'I was converted to Islam without my knowledge'

Official statistics show custodial death rate still high

COMMENT Suaram continues to be concerned about the lack of accountability for this serious violation of the right to life.

In replying to a written question from Padang Serai MP N Surendran regarding the statistics of deaths in police custody for the year 2011 until June 2013, the Home Ministry has revealed some startling information.

It is extremely alarming that the information provided by the Home Ministry shows the number of deaths seems to be much higher in reality than information that has been available publicly so far.

Suaram’s own media monitoring and documentation recorded only 10 cases of deaths in custody in 2011 and nine cases for the year 2012.

These statistics once again highlight the need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). Many Malaysians across the nation had urged this when N Dharmendran was found dead in the IPK Kuala Lumpur, with staples still attached to his ears.

Subsequently there were three deaths in custody which occurred within a span of 11 days in the month of May and early June 2013.

However, these urgings have fallen on deaf ears and it seems that we are back to square one again.

Seeking answers

Suaram would like raise the following questions to the government and we want to get some answers immediately:

1. What is the outcome of the Bukit Aman special committee formed to take steps in order to prevent deaths in police lock-ups?

2. What has happened to the permanent coroner’s court suggestion made on the June 19, 2013 during a cabinet meeting?

3. The existing Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) reported that they will investigate the deaths of Dharmendran and James Ramesh. Is there any feedback or progress report on these investigations?

Suaram believes that the authorities never had any intention to implement the various public commitments and promises they made towards improving police accountability.

They were basically a “public relations stunt” to deal with the public outrage of the many deaths in custody.

Suaram stands firm on the need for an effective oversight body to specifically receive complaints about abuses by the police force, that has the powers to investigate these complaints and ensure that that those involved in such violations face criminal charges for the crimes that have perpetrated.

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THEVARAJAN R is Suaram coordinator.

Pak Samad: Go ahead, revoke my title

A Samad Said is not perturbed by the calls from certain quarters to strip him of the national laureate title.

On the contrary, the 81-year-old poet welcomed the move.

Taking it a step further, Samad said that he would not even care should the government revoke his citizenship.

"As far as the call to revoke my laureate title, I welcome that with open arms.

"In fact, I even welcome the revocation of my citizenship should they decide to do so," he told Malaysiakini.

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Palani makes another U-turn, won't stay past 2016

Having raised eyebrows with his remark on the possibility of remaining as president after 2016, G Palanivel today made another U-turn, clarifying that he will not defend his post in MIC’s next party polls.

It a statement, he instead said that deputy president Dr S Subramaniam will be nominated for the post.

Fresh after returning uncontested as president last Sunday, Palanivel told reporters that he will only decide on his post when the time comes in 2016.
"I also feel like retiring but the branch chairmen are forcing me to continue," he reportedly said.

This went against the peace deal between him and Subramaniam reportedly brokered by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

In the truce, Palanivel is to return as president uncontested, but will make way for Subramaniam in 2016.

Meanwhile, Palanivel today said that his focus now is to make changes to the party constitution to ensure that MIC becomes more democratic.

"For example, it is important to go back to the old way where state chairmen will be elected together with other office bearers," he said.

He said a committee of lawyers and others will be formed to review this proposed changes.

He said that among the proposed changes is that the state chairpersons will be the ones to vote in the central working committee and not delegates at the annual general meeting as is the case now.

He also said that the president, deputy president and vice president polls should be held together once every three years.

State chairperson, branches and division can be held every two years, he said.

This means that state chairperson, branches and division elections will be held in 2015 and the president, deputy president and vice president polls will take place in 2016.

Ramasamy sees red after visit to 'demolished' temple

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy is seeing red after visiting the 100-year-old Sri Muneswarar Kalyamman temple in the capital, hitting out at BN government leaders for allowing the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to "disrespect and insult" the Hindu religion.

Training his guns first on Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Ramasamy labelled him a "blatant liar" for saying no deities were damaged by DBKL officers during the exercise on Sunday and that only the canteen area was dismantled.

"Tengku Adnan is not fit to be a minister and the same goes for his deputy, Loga Bala Mohan," said Ramasamy.

"Loga Bala knows very well what happened to the temple. Why can't they just talk to the temple committee and get things done amicably instead of this show of force?" he asked.
During his visit to the site on Tuesday, Ramasamy said he found three deities shattered while there was no canteen which was dismantled.
Accompanying him was former Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran, National Interlok Action Team chairperson Thasleem Mohamed Ibrahim and several temple committee members.

He alleged that DBKL merely wanted to demolish the temple to make way for an apartment along Jalan P Ramlee, developed by Hup Seng Consolidated Bhd.

"The way the DBKL officers did the demolition was also unbecoming of their posts, as they had disrespected the Hindu religion by walking into the place of worship with boots on," he said.

"I am shocked to see their uncivilised behaviour. I am also shocked to hear from BN leaders that there was no demolition and that they are beautifying the area. It is an oxymoron to say that," Ramasamy told Malaysiakini.

DBKL private 'demolition squad'?

He was referring to Loga Bala's statement yesterday that portions of the temple were to be "beautified and gazetted" as temple land.

Loga Bala also said the standard operating procedure for enforcement teams entering temples is "general" despite complaints that they wear shoes into places of worship.

"It seems the DBKL is collaborating with the developer. Why can't the latter make their own road without damaging the temple? Why make the road on state land?" Ramasamy asked.

"Have they (DBKL) become a demolition squad instead of managing, protecting and maintaining buildings in KL?" he asked.

Ramasamy urged the relevant authorities to stop all demolition exercise on places of worship and restore the historic temple to its original form.

Meanwhile, Ramasamy also hit out at MIC president G Palanivel for saying the latter would write a letter to Tengku Adnan on the temple demolition.

"Why does he need to write a letter? Can't he just call the ministers? Aren't they supposed to be easily accessible to one another?

"It seems after winning the elections in May, BN has got back to its own mischief, they have gone back to demolishing temples," he said.

"We in Pakatan have kept our word, as in Penang, we have put a stop to such demolition," he added.
'Waytha needs new blueprint'
Ramasamy also questioned deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia leader P Waythamoorty's "silence" in the issue.

"Is he hiding away to write a new blueprint? The BN has thrown away the blueprint they signed with Hindraf before the GE by not implementing it, so maybe Hindraf has to write a new one," Ramasamy mocked.

"If the Indian community continues to throw their support behind BN after all these insults, like they did in GE13, it is indeed a sad episode in the nation's history."

‘I was converted to Islam without my knowledge’

A Hindu woman who has been converted to Islam without her knowledge is facing persecution for the authorities for practising her faith.

SUBANG JAYA: An illiterate Hindu woman has been converted to Islam without her knowledge and only found out through the National Registration Department (NRD).

Madinah Kanniammah Abdullah, 54, who lives in a rundown longhouse settlement in Kampung Bunga Raya, Subang, said she had never been a Muslim.

The mother of five told FMT that her problems started when she got into a relationship with an Indian national when she was a teen.

“I was 19 then and was in love with a man from India. He told me that he was Hindu and even prays in temples.

“We lived together for a week and that was when I found out he was a Muslim,” she said.

Madinah said her boyfriend took her identification card on the pretext of opening a bank account for her.

“But when he returned the IC I noticed that my name had been changed. When I asked him he said it was the correct spelling of my name in Malay,” she said.

Madinah found out later that her new IC indicated her as a Muslim, after a check with the NRD.

“I can’t read and write. So how could I possibly have signed any documents?” she asked.

She said she used thumbprints and could not recall signing any marriage documents with the Muslim man.

Years later, Madinah married a local Hindu in a customary wedding and started having problems when her first child was born.

“I had a tough time trying to register him as a Hindu in his birth certificate because of my Muslim name on the IC.

“Due to this problem, my eldest son is registered as a Muslim,” she said.

Fearing that her other children will end up registered as Muslims, Madinah decided not to get MyKads for her other children.

One of her sons will not be able to sit for the PMR examination next month, while one daughter may have to skip her SPM examinations next year as they do not have MyKads.

“Their future is in jeopardy because they do not have MyKads,” Madinah added.

Outcast

She said her husband was bedridden due to illness and being taken care of by his mother.

She said she was being treated like an outcast by her in-laws and her own family out of fear of getting into trouble with the religious authorities.

“I am being blamed for ruining my children’s lives as my eldest son is registered as a Muslim,” she added.

Madinah said she faced harassment from the religious authorites and the police.

“We do not go out from our home besides going to work and school. Sometimes my children get caught for not having MyKads or eating during Ramadan.

“My family is treated like refugees” she said.

Madinah said she had highlighted her plight to the MIC before but nothing was done.

“The whole longhouse settlement voted for MIC and I personally urged others to vote for the party candidate upon listening to their promises,” she said.

Madinah urged the government to look into her plight and allow her family to practise the faith of their choice.

“ I was born as Hindu and I want to die as one,” she said.

‘Drug gangs behind Sanjeevan’s shooting’

MyWatch advisor believes drug related gangs behind the assassination attempt

PETALING JAYA: MyWatch advisor S Gobi Krishnan today revealed that R Sanjeevan’s shooting incident was related to drug gangs.

There is credible information to suggest this, according to him.

Gobi said he managed to rule out the possibility of the theories through investigations carried out with the assistance of his informers.

Nevertheless he is still unclear which particular groups are involved in the shooting.

The anti-crime advisor also expressed shock to find out that MyWatch was misused by certain quarters for their own personal benefits.

“As the matter has come to my attention, I will ensure that this stops immediately to safeguard the good name of MyWatch,” said Gobi.

He also stressed that he will not tolerate and protect anyone misusing MyWatch.

MyWatch chairman, Sanjeevan was shot in the abdomen on July 27 at his hometown, Bahau, Negeri Sembilan by two men on a motorcycle in what is believed to be an assassination attempt to silence him.

After two weeks of the incident, the Serdang Hospital doctors dislodged the bullet from Sanjeevan’s abdomen. He is currently recuperating.

Bukit Aman CID director Abdul Hadi Ho Abdullah has promised a thorough and fair investigation into the assassination attempt.

Gobi also stated that he will reveal more information from time to time in regards to the shooting.

KDN kenal pasti anggota kongsi gelap sertai politik

Jika mereka masih ada kaitan dengan kongsi gelap, maka kami akan dedah nama mereka

a mereka KOTA KINABALU: Kementerian Dalam Negeri sudah mengenal pasti individu yang mempunyai kaitan dengan kongsi gelap dan dikatakan turut bergiat dalam bidang politik di negara ini, kata menteri berkenaan Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hari ini.

“Sekiranya ahli politik ini adalah bekas anggota kongsi gelap, mungkin mereka sudah bertaubat dan tidak adillah untuk mengaitkan mereka lagi dengan kongsi gelap.

“Tapi, jika siasatan mendapati mereka masih mempunyai kaitan dengan kongsi gelap, maka kami akan dedah nama mereka dan mengambil tindakan undang-undang,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyampaikan Pingat Kedaulatan Negara kepada 56 anggota pasukan keselamatan.

Ahmad Zahid berkata demikian bagi mengulas pendedahan bekas Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Bukit Aman Tan Sri Zaman Khan Rahim Khan bahawa seorang bekas banduan yang pernah menjadi ketua kongsi gelap, kini menjadi pemimpin peringkat rendah sebuah parti politik di Pulau Pinang.

– BERNAMA

Kayveas: PPP will stay put with BN

The PPP boss says there is no better coalition than the Barisan Nasional.

PETALING JAYA: The Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) will not withdraw from the Barisan Nasional despite its disastrous performance in the general election because there is no better alternative coalition in the country.

PPP president M. Kayveas told FMT today that he had been keeping tabs on Pakatan Rakyat for years and realised that the opposition pact could not resolve many issues faced by Malaysians.

“All the three parties in Pakatan have different directions and there is no common cause. Their only quest is to gain power and they are willing to sit together to achieve that purpose.

“BN has done a lot for the Malaysians compared with Pakatan,” he said.

Kayveas’ comment came after Gerakan stalwart and election committee chief Chin Fook Weng said yesterday that the door remained open for Gerakan to quit BN since nothing was set in stone in any political alliance.

PPP and Gerakan were formed as opposition parties and won big against the Umno-MCA-MIC alliance in the 1969 general election.

Though the two parties joined the ruling alliance later to form Barisan Nasional, they remained relatively critical to BN’s policies compared with other component parties from time to time.

PPP lost all five seats it contested in the general election. It is also the second time Kayveas has lost in an election.

Anwar ditawar jawatan TPM?

Tetapi ada usaha daripada Najib untuk bertemu dengan Anwar melalui orang ketiga.

SEREMBAN: Naib Ketua Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK), Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus berkata ada usaha daripada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk bertemu dengan Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berhubung agenda pendamaian nasional (National Reconciliation) dan difahamkan ada tawaran jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri (TPM) kepada Anwar.

“Walaupun setakat hari ini tidak ada perjumpaan ‘direct’ diantara Najib dan Anwar tetapi ada usaha daripada Najib untuk bertemu dengan Anwar melalui orang ketiga,” kata beliau dalam satu kenyataan khas kepada FMT.

Malah beliau mendakwa ada tawaran jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri kepada Anwar dan empat jawatan Menteri Kabinet kepada Pakatan Rakyat.

Tetapi katanya, perkara ini tidak mendapat liputan meluas media arus perdana.

“AMK menyokong usaha rundingan tersebut diteruskan dalam membincangkan isu-isu rakyat,” tegasnya..

Walaubagaimanapun, tambah beliau, AMK berpendapat rundingan tersebut perlu mendapat persetujuan PAS dan DAP juga dan rundingan tersebut perlu diadakan secara terbuka.

“Isu-isu yang harus dibincangkan dalam rundingan tersebut ialah kenaikan harga minyak, kenaikan harga barang, isu hutang Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), sistem pendidikan negara, ekonomi, pembangunan dan keselamatan,” katanya.

Beliau berpendirian menyokong rundingan ini tetapi rundingan tersebut haruslah bersifat terbuka, berkaitan dengan isu rakyat dan bukannya rundingan sulit.

Mohd Nazree juga menempelak kenyataan beberapa menteri Umno yang tidak bersetuju dengan rundingan tersebut. Sebaliknya Mohd Nazree berkata ianya perlu kerana ianya melibatkan pelbagai isu yang membelenggu rakyat.