Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Malaysia: Sharia Courts Keep Non-Muslim Mothers away from Their Children
IPOH, Malaysia–It was the last round of a recurring argument: M. Indira Gandhi's husband wanted her to convert to Islam. A committed Hindu, she refused.
He threatened divorce. Both started shouting. Neighbors came looking. Suddenly, he snatched their 11-month-old daughter from the arms of an older child, tucked her under one arm and sped off on his motorbike.
That was more than five years ago. Gandhi hasn't seen her child since, even though a Malaysian civil court awarded her custody.
Her husband — who converted to Islam shortly before taking his daughter away — won custody in an Islamic court. Because Gandhi is not a Muslim, she was not even called to appear. Police have been unwilling to enforce the civil court's decision.
"I am pining to see my daughter. No mother should ever have to endure this pain," said Gandhi, a kindergarten teacher, in her small rented home in Ipoh city in Perak state, about 124 miles north of Kuala Lumpur, the capital. "Give us a chance. We are all Malaysians. We should have equal rights."
Gandhi's case and others highlight perils of Malaysia's divided legal system, where majority Muslims use Shariah courts for religious and family issues such as conversion, divorce and death. The other 40 percent of the country — mainly Christians, Buddhists and Hindus — use a secular legal system inherited from the Southeast Asian country's British colonial rulers.
Critics accuse the ethnic Malay Muslim-dominated government of doing too little to resolve problems when those legal systems collide. The government has become increasingly reliant on support from Islamist and right-wing pressure groups as other constituencies flock to the opposition.
M. Kulasegaran, an opposition lawmaker who is also Gandhi's lawyer, said there are many similar cases, including several he plans to file once Gandhi's case is resolved. Some earlier cases have turned out even worse for non-Muslims than Gandhi's case has so far: In 2007, the top civil court ruled that a Muslim spouse had the right to convert his children without the mother's consent.
Some lawyers and legal experts say spouses in especially bitter custody battles sometimes convert to Islam to gain an upper hand. A Muslim with a non-Muslim spouse who seeks custody from the Shariah court is almost certain to win because the spouse has no standing.
The government has long pledged to tackle legal ambiguities related to religious conversions. But a Cabinet decision in 2009 to allow minors to be converted only with both parents' consent has yet to be made legally binding. In southern Negeri Sembilan state, Deepa Subramaniam's Hindu husband quietly embraced Islam in 2012 and formally converted both their children without her consent. He was then granted custody of the children by a Shariah court. Deepa turned to the civil court, which annulled her marriage on grounds of domestic violence and granted her custody of the children. Two days later, her ex-husband abducted their 5-year-old son.
National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has refused to act on court orders to return either Deepa's son or Gandhi's daughter to their mothers. He has been cited for contempt but is waiting for a higher civil court to weigh in.
He was quoted as saying by local media that police were "sandwiched" between legal systems and proposed that children caught in custody tussles be placed in welfare homes. Khalid did not return text messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.
The abduction of Gandhi's daughter, Prasana Diksa, came days before her first birthday. Her mother had bought her a Minnie Mouse blouse and jeans, and had planned to take her to the temple for ear piercing, a traditional Hindu practice when a child turns 1.
Gandhi repeatedly called her husband and begged him to return Diksa, who was still on breast milk, in the hours and days after she was taken. Her husband, an odd-job worker now called Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, initially told her again to convert to Islam, then stopped replying to any of her requests.
Gandhi found out that he had officially converted to Islam when she went to a police station to report the abduction. There she learned that he had also changed the birth certificates of the couples' other two children to state they were Muslims. Fearing that Islamic authorities may seize them as well, Gandhi went into hiding.
The Shariah court granted Riduan temporary custody of all three children days after he abducted Diksa, and granted him permanent custody a few months later. No grounds were given by the Islamic court. In Perak and some other states, Shariah allows one parent to convert children to Islam without the consent of the other.
Gandhi turned to the civil court, which in 2010 awarded her custody of all three children and ruled that the Shariah court had exceeded its jurisdiction.
Last year, a civil court quashed the children's conversion to Islam in a landmark ruling. Civil courts had in the past said they had no jurisdiction in such cases.
Riduan appealed the civil court's custody decision but lost. His appeal of the ruling on his children's conversions has yet to be heard.
In May this year, the court ordered police to arrest Riduan for contempt of court and return Diksa, now 6, to her mother. Yet with police refusing to act, she is no closer to her daughter. The case continues to go through the civil court system, where it may take years to resolve.
Riduan declined to speak to a reporter. His lawyer, Anas Fauzi, said in an email that Riduan refused to comply with the civil court ruling because he was bound by the Shariah order.
Prime Minister Najib Razak has urged parents to resolve their disputes in the Federal Court, the nation's highest civil court, but has not condemned the abductions. An aide to Najib declined to comment further on the cases.
Many Islamic clerics view the prospect of a Muslim child being brought up in a non-Muslim household as unacceptable.
Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, who heads the Islamic right-wing group Isma, defended the Shariah courts' actions, saying the Muslim fathers are in a better position to raise the children as Muslims. He said the law should be changed to allow Shariah courts to hear petitions from non-Muslims, and added that "its decision must be final."
But Muhammad Asri Zainal Abidin, an Islamic scholar and a former state mufti, said children caught in such custody battles should be able to live with non-Muslim mothers as long as they care for them well.
"There is no compulsion in Islam. Nobody can force others to embrace a religion, not even their parents. Leave the matter to the children to decide when they are old enough," he said.
Diksa, now called Ummu Habibah Muhammad Riduan, lives with her father in a Muslim community in northeastern Kelantan state. His lawyer, Anas, said she has adjusted well and that "both the father and the daughter receive moral and physical support from the local society."
Riduan does not provide financial support for his other two children, now 16 and 17, who have remained with Gandhi throughout the dispute. Anas said that since his client converted, "the conditions and the circumstances do not even allow both disputed parties to have any relationship."
Gandhi did, however, finally receive recent pictures of her youngest child this year. In one, a smiling Diksa is clad in a black Islamic headscarf, posing with her father.
Every day, at an altar in her home, Gandhi lights a candle for Diksa and prays that she comes home.
"Whether she is a Muslim or not, it doesn't matter," she said. "She is still my daughter. All I want is to hold and embrace her. I have missed many precious moments with her. I will fight until I get my child back."
ISIS kidnap, auction, sell, rape Yazidi women for USD 10: Watch full video
By Shikhar Jiwrajka @shikharjiwrajka The brutality of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the Middle East continues. It is well known that the Iraq-based terrorist organisation have committed innumerable crimes, leaving no stone unturned in order to propagate their philosophy of Islam. It has been reported that savagely atrocities have been committed on women and children in particular. The militants have killed millions of people and have become an unstoppable force, it seems.
Turning a blind eye towards humanity, the Muslim organisation- Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has not only forced women into prostitution, but also feeding on the innermost souls of the hapless. One Yazidi woman is sold to 10 Muslim ISIL men! What? Yes, you read it right. One wonders, how could a human indulge in such forlorn practises?
A video have surfaced online covered by Euro News which sees a 19-year-old girl Amsha, describing the plight of women in that region. She describes how her husband was killed in front of her, and then she was abducted by the ISIS men. She managed to flee with the help of local people there and recalls the sorrowful memories.
Teary-eyed Amsha says, “One Yazidi woman was given to 10 Muslim ISIL men. We were sold for USD 10 or 12. Who could accept that behaviour? Can God accept that? It’s a shame to rape a woman, but when she is raped by 10 men. What is this? They are animals, they are not humans. Because of them I am afraid all the time.”
Look at the sorrowful video below:
Widow wants justice over Customs officer’s death at MACC office
The widow of Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that she filed
legal action against the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to seek justice for his death.Masiah@Maziah Manap (pic), a supervisor with Petronas Dagangan Berhad in Shah Alam, said she and her children wanted the MACC to explain why her husband and their father was returned to them in a "stiff and lifeless" form.
Ahmad Sarbaini, 56, a Selangor Customs assistant director who was then based at Port Klang was found dead on April 6, 2011, at the badminton court on the first floor of the MACC office in Jalan Cochrane in Kuala Lumpur.
He was believed to have fallen from the pantry located on the third floor of the MACC office building.
Ahmad Sarbaini (pic, below) had gone to the MACC office voluntarily to meet with an investigating officer regarding a corruption case involving 62 Customs officers.
"MACC must accept responsibility for what had happened to the late Ahmad Sarbaini because he was in their premises when his life was taken," she said in tears during the proceeding.
Masiah, 53, was testifying on the first day of the suit which she filed with her son Shahril Ahmad Sarbani, 30, against the MACC and eight others.Her witness statement, which was tendered in court today, said she felt disheartened that no one from the MACC had come to see her or her family to express their regret over the incident.
Responding to a question from her counsel Razlan Hadri Zulkifli on her feelings when told about her husband's fall from the MACC building, Masiah said she was shocked and distressed to be the last person to know about it.
"On the day of the incident, I received a call from MACC director Mohamed Yusuff Akope that my husband "fell" while he was at the MACC building.
"I only came to know that my husband had fallen off the building, through a neighbour and the news on television," she said.
Masiah disagreed with senior federal counsel Zureen Elina Mohd Dom's suggestion that the MACC did not have the opportunity to explain to her about the incident the very same day.
The mother of five said her husband's death had traumatised her and her children.
She claimed that as a result of the incident, she and her children had to face the perception of other family members, friends and the community that her husband had probably taken bribes and committed suicide.
The proceeding before Justice Datuk Kamaludin Md Said will continue at 2.30pm tomorrow after his visit to the scene of the incident at 11am.
Masiah and her son filed the suit on April 4, this year, naming the MACC, government, MACC chief commissioner, MACC director and five other officers, as defendants.
In the statement of claim, she cited mental and physical torture of her husband by the defendants, resulting in death by negligence.
The plaintiffs are claiming damages for misfeasance in public office, aggravated damages, exemplary damages and vindicatory damages totaling RM8 million.
On September 26, 2011, the Coroner's Court ruled that there was no criminal element or third party interference in Ahmad Sarbaini's death. – Bernama, November 10, 2014.
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Karpal Singh’s widow allowed to proceed with his appeal
T
he Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today allowed the widow of the late Karpal Singh to proceed with his appeal against conviction for sedition and the RM4,000 fine imposed by the High Court.
A three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Aziah Ali granted the application by Gurmit Kaur who is also the administrator of her late husband's estate, to act as substitute appellant.
The panel which also comprised Justice Datuk Zakaria Sam and Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli set January 21 next year for hearing of the appeal.
Ram Karpal Singh said the family wanted to pursue the appeal to clear his father's name.
Acting as counsel, he said if Gurmit Kaur succeeded in the appeal, she would have the right to receive her husband's pension.
Karpal Singh was the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament when he lost his life in a road accident along the North-South expressway near Gua Tempurung on April 17, this year. He was 73.
Gurmit's application to act as substitute appellant was made under Orders 41 of the Court of Appeal Rules 1994. Deputy public prosecutor Lailawati Ali did not object to it.
On February 21, this year, Karpal was found guilty by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur for questioning the Sultan of Perak's action in removing Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the menteri besar of Perak in 2009.
He was fined RM4,000 by the High Court on March 11, and filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal on March 24.
On August 21, his family filed the petition of appeal, stating among others, that the High Court judge who found Karpal guilty of sedition failed to consider the latter's defence that the ruler's decision could be challenged. – Bernama, November 10, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/karpal-singhs-widow-allowed-to-proceed-with-his-appeal-bernama#sthash.7JHdrw61.dpuf
he Court of Appeal in Putrajaya today allowed the widow of the late Karpal Singh to proceed with his appeal against conviction for sedition and the RM4,000 fine imposed by the High Court.A three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Aziah Ali granted the application by Gurmit Kaur who is also the administrator of her late husband's estate, to act as substitute appellant.
The panel which also comprised Justice Datuk Zakaria Sam and Datuk Abdul Rahman Sebli set January 21 next year for hearing of the appeal.
Ram Karpal Singh said the family wanted to pursue the appeal to clear his father's name.
Acting as counsel, he said if Gurmit Kaur succeeded in the appeal, she would have the right to receive her husband's pension.
Karpal Singh was the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament when he lost his life in a road accident along the North-South expressway near Gua Tempurung on April 17, this year. He was 73.
Gurmit's application to act as substitute appellant was made under Orders 41 of the Court of Appeal Rules 1994. Deputy public prosecutor Lailawati Ali did not object to it.
On February 21, this year, Karpal was found guilty by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur for questioning the Sultan of Perak's action in removing Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the menteri besar of Perak in 2009.
He was fined RM4,000 by the High Court on March 11, and filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal on March 24.
On August 21, his family filed the petition of appeal, stating among others, that the High Court judge who found Karpal guilty of sedition failed to consider the latter's defence that the ruler's decision could be challenged. – Bernama, November 10, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/karpal-singhs-widow-allowed-to-proceed-with-his-appeal-bernama#sthash.7JHdrw61.dpuf
Talk with Fatwa Council in 2012 did not touch on liberalism, says SIS
Sisters in Islam (SIS) today confirmed there was a meeting with the Selangor Fatwa Council in 2012 but it was not about “liberalism” and “pluralism”, which had been used as a basis to brand the organisation as deviant.The NGO said in a statement that the January 12 meeting only discussed their activities and research findings.
SIS insisted that it had not been given the opportunity to defend itself from accusations of promoting liberalism and religious pluralism before the religious authorities issued and gazetted the fatwa against the group in July this year.
The NGO said it was disappointed and puzzled by the Selangor mufti’s statement, as reported by the media on November 7, had cited the meeting as “evidence” that they had met on the issue of religious liberalism and pluralism.
“If the Fatwa Council suspected that SIS subscribes to religious liberalism and pluralism, why did they not raise their concerns and make attempts to advise us at the time?
“Why is it that the fatwa declaring SIS as ‘sesat dan menyeleweng daripada ajaran Islam’ was only issued 2½ years later?” SIS asked.
On October 31, SIS filed a judicial review against the fatwa, which declared the NGO and any other similar organisations that promoted “liberalism and pluralism” as deviants.
Last Thursday, SIS board member Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir told a press conference that the group had not been informed of the fatwa either before or after it was gazetted, and had only discovered it by accident.
But the following day, the Selangor Mufti Department said that SIS had met with the Selangor Fatwa committee members on January 12, 2012.
“The Selangor Mufti Department denies claims that no meeting was held with SIS before the fatwa on liberalism and religious pluralism was gazetted on July 2014,” Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid said in a statement on November 7.
SIS said today that if the Selangor Fatwa Council and the Selangor Mufti’s Department wanted to discuss issues of religious liberalism and pluralism, they must explain to the group their concerns.
“Additionally, they should point out which specific aspects of SIS activities they believe reflect religious liberalism and pluralism,” said SIS.
It said that if the outcome of the 2012 meeting had led to the Selangor Fatwa Council to issue a fatwa against the group, SIS should have a right to know about the serious allegations and the severe implications of it.
“More importantly, what opportunity was SIS afforded as the accused to defend itself?”
Last Thursday, Tamyes told reporters he refused to meet with SIS because it would be prejudicial, as the group had already filed a judicial review against the fatwa.
In a separate press conference that day, Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) CEO Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said he supported SIS’s judicial review application as a right to defend itself.
PAS lawmakers Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Khalid Samad had also come to the defence of SIS, saying the religious authorities would have learned that SIS did not deal with theology, let alone liberalism and pluralism, if they had made the effort to meet with the group. – November 10, 2014.
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Medicine worth RM1.2mil stolen from KL Hospital
It also said Penang Hospital (HPP) lost RM240,000 worth of medicine stocks due to theft.
In November 2011, 68 medicine stocks amounting to RM1.21 million were stolen from the stores of the HKL’s neuroscience as well as urology and nephrology pharmacies.
A police report on the incident was lodged on Dec 27, 2011.
Part of the stolen medicine stocks, worth RM740,000, was found in January 2012.Based on investigation conducted by HKL, the theft was committed by someone from the inside who constantly dealt with the staff of the store and as such, knows the weaknesses in the store management.
The case was decided to be written-off while disciplinary action will only be taken against civil servants after police investigations are completes, the Audit Report noted.
In December 2013, a Shimadzu control panel was stolen from the radiography room of the diagnostic imagery department of HKL.
The control panel was one of the components of the general x-ray equipment, which is worth RM300,000.“As the control panel had been stolen, the general x-ray equipment can no longer be used,” the Audit Report states.
It also noted how there were recurring cases of four types of assets, namely air-conditioning compressors, syringe pump, physiologic monitoring system and pulse oxymetres, being lost.
A total of 97 units of these assets, worth RM610,000, were lost.
Based on safety inspection reports prepared by HKL’s security division, the urology and nephrology department as well as the physiotherapy department, outpatient treatment centre, paediatric institute and forensics institute are high risk areas where air conditioning compressors constantly go missing.
As for the theft that occurred in Penang Hospital, 694 medicine stocks worth RM242,125 were stolen in February 2013.
A final report was issued in July 2013 and the hospital is awaiting further action from the relevant authorities.
'Anti-cross dressing ruling to stop LGBT activities'
The anti-cross dressing provision in
Syariah enactments is to "curb the spread of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender practices", says the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
"(Such practices) is clearly against Islamic teachings,” Jakim director-general Othman Mustapha said.
"However, I would like to stress that the (anti-cross dressing) enactments is only for Muslims and does not apply to adherents of other religion."
Othman
was commenting on the Court of Appeal judgement which last week found a
Negri Sembilan syariah enactment banning cross-dressing
unconstitutional.
In a statement late today, he noted that Jakim takes a softer approach towards the issue of transgenders by voluntary "self-esteem building, rehabilitation and spirtual" camps.
He said the programmes are held with state Islamic affairs departments since 2010 for those experiencing "confusion" like the transgender community.
Break the stigma
As a result, he said, there is greater awareness of HIV/Aids among the target group and less "stigma" towards the transgender among the religious authorities and vice versa.
"What is important is that the leave these deviant activities and also help Jakim in continuing our spiritual rehabilitation work with those who share their same fate…
"I truly hope that the three applicants named in the case in question can contact us and volunteer for our programme,” he said.
On Nov 7, the Court of Appeal had found in favour of transgender make up artists Muhamad Juzaili Mohamad Khamis, 26, Syukor Jani, 28, dan Wan Fairol Wan Ismail, 30, application to declare Secction 66 of the Negeri Sembilan Syariah Enactment 1992 unconstitutional.
The government has urged the religious authority to appeal the decision, while the PAS ulama wing said the decision puts in doubt Islam’s position in the country.
The Muslim Lawyers Association said anti-cross dressing laws are not discriminatory, while the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim)'s legal bureau raised concerns that the ruling could lead to similar applications that undermine Islam.
"(Such practices) is clearly against Islamic teachings,” Jakim director-general Othman Mustapha said.
"However, I would like to stress that the (anti-cross dressing) enactments is only for Muslims and does not apply to adherents of other religion."
Othman
was commenting on the Court of Appeal judgement which last week found a
Negri Sembilan syariah enactment banning cross-dressing
unconstitutional.In a statement late today, he noted that Jakim takes a softer approach towards the issue of transgenders by voluntary "self-esteem building, rehabilitation and spirtual" camps.
He said the programmes are held with state Islamic affairs departments since 2010 for those experiencing "confusion" like the transgender community.
Break the stigma
As a result, he said, there is greater awareness of HIV/Aids among the target group and less "stigma" towards the transgender among the religious authorities and vice versa.
"What is important is that the leave these deviant activities and also help Jakim in continuing our spiritual rehabilitation work with those who share their same fate…
"I truly hope that the three applicants named in the case in question can contact us and volunteer for our programme,” he said.
On Nov 7, the Court of Appeal had found in favour of transgender make up artists Muhamad Juzaili Mohamad Khamis, 26, Syukor Jani, 28, dan Wan Fairol Wan Ismail, 30, application to declare Secction 66 of the Negeri Sembilan Syariah Enactment 1992 unconstitutional.
The government has urged the religious authority to appeal the decision, while the PAS ulama wing said the decision puts in doubt Islam’s position in the country.
The Muslim Lawyers Association said anti-cross dressing laws are not discriminatory, while the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim)'s legal bureau raised concerns that the ruling could lead to similar applications that undermine Islam.
The Malaise of the Malays: The reason Malays are lazy
By Narinder Singh "......Malays are lazy," Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed said recently. The question that begs an answer is "why and what made them so?" If for 22 years Dr Mahathir could not do much in changing them, what will drive them to change their attitude now, at least going by his logic and stand?
Various policies failed to get them to top the nation financially, economically and politically. The Malays have been "malaised" by the very policies implemented by Dr Mahathir himself but now he blames the entire race for falling behind the non-Malays.
He said he is ashamed of them. Well maybe on a personal capacity he could say that but again it does not justify the ignorance he had exhibited when failure was staring at him from his early days of helming the nation.
Why blame them when he had personally played a role in paralysing and debilitating them systematically across at least two generations.
Today the Malays are left behind chasing the minorities for the pie that is slowly but surely getting smaller in all sectors. The entire geopolitical and economic landscape has and is experiencing major paradigm shift in Malaysia.
Unlike during the tenure of Dr Mahathir as the premier, competition is stiff not only locally but also globally. The Malay race cannot be shielded anymore from getting bombarded by external forces.
To make matters worse, the Malays today are far more divided, which Dr Mahathir could not have even envisaged in his lifetime. He claims to be visionary but he missed the sight to foresee the inevitable cast of the internet and its powers.
Above that, the Malays who were deprived of achieving great heights to financial freedom and upper class status platform during Dr Mahathir's time revolted by aligning themselves to opposition parties, especially PAS and PKR.
Politically, Umno may also lose governing power at federal level if they stay disintegrated far too long with equal opportunity promises made by their nemesis Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Failure of a race cannot be blamed due to the co-existence of another. That is a fact.
When a race is domesticated and protected for prolonged periods, it fails miserably to hunt effectively for better grounds.
If the government of the day continues to resonate on the sentiments of Dr Mahathir – that only if adequate protection can catapult the Malays to higher order in all sectors, then for sure predictably they are doomed further.
This is not about challenging the special rights and the pillars of the Malays and Muslims as enshrined in the Federal Constitution but a fundamental issue of grabbing golden opportunities.
In the moment of weakness within the Malays, the others saw gaps to rake in their wealth using some lazy Malays as Bumiputera fronts to capture multi-million or even billion dollar projects dished out by the Umno government.
That is the second fact. The public will not buy it that Dr Mahathir was not aware of all this. So why is he blaming the entire race when selected cronies were cultivated under his tutelage and they were harvesting the richness for the few Malays while the masses of the Malays were deprived of equality?
Come on, the state of the Malays today is a direct outcome of the concoction that was formulated and fed to them for 22 years by the leader who thought he knew it all for the best of the race.
Nevertheless, today the game has changed drastically but unfortunately the Malays were not prepped for the inevitable. Can they wait for another 22 years? – November 10, 2014.
* Narinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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Additional history book for Chinese schools
The textbook will be used as an extra teaching material.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: An additional history textbook documenting the achievement and contribution of the Chinese community to the nation will be distributed free to Chinese primary schools next year.
United Chinese Schools Teachers’ Association (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuan said the current textbook did not reflect the multiracial history of the country.
“The additional history book will be published and distributed to Chinese schools since there is no objection from the Education Ministry,” he told a Chinese daily yesterday.
He added that they had approached the Education Ministry on the matter and proceeded to draft the book’s contents when it received no objection.
Ong said the history book was to be used as an extra teaching material which would document the achievements and contributions of the Chinese community to the nation.
“This is done so that the Chinese school students will remember their roots,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: An additional history textbook documenting the achievement and contribution of the Chinese community to the nation will be distributed free to Chinese primary schools next year.
United Chinese Schools Teachers’ Association (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuan said the current textbook did not reflect the multiracial history of the country.
“The additional history book will be published and distributed to Chinese schools since there is no objection from the Education Ministry,” he told a Chinese daily yesterday.
He added that they had approached the Education Ministry on the matter and proceeded to draft the book’s contents when it received no objection.
Ong said the history book was to be used as an extra teaching material which would document the achievements and contributions of the Chinese community to the nation.
“This is done so that the Chinese school students will remember their roots,” he said.
Najib told to be grateful to Malays
Kadir Jasin joins Zainuddin Maidin in opposing Sedition Act repeal.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Veteran journalist Abdul Kadir Jasin has urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to abandon the idea of repealing the Sedition Act, less than 24 hours after a similar call by another prominent ex-newsman, Zainuddin Maidin.
They couched the call in the context of protecting Malay interests.
Both Kadir and Zainuddin are associated with Mahathir Mohamad, and many blog followers read their postings to get an idea of what the former prime minister is thinking.
Kadir, expressing his feelings in the form of rhetorical questions, insinuated that Najib was ignoring Malay interests in favour of liberal ideas. Zainuddin said the same thing.
Kadir questioned whether Najib “still remembers” that it was the Malay vote that saved Barisan Nasional from defeat in the last general election and whether he was still grateful.
“If he remembers and is grateful, he will surely say something important at the Nov 25-29 Umno general assembly, like announcing the withdrawal of his proposal to repeal the Sedition Act,” he said.
“Thank God, more and more Umno leaders are openly rejecting Najib’s one-sided proposal.
“A question that arises is whether Najib ignored Umno’s opinion when he repealed the Internal Security Act and the Emergency Ordinance in 2011.
“Was his decision influenced by an insistence by the liberal group surrounding and advising him? Is Umno’s voice no longer the voice he listens to?”
He urged Najib to outline his master plan for improving the lot of the Malays, suggesting the following among the actions he should consider:
1.Strengthen the Malay/Bumiputera economy to be in line with the growth of the national economy;
2.Solve the problem of rises in the prices of goods and services as a result of the gradual withdrawal of the petrol subsidy;
3.Address the possibility of rises in the prices of goods and services with the instroduction of the GST;
4.Solve the problem of unemployment among Malay/Bumiputera graduates;
5.Address the problem of discrimination against Malay and Bumiputera candidates in job placement in non-Malay companies.
Kadir said Najib seemed to have surpassed previous prime ministers in making slogans, promises and policies but had so far been the least successful in realising them.
PETALING JAYA: Veteran journalist Abdul Kadir Jasin has urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to abandon the idea of repealing the Sedition Act, less than 24 hours after a similar call by another prominent ex-newsman, Zainuddin Maidin.
They couched the call in the context of protecting Malay interests.
Both Kadir and Zainuddin are associated with Mahathir Mohamad, and many blog followers read their postings to get an idea of what the former prime minister is thinking.
Kadir, expressing his feelings in the form of rhetorical questions, insinuated that Najib was ignoring Malay interests in favour of liberal ideas. Zainuddin said the same thing.
Kadir questioned whether Najib “still remembers” that it was the Malay vote that saved Barisan Nasional from defeat in the last general election and whether he was still grateful.
“If he remembers and is grateful, he will surely say something important at the Nov 25-29 Umno general assembly, like announcing the withdrawal of his proposal to repeal the Sedition Act,” he said.
“Thank God, more and more Umno leaders are openly rejecting Najib’s one-sided proposal.
“A question that arises is whether Najib ignored Umno’s opinion when he repealed the Internal Security Act and the Emergency Ordinance in 2011.
“Was his decision influenced by an insistence by the liberal group surrounding and advising him? Is Umno’s voice no longer the voice he listens to?”
He urged Najib to outline his master plan for improving the lot of the Malays, suggesting the following among the actions he should consider:
1.Strengthen the Malay/Bumiputera economy to be in line with the growth of the national economy;
2.Solve the problem of rises in the prices of goods and services as a result of the gradual withdrawal of the petrol subsidy;
3.Address the possibility of rises in the prices of goods and services with the instroduction of the GST;
4.Solve the problem of unemployment among Malay/Bumiputera graduates;
5.Address the problem of discrimination against Malay and Bumiputera candidates in job placement in non-Malay companies.
Kadir said Najib seemed to have surpassed previous prime ministers in making slogans, promises and policies but had so far been the least successful in realising them.
It’s an increasingly aging world
There’s a need for universal health care to prevent older people from slipping into poverty and being unable to pay for health services.
By Anthony Thanasayan - FMT
One of the frustrations I have faced growing up with a disability all of my life, and later working as a councillor with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), is coming across people who think that being handicapped is something that only happens to other people.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
Basically, this false notion is the reason why government at the various levels seems to respond in a sluggish manner to calls from disability groups for infrastructure to include disabled and elderly-friendly facilities.
MBPJ is an exception in this case.
Little by little, the planning, engineering and building departments here have begun taking positive measures to build a barrier-free society for everyone.
We are not only concerned about the growing elderly population with increasing disabilities, but equally worried about the many handicapped citizens “imprisoned” in towns and cities that have never really cared for them or considered their participation in society.
While several councils in Selangor said they needed “more convincing facts” that the lack of facilities was a problem, others are mostly in a state of denial that people with disabilities even existed, and if so in significant numbers.
An increasing aging population
A report last week by American broadcast institution, the Voice of America (VOA), on an increasingly aging population should serve as a timely wake-up call for everyone concerned.
The VOA quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO), as saying that “Governments the world over must now prepare to deal with an increasingly aging world.”
“Otherwise, the growing burden of chronic diseases will seriously affect the quality of life of older people and create economic and other hardships for national health systems.”
The VOA revealed that these findings appeared in a new series on health and aging published in the British journal, The Lancet.
According to them, the latest statistics show that by 2050, an estimated two billion people will be aged 60 and older, more than double the 841 million today.
The WHO noted that 80 per cent of these older people will be living in low and middle-income countries.
A burden to society
The increase in longevity in affluent countries is largely due to the “decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease resulting from simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce tobacco use and high blood pressure.”
A VOA interview with WHO Senior Policy and Strategy Adviser in the Department of Aging and Life Course Islene Araujo revealed that life expectancy in Africa now is 60 years.
She explained that cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and infarction are not only responsible for killing most elderly people but causing stroke survivors to “become disabled, burdening society”.
She also pointed out that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by controlling hypertension, which can save many lives and avoid disability.
Besides heart disease and stroke, VOA reported that other major illnesses of aging include cancers, chronic lung disease, sensory disorders, vision problems, mental and neurological disorders.
One WHO report author told the VOA that “there are low-cost strategies that can help older people live healthier lives” like reducing one’s salt intake.
A policy change
According to the VOA, the report’s authors also suggested changing policies to encourage older adults to remain part of the workforce beyond their retirement age.
They also agreed with the WHO’s call for universal health care to prevent older people from slipping into poverty and being unable to pay for health services.
The VOA also suggested that people of all ages should not smoke, do more physical activity, and practice moderate alcohol consumption and good nutrition in order to enjoy good health dividends later in life.
Anthony Thanasayan is an FMT columnist
One of the frustrations I have faced growing up with a disability all of my life, and later working as a councillor with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), is coming across people who think that being handicapped is something that only happens to other people.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
Basically, this false notion is the reason why government at the various levels seems to respond in a sluggish manner to calls from disability groups for infrastructure to include disabled and elderly-friendly facilities.
MBPJ is an exception in this case.
Little by little, the planning, engineering and building departments here have begun taking positive measures to build a barrier-free society for everyone.
We are not only concerned about the growing elderly population with increasing disabilities, but equally worried about the many handicapped citizens “imprisoned” in towns and cities that have never really cared for them or considered their participation in society.
While several councils in Selangor said they needed “more convincing facts” that the lack of facilities was a problem, others are mostly in a state of denial that people with disabilities even existed, and if so in significant numbers.
An increasing aging population
A report last week by American broadcast institution, the Voice of America (VOA), on an increasingly aging population should serve as a timely wake-up call for everyone concerned.
The VOA quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO), as saying that “Governments the world over must now prepare to deal with an increasingly aging world.”
“Otherwise, the growing burden of chronic diseases will seriously affect the quality of life of older people and create economic and other hardships for national health systems.”
The VOA revealed that these findings appeared in a new series on health and aging published in the British journal, The Lancet.
According to them, the latest statistics show that by 2050, an estimated two billion people will be aged 60 and older, more than double the 841 million today.
The WHO noted that 80 per cent of these older people will be living in low and middle-income countries.
A burden to society
The increase in longevity in affluent countries is largely due to the “decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease resulting from simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce tobacco use and high blood pressure.”
A VOA interview with WHO Senior Policy and Strategy Adviser in the Department of Aging and Life Course Islene Araujo revealed that life expectancy in Africa now is 60 years.
She explained that cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and infarction are not only responsible for killing most elderly people but causing stroke survivors to “become disabled, burdening society”.
She also pointed out that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by controlling hypertension, which can save many lives and avoid disability.
Besides heart disease and stroke, VOA reported that other major illnesses of aging include cancers, chronic lung disease, sensory disorders, vision problems, mental and neurological disorders.
One WHO report author told the VOA that “there are low-cost strategies that can help older people live healthier lives” like reducing one’s salt intake.
A policy change
According to the VOA, the report’s authors also suggested changing policies to encourage older adults to remain part of the workforce beyond their retirement age.
They also agreed with the WHO’s call for universal health care to prevent older people from slipping into poverty and being unable to pay for health services.
The VOA also suggested that people of all ages should not smoke, do more physical activity, and practice moderate alcohol consumption and good nutrition in order to enjoy good health dividends later in life.
Anthony Thanasayan is an FMT columnist
Malays and Islam are not under attack in Malaysia. It is multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia which is under siege by intolerant and extremist forces which are trying to turn moderation into a dirty word in Malaysia
It is the supreme irony of ironies.
While the government continues to propagate the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s initiative of a Global Movement of Moderates, this time at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit currently being held in Beijing, Najib had never been so weak and impotent at home to check the forces of hatred, intolerance and extremism rearing their ugly heads.
On the day that Bernama reported that the Prime Minister’s Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) proposal had received praise from the APEC foreign ministers meeting in Beijing before the 22nd APEC Summit, an ex-UMNO Minister had opened fire on Najib’s GMM initiative, claiming that Christian fanatics in Malaysia had seized on Najib’s concept of moderation and exploited it for their own interests.
Former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maiddin claimed that the Malays and Islam were under pressure due to the concept of moderation, asserting that there were signs the concept was on the wrong track.
He cited with approval a recent statement by Johor Umno youth vice-chief Khairul Anwar Rahmat, who said that moderation was unsuitable for certain issues, claiming that it reflected the thoughts and opinions of the Umno grassroots.
Khairul said the concept of moderation must be placed in the right place and used at the right time – and is not suitable to be used when it involves religious struggle and the upholding of shariah law.
Zainuddin said brave and courageous voices to defend the character and pride of the Malays were no longer coming from Umno, but from non-governmental organisations.
Zainuddin said Khairul was right in saying it was better to fight till the bitter end as being too engrossed in moderation would result in average, instead of devout, Muslims.
He blogged: “While Najib has succeeded in his efforts to promote Malaysia as a moderate Muslim country to the global community, it has had a negative impact internally.”
I do not want to get involved in a religious polemic, but the thesis of the former UMNO Minister which he claims represents the thoughts and opinions of the Umno grassroots, is most disturbing as he seems to suggest that Islam is not a religion of moderation.
This is a great disservice to Malaysia and to Islam, especially at a time which is seeing the rise of bigotry and extremism all over the world – like the self-styled born-again “Caliphate” , “Islamic State”, which has carried out a systematic campaign of sectarian brutalities, beheadings and massacres, recruiting between 20,000 to 30,000 foreign fighters, including from Malaysia through the social media to entice those between 14 and 30, using the well-scripted texts on why ‘jihad’ (martyrdom) is an obligation in Islam.
Let there be no mistake. Malays and Islam are not under attack in Malaysia. It is multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural Malaysia which is under siege by intolerant and extremist forces which are trying to turn moderation into a dirty word in Malaysia.
When Najib made his first speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2010, where he first set out his Global Movement of Moderates proposal, Najib publicly commended United States President Barack Obama for the latter’s “courageous public position” in dealing with Islamophobia in condemning the proposed burning of the Quran by a Florida pastor and urged Obama “to galvanise the moderates, bring in the non-governmental organizations and social movements so that more people could see the importance of taking a moderate stance”.
As for himself, up to now, Najib is not prepared to do what he commended Obama of doing – condemning Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn the Bible.
At the United Nations General Assembly and international forums, Najib called for a coalition of moderates.
In his recent speech at the UN General Assembly, Najib set out for the third time the world agenda for moderation when he said:
“The fight against extremism is not about Christians versus Muslims, or Muslims versus Jews, but moderates versus extremists of all religions. We therefore need to rally a coalition of moderates; those willing to reclaim their religion, and pursue the path to peace.”
It is pathetic and shocking that after preaching the moderation agenda at world forums for the past four years, Najib has yet mobilise a coalition of moderates in Umno and Barisan Nasional to reclaim their religion and pursue the path to peace and moderation.
As often been rightly pointed out, if we can see the nature of religion through the prism of moderation, we will be able to identify common values shared by all religions. The values are peace, harmony and true happiness which will materialize when the followers of every religion avoid excessiveness in religious practices and in the conduct of worldly life.
Malaysians are entitled to ask why UMNO and Barisan Nasional leaders and MPs have refused to sign in a coalition of moderates against extremists of all religions, both nationally and internationally, to build a future based on peace, harmony and security for all, regardless of faith?
Recently, the cacophony from the intolerant and extremist strains in our society have become louder and more insistent, and new rhetorics of hatred, intolerance and extremism are becoming quite commonplace, including:
• Opposition to building of a church in Petaling Jaya although the land was set aside by the BN government for a church 13 years ago in 2001;
• Strident demands for the closure of Chinese primary schools on the spurious ground that they cause racial conflict;
• Furore to incite inter-racial and inter-religious tensions over “halal” mineral water bottles to promote tourism with the large Lord Murugan status at the Batu Caves temple.
• Seizure of Christian books and CDs brought in from Indonesia and on transit to Sabah; and
• Refusal to prosecute Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn the Malay-language Biblle on the ground he was defending the sanctity of Islam and is protected by the Malaysian Constitution while the Attorney-General launches a bitzkrieg of arrests and prosecutions under the Sedition Act.
Yesterday, the UMNO Wanita leader Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil joined forces with those opposed to the repeal of the Sedition Act and promised one million signatures in the campaign although she has nothing to say about the double standards of the Attornery-General in the selective and malicious prosecution of Pakatan Rakyat leaders, activists and intellectuals as well as total silence about the RM250 million National Feedlot Corporation scandal, involving her family members.
Malays and Islam are not under siege in Malaysia. But UMNO is under siege and there is a desperate attempt to equate UMNO under siege as equal to Malays and Islam under siege, which is a great fallacy.
Are we going down the path of Talibanisation just so UMNO can keep grip of power in Malaysia?
Although this question was posed by The Malaysian Insider two days ago, it must have already troubled many Malaysians.
As The Malaysian Insider commentary put it:
“Just like what happened in Afghanistan after the fight to rid of Soviet occupiers, those without political power used religion and race to win over and control the population. It happened there and it appears to be an emerging tactic here.”
This is what Najib’s Global Movement of Moderates is meant to prevent – the lurch towards Talibanisation.
During my speech on the 2015 Budget, I had asked about the outcome of the promise by the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Gani Patail, to review the sedition charges against Dr. Azmi Sharom and others but no answer has been forthcoming from Nancy Shukri, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible to Parliament on this issue.
More than two months have passed since the AG’s promise of a review of the sedition blitzkrieg and charges. Has this been done, who carried out the review – or is Nancy just totally ignorant about it?
The explanation by the Attorney-General on why Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali had not been prosecuted for his threat to burn the Malay-language Bible had added salt to the wound, as it failed not only to win over doubters but have been received with scorn and rejected outright by majority of the critics.
What is worse, it reinforced the perception that the AG’s arguments that Ibrahim Ali should enjoy immunity and impunity from legal sanctions because he was defending the sanctity of Islam and was protected by Article 11(4) of the Constitution were not only shallow, superficial and cock-eyed but reflects a Public Prosecutor who has failed in his duties to be a responsible and trustworthy upholder of the rule of law and the protector of inter-racial and inter-religious unity and harmony in a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation.
The AGC had said that “After the context had been studied as a whole, Ibrahim Ali’s statement does not fall into the category of having seditious tendencies”.
Does this mean that there are certain “context” where it is fully permissible to threaten the burning of the Bible?
Furthermore, are there also certain “contexts” where it is permissible to threaten the burning of holy books of other religions, for instance, Tripitaka for Buddhism, Vedas for Hinduism, Torah for Judaism, Guru Granth Sahib for Sikhism and Tao Te Ching for Taoism?
Are there also “contextual” justifications to justify the threat to burn the Holy Quran?
Just as there should be zero tolerance for corruption, there should be zero tolerance for any threat to burn the holy books of any religion in Malaysia.
Surely not, there can be no justification in any context to justify the threat to burn any holy book of any religion in multi-religious Malaysia if we want to maintain inter-religious understanding, harmony and peace and to quote Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to go beyond just “tolerate” but to “accept” and even celebrate Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural diversity.
Is Najib prepared to announce a zero tolerance policy in Malaysia for any threat to burn any holy books of any religion so as to be a role model of moderation for other countries?
(Speech on the Prime Minister’s Department during committee stage debate of 2015 Budget in Parliament on Monday, 10th November 2014)
‘Don’t repeal Sedition Act’
The New Straits Times
by HANA NAZ HARUN
by HANA NAZ HARUN
KUALA
LUMPUR: THE government should not go ahead with the plan to repeal the
Sedition Act 1948 until it holds more discussions with all concerned
parties, including Wanita Umno.
The
wing’s chief, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said the party would
send a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to ask for a
deferment in repealing the act.
“Many have come to us raising their concerns and anxiety regarding the situation in the country.
“The
act must not be repealed to protect the people for the sake of national
security and harmony and I believe the issue of peace and safety goes
across all religions and races,” she said, adding that the memorandum
would be handed to Najib after he returned from China.
She said it was important that the government took into account the views of everyone.
“They (the government) must listen to the rakyat who fear for their safety and peace in the country.
“The women in the country must also be consulted and our voice cannot be ignored in this,” Shahrizat said here, yesterday.
She
also expressed concern that if the Sedition Act was replaced with the
National Harmony Act, the latter would not be able to maintain the
country’s sovereignty and stability.
Shahrizat
had earlier attended a closed-door forum titled “Understanding the
Sedition Act” with 500 Wanita Umno members, where they had unanimously
agreed to request for the postponement to repeal the Act.
Among
the panel members were former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri
Musa Hassan, as well as lawyers Salehuddin Saidin and Mohd Khairul Azam
Abdul Aziz.
Shahrizat
also said the women’s wing would begin a petition drive to collect one
million signatures, to demonstrate the public’s support in retaining the
act.
“Our
19,000 branches all over the country will be mobilised for this
purpose. We aim to collect the signatures within the next two to three
months.
“We
will also organise forums and programmes for the public to give them
further understanding of the risks if the Sedition Act is repealed.”
Several
quarters within Umno had expressed their concern over the possible
repeal of the Sedition Act, ahead of the party’s general assembly later
this month.
The
New Straits Times had reported yesterday that political observers,
including former IGP Tun Hanif Omar and National Professors’ Council
political cluster head Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, had said
that the law should be strengthened and not repealed.
They said repealing the act could lead to racial disharmony and disrupt peace in the country.
PAC To Summon Ministries, Government Department, Agencies Over AG Report
Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 Bernama) -- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will summon nine ministries and five government departments and agencies to provide clarification on the 3rd series of the 2013 Auditor General's Report that was presented in Dewan Rakyat, Monday.
Its chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the nine ministries are the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Communication and Multimedia, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health.
"For example, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development need to explain a few things on its 1Azam programme such as selection of participants and the provisions that were given," he said.
He said the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, will be called to clarify the management of the events in programmes organised, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry would be called to explain the management of paddy seeds subsidy.
"All of them will be called in stages beginning January, and reports on the results of the meeting will be tabled in Parliament in March," he said told reporters at the presentation of the Auditor General's Report after a meeting with the Deputy Auditor-General Datuk Anwari Suri at the Parliament House, here.
Nur Jazlan said the five agencies to be hauled up will be the Department of Veterans Affairs (Ministry of Defence) over the management of benefit payments to retirees of the Armed Forces and the Accountant General's Department (Ministry of Finance) over the management of unclaimed funds.
Also called will be the Royal Malaysia Police Force (Home Ministry) over the management of patrol vehicles and motorcycles of the Mobile Patrol Unit and the management of traffic summonses.
In addition, to be called would be Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Ministry of Rural and Regional Development) over the construction of its Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Arau, Kuala Kangsar, and Mara Higher Vocational College Lenggong and the management of Syarikat Malaysia Institute of Aviation Technology Sdn Bhd.
"Other agencies to be called are the Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) over the management of privatization activity for air monitoring and enforcement of mobile and stationary sources."
Asked about the audit report, Nur Jazlan said he was surprised by the increase in the number of ministries and agencies that will be called in this series compared with the previous series.
Monday, 10 November 2014
Firebomb on Kosher Eatery in Paris
Several Muslims called the diners at the restaurant 'dirty Jews' before the firebomb was thrown.A firebomb was thrown at a kosher Jewish restaurant in the 17th district of Paris at week's end.
Several minutes earlier, some young Muslims who walked by the restaurant threatened the diners inside and called them “dirty Jews.” The diners did not react.
A few minutes passed, and a loud smash was heard when a firebomb hit the restaurant's door. The diners managed to see a group of Muslims running away as the firebomb ignited, starting a fire, which the restaurant's employees succeeded in putting out. None of the restaurant-goers was hurt.
The restaurant door was reportedly made of tempered glass, a factor which may have saved the clients inside the eatery from harm.
Police were called in and they examined security camera footage as part of the investigation.
The restaurant is mehadrin-kosher and serves the religious Jews in the area.
Christian couple lynching: Six-year-old narrates details of his parents' murder
Sajjad Masih and his wife Shama Bibi – brick kiln workers from Chak-59 of Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur – were brutally killed on November 4 for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.
Speaking to Express News after a prayer ceremony held for his parents, the son said the mob attacked their house and beat up his parent before tying them to a tractor and dragging them around in the area. According to his account, the couple was then thrown in the furnace.
Father of Shama, who had been taking care of the children since the incident, said he fears for his and his grandchildren’s lives and is changing locations for safety reasons.
Calling for public execution of his daughter’s murderers, the father said strict action should be taken against the culprits.
Since the incident took place, police have arrested many suspects, however, the main accused is still at large.
Setting the record straight, Shama’s father also said the picture shown in the media as Shama’s was in fact her niece’s. He said he will soon reveal the picture of his daughter once he gains access to her belongings which are currently in police custody.
PAS Dewan Ulama calls transgender decision a challenge to Islamic law
The appellate court's decision that a Shariah law preventing cross-dressing by men is unconstitutional is a challenge to the status of Islamic law in the country, the PAS Dewan Ulama said today.Information chief Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the position of Islamic law has been acknowledged in the Federal Constitution but it is now being challenged by the appellate court's decision," Khairuddin said in a statement.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal ruled that Section 66 of the Negri Sembilan Shariah Criminal Enactment 1992, was illegal.
The section outlaws any Muslim man from wearing "a woman's attire and posing as a woman”. It carries a punishment of a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or jail of not more than six months or both.
A three-man bench, led by Justice Datuk Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, ruled that Section 66 of the Shariah law in the state contravened constitutional provisions that guarantee personal liberty, equality, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression.
It also said the particular law was discriminatory as it fails to recognise men diagnosed with the Gender Identity Disorder (GID), or transgenderism.
"The decision on Friday has now become a challenge towards the position of Islamic law in Malaysia," Khairuddin said.
Besides challenging the position of Islam, Khairuddin also pointed out that the decision had cast doubt on how far the sanctity and sovereignty of Islam was upheld.
He rejected the appellate court's decision saying that Islam had been recognised as the official religion of the Federation and should not be analysed through colonial views.
"The recognition of Islam as the official religion of the Federation should not be interpreted through colonial views.
"Islam should be interpreted as a way of life with all of its laws considered as the highest interpretation in Malaysia."
Khairuddin expressed concern that this would have a big implication on the future of Shariah laws being used in cases.
"This decision will open more spaces for other quarters to come forward and dispute the validity of Shariah laws at state levels," he said.
There will be quarters who will openly challenge Islamic practices and virtues because they feel they will be protected by the Federal Constitution, he warned.
Khairuddin said the PAS Dewan Ulama urged the religious authorities of Negri Sembilan to file an appeal with the Federal Court. – November 9, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pas-dewan-ulama-calls-decision-on-transgender-case-a-challenge-to-islamic-l#sthash.Zhfvh9v7.dpuf
Let Malaysians support justice, freedom beyond borders, Anwar tells Putrajaya
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged Putrajaya to stop treating activism against human rights violations in other countries by Malaysians as objectionable, as it does not interfere with other nations’ affairs.Throwing his support for those highlighting atrocities against Tamils in Sri Lanka, the PKR de facto head said Malaysians should be allowed to help promote freedom and justice wherever abuses occur.
“If there is gross injustice, the killings must be stopped,” he said at the closing of the Penang International Tamil Conference in George Town. “That is a consistent, coherent principle.”
In a similar vein, he said Malaysian should also offer support to any marginalised ethnic group, like the Indians, in their own country.
“The Indian problem in terms of poverty, marginalisation, poor access to education, is a national problem. It is not an Indian problem,” he said at the conference organised by the Penang Society for Advancement of Tamils.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister (II) Prof P. Ramasamy and special guest Vaiko, a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu who is general secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) party.
At a press conference later, Anwar said authorities, particularly the Home Ministry, must give space for people to present their human rights causes, particularly for strong and compelling cases that have “incontrovertible evidence”.
“If we want the Indians or Tamils to be concerned about Gaza (where Palestinians are oppressed), we must also show some concern about the Tamil's plight,” he said.
“If as a Muslim I want to make sure the Muslims are not discriminated elsewhere, I don’t want Hindus to be discriminated in my country,” he added.
Commenting on government actions, such as the police move to stop the screening of the documentary "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka" in Kuala Lumpur last year, Anwar said it is disconcerting that there are growing signs of intolerance in Malaysia.
“What can’t you allow some members of a community – it can be Tamils, it can be others – who are trying to voice their concerns about the atrocities in Sri Lanka?” he said.
“If the Sri Lankan authorities or government want to counter they can always give their view, their explanation.
“But how can you deny an issue which is known and accepted by the international community?” Anwar said.
Ramasamy said the conference, which also saw participation by non-Indians, has shown that non-Indians can also speak out about Indian issues. He said it represented moving away from any “narrow-minded” ethnic approach where groups only fight for their own causes.
Ramasamy said he himself was involved in the international peace talks for Aceh a decade ago. “People were wondering what a Tamil has got to do with it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vaiko said the conference today adopted the "Penang Declaration". Among its eight resolutions was a call for a United Nations-monitored referendum for a sovereign Tamil Eelam, an independent state on the island of Sri Lanka.
It said the referendum should be conducted among Tamils descended from the northern and eastern regions of the island of Sri Lanka, as well as the Tamil diaspora from there, including refugees.
Vaiko said the move was encouraged by the recent independence referendum in Scotland, which has not even seen the level of persecution or oppression as during the recent genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
“The clarion call has been given from this Penang Conference. We are hopeful this will lead to the twilight, the twilight to the suffering of the Tamils," he added.
South African delegate Pregasen Padayachee said the Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka, of which he is the secretary, together with the South African Tamil Federation will hold the next international Tamil conference in Durban either in late 2015 or early 2016. – November 9, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/let-malaysians-support-justice-freedom-beyond-borders-anwar-tells-putrajaya#sthash.QjiioFhY.dpuf
After two-month hiatus, Khalid to make comeback with new NGO
Fresh from his sacking from PKR, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is expected to start a new non-governmental organisation called "Taski" – it is an acronym of his own name – to serve the people under his Federal and state constituencies.
The NGO, with some help from PAS, will focus on charity work, according to Roslan Baharom, a community leader in Bandar Tun Razak, where Khalid is the MP. Bandar Tun Razak is in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
"Khalid will spearhead this NGO, and with some support from PAS, I think he will pull it off," Roslan said.
One of the programmes lined-up for the NGO is the "Sajian Rakyat" programme (The People's Meal), scheduled in the next few weeks to introduce the NGO and jumpstart Khalid's commitment to assist residents in his constituency.
Roslan told The Malaysian Insider that a discussion between Khalid and PAS representatives was held in Kuala Lumpur recently.
He said the Federal Territories PAS has given the green light for the party's division to assist Khalid in his endeavour.
"The reason why Khalid decided to form the NGO is to avoid unnecessary crisis between the Islamist party and PKR since he was sacked from the party on August 9,
"We hope it will not be a problem because, after all, Khalid is working as an NGO and not representing any political party," he said.
Roslan said that if there is enough allocation, Taski plans to hold the "Sajian Rakyat" programme every week. At the moment, he added that Khalid has personally promised to allocate RM5,000 for each of the upcoming programmes.
"We have not decided whether to hold it on a weekly basis. Even if that did not materialise, we have other programmes planned," he added.
It was understood that some of the committee members included those who used to work with Khalid when he was the Selangor menteri besar.
They include former CEO of Menteri Besar Incorporated, Faekah Husin, who is now Khalid's special officer for both Bandar Tun Razak and Port Klang.
Faekah, in a statement recently, said Khalid has never neglected his duties either as an assemblyman or MP and is currently working on programmes to help residents in both areas.
She also brushed off rumours that Khalid wanted to resign, saying that he was on a break and is now starting to get back to his duties.
PKR had sacked him in August after he failed to attend a disciplinary committee hearing over allegations concerning the Selangor water-restructuring exercise, his debt settlement with Bank Islam and the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).
All these came amid a tussle for the Selangor menteri's besar position that started early this year, with the PKR leadership wanting him to step down to make way for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The crisis ended when PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was appointed the new menteri besar.
It was reported today that since Khalid stepped down as the menteri besar and became an independent, he has rarely been seen in Port Klang and Bandar Tun Razak.
Residents said they did not even know where his service centres were and whether he would still be able to serve and attend to their complaints. – November 9, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/after-two-month-hiatus-khalid-to-make-comeback-with-new-ngo#sthash.hy66A3tV.dpuf
The NGO, with some help from PAS, will focus on charity work, according to Roslan Baharom, a community leader in Bandar Tun Razak, where Khalid is the MP. Bandar Tun Razak is in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
"Khalid will spearhead this NGO, and with some support from PAS, I think he will pull it off," Roslan said.
One of the programmes lined-up for the NGO is the "Sajian Rakyat" programme (The People's Meal), scheduled in the next few weeks to introduce the NGO and jumpstart Khalid's commitment to assist residents in his constituency.
Roslan told The Malaysian Insider that a discussion between Khalid and PAS representatives was held in Kuala Lumpur recently.
He said the Federal Territories PAS has given the green light for the party's division to assist Khalid in his endeavour.
"The reason why Khalid decided to form the NGO is to avoid unnecessary crisis between the Islamist party and PKR since he was sacked from the party on August 9,
"We hope it will not be a problem because, after all, Khalid is working as an NGO and not representing any political party," he said.
Roslan said that if there is enough allocation, Taski plans to hold the "Sajian Rakyat" programme every week. At the moment, he added that Khalid has personally promised to allocate RM5,000 for each of the upcoming programmes.
"We have not decided whether to hold it on a weekly basis. Even if that did not materialise, we have other programmes planned," he added.
It was understood that some of the committee members included those who used to work with Khalid when he was the Selangor menteri besar.
They include former CEO of Menteri Besar Incorporated, Faekah Husin, who is now Khalid's special officer for both Bandar Tun Razak and Port Klang.
Faekah, in a statement recently, said Khalid has never neglected his duties either as an assemblyman or MP and is currently working on programmes to help residents in both areas.
She also brushed off rumours that Khalid wanted to resign, saying that he was on a break and is now starting to get back to his duties.
PKR had sacked him in August after he failed to attend a disciplinary committee hearing over allegations concerning the Selangor water-restructuring exercise, his debt settlement with Bank Islam and the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).
All these came amid a tussle for the Selangor menteri's besar position that started early this year, with the PKR leadership wanting him to step down to make way for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The crisis ended when PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was appointed the new menteri besar.
It was reported today that since Khalid stepped down as the menteri besar and became an independent, he has rarely been seen in Port Klang and Bandar Tun Razak.
Residents said they did not even know where his service centres were and whether he would still be able to serve and attend to their complaints. – November 9, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/after-two-month-hiatus-khalid-to-make-comeback-with-new-ngo#sthash.hy66A3tV.dpuf
Wanita Umno wants Sedition Act to stay
The wing's chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that such remarks are feared to spark "worrying" incidents.
"We, Umno Wanita unanimously disagree the move to abolish the act for the sake of the nation security and harmony," she said at a briefing on the Sedition Act for the wing in Kuala Lumpur.
"I believe security and harmony issue stand above the religious, ethnicity and political understanding."Many of the people we spoke to fear that the current issues may cause something worrying to erupt, especially in issues relates to religious, race and royal institution," she said.
Shahrizat (middle in picture) said many issues raised by those spoken to are caused by seditious remarks and freedom on social media.
As such, the wing will submit a memorandum to urge the premier to postpone the abolishment, she said.
It will also embark on a one-million-signature petition campaign so the voices of those against the abolition will be heard in cabinet.
Najib had in 2012 promised to repeal the Sedition Act but this year said the government is undecided on whether to repeal it, retain it or replace it with the National Harmony Act.
Harmony Act insufficient
Meanwhile, Shahrizat opined that the National Harmony Act may not be able to ensure the security of the nation.
However, she was unable to articulate what is lacking in the proposed draft of the Bills.
The drafts were proposed by the National Unity Consultative Council with assistance by the Bar Council.
Although the government has stressed that this is not the official draft, Shahrizat still reminded the authorities to not just listen to the Bar Council.
"The women's voices must be heard before any decision on the abolition of Sedition Act and the drafting of new law," said Shahrizat, who trained as a lawyer.
She
also claimed that public feedback showed that women especially feared
for the nation’s security, but could not furnish statistics to support
this."We will get you the one-million signature," she told a press conference after a closed-door forum dubbed "Understand the Sedition Act" organised by its legal bureau.
Shahrizat said the wing will also embark on a nationwide roadshow to warn the public on the importance of the Sedition Act, which critics say is draconian.
Among the speakers at the closed-door function today were former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan (above) and pro-Sedition Act activist lawyer Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz.
The duo also called for the Act to stay, further advocating that it be amended to introduce the death penalty for repeat offenders.
Another panellist was Salahuddin Saidin, a former deputy public prosecutor turned barrister.
Media were not allowed to observe the forum, but was invited to take a photograph of about 400 Wanita Umno members raising their hands in support of the Sedition Act and the revival of Internal Security Act (ISA).
However, Shahrizat made no mention of the ISA during the press conference.
Mum on NFC
She also refused to comment on the National Feedlot Corporation scandal, involving her family members, stressing that she will only speak of the topic today.
She
was asked if her family had suffered from financial problems after the
NFC’s assets and accounts were frozen following the Auditor’s General
Report on the firm’s National Feedlot Centre (NFC).The firm was given a soft loan of RM250 million to run the project, but the audit found targets were not met.
The firm’s chairperson and Shahrizat’s husband, Mohamad Salleh Ismail (above) was charged for criminal breach of trust.
The government last week said it will now terminate the firm’s contract.
In response, the company said if not for the “lies” spread by the Opposition, and the government’ failure to build a promised abattoir, NFC would be a success.
SIS dragging Islam to court, says minister
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom in a statement said that the High Court had previously rejected a challenge on a fatwa in 2010 on grounds that it cannot intervene in Islamic affairs.
"In 2010, the High Court rejected an application by some sides who tried to challenge a fatwa on the ESQ Leadership Centre Sdn Bhd issue as it ruled it didn't have the jurisdiction to hear cases regarding fatwa and syariah," he said.
SIS
was banned from disseminating its views through a fatwa issued by the
Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) in July for promoting
"liberalism and pluralism".The fatwa also bars other entities from spreading anything published by SIS, and is being challenged by the NGO via a judicial review.
Meanwhile, Jamil Khir (left) asked religious authorities from all states to join hands in overcoming the "resistance" against Islam from people "who have agendas outside Islam."
"It is important for Muslims to be wary of such understandings to protect Islam. Islamic institutions like state religious councils should work together to face the new form of resistance against Islam," he said.
Bi-partisan rally for century-old ashram
In a rally in front of the 110-year-old ashram today, MIC vice-president M Saravanan (right), MIC Youth leaders, and a good number of Pakatan representatives showed solidarity for the cause.They were joined by some 300 people, some whom marched across Brickfields’ main thoroughfare pumping up more support for the ashram.
The trustees for the ashram want to develop a 23-storey building behind the ashram, an idea opposed by the leaders of the committee formed to save the ashram, who organised the protest.
PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil were the rare non-Indian politicians to show their support.
Nurul Izzah labelled the ashram as one of the last “souls” of Brickfields.
“We don’t want Brickfields to become another concrete jungle,” she said.
Nurul Izzah said that she also understood the concern of the trustees, who had said that they are unable to maintain the ashram due to a lack of funds.
“We are willing to meet them half-way. But what's important is for the voice of the people to be heard as well,” she said.
“We don’t want this place to lose its soul. And this ashram is one of Brickfields’ souls,” he said.
MIC Youth chief C Sivaraajh meanwhile said that those against redevelopment of the ashram land are willing to engage with the trustees to find a solution to the matter.
“I hope the board of trustees will be compelled not to go ahead with this project,” he said.
“Maybe this ashram can be converted to a library or a cultural centre. If there are any issues and any help needed, we can meet them and try to help,” he added.
‘Peserve buildings that are our identity’
Selanger state executive councillor V Ganabatirau (left)
said that Bangsar and Brickfields used to be early Indian settlements
but now there is very little left to preserve that identity.“It’s important to preserve buildings that are our identity,” he said.
Among others in attendance were PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, PKR’s Kapar MP G Manivannan and PKR activist S Jayathas.
The bid to have the general public sign a petition to urge that the ashram land be preserved has also been gaining momentum.
About 48,000 signatures had been collected at the time of writing and the committee said that it is confident of passing the 50,000 mark by the end of the day.
Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz had also supported keeping the ashram the way it is, but said that his ministry is unable to do anything more as the land belongs to a private entity, held in trust by the board of trustees.
Perkasa says social media twists their struggles
Ibrahim Ali says the group will continue to fight for the Malays and empower the institution of the Malay Rulers.
FMT
KUALA NERUS: Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said the Malay rights group had never carried out any action which could jeopardise the security of the country and that the bad perception created of them was the doing of those in social media who deliberately twisted the news.
Having said that, Ibrahim said Perkasa will hold firmly to the principles of its struggle of defending the sanctity of Islam and the Sedition Act for the security of the nation as well as defending the national language as the unifying language in this country.
Ibrahim added that the organisation would continue to fight for the Malays and empower the institution of the Malay Rulers.
“We do not fear any accusations and slanders hurled against Perkasa as all parties know from record, Perkasa is a clean organisation that struggles within the legal framework,” he said.
He disclosed this to reporters at a special Kuala Nerus Parliamentary Constituency Perkasa Conference, here which was attended by Terengganu Perkasa president Ismail Saamah as well as 200 Perkasa members.
- BERNAMA
KUALA NERUS: Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said the Malay rights group had never carried out any action which could jeopardise the security of the country and that the bad perception created of them was the doing of those in social media who deliberately twisted the news.
Having said that, Ibrahim said Perkasa will hold firmly to the principles of its struggle of defending the sanctity of Islam and the Sedition Act for the security of the nation as well as defending the national language as the unifying language in this country.
Ibrahim added that the organisation would continue to fight for the Malays and empower the institution of the Malay Rulers.
“We do not fear any accusations and slanders hurled against Perkasa as all parties know from record, Perkasa is a clean organisation that struggles within the legal framework,” he said.
He disclosed this to reporters at a special Kuala Nerus Parliamentary Constituency Perkasa Conference, here which was attended by Terengganu Perkasa president Ismail Saamah as well as 200 Perkasa members.
- BERNAMA
Najib Arrives In Beijing For APEC Summit
From Azlina Aziz
BEIJING, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak arrived here Sunday night to attend the two-day 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM), starting tomorrow.
The AELM, themed 'Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership', will be chaired by President Xi Jinping of China.
Najib, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, touched down at the Beijing Capital International Airport here about 8.20pm local time.
He was met on arrival by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin.
Also present were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, Prime Minister's Department officials, embassy officials (Chinese side) and representatives from Beijing Municipality.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is leading the Malaysian delegation to the summit.
During the 22nd AELM, Najib is scheduled to deliberate on the three priorities of Apec 2014 -- advancing regional economic integration; promoting innovative development, economic reform and growth; and, strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development.
Najib is also scheduled to hold meetings with global leaders to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interests.
The most important is the meeting with Xi and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang before the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, Iskandar told reporters Najib's meetings with Xi and Li would be the second within months.
The three leaders would take this opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, and of special interest, both countries celebrated the 40th year anniversary of diplomatic relations with the visit by Najib to China in May, he said.
"Malaysia's role and leadership next year and the years ahead are important, especially the country would assume the chairmanship of Asean next year and the election of the country as one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council," he said.
The annual event will bring together economic leaders from the grouping 21 economies to discuss a range of issues, among others strategies for the region's future especially on promoting trade and investment liberalisation, fostering economic integration and facilitating innovative growth.
Apec economies account for 45 per cent of global trade and half of the total gross domestic product.
BEIJING, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak arrived here Sunday night to attend the two-day 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM), starting tomorrow.
The AELM, themed 'Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership', will be chaired by President Xi Jinping of China.
Najib, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, touched down at the Beijing Capital International Airport here about 8.20pm local time.
He was met on arrival by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin.
Also present were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, Prime Minister's Department officials, embassy officials (Chinese side) and representatives from Beijing Municipality.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is leading the Malaysian delegation to the summit.
During the 22nd AELM, Najib is scheduled to deliberate on the three priorities of Apec 2014 -- advancing regional economic integration; promoting innovative development, economic reform and growth; and, strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development.
Najib is also scheduled to hold meetings with global leaders to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interests.
The most important is the meeting with Xi and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang before the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, Iskandar told reporters Najib's meetings with Xi and Li would be the second within months.
The three leaders would take this opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, and of special interest, both countries celebrated the 40th year anniversary of diplomatic relations with the visit by Najib to China in May, he said.
"Malaysia's role and leadership next year and the years ahead are important, especially the country would assume the chairmanship of Asean next year and the election of the country as one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council," he said.
The annual event will bring together economic leaders from the grouping 21 economies to discuss a range of issues, among others strategies for the region's future especially on promoting trade and investment liberalisation, fostering economic integration and facilitating innovative growth.
Apec economies account for 45 per cent of global trade and half of the total gross domestic product.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Four men arrested for allegedly plotting a terror attack to kill Queen Elizabeth
BRITISH police have foiled an alleged plot to assassinate the Queen in a knife attack this weekend at a Remembrance Day event in London, it has been claimed.
Counter terrorist police swooped on addresses in the west of the British capital and in the Thames Valley and arrested four men aged 19 to 27.
Scotland Yard were remaining tight lipped yesterday but confirmed it was an alleged Islamist plot to be carried out on British soil and was part of “an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism”.
But they declined to name the target.
British tabloid The Sun yesterday reported the plan was to kill the 88-year-old Queen at an event at the Cenotaph in the capital where she was to lay a wreath. The newspaper said both the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron had been made aware of the alleged plot.
Other British media were yesterday reporting police suspected it was more likely to be a gun attack plot on an unnamed target but potentially just random members of the public but armed police were already planning a tight cordon around the Royal family and Mr Cameron at war memorial events.
The palace declined to comment last night as is standard policy on security matters.
Armed guards had in the past two weeks been deployed to watch over ceremonial sentries including at the palace and Whitehall since the murder of Canadian reservist Nathan Crillo who had been on ceremonial duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.
But there were particular fears there could be a random attack carried out on any of the hundreds of events leading up to and on the nationally marked Remembrance Day on Sunday and next Tuesday.
Heavily armed counter terrorist police swooped on four addresses across west London and High Wycombe in the Thames Valley and arrested the four men and raided another four addresses linked to the men.
The suspects were all arrested and are being held in custody on suspicion of being concerned in “the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.
Police yesterday remained guarding their homes as detectives inside could be seen removing items of potential evidence.
The 19-year-old, understood to be called Yusuf Syed, was arrested at his mother’s house in High Wycombe at the same time as a 22-year-old was arrested in Hounslow in London’s west at 8.45pm. The younger man was said to have just returned from a trip to Pakistan.
A 25-year-old was arrested in Uxbridge at 2.55am yesterday morning while a 27-year-old was arrested in a car in the street in Southall at 8.30pm yesterday.
The arrests came from intelligence gathered by spy agency M15.
It is understood at least one of the men had been spoken to police in the past for jihadism. A second of the four man had had his passport seized by authorities recently after he planned to travel to the Middle East to take part in jihad.
Earlier this month, senior police officers and MPs said there was likely to be a significant rise in the number of armed police at the Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations in London due to increased fears of a terror attack either on military personnel takingpart or a dignitary. It is understood police were mostly fearing a lone attacker with a hand weapon as opposed to an orchestrated bomb plot.
The latest arrests come a few months after the national terror threat level in the UK was raised from substantial to severe, meaning a terrorist attack is “highly likely”.
It also followed social media calls by Islamic State (ISIS) extremists for followers to carry out unsophisticated lone wolf attacks in home states whether in Britain, Australia or the United States.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the national level against a backdrop of increasing concerns over hundreds of aspiring British jihadis travelling to Iraq and Syria to learn terrorist “tradecraft” and fight alongside terror groups like ISIS.
The national threat level was raised to “severe” two months ago denoting a terrorist attack was highly likely.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/four-men-arrested-for-allegedly-plotting-a-terror-attack-to-kill-queen-elizabeth/story-fndir2ev-1227116658248
Counter terrorist police swooped on addresses in the west of the British capital and in the Thames Valley and arrested four men aged 19 to 27.
Scotland Yard were remaining tight lipped yesterday but confirmed it was an alleged Islamist plot to be carried out on British soil and was part of “an ongoing investigation into Islamist-related terrorism”.
But they declined to name the target.
British tabloid The Sun yesterday reported the plan was to kill the 88-year-old Queen at an event at the Cenotaph in the capital where she was to lay a wreath. The newspaper said both the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron had been made aware of the alleged plot.
Other British media were yesterday reporting police suspected it was more likely to be a gun attack plot on an unnamed target but potentially just random members of the public but armed police were already planning a tight cordon around the Royal family and Mr Cameron at war memorial events.
The palace declined to comment last night as is standard policy on security matters.
Armed guards had in the past two weeks been deployed to watch over ceremonial sentries including at the palace and Whitehall since the murder of Canadian reservist Nathan Crillo who had been on ceremonial duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa.
But there were particular fears there could be a random attack carried out on any of the hundreds of events leading up to and on the nationally marked Remembrance Day on Sunday and next Tuesday.
Heavily armed counter terrorist police swooped on four addresses across west London and High Wycombe in the Thames Valley and arrested the four men and raided another four addresses linked to the men.
The suspects were all arrested and are being held in custody on suspicion of being concerned in “the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.
Police yesterday remained guarding their homes as detectives inside could be seen removing items of potential evidence.
The 19-year-old, understood to be called Yusuf Syed, was arrested at his mother’s house in High Wycombe at the same time as a 22-year-old was arrested in Hounslow in London’s west at 8.45pm. The younger man was said to have just returned from a trip to Pakistan.
A 25-year-old was arrested in Uxbridge at 2.55am yesterday morning while a 27-year-old was arrested in a car in the street in Southall at 8.30pm yesterday.
The arrests came from intelligence gathered by spy agency M15.
It is understood at least one of the men had been spoken to police in the past for jihadism. A second of the four man had had his passport seized by authorities recently after he planned to travel to the Middle East to take part in jihad.
Earlier this month, senior police officers and MPs said there was likely to be a significant rise in the number of armed police at the Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations in London due to increased fears of a terror attack either on military personnel takingpart or a dignitary. It is understood police were mostly fearing a lone attacker with a hand weapon as opposed to an orchestrated bomb plot.
The latest arrests come a few months after the national terror threat level in the UK was raised from substantial to severe, meaning a terrorist attack is “highly likely”.
It also followed social media calls by Islamic State (ISIS) extremists for followers to carry out unsophisticated lone wolf attacks in home states whether in Britain, Australia or the United States.
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the national level against a backdrop of increasing concerns over hundreds of aspiring British jihadis travelling to Iraq and Syria to learn terrorist “tradecraft” and fight alongside terror groups like ISIS.
The national threat level was raised to “severe” two months ago denoting a terrorist attack was highly likely.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/four-men-arrested-for-allegedly-plotting-a-terror-attack-to-kill-queen-elizabeth/story-fndir2ev-1227116658248
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