Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Day after ceasefire hint, Taliban behead 23 troops
Samiul Haq, chief of Taliban panel, had a ‘sleepless night’ after news of the attack
State negotiators withdrew itself from the meeting that was supposed to be held on Monday 17th February, saying circumstances relating to negotiations with the Pakistani Taliban were not heading in the right direction. Irfan Siddiqui, coordinator of the government committee formed to hold peace talks with negotiators representing the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said after the killing of 23 Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers, holding talks with the group was a futile enterprise.
In a statement, Siddiqui said an emergency meeting of government dialogue committee has been summoned tomorrow. He said the meeting will discuss the current situation and future course of action. Siddiqui said the committee has deplored and condemned the killing of FC personnel saying such incidents will hamper the process of serious and result-oriented negotiations.
In a video statement sent to media last night, Mohmand Agency Taliban chief Umar Khalid Khurasani said that they killed the FC soldiers on Sunday to avenge what he said was the custodial killing of Taliban fighters in Pakistan. The soldiers were kidnapped in 2010 from Shongari checkpost in Mohmand Agency.
The TTP statement lamented that on the one hand the government has initiated the process of talks, on the other it continues to target TTP members. “The killing of FC personnel is the revenge for the blood of our associates,” it said. “We want to make it clear to the government that we know very well how to avenge the killings of our members,” the statement said, warning “if the government did not change its trend, our reaction will be more severe in future”.
The group also stressed that they will soon release another video showing the killing. The video emerged hours after local media reports said the TTP was ready for a ceasefire, which they said would be announced within 24 hours. The Pakistan government and the Taliban are engaged in peace talks in a bid to end the decade-long insurgency that has gripped the country.
Meanwhile, Maulana Yousuf Shah, who acts as contact person for the TTP, said news of the attack on FC personnel had given Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of the Taliban negotiating team, a “sleepless night”. He deplored the incident and said the sentiments of the TTP committee over the issue were no different from those of the government committee.
Shah added that Haq would soon hold a meeting with the top leadership of the TTP and that the Taliban negotiating committee would soon issue a statement over the attack. Shah expressed his disappointment over the government committee’s decision to postpone today’s meeting with Taliban negotiators.
Bhagat Singh’s home, school get, , school get Rs 80 million for restoration in Pak
Legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s ancestral house, school and his village in Punjab province in Pakistan will be restored under a Rs 80-million project.
“We have allocated Rs 80 million for restoration of the house and school of Independence war hero Bhagat Singh. The amount will also be spent for the uplift of Singh’s village where clean drinking water is not available and drainage system is in bad shape,” Faisalabad District Coordination Officer Noorul Amin Mengal told PTI.
Mengal said the people living in Faisalabad “take pride in the fact that Bhagat Singh was the son of their soil” and want the place to be known as “the town of Bhagat Singh”.
Hindus in Pakistan angered over forced conversions to Islam
[DNA] The Hindu community in Pakistan is reportedly angered by the rise in forced conversions to Islam.
At a recently concluded seminar titled ‘Hindus in Pakistan-issues and solutions,’ held at the Karachi Press Club, people belonging to the Hindu community aired their grievances with the increased level of forced conversions to Islam.
Uncle of a girl Rinkle Kumari, Raj Kumar revealed that a six-year-old girl, Jumna, along with her 10-year-old sister, Pooja were also being forced to change religion had the media not raised their case, Dawn News reports. Jumna’s mother Soma revealed that one day her girls didn’t return from their daily door-to-door selling of clay toys and after several reports in the media about them, they were found to be staying with a man named Rajab Pathan. She further revealed that the police of Akhtar Colony in Mirpurkhas area later produced the girls in court as Muslim children.
Chairman of the All Hindu Rights Organisation, Kishan Chand Parwani, said that it was sad to see the problems of minorities in Pakistan multiplying instead of decreasing. He said that in his five terms of serving as an MNA in Pakistan, he knew that the rights of Hindus have never remained a priority, adding that the Marriage Act for Hindus was never passed by the assembly as the government finished its term and now underage Hindu girls were being forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men.
Parwani further said that Hindu community in Pakistan was facing harassment at every level.
Meanwhile, politician Dr Riaz Chandio said that they would have had no problems with their daughters converting to Islam if they did so of their own free will. Former senator Safdar Abbasi said that it was a sad reality that not just Hindu temples but also mosques, Imambargahs and churches were not safe in Pakistan these days, the report added.
At a recently concluded seminar titled ‘Hindus in Pakistan-issues and solutions,’ held at the Karachi Press Club, people belonging to the Hindu community aired their grievances with the increased level of forced conversions to Islam.Uncle of a girl Rinkle Kumari, Raj Kumar revealed that a six-year-old girl, Jumna, along with her 10-year-old sister, Pooja were also being forced to change religion had the media not raised their case, Dawn News reports. Jumna’s mother Soma revealed that one day her girls didn’t return from their daily door-to-door selling of clay toys and after several reports in the media about them, they were found to be staying with a man named Rajab Pathan. She further revealed that the police of Akhtar Colony in Mirpurkhas area later produced the girls in court as Muslim children.
Chairman of the All Hindu Rights Organisation, Kishan Chand Parwani, said that it was sad to see the problems of minorities in Pakistan multiplying instead of decreasing. He said that in his five terms of serving as an MNA in Pakistan, he knew that the rights of Hindus have never remained a priority, adding that the Marriage Act for Hindus was never passed by the assembly as the government finished its term and now underage Hindu girls were being forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men.
Parwani further said that Hindu community in Pakistan was facing harassment at every level.
Meanwhile, politician Dr Riaz Chandio said that they would have had no problems with their daughters converting to Islam if they did so of their own free will. Former senator Safdar Abbasi said that it was a sad reality that not just Hindu temples but also mosques, Imambargahs and churches were not safe in Pakistan these days, the report added.
Singapore DPM says security breach at Woodlands checkpoint not acceptable - Bernama
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean (pic) says the security breach at the Woodlands checkpoint last month involving a Malaysian woman and the subsequent action resulting in her arrest three days later are 'not acceptable'.He said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) and police ground commanders had made an error of judgement and classified the incident, which occurred on Jan 17, as a less serious one - an immigration offence.
In an oral reply to parliamentary questions on the matter, Teo, who is also the co-coordinating minister for national security, said appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against the officers and their supervisors.
Relating the incident, Teo said that on January 17, 2014, at 1.58 pm, a 27-year-old woman arrived at the Woodlands checkpoint in her Malaysian car.
The woman, from Pendang, Kedah, drove past the ICA officer without going through the mandatory checks by tailgating the car in front of hers, and slipping past the drop-arm barrier, he said.
She was then detained for crashing through the security barrier at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 20, he added.
"The ICA and police ground commanders made a serious error of judgement in deciding to treat this intrusion as a less serious immigration offence, instead of a serious breach of border security, as required in the protocol.
"This was a major reason for the subsequent inadequate response which resulted in the vehicle and driver not being detected and arrested much earlier," Teo said, adding that both ground commanders had been redeployed to non-operational posts pending disciplinary action.
He said that if a vehicle made an unauthorised exit from the checkpoint, there was a security protocol for the police and ICA to treat the incident as a breach of border security and issue a high-priority alert to all ground resources.
In this case, however, he said, the ICA and police ground commanders did not follow the protocol.
Teo said the ICA and police did not issue a heightened and persistent alert, with the description of the car and driver, that would have alerted all ground forces to continue looking for them when they conducted vehicular searches, checks and screening. - Bernama, February 17, 2014.
NGOs explain reasons for chicken slaughter - Malaysiakini
VIDEO | 32.48 min
The infamous chicken slaughter protest against DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has been described by the protest organisers as a way to stop a series of attempts to "provoke" the Malay community.
Islamic Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) chief Nadzim Johan (left in photo) said the protest has managed to "apply the brakes" on such provocations.
Nadzim said the alleged provocative acts against Malays would not have happened if various communities settled their differences on the negotiation table in the past.
"Yes, discussions should have been held in the past. Unfortunately, there were no such efforts. What we have now is criticisms (against the Malay community). Thus, we have to apply the brakes.
"If the government doesn't do it, we have to. We put our foot on the brakes. This (protest) is our brake (pedal)," he said, during an interview last week with Malaysiakini and KiniTV.
On Feb 6, several Muslim NGOs protested at Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur against Kok for producing a Chinese New Year video message, which they claim contained elements which insulted Malays and Islam.
Four
chickens were slaughtered and their blood spilled on a banner depicting
Kok, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, DAP secretary-general Lim
Guan Eng, and Machang Bubuk state assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon. A RM500 reward was also offered to anyone who would slap Kok on video.
Kok's video message was a satire piece, featuring three characters in the likeness of several colourful BN personalities. She had argued that in no way had the video insulted Malays or Muslims.
When questioned, those involved in the protest have not been able to pinpoint exactly which part of the video was insulting to Muslims and Malays.
Another group that was involved - Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) - said it has to do with the Rosmah Mansor spoof, complete with handbags, diamond rings, and designer handbags.
'Weak government'
MJMM's leader Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah, who also participated in the interview, said that what Kok did was illegal and expressed disappointment with the police for failing to take action.
Citing the example of how swiftly the police acted against Raja Noor Jan Shah Raja Tuah (left),
the self-proclaimed sultan of Malacca, last month, Abdul Rani said all
it took was three or four police reports to get things moving.
"But in this case, why is the government so weak and scared to take action against someone who (allegedly) insults (Malays and Muslims).
"Throwing insults is akin to slander, and slander is even worse than murder," he stressed.
He said the federal government must take stern action to prevent the alleged insults from happening, or else the social fabric will be torn apart.
He added that during the reign of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, such incidents would not have happen because the Chinese then were "afraid" of the Malays.
"After Mahathir, (came) Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi). (And everything) hancur (crumbled)," he noted.
The infamous chicken slaughter protest against DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has been described by the protest organisers as a way to stop a series of attempts to "provoke" the Malay community.
Islamic Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) chief Nadzim Johan (left in photo) said the protest has managed to "apply the brakes" on such provocations.Nadzim said the alleged provocative acts against Malays would not have happened if various communities settled their differences on the negotiation table in the past.
"Yes, discussions should have been held in the past. Unfortunately, there were no such efforts. What we have now is criticisms (against the Malay community). Thus, we have to apply the brakes.
"If the government doesn't do it, we have to. We put our foot on the brakes. This (protest) is our brake (pedal)," he said, during an interview last week with Malaysiakini and KiniTV.
On Feb 6, several Muslim NGOs protested at Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur against Kok for producing a Chinese New Year video message, which they claim contained elements which insulted Malays and Islam.
Four
chickens were slaughtered and their blood spilled on a banner depicting
Kok, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, DAP secretary-general Lim
Guan Eng, and Machang Bubuk state assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon. A RM500 reward was also offered to anyone who would slap Kok on video.Kok's video message was a satire piece, featuring three characters in the likeness of several colourful BN personalities. She had argued that in no way had the video insulted Malays or Muslims.
When questioned, those involved in the protest have not been able to pinpoint exactly which part of the video was insulting to Muslims and Malays.
Another group that was involved - Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) - said it has to do with the Rosmah Mansor spoof, complete with handbags, diamond rings, and designer handbags.
'Weak government'
MJMM's leader Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah, who also participated in the interview, said that what Kok did was illegal and expressed disappointment with the police for failing to take action.
Citing the example of how swiftly the police acted against Raja Noor Jan Shah Raja Tuah (left),
the self-proclaimed sultan of Malacca, last month, Abdul Rani said all
it took was three or four police reports to get things moving."But in this case, why is the government so weak and scared to take action against someone who (allegedly) insults (Malays and Muslims).
"Throwing insults is akin to slander, and slander is even worse than murder," he stressed.
He said the federal government must take stern action to prevent the alleged insults from happening, or else the social fabric will be torn apart.
He added that during the reign of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, such incidents would not have happen because the Chinese then were "afraid" of the Malays.
"After Mahathir, (came) Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi). (And everything) hancur (crumbled)," he noted.
10 under probe by MIC panel
The party's disciplinary committee will watch them for two months before deciding on any action.
PETALING JAYA: The MIC disciplinary committee will keep 10 members under surveillance for two months before deciding whether they deserve to be suspended or expelled from the party.
The committee’s chairman, KS Nijhar, said this today without disclosing the names of the 10 or saying why they were being monitored.
However, sources inside the disciplinary committee told FMT that the 10 had been issuing press statements criticising MIC president G Palanivel over alleged irregularities in party elections last November. Most of them were divisional and national leaders, they added.
“In fact, their statements were all directed against the president, but the constitution states that action can be taken only if they have said anything detrimental to the party,” said one source.
“So, the disciplinary committee construed criticisms against the president and statements on the running of the internal polls in November last year as statements detrimental to the party.
“This two-month period is just to ensure they keep their mouths shut. If they keep silent for the next two months, they will be let off. By that time, calls for a re-election would have died down.
“The party leadership is just buying time and hoping that with time these leaders will go silent and stop asking questions about the running of the election.”
Nijhar told FMT the committee met for three hours today at the MIC headquarters here.
“Ten cases were discussed and no final decision was taken,” he said in a text message.
“The disciplinary committee will meet again in about two months’ time to finalise if any disciplinary action should be taken against any of them and whether they should be expelled from the party or suspended for a specific time period.
“The names are confidential until a final decision is made.”
The other members of the committee are party secretary-general A Prakash Rao, Perak MIC chief R Ganesan, Kedah MIC chief S Ganesan and Central Working Committee member Randhir Singh Johl.
Earlier, there was speculation that the committee would be issuing show-cause letters to leaders who had openly criticised the running of the November polls.
Several leaders, including former treasurer-general Jaspal Singh and former youth chiefs SA Vignesvaran and T Mohan, had asked the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to direct the party to hold a re-election.
They had also urged the party leadership to do the same.
Last week, former Puteri MIC chief Usha Nandhini added her voice to the criticism, lodging a report with ROS in which she complained that the party had yet to conduct elections for its Puteri wing.
PETALING JAYA: The MIC disciplinary committee will keep 10 members under surveillance for two months before deciding whether they deserve to be suspended or expelled from the party.The committee’s chairman, KS Nijhar, said this today without disclosing the names of the 10 or saying why they were being monitored.
However, sources inside the disciplinary committee told FMT that the 10 had been issuing press statements criticising MIC president G Palanivel over alleged irregularities in party elections last November. Most of them were divisional and national leaders, they added.
“In fact, their statements were all directed against the president, but the constitution states that action can be taken only if they have said anything detrimental to the party,” said one source.
“So, the disciplinary committee construed criticisms against the president and statements on the running of the internal polls in November last year as statements detrimental to the party.
“This two-month period is just to ensure they keep their mouths shut. If they keep silent for the next two months, they will be let off. By that time, calls for a re-election would have died down.
“The party leadership is just buying time and hoping that with time these leaders will go silent and stop asking questions about the running of the election.”
Nijhar told FMT the committee met for three hours today at the MIC headquarters here.
“Ten cases were discussed and no final decision was taken,” he said in a text message.
“The disciplinary committee will meet again in about two months’ time to finalise if any disciplinary action should be taken against any of them and whether they should be expelled from the party or suspended for a specific time period.
“The names are confidential until a final decision is made.”
The other members of the committee are party secretary-general A Prakash Rao, Perak MIC chief R Ganesan, Kedah MIC chief S Ganesan and Central Working Committee member Randhir Singh Johl.
Earlier, there was speculation that the committee would be issuing show-cause letters to leaders who had openly criticised the running of the November polls.
Several leaders, including former treasurer-general Jaspal Singh and former youth chiefs SA Vignesvaran and T Mohan, had asked the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to direct the party to hold a re-election.
They had also urged the party leadership to do the same.
Last week, former Puteri MIC chief Usha Nandhini added her voice to the criticism, lodging a report with ROS in which she complained that the party had yet to conduct elections for its Puteri wing.
IGP warns those who insult Jakim’s sermon
Police have identified the person who denounced last week's Friday prayer sermon urging Muslims to avoid celebrating Valentine's Day.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said police have identified the person who denounced the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) Friday prayer sermon urging Muslims to avoid celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Khalid said police would not hesitate to use its most hardest law to punish those who insulted Islamic teachings.
Several people had commented on news report on Jakim’s Friday sermon asking the Muslims to not celebrate Valentine’s Day as it would only generate more social woes such as premarital sex and baby-dumping.
“For a diverse country like Malaysia I don’t think it is appropriate for others to talk about Islam.
“That is not the way to criticise because it will only cause more anger among the people. We should not be questioning the faith of others,” Khalid told reporters today.
However, he declined to comment on the identity of the person as an investigation was being carried out.
Khalid also hit out at the “Onederful Malaysia” production team for planning to turn the Cantonese version of the video clip into Bahasa Malaysia.
He warned the production team not to make any more satirical clips that would cause national instability.
“Please do not change it to Bahasa Malaysia. Enough is enough. There is nothing more to prove.
“By doing it, you are only planting hate in our harmonious community,” he added.
Last week, Jakim claimed that the celebration of love weakened the Muslim identity and threatened the future of Islam as a whole.
The Islamic body has consistently opposed Valentine’s Day and has carried out campaigns to warn youths about the celebration.
In 2005, the National Fatwa Council Committee for Islamic Affairs decided to ban the global celebration as claiming it was rooted from Christianity.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said police have identified the person who denounced the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) Friday prayer sermon urging Muslims to avoid celebrating Valentine’s Day.Khalid said police would not hesitate to use its most hardest law to punish those who insulted Islamic teachings.
Several people had commented on news report on Jakim’s Friday sermon asking the Muslims to not celebrate Valentine’s Day as it would only generate more social woes such as premarital sex and baby-dumping.
“For a diverse country like Malaysia I don’t think it is appropriate for others to talk about Islam.
“That is not the way to criticise because it will only cause more anger among the people. We should not be questioning the faith of others,” Khalid told reporters today.
However, he declined to comment on the identity of the person as an investigation was being carried out.
Khalid also hit out at the “Onederful Malaysia” production team for planning to turn the Cantonese version of the video clip into Bahasa Malaysia.
He warned the production team not to make any more satirical clips that would cause national instability.
“Please do not change it to Bahasa Malaysia. Enough is enough. There is nothing more to prove.
“By doing it, you are only planting hate in our harmonious community,” he added.
Last week, Jakim claimed that the celebration of love weakened the Muslim identity and threatened the future of Islam as a whole.
The Islamic body has consistently opposed Valentine’s Day and has carried out campaigns to warn youths about the celebration.
In 2005, the National Fatwa Council Committee for Islamic Affairs decided to ban the global celebration as claiming it was rooted from Christianity.
I’m so sorry, Waytha tells Indians
The Hindraf leader and ex-deputy minister in the PM's Department concedes he is unable to fulfill any of the pledges he made prior to the 2013 General Election.
PETALING JAYA: Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy today apologised to Malaysian Indians for not being able to fulfill the promised socio-economic reforms, based on the MoU he signed with BN before the 13th GE last year.
In a press statement, Waythamoorthy admitted that Hindraf was not able to fulfill any of the pledges made to the Indian poor during the elections.
“We know this will be disappointing to many of the poor people who had trusted us and voted for the BN, hoping positive changes will happen in their lives if BN won the May 5, 2013 general election.
“Before the election we called on the poor and marginalised Indian people to vote BN. They responded, and the BN won narrowly,” said Waythamoorthy, who resigned as deputy minister last week.
Waythamoorthy was appointed senator in June last year and was subsequently appointed deputy minister. He relinquished both the positions on Feb 10.
According to him, Hindraf entered into an MoU with the BN in the sincere and earnest hope that it could bring changes to the lives of the Indian poor who have suffered for generations.
“At that time we thought we would be able to carry out various socio economic programmes with the necessary budget and unit,” he added.
Waythamoorthy took full responsibility for this failure to deliver on the pledges.
“I have for the last eight months patiently worked with the PM to roll out the programmes consented to in the Agreement, but have not been able to move with any of the items stipulated in the agreement.
He also hoped the Indian community will accept Hindraf’s apology and move into the next chapter in their struggle for fairness, equality, justice and dignity.
PETALING JAYA: Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy today apologised to Malaysian Indians for not being able to fulfill the promised socio-economic reforms, based on the MoU he signed with BN before the 13th GE last year.In a press statement, Waythamoorthy admitted that Hindraf was not able to fulfill any of the pledges made to the Indian poor during the elections.
“We know this will be disappointing to many of the poor people who had trusted us and voted for the BN, hoping positive changes will happen in their lives if BN won the May 5, 2013 general election.
“Before the election we called on the poor and marginalised Indian people to vote BN. They responded, and the BN won narrowly,” said Waythamoorthy, who resigned as deputy minister last week.
Waythamoorthy was appointed senator in June last year and was subsequently appointed deputy minister. He relinquished both the positions on Feb 10.
According to him, Hindraf entered into an MoU with the BN in the sincere and earnest hope that it could bring changes to the lives of the Indian poor who have suffered for generations.
“At that time we thought we would be able to carry out various socio economic programmes with the necessary budget and unit,” he added.
Waythamoorthy took full responsibility for this failure to deliver on the pledges.
“I have for the last eight months patiently worked with the PM to roll out the programmes consented to in the Agreement, but have not been able to move with any of the items stipulated in the agreement.
He also hoped the Indian community will accept Hindraf’s apology and move into the next chapter in their struggle for fairness, equality, justice and dignity.
Subra: Fight dengue together
Health Minister appeals for all parties to play their roles in fighting dengue and not just to expect the ministry to do all the work.
PETALING JAYA: The ‘war’ against dengue must be fought by all agencies and also the community by large, as it cannot be handled by the government alone, says Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam.In explaining this to FMT during a recent interview, Subramaniam said the local governments should also take serious responsibility and proactive stand towards fighting the dengue menace.
Nevertheless he disagreed with the idea that the government, and in particular the health ministry, has failed in their efforts to curb the rise of dengue cases in the country.
“The situation could have been far worse if the government had not taken any measures to control the dengue in the nation,” he said.
Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. It is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally A. aegypti.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.
As there is no commercially available vaccine, prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes; and limiting exposure to bites.
“Everybody must contribute towards reducing the breeding grounds for mosquito that enables larvae to populate.
“If we all work together we can reduce the number of breeding places as one way to control dengue,” said Subramaniam.
Subramaniam also stressed that our climate and geographical features had made it tougher to fight the spread of dengue.
“We use multiple methods such as insecticide fogging to kill the adult mosquito and also biological control methods in reducing the mosquito and larvae population,” described Subramaniam.
Types of dengue
There are five different types of the dengue virus, but according to Subramaniam, so far his ministry has only identified four types in Malaysia; namely serotype 1,2,3 and 4.
He further confirmed that at present the serotype 2 has been more prevalent and virulent compared to the others and it can cause death.
“As there is no available vaccine or effective anti-viral treatment at the moment, we are doing our best and all that is possible to manage the situation,” he said.
He also stressed that it was vital to detect the disease early to initiate appropriate treatment for those inflicted with dengue.
As of Feb 10 this year, the Health Ministry has recorded almost 11,000 dengue cases with 22 fatalities.
Commenting on the project that had used genetically modified mosquitoes (GM mosquitoes) to control the spread of active dengue mosquitoes, he said, “it is an expensive affair for the government to use that method in our country due to its vast area to cover.”
“If we have a smaller geographical location like an island, then it will be possible to use, but bigger location, it’s very expensive and cost millions of ringgit.
“The cost of getting the mosquito and larvae from a firm in UK and the scientific proprietary rights which belongs to them needs us to pay a huge sum to obtain them,” he added.
When asked on some recent reports of the serotype 5 of the dengue, Subramaniam said that at the current moment it was still not a confirmed case.
His ministry officials have yet to obtain more information and details from the claims made by some parties.
Are we heading for emergency rule?
From P Ramakrishnan, via e-mail
It was reminiscent of the lawless Wild West when rough-necks went on a rampage to assert their authority over the helpless town folks. There was nobody brave enough to stand up to the mayhem they created. There was no Sheriff, no Deputy and no hero to take on these hooligans.
That was what happened last Thursday, Feb 6, 2014, when troublemakers took to the streets in a frenzy of hatred to incite and provoke Malay extremists to partake in acts that would threaten our peace and harmony. It was no ordinary gathering; it was a gathering of racists and bigots out to create mischief.
In blatant defiance of the law, these members of several Muslim NGOs gathered in the afternoon near the busy Puduraya bus terminal and government offices at Jalan Tun Perak in Kuala Lumpur.
Some participants stomped on the banner bearing the faces of DAP and PKR representatives. They then slaughtered four chickens and smeared their blood on the faces of Teresa Kok, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Machang Bubok assembly member Lee Khai Loon (PKR) in a ritual intended to cause calamity in the country.
This bloody act was committed by these trouble-makers claiming to belong to the Council of Islamic NGOs as proclaimed in the banner to “Protest against insults of Malay leadership, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Islam and Malay dignity by a splinter of politicians, leaders and Chinese chauvinists”.
These claims are clearly far-fetched without any justification. Who in their right minds would want to insult the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? He is the national symbol of our unity. He is respected and held in high esteem.
But these mischief-makers blatantly claimed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agung was insulted. Can they provide concrete evidence when this insult was perpetrated and by whom?
Who would want to insult Islam? Malaysians are peaceful people and are sensitive to the ethos of the different communities and traditions. Who would want to court trouble consciously and disturb our harmony by being disrespectful? What Malay leadership was insulted? Please don’t lie if you are truly a believer in the true sense of your religion.
Disagreeing with the policies and criticising leaders of the government doesn’t constitute an insult to the Malay leadership. In any case, the government may be dominated by Umno but essentially it is a coalition government albeit without MCA representation. But there are Chinese ministers and others from various communities in the cabinet which would suggest that the disagreement and criticism is not aimed solely at the Malay leadership but against the Barisan Nasional.
But these trouble-makers deliberately twisted the facts to give a racial angle to arouse the emotions of unthinking people who can be easily misled. What was said was clearly and deliberately provocative and inciting.
Zulkifly Sharif from Pertubuhan Permuafakatan Majlis Ayahanda Malaysia (Permas) told Malaysiakini that “the chicken slaughter and blood smearing ritual was a hark back to the ‘bloody’ May 13, 1969 racial riots”.
“The blood represents the May 13 incident…It should be easily understood,” he said.
In other words, he is actually threatening a repeat of the May 13 incident. This is clearly seditious; it is an incitement; it is definitely a provocation. It had the potential to spark chaos and disturb our harmony. Things could go out of hand to the detriment of the nation. It should have been nipped in the bud. The full force of the law should have landed on them so that it would not encourage similar provocative demonstrations and protests elsewhere.
But that was not the case. Where was the AG? Where were the police, the guardians of law and order? Above all, where was the Prime Minister, the supreme leader of the nation? Why did none of them criticise this act of lawlessness? Why were these racists and bigots not condemned for their reckless irresponsibility?
It is this lack of response from the keepers of the law that encourages this unbecoming behaviour. For it can be construed with justification that they will not face the wrath of the law and that they have the implicit backing of the law enforcement agencies.
This demonstration was held apparently as a reaction to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s New Year video entitled ‘OnederfulMalaysia CNY 2014’. Various claims and accusations were made in connection with this video. But what was it all about? Was there any disrespect shown to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? Was Islam insulted in this video?
It is very disturbing for Zulkifly to state with reference to the slaughtering of the chicken, “It is symbolic of the bloody incident, meaning May 13, this means we are sending a serious warning to Teresa Kok not to provoke and create something that threatens the peace and feelings of the Malays.”
Mischief-makers
Was he correct in what he stated? Did Teresa “provoke and create something that threatens the peace and feelings of the Malays”? It seems that the video was in Mandarin. Do these rabble-rousers understand Mandarin? Could it be possible that while translating misrepresentation could have occurred?
Why not broadcast this video over TV so that the truth can be unveiled and facts revealed to the entire nation before things get out of hand through misunderstanding and misrepresentation? This is what should be done if we are really interested in the truth. But would the BN dare to do this? Or will it take advantage of this mindless reaction for its own political purposes?
These mischief-makers went beyond threatening. They even offered a bounty to anyone who is willing to slap Teresa. Just like in the Wild West when rewards were offered to bring in the outlaws “dead or alive”, and bounty hunters would take up the offer and go after their quarry. Similarly, in this instance, a reward of RM500 was offered which was later increased to RM1,200.
Imagine if one stupid hothead goes up to Teresa and slaps her, what would happen? Perhaps those with her may react and assault him which could in turn lead to a racial conflict. Is this what they want to happen? Is it a ploy to create unrest and unleash an ethnic clash that would benefit the BN?
The situation was so serious and yet there was no urgency to address it. Even Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi foolishly and flippantly trivialised the whole episode by claiming that it was not a threat to Teresa and unbelievably stated that it would have amounted to nothing except if a death threat had been issued against Teresa. For a Home Minister not to see the danger in this emotionally-charged affair is mind-boggling.
Not to be outdone in foolishness, the Housing and Urban Wellbeing Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan also criticised Kok, saying that she should not play victim when threatened by Muslim groups as the DAP had “relentlessly attacked the position of Malays and Muslims…The DAP had also insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Islam”.
If that was the case, how did the DAP garner so many Malay votes, make a break-through in the Umno fortress of Johor, and get its Malay members elected as members of parliament? Without Malay votes, this could not have been possible.
How ridiculous they are can be seen when Zulkifly accused the politicians whose faces adorned the banner of manipulating the price hike issue. According to him, “The increase of prices of goods has been turned into a kind of propaganda to bring down Malay leadership. They are trying to provoke hatred and belittle Malay leadership.”
The lives of Malaysians have become a nightmare because of price hikes which have made life very difficult for people. It is felt by everyone on a daily basis and their sufferings are nation-wide. It is not confined to any ethnic community.
To blame these four leaders as manipulating the price hike to bring down the Malay leadership is grossly unfair and wrong. It is utter nonsense! The price hike demonstration organised by various NGOs in Penang effectively debunked the atrocious statements and the sweeping claims made by the trouble-makers.
More than 1,000 turned up to oppose the price hikes and the implementation of the GST. The crowd was largely Malay with good support from the Chinese and the Indians. What transpired was heart-warming and encouraging. It showed that whatever ploy that is used by Umno and its henchmen to drive a wedge between the Malays and non-Malays will not work.
The Seberang Jaya Municipal Councillor Zulkifli Saad said the gathering was a show of solidarity among Malays, Chinese and Indians.”We are not racists, this is a gathering of people.” Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) spokesperson Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, asked who were the Malays who felt insulted by Lee’s act of stuffing kangkung into a replica of Najib.
“Hello! Who says Malays are insulted? We are insulted because we have a PM who cannot manage the country,” he said. He also warned groups who threatened violence and racial riots, saying that their non-Malay brothers and sisters would be protected even if “one hair of yours is disturbed”.
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said that anti-price hikes groups would protest in all the states, culminating in a massive protest in Kuala Lumpur on 1 May, themed Gasak Sampai Tumbang (GST).
Rafizi emphatically said: “There is also no link between race and price hikes. It is just their way of putting fear in us as they are racists.”
“If there is one Chinese youth among us who is threatened, 10 Malays among us will be there to protect him,” he assured, followed by shouts of support.
Afif Bahardin, the Seberang Jaya representative, drove home a valid point rather forcefully, “The price hike is suffered by not only DAP, PKR or PAS but by Umno members as well.”
It is this kind of solidarity building up that is worrying Umno. Their usual divide-and-rule policy is no longer working. Race and religion can no longer be an effective campaign strategy to retain power. So, it seems, an unrest is necessary for emergency rule and is that why no action is taken against these trouble-makers?
It was reminiscent of the lawless Wild West when rough-necks went on a rampage to assert their authority over the helpless town folks. There was nobody brave enough to stand up to the mayhem they created. There was no Sheriff, no Deputy and no hero to take on these hooligans.
That was what happened last Thursday, Feb 6, 2014, when troublemakers took to the streets in a frenzy of hatred to incite and provoke Malay extremists to partake in acts that would threaten our peace and harmony. It was no ordinary gathering; it was a gathering of racists and bigots out to create mischief.
In blatant defiance of the law, these members of several Muslim NGOs gathered in the afternoon near the busy Puduraya bus terminal and government offices at Jalan Tun Perak in Kuala Lumpur.
Some participants stomped on the banner bearing the faces of DAP and PKR representatives. They then slaughtered four chickens and smeared their blood on the faces of Teresa Kok, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Machang Bubok assembly member Lee Khai Loon (PKR) in a ritual intended to cause calamity in the country.
This bloody act was committed by these trouble-makers claiming to belong to the Council of Islamic NGOs as proclaimed in the banner to “Protest against insults of Malay leadership, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Islam and Malay dignity by a splinter of politicians, leaders and Chinese chauvinists”.
These claims are clearly far-fetched without any justification. Who in their right minds would want to insult the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? He is the national symbol of our unity. He is respected and held in high esteem.
But these mischief-makers blatantly claimed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agung was insulted. Can they provide concrete evidence when this insult was perpetrated and by whom?
Who would want to insult Islam? Malaysians are peaceful people and are sensitive to the ethos of the different communities and traditions. Who would want to court trouble consciously and disturb our harmony by being disrespectful? What Malay leadership was insulted? Please don’t lie if you are truly a believer in the true sense of your religion.
Disagreeing with the policies and criticising leaders of the government doesn’t constitute an insult to the Malay leadership. In any case, the government may be dominated by Umno but essentially it is a coalition government albeit without MCA representation. But there are Chinese ministers and others from various communities in the cabinet which would suggest that the disagreement and criticism is not aimed solely at the Malay leadership but against the Barisan Nasional.
But these trouble-makers deliberately twisted the facts to give a racial angle to arouse the emotions of unthinking people who can be easily misled. What was said was clearly and deliberately provocative and inciting.
Zulkifly Sharif from Pertubuhan Permuafakatan Majlis Ayahanda Malaysia (Permas) told Malaysiakini that “the chicken slaughter and blood smearing ritual was a hark back to the ‘bloody’ May 13, 1969 racial riots”.
“The blood represents the May 13 incident…It should be easily understood,” he said.
In other words, he is actually threatening a repeat of the May 13 incident. This is clearly seditious; it is an incitement; it is definitely a provocation. It had the potential to spark chaos and disturb our harmony. Things could go out of hand to the detriment of the nation. It should have been nipped in the bud. The full force of the law should have landed on them so that it would not encourage similar provocative demonstrations and protests elsewhere.
But that was not the case. Where was the AG? Where were the police, the guardians of law and order? Above all, where was the Prime Minister, the supreme leader of the nation? Why did none of them criticise this act of lawlessness? Why were these racists and bigots not condemned for their reckless irresponsibility?
It is this lack of response from the keepers of the law that encourages this unbecoming behaviour. For it can be construed with justification that they will not face the wrath of the law and that they have the implicit backing of the law enforcement agencies.
This demonstration was held apparently as a reaction to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s New Year video entitled ‘OnederfulMalaysia CNY 2014’. Various claims and accusations were made in connection with this video. But what was it all about? Was there any disrespect shown to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? Was Islam insulted in this video?
It is very disturbing for Zulkifly to state with reference to the slaughtering of the chicken, “It is symbolic of the bloody incident, meaning May 13, this means we are sending a serious warning to Teresa Kok not to provoke and create something that threatens the peace and feelings of the Malays.”
Mischief-makers
Was he correct in what he stated? Did Teresa “provoke and create something that threatens the peace and feelings of the Malays”? It seems that the video was in Mandarin. Do these rabble-rousers understand Mandarin? Could it be possible that while translating misrepresentation could have occurred?
Why not broadcast this video over TV so that the truth can be unveiled and facts revealed to the entire nation before things get out of hand through misunderstanding and misrepresentation? This is what should be done if we are really interested in the truth. But would the BN dare to do this? Or will it take advantage of this mindless reaction for its own political purposes?
These mischief-makers went beyond threatening. They even offered a bounty to anyone who is willing to slap Teresa. Just like in the Wild West when rewards were offered to bring in the outlaws “dead or alive”, and bounty hunters would take up the offer and go after their quarry. Similarly, in this instance, a reward of RM500 was offered which was later increased to RM1,200.
Imagine if one stupid hothead goes up to Teresa and slaps her, what would happen? Perhaps those with her may react and assault him which could in turn lead to a racial conflict. Is this what they want to happen? Is it a ploy to create unrest and unleash an ethnic clash that would benefit the BN?
The situation was so serious and yet there was no urgency to address it. Even Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi foolishly and flippantly trivialised the whole episode by claiming that it was not a threat to Teresa and unbelievably stated that it would have amounted to nothing except if a death threat had been issued against Teresa. For a Home Minister not to see the danger in this emotionally-charged affair is mind-boggling.
Not to be outdone in foolishness, the Housing and Urban Wellbeing Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan also criticised Kok, saying that she should not play victim when threatened by Muslim groups as the DAP had “relentlessly attacked the position of Malays and Muslims…The DAP had also insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Islam”.
If that was the case, how did the DAP garner so many Malay votes, make a break-through in the Umno fortress of Johor, and get its Malay members elected as members of parliament? Without Malay votes, this could not have been possible.
How ridiculous they are can be seen when Zulkifly accused the politicians whose faces adorned the banner of manipulating the price hike issue. According to him, “The increase of prices of goods has been turned into a kind of propaganda to bring down Malay leadership. They are trying to provoke hatred and belittle Malay leadership.”
The lives of Malaysians have become a nightmare because of price hikes which have made life very difficult for people. It is felt by everyone on a daily basis and their sufferings are nation-wide. It is not confined to any ethnic community.
To blame these four leaders as manipulating the price hike to bring down the Malay leadership is grossly unfair and wrong. It is utter nonsense! The price hike demonstration organised by various NGOs in Penang effectively debunked the atrocious statements and the sweeping claims made by the trouble-makers.
More than 1,000 turned up to oppose the price hikes and the implementation of the GST. The crowd was largely Malay with good support from the Chinese and the Indians. What transpired was heart-warming and encouraging. It showed that whatever ploy that is used by Umno and its henchmen to drive a wedge between the Malays and non-Malays will not work.
The Seberang Jaya Municipal Councillor Zulkifli Saad said the gathering was a show of solidarity among Malays, Chinese and Indians.”We are not racists, this is a gathering of people.” Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) spokesperson Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, asked who were the Malays who felt insulted by Lee’s act of stuffing kangkung into a replica of Najib.
“Hello! Who says Malays are insulted? We are insulted because we have a PM who cannot manage the country,” he said. He also warned groups who threatened violence and racial riots, saying that their non-Malay brothers and sisters would be protected even if “one hair of yours is disturbed”.
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said that anti-price hikes groups would protest in all the states, culminating in a massive protest in Kuala Lumpur on 1 May, themed Gasak Sampai Tumbang (GST).
Rafizi emphatically said: “There is also no link between race and price hikes. It is just their way of putting fear in us as they are racists.”
“If there is one Chinese youth among us who is threatened, 10 Malays among us will be there to protect him,” he assured, followed by shouts of support.
Afif Bahardin, the Seberang Jaya representative, drove home a valid point rather forcefully, “The price hike is suffered by not only DAP, PKR or PAS but by Umno members as well.”
It is this kind of solidarity building up that is worrying Umno. Their usual divide-and-rule policy is no longer working. Race and religion can no longer be an effective campaign strategy to retain power. So, it seems, an unrest is necessary for emergency rule and is that why no action is taken against these trouble-makers?
Melayu, Islam dihina di Tanah Melayu!
Azman Anuar, Utusan Malaysia(TMI) - Sejak “pengunduran” pemimpin Melayu yang berani dan disegani beberapa tahun lalu, semakin menjadi-jadi pula kalangan bukan Melayu tertentu menghina orang Melayu dan agama Islam.
Mereka lupa taraf kerakyatan yang diterima oleh datuk, nenek dan ibu bapa mereka 56 tahun lalu adalah atas dasar sikap tolak ansur orang Melayu yang tidak dapat ditemui di mana-mana di dunia ini.
Sekarang, bila sudah kaya dan kuasai ekonomi serta pengaruh politik kian bertambah, itupun diberi oleh orang Melayu juga, sikap bukan Melayu semakin berani “bermain dengan api”.
Orang bukan Melayu bukan sahaja dilihat tidak mahu memahami adat, bahasa dan budaya orang Melayu, tetapi mereka tanpa rasa takut cuba “menjolok sarang tebuan”. Tidak tahulah bila agaknya “tebuan” yang cuba mempertahankan sarangnya daripada diceroboh akan bertindak menyerang balik.
Setakat hari ini, kumpulan tebuan belum keluarkan sengat, mereka sekadar “buat bising” dan acah-acah serang supaya penceroboh rasa gementar.
Itulah yang dibuat oleh orang Melayu yang masih bersabar yang entah peringkat apa darjah kesabarannya. Tapi kalau melampau, si tebuan tidak akan berdiam diri. Apatah lagi, jika sarangnya terus diceroboh dan dibakar semata-mata madunya hendak dibawa lari.
Tawaran ganjaran wang untuk ‘menampar’ muka Ahli Parlimen berkenaan dan menyembelih ayam di atas gambar beberapa pemimpin DAP dilihat satu amaran keras daripada segelintir orang Melayu yang teramat marah dan geram. Itulah bibit-bibit yang tidak ingin kita lihat, tetapi itulah orang kata “berani buat, beranilah tanggung”.
Hakikatnya kini, bukan lagi bulan demi bulan, tetapi hari demi hari bukan Melayu semakin berani menghina orang Melayu, agama Islam dan Raja-raja Melayu. Tindakan mereka sekarang bukan sembunyi-sembunyi. Bacalah dalam komen di dalam blog laman sosial.
Kedudukan Melayu dan Islam semakin dicabar. Baru-baru ini guru besar Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) mengarah guru mualaf membuka tudung jika ingin terus mengajar di sana, kemudian guru lelaki Cina di SJKC melayan dua murid Islam seperti lembu dengan memakaikan loceng pada leher mereka dan menyuruh makan rumput.
Sebelum itu banyak orang Melayu kecewa dengan layanan diberi kepada individu Cina yang mempersenda orang Islam dan Melayu. Langsung tiada tindakan berkesan.
Terbaharu, Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok dan tiga pelakon Cina menghina pemimpin negara dan perajurit di Lahad Datu dalam video sempena Tahun Baharu Cina.
Sentimen perkauman yang dahulu cukup dijaga, hari ini ditelanjang, dihina dengan semahu-mahunya tanpa peduli perasaan orang Melayu dan Islam. Mereka lupa agaknya, Tanah Melayu ini majoritinya ialah Melayu. Langsung tiada rasa hormat lagi kepada pribumi negara ini.
Salah orang kita juga terlalu tolak ansur, takut ambil tindakan terhadap orang yang menghina bangsa dan agama. Akhirnya kita pula dilihat seolah-olah mereka tuan tanah dan kita kaum pendatang dan minoriti dalam negara sendiri.
Pemimpin Cina, Sikh dan India dalam DAP sudah tidak takut pada undang-undang sebab mereka tahu ada kelemahan yang mereka boleh terlepas. Apatah lagi akta-akta yang mereka benci dan takuti dahulu sudah dimansuhkan. Sebab itu kepak mereka semakin berkembang.
Tambahan lagi pemimpin Melayu di sebelah sana pula buat pekak bila agama Islam, hak istimewa orang Melayu, Raja-raja Melayu dalam Perlembagaan dipersenda dan dipertikaikan. Malah ada orang Melayu sendiri yang ghairah mahu tukar kerajaan lalu menggalakkan pula kontrak sosial yang menjadi syarat persetujuan untuk bukan Melayu mendapat kerakyatan itu- dilanggar dan diasak semahu-mahunya.
Hari ini kalau orang Melayu ambil tindakan terhadap pencabar kedaulatan Perlembagaan yang di dalamnya ada institusi Melayu dan agama Islam, orang Melayu pula dipersalahkan. Mereka yang mula bermain api itu dengan bangga mendakwa mereka tidak melakukan apa-apa kesalahan.
Atas nama kebebasan bersuara, pihak yang menghina Melayu dan Islam itu dilihat terus bergerak bebas tanpa rasa takut, malah macam-macam lagi penghinaan dan provokasi dikeluarkan mereka.
Punca utamanya, undang-undang yang ada bagaikan tidak dilaksanakan. Sudah banyak isu penghinaan dan provokasi ke atas Melayu dan Islam berakhir tanpa apa-apa tindakan yang memuaskan hati orang Melayu. Itulah hasil beribu-ribu siri aduan dan demonstrasi di depan Balai Polis.
Undang-undang negara bagaikan tiada kuasa untuk menghukum golongan itu. Maka entah untuk sekian kali ke berapa, mereka akan terus-terusan bermain dengan api. Api itu makin lama makin marak dan membakar sebahagian orang Melayu. Kita bimbang akhirnya Melayu akan terbakar rentung.
Aduh, sampai bila kita harus biarkan bangsa Melayu dan agama Islam dihina dan dicerca di Tanah Melayu ini.
Fiasco Looms for Malaysia’s Ruling Coalition
Post-election public support drops steeply amid growing calls for PM Najib to take actionOne of Malaysia’s most respected polling organizations is expected to release figures over the next few days showing that support for the ruling Barisan Nasional from all three of the country’s major ethnic groups is dropping steeply, to the point where if an election were held today, the national coalition would be buried in a landslide.
The loss of support is not just from ethnic Indians, whose approval figures for the Barisan have dropped from 45 percent to 30 percent, or the ethnic Chinese, only 8 percent of whom support the coalition, but from ethnic Malays, the mainstay of the coalition. Support has dropped from 61 percent to 50 percent, according to sources who have seen the figures. In Penang, the poll reportedly shows that the Barisan wouldn’t win a single one of the 40 state seats and 11 parliamentary ones.
That has led to deepening concern over the performance of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, with growing calls for him to either step down in favor of another UMNO figure or to take dramatic steps to revitalize his leadership. Even the mainstream press, all of it owned by Malaysian political parties, is becoming increasingly emboldened to criticize his performance.
Reportedly, according to political sources in Kuala Lumpur, he is increasingly being ignored within his own coalition, most recently by Sarawak strongman Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is stepping down as chief minister. Taib named his former brother-in-law, Adenan Satim, as his own replacement despite a promise during a meeting in London that he would heed Najib’s wishes in naming the new chief minister.
With both national and intraparty elections out of the way last year, Najib gambled that he could drastically cut subsidies for sugar, petrol and rice in a bid to put the country’s fiscal condition back into shape, with the fiscal debt running close to the maximum permissible limit of 55 percent. But with the cost of living soaring upwards, he faces growing outrage. He has since been forced to back away from a sharp rise in highway tolls. And, while anecdotal evidence in the markets indicates that prices are climbing inexorably upwards, critics say the controlled press is continuing to report that there is no cost of living problem.
One of the issues that won’t go away is a government decision to ban use of the word Allah to mean God in Malay-language Bibles, which has infuriated Christians and moderates, who point out that throughout the Arab world, Christians use the word as a proper noun. Najib has come under fire for making moderate statements when he is out of the country, but refusing to take a stand on the issue, or to rein in vocal Malay supremacy organizations such as Perkasa, headed by Ibrahim Ali, whose intemperate racial statements have increasingly poisoned the political atmosphere.
Within UMNO, Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, has become a lightning rod for those who see her as flaunting excess wealth including designer handbags, watches and jewelry at a time when the country is facing cost of living problems. Many blame her for decisions that the prime minister is – or is not – making.
Najib is said to be shaking up his staff, replacing his long-time chief of staff with a younger, more dynamic individual. Reportedly he is also expected to call a party retreat to seek to convince party division chiefs and others within the United Malays National Organization that he has a plan to revitalize the political situation. Party leaders complain that 10 months after the narrow parliamentary victory – and popular vote loss – that left the Barisan in charge, Najib has still not called for a post-mortem of the way the race was run.
With US President Barack Obama scheduled to visit the country on a state visit in April, it is imperative to get moving, say political analysts in Kuala Lumpur. Behind Najib is the ever-present specter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has taken no public position against Najib but who clearly has unleashed bloggers who are hounding the prime minister on all sides. Sources within the Mahathir wing of UMNO told Asia Sentinel that Mahathir is after Najib’s head.
It had been thought that, having emasculated Najib’s economic plans after the election, the Mahathir wing would be content to leave the weakened prime minister in his place until the next election. The two most viable candidates to replace him would be Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has reportedly said he is too old and tired for the job, and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is regarded even by many UMNO figures as too mercurial and polarizing for the job.
However, A. Kadir Jasin, former chief editor of the New Straits Times and a close confidant of the 88-year-old former premier, in his blog,”The Scribe,” on Saturday suggested that Muhyiddin might not be so tired, or that a third candidate, Hishamuddin Hussein, Najib’s cousin and the party’s third-ranking vice-president, might be a possible alternative.
Thus, despite denials on all sides, the political picture is beginning to resemble that in 2008 and 2009, when growing forces coalesced to drive Najib’s predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, from the premiership. The growing drip of blog comments is an indication that Najib must take action or face a serious revolt.
Liow-Wee MCA leadership probably the worst in 65-year MCA history orchestrating political statements and moves even the least honorable past MCA leaders would not do
The Liow-Wee MCA leadership which had been in control of the “7-11” party for the past two months is probably the worst in terms of lack of principles and convictions in the 65-year MCA history, orchestrating political statements and moves even the least honorable past MCA leaders would not do.
Today, the MCA newspaper Star carried a big story entitled “MCA dares Kit Siang to explain fear of confronting UMNO” stating that “MCA wants DAP to publicly explain why he is afraid of directly offending UMNO” over the DAP National Vice Chairperson and MP for Teresa Kok’s controversial “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014” video – which thanks to groups like UMNO, MCA and Gerakan making a hue and cry has received over 650,000 hits on YouTube in less than three weeks.
Instead of personally making charges against me, the Liow-Wee leadership got a lowly flunky to issue the statement so that both Liow Tiong Lai and Wee Ka Siong can disclaim responsibility for the lies, innuendos and insinuations in the statement.
What a pathetic Liow-Wee MCA national leadership who only dare to throw stones from being curtain and stupid enough to believe that their involvement could be kept secret.
Why Liow or Wee dare not put their name to the MCA statement today challenging me to “explain fear of confronting UMNO”?
Because they know it is a stupid statement which could be shred into tatters for its lies and baseless innuendos and insinuations!
The statement of the lowly MCA flunkey said my “apparent fear (of UMNO) was reflected in the way he had attacked MCA over DAP’s Teresa Kok video” and that my accusation that MCA was behind UMNO’s criticism of the video was “unwarranted”, declaring: “Lim is blaming MCA out of desperation because he is afraid of UMNO”.
There was also the accusation that I had not “directly criticized UMNO” ever since the controversial video was uploaded on YouTube.
Are Liow and Wee prepared to end their political cowardice and declare that this attack on me in the name of the lowly MCA flunkey have their full authorization and endorsement so that I could give a proper reply, as it would otherwise not worth any attention when it is a statement which the MCA President and Deputy President would not even give their public blessings.
I am fully prepared to reply to the wild and baseless allegations, lies, innuendoes and insinuations in the statement of the lowly MCA flunkey provided that Liow and Wee give their full endorsement to the statement.
I await response from the new Liow-Wee leadership of the “7-11” political party in Barisan Nasional. Their silence would be a very eloquent answer indeed!
(Media Statement in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 17th February 2014)
Today, the MCA newspaper Star carried a big story entitled “MCA dares Kit Siang to explain fear of confronting UMNO” stating that “MCA wants DAP to publicly explain why he is afraid of directly offending UMNO” over the DAP National Vice Chairperson and MP for Teresa Kok’s controversial “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014” video – which thanks to groups like UMNO, MCA and Gerakan making a hue and cry has received over 650,000 hits on YouTube in less than three weeks.
Instead of personally making charges against me, the Liow-Wee leadership got a lowly flunky to issue the statement so that both Liow Tiong Lai and Wee Ka Siong can disclaim responsibility for the lies, innuendos and insinuations in the statement.
What a pathetic Liow-Wee MCA national leadership who only dare to throw stones from being curtain and stupid enough to believe that their involvement could be kept secret.
Why Liow or Wee dare not put their name to the MCA statement today challenging me to “explain fear of confronting UMNO”?
Because they know it is a stupid statement which could be shred into tatters for its lies and baseless innuendos and insinuations!
The statement of the lowly MCA flunkey said my “apparent fear (of UMNO) was reflected in the way he had attacked MCA over DAP’s Teresa Kok video” and that my accusation that MCA was behind UMNO’s criticism of the video was “unwarranted”, declaring: “Lim is blaming MCA out of desperation because he is afraid of UMNO”.
There was also the accusation that I had not “directly criticized UMNO” ever since the controversial video was uploaded on YouTube.
Are Liow and Wee prepared to end their political cowardice and declare that this attack on me in the name of the lowly MCA flunkey have their full authorization and endorsement so that I could give a proper reply, as it would otherwise not worth any attention when it is a statement which the MCA President and Deputy President would not even give their public blessings.
I am fully prepared to reply to the wild and baseless allegations, lies, innuendoes and insinuations in the statement of the lowly MCA flunkey provided that Liow and Wee give their full endorsement to the statement.
I await response from the new Liow-Wee leadership of the “7-11” political party in Barisan Nasional. Their silence would be a very eloquent answer indeed!
(Media Statement in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 17th February 2014)
NGO offers to help EC improve electoral system
fz.com
by Meena Lakshana
by Meena Lakshana
PETALING
JAYA (Feb 17): A citizen-based electoral reform project has proposed the
establishment of a separate body independent of the Election Commission
(EC) to oversee the constituency re-delineation process.
Speaking
at the forum entitled ‘Towards a Fairer Electoral System’, Projek Beres
coordinator Syahredzan Johan said yesterday a Boundaries Commission
should be set up independently of the EC to deal with the delimitation
process.
In
his presentation at the forum organised by the Bar Council and Tindak
Malaysia, Syahredzan said the commission will also operate independently
of Parliament, where Dewan Rakyat would have no power to amend or
reject the final determination of boundaries by the commission.
Its
members will be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in consultation
with the Conference of Rulers and the concurrence of the Opposition
Leader.
“The Boundaries Commission may increase or decrease number of constituencies according to delimitation criteria,” he said.
The
EC will assume the role of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) by handling
the registration and regulation of political parties and political
organisations, which would give licence to the commission to oversee the
parties during election.
The appointment of EC members is similar to the Boundaries Commission.
To
keep the Boundaries Commission and the EC in check, Projek Beres also
proposed that an Election Ombudsman inquire into, review and address
complaints and grievances with respect to the conduct of the EC and the
Boundaries Commission.
The
Election Ombudsman will also issue orders for corrective action to be
taken and recommend the removal of members of a caretaker government.
All
members of all bodies will be disqualified if found to be a member of a
political party. Also, all members are not allowed to be elected
representatives of the people.
Projeck
Beres also proposed that an interim Prime Minister (PM) lead the
caretaker government once Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for
elections.
The
interim PM will be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but is
subject to the approval of the outgoing PM and the Opposition Leader.
These are some of the 20 proposals drawn up by Projek Beres, a citizen-initiated electoral reform group.
‘Plans to engage with political parties’
Syaredzan
said the group hopes to initiate discussions on the proposals with both
Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat “as soon as possible.”
“We
want to engage with the stakeholders, EC and both sides of the
political divide. Ultimately, they may have different ideas,” he said.
“But
at least, we can talk about these things, because it involves
amendments to the Federal Constitution, and for that, we need both sides
of the political divide to agree to this,” he said.
However, Syahredzan said the group may have to wait until after the Kajang by-election.
He said at the moment, the group also lacks funding but is hopeful that they will receive help.
“The thing is, it is not civil society’s job to do all of these things,” he said.
“We are doing this because the State has failed us and we are just a bunch of concerned citizens.
“So, similarly, the funding will come because there are concerned citizens who will step forward to help us,” he added.
More information on the group and its efforts can be found on its Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ProjekBeres.
Government To Continue Emphasise On Growth Of Creative Sector - Najib
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will continue to emphasise on the development of the creative industry which can potentially contribute to a higher gross domestic product (GDP) going forward.He said currently, the Malaysian creative industry only contributed 1.3 per cent to the GDP compared to developed countries, such as the US, South Korea and Japan, which contributed up to seven per cent to the GDP.
Therefore, Najib, who is also finance minister, said the government has approved an allocation of RM200 million in the 2012 Budget to boost the local creative industry.
"I see that the creative industry has a really big potential to contribute to the GDP.
"In today's event, we are giving soft loans amounting to RM21 million to 15 companies. This is only the first phase. The second phase will follow at the end of this year," he said at the financing scheme presentation ceremony to 15 companies at the Perdana Putra Complex in PUtrajaya, Monday.
The 15 companies are ArtCube (visual art), Clothier Creation - Khoon Hooi (fashion), Akarkarya (music), MyPAA (performing arts), Accurve Studios (video games), DragonSlate (film), Comoddity (fashion), Pearly Wong Collection (fashion), Point College (creative academy), Fern Design (fashion), dUCK (fashion), Platinum Unik (indigenous Asli handicraft), Masakini Theatre (performing arts), Legau Sudin (creative content) and Melinda Looi International (fashion).
Also present were MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd (MyCreative) Chief Executive Officer, Johan Ishak and MyCreative Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Farid Ridzuan.
MyCreative is a government investing arm which aims to boost the local creative industry to a higher standard through strategic and innovative financing, either in the form of equity or loan.
Besides contributing to the GDP, Najib said the creative industry would also introduce the identity of a country to the outside world.
Giving an example, he said, South Korea, which focused on high technology in its culture and creativity sector, has succeeded in positioning the K-Pop in the world.
"We can achieve the same status. I am sure what we are doing today is not a starting point, but also a continuous effort towards achieving what we are hoping for, which is to position the creative industry to a higher level," he said.
Najib said the government chose to support and assist the creative industry in order to help translate the creativity of Malaysians into a sustainable industry and based on a business model which could give good returns.
"Although it is risky, we have to give the opportunity and take risks to develop the talent of local youth," he said.
Meanwhile, Johan was confident the RM200 million financing scheme would be disbursed to applicants the latest by next year, but it would depend on the business plan presented to the committee.
"Since its inception, MyCreative is still reviewing and analysing more than 100 applications received.
"We are willing to be flexible to allow interested applicants do this business," he said.
--BERNAMA
Saturday, 15 February 2014
Embrace Islam or die!
The Pakistani Taliban have announced an “armed struggle” against an indigenous tribe and Ismaili Muslims in the picturesque northern Chitral Valley, calling on Sunnis to support their cause in a video.
The valley was once dominated by moderate Ismailis and is also home to the Kalash, a polytheistic people who claim descent from Alexander the Great and who have maintained separate cultural traditions to the predominantly Muslim country.
But migration in recent decades has meant that Sunni Muslims are now the majority in the area, while the Kalash way of life has come under threat by the Taliban, who have also carried out a number of attacks against security forces in the area.
The Taliban’s 50-minute long video released on February 2 on their media wing’s website opens with a scenic view of the mountainous valley that is popular among domestic tourists and famed for its annual polo festival.
The narrator warns the Kalash, who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death.
“By the grace of Allah, an increasing number of people from the Kalash tribe are embracing Islam and we want to make it clear to the Kalash tribe that they will be eliminated along with their protectors, the Western agents if they don’t embrace Islam,” he says.
The video also accuses international NGOs of creating an “Israel” like state in Chitral by attempting to protect the Kalash culture and take people away from Islam, and vows to foil their plans.
A charitable organisation headed by the Aga Khan, the Ismailis’ spiritual leader and a globally renowned philanthropist, is singled out for condemnation.
“The Aga Khan Foundation is running 16 schools and 16 colleges and hostels where young men and women are given free education and brainwashed to keep them away from Islam,” the narrator says.
He adds that the foundation’s schools and hospitals, which are free for members of the public, are espionage tools in the hands of foreign powers.
The Kalash are also warned to stop producing wine, which they make from apples, mulberries and grapes.
“Western NGOs are promoting Kalash wine and we warn all those individuals and hotels selling it, they should stop production and selling of wine otherwise they will be sent to hell by the will of God.”
Pattani female banker killed, burned
PATTANI — Suspected insurgents on Wednesday evening shot dead a female bank employee, burned her body and left a note with written message to army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.
The body of Sayamol sae Lim, 29, was discovered near her motorcycle on highway No.42 (Pattani-Narathiwat route) at Ban To Tee Tae in tambon Tonyong Jua Nga of Yaring district. When security officers...
When security officers and a paramedic team arrived at the scene, they found Sayamol’s head and upper torso in flames. Sayamol was an employee of Bangkok Bank’s Nong Chik branch. Pol Lt Somchoke...
Read More:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/394684/pattani-female-banker-killed-burned.
The body of Sayamol sae Lim, 29, was discovered near her motorcycle on highway No.42 (Pattani-Narathiwat route) at Ban To Tee Tae in tambon Tonyong Jua Nga of Yaring district. When security officers...
When security officers and a paramedic team arrived at the scene, they found Sayamol’s head and upper torso in flames. Sayamol was an employee of Bangkok Bank’s Nong Chik branch. Pol Lt Somchoke...
Read More:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/394684/pattani-female-banker-killed-burned.
Waytha's resignation 'disheartening' to the PM
“His (Waythamoorthy’s) approach may be different, but he should have came to see me and talked about it before announcing he was going to resign.
“His decision is disheartening, since this was after he had signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BN to champion the Indian community’s agenda,” he was quoted as saying in The Star’s online edition today.
He said Waythamoorthy (left),
who was a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department until his
resignation on Monday, should have tried to fit in with his colleagues
and help implement projects that would help the Indian Malaysian
community.Nevertheless, the premier says he accepts the resignation and wishes Waythamoorthy well on his future endeavours.
'A more approachable government'
“I would like to stress that, in line with my dream to form a more approachable government that always gives help to those who need it, we will implement socio-economic development programmes for the Indian community, as well as the other races,” he added.
Waythamoorthy leads PHM, which is a splinter faction of the original Hindraf movement, and had controversially signed an MOU with BN prior to the 13th general election.
He had urged Indians to vote for BN after the MOU was signed, and was appointed as deputy minister and as senator after the elections.
However, his vocal championing of causes such as deaths in custody had prompted calls from BN ministers - among them Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, and Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein - for him to resign.
Najib himself had ticked Waythamoorthy off for not toeing the government line before.
‘Netizens abusing press freedom’
There is too much press freedom and freedom of expression in Malaysia that many have failed to appreciate and are abusing it.
GEORGE TOWN: If there is no press freedom in Malaysia then how is it that netizens keep slamming the Barisan Nasional federal government for anything and everything, asked Centre for Political Awareness (CPA) president Huan Cheng Guan.
Huan was commenting on the Malaysia’s press freedom hitting a historic low in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index of 147 out of 180 countries.
He said even an innocent reference to kangkung by the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had been distorted to make international headlines.
“If this is not a clear evidence of free press and freedom of expression, what else can it be?” asked Huan said his statement to FMT here today.
Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire had said the World Press Freedom Index was a reference tool based on seven criteria: the level of abuses, the extent of pluralism, media independence, the environment and self-censorship, the legislative framework, transparency and infrastructure.
“I would ask Reporters Without Borders to relook the situation in Malaysia. The truth is there is too much press freedom and freedom of expression.
“Many failed to appreciate it, indeed have been abusing it,” said Huan.
He criticised DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang for practising double standard and being absent-minded in his habitual haste to blast Malaysia’s press freedom index.
He said Kit Siang had forgotten that it was his son, Guan Eng, and other DAP members, including Teresa Kok, who have been fervently suing the media and activists for reporting issues.
He added that Kit Siang was blatantly attempting to ride on the world press freedom report to cast aspersions on the credibility of the federal government.
He added that Gelang Patah MP had again looked at Malaysia through distorted lenses by exaggerating everything while sweeping the “good” under the carpet.
GEORGE TOWN: If there is no press freedom in Malaysia then how is it that netizens keep slamming the Barisan Nasional federal government for anything and everything, asked Centre for Political Awareness (CPA) president Huan Cheng Guan.Huan was commenting on the Malaysia’s press freedom hitting a historic low in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index of 147 out of 180 countries.
He said even an innocent reference to kangkung by the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had been distorted to make international headlines.
“If this is not a clear evidence of free press and freedom of expression, what else can it be?” asked Huan said his statement to FMT here today.
Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire had said the World Press Freedom Index was a reference tool based on seven criteria: the level of abuses, the extent of pluralism, media independence, the environment and self-censorship, the legislative framework, transparency and infrastructure.
“I would ask Reporters Without Borders to relook the situation in Malaysia. The truth is there is too much press freedom and freedom of expression.
“Many failed to appreciate it, indeed have been abusing it,” said Huan.
He criticised DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang for practising double standard and being absent-minded in his habitual haste to blast Malaysia’s press freedom index.
He said Kit Siang had forgotten that it was his son, Guan Eng, and other DAP members, including Teresa Kok, who have been fervently suing the media and activists for reporting issues.
He added that Kit Siang was blatantly attempting to ride on the world press freedom report to cast aspersions on the credibility of the federal government.
He added that Gelang Patah MP had again looked at Malaysia through distorted lenses by exaggerating everything while sweeping the “good” under the carpet.
‘Sivarraajh will not apologise to Kayveas’
MIC Youth do not see the necessity for them to seek an apology from Kayveas as they did not insult him over the Tamil school issue.
PETALING JAYA: MIC Youth today reiterated that their chief C Sivarraajh will not apologise to M Kayveas, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) President, for allegedly insulting the latter over his calls for all Tamil schools to be shut down.
The wing’s information chief, K Kesavan insisted that there is no way for Sivarraajh to apologise since the Youth chief’s statement was a reflection of the public’s views.
“There is no room here for apologies to Kayveas or anyone,” Kesavan told FMT. He also challenged PPP for a public debate on Tamil schools’ development.
It was reported yesterday that PPP’s information chief A Chandrakumanan had demanded for Sivarraajh and the Tamil daily, Malaysia Nanban, to apologise to Kayveas within 48 hours for an article that was alleged to have insulted the PPP president.
He added that in the event they failed to do so, both Sivarraajh and Malaysia Nanban will face legal consequences.
Kayveas’ reasoning
Kayveas had come under heavy criticism recently for an alleged Facebook remark he had made, apparently listing five reasons as to why Tamil schools ought to be closed for good.
Among the reasons were: they were breeding criminals and gangsters, have high dropout rate, lacked Tamil teachers, students have poor command of the Malay and English language, and they segregated the community from others; which all contradict the 1Malaysia concept.
Chandrakumanan stressed that the remark on Kayveas’ Facebook was a shared fact originally posted by the Malaysian United Indian Youth Council.
However Kesavan said that as an Indian communityleader, Kayveas should have instead criticised the council for making such a posting and not sharing it with others.
“Sharing a link without any comment can be considered as Kayveas supporting the posting,” he added.
He further recalled an incident that happened 10 years ago in relation to the calls by PPP to close Tamil schools.
“Then Kayveas’ effigy was burnt in Batu Caves, allegedly for calling the closure of Tamil schools… it is clear that PPP has the interest to close down Tamil schools in this country.”
In defending the youth leader, Kesavan said Sivarraajh did not attack Kayveas on his personal capacity, but rather was fielding questions raised by reporters during a press conference.
PETALING JAYA: MIC Youth today reiterated that their chief C Sivarraajh will not apologise to M Kayveas, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) President, for allegedly insulting the latter over his calls for all Tamil schools to be shut down.
The wing’s information chief, K Kesavan insisted that there is no way for Sivarraajh to apologise since the Youth chief’s statement was a reflection of the public’s views.
“There is no room here for apologies to Kayveas or anyone,” Kesavan told FMT. He also challenged PPP for a public debate on Tamil schools’ development.
It was reported yesterday that PPP’s information chief A Chandrakumanan had demanded for Sivarraajh and the Tamil daily, Malaysia Nanban, to apologise to Kayveas within 48 hours for an article that was alleged to have insulted the PPP president.
He added that in the event they failed to do so, both Sivarraajh and Malaysia Nanban will face legal consequences.
Kayveas’ reasoning
Kayveas had come under heavy criticism recently for an alleged Facebook remark he had made, apparently listing five reasons as to why Tamil schools ought to be closed for good.
Among the reasons were: they were breeding criminals and gangsters, have high dropout rate, lacked Tamil teachers, students have poor command of the Malay and English language, and they segregated the community from others; which all contradict the 1Malaysia concept.
Chandrakumanan stressed that the remark on Kayveas’ Facebook was a shared fact originally posted by the Malaysian United Indian Youth Council.
However Kesavan said that as an Indian communityleader, Kayveas should have instead criticised the council for making such a posting and not sharing it with others.
“Sharing a link without any comment can be considered as Kayveas supporting the posting,” he added.
He further recalled an incident that happened 10 years ago in relation to the calls by PPP to close Tamil schools.
“Then Kayveas’ effigy was burnt in Batu Caves, allegedly for calling the closure of Tamil schools… it is clear that PPP has the interest to close down Tamil schools in this country.”
In defending the youth leader, Kesavan said Sivarraajh did not attack Kayveas on his personal capacity, but rather was fielding questions raised by reporters during a press conference.
‘Ministries erred on sex survey in schools’
A PIBG chairman says Health and Education Ministries have failed to ensure the controversial health survey was suitable for students.
SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry and Education Ministry have failed to ensure that the questions in the controversial health survey on sexual behaviour conducted in three schools in Nilai were suitable for the respective age group, said a Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) chairman.
Sekolah Kebangsaan St Paul, Seremban, PTA chairman Adrian Abraham said he could not believe there were excessive questions based on sexual activities, and felt that the real damage had been done.
“The panel preparing the questionnaires, Health Ministry, Education Ministry, and the schools have failed in preparing the right questions for the age group.
“These are the people who are supposed to make sure the questionnaires are correct and suitable for the respective age group. In this case we are talking about the age group of 10 years to 12 years.
“The Health Ministry should have reviewed the questionnaires to target the right age group.
“I am disappointed but my school management would never have allowed such a survey to be conducted,” said Abraham.
He said the Education Ministry could not claim that someone walked into the school and conducted the survey.
“It’s your premises and you should vet the questionnaires, check whether it is suitable for students in the age group of 10-12 years, before the survey can be conducted.
“I’m not sure if the state health department had the Education Ministry’s approval,” he said.
Sekolah Kebangsaan Puteri, Seremban, PTA chairman Dr Zuraidah Mohamad said she supported the survey but felt that if the questions were excessive and not suitable, it should then be reviewed.
“The main objective of the survey is to identify students with problems related to social ills.
“Nowadays students at any age group are free to get information from the internet and there are things they are not supposed to access at the young age.
“However if there are questions which are not suitable for our culture then the Health Ministry should review the questions,” she added.
Bitter taste
Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar meanwhile said the survey left a bitter taste in the mouth of parents.
“What is the basis for asking such inappropriate questions to schoolchildren? she asked.
“I am upset at this blatant invasion over the lives of schoolchildren,” said Nurul Izzah.
DAP national women wing chief and Padang Lalang state assemblyperson Chong Eng said the survey might be good in identifying the sexual behaviour of youths.
“However, the respective ministries and all the concerned parties must review the questionnaires and break it up into three age groups — 10 to 13, 14 to 15 and 16 to 19.
“This is more effective rather than prepare the same questionnaires for youths aged between 10 and 19.
“I believe there are not many students involved in sexual activities between the age of 10 and 12,” she said.
Preventing social problems
Last week, Negeri Sembilan health department director Dr Zailan Adnan said the health survey conducted at schools was to prevent social problems among youths.
She said the survey was not only conducted in Negeri Sembilan but nationwide by the ministry for the past three years.
Zailan said the questions were prepared by specialists in each field to prevent social problems among youths.
She also said the survey also contained questions on health, smoking, food and other health- related questions.
“The sexually-related questions were only part of the questions in the survey form,” Zailan added.
Earlier this week FMT reported that parents were upset over the survey which sought answers from 10 year olds at Sekolah Desa Jasmin in Nilai on their sexual activities.
FMT’s attempts to contact the Sekolah Desa Jasmin’s headmaster and the school’s PIBG chairman this morning failed as one of the staff said the headmaster was on medical leave.
SEREMBAN: The Health Ministry and Education Ministry have failed to ensure that the questions in the controversial health survey on sexual behaviour conducted in three schools in Nilai were suitable for the respective age group, said a Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) chairman.Sekolah Kebangsaan St Paul, Seremban, PTA chairman Adrian Abraham said he could not believe there were excessive questions based on sexual activities, and felt that the real damage had been done.
“The panel preparing the questionnaires, Health Ministry, Education Ministry, and the schools have failed in preparing the right questions for the age group.
“These are the people who are supposed to make sure the questionnaires are correct and suitable for the respective age group. In this case we are talking about the age group of 10 years to 12 years.
“The Health Ministry should have reviewed the questionnaires to target the right age group.
“I am disappointed but my school management would never have allowed such a survey to be conducted,” said Abraham.
He said the Education Ministry could not claim that someone walked into the school and conducted the survey.
“It’s your premises and you should vet the questionnaires, check whether it is suitable for students in the age group of 10-12 years, before the survey can be conducted.
“I’m not sure if the state health department had the Education Ministry’s approval,” he said.
Sekolah Kebangsaan Puteri, Seremban, PTA chairman Dr Zuraidah Mohamad said she supported the survey but felt that if the questions were excessive and not suitable, it should then be reviewed.
“The main objective of the survey is to identify students with problems related to social ills.
“Nowadays students at any age group are free to get information from the internet and there are things they are not supposed to access at the young age.
“However if there are questions which are not suitable for our culture then the Health Ministry should review the questions,” she added.
Bitter taste
Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar meanwhile said the survey left a bitter taste in the mouth of parents.
“What is the basis for asking such inappropriate questions to schoolchildren? she asked.
“I am upset at this blatant invasion over the lives of schoolchildren,” said Nurul Izzah.
DAP national women wing chief and Padang Lalang state assemblyperson Chong Eng said the survey might be good in identifying the sexual behaviour of youths.
“However, the respective ministries and all the concerned parties must review the questionnaires and break it up into three age groups — 10 to 13, 14 to 15 and 16 to 19.
“This is more effective rather than prepare the same questionnaires for youths aged between 10 and 19.
“I believe there are not many students involved in sexual activities between the age of 10 and 12,” she said.
Preventing social problems
Last week, Negeri Sembilan health department director Dr Zailan Adnan said the health survey conducted at schools was to prevent social problems among youths.
She said the survey was not only conducted in Negeri Sembilan but nationwide by the ministry for the past three years.
Zailan said the questions were prepared by specialists in each field to prevent social problems among youths.
She also said the survey also contained questions on health, smoking, food and other health- related questions.
“The sexually-related questions were only part of the questions in the survey form,” Zailan added.
Earlier this week FMT reported that parents were upset over the survey which sought answers from 10 year olds at Sekolah Desa Jasmin in Nilai on their sexual activities.
FMT’s attempts to contact the Sekolah Desa Jasmin’s headmaster and the school’s PIBG chairman this morning failed as one of the staff said the headmaster was on medical leave.
‘Man Namblast’ a double-faced teacher
It turns out that 'Man Namblast' and Mohd Hidayat are the same person who called Hindus 'syaitan'.
PETALING JAYA: ‘Man Namblast’ and Mohd Hidayat, the two Facebook users who had insulted the Hindus as ‘syaitan’ (demons) during the recent Thaipusam festival are indeed the same person.This was made public today when the police confirmed the identity of both as belonging to the same person.
Gombak district police chief Abdul Rahim Abdullah, in confirming to FMT today, said that Mohd Hidayat was using the pseudonym ‘Man Namblast’ when he posted the remarks on his Facebook wall.
“We are still investigating the matter but as for now we believe that he is using the name of Man Namblast,” he said.
Rahim added that they have also confiscated several items belonging to Mohd Hidayat, which will be handed over to the forensic’s department.
The police said that he has been released on police bail for the moment.
“We have already seized his gadgets to be sent to the forensic lab. Once everything is completed we will hand the investigation paper to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.”
On a posting believed to be made on Jan 17, Mohd Hidayat allegedly used a fake account by the name ‘Man Namblast’ to put up a picture on his Facebook wall with a caption that read: “Berpuluh ribu syaitan sedang berarak menaiki Bt Caves,”(in translation: tens of thousands of demons are marching up the stairs of Batu Caves).
Later, the posting was defended by Mohd Hidayat, using another account.
With mounting pressure from MIC Youth and hundreds of police reports, Mohd Hidayat was finally arrested on Monday at his house.
He is a school teacher from Segambut and his statement was recorded here under section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.
Initially it was believed that Mohd Hidayat and Man Namblast were two different individuals, and most of the police reports were made against ‘them both’.
On Wednesday, MIC’s Youth chief C Sivarraajh had confirmed with reporters that police had nabbed two individuals in connection to the case.
Apparently there was a confusion following a twitter message from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar who had claimed that Man Namblast was arrested; while the Gombak police said that they have also arrested a person called Mohd Hidayat for investigations in relation to the same case.
Meanwhile an MIC Youth leader was called in by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to record his statement over the matter.
P Punithan claimed that he went to Putrajaya to give his statement. He added that he had lodged a police report last Friday on behalf of MIC at the Gombak district police station after being requested to do so by MCMC.
“MCMC told me that apart from the police, they will also be pressing charges against Mohd Hidayat under section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act,” said Punithan.
Anwar going for No 1, Azmin?
Patrick Sennyah and V Shankar Ganesh, fz.comParti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim looks set to go for the party’s top position in the party polls which kicks off on April 25.
According to a senior party leader, Anwar was left with no choice as his wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, who is the current president does not want to defend the post which is being keenly sought after by party deputy president, Azmin Ali.
The party leader revealed that Azmin had openly declared his intentions to contest the top position at a party meeting in Selangor last week.
“He (Azmin) had said that he would go for the top position with or without Wan Azizah’s consent. He is prepared to fight anyone and because of this, Anwar is left with no choice. Azmin will not listen to any “sweet talk” from Anwar this time.
“Even if Azmin agrees to stay put as the number two, there is no guarantee that he will not be challenged by either Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim or even Nurul Izzah,” said the party leader.
The party leader said Azmin seems to have found himself cornered and this time, he is willing to go for broke.
Several party insiders also said that Azmin has built his support base nationwide and he believed that enough members would vote him even against Wan Azizah.
“Due to this, Anwar had to put a stop to it. Anwar cannot have his wife being challenged for the top post. What’s worse is the risk that she may even lose. If that happens, then Anwar’s influence within the party can be seen as waning and this could spell the start of the end for his political career in PKR.”
Another insider said Anwar’s decision would put tremendous pressure on Azmin as he would be entering a forbidden zone, which is taking on the party founder Anwar.
It is learned that Azmin and his group of strategists are now back at the drawing board to formulate their next move.
“From, what I learned, it could be some earth shattering news. But let’s just wait and see the developments over the next couple of weeks,” said the insider.
Nominations for the central committee positions will be held on March 29, while for the branches, it will be according to zones, from April 4 – 13.
The complete results for the new PKR leadership will be revealed on May 13 – after nationwide voting ends on May 11. Voting will be from April 25 – May 11.
In PKR, each member is allowed to vote on the party leadership.
The minimum condition is that those who want to vote must be a party member for at least a year.
India’s Parliament Descends to Chaos
‘Scam Andhra’ MPs cripple parliament to protect business dealsUnprecedented chaos and violence that closed India’s Lok Sabha parliamentary proceedings yesterday graphically demonstrates how respect for India’s most revered institutions is crumbling as greed and raw politics disrupt the functioning of government and the running of the country.
The protests were not even about the political issue being debated – a bill was being tabled to split the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and create a new state of Telangana. They were primarily about protecting businessmen’s investments in Andhra’s capital of Hyderabad and elsewhere in the state, where crony capitalism and corruption ran rampant under a former chief minister, Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy, who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2009.
The businessmen who thrived under YSR’s rule and did deals with his son Jagan (now facing corruption charges) originally came from other parts of the state and think they will lose their investments and political clout if Telangana is formed.
Among the MPs who were most at fault – using a pepper spray, smashing a glass table top and allegedly brandishing a knife – two have possibly vulnerable investments in the city and elsewhere.
The pepper spray was wielded by Lagadapati Rajagopal, (above) founder and chairman of the highly indebted Lanco infrastructure group, which is India’s biggest private sector power producer.
Venugopal Reddy, who smashed a microphone on a glass table top, heads the Ramky group that benefited under the YSR regime and is involved in the corruption charges.
But it is not only these MPs who are at fault. The crisis has been caused by the Congress Party led by Sonia Gandhi, which has gone ahead with the decades-old claim for Telangana – not for any good reason of governance, but because she (almost certainly wrongly) believes it will increase the number of seats her party wins in the coming general election.
My book IMPLOSION: India’s Tryst with Reality, which is being launched next week in Delhi (and is available here), has a chapter headed Scam Andhra.
I describe the state as a microcosm of what is wrong in India because of “corruption and illicit links between companies and government that are now part of India’s political and business landscape”.
Implosion is defined as inward collapse when internal forces “gradually eat away at institutions, organizational procedures and the functioning of authority that are needed to run a country”.
Here are extracts from the chapter:
“The city has become a symbol of what is wrong with India. It embraces dynastic political ambitions based on personal greed and the lauding of companies that have grown fat on fraudulent land and other deals, literally plundering the state’s wealth. The trend first became widely noticed in 2009, when the Hyderabad-based Satyam, India’s fourth largest software company, collapsed in a fraud scandal involving local politicians and a prominent business family.
“Satyam and its allied infrastructure company, Maytas (Satyam spelt in reverse), were just the tip of a vast iceberg that gradually became exposed after the state’s Congress chief minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), was killed in a helicopter crash in September 2009. YSR’s death, just a few months after being re-elected for a second term, triggered a series of events that led to widespread police inquiries, court cases, and the jailing of businessmen and politicians.
“Businessmen involved in the state’s companies form a new entrepreneurial community that is significant in the same way as clans such as the Marwaris or the Chettiars.With easily identifiable names like Reddy, Raju and Rao, the Andhra businessmen travelled [across] Andhra, bearing farming wealth from the state’s flourishing coastal regions to Hyderabad.There they worked with politicians, and together grew rich in real estate, land deals and infrastructure projects – and then became involved in politics themselves.
“Among the most powerful and vocal anti-Telangana politicians have been Lagadapati Rajagopal, founder of the once rapidly-growing but now heavily-indebted Lanco Infratech infrastructure, power and construction group.he was one of the financiers of a padayatra in 2003 by YSR that helped to bring him to power. Rajagopal’s development plans in and around Hyderabad could be hit hard if the state is split.
“YSR proved himself to be one of India’s most skilful regional politicians, seemingly working for the good of the state and the rural poor, while building himself an unassailable Congress power base by providing the Gandhi family with strong loyalty and support. That won him a comfortable re-election victory five months before he was killed, despite reports of widespread corruption and corporate cronyism that had been circulating about him and his son Jagan for some time.
”YSR’s significance was demonstrated by the huge mass of mourners – from Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to the rural poor – who gathered to pay their last respects at his funeral.If YSR had lived, it is reasonable to assume that the projects, corruption, kickbacks and funding would still be continuing today, with grateful Congress party leaders in Delhi doting on their loyal and valuable friend.
“Sonia Gandhi and her fellow national party leaders appear to have done nothing during YSR’s rule to stop the corrupt deals, even though they would have been fully aware of them. There were reports that YSR was ‘sending huge sums of money for the Congress in Delhi every month in the name of ‘organizational expenses’.
“YSR came from a tough and feudal society background in Rayalaseema, which is frequently named for its ‘bad lands’, and his rise reflects how many of India’s regional politicians have grown rich and powerful from poor origins. His family mixed Christian missionary work with business in the rough mining industry and there is death and brutality in the family’s history.
“While he was chief minister, YSR moved on from the usual pattern of corruption – politicians and bureaucrats taking bribes in return for favours – and secured the loyalty of his supporters by providing business opportunities for contractors in unregulated, over-priced and scam-ridden irrigation, highways and other projects. The contractors and developers showed their gratitude by taking stakes in companies run by Jagan, mainly in a media business called Sakshi, and politicians and others cronies invested in the development and real estate schemes. Instead of just taking kickbacks, YSR’s family and political associates became joint investors and stakeholders with their business contacts.
“Along with other key companies that he controlled with investments totalling Rs 797 crore, Jagati Publications became a focal point in 2012 and 2013 for investigations into money laundering by India’s Enforcement Directorate, and for separate corruption inquiries by the CBI into Jagan’s alleged ‘disproportionate assets’. Companies caught up in the assets case included Tamil Nadu-based India Cements, run by N. Srinivasan, who has been a dominant figure in the politics of Indian cricket as the chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2011.
He was also involved in the IPL championship controversies. The allegations [included] companies such as . Ramky Group. listed as allegedly providing funds for Bharathi Cement, Jagati Publications, Carmel Asia Holdings and other businesses run by Jagan, and receiving favours in return. GMR, GVK, Lanco
“A clutch of Andhra companies that thrived. went on to run big projects in the rest of India and then abroad. They include names such as Satyam in software, and GMR, GVK and Lanco in infrastructure Lanco is the most politically high profile of the three companies, having been led initially by Lagadapati Rajagopal, the Congress MP and a key YSR supporter. His brother L. Madhusudan Rao and brother-in-law G. Bhaskara Rao now run the group, which claims to be India’s largest private sector power producer and also has coal mining interests in Australia.
To improve its image, Lanco moved its headquarters from Hyderabad to Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi but it became over-extended and lost large-scale projects for lack of funds, pulled out of others, dismissed a large number of employees, and formally announced a debt-restructuring process in 2013.
“Some time in the future, Andhra’s years of fraud and deception will almost certainly be seen, in the traditions of early American business, as merely one of the stepping stones that a new economy takes when it suddenly enjoys unexpected riches, and the prospect of much more, if politicians are suborned, rules bent and the state cheated”.
For now though, such India faces creeping implosion.
(John Elliott is Asia Sentinel’s India correspondent. He also blogs at Riding the Elephant, which appears at the lower right corner of this site.)
Putrajaya’s ‘free media’ boast laughable, PKR says - Malaymail
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — Putrajaya should first remove all restrictive laws governing the media and allow free coverage for all parties before proclaiming that the Malaysian media is “freer than it has ever been”, PKR said today.In a statement here, PKR vice-president N. Surendran labelled the proclamation by the Prime Minister’s Office false and “laughable”, pointing to the recent suspension of local weekly, The Heat, and Putrajaya’s rejection of a newspaper permit for FZ Daily, which currently publishes its news on the Internet.
An interview with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on BFM radio was also barred from the airwaves, Surendran said.
“Further, the government completely bars opposition access to television and radio, including public-owned media such as RTM.
“This is not just undemocratic, but blatant abuse of public resources and funds by the government for the benefit of the BN political coalition,” he said, referring to the ruling Barisan Nasional pact.
Surendran suggested that Putrajaya remove laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984, which gives power to the government to grant or revoke publishing licenses of any newspaper.
He said despite amendments to the law in 2012, newspapers have continued to operate under the threat of having their licenses revoked.
Even worse, Surendran pointed out, editors are often summoned to explain articles deemed critical of the government.
“Instead of issuing ridiculous statements that the media is free, Putrajaya must immediately repeal the PPPA and allow free access to TV and radio to the opposition and civil society,” he said.
In a statement yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office denied that press freedom in the country has deteriorated, saying that Malaysian media is freer than it has ever been.
The declaration came after news that Malaysia tumbled 23 places to land at 147th spot in the World Press Freedom Index for 2014, putting it below Thailand, Indonesia and even Myanmar.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/putrajayas-free-media-boast-laughable-pkr-says#sthash.Rd8CybN8.dpuf
Perspectives on national unity: heritage, home and hope – Ramon Navaratnam
My perspectives from my generation.
A. Our heritage – past
Merdeka proclamation – I was there at the Merdeka Stadium.
We felt as "One Malaya" even then in 1957.
Tunku Abdul Rahman and later Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn treated all Malayans and Malaysians equally.
There was no name–calling like "pendatang".
Political leaders were far more honest, polite and civil, and served the rakyat more faithfully on the ground.
Institutions like the judiciary, police, civil service, parliament and politicians were generally much more efficient and of higher quality.
We were much more united and a national happy family.
B. Home – present
Now fewer Malaysians feel that great Merdeka spirit of "satu bangsa".
We are more polarised than ever before.
We are developing as a "silo society".
Tolerance of other religions is declining – Bible and temple issues unsettled.
C. Hope – future
Is there hope? Yes, but only if we act now.
What future do we want and what do we need to do for greater national unity?
Adopt the policy of inclusive development as follows:
1. Immediate term
Condemn and pull up all those responsible for hate speeches and acts.
Isolate extremists of all kinds and vote against them.
Enforce rule of law uniformly against extremists – without any perceived selectivity.
Go all out against crime, corruption and cronyism with a stronger political will!
Let the Bahasa Bible be used as before. Proselytisation can be forbidden.
2. Medium term – up to 5 years
Provide for a basic needs and non–racial–based economic strategy in 11th Malaysia plan.
Phase out the NEP which apparently favours the rich and powerful over the poor.
Consider phasing out the bumi/non–bumi divide.
Provide quota guidelines for public and private sector employment and promotions.
Phase out "ketuanan" concept and practices which run counter to national unity.
Phase out protectionism in APs, housing and monopolies. This will counter inflation too.
Allocate more development funds to Sabah, Sarawak, and the poorer states like Kelantan and Terengganu.
Strengthen the electoral process and improve electoral delineation, so that all Malaysians will embrace the new system as fair and reasonable.
Introduce local council elections to improve democracy.
Conclusion
We have about 5 good years to steer our beloved country away from deterioration and the "tipping point", towards a more united Malaysia.
Be fair to all race and religions based on our Federal Constitution, with the Merdeka spirit.
Adopt a new policy of inclusiveness.
Malaysia is a blessed land with enough for all.
Give more priority to the poor and lower- and middle-income groups for socio–economic progress.
Our motto – "Unity in diversity" – should be upheld. Our diversity should be regarded.
As our national "heritage" and our "home" and "hopes" for the future.
As a model of multi-racial and multi-religious country, for the whole world!
Malaysia Boleh!
* Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is chairman of the Asli Center of Public Policy Studies.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
A. Our heritage – past
Merdeka proclamation – I was there at the Merdeka Stadium.
We felt as "One Malaya" even then in 1957.
Tunku Abdul Rahman and later Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn treated all Malayans and Malaysians equally.
There was no name–calling like "pendatang".
Political leaders were far more honest, polite and civil, and served the rakyat more faithfully on the ground.
Institutions like the judiciary, police, civil service, parliament and politicians were generally much more efficient and of higher quality.
We were much more united and a national happy family.
B. Home – present
Now fewer Malaysians feel that great Merdeka spirit of "satu bangsa".
We are more polarised than ever before.
We are developing as a "silo society".
Tolerance of other religions is declining – Bible and temple issues unsettled.
C. Hope – future
Is there hope? Yes, but only if we act now.
What future do we want and what do we need to do for greater national unity?
Adopt the policy of inclusive development as follows:
1. Immediate term
Condemn and pull up all those responsible for hate speeches and acts.
Isolate extremists of all kinds and vote against them.
Enforce rule of law uniformly against extremists – without any perceived selectivity.
Go all out against crime, corruption and cronyism with a stronger political will!
Let the Bahasa Bible be used as before. Proselytisation can be forbidden.
2. Medium term – up to 5 years
Provide for a basic needs and non–racial–based economic strategy in 11th Malaysia plan.
Phase out the NEP which apparently favours the rich and powerful over the poor.
Consider phasing out the bumi/non–bumi divide.
Provide quota guidelines for public and private sector employment and promotions.
Phase out "ketuanan" concept and practices which run counter to national unity.
Phase out protectionism in APs, housing and monopolies. This will counter inflation too.
Allocate more development funds to Sabah, Sarawak, and the poorer states like Kelantan and Terengganu.
Strengthen the electoral process and improve electoral delineation, so that all Malaysians will embrace the new system as fair and reasonable.
Introduce local council elections to improve democracy.
Conclusion
We have about 5 good years to steer our beloved country away from deterioration and the "tipping point", towards a more united Malaysia.
Be fair to all race and religions based on our Federal Constitution, with the Merdeka spirit.
Adopt a new policy of inclusiveness.
Malaysia is a blessed land with enough for all.
Give more priority to the poor and lower- and middle-income groups for socio–economic progress.
Our motto – "Unity in diversity" – should be upheld. Our diversity should be regarded.
As our national "heritage" and our "home" and "hopes" for the future.
As a model of multi-racial and multi-religious country, for the whole world!
Malaysia Boleh!
* Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is chairman of the Asli Center of Public Policy Studies.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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