Clock ticking for the Najib regime

Najib must realise that the 'ball is now in the rakyat’s court' and they are no longer in a mood to witness any more rhetoric from the BN.

COMMENT

Prime…

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Najib must realise that the 'ball is now in the rakyat’s court' and they are no longer in a mood to witness any more rhetoric from the BN.

COMMENT

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s move to punish supporters of a rally supporting the call for clean and fair elections has brought him tremendous shame. Still, the premier continues to remain oblivious to the July 9 misdeeds committed and goes on pleading for the rakyat’s support.

International human rights agencies did not mince their words in condemning Najib for abusing the tenets of human rights and using the police to pulverise Bersih 2.0 “Walk for Democracy” rally supporters.

More recently, stinging criticism against the heavy-handed approach used by Najib to quell the rally supporters has come from LawAsia, a global organisation of lawyers, judges and legal experts.

LawAsia president Lester Huang hit the nail on the head when he said “the government of the day appeared to make political survival a priority instead of adhering to the country’s democratic principles”.

Malaysia, said Huang, did not comply with the “United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials” which it adopted in 1990.

In the July 9 rally, police allegedly fired tear gas canisters directly into the crowds of protesters. Premises like the Tung Shin Hospital also bore the brunt of the unbridled police action when water cannons and tear gas were fired inside its compound.

Huang is not the least convinced that the approach used by the police to disperse the rally supporters was a standard operating procedure.

The LawAsia head warned Malaysia’s leadership that it had to be more mindful of the rights of its citizens and take its regional role seriously. He said Malaysia’s membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council was called into question.

Malaysia was last year re-elected by the UN General Assembly for a three-year term on the 47-nation Human Rights Council based in Geneva.

“It is of profound regret to the regional legal community that the reaction to the Bersih movement sees these principles cast aside. Actions of this sort in any country will always deserve the strongest criticism from the legal community on both legal and humanitarian grounds,” Huang said.

But then the Najib regime has scant respect for citizens’ right to peaceful assembly or their right to know the truth, the latter referring to the purchase of the Scorpene submarines.

‘Gag’ order on rakyat remains

Be it the May 1 Labour Day rally or the Bersih 2.0 “Walk for Democracy”, the status quo remains in Malaysia, where a “gag” order is placed on the rakyat, preventing them from taking a stand and supporting any cause.

Likewise, all attempts are made by Najib to hide the truth from the people. The appearance of French human rights lawyer William Bourdon to speak about the procurement of the submarines left Najib, under whom the deal was inked, gasping for ways to get rid of Bourdon.

Bourdon was hired by Malaysian human rights body Suaram in 2009 to file a case against French naval giant DCNS over irregularities in the Scorpene submarines purchase that allegedly involved millions of ringgit in kickbacks.

The French authorities are currently probing the deal, which was also linked to Najib and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Using the excuse that Bourdon had violated his social visa, the “powers that be” made it difficult for the lawyer, which prompted Bourdon to take a flight back to Paris two days ahead of his scheduled departure.

Three days after Bourdon left for Paris, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on July 24 said that Bourdon, 55, was deported because he violated his social visa by giving a speech in Penang.
Hishammuddin insisted there was no hidden political agenda.

But to Bourdon, the home minister’s version was nothing short of gibberish.

“I don’t know what the minister is talking about because I didn’t even have a social visa. So it is very strange that he is speaking of one,” Bourdon told FMT in an interview from Paris.

Bourdon’s fiancee, Lea Forrestier, said citizens of the European Union do not need a visa for travel into Malaysia.

Do not continue shaming Malaysia

Meanwhile, Suaram in its Malaysian Human Rights Report 2010 said human rights standards in Malaysia continue to deteriorate under Najib’s administration despite efforts to project himself as a moderate leader. And the year 2010 saw little or no improvement in this area.

As for laws which provide for detention without trial, Suaram said the authorities were stretching the laws’ limitations.

Although the Penal Code makes provision to prosecute human traffickers, the government continues to instead use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against such offenders.

Suaram said that in 2010 there were 25 arrests made under the ISA. Of this number, nine were detained for human trafficking.

On the issue of Emergency Ordinance (EO), Suaram director Kua Sia Soong also said that there were similar developments with the EO.

Kua was referring to the detention of six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members under the EO last month, for allegedly playing a role in the Bersih 2.0 rally.

“Traditionally, the EO is used for alleged kingpins and criminals. These six are probably a new trend, maybe because they (the government) are a bit shy over (public) condemnation of the use of ISA,” Kua said at the release of Suaram’s annual report on July 26.

The report also noted that the number of those detained under the EO had increased by 400% over the last 10 years.

Change for the rakyat’s sake

Najib has to reflect on his actions that have turned the rakyat against him. There is no room left for arrogance and post-July 9, the wrath that Najib has earned from the people back home and abroad will reflect poorly in his résumé.

The Bersih 2.0 rally, the Scorpene submarines deal and the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s report that DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock had committed suicide – these developments are the Damocles Sword that hang over Najib’s head.

Najib would do well to realise that the “ball is now in the rakyat’s court” and they are no longer in a mood to witness any more rhetoric from the Barisan Nasional leadership. For Najib, the saving grace would be to clean up the mess he has made, the latest being the July 9 attack on the Bersih 2.0 rally supporters.

The clock is ticking and there is no more room left for arrogance for Najib and his bandwagon of self-serving politicians. The rakyat have wisened up and this is what Najib is most afraid of. - FMT

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Amanah to address long list of issues

In a meeting tomorrow, the NGO's top brass will look into the various issues which have surfaced, including the talk that Ku Li has been offered the opposition leader's post.…

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In a meeting tomorrow, the NGO's top brass will look into the various issues which have surfaced, including the talk that Ku Li has been offered the opposition leader's post.

KOTA BARU: The newly formed NGO led by political icon Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will be meeting tommorrow to address various emerging issues including the proposal for the Kelantan prince to become opposition leader.

Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) central committee member Wan Saiful Wan Jan said various allegations, suggestions and issues have emerged, particularly through online chatter since the NGO was formed about two weeks back.

It is imperative that the organisation members sit down together and discuss the matter including the allegations that Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh) was offered to become the opposition leader, he said.

Some of the allegations are outright displeasing and unfair to Amanah and Ku Li is expected to effectively address it, Wan Saiful said.

He claimed that some political quarters are unhappy that the veteran Umno personality has branched out on his own to form an NGO.

Both sides, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat are waiting intently to see Ku Li’s next move but they may be sadly mistaken.

“Ku Li was always seen as a political leader so some cannot stomach to see him as an NGO activist. However, Amanah is strictly an NGO set-up, whose core issue is championing issues and reducing the level of the apparent polarisation pace in the country,” said Wan Saiful.

The formula applied here, he added, is reviving the country’s original struggles for nationhood as espoused by the founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Opposition leader’s post

Recently, Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim raised alarm bells in both BN and Pakatan when he blogged an entry that Ku Li was already offered the opposition leader’s post.

There were also allegations that the offer was made by PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Insiders within Ku Li’s camp said the Kelantan royalty member has for now refused to be dragged into any Pakatan or BN issues, preferring to focus more on Amanah’s struggles.

There were no formal discussions between Pakatan and him about taking over the opposition leader’s post, they added.

However, it remains to be seen in the future what Ku Li will do, as ultimately what is driving him, is a desire to serve the country and to act in the nation’s best interests, they claimed.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that at the Pakatan top leadership council, there was no discussion about Ku Li being offered the position.

It is just a ploy within BN to try to split-up Pakatan, he said.

He said Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is now at a stronger position as the people are fed up that he was subjected to various attempts to smear his reputation from sodomy to sex videos allegations.

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China: Unrest in Kashgar, Xinjiang, leaves 15 dead

Weekend unrest in Kashgar, in China's western Xinjiang region, has left at least 15 people dead, state media say.

The violence began on Saturday when two men killed a truck…

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Weekend unrest in Kashgar, in China's western Xinjiang region, has left at least 15 people dead, state media say.

The violence began on Saturday when two men killed a truck driver, then drove his lorry into pedestrians and attacked them with knives, killing six. One of the attackers also died.

On Sunday an explosion killed three people and police shot dead "four suspects", the Xinhua agency said.
Xinjiang has a Muslim Uighur minority and has seen serious ethnic tension.

The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says there are reports of further clashes in the city on Sunday.
Migration dispute
 
A local official was quoted as saying that both of Saturday's attackers were Uighurs.

According to tianshannet.com, a Xinjiang government-run website, the assailants hijacked a truck waiting at traffic lights, stabbing the driver to death before ploughing the vehicle into bystanders.

They then got out of the vehicle and started attacking people at random, the report said.
It said the crowd then turned on the men, killing one of them. The second man was captured.

State-run news agency Xinhua said the attack had been preceded by two explosions.

Xinjiang has a Muslim Uighur minority

Twenty-eight people were reported to have been taken to hospital.

On Sunday, Xinhua reported another explosion, which it said killed three people, including a police officer, and injured three others.

It also said police had shot dead "four suspects" in the city, without giving further details.

This is the second outbreak of violence in Xinjiang in a month.

On 18 July, several police officials and a number of civilians were killed in an attack on a police station in the city of Hotan.

Chinese officials blamed the attack on "terrorists" from the Uighur minority.
Uighur activists said the security forces had provoked clashes by opening fire on a peaceful demonstration.

The majority of Xinjiang's population is ethnically Uighur - who are Muslims with strong cultural ties to Central Asia.

Our correspondent, Martin Patience, says many Uighurs are unhappy about what they say is the repressive rule of Beijing and are angered by the migration of the majority Han Chinese to the region.

In 2009, riots erupted in Xinjiang in which nearly 200 people died after tensions flared between the Uighurs and the Han.

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The PM is committed to electoral reforms

Polls dry run shows BN can lose Perak, Negri Sembilan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) could lose Perak and Negri Sembilan in the next general elections, according to results of a recent dry run. Unless…

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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) could lose Perak and Negri Sembilan in the next general elections, according to results of a recent dry run. Unless component parties put popular faces and ensure the grassroots machinery garner support from voters. 

The Malaysian Insider understands that the Umno election dry run also showed that the BN fortress of Johor could see up to 15 out of the 56 state seats go to their political opponents Pakatan Rakyat (PR), something unheard before Election 2008 when the ruling coalition lost six seats.

Prime Minister Najib faces challenges of Bersih, economy and rising inflation.

It is also learnt that Perlis, where BN holds 14 out of the 15 state seats, could see several state and one of the three federal seats going to PR due to anger over Putrajaya putting Wahhabi preachers including state mufti Dr Juanda Jaya on a terror watch list.


“The dry run has shown a lot of weaknesses. And the Wahhabi issue is not helping,” an Umno source told The Malaysian Insider.

An upcoming Umno leader expressed similar sentiments, saying BN must put new faces to renew the coalition while getting respective party machineries to go all out for support.

“The problem is while the Umno machinery can work if given the motivation, members of the other component parties do not appear to be that motivated,” said the Umno leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

He revealed that the dry run showed Umno could only win 27 seats in the 59-seat Perak state assembly despite BN ruling the state since February 2009 after a series of defections toppled the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government.

In June, the state Umno was confident of getting 33 seats, with Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir dismissing The Malaysian Insider’s report that victory is only assured if right candidates are picked.

It was learnt that several  Perak Umno divisional leaders were loath to campaign or register new voters unless they were certain about the likely candidates for the next general elections.

“Perak Umno is strong and can win 33 state seats but divisional leaders won’t move unless they or their favourites get picked,” an Umno source said then.

Umno contested 34 seats in the 59-seat state assembly in Election 2008, winning 27 with another seat won by MCA, giving the Silver State to Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which took 31 seats.

“The situation hasn’t changed in Perak and now it is the same in Negri Sembilan as the opposition is getting stronger, knowing that Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan might not remain as mentri besar,” the Umno source said.

Mohamad is tipped to contest a federal seat, leaving his post vacant and an attractive target for the other state Umno divisional leaders.

“There is some heavy lobbying going on in Negri Sembilan for the MB’s post but they all forget that the victories were narrow in Election 2008,” he added. BN won 21 out of the 36 seats in the state assembly, with the remainder 15 going to PR, which has expressed confidence of taking the state.

The parties that make up PR — DAP, PKR and PAS — won four more states and 82 parliament seats in Election 2008 but later lost Perak to BN. However, they are gunning to win more states and hope to whittle BN’s federal majority in the next general elections.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has not hinted at general elections yet although his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told BN to prepare for polls in the near future. Most analysts and opposition politicians expect elections within a year, with some saying it could be held as early as November, after the budget is tabled and before the Umno general assembly.

But Najib will have to first overcome criticisms against his government’s crackdown on the Bersih electoral reforms rally last month, where nearly 1,700 were held briefly, others injured and one died of a heart attack.

The prime minister, who is also finance minister, also has to handle the country’s economy, which has slowed down to 4.6 per cent in the first quarter amid stagnating wages and rising inflation. He has announced a new focus on keeping prices low while Muhyiddin announced that the government was considering food stamps for the very poor.

Opposition politicians are making the rising inflation an election issue, pointing out the government remained profligate with plans to buy new patrol vessels and fighter jets despite asking people to tighten their belts.

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Palanivel’s ministership no guarantee of votes, say analysts

Datuk G. Palanivel: Challenges facing Indians the issue.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel’s appointment as full minister gives the party more power to help the…

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Datuk G. Palanivel: Challenges facing Indians the issue.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel’s appointment as full minister gives the party more power to help the Indian community but would not translate automatically into more votes, analysts said.


Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said Palanivel’s elevation to a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department would add to the promise of MIC but stressed that much depended on how the first-term party president used his new position.

“It doesn’t take anything away but I think it all really depends how well the issues of the Indian community . . . can be addressed by Palanivel,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

“It’s a double-edged sword. If he’s given a post that takes time for him to deliver, it may end up backfiring,” he added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced Palanivel’s appointment over the weekend, bringing the Cabinet to 30 ministers despite an earlier promise to cut the bloat in the Abdullah administration, which had 32 ministers.

MIC will now have two full ministers, including MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, who is Human Resources Minister.

The prime minister has gone on a charm offensive to win over Indians after the usually staunch BN supporters forsook the ruling coalition in Election 2008 following a government crackdown on the November 2007 Hindraf rally, where some 30,000 Indians marched for better opportunities.

Political scientist Dr James Chin also said the appointment would not secure Indian votes as Palanivel would likely be unable to resolve the community’s long-standing grievances.

While the “patronage” that comes with the full ministership would prove useful in helping Indians apply for ICs and get more places in training schemes, it would do little for the hardcore urban poverty, housing shortages and low employment faced by the community, Chin said.

“I personally don’t think it’ll make a difference,” he said. “But at least in terms of (public relations) it’ll look like he’s (Najib) doing something for the community.”

Chin added that Najib’s move would likely go down well with older Indians but would not make much difference to the younger Indians.

Universiti Sains Malaysia global studies professor Chandra Muzaffar said that while Palanivel’s appointment was “bound to have some impact”, this would not determine the degree of Indian support for Barisan Nasional (BN).

Chandra said the ruling coalition would have to resort to other measures to ensure greater support from Indians. He cited as an example the “much bigger impact” of the government’s efforts to resolve the community’s citizenship woes this past year.

“If you strengthen representation (in Cabinet), it’s a good thing . . . but the important thing is that you address those challenges,” he said.

Palanivel’s elevation was also likely an attempt to “rectify the anomaly” of having a party president who only held a deputy ministership while his deputy was a full minister, Chandra added. - TMI

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Malott Dares “Never Cheated” Najib To Implement 4 Key Election Reforms

Former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott has dared Prime Minister Najib Razak to put his money where his mouth is and prove that UMNO "has never cheated in any…

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Former US ambassador to Malaysia John Malott has dared Prime Minister Najib Razak to put his money where his mouth is and prove that UMNO "has never cheated in any election" by implementing 4 key reforms, including allowing foreign observers and the use of indelible ink.

In a hard-hitting open letter to Najib and sent to Malaysiakini, Malott - who is believed to have been barred from entering the country due his outspokeness - urged Najib not to keep reneging on his word.

"You say that Malaysia's elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people - and the world - might finally be convinced," wrote Malott.

"As a result of the developments on July 9, the world is now paying increased attention to Malaysia.  In particular, we now wonder how free and fair your nation's elections are. We have learned that some of your country's citizens believe that Malaysia needs electoral reform. On July 9, they marched with a coalition called Bersih 2.0, and they called for free and fair elections."

"You responded by declaring Bersih illegal and suppressing the 'Walk for Democracy' with overwhelming police force. The world noticed your heavy-handed reaction, and it wondered why a peaceful demonstration calling for fair elections bothered you so much - so much so that you were willing to risk Malaysia's international reputation - and give your country and yourself a major black eye."

No reason not to implement
Malott called on the Malaysian leader to push through 4 easy to implement and effective electoral reforms. Outlawed polls pressure group Bersih 2.0 had asked for 8.

The concessions that Malott advised are:
1) Allow international groups to observe your elections. Based on your assertions, they will find nothing amiss, and their reports will give credibility to Malaysia's election results.

2) Allow observers from all political parties to witness the postal balloting that takes place on military bases. For years, the opposition has said that something is amiss. But since you say that Umno never cheats, I am sure that they will find nothing wrong, and you will be vindicated.

3) Let's put an end to all the accusations about phantom voters by using a simple, effective and cheap solution - indelible ink.

Your Elections Commission wants a super-sophisticated biometric system, but there is no way it can be in place by then - and many people worry that it can be manipulated. Indelible ink works - just ask the world's largest democracy, India. I don't think anyone has ever disputed the results of India's elections in over 60 years.

4) Finally, let RTM be truly independent, like the BBC and NHK and the public broadcasting systems in Australia, France, Germany, and elsewhere in the world. RTM does not belong to Umno. It belongs to the people. As long as RTM - funded by all the people of Malaysia - acts as the propaganda arm of the 25 percent of Malaysians who voted for Umno, no one can believe that Malaysia's elections are fair and free.

Reason for over-reaction - refusal to give up power

Indeed, Najib has disgusted a lot of Malaysians, both at home and abroad with his over-reaction to the rally. He and his UMNO party had feared it could trigger a wave of consciousness for social reform, and blaze a trail for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition to win. The next national polls is not due to be called until March 2013, but local experts say the latest Najib will delay is early next year.

In the runup to the rally, the greater Najib's paranoia and the more brutal the police crackdowns, the more fiercely the people rejected his leadership. On D-Day, July 9, some 50,000 filled the streets of Kuala Lumpur. They locked arms, chanted, and sang the national anthem. By then it was clear, Najib had mishandled the rally. A slew of global rebukes followed, and to save his dignity, Najib is insisting that Bersih had ulterior motives, and wanted to topple his government. The UMNO-owned Utusannewspaper even suggested that Bersih was the work of 'Jews'.

By now, all of the nearly 2,000 people detained in the runup to and during the July march, have been released. Six socialist leaders remanded under the draconian Emergency Ordinance for rekindling communism and waging war against the King were freed just a day ago.

Time is running out

Bersih chairwoman Ambiga Sreenevasan has begun a public debate with the Election Commission deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar. So far he has agreed to extend the 7-day campaigning period but refused to raise it all the way to 21 as Bersih had requested.

Sad to say, this is about all that the EC is willing to concede. Wan Ahmad has even insisted that he was powerless to implement changes and only the Najib administration could do so. Legal experts have said that this was a lie as the federal consititution clearly empowered the EC.

Hence, there is growing nervousness now. Some believe that Najib would declare a police state rather than to agree to reforms as there is a strong chance that he might lose in a free and fair competition. Hence, a recent round of calls both from within and outside Malaysia for him to pursue a wiser and fairer course of action.

"Governments that manipulate elections have lots to cover up. But you say that your elections are free and fair, so that means you have nothing to be afraid of showing to all of us in the outside world, not to mention your own people," said Malott.   - Malaysia Chronicle

Malaysia Chronicle appends below the full-text of his rather hard-hitting statrment
An open letter to PM Najib

You say that Malaysia's elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people - and the world - might finally be convinced.

As a result of the developments on July 9, the world is now paying increased attention to Malaysia.
In particular, we now wonder how free and fair your nation's elections are. We have learned that some of your country's citizens believe that Malaysia needs electoral reform. On July 9, they marched with a coalition called Bersih 2.0, and they called for free and fair elections.

You responded by declaring Bersih illegal and suppressing the 'Walk for Democracy' with overwhelming police force. The world noticed your heavy-handed reaction, and it wondered why a peaceful demonstration calling for fair elections bothered you so much - so much so that you were willing to risk Malaysia's international reputation - and give your country and yourself a major black eye.

When you returned from your visit to Europe, you declared that Malaysia's elections truly are free and fair, and that Umno has never cheated in any election.

I am glad to hear that.

Because it means that in Malaysia's next general elections, you have nothing to hide.
Governments that manipulate elections have lots to cover up. But you say that your elections are free and fair, so that means you have nothing to be afraid of showing to all of us in the outside world, not to mention your own people.

Therefore, I am sure that you are willing to readily agree to the following proposals:
1) Allow international groups to observe your elections. Based on your assertions, they will find nothing amiss, and their reports will give credibility to Malaysia's election results.

2) Allow observers from all political parties to witness the postal balloting that takes place on military bases. For years, the opposition has said that something is amiss. But since you say that Umno never cheats, I am sure that they will find nothing wrong, and you will be vindicated.
3) Let's put an end to all the accusations about phantom voters by using a simple, effective and cheap solution - indelible ink.

Your Elections Commission wants a super-sophisticated biometric system, but there is no way it can be in place by then - and many people worry that it can be manipulated. Indelible ink works - just ask the world's largest democracy, India. I don't think anyone has ever disputed the results of India's elections in over 60 years.

4) Finally, let RTM be truly independent, like the BBC and NHK and the public broadcasting systems in Australia, France, Germany, and elsewhere in the world. RTM does not belong to Umno. It belongs to the people. As long as RTM - funded by all the people of Malaysia - acts as the propaganda arm of the 25 percent of Malaysians who voted for Umno, no one can believe that Malaysia's elections are fair and free.

So, my dear Prime Minister, it's all very simple. You say that Malaysia's elections are free and fair. Now you have a chance to prove it to the outside world and remove all doubts. And if your party wins, then the Malaysian people - and the world - might finally be convinced.

If you refuse these suggestions, then the doubts will linger, and your assertions about the honesty of Malaysia's election will continue to be questioned.

Sincerely,
John Malott

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Jangan temberanglah, Najib — Lucius Goon

JULY 31 — I have watched from afar how the prime minister and his administration have squirmed and twisted and justified their handling of Bersih 2.0 and shown their reluctance…

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JULY 31 — I have watched from afar how the prime minister and his administration have squirmed and twisted and justified their handling of Bersih 2.0 and shown their reluctance to discuss meaningful electoral reform.

Very little has surprised me about an administration that is bereft of principle and function on the basis of spin and half-truths. It is quite obvious that the government believed that it could kill off Bersih by tough action and threats of intimidation.

When this did not happen, Najib tried a different tack: that the government was reasonable but Bersih was bent on causing havoc on the streets. His administration also spread the word that if the electoral system was skewed, there is no way the Opposition could have snared five states.

Today, while speaking to student leaders, Najib added to the spin, saying that if the government really controlled the Election Commission, it could have easily won Kelantan in 2004 where a few seats were lost by a few votes.

I think we should end this lie now. In 2004, the PM was Abdullah Badawi, not the smartest man around and definitely a major disappointment but not a cheat. He would not have thought of stuffing the ballot box. In addition, the Umno guys did not know that Abdullah would lead BN to a strong win across the country.

Their showing in Kelantan was probably a surprise. But in all likelihood, Abdullah would have frowned on cheating.

In 2008, nobody, not BN, not Abdullah and certainly not Pakatan Rakyat, believed that the Malaysian public would punish the incumbents so severely.

Umno was caught unawares. Given that scenario, they did not feel the need to change the postal vote rules as they have done so recently. In addition, it is unlikely that as a God-fearing man, Abdullah would have agreed to wide-scale cheating.

But times have changed and the people at the top these days are facing much more pressure than Abdullah did: there is more racial strife; personal issues like the Scorpene deal which refuse to go away; a disillusioned non-Malay/Muslim electorate; a gaping budget deficit and a less gullible electorate.

More than anything else, there is also belief within Umno circles that this could be the end, and this fatalism is reflected by the grabbing and get rich mood currently prevalent among the BN elite and their cronies.

With this background, it is not surprising that Najib played hardball over the Bersih rally. Within Umno, they actually gave the Bersih people more power and credit than they deserved.

There is no way that Umno will agree to the transparency of electoral reform because the party leadership believes that control of the Election Commission is the last trump card it holds.

Coming back to Najib today. All this stout defence about offering Shah Alam Stadium is an afterthought. As the days roll along, the administration will embellish this story, aided and abetted by the lamestream media.

Depending on the audience, sometimes the justification for the government crackdown on Bersih will be to protect the majority against tyranny of the minority or that it is illegal to deal with an illegal organisation or something along those lines.

Temberanglah. Notice all talk of communism and a Christian takeover has suddenly disappeared.

* Lucius Goon reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

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Johorean women find a match in each other

The Sun
by Kong See Hoh

PETALING JAYA (July 31, 2011): The first publicised marriage between two women made headline news in Chinese dailies today.

The couple from Batu Pahat,…

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The Sun
by Kong See Hoh

PETALING JAYA (July 31, 2011): The first publicised marriage between two women made headline news in Chinese dailies today.

The couple from Batu Pahat, identified only as Thomas, 29, and Apple, 27, received the blessings of relatives and friends in a full Chinese traditional marriage ceremony on Saturday.

Thomas, in white suit, and Apple, in a white bridal gown exchanged vows in front of their parents and friends before the tea ceremony.

The couple shed tears of joy as they received ang pows, jewellery and most of all well-wishes from their parents.

Earlier, the “groom” and her entourage had to overcome the usual sisters’ barrier at the bride’s house before “he” was allowed to take the bride home.

Contacted by Oriental Daily News, Apple said the decision to spend the rest of her life with Thomas was made after a two-year courtship.

She said they had no problem getting their parents’ consent, whom she described as “being very understanding”.

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PM: Government committed to electoral reform

The Star
by FLORENCE A.SAMY
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is committed to electoral reform and ensuring that parliamentary democracy is forever maintained, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.…

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The Star
by FLORENCE A.SAMY
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is committed to electoral reform and ensuring that parliamentary democracy is forever maintained, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"I am committed to electoral reform. We will undertake them.

"For example, there are concerns about phantom voters. We will ensure there are no chance for phantom voters," he said at the fifth annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit here on Sunday.

He also responded to the students' queries during the question and answer session.

Measures being taken to improve the electoral system, he said, included the introduction of the biometric system and early votes among uniformed personnel.

"Do not doubt our commitment to improving the system.

"There is no such thing as postal votes. Those are early votes from people on duty. They vote on their own and not on other people's behalf," he said.

Najib also reiterated that there was parliamentary democracy and fair elections in the country.

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Three Islamic IEDs defused. At least 45 Amarnath pilgrims saved from deadly blast. Nobody held yet.

 

Terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims foiled. 

Zeenews Bureau || Saturday, July 30, 2011

Jammu: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday foiled a terror plot to attack pilgrims undertaking Amarnath…

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Terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims foiled. 

Zeenews Bureau || Saturday, July 30, 2011

Jammu: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday foiled a terror plot to attack pilgrims undertaking Amarnath yatra. 

CRPF personnel defused three IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that were kept in a bus.

The incident occurred in Kazikund on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway when a bus with around 45 Amarnath pilgrims was returning to Jammu.

The bus conductor noticed some suspicious bags and immediately alerted the security officials. The area was immediately cordoned off by CRPF personnel and a bomb squad was called in.

The IEDs were placed inside three pressure cookers and were remote controlled. It is suspected that RDX was used to make the three bombs.

Courtesy : Zee News || Times of India || Times Now.

85% Hindus in India have to run their pilgrimage in their own land within heavy military protection due to 15% Muslim counts maximum here. What will be the situation of Hindus in India when the numbers of Muslims will be figured 30%  just in 2025 ?? Quwattal-e-Aam. Hindu Genocide. 

Read and Get an unique solution : “HOW TO WIPE OUT ISLAMIC TERROR  FROM INDIA” by Dr. Subramaniam Swamy. 

We should retaliate.
Hindus must collectively respond as Hindus.
Hindus to stand against the Islamic terrorist.
There is no room for sattvic responses to evil people.
No compromise with Islamic terrorism. No justification of it.
The final way of Guru Govind Singh : How just five fearless persons under spiritual guidance can transform a society. ਵਾਹੇਗੁਰੁ  ਜੀ  ਕਾ  ਖਾਲਸਾ  ਵਾਹੇਗੁਰੁ  ਜੀ  ਕੀ  ਫ਼ਤੇਹ ||

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Channel Four Stands by Credibility of Eye Witnesses

by Janith Aranze - thesundayleader.lk

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Leader via email, the Channel 4 journalist featured in the new footage released this week, Jonathan Miller, has…

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by Janith Aranze - thesundayleader.lk

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Leader via email, the Channel 4 journalist featured in the new footage released this week, Jonathan Miller, has steadfastly stood by the credibility of the eye-witnesses featured in the film. Miller who conducted the interviews with the two eye witnesses is in no doubt of their credibility. “We do not air allegations from witnesses, (particularly allegations of this nature) without first authenticating their bona-fides to the high standards expected of us by our lawyers, and the British broadcasting regulator, Ofcom,” Miller told The Sunday Leader.

He went onto explain that it is now up to others to judge the credibility of the eye witnesses. “My editors and I are more than satisfied with the credibility of the eye-witnesses. It is up to you to decide whether to trust the integrity of our journalism when it comes to your judging their credibility,” he said. Miller also stated that he simply cannot reveal how he got in contact with the two eye-witnesses for fear of their safety. “These witnesses were in fear of their lives, and remain so. So fearful were they that we agreed to their total anonymity, which included our using actors’ voices to disguise their identities. We take our responsibility to protect our sources very seriously. One was prepared to be identified as an army officer, the other was not prepared to be identified at all,” Miller states.In the new film aired this week on July 27, two men from the Sri Lanka Army’s 58th Division according to Channel 4, were interviewed on what they had witnessed during the last stages of the war. The two eyewitnesses had their images completely concealed and their voices had been muted fully and dubbed over with English actors’ voices.

One eyewitness reportedly from the 58th Division claims that Brigadier Shavendra Silva addressed his brigade telling them he had received a telephone call from the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Shavendra Silva had told his officers that the orders from Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were to finish the job by whatever means necessary. The eyewitness reportedly claims Shavendra Silva said, “This is a very decisive day for us. Last night I got a call from the Defence Secretary, he said we only have a small chunk of land to capture. Do whatever it takes, by noon I should hear good news from you. If you need any further instructions call me, finish it off in the way it has to be done.”

The second eyewitness, reportedly an officer in the SLA’s 58th Division claims that Tamil Tiger leaders were ordered to be shot by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Brigadier Shavendra Silva.
Quote, “Two majors were ordered to receive the Tiger leaders. The Defence Secretary phoned Brigadier Shavendra Silva and ordered him not to take them prisoner but to kill them. I can confidently state those who ordered the killing were Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Brigadier Shavendra Silva,” unquote… the eyewitness recollected.

At the end of the film, Jonathan Miller is shown having doorstepped General Shavendra Silva, currently Sri Lanka’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN. Miller confronts Silva outside the United Nations building in New York and questions him about alleged war crimes committed in Sri Lanka.
Silva vehemently denies the claims saying, “It is only you and your channel that are accusing us of war crimes, nobody else is.” Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has also since said that the British Government should take action against Channel 4 for what he described as ‘irresponsible videos.’ Rajapaksa had immediately denounced the video saying it has misleading information. “They quote two people claiming to be soldiers and alleging that the executions were done by us. These are false propaganda,” he stated.

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Another help me to help you deal? – The Malaysian Insider

JULY 30 – Datuk Seri Najib Razak offered a deal to the Indian community today. He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government will bring them to the “mainstream of development”…

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JULY 30 – Datuk Seri Najib Razak offered a deal to the Indian community today. He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government will bring them to the “mainstream of development” if they support the MIC.

And he named MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel as a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, bloating the Cabinet that he promised would be lean when he took office in April 2009.

But it’s the prime minister’s  right to name anyone to his Cabinet if he feels like it. We have no quarrel with that although that will bump up the emoluments bill at a time when government expenditure is far outstripping revenue.

What is striking is the brazen quid pro quo that Najib proposed today. Indians deserve or for that matter Malays or Chinese or any Malaysians deserve help without any strings attached.

This sounds like the Sibu deal in May 2010 during the by-election campaign. The one captured and uploaded on Youtube that sounded like a bribe although the Election Commission (EC) ignored the thought.

Here’s the rub. MIC doesn’t represent all the 1.9 million Indians in Malaysia. After all, Indians lead and support other parties such as the DAP, PSM, PKR, PPP and Gerakan.

So, if it can’t deliver the Indian vote, will BN punish the Indians by keeping them away from development? Is that fair? Is it because they are a minority?

Shouldn’t the BN ask if MIC is credible enough to win the Indian vote without resorting to a blackmail of sorts.

A leader of all Malaysians will always endeavour to uplift the standard of living of citizens and bring everyone to mainstream of development, without any strings attached.

If the ruling coalition isn’t up to the job, it should give way to those who can. The Indian Malaysians are citizens just like others.

They don’t need to use the stick to get the Indians to vote for BN. Or the carrot. The ruling coalition should work to develop and help generate prosperity for everyone in Malaysia. Otherwise, step down and let a government for all rule Malaysia.

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MIC want to remain sole Indian rep in BN

Palanivel said MIC would object to any other Indian-based parties joining BN as MIC is the main party for the Indian community.

PUTRAJAYA: The MIC has threatened to “walk out”…

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Palanivel said MIC would object to any other Indian-based parties joining BN as MIC is the main party for the Indian community.

PUTRAJAYA: The MIC has threatened to “walk out” of the Barisan Nasional (BN) if the ruling party allows other Indian-based parties to join the BN as direct members.

“We will object to them (other Indian-based parties) joining the BN as direct members. We will walk out (of the BN)… they can become associate members but not direct members.

“Umno does not allow any other Malay party to join the BN, the MCA also does not allow other Chinese-based parties to join the BN as direct members. Gerakan is a multi-racial party. If Umno allows other Malay-based parties to join BN as direct members, we do not mind,” MIC president G Palanivel said.

Speaking to the press after the party’s annual general assembly here this evening, he said the party, which boasts 640,000 members, is holding discussion with several Indian-based splinter parties.

“We want them (Indian-based splinter parties) to come back to MIC. If they are interested, then it is not a problem. But if they are not, then they can do whatever they want. We are talking to them. I have approached and spoken to them… some will join us.

“If they decide to merge with MIC, then we will become more powerful… some are talking to me and all will be revealed at the right time,” said Palanivel, who was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department yesterday.

Recently Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that Indian-based IPF were close to become a BN partner. The splinter party from MIC had been long applying to join the BN but had failed to do so following MIC’s objection.

Electoral incentives

Palanivel also announced that MIC will not give up any of its seats under the BN’s seat allocation system.
The MIC is allocated nine parliamentary and 19 state seats to contest under the BN banner. At the 2008 general election, the party recorded a dismal performance, winning only three parliamentary and seven state assembly seats.

“If BN component parties want to swap seats with us, we are prepared to talk but we will not let go the nine parliamentary and 19 state seats,” he said.

Asked if MIC would request for additional seats in the next general election, he said the party would not do so unless there is a constituency delineation exercise.

“But I do not think there would be a delineation exercise before the next general election,” he added.
Palanivel also said he will give incentives like i-Pads and trips to Hindu temples in India to branch leaders who bring in 1,000 MIC members to be registered as voters.

“Currently, we have about 200,000 MIC members who have yet to register as voters… we have to go to the ground and register them. If we can do this, then the party would have 600,000 registered voters.

“Once this is achieved, we can show our strength. We can achieve a lot. We want MIC to become a powerful voting block. Although Indians are a minority in the country, we can become a powerful party if we register 600,000 of our members as voters,” said Palanivel.- FMT

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Do not bask in glory, MIC

Giving MIC another minister's post may not necessarily mean the 1.8 million Malaysian Indian community is going to return to the BN fold, say analysts.

ANALYSIS -FMT

PUTRA JAYA: While…

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Giving MIC another minister's post may not necessarily mean the 1.8 million Malaysian Indian community is going to return to the BN fold, say analysts.

ANALYSIS -FMT

PUTRA JAYA: While the MIC, touted to be the largest Indian-based political party in the country, is busy blowing its trumpet following its second ministership appointment, political pundits argue that the party should instead concentrate on winning back the support of the 1.8 million Malaysian Indian community.

Yesterday, Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Najib Tun Razak announced that party president G Palanivel, who has served as deputy minister, would be made Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department ending MIC’s 35-year wait.

The party initially had two full ministers but gave it up for two deputy ministers’ post some 35 years ago.
While the appointment augers well for the party, the timing of the appointment is being questioned.

Is this a sweetener to win back the support of the Malaysian Indian community, which seems to be trickling back to the ruling coalition after the 2008 general election?

With the next general election expected to be held in the next 18 months, there is a general sentiment in the community that the appointment is just to pacify and win the total support of the
Indians through MIC.

Critics now say that while the BN could not give Palanivel a ticket to contest at the Hulu Selangor by-election last year, it had conveniently given him a minister’s post solely to win the hearts and
minds of the community.

“If he was not a winnable candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election, why appoint him a full minister? This puzzles a lot of people… but I feel the answer is simple. MIC needs to be strengthened. The BN needs to show that it has the Indian community’s interest at heart,” said a party insider who declined to be named.

“The MIC had been asking the second minister’s post for a while now. So to make it a win-win situation for all, Najib has decided to appoint Palanivel as minister,” he added.

Winnable candidates

Palanivel had held the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat from 1990 to 2004. He lost the seat at the 2008 general election. The seat fell vacant again after the death of the incumbent and in that by-election, the BN leadership decided to field P Kamalanathan, who is also from the MIC.

The reason given by the BN for not picking Palanivel was that it wanted winnable candidates.

Soon after the by-election, Palanivel was made a senator and given a deputy minister’s post.

Party insiders say even his appointment as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department was an eye-wash as the ministry’s was powerless in implementing plans.

“How is Palanivel’s appointment as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department going to help the Indian community? The MIC president needs a strong ministry but this was not the case. It looked like Najib was throwing bones to keep MIC and the Indians happy,” said a division leader who declined to be named.

Another MIC member, who wished to remain anonymous, said that Palanivel would have slightly less than 18 months to prove his worth and this was too short a time for him to do anything.

“He will have only 18 months to address the grouses of the community. Do you seriously expect him to address all the issues confronting the Malaysian Indian community in this span of time when the party has been trying to solve these woes for the last two decades?” he asked.

A ‘smokescreen’

He added that the second Cabinet minister’s post was nothing but a “smokescreen” in an attempt to “sweep away” all the other problems in the community.

He said the cruncher would be when the list of MIC candidates are named for the next general
election.

“Which seat are they going to give him? What happens if Palanivel loses in the next general election? Will they (Umno) take back the second minister’s post? This appointment raises more questions than answers.”
Another MIC leader pointed out that Palanivel is perceived as an “Umno-appointed MIC president and minister”.

“Because of this, Palanivel is seen as an Umno puppet. He was appointed to all these posts – senator, deputy minister and now minister,” he said.

“He did not win any posts by merit and this is is the setback not only for him but also the MIC. It will be indebted to Umno until Palanivel is replaced,” he added.

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A ‘political frog’ gift for Perkasa’s Ibrahim

A MIC branch chairman wants MIC to stop Perkasa chief Ibrahim from criticising BN component parties.

PUTRAJAYA: A MIC division chairman caused a stir when he brought a frog to…

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A MIC branch chairman wants MIC to stop Perkasa chief Ibrahim from criticising BN component parties.

PUTRAJAYA: A MIC division chairman caused a stir when he brought a frog to the MIC annual general meeting (AGM) here today to express his disgust with Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali.

Calling Ibrahim a political frog, MIC Bukit Bintang division chairman T Ananthan took Ibrahim to task for questioning the non-Bumiputeras’ loyalty to the government when the party criticised the Public Service Department (PSD) for not offering scholarships to deserving Indian students.

“We are Malaysians. Why can’t PSD offer scholarships to all deserving Malaysian students? Education is a basic need for everyone,” said Ananthan, adding that the frog represents Ibrahim’s political inclination.

He also said that MIC should stop Perkasa, a Malay right-wing group, from criticising Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

Speaking at the sidelines of the MIC annual general meeting (AGM) today, he said Perkasa should stop its tirade against BN parties and learn to respect non-Bumiputera rights in the country as well.

“If BN fails to get two-thirds majority in the next polls, it will be Perkasa’s fault,” he added.
Ananthan also urged BN component parties to swap seats among themselves to increase the ruling coalition’s chances to win the next general election.

“Maybe voters were fed up of the same party and candidate being fielded in a constituency in the past. For example, we held Sungai Siput and Teluk Kemang for 49 years,” he said.

He added that whichever seat MIC may contest, it would be the Malay votes that would determine the party’s victory.

“Though there may be substantial Indian voters there, it is the Malay votes who would determine our win,” said Ananthan.

He also urged the party leadership to get rid of factional politics to attract Indians back to the party.

“The party suffered heavily during the feud between former president S Samy Vellu and his deputy (S Subramaniam) in the past. Please do not create the same problem between incumbent president G Palanivel and (his deputy) Dr S Subramaniam,” said Ananthan.

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Seeking to improve economic lot of Indians

The MIC wants the government to set up an authority for economic advancement of Indian community.

PUTRAJAYA: The just-concluded 65th MIC general assembly approved a resolution asking the government to…

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The MIC wants the government to set up an authority for economic advancement of Indian community.

PUTRAJAYA: The just-concluded 65th MIC general assembly approved a resolution asking the government to set up an Indian Community Economic Empowerment Authority under the Finance Ministry.

The resolution called for significant actions to be taken to uplift the economy of the Indian community.
It was one of nine resolutions on politics, governmental affairs, education and socio-economics adopted at the two-day assembly.

The resolution also called a special mechanism to be created to help hardcore poor Indians to own homes.
The general assembly also approved unanimously a motion to give full support to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s leadership and G Palanivel as MIC president.

In education, MIC also called on the government to give serious attention in providing pre-school facilities in at least 87% of the total number of Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SRJKT) nationwide. At present only 18.7% of the schools have such facilities.

The motion was made in line with the prime minister’s announcement that pre-school education was an important component in the national education system.

The party also approved a resolution asking the government to offer more trainings and skill courses in the form of grants to the Indian community.

MIC also asked the government to consider giving automatic citizenship to permanent residents who had been residing in Malaysian since pre-independence year and those born in Malaysia after Independence but had remained under the stateless category.

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Najib says had Shah Alam stadium in mind for Bersih

The prime minister accused Bersih today of rejecting his stadium offer. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak disclosed today he had thought of Shah…

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The prime minister accused Bersih today of rejecting his stadium offer. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak disclosed today he had thought of Shah Alam stadium for the July 9 rally when he made offered a venue to Bersih, pointing out this was “the best option” available.


The prime minister, however, had never specified which stadium Bersih could hold the July 9 rally at when he made the offer.

“I offered a stadium. You can show dissent in a stadium, but they still wanted to do it on the streets.

“I had in mind the Shah Alam stadium, that was the best option,” Najib said today during his speech at the closing of the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit (MSLS) here.

He also accused Bersih today of rejecting his stadium offer despite the electoral reform group’s widely publicised concession to conduct the rally in a stadium.

The group had initially agreed to call off the rally after a meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and for it to be held in Stadium Merdeka instead.

The request, however, was rejected by the authorities which resulted in a spill-over of Bersih supporters across the city last July 9 who had planned to march to Stadium Merdeka but were prevented from doing so by the police.

The PM stressed to the students that dissent was allowed in Malaysia, but that it had its limits.
“It’s a fallacy to say that we do not allow dissent. We don’t want it to impede the interests of a large majority,” he added.

“We’re always at the losing end, no matter what we do,” lamented Najib in reference to Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s criticisms of the way the government had handled the Bersih rally as well as demands for electoral reform.

Bersih estimated that 50,000 people showed up at the July 9 rally for free and fair elections despite efforts to prevent it from taking place while police have said the number was closer to 6,000.

The protest turned chaotic when police fired tear gas and water cannons at thousands of demonstrators, resulting in nearly 1,700 arrests, scores injured and the death of ex-soldier Baharuddin Ahmad, 59.

The government has promised to investigate allegations of police brutality while the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will hold a separate public inquiry into police conduct during the rally.

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He only wanted to be treated as a human

The New Straits Times
by Satiman Jamin

AS a journalist, a phone call in the wee hours is not extraordinary, but the call I received from Ashraf's mother, Mak Yah,…

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The New Straits Times
by Satiman Jamin

AS a journalist, a phone call in the wee hours is not extraordinary, but the call I received from Ashraf's mother, Mak Yah, at 1.45am yesterday came as a shock.

I first met Mak Yah only a few weeks ago, after she agreed to be interviewed about the negative stories about her family stemming from her son Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abd Aziz's application to change his name to Aleesha Farhana in his MyKad.

During the interview, she told me about her family's plight in seeking a solution for Ashraf, who underwent a sex-change surgery in Thailand two years ago.

She was very distraught when talking about the humiliation of being branded as a bad mother by those who blamed her as the cause of her eldest son's "condition".

However, her sadness during the interview was nothing compared with the intense grief she felt when doctors told her that Ashraf's life was slipping away.

"We are going back to the hospital as the doctors have informed us that his blood pressure has dropped to a very low level," she said, her voice cracking as she tried to rein in her emotions.

I was shocked and searched for the correct words to say to Mak Yah.

I thought about my interview with Ashraf a few weeks ago.

I felt a chill as Ashraf's words came back to haunt me.

"It's going to be Ramadan soon. I hope you and your wife can break fast with my family although I have a feeling that I will not be able to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year."

In the end, I just babbled a few words about being strong to Mak Yah.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw a new short messaging service text on my handphone at 6.15am. 

My worst fears were confirmed when I read it.

"Al-fatihah for Mohd Ashraf Hafiz who passed away at 5am today," it read.

Questions raced through my mind as to whether I had done enough for Ashraf, a fellow Muslim and human being.

Ashraf was rather apprehensive about giving me an interview. 

He said he would only agree to it if he was portrayed as a human being, not as a freak or a news item.

He brought me to meet his parents, Mak Yah and Abdul Aziz Ahmad, later that evening.

As a parent myself, I could understand Mak Yah's feelings as she poured her heart out that night.

She complained about how people had commented that Ashraf was better off dead.

"It was cruel of them to make such comments, as if my son's life is worthless." 

At Sultanah Nur Zahirah hospital morgue yesterday, I met Mak Yah again.

"I had often prayed for the best for Ashraf. God loved him and has taken him before us although he is much younger. I believe God has decided that's the best for him."

I was again at a loss for words as Mak Yah had said it all.

Rest in peace and al-fatihah for Ashraf.

May God have mercy on him and on us, the living, who often take for granted the "luxury" of being regarded as humans.

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Government, EC To Discuss Need For Constitution Amendment To Enable Students Abroad To Vote - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will discuss with the Election Commission on whether there is a need to amend…

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KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will discuss with the Election Commission on whether there is a need to amend the Federal Constitution to allow Malaysian students abroad to vote.

"If there is a need to allow students studying abroad to vote, we will look into it and discuss with the Election Commission," he said in response to a question raised by a student during a dialogue at the 5th Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit here today, after delivering his closing speech.

"We have to get a two-thirds majority before such an amendment can take place. We will look into it and maybe get the support from the opposition for the two-third majority," he said.

He said the government was committed to electoral reforms and addressing the issue of phantom voters, and that one of the steps taken was to introduce the biometric system.

The two-day summit organized by the United Kingdom and Eire Council (UKEC) of Malaysian Students was attended by about 1,000 Malaysian university student leaders from local and foreign universities abroad.

The summit themed "Piecing Together The Malaysian Puzzle" saw dialogues with prominent national figures from various fields, on topics related to nation building and the development of Malaysian youth Sunday.

Among the speakers were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Vice President Nurul Izzah Anwar and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

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Ribut luar biasa sambut Rosmah dan Najib ke PD ?

Semalam majlis Perbarisan Tamat Latihan Perdana yang di adakan di Pusat Latihan Tentera Darat (PUSASDA) telah disempurnakan oleh Rosmah dan najib Tun Razak telah mendapat kejutan luar biasa.

Tidak pernah…

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Semalam majlis Perbarisan Tamat Latihan Perdana yang di adakan di Pusat Latihan Tentera Darat (PUSASDA) telah disempurnakan oleh Rosmah dan najib Tun Razak telah mendapat kejutan luar biasa.

Tidak pernah Port Dickson dilanda ribut sedemikan rupa tetapi semalam ribut teruk melanda Port Dickson. Pokok-pokok tumbang, kenderaan banyak yang rosak terutamanya dikawasan letak kereta di PUSASDA. Menurut saksi yang ada ditempat kejadian khemah di tapak program juga musnah berterbangan.

Kawasan yang tidak pernah banjir, banjir teruk. Kawasan yang yang sering banjir seperti di Bandar Sunggala pula tidak banjir. Kubah Masjid terbang.

Bukan sedikit kemusnahan yang berlaku. Semoga 'cuitan' kuasa alam yang mendemonstrasikan kuasa maha Pencipta ini menginsafkan dan mengingatkan kita untuk mengenai betapa pentingnya menjauhi sikap bongkak dan zalim. - Chegu Bard

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PM dodges 'Malay first' poser for fear of rift