PUTRAJAYA, June 12 — Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six state executive councillors cannot be suspended from attending the state legislative assembly for alleged contempt as the offence is not provided for under the Perak State Constitution, the Federal Court ruled.
Federal Court judge Datuk Seri S. Augustine Paul, in his written judgment, said Article 44 of the Perak State Constitution, read together with the Standing Orders of the legislative assembly and the Legislative Assembly (Privileges) Enactment 1959, did not provide for the offence of contempt and the resultant punishment of suspension from attending sessions of the state legislative assembly.
Therefore, the suspension order of 18 months for Zambry and 12 months for the councillors made by state Speaker V. Sivakumar was null and void as Sivakumar had no power to do so, he said.
“The power to deal with contempt, which is not provided in the Standing Orders of the legislative assembly, is not something that the Speaker can take cognizance of as it requires a law to that effect,” Paul said in his 64-page judgment dated June 3 and made available yesterday.
“There must be specific legal authority to take cognizance of and punish for contempt. This is particularly significant where the alleged contempt was committed beyond the walls of the legislative assembly,” he said.
On April 16, the five-man bench led by Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff held that the suspension order by Sivakumar on Zambry and his six exco men was ultra vires the Perak state constitution.
Sitting with Alauddin were Paul, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria and Justices Tan Sri Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman and Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin.
Zambry and the six — Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin, Datuk Ramly Zahari, Hamidah Osman, Datuk Saarani Mohamad, Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid and Dr Mah Hang Soon — filed an originating summons at the Ipoh High Court on March 2 seeking a declaration that their suspension was null and void.
In the summons, they contended that Sivakumar had, by a letter dated Feb 11, 2009, complained that Zambry was acting illegally by appointing an executive councillor contrary to the supreme law and that the contempt had embarrassed Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, as the Perak Mentri Besar, and had prevented his (Mohammad Nizar) exco from performing their duties under the Perak Constitution.
The applicants further contended that by a letter dated Feb 18, Sivakumar, in exercising his powers as Speaker, found them guilty as charged and suspended them from attending the sessions of the state assembly — 18 months for Zambry, and 12 months, for the others.
Paul, in his judgment, said: “The suspension against the applicants was done pursuant to Standing Order 72 of the legislative assembly. The summonses against them state that their acts constitute contempt. As contempt has not been specifically prescribed for, the acts cannot come within the ambit of Standing Order 72.
“Standing Order 72 authorises the Committee of Privileges to take cognizance of ‘any matter which appears to affect powers and privileges of the assembly’.
“In order for the ‘matter’ to have such an effect, it must be unlawful or be an infringement of the powers and privileges of the assembly. It is only then that it can be said that it appears to affect the powers and privileges of the Assembly,” reasoned Paul.
Zambry and the six assemblymen were represented by lead counsel Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, while Sulaiman Abdullah had appeared for Sivakumar. — Bernama
The class based differentiation occurring across the
Malaysian political spectrum
Before proceeding with the discussion, we all have to agree on a few fundamentals. Take the major peninsula based political parties in the country – UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, PAS, PKR, DAP – look at the various indicators– the membership profile, the substantial constituencies they represent, the overt and the not so overt policies they promote and their leadership profiles. I have assumed them in general conclusions. I do not think I am too far away from the truth, though there may be some disagreement about a few of my conclusions.
Studying this structure of the political parties it looks like a class differentiation is occurring across the spectrum of the political parties. The Upper classes within the 3 major races being represented by the UMNO, MCA,MIC, Gerakan combine while the PKR and DAP represent the middle and lower classes among the Malays and the Chinese.
PAS however seems to represent Muslims across the classes and appears not to be class based yet. PPP is too small to matter in this regard.
In my opinion, the class differentiation occurred with the Chinese first. DAP and MCA circa 1950s . Then it started to happen with the Malays – beginning with Anwar’s incarceration 1998. In 2007 the class differentiation among the Indians abruptly showed itself up. The process has not been linear or orchestrated – differentiation within each ethnic group being driven by its own particular dynamics. But it will not be wrong to say that the process has been steadily gathering momentum. The process of this differentiation is however yet to play itself out completely. This is in my opinion, anyway only the first phase of that class differentiation, as the class differentiation is only occurring within the confines of the ethnic groups. The next phase has to be one where class is no more identified with race, identification with class takes precedence – but that is some ways off. Only then we can say there can be a class based two party system..
There are at least two more acts in this pahsebefore the differentiation in this phase will be complete.
The first act is with the Muslim party of PAS. PAS has religion as its basic platform. In as much as religion plays a major role for the Muslims in the party , economics necessarily is exerting an increasing influence on the party. The separation of those who seek to control the resources exclusively and those who seek a more inclusive system seems to have begun and will have to play itself out sooner or later. Even though religion is the glue for PAS, the tensions between that glue and the forces being unleashed by economics seem to be gathering storm. What is happening now within PAS may be just that. PR and UMNO beware.
The second act is with the minority group of the Indians. 70 - 80 % of the Indians in the country are of the working class. The recent increase in the political parties purporting to represent the Indian working class is an indication of the desire to pick up this significant vote bank. But who truly represents the interests of the Indian working class. If one surveys what has been going on – the answer has to be, no one clearly. MIC has been totally abandoned by this group as a result of the differentiation. PKR, DAP are trying to step in, but the dissatisfaction with what they are able to do for the Indian working class ( always qualified by the “we cannot just do for a small group”, argument ) indicates a gap between what the Indian working class seeks and what these parties are able to deliver. This suggests also that a clear a true working class orientated representation is required for the Indians to complete this class based differentiation across the Malaysian political scenario. MIC and PR beware.
These historical trends are driven by developments worldwide. It is also significantly accelerated by technological developments, especially in communication. One can argue with the specifics of my argument, but one cannot dismiss that there is something going on that is causing a differentiation to occur or even that a differentiation is occurring. UMNO with all its maneuvers can slow this process down a little, but it certainly cannot stop the realignments that are ocurring in the progress of history in our country.
By Lim Kit Siang
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid announced after the PAC meeting this morning that the PAC would not summon four key personalities in the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, viz: the two former Transport Ministers, Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik and Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, former Port Klang Authority (PKA) Chairman and currently Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung and the former PKFZ general manager O.C.Phang.
This is a most extraordinary decision despite requests by Pakatan Rakyat MPs on the PAC for the four to be summoned to appear before the PAC.
Azmi Khalid should disqualify himself and step aside in the PAC inquiry into the PKFZ scandal because of conflict of interest as he was Minister in the Cabinet which decided on the RM4.6 billion PKFZ bailout in July 2007.
I am shocked that despite the PAC meeting for the second day on the PKFZ scandal, the Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has still refused to release the appendices of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit report on the PKFZ scandal to PAC members, allowing only restricted access to the appendices during PAC meetings when PAC members should be allowed a set of the appendices each for further study and research by themselves and their respective staff.
This Ministerial restriction makes a total mockery of parliamentary responsibility and accountability of both the Transport Minister as well as PKA and should be deplored in the strongest possible terms.
Unless Ong revokes this restriction immediately, allowing every PAC member a set of the appendices of the PwC report on the PKFZ, I will propose when Parliament meets on Monday that the 83 Pakatan Rakyat MPs submit a joint motion to censure Ong for denying PAC members the right to have full, free and unfettered access to the PwC report on the PKFZ, including the appendices, and in the process impeding and obstructing the PAC from discharging its duties.
(Speech at the Ipoh Barat dinner-dialogue “Political Crisis – What Next” at Florex Restaurant, Ipoh)
By Deborah Loh
thenutgraph.com
IN his interview with The Nut Graph yesterday, Puchong Member of Parliament (MP) Gobind Singh Deo spoke about being suspended from attending the Dewan Rakyat, and how the loss of an MP's salary affects an elected representative's service to constituents.
Gobind, who is blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin's lawyer, was suspended for alleging Datuk Seri Najib Razak's involvement in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case during a parliamentary debate.
In the second and final part of this interview, Gobind talks about raising unpopular questions in Parliament, something his father, DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, is also famous for.
The first-time MP also shares his thoughts on Pakatan Rakyat's future.
TNG: Why do you court controversy by saying certain things? Shouldn't you pick your battles in Parliament?
Gobind: (Long pause)
Every time a shouting match happens, the opposition MPs almost always get sent out and it gives BN room to accuse the opposition of creating a ruckus. So what about picking battles?
I guess it's because I'm very straightforward. If I have an issue with someone, it is my style to take the bull by its horns. Most of the time it involves controversial issues as a result of which people get agitated and upset, and they react in a way that invites a lot of anger in response.
But I suppose that is how it is. If you want to ask a question and it's a sensitive one, you have to do it. As an MP, it is my duty to ask those hard questions. Nothing personal against any Member of Parliament. But that [Altantuya case] was an issue which hogs the mind of many people both here and internationally, so it had to be brought up. And I brought it up.
In hindsight, would it have been any different? Maybe you'd still have your salary, had you not used such strong words.
I don't know. Being a Member of Parliament, one has to say what needs to be said. I have no regrets. In any event, the charge against me was not for using such words.
The charge against me is (brings out photocopy of motion) ... the motion against me is that I was alleged to have said that he was involved in a murder case. Which is what was said by a witness in the Raja Petra [Kamarudin] trial. So? In Raja Petra's case, DSP Gan alleged that Najib was an important witness, and no statement was taken from him. So as an important witness, I wanted to know, what is meant by that. So I asked him.
In your suit against the Speaker, is there the possibility this issue will be brought up?
No, it's not about that. What I said that day remains in Parliament on record. That's that. I'm not going to raise it or repeat it outside Parliament. There is no necessity for me to do so as the PM never challenged me to. This suit is primarily about the procedure and the jurisdiction of the House, whether or not they have the powers to do what they did, and the manner in which they did it.
On to other topics. Your father has spoken against PAS's stand on hudud law, and although Pakatan as an alliance has agreed to disagree, what are your thoughts, will this become a divisive issue in the future?
I think it is definitely a sore point which needs to be addressed. PAS is pushing for an Islamic state. The DAP always maintains and is firm that this is not an Islamic state, it's a secular state. I have personally met with many leaders of PAS and I listen to them, and I believe that at the end of the day, they can subscribe to a particular line of thought, that, in so far as they are concerned, this is what they prefer. But the reality does not allow them to go ahead with it.
Look at the respective Pakatan states, this is the reality of it. This is the model on which we hope to build an alternative Malaysian government. Various parties with various ideologies, but at the end of the day, when it comes to ruling, it is accepted that we will continue consistently with what is provided for in the Federal Constitution. If PAS were to push for an Islamic state, we would not agree. And that is why we are there. We have consistently said we do not agree, and they accept our stand.
They accept for now.
Yes, for now.
So what does the future hold?
Having come from an opposition point of view and now having been given the opportunity to govern together in the last one year or so, we see the reality of it.
You're hoping they will see the reality of it and stick with it.
I think they do. And that's the reason why they govern with us, despite the fact that we've said in no uncertain terms that we won't concede to an Islamic state. So now it's a question of us working together, using this model and then coming to a point when they have to decide whether they are comfortable, whether we are comfortable, and I think as far as all the parties are concerned, everyone is comfortable with the current formula.
So I see this as a practical way in which all three parties recognise the limitations that exists, and recognise the requirement for cooperation in order for us to govern together.
But ultimately, this issue must be dealt with in more detail by the leadership.
Who do you think needs the other more — PAS needs DAP and PKR more, or the other way around?
I think all three need each other. Depends on which state and which issues, I don't think there's one blanket answer.
So the future of Pakatan parties is to remain in alliance?
Yes. Yes.
Your thoughts on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is he really the only person who can hold Pakatan together?
Anwar Ibrahim is a person who can hold Pakatan together, but he should not be seen as the only person who can do that. At present, it appears that that is the case. So I think it is important for younger leaders to be groomed, who have similar capabilities, and I see a few currently who can do that. You can look beyond just PKR. You have some leaders like this in PAS and also DAP.
As an example, Datuk Seri (Mohammad) Nizar (Jamaluddin). Look at the Perak formula. I think that is Malaysia at its best. You [have] a menteri besar who is from PAS, a Speaker who is Indian [Malaysian] from DAP, and the Chinese [Malaysians] rallying all around them without any barriers. Let's look at that model.
And one may argue that they represent a better model than what we have at [the] federal level of Pakatan. Look at how they work in Perak. They recognise the attacks coming from the outside in which time they must unite in order to fight. They have such a strong bond there.
At Pakatan federal level, people still notice the divisions in the way we work.
Like the BN?
That's right. There's division, although it's not racial, but in the way the parties operate. But you go to Perak and people don't know or don't care which party Nizar or which party (Speaker V) Sivakumar is from.
But that's the point. In times of hardship you look at the greater picture, the need for you to build that relationship that extends beyond smaller argumentative points.
Is PKR too dominant within the Pakatan alliance?
No, it's not.
But it can reach both Malay Malaysians and non-Malay Malaysians whereas DAP is largely Chinese Malaysian-orientated.
You'd be surprised. I won't say that DAP has got as [many] Malay Malaysian members as PKR or PAS, but it has got support. Like in Penang, a lot of Malay Malaysians there feel they can work with (Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng. That's something I've heard consistently, even from people in Umno.
They are concerned that Guan Eng is able to reach out to the Malay [Malaysians]. If this is the new model for the next generation of DAP leaders, these are leaders who've been able to break the barrier in reaching out across races. And these are signs of what is to come for DAP, greater strength for DAP at the grassroots levels.
You and your father are perhaps the most prominent Sikh politicians in Malaysia, any thoughts about this?
One of the main problems with MIC is that it has failed to build Sikh leaders. I know many Sikhs who have worked very hard for MIC. They've spent time, they've campaigned, lobbied and built the party up for years. Many still do. Even the founding fathers of MIC consisted of Sikhs as well. But you find the Sikhs not getting what they deserve. Not just them, but the other Indian [Malaysians]. Even in the party itself.
So then you look back and you recognise that the party has not given much thought towards building Sikhs in Malaysia. In DAP, we have four Sikh elected representatives. My father and I at parliamentary level, and two assemblypersons, Keshvinder Singh in Malim Nawar, Perak and Jagdeep Singh, my elder brother, in Datok Keramat in Penang. So we hope to open it up more. But in the DAP it's never been a question of looking at race but how much a person has contributed to the party and the party recognising his [or her] work.He said that of 366 Malaysians 'screened' in the past two months, 47 were also believed to be possessed by jin (evil spirits), adding that most of those affected were based in Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds.
The Straits Times
LONDON - HERE, in this financial capital of the world, a little black magic (sihir) is at play within a small community who blames the supernatural for heartbreaks and shaky marriages.
Ask some members - 123 to be exact - of the Malaysian community living here who are said to have been hit by witchcraft.
They have fallen victim to what is believed to be sorcery, resulting in strained relationships and marital break-ups, according to the Professional Islamic Support and Nurture Group or Pisang (www.pisang.org.uk ).
Its chairman Mr Hamidi Abdul Rahman claims that a number of sihir spells had been cast by evil bomoh hired by spiteful lovers to wreck marriages and relationships.
'Some of the couples have even gone back to Malaysia for marriage counselling but this can only be effective after the removal of the curse,' he claimed in an interview.
He said that of 366 Malaysians 'screened' in the past two months, 47 were also believed to be possessed by jin (evil spirits), adding that most of those affected were based in Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds.
'We saw a lot of sihir trying to cause family break-ups, resulting in stress and depression among the children, too,' claimed Mr Hamidi, 23, who is touted as a modern day exorcist here for his specialist ability to 'undo' charms and disturbances.
While Hamidi conducts the 'screening' sessions, his deputy Mr Trimizi Zainal carries out the treatment, reciting Quranic verses to weaken and drive demons out of the afflicted.
The duo went on the road and conducted 34 mobile clinics in London, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Burton-on-Trent, Huddersfield, High Wycom-be, Sheffield, Hull and Bicester.
Someone sent me the e-mail below. Whoever sent it probably thought I would publish it. Although it was meant as a joke, I think it is rather blasphemous and under no circumstances would I publish something that would upset Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. Anyway, I would like to show you the offending e-mail so that you know what kind of stuff I will not use and so that in future you will not send me such material, especially like the one below which does not have the writer’s name attached.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
NOAH and THE ARK
In the year 2020, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Malaysia, and said: Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flash before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living things along with a few good humans.
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: You have six months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but no Ark.
Noah! He roared. I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?
Forgive me, Lord, begged Noah, but things have changed.
First, I need to have a BUMIPUTRA PARTNER who is linked to UMNO. Then I needed a building permit from DBKL and also have to pay under-counter money to get the permit.
Then I've been arguing with the BOMBA inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.
My neighbours complained to The Malay Mail about the height of the Ark I was going to build and the next day it was in the headlines claiming that I've violated the neighbourhood building by-laws because my Ark is going to exceed the height limitations. I appealed to the magistrate and it was approved.
The Opposition then took advantage of the situation and said I was a government crony and they did nasty things with my face in the Internet. I don’t know how they managed to superimpose my face on a naked body with naked MP’s and portrayed it on the YouTube. Oh Lord you are the All Knowing and you know I did not take the photos of the MP.
Then there was another stop-work order even before I could start work. After that the Badan Cegah Rasuah arrested me for pornography.
I talked to a lawyer who looks like Ambitah Bachan -- talks like him, acts like him, but is not him. He said he knows the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister -- the Apa Nama -- and can clear my name but I have to buy them tickets to Australia.
After clearing my name I had to again go to the DBKL Appeal Board for a decision to allow me to build the Ark.
Then the government, after approving the plans, said I must use only SIRIM approved goods and that I must buy from their list of CLASS F Bumiputera contractors and their prices are 15 times more expensive than the Chinaman hardware shop.
Then TNB and JPJ demanded that I post a bond for the future costs of moving power-lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us but they would hear nothing of it.
Getting the timber for the Ark was another problem. SUKHAM and the JABATAN HUTAN NEGARA said that there's a ban on the cutting local trees in order to save the Orang Utan.
I tried to convince SUKHAM and JABATAN HUTAN NEGARA that I needed the wood to save the Orang Hutan but they said no go.
When I started gathering the animals, JAKIM and an animal rights group sued me. JAKIM said I cannot put the chickens and the pigs next to each other as it WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED HALAL and the animal rights group insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued that the accommodations were too restrictive and that it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.
Then JABATAN KERJA RAYA AND JABATAN KAJIAN dan GALIAN ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an Environmental Impact Study on your proposed flood.
I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many Bumiputera contractors I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.
JABATAN IMMIGRASI and RELA are checking the status of most of the people who want to work.
The trade unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with Ark-building experience.
As I started to clear the area to build the Ark, six gangsters came and demanded protection money. They said they will control the area for the selling of drugs and the supply of prostitutes to my workers.
When I complained to the POLIS, the next day the IGP sent an ASP who came in full uniform. Unfortunately he also happens to be one of the six gangsters who were demanding protection money and so he doubled my protection fee.
Then there was a by-election and I was forced to become an UMNO member to get my permits approved and was made to pay a donation by the Barisan Nasional candidate in the so-called spirit of MUHIBBAH. Otherwise they will make life difficult for me.
Every department I turned to is asking what they call “Kopi Wang”.
I calculated that if I paid all the so-called “Kopi Wang” and also give them the donation they ask, the cost to build the Ark will be 20 times higher. But I refused to give them the “Kopi Wang” as I am faithful to you Oh Lord.
Then some top-level politicians became very disappointed with me for not giving them the donations and they started calling me a Murtad. I told them my name is Noah and not Murtad and they got very angry and said they have connections.
Suddenly I became a suspect in the murder of a Mongolian lady because the place where she was murdered happens to be on the land where I am going to build the Ark and I was then arrested.
To make matters worse, the Jabatan HASIL seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. I have just been released from ISA.
So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, you mean you're not going to destroy the
world?
No, said the Lord, the Malaysian Government beat me to it!
Author unknown
In 2007, six (6) police officers and two (2) underworld figures signed Statutory Declarations alleging that senior police officers right up to the IGP have links with the Chinese drugs, prostitution, illegal gambling and loan-shark syndicate based in Johor and which was expanding its operation throughout Malaysia. Another police officer made a police report alleging that his family was kidnapped by the ACA to force him to change his statement while the head of the CCD and his lawyer were arrested and charged for alleged criminal offenses for detaining underworld bosses under the Emergency Ordinance.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
KUANTAN, June 11 – Two men who were busily posting posters offering sex services in a toilet of a five-star hotel in Genting Highlands, near here were arrested, yesterday.
State CID chief Asst Comm T.T.Narenasagaran said the culprits, aged 22 and 25, from Selangor, were detained by the police at 8 pm last night and were taken to Bentong district police headquarters.
Following the arrest, police had also arrested another suspect, aged 23, and confiscated 130 sexually explicit posters at a taxi stand near the hotel five hours after the first arrest. – Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - By equating any questioning of Malay interests and scholarship quotas to the sovereignty of the rulers, Perak’s Sultan Azlan Shah has been met with incredulous response.
Shah Alam parliamenterian Khalid Samad, who is from PAS, believes no one is questioning the rights of the Malays in terms of their places in educational institutions nor was there any move to question their rights to scholarship.
“What is being questioned is the manner in which the scholarship system is being implemented,” Khalid told The Malaysian Insider, saying that the scholarship awarding system must be based on the principles of justice and equitability.
“Although the constitution gives special rights to the Malays and Bumiputras in terms of place of study, it is in no way drafted to deny equal rights be given to the non-Malays.
“The basic idea of this provision is to ensure social justice, not made to serve or justify a chauvinistic end,” he said.
Sultan Azlan said today any move which questions the interests of the Malays and Bumiputras in terms of scholarships and places of study not only violates the fundamental provisions in the federal and state constitutions but also questions the sovereignty of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers.
It is believed that the Perak ruler’s statement was made in reference to the recent call made by the DAP to stop ethnic profiling when awarding scholarships.
Bar Council president K Ragunath when contacted for comments said he doesn’t see how the call for better education opportunities to be awarded to deserving non-Malay students violates the country’s constitutions.
“I think this is a question of interpretation. I don’t think there is a move to question the rights of the Malays to education but a just demand that non-Malays who are doing well in their studies should be allowed the same opportunities,” he said.
Ragunath argued that the country’s broken scholarship system has already damaged the country’s economy with more and more good students pursuing education and employment opportunities overseas due to the lack of chances back home.
“So the whole matter is not about questioning the sovereignty of the Malay rulers or the Agong, it’s just a call for justice to be served,” he added.
The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang when contacted said he would only give his comments soon saying he has yet to read what the Perak ruler had said.
But he said that if the prime minister wants to fulfil his 1 Malaysia promise, then he must move away from ethnic profiling, especially in awarding scholarships.
Lim also pointed out that Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s plan to limit the number of SPM subjects taken by each student was only an “ad hoc solution” and does not go to the root cause of the problem.
“Even if you reduce the number of papers, it would not solve the problem unless there is a fair and transparent system. I think there is a need for a total revamp,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 – Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry Petra has filed a police report denying allegations that he had abused his wife Manohara Odelia Pinot.
It is the first step he has taken to clear his name since the scandal broke out and according to his lawyer Mohd Haaziq Pillay, civil action against the 17-year-old Indonesian model and her mother Daisy Fajarina is set to follow.
When asked if the Kelantan prince was categorically denying any and all accusations by Manohara and Daisy, he answered, “definitely.”
Haaziq, who accompanied Tengku Muhammad at the Dang Wangi police station this afternoon, told reporters that a civil suit “against the slander” would also be filed “once I have completed the papers” and that it could be “against anyone who has made these accusations.”
He also explained that the report was made in Malaysia and not Indonesia, where Manohara has filed a report claiming abuse by Tengku Muhammad, because the alleged wrongdoing was said to have occurred in Malaysia.
“There is no legal provision to file it in Indonesia,” he said.
While he refused to respond and comment on behalf of the prince, he said that Tengku Muhammad would be making a personal statement himself in the future.
Today’s press conference was scheduled for 3pm but was delayed repeatedly. It is understood that the prince was being interviewed by the police over the alleged abuses which delayed Haaziq from arriving at the press conference until 8pm.
Haaziq refused to make statements on behalf of Tengku Muhammad despite many questions by Indonesia media and the press conference barely lasted 10 minutes.
The issue continues to make headlines in Indonesia and both the public and authorities there have voiced concern over the case.
Manohara escaped from the prince while in Singapore and returned to Indonesia on May 31.
On Tuesday Manohara lodged a police report against the Kelantan prince and seven others for alleged domestic violence and torture.
Her mother has also claimed that local doctors have found cuts on her chest and needle marks on her back.
By Lim Kit Siang,
My three questions (No.37 to No. 39 on the 13th day in the current series) to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat on the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal today are:
1. In his blog from Beijing on 3rd June 2009, Ong wrote:
“At this very moment, professional experts and entrepreneurs have been roped in to provide their views and expertise on how to bring PKFZ back on track for which it was originally conceived.
“ We are not sitting still and playing rhetoric. In the weeks and months ahead, my Ministry and PKA will put in place a series of action plans to lessen the pain on taxpayers.”
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) submitted its “position review” report of the Port Klang Free Zone (PFKZ) on 3rd February 2009, which means Ong had more than four months to digest it.
Can he explain what he had done in these four months apart from “sitting still and playing rhetoric” to “put in place a series of action plans to lessen the pain on taxpayers” with regard to the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal and why he needs four months just to announce a blue-ribboned Task Force to make some more studies in the next two months to make recommendations “for follow-up actions” to be taken by the Government? Isn’t this a colossal waste of four months after the PwC report on PKFZ?
2. In the same blog, Ong had written:
At yesterday’s meeting of the PAC, which was attended by the PKA Chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, PAC members were informed that the 14 sets of appendices were only available for them during PAC meetings and not meant for them to take back for detailed study.
What is Ong afraid of that he is prepared to commit the parliamentary contempt of imposing such a ridiculous condition restricting access of the PwC Report appendices to PAC members which make a total mockery of his ministerial responsibility and accountability to Parliament?
3. Why is Ong so afraid of a Selangor Exco member sitting on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) Board that he insists on having his own appointee representing Selangor State Government instead of the Selangor State Government’s choice?
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s proposal to have a state exco member sitting on the PKA Board met with immediate and quite violent opposition from the PKA Chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, who claimed:
“For me, there is no need for an exco to be in PKA. I’m an accountant by profession, I was a chairman of a public-listed logistic company before I resigned. I know the business well.”
Lee insisted that the Selangor state government’s representative on the PKA Board should continue to be a civil servant and not a State exco member.
Why is Lee reeking with fear at the very suggestion of a Selangor State exco member sitting on PKA Board?
Since Ong had been micro-managing every step, decision and pronouncement of the PKA Chairman, as evident in the past two weeks, one cannot be very wrong in assuming that Lee was speaking on behalf of the Minister in responding to Khalid’s proposal.
This is most extraordinary, where the Transport Minister, who is the appointing authority for the PKA Board members, wants to overrule the Selangor State Government as who should be the PKA Board member representing the Selangor State Government.
Why is Ong so afraid to allow a Selangor State Exco member to sit on the PKA Board?
Why is Ong vetoing the Selangor State Exco as to who should represent the Selangor State Government on the PKA Board?
Don't Spread Rumour On Gang Fight - Zambry
SLIM RIVER, June 9 (Bernama) -- Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir has advised the people not spread a rumour on a gang fight in Taman Bistari, Kamunting near Taiping last night
TAIPING: Two groups of youths went at each other with parangs and sticks outside a cybercafe in Kamunting here.
Sixteen were injured and nine were admitted to the Taiping Hospital, two in critical condi-tion with slash wounds on the head and body.
The severely injured were a 16-year-old boy visiting his mother who lived near the cybercafe and a 32-year-old contract worker who was passing by.
In the 9pm incident on Mon-day, the youths had also attacked passers-by and patrons of the cybercafe.
About 100 police personnel, led by Taiping OCPD Asst Comm Raja Musa Raja Razak, are tracking down the youths.
Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said the fight started after two groups of youths teased and jeered at each other outside the cybercafe.
“One of them slapped someone from the other group, and the victim brought his friends in. Then, they went after innocent victims with sharp objects,” he said.
“We are still determining how many youths were involved. We have yet to record statements (from those injured). When we do, we may get a clearer picture.”
The situation was swiftly contained within the hour, DCP Zulkifli said, adding that after midnight, police arrested three youths in their 20s found carrying sticks and iron rods.
However, police had yet to recover any parang and were still hunting for more suspects, he added.
Police also set up roadblocks in the Kamunting area as a crime-prevention and safety measure.
At a briefing yesterday attended by community leaders, state assemblymen, and representatives of political parties, departments and non-governmental organisations, ACP Raja Musa quelled talks that people had died in the incident.
He urged those present to explain to the community what happened.
“This incident has nothing to do with racial sentiments,” he said.
“This was about youngsters fighting, and it was contained before it could escalate.”
Perak MIC chairman Datuk G. Rajoo urged youths to respect each other and not seek revenge as Malaysia was a multicultural country.
“It was all just a misunderstanding,” he added.
IPOH, 11 June 2009: The call to Islam is a willing and conscious submission, hence it cannot be forced upon anybody, including the conversion of a child or minor to Islam.
The director-general of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) Datuk Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas said this was because the ability to think and reason was a vital element for a non-Muslim to choose whether to become a Muslim.
"A child who has not reached 'umur baligh' (age of maturity) cannot be burdened with the responsibility of accepting something he does not understand as his faculties of reason are still immature.
"Therefore, it is unreasonable to say that one can simply convert a child," he said in his keynote address titled Crisis in Religious Thinking at a discourse held at the Perak Institute of Islamic Administration here today.
He said a person who converted a child to Islam was actually forcing the child to accept the burden of responsibility when Allah did not command such a burden be placed on the child who had not reached the age of maturity.
Syed Ali said conversion of a child to Islam also did not guarantee that he would remain a Muslim as the decision to accept and practise the religion depended on him alone.
"The responsibility of a Muslim father is to educate his children on the religion and when they reach the age of maturity, they can make their choice," he said.
The cabinet had in April decided that the children of a couple where one spouse had converted to Islam be raised in the religion the couple professed at the time of their marriage.
The decision was made to resolve the religous conversion issue with the case involving a man from Ipoh, K Pathmanaban, a Muslim convert, who converted his three young children to the religion without the consent of his wife, who did not convert. — Bernama
MUAR, 11 June 2009: Johor Umno has supported a proposal to make English a compulsory passing subject to obtain a full certificate in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Chairperson Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said, however, that the English syllabus has to be revamped, and teachers equipped with adequate skills.
"With a structured syllabus, students, including those from rural areas, will be able to have good command of English. This is because they have spent 11 years before sitting for SPM.
"However, students from rural areas may not be able to have good command of English if the syllabus is not revamped," he said here today.
The Johor menteri besar said a revamp of the syllabus is important as students are being taught English as a communication language with little focus on grammar and vocabulary. — Bernama
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We have today filed a notice of motion applying to the High Court to compel the Public Prosecutor to deliver, as a matter of right, as provided by law under Sections 51 and 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code, inter alia, statements of witnesses, original DNA samples for DNA testing, medical notes, photographs, CCTV recordings of relevant dates and other evidence which they intend to use against DSAI in the trial (see enclosed Affidavit of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim), to enable us to advise and prepare the best defence for Dato’ Seri Anwar.
We reiterate that Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is lawfully entitled to the best defence, as
such unless ALL that we have applied for are delivered up to us by the Public Prosecutor, within reasonable time, the legal team will not be in a position to proffer and prepare adequately the best defence that our client is lawfully entitled to.
In this regard, we are deeply disappointed and rather perturbed that the Public Prosecutor has acted most unprofessionally and unethically. This is predicated by the lackadaisical and deliberate attitude displayed by the Public Prosecutor in not supplying us with the above said statements, recordings and so on, despite our several formal letters of request made, as early as 8th September 2008 and thereafter on 19th Jan 2009, 29th April 2009, followed by several reminders thereon. Note that save for the earlier delivery of just one statement and a few photo prints picked out of a purported CCTV recording, nothing else that was requested by us have been supplied to us hitherto. More over, we have only received one reply of late dated 6th June 2009 rejecting all our requests except for the request for electro pharograms (which has yet to be supplied). Further, the Public Prosecutor has deceptively stated in the said letter that they have already supplied us with the CCTV recordings when they have never done so. It is also gravely disappointing that even though the trial is set to commence on the 1st of July 2009, the above necessary statements, recordings and so on have yet to be supplied to us.
We consider this act of non-cooperation by the Public Prosecutor as deliberately designed to, inter alia:
i. scupper and deny the preparation of the best possible defence for
our client;
ii. deprive and or conceal from our client the evidence that is
favourable to him in his defence;
iii. practise ambush prosecution as they did unto him in 1998/99,
leaving our client little or no time and opportunity to get expert or
other assistance during trial;
iv. deprive our client the opportunity to check and verify the veracity
and authenticity of the original DNA and other samples, which they
are using to make baseless allegations against our client at this stage; and
v. deny our client a fair trial
We further state that by virtue of the above, the Public Prosecutor has much to hide and as such, this prosecution of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is clearly an abuse, frivolous, unjust and is tantamount to a political persecution. As such, in the name of justice, we again called upon the Public Prosecutor to withdraw the charge against our client with immediate effect.
Sankara Nair
