahun, dari 9:00 pagi hingga 9:00 malam. Dengan menggunakan Bahasa Malaysia, Inggeris dan Tamil sebagai bahasa pengantar, DHRRA Malaysia sedia membantu masyarakat pelbagai kaum di seluruh negara untuk mengatasi masalah yang dihadapi.

Saya sendiri sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan aktiviti DHRRA Malaysia melalui laman sesawang dan Facebook. Namun, di media arus perdana, kredit sentiasa diberikan kepada pihak lain; khususnya politikus atau agensi kerajaan.

Apabila dikemukakan pertanyaan itu, Saravanan menjelaskan bahawa akhbar-akhbar Tamil sering memaparkan berita mengenai usaha-usaha yang dilakukan NGO itu dalam membantu masyarakat.

“Dalam akhbar-akhbar dan media lain, mereka menumpukan pada inisiatif yang diambil oleh kerajaan. MyDaftar adalah salah satu inisiatif seumpama itu, maka keutamaan liputan media arus perdana lebih menjurus ke sana,” katanya.

Negara asal: Malaysia

Ringkasnya, DHRRA Malaysia tidak mendambakan pengiktirafan atau liputan meluas di akhbar dan media arus perdana atas sumbangan dan inisiatif yang diambilnya. Sebab itulah juga ramai yang tidak tahu bahawa wakil DHRRA Malaysia pernah membentangkan kertas kerja di Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB) mengenai peranan NGO dalam menyelesaikan isu-isu dokumen pengenalan diri.

Apakah cara terbaik dan paling berkesan untuk mengatasi masalah rakyat negara ini yang tidak mempunyai dokumen pengenalan diri seperti sijil kelahiran, kad pengenalan dan dokumen kewarganegaraan?

“Saya percaya, Ahli-ahli Parlimen dan Kerajaan Persekutuan harus mengadakan seminar polisi dan seterusnya menukar polisi sedia ada. Contohnya, apabila seorang individu diminta mengemukakan bahan bukti kelahiran dan saksi, dia tidak dapat berbuat demikian kerana estet tempat asalnya sudah tidak wujud,” Saravanan menghuraikan.

Saranan DHRRA Malaysia adalah supaya kes-kes seperti ini diberi sedikit kelonggaran. Jika tidak, generasi demi generasi keluarga itu akan kekal tanpa dokumen pengenalan diri dan tanpa kewarganegaraan. Misalnya, individu yang disahkan “negara asal: Malaysia” tetapi hanya diberi taraf “pemastautin tetap”.

“Kami mencadangkan supaya mereka yang lahir di Malaysia, ibu bapa mereka juga orang Malaysia, dan mereka tidak mempunyai sebarang kerakyatan lain, maka harus diberi kewarganegaraan secara automatik mengikut peruntukan Perlembagaan,” katanya.

Maklumat lanjut mengenai DHRRA Malaysia boleh diakses di laman web www.dhrramalaysia.org.my atau talian 03-78747680.

Peneroka India Felda turut syukuri bantuan k’jaan

Kerajaan bercadang menaik taraf dua kuil (di Felda Sungai Tengi) sedia ada dalam masa terdekat bagi memberi keselesaan kepada penganut Hindu beribadat.

Oleh S. Kisho

HULU SELANGOR: Manfaat menjadi peneroka Felda bukan sahaja dinikmati kaum Melayu bumiputera tetapi juga segelintir keturunan India yang bersyukur dengan pelbagai bantuan dan imbuhan yang diberi kerajaan.

Bagi M. Letchumy, 72, dari Felda Sungai Tengi di sini, beliau mahu menghabiskan sisa hidupnya di kawasan Felda itu sekalipun kesemua anaknya yang bekerja di luar, mendesak beliau tinggal bersama mereka.

“Semua kemudahan ada di sini, kenapa saya perlu tinggal di luar?

“Kawan-kawan saya semua di sini. Lagi pun sekarang kerajaan memberikan pelbagai insentif kepada penduduk Felda, macam mana saya nak tinggalkan kawasan ini? Saya akan tetap tinggal di sini sampai ke akhir hayat,” katanya kepada Bernama selepas menerima agihan ‘durian runtuh’ fasa kedua untuk isteri peneroka, baru-baru ini.

Katanya, pihak pengurusan Felda dan penduduk di situ saling membantu dan menjaga kebajikan serta keperluannya, lebih-lebih lagi mereka yang tahu beliau tinggal berseorangan.

Letchumy berkata sejak menetap di situ pada 1973, hatinya sudah terpaut dengan keharmonian masyarakat dan keindahan bumi bertuah yang banyak membantunya dan suami menyara membesarkan anak-anak.

Sebanyak 1,900 isteri peneroka menerima bayaran RM5,000 seorang pada majlis itu termasuk sembilan berketurunan India.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pada Mei lepas mengumumkan durian runtuh kepada peneroka berjumlah RM1.689 bilion untuk diagihkan kepada 112,635 keluarga peneroka di seluruh negara sempena penyenaraian Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGV) di Bursa Malaysia.

Pemberian durian runtuh berjumlah RM15,000 itu dilakukan dalam tiga fasa iaitu RM5,000 bagi setiap fasa meliputi ketua keluarga, isteri peneroka dan generasi kedua Felda.

Baru-baru ini Najib mengumumkan 103,597 peneroka atau 91.9 peratus yang bersama Felda akan menerima duit raya RM400 seorang melibatkan peruntukan berjumlah RM41.4 juta, manakala 9,038 orang atau 8.02 peratus peneroka yang tidak bersama Felda masing-masing menerima RM200 melibatkan peruntukan berjumlah RM1.8 juta.

Mengulas lanjut, Letchumy berkata sejak Najib meneraju negara, pemimpin negara itu mengotakan janjinya bertepatan dengan slogan ‘rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan’

Kerajaan prihatin

Bagi peneroka P.Muthaiah, 65, semua itu membuktikan keprihatinan kerajaan terhadap golongan peneroka dan perhatian yang diberikan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) itu juga berjaya mengubah persepsi saudara-maranya terhadap kerjaya beliau.

“Dulu, lebih kurang 20 atau 30 tahun lepas, saudara-mara kami tak nak datang melawat kami sebab mereka kata kami semua tinggal di hutan. Tempat itu jauh dan tak ada kemudahan.

“Tapi sekarang selepas banyak bantuan dan kemudahan disediakan, mereka mula datang melawat kami dan kami juga mudah untuk keluar melawat mereka,” katanya.

Katanya pada peringkat awal penyertaan pada 1972, beliau mengharungi kesukaran untuk menyara isteri dan enam anak dengan pendapatan bulanan sebanyak RM60.

“Tiada kemudahan yang disediakan pada masa itu, nak pergi ke pekan pun kena fikir dua kali. Begitu susah kehidupan kami dulu,” katanya.

Kini kata Muthaiah, banyak pembangunan pesat berlaku di kawasan itu berbanding zaman 1970-an dan jalan yang dahulunya bertanah merah sudah berganti jalan berturap tar yang selesa.

“Kalau nak pergi ke kawasan bandar raya, sekarang kami ada Lebuhraya Karak. Kemudahan perubatan juga disediakan di sini… jadi hidup kami di sini semakin senang berbanding dulu. Terima kasihlah kepada Datuk Najib,” katanya.

Bagi Anggota Parlimen Hulu Selangor P. Kamalanathan pula berkata kerajaan mempunyai pelbagai pelan pembangunan bagi meringankan beban dan meningkatkan lagi keselesaan hidup peneroka Felda yang tinggal di kawasan pedalaman.

“Buat masa ini kami sedang berusaha untuk mengatur lebih banyak pengangkutan awam ke kawasan ini kerana jika dilihat sekarang, kekerapan bas keluar masuk adalah hanya sejam sekali,” katanya.

Katanya, bagi peneroka keturunan India pula, kerajaan bercadang menaik taraf dua kuil sedia ada dalam masa terdekat bagi memberi keselesaan kepada penganut Hindu beribadat.

Three more Sabah politicians to quit BN

Malaysian Digest) - An additional three Sabah politicians are set to leave Barisan Nasional for the opposition. The three, all key members of the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) are expected to join in the footsteps of Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin and Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing, who left the coalition a week ago to become Opposition-friendly politicians.

Sources within the party told Malaysian Digest that the individuals are expected to announce their decision soon.

One of the Upko members, claimed the source, is a senior politician and holds a key leadership position within the party.

“These are people who hold crucial positions within Upko. Their departure will throw Upko will create a massive void within the chain of command and throw the leadership structure of Upko into disarray.

“These individuals are also grassroots leaders, which means that Upko’s supporter base will be torn on who they should follow,” claimed the source.

The source claimed that while things have yet to be decided, the names of the three could be announced during an upcoming rally on August 12 in Kota Marudu, which would feature Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Last week, Lajim and Bumburing announced their decision to leave the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to form the Sabah Reform Party, a new entity aligned to Pakatan Rakyat. The new party would supposedly champion the illegal immigrants issue as well as poverty matters in the East Malaysian state.

Recent reports had suggested that BN senator Maijol Mahap, is set to announce his intention to leave the BN. The Upko vice president had been quoted in several Sabah political blogs as saying that he “no longer had faith” in BN.

"I no longer had faith that the BN can or will resolve critical issues in Sabah, such as the issue of illegal immigrants which are long lasting, high poverty rate in Sabah, the elimination of racial KDM (Kadazandusun Murut) from the public service and scholarship awards, the land problems, 5% oil royalty, 'Borneo-nization' and the Cabotage Policy,” he was quoted as saying.

Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had last week remained cryptic on the resignations and refused to be drawn into discussing who would leave next.

“I don’t know, there is a lot of speculation,” he was quoted as saying. “But this is a free country; you can join any party you like and people will also be joining us at Upko,” he had told the media.

BN has sought to play down the impact of Lajim and Bumburing’s resignations, maintaining that it would not have an effect on the political scenario in Sabah. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak

Najib had on Friday said Lajim and Bumburing’s exits would not affect the date of the coming general election, as had been widely speculated, and added that BN was taking measures to strengthen its presence in Sabah.

He also said that despite rumors that several more would follow in the duo’s footsteps by leaving, BN was more than capable of dealing with the matter.

“We are able to face this challenge and will be taking appropriate steps to remedy the situation and strengthen Umno’s and BN’s position,” he was quoted as saying.

Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had also put up a brave front of the resignations, and said Lajim and Bumburing had left BN to seek higher positions within the Opposition.

He told Mingguan Malaysia yesterday that the duo’s departure would not threaten BN or Umno’s position in the state.

The state BN chief told Mingguan Malaysia in an interview published today that the duo's departure would not threaten Umno or BN's position in the state.

"I think they (Lajim and Bumburing) wanted greater positions than what they had. There are some with big ambitions and surely this is what they would do... this is every individual's right.

"Umno and BN is not threatened. Sabahans are smart enough to gauge who is right,” he was quoted as saying

'Tiada kebebasan punca malapetaka di negara Islam'

Dengan memetik karya terbaru ulama tersohor Yusuf al-Qaradhawi bertajuk 'Kebangkitan Rakyat' yang ditulis selepas kejatuhan regim Hosni Mubarak , Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata, punca malapetaka di negara Islam adalah disebabkan oleh tiada kebebasan diberikan kepada rakyatnya.

"Al-Qaradhawi kata mereka nak kepada Islam, maka kena hormat rakyat di bawah. Ini tidak, nak kepada Islam, tetapi perangai macam Firaun.

"Rakyat jangan jadi bodoh, (mesti) merdekakan rakyat. Tidak ada maknanya Islam itu, apabila rakyat tidak ada kebebasan.

"Ini tidak, ada kuasa apa-apa pun boleh buat... Ini yang menyebabkan malapetaka dalam negara Islam," kata Anwar yang juga ketua umum PKR dan bekas presiden Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM).

Dalam buku itu juga, Anwar berkata Al-Qaradawi juga menganggap pihak tertentu yang menyatakan demonstrasi adalah haram disebabkan mereka "tidak membaca sirah Islam".

Jelas Anwar yang juga ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh, dalam buku itu, al-Qaradhawi berkata demonstrasi itu dibolehkan sekiranya tujuannya baik serta untuk kebajikan rakyat.

"Kalau tujuan itu jahat, maka jadilah jahat, tapi kalau baik, untuk kebajikan boleh," katanya sambil menambah dua sahabat Nabi Muhammad SAW - Umar Al-Khattab dan Saidina Hamzah - pernah berbuat demikian sewaktu peringkat awal Islam dengan membuat demonstrasi berjalan ke Kaabah.

Sebelum itu, Anwar mengimamkan solat Isyak berjamaah di Surau Al-Rasidiyah, Taman Bukit Angkasa, Pantai Dalam serta bertarawih bersama dengan kira-kira 100 penduduk di situ.

Turut hadir dalam majlis tersebut ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai yang juga anak sulungnya Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Sempena bulan Ramadan ini, Anwar mengajak umat Islam menghayati kandungan Al-Quran dan mengajar rakyat mencontohi keperibadian Nabi Muhammad SAW dan nabi terdahulu yang menunjukkan akhlak yang terbaik, gigih dan memikirkan rakyat bawahan.

"Contoh terbaik adalah para nabi dan rasul, bukan (seperti hari ini) sekat majlis kita, guna SB sekat kita... Ukurannya bukan kuasa dan kekuatan, tetapi (melihat) kepada budi pekerti.

"(Kita kena) takut kepada Allah, bukan takut hilang projek atau kerusi (DUN atau Parlimen)," katanya.

OIC Keen To Send Mission To Myanmar On Rohingya Muslims

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will ask the Myanmar Government to allow an OIC fact-finding mission to be sent to Myanmar, said OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

He made the remarks in an OIC statement at the conclusion of the Executive Committee meeting to discuss the Muslim Rohingya issue at the Permanent Representative level at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah over the weekend.

Ihsanoglu has expressed disappointment over the failure of the international community to stop the tyranny and discrimination by the Myanmar Government against the Rohingya Muslims in Arakan, formerly known as Rakhine state.

He suggested looking into the possibility of considering the formation of an Islamic fact-finding committee to seek the best solution to the issue among all parties, including the Myanmar Government, as well as international and regional organisations.

The secretary-general said the indifference of the international community to the rights of the Rohingya people, and fragmentation of the 25 Rohingya organisations, had motivated the largest Muslim organisation to make efforts to unite the organisations at the OIC headquarters in May last year. "OIC has directed its offices at the United Nations in New York to work in coordination with the Member States that are also non-permanent members in the UN Security Council, namely, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo, to urge the Council to look into the suffering of the Rohingya Muslims," he added.

He also urged the OIC Permanent and Independent Human Rights Commission to study the crisis of Myanmar Muslims and its human rights implications during its next session in Turkey at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Ihsanoglu hoped that Bangladesh could review its position on the Rohingya Muslims, although he understood Bangladesh's position and the sensitivity of the issue.

Violence, which erupted in June, this year, in the Rakhine state between Buddhists and Rohingya, left about 80 people dead on both sides, official figures showed.

Reports said the Myanmar Government's restrictions on humanitarian access to the Rohingya community had left many of the over 100,000 people displaced and in dire need of food, shelter, and medical care.

Modern, moderate Malaysia moves to criminalize non-Muslims proselytizing among Muslims

Sharia advancing in Malaysia, as it is everywhere else. "Action against non-Muslims for spreading their religion to Muslims," from the Bernama, August 5 (thanks to Nicolei):

YAN, Aug 5 — The Islamic Religious Council in the states can take action against non-Muslims for trying to spread their faith among Muslims in the country.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharum said this can be done based on existing enactments that prohibit non-Muslims from doing so.

"Distribution of reading materials and in the form of audio video is disallowed as it will lead to dissatisfaction of Muslims," he said at Yan Hospital here today.

A newspaper reported that two men believed to be foreign tourists tried to spread Christianity as Muslims were preparing to break their fast in Penang on Thursday.

Jamil said the case of a man who was fined and jailed in Pahang in 2002 for trying to spread his faith to Muslims should serve as a lesson to non-Muslims. — Bernama

Deaths in Sikh temple attack in US

At least seven people, including the shooter, killed in Milwaukee temple attack, police officials say.

Police said seven people were killed and many as 30
people wounded in the suburb of Oak Creek [EPA]

At least seven people were killed, including the assailant, when a gunman opened fire at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee, authorities said.

Police were called to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the suburb of Oak Creek, where witnesses said several dozen people were gathering for a service on Sunday.

Authorities found four people dead inside the temple and two outside, Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said.

Sunny Singh, 21, of Milwaukee, said a friend pulled into the temple's parking lot, heard shots and saw two people fall down.

The friend then saw the shooter reload his weapons and head to the temple's entrance, Singh said.

Police shoot-out

The first police officer to arrive at the temple engaged in gunfire outside the building with a man police believe was the shooter, Wentlandt said. The suspect was killed, he said.

Tactical units went through the temple, and authorities do not believe a second shooter was involved, Wentlandt said.

It's unclear how many others were wounded. Wentlandt said he had been told the officer who exchanged gunfire with the suspect and another person had been taken to hospitals.

He said the officer was shot multiple times and is in surgery and is expected to survive.

The spokeswoman for the area trauma center said three victims were being treated there, including one who was in surgery.

Jatin Der Mangat, 38, of Racine, the nephew of the temple's president, Satwant Singh Kaleka, said his uncle was one of those shot, but he didn't know how serious his injuries were.

He was among those waiting for news when police announced the deaths.

"It was like the heart just sat down," he said. "This shouldn't happen anywhere."

Sukhwindar Nagr, also of Racine, said he called his brother-in-law's phone and a priest at the temple answered and told him that his brother-in-law had been shot, along with three priests.

The priest also said women and children were hiding in closets in the temple, Nagr said.

Wentlandt did not identify the suspect or say what might have motivated the shootings.

'Mistaken for Muslims'

Sikhism is a monotheistic faith that was founded in South Asia more than 500 years ago. It has roughly 27 million followers worldwide.

Observant Sikhs do not cut their hair; male followers often cover their heads with turbans - which are considered sacred - and refrain from shaving their beards.

There are roughly 500,000 Sikhs in the US, according to estimates. The majority worldwide live in India.

Sikh rights groups have reported a rise in bias attacks since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Washington-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents in the US since then, which advocates blame on anti-Islamic sentiment.

Sikhs don't practice the same religion as Muslims, but their long beards and turbans often cause them to be mistaken for Muslims, advocates say.

Source:Al Jazeera And Agencies

Makkal Sakti: Indians' support for BN has risen to 80pct

The Indian community's support for Barisan Nasional (BN) has risen to nearly 80 percent following the BN government under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak always taking measures to improve the lot of the community, besides ensuring peace and prosperity in the country.

Makkal Sakti Party president RS Thanenthiran said the Indian community had largely returned their trust in the BN government as it had fulfilled the promises it made to the people, including solving problems faced by the Indian commmunity.

“The prime minister has given importance to winning back the support of the Indian community by taking various measures such as increasing the number of Tamil schools and upgrading the existing ones, while no Hindu temple will be demolished but the temples are getting tens of thousands on ringgit in aid instead.”

Thanenthiran said this to reporters after the opening of Makkal Sakti's 4th annual general meeting in Lumut today.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir who announced a RM100,000 allocation for the party to prepare for the coming 13th general election campaign.

Thanenthiran said the opposition, on the other hand, was trying to divide the Indians and was also only good at making empty promises.

“Pakatan Rakyat had promised to give seven cabinet ministerial posts to Indians (if it captures Putrajaya), but if you look at the Selangor government now, it only has one Indian exco member. I think the Indian community wont' fall for the opposition's empty promises any more,” he added.

Asked about the party's effort to get more Indians to register as voters, he said the party had worked hard including conveying BN's message to the grassroots.

He said Makkal Sakti's membership had now reached more then 100,000 and the party would strive at getting BN to look into the requests made by the Indian community pertaining to economy and education.

He also hoped that the Indians themselves undertake transformation such as getting employed or better jobs to reduce poverty in the community.

- Bernama

Assam Crisis, Bangladeshi Influx, Muslim Politics, Jihadi Militancy and Satra Encroachment.

United Muslim National Army behind clashes in Assam : BLT Leader.

5548 Bighas of religious land of 26 Satra (Vaishnava Prayer Complex) in Assam encroached by Muslim migrants: Report.

Assam in an Islamic deadline?

04 Aug 2012 | Guwahati  :: Everybody blame on situation. Nobody finds the truth. A neo Islamic invasion in various forms captures Assam day by day to establish a Kashmir in this north eastern state in India. Islamic politics, Muslim appeasement, Bangladeshi Influx, Jihadi Militancy and Satra Encroachment all are put in the bed o Assam to destabilize the land under a definite Islamic design.

Through a breakthrough revelation it is found that Newly formed United Muslim National Army (UMNA) might be  behind the ethnic clashes in Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts (BTAD) in lower Assam that claimed 56 lives, thousand injured and lakhs of people displaced recently. The  former militant outfit Bodoland Liberation Tigers(BLT) alleged this new theory on Wednesday over the recent Indigenous Assam (Bodo) people vs the illegal Muslim migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Jonomohan Mushahary, chairman of the now defunct BLT Welfare Society, alleged that UMNA was created in June 15 this year and was behind last month’s violence with support from All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU)and All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU).

UMNA, he claimed, is headed by policeman Ramjan Islam alias Mohibul Islam alias Ratul who was planning to destabilize BTAD and form a ‘Muslim Land’ including 13 districts of Assam upto Golaghat.

Mushahary urged the government to maintain a strict watch over the activities of AAMSU and ABMSU and asked all organisations to strive for permanent peace in BTAD. He also warned political leaders not to play politics on this sensitive issue.

He demanded immediate update of the National Register of Citizens with March 25, 1971 as cut-off date and early distribution of land deeds so that the rehabilitation of the people could be done on its basis.`

He also urged the government to probe the statement by pro-talk ULFA leader Mrinal Hazarika that a boat carrying arms had crossed the Brahmaputra river from Bangaldesh.

”Hazarika said two more boats are on the way. The government must investigate this. It is a serious matter”, he added.

After the clash when the indigenous Bodo people gallantly defused the Islamic conspiracy to encroach Bodo dominated lands, the perfume Barron  and  All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) president Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi demanded to defunct BTC (Bodoland  Territorial Council). As such it is proved that the Muslims of Assam have been helping the settlement of Bangladeshi Muslims to gave a Muslim majority by any means even through deploying Muslim rioters upon the peace loving indigenous Bodo people.

All on a sudden the sympathies of illegal  migrant Muslims from Bangladesh have reached to Assam land to run relief works with a certain aim to fuel Muslim militant outfits of Assam. A huge relief fund is being collected to run relidef and subversive activities by an Muslim Organization named Markazul Ma’arif Education and Research Centre at Palton Road, Opp Crawford Market, Mumbai-400 001 and  Main Road, Hojai, PIN – 782435.

Notorious MIM (Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen) president Asaduddin Owaisi is bound to lead  a relief team on Friday (03/08/2012) to Assam which has recently witnessed unprecedented violence and dislocation of lakhs of people. Owaisi along with a team of 11 doctors and two paramedics will visit Dhubri district in Assam.

“Within five days of intense violence over 4.5 lakh people were displaced. The official death toll was about 50. While the relief workers still can’t reach refugee camps, the affected people in Assam need every possible help to overcome their sufferings,” Owaisi told TOI adding that he had visited the ethnic violence-hit state recently. On his return to Hyderabad he announced Rs. 1.25 crore worth of relief material for the affected people. He also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with Badruddin Ajmal, MP and president of the All India United Democratic Front in Assam and briefed him about the conditions of the affected population. “The people of Assam are going through a rare phase in their history. As a matter o fact MIM and AIUDF are jointly maneuvering a definite Jihad in Assam with syphoning  a huge amount of money in Assam  to help the subversive Muslim groups.

Both the Ajmal and Owaisi told that the 90% victims are Muslims. As per statistics there are  9,57,064 voters in total  in Kokrajhar and the total Muslim voters is 1,84,441. The Muslim organisations and the fundamental Muslim leaders are always referring 3-6 lakhs victims in recent Kokrajhar riot. Then from where these three to six lakh population came within the riot prone areas.  This question has also been raised by Women Right activist Anjali Daimary, who is the president of Bodo Women Justice Forum (BWJF).

Assam is now under the claws of Islamic demon. This demon can only be clamped by a sustainable resurgence of Indigenous spirit of Unity and Patriotism with Traditional valour of Ahom , Bodo, Kamta people and so on.

Our Assam correspondent B Paul informed that the Muslim organisations of Assam have been unified under an unidentified banner like Assam Muslim Parishad to encroach economic, political and demographical power from the  sons of the soil, i.e. Ahom people by their nefarious design. Already, 27 districts in Assam, 11 of them are going to be Muslim majority districts once the 2011 census figures, religion-wise, are likely to be  published by the census authorities in some days.

In a very cunning manner the traditional  Vaishnava Sankirtan Places, Satra lands have been encroached by the illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh under the nose of present Congress Govt. in Assam.

An astounding 5,548 bighas of land belonging to 26 satras is allegedly under encroachment by illegal settlers, most of whom comprise Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh. There is also the growing problem of religious aggression by Christian missionaries who are converting poor, disadvantaged people to Christianity with promises of a better life and opportunities, they alleged.

An investigative report on ‘Satra Land Encroachment’ by Northeast Policy Institute (NPI) has found Alipukhuri Patekibori Than to be the worst affected with 65 bighas, one katha and 12 lecha under encroachment out of the total land of 76 bighas, three kathas and two lechas.

The Satra Study Committee, comprising four members, including chairman of Indian Art History Congress Dr Rabin Deva Chaudhury, Mukul Chandra Barkakoti and Dr Prafulla Kumar Nath and Kusum Kumar Mahanta, visited the different satras across the state, took video recordings, photographs and interviews of satras and satradhikars to learn the extent of the problem.

Releasing the study report on 13th July, 2012 at Guwahati, Deva Chaudhury said the problem of encroachment of satra land goes back to the post independence days when people from erstwhile East Pakistan came to Assam. However, the fact that encroachment is still a persistent reality is a violation of the directives of the High Court and the Revenue Board.

Most of the Satra lands have been encroached for the purpose of settlements of Bangladeshi Muslims, establishment of Muslim Markets, Mosques and Madrashas. In some places Govt grants have been utilized for Muslim rehabilitation. 

The satras were founded in the 15th century by Saint Sankardeva and his disciples Madhavdeva and subsequently by other Vaishnava gurus to propagate the monotheistic philosophy of neo-Vaishnavism in Assam.

Dhubri Ramrai Kutir Satra’s Satradhikar (head man), Sri Jitendra Nath Pradhani  said a large portion of the land the government had granted to the satras after India’s independence are under the control of encroachers who not only stop at grabbing lands but has also taken to theft, dacoities, rapes, murders and other heinous crimes. “Several satras like the Ramrai Kuti, Bishnupur, Damodar, Rangapani, Dharampur in the districts of Goalpara and Dhubri, Samaria, Suntoli, Goroimari, Koimari, Kolakhuwa, Barpeta, Patbausi, Sundoridia, Jonia, Bohori satras, Bordowa, Patekibori, Kobaikota, Rampur, Balisatra in the districts of Nagaon and Morigaon have most of their lands under encroachment,” he said.

Encroached Satra lands at a glace:

Name of Satras	Size of encroached land	Name of Districts
Bardua Satra	283   Bighas	Nagaon
Bali Satra	462   Bighas	Nagaon
Rampur Satra	584   Bigha	Morigaon
Adi Alengi Satra	450   Bigha	Lakhimpur
Bapupara Satra	110   Bigha	Goalpara
Vishnupur Satra	161   Bigha	Goalpara
Ramrai Kuthi Satra	1000 Bigha	Dhubri
Simalabari Satra	195   Bigha	Bangaigaon
Barpeta Satra	460   Bigha	Barpeta
Kobaikata Satra	120   Bighas	Nagaon
Alipukhuri Satra	186   Bighas	Morigaon

Besides, due to certain apparent ambiguity in the government’s land policy, even in a place like Majuli, considered as the centre of Vaishnavite culture, permission has been granted for construction of church. Added to that, the vote bank politics, indulged in by political parties is doing great harm to the future of the state’s rich culture and the Assamese society as a whole.

After Kashmir, Assam may be the second land where Hindus and indigenous people are waiting for a harrowing situation through which they have to find new land or refugee camps in another part of India, certainly not in Assam.

Policeman who paraded couple naked suspended

Video clip reveals law enforcers, led by SHO Samejo, paraded man, woman naked while escorting them to police station. PHOTO: FILE

SUKKUR: A police officer who paraded a couple, accused of adultery, naked to the police station was suspended on Saturday.

Earlier on July 28, a team of police officials in the town of Gambat, led by Station House Officer (SHO) Khair Mohammad Samejo arrested a man and two women and charged them with intentions of committing adultery.

A video clip on Saturday, however, purportedly revealed that the law enforcers, led by SHO Samejo, paraded the man and one of the women naked while escorting them to the police station. Locals tried to stop this by helping them put their clothes back on, but the police prevented them from doing so.

On July 30, the accused were produced in court and their bail pleas were accepted. After the issue was taken up by the media, action was taken against SHO Samejo who was subsequently reverted and suspended.

According to sources in the area, Mumtaz often invited escorts to his house, despite strong complaints from his neighbours.

The sources also alleged that SHO Samejo is known for adopting notorious measures for punishing the accused.

Couple caught together forced to marry

A Saudi man caught meeting his girl friend at a restaurant in the Gulf Kingdom was forced to marry her by the Gulf Kingdom’s feared religious police.

Members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice had arrested the two for having an “illicit” meeting at the restaurant in the southern town of Khamis Mushait, Kabar daily said.

“They decided to prevent a scandal and gave the couple the choice to get married…after they agreed, the Commission members managed to get approval from their families…they set the wedding just after Eid Al Fitr,”it said.

Engage Pakatan’s Indian reps, Waytha told

The movement is also advised to stop shooting at everyone, and always finding fault and name calling Pakatan Indian representatives.


KUALA LUMPUR: P Waythamoorthy-led Hindraf Makkal Sakti must engage Pakatan Rakyat, especially its Indian leaders, to strengthen its struggle for the ethnic Indian community in the country.

Or else the civil rights movement would slowly but surely become irrelevant in rapidly transforming nation’s political landscape, cautioned DAP Senator S Ramakrishnan.

He hoped that Waythamoorthy, who had just returned from London, would re-strategise the movement into a vibrant and dynamic outfit to play a bigger and pivotal national role.

He said Hindraf must transform from merely being a street protest group to a civil society movement that can lead the Indian community in tandem with national political growth.

He said Hindraf must first stop shooting at everyone, and always finding fault and name calling Pakatan Indian representatives.

While one can give constructive criticisms, he said one must also be able to engage in consultative dialogues to resolve issues and deliver.

“If Hindraf wants to stay relevant in long run, it got to make friends not enemies.

“It must engage Pakatan, especially Indian reps, to strengthen and enhance for the betterment of the community,” Ramakrishnan told FMT

The Senator said Hindraf should always look at the larger picture and take up bigger issues of national interests.

He said Hindraf should fight against corruption and back the struggle for free and fair elections as these issues also affected ethnic Indians.

By taking up bigger national issues, he said Hindraf can draw support of other communities to its own struggle for Indians.

He said other communities would not be so enthusiastic if Hindraf just fought for ethnic Indian cause.

“We can’t demand and deliver something for Indians without support of other communities,” reminded Ramakrishnan.

After playing a crucial role in the last general election, he said Hindraf had has gone backwards in its struggle and popularity due to poor leadership and tactical blunders.

He said Waythamoorthy’s timely return home was a major booster to the organisation.

He said the Hindraf chairman faced a huge task to refresh, revive and revitalise the movement into a force to be reckoned with.

“I am sure Waythamoorthy with his vast experience and knowledge having travelling to many countries would be matured enough to put Hindraf back on the right track,” said Ramakrishnan.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/05/engage-pakatans-indian-reps-waytha-told/#ixzz22e7tjmmh

Several DAP Indian leaders furious at being left out

(The Star) - Several DAP Indian leaders are furious after reports of their activities were conspicuously missing from the inaugural issue of the party's Tamil newsletter, Makkal Kural (Peoples' Voice).

They said only programmes of selected leaders were given prominence in the eight-page newsletter, which is distributed free.

Several DAP Indian MPs, when contacted, said they were unaware of the Tamil newsletter, which gave prominence to Bersih 3.0 chairman Datuk S. Ambiga, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, chairman Karpal Singh, vice-chairman M. Kulasegaran, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Perak deputy chairman V. Sivakumar.

There was also a question-and-answer with Kulasegaran and a one-page report on former Hindraf leader V. Ganabatirau.

Conspicuously missing were reports on DAP deputy secretary-general Dr P. Ramasamy and other Indian elected MPs and state assemblymen from the party.

DAP Bagan division assistant secretary G. Asoghan said many questioned why the newsletter did not carry reports of other DAP Indian leaders.

“This newsletter is for distribution to the Indian voters. We have to show what our (Indian) leaders have achieved to be able to convince them to support us,” he said.

“Anyone reading the newsletter will have the impression that Ambiga is a DAP leader. It is our own newsletter and we must highlight our leaders,” he said.

Pahang vice-chairman J. Appala-samy said he was surprised as he had compiled the reports of the various Indian leaders.

“None was used. For me, it was a waste of time,” he said.

A national DAP official said there would always be complaints but they will look into it.

Politik Pakatan: Beri Kelantan royalti, panel tak perlu

SHAH ALAM - Rakan-rakan Pas dalam Pakatan Rakyat (PR) berpendirian penubuhan panel khas royalti petroleum kepada negeri-negeri Pantai Timur Semenanjung tidak perlu ditubuhkan, sebaliknya pembayaran sepatutnya diberi secara terus kepada Kelantan.

Naib Presiden PKR, N. Surendran berkata, kerajaan pusat hanya menggunakan nama jawatankuasa khas sebagai taktik Barisan Nasional (BN) membuat persiapan dalam minit-minit terakhir menjelang Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13).

“Hak negeri Kelantan harus diberi secara adil. Jika benar mahu tubuh jawatankuasa khas, kenapa tidak dari dulu saja? Mengapa baru sekarang?" kata beliau.

Semalam, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mengumumkan akan menubuhkan sebuah jawatankuasa khas bagi mengkaji isu bayaran tunai hasil petroleum kepada negeri-negeri Pantai Timur Semenanjung.

Menurut Najib, jawatankuasa itu akan dipengerusikan oleh bekas Ketua Hakim Negara, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad dan akan dianggotai oleh pakar undang-undang dari dalam dan luar negara, wakil dari kerajaan negeri Pahang, Kelantan dan Terengganu yang diperkenan Sultan negeri-negeri berkenaan.

Jawatankuasa itu akan membuat satu kajian menyeluruh dalam tempoh masa enam bulan dari tarikh penubuhannya dengan mengambil kira semua aspek tuntutan dan akan membuat syor yang sesuai kepada kerajaan persekutuan, kata Najib.

Surendran yang juga seorang peguam membidas kajian enam bulan, yang akan dijalankan oleh jawatankuasa itu, atas alasan ia tidak masuk akal.

Jelas beliau, PKR menjangkakan tempoh enam bulan akan melepasi tarikh PRU13 dan jelas langkah menubuhkan jawatankuasa dimaksdukan hanya mainan politik BN.

“Jika mahu kaji selama enam bulan, PRU sudah selesai.

"Jawatankuasa hanya berpura-pura mahu selesaikan konflik ini dan bayaran royalti belum tentu lagi akan diberikan secara terus kepada negeri Kelantan,” tegas beliau.

Sehubungan itu tegas, beliau yakin yang Kelantan tidak akan tertipu kerana taktik BN ini tidak akan memberi impak yang besar dan tidak akan mempengaruhi undi dalam PRU kelak.

Tambah beliau, penubuhan jawatankuasa khas ini tidak lagi menjadi satu isu kerana apa yang penting, Kelantan mesti mendapatkan semula hak mereka yang selama ini dinafikan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan.

“Royalti tetap milik Kelantan. Jadi ia mesti diberikan secara adil,” tegasnya.

DAP turut berpendapat yang penubuhan jawatankuasa khas yang diumumkan Najib semalam tidak menjadi satu isu jikapun ia tidak ditubuhkan.
Timbalan Pengerusi Kebangsaan DAP, Dr Tan Seng Giaw berkata, pemberian royalti sememangnya hak Kelantan sejak dulu lagi.

“Selama ini hak Kelantan dinafikan oleh Kerajaan Pusat, jadi saya amat berharap mereka dapat kembalikan semula hak Kelantan yang selama ini tidak pernah dirasai oleh rakyatnya,” kata beliau kepada Sinar Harian Online.

Menurutnya lagi, bayaran royalti kelak mesti diberikan secara adil dan saksama kepada Kelantan, bukan menggunakan wang ihsan.

“Saya sendiri berasal dari Kelantan. Perjuangan untuk mengembalikan hak ini sudah terlalu lama. Jadi permainan apa yang ingin dimainkan BN dengan tubuhkan jawatan kuasa ini?” kata Ahli Parlimen Kepong.

Death in custody – Ho Kwai See (Sungai Buloh prison: 4 Aug 2002)

On 4 Aug 2002, Ho Kwai See, a 28-year old coconut trader, died in police custody at the Sungai Buloh prison one week after being detained.

The report from the first post-mortem carried out by the Kuala Lumpur Hospital stated that he died of a perforated ulcer.  However, his family noticed bruises on his body and suspected that he had been assaulted.

Despite the requirement that all custodial deaths be investigated by inquiries conducted pursuant to Chapter XXXII of the Criminal Procedure Code, it does not appear that an inquest has been conducted into Ho Kwai See’s death.

Every death in custody must be thoroughly and impartially investigated. Ho Kwai See’s death must not be relegated to a mere statistic.

Based on statistics disclosed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 156 persons died in police custody from the year 2000 until February 2011.

We express our heartfelt condolences to Ho Kwai See’s family and friends on the anniversary of his death.

Protest against M.F. Husain's Derogatory Paintings

After Naked Bharatmata Husain Painted 'Rape of India'

MF Husain's painting 'Rape of India' on Mumbai Blasts displayed in ‘London Art Gallery’

Nude 'Bharatmata' Painting by MF Husain

M F Hussain's Hypocrisy
Judge for yourself : Hussain's paintings below.

Goddess Durga in sexual union with a Tiger HinduJagruti.org	Muslims ladies fully clothed HinduJagruti.org
Goddess Lakshmi naked on Sree Ganesh's head HinduJagruti.org	M.F. Husain's mother fully clothed HinduJagruti.org
Naked Saraswati HinduJagruti.org	Mother Teresa fully clothed HinduJagruti.org
Naked Sree Parvati HinduJagruti.org	Husain's daughter well clothed HinduJagruti.org
Naked Draupadi. HinduJagruti.org	Well clothed Muslim Lady. HinduJagruti.org
Naked Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita sitting on the thigh of Ravana HinduJagruti.org	Muslim poets Faiz are Galib are shown well-clothed HinduJagruti.org
Fully clad Muslim King and a naked Hindu Brahmin. The above painting clearly indicates Husain's tendency to paint a Hindu in the nude and thus openly expose his hatred for Hindus. HinduJagruti.org	Naked Bharatmata - Husain has shown a naked woman with names of states written on different parts of her body. He has used the Ashok Chakra of the Tri-colour in the painting. By doing this he has violated the law & hurt the National Pride of Indians. Both these things should be of grave concern to every Indian irrespective of his religion. HinduJagruti.org
Out of the four leaders, M. Gandhi is decapitated and Hitler is naked. Husain hates Hitler and has said in an interview 8 years ago that he depicted Hitler naked so as to humiliate him as he deserves it ! How come Hitler's nudity caused humiliation when in Husain's own statement nudity in art depicts purity and is in fact an honour ! This shows Husain's hypocrisy and perversion. HinduJagruti.org
Conclusion M.F. Husain depicts the Deity or person he hates as being naked. He shows the Prophet's mother, his own mother, his daughter, all the Muslim personalities fully clothed, but in contrast Hindus and Hindu Deities along with Hitler are shown naked. This proves his hatred for Hindus. For other obscene paintings, click here Disclaimer - These obscene paintings have been given space here, only with an intention to highlight the hurt Husain has caused to Hindus. It is painful otherwise to reproduce this work. It is not our intention to further hurt the sentiments of Hindus. See what people think and voice your opinion Important Verdict: Why does Delhi High Court think Husain is wrong but could not be punished ?

Why should we protest against Nude Bharatmata painting ?

1. Representing India as a woman being raped, is nothing but terrible denigration. For an Indian, 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India) is a Goddess and not some figurative concept and showcasing her in this manner is highly outrageous and a completely unacceptable form of denigration.
   
2. It would be appropriate to ask MF Husain if he would have dared to make a similar painting had there been an attack on the UK, the UAE or Qatar and named it the 'Rape of UK, UAE or Qatar' ? (Husain has recently become a citizen of Qatar)
   
3. What is MF Husain's sick fascination for having sex with animals ? Why does he repeatedly superimpose his dirty minded eroticism on Deities ?
   
4. Why has he split the canvas in half ? Does he want to suggest that India will spilt ? Why this divisive implication that India will crumble under attack ?
   
5. Why has he painted the blood that has been spilt in the colour green ? And also the two bulls with green faces. The offenders of the cowardly terrorist attacks that India is facing, are the people who are symbolized by the colour green, and not the other way around. Does he expect the Islamisation of India ?
   
6. India has been wounded by innumerable terrorist attacks. Instead of expressing her pain, MF Husain has humiliated her and has added insult to her injury by showing her being raped and that too with the perverted suggestion of an animal straddling her and of a man pulling at her blouse and staring at her breast.
   
7. If MF Husain is truly an artist (as claimed by the artist community) and that all his thoughts about being outraged by terrorism were genuine, then why does he not paint others being nude and having sex with animals ? But as we have observed he depicts only India and Hindus in this manner.
   
8. Thus, for these reasons this painting is unacceptable to an Indian and it hurts and rapes our sensibilities.
   

Some questions we need to ask ourselves !

• Why do intellectuals and the art world continue to applaud MF Husain's perverted endeavours and still paint him as an 'artist' ?
  
• Has the collective mind of our social elite plummeted so deep, that on the one hand it puts men like MF Husain on a pedestal and on the other, summarily rubbishes a call for purity and feelings of national pride ?
  
• That we are actually debating this issue and not taking immediate action against MF Husain is the very reason why India has been attacked for centuries and has instead only been hospitable to our invaders. Do we still want to continue to function in a manner that does not even recognize an assault on our collective consciousness in the form of this obnoxious painting ?
  

What you can do ?

As this is gross disrespect to Bharatmata everybody should register their protest with the Government and compel the Govt. to book him for this huge offense.

1. Send the protest letter immediately to the Government to book him for hurting our National sentiments and to withdraw all his Padma awards and in addition initiate a court trial of this anti-National individual.
2. Form a group or personally lodge a Police complaint with this news that has been published in newspapers.
3. Force quick action from the State Govt., local MP, MLA and public representatives.
4. Write letters to Art gallerias not to exhibit any of his work.
5. Write to local newspapers and News channels about the incident so as to create awareness.
6. Create awareness through the internet via Emails, forums and Blogs.
7. You may print this page and distribute it amongst your friends, relatives and general public.
8. Boycott all his supporters for example Hotels displaying his paintings along with newspapers and TV channels that support him.

Special appeal to Advocates - File court cases against Husain in your local courts and intimate us upon doing so.
Special appeal to Journalists - Do not be mute spectators of this despicable imagery of the 'Rape of India'.
Special appeal to the artist community and art gallery - Boycott MF Husain from your community and send your protest letter to Government and don't display MF Husain paintings in any exhibition.

MyKad lama tidak sah

by Rajeswari

Pemilik kad pengenalan lama Balakrishnan, 74 menghadapi masalah untuk membuka akaun di bank kerana bank tidak terima MyKad lama.

Anaknya Rukumani seorang ibu tunggal yang hidup dengan bergantung kepada bantuan dari pelbagai pihak termasuk bantuan RM300 dari Jabatan Kebajikan Negeri Selangor merungut kerana kad pengenalan bapanya tidak diterima oleh pihak bank bagi membolehkan beliau membuka akaun dibank dan wang kebajikan dimasukkan dalam akaun.

Rukumani terpaksaberulang-alik dari rumahnya di Bandar Sultan Sulaiman Port Kelang ke Klang bagi mendapatkan wang bantuan kebajikan yang diberikan kepada bapanya.

Apabila meminta supaya wang tersebut di masukan dalam akaun bank bagi memudahkan Rukumani mengambil di bank terdekat. Pegawai kebajikan tersebut meminta Rukumani untuk membuka akaun bank di atas nama bapanya.

“Masalahnya ialah bapa saya seorang kurang upaya(terlantar di katil dan tidak boleh berjalan) bagaimana hendak ke bank untuk membuka akaun bank dan membuat My kad baru”.

Kata Rukumani dengan suara yang sedih. Malahan katanya dia terpaksa membayar tambang teksi yang begitu mahal untuk ke destinasi tertentu bagi mendapatkan bantuan kewangan bagi menyara keluarganya.

Rukumani yang terpaksa menjaga bapanya serta dua orang anaknya, Nanthakumar 14 dan Vaitheswari 13 tahun yang masih bersekolah, terpaksa mengharungi pelbagai kesulitan dan kesukaran bagi menampung hidupnya.

Apatah lagi wang RM300 itu terpaksa di bayar sewa rumah RM300 dan sedikit sebanyak menerima bantuan makanan dari kuil berhampiran dan badan kebajikan yang sudi menghulurkan bantuan.

Kedua-dua anaknya juga tidak mempunyai Mykad sehingga ke hari ini.

Tema Merdeka Pakatan mencakup kepentingan semua kaum

PI Bala: They tried to bribe me... again

Four explosions rock Pune. Suspect Injured.Govt says terror angle cannot be ruled out.

 

Four coordinated blasts rock Pune, one injured.

Agencies ||Mumbai, August 01, 2012 || Four coordinated low-intensity explosions struck the busy arterial JM road in the heart of Pune today on a day new home minister Sushilkumar Shinde was scheduled visit the city. Shinde confirmed that four low intensity blasts hit Pune injuring one person. He also said that he was scheduled to attend a function at Tilak theatre at 6pm but cancelled his trip.

He parried questions in Delhi on whether it was a terror attack, saying they were minor explosions and a probe was on into the blast that occurred between 7.27pm and 8.15pm.

“At this moment I cannot say anything, matter is under investigation,” Shinde told reporters.

He said that a NIA team from Delhi has boarded a flight to Pune.

The new home minister said that the person who was slightly injured in the blast has been admitted to Sasoon hospital and that his statement will be recorded.

The blasts came as Shinde officially took up his duties after being given the key portfolio the previous day.

Ironically, his last two days in the power ministry was marked by a major power outage due to collapse of three grids.

Pune police commissioner Gulab Rao Pol described the explosions as an act of mischief but Union home secretary RK Singh said terror angle cannot be ruled out since it seems to be a planned attack.

A man allegedly carrying one of the bombs was injured in the explosions and has been taken into custody and is being interrogated, Singh said. He has been admitted to Sasoon hospital.

Pol said the explosives carried by the injured man was kept in a cake box with sticky material, two detonators and a pencil cell.

One detonator went off in the explosion while the second was defused by a bomb disposal squad team.

The explosions occurred at JM road at spots near Balgandharva Theatre, Dena Bank branch, a McDonald food outlet and Garware bridge. The first explosion went off at Balgandharva Theatre where the suspected bomber was injured.

The explosion outside McDonald went off in a dustbin while the blasts near Garware bridge and Dena bank were reported from a cycle which had a bucket with explosives strapped on, police said.

The entire JM Road area has been cordoned off.

Pol said explosives at one of the sites was kept in a polythene bag.

Maharashtra ATS and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads were at the spot, police said.

Asked if it was a terror attack, Maharashtra DGP Sanjeev Dayal told PTI, “It is not appropriate to comment at this moment. Police teams have reached the spot and are looking into the matter.”

Maharashtra additional DG (Law and Order) Satyapal Singh said, “the first explosion near Balgandharva Theatre occurred at 19.27 hours and the rest followed afterwards though the exact timings are not yet clear, while one cyclist was injured”.

Singh said he had no information about any fifth explosive device being found and defused.

Pol said, “All are minor explosions. The public need not panic. Police are alert and they are doing their job.”

Pune was rocked by a bomb blast at German Bakery in February 2010 in which 15 people were killed.

Punish Groups Using Children in Violent Islamist Raids, KPAI Says

The Indonesian Commission for Child Protection is urging the police to punish organizations that involve children and minors in their violent actions.

“These children are being used and therefore those who manipulate them should be severely punished,” Maria Ulfa Ansor, chairwoman of the commission known as KPAI, said on Tuesday.

She referred to the involvement of children in violent raids against private businesses, saying that involving the children in those activities was criminal.

“These sweeps are crimes, and I am convinced that the children themselves have no understanding of what they were doing, but those who mobilized them should be punished,” Maria said.

Police recently arrested 62 members of a hard-line Islamic organization, the Council of the Defenders of the Prophet, after they held a violent raid on Saturday on a cafe that had remained open during the Muslim fasting month. Those arrested included 41 children and minors. Only 21 were adults.

The teenagers were released without charge except for two minors who were directly involved in ransacking the bar and found carrying sharp weapons. These two could face up to six years in prison under the 1951 Emergency Law for carrying weapons and two and a half years for destroying private property.

The mob demanded that the business close for the entire fasting month. Some of them came with blades and blunt weapons, and they vandalized the venue and also set bottles of alcoholic beverages on fire.

“We have to provide guidance for these children so that they do not again join organizations that engage in violence,” Maria said