Medical grads in limbo, want govt intervention

With the Malaysian Qualifying Examination at private institutions cancelled, hundreds of doctors from unscheduled universities are in limbo.

GEORGE TOWN: There are some 450 jobless but qualified medical doctors in Malaysia from unrecognised universities abroad.

Last year they were given a lifeline when the Malaysian Medical Council allowed them to sit for the Medical Qualifying Examination (MQE) at private medical universities.

As a result more of these unscheduled doctors managed to pass MQE last year than previous years.

But their respite was short-lived when MMC suddenly cancelled this year’s MQE intake in private universities without any explanation.

Now the qualified doctors are in limbo.

Led by Penang Consumers Protection Association (PCPA) K Koris Atan, some of these unscheduled doctors sought the help of new Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam.

They met Dr Subramaniam on June 10 in Putrajaya, hoping that the MIC strongman would somehow end their predicament. But, they returned home dismayed by his indifferent ministerial response.

After listening to them for only eight minutes, the minister finally told them that “I can’t do much on this matter.”

Koris said the medical doctors were terribly upset with Subramaniam’s tepid response.

“He just washed his hands off the issue,” said Koris. Also present with Koris were Hindraf advisor N Ganesan and seven affected doctors, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Recognised elsewhere

The doctors graduated from unrecognised medical universities in Romania and Ukraine.

They have also passed the European Union examination for medical graduates to obtain practising licences.

But these medical graduates from unrecognised universities need to pass the MQE in order to start their housemanship and be registered as medical doctors in Malaysia.

Previously unscheduled medical graduates from unrecognised foreign universities could only sit for the MQE at three local universities – Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

But the number of those unscheduled doctors who managed to pass the examinations was extremely low.

Last year however, many unscheduled doctors managed to pass MQE when MMC expanded the examination to private medical institutions AIMST University, Melaka-Manipal Medical College and Monash University Sunway Campus.

Now that too had stopped for reasons best know to MMC and the Health Ministry.

“Until today no one knows why MQE was suddenly stopped this year.

“The doctors and their families are in dilemma,” said Ganesan.

In a lurch

Although qualified as doctors recognised by European and Commonwealth countries, he said they were left in a lurch in Malaysia because their degrees were not recognised by the government.

Currently MMC recognises 375 universities in over 30 countries.

Each medical graduate spends about RM200,000 to 300,000 to complete a six-year medical degree course in unscheduled universities abroad.

It’s cheaper than the over RM500,000 needed to pursue a medical course in Malaysia.

Ganesan said some unscheduled doctors were forced to sit at home unable to get employment, while some have taken up jobs unrelated to their medical degrees.

Some are working in pharmaceutical warehouses, as car salesman and insurance agents, and some had resorted to selling different products to make a living.

Several others have left Malaysia to earn a livelihood as medical doctor in foreign land.

“We are qualified professionals, and yet we are unrecognised by our very own government when others recognise us.

“The MQE path too had been closed now.

“We want to serve the country but we are denied the chance,” said the disappointed doctors.

Hindraf will refer the issue to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Senator P Waythamoorthy.

“The government should end its flip-flop and step in immediately to address this issue,” said Ganesan.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/21/medical-grads-in-limbo-want-govt-intervention/#sthash.USSlSXYu.UAdnfM9T.dpuf

Giliran bapa murid ditampar guru

Kali pertama membaca berita ini rasa nak tergelak juga, yelah biasanya kita dengar murid yang ditampar guru, kali ini bapa murid juga yang kena. Naik angin benar guru tersebut.

Seorang bapa mendakwa ditampar seorang guru di pekarangan sebuah sekolah di Seremban 2 sewaktu nak mengambil anaknya pulang.

K. N Balasantheran, 45, juga mendakwa hampir dibaling batu bata dan diugut akan dicederakan di luar sekolah oleh guru berkenaan hanya kerana mahu penjelasan tindakannya sering memukul anaknya di sekolah. Ia berlaku 13 Jun lalu.

“Dalam kejadian kira-kira 1.30 petang Khamis lalu, saya datang ke sekolah untuk menjemput dua anak saya termasuk seorang perempuan yang bersekolah di sekitar Seremban 2.

“Sebaik saja tiba, anak lelaki saya yang berumur 9 tahun mengadu terdapat seorang guru lelaki di sekolah itu memarahinya dengan perkataan tidak sepatutnya seperti ‘binatang’ dan ‘lembu’,” katanya.

“Dalam perbualan kami, cikgu itu memberitahu saya supaya tidak masuk campur dengan hal sekolah kerana ia melibatkan pelajar sahaja. Tapi, saya tak puas hati dengan jawapan itu kerana cikgu itu menghina anak saya depan kawan-kawannya.

“Saya terus desak cikgu itu memberi penjelasan tapi tiba-tiba dia terus menampar muka saya. Dia juga mengambil seketul batu dari pasu bunga untuk memukul saya, namun sempat dihalang beberapa ibu bapa yang turut berada di situ,” katanya pada sidang media di Pejabat Adun Bukit Kepayang, Cha Kee Chin. – SinarHarian

Peguam A. Partheeban turut bersama. Balasantheran yang tergolong dalam golongn OKU kerana masalah mata berkata, kejadian berlaku di hadapan dua anaknya serta beberapa penjaga murid yang datang untuk mengambil anak mereka di sekolah.

“Akibat kejadian itu, anak saya kini trauma dan takut pergi sekolah, malah demam akibat terkejut dengan apa yang berlaku,” katanya. Dia juga sudah membuat laporan di Balai Polis Seremban pada hari sama.

Juga kena bertanyalah guru terbabit kenapa dia bertindak sedemikian. Mungkin disebabkan PBS, dia dah ‘mentel’.

VIPs thought Geethanjali behind 'powerful women' list

THR Raaga radio announcer Geethanjali G, who was selected as one of '10 Most Powerful Women in Malaysia', has denied that she was behind the controversial list which has set tongues wagging since it appeared in The Star last Tuesday.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the media personality said that she was clueless as to the identity of the listmaker and that her "peaceful life" had been disrupted by speculations surrounding the list.

"Ministers are calling me to ask about it, even media tycoons are asking me the same questions as you are asking me," she said when contacted.

"I may be popular on television, but I live a peaceful life and this list has created a ruckus in my life."

She was responding to speculation that she or her company G Global Media - a promotions and production company - had made up the list and paid for the page five advertorial to create publicity for herself.

Described as a "fashionista" by the listmaker, Geethanjali also denied that her husband - a mysterious but supposedly wealthy man whose identity she declines to reveal - was behind this.

"I keep that part of my life separate, it is quite personal... but to clear the air, I (have) to say that (Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd CEO) G Gnanalingam is not my husband.

"Maybe people speculate that because I use the name Geethanjali G and he goes by Tan Sri G, but (claims that we are a couple) is not true," she said on the topic which is hotly discussed online.

'A big joke'

The Miss Universe Malaysia 2009 finalist was ranked eighth in the list of most powerful women in Malaysia, ahead of activist Marina Mahathir and Kuwait Finance House CEO Jamelah Jamaluddin.

"I was shocked! I woke up and got a message from someone congratulating me on being among the most powerful women in Malaysia. I thought it was a joke. It's still a big joke and I have been laughing for two days.

"If it's a recognition then I accept it as something that will only make me work harder," said the former beauty queen, who also hosts a talk show on Astro Vanaavil.
Geethanjali feels that she is not just out of place but "out of the world" when compared to the other women in the list, made up of politicians, an activist, a banker, a movie star and an economist.

She said that prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor, who topped the list, Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar were "far greater women" than herself.

"I keep myself busy and I attend many functions but that does not qualify me (to be in the list)," she said.

Asked if perhaps her ties with BN politicians - whom she is seen with in pictures on her Facebook fanpage - had raised her profile, she said: "I'm a media personality... but what can I do with their (the politicians') powers?

"No lah, come on, it's a big joke!"

Star keeps mum

Yesterday, Ambiga, Nurul Izzah and Selangor speaker Hannah Yeoh, who ranked seventh most powerful, said they were in the dark over who came up with the list.

The Star advertising department, when contacted, refused to reveal the identity of the company behind it but confirmed that the page was indeed an advertisement.

"We are unable to reveal the advertiser's detail as The Star honours and respects the advertiser's information. It will be kept as private and confidential," the department said in an email to Malaysiakini.

The full-page colour advertisement, which according to The Star's advertising rate card would have cost at least RM42,120, also kept the listmaker's identity under wraps.

Some pro-BN bloggers have rapped The Star for printing the advertisement, which they argued had brought untoward bad press Rosmah's way.

Police use army threat as NGOs plan Padang Merbok camp-out

NEW IRANIAN LEADER TIED TO TERROR BOMBING OF ARGENTINE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER……..

Name a single Iranian leader not tied to terrorism?


Iranian President-elect Hassan Rowhani was on the special Iranian government committee that plotted the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, according to an indictment by the Argentine government prosecutor investigating the case.
The AMIA bombing is considered the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentina’s history, killing 85 and wounding hundreds more. The Argentine government had accused the Iranian government of planning the attack and Iran’s terrorist proxy Hezbollah of carrying it out. Numerous former and current Iranian officials are wanted by Interpol in connection with the bombing.
Former Iranian intelligence official Abolghasem Mesbahi, who defected from Iran in the late 1990s, testified that the decision to launch the attack was made within a special operations committee connected to the powerful Supreme National Security Council in August 1993.
According to the 2006 indictment, Mesbahi testified that Rowhani, who was then serving as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was also a member of the special committee when it approved the AMIA bombing.
“With regard to the committee’s role in the decision to carry out the AMIA attack, Moghadam stated that this decision was made under the direction of Ali Khamenei, and that the other members of the committee were [then-Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi] Rafsanjani, Mir Hejazi, Rowhani, Velayati and Fallahijan,” the indictment says.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei led the special committee, according to the indictment, and Khamenei and Rafsanjani made the ultimate decision to go ahead with the attack.
While Rowhani was allegedly present for deliberations about the planned bombing, it is highly unlikely he would have had approval authority, according to Iran experts.
“Rowhani’s power at that time comes directly from one individual, and that’s Rafsanjani,” said Reuel Gerecht, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
“As far as that bombing was concerned, because Rafsanjani had to give his approval for that, there was no doubt Rowhani was aware of it, and obviously his approval’s not necessary,” Gerecht continued. “He’s a subordinate. But he certainly would have been aware of all the discussions that led to the attack.”
Rowhani has been portrayed as a moderate reformer by the media and some Iranian regime supporters despite his close relationship with Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei. Rowhani also supported deadly crackdowns on student protesters in 1999, and claimed that he deceived the West into allowing Iran’s nuclear program to progress while serving as Iran’s nuclear negotiator with the Europeans.
Gerecht said it is difficult to determine exactly what role Rowhani may have played in the AMIA bombing without being privy to the actual deliberations. But he added that there was “nothing in Rowhani’s background that would suggest to you he has any moral qualms about bombing the enemies of the [Islamic] Republic.”
“In all probability, we would have heard about it if [Rowhani] had risen up [at the meeting] and said ‘Don’t do that, it’s a disgrace,’” said Gerecht. “We would have known that.”

This entry was posted in Middle East and tagged Ali Khamenei, Hassan Rowhani, Iran. Bookmark the permalink.

Jordan teens still think 'honour killings' justified: study

AFP - Belief that so-called honour killings are justified is still common among Jordanian teenagers, a

Women protest against "honour killings" in Lahore, Pakistan, on November 21, 2008. Belief that so-called honour killings are justified is still common among Jordanian teenagers, a Cambridge University study revealed on Thursday. 

 

Cambridge University study revealed on Thursday.

The study by researchers from the university's Institute of Criminology found that almost half of boys and one in five girls interviewed in the capital, Amman, believe that killing a daughter, sister or wife who has "dishonoured" or shamed the family is justified.

"Researchers surveyed over 850 students, and found that attitudes in support of honour killing are far more likely in adolescent boys with low education backgrounds," a statement said, adding that the reesearch is published in the criminology journal Aggressive Behavior.

"Importantly, the study found that these disturbing attitudes were not connected to religious beliefs."

Between 15 and 20 women die in so-called "honour" murders each year in the Arab kingdom, despite government efforts to curb such crimes.

The main factors behind these crimes "include patriarchal and traditional worldviews, emphasis placed on female virtue and a more general belief that violence against others is morally justified," according to the study.

"We noted substantial minorities of girls, well-educated and even irreligious teenagers who consider honour killing morally right, suggesting a persisting society-wide support for the tradition," said Professor Manuel Eisner, who led the study with graduate student Lana Ghuneim.

In all, 33.4 percent of all respondents either "agreed" or "strongly agreed" with situations depicting honour killings.

"Boys were more than twice as likely to support honour killings: 46.1 percent of boys and 22.1 percent of girls agreed with at least two honour killing situations in the questionnaire."

Sixty-one percent of teenagers from the lowest level of educational background showed supportive attitudes towards "honour killing", as opposed to only 21.1 percent where at least one family member has a university degree, said the study.

And 41.5 percent of teenagers with a large number of siblings endorsed at least two "honour-killing situations", while this was only the case for 26.7 percent of teens from smaller families.

"While stricter legislation has been introduced -- despite conservative fears -- cultural support for violence against women who are seen as breaking norms has remained widespread," it added.

Murder is punishable by death in Jordan, but in "honour killings" courts can commute or reduce sentences, particularly if the victim's family asks for leniency.

EC: Swearing in lawmakers shows Pakatan hypocrisy

Election Commission deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar today called the opposition leaders hypocrites as they will be taking their oath as parliamentarians soon although they dispute the 13th general election results.

He said the opposition leaders were quick to change their stand and their actions always ran contrary to their principles.

"They won 89 (parliamentary) seats and more than two-thirds majority in three states but on the streets, they reject the general election results. Really, this is hypocrisy.

"Their principles are not the same as their actions. It seems their principle is that they cannot accept the GE13 results. But their actions (show us what)?

"Now we see that they want to take their oath (of office); they change their stance and earlier they said they only wanted to boycott the briefing (for MPs)."

Wan Ahmad said this to reporters after a luncheon talk titled 'GE13: Accept the people's decision', organised by the Special Affairs Department and Institut Perkembangan Minda (Inmind) in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the opposition could be labelled as hypocrites also because they claimed the country's general election system to be unfair but still fielded their candidates in the recent elections.

"If they had no confidence in the general election process and regulations in the first place, that it was not transparent and there would be cheating as they claimed, they should not have troubled themselves by participating in it.

Won't entertain opposition's demands

"But they contested because they believed we were fair, that they would win, break the monopoly of the ruling government and form the government because victory was in the hands of the rakyat."

He said the opposition parties were only using the people to support their principle of not accepting the GE13 results by taking them to the streets but at the same time, admitted themselves to be elected through the general election process.

Wan Ahmad said the EC would not entertain the opposition's demands as it was not in line with the federal constitution and legal provisions.

"They demand that the EC officials resign.

"It's ridiculous because according to the constitution, this is not the way. It's also absurd to ask for elections be held again in 30 constituencies that they narrowly won.

"If they don't trust the election results, they should file petitions as provided for under Article 118 of the federal constitution.

"They also demand that the redelineation exercise be postponed but according to the constitution, it must be done after every eight years. It's time to do it now and cannot be delayed.

"However, they want it to be done until new appointments for the EC are made. To appoint the officials under which law?" he added.

- Bernama

Doors still open for PSM, says Anwar

As long as Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) endorses the Pakatan Rakyat common policy, it could join the opposition coalition, said Anwar Ibrahim.
VIDEO INSIDE

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim confirmed today that Parti Sosialis Malaysia was welcome to join Pakatan Rakyat, on the condition that the party endorsed the opposition pact’s Common Policy platform.

This was a direct contradiction to PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution’s statement to FMT this morning that Pakatan would “never” accept PSM into its fold.

“The decision made today is to allow a committee from Pakatan Rakyat to [hold discussions] with the PSM committee,” Anwar told a press conference after a meeting with the Pakatan Rakyat leaders’ council at the PAS headquarters here.

“It’s not just a matter of joining (immediately) because joining means supporting our reform agenda, joining means endorsing our common policy platform. So as far as we are concerned, we take a positive view on this.”

The PKR de facto leader said that as long as the PSM leadership were willing to accept Pakatan’s common policy, then by “the next meeting” the opposition coalition would accept PSM as an ally.

But he was unable to confirm the date for the following meeting, saying only that it would be held “soon”, perhaps even next week.

When FMT pointed out that Saifuddin had said PSM would never become a member of Pakatan, Anwar laughed and quipped: “Don’t provoke me into fighting with Saifuddin.”

He explained that Saifuddin was merely expressing his own views, based on the fact that PSM had yet to accept Pakatan’s common policy.

“But in the meeting just now, we said we would give PSM some room, and we would look into this before any decision was made.

“Saifuddin was there and he agreed,” said Anwar.

PAS is ‘open’

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said that his party’s dialogue with PSM on June 18 was very “fruitful”.

“PSM aired their views to us on certain issues; PAS gave a commitment that we are always open and ready to listen to their views on issues pertaining to before and after the elections,” said Salahuddin.

“We ended the meeting with the conclusion that regardless of any issues or problems, we would continue to have talks with PAS as representatives of Pakatan Rakyat.”

The former Kubang Kerian parliamentarian also denied there were talks of joining forces with Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li.

“At this stage, not at all. We are strictly under the Pakatan Rakyat. Any decision made will be under the Pakatan Rakyat. Very clear,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/20/doors-still-open-for-psm-says-anwar/#sthash.25i1Q5TP.dpuf

Protest to kick off new parliament session

15 NGOs will gather outside the legislative house to denounce abuse of police powers.

KUALA LUMPUR: It appears that the 13th session of the Malaysian Parliament will have as its curtain raiser a street demonstration against the government’s reluctance to establish the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

The National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT) said today that it would lead 15 NGOs in a peaceful protest outside Parliament House on June 24.

NIAT chairman Thasleem Mohd Ibrahim told a press conference here that police had given the green light for the protest.

“In a discussion with Sentul police chief Zakaria Pagan yesterday, we were told that the gathering must be 150 metres away from the parliament guard house,” he said.

He added that NIAT and the other NGOs would not budge from their insistence on the establishment of the IPCMC and rejection of other proposals—including the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC)—to prevent abuse of police powers.

According to him, the protesters will use the occasion also to pressure the government against promoting the novel Interlok and the film Tanda Putera, both of which are controversial for their alleged racist undertones.

Thasleem expressed gratitude to Radio Television Malaysia for cancelling a plan to produce a movie based on Interlok. Critics have alleged that the novel, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussein, contains factual errors as well as misinterpretations of Hinduism.

However, the NIAT chief said he was disappointed that the government was allowing the public screening of Tanda Putra, directed by the award winning Shuhaimi Baba.

Tanda Putra is based on the racial clashes of May 13, 1969. Critics say it misrepresents that traumatic episode of Malaysian history.

It is believed the movie will debut in Malaysian cinemas on Aug 29, two days before Independence Day.

“We want the movie screened first for members of parliament for their reaction,” said Thasleem.

Referring to Interlok, Thasleem demanded that the government explain why the student edition was still available despite the Federal Cabinet’s decision to ban it.

“Normally, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka will destroy any book banned by the government,” he said. “We feel there is something fishy going on.”
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/20/protest-to-kick-off-new-parliament-session/#sthash.y3ytGZIo.dpuf

Third party involvement in Karuna’s case

Karuna Nithi's brother alleges the involvement of a close family member who worked in cahoots with the police.

KUALA LUMPUR: The brother of custody death victim P Karuna Nithi has alleged that there is something amiss in the case.

P Elam Sezhian said this at the handing of a memorandum urging Suhakam to conduct a public inquiry at their office today.

“My brother had lodged a police report on May 25, that he was threatened by a close family member and was afraid of his safety,” said Elam.

“I suspect that the police have been working together with the family member to set my brother up,” he added.

Elam said his brother had been receiving threatening phone calls from the family member at least three weeks before his police report.

“My brother had called me four times before being detained, complaining about the threatening phone calls he had received,” he said.

“Now that I have discovered that he had made a police report, I have no choice but to suspect something is wrong,” he added.

Elam hoped that the police would also investigate to reveal the truth behind his brother’s case.

“I want the police to be honest and investigate what had lead to my brother’s arrest,” he said.

“Is this the reason he was beaten up in the police lock-up?” he asked.
“They have to explain how he obtained 49 injuries,” he added.

PKR Public Complaint Bureau director S Manickavasagam said Suhakam had to play its role without prejudice.

“They are independent and only report to the King, so they should not take sides and must act fairly. We believe they will,” he said.

Manickavasagam also urged the police to create awareness among its force on the Lockup Methods 1958 governed by the Prison Ordinance 1952.

“It is clearly stated in Section 46 that the police are not allowed to beat up detainees,” he said.

“Section 36 states that detainees should be given immediate medical attention if they are sick or injured.

“Family members should also be immediately informed if the detainees are suffering from sickness or injury according to Section 37,” he added.

Manickavasagam said the commissioner who accepted the memorandum James Nayagam agreed that the Lockup Methods 1958 should be adhered to.

“Nayagam agreed with me that the police should adhere to the methods and also use that as guidance when dealing with detainees,” he said.

Manickavasagam said Nayagam also supported the establishment of the Independant Police Complainst and Misconduct Commission,” he added.

He said the family would be handing in a memorandum to the Attorney-General next week.

NGOs such as Suaram, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association and Memacu Arus Perjuangan accompanied the family today.

Karuna,42, a lab technician died while in custody at the Tampin police lock-up on June 1.

He surrendered himself on May 28 at the police station following a domestic violence report lodged by his wife.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/20/third-party-involvement-in-karunas-case/#sthash.58TzkZy4.dpuf

Indonesian mosques ordered to turn down the volume

(Al Arabiya) - Indonesian mosques have been ordered to cut down on their use of loudspeakers, an Islamic group said Wednesday, a move that may provide some relief to millions who live near the places of worship.

There are some 800,000 mosques in Indonesia, which has the world’s biggest Muslim population, and many use speakers to blast out the call to prayer as well as fiery Koranic verses, often at high volumes in the early hours.


But now the Indonesian Mosques Council has asked the places of worship to restrict the use of loudspeakers following years of complaints by weary residents.

“We must not force something that we believe is good on others who may see it as a disturbance,” said Masdar Masudi, deputy head of the council that groups many of the country’s mosques.

“Even Muslims, such as those who are ill or have insomnia, will definitely get annoyed at the noise.”

Loudspeakers that face into surrounding neighborhoods should broadcast only the call to prayer, which is often relatively quiet and short, said Masudi.

If there are several mosques in the same area, only one should broadcast the call, he said.

For longer and louder readings, speakers can still be used, but they must face into the grounds of the mosque, he said.

Two college students among five arrested for mass robbery

The Star,

IPOH: Police have arrested five individuals, including two private college students, who were involved in a mass robbery at a restaurant in Tanjung Malim last Thursday.

Perak police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan said the suspects, aged between 17 and 23, were arrested in Kuala Kubu Baru, near Serendah in Selangor several minutes later after they robbed 15 people at an eatery in Taman Universiti, Tanjung Malim at about 1.30pm.

"They were armed with three parangs and had robbed the patrons at the eatery of their personal belongings, mainly money and mobile phones.

"We were able to make the arrests swiftly as we managed to get early information from the victims," he said on Wednesday.

"We also found out that their getaway car was reportedly stolen in Seremban," he added.

DCP Mohd Shukri added they were investigating if the group was also involved in a spate of robberies in Cheras, Jinjang and Brickfields.

"We however, believed they were involved in several other robbery cases," he said, adding that all five suspects were from Selangor.

He added that all five were still being remanded.

Speaker pilihan Pakatan untuk pulih imej parlimen- Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Jun: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menegaskan bahawa pemilihan Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman sebagai Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, bertujuan untuk memulihkan integriti parlimen.

Berdasarkan rekod, katanya, Pakatan percaya bekas hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan itu mampu menjalankan tugas dengan lebih bebas dan menghormati lunas perlembagaan.

“Ini satu gambaran bagaimana Pakatan mahu memulihkan imej prestasi parlimen supaya tidak menjadi gelanggang yang hanya memihak kepada satu pandangan.

“Sebab itu kita usulkan Kadir walaupun beliau tidak menjadi anggota parti dalam Pakatan,” ujar Ketua Parlimen Pakatan Rakyat itu dalam sidang media selepas mesyuarat pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat di ibu pejabat Pas, hari ini.

Pakatan Sebelum ini sebulat suara memilih Kadir yang juga pernah menjadi anggota Suruhanjaya Siasatan Kes Kematian Teoh Beng Hock dan anggota Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Transformasi Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebagai speaker dewan.

Anwar berkata, Pakatan turut memutuskan untuk mencalonkan Ahli Parlimen Tumpat, Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar sebagai timbalan speaker, memandangkan terdapat dua kekosongan jawatan itu.

“Kita berharap bagi membantu Yang Dipertua dalam urusan mengendalikan persidangan seorang timbalan hendaklan dipilih dari kalangan seorang Ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional dan juga Pakatan Rakyat,” jelas Ketua Umum KEADILAN itu.

Sementara itu, katanya, Pakatan Rakyat akan mengadakan konvensyen pada 23 Jun nanti di Hotel De Palma, Ampang melibatkan pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat, Menteri Besar Selangor, Kelantan dan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang

Permanent coroner's court to deal with deaths in custody

The Sun Daily
by Hemananthani Sivanandam

PUTRAJAYA (June 19, 2013): The cabinet has given the green light to the setting up of a permanent coroner’s court, a centralised lock-up in every state and a beefed-up Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) as part of steps to deal with deaths in custody.

The ministers felt that the measures should be implemented as soon as possible.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri said the permanent coroner’s court is an effective way of tackling the issue.

She said priority will be given to the Federal Territory and Selangor due to recent cases of custodial deaths in the two areas.

Nancy said the plan is to set up such a court in every state on a priority basis.

She said a magistrate on the superscale C will be appointed to head every court with a forensic medical expert assisting the person.

“The courts will be set up as soon as possible, as they do not require any change in the law. It is an administrative (matter), she told a press conference which also saw Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low in attendance.

Nancy said the Health Ministry will work with the courts to identify the medical experts to be roped in.

Ahmad Zahid, who spoke about the setting up of the central lock-up in every state, said the larger states will have more than one central lock-up.

He said some buildings will be refurbished to cater to lock-ups and will be equipped with CCTVs.

“The lock-ups in police stations will not be used for interrogations, which will be done in the central lock-ups,” said Ahmad Zahid, adding that there are already five central lock-ups.

He said he, Nancy and Low will also be looking into the strengthening of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“Any additional elements in the SOP will be injected into (the establishing of the central lock-ups),” he said, adding that the overall budget for the central lock-ups is expected to not exceed RM35 million.

Ahmad Zahid said the measures were an indication of the government’s concern and sensitivity on the issue of deaths in custody which had raise concerns among the public.

Meanwhile, Low whose duties include supervision of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), said the EAIC will be revamped to make it stronger and more effective with additional resources such as greater manpower.

“There are two types of power, one of which is disciplinary power in cases of misconduct. The other is power to prosecute in criminal offences (and we are) looking into it (but the) priority is on making EAIC stronger,” he said.

Asked if EAIC will be given power of prosecution, he said that although the commission has sufficient provisions, that suggestion will be looked into.

The recent spat of deaths in custody caused a public outcry, renewing calls from civil society groups and politicians from both sides of the political divide for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be implemented.

Over the last decade, 64 Malays, 30 Chinese and 28 Indians have died in custody.

Smog: Now Pasir Gudang hits hazardous level

The API reading at Pasir Gudang in Johor has shot up to 333, hitting the hazardous range at 5.00pm. Muar remains under hazardous smog conditions as well, though inexplicably no new reading was provided at 5.00pm.

Image: Asean haze action online

The last reading at Muar at 11.00am today stood at an alarming 383, according to the Department of the Environment.
“Conditions here are really bad,” said an engineering consultant in Nusa Jaya near Pasir Gudang. “The smell of burning ash is very bad. Visibility is about 300 metres.”
“I find it difficult to breathe. Just now, I went for a short walk and I was panting when I got back.”
Earlier, at 11.00am, the reading was at an unhealthy 199 at Pasir Gudang but the situation worsened rapidly in the afternoon.
Kota Tinggi in Johor was also reaching the hazardous threshold with an API reading of 291 at 5.00pm, up from 232 at 11.00am.
Over in Singapore, the 3-hour PSI reading at 7.00pm dipped to 292, just below the hazardous range, after soaring to a record 371 at 1.00pm.

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