ISI Plan for ethnic cleansing of Hindus from India. Attempt to merge India-Pakistan into Greater Islamic Republic by 2030.

Pakistan proposed making India as Greater Islamic Republic of Pakistan by 2030.

Hindu Existence News Bureau , New Delhi || 30 December, 2011- Pakistan secret agency, Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) has revised its planning to reconvert India as an Islamic Country by joining it with Pakistan under a GREATER ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN within 2030.  Earlier they have fixed this target within 2020. This one can be somewhat funny to the reluctant and ignorant people of India under a political influence of absurd Indo-Pak friendship. But, Pakistan apparently has come with some new plans to destabilize India by influencing some developments in the north, west and southern parts of the country, as part of its multi-pronged strategy. Terrorists who were caught by Indian Security Force in Kashmir revealed this information. ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency) is the main culprit behind.

The map targets North India, and shows the region as a shadow of ‘Islamic Republic of Pakistan’ by 2020. It also projects South India as disputed territory and treats the Indian neighbors China (China has the responsibility of doing everything for Pakistan), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka as their neighbouring countries. They also considered Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India as Islands of Bangladesh The map also indicates their desire of changing Mumbai’s topography, turning the South Asia’s economic capital Mumbai (Bombay) into ‘Muslimabad’ by 2012.

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An article in the Power Politics magazine says that the ISI has passed two maps to the Pakistan Army to increase the moral of the troops by giving them a target to break and merge India in Pakistan forming Islamic Republic of Pakistan by2020. This will somehow increase the confidence of the public of Pakistan also who always dream of troubled India.
The terrorists are using alternative routes to India. From Pakistan they go to Dubai, Bangkok, Nepal and Bangladesh to enter India. The write up further says that ISI has been attempting to cover India both from sea and land routes just like the Chinese strings of pearl theory. ISI is already pushing fake Indian currency in to the Indian market thus creating a hole in the Indian economy.
Pakistan is time to time searching for chances and making excuses in front of the world to bring its force back to the Indian borders, currently under the pressure from U.S, they are fighting with insurgency near Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
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In a recent publication in Daily Express in Urdu from Pakistan the conspiracy of ISI was published as a summary report.  The ISI of Pakistan Government has its  heinous Plan to capture India by (1) Explosion of Muslim Population in India and Mass conversion of Hindus in Islamic faith, (2) Infiltration of Jihadi and Muslim populace into India from neighboring countries, (3) Spreading terror over the Indian Hindu population by Jihadi attacks,  (4) Oppression over Minority Hindu people and Capturing Hindu girls and women in Muslim majority areas, (5) Destabilize Indian economy through fake currency and parallel  Islamic Banking, (6) Putting ISI agents in Indian Strategic authorities, Defense system and General administration,  (7) Establishing 10 lac New Mosques and Madarshas  in Non Muslim areas to signify the Islamic influence in India, (8) Capturing  Indian print, electronic and entertainment  media at any cost, (9) Capturing all the Indian Political parties to have a absolute Islamic power in Indian Parliament and (10) To hoist  Islamic flag atop Lal Quila, President’s House, Indian Parliament and Supreme Court after getting a total control over India by Pakistan.With the points surfaced above the concerned India expert say that the General Election in India 2014 may be fatal to Hindus if they do not vote for a Hindu supremacy in India. Otherwise the ISI operators in various political parties will surely take such steps by which the Hindus will be debarred from their rights to enjoy their Hindu identity in their ancestral land.…………………………………………………………………………………..

In the published map of India in three phases ISI planned to capture entire Jammu and Kashmir, part of Punjab and Haryana within 2012. In the next phase Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan have been included in the Greater Pakistan within 2020 and finally the entire India is to included in the Greater Islamic Republic of Pakistan by 2030.

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The case of destabilizing Hindustan by Pakistan has been taken by Indian Foreign Department seriously as reports came in. Earlier a plan of Mughlistan was surfaced to capture India by the conspiracy by the  Bangladeshi secret agency DGFI.

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PAKISTANI PROVOCATION TO CONVERT INDIA TO PAKISTAN THROUGH  YOUTUBE.

PAKISTAN: A lawyer from Hindu community is missing and police refuse to register the case claiming that the abduction of Hindus is of no consequence

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-252-2011


30 December 2011
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PAKISTAN: A lawyer from Hindu community is missing and police refuse to register the case claiming that the abduction of Hindus is of no consequence
ISSUES: Disappearance; religious minority groups; impunity; rule of law
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Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding that a lawyer belonging to the Dalit caste of Hindu minority community has been missing since December 23 when he was going to attend the Sindh High Court. His car was found abandoned at a Taxi stand with all court files in it. The high police officials of the district Hyderabad, Sindh province have refused to register the case. The police are also fighting on the jurisdiction of the concerned police stations to avoid filing the case. The abductors have asked for ransom of Rs. 10 million but still the police refuse to register the case and are also not investigating it as the abductions of Hindus are not a new thing and the routine business of Muslim fundamentalist groups.
It is feared by his family that he would be killed if he does not embrace Islam or pay the ransom.
The Hindu community remains under threats of abduction, forced conversion to Islam and persecution in the name of blasphemy since many years by the fundamentalist religious organizations that operate through their seminaries (Madressas). Most of the Madressas are not registered by the government but are free to operate with the patronage of the police.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Mr. Mohan Lal Menghwar, advocate, son of Karo Mal, resident of village Bhadisindhu, Chachro, district Tharparkar, Sindh province, was on the way to Sindh high court, Hyderabad bench, Hyderabad district, 56 kilometers away from his residence to attend the court proceedings. He proceeded in early morning at 5. 30 AM but when he did not reach the court it created a panic among the lawyers, clients and family members. In the evening at 7 PM local police informed the family that a car was found abandoned at Tando Jam taxi stand. When family members reached there they found the car of Mohan Lal and everything including the court files were there.

Police of three stations, Tando Adam, Tando Jam and Hyderabad, stopped the family members of the victim to file a First Information Report (FIR) and waited for the abductors' demand for ransom. After two days of his disappearance the police of Hyderabad district flatly refused to register the case. The district police officer says they would not file the case as one cannot say from which jurisdiction of which police station he was abducted. He told the family members that he was abducted from some other place and his car was put in the Tando Jam taxi stand therefore it is difficult to file the case.
Mr. Ladha Ram Sharma, the senior lawyer of the victim, has received a call from abductors for the ransom of Rs. 10 Million for his release. This was duly informed to the police who again refused to file the case. Police were taking the call of ransom very lightly and have yet to start its legal responsibility to act according the law. The police attitude is to accommodate the call of ransom.
It is alleged that provincial police know that he has been abducted by the Muslim religious groups who are operating freely in the areas of the Hindu population in the rural parts of the province through the seminaries. Forced conversion to Islam by the abduction of girls and their forcibly marriage to Muslims is common. The situation of abduction, rape and forced conversion has reached such a position that many Hindu families migrated to India among them are also Hindu legislators.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Murders, kidnappings, looting of Hindu families are on high all around the Pakistan. They are selling their properties at cheap rates and wrapping up their businesses at the cost of big losses. In the recent months 37 Hindus have left Pakistan for India due to security reasons. Hundreds of Hindu families leave Pakistan for India or other countries every year to find safe places for them. Fear has spread among the Sikhs and Hindus of Pakistan after the atrocious beheading incident involving a young Sikh man because of his refusal to convert. Furthermore, the Pakistani State has failed to protect the rights of the religious minorities which has left them feeling helpless while living with daily fear. Since the Taliban fanatics identify Pakistani Hindus as people of India, it has left Pakistani Hindus feeling helpless and with a sense of homelessness because they feel that they are being pushed out of Pakistan and at the same time not readily being accepted into their original home country.

A Hindu is being beaten by the Muslim clergy to convert to Islam. Photo by Chakra website.
The Asian Human Rights Commission has estimated that every year more Christians and Hindus are forcibly converted to Islam. An activist and council member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Amarnath Motumal, stated that Hindus are targeted due to many local Muslims seeing them as kafirs (non-Muslims) and therefore of lower class as well as evil. Threats are commonly given by the dangerous kidnappers that if they are reported, the families will hear of their daughter’s death. Motumal said that the word “Hindu” has become an insult and almost a shame for all Hindus in the Islamic state of Pakistan because of impoverished state 90% of Hindu families live in. He addressed that the government and others in power are to blame for the lack of rights available to the Hindu community.
It is feared by his family that he would be killed if he does not embrace the Islam or pay the ransom of rupees ten million.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the given authorities calling them to ensure the safe recovery of Mohan Lal advocate and prosecute the police officers of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar districts for their negligence to register the case and no investigation to apprehend the abductors. Also urge the authorities to initiate the inquiry in to the matter of continuous abduction and forced conversion to Islam in Sindh province and negligence of law enforcement agencies to stop the practice.
The AHRC writes a separate letter to the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance requesting them to intervention into this matter.

To support this appeal, please click here:
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear ___________,
PAKISTAN: A lawyer from Hindu community is missing and police refuse to register the case claiming that the abduction of Hindus is of no consequence
Name of victim:
Mr. Mohan Lal Menghwar advocate son of Karo Mal, resident of village Bhadisindhu, Chachro, district Tharparkar, Sindh province,
Alleged perpetrators:
District police officers of Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad districts, Sindh province
Date of incident: 23 December 2011
Place of incident: Sindh province
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the abduction of Mohan Lal Meghwar, a Hindu lawyer from Mirpurkhas, Sindh province, on December 23 and since then the Sindh police are refusing to register the FIR on the pretext that Hindus abductions are nothing new as they are happening as a routine business of Muslim seminaries.
I am informed that Mr. Mohan Lal Menghwar, advocate, son of Karo Mal, resident of village Bhadisindhu, Chachro, district Tharparkar, Sindh province, was on the way to Sindh high court, Hyderabad bench, Hyderabad district, 56 kilometers away from his residence to attend the court proceedings. He proceeded in early morning at 5. 30 AM but when he did not reach the court it created a panic among the lawyers, clients and family members. In the evening at 7 PM local police informed the family that a car was found abandoned at Tando Jam taxi stand. When family members reached there they found the car of Mohan Lal and everything including the court files were there.
The negligence of Sindh police can be judged that Police from three different stations of Tando Adam, Tando Jam and Hyderabad, stopped the family members of the victim to file first information report (FIR) and wait for the abductors' demand for ransom. After two days of his disappearance the police of Hyderabad district flatly refused to register the case. The district police officer says they would not file the case as one cannot say from which jurisdiction of which police station he was abducted. He told the family members that he was abducted from some other place and his car was put in the Tando Jam taxi stand therefore it is difficult to file the case.
It is shocking that Mr. Ladha Ram Sharma, the senior lawyer of the victim, has received a call from abductors for the ransom of Rupees 10 Million for his release. This was duly informed to the police who again refused to file the case. Police were taking the call of ransom very lightly and till yet not started its legal responsibility to act according the law. The police attitude is to accommodate the call of ransom.
According to my knowledge it is alleged that provincial police know that he has been abducted by the Muslim religious groups who are operating freely in the areas of Hindu population in the rural parts of the province through the seminaries. The forced conversion to Islam by abduction of girls and their forcibly marriage to Muslims are common. The situation of abduction, rape and forced conversion has reached such a position that many Hindu families migrated to India among them are also Hindu legislators.
I urge you to ensure the safe recovery of Mohan Lal advocate and prosecute the police officers of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar districts for their negligence to register the case and no investigation to apprehend the abductors. Also initiate the inquiry in to the matter of continuous abduction and forced conversion to Islam in Sindh province and negligence of law enforcement agencies to stop the practice.

Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1.Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
President
President's Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel:+ 92-51-9204801-9214171
Fax: + 92-51-9207458
Email: publicmail@president.gov.pk
2. Mr. Yousuf Raza Gillani,
Prime Minister
Prime Minister House
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 1596
Tel: +92 51 920 6111
E-mail: secretary@cabinet.gov.pk
3. Federal Minister for Human Rights
Ministry of Human Rights
Old US Aid building
Ata Turk Avenue
G-5, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 9204108
Email: sarfaraz_yousuf@yahoo.com
4. Dr. Faqir Hussain
Registrar
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Constitution Avenue, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: + 92 51 9213452
E-mail: mail@supremecourt.gov.pk
5. Mr. Rehman Malik
Minister for Interior
R Block Pak Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 51 9212026 +92 51 9212026
Fax: +92 51 9202624
E-mail: ministry.interior@gmail.com or interior.complaintcell@gmail.com
6. Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan
Governor of Sindh province
Karachi, Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 920 5043
Tel: +92 21 920 1201 +92 21 920 1201 +92 21 920 1201 +92 21 920 1201
E-mail: governor@governorsindh.gov.pk
7. Syed Qaim Ali Shah
Chief Minister
Karachi, Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 920 2000
Email: pressecy@cmsindh.gov.pk
8. Mr. Justice Musheer Alam
The Chief Justice of Sindh High Court
High Court Building
Saddar, Karachi
Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 9213220
E-mail: registrar@sindhhighcourt.gov.pk
9. Ms. Nadia Gabol
Minister for Human Rights
Government of Sindh,
Pakistan secretariat, Barrack 92,
Karachi, Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 9207044
Tel: +92 21 9207043 +92 21 9207043 +92 21 9207043 +92 21 9207043
E-mail: lukshmil@yahoo.com

Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)

Hindraf: Four Hindu temples demolished in a week

(Malaysiakini) Four Hindu temples have been demolished in a span of one week, claims Hindu rights movement Hindraf.

They are the Om Sreee Kaliamman Hindu Temple at Batu Pekaka in Kedah, the Om Sreee Kaliamman temple and another unnamed temple, both located in Kapar, and the Sri Muneswarer temple in Kuala Lumpur.

When contacted, the movement’s political body Human Rights Party (HRP) information chief S Jayathas said the demolition occurred between 23 and 27 of this month.

“We are not making this up, they are all reported in Makkal Osai and Tamil Namban,” he said.

The most recent complaint, he said, was the demolition of Sri Muneswarer temple by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) “in collaboration” with its private landowner at Segambut Aman, Kuala Lumpur, “on or about” Dec 27.

Even though the temple sits on a private land, Hindraf has questioned DBKL’s involvement, pointing out that a High Court order is required for any demolition of the 55-year-old structure.

The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), Jayathas said, must investigate the alleged “abuse of power” by DBKL.

Devotees of the temple have lodged a police report on the same day of the demolition.

According to the devotees’ police report, “Hindu deities were smashed to pieces using sledge hammers, in contravention of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution”.

Hindraf is demanding that the land on which the temple was previously sited be acquired and two acres of the land be granted for the temple to be permanently located.

It is also demanding that action be taken against DBKL enforcement officers responsible for the demolition of the temple, on top of a RM1 million compensation.

Don’t forget Bersih reform demands, Anwar tells PSC

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — Indelible ink alone does not guarantee fair elections, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim echoed today, urging the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to consider all of Bersih’s reform demands.

The Opposition leader pointed out the electoral reforms group had various concerns still unaddressed by the special committee tasked to improve the current elections process.

“Pakatan Rakyat is committed and demands that the PSC also studies thoroughly all the demands brought by Bersih in ensuring a free and fair elections process,” Anwar (picture) said in a statement today.

The PKR defacto leader listed down a host of issues which the PSC needed to look at — including pushing for a freer media as well as open campaigning.

He said that government media agencies like RTM and Bernama should not “discriminate” PR parties in their daily news coverage and should instead aim to provide a more holistic coverage.

Anwar also lamented that the short campaigning period for elections, saying ten days was too brief for proper dissemination of information to voters.

He also stressed that there was a need to monitor the Election Commission (EC)’s commitment through a “free and fair” judiciary.

The PSC announced yesterday the use of indelible ink by February 1 next year — where a person is required to dip his or her left index finger in the liquid before being allowed to cast his vote. The ink lasts approximately 48 hours.

The PSC on ensuring a free and fair elections process was formed after the highly-contentious July 9 rally, which saw thousands of people marching in the streets of Kuala Lumpur demanding for immediate electoral reforms.

Karpal perplexed by CJ’s letter on ‘copycat’ judge

Karpal Singh says he wants a royal commission of inquiry and a tribunal set up to investigate the 'copycat' judge and is surprised by CJ's letter to him that there is no case against Malik.

PETALING JAYA: A perplexed Bukit Gelugor MP and veteran lawyer Karpal Singh has denied that he had asked for “copycat” judge Abdul Malik Ishak to be investigated.

“What I want is a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) and a tribunal set up under Article 125 (3) of the Federal Constitution to enquire into the plagiarism allegations against Malik under the laws that existed in 2000.

“For the record, I have not made any complaint to Chief Justice (Arifin Zakaria) in relation to misconduct on the part of Malik,” he said in a statement today.

Karpal was responding to a letter that he received from Arifin in which the latter stated that Karpal’s complaint had no merit and has been dismissed in accordance with Section 13 (1) of Judges’ Code of Ethics 2009.

According to Karpal, he had written a letter to Malik on Aug 22, indicating his intention to move a motion against him in Parliament under Article 127 for misconduct in relation to the plagiarism (matter).

“There was no reply from Malik. I wrote another letter to him on Sept 29 stating that as there was no response to my allegation, it left me with no alternative but to move a substantive motion against him.

“I also stated that I was extending the letter dated Aug 22 to the Chief Justice and president of the Court of Appeal Md Raus Sharif,” Karpal said.

CJ: Claim has no merit

Arifin, meanwhile, said the complaint linking Malik to plagiarising a Singapore court judgment in 2000 had no merit.

A statement from the Chief Justice’s Office issued by Arifin’s special officer I, Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim, said the decision was reached after investigations and a discussion with Raus.

“The CJ carried out an investigation. Based on his findings and after discussing with the Court of Appeal president in accordance with Section 13(1) of the Judges Code of Ethics 2009, the CJ is of the opinion that Karpal’s allegations of plagiarism by the Appeal Court judge has no merit and the complaint is hereby rejected,” said Che Wan Zaidi.

He said the CJ received a complaint letter dated Sept 29, 2011, from Karpal which claimed that an Appeal Court judge had plagiarised the judgment of a Singapore court judge.

Karpal had been officially informed of the matter in a letter from the CJ’s office, said Che Wan Zaidi.

‘Malik has seven days’

Karpal said that he received a reply from the CJ on Oct 13 asking for “more specific information” in relation to his allegations.

“I responded (to the CJ) by a letter dated Oct 27 stating that the law minister at that time, Rais Yatim, had publicly stated that he knew about the allegations of plagiarism and was aware of the investigations (by the Singapore judiciary),” he said.

Karpal added that on Dec 7, he had again written to the CJ indicating that the parliamentary motions that he put up against Malik had lapsed (on Dec 1) and that “he had no alternative but to seek other measures”.

“Following this, I wrote an open letter dated Dec 27 to Malik (photo) calling upon him to step down or

file a suit against me for defamation.

“I gave him seven days to reply, failing which I would take it as a public admission that he was guilty of plagiarism,” said Karpal.

Karpal had in October revealed that the Singapore judiciary had identified Malek as having plagiarised the judgment of Singapore High Court judge GP Selvam in 2000.

Malik was found to have copied Selvam’s judgment on a copyright case while serving as Johor High Court judge in 2000.

Karpal had earlier in Parliament called for Malik’s immediate resignation, saying it would save the Malaysian judiciary from further embarrassment. Malik is currently a Court of Appeal judge.

‘Minister’s aide punched me’

A NGO leader claims that the human resources minister's aide assaulted him in the presence of MIC Youth chief T Mohan.

KUALA LUMPUR: A NGO leader has alleged that an aide to the human resources minister assaulted him last night.

S Gobi Krishnan, president of little known People’s Rights and Welfare Coalition (Power), said the private secretary to Dr S Subramaniam and MIC Youth exco, who is also named S Subramaniam, punched him repeatedly in the face.

“At about 11.50 while I was having drinks with MIC Youth chief T Mohan, his wife and others at a coffee house in Seri Pacific hotel… he punched me in the face and head four times and I suffered injuries on my cheek till I bled, my lips were bruised,” stated Gobi in his police report lodged today.

Gobi said his spectacles broke, his shirt button came off and his watch was also damaged as a result of the attack.

The NGO leader said he believed the attack stemmed from his previous claim that the same Subramaniam holds a fake degree as the Kensington University was de-registered in 2003 by the Hawaiian authorities.

Gobi’s claim was published in FMT in July and the minister had promised to probe the matter.

He alleged that the appointment of Subramaniam as private secretary was recommended by Mohan and endorsed by Dr Subramaniam.

Recounting his ordeal at a press conference, Gobi said:”While I was chatting with Mohan, he had asked me why I always criticised him in public and I answered that was what a ‘pro-rakyat’ NGO should do.”

He claimed that while he was talking to Mohan, Subramaniam suddenly rushed to him and started attacking him. He added that others at the scene quickly pulled Subramaniam away.

Gobi said he wanted MIC president G Palanivel and the party’s disciplinary body to take stern action against those involved.

‘I just slapped him’

Contacted later, Subramaniam said: “I didn’t punch him, I just slapped him, that’s all. And no, not four times, two times only.”

Asked why he did so, the minister’s aide said it was because Gobi provoked him and that was what caused the clash.

“At first I wanted to shake hands with him. He started mocking me saying ‘there, MIC goons are coming’. This is one problematic man, he causes problems wherever he goes,” he said.

On his alleged fake degree, Subramaniam said that was no longer an issue.

Minister: 6P not a free ride

Dr S Subramaniam says the amnesty programme must not be mistaken as a 'free ride' and employers must be prepared for their foreign workers to be sent back after two years

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign workers who have just been legalised as well as their employers have been warned that the 6P amnesty programme is not a “free ride” to work in Malaysia but just a temporary measure.

The government’s end goal is still to reduce foreign workers in the country and many will be sent back after the two-year period currently given to illegal foreign workers, Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said.

He advised employers to keep that in mind and take steps to ready themselves of the impending reduction of the foreign workforce.

“People have to realise that after this legalisation, it is not going to be a permanent change of government policy. It is temporary. At the end of the two years, many won’t be given continuity (to work),” Subramaniam told FMT.

He said many of the workers that are now allowed to work will have to be sent back to their countries after two years.

“Beyond that, they (employers) have to prepare and restructure themselves, to ensure they can rely on locals and other possible mechanism so that they will reduce dependancy on foreign labour,” he added.

Subramaniam said the government’s move to allow foreign workers in 10 new sectors and 11 sub-sectors is unprecedented and employers also must not expect that to be continued.

Earlier this week, Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam announced the decision of the government to relax conditions for legalisation of illegal immigrants under the 6P exercise. (The 10 new sectors open to immigrants are croupier, mining/quarrying, mangrove wood, stall/cafe/ canteen/catering, restaurant, fastfood, grasscutter, newspaper vendor, house and vehicle cleaners and car workshop workers.

The 11 sub-sectors in the service industry now open for them to be legally employed are scrapmetal, cargo handling, welfare home, spa/reflexology, hotel, golf caddy, laundry, barber, goldsmith, wholesale and retail and textile business.)

‘Chopping block’

According to Subramaniam, those in the new sectors take up an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 of the total 1.3million illegal foreigners that have been registered under the 6P programme.

“But after two years, this is when the chopping block must be put in. When their visas expire, they will be sent home. So both the worker and employer should know that from today itself, that the government is not opening up for good,” he said, adding that the process to control the workers then would be the greatest challenge for the government.

However, the minister said the traditional sectors where foreign workers are allowed to work, such as plantations and factories, will be retained.

Asked about a recent report alleging that Home Ministry’s sudden move to do-away with the requirement for approval by the Human Resources Ministry had “totally bypassed” his ministry, Subramaniam said his ministry gave the approval for the decision.

FMT had reported that the issue caused confusion when 6P agents received news that there is no longer a need for a JobsMalaysia (formerly known as Jobs Clearing System) certificate issued by the Human Resources Ministry.

Previously only with the JobsMalaysia certificate can a foreign worker be “legalised” by the Home Ministry.

“The Home Ministry wants to resolve this legalisation process as quickly as possible and they want to cut down on the number of steps involved so that it will easier, so we agreed in principle,” said Subramaniam.

He added that there are still ongoing discussions on how the Human Resources Ministry can keep track of the documentation of legalised workers despite the abolishing of the JobsMalaysia certificate requirement.

“We still want a record of all these people for monitoring purposes and managing these numbers.We will work out something so that our needs and their needs are fulfilled,” he said.

However, Subramaniam said since the whole idea of 6P is to first legalise all workers before the greater process of gradually sending them back takes place, he admitted that having the JobsMalaysia cert may be redundant.

JobsMalaysia’s function is to ensure that human resources, both local and foreign, are utilised most optimally. It will ensure that employers exhaust all means to obtain local work before approving foreigners to work, in accordance to certain ratios and quotas decided by the government.

He said after this “legalisation” is over, any new intake of foreign workers, or permit renewals, will still need to go through the normal process of recruitment via JobsMalaysia. Currently, foreign worker intake is freezed till Jan 15.

Asked on comment on the daily “chaotic” situation at the Putrajaya immigration centres, Subramaniam said it is understandable due to the huge numbers of foreign workers and the limited number of centres open.

“The deputy prime minister is aware and they should sort it out quickly so that the process is much smoother. That is virtually expected because the numbers are huge,” he added.

Chaos at immigration centre

Yesterday, FMT reported that the Putrajaya immigration centre was in chaotic state as employers, 6P agents, and foreign workers rushed en-masse to go through the legalisation process.

Later yesterday, the Home Ministry announced that more centres, which will be now run 24-hours, will be opened.

Bernama online reported that only 120,000 of the total of 1.3 million illegal foreign workers in the country have registered under the 6P programme. The deadline is on Jan 10.

Under the 6P programme, announced last June, illegal foreign workers will either be legalised or deported without punishment. The six Ps represent the Malay words for registration, legalisation, amnesty, monitoring, enforcement and deportation.

By Aug 31, according to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, 1,016,908 legal foreign workers and 1,303,126 illegals have been registered using the biometric system under the first phase of 6P. The second phase—legalisation—began in October.

The programme has been controversial from the start. There have been numerous complaints that it is open to exploitation by unscrupulous parties.

Critics said it has spawned bogus agents, opened the opportunity for management companies to overcharge their clients and encouraged legal foreign workers to abscond from their employers.

It’s a total lie, screams Jerit

The network disputes the explanation by G-Team Resources regarding the housing offer for the residents of Tumbuk Estate.

PETALING JAYA: The Oppressed People’s Network (Jerit) has refuted G-Team Resources’ claim that Maika Holdings Bhd shelved the housing project for Tumbuk Estate near Banting because the residents were indecisive over who should get the corner lot.

“This is a total lie as there was no such incident as drawing lots and choosing the corner lot. The only issue was the location of the houses,” said Jerit spokesperson S Arutchelvan.

“Maika proposed several sites but the ex-workers wanted houses near the Tamil school and the temple. That was the only condition then and it seems very reasonable,” he added.

Arutchelvan was responding to a Dec 24 report in FMT which quoted G-Team Resources chief operations officer T Tamil Selvan.

Tamil had explained the firm’s offer of RM25,000 or houses for the ex-workers.

Arutchelvan asked why G-Team’s owner and shipping tycoon G Gnanalingam came to the estate to make the offer to build the houses if the project had been shelved by Maika as claimed by Tamil.

“A week after Maika was taken over by G-Team, Gnanalingam himself came to the estate and told the ex-workers that he will fulfil the demand and build houses but less than three months after that Tamil came to the estate and told the workers that because of three caveats by Nesa Coorperative Society (linked to former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam), it will take 10 years or more to build the houses.

“So he pushed them to accept the RM25,000 and vacate the estate,” he said.

Water woes

On the issue of unpaid water bills, Tamil had said G-Team was only required to pay RM550 due to an agreement signed by Maika in 2006 before G-Team took over the estate.

Commenting on this, Arutchelvan said G-Team must fulfill their verbal agreement for individual meters and regulate the bills to housing rates.

He pointed out that since G-Team had to pay RM25 per family and Selangor provided 20 cubic meters of free water, the residents should be receiving free water.
If they do not get free water, Arutchelvan said
G-Team must provide adequate drinking water as stipulated in the Minimum Housing and Amenities Act 1990.

Another issue disputed by both Jerit and G-Team was the number of people who opted for the houses.

Tamil had claimed that only eight families, and not 14 as reported before, took the option. The remaining six, he said, failed to prove that they were eligible for the houses.

Arutchelvan explained that of the 14, two had accepted the cash option but still wanted the houses.

“There are also four workers who had retired then (when the offer was made) but they were still staying in the estate houses. Therefore they are genuine ex-workers and not illegals,” he said.

Arutchelvan said the four could not raise the advance sum of RM10,000 each to be included in the scheme.

According to him, the four were then informed that they could apply for the houses at special rates after construction.

Jerit’s stand on the plight of the four was that they had contributed to the plantation industry and the nation, hence they deserved to receive the houses.

On the RM201,000 ex-gratia payment that was missing from Maika Holdings, Arutchelvan said that the issue should be investigated by the police and Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

Special police team to probe dumping of pig heads at mosque

(Bernama) - A special team has been set up by Johor police to investigate the dumping of several severed pig heads in plastic bags near the Al-Falah Mosque in Taman Desa Jaya here.

State police chief Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the pig heads were found by the mosque's congregation early Friday when they turned up for the dawn prayers.

"The team, which is headed by Johor deputy police chief Datuk Ismail Yatim, will seek the culprits until they are found," he said.

Mokhtar, who visited the scene of the incident, urged all parties to be patient, refrain from speculating about the incident and not to take the law into their own hands.

The mosque's committee chairman, Kassim Darim, 62, said residents in the area initially found a plastic bag believed to contain pig parts near the rear fence of the mosque at 5pm Thursday.

He said it was the first time such an incident had occurred in the area.

A police report was lodged at the Desa Cemerlang Police Station, he said.

Meanwhile, about 100 people, including from non-government organisations, held a peaceful gathering in front of the mosque to protest against the act.

Article 153 is not just for Malays but for every Malaysian!

The simple meaning is that the Agong is the protector of ALL Malaysians, and not just the Malays! So why do leaders like Ibrahim Ali keep harping on this Article 153 as if it is a sacred provision for the Malays only? Are they idiots who can’t read?
By Daniel John Jambun

Datuk Ibrahim Ali just came up with a gem of truth when he said there is no need for a Race Relations Act if people behave. “If everyone behaves, if nobody touches on (Article) 153, nobody questions this and that, condemns this and that, and at the same time recognises the disparity of wealth between Malays and non-Malays, I don’t think we need any additional Act,” he said. How very true!

 

Out of so many idiotic statements we have heard from political jokers, this one is a real gem of truth. The funny thing is that Ibrahim thinks he said something very brilliant when in fact it is simple truism (truth that doesn’t need to be said). Yes, we wouldn’t need any law for that matter if everyone behaves. We wouldn’t need the police, the security guards, the magistrates and judges, nor the prisons if there were no criminals. We wouldn’t need the Speaker in Parliament if every Member of Parliament can behave and not become rowdy or insensitive comedians making fun of women.

 

But who are really behaving badly in Malaysia? Who are those questioning this and that, condemning this and that? I guess only Ibrahim is the luckiest guy in the country because he makes all sorts of seditious and racist statements, misbehaving in a way that he should be arrested and charged in court, but nobody touches him, no national leaders even dare to ask him to shut up. Of the Race Relations Act he said that “We will see the draft of the Act. If it is good for the country, we have no problem supporting it,” he said. “But whatever Act is introduced ... it must not encroach upon (Article) 153, Islam as the official religion of the Federation, Bahasa Melayu as the national language, the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers.”

 

We all know that there is no question about Islam being the official religion, Bahasa Melayu as the national language or the sovereignty of the Malay Rulers. What I would precisely prefer to talk about is Article 153. It is very tiring to keep hearing political leaders speak about Article 153 as if it belongs only to the Malays.

 

If we read the article in its entirety we will be reminded very clearly that it is not a protection for Malay rights, and neither has it got to do with any so-called social contract. It says that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is responsible for safeguarding the special position of the Malays AND the natives of Sabah and Sarawak, AND the legitimate interest of other communities. The simple meaning is that the Agong is the protector of ALL Malaysians, and not just the Malays! So why do leaders like Ibrahim Ali keep harping on this Article 153 as if it is a sacred provision for the Malays only? Are they idiots who can’t read? Or are they stubborn morons who deliberately behave like idiots for the purpose of making political mileage over something that has nothing to do with what they are saying?

 

I fully support Senior Christian leader Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng who said that Article 153 had been used to bully others, and that it was something that “needed somebody to say it.” He told an online portal he had nothing to fear despite the fierce reaction from various Malay groups and denials by the government that Christians or any minority group had been sidelined. He described Perkasa’s call for him to be investigated for sedition an example of fear-mongering. It is time somebody said and stood up bravely about it. The Deputy Prime Minister hit back and said the provision was never used to bully anyone. But has he not heard radicals like Ibrahim Ali abusing the provision all the time? How do the non-Malays feel when radicals talk about Malay supremacy or when the DPM himself said he is a Malay first and Malaysian second?

 

The radical groups who idolize Article 153 as if it gives the Malays special rights, privileges, positions and bullying power need to be told to stop the negative attitude. What I see in the Article is something very positive for Malaysians as a whole because to me it is a strong unifying provision, under which we are protected by our King as equal partners in Malaysia. It is NOT a provision to give the Malay superior position. It doesn’t give the Muslim the right to bully other people and other religions. Under this provision the Malays have equal “special position” with the natives of the Borneo States. Under it, the Malays are on equal position with the Ibans, the Penans, Bajaus and the Kadazandusuns. We have the same special position of the Malays, so we can tell the Malays like Ibrahim Ali to shut up and grow up if we want to.

 

Advisor, UK-Based Human Rights foundation Malaysia

Virtual School Concept To Be Introduced In Two Years - Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Parents can keep track of their children's education via the virtual concept to be introduced in schools in two years, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Set to be implemented as pilot project in some schools next year, it will among others, allow parents to interact with school authorities via video conferencing.

"We are at pilot stage of virtual learning concept modeled after developed countries like South Korea," he told reporters after a surprise visit to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Tun Dr Ismail, here Friday.

Muhyiddin visited South Korea last year to check out the education system using information communication technology (ICT) and National Education Information System (NEIS), a computer network connecting all schools.

With NEIS, parents could gather more information on their children's educational performance by communicating directly with teachers online.

"Based on this information, parents can reach teachers directly for advice based on the students performance," said the education minister.

The network allows parents to monitor children's development at school and communicate with teachers on the Internet.

Earlier, he said parents should be involved in the schooling system as it has been proven that their involvement has brought success.

"In the many countries visited, I was first greeted by parents and not teachers, like in Australia. When asked, parents told me 'we come here to help our schools because our kids are here."

Muhyiddin stressed that history showed that only education could change the fate of the people and nation.

"During independence, 70 percent of the people were poor. They were schools but the colonialists did not offer assistance.

"After independence, we found a solution in education to help the people escape povery which has since been reduced."

He said under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government many fields are now being controlled by Malaysians, all becuase of quality education.

Afghan girl 'locked in lavatory for 5 months'

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission logged 1,026 cases of violence 

against women in the second quarter of 2011 compared with 2,700 cases for the whole 

of 2010 Photo: EPA/ROB ELLIOTT

Afghan police have rescued a teenage girl who was beaten and locked up in a lavatory for over five months after she defied her in-laws who tried to force her into prostitution, officials said on Tuesday.

Sahar Gul, 15, was found in the basement of her husband's house in northeastern Baghlan province late on Monday after her parents reported her disappearance to the police.

"She was beaten, her fingernails were removed and her arm was broken," district police chief Fazel Rahman told AFP.

Three women including the teenager's mother in-law had been arrested in connection with the case but her husband had fled the area, he added.

The case highlights how women continue to suffer in Afghanistan despite the billions of pounds of international aid which has poured into the country during the decade-long war.

"The 15-year-old girl was brought to hospital with severe shock," said Pul-i-Khurmeri hospital chief Dr Gul Mohammad Wardak.

"She had injuries to her legs and face and the nails on her left had been removed."

Sahar Gul was married to her husband seven months ago in the neighbouring province of Badakhshan, but she was brought to Baghlan to live with her husband, said Rahima Zareefi, the provincial head of women affairs.

During this time her parents were unable to contact her, she said.

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission logged 1,026 cases of violence against women in the second quarter of 2011 compared with 2,700 cases for the whole of 2010.

And according to figures in an Oxfam report in October, 87 per cent of Afghan women report having experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence or forced marriage.

Sahar Gul's case comes after a woman known as Gulnaz was pardoned and released earlier this month after spending two years in prison for "moral crimes".

She was jailed after she reported to police that her cousin's husband had raped her. Gulnaz gave birth to the rapist's child in prison.

Last month, the United Nations said that a landmark law aiming to protect women against violence in Afghanistan had been used to prosecute just over 100 cases since being enacted two years ago.

Russia court declares Hindu book Bhagvad Gita legal

 

Shiv Sena activists protested against Russia in Amritsar this week

A Russian court has dismissed a call to ban an edition of the Hindu holy book Bhagvad Gita, in a case that triggered protests in India.

Prosecutors in the Siberian city of Tomsk wanted the edition to be ruled "extremist". That would put it in the same category as Hitler's Mein Kampf.

The Russian foreign ministry said it was the commentary on the text, not the text itself, that was under scrutiny.

The edition - Bhagvad Gita As It Is - is used by the Hare Krishna movement.

A lawyer representing the movement in Tomsk, Alexander Shakhov, welcomed the judge's decision, saying it "shows that Russia really is becoming a democratic society".

The controversial commentary on the text was written by A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the movement, whose full title is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Hare Krishna followers in Russia saw the case as part of efforts by the Russian Orthodox Church to restrict their activities.


India voices concern

The trial began in June and had been due to conclude on 19 December, but it was delayed until 28 December at the request of the Russian ombudsman for human rights.

But neither the ombudsman Vladimir Lukin nor his Tomsk colleague Nelli Krechetova was present in court for Wednesday's ruling.

On Tuesday India's Foreign Minister, SM Krishna, complained to the Russian Ambassador to India, Alexander Kadakin, about the Tomsk prosecution.

Mr Krishna said Indians had reacted very negatively to the alleged infringement of Hindu rights in Russia.

The Bhagvad Gita, one of the most popular texts for Hindus, takes the form of a conversation between the god Krishna and prince Arjuna.

Earlier this month Indian MPs demanded the government protect Hindu rights in Russia, shouting: "We will not tolerate an insult to Lord Krishna."

Ambassador Kadakin, quoted by the AP news agency, distanced himself from the Tomsk prosecutors, saying "any holy scripture, whether it is the Koran, Bhagvad Gita, the Bible, Avesta or Torah cannot be brought into court".

The Russian translation of the book was at risk of being placed on the Federal List of Extremist Materials, which bans more than 1,000 texts including Mein Kampf and publications by the Jehovah's Witness and Scientology movements.

February date for indelible ink

The Election Commission has informed the parliamentary select committee that it would be ready to use the indelible ink in February.
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) will make the necessary amendments to the election regulations to enable the usage of indelible ink beginning February next year.

This was announced by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms after holding a three-hour meeting with the EC.

The February deadline means the ink would be used in the next general election which is expected to be held within the next six months.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament after the meeting, PSC chairman Maximus Ongkili said EC was now in the midst of drafting the necessary amendments.

“The Chemistry Department is also studying the type of indelible ink that will be used and the final ink colour will not be announced until election is closer,” added the science, technology and innovation minister.

Ongkili said that EC was of the opinion that the ink would not be objectionable to Muslims.

“However we are still waiting for a final say from the National Fatwa Council as the previous fatwa was on a slightly different type of ink. The current one is an improved version,” he said.

After the meeting, the EC also demonstrated to the PSC members and the media how the indelible ink would be used on voters.

Members of the PSC, including Ongkili, PAS’ Hatta Ramli, DAP’s Anthony Loke, MIC’s P Kamalanathan and Umno’s Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, had their index finger painted to test out the ink.

The new voting process would have one extra election worker to apply the ink on the voter’s finger. The set up of the voting area had also been modified to allow officials to better see the voter’s face, and an improved process of sealing the boxes.

“Now the officials can face the voter and see the face clearer, before this there have been complaints that only the voter’s side or back can be seen. This will make the process more transparent. We have confirmed this as the final process, and will only make some improvements if there is a need,” said Ongkili.

Implementation of recommendations

He said that the sixth PSC meeting also discussed the steps EC was taking to implement the 10 recommendations that the PSC had made in its interim report.

“EC is looking into the details that this committee has recommended to Parliament. So far, out of the recommendations, seven items are being given positive responses by EC,” he added.

Ongkili said PSC would be discussing how these new changes could be implemented by the next general election, though he admitted that nobody knew when it would be held.

He said that on advance voting by the military and police that would replace postal voting, EC expected that its rules would be amended and gazetted by March 1.

“On overseas voting, EC said that they are looking at it, they need to look at the numbers and the process in how it could be implemented, especially conditions that need to be set,” he added.

Ongkili said the process of cleaning up the electoral roll was ongoing and today, EC handed over copies of 4,251 suspicious voters to the PSC and this list would also be available to all political parties and the public, to verify if they are valid voters.

On the recommendation to extend the display of the additional voters list from seven to 14 days, and to remove the RM10 charge for objections raised and to abolish the maximum number of objections which could be raised, he said these amendments to the EC rules would be done by Feb 1 as well.

Two more public hearings

Ongkili said PSC would function for three more months, until early April. There would also be two more public hearings, one in Kelantan (Jan 7-8), Johor Bahru (Jan 12-13) before PSC would fully focus on monitoring the implementation of the recommendations decided upon and also those recommendations not decided upon.

On Dec 19, the EC had announced three new developments in the election procedure. The first was a recommendation to use indelible ink in the next general election, which fulfiled one of Bersih’s demands.

The second was allowing the police and military to cast their votes at the ballot box two days in advance instead of through postal votes. And the third, abolishing the objection period for candidates.

The PSC’s interim report, which was officially tabled on Dec 1, touched on many contested issues such as the implementation of indelible ink, expansion of oversea absentee voters policy to all Malaysians living abroad and even the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to look into alleged illegal immigrants offered citizenship and subsequently turned into voters.

It was reported that subsequent to the interim report, the PSC would be tabling another 10 other new recommendations in Parliament.

Third Force to encircle Umno

The current political landscape in the country is fertile for all minority parties in Barisan Nasional or otherwise to opt for a direct coalition system.
COMMENT

After the 2008 general election, what we are witnessing are structural changes in the Malaysian political landscape: the emergence of a two-party system in Malaysia – Umno the main component of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, and the opposition pact led by PKR and PAS.

But this is unlike the two-party system in some countries such as the US, where either one of the two parties can win an election and form the government and the other automatically becomes the opposition.

In Malaysia, the dual party system is unique. Firstly, it is a Malay-based two-party system and secondly, neither party can form a government on its own without forming a coalition with the non-Malay minority parties.

Hence the political landscape in the country provides the right scenario for all minority parties in BN or otherwise to opt for a (direct) coalition system of government, whereby the minority parties will contest using their own party ticket.

And after the general election is over, these minority parties can negotiate to join either one of the two Malay-based parties. Thus, the formation of a federal government would be based on the two-party system and a coalition system.

It is common knowledge that there have been so many gross abuses committed by Umno under the name of the government and the BN entity.

Only Umno wields so much political and economic power, leaving the other minor component parties sharing the leftovers.

This has been Umno’s policy and practices since 1981 following the Mahathir undemocratic-authoritarian rule.

The other component parties, though members of the BN, are all tied down under the Umno system of controls which enables the latter to become the de facto federal government.

When Najib Tun Razak took over the premiership in 2009, he initially tried more democratic approaches such as the 1Malaysia slogan and economic, political and electoral reforms, but with little success.

Of late, it is getting clearer that Najib, like Dr Mahathir Mohamad, shares similar beliefs that only through undemocratic-authoritarian rule can Umno continue to hold such political and economic power and maintain its grip on other races and parties .

Two-pronged strategy needed

This special two-party political system requires a third force that has the two-pronged strategy to encircle Umno’s despotic power and to prop up the opposition – Pakatan plus coalition – and strengthen the system.

Let’s look at the components of the Third Force:

i) Direct coalition system at national and state levels.

Across the country there are many minor political parties, whether in the BN or opposition, that can team up and forge a common platform through the direct coalition system.

Parties like DAP, MCA, MIC, PRS, SPDP, SUPP, Pesaka, SAPP and others can contest in an election using their own party symbols.

I believe the people can accept such a united political body to break up Umno and PBB hegemony (in Sarawak). A direct coalition system acts as a check-and-balance against the dominance of an undemocratic, dictatorial kind of government.

After the 13th general election, these third force political parties can work out which of the two main Malay parties they wish to join en bloc or on individual basis.

Under a direct coalition system, a coalition partner is not tied down to a main or even a majority component party in the government.

It is a loose partnership whereby any partner can quit the government and join the opposition.

However, if the partners who quit have a majority of seats, they can proceed to form another new coalition government.

So there is freedom of choice – any party can join or leave the ruling party or the opposition.

Hence, in the formation of the federal government and the respective state governments in Malaysia, the direct coalition system is the best alternative for every minority party.

If all the minority parties in BN or opposition team up to join PKR and PAS, then Umno’s dominance is history at the national or state levels in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.

ii) Cooperation pact in Sarawak

Within the state BN, especially for Sarawak, minor parties can work out a cooperation pact, namely with the newly revamped SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party), PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) and SPDP (Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party).

The latter two can even merge to form a stronger entity.

This kind of cooperation can form a Third Force at state level to counter PBB’s (Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu) hegemony of power.

If the Pesaka wing of PBB snaps and attaches itself to the grouping, the more the merrier.

If the state Pakatan wishes to join the pact, then PBB is completely encircled.

I believe a majority of the Malays would support such a pact.

This may compel some of the PBB leaders who are not aligned with Taib Mahmud to consider crossing over to PAS or PKR to further strengthen the third force in the state before the 13th national polls, though the state would not be holding any state election.

iii) Minority parties

DAP is already a full partner of the Pakatan coalition. There are many third force minor parties, including those in the BN, which can join the Pakatan allaince before the 13th general election.

After all, the BN minor parties are good as dead in the BN and under the clutches of Umno.

iv) Bersih coalition of NGOs

Bersih can play a crucial role to ensure Umno and PBB loses its hegemony by being part of the third force.

Since its success in launching Bersih 1.0 (November, 2007) and Bersih 2.0 (July 2011) – overcoming all the fears and confidence barrier – it should undertake a bigger and more responsible role.

Definitely the movement will change the voting trend in the coming general election.

v) Young voters

The advancement of information technology has given bloggers and online news portals an avenue to link up with the young voters through cyber space to keep them informed of current affairs in the country that is not available in the mainstream media.

With a good feedback of information, many of the young voters who are not aligned with any political party can change the voting trend in favour of the opposition.

Their concern is mainly their careers and earnings. Under the present administration, the abuses of power are definitely going to jeopardise their future.

vi) Umno factions

There are factions within Umno which are not aligned to Najib. Pakatan can strike a deal with these factions within Umno on the appointment of the next prime minister in the event the BN wins.

In accordance with Article 43.2.(2) of the Federal Constitution, the leader of a majority party cannot automatically become the prime minister but has to go for voting in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament).

Whoever commands the confidence of the majority of the MPs shall be appointed as the chief executive of the government, that is, the prime minister.

MPs from both camps can work out an amicable solution as to the best and right person to be appointed as the prime minister by the Dewan Rakyat.

vii) General community

Pakatan should also create greater awareness among the people of the gross abuses of power by Umno that are detrimental to the future of all Malaysians.

All civil servants, including the police and the army, and rural folks should be informed of the need to change the government. The people have nothing to lose but to gain if Umno is removed from power.

Ramasamy sends notice to Star

The deputy chief minister wants the English daily and its journalist to apologise within seven days, failing which, he will sue.

GEORGE TOWN: Embattled Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has demanded an apology from English daily the Star and its journalist Ian McIntyre within the next seven days over an allegedly defamatory article published on Dec 23.

Failing which, Ramasamy warned in his notice of demand dated Dec 28 that he would sue both for defamation.

The DAP MP for Batu Kawan also demanded an undertaking from the national daily and journalist that the impugned statements “shall not be printed, published and circulated in future.”

Ramasamy also demanded that an appropriate sum be paid and/or offered as damages for the defamatory article.

In the said article, the Star quoted Ramasamy as saying that there was a plot to oust him because he turned down requests for projects and favours from the party grassroots.

The report prompted party supremo Karpal Singh to call for Ramasamy’s resignation from the Pakatan Rakyat state government. But Ramasamy has since accused the Star of publishing a baseless and frivolous report.

The notice of demand was sent to the Star head office in Petaling Jaya and the Penang-based journalist via AR Registered post by Ramasamy’s legal representative – A Sivanesan and Co.

‘Defamatory caption’

The notice also mentioned that the caption referred in the article entitled “Distress in DAP Continues” were defamatory to Ramasamy.

The notice claimed that the words referred bore and were understood to bear that DAP leaders were corrupt and abusing their power and office, and those impugned statements gave rise to adverse effects.

The notice said the article caused serious damage to Ramasamy’s reputation.

It insisted that the defamatory words on Ramasamy were baseless, unfounded, frivolous and tainted with falsehoods.

The notice also referred to Ramasamy’s denial of making the published statements via a press conference held on Dec 26, 2011.

The notice stated that despite Ramasamy’s denial, the Star on Dec 27 reiterated that Ramasamy had uttered those impugned statements during the interview.

The notice said the Star’s statement on Dec 27 that the original interview was arranged and agreed upon by Ramasamy on two counts; including one on the allegation that he was having an extra-marital affair, was grossly false and calculated to disparage his reputation.

“Consequently Ramasamy’s reputation has been seriously injured and suffered distress and embarrassment,” said the notice.

Perkasa: Rev Eu’s Article 153 remarks ‘politically motivated’

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — Malay rights group Perkasa today accused a senior Christian leader of creating intercommunal friction with his remarks on the constitutional protection for Bumiputeras, claiming the speech was politically motivated.

Calling it “provocative”, Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali claimed of a link between Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng’s controversial Christmas Eve remarks and an impending general election.

“I believe Dr Eu’s statement is politically motivated in light of word of elections being around the corner. There is a political motive here to confuse the people into thinking that the government has not been fair to other races.

“That is Dr Eu’s motive. Article 153 cannot be questioned... there is a political motive (to) erode Malay rights,” Ibrahim told reporters here.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairman had said on Christmas Eve that the Federal Constitution’s Article 153 was akin to “bullying” if it only protected the rights of one group.

Article 153 states that it is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s responsibility “to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article”.

In his speech, Eu had stressed that he did not have problems with rights of the Malays and the Sultans but “what irks many of us are the ‘shifting rights’” of the majority.

His remarks prompted demands from Perkasa chief Ibrahim for Eu and others like him to be probed by the police.

Ibrahim along with Perkasa deputy president Datuk Abdul Rahman Abu Bakar and 30-odd Perkasa members lodged a police report against Eu based on an article by The Malaysian Insider and several other publications.

The Pasir Mas MP said Eu’s remarks should be viewed by the police seriously, as it was said at a gathering that included non-Malay Barisan Nasional political parties like MCA and Gerakan as well as opposition parties DAP and PKR.

Abdul Rahman pointed out that Article 153 protected not only the rights of Malay, but also Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak, many of whom are Christian.

He said Eu’s statement was seditious, and urged the police to charge the Christian leader under the Sedition Act.

Abdul Rahman also took a swipe at minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was present at the Christmas eve function, and berated him for “not taking action” against Eu.

“We are disappointed with Koh for letting people do such things.”

Eu has remained adamant about his remarks, stating it was something that “needed somebody to say it.”

Amid the growing debate, opposition leaders have claimed that the constitutional provision has been manipulated by ruling Malay party Umno and was now being used as “a weapon of aggression”.

Constitutional expert Prof Abdul Aziz Bari had said that Article 153 meant the King must safeguard Bumiputera privileges without impinging on the legitimate interests of other communities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin previously denied that the provision had been used to bully any community.

Ministry calls up editor on use of word Allah

(Daily Express) - The Home Ministry called up the Chief Editor of Nanyang Siangpau concerning the use of the word "Allah" in an article published by the Daily.

Deputy Secretary-General (Security) of the ministry Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi said the article carried the word "Allah" in the form of a logo in the article entitled "Hudud Law Becomes Controversial Issue" on page A8 on Dec 27, 2011 and the article "Hudud Law Raises Concern for Non-Muslims" on page A8 on Dec. 28, 2011.

"The showing of the word is clearly against Section 7 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 which can appal the people and jeopardise public peace," he said in a statement.

He said the Ministry also issued a show-cause letter to Nanyang Siangpau following the publication of the word which could cause tension and confuse the Malaysian public.

"KDN (Home Ministry) will take stern action on any press which commits this offence in future based on the provision in the Act," he said.

A change is gonna come

DEC 29 — An important time is arriving in Malaysia, and it does not matter if you are for it or not; that’s not material anymore. The growing fear is that the nation is about to enter this phase without a seat belt.

History students in the distant future will love 2011. When in doubt in a class history quiz, 2011 is, as they say in basketball, a high percentage shot (or guess in that situation). The world has plenty of discussion points from this year, with the death of Kim Jung-il tipping the year to epic proportion.

However for Malaysians, despite its share of watershed moments this year, 2012 will be the one that is monumental.

Two inevitable events in 2012 will dictate life in Malaysia for some time.

A general election and a court verdict.

He will go to jail

With his declaration from the defendant’s dock of his innocence and that Sodomy II is an elaborate political attack, Anwar Ibrahim has announced his disbelief in the country’s justice system under Barisan Nasional.

Legal minds are divided on the strategy, but still it did more than suggest that the leader of the opposition is readying himself for what seems like a predictable verdict. Few of those legal minds, outside the employ of the Malaysian government, disagree with Anwar.

On January 9 when the verdict comes out, there will be a reaction. Not rage, but a quiet shrug of the shoulder by millions of Malaysians. This disgust may translate to votes in the coming general election.

The column is mindful that there will be many other developments between that January week and the general election, but none will capture the collective imagination of Malaysians as much as this. The spectre of a grandfather going to jail six months after Prime Minister Najib Razak promising to reform the country’s arcane and oppressive laws removes any semblance of reform from the present administration.

The administration’s fear of a free Anwar in an election year may be its undoing.

General election

This column made the prognosis last year that there will be no general election this year. It has been vindicated on that score.

Six months ago it would be outright optimism bordering on blind faith to expect Pakatan Rakyat to exceed its Election 2008 results.

Today, there is talk in saner political corners of a possible election upset.

Najib has a large party, but most are in for what Umno can give them and are led by very few charismatic leaders. It is a party of money, not a party of ideas.

It can only rely on the following: a good economy, the buzz of 1 Malaysia, mainstream media and its election machinery.

The economy is strong, and the planned handouts leading to the election will affect votes. Still, decades of poor wealth distribution are starting to bite all over, the emerging scandals are only confirming allegations of an elitist system run to please one class, not any race, religion or state.

Mainstream media has been less dismissive of Pakatan Rakyat, even if they’d rather have dead air than say salutary things about the coalition. Some of the commentaries have given way to doubt.

The buzz of 1 Malaysia is the random factor. No poll can gauge it. Only a fair election will. It is conceivable that this administration is leaking support.

The BN machine is a money machine. It is less incisive in a general election than in a by-election. It is about pump-priming activities based on money. The question remains, how many Malaysians are keen on appearing to openly support the BN in the coming election, even if the money is good?

There is an air of change in the country, and an Anwar conviction will electrify the country more and convince them that if they let this moment slip, then a reversal will occur.

The electoral maths then…

The dwindled support for BN’s Chinese parties will start to tell. The Indian votes are divided at best, not in Najib’s bag necessarily. It is curious to note that Najib, not the MIC, holds sway with the community.

It is the young vote which will determine the result. Anwar does not poll that well with women, but that does not discount Pakatan’s overall appeal to women.

Penang is destined to stay with Pakatan. The parliamentary seats will be status quo.

Kedah will copy Penang, and Perlis is on a knife edge.

Pundits will not be surprised if the northwest turns into a Pakatan surge.

Kelantan is a safe seat, and the vagaries of Terengganu Umno politics does leave more questions than answers. Umno may keep the state, but only a two-seat majority in the parliamentary count.

Pahang will be Peninsular Malaysia’s battleground. There were urban wins for Pakatan, but it is the reach to Felda areas that will be telling. Umno to keep Pahang, but to lose more ground.

Perak and Selangor will go Pakatan, the first is a bigger call but a call has to be made.

With the expectation of a slim Pakatan win in Negri Sembilan, that leaves Malacca and Johor as solid Umno states.

All eyes will turn to Borneo. It is a mighty ask to expect a lion’s share of the parliamentary seats there, but Pakatan might broach the 20-seat mark, though it might end up being 15. That would reduce BN’s majority from Borneo (31 seats in Sarawak, 25 in Sabah) from 54 in 2008 to a manageable 26.

A national electoral win is possible, even if quite challenging, if the above inroad is achieved in Borneo.

Unlike Pakatan’s leadership conviction that the right candidates will win Putrajaya, this column is ready to call that it will be the national mobilisation of hundreds of thousands of Malaysians wanting a new Malaysia which will secure the change.

Side shows without Bob

Klang Valley residents will be in a “reign of fire” as MRT work goes warp speed in 2012. Prasarana’s failure to announce any adjustments, reroutes and realignments in bus transportation, and Selangor and KL traffic cops’ attitude of responding as necessary, together spells disaster.

There is no temporary transportation plan as the valley goes into construction mode.

Lynas starting Gebeng operation. The prime minister’s home state, Pahang, is fairly lackadaisical about the rare earth refinery, but Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh is thriving in the situation. Najib can only lose if things persist at the present rate.

Porn in the mail then. The election year will bring with it pornography. Since in Malaysia, there is no sex education in public schools, let alone educational videos, a nation has to rely on politicians to sate any need for graphical images. Trust more videos to emerge to tarnish the usual and not usual suspects.

Living with less. Not sexy, but quite pressing, the rising cost of living with no economic policy to stem it will bite more than the analysts in government think. Probably because over time it seems, they’ve actually started to believe their own spiel.

Brave new world

At the end of 2012, a different Malaysia might stand.

As tyrants around the world fall, die or assume a cheerful personality to the Western democracies they used to openly loathe, Malaysia will become a standout case if it remains in this political rut.

Even opposition politicians are puzzled by this column’s prediction, saying they don’t think they are worthy of the adulation.

Actually, the adulation is for the people of Malaysia long denied a government worthy of their aspiration and hope.

Time, technology, history and opportunity are actively conspiring to give, not to politicians but a larger Malaysian population, real voice for the first time.

It’s time they took it.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

A year of many achievements

The New Straits Times
by ALANG BENDAHARA

PM lists down significant events during this year

KUALA LUMPUR: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has described this year as a very colourful year for him filled with many positive development and achievements.  

"... and I must take this opportunity to thank all Malaysians for your show of support," he said in his latest blog entry titled "2011 In Review" at www.1Malaysia. com.my blog.

"Especially to my online friends,  rest assured that I do read all your comments, ideas, complaints and well wishes and I do my best to respond to them."

Najib hoped Malaysians would continue to join him in making more positive progress next year in the spirit of 1Malaysia.

In his review of the year, the prime minister listed down significant events for the country and its people that he had documented through the social media.

These included the 1Malaysia government efforts such as the 1Malaysia Housing Programme or PR1MA, 7th National Key Result Area to the Government Transformation Plan -- Tackling Rising Cost of Living, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia or KR1M, Menu Rakyat 1Malaysia, 1Malaysia Youth Fund -- to finance ideas and projects by youths, and Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia programme or BR1M -- to assist households that earn less than RM3,000 a month.

On the economy, Najib said the World Bank's 2011  business report listed Malaysia at  the top 20 position, and ranked Malaysia as No. 1  in the world when it came to getting credit for businesses.

The Economic Transformation Programme's progress update in September reported that for the first-half of the year, Malaysia received foreign direct investments of up to RM21.3 billion.

By its first anniversary in October, the ETP had assisted Malaysia to achieve a gross national income of RM228.55 billion and committed investments worth RM171.21 billion, with an estimated total of 372,361 potential jobs.

Among Najib's international duties was  engaging the international market and strengthening Malaysia's networking.

His first official visit as prime minister to the United Kingdom, and his lecture on "Coalition of Moderates and Inter-Civilisational Understanding" which  he presented in Oxford contributed towards this.

During his visit to the United States, he attended Invest Malaysia New York 2011, an event that secured between RM5 billion and RM6 billion new investments for the next two to three years for Malaysia.

Najib also spoke about development of the Digital Malaysia Masterplan at the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council meeting at the New York Academy of Sciences, which he chaired, and attended the 17th International Nikkei Conference in Tokyo, during which some RM3.8 billion worth of investments were confirmed to come from Japanese firms.

Najib also attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Asean Summit in Bali, Indonesia.

In Hawaii, he gave his views on the Global Movement of the Moderates at the prestigious East-West Centre.

This year, the prime minister had also been exploring a variety of ways to increase his interaction with the people, using social media platforms.

These included inviting the people to ask him questions on Twitter and Facebook, an afternoon tea session with 600 of his online friends, and introducing Mari Berjumpa, Mari Berhubung gatherings to meet his online friends living outside the Klang Valley.

"I had many opportunities to engage with the youth this year, most notably was at the Konsert Suara Kami which I attended after receiving overwhelming tweets and responses online asking me to  attend.

"Immediately after, I was invited to do a 'Gotcha' prank on radio by the morning crews of Hitz.fm. I also made appearances on the morning shows of Radio Era, Mix.fm and Hot.fm."

Najib introduced in June the 1Malaysia Roundtable, an interactive platform for Malaysians to provide fair and constructive comments, suggestions or ideas to better the lives of Malaysians.

He then introduced some official 1Malaysia merchandise and gave plenty away through the 1Malaysia Merchandise campaign over the Merdeka and Malaysia Day period.

In light of his busy work schedule, he started 1Week That Was, a short weekly update on his activities on his blog, in September.  

Another important milestone in his social media journey was when he introduced his very own Mobile App for smartphones recently, which can be downloaded from his Facebook page and 1Malaysia website.

Najib  said his 1Malaysia website would have a new look next year, based on  the feedback he received  from participants in an online survey.

Judiciary Not Intimidated By Street Demonstrations - Rais

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- The proceedings or decision of any case relating to the laws of the country cannot be amended or denied by demonstrations said the Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said apart from considering their responsibility to the community, those who wished to demonstrate should be aware that their action would not influence or strike fear on the judiciary in making its decision.

"Demonstrations cannot change the flow or channels of the legal process of the country and if that is what they demand, it would destroy our nationhood," he said when commenting on allegations that certain groups are trying to hold a demonstration in conjunction with the decision of the court on the sodomy case involving opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 9.

Speaking to reporters after launching the 2012 Istana Budaya programme here Thursday, Rais said the parties should in fact accept the fact as in the case of a former Menteri Besar who was found guilty by the court recently as a reference that court decision is not limited to certain groups only.

"They should accept the fact as judges are not intimidated by street demonstrations."

On the matter, he hoped the community would support the decision makers such as the Attorney-General and the judges.

"They are demonstrating for political mileage and not for improvement of the legal system," he said.

In another development, Rais said the Film Censorship Board (LPF) need to change based on current technology such as using full digitalisation method compared to traditional system where film was used.

He said the LPF should also be braver in curbing film not suitable to the Malaysian lifestyle and not just disallowing film based on superstitions from being screened in public.

On Wednesday, Home Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Mahmood Adam announced that all film operators in the country would be allowed to practise self-censorship without having to go through the ministry or any agencies under the ministry from next year.

On the Istana Budaya programme launch, Rais said the ministry was confident the 19 presentations could increase its audience size by another 15 per cent from its 2011 total of 156,000.

He said among the shows were Upin dan Ipin the Musical, Dr Siti Hasmah Musical and Asean Extravaganza Musical which combines the presentations of 10 Asean countries.

Among other attractive shows are Konsert Awie dan Ella, Cuci The Musical, theatre on Bahaman Orang Kaya Semantan, The Kichen Musical, P.Ramlee The Musical and Luna Latisya, comedy musical adapted from the movie Cun starring Remy Ishak and Maya Karin.