Hindraf leaders meet Najib, 2nd meeting soon

P Waythamoorthy and two others meet the prime minister over their demand to implement the Hindraf blueprint for the Indian community.

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf leaders met with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak at the latter’s office in Putrajaya.

Hindraf chairman, P Waythamoorthy, who is on a hunger strike since March 10, led the delegation which also included his deputy W Sambulingam and adviser N Ganesan.

The meeting was held over Hindraf’s demand to either Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat to implement its blueprint with regard to uplifting the Indian community.

“We have established a line of contact, meeting with Najib was both useful and productive but the resolution is far from complete,” said Ganesan.

“We need more discussions, Najib has agreed to meet us again in the next few days and we hope that the approval of our blueprint will be the final outcome,” he added.

Ganesan also said that the hour-long meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, and the prime minister was willing to listen and take note of the matter brought to him.

“There is a common need to resolve this issue. Najib felt that we needed more time to discuss so that maximum focus can be given to our blueprint.

“Hindraf’s 2007 rally brought about a lot of heat at that time. Despite that, the government has accepted ownership on the issue. This is historic,” he added.

When FMT asked if Najib had sought their support for the Barisan Nasional coalition in the upcoming general election, Ganesan said: “The topic of elections never came up in our meeting.”

Waythamoorthy, who appeared weak, said he would continue with his hunger strike until he was successful with his fight for the Indian community.

“There is a great possibility of progress through these meetings and we are definitely looking forward to it,” he told reporters.

Najib will have more talks with us, says Hindraf

Indonesia denies mutilation in circumcision traditions

An Indonesian doctor prepares to circumcise a female child in Bandung, Indonesia on February 10, 2013. The Indonesian government has come under fire after the UN General Assembly in November passed its first resolution condemning female genital mutilation.

AFP - Thrashing wildly, five-year-old Reta wails as she is hoisted onto a bed during a circumcision ceremony in a school-hall-turned-clinic on Indonesia's island of Java.

"No, no, no," she cries, punching and kicking as her mother cups her tear-soaked face to soothe her.

Doctors clap and cheer encouragingly. One of them gently swipes her genital area with antiseptic and then swiftly pricks the hood of her clitoris with a fresh sewing needle, drawing no blood.

The ordeal is over in seconds as other girls and babies waiting for their turn shriek in fear.

Doctors say the procedure will have no effect on the girl, her sexual pleasure in later life or ability to bear a child.

"I'm happy. My daughter is now clean," Yuli, a 27-year-old seamstress, told AFP at a mass circumcision of 120 girls and babies at the Assalaam Foundation's Islamic school, in the western Javanese city of Bandung.

She believes the ritual will nevertheless have an effect.

"Many girls are getting pregnant out of wedlock these days. Circumcision hopefully will prevent my daughter from becoming oversexed, and will make her less amorous when she grows up."

Indonesia, home to the world's biggest Muslim population, argues that this form of circumcision is largely symbolic, not harmful and should not be seen as mutilation.

The United Nations thinks otherwise. In December it passed a resolution banning female genital mutilation (FGM), which extends to the circumcision practised in Indonesia, home to the world's biggest Muslim population.

Procedures such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping, cauterisation, or burning that are carried out for non-medical purposes are classed by the World Health Organization as mutilation along with practices that alter or remove any part of the genitals.

The more extreme practices can lead to severe bleeding, urination problems and complications during childbirth, according to the WHO.

A ritual dating back thousands of years and typically seen in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, its most brutal forms require stitching together the inner and outer labia, or excising all or part of the clitoris.

Indonesia says that genital cutting does not take place and that it has worked to eradicate other more severe circumcisions as it seeks compromise between conforming to international standards and placating cultural and religious traditions.

It banned female circumcision in 2006 but backtracked in 2010, arguing that many parents were still having their daughters circumcised but often by unskilled traditional doctors who often botched the procedure.

"It's impossible to ban a longtime tradition," Health Ministry official Budi Sampurno said.

"When we banned it in 2006, people turned to untrained traditional healers instead. We had to regulate it to ensure the safety of women and children."

In response to the ban, The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country's top Islamic clerical body, issued a fatwa in 2008 allowing the practice but did not make it compulsory.

Religious leaders and adherents say they are following the practices of Prophet Mohammed.

However, "Islam does not force girls to be circumcised," MUI chairman Amidhan said.

While no official data is available to measure the extent of the practice in Indonesia, it is common in the country of 240 million people, according to aid agencies.

A 2003 study by the Population Council found that 22 percent of 1,307 female circumcision cases were excisions, meaning part of the clitoris or labia was removed. Of the rest, 49 percent involved incisions while 28 percent were "symbolic".

Researchers say the situation has improved in the past ten years.

A 2009 study led by Jurnalis Uddin, a doctor and lecturer from Jakarta-based Yarsi University showed that 18 percent of health institutions still performed female circumcisions but that these did not extend to cutting the genital area.

"The situation now in 2013 is certainly different from 2003. People are now more educated about safe circumcision procedures and they also know that they can report harmful methods to the authorities," Artha Budi Susila Duarsa, a lecturer also at Yarsi who helped devise the 2009 study, told AFP.

"If there is excision, the number must be significantly lower (than in 2003)," he added.

Jakarta issued a 2010 regulation allowing "scraping the clitoral hood, without injuring the clitoris", while criminalising more severe procedures -- a regulation that is nevertheless defined by the WHO as mutilation.

Islamic foundations like the Assalaam Foundation in Bandung say they ditched the scissor-snipping for pin-pricking.

"In the past, we had used one or two doctors and more traditional healers and they used scissors to snip a bit on the hood. We abandoned that method many years ago," Assalaam's coordinator Eulis Sri Karyati said, adding that certified doctors carried out procedures at the school.

Sampurno said Indonesia wants to replace scraping with swiping "with a cotton bud", hoping that the UN would not see this as mutilation. Jakarta has not indicated how it would enforce it in such a populous nation.

Some reports allude to more severe forms of female circumcision still being carried out in Indonesia, especially in remote areas where the belief is strong that the practice would cleanse girls.

"The effectiveness of government regulations is questionable," Martha Santoso Ismail, who is overlooking harmful traditional practices at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), told AFP.

"Circumcision is still taking place and I can't rule out that more severe forms of circumcision other than pin-pricking could be done by untrained non-medical persons," she added.

In Aceh province, Indonesia's Islamic stronghold where partial sharia law is implemented, people are so indoctrinated into the practice that opting out is considered immoral, rights activists say.

"Almost every girl in Aceh is circumcised. Parents see it as a religious obligation and turn a deaf ear to any opposing view and look down on those who don't circumcise their children," provincial National Commission on Violence Against Women official Azriana said.

Despite the UN resolution, the custom still has deep meaning for Indonesian Muslims and will likely remain, officials say.

Housewife Tita Lishaini Jamilah, 28, who also took her baby to the clinic for a circumcision ceremony, said Indonesia should not bow to the UN's ban on the practice, insisting that the ritual was safe.

"Why would any parent hurt her child? If any doctor were to mutilate my daughter, I'd be the first to protest," she said.

18-Year Old Stoned To Death In Somalia For Being Gay

An  allegedly gay man Mohamed Ali Baashi was buried in the ground up to his chest and stoned to death on 15 March in Barawe some fifty miles form the Somali capital of Mogadishu. According to reports, Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab ordered the attack after charging and finding Baashi guilty of sodomy. Members of Al Shabaab stood behind the judges who passed sentence while wearing face masks and showing off their rifles.

Both Baashi and another man, who was also charged with murder, were found guilty after apparently admitting their crimes. The judge supposedly said “We investigated, and this man did what Muslims shouldn’t do and as a result, he will be stoned to death and the one that killed someone will be shot because homosexuality is more punishable in Islam.”

By investigated, the process likely involved torturing the individuals involved until they confessed, and then executing them. Such actions are typical for Al Shabaab, which has allegedly used Sharia law to execute anyone they wanted to even if they were not guilty of the crimes involved.

The scene, which has been described on Towleroad and The Advocate, is reminiscent of an exchange in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novel Small Gods in which Didactylos explains to Brutha that most people carrying out the sentence often do so out of fear of being the next person to be stoned to death. Unfortunately, there is no sure way to know if Baashi was or was not gay. He was 18 years old.

Sabah BN wants new ICs to replace suspect MyKads

Police personnel check the identity of passengers on a road leading to Kampung Tanduo, in Lahad Datu March 8, 2013. — Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 ― New identity cards (ICs) for “genuine” Sabahans should be issued to replace the existing MyKads that have cast doubt on the legality of their Malaysian citizenships, say three Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) parties.

The Borneo Post daily reported today that United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) chief Tan Sri Bernard Dompok made the proposal to re-issue the mandatory document in the wake of public ire over the flood of immigrants naturalised under a controversial project in the 1980s and which has become central to the national security after a 200-strong Sulu militant group invaded the north Borneo state early last month.

“This will provide an opportunity for us in Sabah to prove the authenticity of our citizenship so that only genuine Sabahans will be issued with citizenship documents like the new identity card,” Dompok was quoted as saying at a news conference in Penampang, on Sabah’s west coast yesterday.

The federal minister in charge of plantations, industry and commodities said he will propose the idea to the five-man royal commission of inquiry (RCI) investigating the massive influx of foreigners into Sabah, which has seen its population nearly tripled within 20 years.

“What I am saying here is that it is very obvious that we have to take this opportunity to reset things in Sabah and as you can see, a lot of people are disturbed by the arrival of uninvited guests by way of the sea.

“I was told that there are a lot of others who have got identity cards. It is now difficult to ascertain the legality of the identification documents. I feel that the only way is to collect all these identity cards and give fresh cards so that it can settle once and for all who exactly is the citizen of this country and who are eligible to become the native of Sabah,” he was quoted saying further.

The Penampang MP also suggested that the naturalisation process be tightened further by requiring citizenship hopefuls to advertise their applications publicly much like how marriage banns are posted to allow for vetting before engaged couples are allowed to wed.

Dompok’s idea was backed by his allies representing the core of the state ruling coalition’s main indigenous Kadazan, Dusun and Murut communities ― Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan from the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup from the United Sabah People’s Party (PBRS).

Kitingan, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, was reported saying Dompok’s proposal had merit as there were many aspects about the state’s population that was unclear due to the lack of records on its illegal immigrants, and those who had gained citizenship through questionable channels.

“When we take into consideration our plans to ensure that the rakyat in Sabah are given focus, we need to know who the real Malaysians are. That is why we need to take steps to ensure that we get the true facts and details,” the PBS president was quoted saying.

The ongoing RCI needed to examine the allegations of suspect award of citizenship to unqualified applicants as the authorities could not deny it had happened previously, Kurup, who is deputy minister of natural resources and the environment, reportedly said.

“The MyKad is a passport to what Sabahans are entitled to like scholarships and we do not want it to be abused by those who do not qualify,” he was quoted saying.

The longstanding issue of illegal immigrants that has continued unchecked for decades has turned emotive among Sabah natives like the Kadazandusun and Murut communities, many of whom feel that the state has been robbed of its sovereignty through the massive influx of foreigners from neighbouring Philippines and Indonesia.

More than a quarter of Sabah’s population are foreigners, totalling a staggering 889,000 out of the 3.2 million-strong population in Sabah, or about 28 per cent, based on a 2010 census.

Sabah has 926,638 voters, according to a June report in English-language daily The Star.

The large number of foreigners has also worried Sabah natives, who often blame them for the rise in crime and for stealing job opportunities.

Some 200 Filipino gunmen led by Agbimuddin Kiram had entered Sabah through its porous east coast on February 9, where they have been engaged in violent clashes with Malaysia’s defence forces that have killed eight policemen, two soldiers and several civilians of unknown nationality since.

More than 60 Sulu militants have also died in the conflict in their bid to stake a 17th century ownership on the resource-rich state.

Najib throws more election goodies

The prime minister announces four changes to the 40,000 staff of seven statutory bodies ahead of the polls.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today announced sweeping benefits for the 40,000 staff of seven government statutory bodies, ahead of the general election which must be held within weeks.

The benefits to be given to LTAT (Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera), LHDN (Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri), EPF (Employees Provident Fund), Tabung Haji, Perkeso, Perhebat (Armed Forces Veteran Affairs Corporation), and Bank Simpanan Nasional are:

a pension fund set up for all personnel;

fixed housing allowances equivalent to that of civil servants;

gratituities for retirees; and

streamlining employer contribution towards the EPF.

The benefits come in the wake of Najib’s announcement yesterday that the government would award 10,000 individual permits to taxi drivers, in what can be seen as a last-minute attempt to woo voters before polls are held.

When concluding his announcement today, Najib told the cheering audience of about 8,000 workers that they knew what must be done “soon”, in one of his many hints at the general election throughout his speech.

“I have fulfilled my promises to you, so when the times comes, can you fulfil your promise?” he asked them. His question was greeted by enthusiastic cries of agreement from the sea of red before him.

The audience, comprising the staff of the seven statutory bodies, held up placards that read “I love PM”. They started stomping, cheering and applauding before Najib delivered his speech, in obvious anticipation of the goodies he would announce for them.

At the beginning of his speech, Najib explained that the government’s philosphy was to prosper the economy before pleasing the rakyat.

He said the country’s current robust economy was the reason why the government was now able to “share” the profits with the rakyat.

“If we don’t generate the economy first, [everything will be] destroyed… When we develop the economy, we are able to share with the workers, the rakyat.

“That’s why I stand before you today with confidence. My conscience is clear. This is based on our success story. We are not a failed state, our country’s economy has not fallen the way it almost did in 1998, and now the person responsible wishes to become prime minister,” said Najib, referring to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

In a veiled swipe at Pakatan Rakyat, he said the government would not take a populist stance and give all that the rakyat asked for as that would be a recipe for disaster.

“When we do something, it is not just to fulfil short-term needs that could destroy the future of our grandchildren.

“So, ladies and gentlemen, if we want the success to continue – and we want to share the success together – then when the time comes, you know what to do,” said Najib.

Hindraf leaders meet Najib, 2nd meeting soon

P Waythamoorthy and two others meet the prime minister over their demand to implement the Hindraf blueprint for the Indian community.

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf leaders met with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak at the latter’s office in Putrajaya.

Hindraf chairman, P Waythamoorthy, who is on a hunger strike since March 10, led the delegation which also included his deputy W Sambulingam and adviser N Ganesan.

The meeting was held over Hindraf’s demand to either Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat to implement its blueprint with regard to uplifting the Indian community.

“We have established a line of contact, meeting with Najib was both useful and productive but the resolution is far from complete,” said Ganesan.

“We need more discussions, Najib has agreed to meet us again in the next few days and we hope that the approval of our blueprint will be the final outcome,” he added.

Ganesan also said that the hour-long meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, and the prime minister was willing to listen and take note of the matter brought to him.

“There is a common need to resolve this issue. Najib felt that we needed more time to discuss so that maximum focus can be given to our blueprint.

“Hindraf’s 2007 rally brought about a lot of heat at that time. Despite that, the government has accepted ownership on the issue. This is historic,” he added.

When FMT asked if Najib had sought their support for the Barisan Nasional coalition in the upcoming general election, Ganesan said: “The topic of elections never came up in our meeting.”

Waythamoorthy, who appeared weak, said he would continue with his hunger strike until he was successful with his fight for the Indian community.

“There is a great possibility of progress through these meetings and we are definitely looking forward to it,” he told reporters.

Indians not interested in Anwar’s personal life

Several Indian-based NGOs are backing Anwar Ibrahim, saying that the Indian community has no interest in the opposition leader's personal life.

PETALING JAYA: Several Indian-based NGOs have voiced their support for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat, saying that sexual allegation levelled against Anwar “is just Umno propaganda”.

WargaAMAN secretary S Barathidasan said that the Indian community has no interest in Anwar’s personal issues and that these issues would not sway Indian support for the opposition pact.

“First of all, we do not think he is a gay. It is just an Umno ploy,” he said, adding that he came to the conclusion that Anwar was not gay “after taking the public views into account”.

“As a NGO, we do a lot of ground work. We met people almost everyday. And the feedback from them is very clear: Anwar is innocent. Indian do not believe the sodomy charge against Anwar… it is a trick to undermine Anwar’s reputation,” the leader of the pro-Pakatan NGO told FMT.

Anwar was charged with sodomising former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a condominium in Damansara Heights here in June, 2008.

He was, however, acquitted of the charge in January last year by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, after a lengthy legal battle.

It was the second time he has been prosecuted for sodomy after being convicted in 1998 soon after then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad sacked him as deputy prime minister.

In the latest case, an Umno-linked blogger released 13 pictures, from a video garb, of a man resembling Anwar kissing and fondling another man in a hotel room. The blogger has promised to upload more of the video by 8pm today.

Anwar has since denied that the man in the video was him and has said that this was the work of Umno. The opposition leader also sued the blogger for RM100 million.

“We do not care if he is gay or otherwise. We are just interested in his contribution to the country,” he added.

So what?

Sharing the same view, R Kumaresan, the Serdang Welfare Association president, said people should not confuse politics with personal life.

“If Anwar is gay… so what! At least, he is a gay, not a murderer like few other politicians. The young generation is only looking at Anwar’s leadership,” he said.

Meanwhile, another NGO from Kedah claimed that the Indian community is fed up with Umno’s non-stop attack against Anwar.

“Basically, Indians are very sensitive to gutter politics, currently played up by Umno,” said V Kathiravan, a representative of the Pendang Indian Club.

He claimed that his fellow NGOs from Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan were also angry at the injustices against Anwar.

What is the role of the state?

Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy pens his political thoughts while on his 16th day of hunger strike.
COMMENT

By P Waythamoorthy

This is the 16th day of my hunger viratham (hunger strike). The past 16 days have given me a great opportunity to grow. Thinking, writing, listening and observing during this period of the fast has allowed me to push my thoughts further and deeper into issues that otherwise I would have passed over summarily.

This hunger viratham has become a significant opportunity for me not only to demonstrate my commitment to the cause of the marginalised in the country but also to deepen my understanding of how things work or should work in our universe.

This brings up the opportunity for me to write today about the role of government in human affairs in a multicultural and multiethnic environment.

Tarmar Raj is a young 29-year-old man living in Kuala Ketil in Kedah. His recently deceased father, late Maniyan was an active social worker in that area for most part of his life. He was a well known spokesperson for the displaced estate workers in that area.

Their lives had revolved around that area since their forefathers had been sent there by the British Colonial Administrators.

In Tarmar Raj’s own words, “We have resided in or around Ladang Batu Pekaka for over 50 years. My paternal grandfather who passed away in 1965 is buried here at the Ladang Batu Pekaka Hindu burial ground. My uncle, brother of my father passed away in 1987 and my grand aunt who passed away in 1984 are also buried there. My father when he was alive had told me on several occasions that he would like to be buried at the same burial ground when he died. He wanted to be buried by his father and he wanted his mother, his wife and the rest of the family to be buried alongside him. But by the time he passed away in May 2011 the Ladang Batu Pekaka Hindu burial ground had been demolished by the Kedah State Development Authorities. We therefore could not fulfill his desire. His wishes will never be met.”

The burial ground that Tarmar Raj speaks about has been a burial ground for the former and current estate workers of Barlow Boustead Co and its subsidiary Selangor Coconuts Sdn Bhd for more than 60 years.

The burial ground which has about 300 graves is situated on a one acre piece of land within the former estate premise. The burial ground has been administered by the local temple and assisted by the association of Hindus in the area.

There used to be annual functions held to upkeep the burial ground and this was a lively social event of the community in Kuala Ketil. In addition families gathered and held prayers on death anniversaries, Deepavali and Aadi Ammavasai for their ancestors in fulfillment of their filial duties.

In 2005 the land was acquired by the Kedah State Development Corporations and talks were begun for the relocation of the burial ground. Then in 2008 with the change in the government, things took a different turn.

The process of removing the burial ground acquired greater urgency. The tactics used to convince and to coax the people out, were the usual divide and rule, manipulation, threats and using mandores to intervene.

In this respect the PAS-led government did not behave any differently than the BN government before them.

State government in a hurry

The PAS state government effectively paid a small sum of RM3,000 to each next of kin and gave them a date by which to relocate the graves without any offer of an alternative location for the burial ground.

They then went ahead with the demolition of the burial ground in December of 2009, in what appeared to be great haste.

The late Maniyan who stood in the forefront of the representation for a just and fair resolution was ultimately defeated by these machinations of the PAS state government.

In Tarmar Raj’s own words, “We watched helplessly as the graves of our ancestors were demolished never to be visible to us anymore.”

This was a great disappointment for the late Maniyan and he really did not recover from this episode and eventually passed away of a heart attack in May 2011 at the age of 61.

The point of this story is simply this: social amenities such as burial grounds are a necessary part of the social system of any community. These rural Indian communities transplanted from deep south of India a long time ago were provided with such amenity as long as the rubber estates functioned.

When the estates gave way for development and these displaced workers were laid off, they found themselves in a terrible lurch.

Many parts of their social system just vanished. They were, to start with, an impoverished community. How could they afford to rebuild their social system all on their own?

In our country, these displaced estate worker communities are spread all over from north to south. They all are faced with the same or similar problems – the demolition of the various structures that are part of their social system – temples, shrines, burial grounds and schools.

This problem is unique to this community but because of its scale we consider it a national social problem. The Hindraf Blueprint clearly proposes a robust solution to address this situation.

To call initiatives such as in the blueprint to address these problems as narrow and racist is extremely anti national in my opinion.

Does the state have any role in the provision of these amenities to the citizens of the country? Does Tarmar Raj have a natural right to such amenities? Do the communities such as those that Tarmar Raj comes from have a natural right to amenities like the burial ground?

Or are these situations not to be considered natural rights and are to be handled by the community themselves with no aid or assistance from the state? Even if the community is an impoverished and small community?

Operating in denial

My opinion about all this is that the role of the state is not just to disburse the resources of the nation and to formulate and administer the process of the creation of wealth.

Their role also includes quite clearly, getting into the details of the human affairs of all the ethnic groups in our country and to establish robust solutions for the social needs of each community.

There is much that needs to be done to come up with solutions, to systematise and streamline, to adjust according to changing national situations so that all these needs are well satisfied and are sustainable.

This is a critical role of government in a multi racial, multicultural society. They must provide the necessary support, resources, procedures, laws, enforcements and education to play this role out effectively.

The government needs to recognise this and needs not to lose important perspectives because of the politics.

There is great need in our country to reform these procedures of administration of social services.

We have such a mix of socio-cultural practices that makes the situation more complex. The government cannot take a simplistic approach or operate in denial.

We all have our genes running through in Malaysia, till eternity. There is no other location for our genes.

P Waythamoorthy is the Hindraf chairperson. He has been on his hunger strike since March 10.

Hisham must condemn ‘Kill Tian Chua’ threat, says Ambiga

Boo Su-Lyn, TMI

Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has urged Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to censure Umno supporters for threatening to kill PKR’s Chua Tian Chang, or risk being blacklisted by polls watchdog Bersih 2.0 for condoning political violence.

Party workers shouted “Kill Tian Chua” when the Umno vice-president urged them to rally behind Barisan Nasional (BN) and “eliminate traitors” like PKR vice-president Chua, better known as Tian Chua, whose allies in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have been accused of instigating the Sulu invasion of Sabah.

“He (Hishammuddin) should come out and make amends and put things right, and confirm that he does not support the crowd’s response,” Ambiga (picture) told The Malaysian Insider today.

“He should come out strongly against political violence of any sort... failing which, he will go on our list of politicians who encourage political violence,” said the Bersih co-chairman.

Ambiga said last Saturday that any Election 2013 candidate deemed responsible for violent incidents during political events would be “named and shamed” by Bersih 2.0 on social media sites like Twitter.

Hishammuddin admitted yesterday that political violence in the country was worsening, but accused PR of exploiting the situation to sow hatred for the government and the police.

He also noted that more incidents of violence might occur during the campaign period of Election 2013, which is expected to be held in weeks, due to the shortage of policemen.

Ambiga said today that Hishammuddin should have stopped the crowd immediately when they threatened Tian Chua, pointing out that the Umno vice-president had control over his party supporters.

“It is intimidation. When it’s a threat to kill, that is an offence under section 503 of the Penal Code that deals with criminal intimidation. He, above all people, should know that,” said the former Bar Council president.

“This goes for all those who are out there campaigning, speaking to their supporters. They have to make it very clear they will not countenance any form of violence or violent behaviour. I expect those who are running for the elections to behave like leaders and to set the right example,” added Ambiga.

The lawyer also called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to condemn the kill threat against Tian Chua, pointing out that Najib had pledged ethical conduct in Election 2013.

“This is all part of ethical conduct in campaigning. It’s important for a statement to be made that all those who are campaigning must do so responsibly and ethically,” said Ambiga.

 READ MORE HERE

Malaysian Private Eye's Last Case

P Balasubramaniam 1960-2013

Tale of murder, bribery, double cross and a plot against Anwar Ibrahim follow private eye to the grave
As if the long-running tale of the grisly 2006 murder of a Mongolian party girl wasn't already complicated enough, evidence has emerged that a recently deceased private detective who once tied Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to the crime, was the focus of an attempt in 2011 to blame opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for the allegations against Najib.

The plot almost backfired, however, when the private detective, Perumal Balasubramaniam, who died March 15 of a heart attack, set out on a vain months-long attempt to entrap the prime minister into acknowledging he was personally behind the plot. There is no evidence that Najib participated in the plan to discredit Anwar and he may have not even known of it. In any case, Najib wasn't born yesterday, and he refused to meet Balasubramaniam despite the fact that a number of United Malays National Organization figures including a deputy cabinet minister attempted to intercede on Balasubramaniam's behalf.

The story began in 2008 when Bala, as he was generally known, published a sworn statement based on his professional relationship with one of Najib's best friends that Najib had had an affair with the Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered in October 2006 by two of Najib's bodyguards. Bala was almost immediately pressured to reverse his statement on threats of harm to his family, hustled out of Malaysia and promised RM5 million (US$1.6 million) to keep his mouth shut.

Bala described the 2011 bribe attempt to the Kuala Lumpur-based website Malaysiakini in August 2012, saying it was carried out by Deepak Jaikishan, then a close friend of Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife. However, Bala's allegations went largely below the radar. Depak has since become a bitter and public critic of Najib and Rosmah.

Well before the meeting with Malaysiakini, however, Bala approached Asia Sentinel through his lawyer, Americk Sidhu, and provided detailed evidence of the bribe attempt, along with a request that publication be held off until he gave his approval while he attempted for weeks to arrange a meeting with the prime minister. Approval was never forthcoming. He went to Asia Sentinel, he said, because he wanted to give the evidence to a regional publication that could not be accused of bias against the government, rather than local websites, which were regarded as allies of the opposition.

The bribery attempt was made in April 2011, when the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition was in what was thought to be a close race in state elections in Sarawak. However, the election a won handily by the state's ruling Sarawak United People's Party.

Deepak, according to Bala, called him in Chennai, where he was in exile from Malaysia. Deepak said he wanted the private detective to confess to making up the allegations of Najib's affair and other embarrassing details that got him railroaded out of the country.

After delivering that first sworn statement in 2008, Bala was collected up by allies of Najib, who was then the deputy prime minister and defense minister. Under duress, he then swore out a second statement saying his first was untrue. It later transpired that this second statement was written for him by Cecil Abraham, one of Kuala Lumpur's most prominent lawyers, allegedly on personal orders from Najib.

Deepak wanted Bala to videotape a script, confessing that he sought to discredit Najib after joining a plot put together by Anwar and Sidhu, Bala's lawyer, among others. He was to say he had been paid RM200,000 up front and RM50,000 a month for his trouble. The videotape was to be played on national television the night before the Sarawak election, presumably to disgrace Anwar. Several attempts to contact Deepak have been unsuccessful.

However, Bala, who by this time had collected RM750,000 of the RM5 million promised to him - and kept the checks, later making them public - had had enough. He used software on his mobile phone to record all of the conversations with Deepak. In those conversations, Deepak allegedly offered Bala the chance to return to Kuala Lumpur with his family, RM100,000 in cash and an apartment worth RM700,000 in the newly developed Berjaya Times Square complex in Kuala Lumpur.

The money was subsequently deposited in Bala's wife's account at EON Bank in Kuala Lumpur. He prevailed on Deepak to make a copy of the deposit slip and email it to him in Chennai. The private detective also got a copy of the Sale & Purchase Agreement on the flat, with Balasubramaniam's wife as the purchaser. The smart card giving access to the flat was also copied and sent to Chennai as proof of the transfer of the property.

With the proof of the bribe and the purchase agreement in hand, Bala made the video, reading the script that Deepak had furnished. Then, at the last minute, he backed out. Deepak's outraged reaction over the telephone was recorded by Bala.

Bala then authorized his lawyer to send an email offering to refund the bribe. Deepak somewhat sensibly refused to answer the email.

All of the information - the emails, the deposit slip, the purchase agreement for the flat - were sent to Asia Sentinel.

Balasubramaniam would subsequently return quietly to Kuala Lumpur, with one purpose in mind. He wanted to entrap Najib himself into a meeting. Months went by, in which he made overtures through various intermediaries. But the Prime Minister never took the bait despite months of manoeuvring.

There the matter rested. Balasubrmaniam talked to various opposition news outlets, and ultimately began campaigning for Anwar and the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition ahead of elections expected in May. After suffering a minor heart seizure, he was under medical treatment when he had another heart attack and died.

Anwar Ibrahim: Towards A New & Better Malaysia

Pointing fingers to cover up incompetence in Sabah — The Malaysian Insider

MARCH 24 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein took time off from leading the war against the Kiram clan in Sabah to remind the youth to rally behind Barisan Nasional (BN).

The Umno vice-president said PKR leaders like Chua Tian Chang had insulted the country’s armed forces despite several of them losing their lives to protect Malaysia’s sovereignty.

“What is going on in Sabah should not be politicised, this is an issue on our sovereignty.

“Whose hand is it is behind the intrusion, is there a third party involved? Who is this person who would forsake his own race and nation just because he wants power?” Hishammuddin told some 1,000 party youth supporters who responded with loud shouts of “Kill Tian Chua”.

This comes from the home minister who sent a tweet on February 18 describing the Sulu gunmen as “Fact: Most of the intruders old or malnourished. Wear sarongs/slippers…a few… hv arms.”

All hell broke loose a few weeks later and eight Malaysian policemen and soldiers are now dead.

Because the authorities showed restraint, thinking that these Sulu gunmen are old, malnourished, and some say, because they are Muslims.

We know better now. We had to get real policemen and soldiers to fight our battles, not politicians who were tweeting pictures of themselves in bomber jackets and attending operational meetings in Sabah.

Hishammuddin’s comments are not surprising. He is trying to cover up the earlier incompetent handling of the Sabah crisis and his foibles that only ended when Datuk Seri Najib Razak ordered the troops in.

One can divert attention from the inept way Malaysia faced the crisis. But who is politicising it now if not Umno itself.

This from a man who said he will stay on in Sabah until the crisis is over. Fact is he flew back across the South China Sea for an event in Gombak, Selangor, where he admitted there is political violence but blamed it squarely on opposition provoction.

He should stop right there and tell the police to do their job, and not give Umno a free pass if their supporters are found to be behind such violent acts. No one should be spared of being taken to task but this minister is only good at pointing fingers at others.

That itself speaks volumes of this Umno minister, if not the handling of the Sabah crisis.

Seven Statutory Bodies Receive Good News From PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Monday had good news for some 40,000 staff of seven statutory bodies which have their own remuneration schemes.

The Prime Minister announced four new benefits for the statutory bodies whose Bahasa Malaysia acronym is BBDS, namely the setting up of a pension fund; fixed housing allowance, gratuity upon end of service and streamlining of employer's contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) according to length of service.

"After studying their (staff's) requests on these, at this auspicious event, I wish to announce that the government has agreed to the setting up of the pension fund for staff employed by BBDS.

"The fund will entail salary deductions for the EPF whereby the total quantum will be split in half. Half will go into the EPF account and the other half to the pension fund.

The announcements by Najib were met with thunderous applause by the 8,000-odd officers and staff of BBDS gathered at the "BBDS with the Prime Minister Gathering" held at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

The BBDS are Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Social Security Organisation( Socco), EPF, Tabung Haji and Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Tentera (Perhebat).

On the streamlining of the employer's contribution to the EPF, Najib said: "The longer you serve, the higher will be the employer's contribution to the EPF."

The announcements were in line with the same four demands BBDS had been fighting for since 2009 and the outcome of their meeting with Najib in Putrajaya on Feb 22.

Earlier, in his speech, the Prime Minister had shared his recipe for managing the nation's economy well which was not adopting a populist approach.

"We realise that if we arbitrarily take the populist route of giving everything but not govern the country well, it will be a recipe that will bring our country into economic ruin within a short time," he stressed.

Citing the economic crisis plaguing European countries as an example, with the latest Cyprus on the throes of bankruptcy, Najib said that every action must be subject to reality checks and not based on desirable short-term demands as this would only damage future generations to come.

"We cannot think anything we want, we can do ... we demand, others must give. But instead, if we work with dedication and are productive ... the nation prospers because of good government leadership... what is wrong with us helping our employees. This ingredient and formula is what can prosper the economy and take care of the welfare of the workers and people.

"What I say is based on Malaysia's success, not the story our failure. Of an economy not managed well... not handed over to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) even though we came close to that in 1997. The person responsible (for Malaysia almost going into the hands of the IMF) until today still wants to be prime minister," he said.

At the function, BBDS also handed over a contribution to the Lahad Datu Heroes Fund.

Saudi Abuse of Foreign Workers

 

 There are numerous reports of abuse and torture of housemaids in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular

(BBC) “Please, sir… help us to go back to Sri Lanka,” one woman after another cries and pleads over the phone from a detention centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

I cannot see these women but I hear them fighting to reach the mobile phone that belongs to the inmate that I am on the phone with.

Thangavelu Sarojini, a young Tamil woman, says she was tortured by her employer.

“I still have wounds and scars in my hands, neck, legs. They beat me, pinched me and burnt me,” she says from the Olaya detention camp where hundreds of migrant women from south and southeast Asia are held.

Their crime, they say, was running away from employers to escape physical, sexual or psychological abuse. They are all now classified as illegal immigrants under Saudi law.

“I was not paid for one-and-a-half years, they tried to kill me, then I fled to the embassy,” Sarojini tells me.

Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan women arrive in the Middle East every year and they are a major foreign revenue earner for the island. But many claim to be ill-treated, tortured, or not paid for the work.

In one notorious case in August 2010, 24 nails were removed from the body of LP Ariyawathie, a 49-year-old Sri Lankan domestic worker in Saudi. Saudi authorities have pledged to investigate her case but there has been no reported progress in the investigation.

‘Imprisoned and unpaid’

But it is not only physical abuse that forced these hapless women to flee their employers.

About 24 nails were removed from LP Ariyawathie’s body after arriving in Sri Lanka in August 2010

 

 About 24 nails were removed from LP Ariyawathie's body after arriving in Sri Lanka in August 2010

 

Kusuma Nandani, a mother-of-two who has not returned to Sri Lanka since 1993, says she was not paid by her employer for at least 15 years.

She says that she suffered stress and depression because her employers did not allow her to keep in touch with her husband, son and daughter in Sri Lanka.

As Kusuma Nandani cannot read or write, she was was only able to write a few letters – and then only with the help of other Sri Lankans.

One day, she was told by the employer that she would not be paid anymore after she forgot to hand over pocket money to the children before dropping them off at school.

From then, she says she was imprisoned by her employers for more than a decade. Rescued by the Sri Lankan embassy officials in Riyadh in 2009 after a tip-off, she has been a detainee at the camp since then.

Her daughter says she is puzzled as to why the Sri Lankan embassy authorities have not been able to send her mother home even though Kusuma was granted an exit visa some time ago.

WG Mala Mangalika is another maid who fled alleged ill-treatment. She says she was told to work without pay for more than a year because her employer paid a Sri Lankan agency nearly 7,000 riyal ($1,866).

Now she is facing a lawsuit filed by the employer.

"The employer says he has paid to the agency for four years so he would not allow me to go back," says Mala Mangalika.

Detention centre inmates say that although Sri Lankan officials helped when they first arrived at the embassy, they are concerned about the delay in sending them back home.

Apart from those in the camp, hundreds more abused maids are currently staying in an embassy hostel.

Their plight is worsened because they become illegal immigrants as soon as they leave their employers, the legal "sponsor" for their work permits.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has long been campaigning for more protection for domestic workers in the Middle East and has called for migrant domestic workers to be included into local labour laws so that they are better protected.
Reform needed

"My legs are still swollen and blackened after I fell from upstairs," Mala Senananayake weeps as she grabs the phone from others in the queue in Olaya camp, in Saudi Arabia.

"I have no one in Sri Lanka. My parents are gone, my husband is trying to divorce me, I have only daughter who doesn't know who to approach to get help."

"Please sir, please help me to go back to Sri Lanka," she repeatedly begs me.

The labour officer at the Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh told the BBC that the files of the detainees at Olaya camp have been transferred to the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) in Colombo.

But SLFEB head Kingsley Ranawaka did not answer repeated telephone calls to get a response.

In an open letter to the governments of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, HRW urged them to "ensure a timely and comprehensive response" to alleged abuse and implement "systemic reforms to prevent such abuses in future".

It has urged Saudi Arabia to "prosecute alleged perpetrators, allow victims to return to their home countries before the trial and seek both criminal penalties and financial compensation".

It also wants the cancellation of the Kafala system that requires the consent of the employer to repatriate migrant workers.

The BBC has had no response from the media office of the embassy of Saudi Arabia in London.

Heavy heart at seeing toils of Waytha, Hindraf

By Kanasan Ramalingam

We are what our thoughts have made us. When I look back my past memories I am sure Hindraf chief P Waythamoorthy's current hunger strike must have been ignited and seeded during his school days.

As far I know, Waytha has generously contributed much most of his time and energy to the needy since he was only 15 years old.

Today I am a technical lead for many software engineers in London.

But 30 years ago I struggled to have a full meal in a family of five members as my mother was an office cleaner who earned only RM350 a month.

In 1985 when I was 13 years old, I unexpectedly received a £30 money order with a short note saying, "Please keep this money for your school expenses. My duty is to encourage everyone in his struggle".

Money orders like these were sent by Waytha to many deprived students. Later I came to know that he had to work day and night to support himself for his law degree in London.

As I have known him nearly 31 years now, every time before he start taking his meals he always keeps away a little food from his plate to show thoughts for the helpless people in this world.

But today he is completely putting off daily meals for the predicament of unrepresented ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

I visited Waytha few occasions in early 2008 in London where he stayed in a small cell with just the basics needed to live.

During this period, Waytha was emotionally squeezed by many incidents but till now his drive is towards the Indian community in Malaysia.

The question is; why do we need Hindraf in Malaysia? Are we right to think Hindraf is a racist organisation and typically aiming for political gain?

From my life experience in England, I strongly encourage and support Hindraf in Malaysia.

Most developed countries firmly enforce laws against discrimination.

The primary legislation is the equality act which outlaws discrimination regarding access to education, public services, private goods and services or premises in addition to employment.

However, discrimination is a big challenge for minorities in Malaysia.

There are serious issues affecting minorities because of both their ethnic and religious identities.

So I don't think the existence of Hindraf is a coincidence but a heroic strategy which highlights awareness for the voiceless and disregarded Indians in Malaysia.

Many claim that the Hindraf blueprint is an absolute joke.

But in the history of Malaysia economic policies so far, there isn't anything with its clarity from the current government or any other political party on the plight of stateless Indian communities.

It is not fair to attack Hindraf for not pointing to the struggle of other races in Malaysia, mainly the Malay and Chinese communities.

Indians were dislocated when rubber and oil palm plantations elsewhere in the country began to close down and the rural mining industry entered a prolonged slump.

The Indians then came to the city to look for work and the only place they could afford to live was in squatter settlements.

The problems were highlighted by a week of violent ethnic clashes in Petaling Jaya in early 2001.

These clashes were prompted more by frustration and anger over poor living conditions and marginalisation than race issues, and unmasked the emergence of a growing disgruntled and frustrated underclass.

Today as Waytha persists with his hunger strike, my heart and mind bleeds on seeing him fasting and only drinking water.

Please sanctify Waytha on his way in life. The Mahatmas in this world never die, they always evolve at the right time.