Delegates defend walk out, grills Mat Sabu

Delegate booed for telling PAS to reject MB post

Mosul, the Islamic State "bans Christians from school"

Asia News

Archbishop Nona tells AsiaNews, an entire "generation is in danger of not being educated". The schools turned into shelters, cannot accommodate lessons. The Church is racing against the clock to find housing, but only a fraction of the institutions will be able to resume activities. In the city and Nineveh plain population is increasingly hostile to the Islamist militias, 98% want "their expulsion."

Ankawa (AsiaNews) - For the first time in history, Iraqi Christians who always had a "high standard of education" in the region, are being deprived of the right to study and cannot attend schools. This represents a further threat to the survival of the minority, not only in Iraq but throughout the Middle East, because there is not the risk that an entire generation "will not be educated", which is a "very bad sign". The warning comes from Msgr. Shimoun Emil Nona, Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, in the north, the second most important city in the country and first city to fall into the hands of the militia of the Islamic State.

Interviewed by AsiaNews, the prelate confirms that "currently children from many of the refugee families" as well as "children who live in Christian areas" cannot start the school year. "There are about 700 schools scattered between Erbil, Ankawa and Zakkho - he explains - but they are hosting displaced people and are full. In other non-Christian areas the lessons have begun, but not here". Moreover in the areas occupied by the Islamic Caliphate the curriculum has been changed to promote Islam and the Koran.

Msgr. Nona was the first to raise the alarm of the danger posed by the advance of the Islamists after the conquest of Mosul, where about 500 thousand people - Muslims and Christians - fled in early June to avoid being forced to convert to Islam. It was also where the militants founded their caliphate and imposed sharia. In cities and in areas on the Nineveh plain that are under the control of the Islamic State schools have reopened. However, under the instruction of their leader the curriculum has changed to ban history, geography and literature; students must study Arabic and the Muslim religion and are forbidden to speak of the Republic of Iraq or Syria, only of the Caliphate.

An Mosul elementary school teacher of mathematics and Arabic states that "we are in 2014, but it seems have regressed 14 centuries." 95% of the 2,450 schools in the area - Mosul and Nineveh Plain - are in the hands of the Islamists, who have forbidden mixed classes and have closed the Faculty of Law, because "conventional law is no longer in force." Rigid rules, imposed by force, are increasingly arousing the impatience of the local population. If at first people saw them as liberators from a central government (under former Shiite Prime Minister al-Maliki) regarded as the oppressor, today 98% of the people - as reported by an academic in Mosul - "would like to see them gone as soon as possible" .

The archbishop of Mosul, who is also a refugee Ankawa, in Iraqi Kurdistan, cannot confirm this radical change of attitude towards the Islamic state and the distortion of the curriculum at the hands of the militia. He admits however, to "having heard similar rumors", and there is a good chance that "they are true." There are still some Christians in the city, but "very few" who live "isolated" and "in danger" because "anything could happen to them".

Msgr. Nona asks us to pray for a situation "which is growing more dramatic with every passing day" especially with the arrival of winter. This interruption in the schooling of young Christians is a serious problem, because it halts the development of an entire generation of Iraqi Christians, who in the past have always been distinguished for their cultural level and standard of schooling. "It is very negative" says the bishop, and "very dangerous".

In the history of community, education has always been an "important anchor for us," says the Archbishop of Mosul, and as a Church "we are trying to rent as many homes as possible" to free schools and allow the resumption of classes . However, the operation is "very slow, because it is not always possible to find homes or housing is unavailable." Concluding, the prelate says however that there are some small signs of hope, "we rented a building with 56 apartments - he says - that can accommodate all the families who, at this time, are housed in a school in Ankawa" . Only one out of 11, he adds, while the goal is "free up at least two or three more." (DS)

UK female jihadists run ISIS sex-slave brothels

Al Arabiya News

Startling details have surfaced of British female jihadists forcing captured Iraqi women into sexual slavery at brothels run by militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), British media reported Thursday.

The Brothels, operated by the female “police force” called the al-Khanssaa Brigade, have been set up for the use of ISIS militants, according to the Daily Mirror.

Thousands of Iraqi women have already been forced into sex slavery at the brothels , with as many as 3,000 women and girls been taken captive from the Yazidi tribe in Iraq over the course of the militants’ offensive across the region, according to the daily.

“These women are using barbaric interpretations of the Islamic faith to justify their actions,” the Mirror quoted a source as saying. “They believe the militants can use these women as they please as they are non-Muslims. It is the British women who have risen to the top of the Islamic State’s Sharia police, and now they are in charge of this operation.”

ISIS chiefs have reportedly given British women such prominent roles in the ultra-religious all female militia because they see them as the most committed of the foreign female fighters.

A key figure among the female police force is Aqsa Mahmood, 20, of Glasgow. At least three other British females have been identified as members of the group, the Mirror reported.

‘Al-Khanssaa is a Sharia law police brigade. This is ISIS‘ female law enforcement,” Melanie Smith, a research associate at King's College's International Centre for the Study of Radicalization, told The Sunday Telegraph. 'We think it’s a mixture of British and French women but its social media accounts are run by the British and they are written in English.”

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, reported that more and more young British women are leaving the United Kingdom to join militants, and many have formed intense friendships with ISIS fighters.

They include twins Salma and Zahra Halane, 16, from Manchester, and mother Khadijah Dare, 22, who is married to a Swedish militant.

"It is as bizarre as it is perverse," the Mirror quoted a source as saying.

Experts have said ISIS is targeting women for recruitment, and fighters are being urged to marry British and European women.

ISIS, have been on a rampage across Iraq, killing and enslaving members of the country’s ancient religious minorities, including Assyrian Christians and the Yazidis.

Last month two U.N. officials issued a joint statement on the "barbaric acts" of sexual violence committed by ISIS fighters.

"We condemn, in the strongest terms, the explicit targeting of women and children and the barbaric acts the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' has perpetrated on minorities in areas under its control, and we remind all armed groups that acts of sexual violence are grave human rights violations that can be considered as war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Nickolay Mladenov, special representative of the U.N. secretary-general for Iraq, and Zainab Hawa Bangura, special representative of the secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict.

The U.N. officials’ statement cited evidence of rape being used as weapons of war against women and teenage boys and girls belonging to the Yazidi, Christian, Turkomen and Shabak communities in Iraq.

Academic and Middle East expert Haleh Esfandiari has blogged for the Wall Street Journal that ISIS offers captured girls and women as a "reward" to its followers.

"ISIS has received considerable world attention for its savage beheadings, executions of captured soldiers and men in conquered towns and villages, violence against Christians and Shiites, and the destruction of non-Sunni shrines and places of worship," she said.

"But its barbarity against women has been treated as a side issue. Arab and Muslim governments, vocal on the threat ISIS poses to regional stability, have been virtually silent on ISIS’s systemic degradation, abuse, and humiliation of women.”

"To the men of ISIS, women are an inferior race, to be enjoyed for sex and be discarded, or to be sold off as slaves.”

IGP mocks Suaram’s call to repeal Dangerous Drugs Act 1985

The nation's top cop today said that drug traffickers will have a field day if the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985 was repealed, as suggested by human rights group Suaram.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic), referring to calls by Suaram to abolish the Act, also said in a series of tweets that abolishing the Act would hamper police efforts to wipe out drug trafficking.

"SUARAM kata Akta Dadah Berbahaya perlu di mansuhkan," Khalid tweeted on his handle @KBAB51. (Suaram said the Dangerous Drugs Act should be repealed.)

"Wahhhh seronok lah pengedar2 dadah." (Drug traffickers will be very happy.)

"Usha @PDRMsia membanteras Dadah akan terbantut!" (Police efforts to stamp out drug trafficking will be hampered.)

"@PDRMsia percaya Rakyat M'sia mahu PDRM banteras Dadah habis2 an." (Police believe the rakyat want us to stamp out drug trafficking.)

"Kalau ADB di mansuhkan, PDRM nak guna apa?" (If the DDA is repealed, what are the police going to use?) Khalid tweeted.

Earlier today, Suaram demanded an end to the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985.

The DDA 1985 allows for detention without trial of suspected drug traffickers and kingpins, similar to the Internal Security Act 1960 and Emergency Ordnance 1969.

Free Malaysia Today quoted Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng as saying that "a person could be arrested arbitrarily without warrant or reasonable cause".

"More importantly, those detained under this Act lose their right to a fair trial," Yap told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Yap said the DDA had been ineffective in reducing drug-related crimes in Malaysia, citing statistics from the National Drug Agency which showed crimes had steadily increased between 2008 and 2013.

He said that there were, in fact, other laws in the country that were more comprehensive, citing Section 117 of the Criminal Procedural Law as an example.

Yap said unlike Section 117, the DDA lacked transparency in police investigations and its allowance for a 60-day detention without trial was a cause for concern.

More worrying were the numerous allegations by detainees who claimed they were tortured while in custody to force a confession.

Given the many weaknesses of the DDA, Yap said Suaram was demanding “a fair trial for these detainees as it is a basic human right”.

Suaram also called for all current detainees of the DDA to be released and investigated using a fairer law that does not violate their basic rights. – September 19, 2014

IGP dodges contempt with new stay order

It seems inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has been provided a lifeline from possible contempt in the Ipoh High Court inter-faith custodial dispute.

The reprieve came after the attorney-general obtained an ex-parte stay of execution from the Court of Appeal on the order to compel the IGP to arrest K Pathmanathan @ Mohamad Ridhuan Abdullah within seven days from last Friday.

An ex-parte stay order is made by one party without the attendance of the other.

The stay has freed  the IGP of possible contempt, since both parties will now be required to meet on Sept 25 for the court to decide whether the stay will be permanent.

The appellate court decision was made on Wednesday and a copy was served on Ipoh Barat MP and lawyer M Kulasegaran today.

IGP Khalid made an accompanying affidavit to the application.

The arrest order to be executed by the IGP was issued by the Ipoh High Court.

The Appeal Court decision was made by a single judge, namely Justice Aziah Ali, rather than the customary three-member panel.

This is similar to the Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin vs Zambry Abdul Kadir case in which a stay of execution of the Kuala Lumpur High Court order was granted by a single Court of Appeal judge who heard the matter.

Kulasegaran said the application was unnecessary and unfair because the papers could have been served to him in person rather than ex-parte, and argued for a three-member appeal panel.

The Ipoh High Court had on Friday ordered the police and IGP to arrest Pathmanathan @ Ridhuan (left) and for his daughter Prasana Diksa returned to her mother M Indira Gandhi within seven days.

On that same day, the senior federal counsel applied for a stay of the order. only to be rejected by Justice Lee Swee Seng.

Yesterday it was reported that the AG's Chambers had subsequently filed a notice of appeal over Friday's application.

Kula: We will challenge

Kulasegaran slammed the government's move of securing the application without having their voice heard and questioned the government's motives.

Indira (right in photo), he added, is distraught and upset on being informed of the ex-parte order and they intend to challenge it.

Kulasegaran said the refusal by the IGP to arrest Pathmanathan is only giving aid to his continuing act of contempt.

“The administration of justice is being brought into disrepute. I have promised her our team of lawyers will immediately mount a challenge to set aside the ex-parte order.

“It is not going to be easy. To challenge the country’s top policeman, the IGP, and the government’s number one lawyer, the AG, is going to be an uphill task.

"But persevere we will for we have faith that justice in accordance with the law and as administered by our judges will prevail,” he said in a statement.

Stay application 'baseless'

Kulasegaran argued that there was no need for the government to opt for the ex-parte application.

"Although the AG is entitled to make such an application, there is utterly no urgency nor any prejudice to the IGP.

“The IGP merely had to arrest Indira Gandhi’s ex-husband and commit him to prison. Something which he, as a policeman, is duty bound to do," he argued.

“Indira Gandhi has her solicitors, Messrs Kula & Associates, and it would have only been fair for the AG to serve all papers on us and to have the matter heard before a panel of three judges in open court.”

The Ipoh Barat MP said it commonly accepted practice in law that both parties in the case ought to be heard.

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The AG’s decision to move the court and obtain an ex-parte order is only going delay matters, while causing serious prejudice to the welfare of Prasana Diksa and Indira Gandhi and create a great disservice to the administration of justice.

“Had the court heard us, it might have come to the conclusion that the application was baseless.

"The AG must convince Malaysians that ex-parte applications such as these are being made for the interest of the public and not for any ulterior motive,” Kulasegaran said.

 

Selangor MB will not be a woman, says report

(Malay Mail Online) – Even as the Selangor palace stayed silent on the identity of the new Mentri Besar to be sworn in on Tuesday, the New Straits Times reported that the job would not go to a woman, citing unnamed sources.

Even though PKR has been adamant with its choice, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, rumours have been rife that the new chief executive post could go to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali or PAS Cempaka assemblyman Iskandar Abdul Samad.

“Choosing a mentri besar from PAS may cause uneasiness. Therefore, Azmin is the perfect compromise,” the source told NST.

Both however told NST that they were not informed of the palace’s decision.

Tuesday could mark the final chapter in the protracted mentri besar saga that threw Selangor into a leadership crisis and caused fissures that are now threatening to rend the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact apart.

The intrigue has pit Pakatan Rakyat allies against each other over their disagreements — first over the removal of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as well as over whom his replacement should be.

The senior PAS leadership has consistently stood apart from its PR allies in PKR’s intricate bid to replace Khalid with Dr Wan Azizah, leading to growing questions over its commitment to the pact and open calls for its exit.

The situation grew more intractable after PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang unilaterally named three nominees for the post in accordance with the Sultan of Selangor’s request; PKR and DAP were adamant in naming only Dr Wan Azizah.

It is unclear who were the three nominees submitted by PAS.

The Sultan said, however, that he will not limit his selection to the candidates nominated by the three parties, after PKR and DAP refused his request for at least three nominees for his consideration.

Siswa dibelasah di penjara

Ali turut menjelaskan bahawa beliau telah diherdik setiap hari oleh pegawai yang tidak mempunyai sebarang pangkat dan pegawai itu telah memaksa tahanan lain untuk memukulnya.

PETALING JAYA: Ahli keluarga aktivis Ali Abd Jalil, Asiah Abd Jalil memaklumkan bahawa sewaktu lawatannya ke Penjara Sungai Buloh, Ali memaklumkan bahawa beliau telah dipukul oleh salah seorang anggota polis yang bernama ASP Zamri.

Bukan itu sahaja, Ali turut menjelaskan bahawa beliau telah diherdik setiap hari oleh pegawai yang tidak mempunyai sebarang pangkat dan pegawai itu telah memaksa tahanan lain untuk memukul Ali.

Kenyataan itu telah dikeluarkan oleh ahli keluarga Ali di dalam Facebooknya. Status yang dikeluarkan tersebut menyatakan “Lawatan peguam ke Penjara Sungai Buloh. Kali pertama kami dapat access kepada Ali Abd Jalil setelah DUA BELAS hari ditahan.”

“Ali memaklumkan, BELIAU DIPUKUL oleh ASP ZAMRI dan diherdik setiap hari oleh pegawai tidak berpangkat bernama NAZA. NAZA juga mengugut untuk memaksa tahanan lain memukul Ali. Kami tidak akan berdiam diri!” tulis Asiah di dalam Facebook.

Sebelum ini, Ali yang baru dilepaskan dengan ikat jamin kerana dituduh menghasut, ditahan semula oleh polis di bawah Akta Hasutan kerana didakwa menghina Sultan Selangor.

Ali ditahan berikutan tulisan di laman Facebooknya yang didakwa menghina Sultan Selangor berikutan kemelut di negeri itu.

Siswa institut pengajian tinggi swasta itu didakwa melakukan kesalahan menerbitkan penerbitan yang menghasut dibawah Seksyen 4(1)(c) Akta Hasutan 1948.

Ia merupakan kali kedua Ali didakwa mengikut Akta Hasutan 1948 yang sebelum ini dikenakan terhadap ahli politik Pakatan Rakyat (PR), ahli akademik dan wartawan.

Kali pertama, Ali mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Selayang atas tuduhan menghasut melalui laman Facebook pada Januari tahun ini.

Hakim Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Fuzi menetapkan 10 Oktober ini untuk tarikh bicara dan Ali dibebaskan dengan ikat jamin RM5,000 dengan seorang penjamin.

PKR seeks royal audience

The party insists that Wan Azizah's candidacy for the Menteri Besar post has the support of the majority of state assembly members.

PETALING JAYA: PKR, reacting to news that the new Selangor Menteri Besar will be sworn in on Tuesday, is seeking an audience with the Sultan of Selangor.

In a brief statement released late today, PKR Secretary-General Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the party’s Political Bureau met today over “new developments pertaining to the appointment of a new Menteri Besar for Selangor.”

He said the party’s stand was that the support of the majority of state assembly members for the candidacy of Wan Azizah Ismail had not changed.

PKR was therefore seeking an audience with the Sultan to “get his advice” on the matter, he added.

The statement stressed the party’s loyalty to the Sultan as well as to the Constitution of the State of Selangor.

Young lawyers to drive Bar approval for sedition law protest

The Malaysian Insider
BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Seven years after marching to save the judiciary, the Malaysian Bar is expected to debate and approve today a peaceful march against the Sedition Act 1948 that has been used extensively this year.

Senior lawyers said this was significant, although not historical, as the Malaysian Bar had held such extraordinary general meetings (EGM) that touched on issues which breached on the basic rights of citizens.

They said the debate on the sedition law was timely following an unprecedented slew of charges slapped against opposition elected representatives, lawyers and activists.

Datuk Jagjit Singh said young lawyers, who make up 60% of the 15,500 members, had shown a lot of enthusiasm about the issues surrounding the 1948 law which was enacted during the colonial period.

"They are idealistic and full of energy. I will be there because I too feel strongly about the abuse of the sedition law," Jagjit, who has been a member of the Bar since 1968, said.

The former Bar council member remembered an EGM held in the early '70s to protest against the annual renewal of licence for newspapers under the former Printing Ordinance of 1948.

"That requirement basically curtailed our freedom of expression and free flow of information," he said.

After the EGM, a group of 42 lawyers marched to Parliament but police stopped them.

"We were charged with failure to disperse but luckily we were bound over for one year for good behaviour," he said.

Jagjit said it was the duty of lawyers under the Legal Profession Act to uphold the cause of justice without regard to the Bar’s own interest or that of its members.

"Our criticism at the EGM should be viewed as constructive as most of us do not have political interest," he said.

Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram recollected an EGM held in 1975 to discuss the now repealed Internal Security Act which was used indiscriminately. A lawyer, the late Abdul Razak Ahmad, had been arrested in the course of carrying out his duty.

He said the Bar president at that time was the law minister-cum-Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusof, who came under fire from members.

"The resolution was passed to condemn the detention of Razak who was later released," said Sri Ram who sat on the bench from 1994 to 2010.

Sri Ram, who is one of the 121 lawyers who supported the motion for the peaceful walk, said there was nothing surprising about today’s EGM as the complaint was that the sedition law was used indiscriminately.

He said in the past, the Bar had acted fearlessly and independently on public interest issues.

"This meeting to debate the Sedition Act is important as it infringes on the freedom of speech which is one of the cornerstones of our Federal Constitution," he said.

"My concern is that the Bar Council should not become a political organ," said Sri Ram.

Eric Paulsen said the recent prosecutions and investigations under the sedition law was akin to the Ops Lalang as even lawyers who gave their legal opinions were not spared.

(On October 27, 1987, police detained more than 100 politicians and activists under the ISA in a police operation, codenamed Ops Lalang, and some were held without trial for two years.)

"To me this is something unprecedented and I’m glad the Bar has risen to the occasion. I believe members will not fail the public," he said.

Paulsen, who is also Lawyers for Liberty executive director, said the peaceful walk, if approved, would be the members’ strongest protest against the law.

The last time the Malaysian Bar held an EGM was on May 11, 2012 where members approved a resolution condemning the police for using “excessive” and “indiscriminate” force to disperse Bersih 3.0 protesters on April 28.

The resolution, passed by way of voting, also demanded that the home minister and Inspector-General of Police apologised to the public and the media over police conduct during the rally.

The Bar, under the leadership of Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, organised the “March for Justice” in Putrajaya in 2007, calling for judicial reform and the investigation of a videotape allegedly showing lawyer, Datuk V. K. Lingam, fixing judicial appointments and judges’ case assignments.

The actions and intense lobbying led to the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry which called for corrective actions.

Last month, Seri Delima assembyman R.S.N. Rayer, also a lawyer, was slapped with two separate sedition charges over his "celaka celaka Umno" (damn damn Umno) remark.

Others who have also been charged with sedition included lawyer and Padang Serai MP N. Surendran of PKR, and Shah Alam MP and PAS central committee member Khalid Samad.

On September 2, Universiti Malaya law professor Dr Azmi Sharom was charged with sedition based on statements in an article over his comments about the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis which was published in a news portal on August 14.

Sabah politician David Orok was prosecuted under the same law on September 3 for allegedly insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad in a Facebook posting two months ago.

Freelance public speaker and preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussein pleaded not guilty on Wednesday for making a seditious statement which insulted Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor in a Facebook posting in November last year.

Human rights lawyer Edmund Bon is also being investigated for alleged seditious remarks made in an article in January.

The EGM is scheduled for 3pm at Dewan San Choon, Wisma MCA, in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. – September 19, 2014.

PAS Ulama Told To Advise Members Against Slandering BN

Tan Sri Muhyiddin YassinTUMPAT, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Ulama or religious scholars in PAS have been told to advise their party members to cease slandering the government and the Barisan Nasional (BN) which have proven themselves by developing the nation according to the Islamic model.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said PAS did not stop slandering the government which has done much for the people when PAS itself has not done anything especially for Kelantan residents.

"I am asking PAS to stop the defamation against the government and BN for the sake of the people. Enough is enough with the slander.

"I am telling religious scholars in PAS to advise party members to stop defaming BN and the government," he said when giving a talk at the Pengkalan Kubor BN community Service Centre here Friday night.

Also present was BN Pengkalan Kubor by-election machinery director Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Muhyiddin, who is BN deputy chairman, said among the biggest slander by PAS was that the federal government did not pay petroleum royalty amounting to RM12 billion to Kelantan.

"This defamation is one big lie. Even though this issue should not be raised as the matter is still with the court but we have to explain as the royalty issue was being used by PAS in its campaign and talks," he said.

Muhyiddin said BN was actually not worried with the issue played by PAS especially in this by-election as the issue used by PAS is not true.

He said PAS had to resort to slandering about royalty solely to influence voters to garner votes in the by-election.

"Some may believe what PAS said and as such we are forced to defend ourselves to explain the truth," he said.

He said PAS needed to look at the success of the country especially in Islamic banking which received global recognition.

"Another example is how Tabung Haji manages pilgrimage to Makkah which was participated by PAS members themselves to fulfil their pilgrimage," he said.

According to him, the ability of the country to achieve 6.4 per cent growth was far better than many countries, he said.

Muhyiddin called on Pengkalan Kubor voters to think wisely on who actually developed the constituency all this while if it is not the federal government.

"Look at PAS which is good in making promises such as building highways and others and they remain good at such empty promises.

"We at the federal government would not dare to make such promises if there were no funds but the PAS government can make empty promises with impunity," he said.

The by-election is a three-cornerned fight between Mat Razi Mat Ail of BN, Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim of PAS and independent candidate Izat Bukhari Ismail Bukhari.

It is being held following the death of incumbent Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar of BN on Aug 20.

In the 13th general election, Noor Zahidi defeated PKR candidate Saharun Ibrahim and Izat Bukhary (Independent) with a 1,736 vote majority.

“Anti-Islam ads on buses, subway stations”

New York News

PAS donates USD 50,000 to Hamas

'PKR should get MB post, but Sultan has final say'

Iranian Blogger Soheil Arabi Sentenced to Death for Insulting Muhammad on Facebook

Soheil Arabi, an Iranian blogger, has been sentenced to death for "insulting the prophet" on Facebook. Meanwhile, politicians and the media continue to praise Islam.

Iran—A blogger found guilty of insulting the Prophet Mohammad in his postings on Facebook has been sentenced to death. An informed source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the blogger, Soheil Arabi, will be able to appeal the decision until September 20, 2014.

Agents from the Revolutionary Guards Corps’ (IRGC) Sarallah Base arrested Soheil Arabi, 30, and his wife in November 2013. Arabi’s wife was released a few hours later, but he was kept in solitary confinement for two months inside IRGC’s Ward 2-A at Evin Prison, before he was transferred to Evin’s General Ward 350. Branch 76 of the Tehran Criminal Court, under Judge Khorasani, found Arabi guilty of “sabb al-nabi” (insulting the Prophet), on August 30, 2014.

“The way he was arrested was illegal. It is not clear how the agents were able to enter their home at that time in the morning. All the doors were locked and family members were asleep. Agents entered his home and bedroom. He and his wife were arrested and some of their photographs and personal belongings were taken after their home was searched,” said the source.

“Soheil had eight Facebook pages under different names, and he was charged with insulting the Imams and the Prophet because of the contents of those pages. He has accepted his charges, but throughout the trial, he stated that he wrote the material without thinking and in poor psychological condition,” the source told the Campaign. (Continue Reading.)

Anti-terror operation in Sydney and Brisbane 'thwarted' beheading plot

Police say a large-scale anti-terrorism raid in Sydney this morning has foiled a plot to "commit violent acts" in Australia, including a plan to behead a member of the public.

More than 800 officers launched the raids as part of Operation Appleby in suburbs across Sydney's west and north-west, with a further 70 police involved in raids on properties in Brisbane's south.

Police said 15 people had been detained in Sydney as part of the operation between NSW officers, the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

Court documents are expected to reveal that the raids, at 25 different properties,were aimed at a cell which planned to behead a member of the public in Sydney.

The documents are expected to say that the plan involved snatching a random member of the public in Sydney, draping them in an Islamic State group (IS) flag and beheading them on camera.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he was briefed last night on the operation, adding that the intelligence received by police gave "not just suspicion" but "intent".

"The exhortations, quite direct exhortations, were coming from an Australian who is apparently quite senior in ISIL to networks of support back in Australia to conduct demonstration killings here in this country," he said, using another acronym for IS.

"That's why the police and security agencies decided to act in the way they have."

Mr Abbott will cut short his visit to Arnhem Land today to farewell RAAF crews heading to the Middle East and to attend security briefings on the terror raids in Sydney.

'Right now is a time for calm'

He said the operation commenced earlier this year and had interrupted a terrorist attack in Australia.

"Police believe that this group that we have executed this operation on today had the intention and had started to carry out planning to commit violent acts here in Australia," he said.

"Those violent acts particularly related to random acts against members of the public."

Commissioner Colvin said the raids in Brisbane were not "directly linked" to the raids in Sydney, but authorities were looking to see whether there were any links.

He said the Brisbane raids were linked to a similar operation in Queensland last week, when an Islamic bookshop was searched, and two men arrested.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the raids reflected "the reality of the threat we actually face".

"You know it is of serious concern that right at the heart of our communities we have people that are planning to conduct random attacks," he said.

"Today we work together to make sure that didn't happen. We have disrupted that particular attack.

"Our police will continue to work tirelessly to prevent any such attacks but certainly can I stress that right now is a time for calm.

"We don't need to whip this up."

He said cars were also searched in the raids and at least one weapon was seized.

A total of 25 search warrants were executed in the Sydney suburbs of Beecroft, Bellavista, Guildford, Merrylands, Northmead, Wentworthville, Marsfield, Westmead, Castle Hill, Revesby, Bass Hill and Regents Park.

Similar raids took place in Brisbane with officers conducting searches on properties at Creek Road in Mt Gravatt East, as well as Logan and Underwood.

The men have been accused of helping to recruit, facilitate and fund people to travel to Syria to engage in hostile activities.

Queensland Police Minister Jack Dempsey has sought to assure people in the state that they were safe.

"Obviously with the lead-in to G20 we're already at a certain risk level which ensures that Queenslanders are even safer than most other states and territories in Australia," he said.

Helicopters, loudspeakers involved in Guildford raid

ABC reporter Lucy Carter said part of Bursill Street in Guildford was still blocked off by police, where a home was being raided.

"[Police] are questioning a number of people on the front balcony of a single-storey home," she said.

"Neighbours say police burst into the house before dawn, shouting through loudspeakers and with a helicopter hovering overhead.

"Right now police are removing items including computers from this Guildford home, and a sniffer dog has also been brought in.*"*

Neighbours said the occupants had only lived in the house for about three weeks.

A resident of Bursill Street, who wished to remain anonymous, has been trying to come to terms with the raids.

"I just find it so wrong for that to be happening here in Australia. How do we get to this stage that people are this out of control?" he said.

"You talk about the money going overseas - earlier this morning I heard $18 million or $20 million going overseas, and we don't know about it until it's too late."

Officers are refusing to give more information at this stage, as the operation is still underway.

They say they will provide updates throughout the morning.

Man claims he was punched by officer in raids

One man who was at one of the raided properties when police arrived claims to have been punched by an officer.

Maywand Osman, who was detained during the raids at Waterloo Rd in Marsfield but not arrested, said: "I opened the door this morning at 4:45am to about four police officers."

"They asked me to raise my hands. I immediately raised my hands. Four officers then jumped at me and one punched me in the face.

"They threw me to the ground and started hitting me in the head and pulling my hair.

"One officer grabbed me by the hair and said 'you piece of shit'. While they were beating me I heard one officer say 'just don't make him bleed'.

"They then went inside my house to conduct a search. They found nothing in my house and I was not under arrest or in custody at any point in time."

A statement released by Mr Osman's solicitor said: "My client was brutally attacked by four police officers this morning without provocation."

"He sustained injuries to the face and head. He was escorted to hospital by ambulance."

Commissioner Colvin said he was personally not aware of the claims.

Raids follow terror alert level raise: terrorism expert

Greg Barton, who heads the Global Terrorism Centre at Monash University, said the raids followed the warning issued by ASIO director David Irvine.

On Friday, authorities announced Australia's terror alert level had been lifted to high, meaning the risk of an attack is likely.

"He said there was considerable amounts of intelligence about plots underway and that's why he had to raise the terror alert level," Mr Barton said.

"Of course that begs the question: if they know about plots under the way what are they doing to intercept them? Now we're finding the answers today."

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison told the ABC's AM program that the raids demonstrate the "very real threat that's there".

"I think again [the operation] supports why the Government has been so strong in its response to this threat," he said.

He said the Government was working closely with the Islamic community "more broadly" and that "goodwill exists".

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Radio National this morning that the raids demonstrate Australian authorities are keeping the nation safe.

"Our security is the consequence of continued vigilance and hard work on the part of the security agencies," he said.

"There is no cause, no reason, for being complacent about security.

"There are people regrettably, some of them in our midst, that don't have the nation's best interests at heart."

Ikebal Patel from Muslims Australia told AM that the Islamic community has been stunned by the raids.

"Details are very sketchy and we don't even know who the individuals are and from which particular area, or sort of association they are part of," he said.

"So, it's all very very sketchy. It's all moving very fast."

The ABC understands the raids are linked to a similar operation in Queensland last week, when an Islamic bookshop was searched, and two men arrested.

The men have been accused of helping to recruit, facilitate and fund people to travel to Syria to engage in hostile activities.

 https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/25038127/anti-terror-operation-in-sydney-and-brisbane-thwarted-beheading-plot/

Muhyiddin fears Malay mindset change could cut Umno’s support in GE14

Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic) expressed worry tonight that the changing mindset among the majority Malays will cut the Barisan Nasional's (BN) popular vote in the next general election, and the ruling coalition could lose power in the future.

The deputy prime minister also said that Umno's easy period has gone by and the party now has to face the challenges of a changing mindset among the Malay community.

"The terrible losses in Selangor was not only unexpected but also sad.

"Johor used to be Umno's fortress but in the last general elections, the fortress was breached, 18 seats fell, that has never happened in history," Muhyiddin said when opening the Putrajaya Umno division meeting in Putrajaya tonight.

BN kept Putrajaya by winning 133 of the 222 federal seats in Election 2013 but their popular vote fell to 48% while Pakatan Rakyat (PR) took 51% of all the votes.

The deputy Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman admitted that there could be serious implications if Umno holds on to its old ways while the needs of the Malays have changed.

He added that despite all the assistance provided and policies implemented, the Malays are still not fulfilled and it would seem that all the benefits have made no impact on their lives.

"Instead, the people and various NGOs are more vocal than before, expressing their dissatisfaction with the government. It is clear now that the support for Umno has deteriorated.

"Under these circumstances, we must consider what needs to be done to maintain our power, not just for the future but forever. We must find ways to enhance our outreach to the Malay voters.

"It worries me when Malays are dissatisfied, because our role is to fight for the rights of the Malays," Muhyiddin said.

When speaking of the future and the challenges it will bring, he advised party leaders not to restrict younger members from moving up the ladder.

"These are tough times and we have to stay relevant. For that, we must accept renewal and act according to the times."

Meanwhile, Putrajaya Umno chief Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said despite BN's win in the home of the federal administration in the last elections, he feels that many civil servants are starting to turn away from Umno.

Maybe it is because of our own lack of approach or that we are not paying attention to the needs of civil servants that is causing this," he said.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muhyiddin-fears-malay-mindset-change-will-further-cut-umnos-support-in-ge14#sthash.FpesfR0T.dpuf

‘Malaysian Isis member’ shares Syrian experiences on social media

“Shams”, a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) and who claims to be a 26-year-old doctor from Malaysia, is on social media to narrate her months living in war-torn Syria.

Her posts on her blog, Diary Of A Traveler, describes her activities in Syria, including her marriage to a fellow Isis member after she set foot in the country in February, as well as the medical treatment she provides to the people there.

"After two months in Shaam (Syria), I finally think about getting married because life without a Mahram (husband) is quite hard and it can cause fitnah.

"When I told this matter to one of my best friend, she was the happiest person because I was never interested before," wrote Shams.

Her story spread on social media today first on the BuzzFeed website. Her Facebook account under the name "Diary of a Muhajirah" appears to have been started less than 24 hours ago.

She said she agreed to marry a man whom she had not yet met – a friend of her friend's husband – and wedded him the day she first laid eyes on him.

"He looked at me, our eyes catches each others'. I had palpitation that is faster than the speed of light," she wrote.

"He smiled. And he asked a question that I shall never forget for the rest of my life.

"'Can we get married today? After Asr?'

"Deep inside my heart shouted, 'noooo'. But I have no idea why I answered 'Yes'."

Such anecdotes are interspersed with posts advising interested Islamic State fighters to "re-new" their intentions, and with facts regarding marriage within the Islamic State.

“Shams” also gives reminders to women to join the Islamic State for Allah, and not for marriage.

According to "Shams", Islamic State members are given free houses in Syria and they need not pay electricity and water bills. Monthly groceries are also providedto all, as well as monthly allowances for married couples and children.

She also attempted to dispel the media's "attacks" against the Islamic State fighters, and described most of them as being "just like us".

"These men, mostly are in their 20-s and unmarried. Most of them are just like us, they were once lived in Jahilliah (ignorant) life, that made them fed-up with this worldly life and wants (sic) to make a change.

"These men, they are not from illiterate background. Many of them came from a wealthy family and lived like a king/prince back where they came from."

According to her Twitter and ask.fm accounts, which have both been deleted, "Shams" is from Malaysia and was 26 when she left for Syria in February.

However, it is unclear whether "Shams" is a real person, or is part of the Isis's social media propaganda to recruit women into joining their fight to set up a caliphate in Syria and Iraq.

Shams' writings gloss over the brutal war and violence that has ravaged the state since Isis forces lay claim over it.

Instead, she elicits sympathy from readers over her "bittersweet life" and her constant fears that her husband, too, may be martyred.

"Eleven days after we got married, he told me that he is off for an operation. It was the most heart-breaking thing I have ever heard since I came to Syria. I can’t deny that my heart bleeds and I can’t hold my tears...," she wrote.

"He noticed my gloomy face and said this to me, 'Habibty, I’m married to Jihad before I’m married to you. Jihad is my first wife, and you’re my second. I hope you understand'."

Sham's posts have attracted a large following online, despite the numerous times her Facebook accounts have been removed.

Although created only yesterday, her latest Facebook page has already received over a thousand "likes" and comments from Malaysians supporting her "hijrah" to Syria.

Last month, The Malaysian Insider reported that Malaysian women are believed to have joined Isis forces to offer Jihad Al-Nikah or sexual jihad.

Senior intelligence officials confirmed that three Malaysian women have journeyed to the Middle East to join up with Isis forces.

Jihad Al-Nikah refers to a controversial concept where Sunni women allegedly offer themselves in sexual comfort roles to fighters for the establishment of Islamic rule.

The concept originated from a Wahhabi edict around 2013, that called for Sunni women supporters to come forward for sex jihad and boost the morale of fighters battling against Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. – September 18, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysian-isis-member-shares-syrian-experiences-on-social-media#sthash.TpIMl4FY.dpuf

Azmin for MB is ‘awkward’, say PKR sources

PKR sources are hesitating to confirm rumours this evening that party deputy president Azmin Ali would be made the new Selangor Menteri Besar as he was never nominated for the post.

Party sources told The Malaysian Insider that they were also hearing news that the Selangor Palace had chosen Azmin, but did not dare confirm, calling the situation “awkward”.

They said even if it were to be true, Azmin could change his mind and not accept the post as he did not have the support of the majority of Selangor legislators.

Azmin’s name was tweeted all evening as social media users speculated that he would be the palace’s choice.

Bernama, the national news agency, also reported that Azmin and PAS Cempaka assemblyman Iskandar Abdul Samad were both in the running for the swearing-in ceremony this Tuesday.

Bernama did not say where it got the information from.

Berita Harian this evening also reported that PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would most likely not be appointed, citing palace sources who told the paper’s online news site that the Sultan would not be selecting a female menteri besar.

The palace source, however, declined to reveal who the actual candidate was nor even the party involved.

It was reported earlier today that the Selangor palace had issued invitation cards to state leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony to be held on Tuesday, at 10am at the Istana Alam Shah in Klang.

The name of the new menteri besar, however, was not revealed.

DAP and PKR have submitted only one name – PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – for the state’s top post. But PAS broke ranks when its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang sent three names to the palace.

The three are said to be Dr Idris Ahmad (PKR-Ijok), Dr Yaakub Sapari (PKR-Kota Anggerik) and Iskandar, who is also the Selangor PAS commissioner and a state exco member.

It is not known if PKR and DAP have submitted more names following a reprimand by the Sultan of Selangor, who had asked the Pakatan Rakyat parties to submit more than two names. – September 18, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/azmin-for-mb-is-awkward-say-pkr-sources#sthash.xY5I1KRE.dpuf

AG blasted for appealing arrest order issued to IGP

The Attorney-General’s Chambers came under fire today for appealing against the order issued to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to arrest Muslim convert K Pathmanathan @ Mohamad Ridhuan Abdullah for taking away his daughter Prasana Diksa from his former wife.

The lawyer for Prasana’s mother M Indira Gandhi, M Kulasegaran, who received the notice of appeal filed with the Court of Appeal on Monday, said the attorney-general (AG) should, in all fairness and justice, discontinue with the IGP's appeal to Court of Appeal in the inter-faith custody dispute.

Kulasegaran (left), who is also DAP national vice-chairperson, said by appealing the Ipoh High court’s decision, the AG is sending a message to the IGP and other public servants that court orders are open to question despite having a conclusive determination.

“With this, all decisions of the court can now be open to question by the IGP and every police officer. The rule of law becomes an illusion in Malaysia. An appeal will only impose unnecessary, mental torture and cause much anguish to Indira Gandhi and her children.

“Public interest dictates all court orders and warrants of arrest must be obeyed without question and it is in the welfare of Prasana Diksa for her to be reunited with her mother and her other siblings.

"An appeal only confirms that the AG, as the principle lawyer for the government of the day, agrees and feels that what the IGP is doing is correct and right. Is this truly the case?" Kulasegaran asked.

The Ipoh Barat MP further asked if the Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, and other cabinet ministers, support this decision to appeal.

The High Court in Ipoh last Friday ordered Khalid and police to arrest Ridhuan and retrieve Prasana Diksa @ Ummu Habibah within seven days.

The senior federal counsel had on the same day applied for a stay but this was refused by Justice Lee Swee Seng, who heard the matter.

No resolution if no political will

Kulasegaran said if the AG does not proceed with the appeal, it would do justice to Indira as Ridhuan has yet to purge his contempt of court and Prasana Diksa is yet to be found.

Ridhuan, Kulasegaran said has exhausted all legal avenues as he has no further appeals pending, and what remains outstanding is for him to purge his contempt.

“A refusal to arrest him only sustains the false proposition that orders of the court can be disregarded with impunity,” he warned.

Citing Justice Lee's judgment, the Ipoh Barat MP said if the IGP's appeal's is successful it cannot prove to be nugatory as all that happens would be that the child be returned to the father with the mother granted reasonable access.

On Wednesday, it was reported that the Court of Appeal had struck out Ridhuan's application for extension of time to file his record of appeal to set aside the contempt order served against him for not returning Prasana Diksa.

Kulasegaran also warned that matters pertaining to parental abduction by converting spouses cannot be resolved if the AG continues to lack the political will to see that the rule of law prevails and no injustice is caused to the other spouse or member of any minority community in Malaysia.

“We must not forget to put a human face to the law and here it is a case of a mother having to wait for five years to see the child of her womb.”

Prasana Diksa was taken by Ridhuan since 2009, when she was just 11 months old, after he had converted to Islam. She is presently six years old.

Although Ridhuan obtained custody of Prasana and his other two children, the Ipoh Syariah High Court did not issue any order for the police to retrieve the child.

The two other older children are now living with the mother.

Kulasegaran said the AG should see this dispute from a human perspective as she had filed her case in 2009 and till today it remains unresolved.

Indira Gandhi, who was also present in the Ipoh press conference, also asked why was it taking so long to get back her youngest child.

'My brother should have been acquitted'

 

Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) chief P Waythamoorthy said today his brother P Uthayakumar should have been acquitted of sedition by the Court of Appeal, which instead reduced Uthayakumar's sentence.

The former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department said he was "disappointed" with the court's decision.

"Uthayakumar should have been acquitted instead of the sentence being reduced," he said.

Waythamoorthy (right) took oath as a deputy minister on the same day Uthayakumar was jailed after refusing to appeal his sentencing under the Sedition Act.

Uthayakumar was found guilty of sedition for a letter he penned to former British prime minister Gordon Brown in 2007, at the height of the Hindraf movement that the brothers had once led.

Waythamoorthy said the Malaysian government should have investigated claims made by Uthayakumar that the government practised "ethnic cleansing" on Indians, instead of taking action against him immediately.

"The Malaysian government should have acted responsibly in investigating Uthayakumar's claims, instead of silencing the voice of justice.

"The Court of Appeal, in considering Uthayakumar's appeal, should have scrutinised the whole contents of the said letter and its intentions instead of just looking at the alleged offending words literally," he added.

Waythamoorthy previously had asked his brother to appeal his sedition sentencing, which his brother did belatedly after being imprisoned in the Kajang prison.

Uthayakumar (right) is set to be freed on Oct 3 after his sentence was reduced by six months by the Court of Appeal.

He leads the unregistered Hindraf movement while Waythamoorthy's faction, PHM, was registered as a NGO prior to his short-lived participation in the government.

Uthayakumar had previously accused Waythamoorthy of wanting to be the new S Samy Vellu, the long-serving former MIC president, and also "sacked" his brother from the Hindraf movement prior to the 2013 general election.

Waythamoorthy campaigned for BN during the election while Uthayakumar contested as an independent candidate for both the Kota Raja parliamentary seat and the Seri Andalas state seat.

Uthayakumar lost his deposits for both seats.

Pengguna FB biadap hina lagu Negaraku

(Kuala Lumpus Post) – Selepas dua hari Negara menyambut Hari Malaysia ke-51, pelbagai kontroversi dan sindiran timbul membabitkan lagu Kebangsaan, Negaraku yang dimainkan di pawagam seluruh negara dan lebih menyedihkan ia dicemuh oleh rakyat Malaysia sendiri.

Terbaharu, status yang di muat naik oleh seorang pemilik akaun Facebook menggunakan nama, Tenashar Low (QiQi) dilihat turut dikecam oleh pengguna di laman sosial ekoran tindakan yang disifatkan sebagai melampau.

Tenashar Low dalam status yang di muat naik mengutuk usaha kerajaan yang mencadangkan lagu Negaraku dimainkan di pawagan dengan menjadikan status yang di muat naiknya sebagai kapsyen kepada artikel yang diterbitkan oleh sebuah portal berita, The Rakyat Post, baharu-baharu ini.

“Government alrdy (already) fucked me everyday, now they aspect me to respect them by standing up while the full of lie songs playing? And after i paid for my bloody ticket that include of A tax B tax C tax? Bitch please o0o!! I just want to enjoy my movie, those who blame others for not standing up, so u (you) think ur (your) country threaten u (you) very good? Idiot (Kerajaan telah menganiaya saya setiap hari, Adakah sekarang mereka minta saya menghormati mereka dengan berdiri semasa lagu (Negaraku) yang penuh penipuan dimainkan? Sudahlah saya membayar harga tiket (wayang) yang termasuk cukai A, cukai B dan cukai C? Saya cuma ingin menikmati filem yang ditonton, kepada mereka yang menyalahkan orang lain yang tidak berdiri, adakah anda fikir negara mengancam anda adalah suatu yang baik? Bodoh),” tulis Tenashar di laman Facebooknya, semalam.

Status tersebut menerima cemuhan daripada ramai pengguna laman sosial yang menyifatkan sikap gadis itu sebagai kurang sopan dan tidak menghormati negara.

Sehingga kini, status yang dimuat naik di Facebook, Friends of BN – Barisan Nasional, itu telah mendapat perkongsian sebanyak 326 dan disukai oleh lebih 2,300 orang.

Sebelum ini, rata-rata portal berita melaporkan gambar segelintir rakyat Malaysia yang tidak berdiri ketika lagu Negaraku dimainkan di pawagan yang menyifatkan ianya sesuatu yang sia-sia apabila dimainkan di pusat hiburan.

Kerajaan semenjak Ogos tahun lalu telah mengeluarkan kenyataan dimana lagu Kebangsaaan, Negaraku akan dimainkan di seluruh pawagan sebagai salah satu cara menyemai semangat patriotik dalam kalangan rakyat Malaysia, lapor Malaysian Digest.

Forum organiser quizzed by cops

PIPPA plans to hold another forum soon and says the police’ questioning of them will not dampen their enthusiasm.

KOTA KINABALU: The Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis (PIPPA) which organised a forum, Malaysia at the Crossroads, in Labuan on Aug 24, and in Kota Kinabalu from Aug 27 to 29 was hauled up by the police on Wednesday for an explanation.

The forum had apparently been cleared earlier by the relevant authorities including the police.

Sabah Progress Party (Sapp) deputy president Amde Sidek, who represented PIPPA, said that he was no wiser after being questioned by the police.

Saying he did not know whether someone had lodged a police report against him or PIPPA, Amde explained, “I told the police that we held the forum because the topic is relevant. We had speakers from the academia and politicians who are experts.

“I don’t think we offended anybody since what was said was based on facts and figures.”

The forum, Amde stressed, was educational for the people as they discussed issues pertaining to Sabah’s Independence, Malaysia Day as well as local sentiments which had raised concerns.

Announcing that plans were already underway to hold another forum before the year end, Amde reiterated, “The police’ questioning will not dampen our enthusiasm,”

Former Sabah Secretary Simon Sipaun was also quizzed by police on Wednesday and whether others too were called in remains unconfirmed.

PIPPA is an NGO that organises forums, among other things, besides carrying out research.

Anwar mohon ampun kepada Sultan

Sekiranya ada kekhilafan berlaku, Anwar mohon ampun dari Sultan Selangor

PETALING JAYA: Ketua Umum Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim memohon ampun kepada Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah kerana mengeluarkan kenyataan pencalonan satu nama menteri besar merupakan konvensyen sejak zaman kemerdekaan 1957.

Menurut Anwar, beliau merujuk kenyataan daripada Setiausaha Sulit Sultan, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani dan Istana Selangor mengenai soal amalan (convention) itu berdasarkan pengetahuannya yang diamalkan oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Saya ingin saya jelaskan dan ingin menyatakan apa yang berlaku adalah dalam pengetahuan saya terutama sepanjang saya dalam kerajaan UMNO-BN, sejak 1982 hingga 1998.

“Sekiranya ada kekhilafan berlaku, saya mohon ampun dari Sultan Selangor,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Sebelum ini, Istana Selangor hari ini menafikan kenyataan Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dalam akhbar-akhbar tempatan berikutan penghantaran nama calon Menteri Besar.

Menurut satu kenyataan media oleh Setiausaha Sulit Sultan Selangor Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, kenyataan Anwar Ibrahim bahawa hanya satu nama calon Menteri Besar sudah dijadikan amalan sejak 1975 tidak tepat dan mengelirukan rakyat.

Mohamad Munir berkata, sewaktu pentadbiran Kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN), pemilihan calon Menteri Besar Selangor dipersembahkan kepada Sultan Selangor oleh Perdana Menteri melalui Majlis Menghadap Sultan.

“Semasa Majlis tersebut, Perdana Menteri akan menyembahkan beberapa nama calon yang difikirkan layak untuk mendapat perkenan Sultan Selangor.

“Kemudian, daripada senarai nama calon-calon tersebut, Sultan Selangor akan memilih hanya satu orang calon untuk dilantik sebagai Menteri Besar,” katanya dalam kenyataan tersebut.

Manakala pada tahun 2008, Sultan Selangor menitahkan PKR, DAP dan PAS membincangkan calon-calon nama untuk menjadi Menteri besar Selangor berikutan kemenangan parti tersebut di Pilihan Raya Selangor.

Setelah sepakat untuk mengesyorkan beberapa nama calon, Sultan Selangor melalui Mohamad Munir telah meminta dua nama calon dan PR telah sebulat suara mencalonkan Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim sebagai Menteri Besar Selangor.

Sultan Selangor telah melantik Khalid setelah beliau memenuhi kriteria-kriteria untuk menjadi Menteri Besar dan menepati syarat-syarat yang telah diperuntukkan dalam Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Selangor 1959.

Pada 2013 pula, Sultan Selangor menitahkan melalui Mohamad Munir agar PR mencadangkan empat nama calon Menteri Besar. Walau bagaimanapun, Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat Datin Seri Wan Azizah ada membuat kenyataan dalam kempen Pilihanraya Umum ke-13, Khalid tidak semestinya kekal sebagai Menteri Besar.

Namun, ketua-ketua parti dalam PR telah menulis surat kepada Sultan Selangor agar mengesyorkan Khalid kekal sebagai Menteri Besar.

Walaupun pada masa yang sama baginda telah menerima beberapa lagi nama calon, namun baginda berkenan supaya Khalid kekal dengan jawatan tersebut kerana Khalid mempunyai hubungan yang baik dengan pihak Istana dan juga rakyat Selangor.

Malaysia’s Sultans Regain Power

Leadership vacuum at both state and national levels opens the door

By John Berthelsen - Asia Sentinel

The long-running political crisis in Malaysia’s Selangor state has shone a spotlight on what was thought to be an unlikely political phenomenon, the resurgence in power of the country’s nine sultans.

In particular, two of the sultans have refused to bend to parliamentary power. They are Sultan Sarafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor and Tunku Ismail Idris of Johor.

Tunku Ismail was batted back earlier this year in his bid to gain control of the regulation of land development in his home state. However, he remains involved in massive land reclamations that subvert Malaysian laws and pose an environmental dilemma for Singapore and he has not decreased the pressure. He is said to be a substantial shareholder in several real estate and other ventures within the massive Iskandar Malaysia Development Region, covering 2,200 sq. km and including the city of Johor Bahru and three surrounding towns. The project, started in 2006, is named for the current sultan’s late father, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

In Selangor, Malaysia’s richest and most populous state, Sultan Sarafuddin Idris Shah, also has extensive business interests. He is involved in many business deals with his partners Ong Beng Seng of Singapore and Syed Yusoff Syed Nasir, his old friend. They are building the Four Seasons Residences in KL City Center next to the iconic Twin Towers, Hard Rock Hotels and other projects, either together, mostly, or the Sultan on his own.

He has stepped into the middle of a controversy generated when opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim attempted to replace a rebellious chief minister, Khalid Ibrahim, with his wife, Wan Azizah Ismail. However, Parti Islam se-Malaysia, one of the component parties in Anwar’s Pakatan Rakyat coalition, has staged its own rebellion, refusing to go along with Anwar’s plans, instead asking the sultan to name a PAS member to the job.

The resultant impasse has stretched on for weeks as Sarafuddin has insisted on the prerogative of picking his own choice. On Sept 8, he said he would weigh names put forward by all three opposition parties, but would not limit possible candidates to those put forward by the coalition. The prolonged political mess has nearly wrecked the opposition, resulted in what appears to be a growing split between PAS fundamentalists and moderates, and, according to one source could result in a fundamentalist PAS government in one of Malaysia’s most moderate states.

That is a far cry from the 1980s and 1990s, when former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad , in a bitter political struggle, broke the absolute power of the nine sultans, seeking to reduce them to figurehead status. They have been largely content to rule their fiefdoms, some of them running up astronomical gambling debts in London casinos that they demanded their own state exchequers to pay. But during the reign of the current prime minister, Najib Tun Razak, they have begun to reassert their sway.

“Even the Sultans were afraid of Mahathir because he took them on in 1983 and 1992/3 and curbed their extravagance and powers,” said a Kuala Lumpur-based political analyst. “After Mahathir left, the sultans were kept in check until they saw that (former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) was a weak leader.”

In 2008, the normally quiet Sultan of Perlis objected to Badawi’s choice of chief minister and appointed his own, as did the Sultan of Terengganu. In 2009, the late Raja Azlan Shah, the sultan of Perak, stepped into the middle of a political crisis in that state after the opposition won a majority in the statehouse in the 2009 general election, only to have Najib attempt to take the state back by wooing three opposition members, reportedly with offers of cash, into the Barisan Nasional fold, causing the state government to collapse.

Azlan Shah then refused the request of Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, the opposition chief minister, to dissolve the state assembly and call for new elections. Instead, the Barisan Nasional (BN), with support from the three defecting assemblymen, now independents, formed the new state government.

“Given the lack of strong political leadership in Malaysia – where Najib’s silence and all too frequent travels overseas make it appear as if we have an absentee PM – people are carving out little fiefdoms, be it Perkasa, Mahathir, Isma, right wing NGOs, Malay Chambers of Commerce, and of course, some of the Sultans,” said a business source with close connections to the United Malays National Organization. :”Even the quiet Sultans are flexing their muscles a little bit, at the moment, demanding or putting in business proposals and getting them.”

The sultans of Malaysia have always been a strange graft onto the political system, in effect created by the British during the colonial period when they elevated a bunch of minor Malay chieftains into power as a means of controlling the country. Nine of Malaysia’s 13 states are constitutionally headed by the traditional rulers.

State constitutions limit eligibility for the thrones to male Malay Muslims of royal descent. Seven are hereditary monarchies based on male primogeniture. Malaysia’s kingship, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, rotates among the nine with each serving a five year term.

Outside of Malaysia, and even inside the country, they have often been privately derided as a bunch of inbred freeloaders although rural Malays regard them as spiritual leaders and protectors of Islam despite the fact that many have broken a wide variety of laws and spend their time in casinos in the UK. Mahathir clearly regarded them as a bunch of ingrates. In a flame-throwing February 14, 1993, speech in Malaysia’s parliament, he accused them, among other things, of giving away parts of the country to the British, oppressing the people, breaking civil and criminal laws, misusing the money and property of the government and pressuring government officials.

He pushed through a measure that included a rule to allow commoners to criticize the Sultans, even the Agong, without fear of the Sedition Act other than questioning the legitimacy of the monarchy itself. It was passed overwhelmingly by the parliament, apparently without outcry over Mahathir's rather tough treatment of the country's nine monarchs.

In the past decade, however, the Barisan Nasional has seen it convenient to regenerate the power of the sultans to use them as a cudgel against the opposition despite the legislation pushed through by Mahathir. When the late Carpal Singh, then the national chairman of the Democratic Action Party, merely discussed whether it was legal to sue Azlan Shah in the courts to get his decision reversed, scores of UMNO members filed complaints and led rallies against him for insulting the sultan. Karpal Singh was facing sedition charges when he was killed earlier this year in a car accident.

Mahathir’s bill controlling the sultans has never been repealed. Nonetheless, the country’s courts, which have long bent to the political will of the ruling national coalition, have never declared the use of the sedition laws against opposition members to be illegal.

In the political vacuum that has come into being with the weakened national coalition, which lost the popular vote for the first time since 1969, the United Malays National Organization, the leading party in the coalition, has found it expedient to rehabilitate the sultans for political uses. That in turn has resulted in opportunities for the sultans to rebuild their power base.

“There is only so much wealth and so many titles to go around and now, the loud ones believe that you have to be louder to get what you want. Hence, the flexing of muscles by the natural claimants to power - the Sultans - and the minions in Umno,” according to the Malay businessman.

Congratulations Najib for the Democracy Setback of the Decade and making moderation sedition and his brainchild the Global Movement of Moderates virtually a seditious organisation

By Lim Kit Siang Blog

The Cabinet meeting yesterday has come and gone and there are no signs that it has achieved any historic distinction when Cabinet Ministers drew the line in the sand to declare their repudiation of the sedition dragnet in the past month and their commitment to move forward to be among the world’s best democracies and not going backwards to be among the world’s worst democracies.

There are no inklings that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Dato Sri Idris Jala had raised serious objection, led alone led the charge of conscientious and conviction Ministers in their opposition to the obnoxious dragnet of the draconian sedition law to stifle dissent and criticism to crate a climate of fear in the country reminiscent of the Internal Security Act (ISA) days especially during the th 22-year Mahathir premirrship.

On the contrary, congratulations are in order to the Primer Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on three grounds:

Firstly, achieving the Democacy Setback of the Decade since Mahathir’s stepping down as Prime Minister in October 2013, when for the first time in a decade, the country has been enveloped in a climate of fear as a result of the sedition spree in the past month with a whole spectrum of victims, from Pakatan Rakyat MPs and SAs to social activists including members of the legal profession and the press, student leaders, preachers and simply laymen.

Secondly, for the worldwide feat in making moderation an offence of sedition to the extent that Malaysians are beginning to feel that the fundamental right of freedom of speech is cursed by the burden of unfreedom after speech.

Thirdly, in virtually making his brainchild, the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) into virtually a seditious organisation. As a result, the media were asked not to report the proceedings of the GMM forum on the “Future of Malaysia” with NGOs, because the GMM cannot ensure the freedom of the participants and protect them from the sedition dragnet even when advocating moderation!

Najib will go down in history as the Prime Minister who turned the colonial Sedition Act into a repressive and draconian instrument to stifle criticism and dissent although he had promised to repeal it as part of the country “political transformation” to become the world’s best democracy.

The Sedition Act is an arcane law of a bygone colonial era to protect the white colonial masters from the freedom struggle of subject peoples in colonies when freedom of speech was not seen as the right it is today, and has no place in a modern age where freedom of speech is now seen as a touchstone of democracy, and the ability of individuals to criticise the state are crucial to maintaining freedom and human rights.

Najib cannot continue to equivocate but must decide one way or another whether he is still committed to the goal to make Malaysia the world’s best democracy, in which case he should halt the sedition blitz, drop all sedition charges and repeal the Sedition Act, or he should unashamedly announce the end of whatever political transformation and democratisation under his administration and a new Najib phase of a counter-revolution where the Sedition Act replaces the ISA of earlier decades as the weapon of choice in a reign of “white terror” to suppress criticism and dissent in the country.

Saying one thing but doing another

“Sedition and seditious and defamatory libel are arcane offences – from a bygone era when freedom of expression wasn't seen as the right it is today.

“Freedom of speech is now seen as the touchstone of democracy, and the ability of individuals to criticise the state is crucial to maintaining freedom.

“The existence of these obsolete offences in this country had been used by other countries as justification for the retention of similar laws which have been actively used to suppress political dissent and restrict press freedom.”

The above statement is the words of UK justice minister Claire Ward in 2009 when she announced that the government was doing away with sedition offences.

The UK government had remarked that it was troubled by the fact that other countries used components of this archaic 1661 British enactment to justify quelling political dissent and differences opinion.

Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Zimbabwe were named among countries which have used the iron-clad interpretation of sedition as a blank cheque to go after anyone who criticises the authorities and bring the government of the day into disrepute.

Sedition laws after all, said Ward, have no place in a society that emphasises the freedom of the individual and a nation which aims to be a leader in the fight for equality and civil liberties.

Following pressure from its own society, the UK government moved for the repeal of laws governing sedition and criminal defamation.

However, this was not something that was done overnight.

The idea for the abolition of UK’s sedition laws was first mooted in 1977 by the Law Commission and working papers were only drafted in 1985, with the actual repeal coming into fruition in 2009.

Hopefully it will not take us 32 years as it did the English to junk sedition rules.

While our Sedition Act is a 1948 enactment that was focused on national security during the emergency, as we have seen and experienced, the Sedition Act is a brush with wide bristles – depending on who is using it and what it is used for.

But it will be nice to know that Malaysia – or at least our leaders – are not alone in this dilemma of doing away with an act that in effect helps in self-preservation.

India, for instance, is debating doing away with its own 1870 Act and introducing components for the protection of national security in its Penal Code.

The National Harmony Act and the National Unity Act which are being drafted are Malaysia’s feeble attempts at demonstrating to the international community that it is serious about the respect of civil liberties and freedom of expression – a cosmetic measure that parallels its ambitions for a seat on the UN Security Council.

The new act allows racist statements as long as they do not incite harm. Fears are its wide interpretation will be used as a “get out of jail” free card for extremist groups with ties to the ruling party while minorities who speak out and scholarly opinions will be reigned in.

It could end up being worse than the Sedition Act that we have now.

Two years ago on Malaysia Day, the prime minister made this promise:

“The Sedition Act represents a bygone era in our country and with today’s announcement we mark another step forward in Malaysia’s development.

“The new National Harmony Act will balance the right of freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution, while at the same time ensuring that all races and religions are protected.

“Our country’s strength lies in its diversity. The new Act underlines my commitment to nurturing the spirit of harmony and mutual respect that has been the foundation of our stability and success.”

Since then, the prime minister has reiterated the “government’s commitment” to repeal the Sedition Act. Unfortunately all we have heard from the prime minister is lip service. Actions speak louder than words.

The dragnet over the last month flies in the face of the “reforms” this administration has promised.

First they came for the politicians, and then they came for the lawyers. Next they came for the NGOs, following which they came for the academicians. Then they came for the press.

That many voices of differing opinions are spending their Malaysia Day week at police stations only goes towards underscoring the “cakap tak serupa bikin” syndrome which seems to define the Najib administration. – September 17, 2014.

* Terence is a veteran at giving police statements. He hopes this article will not make him a guest of the Royal Malaysian Police yet again. He is investigations editor at The Edge and can be reached at terence.fernandez@bizedge.com.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Press Release | Cease the Sedition Act Onslaught

The Malaysian Bar is appalled by the unrelenting misuse of the Sedition Act 1948 and other laws, and investigations and threats of prosecutions thereunder, to stifle speech and expression over the past four weeks.  The abuse has continued unabated in the past few days.

 

We refer to the following incidents:

 

(1) A preacher, Abu Bakar Baikalani, was reported in the news media on 11 September 2014 as having been arrested and under investigation pursuant to section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 for allegedly insulting the Government and police, by criticising the mass arrest of members of Pasukan Peronda Sukarela (“PPS”);

(2) A lawyer, Edmund Bon, was reported in the news media on 12 September 2014 as being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 in relation to his alleged comments on the Federal Constitution, by way of legal opinion, in a news report entitled “Bukan Islam tidak perlu patuh kepada titah Diraja atau fatwa, kata peguam”;

(3) An opposition politician and lawyer, Hassan Karim, was reported in the news media on 13 September 2014 as being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 over postings on Twitter with regard to the Selangor Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) crisis.  The police had attended at his house and confiscated his laptop and mobile phone;

(4) A director of a Malaysia-based think-tank known as Inter-Research and Studies, Wong Hoi Cheng, was reported in the news media on 15 September 2014 as having been charged in court under section 504 of the Penal Code for allegedly insulting and provoking the Inspector General of Police (“IGP”), by having tweeted a criticism of the mass arrest of members of PPS and comparing the IGP to Henrich Himmler, the leader of the feared “SS” during Adolf Hitler’s World War II rule over Germany.  He also faces an alternative charge under section 233(1) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

 

These recent events or actions are alarming.  The Malaysian Bar is deeply concerned that as we celebrate the 51st anniversary of the formation of Malaysia we are lurching steadily towards an intolerant authoritarian State.

 

The recent reports of a lawyer, Edmund Bon, being placed under investigation for expressing his legal opinion on matters in the public domain are deplorable.  The Malaysian Bar also recalls the recent prosecution of Dr Azmi Sharom, a law lecturer, for offering an opinion on matters connected with the law and the Federal Constitution.  It is unjustifiable and unacceptable that people are being placed under investigation or charged for expressing opinions or views with regard to or based on the law and the Federal Constitution.

Lawyers are duty-bound by the Legal Profession Act 1976 and the Montreal Declaration of June 1983 to uphold the cause of justice without fear or favour, and without regard to their own interest; and to protect and assist the public in all matters touching, ancillary or incidental to the law.

The United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers provides that lawyers shall have the right to freedom of expression, belief and assembly, and shall have “the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice, and the promotion and protection of human rights”.

The United Nations Basic Principles go on to provide that governments shall ensure that lawyers “are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference”, as well as “shall not suffer, or be threatened with prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics”.

Previous to the recent events, we witnessed various actions being taken by the authorities under the Sedition Act 1948, or section 499 or section 504 of the Penal Code, against students, an academic, members of civil society, journalists, Members of Parliament and Members of the State Assembly.  There was additionally the mass arrest of members of the PPS immediately after they completed their participation in the Penang State National Day parade.

These actions by the authorities have given rise to grave concerns that a culture of intimidation, fear and subjugation is being perpetrated and perpetuated by the misuse of the Sedition Act 1948 and other laws such as section 499 and section 504 of the Penal Code.

The Malaysian Bar shares the wishes and hopes of all right-thinking Malaysians for genuine peace, harmony and unity.  The Malaysian Bar however questions whether these can simply be legislated into existence, and whether the use of the Sedition Act 1948, and the other laws as described, would serve to achieve these aspirations.  In addressing the substantive issues, the people of Malaysia should honestly ask themselves these questions: “Who is it that is behaving in a menacing manner and threatening public disorder?  Who is it that is causing disharmony and disunity?  Is the Sedition Act 1948 being evenly used?”  The answers are plain for all to see, if only one bothers to look.

The Malaysian Bar calls on the authorities to cease their action against all of these individuals, and to recognise the right to freedom of speech and expression.  The authorities must not use an abhorrent piece of colonial-era legislation to protect themselves from fair comment and criticism. 

 

Christopher Leong

President

Malaysian Bar