Share this on: Mixx Facebook Twitter Digg delicious reddit MySpace StumbleUpon LinkedIn Viadeo Volcano ash forces flight cancellations in Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- Volcanic ash spewing from Indonesia's Mount Merapi has forced some airlines to cancel flights out of Jakarta's international airport, airport officials said Wednesday.

Cathay Pacific Airways…

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Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- Volcanic ash spewing from Indonesia's Mount Merapi has forced some airlines to cancel flights out of Jakarta's international airport, airport officials said Wednesday.

Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways had canceled flights at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, airport spokesman Andang Santoso said. Singapore Airlines said it was continuing to fly.

Large clouds of gas and dust from Merapi's recent eruptions also have forced some flight cancellations into and out of the Yogyakarta airport.

Travelers were asked to check with their airlines for schedule changes.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama shortened his visit to the Indonesian capital because of concerns that volcanic ash could ground Air Force One in Jakarta, according to administration officials.

Recent eruptions of Merapi, which started on October 26, have killed at least 156 people, officials at Sardjito hospital have said. The eruptions also have displaced an estimated 200,000 people.

The 3,000-meter (9,800-foot) Merapi, in Central Java, is famously unpredictable. About 1,300 people died when Merapi erupted in 1930.

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Photo gallery:Demo outside Anwar Ibrahim’s house at Bkt Segambut Dalam demanding land for all Hindu temples,Cemeteries,Tamil Schools,Indian Villages in Selangor,Penang and Kedah.

This evening 9/11/2010,at about 8.30p.m some 50 Hindraf and HRP supporters gathered at Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s house as above.We lighted candles in sympathy with Chakra Guna who set himself…

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This evening 9/11/2010,at about 8.30p.m some 50 Hindraf and HRP supporters gathered at Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s house as above.We lighted candles in sympathy with Chakra Guna who set himself on fire to stop the PKR Selangor state government from demolishing his temple.Why should a Malaysian Indian have to come to this level to defend his Hindu Temple.This does not happen to the Malay Muslims,Chinese,Christians,Iban,Kadazan or Orang Asli in Malaysia.It happens only to the indians.Why?
Our Struggle continues against the attrocities of both BN and also PR

Rights Not Mercy
S.Thiagarajan

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Utusan calls May 13 a sacred day

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — An editorial in Umno’s Utusan Malaysia today described the May 13, 1969 racial riots as a sacred day for Malaysia and warned DAP to recognise…

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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — An editorial in Umno’s Utusan Malaysia today described the May 13, 1969 racial riots as a sacred day for Malaysia and warned DAP to recognise its significance.

The newspaper’s deputy editor-in-chief Zaini Hassan said in his weekly column that the riots were a blessing in disguise, otherwise “wealthy businesses and the professional classes would be controlled by one race only.”

He also credited the riots with overseas scholarships for Bumiputeras and their businessmen.

Zaini pointed out that the DAP Penang state government had acted unjustly against state Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, suspending him from the Penang assembly for citing the May 13 incident in his speech.

“Why is Lim Guan Eng so afraid of people using the historical word May 13? It is a sacred day in the country, because of that day the people of various races in the country could be restructured to be more peaceful and prosperous,” said Zaini.

“Because of that day, the New Economic Policy was formulated,” he added.

Zaini added that “if DAP is fated to rule Malaysia (May Allah protect us) the ISA (Internal Security Act) will be strengthened.”

The May 13 riots that took place after the 1969 general election resulted in a declaration of a state of Emergency and the suspension of Parliament.

It remains the country's bloodiest race clash with hundreds reportedly killed in rioting mainly between Malay and Chinese groups.

In the general election that year the Umno-led Alliance lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament. It was later replaced by the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition with many opposition parties joining the three original Alliance members of Umno, MCA and MIC.

Two years after the riots, the government introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) to address the economic divisions that had been blamed for the clashes.

Early this month Azhar was suspended for six months from the state assembly after he refused to retract allegedly seditious remarks made at an assembly sitting earlier this year.

Azhar, who is Penaga assemblyman, was accused of uttering apparently seditious words and issuing May 13 threats during a speech in the assembly by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on May 7.

He had warned of May 13-style racial riots and suggested the army take over the functions of the police if the latter had lost the confidence of the people.

The Umno man was referred to the assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee after a motion tabled by Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Datuk Keramat).

The suspension had been recommended by Lim and conveyed to the assembly by Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain.

However Zaini claimed today that the DAP’s opposition to the pro-Bumiputera New Economic Policy (NEP) had resulted in the party’s attempt to erase the May 13 riot from national history.

“I am not sure if DAP hates the NEP so much that it refuses to hear the date May 13 being mentioned,” said Zaini.

“Guan Eng should not have been so fast in punishing the opposition leader. Azhar is much needed in the Guan Eng administration for check and balance,” he added.

Zaini also called on Azhar to propose to the federal government to educate students on May 13.

“Azhar should have also suggested to the Malaysian government for the sacred day May 13 to be incorporated in the compulsory Malaysian History subject,” said Zaini.

“Therefore, if the May 13 ‘volcanic eruption’ did not take place in 1969 in Chow Kit Road and Kampung Baru, it could have erupted anytime now if not handled well,” said Zaini.

“If it happens, it would be in bigger magnitude and more terrifying,” he added.

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MIC minister disputes Defence Minister’s claim about non-Malay patriotism

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Minister of Human Resource Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam spoke out against his Cabinet colleague today over claims that lack of patriotism was the reason for…

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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Minister of Human Resource Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam spoke out against his Cabinet colleague today over claims that lack of patriotism was the reason for the low presence of non-Malays in the military.

Dr Subramaniam, who is also an MIC vice-president, cited career advancement issues as one of the major factors discouraging non-Malays from joining the armed forces.

“As for the non-Malays, let me state that we have received many complaints that their applications were rejected for several reasons including failure during physical tests,” said Dr Subramaniam in a statement today.

“Other than that, the issue of promotion, especially among existing officers and men in the armed forces is also a factor that makes them less interested to join the armed forces as they have other options,” he added.

Yesterday Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Parliament that non-Malays’ “low spirit of patriotism” is a key reason for their low presence in the military.

He also revealed that revealed that non-Malays made up only 1.2 per cent of 2008/2009 recruitment of officers. Bumiputeras made up 98.2 per cent.

Zahid told Parliament out of 9,054 officers recruited during that period there were only 26 Chinese and 82 Indians.

Subramaniam said he was saddened by Zahid’s assumption and hoped that the Ministry of Defence would work with MIC to address the issue of recruitment of non-Malays into the armed forces.

“As a community leader, I am saddened by the remarks, especially because it came from a community and national leader,” said Dr Subramaniam.

“We at MIC are willing to hold discussion with the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces to address the issue,” he added.

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Muslim convert Deepavali ad: Finas in hot curry

By FMT Staff

PETALING JAYA: A Deepavali advertisement by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) about a Muslim convert has drawn flak from MIC Youth and a DAP senator.

MIC…

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By FMT Staff

PETALING JAYA: A Deepavali advertisement by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) about a Muslim convert has drawn flak from MIC Youth and a DAP senator.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan demanded that the advertisement, which was aired on TV, be retracted and Finas apologise to the Indian community.

Saying that it had no significance with the Hindu celebration, he claimed that the advertisement was encouraging Hindus to convert to Islam as it gave the impression that the act of conversion would be accepted by the convert's family.

“The advertisement showed that while the Muslim convert son and his wife were not accepted by the former's family initially, they were however welcomed after the birth of the couple's children,” he said.

Mohan was also outraged that the advertisement depicted the Muslim wife of being reluctant to eat her food at her in-law's house, fearing that the food consumed was not halal.

“It was totally against Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia concept. Finas must understand that religion is a sensitive subject to all and it showed that it has no respect for non-Muslims, especially Indians,” he said.

Mohan, who claimed to have received numerous complaints over the matter, urged the Information Ministry to take the issue seriously and ensure that such cases do not happen again.

'Silent conversion campaign'

Meanwhile, DAP Senator Dr S Ramakrishnan said that Finas and the advertisement's producer had violated Article 295-298A of the Penal Code.

“Prosecution for blasphemy usually targets those who offend Islam but an insult to any religion can give rise to prosecution. Finas and the producer have violated the Articles and action must be taken against them,” he said.

Ramakrishnan claimed that the advertisement deliberately hid the fact that anyone marrying a Muslim must convert to the religion.

“It was leading the viewers into the belief that religious conversion may be hostile in the beginning but will be accepted upon the birth of children into the family. Finas is silently misleading Hindu youths into religious conversion as part of the 1Malaysia campaign,” he said.

Noting that converts would come under the purview of Islamic religious bodies, Ramakrishnan claimed that converts would be discouraged and stopped from celebrating Deepavali eventually.

“These underlying consequences are conveniently covered up. A Hindu convert is welcomed by Finas but if it is a Muslim convert, then it is apostasy. Why the double standards?” he asked.

He also claimed that the advertisement was belittling and insulting to Hindus as the Muslim girl only consumed food at her in-law's place after being told that it was cooked by another Muslim.

However, Finas director-general Mohd Mahyidin Mustakim defended the advertisement, saying that it was aimed at promoting 1Malaysia.

He added that the commercial was a follow-up to an earlier Hari Raya commercial which had its protagonist, Muthu marrying the Sarawakian Rina.

"So we are portraying how Malaysians of different races celebrate their festivals and we will also have another follow-up during Christmas and Chinese New Year. This is a work of creativity and should not be mixed with politics," he was quoted as saying in a news report.

He denied that the advertisement intended to belittle any race or promote conversion.

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Improve quality of life of Indians in S'gor, urges MP

By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: The state government should work concertedly on solving the ills plaguing the Indian community in Selangor, said Kampung Tunku assemblyman…

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By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: The state government should work concertedly on solving the ills plaguing the Indian community in Selangor, said Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.

The Indian community is still suffering from social problems such as high rate of unemployment, low level of education, and low household income.

"These problems faced by the minority group remain unsolved till now," said Lau when debating the Selangor government's Budget 2011 yesterday.

The solution to uplifting the Indian community's plight is to focus on social awareness and education, he said, adding that the government should accelerate the land transfer process of Tamil schools.

"Besides funding these schools, there should also be allocations for temples and cultural institutions of the Indian community.

"We need an efficient approach so that we can achieve a quantum leap in increasing the quality of life of this community," he said.

Lau urged the government to gazette the lands allocated for Tamil schools so that they would not be wiped out by development.

To emphasise his point on the social ills of the Indians, he cited the case where the sister of late R Surendran who was shot dead in Taman Klang Utama, Klang, in an attempted suicide by taking poison in November last year

Surendran was among five Indian robbery suspects who were gunned down by police. Overcome with grief, his sister also fed the liquid to her four children.

"This incident shows us how serious the problem is in Selangor. Such problems would jeopardise the peace and stability of the state if they are not tackled," said Lau.

Lau urged the government to reinvigorate the Farm Workers' Children Education Fund to assist poor Indian farmers who are now ekeing a living in the city.

On the urban poor, he asked the government to consider offering employment to single mothers as cleaners in local councils on a contractual basis.

"Instead of paying millions to Alam Flora which is often criticised, why don't the local councils take in this group?" he asked.

Review 'no plastic bag' programme

On another matter, Lau asked the state government to evaluate the effectiveness of its "no plastic bag" programme.

"There are several weaknesses we must look into. A detailed study must be done on the effectiveness of this campaign, specifically how far it has helped reduce the use of plastic bags."

Lau also asked for transparency in revealing where the 20 sen contribution for every plastic bag used by the public every Saturday goes to.

"Till now, the state government has not announced where the money has gone. I urge the government to do so from time to time," he said.

On development, Lau said Selangor still has many housing projects that are abandoned, adding that it was high time the government implemented a "build-then-sell" policy.

"The current sell-then-build system is disadvantageous to the unfortunate housebuyers who have to settle loans but still do not get their houses. This is unfair," he said.

On Petaling Jaya, Lau said that the redevelopment of the city was taking place too slowly.

"There are many places in Petating Jaya that have become old and unlivable. I ask that the government look into this as a lot of land is still bare and many buildings have become ghost buildings."

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What's this Yen Yen, a shopping trip?

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP today claimed there are discrepancies in Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen's overseas trip expenses which varied from those…

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By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP today claimed there are discrepancies in Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen's overseas trip expenses which varied from those given to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat MPs.

DAP Youth chief and Rasah MP Anthony Loke said that the minister's written reply to him on Monday stated that the total costs of her trips from January to October this year amounted to RM1.28 million.

This was in contrast to the figures given to former MCA president and Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat on Oct 26, where she said the ministry had spent some RM 1.58 million for the same trips.

Loke opened “fire” when he said sarcastically that he was “touched” when Ng handed a written reply personally to him yesterday, but a notice handed today said there were "errors" in yesterday's reply.

The Rasah MP then noted that based on the reply given to him, Ng’s trip to Dubai, Qatar and Kuwait from May 4 to 12 cost RM97,000 but in another reply given to Batu MP Chua Tian Chang on Oct 19, the figure was RM240,145.

“We do not know which one is the correct answer. We are directing the minister to please tell us... clarify this. This is unprofessional on the part of the minister. Please do not give us answers which are contradictory,” Loke said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby here.

Loke then zoomed in on Ng’s week-long trip to Europe, from May 25 to 31, which cost RM491,987, saying it was exorbitant and demanded an explanation.

“Half a million spent in seven days for trips to London, Munich and Milan? What is this? A shopping trip?"

On Oct 26, the tourism ministry stated that Ng spent RM3.5 million on "official" overseas mission since she was appointed minister last year.

However, a different figure was given to Ong in a written reply which stated that the ministry had spent RM1.67 million for the same official overseas trips.

The same reply also boasted higher tourist receipts and that the ministry’s efforts overseas had earned Malaysia a ninth out of 10th placing in the most popularly visited countries in 2009.

Pakatan lawmakers have accused Ng of excessive spending overseas, saying she was being more of a “tourist” than “minister”.

Ng dismissed the accusations, insisting that the ministry was on promotional activities abroad and attributed the purported expansion of the country’s tourism industry to her trips.

Tourism Ministry's travel expenses have ballooned by 40% since 2008 while its promotion budget decreased by nearly 70% in the same period.

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'Ambassador' Samy to quit end of the month

BY FMT STAFF

KUALA LUMPUR: Long-serving MIC president S Samy Vellu would quit the top post end of this month and not in January next year as announced earlier.


Party…

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BY FMT STAFF

KUALA LUMPUR: Long-serving MIC president S Samy Vellu would quit the top post end of this month and not in January next year as announced earlier.


Party sources revealed that the 74-year-old veteran leader has informed those close to him that he would vacate the number one seat end of November to enable him to take up the ambassador-at-large position offered by the government.

The MIC supremo has called for an MIC central working committee meeting at the party headquarters here tomorrow to announce this.

"He (Samy Vellu) has received his appointment letter from the government. He must vacate the party post as the new appointment takes effect starting Dec 1. Tomorrow we expect him to announce the early departure date.

"He has also chosen his staff for his new position, which will be with ministerial status. He will be active in lobbying for infrastructure projects in the Asia, especially India and China. The government is making full use of his long experience in obtaining these sorts of projects.

"There is a feeling that he will be an asset in this area. He is expected to kickstart efforts by Malaysian infrastructure companies to break through the Asian markets. Our specialisation is construction of roads, airports and that sort of thing and this is where the government feels he will be useful," a source said.

However, there seems to be a confusion on the new appointment.

At present, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), under the Works Minister, was entrusted to source for overseas projects and Samy Vellu's appointment would be overlapping the duties of CIDB.

"We do not know how he will fit in. For now, we see an overlapping of duties but I am sure the government and the ministry would give him a free hand to source for projects. This is just a minor glitch," said the source.

Longest-serving president

Samy Vellu became party acting president following the demise of V Manickavasagam in 1979 and was elected president two years later.

He had been under massive pressure to vacate the MIC top post since the March 2008 general election, where the ruling Barisan Nasional lost its two-third majority in Parliament.

MIC too suffered a massive blow at the polls, losing six out of the nine parliamentary seats it contested under the BN banner.

Samy Vellu was also a casualty in the election losing the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat, which he had held for more than 20 years.

Samy Vellu holds the distinction of being the longest-serving MIC president, holding on to the post for a record 11 consecutive terms.

He served as the works minister and was the longest-serving minister in the Cabinet until he lost the Sungai Siput seat in 2008.

He was first appointed to the Cabinet in 1979 as housing and local government minister. He was then appointed works minister. From 1989 to 1995, he became the energy, telecommunication and post minister. He returned to the works ministry in 1995.

He had earlier announced that he would vacate the MIC top post in January next year.

MIC deputy president senator G Palanivel had been named successor to the post. Palanivel would serve as acting president until March 2012, when MIC is scheduled to hold its presidential election.

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Friends and foes open fire on defence minister

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has come under fire from both sides of the political divide today for insinuating that non-Malays are not patriotic.

His…

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By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has come under fire from both sides of the political divide today for insinuating that non-Malays are not patriotic.

His critics wanted the Umno vice-president to apologise and retract the statement made in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Zahid had listed four reasons why non-Malays were not interested in military service. One of the reasons was that non-Malays were “not patriotic”.

His cabinet collegue S Subramaniam led the charge saying that Zahid's statement had disappointed non-Malays.

"On the part of non-Malays, I wish to state that we have received many complaints that their application to join the armed forces was unsuccessful for various reasons including failing the physical tests and interviews. Apart from this, lack of promotion for non-Malays in the service is another reason why they are not interested in joining the armed forces.

"Taking all these and other factors into account, I feel that connecting patriotism with the participation of non-Muslims in the military is not correct.

“As a leader of the Indian community, I am saddened by the statement even more so when the statement comes from a national leader," said the MIC vice-president and human resources minister.

Subramaniam said MIC, being the largest Indian-based political party in the country, was willing to discuss with the Defence Ministry on ways to increase Indian participation in the armed forces.

Gerakan: He should join the army

Penang Gerakan secretary Goh Kheng Sneah also demanded that Zahid retract and apologise for his irresponsible statement.

“Lack of participation in the armed forces does not mean Chinese and Indians love the country less. The minister should publicly clarify his statement,” he told a press conference.

He said Gerakan was stunned and disappointed that a senior minister of Zahid’s stature could utter such a provocative statement that could stir racial sentiments.

“It’s an irresponsible statement from a federal minister, contradicting the prime minister’s 1 Malaysia concept advocating moderation. It was a racially biased, prejudice, shallow and chauvinistic remark,” he added.

If Zahid failed to apologise, Goh called on the minister to join the military himself to demonstrate his own patriotism to the country.

He said the low recruitment of non-Malays in the military was due to lack of career growth opportunities for non-Malays in the defence forces.

"The minister should probe into reasons behind the lack of interest among Chinese and Indians to join the military. Instead of finding solutions to the root cause, the minister finds an easy way out.

“Gerakan wants to reiterate that despite our differences, all Malaysians are committed and patriotic to the country,” he added.

The Gerakan leader also warned Zahid of possible backlash from his own constituents in the Bagan Datoh parliamentary seat, which had 23.3% Indian and 19.5% Chinese voters.

He said the minister had scrapped through at the 2008 general election with a mere 2,692 vote margin after winning it with a thumping 12,539 vote-majority in 2004.

The Pakatan onslaught

Meanwhile, several Pakatan Rakyat MPs slammed Zahid's comment calling it "racist and hurtful" to the non-Malays.

Ipoh Barat's DAP MP M Kulasegaran said he was both shocked and hurt.

"This is an unacceptable statement, it's as if non-Malays are not loyal to the country," he said, adding that Zahid's remarks could cause "racial misunderstanding".

Kulasegaran immediately moved a motion to debate the issue but Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia ignored the call and instead reprimanded him.

Bukit Gantang PAS MP Nizar Jamaluddin said Zahid's statement was contradictory to the 1Malaysia spirit and concept.

"I feel non-Malays just don't want to tango with the swindle and fraud taking place within the armed forces ... this includes the missing jet engines," he said.

Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) however believed that the non Malays just don't want to be used and abused for Umno's political interest.

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PKR drama 'replay of Anwar-Ghafar' saga

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: The current drama in PKR is reminiscent of a "tactic" Anwar Ibrahim used with former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba, said ex-PKR information chief Ruslan…

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By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: The current drama in PKR is reminiscent of a "tactic" Anwar Ibrahim used with former deputy prime minister Ghafar Baba, said ex-PKR information chief Ruslan Kassim.

According to him, the current scenario was Anwar's way of "officially clearing" the path for deputy presidential candidate Azmin Ali, who incidentally has been with him since the "old days", and handing him a "free win".

"This is how Anwar works... his strategy and tactic is the same from his old days when he fought off Ghafar (Baba)... now he's using his golden boy," he said, adding that PKR's real face was now emerging.

"Now we see the real PKR... before it accused Umno of being unjust, undemocratic, not transparent... now it's hitting back at its own nose," he said.

Ruslan was responding to PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim's abrupt exit from the deputy presidential race on Monday in protest of alleged election fraud and malpractice. He also announced his resignation from all his party positions with immediate effect.

Yesterday, Zaid in a joint press conference with third candidate Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, called for Anwar to step down and for Azmin to be disqualified.

Responding to Zaid's call, Ruslan said: "Anwar will never quit his seat until he achieves his dream of wresting Putajaya... hills don't crumble, so don't hope for Anwar to withdraw."

Equating Zaid's call to Anwar as “barking at a hill”, Ruslan said that Anwar "uses people to achieve his personal ambitions including leaders of DAP and PAS. If he can cheat the world to get to Putrajaya, what more Zaid."

More trouble ahead

Meanwhile, Umno Women information chief Hamidah Osman said what was happening in PKR was “expected”.

"Although PKR has its own leadership lines, they are all powerless including the party president. The most powerful is the party adviser.

"As such, there is no way that Anwar will allow his golden boy (Azmin) to lose the election although he has said that he will not interfere.

"The party will be riddled with problems, mark my words... more so once Azmin is anointed.

"Azmin will definitely have his own lineup to ensure he remains in power and he will throw out the rest.

"Remember what happened in Selangor when Azmin interfered in the administration because he couldn't see eye to eye with Menteri Besar Khalid (Ibrahim)," she told MediaUmno.

Hamidah said Zaid's resignation was the begining of a chaotic time for PKR, considering the 13th general election is not too far off.

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Dewan Rakyat 11/09/10 Morning Session: HEATED DEBATE AND PANDEMONIUM ON PORK SAUSAGES

Kuala Selangor PAS member of parliament Dzulkefly Ahmad was booted out of the Dewan Rakyat today over an uproar in the House over the religious faith of the boy who…

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Kuala Selangor PAS member of parliament Dzulkefly Ahmad was booted out of the Dewan Rakyat today over an uproar in the House over the religious faith of the boy who was caned for bringing fried rice and pork sausages to school.  

Zulkifli Nordin calls N. Gobalakrishnan a PARIAH! 

SEE VIDEO HERE: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10749021

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Surat terbuka kepada Presiden, Parti Keadilan Rakyat

By Haris Ibrahim,

I received this in my e-mail box.
____________________________

Saya telah menjadi ahli parti sejak PKR ditubuhkan. Saya dan beratus ribu lagi rakyat Malaysia telah memilih PKR sebagai…

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By Haris Ibrahim,

I received this in my e-mail box.
____________________________

Saya telah menjadi ahli parti sejak PKR ditubuhkan. Saya dan beratus ribu lagi rakyat Malaysia telah memilih PKR sebagai wadah perjuangan politik. Kami telah menaruh harapan untuk PKR membawa perubahan kepada mutu sistem pemerintahan di negara yang tercinta ini. Harapan kami telah menggunung apabila PKR serta PAS dan DAP berjaya mencapai kejayaan yang tidak diduga pada PRU 12. Kemaraan ke Putrajaya kian menjadi realiti.

Walaubagaimanapun perkembangan-perkembangan mutakhir dalam PKR amat mencemaskan saya. Rentetan daripada pemilihan pucuk pimpinan yang sedang berlangsung, parti telah di heret ke ambang krisis. Pada hemat saya, krisis ini ialah yang paling getir pernah dihadapi oleh parti. Besar kemungkinan parti akan berpecah akibat krisis ini dan sekali gus memusnahkan peluang Pakatan Rakyat untuk menang di PRU 13. Kemaraan ke Putrajaya akan menjadi hanya sebuah impian.

Justeru itu, saya merayu dari lubuk hati saya kepada Presiden parti yang telah menang tanpa bertanding pada pemilihan kali ini untuk bertindak mengawal keadaan dan menyelamatkan parti. Hal-hal pemilihan parti tidak perlu dibincang dan diputuskan oleh Biro Politik kerana ramai ahli dalam Biro Politik mempunyai kepentingan dalam proses dan keputusan pemilihan. Budi bicara Presiden memadai untuk membuat keputusan muktamad atas hal-hal pemilihan.

Presiden harus menampilkan kepimpinan yang tegas dan melantik sebuah Jawatankuasa Pemilihan Parti baru dengan mandat penuh untuk menguruskan proses pemilihan secara adil dan bebas.

Ketua Umum parti mesti menghormati kedudukan dan kuasa-kuasa Presiden dan beliau sewajarnya tidak campur tangan dengan keputusan-keputusan yang diambil oleh Presiden. Sayugia diingatkan, Ketua Umum telah terlibat dalam krisis ini dan banyak pihak meragui peranan beliau dalam proses pemilihan.

Jika perlu, sebuah jawatankuasa pemandu ditubuhkan dengan mandat dari Majlis Pimpinan Pusat dan Presiden sebagai pengerusi untuk menstabilkan parti.

Saya doakan Presiden akan berjaya dalam misi ini. Janganlah hancurkan impian kami sebagai ahli-ahli biasa untuk parti membawa perubahan kepada pemerintahan negara ini.
Sekian, Salam Reformasi.

ILLAM KUBONG AK DAGANG
Kuching, Sarawak
No ahli: Q060000568

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Best Bloated Bureaucracy to Bleed Bolehland to Bankruptcy!

by Martin Jalleh

Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin believes that the BN is “back in business”. The buoyant “Malaysian-second” in Bolehland, said that BN’s future is bright and the Opposition better…

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by Martin Jalleh

Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin believes that the BN is “back in business”. The buoyant “Malaysian-second” in Bolehland, said that BN’s future is bright and the Opposition better not underestimate them!

Bolstered by two big by-election victories he even boldly declares that the bureaucrats in Bolehland are “the best civil servants in the world”! The civil servant “have done a lot, but the people want better”.

The Deputy PM was at his ironic best: “The people do not want rhetoric. The era for rhetoric has long gone. The era where the government knows all, like what the prime minister has said, has long gone.”

[Strange, but it is APCO (the international communications firm which Najib is paying a bomb to spruce up his image and lobby for support in Washington) which feels that Malaysia is just another backward hole where Government knows best and press freedom is a figment of the imagination (Malaysian Chronicle)!]

Yes, the rakyat knows best Muhyiddin and we fully agree with you that the civil service in Bolehland is the “best in the world” in the following ways:

Best Bloated Civil Service

· With 1.3 million civil servants to a population of 26 million, Malaysia has one of the highest civil servants-to-population ratio in the world by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development standards.

· In 2009, Malaysia’s civil servants-to-population ratio was highest in Asia Pacific. Her ratio was 4.68%, compared to Indonesia’s 1.79%, Korea’s 1.85% and Thailand’s 2.06% all of which have less than half our ratio.

· In 2009, Singapore had a total of 60,000 civil servants, i.e., 1.5% of the total population. Hong Kong had 160,000 out of a population of 7 million (2.3%). Taiwan (population of 23 million) was served by only 528,000 (2.3%).

Best way to bleed a budget dry

· “…much of the budget (2011) continues to go into operating a bloated civil service. As much as three quarters of the national budget is spent on paying salaries and other benefits to over 1.3 million civil servants.

· “This means that of every dollar spent in the budget, 75 sen goes towards manning the civil service, leaving little left to carry out development work that can benefit the country’s population.

· “There is clearly something fundamentally wrong in the way the country’s budget is being spent when so much of the allocation goes to paying for a sector that is generally regarded as unproductive and standing in the way of efficiency.” – Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies

· A post-2011 Budget dialogue highlighted the massive amount (35% of the total RM162.8 billion operating expenditure) to be spent on emoluments, pensions and gratuities of civil servants. A panelist, Ministry of Finance budget division director Datuk Dr Rahamat Bivi Yusuff admitted that there is a need to trim the civil service to reduce the budget deficit.

· In a public forum held in Sept this year Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin admitted that there is an over-inflated civil service and that the government will need to make tough but necessary changes in the next five or 10 years to reduce the numbers.

· “We are now spending more than RM41 bil a year – that’s a billion more than the market capitalisations of Khazanah Nasional and Telekom Nasional – to upkeep our 1.15 million civil servants. It’s a whopping cost, especially so when juxtaposed against the 1.14mil Malaysians who pay income tax. (There are 10.5 million employed citizens in the country, of whom 6.4 million are registered taxpayers, but actual contributions come from only 1.14 mil). – The Star, 7 May 2009

Best way to bankrupt this nation

· Whilst it is the growing trend of many countries to reduce their civil service, Malaysia, the PM’s Department in particular, has done the opposite. It more than doubled its number of civil servants from 21,000 to 43,554 this year. In stark contrast, the White House employs only 1,888 staff.

· The White House’s budget is US$394 million for 2011. The PM’s Department has been allocated a whopping RM18.14 billion for the year 2011, almost double the RM10.2 billion this year.

· “Pemandu, which stands for Performance, Management and Delivery Unit, was set up last year under the Najib administration as one of the pillars in his Government Transformation Plan… is a massive drain on resources. In a span of two months, just to pay 50 consultants, the government spent RM20 million.”

· “If the civil service is consuming a big budget under the Prime Minister’s Department, it is because the other agencies of the civil service are not functioning. That’s why Najib consolidates everything under his department.” – Ong Kian Ming, political analyst

Best contradiction of 1Malaysia

· As at 31 December 2009, the racial breakdown of the Malaysian civil service comprising 1,247,894 employees was as follows: Malay (78.2%); Other Bumiputras (7.7%); Chinese (5.8%), Indian (4.0%); and Others (4.2%).

· “This is the worst multi-racial composition of the government service, with the lowest Chinese and Indian representation in the public service in Malaysia’s 53-year history. This is clearly seen from the three sets of comparative figures of the racial breakdown of the civil service before the NEP 1971 and as at December 2009 – Malays (60.80% and 78.2%); Chinese (20.2% and 5.8%); Indians (17.4% and 4.0%); and Others (1.6% and 4.2%).

· “It is clear that the Government is setting the worst example of a 1Malaysia Government.” –Vivian Kuan, in Loyar Burok’s Blog (8 Nov 2010).

Best in corruption

· Last year two out of five civil servants were deemed corrupt by Cuepacs. It was described as a worrying trend that needed to be tackled urgently.

· Cuepacs President Omar Osman revealed that a total of 418,200 or 41% of the 1.2 million civil servants in the country were suspected to be involved in corruption last year (Bernama, 02.06.10). It caused Lim Kit Siang to remark that “the MACC is a big flop as it did not even arrest 0.1% of the corrupt civil servants last year”.

· Malaysians generally consider political parties and civil service to be the most corrupt groups, and the government’s anti-corruption drive to be ineffective, the 2009 Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) report revealed (The Sun, 03.06.09)

Best “dumping ground”

Finally, Muyhiddin should ponder on the wisdom of Sakmongkol AK47, the pen-name of Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz, a former state assemblyman of Pahang who is a member of Umno.

“Government service shouldn’t be treated as a dumping ground for academic rejects and mediocre material. Let’s demand a certain high standard and ensure we bring in talent that supports that demand for high standards.

“What has the government done to improve the efficiency and competence of government servants? There isn’t really competition there if the service is dominated by one race. There isn’t sufficient quality if the entry-level qualifications are so-so.

“Yet each year, to placate civil servants, the PM will appear on TV to say, we honour our civil servants because they have done a good job, blah blah. Which is not entirely true. The service is slow, the quality of officers is questionable.

“Those people talking about the GTP have not talked openly about the issue of talent in the civil service and in government. If we don’t open up our civil service, it will atrophy. It is a simple observation of experience. If we don’t open up and cultivate competition to get into government service, we get what ails our service now – little Napoleonism – the imposition of pettiness by mediocre talent that fouls up the delivery service.”

So there you have it Muhyiddin — the world’s best bureaucratic behemoth and blunder to burden the people of Bolehland and bleed the country dry! And believe it or not its by a government who boasts about ” People First, Performance Now”. Little wonder that we are the world’s best example of a country with growing similarities with Greece where 10% of its population are government servants and is reputed to be the most corrupt nation in the Eurozone!

But Umno likes Muhyiddin’s make-believe. It will guarantee them votes in the next General Elections, which must be close at hand. Civil servants are made to believe that Umno is their (political) paymaster and they owe Umno. The party’s leaders would do or say anything to convince the government servant of this, even praising them as “the best civil servants in the world”!

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Nazri: Govt welcomes proposals on whether to do away with death penalty

The Star 

THE Government has yet to decide on whether to do away with the death penalty but welcomes suggestions from those who support its abolition, said Min…

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The Star 

THE Government has yet to decide on whether to do away with the death penalty but welcomes suggestions from those who support its abolition, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said proposals to abolish the death penalty would be given due consideration after a thorough study was done.

“This (the study) is necessary as the abolition of the death penalty will have a huge impact to the country’s judiciary. Amendments will also need to be made to related criminal laws if the death penalty is abolished,” he told Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) who asked if the Government was ready to amend laws on death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment.

Nazri said the death penalty was imposed for serious criminal offences in accordance with Article 6(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Under this provision, in countries that have not abolished the death penalty, the sentence may be im­posed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime,” he said.

He added that the right to appeal to higher courts against the death sentence and the right to apply for a pardon was guaranteed by the law.

“The death sentence in Malaysia is not imposed on pregnant women, the mentally-ill, and individuals aged below 18 years at the time the crime was committed,” Nazri said.

To a supplementary question by Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena) on the rights of states to oil royalties, he said if there were differing views, such matters could be taken to court.

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Chinese and Indians 'not patriotic enough'

(Malaysiakini) Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi reasoned that the low number of Chinese and Indian recruits in the military could be due to “lack of patriotism”.

Zahid told the Dewan Rakyat…

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(Malaysiakini) Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi reasoned that the low number of Chinese and Indian recruits in the military could be due to “lack of patriotism”.

Zahid told the Dewan Rakyat this during Question time today when replying Mohd Jidin Shafee (BN-Setiu).

Mohd Jidin asked for the number of army recruits in the last two years and the breakdown of the numbers by ethnicity.

He also asked for the reasons behind the small number of a certain race in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).

According to Zahid, in the last two years 9,054 officers and those of other ranks were taken into the MAF compared to 14,749 officers and personnel of other ranks who were hired from 2006 to 2008.

From 2008 to 2009, 8,151 or 90 percent of those recruited were Malays, 26 or 0.29 percent were Chinese and 82 or 0.91 percent were Indians, while 795 or 8.8 percent were 'others' including Sabah and Sarawak bumiputeras.

“The ministry finds that the participation of non-Malays especially among the Chinese and Indians is still below par,” Zahid said.

Besides the lack of “patriotic spirit”, Zahid also pointed out other reasons that could have resulted in the poor participation of other races in the MAF.

“Maybe it is the fear of tough military discipline, low pay compared to private jobs or no encouragement from families,” he said.

It could also be the result of “lack of backing from their ethnic communities” or “the negative aspersions cast on the MAF”.

Minister a coward, says Kulasegaran

Nevertheless Zahid said the government has never set a quota for admission into the MAF and that entrance is based on qualifications and interest, and must be done voluntarily.

Seeing red over Zahid's comment, M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) raised an objection under Standing Order 36(10)(c).

Kulasegaran (left) demanded that the minister apologise for the statement that non-Malays lack patriotism.

As Zahid had already left the House by then, Kulasegaran branded him a “coward”, given that the minister had been asked to remain in the House.

Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia did not order Zahid to withdraw his remarks but instead reprimanded Kulasegaran for his use of the unparliamentary word “coward”.

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France welcomes survivors of Baghdad church attack

An Iraqi Christian woman is taken from hospital to be flown to Paris.

Paris, France (CNN) -- About three dozen survivors of last month's brutal attack on a Baghdad church…

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An Iraqi Christian woman is taken from hospital to be flown to Paris.

Paris, France (CNN) -- About three dozen survivors of last month's brutal attack on a Baghdad church have found refuge in France, where they have been given temporary status as asylum seekers.

The 35 Iraqis, many of them with bullet and grenade wounds, arrived by plane in Paris on Monday night and were taken by ambulance to hospitals. Another group of 93 people is scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks, France's immigration ministry said.

French Immigration Minister Eric Besson said France was offering refuge to 150 victims of the attack as a gesture of friendship and support to Christians who face hardships.

"France supports their desire to remain and live in peace on their land, where they have lived for centuries," Besson said.

They will be issued a long-stay, renewable visa by the French Embassy in Baghdad, health coverage and a permit that allows them to work for at least six months. Besson said the government will help the Iraqis find jobs.

A group called the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the gruesome October 31 siege of the Sayidat al-Nejat cathedral that left 70 people dead and 75 wounded. The umbrella group includes a number of Sunni extremist organizations and has ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.

Among the dead were women, children and two priests. It was one of the worst attacks against Iraq's dwindling Christian minority in recent years.

"It was five hours of terror, five hours where we didn't know whether we were going to live or die," said one of the survivors after arriving in Paris.

Christians were once believed to have been a community of almost 1.5 million people in Iraq. But as many as half have fled the country since the war began in 2003.

Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Athanasios Dawood in Britain has criticized the Iraqi government for failing to protect its minorities and has urged Iraqi Christians to flee their homeland.

"I say clearly and now -- the Christian people should leave their beloved land of our ancestors and escape the premeditated ethnic cleansing. This is better than having them killed one by one," said Dawood, according to prepared remarks he sent to CNN.

The latest church attack victims are being welcomed as part of a French government program for Iraqis belonging to "vulnerable religious minorities," Besson said.

Since the program began in 2007, he said, France has welcomed 1,300 people under its auspices.

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Hindraf failed to send Memo to Anwar

Self immolation of Puchong hindu devotee’s root cause is PKR, DAP and PAS denying state land to all hindu temples, cemeteries, Tamil schools and Indian villages.

No.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-2282 5241

Fax : 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245

Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com E-Mail: info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com

Date : 9/11/2010

YB. Dato Seri…

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No.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-2282 5241

Fax : 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245

Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com E-Mail: info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com

Date : 9/11/2010

YB. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim,

Paramount Leader PKR,

Parti Keadilan Rakyat Fax No: 03 7885 0531

No. 11, Jalan Bukit Segambut Dalam

Kuala Lumpur

YAB Lim Guan Eng

Chief Minister of Penang

Secretary General DAP,

c/o Pejabat Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Fax No: 04- 2613003

Tingkat 28, KOMTAR 10503, Puala Pinang.

Dato Seri Hadi Awang

President PAS Fax: 03-26938399

318A, Jalan Raja Laut,

50350 Kuala Lumpur

Dear Sirs,

Re : Self immolation of Puchong hindu devotee’s root cause is PKR, DAP and PAS denying state land to all hindu temples, cemeteries, Tamil schools and Indian villages.

We refer to the above matter and our numerous letters to your goodselves on the aforesaid matter including our public protest outside the PKR Headquarters in Tropicana on 7/3/10 but regretfully to no avail.

Section 76 of the National Land Code in effect empowers (100%) especially the PKR, DAP and PAS State governments of Selangor, Penang and Kedah to alienate state land for public purposes.

The B.N government in the previous 50 years has refused to grant state land to the poor Malaysian Indian hindu temples, cemeteries, tamil schools and Indian villages (but deemed squatters) as they had granted to all the Masjids, suraus, muslim cemeteries and Malay schools.

Hindraf gave the political directions and with 90% of the Indians voting for the Opposition, PKR, DAP and PAS became the ruling state governments in Selangor, Penang and Kedah on the promise of Change. But change has not been forthcoming despite PKR, DAP and PAS ruling Selangor, Penang and Kedah for over 2 ½ years now.

To add insult to injury, the UMNO/BN’s Indian mandore syatem of “kosong” and nothing in black and white land here and land there for hindu temples, cemeteries, tamil schools and Indian villages is continuing under the PKR, DAP and PAS said rule.

The UMNO/BN Selangor State government demolished the ancient Kg Karupaiah Padang Jawa hindu temple one week before Deepavali in 2007 and within months lost power in Selangor. But even the now PKR led Selangor state government has not granted a suitable land to rebuild this hindu temple. As usual it is the aforesaid usual ‘kosong’ promise of a land and that too under a hazardous Telecoms Tower mere Tamil newspaper announcement by the Selangor Indian Exco mandore and even than it is not in black and white.

There is a government reserve land next to this Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. (see The Starmetro 9/11/10 at page M4). But as usual only a temporary piecemeal solution to temporarily relocate part of the temple to the state government reserve land next to this temple has been suggested by that too a mere PKR Councillor mandore despatched to the scene by the Menteri Besar of Selangor.

Why didn’t the PKR led Selangor State government relocate part of this hindu temple to this reserve land and grant land title thereto in the first place, for which there would have been no need nor necessity for this demolishment and self immolation in the first place.

Why these a la UMNO/B.N “temporary” and piecemeal solutions through the their Indian Exco and Councillor mandores. Why not a genuine and permanent land titles and gazetting the same accordingly solution.

On 15th September 2009. (Malaysiakinitoday) a Kampong Buah Pala Villager Madam R. Indirani had similarly attempted to self immolate herself by dousing herself with kerosene when the Penang DAP state government were demolishing Kg. Buah Pala the last traditional Indian village in Penang.

Yesterday’s self immolation by Chakra Guna (52) is only the tip of the iceberg of the Indian poor’s pain suffering and heartache in being denied permanent land for all their Hindu temples cemeteries, Tamil schools and Indian villages (deemed squatters) by especially the PKR, DAP and PAS state governments of Selangor, Penang and Kedah. Why go far? Even this SJK (T) Castlefield and this Srinivasa Perumal temple in issue here has been denied state government land to start off with.

Fear of losing malay muslim votes by granting the Indian poor land cannot possibly be a part of the change PKR, DAP and PAS had promised in the 8th March general elections. So where is the change?

Kindly therefore grant and alienate state land to all existing hindu temples, hindu cemeteries, tamil schools and Indian villages (deemed squatters) in the states of Selangor, Penang and Kedah for there to be a domino effect in the B.N ruled states.

To this effect we urgently seek an appointment with your goodselves to amicably resolve this long outstanding state government land problem to all the poor Malaysian Indians.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,

………………..

P. Uthayakumar

Secretary General (pro tem)

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Aminulrasyid’s car riddled with 30 bullet holes, trial told

The Malaysian Insider,

SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 — As many as 30 bullet holes were found on the white Proton Iswara driven by Aminulrasyid Amzah, a government chemist told the…

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The Malaysian Insider,

SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 — As many as 30 bullet holes were found on the white Proton Iswara driven by Aminulrasyid Amzah, a government chemist told the Sessions Court today in the trial of a policeman accused of shooting to death the teen joyrider.

The bullet marks were all consistent with a 9mm calibre bullet, the kind used in the standard Koch & Heckler MP5 submachine gun (KH MP5), said Shaari Desa, a firearms tester from the Chemistry Department.

The submachine gun is a standard firearm issued to police patrolmen.

Shaari, the 24th witness to take the stand, also said the killing shot was fired from a 13-degree angle from the left rear side that pierced the back windscreen and went right through the driver’s headrest and into his brain.

The chemist added he did not find any gunpowder residue around the triangle-shaped hole on the back of the car that marked the bullet’s entry, which suggests the shot was fired from a long distance.

The 43-year-old explained that by long distance, he meant a shot more than three metres away, measured from the gun’s muzzle to the bullet hole.

Shaari added that based on his calculations, the shooter was in a standing position and not lying down when he delivered the killing shot.

He cautioned that external factors, including the weather, could affect the presence of gunpowder residue and the spread of the gunshot.

In his report dated May 19 this year that was read aloud to the court today, the Petaling Jaya-based chemist listed the number and location of the bullet marks on the car as follows:

1. A hole by a bullet entered (fired from the rear at an estimated angle of 13 degrees from the left) at the back windscreen and pierced the headrest on the driver’s seat.

2. Eight holes/bullet marks entered at the rear of the car.

3. Four holes/bullet marks entered at the right rear side of the car.

4. Two holes/bullet marks entered at the left rear side of the car.

5. Two holes/bullet marks entered at the car exhaust.

6. Three holes entered at the petrol tank.

7. Six holes/bullet marks at a position below the car.

8. Two holes at the crown surface of the right rear wheel tyre where the bullets entered. One exited at the base of the rim and one indentation where the other bullet chipped the same rim.

9. Two holes at the crown surface of the left rear wheel tyre where the bullets entered.

He also noted two rounds of 9mm calibre bullets with jackets were found inside the car — one in the rear passenger door panel on the right and the second located below the spare tyre in the boot.

Two bullet fragments were found on the carpet in the boot; four fragments below the spare tyre and one more fragment recovered from the left rear tyre.

He told the court he did not carry out further tests on them because they were “damaged and not suitable to be tested for comparison”.

Earlier, the chemist said he had been requested to run a shooting test on two submachine guns marked “X” and “Y” to determine the gun that fired the killer blow.

He had explained to the court that each gun leaves behind a certain mark on the bullet after it was fired; and that was how the forensic chemist can trace the bullet back to the gun.

But Shaari said he had not been able to carry out a test on the fragment of a spent bullet he was given, said to be retrieved from Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang — where the post-mortem on the dead schoolboy was conducted — because it had been damaged.

He told the court the expended bullet was likely of a 9mm calibre used in the KH MP5, based on the approximate diameter at the base, but could not be sure.

A 9mm bullet without its jacket usually measures between 8.5mm and 8.7m in diameter, he told the court.

That particular bullet was broken and had lost its jacket, making it harder to trace the gun that fired it.

Shaari noted the most extensive damage to the Proton Iswara with the registration plate BET 5023 was caused by a crash.

He observed there were no burnt marks on the crown surface of the two front tyres.

But he also noted down several other curious marks to the car.

“Dents and a print mark shaped like a wheel on the left side consistent with a crash with a wheeled object.

“The right rear side is consistent with [damage] caused by friction with a black object such as the handles of a motorcycle,” Shaari wrote in his report.

A lab analysis later confirmed the black stuff to be made from the black rubber that covers a motorcycle’s steering handles, he noted.

Corporal Jenain Subi, 48, a patrolman attached to the Section 11 police station here, is charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder of 14-year-old Aminulrasyid, who took a midnight joyride in a car and was allegedly mistaken for a felon on the run.

The Form Three schoolboy died in the early hours of April 26 this year, believed to be between 1.10am and 2am.

He had been driving a white Proton Iswara with his best friend and neighbour, 15-year-old Muhammad Azamuddin Omar, in the front passenger seat.

Their car crashed into a wall in Jalan Tarian 11/2, Section 11.

Jenain faces up to 30 years in jail and a fine if found guilty.

The trial will resume at 9am tomorrow with the damaged Proton Iswara brought to court to assist Shaari in visually explaining how the shooting could have happened.

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'Dictator' Chua – a general without soldiers

By FMT Staff

BATU PAHAT: Serious trouble is brewing down south with allegations of gangsterism and incompetency against PKR state chairman Chua Jui Meng.

In open defiance, 18 division leaders…

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By FMT Staff

BATU PAHAT: Serious trouble is brewing down south with allegations of gangsterism and incompetency against PKR state chairman Chua Jui Meng.

In open defiance, 18 division leaders met with reporters here and spewed their angst over Chua's “dictatorial” and “destructive” rule.

"He is a dictator and has destroyed Johor PKR and Pakatan Rakyat," said Saiman Marjuki, spokesman for the group.

Brandishing banners bearing words chastising Chua's leadership style and judgment, the group, which represented 18 of the 26 divisions in the state, said they were fed up with the former health minister's arrogance and arbitrary selection of candidates for state posts.

Saiman said that two weeks ago Chua held a state PKR meeting and announced appointments to state posts without first discussing it with the divisional leaders.

“Those who know Chua got posts even without the divisional leaders meeting to discuss the appointments.

"He thinks he is right but in fact he is a general without soldiers," said Saiman, adding that gangsterism was also now rearing its ugly head in the party .

"I myself have received two threatening SMSes asking me to leave the party. For my own safety, I have reported these SMSes to the police," added Saiman.

'MCA mentality'

On the presidential polls, Saiman said Chua had further shown his “MCA mentality” when he asked the members to vote for Azmin Ali (for the deputy presidency).

“During the PKR elections, Chua called for a meeting and asked us to support Azmin. This is not right.

"As chairman he should not be taking sides in this tussle," said Saiman who also took offence to Chua's recent statement in the media equating PKR politics to that of MCA and BN.

"Recently, Chua issued a statement saying that the situation in PKR was the same as in MCA and Umno.

"He should not have said it. He should not have touched on MCA because it only shows that he has himself brought into PKR, the MCA and BN culture as if we don't have our own leadership styles," said Saiman, who is PKR Sembrong divisional chief.

Johor is the Barisan Nasional fortress that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition is aiming to bring down in the 13th general election.

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The Zaid-grassroots disconnect

By Zefry Dahalan - Free Malaysia Today

COMMENT Zaid Ibrahim’s tragic flaw is a curious combination of condescension and a tendency to assume that ordinary PKR members have acquired enough…

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By Zefry Dahalan - Free Malaysia Today

COMMENT Zaid Ibrahim’s tragic flaw is a curious combination of condescension and a tendency to assume that ordinary PKR members have acquired enough political maturity to see that the party, to strengthen itself, must move beyond sentiment towards pragmatism. He has failed to appreciate that PKR still draws its strength – at least at the grassroots level – from the gamut of emotions that led to its founding.

This seems to be the consensus among several key leaders and ordinary members in different states whom FMT randomly chose to interview for their comments on Zaid’s withdrawal from the contest for the PKR deputy presidency and his resignation from party posts.

A key leader from Nibong Tebal said Zaid’s popularity slumped quickly as soon as he started attacking Anwar Ibrahim through the media.

"I too disagree with Anwar on certain issues,” said the young leader, who declared that he was a Zaid supporter. “But it’s totally wrong to attack our own boss and party, especially through one of the most controversial mainstream Malay dailies.” He was referring to Utusan Malaysia, the paper that opposition supporters love to hate.

"He may think that by talking to the media he could make grassroots members understand his reason for entering the contest for deputy president. But he has failed to understand that Malaysians generally have a long way to go before acquiring the political maturity associated with citizens of advanced democracies.”

He said the majority of veteran PKR members joined the party out of anger over the persecution of Anwar.

“Grassroots members can be Zaid supporters, can be Azmin supporters or even Mustaffa Kamil Ayub supporters.

"But they all have something in common. They will be with Anwar through thick or thin. When you attack Anwar, they hate you and you lose their support. It’s as simple as that."

Zaid apparently erred again when, in a recent Harakah interview, he said PKR was wasting its energy by focusing too much on the Anwar trial. According to some PKR insiders, the comment turned off many of his supporters and they decided to swing their votes to Mustaffa Kamil as a sign of protest.

Zaid told Harakah that the judge handling the current sodomy trial was not as unfair as the judge in Sodomy I, the late Augustine Paul.

PKR and even PAS members have commented that Zaid, as a lawyer himself, should know that many Pakatan Rakyat supporters felt the current trial has been unfair from the beginning, with the judge denying Anwar crucial documents held by the prosecution.

Insulting comments

Pakatan leaders have consistently expressed their lack of confidence in the judiciary, especially when it comes to Anwar's case. And Zaid's expression of confidence in the judiciary, said the PKR insiders, was an insult to their intelligence.

Another perceived insult was a comment he made after announcing his pullout from the election. Even his own supporters have taken offence at the sarcasm in his reference to “those adoring fans of Anwar Ibrahim” who, according to him, saw him as a “spoiler” standing in the way of their march to Putrajaya. They said their support of his candidacy did not mean that they should abandon Anwar.

Zaid, said the commentators, failed to take into account that most members of any political party in Malaysia are not at his level of political sophistication and will take a long time to get there because the flow of information is not as smooth as in mature democracies.

Many in PKR said Zaid appeared too ambitious when he announced his candidacy for the deputy presidency. According to them, the political culture in Malaysia is such that a newcomer to a party should not aim that high.

"He has been in the party for just two years; it is not ethical to go against someone like Azmin, who has been with us from the beginning,” said a key leader from Jempol, adding that he strongly supported Azmin for the deputy presidency.

"We would have had no problems supporting him if had gone for one of the vice-presidential posts.”

He said Zaid had only himself to blame for not getting enough support from the grassroots. Most of these members, he added, did not understand what reforms he planned to introduce and what damage he was going to repair.

“Zaid didn't have time for meet-the-people sessions or to carry out intensive campaigns to ensure that he reaches ordinary members,” he said.

In Negri Sembilan, for instance, Zaid had only one session with grassroots leaders and members.

By contrast, Azmin, who already has his hands full with his duties as state assemblyman, MP, and an official of a Selangor government-linked company, visited the Negri Sembilan divisional leaders and members at least three times in just one month.

Lone ranger

Zaid also handicapped himself by his failure to form a dream team. He was seen as a “lone ranger”, said one grassroots leader.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan and former PKR communication chief Johnson Chong were seen as aligned to him, but there was no official announcement to make this clear to voters.

If he had made such an announcement, he might have received votes from hardcore supporters of the three, said one grassroots leader.

Azmin too did not announce his dream team, but he had the advantage of having many PKR leaders who are either MPs or state assemblymen declaring their support for him at a press conference two months ago.

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Zaid wants Anwar out, Azmin disqualified

By Stephanie Sta Maria - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: Zaid Ibrahim has called on PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim to step down and vice-president Azmin Ali to be disqualified from…

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By Stephanie Sta Maria - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: Zaid Ibrahim has called on PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim to step down and vice-president Azmin Ali to be disqualified from the deputy presidential race.

Analysis: Pulling out to give Azmin a hollow victory?
The former law minister, who withdrew from the number two contest yesterday, branded Azmin as a “cheat” and an “abuser of the election system”.  He also resigned from all party posts.
“I think Azmin has to be disqualified,” he told a press conference here this morning.

“You cannot -- just because you were caught in a particular division -- decide to hold a re-election there. People who abuse and cheat should be disqualified,” he said.

Zaid was referring to recent allegations that blatant fraud in Libaran, Sandakan and Tawau resulted in Azmin winning a large number of votes in those divisions.

“Miracles have taken place in these three divisions,” he remarked.

“But the verdict is still out on Azmin's leadership. He seems so focused on trying to conquer Putrajaya that he has forgotten how to be of service to party members and the rakyat,” he said.

Azmin yesterday denied that he was behind the election malpractices and electoral fraud as alleged by Zaid's camp.

Zaid, who was PKR's Federal Territories chief until his decision to step down yesterday, then turned his focus on Anwar whom he indicated was the other half of the party's problem.

“If PKR wants to move forward, Anwar and Azmin must go,” he declared.

“They are the source of the problem. Anwar, as the de facto leader, has failed to hold the party together (and) move the opposition forward with new policies. The litany of his failures are plenty.

“Anwar should step aside and let someone else take the helm. He has enough personal problems of his own to manage. Azmin is also one of his problems, so both have to step aside and allow PKR to be managed properly,” he said.

'We cannot blame others'

Zaid also dismissed speculation that his resignation and criticism were because the contest for deputy presidency had not unfolded in his favour.

Insisting that he was acting with “honesty and sincerity”, the former law minister said that he had a vision of what Malaysian politics should be, which is better leaders and policies.

“We cannot have a weak leadership and one that is always blaming others. We've blamed Barisan Nasional for the failure of Sept 16, the Perak coup and the defections of our MPs.”

“For PKR to revive itself, there has to be a new leadership. We need a leadership that can accept party weaknesses and overcome them. Of course we value the contributions of the old guards but times have changed,” he added.

Calling PKR “weak”, “fledgling” and “tottering”, Zaid warned that Pakatan Raykat would also suffer if PKR maintained the status quo.

No need to show proof

Zaid also dismissed Anwar's demand that evidence of electoral fraud and malpractices be brought forward to the central election commission (CEC).

According to him, the elections were in “shambles” and Anwar was allegedly denying investigations into the hundreds of complaints that had been lodged.

“I'm sure Anwar knows there is fraud so there is no need to prove anything,” he said.

“But if I have to, then I will submit my proof –- 162 complaints and a video recording -- to an independent body like Bersih.

“The CEC is aware of what's going on. Anwar should stop playing politics and pretending. I'm not the only dissatisfied one. There are other candidates who are dissatisfied. The only one who is satisfied is Azmin,” he added.

Asked whether he would be submitting an official quit notice to the party of his withdrawal from the elections, Zaid appeared to relent on his earlier refusal to do so.

“When it comes to rules, they are so strict. If they want me to submit a quit notice, then I will,” he said.

Yesterday, secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said that Zaid was still in the race as he had only announced his withdrawal on his blog and not via an official quit notice.

Zaid initially refused to submit a quit notice, saying it was unnecessary for a party that had “no respect for procedures”.

In response to the possibility of him quitting the party altogether, Zaid coyly replied that he would stay on if the members could “accept the root cause of the problem and the solution”.

“If I am still a lone ranger, I will have to examine the options I have left,” he said. “But I will still continue the struggle for a better future for the country.”

Zaid withdrew from the deputy presidential race, citing rampant election irregularities. He also quit all his party posts with immediate effect.

His withdrawal allows Mustaffa Kamil Ayub to offer a tougher fight. So far, Mustaffa had been left far behind in the number of votes gained, and Azmin appears set for victory.

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What the newspapers did not report and the MACC is hiding (part 1)

The Sultan of Selangor’s sister, Tengku Putri Arafiah ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abd Aziz, has been implicated in a RM500 million scandal. This scandal involves the construction of a new…

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The Sultan of Selangor’s sister, Tengku Putri Arafiah ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abd Aziz, has been implicated in a RM500 million scandal. This scandal involves the construction of a new hospital in Shah Alam that has turned bad. First read what the newspapers reported. Tomorrow, we will reveal what they did not report and will show you the RAHSIA documents which are in the hands of the MACC. Will the MACC dare pursue this case?

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Sunshine Fleet successfully blocks payment to sub-contractor

(Bernama) - Sunshine Fleet Sdn Bhd, the main contractor for the new Shah Alam Hospital and a company owned by the Selangor sultan’s sister, obtained an injunction from the High Court today to stop Bank Rakyat from releasing payment to GM Healthcare Sdn Bhd, the sub-contractor for the project.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Lee Swee Seng granted Sunshine Fleet’s application for an interim injunction to stop the bank from releasing the payment pending the disposal of a suit filed by Sunshine Fleet against GM Healthcare and Bank Rakyat.

Lee made the decision after hearing the submissions from Sunshine Fleet’s lawyer Jasbeer Singh and T. Gunaseelan for GM Healthcare.

Sunshine Fleet filed the suit against GM Healthcare and the bank, claiming that the bank should pay the balance of the project money, which was deposited by Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) for repayment of the project loan, to Sunshine Fleet after deducting the balance.

GM Healthcare in its counter-claim against Sunshine Fleet and the bank claimed that Sunshine Fleet was interfering with the contract between the company (GM Healthcare) and the bank

GM Healthcare said the bank, after deducting the project money from JKR for repayment of the loan, must release the balance of the money to it (GM Healthcare).

In another case, GM Healthcare had on April 23, filed a petition to wind up Sunshine Fleet, seeking for an order that the main contractor pay RM10 million to GM Healthcare, the sum allegedly owed by the company to GM Healthcare.

GM Healthcare filed the petition pursuant to Section 218 of the Companies Act 1965 which allowed the court to wind up a company if it failed to pay its debts.

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GMH lodges police report against Sunshine Fleet

(Free Malaysia Today) – GM Health Sdn Bhd, the sub-contactor to Sunshine Fleet Sdn Bhd, which is involved in the construction of Hospital Shah Alam, filed a report at the Section 11 police station here today.

Construction work on the hospital has since come to a halt.

GMH's chief executive officer Elvin Toh Chen Vin lodged the report after Sunshine Fleet instructed GMH to remove its building materials by 4pm today, failing which stern action will be taken against the latter.

Fearing for the safety of its staff, GMH lodged the police report.

Sunshine Fleet in its fax to GMH on Aug 11 cancelled its sub-contract agreement with the latter with immediate effect. The fax also read: “We hereby urge you to call off your workers/representatives from the site and remove all your materials from there with immediate effect.”

The fax also stated that Sunshine Fleet will take legal action against GMH if it fails to do so within the time frame given.

Elvin also alleged that Sunshine Fleet threatened to remove the building materials today.

“They (Sunshine Fleet) are forcing to vacate the site. Bad things may happen to us if we fail to do so. I had no choice but to lodge the police report,” Elvin said after filing the report.

When asked whether he will take legal action against Sunshine Fleet, he said the matter was still being discussed.

***************************************

Petition struck out to wind up Shah Alam Hospital project's main contractor

(Bernama) - The High Court today struck out a petition by a sub-contractor for an order to wind up the main contractor of the new Shah Alam Hospital project.

Judicial Commissioner Mah Weng Kwai struck out the petition when counsel for the petitioner, GM Healthcare Sdn Bhd, failed to turn up after the case was called up twice.

GM Healthcare has sought to get an order to wind up the main contractor, Sunshine Fleet Sdn Bhd, and the court was set to hear the petition today.

Counsel for Sunshine Fleet were also absent.

Mah asked Intan Azlina Mazlan, who was holding a watching brief for Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd, a construction company and creditors of Sunshine Fleet, whether GM Healthcare's lawyers knew of the hearing date.

Intan Azlina replied that the lawyers should have known, as they were present in court when the case came up in July.

GM Healthcare had, on April 23, filed the petition under Section 218 of the Companies Act 1965 which allows the court to wind up a company if it fails to pay its debts.

In the petition, it sought an order for the main contractor to pay GM Healthcare RM10 million, the sum allegedly owed to GM Healthcare by Sunshine Fleet.

The money was supposed to be the advance payment bond or bank guarantee placed with the Public Works Department on behalf of Sunshine Fleet for the design, construction, equipping, commissioning and maintenance of the hospital.

The 300-bed hospital was expected to be completed by June next year.

*********************************************

Sunshine Fleet dispute settled out of court

(Bernama) - A dispute between Tengku Putri Arafiah ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abd Aziz and her son Putera Azamuddin Shah Abdul Aziz over the winding up of Sunshine Fleet Sdn Bhd has been settled out of court.

This followed the withdrawal of a petition filed by Putera Azamuddin Shah to wind up the company, which is the main contractor of the Shah Alam Hospital, before High Court judge Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof in the judge's chambers today.

Counsel Datuk Rajan Navaratnam, who represented Putera Azamuddin Shah, told reporters afterwards that it was an amicable settlement and did not involve any costs.

Besides Rajan, also present was counsel Jasbeer Singh, who represented Tengku Putri Arafiah.

Putera Azamuddin Shah Abdul Aziz had filed the petition on April 27 against the company, Tengku Putri Arafiah and his mother's uncle Tengku Abdul Samad Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abd Aziz.

Sunshine Fleet is 70 per cent owned by Tengku Putri Arafiah, the Selangor sultan's sister, 20 per cent by Tengku Abdul Samad and 10% by Putera Azamuddin Shah, and all three are managing directors of the company.

In his petition, Putera Azamuddin Shah said the company was being managed improperly and he had been prevented from taking part in its management and financial affairs.

He claimed that he was not informed of two resolutions, which were passed at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held on Feb 1, 2007, to amend the company's Articles of Association.

The petition was filed under Section 181 of the Companies Act 1965, which entitles a minority shareholder to invoke the said section when there are concerns of oppression of the minority by the majority shareholders.

It also refers to situations where there are concerns that the conduct and affairs of the company are being handled in a prejudicial manner, not in the best interest of the company.

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Outside parties, sore losers, third force and two-party system

Many say that Malaysia is not ready for a third force and that we first need to see the emergence of a two-party system. Now, before we debate this point…

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Many say that Malaysia is not ready for a third force and that we first need to see the emergence of a two-party system. Now, before we debate this point we need to clarify certain matters and see whether we are on the same wavelength as far as the meaning of these things are concerned.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Anwar: No reason to entertain "outside parties" and "sore losers": said Malaysia Chronicle. You can read the news item here (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/2010/11/anwar-no-reason-to-entertain-outside.html)

There is much talk lately about third force and two-party system. Now we have outside parties and sore losers as well.

I don’t know whether we are on the same wavelength as to what these words and phrases mean. So that we can engage in an intelligent discussion on the matter, I think we must first clear up whether we are of the same mind as to the meaning of all these things.

For example, when you say someone is a fundamentalist, you may actually mean that he or she is an extremist -- whereas to the person in question a fundamentalist is someone who follows the true and fundamental teachings of the religion. Therefore, to the first person, a fundamentalist is a negative thing (something not quite right with that person’s brain) whereas to the second it is positive (they are a purist).

Again, when you say someone is a liberal, to one person it is positive (this person is reasonable and modern thinking) whereas to another person it would be considered as deviant beliefs (not following the teachings too strictly and straying from the correct path).

A non-Muslim would look at a Muslim who drinks wine as good (this means the person is a liberal Muslim) whereas a fellow Muslim would not share that view -- it would be considered bad. So liberal can be both good and bad depending on where you stand.

So, now that we understand how words and phases can be perceived differently by different people, let us get back to the issue.

What would you consider as outside parties? Would Malaysians who voted for a certain political party in the last general election and who would like to see that particular party succeed be considered as outside parties?

What would you consider as sore losers? Would people who are not contesting the party election but would like to see a well-run election because this is the first one-man-one-vote party election in Malaysian history be considered as sore losers?

Okay, the next two issues are feedback I have received. Many say that Malaysia is not ready for a third force and that we first need to see the emergence of a two-party system. Now, before we debate this point we need to clarify certain matters and see whether we are on the same wavelength as far as the meaning of these things are concerned.

What is a third force?

What is a two-party system?

Does Malaysia have a two-party system or two coalitions of 17 parties?

Would a two-coalition system qualify as a two-party system?

Would a third force work opposed to a two-party system?

If so, in what way does a third force work opposed to a two-party system?

Would a third force complement a two-party system?

If so, in what way does a third force complement a two-party system?

Can a two-party system be easier achieved without the presence of a third force?

If so, how can a two-party system be easier achieved without the presence of a third force?

How would the third force hinder the emergence of a two-party system?

How do we achieve a two-party system? How would we do it and what is the formula?

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Gani Patail stand accused of fabricating evidence in the Anwar Ibrahim “black eye” investigation in 1998, which stands unrebutted although made by the police officer responsible for the investigation 12 years ago

By Lim Kit Siang,

On April 14, 2010, in response to my statement “Call for RCI to conduct full inquiry on whether Israeli agents had infiltrated Bukit Aman” posted on…

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By Lim Kit Siang,

On April 14, 2010, in response to my statement “Call for RCI to conduct full inquiry on whether Israeli agents had infiltrated Bukit Aman” posted on my blog on April 10, 2010, I received following email from one Datuk Mat Zain bin Ibrahim, which said among other things:

“First and foremost let me declare that I was the Investigation Officer of the infamous “black-eye” incident,which need no further elaboration.

“My response are confined to certain remarks only which YB made in the above article,that are reproduced below;

“A good case in point was the 1998 “black-eyes” attack on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim by the then Inspector-General of Police in the very inner sanctum of Bukit Aman, just some fortnight after losing his high positions as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

The top police leadership even got the then Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to declare publicly that Anwar’s “black eyes” could be self-inflicted, when Anwar was nearly beaten to death by the then Inspector-General in Bukit Aman!

Finally, only an independent Royal Commission Inquiry could delve out the truth about Anwar’s “black-eyes” assault”

“I have to say it point blank that YB’s remarks as above are incorrect. I can’t blame YB for having made such remarks since you did not have sight nor would you ever be allowed to have sight of the investigation paper (IP)which I put up. However for YB’s benefit,I would suggest you have a look at the copy of my letter dated 15.4.2009 which I wrote to the Advisory Board and the various Committees of MACC,to have a better understanding of what exactly transpired during the course of the investigation.

“I can vouch that the top Police leadership too never saw the IP. I never briefed them nor took any instructions from them pertaining to the black-eye investigation. I was totally independent. I dealt direct with the AG’s rep. Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail (then Dato Gani Patail a senior DPP in AG’s Chambers ) and no others.

“It is also not correct for YB to say that top police leadership that got to (Dato Seri Dr.Mahathir Mohamed, the PM then (TDM), to declare publicly that Anwar’s black-eye was self-inflicted. It was I who met TDM on 8.10.1998 at about 8.15 am at the PM’s office.(that was less than two weeks from the time I was appointed the I.O.) I told TDM without hesitation that DSAI’s black-eye was due to assault and that the assailant was Tan Sri Rahim Noor (TSRN) himself. And that no one abetted TSRN. I gave my word to TDM that there would not be any cover-up in the investigation and that the IP would be completed in two weeks time,from then, and handed over to the AG for further actions.

“I must say that YB’s remark saying that only after the RCI was formed that the truth was known is also incorrect. In fact the assailant in this case was identified by the Police themselves which I conveyed to TDM on 8.10.1998.

“I have to state in defense of the Police that PDRM are able to conduct a ‘no-holds-barred’ investigation and the IP in point was the probe into the black-eye incident 1998. I assure YB that the comments I made above were all recorded in detail in the Investigation Diary (ID) and the special running report to the AG’s Chambers which are still in the IP. Some parts are attached to my letter dated 15.4.2009 to the MACC.

“One must follow the events that led to the establishment of the RCI by the Govt.in order to appreciate why it was set up. In short, the delay in completion of the investigation was due to the unprofessional manner the IP was handled by the AG Chambers, and in particular by Tan Sri Gani Patail himself. I can say without fear of favour that if there were misleads then it was Gani Patail who misled and if there was manipulations of evidence then it was he who initiated them.

“PDRM’s position regarding this investigation was firm in that it shall be done without fear or favour and to leave no stone unturned and to get it over as soon as possible irrespective of whoever the assailant be. That was what exactly we did and it was I who recommended to charge TSRN under Section 323 Penal Code for assaulting DSAI well before the RCI was set up.

“YB is fully aware that DSAI have lodged a report on 1.7.2008 alleging 4 individuals namely Gani Patail, Musa Hassan, one Dr.Abdul Rahman Yusof and myself to be involved in fabricating evidence in the black-eye investigations. This case was investigated by MACC.

“On 11.3.2009 YB Nazri Aziz announced in Parliament that a three-member Independent Panel appointed as DPPs under the CPC by the Solicitor General to study the investigation into DSAI’s allegations cleared Gani Patail and Musa Hassan of any wrong-doing. YB Nazri also mentioned that the Panel’s decision on Musa Hassan was “unanimous”(3-0) whilst on Gani Patail by “a majority”(2-1).

(The three persons appointed were two former Federal Court judges and one former Court of Appeal judge, viz: Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman, Datuk Wira Mohd Noor Ahmad an Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah).

“For YB’s information, it was the result of this announcement that I wrote the 15.4.2009 letter to the Advisory Board of MACC. Among the issues I raised was that DSAI alleged 4 people to have fabricated the evidence but the Panel ‘cleared’ only two persons namely Gani Patail and Musa Hassan. So I wanted to know my position and demanded that I be cleared.The details are found in my letter.

“The other important point which I raised in that letter was about the ‘validity’ of the appointment of the Panel Members as DPPs under the CPC by the Solicitor General(SG).

“I pointed to the Advisory Board that as far as I know,the SG have no rights or power under the CPC to appoint any qualified persons as DPPs. The only person that have the rights and powers to do so is the Public Prosecutor which must be exercisable by the PP personally as stipulated in Sec 376(4) CPC. I also stated in my letter that the SG only have the powers of a DPP and as such if the SG was the one to have appointed the Panel Members then,the Panel was not lawfully instituted. As such the Panel’s decisions or findings are useless and null & void. I went further to state that should the AG himself was the one who appointed the Panel Members then the issue of serious conflict of interest would arise since it was the AG himself who was supposed to be adjudicated in this case. Based on my interpretation of Sec 376 of the CPC and having been advised of the same, I am of the view that the ‘clearance’ given to Gani Patail and Musa Hassan are unlawful based on the grounds that the Panel was not legally instituted.

“The other point is that YB Nazri clearly stated that the Panel’s decision on Gani Patail was by a majority(2-1).Notwithstanding the validity of the Panel Members’ appointment, one Dato Abdul Razak Musa(Razak), the Director of Legal & Prosecution Department MACC, have affirmed in his affidavit dated 30.6.2009 and filed in the on-going sodomy case that the decision by the Panel on both Musa Hassan and Gani Patail are ‘unanimous’. So here either YB Nazri or Razak or both did not tell the truth.

“Razak further affirmed in that same affidavit that based on the findings of all the Panel Members he closed the case against Gani Patail only! This could also be taken to mean that the case against the other three namely Musa Hassan, Dr.Rahman and myself are still on-going. To me this is just ridiculous when the evidence on Gani Patail are so obvious and yet the MACC close the case against him ONLY. It only shows that MACC and the Chambers are prepared even to go to the extent of affirming false affidavit to screen Gani Patail from legal punishment.(for YB’s information this Razak is the Counsel for MACC in the TBH Inquest).

Yang Berhormat,I do not wish to write more than I should. I hope my response to your article would not take much of your time to comprehend and lastly I can assure you that the facts disclosed above are easily verified. Apart from that I have given my written undertaking to MACC and the AG’s Chambers that I’m prepared to disclose those facts in any judicial proceeding concerning this matter.”

In his letter to the Advisory Board on Corruption (Lembaga Penasihat Suruhanjaya Pencegah Rasuah Malaysia SPRM) dated 15th April 2009, Mat Zat wrote:

“Tanpa mengambil kesahihan perlantikan ‘Panel Bebas’ tersebut, seorang Yang Ariff Panel berkenaan telah mendapati Gani Patail terlibat dalam salah laku jenayah sekalipun sejenis jenayah yang dilakukan tidak dinyatakan.

“Selaku Pegawai Penyiasat kes ‘mata lebam 1998’, saya amat yakin, sekiranya Yang Ariff Ahli-Ahli Panel berkenaan dibekalkan dengan dokumen lengkap seperti yang terkandung dalam Kertas Siasatan yang pernah saya sediakan dahulu dan dibaca bersama dengan Laporan Suruhanjaya Di Raja, maka ketiga-tiga Yang Ariff berkenaan akan mendapati salah laku jenayah yang lebih dari itu.

Mat Zain then went on a great length to substantiate what he described as “Dakwaan ‘mereka keterangan palsu’ berkaitan Laporan perubatan keatas Anwar Ibrahim Dalam kes ‘mata lebam’ 1998” yang melibatkan Gani Patail dan Dr. Rahman.

Mat Zain telah mengistiharkan beliau serta Pegawai-Pegawai dalam Pasukan Khas kes tersebut dan juga pucuk pimpinan PDRM ketika itu tidak pernah mensubahati Tan Sri Gani Patail dalam memalsukan keterangan terhadap DSAI.

Malahan beliau menjelaskan bahawa beliau telah mengambil segala langkah yang perlu (yang dirakamkan dalam diari penyiasatan beliau) untuk menasihati dan menghalang beliau daripada melakukan sesuatu yang menyalahi undang-undang dalam penyiasatan kes mata lebam tersebut.

Mat Zain telah menasihatkan Gani Patail ketika itu, posisi Dr. Rahman yang sedang dalam siasatan Polis berkaitan satu kes ugutan jenayah keatas seorang Dr. Abdul Halim Mansar yang merupakan Pakar Forensik Hospital Kuala Lumpur yang mula-mula menyediakan lapuran kecederaan keatas DSAI atas permintaan rasmi beliau, dan penggunaan Dr. Rahman menyediakan lapuran perubatan bertentangan dengan apa yang telah disediakan oleh Dr. Halim, akan menyebabkan “complications” kemudian hari.

Rupa-rupanya Gani Patail telah mengambil kesempatan posisi Dr. Rahman sedemikian itu untuk mengarahkannya menyediakan sejumlah tiga lapuran palsu berlainan berkaitan dengan kecederaan DSAI dalam insiden mata lebam tersebut.

In my speech on the budget on Thursday 28th Oct., I had referred to Mat Zain’s Open Letter dated 8th October 2010 to Datin Kalsom Taib, wife and biographer of Datuk Shafee Yahya, former head of Anti-Corruption Agency, in response to questions asked in her book about police investigations into allegations against former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad for abuse of power in June 1998 in ordering a halt to corruption investigations against Ali Abul Hassan Sulaiman, head of Economic Planning Unit as Mat Zain was the officer in charge of investigations into the allegations.

Mat Zain revealed in his Open Letter that he had written in May this year to Tan Sri Ismail Omar, then Deputy IGP and the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, for a review of investigations into the false evidence produced against Anwar in the “black eye” assault case of 1998 “to protect the credibility, impartiality and image of the PDRM which had been serious affected since 2006”.
I told Parliament that Mat Zain made the very serious allegation that former IGP Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Gani Patail had allowed fabricated evidence in the Anwar Ibrahim “black eye” assault case and must be held responsible for the current mess of the criminal justice system.

Mat Zain had asked in the Open Letter:

“Apa sudah jadi dengan Sistem Keadilan Jenayah kita?….Siapa yang sepatutnya dipersalahkan? Siapa yang menyebabkan Sistem Keadilan Jenayah kita menjadi kucar kacir sehinggakan sesiapa juga boleh mempermain-mainkannya tanpa takut kepada sebarang tindakan dan hukuman undang-undang? Saya tidak teragak-agak untuk menyatakan bahawa keadaan ini berpunca daripada ‘precedent’ yang dibuat oleh Tan Sri Gani Patail dan Tan Sri Musa Hassan sendiri.”

I had said in Parliament: “Gani Patail, Musa Hassan or the Home Minister Hishammuddin and IGP Ismail cannot keep mum on this most incriminating and devastating Open Letter by a former top cop and I call on the Home Minister to give a full and satisfactory accounting on this matter to Parliament.”

I am shocked that the Home Minister, Hishammuddin did not reply to me at all on Mat Zain’s damning indictment of the criminal justice system and when I asked him why there was no response from him when he sat down at the end of his two-hour-long winding-up speech, gave the outrageous reply that I never raise the matter in my speech.

I am utterly shocked at it is all in the Hansard. Either the Home Minister was dishonest or he had been deceived by his officers, which means the Home Minister is not master of his Ministry.

How could this happen, unless it is part of a deliberate conspiracy to ignore and cover-up the biggest scandal in the history of criminal justice in Malaysia!

As adverted in his Open Letter to Datin Kalsom, Mat Zain said:

“Dalam surat saya kepada Tan Sri Ismail itu juga saya telah memberi ‘isyarat awal’ berkaitan pemerhatian saya mengenai penggunaan keterangan palsu dalam perbicaraan Sodomy II yang sedang berjalan.Keterangan palsu/tidak benar itu adalah dalam bentuk dua afidavit yang diikrarkan pada 30.6.2009 oleh dua Pegawai Jabatan Peguam Negara bagi pihak Pendakwa Raya.Perkara ini bukan rahsia kerana DSAI sendiri telah membuat laporan Polis Travers Rpt:5160/09 pada 21.7.2009 dan membuat kenyataan akhbar mengenai laporan ini terhadap, Dato Abdul Razak Musa Pengarah Pendakwaan dan Perundangan SPRM dan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Hanafiah Hj.Zakaria dari Jabatan Peguam Negara, seorang Ahli dalam Pasukan Pendakwaan kes Sodomy II.

“Berpeluang meneliti kandungan dokumen-dokumen tersebut yang berada dalam public domain itu,serta mengetahui perkara sabjek yang terkandung dalam laporan Suruhanjaya DiRaja berkaitan,saya berpendapat yang dakwaan DSAI ada kebenarannya walaupun saya tidak mempunyai ekses lagi untuk mengetahui hasil siasatan berkaitan laporan tersebut.

“Saya memberikan isyarat awal ini adalah untuk PDRM mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga supaya tidak dijadikan “scape-goat” sekiranya sesuatu yang buruk berlaku dalam pendakwaan Sodomy II seperti mana yang menimpa PDRM dan saya dalam penyiasatan kes mata-lebam.

“Hari ini pula,ketika saya sedang menulis Surat Terbuka ini kepada Datin, tersiar pula secara meluas dalam akhbar-akhbar dan blogs mengenai seorang Rahimi Osman yang disenaraikan sebagai seorang saksi pembelaan,menghebahkan pula yang beliau dipaksa membuat Statutory Declaration (SD) untuk mengaitkan Dato Seri Najib dan Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor dalam kes Sodomy II ,yang melibatkan sahabat beliau Mohd.Saiful Bukhari Azlan dua tahun lalu.Dilaporkan pula kononya Rahimi Osman telah membuat SD yang baru pula.Ini mengingatkan kita kepada apa yang dilakukan oleh Private Investigator Bala dalam kes bunuh Altantuya.

Apa sudah jadi dengan Sistem Keadilan Jenayah kita? Seolah BAB XI dalam Kanun Keseksaan berkaitan Keterangan Palsu dan Kesalahan-Kesalahan Terhadap Keadilan Awam tidak ujud lagi.Siapa yang sepatutnya dipersalahkan?.Siapa yang menyebabkan Sistem Keadilan Jenayah kita menjadi kucar kacir, sehinggakan sesiapa juga boleh mempermain-mainkannya tanpa takut kepada sebarang tindakan dan hukuman undang-undang.Saya tidak teragak-agak untuk menyatakan bahawa keadaan ini berpunca daripada “precedent” yang dibuat oleh Tan Sri Gani Patail dan Tan Sri Musa Hassan sendiri.Jika mereka boleh merekacipta keterangan palsu dan menggunakan dua daripada tiga laporan yang dipalsukan itu pula dalam prosiding kehakiman Suruhanjaya Di Raja, dan kemudian mendabik dada mengatakan mereka bersih daripada sebarang salah laku jenayah;jika Tan Sri Musa boleh memberi keterangan palsu dalam perbicaraan dalam Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur seperti yang dilaporkan oleh seorang Penggubal Undang-Undang YB R.Sivarasa dalam bulan Mac tahun ini, dan tiada tindakan dikenakan;jika Tan Sri Musa Hassan boleh mengemukakan Pernyataan Tuntutan yang tidak benar dalam samannya terhadap DSAI serta menuntut berjuta Ringgit sebagai ganti rugi pula dan menayangkan pula saman tersebut kepada dunia,maka P.I.Bala dan Rahimi Osman juga tidak bimbang akan tindakan undang-undang terhadap mereka.Cuma yang tidak bernasib baik, mungkin Brig.Gen (B) Datuk Mohamad Yasin Yahya bekas Panglima Brigade Sabah(saya juga tidak pernah mengenali beliau) yang telah berpuloh tahun menabur keringatnya mempertahankan kedaulatan Negara, akhirnya diaibkan dengan dituduh memberi keterangan palsu(walaupun kemudiannya didapati tidak bersalah) ketika memberi keterangan di-Mahkamah melibatkan satu kes Dato Ramli Yusuff.”

Gani Patail stand accused of fabricating evidence in the Anwar Ibrahim “black eye” investigation in 1998, which stands unrebutted although made by the police officer responsible for the investigation 12 years ago.

It is not made by an ordinary person but by a top cop in the country who was entrusted with the investigation into one of the blackest episodes in the history of the police and good governance in the country.

We have the bizarre and scandalous situation where the Attorney-General, the highest legal officer of the land who is also Public Prosecutor, stand accused of subverting the very law and Constitution which he is charged with upholding, undermining and subverting course of justice himself, and who dare not take steps to rebut these serious allegations of a top cop say by way of a Royal Commission of Inquiry!

On this score alone, a censure motion by way of a RM10-cut is fully warranted.

[Speech (part 1) in Parliament when moving RM10-cut motion for Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail on Tuesday, November 8, 2010]

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