Young Voters And Fence-Sitters Begin To Accept BN

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) has received positive feedback from the young voters and fence-sitters since the party machinery launched its operation to get closer to these groups in the run up to the by-election for the Permatang Pasir state seat on Aug 25.

Umno Youth national vice-head Datuk Razali Ibrahim said the outcome of the operation focusing on these groups in the past three days had shown positive signs that they were beginning to accept the BN.

The party would give special emphasis with several strategies to get bigger support from the younger generation and fence-sitters, he told reporters after attending a gathering with 24 Umno Youth branch heads from the Permatang Pauh division, here.

Razali, who is also Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, said the by-election could also be used as a guide for the BN in evaluating to what extent the 1Malaysia concept had been accepted and understood by the multi-racial community in the constituency.

The by-election is called following the death of incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman of PAS on July 31.

In the by-election, the Barisan Nasional, represented by the Permatang Pauh Umno division secretary, Rohaizat Othman, 38, will face the Penang PAS commissioner, Mohd Salleh Man, 52.

There are 20,290 voters in Permatang Pasir.

Friday - D-Day for High Chaparral - Malaysiakini

As the nation gears up for the Merdeka celebrations on Aug 31, the 300 residents of Kampung Buah Pala in Penang are waiting with bated breath on news about their future.

Come Aug 21, this Friday, the Federal Court will decide on whether to allow or dismiss the application by a senior resident M Ayamah to ask for leave to refer whether the Court of Appeal was right in its decision made on May 11 this year on the question of locus standi of the villagers.

In the application filed through her lawyer Darshan Singh Khaira, Ayamah, 74, has also sought a stay of execution of the bailiff's order to demolish the nearly 200-year-old Indian traditional village, popularly known as High Chaparral, located in Bukit Gelugor.

The application was filed on July 31 and came up for case management hearing on Tuesday before Federal Court senior assistant registrar Surita Budin in Kuala Lumpur.

Represented by Darshan's daughter, Damina Khaira, Ayamah named the state land office, land owner Koperasi Pegawai Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd as respondents.

Although the respondents' legal counsels have asked for a hearing date in October, Surita fixed the date this Friday, citing it as an 'urgent case'.

Kampung Buah Pala residents have twice, on Aug 4 and 13, resisted vigorously and blocked the developer's attempt to demolish the remaining 24 village houses.

Aug 31 deadline

On Aug 13, the developer had given the residents a final chance to move out from their village by Aug 31.

The villagers now face eviction in the next 12 days to pave the way for a RM150 million high rise condominium project called the Oasis.

Ayamah also filed a separate application on behalf of the villagers yesterday seeking the Court of Appeal to revise its own decision on the question of locus standi of the villagers.

No date has been fixed for the hearing.

In its May decision, the appellate court decided that the villagers have no locus standi and were not entitled for any compensation.

Darshan said in the application, his client has pointed out that the appellate court's decision contradicted many landmark decisions made by the Federal Court, the country's apex court, on the status of long living occupiers or residents of a land.

He said Federal Court decisions have always maintained that long living occupiers or residents are entitled to compensation and to have equity satisfied if vacated.

Meanwhile, Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Waythamoorthy expressed hope that the apex court would establish the truth.

The lawyer said Hindraf hoped that the judiciary would open the door for the beleaguered residents to have a full trial in an open court on the perceived botched village land transactions.

An open full trial, he said, would allow the residents to seek justice by providing documented evidence to substantiate their claims of rightful ownership of the land.

FRU to check rowdy MPs

(NST) KUALA TERENGGANU: Federal Reserve Unit and Light Strike Force personnel may be deployed in the frontlines of a by-election if politicians insist on unsavoury behaviour.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this was to ensure the safety of citizens.

He was commenting on the commotion created by Padang Serai member of parliament N. Gobalakrishnan who was detained after a stand-off with police at the nomination centre for the Permatang Pasir by-election.

Police had earlier told him to stop addressing the public using a loudhailer, but the warnings went unheeded.

Police moved in to detain him but a group of about 50 supporters intervened, resulting in a fracas.

Hishammuddin said based on the smooth and mature democratic process during the Manik Urai by-election, he felt the FRU and LSF was not necessary for the Permatang Pasir by-election.

"I feel guilty. I have to apologise to the police. I convinced them not to send in the FRU in place of a friendlier police face, only to get treated this way," Hishammuddin said after chairing the state Umno liasion committee meeting, here, yesterday.

In Kuala Lumpur, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said Gobalakrishnan had brought shame to the title "Yang Berhormat".

"This very unbecoming behaviour for an MP. He should know better," he said after launching the reactivated Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board hotline here.

Nazri said the police should not be afraid to take action against MPs as no one was above the law.

PAS continues to hit out at BN’s tainted candidate

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider

PERMATANG PASIR, Aug 19 — PAS leaders today continued to capitalise on the controversy surrounding Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Rohaizat Othman in the Permatang Pasir by-election by calling him “wet rice” or a devalued candidate.

Umno and BN information chief Ahmad Maslan, at a press conference here last night, said Rohaizat was a “victim of circumstances” and that it was his legal firm’s partner who had absconded with the RM161,000 belonging to the Penang Rubber Tappers Co-operative.

He further claimed that Rohaizat has already been exonerated after he repaid the co-operative with his own money, and should be praised for his "admirable" qualities instead of being chided.

Bar Council president K. Ragunath told The Malaysian Insider the reimbursement would not change the fact that Rohaizat had breached his professional ethics and committed a serious offence.

"The point is he already committed the offence. Whether he paid them back or not is a non-issue," he said.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said the issue was certain to impact the campaign efforts of the ruling coalition, saying that it would contradict Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1 Malaysia concept.

"If they want to talk about integrity and 1 Malaysia, why don't they pick a better candidate. This has got nothing to do with Umno, this is about the people, about a representative who is going to serve the people," he said.

BN, which has been put under severe pressure over its “tainted” candidate, has been doubling up efforts to explain to the Permatang Pasir electorate that Rohaizat is innocent.

Collision at sea: 16 rescued, nine still missing

PORT DICKSON, Aug 19 — Sixteen crew members of an oil tanker, which caught fire after colliding with a bulk carrier about 20 nautical miles off here last night, have been rescued while nine others are still missing, police said.

The 16 crewmen, including the captain, were taken to the Port Dickson jetty at 3.30am, Port Dickson OCPD Supt Mazlan Othman told reporters.

The search for the nine other resumed at 7am.

He also said that the vessel had drifted into Indonesian waters.

"A passing container ship assisted in rescuing the crew members," he said, adding that some of the crew members had jumped into the sea to escape the flame while others used the tanker's emergency boats.

He said that except for two Koreans, the rest of the 16 rescued crewmen were from China.

"They sustain minor injuries and have been taken to the Port Dickson Hospital," he said.

He said the heat from the burning vessel prevented rescuers from approaching the vessel.

The tanker's captain, Jiang Han Cheng, told reporters that the vessel was heading to Singapore to refill en route to South Korea when it collided with the British-registered bulk carrier at about 9pm.

He said there were explosions onboard following the collision.

The bulk carrier was reported to have sustained only a slight damage and continued its journey to Singapore. — Bernama

Rockyn-n-rollin’ to the DJ’s ( delinquent journo’s ) spin

By Haris Ibrahim

Rocky’s take in his post entitled “Will the media be freer after Najib?” that the media would be worse off if Pakatan Rakyat came to power is interesting for the criteria that he appears to adopt.

In that post, he cites three matters that, presumably, were narrated to substantiate his viewpoint just mentioned above and which he categorises as “persecution against selected media”.

Those three matters :

• the PR Penang state government barring certain newspapers from covering its official events
• Anwar’s RM100m defamation suit against Utusan
• DAP’s alleged threat to sue several media, including Utusan, for allegedly defamatory statements

Rocky linked this post to another entitled “The media under Najib” posted at his 84 Jalan Tangsi.

You will see that in this second post, whilst he thrashes Anwar for his meddling with the media during his DPM days, he adds nothing to the three matters already alluded to in his first post to fortify his viewpoint that the media would be worse off if Pakatan Rakyat came to power.

Of Najib and the media, this is what Rocky said :

“The media”scape” under Najib has changed tremendously from the 80s and 90s. When Dr M was PM, there was only the “old” media. When Pak Lah took over, he rejected the “new” media. Najib has to give latitude to both old and new media. I pointed out that there is almost absolute Press Freedom as far as the New Media is concerned, as Najib understands the concept…Najib’s statement a week or so ago to assure us that the Government will not censor the Internet (he was responding to Rais Yatim’s statement that the ministry was considering a filter to check cyber porn) is proof that the PM is going to honor Dr M’s promise to the world that Malaysia would not ever censor the Internet…”

Rocky’s assessment of the media under Najib thus far has to be weighed against the following :

• on 15th April, this year, Malaysiakini reported that the government’s RTM had blacked out news on the apparent boycott by 10 Terengganu state representatives of the state assembly sitting the day before. The report had it that “respective news desks within TV1 were given verbal instructions not to report the issue”. The next day, Malaysiakini reported that, responding to allegations that the government had directed the blackout, Information Minister Rais denied this allegation whilst retorting, quite foolishly in my view, that “the government has the right to publish any news they wish to highlight”
• on 18th April, this year, Malaysiakini reported that 4 private television stations had been ordered not to name political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda when reporting the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case. It was reported that the “directive was part of an email sent on behalf of the group director of news and current affairs (television networks) Kamarulzaman Zainal” and that the e-mail listed four ‘don’ts’, including that it was a no-no to report that Najib and Rosmah were linked to the Altantuya murder case or to report statements from those accusing Najib and Rosmah of being involved in the case.
• in a report dated 3rd May, 2009, Malaysiakini quoted WAMI spokesperson Wong Chin Huat as slamming Najib for the move by the pretender BN Perak government to ban internet media, including Malaysiakini, from covering the infamous state assembly meeting when it convened on May 7th. In fairness, it must be said that that report went on to say that later that evening, pretender Perak Menteri Besar Zambry announced that all restrictions on the press in covering the assembly sitting had been lifted, including the ban on bloggers and online media
• On 13th July, this year, Malaysiakini reported that ntv7 talk-show host Florence Looi had been issued a warning letter and an immediate transfer to the news desk of the private television station as she was said to have ‘breached editorial policy’ when one of her guests gave Najib a ‘C’ or ‘D’ rating for his first 100 days in office. Malaysiakini quoted a source that Florence was verbally told that she should not have asked her guests to rate Najib’s performance
• on 6th August, Malaysiakini reported that the government was considering imposing an internet filter to block “undesirable” websites, on the grounds of maintaining racial harmony. The report had it that a “senior official with the National Security Council (NSC) confirmed reports that the coalition government was considering imposing controls…” The report quoted that official as follows : “It is to keep out pornographic materials and bloggers who inflame racial sentiments. We need to maintain racial harmony. We cannot have full-blown democracy like in the United States”. The report also said that this same official confirmed that a tender was out for companies to help the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) evaluate an internet filter. A Malaysiakini report the next day had it that Info Minister Rais confirmed that the government was considering imposing an internet filter to block “undesirable” websites but insisted that this was only to stop access to pornography which was freely available online at present.

Let me just address the last point raised above.

The rationale by the minister is quite laughable as it suggests that the government has only just learnt that porn is easily accessible online.

In a report dated 16th June, 2009, Malaysiakini reported that a “total of 39 mostly pornographic websites have been blocked, especially on government office computers”.

Why, even Dr M, when speaking at the BUM 2009 night on 16th May, this year, cheekily confessed that he had surfed porn sites just “to see how easy it is for a child” to do so. Malaysiakini has this report HERE.

And if I recall correctly, porn was readily available and easily accessible when I started to access the internet in 1997.

Does Rais expect us to understand that the government has only of late discovered porn on the net, and this is the only reason for this belated move to introduce censorship of the internet?

Rocky?

Common sense in Politics?

By Hussein Hamid

Time and time again we have been told that the last 50 years have seen unprecedented growth and development for Malaysia – more development and material progress then at any time of our history. Our technical and scientific skill has increased to allow our country to be a developed country in the global context. Yes – unprecedented growth as compared to what? Compared to the last 500 years of our history? If it has been so why not work towards the development and growth of our country for the next 50 years? Why does the Government of Barisan Nasional instead concern itself with the control of our society in which we live in and in ways and means of ensuring itself a lengthy stay in Government?

Is it not now than at any other moment of our history that we should concern ourselves with morality and ethics? That statesmanship and government must be for the well being of our people?

But instead our people live in fear. Fear of the ISA, fear of PDRM. Fear of the Judiciary and its inability to dispense justice to one all without fear or favor. Fear and loathing of the constant politicizing of all things that would have any monetary value to those in Barisan. It is this fear that divides rather then unites the people. It is this fear that could cause our people to act foolishly in a common determination to preserve their freedom against economic control; intellectual control and physical control by a small but determine Barisan group within our country. It is this fear that will drive our nation to its knees.

But I know that it is also this fear that will drive our people to act to preserve their sense of justice and fairness in their life. We detest racialism. And yet the very existence of UMNO is dependent on the principal of divide and rule. Divide the Chinese, the Indians, the Malays and the others and rule the country.

We want peace and stability within our Nation and require that those who are sworn to protect and preserve us will do their duty. And yet these very instruments of state are used by a determined and evil government to subdue its own people to its political will.

For now the people are united by more important things that those that are being used to rule and divide us. We are united by a common determination to live with honor and justice in our own country. We are united by a common desire that our diversity will unite rather then divide our people. We are united by our resolve to end greed, deceit and self-interest that now pervade all levels of that party UMNO that now leads the coalition of Barisan Nasional that now govern our country. I am certain that that which unites us will surely see the end of that which attempts to divide us for their own purpose. This unity amongst the people will remain because they are the ones with the most to lose if they fail.

With each successive Prime Minister we are told to Look East, Work with me, not for me and now 1Malaysia which is suppose to preserve and enhance this unity in diversity. We are often told that we are all Malaysian but give the Bumiputra some leeway to catch up with the others. Well as a Malay I now want to announce that we Malays have caught up with the others. The UMNO Malays have not only caught up with the others but they have also raced ahead busy with their looting and pillaging of the nations treasure. Let us no longer be deceived by the ranting of these UMNO politicians who says that the Malays still need the NEP. The Malays do not need the NEP. UMNO does. The Malays do not need the ‘privileges‘ that the government have carved up for them. UMNO does. The Malays no longer need Bumiputra status. UMNO does. I say to you that we Malays can stand shoulder to shoulder with the others in our country and take care of ourselves. Equal opportunity for all. Equal opportunity for the Malays. That is all that we ask. That is all that the others will ask too.

There is a potential for our country to descend into chaos and turmoil in this struggle between them and us. But I think not. The costs to us all for a descend into the madness of the May 13th Racial Riots is too heavy for any of us to shoulder. But do not let that fear paralysis us into cowering to the bullying of UMNO /Barisan. For surely they too are not keen to unleash what unknown terror the people can inflict upon them at the next GE, if not sooner, if they push us over the brink. In this practice and rehearsal that we are now in between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan all of us fear and dread what this treat to our people could do to our country. The question now is whether common sense will prevail.

Today more so then in the recent past, the stakes are much too high for us to risk an outbreak of war and riot that would threaten the very foundation of our country – but then what choice do we have in the face of those that even now are planning our demise through any means at their disposal? Conventionally the politicians should go to the polls to gain legitimacy for their rule – now days the unconventional has become conventional. All instruments of state are used in their misguided and diabolical attempts to continue their plague upon us

No task in more urgent now then that of ensuring the preservation of peace in our country by injecting the voice of reason into the affairs of our government. Let us mobilize all our resources of spiritual, moral and political strength to come to our side and demonstrate to Barisan/UMNO that we are for justice, we are for decency and we are for equal opportunity for all our people. – that whatever strength we have will be used for that purpose and that purpose only. Do not seek to test our resolve on this issue.

Towards this end we have started our journey at the 2004 elections. We recognized that Pakatan Rakyat has an important role to play with us in this matter. We choose to work with them for their ideals are our ideals. Their goals our goals. Their leaders our leaders.

We will now raise our voices and you will listen. We would prefer that there is no ultimatum that we need to act upon, no rattling of sabers to make your point, no need to embark on a game of brinkmanship. That you will come to your senses and let the next GE be the basis for a settlement that our country needs. Do not allow a bad situation to get worse. Do not seek an unfair advantage for we will be vigilant. We have hoped that we all have but one interest – what is best for our country and our children in the times ahead. Unity in diversity. Let each and every one of us live our own life and let others live theirs, in their own way, in peace and allow them a means of earning a decent wages in a country we all love.

We must succeed in this endeavour. To fail is unthinkable.

Utusan Malaysia and 1Malaysia

By Wong Chin Huat
thenutgraph.com

IF newspapers could be judged by their titles like books by their covers, most of the major Chinese-language newspapers in Malaysia would be guilty of not being "national" in character.

Some of their names simply refer to a wider region like Oriental Daily (the East) and Nanyang Press (Southeast Asia, or literally the South Ocean). Some others point to their institutional origins like the Sin Chew Jit Poh (Singapore) or China Press and Kwong Wah Jit Poh (China). Then you have those that theoretically serve only a state or even just a city, like Berita Petang Sarawak or See Hua Daily (Sibu).

Unfortunately, the names of the English-language newspapers are not much better. Some are both colonial and regional like the New Straits Times (referring to the Straits settlements) and Borneo Post. Some are parochial like the defunct Sarawak Tribune and New Sabah Times. And the Malay Mail's name is mono-ethnic. Dreadfully, some — like theSun and The Star — are not even loyal to planet Earth.

There are guilty parties to be found in the Malay-language and Tamil-language press too, like Utusan Sarawak and Tamil Nesan.

So, if the name of the paper is a legitimate measure of its "national" character, the champion of "national newspapers" should be Utusan Malaysia (i.e. the Malaysian Tribune), Malaysia Nanban (Friends of Malaysia) and the defunct Sarawak-based Chinese-language Malaysia Daily.

(Pic by nksz / sxc.hu) But if a name is not a good gauge of "national" character, would language be better? Would using a particular language make a paper's contents more "national"? While "poison" in one language cannot be translated into "honey" in another, would a particular language drive us to talk more about honey than poison?

(Source: fpicn.org) The latest attack on the Chinese-language dailies in Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian in the lead-up to Independence Day is therefore timely. These attacks give us the opportunity to examine a common argument — that cultural diversity is a threat to nation-building. Meanwhile, the radio stations flood our eardrums with those trilingual 1Malaysia anthems — I swear I do not hear Tamil, Dayak or Kadazan-Dusun-Murut lyrics within these songs.

The Oneness fetish

For many (or so we have been taught in official history and civic education), Malaysia would have been a united country if only we had one type of school, newspapers in one language, multiethnic associations, and perhaps inter-racial marriages. That's what I would call the worship or fetishism of oneness.

To be consistent, we would have to also lament the tragedy of the European Union, India, Switzerland and Canada respectively having 23, 17, four, and two official languages.

We should cheer for the forced cultural assimilation of the Malays — officially only recognised as Thai Muslims — in Thailand, and the Rohingya in Burma, even though such assimilation has produced insurgencies and refugees.

We should condemn the divisive roles of the Muslim Council of Britain or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which hinder the shaping of a single British and American identity.

Finally, we must hail the Anglicised Singapore, and the staunchly secular France and Turkey as models in nation-building.

Now, I am not sure what percentage of Malaysians can sign up to endorse all these positions. To push this logic further, the entire world would be much more peaceful and harmonious if everyone were to speak one common language and profess one common religion. We can then call it 1PlanetEarth. Any takers?

Rohingya refugee camp (Pic by T@$(!M@, source: Flickr)

Communities — ethnic, linguistic and national

Back to the question of the "national-ness" of newspapers, there are at least three big questions to explore.

Should newspapers be allowed to represent communal interests?

While the role of the press or media is to build community to enable democratic life, who are we to define the community a newspaper wants to build? A sports newspaper can clearly build only the sports fan community; should it be accused of excluding others who prefer music or literature?

As long as a nation is politically free, what is "national" will constantly be renegotiated and redefined. Hence, any definition would be temporary and arguably communal in another historical context or in the eyes of others.

We may disagree with what Utusan Malaysia represents, just as Utusan may disagree with what the Chinese-language dailies represent. Everyone has the right to debate on what is national. We may demonstrate how flawed or inferior their representation is, but our criticisms should never descend into calls to revoke their licences. Such authoritarian knee-jerk responses would only lower us to the level of Utusan Malaysia's recent mudslinging.

Should the community served by a newspaper be defined by ethnicity or language?

The Malay Malaysian community is not equivalent to the Malay-speaking community. Some Malay Malaysians don't speak Malay, while many Malay speakers are not Malay Malaysians. The same goes for English, Chinese and other languages.

While a newspaper has every right to choose an ethnic rather than linguistic constituency, to do so would forfeit the newspaper's right to claim to be "national".

Many non-Chinese Malaysians increasingly speak and read Chinese, both in cosmopolitan centres and the East Malaysian countryside. In this context, should Chinese-language newspapers continue to articulate the interests of only ethnic Chinese Malaysians, including those who don't read Chinese? Can they call themselves Malaysian newspapers if they conveniently exclude the interests of the Chinese-speaking Malay, Indian, Dayak and Kadazan Malaysians? Sadly, they are still very much ethnic — rather than "vernacular" or minority-language — newspapers.

In this sense, are Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian, which talk about "Malay-Muslim interests" all the time rather than try to represent the interests of all Malay-speaking Malaysians, any better than the Chinese-language press? Are the two Malay-dailies at least multiethnic — if not Malaysian — enough to be considered "national"? And whatever our criticisms, the Chinese-language press at least does not provoke Chinese Malaysians to stage a communal showdown.

How can a newspaper in the national language be so mono-ethnic — even arguably anti-national — in character?

Segment of Lim Lian Geok's Hari Raya
message, as published in Utusan Melayu
in May 1956 (Click on image for full scan)How can we expect a language to become national if it is fundamentally still seen and used as a tool of a particular ethnic community against others? Getting minority scholars to attack the minority communities is a smart strategy on the part of the Malay-language press. But it does not make the paper any more national in character.

And history can surprise us. On 4 May 1956, when Utusan Malaysia was still Utusan Melayu, it published the Hari Raya message of Lim Lian Geok, the top Chinese educationist, calling for interethnic cooperation to build a new nation.

Sadly, do we need to go further beyond the Utusan Malaysia of today to understand why the National Language Policy has failed so miserably?

Federal Court to hear Buah Pala case on Friday

Source: Anilnetto.com

Yesterday was case management of the Kg Buah Pala villagers’ application for revision at the Federal Court. The villagers are seeking a stay of demolition and a review of an earlier decision that they had no legal standing in the matter. This excerpt from a Bernama report:

PUTRAJAYA, August 18 (Bernama) — The Federal Court is set to hear on Friday the second application by the Kampung Buah Pala residents for leave to appeal to the Federal Court relating to their eviction order.

Federal Court registrar Surita Budin fixed the date to today after the case came up for case management.

The residents are seeking leave to appeal for the second time to raise the issue of whether they have the locus standi (legal standing) to institute legal proceedings against Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang Berhad and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.

They claimed that the locus standi issue was not brought up at the earlier hearing.

They also want an extension of time to file the leave application as well as an order to stay the demolition of their houses in the cattle-raising village, dubbed the Penang High Chapparal, to make way for development projects.

Ekonomi Negara Di Persimpangan: Beranikah Untuk Berubah?

Ramai dari kita sedar jualan dari sektor pembuatan merupakan di antara pemacu utama pertumbuhan ekonomi Malaysia. Oleh itu tidak hairanlah timbul rasa gusar di kalangan usahawan dan pengilang tempatan apabila prestasi nilai jualan sektor pembuatan tahun ini merudum sebanyak 25.5%. Sedangkan pada bulan Jun tahun 2008 sektor tersebut mencatatkan nilai jualan sebanyak RM 52.7 billion.

Menurut Jabatan Perangkaan Negara, nilai jualan sektor pembuatan merosot terkesan dari kelembapan 75 industri dalam sektor tersebut. Antaranya industri produk petroleum bertapis, pembuatan komputer dan peranti komputer, pembuatan besi asas dan keluli, pembuatan plastik serta pembuatan kimia perindustrian asas.

Apa yang lebih merisaukan saya, kesan buruk dari merosotnya prestasi industri-industri terbabit adalah berkurangnya peluang pekerjaan serta munculnya masalah pengangguran. Sekiranya kita membuat perbandingan di antara tahun ini dan sebelumnya, ternyata jumlah bilangan pekerjaan mencatatkan penurunan sebanyak 7.8% bersamaan 79 298 orang.

Angka-angka tersebut memperlihatkan kepada kita betapa negara ini masih teruk terkesan akibat dari krisis kewangan yang melanda keras tempoh hari. Langkah pembetulan mestilah merangkumi sekurang-kurangnya tiga perkara iaitu cepat, tepat dan berani. Tindakan pantas seiring dengan ketepatan membaca arus pergolakan mahupun gejolak kegawatan membolehkan permasalahan dapat segera dikoreksi.

Apa yang dikesalkan, kita sebenarnya berupaya untuk mengelak dari terjerumus merasai beban kedudukan ekonomi seperti sekarang sekiranya pimpinan serta pengurusan ekonomi negara cepat mengenalpasti kegawatan yang tiba dan bertanggungjawab menyampaikannya sesegera mungkin kepada rakyat.

Haruslah juga ada keberanian untuk kembali mengungkap dasar yang sudah lama dilaksanakan serta menawarkan ide baru. Pastinya akan ada pertentangan dari mereka yang gentar dan alah kepada Perubahan. Hakikatnya saranan serta cadangan yang kita tawarkan kepada rakyat Malaysia diakui berkesan oleh mereka yang pada mulanya seumpama sapi naik minyak.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Salahuddin Challenges Zahid To Debate Over Rohaizat Issue

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub has challenged Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to debate on the issue of the revocation of the civil lawyer's licence of Rohaizat Othman, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Permatang Pasir by-election.

Salahuddin has given Ahmad Zahid 24 hours to say whether he is willing to take up the challenge.

"I challenge Zahid to a one-to-one debate. I want to expose the situation involving the BN candidate for the by-election," he said at a ceramah (talk) in Permatang Tok Kandu, here, last night.

He said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno liaison chief, was not careful about the selection of BN candidate for the by-election.

"I am shocked, sad and disappointed as a mistake has been made by the Umno vice-president consciously or unconsciously. This carelessness is shameful," he said.

It was reported that Rohaizat's civil lawyer's licence had been revoked by the Malaysian Bar Council due to problems involving his partner in their legal firm.

On Ahmad Zahid's statement that PAS should not dispute Rohaizat's candicacy, Salahuddin said: "This is a problem for the Permatang Pasir residents because if he wins, he will be representing them."

Rohaizat, 38, who is the Permatang Pauh Umno division secretary, will be facing Penang PAS commissioner Mohd Salleh Man, 52, in the state seat by-election.

It is being held following the death of the incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman from PAS from heart failure on July 31.

Permatang Pasir voters deserve basic dignity... Punish Umno for fielding a fraud to be their YB

By Jeff Ooi,

Permatang Pasir folks deserve basic dignity.

How could BN disrespect the voters by fielding a fraudulent lawyer disbarred by the Advocates and Solicitors Displinary Board of the Bar Council to be their potential elected representative in this 8th by-election since March 2008?

Yesterday, the Malaysian Bar Council confirmed that Rohaizat Othman, BN's candidate for the Permatang Pasir by-election, was found guilty of misconduct and had already been struck off the rolls on March 7 last year.

It has also been revealed that Rohaizat had failed to refund some RM161,000.00 to his client after a property transaction was aborted. A complaint was lodged with the Bar Council, and he was struck off the list after investigations.

Lousy alibis

However, alibis defied facts, and two lies don't tell a truth.

There was, in fact, glaring inconsistency in the alibis put up by BN leaders up till the eve of nomination day.

August 16, Penang Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had claimed that it was Rohaizat’s partner who had taken off with the client’s money.

August 18, Bar Council secretary George Varughese clarified that the finding of misconduct was personal to Rohaizat as the disciplinary board would not hold a lawyer liable for the actions of his partners.

Read Varughese's statement in full the Bar Council official website.

Earlier, Bar Council chairman Ragunath Kesavan had confirmed that Rohaizat was guilty and bore personal liability under the Legal Profession Act.

All these official statements from the Bar Council merely mean that it's Rohaizat the syariah lawyer -- not his partners or the legal firm he worked for -- had been fingered as the fraudulent party in the cheating case.

Integrity above all, candidate must be encumbrance-free

Umno, the party to which Rohaizat belongs, must display basic moral guardianship by withdrawing from the by-election because Permatang Pasir folks deserve basic due respect that they must be honoured with at least a clean candidate.

Furthermore, Bar Council also stated that said Rohaizat had tried to seek redemption by appealing to the High Court against the decision of the disciplinary board, and the appeal was dismissed by the High Court last Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

And counting backwards, the High Court judgment came just 5 days before nomination for the Permatang Pasir by-election. This shows Umno's blatant disregard for the voters' right to an honest YB as their elected rep when it had five full days to pick a more honest, untainted candidate!

By Malaysian convention, a candidate must be encumbrance-free at the time of nomination. Umno had ignored that to its own peril.

If Umno didn't withdraw Rohaizat from the by-election, Permatang Pasir voters should punish it by giving PAS a trouncing, humiliating majority. I am confident of this.

Let Umno lick the wounds by punishing the leaders who had succumbed to the wants of the Jalil faction in Permatang Pauh, blundered and made a wrong choice candidate.

It was Ahmad Zaid and Muhyiddin Yassin who shot themselves in the head. They have to pay the price for their mistakes in fielding a court-proven dishonest person as the candidate, and not do it at the expense of the Permatang Pasir voters.

To the electorate of Permatang Pasir, their late state assemblyman Datuk Hamdan was a clean man throughout his tenure.

We should keep it that way for the legislative of Penang. It's afterall my family's home state.

Ibu Tunggal Yang Memerlukan Bantuan

Sivagamidevi,

Kangkar Pulai

Johor 19/8/09

Unit Penyelarasan Jabatan Perdana Menteri,

Putra Jaya

Tuan/Puan,

Per: Ibu Tunggal Yang Memerlukan Bantuan JKM

Berhubung dengan perkara di atas Puan Mariyayee A/P Ramasamy meminta pertolongan dari Jabatan Kebajikan kerana beliau merupakan seorang ibu tunggal di mana suaminya Encik.Kumar meninggal dunia pada 13/9/07 kerana sakit jantung.Semenjak dari itu Puan Mariyayee menghadapi pelbagai dugaan untuk membesarkan anak lelaki beliau yang berumur 11tahun.Malah anaknya yang bernama Sivaratnam kini di Tingkatan Satu terpaksa membuat kerja sambilan bagi memenuhi keperluan harian.

Bantuan dari Jabatan Kebajikan sedikit sebanyak memberi nafas baru bagi keluarga Puan Mariyayee.Harap pihak berkuasa segera menangani masalah keluarga ini.

Terima kasih.

Yang Iklas,

Devi

___________________________________________________________________

Sivagamidevi,

Kangkar Pulai,

Johor

Unit Penyelarasan Jabatan Perdana Menteri,

Putra Jaya

Tuan/Puan,

Per ; Puan Vicneswary Yang Hidup Merana Bersama Dua Anak

Berhubung dengan perkara di atas Puan Vickneswary hidup merana sebagai ibu tunggal bersama dua anak yang masih sekolah.Beliau hidup penuh sengsara di mana sewa rumah serta tanggungan lain masih tidak dapat di selesaikan.Puan Vicneswary kini tinggal di rumah sewa yang beralamat NO 12 Jalan Sejahtera 16,Taman Desa,Skudai.

Harap Jabatan Kebajikan Johor segera menangani masalh ibu tunggal ini bagi membiaya sedikit sebanyak kos hidup keluarga ini.

Terima Kasih

Yang Adil,

Sivagami Devi

Update on Kg.Buah Pala, 18Aug2009- 9.09pm

Mr.Pitchay A/L M.Chinniah came to the Village to discuss with the villagers about the possible ways to overcome the problems faced by them. There are many issues discussed in the meeting such as investigating on who is behind the plot of the Land Sale and possible influenced politicians to have some agenda in this issue.

Mr.Tharmaraj, Mr.Steven and the committe members having open discussion with Mr.Pitchay.more updates soon..

Update on Kg.Buah Pala Aug19,09 12.19am

YB Rayer as the assemblyman for Seri Delima does not bothered to visit or even cared about the villagers of Kg.Buah Pala even when his house is less than 1km from Kg.Buah Pala, he also threaten to sue the villagers when we are in the pain and suffering! What a cold hearted Adun are you Rayer?

A generous malay lady Y.B.DATO' HAMIDAH BINTI OSMAN, Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Perak visited the villagers with her advise and encouragements at 12.32am! Shame on all the Indian Ministers, Aduns, MPs,Wanita, Puteri, Pemuda, Putera and all the ball carriers! that does'nt bother about the poor villagers of Kg.Buah Pala. Please dont come here and give all the grandmother stories to gain support at the last moment and claim to the public that it is because of you we gain victory! We will win and we will fight to the maximum! We will never give up! claimed the villagers! Lim Guan Eng as the Chief Minister of a state has to think about the welfare of its people and not just think about raping the Nature and supporting the developer in the interest of Money and Business. Lim Guan Eng must not also give importance the race based business and come all out for the people of all race! Personally I think Lim Guan Eng has a serious National agenda with all his acts which is very doubtful!

Why Prof.Ramasamy conviencing the Villagers to sign the contract with Nusmetro? Ramasamy is working for Nusmetro or the State Government of Penang. This is the fact! What is the interest for Ramasamy to get involve in the Nusmetro's projects? Why 2nd Chief Minister of a State working for a Developer's company and putting so much of efforts there?

Where will the villagers go if our house is demolished now? We will loose our basic rights of Humans! What will we do for a living, and how can we pay our rentals if we were chased out of our Heritage Village without any compensation? All the promises, such as the 2storey houses are gimick and no proper documentation and agreements has been given to the villagers. We want justice!!!

Conscious & Unconscious

Rwindraj@Cryingvoices

High Chaparral Villagers..

Mr.Salligan born in 1951 in Kg.Buah Pala when this area is surrounded with estates and the nearest Town (Georgetown) is about 4 miles away. His mother Mdm.Govindamal born in Penang too..

When i was a young boy, this village is exactly with the same structure as it is now, the location of the houses and the cowshed is in the same location as it is now too. Except for the road, which was only a gravel road not tarred, Electricity facilities was not available until late 60s. and the only water source for daily activities was from the well around this area, almost every house here has a well. According to Mr.Salligan there was a natural Underwater source that has made them survive and High Chaparral was the main water source for the entire area here. Latest was in the year 1990, there was a shortage of water in the surrounding areas and High Chaparral water source was the survival factor at that time.

Putar belit: Nik Aziz mahu saman akhbar

Kartika To Be Detained Before Caning

source: nursamad.blogspot.com

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno who was to be whipped with six strokes of the rotan after admitted to having a beer last year in a nightclub last year has now been ordered by the Syariah High Court to be detained for seven days effective Aug 24.

The order was obtained following an application by Syarie deputy public prosecutor Saiful Idham Sahimi who filed it at the court here Tuesday.

The application was heard before Syariah High Court Judge Justice Datuk Abdul Rahman Yunos, in chambers.

On July 20, Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno was ordered to be caned and fined RM5,000 for consuming alcohol at a hotel night club in Cherating.

She was arrested during a raid by a team from the state religious department at 1.20am on July 12, 2007.

Kartika paid the fine. However, she did not make an appeal against the whipping order.

The Syariah High Court court also granted the prosecution's two other applications - for the caning to be carried out within the seven days Kartika was ordered to be detained at the women's prison in Kajang and for it to be conducted by a woman officer, and for Kartika to be released as soon as the punishment was meted out.

The punishment is provided under Section 125(4) of the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 that spelled out how the caning should be carried out.

In Islamic law, the cane should not be thicker than the little finger on the hand and that the cane cannot be lifted so high that the upper arm is lifted away from the armpit.

The part-time model was charged under Section 136 of the Pahang Islamic and Malay Traditional Practices Enactment 1982 (amendment 1987).

Under the section, those who are found guilty can be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed a maximum of three years, or both, and sentenced to six strokes of the rotan.

The sentence for consuming alcohol was made stiffer when the Islamic Religious Administration and Pahang Malay Tradition Enactment 1982 was amended in 1987. (source:The Star)

Threats won't work, Sivanesan tells Hindraf supporters - Malaysiakini

DAP national labour bureau chief and Perak vice-chairman A Sivanesan said he is not cowed by threatening calls from supporters of Hindraf for questioning the credibility of its leader-in-exile P Waythamoorthy.

Sivanesan, the Sungkai representative, had recently asked Waythamoorthy to account for RM700,000 allegedly collected to file a civil suit in England against the British government for failing to safeguard the interests and rights of Indians.

"I will not be discouraged by such spineless threats and will continue to raise issues that affect the Indian community. Waythamoorthy had been promising for the past two years to give details of the amount collected but has yet to do so," said Sivanesan (right).

"I received eight abusive and threatening calls, mostly from Kluang, Segamat, Pasir Gudang and Johor Baru. Two were from phone booths in Ipoh and Penang but these were not abusive in nature," he added.

"The two callers from Ipoh and Penang accepted reasons questioning Waythamoorthy, but not the other six from Johor who claimed stated that he was their brother and warned me not to meddle into the affairs of Hindraf," he said.

Sivanesan, a lawyer, championed the rights of Indians nationwide and, as an executive councillor in the Pakatan Rakyat Perak state government, looked after the community's during their 10-month rule of the state.

Another donation not accounted for

Apart from the RM700,000 in question, Sivanesan also asked Waythamoorthy to account for a large sum collected from a prominent businessman in Selangor to lobby the plight of Mount Everest Moorthy's wife Kaliammal at international forums.

Moorthy had allegedly converted to Islam, and when he died the Islamic authorities claimed his body for burial. Kalaiammal had engaged Sivanesan & Co as her solicitors in her attempt to claim her husband's body to be buried under Hindu rites.

"He (Waythamoorthy, left) collected a sum from the businessman and went on a tour of Geneva, UK, the US and Australia to lobby for Kaliammal. What I want to know is, who is the businessman who made the donation and how much was collected and the accounts for them," said Sivanesan.

"I have every right to ask for the accounts as my legal firm is representing the interests of Kaliammal."

Waythamoorthy who left the country just before the arrest of the five Hindraf leaders in December 2007, is currently in self-imposed exile in London.

The open feud between Sivanesan and Waythamoorthy came about after the latter and his brother P Uthayakumar started criticising Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his deputy minister Ramasamy over their handling of the Kampung Buah Pala issue.

Religious conversion, children and confusion

By DR WAN AZHAR WAN AHMAD (The Star)

It has been announced that when non-Muslim parents convert to Islam, the religion of their kids will remain in the same religion in which the marriage was solemnised. Such a statement contradicts the Federal Constitution, religious positions and causes confusion.

THE long existing misunderstanding over the religious status of minors resurfaced when an ill-informed Cabinet minister announced that the religion of minors from non-Muslim parents, upon the conversion of any of the parents to Islam, remains in the religion under which the marriage was solemnised. Such a statement contradicts the Federal Constitution and some religious positions. It worsens the confusion among the people and draws criticisms from both Muslims and non-Muslims.

The following explanation taken from Prof Dr Abdul Karim Zaydan’s voluminous al-Mufassal fi Ahkam al-Mar’ah (vol. 9, pp. 442-53) attempts to clear the air by explaining the standpoint of Islam.

Zaydan quotes authorities from reliable jurists of the past and their works. They include al-Kasani’s Bada’i’ al-Sina’i’, al-Marghinani’s al-Hidayah, Shirazi’s al-Muhazzab, Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi’s al-Mughni, al-Sharbini’s Mughni al-Muhtaj, etc. These scholars may come from different schools of laws but as a whole, they represent the position of Islam.

In Islam, if a child was born from Muslim parents, jurists unanimously agreed that he or she is a Muslim. Similarly, if the child was born from a Muslim father and a kitabiyah (Jewish/Christian) mother, he or she is a Muslim. The principle applied by jurists here is ‘al-shaghir yatba’u khayr al-abawayni dinan’ (in terms of religion, the child follows the best religion of his parent). Since Islam is deemed the best religion, the child follows the religion of his or her Muslim parent, either father or mother.

Kasani explains that a child must follow whatever religion confessed by his parent. This is fundamental as one cannot but have a particular religion whereby one is judged for all actions. For a child, due to a lack of reason and intelligence, the choice of his or her religion is made or determined through parents.

What is the status of a child’s religion if both parents renounce Islam and become apostates? Jurists from all legal schools maintain that the child remains a Muslim. This is the opinion of Maqdisi as stated in his Mughni, Kasani in Bada’i’, Shirazi in Muhazzab and Sharbini in Mughni al-Muhtaj.

Could a minor commit apostasy in the first place? A leading Hanafi jurist Imam Abu Yusuf holds that puberty is a pre-requisite for the validity of apostasy. Therefore, a minor cannot apostate.

Scholars from the Hanbali school state that a child’s apostasy is valid provided he or she is mumayyiz and do have some basic understanding about Islam, i.e. knowing that there is no God but Allah and that He has no rival, and that Muhammad (s.a.w.) is His servant and Messenger. It means that if the child is not mumayyiz and does not understand Islam in the basic sense, his or her apostasy is invalid and ineffective.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, the founder of the Hanbali school, was in favour of the invalidity of a minor’s apostasy based on a prophetic Hadith narrated by Ali bin Abi Talib r.a. and Aisyah r.a.

Reported by great traditionists like Bukhari and Ibn Majah, it states that “The pen (i.e. accountability) is lifted from three groups of people: an insane person till he becomes sane, a child till he reaches the age of puberty, and a sleeping person till he wakes up.” The Shafi’i jurists are of the opinion that apostasy by an underage child is meaningless. If it happens, it does not fall through, even though he or she is mumayyiz because such a child is yet to bear any religious responsibility (taklif) until and unless he reaches the age of maturity.

Therefore, we can safely conclude that all three schools of law are in agreement that apostasy by a minor is immaterial.

What is mumayyiz? It refers to a certain point of age when a child attains the ability to differentiate between good and evil, right and wrong. This may happen to any child below the age of puberty.

What is the age of puberty in Islam? Some scholars say that for boys, the age limit varies from seven to 15. The majority held that the most appropriate age is 15. The main indication for this is when they experience their first wet dream. For girls, jurists unanimously agreed that they reach puberty after experiencing their first menstruation.

For both boys and girls, they begin to carry religious responsibilities, i.e. become personally accountable (mukallaf) for all their actions after reaching this age of majurity.

Let’s examine the religious status of children from non-Muslim parents. The earlier basic principle that children follow the religion of parents applies here. If a child is born from a non-Muslim parent, he or she is not a Muslim. Similarly, if a child is born from apostate parents, he or she is considered an unbeliever.

The religious status of children appears most problematic when parent converts to Islam, especially if only one party does so. Generally speaking, if both father and mother embrace Islam, their children become Muslim as well.

If only one parent embrace Islam, their underage child becomes Muslim too. Between the two parents, the position of the one who embraces Islam is ‘stronger’ compared to the non-converting spouse. Therefore, a child follows the religion of the ‘stronger’ party.

The above position, however, is not to be understood in isolation of other considerations. In resolving marital disputes following a divorce on whatever grounds, paramount consideration must be given to the best interest and welfare of the children. This has been acknowledged by both syariah and civil laws.

Under certain circumstances, the best interest and welfare of the kids concerned does not relate to religious status, but rather to their early care and upbringing that does not necessarily involve religious education.

In Malaysia, the application of Islamic law is largely based on the school of Shafi’i. As regard to the conversion of minors when any of the parents embraces Islam, the general public is made to believe that those underage kids simply and automatically follow suit.

Interestingly, Zaydan’s Mufassal shows otherwise. The Shafi’i jurists, like Sharbini, hold a different opinion altogether. To them, the conversion of a minor is invalid. Their ground is the Prophet’s hadith narrated from Ali bin Abi Talib r.a. and Aisyah r.a. quoted earlier.

The hadith means that anyone who falls under any of the three categories is not to be held responsible or accountable for one’s action unless one is in complete control of reasoning, i.e. doing something consciously and willingly, knowingly of its purposes and consequences.

Since minority is one of those not accountable for any action, a minor’s conversion to Islam is irrelevant. In short, a minor is not obliged to shoulder any responsibility/accountability.

Therefore, any notion that Islam sanctions conversion of minors to the religion is questionable. I am more inclined to say that all the hue and cry on this issue is the result of ignorance, leading to the mistaken emphasis or over zealousness on something having no ground or footing in religion.

When a marriage breaks down due to conversion to Islam, the best solution must be sought from the religion under which the marriage was solemnised or the law under which the marriage was registered. All disputes pertaining to property, custody of minors and other ancillary rights must be resolved under that religious or legal system.

Any just and satisfactory solution at this level is extremely important as it will facilitate the parents concerned, either father or mother, to proceed with the choice of education or religious upbringing he/she wants for the minor accorded to them by the court.

All parties must come to their senses that they will not get all they pray for in the court of justice. If it so happens that custody of a certain child was given to any party, all must be content with such a decision unless the court itself has ignored or overlooked certain important aspects of the trial causing severe injustice to any party.

I acknowledge the fact that it is the collective responsibility of Muslims to pay serious attention to anything pertaining to their religion, especially if it threatens their dignity and interests. The same applies, I suppose, to followers of other religions.

But in protecting the sanctity of each religion, followers must not turn ridiculous as it will badly damage the image of their own religion. As a result, instead of bringing one person closer to a religion, they are actually distancing many others no matter how rigorous they explain the truth of the religion.

After all, if we really believe in the omnipotence or omniscience of God, none should worry as to where one would end up in the next life. A non-Muslim today may become Muslim tomorrow, and vice versa. Even if a corpse is cremated to ashes, the Almighty God knows where his place is.

Does this now answer your question?

There are many who whacked Anwar Ibrahim for refusing to be subjected to a DNA examination. “If he is innocent of sodomy why refuse?” they ask. “Let the DNA test clear the matter,” they say. Then Anwar can prove he is innocent. Actually, it is not that simple. DNA evidence can be fabricated, as scientists in Israel have now confirmed. Anwar is safer telling the Malaysian police to go fuck themselves.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

DNA evidence can be fabricated, scientists show
By Andrew Pollack, The New York Times

Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases.

The scientists fabricated blood and saliva samples containing DNA from a person other than the donor of the blood and saliva. They also showed that if they had access to a DNA profile in a database, they could construct a sample of DNA to match that profile without obtaining any tissue from that person.

“You can just engineer a crime scene,” said Dan Frumkin, lead author of the paper, which has been published online by the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics. “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”

Dr. Frumkin is a founder of Nucleix, a company based in Tel Aviv that has developed a test to distinguish real DNA samples from fake ones that it hopes to sell to forensics laboratories.

The planting of fabricated DNA evidence at a crime scene is only one implication of the findings. A potential invasion of personal privacy is another.

Using some of the same techniques, it may be possible to scavenge anyone’s DNA from a discarded drinking cup or cigarette butt and turn it into a saliva sample that could be submitted to a genetic testing company that measures ancestry or the risk of getting various diseases. Celebrities might have to fear “genetic paparazzi,” said Gail H. Javitt of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University.

Tania Simoncelli, science adviser to the American Civil Liberties Union, said the findings were worrisome.

“DNA is a lot easier to plant at a crime scene than fingerprints,” she said. “We’re creating a criminal justice system that is increasingly relying on this technology.”

John M. Butler, leader of the human identity testing project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, said he was “impressed at how well they were able to fabricate the fake DNA profiles.” However, he added, “I think your average criminal wouldn’t be able to do something like that.”

The scientists fabricated DNA samples two ways. One required a real, if tiny, DNA sample, perhaps from a strand of hair or drinking cup. They amplified the tiny sample into a large quantity of DNA using a standard technique called whole genome amplification.

Of course, a drinking cup or piece of hair might itself be left at a crime scene to frame someone, but blood or saliva may be more believable.

The authors of the paper took blood from a woman and centrifuged it to remove the white cells, which contain DNA. To the remaining red cells they added DNA that had been amplified from a man’s hair.

Since red cells do not contain DNA, all of the genetic material in the blood sample was from the man. The authors sent it to a leading American forensics laboratory, which analyzed it as if it were a normal sample of a man’s blood.

The other technique relied on DNA profiles, stored in law enforcement databases as a series of numbers and letters corresponding to variations at 13 spots in a person’s genome.

From a pooled sample of many people’s DNA, the scientists cloned tiny DNA snippets representing the common variants at each spot, creating a library of such snippets. To prepare a DNA sample matching any profile, they just mixed the proper snippets together. They said that a library of 425 different DNA snippets would be enough to cover every conceivable profile.

Nucleix’s test to tell if a sample has been fabricated relies on the fact that amplified DNA — which would be used in either deception — is not methylated, meaning it lacks certain molecules that are attached to the DNA at specific points, usually to inactivate genes.

Whose dick is MACC sucking?

MCA has admitted it has RM2 billion in assets without being able to account for it and show where the money came from. The MCA President flew in Tiong’s private jet without paying while he is supposed to be investigating Tiong’s misconduct involving RM12.5 billion of the rakyat’s money. Tiong also gave the MCA President RM10 million in cash, which MCA says does not reflect in the party’s accounts book. Yet the MACC is still sleeping. Or are they actually sucking the dick of those who walk in the corridors of power?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The MCA treasurer, Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng says, MCA has assets of RM2 billion. How did a political party amass such wealth? Did the office bearers of this political party use their public offices as Ministers, etc., to procure personal and political donations?

The Kuala Dimensi CEO, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, has accused the MCA President, Ong Tee Keat, of using his company’s private jet without paying and of receiving RM10 million in cash as a donation. Ong has admitted to the use of the jet but is now prepared to pay for it. Similar donations were also given to MCA Wanita Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun. Chew has not denied the donation but said it went to the party and not to her personally. These are admissions of "corrupt gratification" as defined in MACCA.

According to the MACCA, all the above are criminal acts and these people should be hauled in and charged. After all, they have not denied the act and have actually admitted to the allegations.

To assist the MACC, Malaysia Today is going to do some community service by helping the MACC with a short law lecture, which we will call ‘MACCA for MACC idiots’.

1.2 Corrupt Gratification

1.2.1 S. 3 Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694) (“MACCA”) :

“‘gratification’ means-

(a) money, donation, gift, loan, fee, reward, valuable security, property or interest in property being property of any description whether movable or immovable, financial benefit, or any other similar advantage;

(b) any office, dignity, employment, contract of employment or services, and agreement to give employment or render services in any capacity;

(c) any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or other liability, whether in whole or in part;

(d) any valuable consideration of any kind, any discount, commission, rebate, bonus, deduction or percentage;

(e) any forbearance to demand any money or money's worth or valuable thing;

(f) any other service or favour of any description, including protection from any penalty or disability incurred or apprehended or from any action or proceedings of a disciplinary, civil or criminal nature, whether or not already instituted, and including the exercise or the forbearance from the exercise of any right or any official power or duty; and

(g) any offer, undertaking or promise, whether conditional or unconditional, of any gratification within the meaning of any of the preceding paragraphs (a) to (f);”.

1.2.2 The MCA Ministers are clearly officers of a public body under s.3 MACCA:

“‘officer of a public body’ means any person who is a member, an officer, an employee or a servant of a public body, and includes a member of the administration, a member of Parliament, a member of a state Legislative Assembly, a judge of the High court, court of Appeal or Federal court, and any person receiving any remuneration from public funds, and, where the public body is a corporation sole, includes the person who is incorporated as such.”

1.2.3 ‘Public body’ includes -

(a) the Government of Malaysia;

(b) the Government of a state;

(c) any local authority and any other statutory authority;

(d) any department, service or undertaking of the Government of Malaysia, the Government of a state, or a local authority;

(e) any society registered under subsection 7(1) of the societies Act 1966 [Act 335];

(f) any branch of a registered society established under section 12 of the societies Act 1966;

(g) any sports body registered under section 17 of the sports Development Act 1997 [Act 576];

(h) any co-operative society registered under section 7 of the co-operative societies Act 1993 [Act 502];

(i) any trade union registered under section 12 of the Trade Unions Act 1959 [Act 262];

(j) any youth society registered under section 9 of the Youth societies and Youth Development Act 2007 [Act 668];

(k) any company or subsidiary company over which or in which any public body as is referred to in paragraph (a),(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) or (j) has controlling power or interest; or

(l) any society, union, organization or body as the Minister may prescribe from time to time by order published in the Gazette.”

1.2.4 s. 16 MACCA - Corrupt gratification is an offence whether it is for herself or for anyone else (the party). In case Datin Paduka Chew argues the offence refers to “him”, yes in today’s environment, the nyonya is also as rotten as the apek:

“Any person who by himself, or by or in conjunction with any other person-

(a) corruptly solicits or receives or agrees to receive for himself or for any other person; or

(b) corruptly gives, promises or offers to any person whether for the benefit of that person or of another person,

any gratification as an inducement to or a reward for, or otherwise on account of-

(A) any person doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of any matter or transaction, actual or proposed or likely to take place; or

(B) any officer of a public body doing or forbearing to do anything in respect of any matter or transaction, actual or proposed or likely to take place, in which the public body is concerned,

commits an offence.”

1.2.5 See also s. 21 – bribery of officer of a public body; and s. 23 – bribery of member of state administration or legislature. MCA Ministers are both officer of public body as well as members of the administration.

1.2.6 In Public Prosecutor v. Datuk Haji Harun bin Haji Idris (No 2) [1977] 1 MLJ 15, Raja Azlan Shah FJ held:

“Corrupt" means "doing an act knowing that the act done is wrong, doing so with evil feelings and evil intentions." (see Lim Kheng Kooi v. Reg ; [1957] MLJ 199 . "purposely doing an act which the law forbids" (see R v. Smith ) [1960] 1 All ER 256.

"Corrupt" is a question of intention. If the circumstances show that what a person has done or has omitted to do was moved by an evil intention or a guilty mind, then he is liable under the section. Thus if the accused used his position to solicit gratification with a guilty mind, he is caught within the ambit of the section. The real point is whether there is soliciting a political donation with a corrupt intention.” (emphasis added)

1.2.7 If the MCA coffers of RM 2 billion are acquired by the MCA Ministers using their government positions to secure all kinds of donations and assets, then they would have offended s. 21 MACCA:

“Any person who offers to an officer of any public body, or being an officer of any public body solicits or accepts, any gratification as an inducement or a reward for-

(a) the officer voting or abstaining from voting at any meeting of the public body in favour of or against any measure, resolution or question submitted to the public body;

(b) the officer performing or abstaining from performing or aiding in procuring, expediting, delaying, hindering or preventing the performance of, any official act;

(c) the officer aiding in procuring or preventing the passing of any vote or the granting of any contract or advantage in favour of any person; or

(d) the officer showing or forbearing to show any favour or disfavour in his capacity as such officer,

commits an offence, notwithstanding that the officer did not have the power, right or opportunity so to do, show or forbear, or accepted the gratification without intending so to do, show or forbear, or did not in fact so do, show or forbear, or that the inducement or reward was not in relation to the affairs of the public body.”

1.2.8 It is also an offence under s. 21 MACCA for an officer of a public body:

(a) to vote or abstain from voting at any meeting of the public body or

(b) to perform or abstain from performing any official act;

(c) to procure or prevent the passing of any vote or the granting of any contract or advantage in favour of any person; or

(d) to show or forbear to show any favour or disfavour.

1.2.9 Since Chew Mei Fun had admitted to receiving the donation/gratification on behalf of MCA, there is a presumption under s. 50 MACCA that it was corruptly received:

“Where in any proceedings against any person for an offence under section 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 or 23 it is proved that any gratification has been received or agreed to be received, accepted or agreed to be accepted, obtained or attempted to be obtained, solicited, given or agreed to be given, promised, or offered, by or to the accused, the gratification shall be presumed to have been corruptly received or agreed to be received, accepted or agreed to be accepted, obtained or attempted to be obtained, solicited, given or agreed to be given, promised, or offered as an inducement or a reward for or on account of the matters set out in the particulars of the offence,
unless the contrary is proved"

Defensive BN maintains candidate’s innocence

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider

PERMATANG PASIR, Aug 18 — Barisan Nasional (BN), which has been put under severe pressure over their “tainted” candidate, took pains to explain that Rohaizat Othman is innocent.

Umno and BN information chief Ahmad Maslan in a press conference here today reiterated that Rohaizat was a “victim of circumstances” and that it was his legal firm’s partner who absconded with the RM 161,000 belonging to the Penang Rubber Tappers Co-operative.

Ahmad said the sum, intended for the purchase of some real estate, was paid exclusively to Rohaizat’s partner, someone by the name of Yusri Ishak. He was also alleged to have handled all the transactions and processing by himself and without Rohaizat’s involvement.

At the time when the complaint was lodged to the Bar’s disciplinary committee, Yusri had already left the firm and Rohaizat was named instead as the person responsible.

The Umno information chief, who was doing all the explanation despite Rohaizat being present at the press conference, said the latter was not allowed to explain himself before the disciplinary committee.

Rohaizat had attended the disciplinary hearing the first time but they only had time to question a representative from the co-operative, said Ahmad. Rohaizat supposedly fell sick on the day he was supposed to cross examine the representative from the co-operative and give an explanation to the committee. He was subsequently disbarred.

A settlement was reached between Rohaizat and the co-operative after the body was reimbursed by the former and its chairman wrote a letter to the committee appealing for the former’s disbarment to be overturned but there was no reply. Copies of the letter were distibuted to the media.

To back his claims, Ahmad had brought along the treasurer from the co-operative, Umar Hamid, who confirmed that the problems between the body and Rohaizat had been settled amicably.

“So he is actually a hero. He saved his firm.This is the quality of a good leader and it should be admired instead of being chided,” Ahmad added. Also present was Penang Umno deputy chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman.

Zainal added that the fact that no police report was lodged against Rohaizat showed that there was no criminal nor legal ramification and the question raised by Pakatan Rakyat on the moral legitimacy of his candidacy does not arise.

Asked why then Bar Council president K Ragunath made a statement saying that the Bar only disbars lawyers found guilty and not the partner, Umno lawyer Abu Bakar As-Sidek who was also present at the press conference said the Bar president is not in the position to make comments on the matter.

“The privilege can only be accorded to the chairman of the disciplinary committee,” he said, adding that Umno will be looking into the issue and if the need arises, file for a restraining order to prevent any parties from exploting the issue.

Throughout the press conference, Rohaizat remained tightlipped, letting other leaders explain the issue. He only answered a question by a reporter who wanted to know why no police report or legal action had been taken against his partner.

“That is up to me,” said a visibly-annoyed Rohaizat.

His past misconduct has now put BN and Umno in a spot, as they are likely to be faced with defending a candidate labelled as tainted by the opposition for the rest of the campaign. BN and Umno appear to have been backed into a corner with the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) campaign expected to take full advantage of the controversy.

Rohaizat and other Umno leaders, however, said the matter is a non-issue and that PR is only using it as a character assassination attempt on him.

“The issue has already been explained and therefore I don’t think this would affect our campaigning efforts,” said Rohaizat.

Nazri urges police to act on Gobalakrishnan, thinks Nik Aziz stuck in the 60’s

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz Police has asked Police not to be afraid in taking action against anyone who obstructs them from discharging their duties, MPs included.

He cited the Criminal Procedure Code as his basis.

“I want the police to take action. Don’t be afraid, don’t worry even though he (N. Gobalakrishnan) is a people’s representative.

“It is clear how he (N.Gobalakrishnan) kicked police personnel doing his duty,” he told reporters after launching the mySMS 15888 and Hotline 1-800-88-9600 LPKP at the Wangsa Maju Puspakom centre here today.

On the nomination day for the Permatang Pasir state by-election at the Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) yesterday, Gobalakrishnan, who is Padang Serai MP created a commotion when he refused to follow police orders not to use a loud hailer to voice provocative words.

After Gobalakrishnan ignored the police, a policeman tried to nab him but he and his supporters resisted leading to an altercation.

According to Mohamed Nazri, the authorities should not waver with the attitude shown by Gobalakrishan that was deemed as rude and hoped that the opposition would act against him.

Mohamed Nazri also hoped the voters in Permatang Pasir would not be swayed by the 60’s way of campaigning being tried by Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat when he said Umno members would not enter heaven as the party practised false Islamic teachings from Palestine.

“Once again, he (Nik Aziz) will use religion to frighten voters. Once again he uses these tactics as he is worried as in Manik Urai the Barisan Nasional almost won.

“This is 2009...Nik Aziz uses 60’s campaigning. The people have brains and can think for themselves,” he said. — Bernama

Click the picture to enlarge.

Selsema Babi (H1N1) DAP ( Letter)

Lim Guan Eng has been infected with the DAP H1N1 virus :

Symptoms :

1.He is working very hard for the developer Nusmetro Ventures rather than working for the people especially Indians in Kg.Buah Pala in his state.

2. He is going around in a smaller functions and infects the people with his viruses and ask telling them lies about Kg.Buah Pala.

3. Prof.Ramasamy is infected with his viruses too, where he is asking the villagers to sign the document prepared by Nusmetro Ventures and taking all the efforts to call the villagers personally and sign a blank page!

4.Lim Guan Eng has shifted from his official CM's residency and now living in the Developer's gf's home!

5.Lim Guan Eng has a personal interest that is so obvious in the project Oasis Luxury condo in the land given to the Indian Community Legally with Documents by Late Mr.Brown in a Housing Trust!

6.He is donating quite a huge amount of money to the small selective Indian group to go along with his lies in order to Demolish Kg.Buah Pala and to carry on his Illegal dealings with Nusmetro Ventures! He make sure the rest of the Indians here close one eye, on all the injustices that he commit!

7.Lim Guan Eng has openly stated that he does not need the Indian and Malay voters, since their number is peanut in Penang.

8.He has a hidden agenda, he want to make Penang like Singapore and build a kingdom of Business and rights for chinese alone.

9.He is trying his level best to minimise the number of Indians and Chinese in his state by harrasing and chasing them out to the mainland of Peninsular!

10.Prof.Ramasamy is a drama Actor in the Political Agenda today, he is the best ball carrier for Lim Guan Eng after the infection!

11.Lim Guan Eng is trying to be the dictator and follow the same footstep as Lee Kuan Yew! He wants 2nd Singapore and he wants chinese to control 2 major ports in south east asia. Penang and Singapore.

YOU CAN DO IT MR. UTHAYA ( Letter)

Dear Mr. Uthaya,

Please come back to Unite the Indians.
Permatang Pasir election is around the corner.
Let us all boycott the election.
Let us make sure not even one Indian vote goes
to anyone.

Awaiting your kind arrival.

K K Nantha

makers – Emmeline Pankhurst “Death in police custody” case R. Gunasegaran : 2nd post mortem and funeral

By Haris Ibrahim

As mentioned in the earlier post that reported on the court proceedings this morning, the second post mortem is expected to be done on 20th August, 2009, in the morning, at the UH after the body is transferred from the KL Hospital mortuary.

This morning’s outcome in court represented a small step in the efforts by civil society, working together with lawyers who give their time without expecting any reward or remuneration, to get justice for Gunasegaran and his family. Its significance may not be apparent now but will become clearer as we make headway in this matter. I will share my thoughts on this in a later post.

The family members of Gunasegaran will be on hand to receive the body from the KLH mortuary on the morning of 20th August, 2009. Some of us will try to be there to lend support to the family. If you can, why not join us?

I’m told the funeral will be this Sunday, in Sentul. Will post details of the same once I have it in hand. I may be in Permatang Pasir on the day, so I hope you will spare the time to attend the funeral and commisserate with the family.

Meanwhile, to those who sent in contributions to make up the costs of the second post mortem, thank you all so, so much.

We needed RM3,000.00.

I have received in excess of RM10,000.00. The actual figure will be disclosed once I get the confirmation from the bank.

The sister of the late Gunasegaran, Madam Gowri,

has been making frequent trips to KL from Rawang to meet up with the solicitors to make ready for the application that was heard in court this morning.

I am also informed that a small collection has been received by the family from friends of Gunasegaran towards the cost of the funeral.

I would like the permission of those who contributed to the funds that I now hold to give a sum of RM2,000.00 to Madam Gowri to help defray her travel costs and towards the costs of the funeral.

Once I have the confirmation from the bank of the full amount received and the balance in hand after accounting for the cost of the second post mortem and the contribution to the family of Gunasegaran, I shall revert back to you, kind contributors for your consent to utilise the balance sum for an initiative that is tentatively called “Project 1805″ ( A clue : to-date, there have been 1,805 deaths in custody since 2003 )