Mat Sabu to sue Utusan over ‘false report’

The PAS deputy president calls Utusan's report “lies and distortions”.

PETALING JAYA: PAS deputy president, Mohamad Sabu, will take legal action against Utusan Malaysia for the “distorted and false” reporting of his ceramah in Penang’s Tasek Gelugor on Augt 21.

Last Saturday, the Umno-owned daily had quoted the PAS leader as saying that the communists who attacked the Bukit Kepong police station during the Emergency on Feb 3, 1950, were heroes and not the 17 policemen who died in the attack.

Utusan also quoted him as saying that the country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and Umno’s first president, Onn Jaafar, should not be recognised as freedom fighters because they were also British officers.

Up to 20 police reports have been lodged against Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, over the weekend accompanied by accusations that he intends to re-write history to turn Malaysia into a republic.

Yesterday, Mat Sabu declined to comment on the report, saying that he could not remember what he had said during his ceramah and needed to review it first.

However, today he told FMT that he had listened to the recordings of his speech and confirmed that Utusan’s report was “distorted and a lie”.

“I even asked all my friends who attended the ceramah to be doubly sure that I didn’t convey what was reported in Utusan,” he said. “The report is definitely false. So I will meet my lawyer after Hari Raya to discuss suing Utusan over this matter.”

According to Mat Sabu, he had mentioned the Bukit Kepong attack but not the communists or the name of their leaders.

“What I said was that Mat Indera (Muhammad Indera) is a Malay hero because he fought against British rule,” he explained. “I never mentioned the communists, that was Utusan’s exaggeration.”

Mat Indera, however, is known as a Malay communist and was said to have led the Bukit Kepong attack.
But when this was pointed out, Mat Sabu insisted that he never hailed Mat Indera as a hero for the attack or for leading the communists.

He reiterated that Mat Indera was a hero simply for fighting against British rule.

‘Merdeka an Umno celebration’

He also denied saying that the country’s former premiers were not freedom fighters.
“What I said was that Merdeka should cease to be an Umno celebration and become a Malaysian celebration by recognising the other people who contributed to the nation’s independence, like Ahmad Boestaman and Ibrahim Yaakob,” he clarified.

Ahmad was the founding president of Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) while Ibrahim was the founder of Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM). Both parties were said to be affiliated with leftist idelogies.

“These icons are not being recognised as fighters for independence because they didn’t belong to Umno,” he added. “So when we overlook the opposition’s contribution, then Merdeka becomes an Umno celebration.”

Mat Sabu agreed that Umno-owned media have been attacking him since he was elected PAS deputy earlier this year and speculated that it could be due to his friendship with the other races.

“Umno doesn’t want a leader like me to exist,” he laughed. “They just want me to be a PAS leader and not a national one that reaches out to all races.”

“And they are also probably using me to deflect attention from their dirty issues like the electoral rule reform.”

Mat Sabu also dismissed an incident of the defaced posters of PAS spiritual leader, Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Shah Alam MP, Khalid Samad, that were discovered in Section 23 in Shah Alam yesterday.

The posters of Nik Aziz were defaced with cross markings while those of Khalid were defaced with red ink. While the culprits have not yet been identified, Mat Sabu insinuated that BN had a hand in the incident.

“Vandalism is a normal practice for the other side,” he said. “It’s nothing to take too seriously. This is just another example of their characteristics.”

‘Mutiny in Umno’: MIC must back Najib

MIC's S Vell Paari says if it is true that there is an attempt to topple Najib, then MIC must back the prime minister.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC should reconsider its position in Barisan Nasional if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is toppled from power by certain forces within Umno, said party Central Working Committee (CWC) member S Vell Paari.

In a news report published in Tamil Nesan yesterday, he said there was intense speculation that Najib is facing a challenge in Umno.

If there is any truth to the speculation, Vell Paari urged MIC to defend Najib.

“He is the best prime minister we have in terms of catering for the Indian community, so we must stand by him.

“We don’t know if the rumour is true but MIC must protect Najib against those who are working against the prime minister,” he added.

Vell Paari, who raised the matter during the MIC CWC meeting yesterday, said that it was his personal opinion.

“This is my own opinion. It is up to the party leadership and CWC members to accept my opinion or not,” he added.

Although Umno’s top leadership denied the existence of any rifts, insiders claim that the party is split between two camps, the other led by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Speculation is also rife that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is backing Muhyiddin in order to boost his son Mukhriz’s political fortunes.

Mahathir has denied this, accusing those behind the speculation of attempting to destroy Umno by sowing suspicion among its leaders.

Mat Sabu pengganas, pengkhianat – Musa Hassan

(Utusan Malaysia) - Bekas Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Musa Hassan melabelkan Mohamed Sabu sebagai pengganas dan pengkhianat negara apabila mendakwa Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) ialah hero sebenar dalam peristiwa Bukit Kepong dan bukannya anggota keselamatan serta ahli keluarga mereka.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) perlu memantau tindak-tanduk Timbalan Presiden Pas itu dan mengambil tindakan tegas terhadapnya termasuk dikenakan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) kerana kenyataannya itu menunjukkan beliau mempunyai kecenderungan menjadi pengganas.

Menurut Musa, kenyataan Mat Sabu itu jelas menunjukkan beliau menyokong pengganas sedangkan sejarah membuktikan betapa kejamnya komunis terhadap anggota pasukan keselamatan dan rakyat yang menentang perjuangan mereka suatu ketika dahulu.

“Lupakah Mat Sabu betapa ramai anggota pasukan keselamatan dibunuh dengan kejam oleh komunis, berapa banyak rumah penduduk kampung dibakar apabila enggan memberi beras kepada mereka?

“Ada 6,000 pegawai dan anggota polis dibunuh oleh komunis, tak kan mereka sanggup bergadai nyawa jika bukan mahu mempertahankan negara tetapi malang sekali pengorbanan mereka diperlekehkan oleh seorang pengkhianat seperti Mat Sabu,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia hari ini.

Kata Musa lagi, Mohamad Sabu mungkin sengaja mengeluarkan kenyataan tersebut untuk mencari publisiti dan memburukkan polis yang selalu menangkapnya kerana melanggar undang-undang sebelum ini.

Indonesian envoy: Malaysia has lost its lustre

The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia can no longer depend on Indonesia as a never-ending source for maids.

Indonesian Embassy minister counsellor for information, social and cultural affairs Suryana Sastradiredja said Malaysia no longer seemed an attractive place to work for its women.

He said this was due to increasing opportunities in their own country and a “bad impression” about Malaysian employers.

“The economy in Indonesia is improving and has opened up many job opportunities. Many Indonesian households are hiring maids as well,” he said yesterday.

He added that those working as maids preferred to work close to home although their salary was slightly lower about RM200 less than what they would get here.

Suryana said the number of legal workers in Malaysia had dropped by 50% to fewer than 500,000 people since last year.

“Another major reason is the negative impression many Indonesians have of employers in Malaysia,” he said.

The embassy spokesman said although only a minority of Malaysian employers mistreated their maids, this had created a negative image among its workers.

“Malaysians must realise that times have changed. Those who have worked here do communicate to the others back home about their experience in the country,” he said.

Norway: Christian Convert Attacked With Boiling Water By Muslim Asylum Seekers

"Ali", an Christian convert in a Norwegian Alylum Reception Centre, feels the peace of Islam

..who later attacked him with acid, for non-compliance with Ramadan. Five Christians vs. 150 Muslims – Just the kind of odds RoP adherents like:A an ex-Muslim Convert to Christianity was attacked with boiling water and acid by Muslims at an ‘asylum reception centre’ in Norway on Friday.
“Ali” (Not his real name), an Asylum seeker in an immigration centre in Jaeren, Norway, had boiling water poured over him after he converted to Christianity and would not comply with Ramadan fasting rules. He and the other converts at the centre now fear for their lives
If you do not return to Islam, we will kill you” was the message from the other asylum seekers at the Asylum Reception in Hå, in the Jaeren region of Norway . He refuses to disclose his real name for fear of further reprisals from them. This is also why he is pictured face down in the image above.
If Afghan authorities found out about the incident and he were to be subsequently deported he risks being sentenced to death by stoning, he claims.
He survived the incident, but has been left with a severely disfigured back, covered with flaking skin under bandages. The Christian roommate of his, Reza, dries the oozing wounds and put the blanket support under his head. Ali, his face distorted in pain, nevertheless maintains a calm voice as he tells his story:
“Two of the Muslim residents asked why I had not fasted during Ramadan. When I would not answer, they began to discuss the matter. One of them said that he knew I was Muslim and converted to Christianity, and that they had to engage in Jihad”.
One resident held Ali while another struck him in the back of the head with a pot of boiling water; and Ali collapsed to the floor. Several other Muslim residents joined the commotion. A third man walked into Ali’s room and began to trash it.
The police arrived, but only an hour later – the damage already done.
“I was still on the floor when police arrived. I told them a little, but was in too much pain to talk, so I was taken to hospital.
After a night in the hospital, went Ali back to the reception – knowing that danger had not passed When he checked the door handle to his room turned out to be covered with a acidic substance that causes burns on contact.
He summoned the staff who had washed away the chemical, but the Christian Afghan feel still does not feel safe. – They’re really killing me, and they will not rest until they have done it.

“Whoever changes his Islamic religion, then kill him.” Bukhari 9:57

Knowing that this kind of incident is by no means unique, and how violent crimes such as this is are an almost universal hallmark of recent Muslim immigration to Europe – how do you feel about the fact that the mass importation of violent thugs such as the ones who attacked “Ali”, is being foisted upon you without mandate by your political masters?
Can anyone (even the most ardent leftist moonbat or multikulti maven) really argue that that these morons will make a positive contribution to Norway?
It’s way past time that immigration to Europe from Islamic countries – particularly those where Sharia dominates – was reined in. Time and time again, Islam proves itself wholly incompatible with Western norms and standards.

Dr M: Blame BN leaders, not its system

(Malaysiakini) The concept of a coalition government with the representation of all races in the country is still a "good system" said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He blamed the problems and discontent over the past few years not to the system, but to the policies of the leaders who have administrated the government.

"It's not the BN which is wrong, it is the policies that are followed," said Mahathir.

He was speaking at the launch of the Chinese-language version of his autobiography 'A Doctor In The House: The Memoirs Of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad' at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

"As you know under the concept of a coalition government, in which all the races participate and where we agreed that no one (race) should get everything (they) are entitled to and everybody must make sacrifices - under that system of coalition government, we prospered for almost 50 years," he said.

Mahathir was responding to a question from the floor on whether the BN government needed to change in terms of its outlook.

The former prime minister of 22 years added that unlike other nations with a multiracial composition, Malaysia is "well ahead" in harnessing racial harmony and avoiding "conflicts, confrontations and violence".

'Blame poor leaders'

The "BN system" is a good system, he reiterated, but as the leaderships changes, policies that are implemented also change.

"Sometimes the change is for the good, it improves the situation. But sometimes the change is for the wrong reasons and then the country will not prosper," he said.

Mahathir hinted scathingly at the drastic shift in policies by his handpicked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (left in orange).

"As you know, when I stepped down the policies took a 190 degree turn and when they did that of course the economy and even race relations in Malaysia deteriorated," said Mahathir alluding to his successor.

Abdullah upon assuming power had almost immediately began cancelling some of Mahathir's white elephant megaprojects, the Singapore-Malaysia 'crooked' bridge and the double track project among others.

'Wise' even when I said silly things'

He also attempted to institute some badly needed reforms, such as the IPCMC, before pressure from within the party forced him to back down and eventually step down in favour of his successor, Najib Abdul Razak.

The polls group Merdeka Centre's poll, conducted between May 24 and June 8, 2011 to gauge voter perception of the state of ethnic relations in the country, has indicated that race relations has dipped since 2006.

The pollster said the dismal result was possibly due to intensified media coverage on race and religious politics, as well as the impact of incidents post 2008 including arson attacks on places of worship, public discontent over racially-biased school text books and controversial statements by public personalities.

On a lighter note, Mahathir talked about the change of his career from a doctor to becoming a politician. "Actually, I was a politician first, only then I become a doctor," he said to the amusement about 100 present.

"You see, only when you have a university qualification or a title, people will listen to you. I was as intelligent without having to become a doctor, as I am after I became a doctor but no one cares about someone without a degree.

After spending six years of his youth studying to become a certified medical practitioner, he pursued his passion for politics.

"When I came back (after studies), even if I said silly things, people thought it was very wise (but) truth to be told, I find the training of a doctor is very good for politicians," said Mahathir, adding that his medical vocation had assisted him in solving problems in public administration.

AK’s overseas media expansion hits snag on Tindle buy

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — Malaysian mogul Ananda Krishnan’s plans to expand his media presence in Britain took a hit this week after Tindle Newspapers increased its existing stake in troubled Johnston Press, which is majority owned by the reclusive tycoon.

Tindle Newspapers, owner of more than 200 weekly newspapers in the United Kingdom, increased its share in rival Johnston Press to 4.36 per cent to become the fourth largest shareholder after seizing on the troubled newspaper publisher’s low share price.

Johnston Press on Thursday reported a 47.5 per cent year-on-year drop in pre-tax profit to GBP13.8 million (RM67.4 million) in the first half, with the publisher cutting 179 staff as advertising revenue fell by 10 per cent, according to The Guardian newspaper.

“Clearly, Tindle think that the share price is low and could bounce back but it is unlikely that the majority shareholder would allow a takeover because its shares were bought at a much higher level,” the British national daily quoted a City source as saying.

“And whoever takes over Johnston would have to take over quite a substantial debt so it is questionable whether this would be a sensible move anyway.”

Ananda (picture) became the largest shareholder in Edinburgh-based Johnston Press in 2008 after spending almost GBP86 million buying 20 per cent of the company, whose stable of titles includes The Scotsman and the Yorkshire Post.

He had spent GBP43 million buying new shares after the publisher announced a GBP212 million emergency rights issue to shore up its battered balance sheet and another GBP43 million buying over half of the Johnston family’s 19.5 per cent stake.

British newspapers reported then that Ananda was planning to bulk up Johnston Press’s online presence to cope with the loss in revenue after advertisers shifted to the Internet away from regional titles.

“Ananda believes local audiences, both in print and online, have considerable value in the current climate,” Johnston Press chief executive Tim Bowdler told The Daily Mail in 2008.

But the world’s 89th richest man, whose interests span telecommunications, media, gaming, property and power, has been unable to turn around the company.

Since he acquired a majority stake in Johnston Press three years ago, its share price has plummeted from GBP1.35 per share to only 5p now.

Ananda had earlier tried to buy Virgin Radio in what appeared to have been a bid to assemble a global media empire but lost out to India’s The Times Group, in what was then the largest Asian media acquisition in Europe.

Ex-headmaster lodges police report over apostasy claim

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — A former school headmaster lodged a police report today over allegations made online that he had left Islam for Christianity.

Zainal Ratin Zainal Abidin, 67, who was accompanied by his son, Zainal Azam, lodged the report at Taman Tun Dr Ismail Police Station at around 2pm.

According to Bernama Online, Zainal Ratin said he first became aware of the claim when one of his children stumbled across a list of 430 Muslims who had allegedly converted to other religions while surfing the Internet.

“My name is on that list. This is, for me, a great slander because it involves me, my faith and my family’s honour,” he said.

Zainal Ratin has asked the authorities, including the police, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter as it involved many Muslim individuals.

Do you want to go to heaven?

Muslims believe in the Resurrection and the Afterlife, just like Christians do. Christians believe that those who follow Jesus Christ would go to heaven and all others would go to hell. Muslims believe that those who follow Prophet Muhammad would go to heaven and all others would go to hell.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin

Terengganu checks attempts to spread Shiite teachings
Attempts to propagate the teachings of the Shiite sect among Malaysia's Sunni Muslims have been detected in Terengganu, according to the State Religious and Information Committee chairman Khazan Che Mat.
He said the chairmen of all mosques in the state received reading material pertaining to the sect by registered mail several days ago.
Khazan said he had instructed all recipients of the material to surrender them to the Terengganu Religious Affairs Department.
"We do not want anyone to have the impression that the propagation of Shiite teachings has the blessings of the state government," he told reporters after an event organised by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) here today to popularise its Terengganufm and Kelantanfm channels. -- Bernama 

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To those who are not Muslims, the impression probably created is that Shiites are not real Muslims or are deviant Muslims. That is why the Malaysian government is blocking the spread of Shiite Islam and those Malaysian Muslims who follow Shiite teachings would suffer arrest.
Actually, Shiites are also Muslims. It is just that they follow a different sect of Islam. However, since they do not follow Sunni Islam, they are considered deviants by the Malaysian government.
Shiites are allowed into Mekah and Medina. If they were not Muslims then they would be banned from the ‘Holy Land’. The Saudi Arabian government is very strict on this and non-Muslims are forbidden entry into the two Holy Cities.
But Shiites are not banned from entry into Mekah and Medina. So this means they are still considered Muslims.
If you are born Malay, then you are automatically a Sunni Muslim. This is the law. And if you follow another sect of Islam, or you leave Islam to follow another religion, then you have committed a crime and you will be punished.
To those who are not Muslims, this may sound strange. After all, in other countries such as England, there are many types of Christians and no one is arrested if they don’t follow the Church of England.
But England was not always like this. 1,000 years ago, the Crusaders killed more Christians than they did Muslims. If you were a Christian of another sect, then you would be put to death.
In fact, only 500 years ago, ‘deviant’ Christians were still being put to death in England. Henry VIII was notorious for massacring thousands of his own citizens after he broke away from Rome and formed his own church with him as head of the church.
This break from Rome was partly for religious reasons and partly because of money and power. When England came under Rome, the very rich church sent money to the Vatican. With Rome out of the equation, Henry could confiscate the vast property of the church to become the richest King in Christendom.
You see, in those days, the church was richer than the King -- while England was going bankrupt because of the many wars it embarked upon. So it made sense for Henry to take over as head of the church. Then, everything that the church owned would now be owned by the King. And we are talking about a lot of money here.
When Mary I ascended the throne, she tried to bring back England to Rome and the Protestants who resisted were put to death in great numbers. That was why she was known as Bloody Mary -- blood flowed like rivers when she was Queen. Then Elizabeth I took over and she took revenge on the Catholics. Those who were Catholics were burned alive, just like what her sister Mary did to the non-Catholics.
Only now can you be whatever type of Christian you would like to be without facing the danger of being burned alive. However, until today, Catholics still can’t sit on the throne of England or become the British Prime Minister -- a law passed by Parliament during the time of Elizabeth I.
Malaysia is 500 years behind England. No doubt, Malaysia does not burn Shiites alive or cut off their heads with a sword. But you will get arrested and the government will block the spread of Shiite at all cost.
If you are not a Muslim, you probably have the impression that the Prophet Muhammad was a Sunni or that Muslims believe that God is a Sunni Muslim.
Actually, Prophet Muhammad was not a Sunni, Shiite, Salafi, Ahmadiyya, Kharijite, Bahá'í, Ahl-e Haqq, Ismaili, Alawi, Zaidiyyah, Druze, Qadiri, Bektashi, Chishti, Naqshbandi, Oveyssi, Suhrawardiyya, or whatever.
All these different sects and sub-sects are inventions of man -- just like the hundreds of many different Christian sects/sub-sects (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations) that at one time were killing one another in the hundreds of thousands or millions.
So, which is the correct version of Islam from the many different sects and sub-sects? The Malaysian government says Sunni Islam, and the Shafiee School in particular.
Is this what God said in the Quran? No! Is this what Prophet Muhammad said? No! This is what the Malaysian government says and the Malaysian government, and not God or Prophet Muhammad, is the final authority on Islam.
Muslims believe in the Resurrection and the Afterlife, just like Christians do. Christians believe that those who follow Jesus Christ would go to heaven and all others would go to hell. Muslims believe that those who follow Prophet Muhammad would go to heaven and all others would go to hell.
The Malaysian government believes that only those who follow the Malaysian government’s version of Islam would go to heaven while all others would go to hell.
So, if you want to go to heaven and not to hell, then follow the Malaysian government. And if you vote for Umno and Barisan Nasional, then you will not only be going to heaven but you will also be rewarded with many virgins for your sacrifice and jihad.
Hmm… what makes the government think that I like virgins? Give me a woman with experience any time.