Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Obama backs India for top UN seat
In a speech to the Indian parliament on Monday, Obama said that he looked forward to "a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member".
India has been lobbying for a fixed seat on the UN's highest body for years, a reflection of the Asian country's growing global weight and its challenge to rival China.
India says a seat on the council would reflect the importance of the G20 nation as its trillion dollar economy helps spur global growth and its government exerts increasing influence over issues from Doha trade to climate change talks.
"Let me suggest that with increased power comes increased responsibility," Obama said in his speech on his first official visit to the world's largest democracy.
'Defining moment'
Al Jazeera's Prerna Suri, reporting from New Delhi, said India is celebrating the endorsement from the US.
"Obama is really giving India everything it wanted from this visit. This is a defining moment in their relationship. For the first time the United States is actively backing India.
"Of course, there are many realistic people in the [Indian] administration. They know that without United Nation reforms, India's hopes of getting that seat are quite limited.
"But nonetheless, the party has begun here in India."
The foreign ministry in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, was quick to denounce the US endorsement of India's UN bid.
In a written statement, it said: "India's aspirations for recognition as a global power notwithstanding, there are reasons enough to discredit this proposed direction of the process of UNSC reforms, such as India's conduct in relations with its neighbours and its continued flagrant violations of Security Council resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir."
The statement also says that Pakistan hopes the US will make a moral judgment, not based on "any temporary expediency or exigencies of power politics".
Business deals
Obama's trip with more than 200 US business executives, along with his UN announcement, underscored the growing importance of India, which by 2020 is expected to be one of the five largest economies in the world, along with Asian powers China and Japan.
The president is seeking to open up India's massive, yet often underdeveloped and restricted markets, in a bid to help counterbalance the rise of China.
During his three-day trip - the longest stay in any foreign country by Obama - the US leader announced $10bn in business deals between the two nations.
The president hopes that he will be able to reassure voters at home that countries like India offer benefits for US jobs rather than causing unemployment through outsourcing.
The UN move comes as India increasingly competes with China for global resources, from Africa to South America.But its economic assertiveness has often been accompanied by cautious diplomacy on issues like Myanmar and engagement with Iran.
Attaining the UN seat could face resistance from some of the UN Security Council's five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
Since the body's inception, the UN Security Council has had five permanent members, each with the power to veto resolutions.
It has been criticised for not reflecting global 21st century power.
'India has emerged'
The West is increasingly dependent on India and China to power their moribund economies and it is unclear how much Delhi will reciprocate by opening its economy more to foreign firms.
"I don't think India is emerging. It has emerged. India is a key actor on the world stage," Obama told a joint news conference with Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, earlier on Monday.
Obama will also visit Indonesia, South Korea and Japan on the tour that will see Washington push to prevent countries unilaterally devaluing currencies to protect their exports, a top theme at the G20 summit in Seoul this week.
Obama has also announced the US will relax export controls over sensitive technology, another demand of India's.
Sectors like retail and the financial services are restricted to foreign investors and there are few signs that Singh's ruling Congress party has plans for any major reforms soon.
Francisco Sanchez, the US under secretary of Commerce for International Trade, said the US wanted greater market access to India's infrastructure and energy sectors.
India has targeted to spend $1 trillion over five years on upgrading its poor infrastructure, from potholed roads to log-jammed ports.
UN scepticism
For all the talk of a UN seat, it could take as much as a decade to achieve, with some in the US sceptical as India has often stood against the US in UN votes.
"The UNSC (UN Security Council) is not going to be reorganised in the next eight to 10 years," Gurmeet Karmal, the director of Centre for Land Warfare Studies, a New Delhi-based think-tank, said.
"I do not think China will openly come in the way, but they will encourage some of its friends to vote against any such move."
The US leader also warned that India would have to take a more responsible role in international affairs, such as pressuring Myanmar to embrace democracy.
"India has often shied away from some of these issues. But speaking up for those that cannot do so for themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries."
Obama is walking a diplomatic tightrope in New Delhi, on the one hand trying to boost diplomatic and business ties with India while on the other ensuring relations with Pakistan and China, nations often at loggerheads with India, stay stable.
He has criticised US ally Pakistan over its failure to clamp down on fighters within its borders.
India has long expressed scepticism at US support for Pakistan, saying Islamabad is hoodwinking Washington by taking aid while also backing fighters in Afghanistan.
Singh appeared to rebuff calls by Obama for India and Pakistan, who have gone to war three times since independence in 1947, to move forward on peace talks.
"You cannot simultaneously be talking and at the same time the terror machine is as active as ever before," Singh said.
Source:Al Jazeera and agencies
Gunasegaran’s immolation: Funeral procession to Anwar Ibrahim’s house (If anything happens) demanding land for all Hindu Temples & cemeteries, Tamil Schools & Indian villages on wholesome basis and not piecemeal basis
Gunasegaran bakar diri halang PKR,DAP & PAS roboh Kuil Hindu Puchong. Jika apa2 berlaku perarakan mayat depan rumah Anwar Ibrahim d Segambut protes Anwar,Lim Guan Eng & Hadi Awang tak beri geran tanah kepada semua Kuil, Sekolah Tamil, Setinggan India & Kubur Hindu d Selangor,Penang & Kedah untuk penyelesaian tetap. HINDRAF HRP Sebarkan
Letter Of Complaint To The UN High Commissioner For Human Rights Denial Of Fundamental Right Of Primary Education To Malaysian Indian Children
Letter Of Complaint To The UN High Commissioner For Human Rights
Denial Of Fundamental Right Of Primary Education To Malaysian Indian Children
I write this complaint of a serious violation of fundamental Human Rights on behalf of a community of plantation workers, former and current, in a rubber plantation called Ladang Batu Kawan in the State of Pulau Pinang in Malaysia.
This community has resided in this vicinity for over one hundred years, since being brought here to man the plantation from South India. At least 6 generations of school children have been brought up in the little estate school called SJK(T) Ladang Batu Kawan, prior to it being destroyed in a fire in 2002. The school moved to its current location close-by. At this current location the school is housed in a small house of a former estate clerk topped up with 4 units of transportation containers. There are a total of 134 students as of Oct 2010 in this school. The school has eleven Teachers plus a Headmaster.
The Human Rights violation and the content of our complaint is that the young of this community, one of many such communities in Malaysia has been systematically denied their basic rights to sound Primary education as a result of racist Government Policies. The lopsided application of the national resource away from communities such as these is driven by racial motivation on the part of the Malaysian Government. We have no recourse within the country to effectively address this problem, so we raise it to the United Nations and we hope that the UN will intervene on our behalf. Equality is not treated as a natural order in Malaysia. This complaint is a cry for help. We do hope that your Office as a Supervisor for worldwide human rights will rise to the occasion and help us in our need.
The Malaysian Federal Constitution states that:
Article 8. (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the
equal protection of the law.
Article 12. (1) Without prejudice to the generality of Article 8, there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, descent or place of birth—
(a) in the administration of any educational institution maintained by a public authority, and, in particular, the admission of pupils or students or the payment of fees;
or
(b) in providing out of the funds of a public authority financial aid for the maintenance or education of pupils or students in any educational institution (whether or not maintained
by a public authority and whether within or outside the Federation).
As you can make out from the above, the Malaysian Government is in serious violation of these Constitutional guarantees. This school, like so many others like it, has been in this state of dilapidation for over 53 years, since independence. Yet, the Malaysian Government feels no compulsion whatsoever to redress this situation, in spite of the guarantees given in the Constitution at the formation of the nation.
There is a large allocation of National Annual budget towards education. That allocation has been mostly directed to schools other than these former estate schools. As an indication of this bias, in the period 1995 to 2000 the allocation to these schools was just 1% of the total allocation for Primary schools. 50 % of the Malaysian Indian children or about 100,000 Indian children attend such schools. 50 % of the future of a community is in jeopardy and all the social indicators point to a devastating future if nothing is soon done about this problem of foundational education. As it stands, Indian youth involvement in crime is the highest among the three main ethnic groups, Indian youth are underemployed and human capital is wasted in very low value adding vocations, suicide rate is highest among the three ethnic groups. These are but some indicative statistics of the dire nature of the situation and very clearly point to a community in distress.
Our specific complaint is that this is all a systematic result of the racist policies of the Malaysian Government where the minority Indian poor in Malaysia continue to be considered immigrant laborers and treated as second or even third class citizens – much like the colored and black people were treated by the Apartheid South African regime in the heydays of Apartheid. As a result of this National Policy of conscious neglect, this school in Batu Kawan Estate has been totally starved of development funds leaving it in this dilapidated condition – it has no library, it has no playing field, it has no proper canteen, it has no computer, the children sit in sultry and hot cabins during class and there is no room for any growth, it does not sit on its own land. The Batu Kawan School is but one sample of the 370 partially aided Tamil Primary schools throughout the country, whose fates are not much different. I believe the young Indian children derive their self worth from this foundational education. This systematic deprivation hits them and the future of the entire minority Indian community at the core. Something must be done soon.
In addition, we want to raise to your attention that Malaysia is signatory to the following key UN conventions and has treaty obligations to observe these Conventions. Malaysia is in breach of the following covenants of the conventions below;
1) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.
* All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
* Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 26.
* Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2) Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 2
* States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
Article 28
* States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
o Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
Given this sordid state of affairs, it is our humble request that the United Nations intervene in this situation in a manner appropriate to relations between the UN and member countries and provide the motivation to the Malaysian Government to urgently and seriously address this acute problem of deprivation of sound Primary education to the minority Indian citizens of Malaysia. For what is at stake is more than funds and hardware, it is the future of a significant minority community of the country.
We are available for any further information that you may require and we can be contacted at the above address. We are forwarding this letter to you through the office of the United Nations Development Program Office in Kuala Lumpur and we will appreciate a positive response from you.
Thank You.
Yours sincerely,
Kalai Selvan
The Human Rights Party of Malaysia
State Committee Chair (Pro Tem)
State of Pulau Pinang
Penang Address: D1 – 3 -15 Bandar Perai Jaya 3,
13600 Perai,
Pulau Pinang,
Malaysia
Handphone No: 60125637614
Email: kalay1210@gmail.com
Cc: Hon’ble Ban Kim Moon
Secretary General Of the United Nations
Cc: Mr. Kamal Malhotra
Country Officer
UNDP office
Kula Lumpur
Denial Of Fundamental Right Of Primary Education To Malaysian Indian Children
I write this complaint of a serious violation of fundamental Human Rights on behalf of a community of plantation workers, former and current, in a rubber plantation called Ladang Batu Kawan in the State of Pulau Pinang in Malaysia.
This community has resided in this vicinity for over one hundred years, since being brought here to man the plantation from South India. At least 6 generations of school children have been brought up in the little estate school called SJK(T) Ladang Batu Kawan, prior to it being destroyed in a fire in 2002. The school moved to its current location close-by. At this current location the school is housed in a small house of a former estate clerk topped up with 4 units of transportation containers. There are a total of 134 students as of Oct 2010 in this school. The school has eleven Teachers plus a Headmaster.
The Human Rights violation and the content of our complaint is that the young of this community, one of many such communities in Malaysia has been systematically denied their basic rights to sound Primary education as a result of racist Government Policies. The lopsided application of the national resource away from communities such as these is driven by racial motivation on the part of the Malaysian Government. We have no recourse within the country to effectively address this problem, so we raise it to the United Nations and we hope that the UN will intervene on our behalf. Equality is not treated as a natural order in Malaysia. This complaint is a cry for help. We do hope that your Office as a Supervisor for worldwide human rights will rise to the occasion and help us in our need.
The Malaysian Federal Constitution states that:
Article 8. (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the
equal protection of the law.
Article 12. (1) Without prejudice to the generality of Article 8, there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, descent or place of birth—
(a) in the administration of any educational institution maintained by a public authority, and, in particular, the admission of pupils or students or the payment of fees;
or
(b) in providing out of the funds of a public authority financial aid for the maintenance or education of pupils or students in any educational institution (whether or not maintained
by a public authority and whether within or outside the Federation).
As you can make out from the above, the Malaysian Government is in serious violation of these Constitutional guarantees. This school, like so many others like it, has been in this state of dilapidation for over 53 years, since independence. Yet, the Malaysian Government feels no compulsion whatsoever to redress this situation, in spite of the guarantees given in the Constitution at the formation of the nation.
There is a large allocation of National Annual budget towards education. That allocation has been mostly directed to schools other than these former estate schools. As an indication of this bias, in the period 1995 to 2000 the allocation to these schools was just 1% of the total allocation for Primary schools. 50 % of the Malaysian Indian children or about 100,000 Indian children attend such schools. 50 % of the future of a community is in jeopardy and all the social indicators point to a devastating future if nothing is soon done about this problem of foundational education. As it stands, Indian youth involvement in crime is the highest among the three main ethnic groups, Indian youth are underemployed and human capital is wasted in very low value adding vocations, suicide rate is highest among the three ethnic groups. These are but some indicative statistics of the dire nature of the situation and very clearly point to a community in distress.
Our specific complaint is that this is all a systematic result of the racist policies of the Malaysian Government where the minority Indian poor in Malaysia continue to be considered immigrant laborers and treated as second or even third class citizens – much like the colored and black people were treated by the Apartheid South African regime in the heydays of Apartheid. As a result of this National Policy of conscious neglect, this school in Batu Kawan Estate has been totally starved of development funds leaving it in this dilapidated condition – it has no library, it has no playing field, it has no proper canteen, it has no computer, the children sit in sultry and hot cabins during class and there is no room for any growth, it does not sit on its own land. The Batu Kawan School is but one sample of the 370 partially aided Tamil Primary schools throughout the country, whose fates are not much different. I believe the young Indian children derive their self worth from this foundational education. This systematic deprivation hits them and the future of the entire minority Indian community at the core. Something must be done soon.
In addition, we want to raise to your attention that Malaysia is signatory to the following key UN conventions and has treaty obligations to observe these Conventions. Malaysia is in breach of the following covenants of the conventions below;
1) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1.
* All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
* Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Article 26.
* Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2) Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 2
* States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
Article 28
* States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
o Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
Given this sordid state of affairs, it is our humble request that the United Nations intervene in this situation in a manner appropriate to relations between the UN and member countries and provide the motivation to the Malaysian Government to urgently and seriously address this acute problem of deprivation of sound Primary education to the minority Indian citizens of Malaysia. For what is at stake is more than funds and hardware, it is the future of a significant minority community of the country.
We are available for any further information that you may require and we can be contacted at the above address. We are forwarding this letter to you through the office of the United Nations Development Program Office in Kuala Lumpur and we will appreciate a positive response from you.
Thank You.
Yours sincerely,
Kalai Selvan
The Human Rights Party of Malaysia
State Committee Chair (Pro Tem)
State of Pulau Pinang
Penang Address: D1 – 3 -15 Bandar Perai Jaya 3,
13600 Perai,
Pulau Pinang,
Malaysia
Handphone No: 60125637614
Email: kalay1210@gmail.com
Cc: Hon’ble Ban Kim Moon
Secretary General Of the United Nations
Cc: Mr. Kamal Malhotra
Country Officer
UNDP office
Kula Lumpur
Selangor Exco Member Loses RM70,000 Cash, Valuables To Burglars
Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar, chairman of the State Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee, said the thieves had taken a safe containing some cash, jewellery and international passports as well as a laptop computer and a camera.
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Selangor EXCO at the police station two years ago |
Man sets himself on fire to stop demolition
By FMT StaffPETALING JAYA: A 52-year-old MIC man today set himself on fire in an attempt to stop local council authorities from demolishing two wooden structures belonging to a Hindu temple in Puchong.
He suffered severe burns on his face and stomach and is being treated at the Serdang Hospital. It is learnt that his condition is critical.
The drama unfolded this morning when a team of enforcement officers from the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) arrived at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Pusat Bandar Puchong to tear down the two wooden structures.
The two structures, which the enforcement officers said were illegal, housed the temple's chariot and was used as a store room.
They were located in a land belonging to the Castlefield Tamil School. The temple itself is located at the other end of the land. The temple committee has been using the structures on the land for the past 10 years with the permission of the school.
As soon as the enforcement officers arrived, Puchong MIC division information chief M Gunaseelan tried to stop them from proceeding with the demolition.“When they failed to listen to him, he climbed onto the roof of the wooden store room and set himself on fire,” said an eye-witness.
Gunaseelan then rolled down the roof of the building and fell on the ground. Several people then help to douse the fire on him.
He was immediately whisked away to Serdang Hospital where he has been placed under the ICU. No one is allowed to visit him. His family members are keeping vigil outside the ICU ward.
School wants kindergarten
The wooden structures were torn down by the MPSJ enforcement officers who were assisted by Rela personnel. They are scheduled to return tomorrow to complete their task to clean up the place.
FMT learnt that the school wants to build a kindergarten on the plot of land where the two structures stood. The temple, however, has its own plan to convert that spot to build a marriage hall.Last-minute pleas by the temple officials for the demolition to be stopped were brushed aside by the MBSJ officials.
It is further learnt that the MPSJ officials were brought to the spot by a contractor who was bidding to build the kindergarten.
The school claims that part of land was given to it by a contractor and it had only allowed the temple to squat on it.
MIC Youth chief and Puchong division leader T Mohan told FMT that the matter could have been settled amicably between the school and the temple.“We are now talking to them so that we can resolve this issue. The structures have been demolished but we will have to see how to move forward so that both the school and temple can make use of this land,” he said.
He also hoped that Gunaseelan would recover soon from his burn injuries.
“It is shocking. I have not been able to see him at the hospital but I hope he will be okay,” he said.
Ex-PKR official pours scorn on Anwar, Syed Husin
By B Nantha Kumar - Free Malaysia TodayUPDATED KUALA LUMPUR: PKR’s de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and outgoing deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali today came under stinging attack from a former party official who alleged that they had sullied the party’s reputation by their style of leadership.
"Thanks to Anwar Ibrahim, (PKR deputy president aspirant) Azmin Ali and the leadership of PKR, the party's reputation has indeed gone to the dogs," said P Jenapala, who was the party’s deputy secretary-general until 2008.
"It is time to get your heads out of the sand and acknowledge this fact,” he said in a statement read out at a press conference here today.
Jenapala announced last Sept 17 that he would vie for PKR’s deputy presidency, but secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he was not eligible because the party had sacked him in February last year for forming another political party.
In 2008, Jenapala had to quit his official post because he was a bankrupt.
His remarks today surprised observers because he directed half of the venom at Syed Husin, a respected figure inside and outside PKR who is often treated with kid gloves even by those exasperated by his political style.
“I challenge any of you—Anwar Ibrahim or his allies—to sue me if what I said is untrue,” Jenapala said.
"To Dr Syed Husin Ali, I have to say this. I used to have a lot of respect for you but since you have become Anwar Ibrahim's lackey and a willing partner in the propagation of his lies, I have completely lost my respect for you and so have most others in this party.
"I ask you, where is your integrity? Stop defending Anwar Ibrahim when he is attacked because you know what the truth is. Instead you have chosen to defend the lies and attack the truth. Where have your morals gone?”
Barking dogs
He said when attacks were levelled at Anwar or PKR for obvious flaws, including the alleged fraud in the on-going PKR polls, Syed Husin and his "brand of pseudo socialists” would come to the opposition leader’s defence “like barking dogs”.
His statement also referred to Zaid Ibrahim’s pullout from the deputy presidential race and resignation from all party posts.
He noted that Zaid managed to win 40% of the votes cast so far despite the alleged fraud.
"What this means is that at least 40% of party members are fed-up with you, Anwar Ibrahim, and do not trust you anymore,” he said.
“Anwar Ibrahim, I am calling you a brazen liar and a shameless fraud. Sue me if you dare."
“For long we have tolerated the ‘special relationship’ between Anwar and Azmin. All leaders within the party are aware of this ‘special relationship’ and are willing to lie to protect it but it is high time the lying stops.
“PKR is supposed to fight for the rights of the people – not Anwar's personal battles. And certainly not to waste our time covering up all his lies,” he added.
The contest for the PKR deputy presidency is now a straight fight between Azmin and Mustapha Kamil Ayub. Both are currently vice presidents in the party.
PKR became the first political organisation in the country to introduce the one-member-one-vote system. The staggered polls for top positions in the party began two weekends ago and are expected to come to a close at the end of this month.
Injunction to stop party meeting
On another note Jenapala also said he would apply for an injunction from the courts to stop the party's national congress, scheduled for Nov 26.
"I once again urge the party's top leadership to call off the party elections, failing which they will face legal action. Since the elections process is riddled with irregularities, the national congress should also be stopped," he said.
He added he had locus standi to initiate such an action since he was a party member, although this had been refuted by PKR headquarters last month.
"They said I was not a member but I had subsequently showed proof that I am indeed a member and they have not refuted this. So I still consider myself to be a PKR member," he added.
Jenapala said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was still silent on his membership and had never refuted his claim that he was still a member of the party.
"As far as the party leadership is concerned, they have not produced any evidence to proof that I was sacked from the party... so I consider myself a party member," he said.
Who is important: Zaid, Azmin or PKR?
- Zaid Ibrahim critics called him by many names. Among others these include being a coward, a non team player and someone who runs away from problems. Others say that this is his trademark. He ran away once in UMNO when he faces obstacles and now he is running away again. I remember reading it from somewhere that when ZI joined PKR, his critics said that he wouldn’t last. History has shown to be true.
- It is not easy being newcomer especially one that has a strong character and has high expectation in making a change. Having a strong principles and strong attitude can be regarded as arrogant by some especially people those opponent that wants to make an issue out of it. Fact remains that if the party cannot govern itself professionally then how can one expect it to govern the nation. Zaid resignation has greater impact on the party and the people than the cumulative impact of Zulkifli Noordin and Zahrain Hashim leaving the party months ago.
- Mustaffa Kamil Ayub who was my classmate in UKM has also been sending mixed signals. He has also expressed his dissatisfaction over the election process. Like Azmin, Mustaffa also emigrated from UMNO when Anwar was kicked out from the party. If two deputy president contenders are raising the same issues surely there is some credibility to the argument that has been put forward.
- Anwar initial reaction was disappointing. His indirect defense of Azmin Ali by saying that ZI left because of the poor results in election result in Sabah. He had also asked Zaid to give proof on his allegations that the election was rigged. Anwar must accept that officially he has no post in PKR. His wife does. A de-facto leader is not something that is recognized in any party constitution. He does not have the rights to question or demand answers from ZI. Right now the JPP Chair person, Molly Cheah and the party Sec Gen which has powers to demand such explanation has not done so.
- PKR formation at its onset was about Anwar. It grew beyond Anwar to a certain extent where people start saying the injustice towards Anwar is a symbolic gesture to the injustice that happens in this country. However PKR has not been able to shed its core struggle that it is about Anwar and that is bad for the party. Allah forbids but what will happen if Anwar drop dead tomorrow? Can the party leaders continue the struggle? Can Azmin who grew as a loyalist but without going through serious political challenge hold the party together? In my honest opinion this is something that is debatable.
- PKR is not about Anwar anymore. It has become the aspiration of the people to bring changes. Right now it has failed to show that it can hold his house together in a professional manner. It has failed to perform in many areas. I say ZI withdrew because he felt that is the best for him. The question is whether AA will do the same for the best interest of the party. Who is important, the party or the individuals who has craving for a “deputy premiership”? - by drrafick
MCA man says God commands Christians to fight Islamic state
(Harakahdaily) - Former Subang Jaya state assemblyman, MCA's Lee Hwa Beng, has appealed to Christian sentiments when he suggested on Twitter yesterday that a state based on Islam would ban all other religions.
"As Christians, we should fear Islamic theocracy nation more than anything. Why is DAP helping PAS to achieve it?” questioned Lee in a response to DAP supporters on the micro-blogging site.
Saying religions other than Islam would not be tolerated under what he coined "Islamic Theocracy State" and that Islamic laws would be imposed on non-Muslims, Lee even went on to claim that it was "God's command" to fight an "Islamic Theocracy State".
"One of God's command is to fight against Islamic Theocracy State," he said.
He added that UMNO, unlike PAS, did not want to establish an "Islamic Theocracy State".
Lee however was quick to add a 'disclaimer' stating that his remarks were his personal opinion.
“I never say I am against Islam but cannot accept PAS objective of Islamic Theocracy State. In fact I accept Islam as the official religion."
"Sorry I bring this theocracy topic up. Getting out of hand. I am quitting."
The latest remarks by Lee followed similar comments by MCA president Chua Soi Lek in August, in which he suggested Muslim-majority nations were naturally corrupt in an attempt to urge Malaysians to shun PAS.
Chua also claimed that it was UMNO's competing with PAS over Islam which had caused the country to be trapped as a “middle income” nation for more than 10 years.
The comments drew strong reactions from both side of the political divide, and had left the one time Health minister blaming online portals Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider for 'misquoting' him.
"As Christians, we should fear Islamic theocracy nation more than anything. Why is DAP helping PAS to achieve it?” questioned Lee in a response to DAP supporters on the micro-blogging site.
Saying religions other than Islam would not be tolerated under what he coined "Islamic Theocracy State" and that Islamic laws would be imposed on non-Muslims, Lee even went on to claim that it was "God's command" to fight an "Islamic Theocracy State".
"One of God's command is to fight against Islamic Theocracy State," he said.
He added that UMNO, unlike PAS, did not want to establish an "Islamic Theocracy State".
Lee however was quick to add a 'disclaimer' stating that his remarks were his personal opinion.
“I never say I am against Islam but cannot accept PAS objective of Islamic Theocracy State. In fact I accept Islam as the official religion."
"Sorry I bring this theocracy topic up. Getting out of hand. I am quitting."
The latest remarks by Lee followed similar comments by MCA president Chua Soi Lek in August, in which he suggested Muslim-majority nations were naturally corrupt in an attempt to urge Malaysians to shun PAS.
Chua also claimed that it was UMNO's competing with PAS over Islam which had caused the country to be trapped as a “middle income” nation for more than 10 years.
The comments drew strong reactions from both side of the political divide, and had left the one time Health minister blaming online portals Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider for 'misquoting' him.
Gobind Singh ejected from Parliament again
(THE STAR) - Gobind Singh (DAP-Puchong) was ejected from Parliament Monday, the third time in two years.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia showed Gobind the door minutes before the lunch break, after the outspoken MP refused to back down despite several warnings.
Gobind was hitting out at Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein for dodging questions linked to the alleged interference by the the ministry in police matters, and also the involvement of the police in blocking the then Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Ismail Petra's convoy in May.
Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) had earlier asked Hishammuddin to explain the police's action in blocking Sultan Ismail Petra's convoy, from which the Raja Perempuan Tengku Anis Tengku Hamid was hauled out.
Gobind continued his father's line of questioning by asking if any investigation was carried out on the claims by retired Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan that the Government interfered in police matters.
"Can we have confidence in you, Mr Minister?" asked Gobind.
Hishammuddin, however, refused to answer the questions in his winding up, saying that they were not raised in the budget debate.
This enraged Gobind, who demanded that the minister answered the questions as they were of public interest.
Pandikar Amin interjected and told Gobind to sit down, but the first-term MP refused to comply and continued to demand for an answer.
Gobind was then asked to leave the Dewan until after lunch time, but he continued arguing with Pandikar, which led him to be kicked out of proceedings for the rest of the day.
"I will come back tomorrow, and I will ask the same questions again," said a defiant Gobind before leaving.
Gobind was first suspended for two days in November 2008, followed by a year's suspension last year.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia showed Gobind the door minutes before the lunch break, after the outspoken MP refused to back down despite several warnings.
Gobind was hitting out at Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein for dodging questions linked to the alleged interference by the the ministry in police matters, and also the involvement of the police in blocking the then Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Ismail Petra's convoy in May.
Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) had earlier asked Hishammuddin to explain the police's action in blocking Sultan Ismail Petra's convoy, from which the Raja Perempuan Tengku Anis Tengku Hamid was hauled out.
Gobind continued his father's line of questioning by asking if any investigation was carried out on the claims by retired Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan that the Government interfered in police matters.
"Can we have confidence in you, Mr Minister?" asked Gobind.
Hishammuddin, however, refused to answer the questions in his winding up, saying that they were not raised in the budget debate.
This enraged Gobind, who demanded that the minister answered the questions as they were of public interest.
Pandikar Amin interjected and told Gobind to sit down, but the first-term MP refused to comply and continued to demand for an answer.
Gobind was then asked to leave the Dewan until after lunch time, but he continued arguing with Pandikar, which led him to be kicked out of proceedings for the rest of the day.
"I will come back tomorrow, and I will ask the same questions again," said a defiant Gobind before leaving.
Gobind was first suspended for two days in November 2008, followed by a year's suspension last year.
Kit Siang sues NSTP over ‘Umno kafir’ report
Malaysiakini
DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang has filed a defamation suit against New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd over a report published by its Malay-language daily Berita Harian on Tuesday.
The suit was filed by senior lawyer Karpal Singh.
The Ipoh Timor MP, in his statement of claim, alleged that the report was malicious and false in claiming that he had branded Umno as kafir (infidels), particularly in light of ongoing campaigning then for the Galas by-election.
Claiming that the respondent had failed to verify the facts, Lim said the report claimed that he had given a speech at Kesedar Sungai Terah, when he had not.
The report, he said, could be construed to mean that he had interfered in Islamic affairs and that he was guilty of sedition in making the alleged remark.
Another possible meaning was that he intended to sow hatred in a plural society and that he was an irresponsible politician.
In his statement of claim, Lim said the report was directed to lower his self-esteem and position.
For this, he is seeking general and aggravated damages for libel, as well as interest and costs of the action.
He also said a ralat (correction) published by Berita Harian on Thursday could be used as admission.
Karpal later said he would file a notice of action against Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam to verify whether or not he had commented on the matter, as quoted by Berita Harian.
This will be sent to Mohd Ali tomorrow, giving him seven days to reply.
“We will consider our next course of action following Ali’s reply – whether he apologises or denies making such a statement,” added Karpal.
‘Investigate the reports’
Lim later said the newspaper had shown lack of sensitivity and carelessness in what it published.
“This goes beyond Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s 1Malaysia concept (which requires) being sensitive to all races, as we live in a multi-religious society,” he said.
Karpal also renewed calls for new Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar to quickly investigate the matter as several reports have been lodged.
“There is not only civil liability but also sedition and criminal defamation,” he claimed.
“DAP will not sit back (if there are any more similar incidents), let’s make this clear.”
Last Tuesday, Berita Harian had quoted Ali as saying that the DAP and Lim have become braver by asserting that Umno members are kafir.
The daily issued a correction two days later.
DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang has filed a defamation suit against New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd over a report published by its Malay-language daily Berita Harian on Tuesday.
The suit was filed by senior lawyer Karpal Singh.
The Ipoh Timor MP, in his statement of claim, alleged that the report was malicious and false in claiming that he had branded Umno as kafir (infidels), particularly in light of ongoing campaigning then for the Galas by-election.
Claiming that the respondent had failed to verify the facts, Lim said the report claimed that he had given a speech at Kesedar Sungai Terah, when he had not.
The report, he said, could be construed to mean that he had interfered in Islamic affairs and that he was guilty of sedition in making the alleged remark.
Another possible meaning was that he intended to sow hatred in a plural society and that he was an irresponsible politician.
In his statement of claim, Lim said the report was directed to lower his self-esteem and position.
For this, he is seeking general and aggravated damages for libel, as well as interest and costs of the action.
He also said a ralat (correction) published by Berita Harian on Thursday could be used as admission.
Karpal later said he would file a notice of action against Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam to verify whether or not he had commented on the matter, as quoted by Berita Harian.
This will be sent to Mohd Ali tomorrow, giving him seven days to reply.
“We will consider our next course of action following Ali’s reply – whether he apologises or denies making such a statement,” added Karpal.
‘Investigate the reports’
Lim later said the newspaper had shown lack of sensitivity and carelessness in what it published.
“This goes beyond Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s 1Malaysia concept (which requires) being sensitive to all races, as we live in a multi-religious society,” he said.
Karpal also renewed calls for new Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar to quickly investigate the matter as several reports have been lodged.
“There is not only civil liability but also sedition and criminal defamation,” he claimed.
“DAP will not sit back (if there are any more similar incidents), let’s make this clear.”
Last Tuesday, Berita Harian had quoted Ali as saying that the DAP and Lim have become braver by asserting that Umno members are kafir.
The daily issued a correction two days later.
Whistle-Blowing Provisions Give Corporate Governance A Boost, Says PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said since the introduction of the provisions several years ago, the Securities Commission (SC) has received reports mainly from external auditors of public-listed companies.
"Some of these reports have led to enforcement action being taken against the perpetrators, directors and senior management of the company.
"With this, it is encouraging to note that a stronger culture of public accountability and integrity has been established," he said in his keynote address at the World Congress of Accountants 2010 here Monday.
His speech was read by Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
Najib said the crucial role of accountants in detecting fraud was reflected in the number of whistle-blowers that had provided information to the SC under the protection of the Capital Market and Services Act.
He said the Act imposed a mandatory duty upon auditors and specific employees of listed corporations to report breaches of security laws and the rules of the stock exchange to the authority.
"Malaysia has strengthened its law to enable the SC to carry out an oversight function over external auditors of public interest entities," he said, adding that, as the result the Audit Oversight Board was established.
Najib said the successful development of a strong accounting industry must be premised on the ability of practitioners to play an active role in exercising sound professional judgment in the application of global accounting standards.
He said the international accountancy profession and government regulators, standard-setters and public must be committed to establish and promote adherence to high quality standards.
"It must be stressed that the goal of financial reporting must be to provide investors with material information to facilitate investment decision," he said.
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