Sunday, 21 December 2014
Islamic State: “Merry Christmas, you infidels!”, posts photoshopped image of Santa held hostage
By Nicolai Sennels
By abusing democracy, Muslims managed to overtake the local board in the Danish ghetto Egedalsvænge in 2012. That year the board decided that year that, contrary to tradition, there should be no common Christmas tree that year. From The Clarian Project:
By abusing democracy, Muslims managed to overtake the local board in the Danish ghetto Egedalsvænge in 2012. That year the board decided that year that, contrary to tradition, there should be no common Christmas tree that year. From The Clarian Project:
“Islamic State Mocks US With Photoshopped Santa Held HostageAnd this follow-up from Telegraph:
The image isn’t just dark humor. It’s part of the group’s supremacist worldview that seeks the forced extinction of all contrary beliefs. …
Celebrating Christmas is viewed as heresy or even blasphemy, which is punishable by death under sharia law by some Islamists. Muslims believe that Christianity contradicts the singularity of God by believing that Jesus was the Son of God, instead of limiting him to an admirable prophet.”
Staff at a Government department have been urged to avoid writing the words “Merry Christmas” in seasonal email greetings to avoid upsetting anyone.
Instead, employees at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have reportedly been advised to stick to the more neutral term “Seasons Greetings”.
In a memo circulated around the department, recipients were also warned that images on their e-cards should not feature skin
British rock musician turned ISIS extremist is luring teenage girls to Syria through Twitter with the promise of an 'awesome life' as a jihadi bride
- White British mother has been luring young girls to Syria through Twitter
- Sally Jones, 45, is encouraging them to join Islamic State as jihadi brides
- She messaged reporter posing as fictional 17-year-old promising an 'awesome life' in Syria
- Former lead guitarist said Isis militants would offer to pay travel expenses
A British mother-of-two who joined Islamic State jihadists with her ten-year-old is luring young girls to Syria through Twitter with the promise of 'an awesome life'.
Muslim Convert Sally Jones, 45, told a reporter posing as a fictional 17-year-old 'Aisha' that she would 'never want for money again' and live a good life if she made the journey to Syria to become a jihadi bride.
The unemployed mother from Chatham, Kent, who survived on benefits while living in the UK, ranted online about how she wanted to behead Christians after fleeing to wage jihad with her toyboy husband.
Using her new name, Sakinah Hussain, the former lead guitarist in an all-girl punk band revealed how Isis militants are offering to pay travel expenses for teenagers looking to become jihadi brides.
But she said that some British girls had kept the money and never made the 'hijrah' - holy migration.
'People send money to girls to make hijrah and they take the money but dont come my sis said,' she wrote in a message to an undercover reporter at The Times.
'At the end of the day if ur muslim u have to get out of ul kufr [the land of the disbelievers] to please Allah if you can.'
'Aisha' voiced concerns about the identity of 'Abu Abbas al-Lubnani', who vetted and groomed two girls over a three-month period before giving them money so they could travel to Turkey.
Jones responded by saying: 'U have [to] give the bros name to Western Union as the collector. Listen if he's giving u money to help u make hijrah [holy migration] dw [don't worry] sis.
'He needs ur passport pics to check u aint spys or police cos hed get in big trouble if u was so dw ok just meet his brother and get the money.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2881667/British-rock-musician-turned-ISIS-extremist-luring-teenage-girls-Syria-Twitter-promise-awesome-life-jihadi-bride.html
The politics of inequality
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not mince his words. Not since he started in politics and definitely not now, more than a decade after stepping down as Malaysia's fourth prime minister.But there are days where you wonder where is he coming from. Today, he said the Malays’ grip on politics was weak due to disunity and them having to beg from other races for support to remain in power.
"Now Umno, PKR, and PAS have to beg for support from DAP Chinese to win the general election. When we become beggars, we no longer have power," he said in his keynote address at a youth leadership programme in Kuala Lumpur.
He added that even if the country achieved developed-nation status, the Malays might be left behind.
"This is our fate now. We plan to achieve developed-nation status by 2020. Our nation might get there. But, because of disunity, what we planned in vision 2020 for (the Malays) may not materialise," he said, repeating his diatribe that some one million Chinese and Indians were given citizenship after Merdeka in 1957, which eventually led to the dilution of Malay power.
But this is strange, coming from the man whose The Way Forward speech in 1991 defined Malaysia's Vision 2020 for a fully developed nation.
Then, he had called for the eventual Bangsa Malaysia, and there was hardly talk of political dominance by one race or the other.
This is what Dr Mahathir said then, "By the year 2020, Malaysia can be a united nation, with a confident Malaysian society, infused by strong moral and ethical values, living in a society that is democratic, liberal and tolerant, caring, economically just and equitable, progressive and prosperous, and in full possession of an economy that is competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient."
"There can be no fully developed Malaysia until we have finally overcome the nine central strategic challenges that have confronted us from the moment of our birth as an independent nation.
"The first of these is the challenge of establishing a united Malaysian nation with a sense of common and shared destiny. This must be a nation at peace with itself, territorially, and ethnically integrated, living in harmony and full and fair partnership, made up of one 'Bangsa Malaysia' with political loyalty and dedication to the nation.
"The second is the challenge of creating a psychologically liberated, secure, and developed Malaysian Society with faith and confidence in itself, justifiably proud of what it is, of what it has accomplished, robust enough to face all manner of adversity.
"This Malaysian Society must be distinguished by the pursuit of excellence, fully aware of all its potentials, psychologically subservient to none, and respected by the peoples of other nations.
"The third challenge we have always faced is that of fostering and developing a mature democratic society practising a form of mature consensual, community-oriented Malaysian democracy that can be a model for many developing countries.
"The fourth is the challenge of establishing a fully moral and ethical society, whose citizens are strong in religions and spiritual values and imbued with the highest of ethical standards.
"The fifth challenge that we have always faced is the challenge of establishing a mature, liberal and tolerant society in which Malaysians of all colours and creeds are free to practise and profess their customs, cultures and religious belief and yet feeling that they belong to one nation.
"The sixth is the challenge of establishing a scientific and progressive society, a society that is innovative and forward-looking, one that is not only a consumer or technology but also a contributor to the scientific and technological civilization of the future.
"The seventh challenge is the challenge of establishing a fully caring society that will put others before self, in which the welfare of the people will revolve not around the state or the individual but around a strong and resilient family.
"The eighth is the challenge of ensuring an economically-just society. This is a society in which there is a fair and equitable distribution of the wealth of the nation, in which there is full partnership in economic progress. Such a society cannot be in place so long as there is the identification of race with economic function, and the identification of economic backwardness with race.
"The ninth challenge is the challenge of establishing a prosperous society, with an economy that is fully competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient," he had said, noting Malaysia has come a long way to fulfil the objectives.
But today, Dr Mahathir sings a different tune. Perhaps we were taken in then and did not analyse his 1991 speech that promised a Bangsa Malaysia where race and political dominance by race was not even mentioned.
Yet, his words then have stirred Malaysians to work together to overcome the nine challenges that he had identified. And in that time, economic inequalities between the races have smoothened out as much as political inequalities.
More importantly, be it from the days of Tunku Abdul Rahman to current prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak – Umno has worked with political parties that represented other races.
The party knows it cannot go it alone to govern Malaysia. And the fact that its near total dominance of the Barisan Nsaional (BN) in the past years have cost MCA and MIC, and even Gerakan and PPP, much of their state and federal seats.
No sir, the Malays do not have to beg other races to keep power anymore. We are all Malaysians, your Bangsa Malaysia, and we look beyond skin colour and ethnicity when deciding our government of the day.
What Malaysians are looking for is an honest and hardworking government that is fair to all. A government that keeps your nine challenges as a guide to a better Malaysia.
We are not a country of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Murut, Iban, Orang Ulus and Orang Asals. We are a country of Malaysians, and definitely not a people who are politically weak that they have to beg to keep power.
It does not matter who leads the parties or runs the government as long as they are Malaysians who do a good job for Malaysia. – December 20, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/the-politics-of-inequality#sthash.132WT7rU.dpuf
'Quarters removal will rob Brickfields of character'
DAP national vice-chair M Kulasegaran expressed
surprise that so soon after a venerable site in storied Brickfields was
saved from the developer’s bulldozer, an adjoining area of comparable
antiquity is earmarked for demolishment.
“Demolishing ‘100 Quarters’ will destroy a part of Kuala Lumpur’s history,” asserted the MP for Ipoh Barat in remarks to the press today.
Last
month, the DAP leader helped rouse public consciousness over plans to
convert the Swami Vivekananda Ashram which lies cheek by jowl with ‘100
Quarters’ into a residential development.
‘100 Quarters’ comprises three rows of quarters along Jalan Chan Ah Tong, Lorong Chan Ah Tong and Jalan Rosario. An adjoining open space was the small but hallowed recreational grounds of residents.
The houses were built in 1915 to house employees of the Malayan Railways whose offices and shunting yards were located at the northern end of Brickfields, barely a half kilometer from ‘100 Quarters’.
'A rude surprise'
Kulasegaran disclosed that the demolishment of ‘100 Quarters’ was to enable the construction of three residential towers by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) which is partly owned by the country’s largest pension fund, Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
The federal legislator raised questions about the deal that gave MRCB the authority to undertake the development.
Kulasegaran recalled that when Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (left)
visited the Vivekananda Ashram on Nov 6, he openly declared that the
ashram, the adjoining quarters and the open space must be preserved.
“It was a bold statement, but now comes the rude surprise that the quarters and open space have been earmarked for high-end residential development,” he noted.
“This is a time for corporate bodies to be mindful of their corporate social responsibility with respect to local stakeholders’ interests,” said the lawyer-legislator.
“Demolishing ‘100 Quarters’ will destroy a part of Kuala Lumpur’s history,” asserted the MP for Ipoh Barat in remarks to the press today.
Last
month, the DAP leader helped rouse public consciousness over plans to
convert the Swami Vivekananda Ashram which lies cheek by jowl with ‘100
Quarters’ into a residential development.‘100 Quarters’ comprises three rows of quarters along Jalan Chan Ah Tong, Lorong Chan Ah Tong and Jalan Rosario. An adjoining open space was the small but hallowed recreational grounds of residents.
The houses were built in 1915 to house employees of the Malayan Railways whose offices and shunting yards were located at the northern end of Brickfields, barely a half kilometer from ‘100 Quarters’.
'A rude surprise'
Kulasegaran disclosed that the demolishment of ‘100 Quarters’ was to enable the construction of three residential towers by Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) which is partly owned by the country’s largest pension fund, Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
The federal legislator raised questions about the deal that gave MRCB the authority to undertake the development.
Kulasegaran recalled that when Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (left)
visited the Vivekananda Ashram on Nov 6, he openly declared that the
ashram, the adjoining quarters and the open space must be preserved.“It was a bold statement, but now comes the rude surprise that the quarters and open space have been earmarked for high-end residential development,” he noted.
“This is a time for corporate bodies to be mindful of their corporate social responsibility with respect to local stakeholders’ interests,” said the lawyer-legislator.
Bar: ‘Unrealistic for bailiff to track Indira's daughter’
The Malaysian Bar expressed regret with the
majority Court of Appeal decision in the M Indira Gandhi interfaith
custody battle which lifted a mandamus order compelling the
inspector-general of police to arrest her former husband and recover
their daughter.
The Bar's vice-president Steven Thiru asked whether a court bailiff has the resources to locate Indira's daughter.
The outcome of the decision, he said, is that the administration of justice would be reduced to chaos and disrepute if compliance with an order of court is dependent on the whims and fancies of the party to whom the order is directed.
“The order in this case has no room for any discretion and therefore, compliance with it by the police was mandatory.
“A mandamus order is appropriate to enforce a mandatory order of the court.
“It is further unrealistic to expect the court bailiff to locate the ex-husband and the child.
“The bailiff would not have the resources and the required information that the police possess, to detect and ascertain the whereabouts of the ex-husband and child.
“It is therefore unfair to deny Indira the mandatory order on the basis that she is first required to ‘exhaust all her avenues for relief’ through the court bailiff for the purposes of enforcing of the contempt orders,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Order compels public servant to perform duty
Thiru said the majority appellate court judgment failed to appreciate that the mandamus order was predicated on the administration of justice and the performance of duties by the police in aid of the administration of justice.
He explained a mandamus order is a prerogative relief that the High Court can grant in its supervisory jurisdiction.
“It is an order that is available to a private litigant for the purposes of compelling a public authority or a public servant to perform their duties.
“A mandamus order is granted when the court is satisfied that the public authority, or public servant has failed, refused or neglected to perform their duties.
“The view taken by the majority of the Court of Appeal that the matter was a private family law dispute was unduly blinkered and detached from the reality of the matter.
“In the result, the court has denied Indira (right) of a relief that could have led to the recovery of her daughter child in this prolonged dispute.”
In this case, he added the Ipoh High Court found Indira's ex-husband, Muhammad Ridhuan Abdullah in contempt of court for failing to return their daughter, Prasana Diksa, since 2009.
The court then ordered that the child to be handed over to Indira within a stipulated time period and that the police should help locate both the ex-husband and the child.
‘About role of police in administering justice’
These contempt orders were all made by the court in the contempt proceedings, Thiru said however, the ex-husband failed to hand over the child till this year.
Further, he said the police failed to comply with the order to locate Ridhuan and the child.
The mandamus order was granted against the inspector-general of police due to their inaction in locating the ex-husband and the child.
“The police failed to comply with a duty or obligation imposed on them by the court in the contempt proceedings with regard to the execution or enforcement of the contempt orders of the court.
“It was accordingly no longer a matter of private rights, but rather a serious matter concerning the administration of justice and the role of the police in the administration of justice,” he explained.
“It is now a matter that transcended the nature of the dispute between the litigants and impinged on the administration of justice, in the present case, in contempt proceedings. The mandamus order was therefore granted to uphold the administration of justice.
Moreover, Thiru said the significance of respecting the sanctity of court orders, which in this case was an order that was specifically directed at the police, is equally critical.
He added compliance with that part of the order cannot be a matter which is left to the discretion of a party before the court, which in this case is the police.
The Bar's vice-president Steven Thiru asked whether a court bailiff has the resources to locate Indira's daughter.
The outcome of the decision, he said, is that the administration of justice would be reduced to chaos and disrepute if compliance with an order of court is dependent on the whims and fancies of the party to whom the order is directed.
“The order in this case has no room for any discretion and therefore, compliance with it by the police was mandatory.“A mandamus order is appropriate to enforce a mandatory order of the court.
“It is further unrealistic to expect the court bailiff to locate the ex-husband and the child.
“The bailiff would not have the resources and the required information that the police possess, to detect and ascertain the whereabouts of the ex-husband and child.
“It is therefore unfair to deny Indira the mandatory order on the basis that she is first required to ‘exhaust all her avenues for relief’ through the court bailiff for the purposes of enforcing of the contempt orders,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Order compels public servant to perform duty
Thiru said the majority appellate court judgment failed to appreciate that the mandamus order was predicated on the administration of justice and the performance of duties by the police in aid of the administration of justice.
He explained a mandamus order is a prerogative relief that the High Court can grant in its supervisory jurisdiction.
“It is an order that is available to a private litigant for the purposes of compelling a public authority or a public servant to perform their duties.
“A mandamus order is granted when the court is satisfied that the public authority, or public servant has failed, refused or neglected to perform their duties.
“The view taken by the majority of the Court of Appeal that the matter was a private family law dispute was unduly blinkered and detached from the reality of the matter.
“In the result, the court has denied Indira (right) of a relief that could have led to the recovery of her daughter child in this prolonged dispute.”In this case, he added the Ipoh High Court found Indira's ex-husband, Muhammad Ridhuan Abdullah in contempt of court for failing to return their daughter, Prasana Diksa, since 2009.
The court then ordered that the child to be handed over to Indira within a stipulated time period and that the police should help locate both the ex-husband and the child.
‘About role of police in administering justice’
These contempt orders were all made by the court in the contempt proceedings, Thiru said however, the ex-husband failed to hand over the child till this year.
Further, he said the police failed to comply with the order to locate Ridhuan and the child.
The mandamus order was granted against the inspector-general of police due to their inaction in locating the ex-husband and the child.
“The police failed to comply with a duty or obligation imposed on them by the court in the contempt proceedings with regard to the execution or enforcement of the contempt orders of the court.
“It was accordingly no longer a matter of private rights, but rather a serious matter concerning the administration of justice and the role of the police in the administration of justice,” he explained.
“It is now a matter that transcended the nature of the dispute between the litigants and impinged on the administration of justice, in the present case, in contempt proceedings. The mandamus order was therefore granted to uphold the administration of justice.
Moreover, Thiru said the significance of respecting the sanctity of court orders, which in this case was an order that was specifically directed at the police, is equally critical.
He added compliance with that part of the order cannot be a matter which is left to the discretion of a party before the court, which in this case is the police.
Minister: Dead teen’s kin should get medical report
Assunta Hospital should provide the parents of
deceased teenager G Tinasha with the full medical report, said Health
Minister Dr S Subramaniam.
“It is their right,” he stressed, adding that it was normal procedure to provide a thorough report on what had transpired.
Tinasha's parents blamed the private hospital for their 14-year-old daughter’s death, claiming that the medical staffs were negligent in treating her.
They also claimed that the hospital refused to furnish them with the medical report because of the media blitz.
However, the Petaling Jaya-based hospital had denied the allegations.
Subramaniam said that he had already directed the Private Practice Control Unit (UKAPS) to investigate the case and is awaiting their report.
“I have instructed UKAPS to call up Assunta Hospital and do a thorough investigation to see whether there is actually any lapse in the way they handled the case.
“That process is going on now and I have not got the final report of the investigation yet,” he added.
Alleged discrepancies
The health minister said UKAPS would be looking into the matter of alleged discrepancies between the medical report given to the parents and the one sent to the insurance company.
“There is a difference in the reports which were given. We will also handle that in the investigation.
“If at all we find that the reports were purposely doctored, then we will take action,” he added.
Two police reports against the hospital have been lodged and the family plans to file another over the medical reports.
The family claimed that the report given to them only contained the chronology of events from the time Tinasha was admitted to the hospital up till her death, five days later.
According to the family, the report that was handed over to the insurance company was more detailed, which included medical specialist’s reports.
However, Subramaniam also took a swipe at Tinasha’s parents for posting their grouses on Facebook before lodging an official complaint with the ministry.
“The public sometimes think that when they post about an issue on Facebook, it has already been reported.
“So this particular case became viral on Facebook, but officially they (the parents) did not come to report (to us),” he said.
Assunta Hospital has strenuously denied that their medical staffs were negligent in treating Tinasha.
“It is their right,” he stressed, adding that it was normal procedure to provide a thorough report on what had transpired.
Tinasha's parents blamed the private hospital for their 14-year-old daughter’s death, claiming that the medical staffs were negligent in treating her.
They also claimed that the hospital refused to furnish them with the medical report because of the media blitz.However, the Petaling Jaya-based hospital had denied the allegations.
Subramaniam said that he had already directed the Private Practice Control Unit (UKAPS) to investigate the case and is awaiting their report.
“I have instructed UKAPS to call up Assunta Hospital and do a thorough investigation to see whether there is actually any lapse in the way they handled the case.
“That process is going on now and I have not got the final report of the investigation yet,” he added.
Alleged discrepancies
The health minister said UKAPS would be looking into the matter of alleged discrepancies between the medical report given to the parents and the one sent to the insurance company.
“There is a difference in the reports which were given. We will also handle that in the investigation.
“If at all we find that the reports were purposely doctored, then we will take action,” he added.
Two police reports against the hospital have been lodged and the family plans to file another over the medical reports.
The family claimed that the report given to them only contained the chronology of events from the time Tinasha was admitted to the hospital up till her death, five days later.
According to the family, the report that was handed over to the insurance company was more detailed, which included medical specialist’s reports.
However, Subramaniam also took a swipe at Tinasha’s parents for posting their grouses on Facebook before lodging an official complaint with the ministry.
“The public sometimes think that when they post about an issue on Facebook, it has already been reported.
“So this particular case became viral on Facebook, but officially they (the parents) did not come to report (to us),” he said.
Assunta Hospital has strenuously denied that their medical staffs were negligent in treating Tinasha.
Isma: Good for Muslims to be 'sensitive' to threats
It is a healthy sign that Muslims are allegedly
increasingly sensitive towards criticisms of their religion, said Ikatan
Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman.
He was commenting when asked about police reports lodged against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and radio station BFM recently.
"Sensitive is healthy. But not too sensitive. The liberals try to paint a negative image about people who hold on to religious principles.
"We
are labelled paranoid, too sensitive, this is to make us afraid to come
forward," he said during a press conference at Isma's seminar on
liberalism at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
A group of Muslim NGOs, led by Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) and Isma lodged the police report against BFM radio on Thursday, urging that the presenters and the station be charged under the Sedition Act.
The group said BFM had crossed the line in discussing the issues of ‘kalimah Allah’, Muslim headscarves and sacrificial meat.
NGO Pekida, meanwhile, will lodge a police report over Lim's remarks that non-Muslims in Penang can use the word “Allah” this Tuesday.
Meanwhile, commenting on the “threats” of liberalism, Abdullah said the spread of ideology among Muslims in the country was at a critical level.
However, such threats can be curbed if the society understands the true teachings of religion, he said.
“It is just like a parasite which freeloads on a healthy tree. That’s why our effort is to ensure that the tree remains healthy, as it will not be easy for it to be affected by diseases,” he said.
He was commenting when asked about police reports lodged against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and radio station BFM recently.
"Sensitive is healthy. But not too sensitive. The liberals try to paint a negative image about people who hold on to religious principles.
"We
are labelled paranoid, too sensitive, this is to make us afraid to come
forward," he said during a press conference at Isma's seminar on
liberalism at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.A group of Muslim NGOs, led by Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) and Isma lodged the police report against BFM radio on Thursday, urging that the presenters and the station be charged under the Sedition Act.
The group said BFM had crossed the line in discussing the issues of ‘kalimah Allah’, Muslim headscarves and sacrificial meat.
NGO Pekida, meanwhile, will lodge a police report over Lim's remarks that non-Muslims in Penang can use the word “Allah” this Tuesday.
Meanwhile, commenting on the “threats” of liberalism, Abdullah said the spread of ideology among Muslims in the country was at a critical level.
However, such threats can be curbed if the society understands the true teachings of religion, he said.
“It is just like a parasite which freeloads on a healthy tree. That’s why our effort is to ensure that the tree remains healthy, as it will not be easy for it to be affected by diseases,” he said.
Tearing down X’mas banner unIslamic, say lawmakers
They said the group should not have taken the law into their own hands even if they disagreed with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s contention over the use of ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims.
“One should not act based on emotion when it involves religious matters. If they are not satisfied they should bring it to the court,” Titiwangsa Umno MP Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani told The Star Online.
He added that the group should respect the beliefs of others in order to maintain peace and harmony in a multiracial society.
On Friday, the banner with Christmas and New Year messages that was hung outside the Perak DAP headquarters was torn down by the group.
Lim had reportedly said that there was no ban on non-Muslims in Penang using the word ‘Allah’, pointing out that fatwas and the Administration of Religion of Islam (Penang) Enactment 2004 do not apply to non-Muslims.
The Penang Perkasa chapter had also lodged 25 police reports against Lim.
Shah Alam PAS MP Khalid Samad said there was “nothing Islamic” in the action of the group as the religion never taught its followers to resort to violence.
“What Perkasa did had tarnished the image of Islam and this is what happens when one uses religion to fulfill their agenda,” he said.
He said the group should expect the differing views of other parties particularly on religion.
“If they want others to respect their views, then they should show some respect to others,” Khalid said, calling for action to be taken against the group.
Najib’s ‘cash is king’ BR1M delusion
People should work to get money says Mahathir, stepping up pressure on Najib.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has yet again criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for not taking into consideration his suggestion that Najib’s BR1M payout scheme is flawed and should be stopped.
“I have spoken out about this many times but he belabours in the delusion that cash is king,” said Mahathir on the sidelines of a forum on Islam and Vision 2020.
“Getting money without putting in any effort is wrong.
“Giving out cash to buy support is not the right approach.”
The government, he stressed, should be making available opportunities for the people and providing the necessary training.
“We cannot have a situation where the person who is sleeping gets RM140 and the one that’s working gets RM 133,” he said cynically.
“People should work to get money.”
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has yet again criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for not taking into consideration his suggestion that Najib’s BR1M payout scheme is flawed and should be stopped.
“I have spoken out about this many times but he belabours in the delusion that cash is king,” said Mahathir on the sidelines of a forum on Islam and Vision 2020.
“Getting money without putting in any effort is wrong.
“Giving out cash to buy support is not the right approach.”
The government, he stressed, should be making available opportunities for the people and providing the necessary training.
“We cannot have a situation where the person who is sleeping gets RM140 and the one that’s working gets RM 133,” he said cynically.
“People should work to get money.”
Malays a ‘minority’ split three ways, Mahathir laments
Former prime minister sings old tune of Malays becoming 'beggars' beholden to DAP to win power, and warns of Umno's defeat.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in an unprecedented interview with the media on the state of the nation, alleged in a bizarre take that the Malays have splintered in three directions and have become a minority, from being the majority.
Umno, PAS and PKR have begun “beggars” dependent on the Chinese in DAP to win elections, he claimed. It’s wasn’t clear how the Chinese in DAP could help Umno to win elections but he appeared to equate the fate of Umno with the fate of the Malays.
“Because the Malays have split, they have become beggars and have lost power,” said Mahathir. “This is what’s happening at the moment.”
“By right the Malays should be the majority.”
He doesn’t expand on the thought about Malays being the majority in the face of the fact that legislation can only be adopted from a convergence of interests, not necessarily derived from race, on a common platform.
Mahathir also ventured that people only dared to speak up after he had first made any criticism of the government. When asked about the recent Open Letter by 25 eminent Malays against rising extremism, he conceded he had not read it, but went on to say that criticism of the government showed that Umno would lose the elections if nothing was done.
“Leaders nowadays are only interested in achieving their personal objectives by gathering the people around them,” said Mahathir in implying that they didn’t concern themselves with the fate of Umno or the oft-cited race, religion and country theme long promoted by the party.
“Leaders should be guided by the verses in the Quran. Trust, not indulging in plunder and striving in life is important to form a government.”
He pointed out that “praying without making any efforts will not bring results”.
Keeping the fate of Umno in mind, he called for a change in attitudes among the Malays and adoption of the right culture and values to succeed.
“The nation is expected to be reach developed status soon,” he said while at the same time remaining pessimistic that the Vision 2020 target of being a developed nation could be reached. “It is not certain the Malays will be a developed people in a developed nation.”
He agreed that he had often been critical of the Malays but this was in order that they could see themselves for what they are. “If I don’t point out the realities, they would continue to remain delusional and in a state of denial,” said Mahathir.
“Muslims should by right unite and hold on to the teachings of the Quran.”
The Open Letter calls for dialogue in the face of worsening polarisation, creeping Islamisation and creeping desecularisation, and defends the federal Constitution as supreme law being secular, with
Islam as the religion of the Federation, and religion being a matter in the states where applicable.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in an unprecedented interview with the media on the state of the nation, alleged in a bizarre take that the Malays have splintered in three directions and have become a minority, from being the majority.
Umno, PAS and PKR have begun “beggars” dependent on the Chinese in DAP to win elections, he claimed. It’s wasn’t clear how the Chinese in DAP could help Umno to win elections but he appeared to equate the fate of Umno with the fate of the Malays.
“Because the Malays have split, they have become beggars and have lost power,” said Mahathir. “This is what’s happening at the moment.”
“By right the Malays should be the majority.”
He doesn’t expand on the thought about Malays being the majority in the face of the fact that legislation can only be adopted from a convergence of interests, not necessarily derived from race, on a common platform.
Mahathir also ventured that people only dared to speak up after he had first made any criticism of the government. When asked about the recent Open Letter by 25 eminent Malays against rising extremism, he conceded he had not read it, but went on to say that criticism of the government showed that Umno would lose the elections if nothing was done.
“Leaders nowadays are only interested in achieving their personal objectives by gathering the people around them,” said Mahathir in implying that they didn’t concern themselves with the fate of Umno or the oft-cited race, religion and country theme long promoted by the party.
“Leaders should be guided by the verses in the Quran. Trust, not indulging in plunder and striving in life is important to form a government.”
He pointed out that “praying without making any efforts will not bring results”.
Keeping the fate of Umno in mind, he called for a change in attitudes among the Malays and adoption of the right culture and values to succeed.
“The nation is expected to be reach developed status soon,” he said while at the same time remaining pessimistic that the Vision 2020 target of being a developed nation could be reached. “It is not certain the Malays will be a developed people in a developed nation.”
He agreed that he had often been critical of the Malays but this was in order that they could see themselves for what they are. “If I don’t point out the realities, they would continue to remain delusional and in a state of denial,” said Mahathir.
“Muslims should by right unite and hold on to the teachings of the Quran.”
The Open Letter calls for dialogue in the face of worsening polarisation, creeping Islamisation and creeping desecularisation, and defends the federal Constitution as supreme law being secular, with
Islam as the religion of the Federation, and religion being a matter in the states where applicable.
MIC is not movie where gangsters are heroes – Palanivel
He said such a behaviour was unacceptable in the party and that members should not allowed such a political culture to take place.
“We must not allow such hooliganism to hijack the MIC where the majority of members are rationale, law abiding and have only the interest of the community, and not personal ambitions,” he said referring to punch-ups took place outside the party headquarters on Thursday.
The incident occurred after the party’s meeting to discuss the Registrar of Societies’ (RoS) order calling for fresh election for the party Central Working Committee (CWC) and vice presidency.
Palanivel had announced that he and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam would meet the ROS to seek clarification over the order.
Palanivel said “something is seriously wrong when a meeting is disrupted”.
“The Indian community must have felt “let down” and “ashamed” by what happened.
“I ask those responsible to take a hard look at themselves and ask if what they did has helped the Indians.
“Do they endorse such a behaviour,” he asked.
On criticism that he had not been vocal enough, Palanivel said the MIC was in the government and not the opposition.
“I speak up in the Cabinet and I have access to the PM. I have an effective voice in cabinet where decisions are made.
“Making noises outside is mere publicity stunt with no sure results,” he said adding that since he took over the party, MIC representation in the Cabinet had increased from one to two with two deputies.
“The MIC delivered the Indian votes to the GE13 polls,” he said.
He cited the increased allocations for temples, Tamil schools, empowering business opportunities, setting up special affairs Indian cabinet committee, education aids and blueprint for Indian community also is on track.
“Let’s talk facts and figures. Don’t let unreasonable and angry voices drown good hard work.
“The MIC is in the business of helping the community. This is not a movie where gangsters are heroes. We care about the people who need most,” he stressed.
Why such uneasiness among Muslims over 'Allah'?
As the nation anxiously awaits the Court of Appeal's decision on Monday
regarding the use of the word ‘Allah' by non-Muslims, a short chapter on
the controversial issue in former Tenaga Nasional Bhd chief's latest
book, ‘Memoirs of Tan Sri Ani Arope', is both apt and timely.
Representing the "endangered species" of broadminded Malays who grew up
in multicultural Malaysia, Ani asks, "Why there is so much uneasiness
among Muslims to hear others using the word loosely?"
Ani
is referring to the dispute on the use of ‘Allah' by non-Muslims in
Malaysia, which has gone all the way up to the appellate court.
It has also created tension between Muslims and non-Muslims in the country, which led to a few churches being fire-bombed following the High Court decision to allow the Catholic weekly The Herald to use the word ‘Allah' for God in Bahasa Malaysia, the language used by many Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.
Pig's heads, wrapped in plastic, were also found in two mosques in Kuala Lumpur, but to date police have not arrested the culprits.
Sincere and frank dialogue
According to Ani, the term and use of the word ‘Allah' is not and cannot be exclusive to Muslims.
"The Jews and Christians in the Arab speaking world would use the name ‘Allah' to refer to the Almighty," he argues.
He further explains: "Allah (swt) to us, Muslims, is not merely a word but more importantly, the concept from an Islamic teaching."
The octogenarian, who turned 81 recently, said he had hoped that his sincere and frank dialogue on the Allah row could help to "continue to build peaceful and friendly relationships based upon mutual respect, justice, and what is common in essence in our shared Abrahamic tradition, particularly ‘the two greatest commandments' in Mark 12:29-31 (and, in varying form, in Matthew 22:37-40), that the Lord, our God, is one Lord (Rabi Allahu Ahad)."
‘Memoirs of Tan Sri Ani Arope' is published by the Fulbright Alumni Association of Malaysia. The soft-launch of the 143-page book was done at the Fulbright's 50th anniversary dinner in July this year by its president, Professor Dr Gendeh Balwant.
The book will be available in major bookstores nationwide soon.
Ani
is referring to the dispute on the use of ‘Allah' by non-Muslims in
Malaysia, which has gone all the way up to the appellate court.It has also created tension between Muslims and non-Muslims in the country, which led to a few churches being fire-bombed following the High Court decision to allow the Catholic weekly The Herald to use the word ‘Allah' for God in Bahasa Malaysia, the language used by many Christians in Sabah and Sarawak.
Pig's heads, wrapped in plastic, were also found in two mosques in Kuala Lumpur, but to date police have not arrested the culprits.
Sincere and frank dialogue
According to Ani, the term and use of the word ‘Allah' is not and cannot be exclusive to Muslims.
"The Jews and Christians in the Arab speaking world would use the name ‘Allah' to refer to the Almighty," he argues.
He further explains: "Allah (swt) to us, Muslims, is not merely a word but more importantly, the concept from an Islamic teaching."
The octogenarian, who turned 81 recently, said he had hoped that his sincere and frank dialogue on the Allah row could help to "continue to build peaceful and friendly relationships based upon mutual respect, justice, and what is common in essence in our shared Abrahamic tradition, particularly ‘the two greatest commandments' in Mark 12:29-31 (and, in varying form, in Matthew 22:37-40), that the Lord, our God, is one Lord (Rabi Allahu Ahad)."
‘Memoirs of Tan Sri Ani Arope' is published by the Fulbright Alumni Association of Malaysia. The soft-launch of the 143-page book was done at the Fulbright's 50th anniversary dinner in July this year by its president, Professor Dr Gendeh Balwant.
The book will be available in major bookstores nationwide soon.
STEPHEN NG is a chemist by training. He dealt with printing ink, paint and emulsion polymer for 15 years before becoming a freelance writer.
Proud Of Harimau Malaya's Performance - PM
Datuk Seri Najib Tun RazakKUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has expressed pride over the great performance displayed by the Harimau Malaya squad in the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2014 Saturday night.
"Although beaten, I'm so proud with Harimau Malaya's performance.
"Insya-Allah (God willing), they will excel in the future," he said in his latest entry on Facebook and Twitter.
Malaysia failed to win the AFF Suzuki Cup after losing to Thailand on a 3-4 aggregate in the second leg final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here.
Despite losing 2-3 in the match tonight, the Thai squad under coach Kiatisuk Senamuang were crowned champions following their first leg 2-0 win advantage at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that he also felt proud with the performance of the squad coached by Dollah Salleh.
"Still proud of the Tigers," he tweeted.
-- BERNAMA
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Isis agents in London dispatching gullible teenage jihadi brides to Syria
By Umberto Bacchi
Islamic State (Isis) militants, aided by a British-based intermediary, are offering to pay travel expenses to young and possibly good-looking British teenagers interested in joining the extremist group in Syria as jihadi brides.
Reporters posing as two teenage schoolgirls held regular conversations via social media with a jihadist in the Isis stronghold of Raqqa, northern Syria, for three months.
Upon showing interest in travelling to the self-styled caliphate, the two purported girls, aged 17 and 19, were told they would be given the money to pay for their trip from London to Syria via Turkey.
The sum was to be delivered via cash transfer to a Western Union branch in Sterling, and picked up by an Isis operative in the UK, who in turn was to hand it to the girls.
The investigation by The Times gave an insight into Isis' use of social media and the extent of its worldwide reach to recruit young Muslim women in the West, with the aim of marrying them off to the group's fighters.
Using mainstream social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Ask.fm, as well as instant messaging systems like Wickr and Kik, an Isis militant calling himself Abu Abbas al-Lubnani vetted and groomed the two purported girls over a three-month period, before finalising the money transfer.
'Mujahideen like a good-looking wife'
The jihadist reassured them about the safety of their journey, claiming that thousands of Sunni hardliners travelled to Syria every month without encountering difficulties.
He also asked the girls to provide him with a series of personal details, including a description of their appearance.
"Sorry but I need to know if ur good looking, the colours of your skin," Lubnani told the undercover reporter. "Usually mujahideen don't request a beauty queen, but they like to have a good-looking wife."
He finally agreed to send over cash to Western Union branch without security cameras in London. The girls were to wait near the premises while an Isis middleman picked up the money for them.
"The brother has a wife they can pick up from a certain place that doesn't have a camera then give you the money in their car," al-Lubnani wrote.
The day of the meeting a white man appearing to be Muslim convert showed up at the given location accompanied by a woman in a burka.
"To check this was the correct couple, The Times reporter changed the exact location of the "girls" several times in the space of a few minutes and set out the details in messages to the Lubnani messenger account. Each time the pair moved to the new location," the newspaper wrote.
Realising they were being watched the pair left, the paper said, adding that Counter-terrorism police are aware of the investigation.
An increasing number of women, including dozens of Britons, are believed to have joined Isis in Syria and Iraq over the last 12 months.
Islamic State (Isis) militants, aided by a British-based intermediary, are offering to pay travel expenses to young and possibly good-looking British teenagers interested in joining the extremist group in Syria as jihadi brides.
Reporters posing as two teenage schoolgirls held regular conversations via social media with a jihadist in the Isis stronghold of Raqqa, northern Syria, for three months.
Upon showing interest in travelling to the self-styled caliphate, the two purported girls, aged 17 and 19, were told they would be given the money to pay for their trip from London to Syria via Turkey.
The sum was to be delivered via cash transfer to a Western Union branch in Sterling, and picked up by an Isis operative in the UK, who in turn was to hand it to the girls.
The investigation by The Times gave an insight into Isis' use of social media and the extent of its worldwide reach to recruit young Muslim women in the West, with the aim of marrying them off to the group's fighters.
Using mainstream social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Ask.fm, as well as instant messaging systems like Wickr and Kik, an Isis militant calling himself Abu Abbas al-Lubnani vetted and groomed the two purported girls over a three-month period, before finalising the money transfer.
'Mujahideen like a good-looking wife'
The jihadist reassured them about the safety of their journey, claiming that thousands of Sunni hardliners travelled to Syria every month without encountering difficulties.
He also asked the girls to provide him with a series of personal details, including a description of their appearance.
"Sorry but I need to know if ur good looking, the colours of your skin," Lubnani told the undercover reporter. "Usually mujahideen don't request a beauty queen, but they like to have a good-looking wife."
He finally agreed to send over cash to Western Union branch without security cameras in London. The girls were to wait near the premises while an Isis middleman picked up the money for them.
"The brother has a wife they can pick up from a certain place that doesn't have a camera then give you the money in their car," al-Lubnani wrote.
The day of the meeting a white man appearing to be Muslim convert showed up at the given location accompanied by a woman in a burka.
"To check this was the correct couple, The Times reporter changed the exact location of the "girls" several times in the space of a few minutes and set out the details in messages to the Lubnani messenger account. Each time the pair moved to the new location," the newspaper wrote.
Realising they were being watched the pair left, the paper said, adding that Counter-terrorism police are aware of the investigation.
An increasing number of women, including dozens of Britons, are believed to have joined Isis in Syria and Iraq over the last 12 months.
Danish Statistics: “Among the nine ethnic groups with the highest crime rate eight are Muslim”
Graphics
from Danish Statistics’ report on immigrant crime in 2007. According to
the 2014 data, not much has changed (except that the Muslims have
become many more – meaning many more criminals…)
“With crime rates half of that of Danes, one can not exactly blame Chinese, Indians and Filipinos to fill up the Danish prisons. In contrast, crime is alarmingly high among other immigrant groups. And it does not seem to fall. On the contrary, the same groups are in the top of the crime index year after year. …
Statistics Denmark has adjusted the crime index according to the so-called socio-economic factors. There is also adjusted for age, because there will normally be a more crime in populations with many young people. The figures are therefore directly comparable. …
On average Lebanese commit almost three times as many crimes as Vietnamese. Both groups contain refugees. …
Among the nine ethnic groups with the highest crime rate eight are Muslim. Ex-Yugoslavs are the only non-Muslim group with the top.”
PKR Muslim MPs undecided on PAS’s hudud bill
PKR's Muslim MPs have refused to say whether they will vote against a private member's bill to be tabled in Parliament by PAS which would pave the way for hudud to be enforced in Kelantan.PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli said the party would only make a stand on the issue once it sees a draft of the bill.
“It is premature for me to comment on this. If there is a draft of the bill, we want to see it first. Then we will bring the matter up for discussion at the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) presidential council.”
Rafizi said he respected Kelantan PAS’s right to proceed with their state assembly sitting, adding that PR will discuss how to respond to the proposed bill.
“I do not want to jump the gun on this. We want to methodically deal with this at the national level, just like how we did so in the past,” said Rafizi, who is also Pandan MP.
The 18 Muslim MPs in PKR and DAP have been dubbed the "magic 18" by Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng, who urged them to vote against the private member's bill to be tabled by PAS in the Parliament.
PKR has 16 Muslim MPs, while two of DAP's 37 MPs are Muslims.
The private member's bill will need a simple majority of 112 MPs supporting it in order for it to be
passed. The bill can be tabled once the Kelantan state assembly passes amendments to its Shariah Criminal Code Enactment II, which it plans to do at a special sitting on December 29.Umno has 88 MPs, of which all, with the exception of deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, are Muslims.
PAS holds 21 seats in Parliament and their combined force would still be short of four seats for the bill to pass.
DAP's Zairil Khir Johari today responded to Liang's suggestion by noting that the party has consistently opposed hudud law for Malaysia.
"DAP’s stand has been very clear from the beginning and Gerakan should ask those in Umno to stand with us,” Zairil had said in Penang today.
Other PKR Muslim MPs would not make a stand until the party leadership made a decision.
They also refused to state whether they would support the hudud bill, but said Muslims were required to support the Islamic laws.
Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said he wanted to see an official statement from PAS first.
"I cannot give any comments as I have not seen an official statement from PAS. I can only give my personal view once there is an official decision on the matter,” said Shamsul Iskandar, who is also PKR vice-president.
A similar cautious tone was repeated by Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul, who said he would wait for PKR's stand.
“I was not informed of any meeting yet at the Pakatan secretariat level on the issue so I do not have enough information to enable me to comment,” said Johari, who is the coordinator for the party’s MPs and state assemblymen, adding that he expects the party to meet soon to decide on the issue.
Their mixed feelings reveal how divisive the hudud issue is for PR, with the Islamist PAS bent on enforcing it in Kelantan despite objections from DAP.
PR leaders in the past have admitted that if PAS goes ahead with their plans, it could break up the seven-year-old coalition, seen to be the most formidable opposition alliance against BNs's 54-year rule.
PAS also got rare support from its arch rival Umno, who said it would support attempts to enforce hudud in Kelantan.
In April, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said Umno's 88 MPs will support the PAS bill, which among others allows for capital punishment on Muslims convicted of theft, adultery and alcohol consumption.
Currently, Shariah is only applied in Muslim marriages, inheritance and such personal conducts as alcohol consumption and relations between sexes.
Meanwhile, two PKR lawmakers were more strident in their responses, saying Muslim MPs could not simply “refuse to support” hudud.
“Muslims cannot refuse God’s law,” said Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman.
“But we have to explain it properly and we have to put the necessary infrastructure in place first before we implement it.”
Fauzi also said he wanted to see the bill first before deciding.
He said it was more important for Malaysians be schooled on the law first and that the police and courts be totally prepared to enforce it.
“If the bill says it wants to increase awareness and publicity and that it wants to put the infrastructure in place first, then maybe I will support it.
“But if it says they will introduce the law first and the rest comes after, then it will be hard for me to agree,” said Fauzi.
Lumut MP, First Admiral (R) Muhammad Imran Abdul Hamid, also did not clearly state whether he would support the bill but said Muslims were required to support Quranic laws.
“If the DAP wants to object to it, that is their right because they are non-Muslims.
"But if Muslims themselves do not support it, then it would seem strange. We have to accept those laws and we have to be wise about implementing them.
“Look at Brunei, the world did not end when they put hudud in place. So we don’t have to worry,” said Imran.
He said hudud would also protect non-Muslims.
“For instance, in Sitiawan (a town with a large non-Muslim population), there are many Muslim thieves. So we want to teach Muslims to fear God’s laws.” – December 19, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pkrs-muslim-mps-undecided-on-pass-hudud-bill#sthash.RQBOdgLK.dpuf
Court allows constitutional challenge on sedition
In allowing two out of three questions to proceed, Sessions Judge Ahmad Bache ordered a stay on the Sessions Court proceedings.
"Hence, the court orders a stay in proceedings of the Sessions Court pending the case being referred to the High Court," said Ahmad.
Surendran, who is also a PKR central committee member, was charged with sedition following the comments he made on YouTube regarding the Court of Appeal decision over the Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy II trial.
The two questions that were allowed are:
- Whether the Sedition Act 1948 is constitutional or otherwise
- Whether the Act breaches three provisions in the Federal Constitution, namely the liberty of the person; equality; and freedoms of speech, assembly and association.
Surendran, who is also a lawyer, was represented by M Puravalen and Latheefa Koya.
Outside Sessions Court's jurisdiction
Ahmad
ruled to refer the constitutional question to the High Court since the
Sessions Court does not have jurisdiction to make a decision on the
matter.The judge said since the case of Universiti Malaya academician Azmi Sharom (above) was also referred to the apex court, hence this case should also be referred.
“These two constitutional questions are not new as they have been referred to the Federal Court in Azmi’s case.
"Hence, if we were to continue with this trial and the apex court gives a decision in Azmi’s favour, the proceeding here (at the Sessions Court) would be considered nugatory,” he said.
Ahmad said he held a similar view with the DPP that intention need not be proven in a sedition charge and for this reason, he is not allowing the third question.
Latheefa told Malaysiakini that since Surendran was successful in transferring the case to the High Court, they have decided to also appeal the Sessions judge’s decision in not allowing the third question.
‘Eminent 25’ get backing of inter-religious council
The consultative council said it had agreed to endorse the statement at its exco meeting yesterday.
“We agree with the concerns expressed by the group,” it said in a statement today, also noting the support of various groups, including the ‘I am #26' online petition in support of the group.
The group of former top civil servants, judges, ambassadors and scholars, had deplored, among others, how the current situation shows religious bodies asserting authority beyond their jurisdiction and the issuance of various fatwa violating the federal constitution.
MCCBCHST however pointed out that the opposing group of senior Islamic officials appeared to want to debate outside the framework of the federal constitution.
“The point made by the ‘25 Eminent Malays’ and other support groups is that some of the religious bodies appear to be asserting authority beyond the constitution.
“However, the group of ‘senior Islamic officials’ seems to be advocating amendments to the constitution to accommodate Islamic and Shariah law,” it said.
Thirty-three Muslim scholars, consisting mostly of professors in various disciplines, had urged the government to set up a “high-powered committee” to review the federal constitution for amendments to incorporate the needs of Muslims and entrench the rights of minorities.
MCCBCHST, meanwhile, said debates should be within the framework of the constitution, or otherwise, “we will be running in the wilderness”.
On the Islamic scholars’ claim that most Muslims want Shariah law, MCCBCHST said that offences such as rape, robbery and sodomy were already offences under the Penal Code and thus out of the bounds of Islamic law.
“What cannot be disputed is that most Islamic countries in the world do not want hudud law, including the most populous country, Indonesia.”
Expressing hope that everyone would abide by the constitution, it said that any attempts to rewrite the constitution would be unconstitutional and would not be accepted by Malaysians.
Perkasa: CM not 'holy pig', arrest him
During a protest in Perak outside the DAP office in Ipoh, Perkasa members manhandled a state assemblyperson and tore down a banner with Christmas and New Year greetings.
In Penang, state Perkasa Youth chief Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin , who led the protest outside the state government office in Komtar, said Lim should be arrested and warned him not to meddle in Islamic affairs.
"I
want to tell him that he (Lim) is not holy pig (babi suci). He is a
wild boar (babi hutan) and should be expelled from Penang," he told
reporters."Using the term Allah is the prerogative of Muslims. Lim shouldn't abuse his position as chief minister to intervene in Islamic affairs.
"The police must investigate and arrest him. If the police refuse to do anything and this leads to any unpleasant incident, the police will also need to bear the responsibility," he warned.
Rizuad also opened fire on state executive council for Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Abdul Kassin for endorsing Lim's position.
"He (Malik) dares to provoke but is afraid to face the Muslims in Penang. Indeed, he is a 'pondan'.
"By supporting Lim's statement, he is no longer qualified to hold the portfolio anymore. He should bear in mind that Muslims contributed to his victory in Batu Maung, he should appreciate that and not insult them," he said.
Earlier, the police allowed three representatives to submit a memorandum to Abdul Malik's assistant Ziezul Hakim Zainol.
The protesters came armed with placards and banners, which among others read, "Allah just for Muslims, Fight No Fear".
'Protester grabbed my wrists'
As for the drama in Perak, Tebing Tinggi state assemblyperson Ong Boon Piow told Malaysiakini that a protester had attempted to pull him out of the DAP office.
"Everything
happened so quickly I didn't realise who intervened to stop him from
pulling me further," he said, adding that the protester had grabbed both
his wrists.Confirming that the police were present, he was however unsure whether it was them who came to his rescue as some could have been in plainclothes.
He added that the protesters, numbering around 50, shouted slogans and insults.
Yesterday, Lim said the state would not repeal Section 5 of the Syariah Criminal Enactment for Penang or any other enactments, as they are not binding on non-Muslims.
"Even the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Penang) Enactment 2004 bears me out where Section 49(1) of the Enactment states that a fatwa shall be binding on every Muslim in the state…, without mentioning non-Muslims, clearly restricting its application on Muslims," he added.
Palanivel is the target
The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is in a real mess right now. Hard to know who is wanting what, and why they are wanting it, and what can be decided in the weeks to come.
The media is only reporting about the Registrar of Societies’ (ROS) order annulling the 2013 party election for the positions of vice-presidents and central working committee (CWC).
To outsiders to know why only those positions are being challenged, MIC did not have a contest for president and deputy president last year, which is they are not disputed. And the CWC argument and fight, on who should have attended December 18 meeting, would have not affected G.Palanivel and S.Subramaniam, the president and deputy president respectively.
While Palanivel’s legitimacy via the elections is not being questioned, many are using this opportunity to ask for his resignation. Why? He has been president for four years, why the impatience? This is not the time of S.Samy Vellu, it is not about thirty years of one man in charge. However, the answer might be with one of his protégés, MIC vice-president and deputy minister of youth and sports M.Saravanan.
Palanivel became MIC president in 2010, but the years have been cruel to him. He lost the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat after four terms in 2008; was rejected openly by both MIC members and Umno supporters when he tried to be the candidate for the seat’s by-election in 2010 after his victor died; forced to contest in Cameron Highlands in 2013 and won close but only to have a mudslide six months later; and a year later last month have a worse mudslide with the Sultan of Pahang angry at him.
His critics know he is weak and we won’t know if it is fortune or unseen hands that have brought the ROS decision on MIC right now.
As a MIC member, I am worried for my party. As a Malaysian, I am worried about what this may do to the Barisan Nasional. The worst would be the increase in support for both the PPP and Hindraf type organisations always trying to tell the prime minister they have the Indian votes.
The person best likely to benefit from the ROS decision to turn into a party-wide election is Saravanan. No one has close links with the physical side of MIC’s membership like the deputy minister. Not since Samy Vellu, who also brought Saravanan to prominence.
Samy Vellu may be in the shadows only with his son S.Vell Paari looking to go higher up in the party, but Saravanan has business allies like Subramaniam Pillai of Daya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA) to build his financial clout as much as his political clout.
The violence and aggression at the CWC meeting yesterday is only a sign of things to come, because those opposed to the election results are equally opposed to the leadership of Palanivel.
If Health Minister Subramaniam replaces Palanivel uncontested, because he is the compromise for all sides, without great levels of grassroots support, then Saravanan will certainly become deputy president.
This is what upsets me as a MIC member. I am fine that politicians want to win more power, but how about the normal Indian on the street. My friends tell me MIC is not the party for professionals, and I find it is difficult to answer when projects like the Little India Brickfields is used to network with allies rather than commit to creating a great environment for the Indian community. The more I see with what is happening in the constant fight for power it appears all the leaders are just preparing their war chests to win over regular members, to get them to fight outside on the street and let all of Malaysia see them fight. So people can say, this is the Indian party, a place where Indian men fight.
I cannot think of a way forward in the present, all I can hope is that the leaders realise while they fight the fate of millions of Indians, most of them the poorest in this country, is not improving.
That is what they have to realise if they really care. Otherwise the Indian stereotype is only going to be magnified in the months to come. I fear we might be going back to the days of M.G.Pandithan dragging a coffin into the party headquarters. Can Indian leaders find some civility, or do they have to wait for the prime minister to do something about this mess?
Hukum Hudud tidak sesuai – Marina Mahathir
Tidak sampai hati untuk melihat penganut agama Islam dikenakan hukum Hudud jika ia dilaksanakan kelak selain menyatakan dengan perlaksanaan hukum Hudud itu akan memecah-belahkan masyarakat.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Aktivis sosial, Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir menentang usaha melaksanakan hukum Hudud di Kelantan kerana tidak sesuai dengan masyarakat berbilang agama.
Menurutnya, beliau berharap hukum tersebut tidak dilaksanakan kerana “Walaupun hukum Hudud hanya untuk warga muslim, tetapi kita hidup di dalam suasana masyarakat yang bercampur-campur, jadi kelak semua orang akan terlibat.”
Beliau yang juga merupakan anak bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turut menyatakan, mengikut apa yang diketahuinya, Perlembagaan Malaysia tidak membenarkan hukum Hudud ini dilaksanakan.
Bahkan, Marina mendakwa, sekarang bukannya masa untuk Malaysia melaksanakan undang-undang seperti itu.
“Mengikut perlembagaan, setahu saya memang tidak boleh, saya harap ini bukan masanya untuk undang-undang Hudud macam ni,” ujarnya lagi.
Marina mendakwa, beliau tidak sampai hati untuk melihat penganut agama Islam dikenakan hukum Hudud jika ia dilaksanakan kelak selain menyatakan dengan perlaksanaan hukum Hudud itu akan memecah-belahkan masyarakat.
Dalam pada masa yang sama, Marina turut tidak menolak bahawa perlaksaan hukum Hudud ini mempunyai kaitan dengan politik yang dimainkan oleh PAS.
“PAS sudah membuat janji pada masa dahulu. Sekiranya tidak dilaksanakan, nanti orang kata PAS tidak ikut janji.
“Tetapi, PAS kena berjanji benda yang betul-betul, yang membawa kebaikan kepada masyarakat pada amnya dan bukannya pada satu-satu kumpulan sahaja,” katanya semasa ditemui media di Institut Pengurusan Wanita.
Kenyataan Kelantan sebelum ini Menteri Besarnya, Datuk Ahmad Yakob menyatakan, akan mengadakan sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Khas pada 29 Disember.
Ia bagi mengemukakan pindaan terhadap Rang Undang-Undang Kanun Jenayah Syariah (II) 1993 Kelantan (EKJS II) berkaitan hukum Hudud.
Jelasnya lagi, pindaan tersebut perlu dibuat untuk melayakkan Kelantan membawa usul rang undang-undang persendirian EKJS II ke sidang Dewan Rakyat di Parlimen dan seterusnya melaksanakan hukum Hudud di negeri itu.
KUALA LUMPUR: Aktivis sosial, Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir menentang usaha melaksanakan hukum Hudud di Kelantan kerana tidak sesuai dengan masyarakat berbilang agama.
Menurutnya, beliau berharap hukum tersebut tidak dilaksanakan kerana “Walaupun hukum Hudud hanya untuk warga muslim, tetapi kita hidup di dalam suasana masyarakat yang bercampur-campur, jadi kelak semua orang akan terlibat.”
Beliau yang juga merupakan anak bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turut menyatakan, mengikut apa yang diketahuinya, Perlembagaan Malaysia tidak membenarkan hukum Hudud ini dilaksanakan.
Bahkan, Marina mendakwa, sekarang bukannya masa untuk Malaysia melaksanakan undang-undang seperti itu.
“Mengikut perlembagaan, setahu saya memang tidak boleh, saya harap ini bukan masanya untuk undang-undang Hudud macam ni,” ujarnya lagi.
Marina mendakwa, beliau tidak sampai hati untuk melihat penganut agama Islam dikenakan hukum Hudud jika ia dilaksanakan kelak selain menyatakan dengan perlaksanaan hukum Hudud itu akan memecah-belahkan masyarakat.
Dalam pada masa yang sama, Marina turut tidak menolak bahawa perlaksaan hukum Hudud ini mempunyai kaitan dengan politik yang dimainkan oleh PAS.
“PAS sudah membuat janji pada masa dahulu. Sekiranya tidak dilaksanakan, nanti orang kata PAS tidak ikut janji.
“Tetapi, PAS kena berjanji benda yang betul-betul, yang membawa kebaikan kepada masyarakat pada amnya dan bukannya pada satu-satu kumpulan sahaja,” katanya semasa ditemui media di Institut Pengurusan Wanita.
Kenyataan Kelantan sebelum ini Menteri Besarnya, Datuk Ahmad Yakob menyatakan, akan mengadakan sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Khas pada 29 Disember.
Ia bagi mengemukakan pindaan terhadap Rang Undang-Undang Kanun Jenayah Syariah (II) 1993 Kelantan (EKJS II) berkaitan hukum Hudud.
Jelasnya lagi, pindaan tersebut perlu dibuat untuk melayakkan Kelantan membawa usul rang undang-undang persendirian EKJS II ke sidang Dewan Rakyat di Parlimen dan seterusnya melaksanakan hukum Hudud di negeri itu.
Perkasa demonstrates over Allah issue
They submit memorandum to Penang exco in charge of religious affairs and want him to resign.
FMT
GEORGE TOWN: A group of 50 Perkasa supporters demonstrated against state executive councillor in charge of religious affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim for supporting Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the “Allah” controversy in Komtar today.
Led by Perkasa state youth chief Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin, the group called for Malik to resign for backing Lim on the issue.
Chanting “Allahu Akbar” and “Malik Pondan”, the group later submitted a memorandum on the issue to Malik.
Malik’s aide Ziezul Hakim Zainol received the memorandum on his behalf from Mohd Rizuad.
The demonstration began at 2.40pm after Friday prayers and lasted for about 30 minutes.
The protesters tried to go to the third floor of Komtar to enter into the tower block, where government offices were located.
However, police stopped them and told Rizuad to handover the memorandum to Malik’s representative.
Earlier in the morning the group lodged 25 police reports against Lim over his statement last week that non-Muslims can use the word “Allah”.
The group also handed over a memorandum to the police to probe the case.
The Penang State Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004 has banned non-Muslims from using the word Allah via an amendment in 2010 under the Pakatan Rakyat government.
Under the amendment to sub-sections 48(3) and (4) of the Enactment, a list of 40 words such as Allah, Solat, Ulama, Soleh, Mufti, Iman, Surau and Nabi, were decreed as exclusive to Muslims by the Penang mufti.
Lim’s interpretation of the Enactment that it could not be enforced on non-Muslims drew mixed response from various quarters.
Umno and its cohorts criticised Lim that he had erred legally and interfered with the state Islamic affairs, which comes under the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s purview.
Other parties, such as Malik and several lawyers, however, backed Lim claiming that the chief minister was spot on with his interpretation of the law.
FMT
GEORGE TOWN: A group of 50 Perkasa supporters demonstrated against state executive councillor in charge of religious affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim for supporting Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over the “Allah” controversy in Komtar today.
Led by Perkasa state youth chief Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin, the group called for Malik to resign for backing Lim on the issue.
Chanting “Allahu Akbar” and “Malik Pondan”, the group later submitted a memorandum on the issue to Malik.
Malik’s aide Ziezul Hakim Zainol received the memorandum on his behalf from Mohd Rizuad.
The demonstration began at 2.40pm after Friday prayers and lasted for about 30 minutes.
The protesters tried to go to the third floor of Komtar to enter into the tower block, where government offices were located.
However, police stopped them and told Rizuad to handover the memorandum to Malik’s representative.
Earlier in the morning the group lodged 25 police reports against Lim over his statement last week that non-Muslims can use the word “Allah”.
The group also handed over a memorandum to the police to probe the case.
The Penang State Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004 has banned non-Muslims from using the word Allah via an amendment in 2010 under the Pakatan Rakyat government.
Under the amendment to sub-sections 48(3) and (4) of the Enactment, a list of 40 words such as Allah, Solat, Ulama, Soleh, Mufti, Iman, Surau and Nabi, were decreed as exclusive to Muslims by the Penang mufti.
Lim’s interpretation of the Enactment that it could not be enforced on non-Muslims drew mixed response from various quarters.
Umno and its cohorts criticised Lim that he had erred legally and interfered with the state Islamic affairs, which comes under the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s purview.
Other parties, such as Malik and several lawyers, however, backed Lim claiming that the chief minister was spot on with his interpretation of the law.
When MIC members got a little carried away
Uproar blamed on disconnect between participants at meeting and supporters outside.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: MIC Strategic Director, Vell Paari Samy Vellu has downplayed the chaotic scenes at a MIC meeting at Menara Manikavasagam, as due to miscommunications and “emotionally charged supporters.”
“Today’s papers have been reporting hooliganism and stuff like that. I think people have to look at it from a different point of view,´ said Vell Paari.
“It shows that members are concerned about the party.
Vell Paari explained that the huge gathering of almost 1200 members outside the meeting venue was due to supporters’ frustration on election issues, as the matter has dragged on for almost a year, as well as the frequent change of stance by the party leadership on the Registrar of Societies’ orders for fresh re-elections for certain positions.
“When the ROS letter was delivered, Deputy President (S. Subramaniam) was instructed by the President (G. Palanivel) to accept and abide by the ROS directives. Subra even held a press conference at the HQ about it,” he said.
“The President announced at the airport, on returning from Peru, that he’s going to appeal to the ROS.”
According to Vell Paari, upon insistence of some of the members, Palanivel eventually agreed to a meeting last week but kept avoiding the members, and ordered all correspondence to be directed to his secretary, citing a hectic schedule.
“That’s why people were annoyed.”
Vell Paari takes the view that the meeting was very fruitful and ended amicably, but as the leaders made their way out from the meeting hall, “emotionally charged” supporters outside, in factions oblivious to the developments inside, started pushing and shoving hurling verbal insults.
He explained, “People were shouting and telling him to step down, and such. I had to calm everyone down, and made sure the supporters are also in the know that matters are being resolved.”
“I had to shout from the window upstairs to the crowd to calm them down.”
Things eventually did calm down, when Vell Paari together with Youth Chief T. Mohan took to the stage to explain the details of the meeting and resolutions planned moving forward.
PETALING JAYA: MIC Strategic Director, Vell Paari Samy Vellu has downplayed the chaotic scenes at a MIC meeting at Menara Manikavasagam, as due to miscommunications and “emotionally charged supporters.”
“Today’s papers have been reporting hooliganism and stuff like that. I think people have to look at it from a different point of view,´ said Vell Paari.
“It shows that members are concerned about the party.
Vell Paari explained that the huge gathering of almost 1200 members outside the meeting venue was due to supporters’ frustration on election issues, as the matter has dragged on for almost a year, as well as the frequent change of stance by the party leadership on the Registrar of Societies’ orders for fresh re-elections for certain positions.
“When the ROS letter was delivered, Deputy President (S. Subramaniam) was instructed by the President (G. Palanivel) to accept and abide by the ROS directives. Subra even held a press conference at the HQ about it,” he said.
“The President announced at the airport, on returning from Peru, that he’s going to appeal to the ROS.”
According to Vell Paari, upon insistence of some of the members, Palanivel eventually agreed to a meeting last week but kept avoiding the members, and ordered all correspondence to be directed to his secretary, citing a hectic schedule.
“That’s why people were annoyed.”
Vell Paari takes the view that the meeting was very fruitful and ended amicably, but as the leaders made their way out from the meeting hall, “emotionally charged” supporters outside, in factions oblivious to the developments inside, started pushing and shoving hurling verbal insults.
He explained, “People were shouting and telling him to step down, and such. I had to calm everyone down, and made sure the supporters are also in the know that matters are being resolved.”
“I had to shout from the window upstairs to the crowd to calm them down.”
Things eventually did calm down, when Vell Paari together with Youth Chief T. Mohan took to the stage to explain the details of the meeting and resolutions planned moving forward.
Marina sees father supporting Group of 25
No reason why Mahathir should express any reservations or objections on the contents of the Open Letter by the Group.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Marina Mahathir, the social activist daughter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, is worried that nearly two weeks after a Group of 25 Eminent Malays penned an Open Letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, “the silence has been deafening”.
She was welcoming the Open Letter by the Group which wants the worsening polarization in the country, constitutional issues, creeping Islamisation and creeping desecularisation to be addressed urgently.
She also wanted to emphasize that there was no reason why her father should express any reservations or objections on the contents of the Open Letter
“I am in support of all efforts by the Group which has urged Putrajaya to address the mounting problems in the country which they have listed in their letter,” said Marina on the sidelines of a function on Friday at the Women’s Institute of Management (WIM) in expressing her admiration for the Group. “I salute them. They have given new hope to the country.”
“There’s a lot of tension in the country and we need to address the issues in a calm and rational manner.”
The Open Letter was apparently sparked off by Malay NGOs in the fringe going overboard with their statements in the media. The Open Letter particularly singles out Perkasa and Isma and criticizes them for “running amok” with their agenda.
KUALA LUMPUR: Marina Mahathir, the social activist daughter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, is worried that nearly two weeks after a Group of 25 Eminent Malays penned an Open Letter to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, “the silence has been deafening”.
She was welcoming the Open Letter by the Group which wants the worsening polarization in the country, constitutional issues, creeping Islamisation and creeping desecularisation to be addressed urgently.
She also wanted to emphasize that there was no reason why her father should express any reservations or objections on the contents of the Open Letter
“I am in support of all efforts by the Group which has urged Putrajaya to address the mounting problems in the country which they have listed in their letter,” said Marina on the sidelines of a function on Friday at the Women’s Institute of Management (WIM) in expressing her admiration for the Group. “I salute them. They have given new hope to the country.”
“There’s a lot of tension in the country and we need to address the issues in a calm and rational manner.”
The Open Letter was apparently sparked off by Malay NGOs in the fringe going overboard with their statements in the media. The Open Letter particularly singles out Perkasa and Isma and criticizes them for “running amok” with their agenda.
BFM89.9 denies making seditious broadcasts
Allegations by Malay and Islamic groups are baseless, says the radio station.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Radio station BFM89.9 has denied allegations by nine Malay and Islamic rights groups that it made seditious broadcasts on December 12.
It said the only subjects discussed during the hours pinpointed by the activist groups were the AFF Suzuki Cup football matches and the career of American lyricist Ira Gershwin.
“Our records indicate Sharaad Kuttan was on air during the said hours discussing the Suzuki Cup and other unrelated matters, and not as alleged,” BFM 89.9 said in a statement.
“It was also alleged that during 1800 and 1900 hours of the same day, presenters Umapagan Ampikaipakan, Caroline Oh, Patrick Teoh and Ezra Zaid were discussing issues related to animal sacrifice, Malay rights, Islamic matters, including the topic of wearing a headscarf/hijab, but we wish to clarify that based on our records, during that date and time, we were broadcasting a programme titled, “Hari Ini dalam Sejarah Dunia” featuring American lyricist Ira Gershwin.
“The relevant presenters involved in this programme were Umapagan Ampikaipakan and Richard Bradbury only.”
The activist groups made the police report against the station yesterday. The nine included Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association (PPIM), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia and Pekida Malaysia.
They named radio presenters Sharaad Kuttan, Caroline Oh, Ezra Zaid, Umapagan Ampikaipakan and Patrick Teoh as the offending deejays, saying they made seditious remarks in their morning and evening shows.
The radio station said the allegations were “inaccurate and baseless”.
KUALA LUMPUR: Radio station BFM89.9 has denied allegations by nine Malay and Islamic rights groups that it made seditious broadcasts on December 12.
It said the only subjects discussed during the hours pinpointed by the activist groups were the AFF Suzuki Cup football matches and the career of American lyricist Ira Gershwin.
“Our records indicate Sharaad Kuttan was on air during the said hours discussing the Suzuki Cup and other unrelated matters, and not as alleged,” BFM 89.9 said in a statement.
“It was also alleged that during 1800 and 1900 hours of the same day, presenters Umapagan Ampikaipakan, Caroline Oh, Patrick Teoh and Ezra Zaid were discussing issues related to animal sacrifice, Malay rights, Islamic matters, including the topic of wearing a headscarf/hijab, but we wish to clarify that based on our records, during that date and time, we were broadcasting a programme titled, “Hari Ini dalam Sejarah Dunia” featuring American lyricist Ira Gershwin.
“The relevant presenters involved in this programme were Umapagan Ampikaipakan and Richard Bradbury only.”
The activist groups made the police report against the station yesterday. The nine included Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association (PPIM), Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia and Pekida Malaysia.
They named radio presenters Sharaad Kuttan, Caroline Oh, Ezra Zaid, Umapagan Ampikaipakan and Patrick Teoh as the offending deejays, saying they made seditious remarks in their morning and evening shows.
The radio station said the allegations were “inaccurate and baseless”.
DAP lady dares Hadi’s son-in-law to debate
The debate would give the rest of Malaysia the opportunity to understand the seriousness of the hudud issue.
FMT
GEORGE TOWN: DAPSY Bukit Bendera secretary, Syerleena Abdul Rashid, wants to take on PAS Syura Ulama Council Member Zaharudin Muhammad on the hudud issue.
She was commenting on Zaharudin challenging DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng, a non-Muslim, to a debate on hudud law. Zaharudin is the son-in-law of PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang
“I would like to throw this challenge back to Zaharudin. Let us – you and I – debate this matter instead,” said Syerleena who is also DAP Wanita Bukit Bendera Political Education Director. “We should discuss this matter based on facts, and not emotion or any form of threats, so that the rest of Malaysia can understand the seriousness of the issue.”
DAP, she stressed, is also willing to discuss with PAS on why fighting corruption was the most important issue in Malaysia.
“DAP’s stand on hudud and its implementation, in the words of Lim Kit Siang, ‘is the same as the stand taken by the first three Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Razak and Hussein,” she said. “Hudud laws go against the Federal Constitution which provides for a secular state with Islam as the religion of the Federation – no religion in Sabah and Sarawak — and freedom of worship guaranteed for other religions”.
As a Muslim, she strongly believes that the priority should be on the eradication of corruption, the root of most evils in society.
“Zaharudin should also ask himself whether he’s against democracy, freedom, social justice, human rights, gender equality, and equal opportunity.”
She pledged that DAP is a party that believes in preserving the rights of all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and gender. “We believe in upholding equality and solidarity,” she added. “We believe in the importance of maintaining harmonious ethnic relations with fellow Malaysians from all walks of life, as this is what democracy and societal evolution and progress is all about.”
Living in a multi-cultural society, she pointed out; it is only natural for Malaysians to question any idea thoroughly.
GEORGE TOWN: DAPSY Bukit Bendera secretary, Syerleena Abdul Rashid, wants to take on PAS Syura Ulama Council Member Zaharudin Muhammad on the hudud issue.
She was commenting on Zaharudin challenging DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng, a non-Muslim, to a debate on hudud law. Zaharudin is the son-in-law of PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang
“I would like to throw this challenge back to Zaharudin. Let us – you and I – debate this matter instead,” said Syerleena who is also DAP Wanita Bukit Bendera Political Education Director. “We should discuss this matter based on facts, and not emotion or any form of threats, so that the rest of Malaysia can understand the seriousness of the issue.”
DAP, she stressed, is also willing to discuss with PAS on why fighting corruption was the most important issue in Malaysia.
“DAP’s stand on hudud and its implementation, in the words of Lim Kit Siang, ‘is the same as the stand taken by the first three Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Razak and Hussein,” she said. “Hudud laws go against the Federal Constitution which provides for a secular state with Islam as the religion of the Federation – no religion in Sabah and Sarawak — and freedom of worship guaranteed for other religions”.
As a Muslim, she strongly believes that the priority should be on the eradication of corruption, the root of most evils in society.
“Zaharudin should also ask himself whether he’s against democracy, freedom, social justice, human rights, gender equality, and equal opportunity.”
She pledged that DAP is a party that believes in preserving the rights of all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and gender. “We believe in upholding equality and solidarity,” she added. “We believe in the importance of maintaining harmonious ethnic relations with fellow Malaysians from all walks of life, as this is what democracy and societal evolution and progress is all about.”
Living in a multi-cultural society, she pointed out; it is only natural for Malaysians to question any idea thoroughly.
Islam needs heroes, not zeroes who kill in its name
Yesterday, 132 schoolchildren and nine adults were mowed down by gunfire in a school in Peshawar, Pakistan. A day earlier, two hostages died as Australian police ended a siege at a Sydney chocolate shop.The link between both? It was done by people who professed to be Muslims. It was not a matter of what sect or school of thought they belonged to, they were simply Muslims like a majority of us here in Malaysia.
The Peshawar gunmen belonged to the Tehrik-E-Taliban or Pakistan Taliban out to seek revenge against the Pakistan army for an offensive that began last summer and resulted in some 1,000 deaths.
This was an insurgency's pure revenge and hate against the government of the day. It was also the same group that shot Pakistani schoolgirl and now Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai in 2012, purportedly because women do not need education in an Islamic caliphate or state.
In Sydney, an Iranian asylum seeker named Man Hosni Monis with a criminal past invoked his Islamic credentials when he took over the Lindt chocolate cafe that ended up in tragedy.
It really does not matter if both incidents have nothing to do with Islam as we know it. Or linked to more than a billion peace-loving Muslims across the globe. For the world, it is all done and declared in the name of Islam.
We can get angry that the Western media labels them as Muslims but the truth is, they have called themselves Muslims and pray to the direction of the Kaaba as we do.
And in our midst, we too have a fair number of young Muslims who have signed up with the militants who call themselves Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to fight fellow Muslims of the Shia persuasion. Some have been killed.
While we try to figure out new security laws to contain these militants when they return, we already have a slew of laws to regulate our lives as Muslims – just like Pakistan and the Talibans when they ran Afghanistan.
We also have an Islamist party that believes the solution to what blights modern life is a criminal law from 6th century Arabia that prescribes whippings, stoning and death by decapitation for major offences.
All in the name of Islam.
We rail against those who kill in the name of Islam but it is fine that we can exact justice using such punishment in the name of Islam?
For the Islamist parties, their brightest minds are put to the task of figuring out Islamic laws and punishment rather than working out rehabilitation, mercy and charity for all.
We Muslims seem to kill and punish in the name of Islam around the world but not quite being merciful and charitable unless in dire circumstances.
This is how the world sees us today. They see the slick videos of the Islamic State or wire reels of massacres and suicide bombings, all done in the name of Islam – against fellow Muslims and the world at large.
No one sees the mercy and charity of Muslims even when it actually happens. Perhaps because we have more loudmouths who want to go to war to defend Islam more than we have people who quietly do charity like the Kuala Lumpur soup kitchens.
See, we do have real heroes, not the zeroes who loudly proclaim they champion Islam and kill in its name.
And we really must make sure the 141 who died in Peshawar yesterday are the last such deaths by the Taliban. That the Islamic state militants are just bandits and lone wolves such as Man Hosni Monis are just criminals who belong in jail.
We need to condemn such barbaric and senseless acts of killings and those who believe punishments that involve cutting hands and feet, and decapitation will work.
Our grief for the dead must not be in vain or lead to an eye for an eye. Then we are no different from those who kill in anger and hate.
Islam does not need blood to show it is a religion of peace. Islam needs Muslims who can use science and technology; reason and intellect; mercy and charity; understanding and love; to make it a better world.
If we can't do this in Malaysia, where else can we do it? – December 17, 2014.
* Jahabar Sadiq runs The Malaysian Insider.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/islam-needs-heroes-not-zeroes-who-kill-in-its-name#sthash.HAsRYgRw.dpuf
Are Malays starting to leave the country?
A report in the weekend edition of the Hong Kong paper, titled: “Malay Muslims fleeing country as fundamentalism takes hold” painted a grim picture and suggested an exodus of members of the majority race but gave no numbers or hard data.
It cited a female researcher so disgusted with the state of affairs after her shared accommodation with other women was searched for the presence of a man by Islamic authorities on a morality raid that she has resolved to leave the country in two years.
“An anonymous phone call to the religious department alleging a man was seen entering her flat was all it took for the religious officials to descend on her home,” the paper said, adding that six or seven men from the Selangor State Islamic Department (Jais) had entered her flat.
Unaccompanied by any woman, the men were said to have searched all the bedrooms, closets and even under the bed.
"I don't feel safe in this country anymore," the researcher was quoted as saying. "It's like you are guilty until proven innocent. Anyone can make a phone call to accuse another person out of malice or vengeance and, without proof or investigation, the religious authorities will come to your place."
Figures hard to pin down
But apart from anecdotal accounts, evidence is on just how many Malays have left Malaysia is hard to come by. Most existing data has not been broken down by ethnic composition.
According to a World Bank report in 2011, an estimated one million Malaysians are residing overseas.
More than two million Malaysians have emigrated since Merdeka.
Last year, a total 308,834 high-skilled Malaysians moved overseas, with 47.2 per cent going to Singapore, 18.2 per cent to Australia, 12.2 per cent to US and the rest to other countries like UK and Canada.
According to the same report, the number of skilled Malaysians living abroad rose 300 per cent in the last two decades, with two out of every 10 Malaysians with tertiary education opting to leave for either Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries or Singapore.
These figures have not been broken down to show ethnicity.
But in October former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said that more Malay-Muslims could be expected to leave the country if local religious authorities continue to pursue and prosecute those whose opinions they deem “deviant”.
Over the years, Islamic authorities have gradually become more rigid in their interpretation and application of the Shariah code in Islam.
They vilified and attacked a recent dog-petting event in which some Muslims touched dogs, which are considered unclean to people of the faith. The programme triggered such outrage that its organiser received death threats.
In October, the National Fatwa Council issued an edict banning Muslims from “celebrating” Halloween, which it categorised as a Christian celebration of the dead.
Kelantan, meanwhile, plans to enforce Hudud laws by way of state level enactments, even though its allies in Pakatan Rakyat are opposed to the idea.
An Oktoberfest-themed beer festival in Selangor also drew the ire of Muslim groups despite the promotional event being targeted at and restricted to non-Muslims.
Muslim intellectual Kassim Ahmad is also being prosecuted by Islamic authorities for allegedly suggesting that Muslims need only follow the Quran, and not the accompanying Hadith. The view differs from that which is officially approved.
Malaysia has also outlawed the Shiah denomination of Islam, which it considers deviant from the Sunni school that is officially sanctioned here.
Malaysia’s religious authorities also frequently warn against liberalism. The federal government’s Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has also stated that the National Fatwa Council had at its 74th meeting in 2006 declared liberal thinking as heretical.
Social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir told Malay Mail Online in October she knows of several Malays who say they do not want to return to their homeland.
“It’s not for economic reasons, but simply because they feel that the environment here has become so negative and oppressive that it’s impossible to be able to live as peaceful, productive citizens anymore,” said Marina, the daughter of Tun Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/are-malays-starting-to-leave-the-country#sthash.YSiKPuxK.dpuf
Former Sodomy II cop wins court bid to practise law, with conditions
Malay Mail
KUALA
LUMPUR, Dec 18 — A former policeman who led the investigations in
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s second sodomy case has
finally got his dream of becoming a practising lawyer, following a High
Court ruling allowing his admission to the Bar.
The
Ipoh High Court rejected the Bar Council's objection to Jude Pereira's
petition, but said the ex-policeman must undergo an eight-hour human
rights training stint with the legal profession's regulator before he
can be admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of
Malaya, The Star daily reported.
The daily quoted judge Lee Swee Seng saying that the training will be a period of “effective rehabilitation” for Pereira.
On
January 15, this year, High Court judge Datuk Zaleha Yusof allowed the
Bar Council’s notice of objection and notice of caveat against Pereira’s
admission to practise law as he was found “not to be a credible
witness” during a human rights case in May 2013, based on the Human
Rights Commission inquiry, then chaired by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee
Abdullah.
In
his ruling yesterday, Justice Lee said Pereira’s actions at the
Brickfields district police station here during a candlelight vigil on
May 7 had led to a severe constitutional breach on the rights of the
detainees and their five lawyers.
But
the judge added that the issue has since been resolved following the
close of a civil suit filed by those arrested against the government;
each of the five lawyers was awarded RM 60,000 in aggravated and
exemplary damages for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment.
On
September 3, Bernama reported that Pereira succeeded in his appeal to
set aside the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision which prevented his
admission as an advocate and solicitor.
A
Court of Appeal three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Linton
Albert unanimously allowed the appeal and held that the High Court judge
had made her ruling based on a notice of objection and notice of caveat
against Pereira’s admission which was filed by the Bar Council and not
on his petition.
Albert
said that the court found that Pereira had not yet filed his petition
under Section 15 (1) of the Legal Profession Act 1976 for enrolment and
admission as advocate and solicitor and therefore, the High Court had
not sat down to hear his petition.
He then fixed for mention of the case on September 18 in the High Court.
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