Malayur News: 09/19/12

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

(Malaysiakini) Twenty-one people, including federal and state lawmakers, were acquitted and discharged by a sessions court today for illegal assembly and not abiding by a police officer's order.

The prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused and police failed to show the roles played by the participants in the candlelight vigil in support of Bersih in 2008, the court in Petaling Jaya ruled.

"There is a gap in the prosecution's case following the inconsistent testimony of the witnesses (from the police).
"The witnesses were inconsistent in stating the time for the crowd to disperse as some were saying 9.45pm and others 10pm and 11pm. This affects to their credibility and also the credibility of the order isued by the police to disperse.
"Following this, there is no need to call the accused to enter their defence. They are acquitted and discharged on all charges," sessions judge Hayatul Akmal ruled.
NONE

She also said the initial gathering in front of the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council building lawn was considered a spontaneous assembly as there was no proper organisation.

Hayatul also noted the participants were wearing various coloured T-shirts with various messages, including anti-ISA messages and hence she could not rule who the organisers were.

“As such, the participants need not have a permit within the definition of the Police Act and hence it cannot be considered an illegal gathering,” Hayatul added in her judgment.

Those charged included Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu, Kampong Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San and MBPJ councillor Tiew Way Keng, Catholic priest Paulino Francesco Miranda and lawyer S Ashok Kandiah.

The others were K Raman, G Ramish, Augustine Gan Liam Tee, Andrew Ng Yew Han, Lim Cheng Inn, Ooi Suan Huah, Ambrose Poh Teik Huat, Johny Andu @ Abu Bakar Adnan, K Thengaran, Ong Boon Keong, Mohd Fasya Mohd Tajudin, Goh Jin Kiat, Henry Hor @ Henry James Hor, Mohd Khairul Anuar Mohd Jamil and Goh Chien Yee.

All of them are between 29 and 66 years, with the majority hailing from the Klang Valley and the others from Alor Setar, George Town and Tampin.

They were charged under dubious circumstances in 2009, two days before Chinese New Year and two months after the November 2008 candlelight vigil on the occasion of the first anniversary of electoral reform movement Bersih.
Hayatul also ruled that despite Liu being arrested as he was speaking at the assembly, there was no evidence before the court to corroborate testimony from prosecution witnesses that Liu was part of the assembly.
Fine and/or jail if convicted

They were charged with illegal assembly and failing to adhere to orders to disperse from the Petaling Jaya City Council field off Jalan Yong Shook Lin, given by police officer Supt Mohammad Shukor Sulong.

The 21 were accused of committing the offences during an anti-ISA vigil at the field from 9pm to 10.10pm on Nov 9, 2008.
They were charged under Section 27 of the Police Act for both the offences, for which each of them would be fined between RM2,000 and RM10,000 and/or a jail term of not more than a year on each charge if convicted.

Section 27 of the Police Act has been repealed and has since been replaced with the Peaceful Assembly Act.

NONE

Commenting on the decision, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo who represented some of the accused, said it had taken close to four years to arrive at the verdict.

"A lot has changed since Section 27 of the Police Act was repealed. The sessions judge has given sound reasoning to acquit all the accused and the attorney-general should study the reasons.

"We also hope that the prosecution will not appeal the decision," Gobind said.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said the decision showed that the 21 citizens should not have been charged in the first place.

"I reiterate that the AG should not appeal this decision," Lim said.

Pua described the court's decision as a victory for freedom of assembly as it showed how repressive the laws were prior to the Peaceful Assembly Act.

Liu thanked the lawyers and the judge for the decision.

Ghaziabad Violence: Up-surging Jihad in Indian heartland.

Up-surging dreadful Jihad in Indian heartland.
Ghaziabad (Masuri) Violence: Intelligence Failure: Suspension of Three Police Officers: What Next?
Upananda Brahmachari.

What can be better than ever in such a state where Mullah Mulayam Singh Yadav, the friend of venomous Syed Abdulla Bukhari, the preceding Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Delhi is the father of the present Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh which is also mentioned as the heartland of Indian politics. And Akhilesh Singh Yadav, the Present CM, is a fan of present Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bhukhari, son of Abdulla Bukhari. Jama Masjid, which is considered as the Fatwa and Jihad epicentre of India. Moreover, that notorious Azam Khan is the Urban Development & Minority Affairs Minister and Key Position holder of present UP cabinet, who likes to call Mother India as a witch.

So there is no astonishing in the Friday, the most auspicious Jihad day, on 15th Sept 2012 that the city of Gaziabad horrified all the Kaffir (Hindus and Non-Muslims) inhabitants instantly over a rumour of desecration of Quran. Rumours are generated without cost most of the time.

Even as the situation remained tense in Masuri Police Station area and adjacent places, policemen stationed there shudder to think about the violence and hope that nothing of that sort ever happens again. Meanwhile, three police officers were suspended on Sunday for their “failure” to provide intelligence inputs and control the situation during Friday nightmare.

Cops said that the dharna (protest agitation) outside the police station continued for around an hour. “The crowds soon spread in all directions and took control of the entire area. On finding the situation out of control, the SP (rural), ADM, SDM (Sadar) Keshwar Kumar and me hid till additional forces came to control the frenzied mob around us,” said Sajid Hussain, chairman of Dasna Nagar Palika, who had come to enquire about the situation going to be uncontrolled. The Muslim rioters did not stop and started pelting stones in which the SP (rural) was injured. The rioters appeared with iron rods, swords and fire arms.

“We tried to calm the mob and hold discussions, but when they did not stop we were forced to lob tear gas shells at 8pm. Even after that the agitators did not stop and we ordered lathi charge to disperse the crowd. We also fired rubber bullets. We made all attempts to calm the agitators for one hour and 10 minutes. When we found our lives in danger, then I finally ordered firing at 8.40pm to disperse the mob,” said Additional District Magistrate RK Sharma.

“ Masuri station officer, P K Singh, Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) SSI Jal Singh Saini and SI DP Singh have been suspended for their failure to control the situation and provide intelligence inputs,” said SSP Ghaziabad, Prashant Kumar. District authorities have also recommended the transfer of circle officer (Sadar) Ajay Kumar and suspension of CO LIU Mohini Pathak and sub-divisional magistrate Keshav Kumar, Kumar added.

Not in Masuri in Gaziabad, at least 20 cities and towns of Uttar Pradesh have seen the same Islamic violence and riots in the tenure of the newly elected Akhilesh ministry in the heart land state of India which has largest Muslim population in India. In all such cases the fanatic Muslims exercised their regained political power in the last UP assembly in February, 2012 as the numbers of Muslim MLAs touched a highest mark of 69 after a split of vote in the general election in 2009, when the numbers of Muslim MP in Uttar Pradesh dropped at 6 in comparison to 11 MPs in 2004. Though there is no Muslim League like earlier, the presence and winning of camouflaged Islamic parties like Peace Party (4 MLAs) and Qaumi Ekta Dal (2 MLAs) in UP assembly election have dangerous significance undoubtedly. All these are matured Islamic wine served in secular bottles. With the additives of Islamic narcotics from both sides of Syed Ahamed Bukhari and the Azam Khan lobby revamped the Jidahi extremism in the heart of common Muslim people in Uttar Pradesh. The situation inflamed suddenly with the issues like Assam riots, Myanmar Muslim persecution or the very recent youtubing of an anti-Islamic film, ‘Innocence of Muslims’.

Those who are getting no clues of recent violence in Uttar Pradesh are either pretending idiots or Islamic agents fed with uncountable petro dollars. All these recent violence in Uttar Pradesh or in other states of India are well planned and generated by ISI (Inter Services Intelligence – Pakistan), DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence – Bangladesh) and GIP (General Intelligence Presidency – Saudi Arab) and obviously activated by the Indian Mujahedeen (IM), banned Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and other Indian Jihadi counterparts of HUJI (Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami) and LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba). From a source it is ascertained that the SIMI has organised 2700 Jihadi seminars, group meetings and hands on training under the banner of like-minded wings all over India during 2011-12. This has immense effect on Uttar Pradesh also. Now, the Uttar Pradesh Jihadists are supplying Allah’s soldiers to other states. Think about the recent East Delhi Riots where their presence has been detected by the concerned investigating agencies.

On the other hand two devout Islamic institutions like Aligarh Muslim University and Dar-ul-Deoband in Uttar Pradesh are always disseminating the teaching of Islam and the non-believers are realising what Islam means. SIMI has strong hold in these two Islamic Institutions including Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi and throughout 250000 Islamic seminaries, universities, colleges, madrasahs, hostels and youth units in India. On the basis of localised strength, the jihadists of India have taken the plan to show their strength rampant at present to frighten and harm the non-believer kaffirs and also the administration and police departments.

Now, the question of failure of Intelligence Department to give advance input for the coming riots is put in the surface. It is nothing but a bogus proposition in the face of reality.

State and its departments are run by its policy decision. While Government of India (GOI) and most of the provincial states in India have resolved a ‘kneel down’ decision to appease the Muslims in the name of minority development, why the agencies of it will act repulsive to the pro-active Islamic trends? Yes, central and provincial Governments in India have clearly established its pro-active Islamic trends through the funding and promoting Muslim Personal Law Boards, Wakf Boards, Muslim Marriage Registrars, Islamic Academic, Religious and Research Institutions, Haj subsidy, Reservation in jobs and finance for Muslims, Honorarium for Imams of Mosques and so on.

So, it is most difficult to spy against these sacred and dignified people for their Jihad activities centralised in Mosques, Madrasahs and Muslim populated areas. The incitements of riots always come from the Muslim strongholds or their influential areas and obviously keeping a mosque in its centre stage. I have doubt that any responsible intelligence officer will dare to take a day to day stock of the subversive activities or anti-Kaffir conspiracies held in a Mosque or what is happening in an overnight Islamic conference organised in an Islamic den. As such nobody is permitted to poke their unholy nose in the holy Jihadi warfare of Muslim brothers. It is not a story of Uttar Pradesh; rather it is universalised in length and breadth of India.

Consequently the cops are severely injured by Islamic bullets in Masuri Police Station in Gaziabad; public life are attacked here and there by Jihadi hooligans; women constables are victim of Muslim molesters near Azad Maidan, Mumbai or Indian military are compelled to retreat with agony from a mere stone pelting group with “Allah-ho-Akbar” shouting in Kashmir.

I am seeing a strong revolt from the agitated Military and Police personnel who are drastically searching the way to save their most beloved Motherland and her people from a cruel Islamic menace and gruesome indignity of self. Possible retaliation from the part of administration and politics is also apprehended. Even an ant bites if challenged.

To save the situation we must analyse all Muslim mind even for a death of a crow in Kaba and its consequences in the Jihadi Muslim world around us.

Sydney cleric Sheik Feiz Mohammed stirs the hatred

A CONTROVERSIAL sheik whose teachings have been linked to the Sydney riot is due to

Sheikh Feiz Mohamed. Source: The Daily Telegraph

address a gathering of hardline Muslims tomorrow about their "responsibilities" in the wake of the YouTube clip mocking their prophet.

Hundreds of hardcore Islamists are due to converge on the Bukhari House bookshop-cum-prayer hall in Auburn to hear firebrand cleric Sheik Feiz Mohammed and several other sheiks speak. Police are aware of the event but would not comment yesterday on whether they would have a presence at the meeting.

"The Mashayakh (sheiks) will discuss the recent events that have been taking place where our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has been attacked and mocked. They will discuss our responsibilities regarding this matter," a pamphlet promoting the "special event" states.

It can be revealed that militant followers of Sheik Feiz were key players in Saturday's riot. The Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (ASWJ) and the self-styled Islamic Brotherhood Worldwide are believed to be behind a text message circulated late on Friday night bringing forward the protest and catching moderate Islamic community groups and police off guard.

The sermons of Sheik Feiz, 42, have often denounced other religions and he has urged children to die for Islam.

In 2000, he founded the Global Islamic Centre in Liverpool which became the touchstone of Muslim youth in southwestern Sydney and spawned the Islamic Brotherhood Worldwide. In 2007, the sheik established the Dawah Central centre in Auburn.

In 2010, it became the ASWJ Auburn and the group has several other locations around Sydney and Australia.

According to company documents, Feiz's last known address was a $575,000 rural retreat in the Southern Highlands with its own "fish-filled" dam, inground pool, games room with bar and separate self-contained flat.

The Australian-born sheik, a former boxer, was at one time the director of a company that built kitchen cabinets on Sydney's northern beaches. He almost represented Australia in the sport of bodybuilding but quit to follow the path of Islam.

He gained notoriety for blaming women for being rape victims and for his "Death Series" $150 boxed set of 15 DVDs which contained racist rants. The father-of-six, who claimed he was being persecuted for being a Muslim, returned to Sydney from self-imposed exile overseas in 2010.

Other notable comments from the sheik include his belief that jihad is the "peak, the pinnacle, the crest, the highest point" of Islam and the Kaffir - or non-Muslim - is "the worst word ever written, a sign of infidelity, disbelief, filth, a sign of dirt".

Yesterday at Bukhari House, a spokesman said that Sheik Feiz Mohammed attended the centre "infrequently".

At the Global Islamic Centre, spokesman Abu Bakr said he had not seen the sheik "for months".

Source: The Daily Telegraph

‘Pakistan Christian Girl Missing After Muslim Attack’

Christian young women and girls can face difficulties in Pakistan.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (BosNewsLife)-- A Christian girl working as a maid in Pakistan remained missing Tuesday, September 18, four days after she was allegedly "tortured" by her Muslim employees, rights activists said.

The September 14 incident reportedly came after Sumbal Masih, 15, worked two years at a house in the Model Town area of Lahore city with her younger sister, Sadaf Masih, and cousin, Rabiya.

"Suddenly the owners [of the house] came and started beating the poor girl for watching a movie on television," claimed Farrukh H. Saif, executive director of the World Vision In Progress (WVIP) group, which supports the Christian family.

"They beat her so harshly using pipes or iron rods. Afterwards they took her to the washroom and tortured her over there terribly," he added, quoting family members.

STRONGER OWNERS

Her cousin Rabiya and other servants tried to intervene, but the stronger owners, identified as "Mr. and Mrs. Adeel", forced them to leave the house, Saif said.

Rabiya told Sumbal's parents about the incident but when they arrived, the Muslim owners reportedly claimed the girl had fled and that they "didn't know anything about her."

Saif said the Muslim couple initially also kept Sumbal's sister, Sadaf, but after hours of negotiations with the girl's mother, Basheera Bibi, they allowed her to leave the property.

"However they are still making excuses regarding Sumbal Masih," Saif said.

LONG WAIT

In published remarks, WVIP local representative Nipoleon Qayyum added that he had been unable to find Sumbal as he was forced to sit in the lawn of the house for two long hours.

He said police eventually arrived, but it remained unclear why police they apparently refused to search the house.

There has been concerns among rights activists about police officials supporting influential Muslims in several parts of the country.

Police officials had no immediate comment.

COURT CASE

WVIP said it had filed a petition at the session court to order the rescue of the
girl.

No action had been taken Tuesday, September 18.

"I believe she has been targeted because she is a Christian and her family is very poor," Saif told BosNewsLife.

Minority Christians in Pakistan have complained of growing violence directed against them, at a time when the nation is also rocked by ongoing protests against a U.S.-produced anti-Islam film that was partly posted on the YouTube website.

Suaram faces ‘misleading accounts’ charge, says minister

Ismail speaking to reporters on the Suaram issue on September 18, 2012. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — The Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) plans to bring charges against the operating entity of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) for its “misleading accounts”, the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

“We will take legal action on Suara Inisiatif based on accounts that was reported to us... there are misleading elements in accounts,” he told reporters today.

He declined to reveal the specific clause in the Companies Act 1965 that will be used to bring charges against Suara Inisiatif within the next two days, saying that the Attorney-General will decide on the charge.

Ismail said the CCM was not bringing charges against Suara Inisiatif for receiving foreign funds.

He also stressed that the CCM only has powers to take action against Suara Inisiatif, and not the human rights watchdog Suaram.

“In one year, we investigate over 200 cases, Suara Inisiatif is one of them... not because we have personal problems with Suara Inisiatif,” he said.

He was responding to questions on whether the CCM carried out similar investigations on other registered companies.

Ismail said the other five government agencies involved in the probe have agreed to take action based on existing legal provisions.

He was referring to the Registrar of Societies, Bank Negara, the Home Ministry, the police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

He said the CCM’s scope of investigation is based on five sections in the Companies Act — sections 364 (2), 166A (3), 169 (14), 167 (1), 167 (2), 132 (1).

A total of 138 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 56 regional NGOs have pledged their support for Suaram, calling for a stop to the “harassment”.

Suaram is currently in the limelight due to its part in an ongoing French inquiry probing possible corruption in Malaysia’s multibillion ringgit purchase of two Scorpene submarines, which has been linked to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the murder of Mongolian model Altantuyaa Shaariibuu.

Earlier today, Suaram had launched a “Stand Up for Suaram” campaign to garner public support at the CCM building here.

“They (Suaram) have the right to voice out, but they can’t voice out to restrict our rights. They demonstrate... because (they) disagree with our actions... we take action based on law,” Ismail said.

“Suaram is an independent body, an NGO that has no connection to politics... why suddenly Nurul Izzah came along?” Ismail asked.

Nurul Izzah Anwar, an MP from opposition party PKR, had shown up in her personal capacity at the launch today.

Will blueprint transform education system?

Did the national education blueprint 2006-2010 unveiled by former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi revolutionise the education sector and achieve its objective?

GEORGE TOWN: DAP Senator S Ramakrishnan has scoffed at the latest national education blueprint as a futile attempt to revamp and reform the country’s education system to produce global players.

He insisted that education transformation would take place only if the education ministry made constructive structural overhaul and recruit multi racial talents with wide experience from different backgrounds.

“For transformation to take place all selection and decision making bodies in education ministry must be made multi racial and multi lingual in view of the fact that we have Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, Tamil and agama schools,” suggested Ramakrishnan today.

He doubted the system can ever be revamped when those tasked to implement the new dynamic education system were the same people who have deteriorated the current system with their actions and inactions over the years.

He believes that hardliners at the political and bureaucracy level would surely resist the smooth liberalisation and transformation of the new system.

Taking into consideration the religious fervor in the education system, he is doubtful the system can be ever reformed by the same staff, who allowed the religiosity to take root.

“Will Perkasa and other hardliners allow decentralisation of school authorities, depolarisation in schools and liberalisation in religious education in the current system?” asked Ramakrishnan.

Over the years, he noted that a generation of good and effective headmasters and ministry officials had already been replaced with mediocre performers, who were now given the responsibility to bring about education transformation.

The 2012 national education blueprint is to make 11 strategic and operational shifts to transform the country’s education system.

“Will it face the same predicament as the earlier ones?” asked Ramakrishnan.

Did 2006 blueprint address polarisation?

Although the country never lacked good laws, policies and plans, he blamed the frequent flip flops, changing of goal post and the half-hearted execution in implementation and enforcement at ground level as main causes for the current quagmire in the education system.

He cited previous attempts to implement smart schools and teach mathematics and science in English which have all wasted billions of ringgit.

“Despite the highest spending on education, Malaysia doesn’t have much to show in terms of achievements and results,” he said.

He recalled that the national education blueprint 2006-2010 unveiled by former premier Abdullah Badawi was to revolutionise the education sector

Abdullah government’s blueprint was to establish a national pre-school curriculum, set up 100 new classes for students with special needs, increase number of single-session schools to 90 per cent for primary and 70 per cent for secondary schools, and decrease number of pupils per class by 2010.

“Are they achieved?

“Did the 2006 blueprint address the problem of racial polarisation in schools as envisaged?” asked Ramakrishnan.

He suggested that the imbibing of critical thinking and analytical discourse must start from teachers themselves.

He called on the Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to set up a team to study the underlying reason behind the non-Malays preference for vernacular schools over national ones.

He also suggested that academic high achievers to be rewarded and recruited into civil service regardless of their race and religion.

“Only then it would be a genuine transformation,” said the senator.

Islamic speaker’s talks stir debate in Facebook

Controversial Islamic speaker, Dr Zakir Naik's scheduled talks in Malaysia draws a fiery debate on Facebook on whether the Malaysian authorities should allow him to do so.

PETALING JAYA: The scheduled series of talks by controversial Islamic religious speaker, Dr Zakir Naik in Malaysia, has sparked a debate among Facebook users.

Naik, a hardline Islamist from India, was said to have criticised other religions during his talks and was even banned from entering the United Kingdom and Canada in 2010.

The medical doctor-turned-public speaker is expected to hold talks in Malaysia, from Sept 28 to Oct 7, at several locations such as the Putra World Trade Centre and Universiti Teknologi Mara campus in Shah Alam.

In a Facebook page named Sara Be My II, one commentator named Mangkayarkarasi Sanassy said it was disgrace that the Malaysian authorities had allowed Naik to conduct talks here.

“Disgraceful to see Malaysia is allowing him into the country. In Western countries he would have been kicked out for causing religious hatred. You have to understand this guy is mentally unstable.

“He has been terribly brainwashed by some religious psychopaths to destroy peace and harmony among Hindus. In other words, just ignore him. He maybe a scholar but a stupid and irresponsible one. I was told Islam means peace,” she said.

Fellow Facebook user, Sivakumar Dhar Malingam, urged Malaysian NGOs and the Hindu Sangam to protest against Naik’s visit to Malaysia.

However, not everyone was agreeable to the idea of holding protests against Naik, saying it would be better if people engage the speaker in a debate.

Elangovan Annamalai said, “Anybody can go anywhere to preach about anything… do you think when we hold protests and demonstrations, this visit by this guy can be stopped?”

Commentator Vama Devan even said that Hindus need not fear Naik as the people who practise one of the oldest religions in the planet were not weak.

Commentator Swami Vadivellu said, “Hindus were attacked 17 times in India but we are still living with full faith. So let them talk about Hinduism.We stand proud as Hindus because we don’t hurt other religions,” he said.

The main organiser for the event is the International Islamic School based in Mumbai, India, in collaboration with a local retailer of Islamic literature, Saba Islamic Media.

In the brochure prepared by Saba, Naik is described as a world famous orator on Islam and comparative religion.

FMT failed to reach Saba Islamic Media’s spokesperson Sabariah Abdullah for comments despite several attempts.

Open your books on subs: Suaram tells govt

Suaram chairperson K Arumugam is challenging those involved in the Scorpene scandal to come forward with the details.

KUALA LUMPUR: Those involved in the Scorpene case should come forward with the true facts to counter Suaram’s allegations rather than persecute the human rights group for its role in the probe, said its chairperson K Arumugam.

“We are prepared to be scrutinised and investigated by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) and we are willing to cooperate,” he told reporters at the launch of the “Stand up for Suaram” campaign.

“But we warn those responsible for the Scorpene scandal to open up their books and reveal the true facts. They should willingly come forward to answer the allegations made by Suaram,” he added.

He was referring to the French inquiry probing Malaysia’s multibillion ringgit purchase of two Scorpene submarines, which had been linked to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuyaa Shaariibuu.

Suaram had initiated the inquiry through a complaint sent to the French court to investigate suspected corruption in the Scorpene deal.

The human rights organisation was now being investigated under five sections of the Companies Act 1965, and could face charges in court for its “misleading accounts”.

Several government agencies, including the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and Bank Negara, would also take action against it within their own jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, Suaram had been under the media spotlight for its foreign source of funds, particularly its alleged links to currency speculator George Soros.

But despite the various probes against Suaram, the group said it would not give up its operations and would continue to protect and defend human rights.

“Whatever scare tactics they use, we will not be frightened. Suaram cannot be made quiet. We fight for justice,” said Arumugam.

‘Why investigate Suaram now?’

The timing of Suaram’s “persecution” and the ongoing Scorpene probe in France did not go unnoticed by various NGOs that attended the launch today in support of Suaram.

The campaign, aimed at mobilising support for Suaram in the face of “unjust persecution launched against them by the government” was supported by 138 national NGOs and 56 regional groups.

The launch was ironically held at the lobby of CCM’s headquarters here, with the NGO representatives speaking before a large screen depicting newspaper articles questioning the source of Suaram’s funds.

“While we are open for investigations, we need to question the timing, drama and process of the scrutiny,” said Ivy Josiah, executive director of Women’s Aid Organisation.

“Why now? Don’t government agencies have anything else to do? They must have so much time to be able to investigate Suaram. Are they doing this to other groups?” said Jerald Joseph of Pusat Komas, a communication centre for human rights.

“Many are asking whether these investigations are related to the hard issues Suaram is digging up,” he said, adding that it was a step in the wrong direction as the “victimisation” would frighten other people from creating companies.

“Suaram has existed for so long, so why now? We’re not even sure what their basis is for conducting these investigations,” said Fadiah Nadwa Fikri from Lawyers for Liberty.

“The government is going against their own duties by persecuting human right defenders. When they attack Suaram, they attack human rights. And if you continue to attack Suaram, we will continue to stand up for Suaram,” she added.

‘Big surprise awaits divided Umno’

Loyalists are dismissing speculation that cracks are showing between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin amid warnings of a ‘bigger tsunami’.

PETALING JAYA: Several BN leaders dismissed speculations of a rift between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, but a former Umno-minister warned that the ruling coalition is “in for a bigger surprise” come general election.

Earlier this month, FMT reported that Umno had been put on “high alert” with the friction between the party’s top two leaders reaching a “worrying level”.

Though both leaders dismissed such talks as fabrications by their rivals, sources claimed otherwise: that allies close to both Najib and Muhyiddin were reportedly scrambling to manage the situation.

Speculations were fuelled by the recent distribution of posters calling for Muhyiddin to succeed Najib as prime minister in the former’s home state of Johor. The party’s Johor chapter had denied publishing the posters.

Further “proof” of disunity was seen in the contradicting stands on several key policies like the expansion of vernacular education and a review of the amendment to the Evidence Act (Section 114A).

There were also allegations made by the opposition that the leaked official documents on the RM1.8 billion Ampang LRT line extension project scandal involving a company allegedly linked to Najib were provided by Muhyiddin’s men to incriminate the prime minister.

Yesterday, PAS leader Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin claimed that the infighting in Umno had gotten worse, with not only Muhyiddin, but Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah all eyeing to take over Najib’s position as Umno president before the 13th general election.

He said the three Umno leaders feared that the party might disintegrate and BN would lose the coming general election if Najib continued to lead.

‘All is not well in Umno’

Commenting on this, veteran Umno leader Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzil refused to be drawn into the debate over the alleged tiff, claiming ignorance over the matter.

But he predicted that in next general election, “Umno would be in greater danger than in 2008… they are in for a big shock, a greater surprise.”

“Eventhough the mainstream media is giving such a bright picture, my own experience shows that all is not well,” he said.

Abdul Kadir said that Umno was a “very tired party” and Najib could keep harping about how members should work harder, but it won’t work.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people who have joined the party in the last few years, have joined it because that is the place for them to make money.

“This is the place to find business opportunities and so on. That is the number one criterion. Unlike in the good old days, where Umno was a place to give, not a place to ask,” he said.

“The values are gone. No one would do anything unless if they are paid. Everything moves with money,” he added.

Kadir said that the deterioration, which began around the last 10 years, was now “at its peak”.

Asked if he had anything to back his view, he replied: “This is based on personal experience. I’ve been there 56 years, I could see the changing of values. I’ve had a first-hand experience, watching things change.”

Another former Cabinet minister, Zainuddin Maidin, dismissed the alleged rift.

Before cutting the line, the former information minister and editor said: “I’m not going to comment on this nonsense thing. You all are creating something out of nothing. Nonsense… nonsene…”

Former Selangor menteri besar Mohamed Khir Toyo said that he personally knew that Najib and Muhyiddin were on good terms.

“I know them very well, and I contact them regularly; as far as I’m concerned, there is definitely no such thing as a rift, as they are working along fine together,” said the Sungai Panjang assemblyman.

“This is opposition propaganda to weaken Umno. I think they know their priorities is to win the next general election and to strengthen Umno and BN. They’ve learnt a lot since the last election, and I don’t think they’ll make the same mistakes,” he said.

An insider told FMT that Najib and Muhyiddin’s apparent contradictory statements were not as bad as reports painted them to be.

“So far, there is no indication that they are going after each other. Now, this so-called contradictory statements on the Evidence Act… Najib didn’t tell Muhyiddin what they wanted to talk about but if you look at it, seriously, they were of the same mind,” said the source.

“People were talking about it. And Najib, as a statesman, he had to put up something rational, telling people they are working on it,” he said.

The source added that Muhyiddin stating that the election date should be this year also did not signify anything.

“That is normal, people say what they want about the dates, but the final say is with Najib. You ask anybody [in BN] now, they want the election sooner, but the prime minister has to bear accountability for the results,” he said.

Jostling for seats

Meanwhile, former Umno man Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz, who joined DAP recently, said that he was not sure if there was an actual rift between the two.

“But the indication on the ground is that Najib and Muhyiddin are always at odds – Najib is showing an all inclusiveness image while Muhyiddin is trying to appear more Malay. He resonates with Umno grassroots better than Najib,” he said.

The popular blogger, however, said that there was a seriou case of jostling for seats in Umno.

“The rift is getting bigger and of course it will affect Umno’s performance. Umno will face its enemy as a house divided,” he added.

The former Pulau Manis state assemblyman and former information chief of the Pekan Umno division said that behind the scenes, Muhyiddin was “probably aligning himself to Mahathir”.

“They are trying to put up a front, but behind the scenes, they are doing the horse trading, making sure as many as their men are in the line-up… and if Najib scores less than Pak Lah [Abdullah Ahmad Badawi] did, this would be his last tenure as the Umno president,” he added.

Police nab four men over clash which left woman rubber tapper dead

SUNGAI PETANI: The police have detained four men in connection with the killing of a rubber tapper and three injured in Ladang Bukit Lembu, Gurun.

The suspects were picked up Tuesday, in the vicinity of the scene where K. Kalyani, 57, was shot dead about 11pm Monday.

Kuala Muda police acting chief Supt Ong Aik Chang said the police were in the midst of tracking down more suspects including the "prime" suspect.

In the incident, Kalyani died of a gunshot wound while her son, T. Kathiraven, 23, was injured after he was hacked during a clash involving a group of men near their house.

Kathiraven and two others have been warded at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital. - Bernama

Security guard shoots armoured van driver, escapes with RM1.2mil

The Star
TAIPING: An armoured van driver was fatally shot, apparently by his security guard colleague who escaped with the RM1.2mil cash-in-transit on Tuesday.

In the 3pm incident outside the Giant supermarket in Jalan Tekah, the guard was seen running to a black Honda Civic, which had trailed the van earlier, with the money after the shooting.

Police are looking for Mohd Hafizuddin Zainal Abidin from Taman Kaya here to help in the investigations.

Taiping OCPD Asst Comm Yusuf Mohd Diah said Hasnul Hafiz Saad, 28, died while seated behind the wheel.

Hasnul, a father of two from Kampung Pinang, had gunshot wounds on his stomach, shoulder, chest and thigh.

ACP Mohd Diah said at least six bags of money were missing from the van.

A shopper at the hypermarket said he saw the Honda Civic car trailing the van when it exited from the hypermarket compound.

It is learnt that after the driver was gunned down, the guard exited from the rear of the van where the money bags were kept and loaded them into the car.

Colleagues of the driver said it could be an inside job.

One of them said both the van's front doors could not be opened from the outside so a code is needed to open the doors from inside.

He said the guards normally entered via a side door before locking themselves up in the van.

Dr M says American mothers are promiscuous in attack against US free speech

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested today that American mothers “sleep around with just about anybody” when he attacked the United States for defending free speech while PKR warned governments against exploiting Muslim anger to restrict freedoms as protests continued to spread across the Muslim world over a controversial film mocking the Prophet Muhammad.

Malaysia’s outspoken former prime minister said the West’s idea of freedom of expression as being a part of human rights was one that may not be accepted in the cultures of Asians or Muslims worldwide.

In contrast, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said in a separate statement that “dictatorial regimes” should not exploit the anger of Muslims to curtail freedoms.

“Those who blame freedoms for the production of the film are leaders who are anti-democratic and anti-freedom of the people, and are exploiting the anger of the people to reduce democratic space for political purposes,” he said.

Dr Mahathir (picture) was unrelenting, however, in his attack against the US which has officially condemned the film.

“It would seem that the liberal West believes that free speech is licence to curse and insult other people without limit. I think Western values have gone crazy,” the now-retired Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog today.

“How would one feel if someone comes up to you and calls you ‘a bastard, the offspring of sex between your mother and some man who is not your legally wedded father’?”

“The Americans would feel nothing because in their society this is normal. Their mothers sleep around with just about anybody,” said the controversial political veteran.

Such a practice would be considered a norm in an American society, he said, adding that apart from American mothers, fathers behave much the same way.

“It is an expression of the equality of the sexes,” he said.

Dr Mahathir was railing against US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom he said had appeared to defend the maker of the film when the latter was quoted in the media as saying, “We do not stop individual citizens from expressing their views, no matter how distasteful they may be.”

US embassies worldwide have been placed on high alert following protests against the controversial video, which have even led to the death of a US ambassador and three other Americans last week during a protest at its consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

Protests have spread to other countries across the Muslim world, and have also reached Malaysian shores, uniting Muslims here from across the political divide in their bid to express their unhappiness at the US for the film.

The youth wing of Malaysia’s largest Muslim party Umno will be organising a mass protest after Friday prayers this week, while last week’s global protests were also joined by Islamist party PAS.

In a statement here, PAS’s ally PKR said the film was likely made with the deliberate intention to destroy world peace and spread “Islamophobia” among the non-Muslims of the world.

“PKR urges the US to take full and immediate responsibility to condemn this criminal act and take proactive measures to maintain world peace and destroy this false perception against the Muslims,” said the party’s deputy president Azmin Ali today.

But noting that the anti-American anger in the Muslim world has continued unabated for days now, even resulting in protests leading to deaths, the lawmaker said he hoped there would not be any exploitation of Muslim anger over the matter.

The crudely made 13-minute English-language film, shot in California and circulated on the internet under several titles including “Innocence of Muslims”, mocks the Prophet Mohammad.

Clips of the film posted on the internet since July have been attributed to a man by the name of Sam Bacile, which two people linked to the film have said was likely an alias.

For many Muslims, any depiction of the Prophet is blasphemous. Caricatures deemed insulting in the past have provoked protests and drawn condemnations from officials, preachers, ordinary Muslims and many Christians.

Reuters news agency has reported that a California man convicted of bank fraud was taken in for questioning on Saturday by officers investigating possible probation violations stemming from the making of the video clip.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, voluntarily left his home in the early hours of Saturday morning for the meeting at a sheriff’s station in the Los Angeles suburb of Cerritos.

Nakoula, who has denied involvement in the film in a phone call to his Coptic Christian bishop, was ushered out of his home and into a waiting car by several sheriff’s deputies, his face shielded by a scarf, hat and sunglasses.

10 Reasons Why You Should Bother To Protest

By Thomas Fann

It was soon after the Bersih 3.0 protest on 28th April, 2012 that I chanced upon a posting on a social media network by someone I knew. Commenting on the huge protest and violence that followed, he said that it is not that he doesn’t support the demands of the protesters but he doesn’t believe protesting is the way to go as it doesn’t solve anything.

It is very likely that many a Malaysian echoes the same sentiments and asks the question – Why bother to protest? Can anything good come out of a protest? Some may even agree with the Prime Minister who said this is not our culture.

I want to suggest ten reasons why we should bother to protest:

Reason 1 – It’s our constitutional right

Did you know that the supreme law of our land, the Federal Constitution in Article 10(1)(b), states that all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms (weapons)? Unfortunately, subsequent laws passed like the Police Act (Section 27) and its new incarnation, the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012, restricts that right.

It can be argued that such restrictions are not in keeping with the intent and spirit of the Constitution which allows us to assemble peaceably. In such cases of inconsistency, we revert back to our supreme law, the Federal Constitution. As law-abiding citizens, our courage and confidence come from knowing this fact.

Reason 2 – It’s democracy in action

We are still a democracy and every citizen has a right to express their views in a peaceful manner. As you glance through the news today, you’d find people from all over the world protesting on a variety of issues ranging from unemployment to the latest government austerity measures, to the way banks are run and to an offensive film. It is not just happening in so-called “less” democratic countries but more so in countries that cherish democracy.

Democracy is not just about casting our votes at the ballot box. It is about us engaging the political process on an ongoing basis through dialogue with lawmakers and government servants, lobbying or petitioning for change in a certain policy, and even protests. Some issues need multi-pronged approach when the authorities are unresponsive.

Reason 3 – It is healthy and needful

People need a space where they could express their unhappiness and it is imperative that they be given that space. Constant suppression of people’s need to release pent-up frustrations could only lead to an explosion of anger as seen in the Arab Spring.

Protests are healthy in the way they show up the feelings of the people and are symptoms of some under-pinning problems, not the problem itself. Using the analogy of our body, protests are like fever or cough. A good physician does not only alleviate the symptoms but also treat the root cause, be it a virus or bacteria that is causing the fever or cough. Good governance means allowing room for protests and paying attention to the root cause for it.

Reason 4 – It highlights issues

Issues that affect communities are many and they are all important to those affected by them. Often times issues would not be made known to the rest of the country or the world without a protest.

This would especially be true in a country where the press and media are not free. How else would we know about problems in our electoral roll and process, about Lynas, Bukit Koman and Pengerang, if not for the series of Bersih and Himpunan Hijau protests? How many more injustices and abuses have gone unnoticed because it was not highlighted by the press and no protest was organised?

Protests draw our attention to issues that may or may not directly affect us but at least we know about them and can decide what to do about it.

Reason 5 – It can bring about changes

It would not be wrong to say that much of the course of world history is shaped by direct actions of the people. Rulers who failed to serve the interest of their subjects are ALWAYS removed, eventually. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”

Protests led by Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, anti-apartheid protests worldwide, democracy movements in South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Myanmar and Middle East have brought about seismic changes in their countries.

On the local front, the Bersih protests has forced the EC to implement some changes like the use of indelible ink and promises of reforms to the other demands. While it is true that it still falls short of the true reforms we are asking for, it has forced the authority to consider the demands. If any of
the demands are not fulfilled, they would have served to educate the voters of the problems and for them to question why they are unfulfilled.

Reason 6 – It unites people around issues

Issues like injustices, freedom, corruption, abuses of power, crime, land grab and the environment affect all regardless of race and religion.

As a participant in a number of protests over the past couple of years, I can tell you one of the most exhilarating experiences was the joy and privilege of marching side by side with Malaysians of all races, faith, age, and social backgrounds. It was a cleansing experience, being washed clean of years of state sponsored prejudices against our fellow citizens.

When we protest against our shared common concerns, we realize that we share a common desire for a better future. Underneath all the things that make us different, we realize that we are just fellow humans.

Reason 7 – It exposes the authority

The role of the governing authority is to facilitate peaceful protests and to maintain law and order.What all of us, the protesters and the government, should want is a peaceful assembly. Only a very small minority would want a violent and chaotic assembly.

If the stated intent and planning of the protest organiser is towards a peaceful assembly, there is no reason why the authority and the police cannot facilitate it. They just need to provide a public space large enough for the protesters, divert the traffic, deal reasonably with anyone who wants to
break the peace, and allow the protest to proceed.

We have to ask ourselves why they would want to hinder, politicize, demonize and outright attack innocent protesters unless they feel that their shortcomings are being exposed?

Reason 8 – It’s a check and balance

For too long we have had a one-party political system, given that the opposition has always been weak until 2008. Now that we are moving towards a two-party system, we can take heart our democracy is maturing.

Another key component of a matured democracy is the active involvement of the citizens. Some would call this the Third Force. It is needed to hold the politicians in check, to ensure that the promises made during elections are kept. The awakening that our country experienced in 2008 was the awakening of the Rakyat and it is here to stay.

Reason 9 – It’s standing in solidarity with others

Don’t let others struggle for us but stand in solidarity with those who share our belief and are overcoming their fears to make a stand for what is right. It is all too easy to click “Like” on Facebook or even to give money but at the end of the day it is about numbers. Authorities only take notice when there are big numbers of protesters.

I joined in my first protest at Bersih 2.0 because I didn’t want to let others do the fighting (struggle) for me. I want to be there for my own family and for my country.

Reason 10 – It’s doing something

Rather than doing nothing and complaining about things, you are doing something when you protest with others who feel the same way as you do. Admittedly, protest is not the only way to go but sometimes it is the only option left when all other attempts are met with indifference or disdain.

Perhaps there are many who feel the same way as my friend that protests are a waste of time and that it is too messy. To him and others like him, I’d want to ask, “What are you doing then?” Turning up at a protest is the least we can do.

Conclusion

As a nation, we are going through the throes of growing pains and it does look messy – dirty politics, corruption, vote-buying, gangster tactics, hate speeches, expose of scandals after scandals and of course, mega protests. These are normal and will soon pass if we do not give up struggling for justice and for the preservation of our democracy.

We can gain courage from countries like South Korea and Taiwan whose people have to struggle to set their country free from military juntas not too long ago. But once freedom was achieved and democracy established, their countries flourish and today are shining examples of prosperity and peace. Yes, it was messy during transition but it was well worth it.

To the argument that it is not our culture, one only has to look at the history of our nation. UMNO who held mass protests against the Malayan Union and the road to independence was one of protest right up to 1957 and there has always been protests in the subsequent years.

Perhaps there are few men who had to struggle with this matter of protestation in the modern context of a democratic society as much as Martin Luther King, Jr. He has this to say.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others.”

Protesting is not a matter of our culture or not. It is a human need to be heard and for our views to be respected. No more excuses, pack your salt and bottle of water, our voices must be heard.

THOMAS FANN blogs at www.newmalaysia.org

Anti-hopping law a necessity?

The Malaysian Insider
by Art Harun

SEPT 18 — Rumour has it that there are some politicians flying all over the country to induce a mass party-hopping, whether before or after the next general election. This calls into question the sanctity of the people’s vote and choice at the election. And if we view this from a macro viewpoint, it brings into sharp focus the mockery of democracy that this act may result in.

The exact motivation(s) of a voter in voting for a particular candidate will be hard to ascertain. Whether the voter votes for the candidate as an individual or for the party which the candidate represents will be a source for further study. The fact that a voter actually crosses at the column beside the party’s emblem to denote his or her support for that party/candidate on the ballot paper may however provide an important, though not definitive, clue to the question.

Be that as it may, the end result of a vote for any candidate would be the formation of the government by the political party whose candidates win the most number of seats. That is the thrust of our — and, in fact, every — democratic process.

It follows that when a government can be changed by several elected representatives frog-jumping from an elected government to the opposition, the democratic process whereby our government is chosen and formed would be rendered a mockery. In the same breath, when a new government could be formed by an opposition, who has actually lost the election, by virtue of the frog-jumping acts, the whole foundation and premise of that new government is the betrayal of the people’s votes and choice.

That would be a sad reflection of where we are, in terms of democratic process, in the 21st century.

Yet, parliamentary defection is not peculiar to Malaysia. GC Malhotra, in his book “Anti-Defection Law in India and the Commonwealth”, noted that the defection is also known “by different nomenclatures — such as “floor-crossing”, “carpet-crossing”, “party-hopping”, “dispute” and “waka [canoe]-jumping.” In fact “crossing the floor”, according to the Australian Parliamentary Library, 2005, sometimes refers merely to the act of voting on an issue with the opposition rather than the act of defecting to another party.

In the book, Malhotra listed anti-defection laws, in varied forms, enacted by India in 1973, 1985 and 2003. The 2003 law provides that a person can be disqualified from serving in Parliament for “voluntarily giving up the membership of his original party” (2005: 965). Furthermore, the Indian law permits parliamentary expulsion simply for voting (or abstaining from voting) “in the House contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs.”

Kenneth Janda, in his paper, “Laws Against Party Switching, Defecting or Floor Crossing in National Parliaments” (Northwestern University, August 2009), observes that at least eight countries see defection as a serious mischief necessitating anti-defection rules in their respective constitution. These are Belize, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. Closer to home, even Singapore sees it fit to provide in its constitution a provision which reads:

Article 46 Tenure of Office of Members

(1) Every Member of Parliament shall cease to be a Member at the next dissolution of Parliament after he has been elected or appointed, or previously thereto if his seat becomes vacant, under the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) The seat of a Member of Parliament shall become vacant;

(b) if he ceases to be a member of, or is expelled or resigns from, the political party for which he stood in the election.

Janda observed that as of 2009, there were at least 41 nations which have anti-defection laws (as opposed to having a constitutional provision) in one form or another. Perhaps, the best rationale for anti-defection laws is best summarised by Scott W. Desposato, as quoted by Janda in his paper:

“While switching is relatively rare in most countries, it has been common in many countries, including South Africa, Japan, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nepal, Russia, the Philippines, France, Italy, and Brazil. Such behaviour is usually dismissed as an indicator that ‘parties don’t matter’, but I argue that party switching warrants study for at least three reasons. First, frequent switching makes it clear that parties do matter — otherwise politicians would not bother to switch. Second, and more importantly, switching provides a unique window on politicians’ underlying preferences, including their incentives for belonging to political parties … Finally, switching poses a normative problem for representation in mass democracies. Parties are the primary mechanism linking voters and politicians in modern mass democracies.”

I could add another one to the reasons proffered by Desposato. And that is the fact that switching party after an election, if not curbed, would open the democratic process to disrepute. Elected representatives are lured by opposing party with promises of economic gains, power or even threatened with blackmail.

I am of course mindful of a 1992 decision by our Supreme Court in Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan & Another vs Nordin Salleh & Another where an anti-hopping law introduced by the Kelantan government was found to be repugnant to our constitutional right to freedom to associate and thus, void for being unconstitutional.

I humbly opine that that decision, with respect, is wrong.

Anti-hopping law in the terms as contained in the Singapore provision above does not prohibit the elected representative from joining any party of his choice. Rather, it states the result or consequence of that action, namely, his seat is deemed to be vacated. The right to associate is there. It is just that once he chooses another party, he vacates his seat. Just as we would argue that we have the right to drive a car, the mere fact that there is a provision that we may lose our licence if we commit traffic offences too often does not mean that our right to drive has been unconstitutionally taken away.

It must also be pointed out that the Supreme Court case involved a state law. I would propose that the anti-hopping law, if thought necessary, to either be passed by Parliament as a federal law or to take shape in the form of a constitutional provision, such as the Singapore provision.

Now, where is the two-third majority when we need it? — art-harun.blogspot.com

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

My Distress Helps Police Arrest Criminals Fast

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- The "My Distress" smartphone application introduced by Selangor police in August last year has helped police in combating crime.

The latest case was in Section 8, Serdang Raya, Serdang on Saturday when police arrested one of two suspected burglars after receiving "My Distress" signal from a man.

Serdang police chief ACP Abd Razak Elias said upon receiving the signal,a patrol car was immediately dispatched and managed to intercept the two suspects on a motorcycle.

He said one of them was arrested when found hiding in a drain with the help of two car accessories shop workers.

On inspection, police seized an iron cutter, an iron rod that was modified into a sharp object, a parang, and a necklace.

"This is the first success of Serdang police to make an arrest with the help of the system," he told reporters here Tuesday.

King Wants More People With PhD

SINTOK, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah wishes to see more Malaysians with doctorate degrees (PhD).

He said that currently, most of the PhD holders were in public and private institutions of higher learning.

Towards this end, he said, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political parties could play their part.

"...it would be more beneficial to the country if political parties and the NGOs were to make this their main agenda.

"Children should be instilled awareness on how education can change the life of the poor, as well as the importance of mastering English, and to be knowledgeable in science and mathematics," he said at the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) 25th convocation here today.

The King said, based on statistics from the higher education ministry, about 7,800 staff at public and private institutions in the country were PhD holders, and about 20,000 others, holders of masters degrees.

Earlier, he presented awards to excellent graduates. They included the Chancellor's Gold Medal Award to Mohamad Sabri Sinal @ Zainal, 25, who graduated with an honours degree in information technology.

Waytha stopped from flying out of M’sia

Immigration director-general Alias Ahmad said his officers had acted based on a police directive given "way back in November 2007".

FULL REPORT

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf Makkal Sakti chairman P Waythamoorthy was today prohibited from flying out of the country on grounds of “national security”.

He was informed by Immigration officers at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang that there was a government prohibition against him from leaving Malaysia.

“This is ridiculous. I had to fight hard to get back to Malaysia from the UK (following his exile), and was allowed back in legally with my passport, and now they are saying I will not be allowed to leave the country,” he told FMT from LCCT this evening.

Waythamoorthy was due to fly out of KL to Manila for a two-day business trip at 6.30pm today. However as he was about to go through the necessary immigration clearance, he was told of the prohibition placed on him.

“When I asked the officer on who had placed the prohibition, he said it was the director-general of the Immigration Department and the police.

“And when I asked why, he said it was because I am a national threat!” he added.

Waythamoorthy said that the immigration officers at the LCCT were unable to give him more details as to why he was considered a national threat.

“The officers even refused to contact their higher officials to find out about my case,” he added.

Waythamoorthy said he was now planning to lodge a police report against the police, the Home Minister and the Immigration Department for “their abuse of power and for linking me to security threat”.

“I have not been allowed the freedom to travel and as a result I stand to suffer losses as I am unable to attend to my scheduled meetings in Manila,” he said.

Immigration DG: Directive from 2007

When contacted, Immigration director-general Alias Ahmad said that he was informed by his officers that Waythamoorthy was stopped at the airport about 6.30pm as his name was “blacklisted”.

“Waythamoorthy wanted to go overseas but when officers checked the system, his name was blacklisted,” Alias told FMT.

However, he said that the directive, from the police, was given “way back in November 2007″.

When asked, Alias explained that a person can be blacklisted for various reasons, including bankruptcy, non-payments of study loans, court orders, as well as security reasons.

“For this case, maybe it was probably for security reasons but I can’t confirm it as it came from the police. Perhaps the situation has changed… people have forgotten but the computer does not and the record was still in the system. I’ll have to check with the police tomorrow,” he said.

Back home after exile

Waythamoorthy only returned to Malaysia on Aug 1 after spending about five years in exile in England. He had left Malaysia three days after the historic Hindraf rally of Nov 25, 2007.

In March 2008, the Malaysian government had revoked Waythamoorthy’s passport. Following this, he applied for and was granted political asylum by the British government.

He was then issued a Malaysian passport at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore which allowed him to return to the country legally.

Since his return, he has been attending road shows to explain Hindraf’s programmes for the Indian community but has not been called up by the police or any other government agencies for questioning.