Saturday, 10 May 2014
Members of Islamist group controlling local football club
Researcher concerned that ‘radicals’ now running Brøndby's oldest football club have “direct access” to young people
Zahid Mansoor (third from right, standing) says he has no intention of mixing religion and football (Photo: BSI)Last year at an extraordinary general meeting of the Brøndby Strand football club (BSI), Hizb ut-Tahrir members Zahid Mansoor and Ibrahim Atrach were given places on the club’s board. Today, they are respectively the chairman and treasurer of the club, a fact that has made some nervous.
One of the leading researchers in Hizb ut-Tahrir, Kirstine Sinclair from the University of Southern Denmark, fears that the new board members will use the club to advance their religious agenda.
“It is unpleasant that they lead a football club that has direct access to young men and boys,” Sinclair told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. “They do not have a democratic spirit and they discriminate against other minority groups in society,” Sinclair said, referring to Hizb ut-Tahrir’s stated disdain for homosexuals and Jews.
What? No beer?
One of the first moves Mansoor made after taking power was to ban the sale of beer at matches.
“Alcohol cannot be reconciled with football,” he told Ekstra Bladet. Some fear that hotdogs and sausages are next in his crosshairs, but Mansoor says no.
“As for pork, what the tenants want to sell is not something that we want to get involved in,” he said.
He also guaranteed “100 percent” that religion would not be mixed with football at Brøndby Strand.
“There is absolutely nothing to fear,” he said.
One of the leading researchers in Hizb ut-Tahrir, Kirstine Sinclair from the University of Southern Denmark, fears that the new board members will use the club to advance their religious agenda.
“It is unpleasant that they lead a football club that has direct access to young men and boys,” Sinclair told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. “They do not have a democratic spirit and they discriminate against other minority groups in society,” Sinclair said, referring to Hizb ut-Tahrir’s stated disdain for homosexuals and Jews.
What? No beer?
One of the first moves Mansoor made after taking power was to ban the sale of beer at matches.
“Alcohol cannot be reconciled with football,” he told Ekstra Bladet. Some fear that hotdogs and sausages are next in his crosshairs, but Mansoor says no.
“As for pork, what the tenants want to sell is not something that we want to get involved in,” he said.
He also guaranteed “100 percent” that religion would not be mixed with football at Brøndby Strand.
“There is absolutely nothing to fear,” he said.
Turkish man seeks new lover on TV show after killing two others
 |
| This undated picture shows Sefer Calinak. |
Sefer Calinak, 62, told Flash TV's "Luck of the Draw" he had served prison sentences for each of the murders and had been released under an amnesty programme.
"I'm an honest person looking for a new wife," he told the show, saying he killed his first wife because he was "irritated" by her behaviour and murdered a subsequent partner because he thought she was after his money.
Calinak was asked to leave the show by the host, prompting applause from the studio audience, in an episode which made headlines in Turkish newspapers.
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/May-08/255778-turkish-man-seeks-new-lover-on-tv-show-after-killing-two-others.ashx#ixzz31EgeknMF
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)
Implement hudud for all, not only Muslims, says Isma
Isma
president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman said in Bangi today that hudud
should be implemented for both Muslims and non-Muslims. – The Malaysian
Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, May 9, 2014.
A Muslim rights group today upped the ante against non-Muslims by saying that the Islamic penal code should apply to all Malaysians, not only Muslims.
Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, president of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), said hudud should be carried out for the country's "well-being", adding that criminals would then be fearful of committing crimes.
"Yes, it should be for all. For Muslims, it is for the forgiveness of sins. And for the non-Muslims, it is in national interests and to safeguard the public," he told a press conference in Bangi.
Giving an example, he said if Malays stole from the Chinese, it would be the same as the Chinese stealing from the Malays.
"So with this, Chinese cannot steal from the Malays and vice versa. And it is not fair if only one race gets punished for stealing and the other doesn't."
Shariah has come under the spotlight after PAS-led Kelantan revealed that it intended to table a private member's bill to allow the implementation of hudud in the state.
In 1993, the state government passed the Kelantan Shariah Criminal Code Enactment II, allowing it to impose the penal code in the state.
But the laws have not been implemented.
PAS has come under fire for bringing up the hudud, which could also see the end of the opposition coalition of Pakatan Rakyat as DAP has urged the Islamic party to leave the pact if it was determined to go ahead with hudud, which involves the amputation of limbs, whipping and stoning to death for various offences.
DAP has been one of the strongest critics against the hudud punishment, saying that it was not part of the PR consensus after the 13th general election.
Referring to DAP, Zaik said today that non-Muslims had no right to comment on Islamic matters, including hudud, despite insisting that it should be implemented for all.
"It is in line with our Constitution… that islam is the official religion. So non-Muslims cannot go against the wishes of Muslims," he added.
Muslims and non-Muslims who objected to the implementation of hudud should be given an "education" on the matter.
“They don't understand. It's not only the non-Muslims but some Muslims need to be given explanations on hudud," he said.
The Isma chief also suggested that both shariah and civil laws be integrated for better judgment.
"And since Umno and PAS have given their support for hudud, we would also like to be part of this by giving our opinions on the matter." – May 9, 2014.
Hudud will bring Malaysia back to dark ages, say Chinese-based political parties
Traditional
costumes representing Malaysia's different communities displayed during
the National Day parade last year. Chinese-based political parties have
strongly opposed a plan by PAS to enforce Islamic criminal laws, or
hudud, in Kelantan. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 9, 2014.
Chinese political parties from both sides of the divide slammed Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) for suggesting that the proposed hudud laws be enforced on all Malaysians, and said the country would return to the dark ages this was realised.
MCA wondered if there was a "race" between Isma and other like-minded Muslim groups to be "more chauvinistic" in their views against the Chinese and non-Muslim communities.
"It seems beyond reason, to reason with these organisations as they seemed to have a 'us versus them' fixation against any community which is different from them," said MCA's Shariah law and policy implementation special task force deputy chairman, Datuk Khoo Chin Nam.
He said the party has a duty to speak up for the public on the repercussions of the Federal Constitution being amended to include hudud.
He said out of 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), only slightly above 10% practise the Islamic law, adding that these countries have high rates of poverty, illiteracy, corruption and power abuse.
DAP's national organising secretary Anthony Loke said Isma's statement clearly proved the group was out to create disharmony between the country's multiracial citizens.
"I believe they are making such provocative statements to create unrest and disharmony.
"They are more dangerous than Perkasa," said the Seremban MP, referring to the right-wing Malay rights group.
He called on Putrajaya to put a stop to such racial tirade, saying it was aimed at provoking the non-Muslims.
He advised the public not to react to avoid falling into Isma's trap.
Loke (pic, left) said DAP's stand on hudud was clear, adding that Islamic law is not in line with the Federal Constitution and unsuitable for Malaysia's multi-racial society.Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said Isma's statement proved that hudud would not be for Muslims alone.
"Isma is helping to reveal PAS's actual agenda and the realities of hudud if it's implemented in Malaysia," he said.
He said any flaws in the current criminal law system can be amended instead of revamping the entire system with a new law.
"We can have stiffer penalties in the form of higher fines or jail sentences," he said.
Earlier today, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman said the implementation of hudud should cover not just Muslims but all Malaysians for the well-being of the country and to curb criminals from committing crimes.
"Yes, it should be for all. For Muslims, it is for the forgiveness of sins. And for the non-Muslims, it is in national interests and to safeguard the public," Abdullah told a press conference in Bangi.
Giving an example, Abdullah said if Malays stole from the Chinese, it would be the same as the Chinese stealing from the Malays.
"So with this, Chinese cannot steal from the Malays and vice versa. And it is not fair if only one race gets punished for stealing and the other doesn't." – May 9, 2014.
‘Hidden puppet masters in racial agenda’
Hindraf leader Waythamoorthy says there are unseen hands in control of the country’s racist politics and policies.
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is now under the control of hidden puppet masters, who perpetuate a racial agenda to maintain an order, in which the majority controlled the minority, said Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.
Waythamoorthy said this was done to amass the country’s wealth for themselves in the name of bumiputera agenda.
“There are unseen hands in control of the country’s racist politics and policies,” he said in a press statement to FMT here today.
He added that even if Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdullah Rahman was charged with sedition he would be out soon due to unseen powerful hands.
Waythamoorthy said there was no need for Isma to raise the issue of Chinese being intruders at this juncture.
He said Malaysian history was being constantly distorted with lies that Indians and Chinese were immigrants.
He said his research on Malaya documents in London revealed that Indians were invited and encouraged by British government with express authority of Malay rulers to work and settle in Malaya, via promises of good perks, land, houses, Tamil schools, Hindu temples and other social rights.
He added that the British, with the consent of Malay rulers, encouraged the Chinese to migrate to Malaya to work in the prosperous of tin mine industry.
“Both communities were needed by the British to stimulate Malaya’s socio-economic growth due to lack of interest and skilled Malay workers,” said Waythamoorthy.
He claimed that the increase in the number of Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs), like Isma, had emulated the Nazi method that “lies would become truths if propagated continuously.
Backed by the hidden power players, he said these NGOs had assumed the previous Umno Youth agenda to foil national integration and unity among the races by uttering words that would cause hatred, contempt and fear among the Malays that their rights would be usurped by other races.
He urged liberal-minded Malays, like Zaid Ibrahim, to speak out against this racism and openly slam these groups.
“These hidden hands are puppet masters who move things behind the corridor of powers in Putrajaya.
“The control of the puppet masters should be smashed and foiled all together,” said the Hindraf supremo.
Waythamoorthy said Malaysia was backward when it came to having good laws and strong enforcement to bar racial remarks.
He said this had been the main reason why many escaped legal action after uttering racist remarks.
He added that he doubted that Abdullah Zaik would ever be charged for uttering the seditious remarks, despite the on-going police investigation.
“Many leaders who oppose the government and voice out their views without fear or favour were charged with sedition and jailed.
“Why not the Isma leader, who undoubtedly had provoked and stirred racial sentiment?” he asked.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had confirmed that an investigation was being carried out on Abdullah Zaik under the Sedition Act 1948.
“Even if action is taken how many of us believe he will be convicted”? asked Wathamoorthy.
Waythamoorthy said this was done to amass the country’s wealth for themselves in the name of bumiputera agenda.
“There are unseen hands in control of the country’s racist politics and policies,” he said in a press statement to FMT here today.
He added that even if Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdullah Rahman was charged with sedition he would be out soon due to unseen powerful hands.
Waythamoorthy said there was no need for Isma to raise the issue of Chinese being intruders at this juncture.
He said Malaysian history was being constantly distorted with lies that Indians and Chinese were immigrants.
He said his research on Malaya documents in London revealed that Indians were invited and encouraged by British government with express authority of Malay rulers to work and settle in Malaya, via promises of good perks, land, houses, Tamil schools, Hindu temples and other social rights.
He added that the British, with the consent of Malay rulers, encouraged the Chinese to migrate to Malaya to work in the prosperous of tin mine industry.
“Both communities were needed by the British to stimulate Malaya’s socio-economic growth due to lack of interest and skilled Malay workers,” said Waythamoorthy.
He claimed that the increase in the number of Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs), like Isma, had emulated the Nazi method that “lies would become truths if propagated continuously.
Backed by the hidden power players, he said these NGOs had assumed the previous Umno Youth agenda to foil national integration and unity among the races by uttering words that would cause hatred, contempt and fear among the Malays that their rights would be usurped by other races.
He urged liberal-minded Malays, like Zaid Ibrahim, to speak out against this racism and openly slam these groups.
“These hidden hands are puppet masters who move things behind the corridor of powers in Putrajaya.
“The control of the puppet masters should be smashed and foiled all together,” said the Hindraf supremo.
Waythamoorthy said Malaysia was backward when it came to having good laws and strong enforcement to bar racial remarks.
He said this had been the main reason why many escaped legal action after uttering racist remarks.
He added that he doubted that Abdullah Zaik would ever be charged for uttering the seditious remarks, despite the on-going police investigation.
“Many leaders who oppose the government and voice out their views without fear or favour were charged with sedition and jailed.
“Why not the Isma leader, who undoubtedly had provoked and stirred racial sentiment?” he asked.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had confirmed that an investigation was being carried out on Abdullah Zaik under the Sedition Act 1948.
“Even if action is taken how many of us believe he will be convicted”? asked Wathamoorthy.
Polis buru beberapa individu Al-Syabab
Pihak berkuasa percaya ada antara individu terbabit yang berkahwin dengan wanita tempatan.
TAIPING: Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata polis sedang memburu beberapa lagi individu yang dipercayai ada kaitan dengan gerakan pengganas Al-Syabab susulan penangkapan seorang lelaki warga Somalia dua hari lepas.
Beliau berkata pihak berkuasa percaya ada antara individu terbabit yang berkahwin dengan wanita tempatan.
“Setakat ini mereka tidak menubuhkan pangkalan di negara ini tetapi mereka ini mempunyai ideologi,” katanya kepada pemberita ketika melakukan lawatan kerja di Penjara Kamunting di sini hari ini.
Beliau mengulas penangkapan suspek berusia 34 tahun itu yang dikehendaki oleh polis antarabangsa kerana disyaki anggota kumpulan pengganas Al-Syabab, di Selangor.
Mengulas lanjut, Ahmad Zahid berkata pihak berkuasa percaya ada beberapa anggota kumpulan pengganas terbabit memasuki negara ini menggunakan pas pelajar sejak dua tahun lepas.
Kaitan dengan 11 individu
Katanya polis juga menyiasat sama ada suspek yang diberkas itu mempunyai kaitan dengan 11 individu tempatan yang ditahan sebelum ini.
Sebelas individu terbabit yang diberkas polis secara berperingkat sejak 28 April di Selangor dan ibu negara, dipercayai terbabit dengan kumpulan militan yang mempunyai rangkaian di Syria dan selatan Filipina.
Mengenai lawatan ke Penjara Kamunting hari ini, Ahmad Zahid berkata beliau akan membentangkan satu nota khas kepada Kabinet mengenai beberapa kejayaan penjara itu dalam usaha menjadikannya sebagai Penjara Agro secara rasmi.
Beliau berkata Penjara Kamunting merupakan pusat koreksional yang pertama di rantau Asean yang menjalankan kegiatan pertanian dan latihan kepada banduan.
“Jabatan ini akan bekerjasama dengan Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia dan Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) untuk pembiayaan modal jika ada banduan yang telah bebas mahu mengusahakan aktiviti agro selain pendapatan yang diperolehinya ketika di penjara yang kita pindahkan ke akaun persendirian,” katanya.
Bernama
Beliau berkata pihak berkuasa percaya ada antara individu terbabit yang berkahwin dengan wanita tempatan.
“Setakat ini mereka tidak menubuhkan pangkalan di negara ini tetapi mereka ini mempunyai ideologi,” katanya kepada pemberita ketika melakukan lawatan kerja di Penjara Kamunting di sini hari ini.
Beliau mengulas penangkapan suspek berusia 34 tahun itu yang dikehendaki oleh polis antarabangsa kerana disyaki anggota kumpulan pengganas Al-Syabab, di Selangor.
Mengulas lanjut, Ahmad Zahid berkata pihak berkuasa percaya ada beberapa anggota kumpulan pengganas terbabit memasuki negara ini menggunakan pas pelajar sejak dua tahun lepas.
Kaitan dengan 11 individu
Katanya polis juga menyiasat sama ada suspek yang diberkas itu mempunyai kaitan dengan 11 individu tempatan yang ditahan sebelum ini.
Sebelas individu terbabit yang diberkas polis secara berperingkat sejak 28 April di Selangor dan ibu negara, dipercayai terbabit dengan kumpulan militan yang mempunyai rangkaian di Syria dan selatan Filipina.
Mengenai lawatan ke Penjara Kamunting hari ini, Ahmad Zahid berkata beliau akan membentangkan satu nota khas kepada Kabinet mengenai beberapa kejayaan penjara itu dalam usaha menjadikannya sebagai Penjara Agro secara rasmi.
Beliau berkata Penjara Kamunting merupakan pusat koreksional yang pertama di rantau Asean yang menjalankan kegiatan pertanian dan latihan kepada banduan.
“Jabatan ini akan bekerjasama dengan Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia dan Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) untuk pembiayaan modal jika ada banduan yang telah bebas mahu mengusahakan aktiviti agro selain pendapatan yang diperolehinya ketika di penjara yang kita pindahkan ke akaun persendirian,” katanya.
Bernama
Friday, 9 May 2014
Don’t manipulate historical facts, Isma
MCA publicity bureau chief Chai Kim Sen questioned Isma's prerogative in questioning the Chinese comminity.
PETALING JAYA: MCA told Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) to stop manipulating historical facts and at the same time refrain from making racist remarks since their statements only serves to make Malaysia a laughing stock to the international community
“From time to time, we can see some ignorant extremists attempting to stir racial sentiment, such as calling the Chinese community ‘pendatang‘ (foreigners) and asking them to to “return to China”, etc, which are nonsensical and absurd.
“Who are these people to challenge the legitimate citizenship of the Chinese community here?” MCA publicity bureau chairman Chai Kim Sen said in a press statement today.
“Isma’s statements have put Malaysia to shame in the eyes of the international community that after all these years since independence, the nation is still trapped in a racist predicament,” he added.
In a statement made on Isma’s website on Tuesday, the NGO president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman said that the Chinese came to the country with the British as intruders and were given citizenship as well as wealth.
Abdullah Zaik said the ancestors of Chinese Malaysians today were “in cahoots with the British” to oppress and bully the Malays.
He called the Malays to protect the sovereignty of Islam and the race in “Tanah Melayu”.
Chai who is also deputy national organising secretary also accused Isma as being ignorant about the history of Chinese in Malaysia.
“I wonder which “sejarah” (history) text book did these Isma fellows read to the extent that they are shamefully wrong about the historical facts of Malaysia. Isma has zero ideas about the contribution of the Chinese community in nation building,” he said.
He also added that the Malays, Chinese and Indians put up a united front in their quest for an independent nation.
“They, as Malaysians, should be ashamed of themselves for not recognising the contribution of the various races for this nation to achieve independence,” said Chai.
“From time to time, we can see some ignorant extremists attempting to stir racial sentiment, such as calling the Chinese community ‘pendatang‘ (foreigners) and asking them to to “return to China”, etc, which are nonsensical and absurd.
“Who are these people to challenge the legitimate citizenship of the Chinese community here?” MCA publicity bureau chairman Chai Kim Sen said in a press statement today.
“Isma’s statements have put Malaysia to shame in the eyes of the international community that after all these years since independence, the nation is still trapped in a racist predicament,” he added.
In a statement made on Isma’s website on Tuesday, the NGO president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman said that the Chinese came to the country with the British as intruders and were given citizenship as well as wealth.
Abdullah Zaik said the ancestors of Chinese Malaysians today were “in cahoots with the British” to oppress and bully the Malays.
He called the Malays to protect the sovereignty of Islam and the race in “Tanah Melayu”.
Chai who is also deputy national organising secretary also accused Isma as being ignorant about the history of Chinese in Malaysia.
“I wonder which “sejarah” (history) text book did these Isma fellows read to the extent that they are shamefully wrong about the historical facts of Malaysia. Isma has zero ideas about the contribution of the Chinese community in nation building,” he said.
He also added that the Malays, Chinese and Indians put up a united front in their quest for an independent nation.
“They, as Malaysians, should be ashamed of themselves for not recognising the contribution of the various races for this nation to achieve independence,” said Chai.
Dr M to Isma: Stop unconstructive comments
The former prime minister also says the government should stop people from instigating racial riots.
KUALA LUMPUR: Ultra Muslim NGO, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) should stop making unnecessary comments which do not help any group in the country, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The country’s fourth prime minister said this in response to Isma president, Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, who said that the Chinese brought by the British into Malaya, were “trespassers”.
“The Chinese are Malaysian citizens and as citizens they have their rights. (Also), we do not want people to instigate racial riots,” he told reporters.
Dr Mahathir also lashed out at Abdullah, asking the Isma president to read the Quran properly as the Islamic penal code or hudud is not applicable on non-Muslims.
He said this in reply to Abdullah’s assertion today that hudud should be enforced on non-Muslims.
“The Quran says that God does not like people who create turmoil in the country, so he should follow the Quran,” said Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir said this after launching a book, ‘Reminiscences of Insurrection: Malaysia’s Battle Against Terrorism 1960-1990′, authored by Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Mohd Azzam Mohd Hanif Ghows.
Najib in a difficult situation
When asked if the recent extremist statements were due to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak having failed to control the situation, Mahathir said Najib is “trying to do a good job in a difficult situation”.
“This extremism is a result of one faction saying nasty things and then the other has to reply, that is why I say it is not constructive. Also, we did not give him (Najib) a strong enough mandate,” he said.
He explained that Najib was in a difficult situation because when action is taken, the government is accused of not being liberal.
“The opposition demands us to be liberal, but when we are liberal they misuse that liberalism and if we take action against them, we are accused of not being liberal.”
Commenting on attacks carried out by extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Africa, the former prime minister said that the groups were misled and their actions, un-Islamic.
“They think they are doing something in accordance with the teachings of Islam, but it is wrong. Muslims are supposed to be brothers, but they are fond of killing other Muslims,” he said.
On another matter, in conjunction with Umno’s 68th anniversary of its founding this Sunday, Mahathir admitted that support for the party has lessened.
“Although Umno is still accepted, support seemed to have lessened. Umno should take this as a lesson and rectify the situation,” said Mahathir.
As advice to the top party leadership, Mahathir said that they should listen to what the rakyat wants.
“But they should not take heed of the Opposition too much since their aim is to take over the government. However, if we ignore all their criticisms, we will continue losing support,” he said.
The country’s fourth prime minister said this in response to Isma president, Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, who said that the Chinese brought by the British into Malaya, were “trespassers”.
“The Chinese are Malaysian citizens and as citizens they have their rights. (Also), we do not want people to instigate racial riots,” he told reporters.
Dr Mahathir also lashed out at Abdullah, asking the Isma president to read the Quran properly as the Islamic penal code or hudud is not applicable on non-Muslims.
He said this in reply to Abdullah’s assertion today that hudud should be enforced on non-Muslims.
“The Quran says that God does not like people who create turmoil in the country, so he should follow the Quran,” said Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir said this after launching a book, ‘Reminiscences of Insurrection: Malaysia’s Battle Against Terrorism 1960-1990′, authored by Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Mohd Azzam Mohd Hanif Ghows.
Najib in a difficult situation
When asked if the recent extremist statements were due to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak having failed to control the situation, Mahathir said Najib is “trying to do a good job in a difficult situation”.
“This extremism is a result of one faction saying nasty things and then the other has to reply, that is why I say it is not constructive. Also, we did not give him (Najib) a strong enough mandate,” he said.
He explained that Najib was in a difficult situation because when action is taken, the government is accused of not being liberal.
“The opposition demands us to be liberal, but when we are liberal they misuse that liberalism and if we take action against them, we are accused of not being liberal.”
Commenting on attacks carried out by extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Africa, the former prime minister said that the groups were misled and their actions, un-Islamic.
“They think they are doing something in accordance with the teachings of Islam, but it is wrong. Muslims are supposed to be brothers, but they are fond of killing other Muslims,” he said.
On another matter, in conjunction with Umno’s 68th anniversary of its founding this Sunday, Mahathir admitted that support for the party has lessened.
“Although Umno is still accepted, support seemed to have lessened. Umno should take this as a lesson and rectify the situation,” said Mahathir.
As advice to the top party leadership, Mahathir said that they should listen to what the rakyat wants.
“But they should not take heed of the Opposition too much since their aim is to take over the government. However, if we ignore all their criticisms, we will continue losing support,” he said.
RESPONSIBILITY OF AIRFRAMER
2. The parts may be supplied by contractors and vendors but Boeing is responsible for the correct installation, testing and certification. Certainly the communication system is selected, tested and installed under Boeing supervision.
3. The communication system is the lifeline of the aircrafts. In any emergency the aircraft can speak directly with ground stations. Under no circumstances should communication equipment fail.
4. Currently the location and movement of all commercial aircrafts are monitored. Anybody can see on their hand phone the symbol of the aircrafts flying anywhere in the world. Their registered number, their makes, their owners, departure airports and destination can all be obtained through anyone’s mobile phone. Yet MH370 could disappear completely apparently even from the monitors of the countries owning sophisticated spy satellites.
5. In the case of MH370 the only thing that we know for certain is that after the co-pilot said “Alright, Good Night” there was no more communication. There was no call from the aircraft and ground station could not contact the aircraft at all. In other words there was total communication breakdown.
6. How was this possible! The pilot may disable it! Are the communication systems in a Boeing 777 so easily disabled? Is there no backup? Is there no fail-safe system for so important a facility? Or did a third party disable MH370’s communication system?
7. Whatever the stoppage of communication was sudden and total. One or the other of the pilots must have become aware of this communications failure unless of course both were responsible for disabling the system. At some stage the cabin crew must notice that the aircraft was not keeping to the correct flight path. Did they not try to ask the pilots why? If they fail to contact the flight deck, wouldn’t they be concerned?
8. All the cabin crew must be carrying mobile phones. Surely upon not getting explanations from the pilots as to the flight path change, they would be alarmed enough to call someone on the ground. But as far as we know they did not. Were their phones disabled? Or were they incapacitated in some way?
9. The passengers too, at some stage must feel alarmed. Did any of them try to phone their relatives? They did not. Were they also disabled or their phones disabled?
10. Some relatives on the ground in Malaysia rang up the passengers. They could hear the phone ringing but was not picked up. There was no answer. Could it be that the passengers have all been disabled?
11. As I said the position of commercial aircrafts are constantly monitored. They all appear on the screen of our phones. MH 370 disappeared from the screen. Why? What equipments do passenger aircrafts carry so that their position can be chartered and broadcast? If a plane disappears wouldn’t someone notice. Yet the plane vanished and no one seems to know. Can Boeing explain how this can happen? But Boeing is deathly quiet! No explanation at all as to how the communication system and monitoring of position can fail in a Boeing aircraft.
12. If this can happen to MH370, a 777 Boeing, is it safe to fly in such planes. When will another plane disappear??
13. The assumption is that MH370 fell into the Indian Ocean. Can a plane that heavy, made of glass, aluminium, titanium and composites, plunge into the sea and not break up, leaving broken parts and oil slicks. Even if the sea was calm a plane would break up. The engines too can break off and leave traces of oil etc. Whether the pilots were in control or not, when the fuel was exhausted the plane must drop. It cannot achieve a soft landing like the Hudson River case. It must drop into the sea violently. Even if the sea was calm, the plane must break up. But the suggestion is that the whole plane sank intact into the sea! Is this possible?
14. Until now nothing has been found to indicate the breakup of the plane.
15. Boeing has a lot to answer. Until the plane is found and the causes of the failure of communication equipment and the disappearance are fully explained, one must conclude that Boeing aircrafts are dangerous to fly in.
For May 13 generation, Malaysia still a country divided by same old topic of race
(Malay Mail Online) – The spate of hate speeches aimed at driving a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims appear to be unravelling nation-building efforts made since May 13, 1969, and suggests not much has changed since that watershed 45 years ago, civil society leaders and opposition lawmakers have said on the eve of the anniversary of the country’s worst race riots next Tuesday.Although 45 years have passed since the May 13 riots, racial tensions continue to simmer beneath the surface of a robust economy, they said at a small public forum here last night.
According to them, the recent spate of racially venomous remarks and actions point to a dangerous future for Malaysia and must be tackled by the authorities which have mostly stayed silent.
“It can be said that there is evil in the air. Venom, poison, baggage of hate based on language,” DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang told the forum.
“Never has it been this serious, I think. Where are we heading? We have lost our direction on nation building.”
The Gelang Patah MP pointed out the recent inflammatory statement made by Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), which accused the Chinese of being intruders into Malay land, and had been brought by British colonialists to oppress Malays.
“Nothing I can see that shows anything new between 1969 and 2014. We see remarks, actions and nuances that depict it as if we want to return to racial tensions, by invoking ancient history,” said PAS’ Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
Mujahid, who claimed he was raised with the May 13 incident as a bogeyman, claimed that sentiments against the Chinese and Indians have stayed the same among some Malays, where the two ethnic groups are still considered as immigrants.
“These are jarring voices, whose ears are deaf, whose eyes are blind… who do not know the direction of our future,” the Parit Buntar MP added, referring to Isma.
Besides Isma, the panellists also mentioned Muslim speakers at a seminar on Christology in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), who claimed last Tuesday that the Gospels in the New Testament were “fake” and that Jesus Christ was simply a “human slave to Allah”.
Meanwhile, PAS’ Mohd Nasaei Ismail alleged that there was a series of events involving hudud, arrests of Islamic militants and negative comments from Islamist groups, which he claimed were linked together to make Islam look bad.
The forum last night, organised by Shah Alam PAS, saw Lim relating his times during the racial riots, which he only experienced through news as he was away in Kota Kinabalu at that time.
Joining him was veteran journalist Subky Abdul Latiff, who experienced first hand the riots as he was residing in Kampung Baru at that time.
The riots were said to be started at the house of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Harun Idris of Umno, where two Chinese were reportedly killed on the spot after it broke out.
The incident subsequently ignited Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, leading to a nearly one-hour riot that saw deaths, injuries, and arson.
Official police figures said 196 people died and 149 were wounded, but the numbers were disputed with unofficial figures almost three-fold.
A state of emergency and curfew was declared, while Parliament was suspended as the National Operations Council (Mageran) took over until 1971.
The aftermath saw the Malaysian pledge of allegiance Rukunegara introduced, and affirmative action policies for the Malays such as the as the New Economic Policy (NEP).
In the forum, Lim urged the public to “save the country” adding that his opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat must step up if the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional fails to do so.
He also repeated his calls for a truth and reconciliation body to conduct an independent probe on the incident, similar to the one in South Africa after the abolition of apartheid.
“Do we want the incident to repeat itself? If it does, I worry of the intervention from foreign powers,” added Subky, who started his career in Malay broadsheet Utusan Melayu before joining PAS.
Disciplinary action against lawyer in Altantuya case on hold after counsel removes himself
Sources told The Malaysian Insider said senior lawyer Lambert Rasaratnam was not comfortable to lead evidence and cross-examine Abraham because of a "latest development", which was not specified.
A source familiar with the proceedings declined to go into detail what triggered Rasaratnam from appearing for the Bar Council, which is the complainant in the case.
"The proceeding is stuck as the council is looking for a replacement lawyer," a source told The Malaysian Insider.
It is understood that because of the personality involved in this disciplinary hearing and the possibility of other senior lawyers stepping forward to be in involved one capacity or another in the hearing, lawyers with the necessary seniority and standing have been slow to offer their help.
Legal circles said it would be a shame if this disciplinary hearing comes unstuck because senior lawyers are uneasy over a face-off with a prominent member of the Bar.
Disciplinary proceedings against Abraham started in March and the next hearing is scheduled later this month with Balasubramaniam's lawyer, Americk Singh Sidhu, slated to take the stand.
Abraham is being investigated by a three-man Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board (ASDB) committee for professional misconduct.
The contentious sworn statement was to counter Balasubramaniam's first sworn statement, which had incriminated Datuk Seri Najib Razak and several other personalities in relation to the 2006 murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu.The ASDB decided to hold the proceedings after finding there was a prima facie case against the lawyer for professional misconduct.
The committee, comprising two lawyers and a layman, is looking into alleged misconduct under Section 94 of the Legal Profession Act (LPA) 1976 for "conduct or omission to act by a lawyer in a professional capacity which amounts to grave impropriety".
"This misconduct is in relation to Abraham, who is alleged to have drafted the SD for Balasubramaniam, when the late private investigator was not his client.
"At all material times, Americk was on record as the counsel for Balasubramaniam," a source said.
The Bar Council lodged a complaint against Abraham to the ASDB last year and council chairman Christopher Leong appeared in March before the committee to give evidence in a closed-door session.
The ASDB, which is a body independent of the Bar Council, is statutorily tasked to investigate professional misconduct.
Americk would be the next witness to appear before the committee while carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan is also slated to testify.
Deepak had earlier admitted that he helped to get Balasubramaniam repudiate his first SD by finding two lawyers to draft the new statement.
Americk had thrown light on the contentious SD when he read out a prepared statement at the Malaysian Bar's 67th annual general meeting (AGM) last year where he had said: "Tan Sri Cecil Abraham admitted to me that he was the one who drafted the second statutory declaration".
Americk later told reporters at the sidelines of the AGM that the directive to Abraham came from Najib, who was then the deputy prime minister.
"I'm not interested in lodging a complaint with the board. That is not my agenda. My agenda is just to find out who instructed him to do it," he had said.
Leong, had also on the sidelines of the AGM, had suggested that the Attorney-General’s Chambers relook Altantuya’s case based on evidence from Americk’s revelation, as well as Deepak’s admittance of involvement in the case.
“Much has been said about the obvious lack of motive for the two police officers to commit the crime. That remains the unanswered question,” Leong had said.
Two former police commandos – Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar and Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri – who were charged with Altantuya's murder, were found guilty and sentenced to death by the Shah Alam High Court.
Their convictions, however, were overturned by the Court of Appeal last year.
Putrajaya is appealing the decision by the Court of Appeal. Former political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, who was charged with abetting them, was also acquitted in 2008.
Balasubramaniam or "PI Bala" accused several top federal government personalities of being involved in Altantuya's murder in his first SD in 2008, two years after the woman's murder.
But he retracted the SD the following day and signed a new one, where the names of the personalities, including Najib, were omitted.
Bala died of a heart attack on March 15 last year, weeks after returning home from self-exile.
Lawyers familiar with disciplinary proceedings said the committee would make its findings and recommendations to the board, including the punishment to be meted out for misconduct.
Under the LPA, a lawyer found guilty of misconduct could be reprimanded, fined, suspended from practice for up to five years, or struck off the roll. – May 9, 2014.
Saudi Arabia orders 1,000 lashes and ten-year sentence for editor of website that discussed religion
Raif Badawi, who started the “Free Saudi Liberals” website, was arrested in June 2012 and charged with cyber-crime and disobeying his father – a crime in the Arab state, local media has reported.
His website included articles that were critical of senior religious figures such as Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and allegedly insulted Islam and religious authorities, according to Human Rights Watch.
Prosecutors had demanded Badawi be tried for apostasy, a charge which carries the death penalty, but this was dismissed by the judge.
Badawi was originally sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes in July last year, but an appeals court overturned the sentence and ordered a retrial – which then earned him a more severe sentence.
His punishment comes shortly after Saudi Arabia criticised Norway’s human rights record and accused it of not doing enough to counter criticism of the prophet Mohammed.
The gulf state also demanded all criticism of religion and of the Prophet Mohammed be made illegal in Norway.
Badawi’s lawyer, human rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair, will not be able to represent him in an appeal because he has also been jailed and is currently awaiting trial on criminal charges that include “breaking allegiance with the king,” and “making international organisations hostile to the kingdom”.
His retrial led the judge to impose a harsher punishment and fine him one million riyals (£157,000).
In April, the Kingdom introduced a series of new laws which define atheists as terrorists, according to HRW.
In a string of royal decrees and an overarching new piece of legislation to deal with terrorism generally, the Saudi King Abdullah has clamped down on all forms of political dissent and protests that could “harm public order”.
Saudi Arabia also announced in March it intended to close the local office of the Qatari-owned al Jazeera satellite television over Qatar’s backing for the Muslim Brotherhood, local media said.
The geopolitics of MH370
In any reckoning, Malaysia’s handling of the loss of MH370 has been a public-relations disaster. The tone was set during the first week by the authorities’ confusion, stonewalling and contradictory messages. One of the gravest flaws has been a deep reluctance to release information, however innocuous. This antagonised the victims’ families. And the problem persists. On May 1st the Malaysian government published a much-heralded report on the disappearance of the plane. This turned out to consist of just five pages, containing little new information. But, as one government adviser admitted: “If we had got this out there in the first week, there wouldn’t have been a nine-week drumbeat of everyone calling us lying bastards.”
Opposition politicians and critics of the government say that the damage to Malaysia’s reputation is a result of the country’s poor governance. Malaysia, the argument goes, is more authoritarian than democratic, with little transparency or accountability in government.
There is some truth to that. But government officials are justified in feeling frustrated that the failures of communication have overshadowed their success in efficiently putting together an extraordinary coalition of countries to look for the plane. On the technical side, many acknowledge that Malaysia has done an adequate job with the relatively limited means at its disposal. It has also gone beyond the call of duty in opening up to its search partners, sharing sensitive details of its military radar system, for example, with the Chinese.
One person who has stood up for Malaysia over MH370 is Barack Obama. During a recent long-scheduled visit to Malaysia, the American president went out of his way to laud the country’s leadership of the search operation. America has contributed a vast amount of equipment, man-hours and money to the search for the missing plane, out of all proportion to the three Americans (out of 227 passengers) lost on the flight. This has brought the two countries closer, at a time when America is searching for new and reinvigorated alliances in the region. Historically, there has been a good deal of anti-Americanism in Muslim-majority Malaysia, but for the time being that seems to have been stilled. Mr Obama got a hero’s welcome from everyone.
That in turn may help account for the zigzag course of China in the MH370 affair. The flight was en route to Beijing, and over half the passengers were Chinese. But rather than support the Malaysian government in the first month or so, China seemed to incite the distraught families into ever fiercer, often histrionic, criticism of Malaysian officialdom, perhaps to deflect attention from the possibility that the plane might have been downed by home-grown terrorists. The Chinese did nothing to dispel some of the alternative, wilder conspiracy theories circulating in Beijing.
In recent weeks, however, the tone has changed. The Chinese ambassador to Malaysia has told the Chinese-language press in Kuala Lumpur that his country accepts that the disappearance of MH370 was not some dark conspiracy and that Chinese-Malaysian relations are unaffected. The wave of criticism in the official Chinese press has largely abated. Perhaps China feels, in the regional battle of wills with America, that it needs good relations with Malaysia and that these were threatened by its attacks. Malaysia is China’s largest trade partner in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). It also has a large ethnic-Chinese population, and thus could be helpful in its disputes in the South China Sea with other ASEAN countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, both firmly backed by America.
Mr Najib makes an official visit to China at the end of this month, marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, initiated by Malaysia’s then prime minister, Abdul Razak, Mr Najib’s late father. With power so finely balanced in the region, China will strive to make the visit go smoothly, including keeping angry families at a face-saving distance.
From the print edition: Asia
Hate groups getting louder as long as Putrajaya stays mute
As
Isma and others in academia amplify their hatred for a section of the
Malaysian population,
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his
party Umno remain silent.
– The Malaysian Insider pic, May 9, 2014.
In the past week, groups like Isma and others in academia have amplified their hatred for a section of the Malaysian population, going as far as to distort the country's history to make it clear that Malaysia belongs to the Malays.
It does not help that Putrajaya has remained mute, except for some parties in the ruling coalition making some noises and calling for action to curb such talk. But the dominant Umno and its president, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, remain silent.
Also, these parties are not members of the administration and their voices have been ignored and in fact, Isma has even asked them to shut up.
If the prime minister cannot find it in himself to silence these groups that appear to ignore history and harmonious interfaith ties, then he and his government should just apologise to the Chinese and Christians for their inability to do anything about the matter.
Because their silence has emboldened a group funded and encouraged by the government to spew hatred and distort history of Malaysia – which is just more than Malays, Chinese, Indians as it also includes fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak.
The loudmouths at Isma should understand the meaning of the word trespass – the crime of going into someone's land without permission – but that would be asking too much of the intellectually-challenged.
The fact is, Najib and Umno have encouraged the rise of groups like Perkasa and Isma rather than the usual blame that they rose up because of weak Malay support and stronger Chinese support for the opposition.
Results in the past two general elections show that the swing is among the Malay electorate, as much as it is among the Chinese and Indians – who are a minority in Malaysia.
Perhaps it is time for Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties such as the MCA, Gerakan, MIC and others to give the PM an ultimatum on quelling this dangerous trend of hate speech and distortion of the country's history.
The PM's silence on whether Chinese are trespassers will be nothing more than a confirmation that he shares the sentiment of Isma, a group purportedly about Islam but becoming more racist every day.
And that being the case, how can MCA or any other Chinese-based political party justify remaining in BN today? Perhaps the DAP is right, MCA does not want to jeopardise its place in the Cabinet while the Gerakan is still lamenting its loss unlike its former leaders who have the intellectual gravitas to challenge groups such as Isma.
Ultimately, the man whose face was emblazoned on all election posters and who pushed his 1Malaysia concept must open his mouth and speak his mind on this matter.
Does he want 1Malaysia to be a footnote in history or a laughing stock in Malaysia and the world?
Is his deafening silence a tacit realisation that his party is going the opposite way of his ideas and he cannot stop them? Or in fact, he agrees with them on this?
It is time the prime minister speaks, not squeaks.
Two years on, sedition law replacement still on drawing board, says minister
Malay Mail
by YAP TZU GING AND MELISSA CHI
by YAP TZU GING AND MELISSA CHI
KUALA
LUMPUR, May 9 — The replacement for the Sedition Act 1948 is still being
drafted two years after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged
to replace the controversial law with the National Harmony Act, Minister
Nancy Shukri said.
The
new law is being drafted by the National Unity Consultative Council
(NUCC) and members expect to show the bill to the Cabinet before a date
set for its presentation in parliament is determined.
“We
are still drafting it actually, there are more things to come,” Shukri,
the de facto law minister told The Malay Mail Online when contacted
yesterday.
The minister in Prime Minister’s Department declined to elaborate over the phone, saying she was currently abroad.
However,
NUCC member and PAS MP Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said that aside from
content, members were also concerned about the bill’s passage through
Parliament.
He
added the NUCC will seek public input before the bill goes before the
Dewan Rakyat, putting the earliest date by December this year.
The 66-year-old law, which critics denounce as a government tool to silence dissent, continues to be used even today.
In the latest, senior DAP MP Teresa Kok was charged with sedition this week over her satirical video during Chinese New Year.
Serdang
MP Ong Kian Ming said Kok’s sedition charge reflected the Najib’s
administration’s failure in fulfilling its promises for reform.
“It
is hypocritical to go after Teresa Kok for her satirical video. There
are other parties like Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), still no action
being taken against them,” the DAP lawmaker said, referring to the
Islamist group’s controversial statement this week.
Its president, Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman, called the Chinese migration in the country a “mistake” that must be “rectified”.
But
the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the
police were investigating Isma and has pledged stern action against
those provoking racial tensions, following widespread uproar.
Najib, Rosmah Get Taste Of Orang Asli Life
GERIK,
May 9 (Bernama) -- The visit to the Belum-Temenggor Rain Forest by
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah
Mansor, provides the couple with an opportunity to experience the
culture of the Orang Asli community there.After opening Phase two of the Belum Rainforest Resort, Najib and wife, accompanied by several other VIPs, were taken to Kampung Budaya Orang Asli Tanjung Satu nearby.
They were welcomed by the Orang Asli from several villages in the area and then taken to see the handicraft products, like mat and basket made from mengkuang or screw-pine, produced by the community there for income.
Najib and Rosmah also visited a child centre where 10 Orang Asli children were taught to learn using the iPlay Toy Library approach, an initiative by the Emkay Foundation.
At the venue, Rosmah spent some time with the children and got them to eat banana dip in chocolate, which is a new experience for the Orang Asli children.
The prime minister and wife were then feted to a feast of the Orang Asli food, like grilled tapioca and fish and rice cooked in bamboo, followed by coffee served in bamboo cups.
Before leaving the Orang Asli community, Najib and Rosmah also spent some time with children participating in the Malaysian Green Ranger Camp, a programme to expose children to wildlife and environment conservation.
Why Muslims, too, are rejecting hudud
“ … SIMPLY PUT, ON THE HUDUD...
seriously speaking... i have a few questions:
you kidnap innocent girls and sell them, in the name of religion
you shoot girls in the face - those who only wish to go to schools
you rape women and put them on trial for immodest behaviour
you spew hatred towards people of other faiths and race
you ask those who disagree with you to leave the country
you do all these - in the name of protecting religion?
and now you wish to implement the hudud and force us to agree or you wage war against us?
what cult do you actually belong to? – ar
Malaysia is undergoing a rupture out of this growing complex debate on the Sharia law and the hudud. The Muslims are deeply divided on this issue, depending on how each understands the religion, judgments of who is more Muslim than others aside.
All Muslims are not created equal these days; each one is a complex construction of the history, culture, and politics of Islam. Even of the metaphysics of Islam. Most importantly education and socialisation are the twin pillars of this idea of ‘to have or not to have hudud’ or ‘to what extent must the Sharia law govern the lives of Muslims’.
Is a Muslim educated in Yemen, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, or even Indonesia, or even Kelantan, created as equal as those educated in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, Singapore, or even in Johor?
Which Muslim educated in which country and state has the right to impose the ideas of Sharia law and hudud more than those in other places?
Boko Haram Muslims in Malaysia?
Who has the right to say the ‘liberal Islam’ is less Islam than Boko Haram’s type of Islam? Why would Malays of the Islamic faith be kow-towing to the dictates of those other Malay-Muslim who not only are happy to be ignorant of Western foundational ideas but also think that because they are educated in Arab-speaking countries and louder in their chants for an Islamic state they have the right to speak about Islam and become guardians of the “morality of the ummah”?
What makes those calling for the implementation of a comprehensive Sharia, the hudud, en route to an ‘Islamic state’ think that all Muslims must also agree?
What makes them believe that these Malay-Muslims are not already fed-up and even nauseated by the urging for this or that type of ‘Islamic-ness’ which includes waging war on other races and religion in multicultural Malaysia - instead of waging peace and ensuring that Malaysia will not see the rise of Boko Haram’s type of Muslims?
Aren’t peace-loving Muslims in Malaysia more interested in having their children learn about diverse ideas to become world-wise citizens able to live is a complex and globalising world, rather than follow the urgings warning Muslims against ‘liberal ideas’ these Boko-Haram-inspired Muslims think only mean Western ideas that will turn human beings into lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals, and transgenders?
How obsessed with the libidinal and the sexual can these groups be?
Is that how much these Muslims understood what knowledge is about? Should we even care? Should progressive Muslims care when, in order to succeed in many ‘Western and infidel nations of liberal institutions of the advanced nations’ the foundational courses are all about ‘liberal ideas’?
Do you think these progressive Muslims are going to care about those ‘liberal-bashing’ Boko-Haram-inspired Muslims to discourage their children to even explore what ‘liberalism’ means?
And these ‘enemies of liberal ideas’ got their college/university degrees, did they not? Did they not learn about western and liberal ideas and pass their exams and at least learn a bit of good things about it?
This is a similar situation of the hypocrisy we see demonstrated in the case of those who oppose the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English. Many are distinguished professors who wrote their dissertations in English yet they are intoxicated by a strange out-of-whack nationalistic sentimentality, chose to produce hypocritical and damaging statements denying especially the Malay-Muslim children and youth of the importance of exploring liberal ideas and other languages including the English language; the lingua franca many of the Boko-Haram-type of Muslims would call “language of the infidels/kaffirs”.
Who need these kinds of Muslims and their urging for an ‘Islamic state’ when the stench of hypocrisy has filled the Malaysian air - like the poisoning of the sky through the Kuala Lumpur haze?
Think about it? - What actually is this hudud debate about? Who is benefitting from this?
Teach them well
Leave the fruitless debate on hudud and the Islamic state behind. They are not going to happen, most probably. Spend time and energy on good nation-building. Teach our children to make friends from people across cultures, religious beliefs, and the children of the wealthy having empathy over those working hard to get out of poverty.
Focus
on getting our university students to create multicultural clubs and
have loads of fun playing sports, playing music together, or simply have
frequent teh tarik sessions together, and of course studying together and sharing and creating new knowledge togetherIf I were the education minister, these are the things I would work on and hold on to as top priority and not some ‘ranking’ of this or that or building more one-superior-race schools. I’d work on collaboration, cooperation, co-creation in everything - from the philosophy of education right till college teaching and learning and beyond.
We see time wasted on entertaining groups out to destroy each other in a Malaysia we all care for. We ought to be teaching each other to see life as a gift and to create a ‘state of peace’ in ourselves, our family, communities, and nation - rather than be obsessed in creating this or that ‘religious state’, in the process crafting a ‘we versus them’ enmity.
And some of you politicians have been the biggest culprits in nation-destroying rather than nation-building.
Aren’t we tired of all these?
So - where do we go from here?
DR AZLY RAHMAN, born in Singapore and grew up in Johor Baru, holds a Columbia University (New York City) doctorate in International Education Development and Masters degrees in four areas: Education, International Affairs, Peace Studies and Communication. He has taught more than 40 courses in six different departments and has written more than 350 analyses on Malaysia. His teaching experience in Malaysia and the United States spans over a wide range of subjects, from elementary to graduate education. He has edited and authored four books; Multiethnic Malaysia: Past, Present, Future (2009), Thesis on Cyberjaya: Hegemony and Utopianism in a Southeast Asian State (2012), The Allah Controversy and Other Essays on Malaysian Hypermodernity (2013), and the latest Dark Spring: Ideological Roots of Malaysia's GE-13 (2013). He currently resides in the United States. Twitter, blog.
Isma agrees to hudud for non-Muslims
Even before the dust has settled on the "Chinese
are intruders" controversy, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) has dropped
another bombshell.
This time around, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman agreed that hudud law be applied to non-Muslims as well.
Responding to a question, he said this is to streamline civil and syariah laws in order to safeguard national security.
"I agree (for hudud to be implemented on non-Muslims).
"We can understand hudud from two aspects. For Muslims it is kifarah (absolving of sins) but for non-Muslims, they can consider it for the sake of national security."
"In matters involving public interest, it has to be implemented on all," he told a press conference in Bangi today.
Abdullah Zaik's suggestion appears also to sync with a recent statement by ex-mufti of Perlis Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, who similarly argued that for the sake of public safety's, a uniformed hudud law should apply to all.
But Abdullah Zaik said he would not tolerate non-Muslims having their say on hudud.
"For a non-Muslims to intervene in hudud, it is encroaching into Islam. They have no such right to do so.
"We respect their right to get rich but when we want to apply our religious rights, they say no.... What right do they have to block us? They have to be more mindful of others."
To a question, he explained that MCA's bid to reject hudud may just be an attempt to fish for votes.
"I won't take MCA's views seriously because in my opinion MCA is only trying their luck, for me they are testing the market," he said.
This time around, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman agreed that hudud law be applied to non-Muslims as well.
Responding to a question, he said this is to streamline civil and syariah laws in order to safeguard national security.
"I agree (for hudud to be implemented on non-Muslims).
"We can understand hudud from two aspects. For Muslims it is kifarah (absolving of sins) but for non-Muslims, they can consider it for the sake of national security."
"In matters involving public interest, it has to be implemented on all," he told a press conference in Bangi today.
Abdullah Zaik's suggestion appears also to sync with a recent statement by ex-mufti of Perlis Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, who similarly argued that for the sake of public safety's, a uniformed hudud law should apply to all.
But Abdullah Zaik said he would not tolerate non-Muslims having their say on hudud.
"For a non-Muslims to intervene in hudud, it is encroaching into Islam. They have no such right to do so.
"We respect their right to get rich but when we want to apply our religious rights, they say no.... What right do they have to block us? They have to be more mindful of others."
To a question, he explained that MCA's bid to reject hudud may just be an attempt to fish for votes.
"I won't take MCA's views seriously because in my opinion MCA is only trying their luck, for me they are testing the market," he said.
Ambiga: A 'Nazi-like' agenda at work
As certain groups are hell-bent on dividing the
nation along racial and religious lines, former Bar Council president S
Ambiga is convinced that an insidious hidden agenda is at work.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, she said the recent spate of incendiary remarks and incidents appeared to have been masterminded by an extremist, Nazi-like faction.
Ambiga refused to speculate on who were pulling the strings and also noted that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak seemed powerless to quell these destructive elements.
"We should not rise to the bait but at the same time, not sit back. We must speak our minds," she stressed.
Ambiga was commenting on the statement by Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman (right) that Chinese Malaysians are "intruders" in this nation.
His statements drew flak from various leaders and groups, who also called for the authorities to charge Abdullah under the Sedition Act.
"While I don't believe in using the Sedition Act. However, I expect all leaders to make a decisive stand on this issue," Ambiga said.
"All leaders must show their disgust... I am not only talking about those in the ruling party, but also people like (opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim," she added.
Peaceful resistance needed
The former Bersih chairperson said this concerned setting the tone for the nation.
"If we are interested in progress, there must be a basic standard of decency. We must speak our minds," she added.
Calling for peaceful resistance, Ambiga said that extremism must be countered with moderation.
"When they are aggressive, we must be peaceful. We must show them with our conduct. We must not descend to their level nor rise to their bait," she added.
Meanwhile, Ambiga also suggested that a survey to be conducted to determine if Isma represented the views of all Malay Muslims, as claimed by the movement.
"I believe otherwise. They are a minority who speak with loud voices," she added.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, she said the recent spate of incendiary remarks and incidents appeared to have been masterminded by an extremist, Nazi-like faction.
Ambiga refused to speculate on who were pulling the strings and also noted that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak seemed powerless to quell these destructive elements.
"We should not rise to the bait but at the same time, not sit back. We must speak our minds," she stressed.
Ambiga was commenting on the statement by Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman (right) that Chinese Malaysians are "intruders" in this nation.His statements drew flak from various leaders and groups, who also called for the authorities to charge Abdullah under the Sedition Act.
"While I don't believe in using the Sedition Act. However, I expect all leaders to make a decisive stand on this issue," Ambiga said.
"All leaders must show their disgust... I am not only talking about those in the ruling party, but also people like (opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim," she added.
Peaceful resistance needed
The former Bersih chairperson said this concerned setting the tone for the nation.
"If we are interested in progress, there must be a basic standard of decency. We must speak our minds," she added.
Calling for peaceful resistance, Ambiga said that extremism must be countered with moderation.
"When they are aggressive, we must be peaceful. We must show them with our conduct. We must not descend to their level nor rise to their bait," she added.
Meanwhile, Ambiga also suggested that a survey to be conducted to determine if Isma represented the views of all Malay Muslims, as claimed by the movement.
"I believe otherwise. They are a minority who speak with loud voices," she added.
Rescuing Nigerian girls risky, complicated
By Faith Karimi CNN
The Boko Haram leader took credit this week for the Chibok kidnapping. "I abducted your girls," he taunted with a chilling smile. "There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell."
He operates in the shadows, leaving his underlings to orchestrate his repulsive mandates. And they have been busy. Days after his video surfaced, details emerged of another abduction of eight girls between ages 12 and 15 on Sunday night in the northeast. And a grisly assault on a local village left hundreds dead.
The bounty on his head may not help much
Shekau has been on the U.S. radar since he came to power five years ago. The United States offered a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to his location. But that may not yield immediate results.
"African warlord Joseph Kony's had a bounty for years. Osama bin Laden was not given up because of the $25 million bounty. And who knows whether this will be the case," said Christiane Amanpour, CNN's chief international correspondent.
310 people killed in latest Boko Haram attack
Witnesses say well-coordinated attack began shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time
ABUJA, Nigeria (CNN) —Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, whose country's effort to subdue Boko Haram has been largely ineffective, declared in a speech Thursday that the terror group's abductions of schoolgirls would be its undoing.
"I believe the kidnap of these girls will be the beginning of the end for terror in Nigeria," he said at the opening of the World Economic Forum meeting in Abuja.
But the task of recovering the girls appeared to grow more complicated Thursday.
U.S. intelligence officials believe the 276 girls abducted last month have been separated, according to a senior U.S. official who declined to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the information.
The source declined to say how U.S. officials came to the conclusion.
Seven members of the U.S. military are scheduled to arrive Friday in Nigeria to join a team of advisers supporting the Nigerian efforts to rescue the girls, the official said. About 11 U.S. Africa Command advisers are already in country working with the Nigerian government, the official said.
Britain, France and China are also providing assistance.
The girls have not been seen since Boko Haram militants abducted them from a school in northern Nigeria April 14. Recently, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said he plans to sell them.
Now, the militants may be going after those trying to find the girls. On Thursday, Nigerian police said one officer was wounded in the neck during a gunfight with suspected Boko Haram militants on the road between Maiduguri and Chibok, where the schoolgirls were abducted April 14.
And on Monday, Boko Haram militants attacked Gamboru Ngala, a remote state capital near Nigeria's border with Cameroon that has been used as a staging ground for troops in the search for the girls. Some of the at least 310 victims were burned alive.
The assault fits a pattern of revenge-seeking by Boko Haram against those perceived to have provided aid to the Nigerian government.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said what's happening in Nigeria has "captured the public's attention about extremism in faraway places."
"And it has also helped to focus the world's attention on Boko Haram, a concern that we have been focused on for some period of time," he said. "Our interagency team is hitting the ground in Nigeria now and they are going to be working in concert with President Goodluck Jonathan's government to do everything that we possibly can to return these girls to their families and their communities."
The latest assault
Witnesses described the Gamboru Ngala attack as a well-coordinated onslaught that began shortly after 1:30 p.m. Monday at a busy outdoor market in the town.
Wearing military uniforms, the militants arrived with three armored personnel carriers, villagers said.
The attackers shouted "Allahu Akbar" -- "God is great" -- and opened up on the market, firing rocket-propelled grenades into the crowd and tossing improvised explosive devices, witnesses said.
Some marketgoers tried to take shelter in shops only to be burned alive when the gunmen set fire to a number of the businesses, the witnesses said.
A few Nigerian soldiers who had been left behind at the village could not hold off the assault and were forced to flee, they said. Many sought safe haven in nearby Cameroon.
The fighters also attacked the police station during the 12-hour assault, initially facing stiff resistance. They eventually used explosives to blow the roof off the building, witnesses said. They said 14 police officers were found dead inside.
Residents who returned to the village said they found 310 bodies.
International effort
The attack came about three weeks after militants snatched the 276 girls from their beds at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok.
And Sunday night, villagers in Warabe said Boko Haram militants snatched at least eight girls between the ages of 12 and 15.
Amid the growing international outrage, world leaders lined up to provide assistance.
The United States is sending a team of law enforcement experts and military advisers. France said Thursday that it would send a "specialized team" to help. The British government is also sending a small team, Prime Minister David Cameron's office said. Neither country said exactly what expertise their teams would bring.
British satellites and advanced tracking capabilities also will be used, and China has promised to provide any intelligence gathered by its satellite network, the Nigerian government said.
It's unlikely U.S. combat troops would be involved in operations against Boko Haram, U.S. officials told CNN Wednesday.
Nigerian police also announced a reward of about $310,000 for information leading to the girls' rescue.
'I will sell women'
The increased global response came after a chilling video described what may happen to the girls.
A man claiming to be Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, made the following claim:
"I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah," he said. "There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell. I will sell women. I sell women."
Boko Haram translates to "Western education is sin" in the local Hausa language. The group has said it wants a stricter enforcement of Sharia law across Africa's most populous nation, which is split between a majority Muslim north and a mostly Christian south.
The militants have even been known to kill Muslim clerics who dare criticize them.
The United States has branded Boko Haram a terror organization and has put a $7 million bounty on Shekau. But his location is as uncertain as the whereabouts of the girls.
ABUJA, Nigeria (CNN) —Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, whose country's effort to subdue Boko Haram has been largely ineffective, declared in a speech Thursday that the terror group's abductions of schoolgirls would be its undoing.
"I believe the kidnap of these girls will be the beginning of the end for terror in Nigeria," he said at the opening of the World Economic Forum meeting in Abuja.
But the task of recovering the girls appeared to grow more complicated Thursday.
U.S. intelligence officials believe the 276 girls abducted last month have been separated, according to a senior U.S. official who declined to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the information.
The source declined to say how U.S. officials came to the conclusion.
Seven members of the U.S. military are scheduled to arrive Friday in Nigeria to join a team of advisers supporting the Nigerian efforts to rescue the girls, the official said. About 11 U.S. Africa Command advisers are already in country working with the Nigerian government, the official said.
Britain, France and China are also providing assistance.
The girls have not been seen since Boko Haram militants abducted them from a school in northern Nigeria April 14. Recently, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said he plans to sell them.
Now, the militants may be going after those trying to find the girls. On Thursday, Nigerian police said one officer was wounded in the neck during a gunfight with suspected Boko Haram militants on the road between Maiduguri and Chibok, where the schoolgirls were abducted April 14.
And on Monday, Boko Haram militants attacked Gamboru Ngala, a remote state capital near Nigeria's border with Cameroon that has been used as a staging ground for troops in the search for the girls. Some of the at least 310 victims were burned alive.
The assault fits a pattern of revenge-seeking by Boko Haram against those perceived to have provided aid to the Nigerian government.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said what's happening in Nigeria has "captured the public's attention about extremism in faraway places."
"And it has also helped to focus the world's attention on Boko Haram, a concern that we have been focused on for some period of time," he said. "Our interagency team is hitting the ground in Nigeria now and they are going to be working in concert with President Goodluck Jonathan's government to do everything that we possibly can to return these girls to their families and their communities."
The latest assault
Witnesses described the Gamboru Ngala attack as a well-coordinated onslaught that began shortly after 1:30 p.m. Monday at a busy outdoor market in the town.
Wearing military uniforms, the militants arrived with three armored personnel carriers, villagers said.
The attackers shouted "Allahu Akbar" -- "God is great" -- and opened up on the market, firing rocket-propelled grenades into the crowd and tossing improvised explosive devices, witnesses said.
Some marketgoers tried to take shelter in shops only to be burned alive when the gunmen set fire to a number of the businesses, the witnesses said.
A few Nigerian soldiers who had been left behind at the village could not hold off the assault and were forced to flee, they said. Many sought safe haven in nearby Cameroon.
The fighters also attacked the police station during the 12-hour assault, initially facing stiff resistance. They eventually used explosives to blow the roof off the building, witnesses said. They said 14 police officers were found dead inside.
Residents who returned to the village said they found 310 bodies.
International effort
The attack came about three weeks after militants snatched the 276 girls from their beds at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok.
And Sunday night, villagers in Warabe said Boko Haram militants snatched at least eight girls between the ages of 12 and 15.
Amid the growing international outrage, world leaders lined up to provide assistance.
The United States is sending a team of law enforcement experts and military advisers. France said Thursday that it would send a "specialized team" to help. The British government is also sending a small team, Prime Minister David Cameron's office said. Neither country said exactly what expertise their teams would bring.
British satellites and advanced tracking capabilities also will be used, and China has promised to provide any intelligence gathered by its satellite network, the Nigerian government said.
It's unlikely U.S. combat troops would be involved in operations against Boko Haram, U.S. officials told CNN Wednesday.
Nigerian police also announced a reward of about $310,000 for information leading to the girls' rescue.
'I will sell women'
The increased global response came after a chilling video described what may happen to the girls.
A man claiming to be Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, made the following claim:
"I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah," he said. "There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell. I will sell women. I sell women."
Boko Haram translates to "Western education is sin" in the local Hausa language. The group has said it wants a stricter enforcement of Sharia law across Africa's most populous nation, which is split between a majority Muslim north and a mostly Christian south.
The militants have even been known to kill Muslim clerics who dare criticize them.
The United States has branded Boko Haram a terror organization and has put a $7 million bounty on Shekau. But his location is as uncertain as the whereabouts of the girls.
Perkasa says will take Putrajaya to court if ‘race’ dropped from official forms - TMI
Malay rights group Perkasa said today that it was prepared to take Putrajaya to court if the government drops the "race" column in official forms.
Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali (pic) said the NGO will hire law firms if the suggestion is taken up by Putrajaya, and will prove that it was contradictory to the Federal Constitution.
"Perkasa will bring this to court to declare that the removal of race identity goes against the Constitution.
"We are in the midst of researching the matter in-depth and carefully," he said in a statement.
Ibrahim said the Cabinet was free to make any decisions but it should not violate the Constitution.
"Perkasa will fight this through legal means till the end," the former Pasir Mas MP said in response to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun’s announcement yesterday, that the government had studied the matter and decided to do away with the "race" column in stages.
Belaun had said that for now, the column would be dropped if it is found not adding value, such as forms for the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) and housing loan scheme for the low-income group.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, however, has denied this, saying there was no plan to drop the "race" column in official forms.
"The statement is inaccurate. We did discuss it in the cabinet but our decision was to let it remain," he told reporters in Taiping today.
Najib reportedly said the column for race was needed to ensure "every community is given fair consideration" and not left out from government policies.
Malay daily Berita Harian quoted Najib as saying that Joseph will release a statement to correct his statement. – May 8, 2014.
Who’s in charge? Najib or Ibrahim, asks DAP
The 'race' column in government forms is still needed, says the prime minister.
– The Malaysian Insider pic, May 8, 2014.
Who is running Putrajaya – Perkasa or Barisan Nasional? DAP has asked, following the prime minister’s decision to maintain the "race" column in official government forms, backtracking from an earlier announcement by a minister that it will be removed in stages.
Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today questioned whether Datuk Seri Najib Razak or Malay rights group Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali was in charge of the federal government.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun said Putrajaya had decided to do away with "race" in stages.
However, Ibrahim threatened to take legal action opposing Putrajaya's decision to drop the "race" column from official government forms, claiming it was a violation of the Federal Constitution.
Today, Najib said there were no plans to drop "race".
"The statement is inaccurate. We did discuss it in the cabinet but our decision was to let it remain," the prime minister had said.
Najib reportedly said "race" was still needed to ensure "every community is given fair consideration" and not left out from government policies.
Lim said Najib's announcement on a subject, which had no value, raised questions on whether BN or Perkasa was running Putrajaya.
"Joseph Entulu meant well with his announcement yesterday as the 'race' column does not add value in forms such as 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M)," Lim said.
"Removing 'race' would be a step forward towards creating a single national identity."
Yet after more than 50 years of independence, organisations, such as Perkasa, were still tearing the social fabric of national unity, Lim said in a statement.
He said extremist and racist groups like Perkasa had acquired such prominence that they enjoyed legal immunity for making violent remarks against non-Muslims.
"Not only do they make inflammatory remarks, but they appear to also influence government policies and decision-making at ministerial levels," Lim said. – May 8, 2014.
Chinese press slams Isma over ‘trespassers’ remark
Chinese-language newspapers today trained their guns at Islamist group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), calling it an “extreme rightist group like Perkasa, based on racism and narrow-minded religious views” after its president declared all Chinese migrants brought to Malaya to be “trespassers”.The police investigation against Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman (pic) for his allegedly seditious remarks was featured on the front pages of Oriental Daily and Sin Chew Daily, following Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s confirmation that Abdullah would be probed under the Sedition Act.
An editorial published in Sin Chew Daily entitled "Citizens of equal status, not trespassers" described Isma as an "extreme rightist group like Perkasa".
“Abdullah Zaik takes the Chinese as ‘trespassers’ instead of citizens of equal status and he has also been trying to deny the contribution of the Chinese in the formation of the country,” the editorial said.
“He claimed that the Chinese obtained citizenship and wealth through oppression and bullying others.
“Such a distorted argument is not only slander to the Chinese, but also a provocation against the national idea… calling the Chinese ‘trespassers’ not only hurt the feelings and dignity of Malaysian Chinese, but also misled the perception of some Malays,” Sin Chew said.
It said the “trespassers” remark was even more “lethal” than “immigrant” labels thrown at the Chinese community in the past, as it showed a stronger intention to stir up racial sentiments.
The daily lauded police action taken against Abdullah, but warned that if such remarks were allowed to ferment, it would destroy national harmony and trust.
“The people are waiting to see whether he will be charged after the investigation is completed. If he is only investigated but not charged, it will not have a deterrent effect.
“No legal action has been taken against those involved in similar cases in the past and thus, various sensational and extreme remarks have been made, challenging the rule of law, harming social harmony and unity, and victimising the country and the people,” said Sin Chew.
It also called on leaders from both sides of the political divide to publicly oppose Isma, as it would convey a message to society that Malaysia must remain united and harmonious to maintain stability and promote progress.
Yesterday, MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong slammed Isma for its remark, saying it was dangerous to society and could elicit a negative reaction from the Chinese community.
“It’s bad, it’s unacceptable, and the authorities should investigate Isma. In fact, this investigation is overdue and the police would know best which law to investigate them under,” the Ayer Keroh MP told The Malaysian Insider.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also condemned Isma’s “dangerous lies” which he said preached religious and racial extremism.
The party’s national organising secretary Anthony Loke said yesterday that DAP members would lodge police reports nationwide against Isma and its president.
On Tuesday, Abdullah had asked on Isma's website: "Who gave them (the Chinese) citizenship and wealth until the results of their trespassing are protected until this day?
"This was all the doing of the British, who were in cohorts with the Chinese to oppress and bully the Malays."
Abdullah also said this was a mistake which had to be corrected but he did not say how.
"Nobody has the right to mortgage the sovereignty of Islam and the Malays on this land,” he said in a statement posted on the website. – May 8, 2014.
Isma now labels Chinese as ‘extremists’ for opposing hudud
After the Chinese were told that they are "trespassers", a preacher is asking if they can be called "extremists" as well for allegedly interfering in matters related to Islam.The preacher, Ustaz Sharipudin Ab Kadir, who heads the Syura Council of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) and the group's Pasir Puteh branch, wrote in his column on Isma's website that the Chinese were uneasy with the Malays.
He questioned why they interfered in matters related to Islam, which was the religion of the Malays.
"Why do DAP and MCA, which are Chinese parties, fighting hudud when its implementation only affects Muslims? Is this not overstepping their boundary and does it not show the extreme nature of the Chinese?
"Why do they stand in the way of the wishes of the Malays to practise their religion in their own country, when the Malays have never interfered or curbed them from practising their religions?
"Why are they so insolent towards the Malays when the Malays have accorded them such a high degree of respect?"
Sharipudin asked if the Chinese were actually using that as a strategy to realise the "Nam Thien" slogan of their forefathers, which refers to the "southern invasion” of the Chinese into Southeast Asia.
He said the Malays had allowed other races to live in peace in Malaysia, even though they themselves were marginalised when the country was heading towards independence.
He said the Malays were "homeless" in their own land.
"The British gave each Malay family an acre of land to plant padi. Their children studied only up to Standard Six, except for the children of the rich.
"For 500 years, the Malay race had been sidelined in all areas of life but they still shared the wealth of the country with the migrant races, even when they were often betrayed.
"How unfortunate that the migrants fail to respect the Malays, except in matters that are profitable to them," he said.
Isma had, of late, been targeting the Chinese and non-Muslims in Malaysia as the hudud issue escalates.
On May 1, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman (pic) questioned the contributions of non-Muslims to the country that gave them the right to make demands.
On Tuesday, Zaik called the Chinese, who came to Tanah Melayu with the British, "trespassers" and accused them of being in cohorts with the colonial power to bully the Malays.
He also questioned the citizenship and wealth given to the Chinese and said it was all a mistake that needed to be rectified, although he did not say how. – May 8, 2014.
Lawyers cry foul as 3 more activists are to be recharged under assembly law tomorrow - TMI
Badrul
Hisham Shaharin @ Chegubard (centre) and two other activists are to be
recharged tomorrow under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 with the same
'offence' – a move described by lawyers as ‘unhealthy and dangerous
trend’. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 8, 2014.
It is wrong of the Attorney-General to recharge any person for an offence that does not exist following a superior court ruling, criminal lawyers said, as three more activists are expected to be charged again tomorrow under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 with the same "offence".
The lawyers said Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail must respect and follow the rule of law, and should wait for the outcome of his appeal in the Federal Court before taking the next course of action.
On April 25, the Court of Appeal declared that a rally organiser could not be penalised for a peaceful assembly as such gathering was constitutional.
The A-G is appealing the decision.
Earlier this week, Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was recharged under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for failing to provide authorities with a 10-day notice over the Black 505 rally held at the Kelana Jaya stadium in May last year.
Tomorrow, Badrul Hisham Shaharin @ Chegubard, Edy Nor Reduan and Mohamed Bukhairy Mohamed Sofian will be recharged under the PAA for failing to give the authorities a 10-day notice of last year's Turun rally held at Dataran Merdeka on New Year's Eve.
Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen said the three were served the summons yesterday.
They were first charged on January 29 but were given a discharge on April 28 by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court.
"By ignoring the Court of Appeal ruling, Gani is in serious contempt of court," Paulsen said.
On Tuesday, the Sessions Court threw out the charge against Nik Nazmi, saying it was bound by the ruling of the superior court, and gave Nik Nazmi a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
Lawyer Datuk V. Sithambaram said judge Yasmin Abdul Razak should have acquitted Nik Nazmi for he was charged with an offence which no longer existed.
"By striking out the punishable section in the PAA , the Court of Appeal does not recognise the offence.”
He said the issue of punishing a person twice for the same offence did not arise as the court had ruled that the punishment for failure to give notice before organising a rally no longer existed in the statute book.
"It is the A-G’s prerogative to appeal to the Federal Court but until then the Court of Appeal ruling must be respected.”
Criminal law lecturer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu the second attempt to prosecute Nik Nazmi revealed an unhealthy and dangerous trend by the prosecution.
"Going by what the A-G's Chamber's has done, an unhealthy and dangerous trend is emerging and this is not good for the criminal justice system," he said.
Baljit, who also practises law, said public confidence in the system would erode if the executive, legislature and judiciary were inconsistent in their actions. – May 8, 2014.
BN portal: MCA hudud stance 'biadap'
In the editorial on their official site BNBBC.my entitled 'No need for MCA to also wail about hudud like the DAP', MCA was labelled “biadap” (insolent) for openly opposing hudud.
“It doesn't matter if PAS or Umno proposes (hudud), DAP will maintain its stance against it...
“However,
when MCA, a component party in the BN also questions it, then we have
ask the Chinese party's motive, especially when its deputy president Wee
Ka Siong (left) makes public statements about reviewing MCA's position in the BN,” the editorial read.It added that Wee, who is “speculated to be filling a cabinet post soon”, spoke as if MCA is a dominant party in the BN “without respecting Umno”.
The article also said MCA does not even consider the fact that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is still offering cabinet posts to MCA despite the latter's poor showing in the 13th general election.
“MCA should not jump up or try to be a hero...in fighting for the Chinese community."The rakyat knows, DAP is more successful than MCA,” it said.
“MCA need not pretend or threaten to seek support of thousands to surround the Parliament to stop hudud as only a handful of Chinese voters still trust the party.”
It also advised MCA to “keep its silence” if it disagrees, instead of “stabbing” Umno by openly opposing hudud.
Wee blames Malaysiakini
Meanwhile in a separate article BNBBC.my quoted Wee saying Malaysiakini had “twisted” his remark at a forum yesterday regarding MCA's position in BN.
“I said that 'if we are not meant to be' (tidak ada jodoh), but we did so diplomatically. I never said if (Umno) agrees to hudud, we will leave the BN. I never did.
“I said, if that happened, we will discuss our position, not that we will leave BN..
“Malaysiakini twisted what I said. The more I speak to Malaysiakini the more I get walloped.
"This is why I don't answer or say anything to Malaysiakini,” Wee was quoted saying.
Malaysiakini yesterday reported Wee saying MCA may review MCA's position in BN if Umno supports hudud.
MCA has been vehemently opposing Kelantan's move to table a Private Members Bill at the next Parliament sitting in order to allow the state to implement the hudud enactment first passed at state level in 1993.
However it has remained painfully silent on Umno's role in encouraging PAS Kelantan and vocally supporting the move.
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