Monday, 18 February 2013
“Blasphemy” – Morsi’s Egypt court shuts down belly dancing channel.
In the first case, the court orders that the popular Al-Tet belly dancing channel be taken off air for broadcasting on satellite without a license.
The court ruling also accused the channel of airing "provocative advertisements" for sexual products and for facilitating escort-like services.
In May, the owner of Al-Tet, Baleegh Hamdi was arrested on suspicions of facilitating prostitution through his channel, but was later released. Anyone involved in prostitution could face three years in jail under Egyptian law.
In the other case, the administrative court rejects an appeal on Saturday by Sheikh Abdullah Badr and Atef Abdel-Rashid, the owner Al-Hafez religious channel, against a ruling on 12 January that barred Badr's programme Fi Al-Mizan for 30 days.
Prominent actress Elham Shahin and TV anchor Hala Sarhan filed the original lawsuit, demanding the Al-Hafez channel be shut down for insulting Shahin on his programme."Elham Shahin is cursed and she will never enter heaven," Badr said on air.
Badr was slammed on 17 December with a year in jail and bail set at LE20,000 (roughly $3,000) by a misdemeanour court.Read the full story here.
Kohat warning: Militants rough up transgender guru, spark exodus
File photo of transgendered persons. PHOTO: REUTERS/ FILE
A police official said that three unidentified attackers entered a market in the Tirah Adda area of the region and barged inside a balakhana (den), where five transgendered persons along with their ‘guru’ resided.
The attackers grabbed the guru, identified as Arif alias Arifa Jan, and beat him up and threatened to kill him if they failed to vacate the area.
The official added that after the incident all members of the transgender community residing in the area fled to an undisclosed location.
The owner of the market, Syed Jamal, said that since no one in the area was willing to provide shelter to the transgendered persons; therefore, he stepped in and accommodated them in his building.
He recalled that the assailants sent him a letter demanding that his tenants be thrown out within a week. Jamal claimed that the letter was dispatched by the TTP Darra Adam Khel chapter.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2013.
PKR banks on ex-deputy minister to win back Wangsa Maju
Datuk Tan Tee Kwong on a walkabout in Wangsa Maju. — Pictures by Choo Choo May
Former Deputy Minister Land and Cooperative Development Datuk Dr Tan Tee Kwong had started reconnecting with the voters to increase his profile on the ground since incumbent Wangsa Maju representative Wee Choo Keong quit the party in 2010 and turned Independent though pledging support to the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal coalition.
In a recent Sunday walkabout, Dr Tan told The Malaysian Insider that he is now more comfortable and confident after meeting Wangsa Maju residents regularly.
"After two years, the walkabouts and contributions to the needy have started to show positive result," said the former Gerakan MP.
He also confessed that the hardest task is to convince the voters who question his loyalty to PKR, and to assure them that another party-hopping incident will not repeat itself.
"The first time I was here, almost everybody I met asked what assurance can I give them if I win," Dr Tan added.
Two high-ranking PKR leaders have also acknowledged that Dr Tan was given the responsibility to take care of the area's party branch after Wee left.
"(Dr Tan) was given the responsibility to restore the party's image and strengthen the election machinery," said PKR Secretary-General Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
"The possibility of him contesting (in Wangsa Maju) is there."
PKR Communications Director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also echoed Saifuddin's view of Dr Tan's chances.
"A full decision is yet to be made, but that's it... maybe Tan will contest that seat," the Seri Setia assemblyman said.
Dr Tan's presence was lauded by Mohammad Hamdi Mohd Said, who was part of the election machinery's backbone which contributed to Wee's win back in 2008.
"Almost every week, (Dr Tan) would go to the ground to meet the residents," the Wangsa Maju PKR Youth Chief said.
"After Wee left, it became a bit chaotic, but since Tan took over, situation has changed.
"Tan is a true politician, and he is not shy to go to the ground, unlike Wee who did so rarely.
"His character is so different to the old candidate, because in 2008 we made a big mistake by putting a parachute candidate."
The P116 seat is seen as one of the hot seats in the coming election, after PKR managed to win it from MCA with a slim majority of 150 in 2008.
Former PKR candidate Wee defeated BN's Yew Teong Look with 19,637 votes compared to 19,487.
An urban seat like Wangsa Maju poses a close contest for any party, owing to the technological advances which provide instant information to residents.
Wangsa Maju is a Malay-majority constituency with 35,258 of them (53.28 per cent), followed by Chinese at 24,000 (36.27 per cent) and Indian at 5,741 (8.68 per cent).
Most of the voters (45.68 per cent) are between 30 and 49 years old at 30,230, followed by pensioners between 50 and 69 at 31.66 per cent (20,953).
Majority of the dwellings in the area consists of apartments, low cost flats and condominium units.
MIC man calls on Hindraf to woo BN
Since Pakatan does not appreciate the efforts of Hindra, KP Samy says the movement should turn to BN instead.
PETALING JAYA: Days after Hindraf announced that its courtship with Pakatan Rakyat has soured, a former Hindraf activist wants the movement to woo MIC and Barisan Nasional.
Ex-Hindraf activist KP Samy wanted the movement to reveal Pakatan Rakyat’s shortcomings to the Indian community.
“Hindraf should agree that MIC is the sole Indian representative. They should work with MIC to strengthen the community.
“Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been doing his level best for the past four years,” said the MIC central working committee member.
He also said Hindraf’s efforts to build a working relationship with Pakatan was not appreciated by the federal opposition alliance that helms four state governments.
“Hindraf should go back to the Indian community and reveal Pakatan’s insincerity. A large number of Hindraf supporters have left Pakatan,” he told FMT.
Samy said that Hindraf’s contribution that led to Pakatan’s victory was neither valued nor recognised.
He added that Pakatan should have honoured the five Hindraf leaders held under ISA and provided financial backing for the hundreds of Hindraf supporters who were detained.
Instead, he said Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar only announced financial assistance for Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga when the federal government initiated a suit against Bersih.
Samy also requested Hindraf to consider the Indian equity factor. “Only one race – the Chinese – have maximised their equity in Selangor. The Indians remain the same,” he added.
He added that in terms of positions within the government, Pakatan had only fulfilled its pledge by giving the Penang Deputy Chief Minister 2 post to P Ramasamy but in Selangor that was not the case.
“Jayakumar’s exco post is the eighth in the list. All the important exco positions are held by Chinese representatives from the DAP and PKR,” he said, citing Teresa Kok and Elizabeth Wong as examples.
Meanwhile, Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy still hoped that Pakatan would continue courting Hindraf.
“Hindraf has made clear from the outset that it supports Pakatan and wishes to work closely with Pakatan to achieve its objectives of addressing the 56-year marginalisation of the Indian community in this country,” he said in a press statement.
He also emphasised on Hindraf’s vital role in swaying Indian votes for Pakatan.
“Pakatan leaders have to realise that it was Hindraf that broke the 80% ‘fixed deposit’ which MIC boasted it always had and delivered that to the opposition including PAS in the last general election. The climate of the 2008 election was different,” he said.
He admitted that the Najib administration was on the right path to regain the Indian votes.
“The Najib administration has done tremendous work on the ground and if they are successful in gaining 55% of the total Indian voters, Pakatan is likely to face risk in 25 Parliament seats. Kedah would be a sure fall and Selangor would be at great risk.
“We at Hindraf believe we could prevent this,” said Waythamoorthy, who added that Hindraf would be able to sway 50 percent of the undecided Indian voters in favour of Pakatan.
He also said that Pakatan must endorse the Hindraf blueprint which aims to completely resolve the Indian community’s issues.
PETALING JAYA: Days after Hindraf announced that its courtship with Pakatan Rakyat has soured, a former Hindraf activist wants the movement to woo MIC and Barisan Nasional.Ex-Hindraf activist KP Samy wanted the movement to reveal Pakatan Rakyat’s shortcomings to the Indian community.
“Hindraf should agree that MIC is the sole Indian representative. They should work with MIC to strengthen the community.
“Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been doing his level best for the past four years,” said the MIC central working committee member.
He also said Hindraf’s efforts to build a working relationship with Pakatan was not appreciated by the federal opposition alliance that helms four state governments.
“Hindraf should go back to the Indian community and reveal Pakatan’s insincerity. A large number of Hindraf supporters have left Pakatan,” he told FMT.
Samy said that Hindraf’s contribution that led to Pakatan’s victory was neither valued nor recognised.
He added that Pakatan should have honoured the five Hindraf leaders held under ISA and provided financial backing for the hundreds of Hindraf supporters who were detained.
Instead, he said Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar only announced financial assistance for Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga when the federal government initiated a suit against Bersih.
Samy also requested Hindraf to consider the Indian equity factor. “Only one race – the Chinese – have maximised their equity in Selangor. The Indians remain the same,” he added.
He added that in terms of positions within the government, Pakatan had only fulfilled its pledge by giving the Penang Deputy Chief Minister 2 post to P Ramasamy but in Selangor that was not the case.
“Jayakumar’s exco post is the eighth in the list. All the important exco positions are held by Chinese representatives from the DAP and PKR,” he said, citing Teresa Kok and Elizabeth Wong as examples.
Meanwhile, Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy still hoped that Pakatan would continue courting Hindraf.
“Hindraf has made clear from the outset that it supports Pakatan and wishes to work closely with Pakatan to achieve its objectives of addressing the 56-year marginalisation of the Indian community in this country,” he said in a press statement.
He also emphasised on Hindraf’s vital role in swaying Indian votes for Pakatan.
“Pakatan leaders have to realise that it was Hindraf that broke the 80% ‘fixed deposit’ which MIC boasted it always had and delivered that to the opposition including PAS in the last general election. The climate of the 2008 election was different,” he said.
He admitted that the Najib administration was on the right path to regain the Indian votes.
“The Najib administration has done tremendous work on the ground and if they are successful in gaining 55% of the total Indian voters, Pakatan is likely to face risk in 25 Parliament seats. Kedah would be a sure fall and Selangor would be at great risk.
“We at Hindraf believe we could prevent this,” said Waythamoorthy, who added that Hindraf would be able to sway 50 percent of the undecided Indian voters in favour of Pakatan.
He also said that Pakatan must endorse the Hindraf blueprint which aims to completely resolve the Indian community’s issues.
ABU-Hindraf collaboration over, it would seem
As reported in Malaysiakini today, Hindraf’s Waythamoorthy has taken umbrage and, in my view, rightly so, to the public disclosure of what must surely have been private and confidential discussions between both Hindraf and Pakatan Rakyat leaders on both the matter of the indorsement of the latter’s blue print as well as the possibility of both working together in the coming GE.
I will avoid doing the same here.
I have been desperately trying to meet with Waytha to have a face – to – face discussion on several pressing issues, not least being Hindraf giving due consideration to meeting with Najib, a position patently at odds with the stated stance of ABU that we will not negotiate with robbers and thieves.
Yesterday, admittedly frustrated that no meeting appeared to be in sight and the GE looming, I sent Waytha the following sms :
“Is hindraf still with abu? Will you join us on the ground to deliver killer blows to umno/bn? I really need to know where you stand on this”
I do not propose to make disclosure here of the sms sent in response or the sms’ that were exchanged and leave it to Waytha to decide if he wishes to disclose the same. I have no objections whatsoever if he chooses to do so.
His immediate response to the sms above and my second sms to ask if I should assume that Hindraf regards itself as out of ABU left me with the distinct impression that such was the case.
If I have erred, no doubt Waytha will set me straight.
Until that happens, ABU will carry on the fight to bury UMNO/BN, with or without Hindraf by our side.
RoS confirms it received DAP’s report; apologises for confusion
The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Registrar of Societies (RoS) confirmed Sunday that it had received the DAP’s Dec 15 Central Executive Committee’s polls report on Feb 8, ahead of the Feb 15 deadline it had set for the party.
“Here I would like to clarify that my previous statement was based on information that was not updated and this has led to confusion,” Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman said in a statement late Sunday.
“RoS apologises to all parties concerned over this mistake,” he said.
The investigations into DAP’s CEC polls was ongoing and would be finalised as soon as possible, he said.
On Saturday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was reported as saying that he was told that DAP had failed to submit the report on time and, therefore, RoS would begin its investigations.
PETALING JAYA: The Registrar of Societies (RoS) confirmed Sunday that it had received the DAP’s Dec 15 Central Executive Committee’s polls report on Feb 8, ahead of the Feb 15 deadline it had set for the party.
“Here I would like to clarify that my previous statement was based on information that was not updated and this has led to confusion,” Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman said in a statement late Sunday.
“RoS apologises to all parties concerned over this mistake,” he said.
The investigations into DAP’s CEC polls was ongoing and would be finalised as soon as possible, he said.
On Saturday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was reported as saying that he was told that DAP had failed to submit the report on time and, therefore, RoS would begin its investigations.
'Pakatan may lose 25 MPs without Hindraf's support'
This comes in light of the Indian community warming up to the BN under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration.However, Hindraf can help swing them back in favour of Pakatan if the opposition coalition forms an electoral pact with the movement, Waythamoorthy (left) said in a statement today.
"The Indian community is not at war with the government as we were in 2007-2008.
"Najib's administration has done tremendous work on the ground and if they are successful in gaining 55 percent of the total Indian voters, Pakatan is likely to face risks in 25 Parliament seats," he said.
Furthermore, Waythamoorthy said, Kedah would be "sure to fall" and Selangor would be at great risk of being recaptured by the BN.
"We at Hindraf believe we can prevent this. Our almost 2,000 cadres are prepared to go on the ground - they are unpaid volunteers. They will do the magic."
He said a partnership between Hindraf and Pakatan could ensure that at least half of the undecided Indian votes would go to the opposition coalition.
‘Hindraf bluprint the main priority’
It was reported on Feb 14 that Pakatan's discussions with Hindraf for cooperation had come to a stalemate after Hindraf had demanded to contest in seven parliamentary and 10 state seats.
Waythamoorthy later clarified that Hindraf had proposed to contest in all the MIC-held seats and had no desire for any seat held by an incumbent from Pakatan.
He had said that the main priority for Hindraf was still for Pakatan to endorse its blueprint to help the Indian poor.Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has been coy about endorsing the blueprint and has instead stated that the principles of the blueprint were already embodied in Pakatan's Buku Jingga manifesto.
However, Waythamoorthy maintained that Hindraf's blueprint was more specific and the Indian community would not accept the vague promises that have been the norm in previous general elections.
"Hindraf has been questioned by the Indian community at all our road shows on the reason for Pakatan’s reluctance to endorse our blueprint.
"We have no concrete answer that is to their dissatisfaction to give them," he said.
Waythamoorthy urged the Pakatan leaders to gauge the sentiments on the ground instead of relying on hardcore party supporters to feed them with information.
Pakatan denies Ku Li will be its PM candidate
Pakatan Rakyat today denied rumours that Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh
Hamzah will become its candidate for prime minister if it captures
federal power in the next general election.Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim described the rumours as the work of Umno-owned media.
“I have never heard anything about this. I don’t know if Kit Siang has heard anything about it.
“I think this is the work of Umno newspapers,” he told journalists during the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) Chinese New Year open house today.
Adding on, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang concurred with Anwar, stating: "I think these are all rumours.".
It was reported yesterday that independent Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim had claimed that DAP and PAS had agreed for Tengku Razaleigh, more popularly known as Ku Li, to become its prime minister candidate as he was supposedly a better choice.
Pakatan Rakyat, particularly PKR and DAP, has in the past constantly touted Anwar as its prime minister candidate.
However, voices particularly from the conservative segments of PAS had urged that their president Abdul Hadi Awang be made prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya.
There had also been rumours that PAS favours Ku Li as an alternative to Anwar for prime minister.
Ku Li, an Umno veteran and maverick, was in 2010 rumoured to be among those preparing to defect to Pakatan Rakyat.
Even though Ku Li has been critical of his own party, he had denied the claims of defection, describing it as a “tall tale”.
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