‘Is Umno tacitly backing Himpun rally?’

A Hindraf Makkal Sakti leader claims Umno is behind the assembly and he also questioned the fast-track approval of police permit for the gathering .

GEORGE TOWN: A Hindraf Makkal Sakti leader says he sees the hand of Umno behind Saturday’s “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” (Assembly of One Million Believers Defending the Faith) gathering.

Hindraf Makkal Sakti leader P Waythamoorthy claims that Umno is tacitly backing the assembly and he is calling the relevant authorities to stop the gathering.

Waythamoorthy said the assembly was an Umno ruse to stir up the Malay psyche and create a split among Malaysians along religious and racial lines.

He said Hindraf was shocked that the police were so quick to issue a permit for a mammoth gathering that could generate so much anxiety, discontent and disharmony in the country.

He questioned the need to hold a gathering of a million Muslims to defend Islam, which is safeguarded by the Federal Constitution.

“The assembly is not only to woo Malay votes but also to warn the people not to vote for change in the next general election,” said the London-based Waythamoorthy.

PKR , PAS and Umno have officially distanced themselves from the assembly to be held at the Shah Alam stadium.

But all the parties said that they would not be able to prevent their members from attending in their individual capacity.

Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan said the party will not prevent its members from attending the assembly.

United against proselytising 
According to the organisers, they plan to gather one million Muslims to gauge the “unity” among themselves, particularly against proselytising.

This assembly comes after the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) raided a fundraising dinner at Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) on Aug 3 over alleged proselytisation taking place.

The matter was taken to Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who decreed that the JAIS report on the raid indicated that its actions were correct and had not breached any state laws.

The Sultan also ordered JAIS to provide counselling to the Muslims present at the dinner to restore their belief and faith in the religion.

Gerakan politician Baljit Singh also questioned the police on the reasons behind the fast-track approval for the permit to hold such a assembly.

“It will be interesting to know on what basis the police issued the permit when an assembly of one million people is a clear security threat to the nation’s social harmony and peace,” he said.

It’s Rajagopalu vs Mogan again in Negeri MIC

One is the party president’s man but the other can count on the support of the deputy president as well as the Menteri Besar

SEREMBAN: An intriguing question being asked in MIC circles is whether K Rajagopalu will be able to retain his position as the party’s boss in Negeri Sembilan or whether he will lose it again to VS Mogan, who is now with party headquarters as information chief. The answer will most likely come only when the 13th general election is concluded.

Rajagopalu is MIC president G Palanivel’s man, but Mogan has the support of both Deputy President Dr S Subramaniam and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan.

Rajagopalu was the MIC chief in the state before the 2008 election, but he lost his Port Dickson state seat to PKR’s M Ravi in that election and with it his position as state executive councilor. This, in turn, caused him to lose some grip in the running of MIC’s Negeri Sembilan chapter.

S Samy Vellu, who was then party president, eventually moved Rajagopalu to headquarters to take up the post of secretary-general. To replace him in Negeri Sembilan, Samy Vellu picked Mogan, who had outclassed PKR’s K Manoharan in Jeram Padang in the 2008 election and had been given the Estate Affairs and Human Resources portfolio in the executive council.

Mogan, a former teacher, used both his party and government positions to strengthen his support base, tackling many issues plaguing Indians in the estates. He quickly gained popularity.

But Palanivel, after taking over the MIC presidency early this year, moved Mogan to headquarters and brought back Rajagopalu to resume his old position.

As state party chief, Rajagopalu has the clout to decide who should contest where, unless he is overruled by the top leadership.

The speculation within the MIC fraternity is that Rajagopalu, in a bid to regain full power in the state, will not nominate Mogan for any seat in the coming election.

“Rajagopalu himself may contest in Jeram Padang and bring on state deputy chief A Ganesan to contest in Port Dickson and state treasurer R Balakrishnan to vie for the Telok Kemang parliamentary seat,” a MIC branch leader from Rembau told FMT. Ganesan and Balakrishnan are known to be aligned with Rajagopalu.

FMT contacted Mogan for his reaction, but he said: “It’s not right for me to comment on candidacy matters.”

MB a good friend

According to another MIC source, Rajagopalu and Palanivel are trying hard to get back the Rantau state seat, traditionally an MIC seat but now taken over by Umno. Menteri Besar Mohamad is currently the assemblyman for the constituency.

It is possible that MIC will get Rantau back because Mohamad may be contesting for the parliamentary seat of Rembau. No one is sure which seat MIC will give to Umno in exchange, but there is a high probability that it will be Jeram Padang, Mogan’s seat. It has a larger proportion of Malay voters than Port Dickson.

If this happens, Rajagopalu may contest in Rantau and Mogan’s career may be over. Ironically, Mogan is the Rembau MIC chief and Rantau lies within the Rembau parliamentary seat.

But all is not lost yet for Mogan. MIC insiders say they expect Deputy President Subramaniam to insist on him contesting in either Jeram Padang or Rantau if Umno is willing to swap seats. They say Subramaniam has the support of Samy Vellu’s men in MIC’s Central Working Committee.

Mogan could probably count on the Menteri Besar’s support as well. The two are good friends.

Tindakan UIA bacul, kata PSM

PSM bidas tindakan UIA yang menggantung tugas profesor undang-undang Aziz Bari.

PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) hari ini menyifatkan tindakan pihak pentadbiran Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) yang menggantung tugas Profesor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari sebagai bacul.

Setiausahanya S Arulchelvan berkata, PSM menganggap tindakan menggantung pensyarah kanan kulliyyah undang-undang itu sebagai tindakan bacul dan kurang profesional.

“Tindakan ini juga menjurus kepada mencabul hak kebebasan akademik dan hak memberikan pendapat iaitu satu hak perlembagaan,” kata Arutchelvan dalam satu kenyataan media.

Semalam UIA telah menggantung perkhidmatan Aziz Bari dan turut mengemukakan surat tunjuk sebab berikutan kenyataan beliau di dalam laporan Malaysiakini pada 12 Oktober.

Aziz Bari dilaporkan sebagai berkata bahawa Akta Hasutan 1948 tidak mepunyai peruntukan untuk menyabitkan seseorang untuk komen yang dibuat terhadap sultan.

Beliau digantung perkhidmatan berdasarkan Peraturan 15(1), Peraturan Disiplin Kakitangan 2005 UIA.

Campurtangan Umno
Arutchelvan turut menyifatkan penggantungan Aziz menunjukkan bahawa golongan akademik hanya boleh memberi kenyataan pro-pemerintah lantas menunjukkan bahawa wujud campurtangan Umno dalam keputusan penggantungan itu.

“Tindakan ini membuktikan ada campurtangan politik memandangkan desakan untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap beliau datangnya dari Umno dan kuncu-kuncunya.

Arutchelvan turut membidas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang berucap mengenai hak kebebasan dan pentadbiran yang lebih telus walhal tindakan dalam kes Aziz Bari adalah bertentangan sekali.

“Tindakan ini sekali lagi mencetuskan persoalan, “cakap tak serupa bikin”. Tetapi pada realitinya, setiap suara pembangkang diambil tindakan dengan pelbagai cara yang anti demokratik.

“Justeru itu, PSM mahu UIA memaafkan Aziz Bari dan membenarkan beliau bertugas seperti biasa.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan satu demonstrasi bagi menyatakan sokongan untuk Aziz Bari dianjurkan hari ini di pekarangan Masjid UIA Gombak oleh Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia.

Brierfield men charged with child sex offences

Four men from Brierfield are due to appear in court charged in connection with the sexual exploitation of two 14-year-old girls.

Shiraz Afzal, 25, of Mansfield Crescent is charged with conspiracy to rape a child; Omar Mazafer, 21, of Halifax Road is charged with conspiracy to rape a child and Mohammed Suleman Farooq, 22, of Berry Street is charged with conspiracy to rape a child.

All three men have been remanded in custody. A fourth man Waqas Khalid, 18, of Halifax Road, Brierfield is charged with witness intimidation. He will appear at Burnley Magistrates Court this morning (Thursday 20 October).

All four men were arrested after police carried out a series of pre-planned warrants across Brierfield on Tuesday 18 October and Wednesday 19 October.

The action follows an on-going investigation by detectives from the Freedom Team which aims to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation in Pennine Division.

Anyone with information or concerns about child sexual exploitation, is urged to contact the Freedom Team on 01706 237397 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Muammar Gaddafi killed as Sirte falls

Former Libyan leader dies as last bastion falls, but questions remain about the circumstances of his death.

Muammar Gaddafi has been killed after National Transitional Council fighters overran loyalist defences in Sirte, the toppled Libyan leader's hometown and final stronghold.

But questions remained on Thursday of the circumstances over Gaddafi's death as footage appeared to show he had been captured alive.

"We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Muammar Gaddafi has been killed," Mahmoud Jibril, the de facto Libyan prime minister, told reporters on Thursday in Tripoli, the capital.

Asked what would be done with Gaddafi's body, he said: "It doesn't make any difference, as long as he disappears".

Crowds took to the streets of Sirte, Tripoli and Benghazi, the eastern city that spearheaded the uprising against Gaddafi's 42-year rule in February, to celebrate the news, with some firing guns and waving Libya's new flag.

"I'm so proud now," a Tripoli resident told Al Jazeera."It's a new era. Look to our eyes and you'll see happiness, finally".

Abdul Hakim Belhaj, an NTC military chief, said Gaddafi had died of his wounds after being captured.

Earlier, Abdel Majid, another NTC official, said the toppled leader had been wounded in both legs.

Son killed

Later on Thursday, the Libyan information minister said Gaddafi's son Mutassim had been killed after hiding with his father.

"Mutassim is dead. I can confirm it," Mahmoud Shammam told Reuters.

Earlier reports had suggested that he had been captured alive but injured.

The news came shortly after the NTC captured Sirte after weeks of fierce fighting.

Fighters flashing V for victory took to the streets in pick-ups blaring out patriotic music.

"Thank God they have caught this person. In one hour, Sirte was liberated," a fighter said.

Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley, reporting from Sirte, said Libyans there celebrating the beginning of a "new Libya".

"This is bringing a form of closure," he said. "Gaddafi stayed true to his words, that he would stay in Libya till the end.

"It was surprising to many that he did actually stay here in Sirte - it's taken such a bombardment in the last 13 days. Nothing could survive in here for very long. I think they were starved of food, starved of ammunition, and finally there was nothing to do but to run".

Saif al-Islam 'arrested'

In Tripoli, Jibril said he had received unconfirmed reports that Gaddafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, was trying to flee from Sirte but had been tracked down by NTC fighters who were attacking his convoy. Later reports suggested that Saif had been injured and arrested.

Footage had emerged earlier in the day of the body of Abu Bakr Younus, Gaddafi's defence minister.

Abdul Hakim Al Jalil, commander of the NTC's 11th brigade, said that Moussa Ibrahim, the former spokesman for Gaddafi's fallen government, had been captured near Sirte.

Ahmed Ibrahim, a cousin of Gaddafi, was also reportedly captured.

Reaction from world leaders was swift, with Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, saying Gaddafi's death marked "a historic transition for Libya".

"In the coming days, we will witness scenes of celebration as well as grief for those who lost so much," Ban said in New York.

"Now is the time for all Libyans to come together. Libyans can only realise the promise of the future for national unity and reconciliation."

The European Union said the death "marks the end of an era of despotism" and "repression from which the Libyan people have suffered for too long".

Cops watching for seditious speeches

Police not anticipating trouble at the Himpunan Sejuta Umat rally on Saturday, but are prepared for all contingencies.

PETALING JAYA: The police will be keeping an eagle eye on the planned “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” (Assembly of One Million Believers Defending the Faith) anti-apostasy rally to be held on Saturday at the Shah Alam stadium for signs of trouble, especially speeches that are deemed seditious.

“We’re ready. They cannot touch on sensitive issues that might disrupt the peace… anything that would come under Section 3 of the Sedition Act. We will have audio and video recordings and our team tangkapan (arrest units) are all ready for all possibilities,” said Shah Alam district police chief ACP Zahedi Ayob.

Zahedi said about a thousand personnel, including anti-riot squads, will be deployed to monitor the situation.

However, he added that police are not anticipating any trouble but are ready for all contingencies.

“We’re not anticipating any problems but we are ready. I’m made to understand the theme of the rally is simply about Muslim unity,” said Zahedi.

He said that he had no information that the rally would be dangerous, a threat to national security or unity. This is based on reports from the ground as well as the lack of police reports against the gathering, which plans to gather a million Muslims against alleged Christian proselytising.

Zahedi added that police do not expect the turnout to be one million. Asked if the permit for the indoor rally, approved on Oct 13 last week, could be revoked due to the sensitivity of the matter, he said it was unlikely but reminded organisers that conditions must be adhered to.

“I’ve imposed 22 conditions for them to follow and I’ve given them to the organisers, they will have to abide by them, ” he said.

Rally open to the public

Explaining the conditions, Zahedi said the gatherers cannot hold any processions while going in or out of the Shah Alam. They would have to park elsewhere and follow traffic instructions.

Rally-goers are also prohibited from exhibiting any affiliation to political parties. “They cannot wear anything that has the logos of Umno, MCA or MIC, for example. And they can’t use any banners with logos of political parties too. This must strictly be an NGO matter.”

Zahedi appealed to the public to keep calm about the impending gathering.

“The press should not play up the issue. It is a gathering of Muslims, that is all. It is open to public, anybody can join, please abide by the traffic directions of the police, so that it will be smooth going,” he said.

The Himpunan Sejuta Umat, called Himpun (http://himpun.org/), will include poetry recital, nasyid (singing of religious songs) and talks. The police permit allows the gathering to be held from 2pm to 6pm.

Despite organisers stressing that it is a peaceful matter, the Himpun gathering against the “Christianisation” of Muslims is feared to be aggravating religious and racial tension in the country.

Christian leaders have said such an event was “irrelevant” as there has been no solid proof of apostasy cases. Political leaders from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have distanced themselves from supporting the gathering.

Himpun defends rally, says not anti-Christian

Himpun co-chairman Dr Mohd Yusri Mohamed speaking to reporters at the Siasah 
headquarters in Kuala Lumpur October 20 2011.


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — The controversial “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” (Himpun) rally this Saturday is not an anti-Christian campaign, Himpun Secretariat leaders insisted today.

Dr Mohd Yusri Mohamed, the co-chairman of Himpun — set up to “defend Islam” and reject apostasy among Muslims — told reporters that recent apostasy cases necessitated the rally, at the PAS-linked tabloid Siasah’s headquaters.

“If you noticed, if there are no issues, no incidents, no episodes, we wouldn’t have this sort of reaction, we won’t bring this out of the blue.

“There are incidents recently in Malaysia that is worrisome about apostasy, and this is real,” he said.

Himpun, which claims to have the backing of some 2,000 NGOs representing over four million Muslims nationwide, was mooted after the controversial raid on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) and aims to protest against Christians “challenging the sovereignty” of Islam.

Yusri said when it comes to apostasy, the number of cases is not the yardstick for the seriousness of the issue.

“It’s not like as if you have to wait until there are hundreds of cases then only it is considered serious.

“As a Muslim, our religion clearly teaches us that even if there is one case of apostasy in public, which is known, and there are no actions taken, then we are all guilty,” he said.

Among others, Himpun focuses on issues related to the desertion of one’s religion.

The group is expected to issue a declaration urging that there be specific laws related to those who become apostates.

Yusri said Himpun hopes fill the 100,000-capacity stadium on Saturday.

“The most important part of our religion is defending the faith of a Muslim.

“We are doing this to ensure understanding among different religions and develop respect for those of different religions. I hope there will be no misunderstanding about this and it is not political,” he said.

The rally chief said no consensus have been reached as to what they will do after the end of the rally.

“We don’t know yet, we haven’t decided the direction of the declaration,” he said, emphasising the focus of the rally, which is protecting the Islamic faith.

PAS had said that disciplinary action will be taken against any party member spotted attending the event bearing PAS banners or logos and declaring themselves members of the party. However, the members can still attend in their capacity as NGO representatives.

“We respect PAS’ decision as a party to not get involved as a party but we are convinced that PAS members, as Muslims, will help us make this rally a success,” Yusri said.

With ethnic tensions rising in the years following the 2008 general election, the mass gathering could raise already simmering fears of Islamisation among non-Muslims and more liberal Malays.

Christian leaders have already voiced their uneasiness over the event, saying its objective to fight proselytisation is “irrelevant” as the authorities are yet to find concrete proof of such activities in the country.

They also reminded rally organisers that their actions could incite animosity between both religious communities, force Muslims and Christians further apart and hamper any effort by the government and religious leaders to promote understanding and harmony.

Following the DUMC church raid, the Selangor Sultan decreed there was insufficient evidence to prove that Christians were proselytising to Muslims at the church.

Cops watching for seditious speeches

Police not anticipating trouble at the Himpunan Sejuta Umat rally on Saturday, but are prepared for all contingencies.

PETALING JAYA: The police will be keeping an eagle eye on the planned “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” (Assembly of One Million Believers Defending the Faith) anti-apostasy rally to be held on Saturday at the Shah Alam stadium for signs of trouble, especially speeches that are deemed seditious.

“We’re ready. They cannot touch on sensitive issues that might disrupt the peace… anything that would come under Section 3 of the Sedition Act. We will have audio and video recordings and our team tangkapan (arrest units) are all ready for all possibilities,” said Shah Alam district police chief ACP Zahedi Ayob.

Zahedi said about a thousand personnel, including anti-riot squads, will be deployed to monitor the situation.

However, he added that police are not anticipating any trouble but are ready for all contingencies.

“We’re not anticipating any problems but we are ready. I’m made to understand the theme of the rally is simply about Muslim unity,” said Zahedi.

He said that he had no information that the rally would be dangerous, a threat to national security or unity. This is based on reports from the ground as well as the lack of police reports against the gathering, which plans to gather a million Muslims against alleged Christian proselytising.

Zahedi added that police do not expect the turnout to be one million. Asked if the permit for the indoor rally, approved on Oct 13 last week, could be revoked due to the sensitivity of the matter, he said it was unlikely but reminded organisers that conditions must be adhered to.

“I’ve imposed 22 conditions for them to follow and I’ve given them to the organisers, they will have to abide by them, ” he said.

Rally open to the public

Explaining the conditions, Zahedi said the gatherers cannot hold any processions while going in or out of the Shah Alam. They would have to park elsewhere and follow traffic instructions.

Rally-goers are also prohibited from exhibiting any affiliation to political parties. “They cannot wear anything that has the logos of Umno, MCA or MIC, for example. And they can’t use any banners with logos of political parties too. This must strictly be an NGO matter.”

Zahedi appealed to the public to keep calm about the impending gathering.

“The press should not play up the issue. It is a gathering of Muslims, that is all. It is open to public, anybody can join, please abide by the traffic directions of the police, so that it will be smooth going,” he said.

The Himpunan Sejuta Umat, called Himpun (http://himpun.org/), will include poetry recital, nasyid (singing of religious songs) and talks. The police permit allows the gathering to be held from 2pm to 6pm.

Despite organisers stressing that it is a peaceful matter, the Himpun gathering against the “Christianisation” of Muslims is feared to be aggravating religious and racial tension in the country.

Christian leaders have said such an event was “irrelevant” as there has been no solid proof of apostasy cases. Political leaders from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have distanced themselves from supporting the gathering.

Cancel rally, say Indian NGOs

The anti-apostasy rally will stoke religious and racial tensions, warns a coalition of more than 20 NGOs.

KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of Indian-based NGO has urged the organisers of an anti-apostasy rally scheduled for Saturday to cancel the event to avoid religious tension.

Angkatan Warga Aman Malaysia (WargaAMAN), which represents more than 20 NGOs, said that the “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” may create an “uncomfortabe situation” among the various races and would not bode well for racial harmony.

Its secretary-general S Barathidasan said the rally would also deal a blow to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia campaign.

“The rally is being exploited by certain parties to create a state of tension. We still do not understand what is the main purpose of the event,” he added.

On Tuesday, the National Statistics Department confirmed that for the last decade not even a single Malay had been converted to other religions.

Commenting on this, Barathidasan said: “So what is the point in having such a massive assembly?”

He also slammed the police and government for practicing double standard with regard to the issuance of permits.

The police had issued a permit for the organisers to hold the rally at the Selangor stadium in Shah Alam.

Guess who is Perkasa's guest of honour

(Harakah Daily) - UMNO offshoot Perkasa will be having its annual assembly and Malaysians may finally be able to see its members gathering in large numbers, a sight many have been waiting for amid repeated yet-to-be-fulfilled claims of the group's wide following.

But the large crowd is not the only attraction promised by Perkasa's incorrigible chief Ibrahim Ali.

In what may possibly eclipse Ibrahim's much humoured fame, the Perkasa congress, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, will have a guest of honour, one who many Malaysians have not completely forgotten.

“The AGM will be opened by former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor who we have invited in honour of his vast contributions for the nation,” Ibrahim declared at the Parliament lobby today.

Rahim (left) of course is best remembered for the infamous Black Eye incident involving former deputy prime minister-turned-parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"Bapa anjing"

On the night of his arrest on September 20, 1998, Rahim "lost his cool" and administered karate-like blows on a blindfolded Anwar who was detained at a cell in the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

Hours later, he was to tell the media that Anwar was "safe and sound" under police custody, only to be shockingly proven otherwise when the one-time acting prime minister appeared in public days later sporting a black eye.

In comic exchanges with Anwar's counsel Karpal Singh at a Royal Commission of Inquiry set up amid public outrage over the 'black eye', Rahim claimed that he was provoked by Anwar who called him "bapa anjing" (father of dog).

He claimed that he entered Anwar’s cell and had wanted to remove Anwar’s blindfold, but before he could do so, Anwar said "ni, bapa anjing" ("here comes the father of dogs"), at which point, he slapped Anwar on the right and left side of his face. Karpal then reminded that Anwar was blindfolded, and questioned if Anwar could have possibly made such remarks, unless he had smelt the canine.

Karpal then disputed Rahim's claim that the incident lasted several seconds, saying he could not have hit Anwar seven times in such a short time.

"Mike Tyson would not have managed that," Karpal remarked.

Now 68, Rahim (pic) had largely been out of public view since then, until recently when he made a comeback after being recruited to counter PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu's revisionist view of Malaya's history of independence.

The choice of Rahim at the Perkasa event should come as no surprise. Ibrahim after all is a staunch loyalist of Perkasa's patron Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and resurrecting another figure from the tumultous era when the latter reigned is only natural.

Liwat isteri: Ulasan Zul Noordin cetus kekecohan

(Harakah Daily) - Persidangan Dewan Rakyat hari ini kecoh apabila Ahli Parlimen Kulim Bandar Baru (Bebas) menuduh hukum hudud yang hendak dilaksanakan oleh PAS membenarkan suami meliwat isteri.

Tuduhan tersebut dibuat oleh Datuk Zulkifli Noordin dengan kononnya dirujuk kepada draf dan Enakmen Hudud dan Qisas Terenggganu 2002 yang diluluskan pada persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) Terengganu ketika PAS memerintah negeri itu dulu.

Menurut beliau, perkara itu dirujuk pada Seksyen 14 enakmen tersebut yang menerangkan tentang liwat yang dimaksudkan dengan seseorang lelaki memasukkan zakarnya ke dalam dubur seseorang lelaki atau perempuan, kecuali isteri.

Katanya, perkataan kecuali dengan isteri itu jelas membawa maksud seseorang suami boleh memasukkan zakarnya ke dalam dubur isterinya kerana ia tidak dimaksudkan meliwat.

"Inilah hudud PAS. Ini bercanggah dengan Islam. Dalam Islam, jika seseorang lelaki itu memasukkan zakarnya ke dalam dubur seseorang tidak kira dengan sesiapapun termasuk dengan isteri sendiri, ia tetap liwat.

"Tetapi dalam hudud PAS, itu tak dikatakan liwat. Maknanya suami boleh berbuat begitu dalam hudud PAS walaupun ia jelas bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam," kata ketika berucap pada persidangan Dewan Rakyat di sini, hari ini.

Dengan itu, menurut beliau, enakmen tersebut bukanlah undang-undang Islam, tetapi hudud PAS yang dibuat oleh mereka yang kononnya tidak faham dengan undang-undang Islam tetapi hanya berlagak pandai untuk kepentingan politik.

Sebelum itu, Zulkifli mengatakan Enakmen tersebut kononnya bercanggah dengan Islam khususnya mengenai umur akhil baligh, apabila perlaksaan hudud hanya akan dikenakan ke atas mereka yang berumur 18 tahun ke atas.

Menurutnya, dengan hanya akan melaksanakan Enakmen tersebut terhadap mereka yang berumur 18 tahun ke atas bermaksud PAS telah mengubah hukum Islam yang mengatakan seseorang lelaki akhil baligh setelah bermimpi, manakala perempuan pula setelah datang haid.

Katanya, dari segi umur, setelah berusia 15 tahun tidak juga bermimpi atau datang haid bermakna mereka telah dikira mumayyiz dan sampai umur serta boleh dilaksanakan undang-undang Islam terhadap mereka.

"Tetapi dalam hudud PAS akan dilaksanakan setelah berumur 18 tahun. Ini jelas bercanggah dengan Islam yang mewajibkan dilaksanakan hudud setelah seseorang itu mumayyiz iaitu yang telah mencapai usia 15 tahun," katanya.

Kesalahan-kesalahan seperti itu, katanya, sengaja dilakukan oleh para pemimpin PAS untuk membolehkan enakmen tersebut tidak boleh dilaksanakan kerana akan ditolak oleh Umno bagi meraih kepentingan politik.

Dakwaan-dakwaan tidak berasas beliau memaksa ahli-ahli Parlimen Pakatan Rakyat terutama dari PAS dan PKR bangun menjelaskan perkara sebenar bagi mengelakkan kekeliruan orang ramai yang sengaja dicetuskan itu sehingga menimbulkan kekecohan.

Beberapa orang ahli Parlimen dari BN pula termasuk dari Kinabatangan turut bangun mempertahanlkan Zulkifli, manakala Zulkifli sendiri enggan memberikan laluan kepada ahli-ahli Parlimen Pakatan Rakyat menjelaskan kebenaran.

Sikap mereka menyebabkan persidangan menjadi semakin kecoh sehingga tamat tempoh masa Zulkifli dibenarkan berucap.

Ahli Parlimen Kubang Kerian, Salahuddin Ayub ketika bangun mencelah menyatakan Zulkifli ternyata hanya berlagak pandai walaupun tidak tahu tentang undang-undang Islam sehingga tergamak membuat tuduhan seperti itu terhadap PAS.

Menurut beliau, dalam Al-Quran tidak dinyatakan had umur akhil baligh, tetapi seseorang yang telah sampai umur dirujuk kepada mereka yang telah mumayih yang tidak hanya berumur 15 tahun.

"Enakmen Hudud dan Qisas Terengganu 2002 itu dibuat oleh hakim-hakim yang pakar dalam undang-undang Islam. Itulah sebabnya enakmen itu dihadkan perlaksaaannya ke atas seseorang berusia 18 tahun ke atas kerana faktor kematangan.

"Mereka yang membuat undang-undang itu cukup faham tentang mumayyiz, tetapi dia (Zulkifli) tentang mumayyiz pun tak tahu, jadi macam mana layak bercakap tentang undang-undang Islam," katanya yang juga Naib Presiden PAS.

Manakala mengenai tuduhan hudud PAS membenarkan suami meliwat isteri yang dibuat oleh Zulkifli itu pula, beliau mengatakan dakwaan itu ternyata tidak berasas dan bohong sama sekali.

Katanya, enakmen tersebut tidak bermaksud demikian tetapi Zulkifli yang tidak memahaminya kerana kejahilannya sendiri.

Sebaliknya yang dimaksudkan dengan kecuali isteri dalam enakmen itu, katanya, seseorang suami tidak sekali-kali boleh memasukkan zakarnya ke dalam dubur isterinya kerana perbuatan itu adalah haram dalam Islam.

Sehubungan itu, beliau mengusulkan kepada Timbalan Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, Datuk Ronald Kiandee agar membawa tuduhan Zulkifli itu kepada peraturan 26 (1P) bagi membolehkan ahli Parlimen tersebut dihadapkan kepada Jawatankuasa Tata Tertib Dewan Rakyat.

Bagaimanapun, usul beliau ditolak oleh Timbalan Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat atas alasan tidak perlu.

Ahli Parlimen Kuala Selangor yang juga Ahli Jawatankuasa Kerja PAS Pusat, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad ketika bangun mencelah mengatakan Zulkifli ternyata berniat jahat terhadap PAS dengan tuduhan-tuduhan tidak berasasnya itu.

Manakala Ahli Parlimen Balik Pulau, Yusmadi Yusof dari PKR dan Ahli Parlimen Ampang, Zuraida Kamaruddin yang juga dari PKR turut bangun menyatakan kebenaran.

Mereka turut mengutuk keras tindakan Zulkifli kerana tergamak membuat tuduhan-tuduhan tidak berasas sedemikian terhadap PAS dan enakmen tersebut.

Anwar mahu rayuan sepina Najib, Rosmah didengar dulu

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mahu rayuannya terhadap pembatalan sepina terhadap Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan isterinya, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor untuk memberi keterangan dalam perbicaraan kes liwat terhadapnya, didengar terlebih dahulu, sebelum hujahan akhir daripada pihak pembelaan dan pendakwaan dilakukan.

"Kami telah membuat rayuan terhadap keputusan Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur (Datuk Mohamad) Zabidin (Mohd Diah) untuk membatalkan sepina yang diberikan kepada Najib dan Rosmah.

"Saya juga tidak mahu kes ditangguhkan lagi... tetapi Mahkamah Rayuan perlu mendengar rayuan saya terlebih dahulu. Dalam kes-kes lain, rayuan diputuskan dengan cepat," kata Anwar.

Ketua pembangkang itu juga mempersoalkan kredibiliti badan kehakiman dan mendakwa kelewatan dalam mendengar rayuan beliau hanya mencerminkan pendakwaan yang tidak adil terhadap dirinya.

AIPMC statement on detainees’ “swap” between Malaysia and Myanmar

AIPMC notes with serious concern recent developments of the Malaysian government’s plan to implement the ‘detainees exchange program’ with Myanmar. This plan will result around 1,000 people from Myanmar, detained in Malaysia, deported from the country.

There will be a possibility of persecution for those who are sent back to Myanmar.

Those who flee Myanmar, namely ethnic and other persecuted minorities, remain at risk from persecution of all forms – forced labour, land confiscation, rape, and torture among them – should they continue to live under the military regime. Thus, they risk their lives to find asylum in neighboring states, in pursuit of a dignified, secure and peaceful life elsewhere.

We wish to reiterate that such a ‘swap deal’, which would see Burmese nationals returned to persecution in their homeland, serves political interests well ahead of these exceedingly serious human rights concerns.

Contrary to the principles of international law upon which ASEAN is founded, such an agreement would only further jeopardize the dignity and security of Burmese refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia – who should be considered among the region’s most vulnerable.

Thus, the AIPMC calls for a halt to any such ‘swap deal’ plans, until effective systems be put in place to ensure that such refugees and asylum seekers are protected from persecution upon their return to Myanmar. The human rights situation in Myanmar, grievous as it remains, is unlikely to be able to ensure such protections, without which Malaysia cannot hope to fulfill its international obligations to ensure that human rights of refugees be protected.

We also note with concern that the Malaysian Government has, in recent months, further completed the registration under the 6P programme.

There must be a total change in the Malaysian government’s approach and policy with regard to the grave issue of the Burmese refugees in the country. As a first step the Malaysian government should accord them recognition as refugees.

There should be a timely and efficient refugee registration process to give certainty to refugees with regards to their in-country status to protect their rights. We also call upon the Malaysian government to ensure that detainees are provided access to both representatives from legal and non-government organizations, as they embark on a long route to ensuring their inherent rights are formally recognized when lodging asylum claims.

Finally, we strongly urge the Malaysian government to ensure that all refugee registrations be undertaken in full collaboration with the UNHCR, which consistently act to ensure the rights of refugees are both explicitly recognized and protected.

(Statement as Chair of the Malaysian Caucus of the AIPMC)

Have A Mixture Of New And Experienced Candidates - Analysts

By Mohd Noor Firdaus Mohd Azil

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Fielding more new faces and retaining experienced but "winnable" candidates might prove to be a sensible approach in the seat allocation formula for the ruling coalition in the 13th general election, analysts said.

This might be among the approaches to be taken under the new formula which Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced recently, saying the BN would make "adjustments" to the formula.

The adjustments might see changes, such as having a higher number of new faces, in line with the political transformation programme of his administration and indicating the preparedness of the existing leadership to groom younger leaders to maturity.

Universiti Teknologi Mara's Associate Prof Shahrudin Badarudin foresees that the new formula would not significantly depart from the present system, saying the consensus-based formula has proven to be a source of strength for the coalition.

He noted that Najib might reduce or increase the seats on the basis of which candidates can actually win elections, but would not risk making too drastic of an adjustment.

"The component parties will get more or less a similar number of seats as in the last general election. But the issue is where the seat swaps will take place," he told Bernama when contacted.

He foresees "a strong possibility" of an increase in the number of new faces, thus providing a large pool of back-up leaders to the existing ones.

Furthermore, he said, there might be a possibility that age and health becomes a criteria in choosing candidates, in view of the high number of by-elections held following the death of incumbents.

"This is important so as not to disrupt the smooth-running of the administration. Death is, of course, in the hands of Allah, but it is essential to take these factors into account to avoid by-elections," he said.

On the possibility of fielding candidates who are not members of any party -- or what is termed as using "parachute candidates" -- Shahrudin said this approach is at times needed, especially in the event that a seat is too much in demand by fellow component members.

"When there are disputes among component parties, or within a party, on who should be candidates for parliamentary or state assembly seats, then the winnable candidates may potentially come from the outside, and they are not necessarily politicians," he said.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently said that choosing parachute candidates from among the highly educated and professionally experienced was still an acceptable practice in the current political environment.

Dr Mahathir said such individuals would be capable of effectively carrying out their assigned tasks, especially in making the government administration run more smoothly.

"We still need parachute candidates; we cannot reject the practice. When I was prime minister, Tun Daim Zainuddin (former finance minister) was made a parachute candidate, as we were aware of his capabilities," he said in an earlier report.

Also, 4B Youth Supreme Council member Badrul Hisham Badrudin said more new faces should be fielded, taking into account the trend in past by-elections.

He added, the trend was seen as being used among the opposition pact, which saw many young candidates winning in elections.

"These young candidates received the support of the electors because they fulfilled the criteria as winnable candidates.

"Whether this trend could be accepted with an open heart by the upper echelon of the leadership remains to be seen, but the prime minister has repeatedly reminded component members of the need to remain united and avoid sabotaging whoever is made the candidate," he said.

He expects the younger generation to be receptive to the new formula, as it will offer a signal that the BN is prepared to open up a wider opportunity for them in the national transformation process.

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Moammar Gadhafi's colorful history