Tony Fernandez: We can build fantastic stadiums, but can't maintain a field

Pak Lah: I will never abandon Umno

Curfew imposed in more areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah appeals to people, Army called in, leaders denied entry

 Paramilitary soldiers patrol during a protest against the state government after rival communities clashed in Kishtwar, Jammu on Saturday. (AP) 

 

Jammu/Srinagar: Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who were stopped by authorities from visiting Kishtwar district which has been hit by communal violence in the past few days.

J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appeals to people not to fall prey to rumours about situation in violence-hit Kishtwar.

Curfew today clamped in three more districts of Udhampur, Samba and Kathua in Jammu region and Army staged flag marches as tension prevailed following outbreak of communal violence in Kishtwar on Friday that left two persons dead and scores of others injured.

While Kistwar remained curfew bound for the third consecutive day today, curfew was imposed in Jammu and Rajouri districts and Army called out after some incidents of arson and violence last night.

"Army has also been deployed in the areas to assist local administration", Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu told PTI. "The situation is tense but under control. There are no reports of any untoward incident today. Army has staged flag marches in several areas."

Omar assures action, bans political leaders

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appeals to people not to fall prey to rumours. He assured swift action on inquiry report on Kishtwar incident and asked people not to allow political parties to exploit their sentiments.

Government will ensure most severe punishment to those responsible for death and destruction in Kishtwar, he said.

Omar also said that politicians including Arun Jaitley will not be allowed to visit the violence-affected areas.

BJP slams leaders detention

Jaitley was detained as he arrived at the airport in Jammu on his way to communal violence-hit Kishtwar, which was made out of bounds for political leaders by J-K government.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Avinash Rai Khanna, who was to accompany Jaitley to Kishtwar, was also detained by police while he was trying to enter Kathua this morning.

Narendra Modi, who is Hyderabad for an election campaign rally, immediately tweeted, "Heard that Shri Arun Jaitley & other Opposition leaders are not allowed to go to Kishtwar. This is undemocratic."

BJP condemned the detention of its leader saying while separatist leaders roam free, opposition leaders are undemocratically detained.

"We strongly condemn the detention of Arun Jaitley ji at Jammu airport.He was going there to ensure peace,its unfortunate," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Have duty towards people: Mufti

"A police team has been deployed outside the main gate of my residence and we are not being allowed to leave the premises," Mehbooba told PTI.

The PDP president said she along with some other party colleagues wanted to visit Kishtwar town, which has been hit by communal violence since Eid on Friday.

The PDP president said she had a duty towards the people of the state as she is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

"I have some duty towards the people as leader of opposition. Our visit to the area was with the aim of calming the frayed tempers. We are a responsible party," she added.

Shoot at sight ordered in Kishtwar

Following renewed violence, the authorities have issued shoot-at-sight orders and the Army on Saturday again staged a flag march through the streets of Kishtwar town.

The SPs of Udhampur, Kathua and Samba districts are monitoring the situation round-the clock. Pathankote-Jammu-Srinagar highway, which is the only surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country is being kept open by the authorities amid deployment of additional forces.

Restrictions have been imposed on assembly of people in areas other than under curfew, police said. Authorities imposed curfew and deployed army in the Jammu and Rajouri districts last night after some incidents of arson and communal tension.

Public transport was off the roads but few private cars and autorickshaws were seen plying.

The authorities have kept police and paramilitary personnel on the stand-by to meet any eventuality in the city and other vulnerable areas of the Valley, official sources said.

Geelani, who described the situation in Kishtwar town, as "grave" had said "the future course of action will be decided after reviewing the situation in the affected areas."

Syrian Child Raped and Brutalized by Jihad

According to the “Largest Syrian Christian Group on Facebook,” the above is a picture of a young girl in Syria, before (L) and after (R) the U.S.-sponsored jihad reached her.  The Arabic caption along with the picture reads: “Syrian child, tortured, raped, her face disfigured at the hands of the Saudis and others from among the psychos and criminals of the revolution.”

In fact, as many as 95% of the “freedom-fighters” in Syria are foreign jihadis trying to carve out an emirate — as they always do — justified by fatwas permitting rape and other perversities in the name of jihad.  Meanwhile, it is the average, indigenous Syrians, such as this child and countless others, who suffer in silence.

Agents: 44 gunned down in Nigeria mosque

By HARUNA UMAR and MICHELLE FAUL
Associated Press

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) - Suspected Islamic militants wearing army fatigues gunned down 44 people praying at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, while another 12 civilians died in an apparently simultaneous attack, security agents said Monday.

Sunday's attacks were the latest in a slew of violence blamed on religious extremists in this West African oil producer, where the radical Boko Haram group, which wants to oust the government and impose Islamic law, poses the greatest security threat in years.

It was not immediately clear why the Islamic Boko Haram would have killed worshipping Muslims, but the group has in the past attacked mosques whose clerics have spoken out against religious extremism. Boko Haram also has attacked Christians outside churches and teachers and schoolchildren, as well as government and military targets.

Since 2010, the militants have been blamed for the killings of more than 1,700 people, according to a count conducted by The Associated Press.

The news about Sunday's violence in Borno state, one of three in the northeast under a military state of emergency, came as journalists received a video featuring Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who gloats over recent attacks, threatens more, and even says his group is now strong enough to go after the United States.

The mosque slayings occurred Sunday morning in Konduga town, 35 kilometers (22 miles) outside Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria's Borno state.

A state security service agent and Usman Musa, a member of a civilian militia that works with the military, said Monday they counted the bodies at the mosque after the attack. Musa said four members of his group - known as the Civilian Joint Task Force -also were killed when they reached Konduga and encountered "fierce resistance from heavily armed terrorists."

Musa and the security service agent said the attackers wore military camouflage uniforms used by the Nigerian army, which they may have acquired in one of their attacks on military bases.

On their way back from Konduga, the security forces came upon the scene of another attack at Ngom village, 5 kilometers (3 miles) outside Maiduguri, where Musa said he counted 12 bodies of civilians.

Twenty-six worshippers at the mosque were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, said a security guard at the emergency ward of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. He and the state security agent both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to give information to reporters.

Nigeria declared a state of emergency in much of the northeast on May 14 to fight the onslaught after Boko Haram fighters took over several northeastern towns and villages in this nation of more than 160 million people, which is divided almost equally between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south.

In the video received by journalists Monday, Shekau brushes off any gains asserted by the security forces.

"You soldiers have claimed that you are powerful, that we have been defeated, that we are mad people," Shekau says, speaking in the local Hausa language. "But how can a mad man successfully coordinate recent attacks in Gamboru, in Malam Fatori, slaughter people in Biu, kill in Gwoza and in Bama, where soldiers fled under our heavy fire power?

"We have killed countless soldiers and we are going to kill more."

He further insists the extremists' "strength and firepower has surpassed that of Nigeria. ... We can now comfortably confront the United States of America."

Shekau also said Nigeria's military is "lying to the world" about its casualties. "They lied that they have killed our members, but we are the ones that have killed the soldiers."

He apparently was referring to Aug. 4 attacks on a military base at Malam Fatori and a police outpost in Bama, both near the border with Cameroon. Joint Task Force spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa told reporters 32 extremists, two soldiers and one police officer were killed. But when the Borno state governor called on the head of the task force to commiserate, Maj. Gen. Jah Ewansiah told him in front of reporters that they lost 12 soldiers and seven policemen. Nigeria's military regularly lowballs casualty figures of civilians and military.

Under orders from the military, cellphone and Internet service has been cut in Borno, making communications difficult. The military says the extremists were using cellphones to coordinate attacks. But some government officials argue that the lack of communication prevents civilians from informing them of suspicious movements and getting help when they are attacked.

“Berapa Tuhan orang Hindu?”

Jika anda seorang penganut agama Hindu, berumur lebih 20 tahun dan merupakan warganegara Berhala Dewa Ganesha dalam pelbagai rupa dan bentuk sangat terkenal di Bali. 12 Ogos, 2013.Malaysia, tidak mustahil bahawa anda sudah sekurang-kurangnya seratus kali ditanya, "Orang Hindu ada berapa Tuhan?"

Situasi seperti ini sudah saya lalui sejak usia kanak-kanak tetapi tidak pula membuatkan saya marah. Sebaliknya pertanyaan itu membuktikan bahawa rakan-rakan yang bertanya mahu tahu tentang budaya/amalan kita. Bukan pula bermakna rakan itu mahu memeluk agama Hindu! Sebaliknya mahu tahu supaya lebih mudah untuk bergaul dalam konteks masyarakat majmuk di negara bertuah ini.

Berdasarkan pengalaman saya, pertanyaan "Orang Hindu ada berapa Tuhan?" biasanya dikemukakan oleh rakan-rakan Melayu beragama Islam. Sejarah membuktikan bahawa pada zaman dahulu, sebelum kedatangan Islam, penduduk Melayu di negara ini beragama Hindu. Malah, budaya agama Hindu masih menjadi sebahagian daripada budaya Melayu (bukan "budaya Islam").

Pertanyaan ikhlas yang dikemukakan bukan bermakna rakan-rakan Melayu cuba memperlekeh atau mempersenda amalan penganut agama Hindu. Malah, jangan terkejut bahawa mungkin ramai juga penganut agama Hindu sendiri yang sering bertanya dan tertanya-tanya soalan "Orang Hindu ada berapa Tuhan?"

Dialog dan perkongsian maklumat mengenai pelbagai budaya dan agama bukan sesuatu yang baru. Satu-satunya pemimpin Islam yang paling saya kagumi ialah Nabi Muhammad dan Baginda amat menggalakkan dialog seperti ini. Semasa pemerintahan Empayar Mughal di India, Akhbar (1556-1605) yang buta huruf turut menggalakkan dialog antara agama.

Namun, pada masa kini di Malaysia, seperti didedahkan dengan penuh berani oleh presiden Majlis Perundangan Malaysia Agama Buddha, Kristian, Hindu, Sikh dan Tao (MCCBCHST), Jagir Singh, pemimpin agama Islam di negara ini nampaknya menganggap kedudukan mereka "lebih tinggi dalam agama, jadi mereka tidak boleh duduk sama taraf dengan Bukan Islam" (The Malaysian Insider, 1 Ogos 2013).

Mujurlah Kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) mewajibkan mata pelajaran Tamadun Islam dan Tamadun Asia (TITAS) di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (IPTS) mulai September 2013. Seperti kata pensyarah Pusat Pengajian Kerajaan, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, TITAS bertujuan "meningkatkan kefahaman dan rasa hormat antara rakyat serta menguatkan perpaduan dan persefahaman antara anggota masyarakat" memandangkan "disebabkan kurang pendidikan maka banyak kejadian tidak diingini berlaku kerana anak muda 'kosong' tentang ilmu pengetahuan tamadun lain di negara ini" (Utusan Malaysia, 23 Julai 2013).

Selaras dengan niat murni Kerajaan BN dan TITAS "meningkatkan kefahaman dan rasa hormat antara rakyat" saya juga terpanggil untuk berkongsi pengalaman saya sejak kanak-kanak dalam menangani pertanyaan "Orang Hindu ada berapa Tuhan?"

(Mana-mana individu yang lemah pegangan agama dan luntur keimanan dinasihatkan supaya tidak meneruskan pembacaan makalah ini.)

Memandangkan rakan-rakan yang bertanya adalah Melayu-Islam, maka saya akan berusaha menggunakan sudut Islam untuk membantu menjawab kemusykilan mereka. Secara paling asas, saya akan nyatakan hakikat bahawa agama Hindu diakui sebagai agama tauhid yang pertama di dunia.

Jawapan itu sepatutnya sudah cukup untuk menjawab pertanyaan berkaitan "berapa Tuhan" tetapi selalu juga rakan-rakan kurang faham - entah tidak faham makna "tauhid" dalam konteks agama atau jawapan saya terlalu ringkas dan sukar dicerna.

Maka, biasanya saya akan menjelaskan bahawa makna "tauhid" yang saya maksudkan adalah sama seperti dalam ajaran agama Islam. Saya akan nyatakan konsep "Eka Aneka" yang juga biasanya membuatkan orang terkebil-kebil.

Eka Aneka, Asamaul Husna

Sesungguhnya "Eka Aneka" adalah istilah Sanskrit tetapi sudah diserap masuk dalam Bahasa Malaysia. "Eka" bermakna "satu" atau "tunggal" - atau selalu disebut sebagai "Esa" dalam konteks Islam. Maka, dalam agama Hindu - agama tertua di dunia - Tuhan adalah Eka/Satu/Tunggal.

Istilah "Aneka" pula difahami dalam konteks Bahasa Malaysia sebagai "pelbagai" (dari Bahasa Tamil!) atau "bermacam-macam". Tuhan yang berciri "Eka" (Tunggal/Satu/Esa) juga bersifat "Aneka" iaitu dikenali dengan pelbagai nama mengikut sifat-Nya.

Maknanya, walaupun dikenali dengan pelbagai nama yang berbeza, Tuhan dalam agama Hindu tetap Esa. Mana-mana pihak atau individu yang mengatakan sebaliknya ternyata bukan bercakap mengenai agama Hindu. Sebaliknya mungkin bercakap mengenai suatu ajaran sesat yang dia sendiri cipta bagi menduakan Tuhan!

Sekiranya rakan saya yang beragama Islam masih kurang faham, maka saya terpaksa pula mengambil contoh daripada Asamaul Husna iaitu 99 sifat Allah yang pasti diketahui setiap orang Islam.

Sejumlah 99 nama itu tidak pula bermakna Allah hanya memiliki 99 sifat! Atau lebih parah jika ada pihak yang beranggapan bahawa terdapat 99 Tuhan selain daripada Allah dalam agama Islam! Atas sebab inilah juga saya amat menggalakkan dialog antara agama; supaya dapat merungkaikan apa-apa salah tanggap yang mungkin wujud dalam kalangan masyarakat pelbagai agama.

Antara nama yang digunakan berdasarkan sifat-sifat Allah ialah Al Khaaliq iaitu Maha Pencipta, Al Waliyy iaitu Maha Melindungi dan Al Mumiit iaitu Maha Mematikan. Kalau diperhatikan dalam konteks agama Hindu di mana Bahasa Sanskrit digunakan, sifat Tuhan yang Maha Pencipta dirujuk sebagai Brahma, Maha Melindungi dirujuk sebagai Vishnu dan Maha Mematikan dirujuk sebagai Shiva.

Ketiga-tiga nama dalam contoh mudah di atas - dalam Bahasa Arab dan Sanskrit - tidak merujuk Kunjungan ke sebuah kuil oleh peserta Konvoi Rumah Ibadat pada 2 Mei 2011. kepada tiga Tuhan yang berbeza; sebaliknya Tuhan yang Maha Esa tetapi memiliki sifat yang Aneka.

Penerangan ini tidak bertujuan menyesatkan sesiapa tetapi untuk membantu memudahkan pemahaman. Daripada pengalaman saya menjelaskan perkara-perkara di atas berikutan soalan "Orang Hindu ada berapa Tuhan?" tidak seorang pun rakan-rakan saya yang terus berminat meninggalkan agama asal dan memeluk agama Hindu. Saya gembira kerana mereka kekal dengan agama asal.

Ada pihak yang menolak penyiaran cerpen saya dengan alasan kononnya saya cuba menyebarkan agama Hindu menerusi cerpen Bahasa Malaysia. Bagaimanapun, tiada laporan mana-mana pembaca meninggalkan agama asal dan "masuk" Hindu. Sebagaimana tidak ada orang Melayu yang memeluk agama Hindu walaupun tergila-gila menonton filem-filem Shah Rukh Khan sejak tahun 1990-an.

Kalaulah perbincangan, dialog dan perbandingan antara agama, tamadun dan budaya menjadi suatu kebimbangan dan ketakutan dalam kalangan puak fanatik, pentaksub, ultra kiasu, rasis dan etnosentrik, pasti mereka akan "mati muntah darah" jika berpeluang mendalami mata pelajaran TITAS di IPTA dan IPTS.

Berbalik pada topik perbincangan, ada juga rakan-rakan yang bertanya mengapa ada begitu banyak berhala dan rupa dewa-dewi yang pelbagai pula. Secara mudah, saya akan cuba menjelaskan bahawa berbeza dengan agama Islam (juga Buddha, Sikh dan sebagainya), ajaran Hindu tidak menghalang "sifat-sifat" Tuhan yang berciri "Eka Aneka" digambarkan secara visual.

Maka para penganut agama Hindu sejak dahulu menggunakan bakat kesenian untuk "mevisualkan" sifat-sifat Tuhan menerusi lukisan, berhala dan seumpamanya. Seni khat dan kaligrafi - sebagaimana digunakan orang Arab, Cina dan Islam - turut digunakan orang Hindu untuk merakamkan (record) sifat-sifat Tuhan yang berciri Eka Aneka.

Sebagai agama tauhid yang pertama di dunia, ajaran Hindu tidak menghalang/menolak mana-mana agama atau ajaran lain. Semua agama menuju kepada Tuhan (Maha Esa) dan terpulang kepada setiap individu untuk memilih jalan (agama/ajaran) yang diingininya. - 12 Ogos, 2013.


Peserta Konvoi Rumah Ibadat di Seremban (17 Februari 2013) mendengar penerangan tentang kuil.
* Ini adalah pandangan peribadi penulis.

Low teaching quality: ‘Ministry’s fault’

NUTP claims the extra data entry work and the new teaching system hinders quality teaching.

PETALING JAYA: Teachers are unable to provide quality education to students and the fault lies squarely on the Education Ministry which appears to be bogging them down with paper work.

The National Union for Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Hashim Adnan in a phone interview with FMT said that teachers today are given more paper work because ministry officials are interested in obtaining data.

Hashim said that teachers are required to do data entry by keying in individual marks which is not only time consuming but stresses them up too.

“This exercise is on-going and teachers do it until 3 or 4 in the morning to meet a dateline. Any delay by individual teachers would affect the entire group of teachers because students’ cumulative grades cannot be obtained,” he explained.

He criticised the system as a “bad system that promotes plagiarism” among teachers.

Teachers are also required to teach and finish the syllabus without the benefit of having replacement teachers.

Under a system called Melindungi Masa Instructional (MMI) that began in April this year, a teacher must complete the syllabus for the year without having the benefit of a replacement teacher.

“Who is going to teach students if teachers are required to attend meetings and sports? Under MMI, teachers have to rush and complete teaching their syllabus.

“This system hinders teachers from developing young minds.

“Without the MMI, teachers have promoted quality education and this can be seen from the number of students who went on to further their tertiary education abroad,” said Hashim.

He also had a message for the Education Ministry.

“If you want us to provide quality education, leave the teaching to teachers and do not burden or mess us up with other things. A teacher’s duty is to teach, not do data entry.”

Moving at snail’s pace


When asked if the union is meeting the ministry to raise these issues, Hashim revealed that the ministry is rather reluctant to obtain feedback from the union.

“Our meetings move at a snail’s pace and there are very little chances for possible changes. The ministry officials must be bold and open hearted in accepting our input.

“Only then can they develop a system that works. We can tell them what works and what don’t,” said Hashim.

He added that while NUTP is willing to work with the ministry to enhance the quality of education in schools, it is the ministry that has to call the shots.

“If the ministry decides not to consider our feedback, there is nothing that we can do.”

Batu Caves dress code draws mixed reaction

While some devotees and a stall operator are against it, several joggers lauded the move and said they will abide by the regulation.

KUALA LUMPUR: The dress code imposed by the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Temple committee drew brickbats from joggers and devotees alike.

While some argued that it may affect tourist arrival, one even gave spiritual reasons to back his argument.

D Ponranggan, a senior citizen who frequents the temple for prayers, said a man of faith would not be perturbed by people wearing shorts or any other attire.

“Are you telling me that our people are so weak in faith that a man or women in shorts would distract them while praying?” he asked.

Ponranggan, a permanent resident in Malaysia, argued that imposing such a guideline would not give foreigners a good impression of Malaysia as a developing country.

“Our body itself is a temple and God lives in everyone. So, are we still going to stop ourselves from seeing people in shorts and skirts wherever we go? I think this is not logical,” he said.

Yesterday, FMT reported that the temple committee has imposed several prohibition on the visitors such as no smoking, running up the steps and spitting as well as barring them from wearing shorts, skirts and having pets with them.

Temple committee chairman R Nadarajah claimed that devotees were feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable to see people wearing shorts and working out in front of the temple when prayers were being conducted.

Ponranggan, however, believes that spitting and littering should be prohibited not only in a temple compound but in all areas.

Another devotee who frequents the temple, Tamilselvi Renggan, was more vocal against the ban. She said many devotees visit the temple may be wearing traditional attire but of the revealing type.

“Even the saree blouses and other traditional clothing worn by these devotees are very revealing.

“If you are going to impose this ban on tourist, how do you expect tourists to know all this when they are not aware of our culture?” asked the 36-year old homemaker.

Rent out proper attires

E Iyappan, a 26-year old Indian national, said he feared such a ban would affect tourists visits to the temple.

He suggested that the temple committee follows the rules of the temples in India where the temple committee provides stalls selling or renting out proper attire for worship.

“How do you expect tourists to know the temple regulations? In India, there are temples which practices strict dress codes but they do have stalls which sells or rents out proper attire,” said Iyappan.

M Krishnan, 54, supported Iyappan’s argument, saying that the temple committee should place stalls providing attires such as dhotis and sarees if they want to impose the ban.

“But these people (temple management) are just making things worse for tourists who are taking the trouble to learn our religion and culture,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abu Lais, 56, a frequent jogger at the area lauded the temple management’s ban and said everyone should abide by the regulations imposed.

“One must always remember that although it is a favourite area for many to workout, it is still primarily a place of worship. Hence, joggers and visitors should respect the code of conduct of any places of worship they step into,” said Abu.

However, he believed that tourists should be given some leeway due to cultural differences.

Another jogger, who wished to be only known as Noraida, said she would abide by any regulations imposed by the temple as a sign of respect.

“I will respect any regulation in a place of worship. However, I don’t think it is logical to impose the ban on tourists as they may not know the rules,” said the 46-year-old.

A florist, who declined to be named, also said the new regulation may affect his business as many tourist purchase garlands, flowers and prayer items from him.

“This ban will affect my business as tourists may stop coming to this place,” he said.

Meanwhile, a check by FMT this morning found that the signboard informing of the ban has been removed by the temple committee.

When asked, the temple committee honorary secretary RT Sundram said they are planning to replace it with a new one to better inform the public.

“The original depicted a person in business attire and many thought devotees had to wear a suit to enter the temple. So, we need to put a better and accurate picture so as to not mislead the public.”

No spitting, no shorts: Dress code at Batu Caves

The Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar temple has come up with a dress code for visitors and joggers after receiving several complaints from devotees.

PETALING JAYA: A dress code for visitors, especially morning joggers, to the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar temple has been put up at the foot of the 272 steps due to complaints made by temple devotees.

Temple committee chairman R Nadarajah said devotees came to pray as early as 7am and they were especially embarrassed and disturbed to see people exercising in front of the temple when prayers were being conducted.

“People cannot exercise in front of the temple in shorts. We have been receiving complaints every week,” said Nadarajah.

He said joggers in shorts would be told to exercise in the field nearby.

Nadarajah said this when asked to comment on a Chinese daily report on six dress code prohibitions imposed by temple management committee.

According to the Sin Chew Daily’s front page report, visitors to Batu Caves are not allowed to smoke, run up the 272 steps, spit, wear shorts, wear skirts and bring pets.

Temple’s works committee chairman N Sivakumar said devotees wearing shorts and carrying kavadis during Thaipusam would however be allowed.

“They are coming here for a religious purpose and there will be no restrictions for tourists during Thaipusam,” he said.

He added that competitions such as the Tanggathon Batu Caves could still be held provided that the participants were properly attired and inform the temple committee in advance.

“We can allocate one or two flight of steps for the participants without inconveniencing and endangering devotees,” he said.

More than 800,000 locals and foreigners visit the temple every year.

French judges 'meant to process' Altantuya's murder

The question of Altantuya Shariibuu’s murder is “meant to be processed” by the French judges currently conducting an inquiry into alleged corruption in the Scorpene case, said French lawyer William Bourdon.

As such, Bourdon (left), who is representing human rights NGO Suaram in the Scorpene case, said that the testimony of lawyer Americk Sidhu would help to reveal its connections to supposed “corrupt activities”.

Americk had prepared the explosive first statutory declaration (SD) by private investigator P  Balasubramaniam, better known as PI Bala, in 2008 pertaining to the murder of the Mongolian national.

Bourdon was responding to a statement made by negotiator Jasbir Singh Chah, the ‘architect’ of the Scorpene deal, on Saturday that Altantuya had no role in the negotiations and that the French courts were not looking at her death.

“...For the possible links between the circumstances around Altantuya's death and corrupt activities, even if the French judges are not seized of Altantuya's murder directly, this question of her murder is meant to be processed by the French judges.

“Accordingly, the testimony of Americk Sidhu should help to reveal the different connections that should be made with corrupt activities, as well as other testimonies that would likely be received by judges very soon,” Bourdon said in a statement today.

Altantuya was said to be a French interpreter for defence analyst Abdul Razak Baginda (left), with whom she was believed to be have romantic links. He was a central figure in the sale of two Scorpene submarines to Malaysia.

Altantuya was, however, found dead in October 2006, having been blown up with C4 explosives in a jungle clearing in Shah Alam.

Perimekar contract 'in line with commercial norms'

Bourdon also stated that as steps to hear Jasbir as a witness at the inquiry in France are still ongoing, “only statements made under oath before the judges will count”.

He added that results of the investigations will only be made known upon its completion, but the two judges are still in the midst of research and verifications in the case, including on Malaysian consulting company Perimekar Sdn Bhd, which had received money from the Malaysian government in the deal.

In 2006, deputy defence minister Zainal Abidin Zin stated that the commissions were paid "voluntarily" to Perimekar by the French parties in the deal.

However, in 2008, then defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Parliament the 114.96 million euros was paid out to to Perimekar, for "coordination services" and not as commissions.

According to the national news agency Bernama on Saturday, Jasbir in a statement had said that the contract between the Malaysian government and Perimekar was in line with commercial norms and that the payments fell within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines.

He also noted that the price negotiated was “attractive” as the price for a single Scorpene Class submarine today was around RM6 billion while two were purchased by the government for less. at about RM4.2 billion.

He also said that Perimekar was nominated as the local vehicle to spearhead the project.

Hong Kong-based Terasasi Sdn Bhd, he added, was brought in as the external service provider to assist French company Thales International, also known as Thint Asia, which sold the submarines in a deal inked in 2002 when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was defence minister.

Abdul Razak Baginda is one of the directors of Terasasi.

Sanjeevan's dad wants Negri cops off the case

The father of injured anti-crime activist R Sri Sanjeevan wants the Negri Sembilan police off the case and for those from the headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to take over investigations.

The probe into the attempt on Sanjeevan’s life on July 27 is currently being conducted by the Bahau police station and Seremban district police headquarters, because the shooting took place in Negri Sembilan.          

P Ramakrishnan, 64, noted that his son had levelled corruption allegations against police personnel in the state.

"My son has lodged a few police reports against officers and personnel in Negri Sembilan, so there could be conflict of interest,” he said  in a police report lodged at Travers police station this morning.

"Therefore I ask that the case be (taken over) by officers from Bukit Aman ..."

He said the police in Kuala Lumpur should work with the special team led by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department chief Hadi Ho Abdullah that was set up to look into the incident.

Met outside the police station, Ramakrishnan said he is still concerned for his son's safety.

"I have full confidence in the police - that is why I came here to lodge a report - to safeguard my family and my son's interests," he said.

Anti-crime NGO MyWatch co-founder and adviser S Gobikrishnan, who was present, said Sanjeevan's family has yet to be informed of any progress in the investigations.

"The family wants all the investigation papers (in the hands of the Negri Sembilan police) to be handed over to Bukit Aman," he said, adding that the family will seek a meeting soon with Hadi.

‘Condition unchanged’

In July, Sanjeevan had brought forward a drug pusher who claimed he had paid a monthly bribe of RM30,000-50,000 to the Malacca and Negri Sembilan police.

Sanjeevan, who is MyWatch chief, was shot by two men on motorcycle while he was driving in Bahau.

He survived the attack after speeding off but the single bullet damaged his lungs.

Gobikrishnan (left) also updated the media on Sanjeevan's condition when Ramakrishnan lost his composure and became teary-eyed.

"He is still being induced and cannot breathe on his own. He needs a respirator. There has not been much change," he said.

He added that doctors have said the bullet has yet to be removed as it is not an immediate threat, and surgery now may even endanger Sanjeevan's life.

Resort owner remanded over 'Buddhist meditation in surau'

The 45-year-old owner of a resort in Johor where a group of Buddhists were shown meditating in a surau has been remanded for four days.

According to The Star Online, he was brought to the Session's Court in Kota Tinggi at about 9.30am today before court registrar Hairul Azhar Mohamad, who approved the remand order until Friday.

The owner of the resort in Tanjung Sedili Besar, who is a Singaporean with Malaysian permanent resident status, was arrested on Sunday.

The case is being investigated under Section 295 of the Penal Code for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.
                                      
Previously, the Johor Islamic Affairs Council (MAIJ) had urged that stern action be taken.

"We need to be more stern by using existing laws to blacklist the group from entering the country. This should not happen as they should know Malaysian law.

"Their act has not only hurt the feelings (of Muslims) but also insulted Islam," said MAIJ adviser Noh Gadut.

He was referring to a YouTube video uploaded on Aug 10 which showed what appeared to be a monk inside the surau, leading a group in meditation in front of a portrait of Buddha.
              
The 63-second video entitled: 'Chinese Buddhists pray in surau; surau becomes temple' was uploaded by one "Sebastianphiu" and has generated over 10,000 views.

Meanwhile, the resort owner had earlier defended the decision to allow the Buddhist group from Singapore to use the surau.

"The group said they wanted to use the hall for meditation but we could not fulfill the request as the hall had already been booked by others earlier on.

"So we allowed them to use the surau in the resort but their bringing other religious items into the surau was done without my knowledge," he was quoted as saying.

'Custody death victim's hand was clinging to cell bar'

Death in policy custody victim Cheah Chin Lee was found holding on to a cell bar although he had reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a cell at the Tanjong Tokong police station, the inquest into his death heard today.

The lawyer conducting a watching brief for Cheah’s family, M Visvanathan, said photos taken by the police after Cheah’s death showed his left hand clinging on to a bar.

“There are two possibilities. One, someone forced him up and he held on to the bar, grasping for dear life, or he went up there, did the act on his own, with no assistance from anyone,” said Visvanathan while cross-examining forensic expert Bhupinder Singh.

“If he did it on his own and wanted (to commit) suicide, why would he still cling on to the bar? It’s not a very good suicide attempt then,” said Visvanathan.

Visvanathan said the photos depicting him in the position “tell a thousand stories” and it appeared as if Cheah was trying to break his fall.

However, Visvanathan complained that all the photos taken of Cheah by the police were not good at all as they do not show the bruises clearly.

Visvanathan then asked Bhupinder (left) to state his opinion on the findings in the photograph of Cheah hanging from a bar.

In response, Bhupinder said he did not agree to the suggestion that Cheah could have been put up on the bar.

He then asked, “Where is the CCTV recording of the incident?” to which Visvanathan thanked him for asking, saying he would get it and inform Bhupinder.

Bhupinder said Cheah was hanging from the bars with his feet off the ground by a distance of two feet and his left hand firmly gripping the bar.

He was hanging with his cell clothes in a loop around his neck.

“It is not possible to put someone of his size up there without a struggle and without sustaining any injuries,” said Bhupinder.

‘Not for us in forensics to decide’

Bhupinder said he could only ascertain the deceased’s death was caused by asphysxia due to hanging, but could not decide on the circumstances of how he died.

“It is not for us (in forensics) to decide whether it is suicide or homicide,” he said.

Coroner Umadevi Loganathan presided over the inquest, which was held since yesterday, while the conducting officers are Mohd Faisal Md Noor and Edward Chan.

Cheah, 36, was found dead in the cell at about 5.30am on Aug 13, after he was arrested for suspected motorcycle theft at about 12.30am.

An autopsy report indicated that he died of asphyxia due to hanging but his family members, who were in court, refused to accept that Cheah had died due to suicide.

'Buddhists meditating in surau have insulted Islam'

The action by a group of Buddhists to use a surau for meditation has insulted Islam, said the Johor Islamic Affairs Council (MAIJ).

"We need to be more stern by using existing laws to blacklist the group from entering the country. This should not happen as they should know Malaysian law.

"Their act has not only hurt the feelings (of Muslims) but also insulted Islam," MAIJ adviser Noh Gadut was quoted as saying in a Berita Harian report today.

He was referring to a YouTube video uploaded on Aug 10 which showed what appeared to be a monk inside the building, leading a group in meditation in front of a portrait of Buddha.

The 63-second video entitled: 'Chinese Buddhists pray in surau; surau becomes temple' was uploaded by one "Sebastianphiu" and has generated over 10,000 views.

The opening of the video also bore the words: "Surau tainted by heresy" and stated its location as Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi, Johor.

Meanwhile, Berita Harian quoted Johor Religious Committee Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim as saying that the Johor Religious Department (JAJ) has initiated an investigation over the matter including visiting the site.

According to the daily, the surau is at a Kota Tinggi resort owned by a Singaporean Muslim who has permanent residence in this country.

'No intention to offend'
It quoted the resort's 45-year-old manager, without naming the person, defending the decision to allow the Buddhist group from Singapore to use the surau.

"The group said they wanted to use the hall for meditation but we could not fulfill the request as the hall had already been booked by others earlier on.

"So we allowed them to use the surau in the resort but they bringing other religious items into the surau was done without my knowledge," he was quoted as saying.

The manager further said that he had no ill intention in allowing the Buddhist group to use the surau as he himself is a Muslim.

"I did not think that allowing followers of other religion to use the surau was wrong because they were only using it for meditation.

"I had no intention to hurt the feelings of any parties. My intention was just to show that Islam was a universal and tolerant religion," he said.

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Perkasa kecam tindakan Pak Lah

PERTUBUHAN Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) hari ini mengecam tindakan Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) yang dikatakan telah mengeluarkan dakwaan negatif terhadap pertubuhan tersebut serta mengkritik Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dalam sebuah kenyataan akhbar yang dikeluarkan oleh Setiausaha Agung Perkasa Syed Hassan Syed Ali, beliau menyifatkan buku Awakening: The Abdullah Badawi Years in Malaysia merupakan sebuah buku penafian semata-mata.


Malah, beliau selaku Timbalan Presiden Kelab Chedet turut berdiri untuk mempertahankan Tun Mahathir kerana beliau menyifatkan kritikan Pak Lah terhadap Tun Mahathir jelas tidak benar sama sekali.
Syed Hassan menjelaskan, tindakan Pak Lah yang mengecam Perkasa kerana dikatakan cuba untuk mengambil hak kaum lain demi kepentingan Melayu adalah tidak benar kerana tujuan pertubuhan tersebut hanyalah untuk mempertahankan kepentingan Melayu dan Islam dimana telah termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Negara.

Beliau turut memberi contoh berkenaan pengurangan peruntukan Biasiswa Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) dimana daipada 90% peruntukan kepada kaum Melayu akhirnya hanya tinggal 55% sahaja di penghujung zaman kepimpinan Pak Lah.
Bukan itu sahaja, Syed Hassan turut mengingatkan Pak Lah bahawa kegagalan Barisan Nasional dalam mendapatkan majoriti 2/3 kerusi Parlimen pada Pilihan Raya Umum 2008 bukanlah disebabkan oleh Perkasa kerana pada 2008 Perkasa belum ditubuhkan.

Beliau menyifatkan kepimpinan Pak Lah gagal mengurus ekonomi negara dengan baik hingga menyebabkan kaum Cina menghadapi kesukaran dalam perniagaan.
Selain itu, Syed Hassan turut mempersoal kenyataan Pak Lah yang mengatakan ekonomi negara bakal muflis jika projek-projek Tun Mahathir diteruskan.
“Negara boleh muflis jika teruskan projek-projek Tun M rancangkan? Sebelum zaman Tun M negara kita negara kayakah? Projek-projek mega yang Tun M telah siapkan sudah membuatkan negara muflis kah?

“Saya nak tanya Pak Lah, Tun M habiskan banyak wang negara yang hasilnya dari mana tu sebnarnya? Wang negara dari sebelum Tun M jadi PM kah? Sebelum Tun M jadi PM sudah banyakkah wang negara?,” jelas Syed Hassan dalam kenyataan akhbar yang dikeluarkan beliau hari ini.

Tambah Syed Hassan, tahun-tahun paling malang kepada rakyat Malaysia adalah semasa pentadbiran Pak Lah sebagai Perdana Menteri iaitu dari Oktober 2003 hingga April 2009.
“Kononnya menyelamatkan negara dari muflis jika melayani desakan Tun M meneruskan projek-projek yang telah Tun M rancang sebelumnya seperti landasan berkembar kereta api padahal negara rugi besar bila projek tersebut disambung semula oleh Pak Lah setelah beliau memberhentikannya untuk beberapa tahun. Itu fakta yang Pak Lah jangan nafikanya,” ujar Syed Hassan.
Berikut merupakan kenyataan akhbar penuh yang dikeluarkan oleh Perkasa:

Perkasa: Take action against Namewee or we'll act

'Surgery not very important, lung infection main concern'

The 17 cases identified by The Times which showed a pattern of exploitation

• Most of the victims in the 17 cases were white Paul Rogers for The Times

Last updated at 12:01AM, January 5 2011

In organised gangs, men groomed girls they met on the street. Most of the offenders were of Pakistani origin and most of the victims were white

November 1997: Leeds
Mohammed Naim Rashid, 21: kidnap, rape, indecent assault, actual bodily harm. Seven years. Abid Hussain Sadique, 21: kidnap, rape. Four years. Leeds Crown Court.
Police uncover ring of private-hire drivers grooming girls as young as 12, using them for sex in room above taxi office and taking them to other towns. 23 arrests, 20 victims. Five charged. Delwar Hussain, 24: two counts of indecent assault. 15 months.
November 2003 & February 2005: Keighley
Shabir Ahmed, 32: indecent assault. 30 months. Bradford Crown Court


"Localised Grooming" Gangs (convictions from 1997)
This list is compiled based on definitions provided by Andrew Norfolk, The Times, 5 January 2011:
"The 17 cases identified by The Times which showed a pattern of exploitation"
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article2863078.ece
Andrew Norfolk won the Orwell Prize for Journalism for his reporting on grooming gangs. He was the only journalist who provided expert testimony to the House of Commons select committee, in their (2012-2013) investigation into the grooming gangs.

trial		first	2nd name/
date	location	name	surname
Nov 1997	Leeds	Mohammed	Naim Rashid
Nov 1997	Leeds	Abid	Hussain Sadique
Feb 2005	Keighley	Shabir	Ahmed
Feb 2005	Keighley	Munwar	Khan
Apr 2006	Blackpool	Sandeep	Chauhan
Apr 2006	Blackpool	Puppy	Parmar
Jun 2007	Oldham	Shahzad	Masood
Jun 2007	Oldham	Mohammed	Suleman
Aug 2007	Blackburn	Zulfqar	Hussain
Aug 2007	Blackburn	Qaiser	Naveed
Oct 2007	Sheffield	Ayad	Mahmood
Oct 2007	Sheffield	Aziz	Sabir Hamed
Aug 2008	Oldham	Shofiqul	Islam
Aug 2008	Oldham	Shamim	Ahmed
Nov 2008	Manchester	Mirza	Baig
Nov 2008	Manchester	Mohammed	Ditta
Nov 2008	Blackburn	Ian	Hindle
Nov 2008	Blackburn	Andrew	Wells
Apr 2009	Blackburn	Imran	Pervez
Apr 2009	Blackburn	Zaheer	Khan
Jul 2009	Skipton	Mohammed	Zackriya
Jul 2009	Skipton	Mohammed	Taj
Jul 2009	Skipton	Mohammed	Shabir
Jul 2009	Skipton	Shafaq	Hussain
Feb 2010	Rochdale	Ajmal	Afridi
Feb 2010	Rochdale	Imtiaz	Syed
Feb 2010	Rochdale	Tayub	Hussain
Feb 2010	Rochdale	Mustafa	Arshad
Feb 2010	Rochdale	Mohammed	Usman Raja
Jun 2010	Nelson	Azeem	Shah
Jun 2010	Nelson	Tabassum	Shah
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Asad	Yousaf Hassan
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Mohammed	Basharat
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Mohammed	Atif
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Aftab	Khan
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Abid	Khaliq
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Mohammed	Anwar Safi
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Ahmed	Noorzai
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Mohammed	Khan
Aug 2010	Rochdale	Najibullah	Safi
Sep 2010	Preston	Mohammed	Moosa
Sep 2010	Preston	Faisal	Ghani
Nov 2010	Rotherham	Razwan	Razaq
Nov 2010	Rotherham	Umar	Razaq
Nov 2010	Rotherham	Zafran	Ramzan
Nov 2010	Rotherham	Mohsin	Khan
Nov 2010	Rotherham	Adil	Hussain
Nov 2010	Derby	Abid	Siddique
Nov 2010	Derby	Mohammed	Liaqat
Nov 2010	Derby	Mohamed	Imran Rehman
Nov 2010	Derby	Faisal	Mehmood
Nov 2010	Derby	Akshay	Kumar
Nov 2010	Derby	Naweed	Liaqat
Nov 2010	Derby	Farooq	Ahmed
Nov 2010	Derby	Graham	Blackham
Nov 2010	Derby	Ziafat	Yasin
Aug 2011	Accrington	Amjad	Hussain
Aug 2011	Accrington	Shahid	Hussain
Aug 2011	Accrington	Tanveer	Butt
Mar 2012	Telford	Shamrez	Rashid
Mar 2012	Telford	Amar	Hussain
Mar 2012	Telford	Jahbar	Rafiq
Mar 2012	Telford	Adil	Saleem
Mar 2012	Telford	Amer	Islam Choudhrey
May 2012	Rochdale	Kabeer	Hassan
May 2012	Rochdale	Abdul	Aziz
May 2012	Rochdale	Abdul	Rauf
May 2012	Rochdale	Mohammed	Sajid
May 2012	Rochdale	Adil	Khan
May 2012	Rochdale	Abdul	Qayyum
May 2012	Rochdale	Mohammed	Amin
May 2012	Rochdale	Hamid	Safi
May 2012	Rochdale	Shabir	Ahmed
May 2012	Bradford	Shabir	Ahmed
May 2012	Bradford	Munwar	Khan
Feb 2013	Ipswich	Surin	Uddin
Feb 2013	Ipswich	Mohammed	Sheikh
Feb 2013	Ipswich	Hamza	Ali
Mar 2013	Birmingham	Raja	Khan
Mar 2013	Birmingham	Adeeb	Sultan
Mar 2013	Keighley	Shazad	Rehman
Mar 2013	Keighley	Bilal	Hussain
Apr 2013	Brierfield	Mohammed	Imran Amja
May 2013	Oxford	Kamar	Jamil
May 2013	Oxford	Akhtar	Dogar
May 2013	Oxford	Anjum	Dogar
May 2013	Oxford	Assad	Hussain
May 2013	Oxford	Mohammed	Karrar
May 2013	Oxford	Bassam	Karrar
May 2013	Oxford	Zeeshan	Ahmed
Jul 2013	Barking	Naeem	Ahmed
Jul 2013	Barking	Nabeel	Ahmed
Jul 2013	Barking	Hassan	Raza
Jul 2013	Manchester	Shamin	Uddin
Jul 2013	Manchester	Giash	Uddin
Jul 2013	Manchester	Robert	Jackson

95 convictions

5 non-muslims (maybe they saw muslims getting away with it, so copied them)
20% of those convicted in the grooming gangs are called "Mohammed"
95% of those convicted in the grooming gangs are muslims
The Times article from Jan 5 2011, on this grooming phenomenon shows a realisation (at least in one newspaper) of the scale of the problem (attached as a PDF here).  You can see his original list (to the end of 2010).  There have been as many convictions since 2010, as there were in the previous 13 years investigated by Norfolk.

---

See this discussion on the grooming of Sikh/Hindu young women, and compare the inactivity of the police with regard to the vulnerable white girls.
http://4freedoms.ning.com/xn/detail/3766518:Comment:115036

Polis Jempol nafi mengugat peneroka GATCO

Dakwaan mengatakan berlaku penyalahgunaan kuasa itu sama sekali tidak benar kerana polis hanya menjalankan siasatan

JEMPOL: Polis Jempol hari ini menafikan bahawa pihaknya melakukan gertakan terhadap peneroka GATCO merujuk kepada laporan FMT semalam yang bertajuk ‘Jangan gertak peneroka GATCO’.

Dihubungi FMT hari ini, Ketua Polis Daerah Jempol, Suprintendan Hamzah Alias berkata polis mengambil tindakan berdasarkan kepada laporan polis yang dibuat oleh pengadu iaitu Thamarai Holdings.

“Dakwaan mengatakan berlaku penyalahgunaan kuasa itu sama sekali tidak benar kerana polis hanya menjalankan siasatan atas laporan polis yang diterima dari Thamarai Holdings.

“Sekiranya peneroka terbabit ingin menidakkan apa-apa yang mereka tidak puas hati, mereka juga boleh buat laporan polis.

“Dakwaan peneroka bahawa pihak polis telah mendakwa tiga peneroka yang ditahan pada 27 Julai tu adalah tidak benar.

“Kita hanya menahan mereka untuk menjalankan siasatan. Kita telah merakamkan percakapan dan kertas siasatan telah diberikan kepada Timbalan Pendakwaraya,

“Kes ini masih dalam siasatan dan ketiga-tiga peneroka itu telah dibebaskan dengan jaminan polis.

“Saya juga ingin menafikan bahawa pihak polis mengugut peneroka. Sebaliknya pihak polis memberi nasihat kepada peneroka agar jangan melakukan pencerobohan,” kata Hamzah.

Hamzah berkata sebelum ini pihak polis sudah menasihatkan peneroka agar jangan menoreh di ladang getah GATCO.

Semalam FMT melaporkan Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Senator P Waythamoorthy menasihatkan agar pihak polis Jempol tidak melakukan tindakan intimidasi terhadap peneroka Ladang GATCO di Jempol.

Ini berikutan tiga peneroka GATCO iaitu Muhammad Kamisan, Husein Abdul Rahman dan V Arulpurr telah ditahan polis pada 27 Julai lalu.

Mereka ditahan polis ketika menoreh getah dan dibebaskan dengan ikat jamin polis selepas didakwa atas Seksyen 447 Kanun Keseksaan bersabit tuduhan kesalahan menceroboh dengan niat melakukan jenayah.

Battle for MIC presidency may fizzle out

The much anticipated contest between G Palanivel and S Subramaniam for the MIC presidency may finally fizzle out, according to MIC sources closely following the developments in the party.

Party insiders said some recent developments in the party may force Subramaniam to rethink and call off his challenge.

The most important development is that Subramaniam (right) has been receiving insufficient response from MIC branch chairmen during his visits to the states, amidst opposition from state leaderships recently appointed by Palanivel.

MIC leadership in states such as Perak and Penang which are strongly aligned to Palanivel, resisted branch chairmen from attending dinner meetings called by Subramaniam.

Sentiments among branch chairmen also seem to be strong that Subramaniam should not go for a contest since Palanivel has openly declared that he is seeking only one more term.

Many branch chairmen are also of the view that Subramaniam has gained everything politically in a silver platter within a short spell of time and that it is too soon for him to take on Palanivel.

Furthermore, as health minister he is already holding an important portfolio in the Cabinet and therefore, the party's rank and file are of the opinion that there are no justifiable reasons for him to rise up to presidency at this stage, ousting Palanivel.

One MIC division chairman pointed out that it doesn't mean that the branch chairmen are in love with Palanivel either or that he is the best leader to lead the party. But the fact is that they are unable to find compelling reasons to bring Subramaniam as a replacement for Palanivel.

Furthermore, many branch chairmen fear that Subramaniam’s victory as president is seen as the return of former president S Samy Vellu, a situation many want to avoid.

Saravanan holds the trump card
MIC sources said there is also another important reason why Subramaniam may not go for the challenge and that is due to the role of party vice-president M Saravanan (right).

Saravanan who has been lead ing the campaign to oust Palanivel in favour of Subramaniam is currently said to be unhappy about the way Subramaniam is handling his campaingn strategies.

Saravanan is under constant attack from Palanivel's supporters who claim that he is instigating a fight between Palanivel and Subramaniam for his own political gains.

The Tamil daily Thinakural has been continuously targeting Saravanan accusing him of creating a presidential contest.

Although Saravanan has categorically denied such accusations saying that Subra has a mind of his own to decide for himself, Saravanan's supporters feel that Subramaniam is not coming to the defence of Saravanan by playing a neutral game.

One division leader from MIC Wilayah Perseketuan, closely aligned to Saravanan, remarked: "Because Saravanan is supporting Subramaniam, he is constantly attacked by Palanivel's supporters and Thinakural. But Subramaniam is not coming to Saravanan's  defence by saying that Saravanan is not instigating him."

The same division leader also pointed out: "Recently one Tamil daily reported that Subramaniam has called for a leadership change in one of his meetings with the branch chairmen.”

"However, the very next day, Subramaniam’s press secretary retracted the statement claiming that Subramaniam did not say so and that he was misquoted.

"If the so called presidential candidate doesn't even want to talk about leadership change, how are we going to push through a contest? If Subramaniam doesn't take an aggressive campaign stand then we feel it will not be possible to give a decent challenge since Palanivel is riding high on the sentiments that he is only seeking one more term."

However, the Tamil news papers widely reported a statement from Subramaniam today, in which he stated that it would be his own decision as to which post he would go for and that he would not make his decision due to pressure from any quarters.

He also said that some people have misconstrued his meet-the branch leaders-sessions as a tacit campaign for the presidential race, thus softening his stand against Palanivel (left).

Such rumblings in the Subramaniam-Saravanan camp seems to be another important development why Subramaniam may opt out from presidential race to stay-put comfortably as deputy president.

MIC sources said that Saravanan, through his cleverly maneuvered political moves has emerged as the trump-card holder in the presidential race and that Subramaniam can never dream of challenging Palanivel without the support of Saravanan.

Palanivel-Saravanan meeting
Amidst such latest developments, MIC sources pointed out that a crucial meeting took place today between Palanivel and Saravanan, which is expected to set the direction for future contests in the party.

MIC sources said that if the meeting between Palanivel and Saravanan  ends up amicably and if Palanivel is able to convince him as to why he should remain as president for one more term then Saravanan may opt to stay out of the presidential race.

Such a decision would put Subramaniam in a predicament to decide whether it is worthwhile to go alone for a presidential contest without the support from Saravanan.

The answer is obvious! It would be almost an impossible task for Subramaniam to take on Palanivel for presidency without open support from Saravanan.

There are also several other indications why the much anticipated presidential race may fizzle out.

For the last one week, Tamil Nesan, a Tamil daily owned by Samy Vellu's family has stopped attacks against Palanivel, which indicates that there could have been a truce between Samy Vellu and Palanivel.

In conclusion, due to the sudden political mood change taking place in MIC, Palanivel may be elected as President unopposed on Sept 1, the date scheduled for nominations for the presidential election

J JAY RAJ is a long-serving MIC member with a keen interest in Malaysian politics.

Rubber tapper shot 10 times in Kelantan

A rubber tapper was killed after he was shot at 10 times by two men on a motorcycle.

According to Bernama, the victim, Amirul Tajo Nasir 40, died at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian at 1.20pm today.

The incident took place at 5.15am when Amirul was having a drink with two friends at a stall in Kampung Gong Mengkeleh, Pasir Puteh.

Two men in helmets and black jacket on a Yamaha motorcycle LC had approached Amirul when he was paying for his food.

"The motorcycle's pillion rider reportedly release several shots at Amirul from the motorcycle from a distance of about two metres," Kelantan police chief Mazlan Lazim was quoted as saying.

An unnamed relative of Amirul was quoted as saying that the latter was hit by seven bullets including on the chest and buttocks.

Mazlan said 10 bullet shells were retrieved from the crime scene.

Amirul leaves behind a seven-year-old daughter.

In the incident, stall owner Norhadiana Zakaria, who was collecting money from Amirul, was also hit by a stray bullet in the knee.

She was warded at Hospital Tengku Anis, Pasir Puteh for treatment.

Police say the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Police waiting to interview gun-crime victim Sanjeevan

Police are waiting for anti-crime activist R Sri Sanjeevan to regain consciousness at Hospital Serdang, so that they can interview him.

Criminal Investigation Department chief Hadi Ho Abdullah said this is in addition to interviewing the friend who was in the car Sanjeevan was driving when he was shot on July 27.

"We are still investigating and we have some information that we are probing,” he said.

"In the meantime, it is important to interview Sri Sanjeevan and we hope we can do that as soon as possible when the hospital allows us to.”

Sanjeevan, 29, who heads anti-crime NGO MyWatch, was shot in the chest about 4.30pm by two men on a motorcycle, while driving in Bahau, Negri Sembilan.

He survived the attack by speeding off after being hit by the first bullet, which is lodged in his rib-cage.

Sanjeevan is recuperating at Hospital Serdang but is unconscious due to the drugs he has been given to allow him to recover.

At a press conference in the Bukit Aman police headquarters this morning, Hadi also urged anyone with more information on the case to assist in the investigation.

He reiterated that police had initially picked up Sanjeevan's friend for alleged involvement in drug activities and that this was not linked to the shooting.

“He was picked up by the narcotics department ... It was coincidental. When (the shooting happened), the narcotics department said 'this is the person we are looking for' and detained him under the Dangerous Drugs Act,” he said.

The friend, however, denied any knowledge of the shooting beyond what he had witnessed, added Hadi.

MyWatch patron and former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan has claimed that the shooting may be related to Sanjeevan's intended expose linking police with crime syndicates.

US issues global alert for an al-Qaida attack after Ramadan. Every Non Muslim and Hindus in India must be alert to futile it.

Is it not the right time to kick out the Islam of Al Qaida from our society? Say no to fanatic Islam.

US issues global travel alert, cites al-Qaida threat to Americans and Non Muslims.

WASHINGTON | 02 August 2013:: As reported by Reuters, the United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday warning Americans that al-Qaida may be planning attacks in August in the Middle East and northern Africa.

The state department travel alert was based on the same intelligence information that prompted it to close 21 US embassies or consulates this Sunday, a US official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

“The department of state alerts US citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula,” its statement said.

It attributed the threat of attacks “between now and the end of August” to al-Qaida and affiliated organizations.

On Thursday, the department said US embassies that would normally be open this Sunday would be closed that day because of unspecified security concerns.

On Friday, it released a list of the 21 diplomatic missions, including those in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen and Sudan, among other countries.

The chairman of the US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, Ed Royce, said on Friday that he and several other lawmakers met two days ago with Vice President Joe Biden on the threat.

“It’s my understanding that it is al-Qaida linked … and the threat emanates in the Middle East and in Central Asia,” Representative Royce said CNN’s “New Day” program.

Actually, it is not only a threat to the Americans as a case of al-Qaida’s revenge to USA, the whole world is prone to an barbaric threat of fanatic Islam. India and non-Muslim Indians are also a target of this terrorist outfit to regain India as a Talibanic state as under the rule of insane, cruel and communal Babur, Ibrahim Lodi, Alauddin Khilji, Bin Tughlaq, Aurangeb and so on. Jihadi organisations like al-Qaida, Tehereek-i-Taliban and other Islamic terrorist organisations have given threats to attack India and made Jihadi attacks on India several times.

Saudi girl ends life to 'burn hearts' of family

A 25-year-old poured petrol on her body and set herself ablaze to protest mistreatment by her family, saying she was burning herself to burn the hearts of her family.

Hanan al Shahri had reported her brother and uncle to the police after they beat her up many times and prevented her from marrying her fiancée.

Just a day before she committed a suicide, she wrote on her social network account, telling her sisters:”forgive me if I die…do not give up my rights.”

“At around 2.30 am, my sister went to the back garden and poured petrol on her body..perhaps she was only threatening to kill herself as the she lit a match and the fire appeared to have caught her by accident,” said her sister, Aisha.

“Just before she was ablaze, she was screaming…’I will burn your hearts as you have burned my rights,” Aisha said, quoted by Sharq newspaper.

She said that her sister had reported her brother and uncle to the police in the eastern town of Dammam but was told that she had to get a medical report, which she could not because of her poor health condition following the torture.

She said police arrested her uncle following Hanan’s suicide but that her brother remained free, adding that she and all other younger sisters are refusing to go back home and are staying at a government social protection house.

Indian consulate in Afghanistan attacked, 9 dead

Most of those killed or injured were inside the adjacent mosque, according to Nangarhar police chief Mohammad Sharif Amin. 

Suicide bombers attacked the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's eastern capital Jalalabad on Saturday, killing nine people, including children, mostly in an adjacent mosque, officials said.
Twenty-three people were injured.

Guards at a checkpoint stopped the three attackers as their car approached the building around 10 a.m., the office of Gul Agha Sherzai, governor of Nangarhar province, said in a statement.
Two attackers leapt out of the car and a gunfight broke out, while the third remained inside and detonated his explosives. The blast badly damaged the mosque and dozens of homes and small shops in the area.

All three assailants were killed in the explosion.

The Taliban denied it was responsible.
"Explosion in front of India's Consulate in Jalalabad. All Indians officials safe," Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said on Twitter.

The bombing followed a world-wide travel alert issued by the United States on Friday, saying that Al Qaeda could be planning attacks in August, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
The United States has ordered the closure of 21 embassies and consulates on Sunday, including its Kabul mission.

All the casualties were civilians, the governor said, though one health official said a soldier was among the injured.

Most of those killed or injured were inside the adjacent mosque, according to Nangarhar police chief Mohammad Sharif Amin.

The area was cordoned off by the police while no one claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Gunfire resounded through the area for at least an hour following the 10 a.m. blast near the consulate entrance.

Roads near the Indian consulate remained blocked as gunfire rattled through the area, deputy provincial police chief Masoom Khan Hashimi said.

Indian diplomatic missions have been targets of previous attacks in Afghanistan.
The eastern border province of Nangarhar, and its capital Jalalabad, have long been exposed to clashes.

On Friday, a five-hour battle between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in the province's Shirzad district killed dozens of Afghan police and fighter, officials said.

Lay off, lawyers for Muslim dog handler warn Jakim

Lawyers for the Muslim dog handler have expressed shock at what Jakim had to say about the controversy, calling it “unlawful”.

Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom announced that Jakim has found that the YouTube clip of Maznah Mohd Yusof and her three dogs which went viral online was insulting to Muslims.

He had directed the Muslim authority to relay its findings to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for further action.

Maznah's lawyers, Latheefa Koya and N. Surendran, responded that Jakim had no authority to issue such a statement, noting that it had brazenly and unlawfully interfered with the judiciary system.

They criticised Jamil Khir for supporting Jakim's stand on the issue and for threatening to go to the MCMC with their declaration, saying that his actions showed that he was "ignorant and indifferent" to the roles of Jakim.

"Jakim has acted beyond its authority and in excess of its jurisdiction," they said in a statement today.

Latheefa (left) and Surendran say Jakim has acted beyond its authority. The Malaysian Insider picThey pointed out that Jakim's declaration is equivalent to finding Maznah guilty for posting the video.

"In this country only the judiciary has the power to pronounce the guilt or innocence of a citizen," they said, adding that Jakim was merely an administrative body with no powers to make such a statement.

Calling for an end to the attacks on their client, Latheefa and Surendran warned that they would be taking the "necessary action" to protect Maznah's rights.

Maznah,  better known as Chetz, found herself in hot soup after the three-year-old video clip caused a stir among Muslims.

She was arrested on Thursday and was released yesterday after being held at the Segamat police station and is being investigated under the Penal Code for causing disharmony among religions. - August 3, 2013

Scorpene scandal: Cops call on Suaram director

Cynthia Gabriel to give a statement to the police after reports were lodged against Suaram for allegedly spreading false information on the Scorpene deal.

PETALING JAYA: The director of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) Cynthia Gabriel has been called by the police to give a statement after reports were lodged against the NGO for allegedly spreading lies about the RM6.7 billion Scorpene submarine deal.

She told FMT that the police will, on Monday, serve the notice for her to do so.

Alleging that the purchase of the two French-made submarines in 2002 is tainted with corruption and tying it to the slaying of the Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, Suaram initiated a legal action in the French court in a bid to seek justice.

They also claimed that the defense ministry, which was helmed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak then, has sold Malaysia navy documents to the shipmaker DCNS to aid the entity in its bid for the contract.

However, the case took a twist when a middle man in the deal who has a fallout with Najib’s aide and thought to be turning his back against the government, told the the New Straits Times recently that there is no wrongdoing in the deal.

The middle man, Jasbir Singh Chahl, also denied that the Altantuya was part of the negotiating team.

Altantunya was alleged to have been the French translator for the government.

Cynthia said following the news report, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has instigated the people to lodge police report against Suaram.

“It seems that they are reigniting a fresh round of harassment on Suaram. They will use anything to silence the whistleblower. The police’s priority is getting more and more wrong,” she said.

Meanwhile, she also said Jasbir has given a 270-page long testimony in the French court.

The next witness in line is lawyer Americk Singh Sidhu.

Police report against DPM for insensitive remark

Malaysian Indian Progressive Association lodged a police report against Muhyiddin Yassin for accusing non-Muslims of insulting Muslims.

KUALA LUMPUR: An Indian-based NGO today lodged a police report against Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin for accusing non-Muslims of insulting Islam.

“We are surprised that the deputy prime minister for all races can come up with such a statement,” said Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (MIPAS) secretary-general S. Barathidasan after lodging the report at the Sentul police station.

Last week, Muhyiddin accused non-Muslims of insulting Muslims after a reporter asked him to comment on dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof’ s Youtube video, which depicted her celebrating Hari Raya with her three dogs.

Bernama has reported Muhyiddin as saying that:“Muslims do not insult the religion of non-Muslims … but non-Muslims are insulting our religion.”

On Monday, Taman Segamat DAP branch chairman Yew Jia Haur lodged a police report against Muhyiddin for the remark, saying that the deputy prime minister should be investigated under the same laws that were used on Maznah.

Barathidasan said as the second in command of the government, Muhyiddin should be more careful when commenting on issues.

“Muhyiddin is the deputy for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is working on uniting the country. He should be more responsible when giving statements,” he said.

On the same matter, MIPAS’ president A. Rajaretinam accused Muhyiddin of spewing nonsense without understanding the facts of the case.

He also said there were times when non-Muslims were insulted by several Muslims but no action is taken against them.

“Is the DPM trying to say that Perkasa officials Zulkifli Noordin who insulted the Hindu religion and Ibrahim Ali who wanted to burn the Malay bibles are not Muslims?” asked Rajaretinam.

Fifth shooting incident in a week

Malaysia recorded its fifth shooting incident in a week, as a gunman cooly walked into a house and fired four shots at close range, killing a security guard in Kajang this afternoon.

All four shots found their mark on Balamurali Balakrishnan's chest as he was resting in the living room of the house in Lorong C 3/24, Cheras Perdana.

The 36-year-old former convict died on the spot in the 1.30pm incident which appeared to bear the hallmark of a gangland-style slaying.

Balakrishnan's mother who was in the master bedroom was not attacked as the killer walked out of the house and drove away in a black Proton Iswara.

Kajang police chief ACP Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab said the gunman was believed to have entered the house through an unlocked door and upon finding Balakrishnan in the living room, fired four shots at the victim.

He told Bernama: "The victim was a former convict who was released from prison in June. He was working as a security guard at one of the LRT stations near here.

"Preliminary investigations have revealed the victim had five drug-related cases. We are in the midst of determining the motive behind the murder."

Wife: No unusual signs

The body was sent to the Serdang Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, the victim's widow, S Punavaneswari, 28, said she was away at the time of the killing as she had returned to her hometown in Seremban with the couple's son.

"I last spoke to my husband yesterday, and there was nothing untoward about his behaviour. He rarely spoke about his personal matters with me," she said when met by reporters at the scene of the shooting.

One of the cases involved a jewellery trader yesterday, who escaped death when a gunman fired several shots in his direction, hitting him on the right shoulder when the victim stopped at a traffic light junction in Jalan Makmur, Pandan Indah.

Another occurred on July 29, when Arab Malaysia Bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi, 75, was killed and his wife, Chong Mei Kuan 49, sustained injuries on the hand and leg when they were shot at close range at a parking lot after the couple left the Kuan Yin Temple in Lorong Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur.
- Bernama

Uthaya's wife angry as children denied access to him

S Indra Devi, wife of jailed Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, is angry that her daughters were denied access to their father at Kajang Prison this morning.

Indra (left) said this was despite both her daughters having been allowed to see their father in last month's prison visitation.

"The reason given was because they are Uthayakumar's stepdaughters," Indra told Malaysiakini when contacted.

"Uthayakumar is a good father and a nice husband, the children have been waiting to see their father for a month and this happens.

"They were so eager about telling him about exams and college but they were just shut out just because they are stepchildren," she lamented.

She added that in her 20-minute prison visitation, Uthayakumar had shown her his swollen leg and hands that allegedly resulted from his prolapsed disc not being properly treated.

"The home minister has accused me of wanting VVIP treatment for my husband but that is not true.

"All we have asked is that he be taken to Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) for his checkup," she said, adding that Uthayakumar had missed his August 1 appointment at the hospital.

Indra acknowledged that Uthayakumar had seen the prison doctors several times but none of were specialists to deal with her husband's prolapsed disc.

"Uthayakumar has said that he is now refusing to meet any more prison doctors but wants to be taken to a hospital.

"Whatever happens to him, I hold the Home Ministry and the Prison Department responsible, I just want him to come out the way he went in," she said.