Singapore PM criticizes U.S. `game of chicken'

(CNN) -- Singapore's prime minister openly criticized the United States over the government shutdown and ongoing deadlock over the debt ceiling, calling them "problems you have created for yourself in a game of chicken."

In an interview with CNN's Patricia Wu on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Americans "are unable to get their act together," and that Washington's behavior sends a "negative signal which will last much longer that the shutdown."

The government shutdown led U.S. President Barack Obama to cancel his attendance at the APEC Leaders' summit just days before he was meant to arrive. The summit finishes today in Bali, Indonesia. Aside from Taiwan, Obama is the only leader missing among the 21 economies of the APEC group, which together account for half the world's output, 45% of its trade and 3 billion of its inhabitants.

The U.S. government is also facing an October 17 deadline to raise its debt ceiling or risk a possible default.

Prime Minister Lee said he was more worried about the long-term message the U.S. was sending than the prospect of a direct hit to U.S. growth.

Asked if the U.S. would benefit from a system like Singapore's -- where government ministers are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries -- Lee said he believes his country runs a clean system in which officials are paid "what their job is worth."

He criticized the conflicts of interest that result from the "revolving door" between the United States government and the private sector. Lee is paid more than $1 million to serve as Singapore's prime minister.

Singapore is heavily dependent on exports and trade, so the fate of the city-state is closely linked with the health of the U.S. economy. Both Singapore's property and stock markets have boomed over the last few years as investors flooded in seeking higher returns thanks to loose liquidity from the U.S. Federal Reserve and China.

The prime minister said he is comfortable with Singapore's footing as the United Stated considers turning off the flow of easy money.

"The emerging economies, many of them are concerned. They didn't want the money to slosh in. They are afraid when the money sloshes out, but the tapering has to take place and we have to be able to manage it," Lee said.

He also expressed concern over the stiffening tone in territorial disputes between Asia's power players, including Japan and China.

"It is very hard for any government to give up what it has claimed, because it will lose face and standing and domestic support, so you can only manage these issues, you cannot solve them," Lee said.

Unethical to report Ahmad Zahid speech as it was for closed-door meet, says Shahidan

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said it was unethical of the media to report on the recent controversial statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying it was made in a closed-door event.

"It was very unethical of the media and disrespectful because it was a closed-door event and not for public consumption.

"What right did they have to write a report about a closed-door event?" he told The Malaysian Insider.

The contents of Ahmad Zahid's speech at the event have sparked an outcry from opposition leaders and rights activist, after he allegedly said police would not hesitate to shoot suspects of crime first and ask questions later.

Shahidan (pic), who was present at the function, told The Malaysian Insider that the issues discussed at the event were about national security and not to be revealed to the public.

"It was to discuss ways to curb crime," he said.

Shahidan then chided the media for “twisting the facts”.

"The facts were twisted and the report gave the impression that those who attended the function were not good," he said.

He claimed he was not aware of the existence of the Tiga Line gang that Ahmad Zahid had reportedly mentioned in his speech, while saying that he knew of Gang 30 which he described as a charity organisation involved in attending festivities and burials.

"I don't know about Tiga Line gang, maybe Datuk Zahid was referring to Gang 30. They are not gangsters, they help to organise festivities and burials," he said.

The Tiga Line was among 49 secret societies listed by the Home Ministry last August in the wake of a spike in gun-related crimes involving rival gangs.

Shahidan, in defending Gang 30, said they were merely practising Malay culture and tradition.

Ahmad Zahid, in his speech, a recording of which was uploaded on a news portal, said that 28,000 of the 40,000 gang members were identified to be of Indian ethnicity, and that there was nothing wrong in detaining them.

"What is the situation of robbery victims, murder victims during shootings? Most of them are Malays. Most of them are our race.

"I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If we get the evidence, we shoot first," Ahmad Zahid reportedly said. - October 9, 2013.

Bumiputera perlu berdikari dan tidak meminta-minta, kata tokoh korporat Melayu

Bumiputera perlu berdikari, kata Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hasim ketika berucap di majlis Jaringan Usahawan Nusantara Sedunia. Gambar The Malaysian Insider oleh Afif Abd Halim, 9 Oktober, 2013.
Tokoh korporat Melayu, Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim menggesa supaya Bumiputera berdikari dan tidak bersikap meminta-minta bantuan semata-mata daripada kerajaan sekiranya mahu berjaya dalam bidang perniagaan yang diceburi.

Bekas Presiden dan Ketua Eksekutif Johor Corporation (JCorp) itu berkata, Bumiputera wajar berusaha sendiri dan membuang sikap terlalu bergantung kepada bantuan.

"Orang Melayu dan Bumiputera mesti berdikari dan jangan meminta-minta bantuan daripada kerajaan dan mereka perlu usaha sendiri.

"Tidak boleh bergantung 100% kepada kerajaan, mungkin pada awal memulakan perniagaan boleh dibantu, tetapi selepas itu perlu berdiri sendiri,” katanya ketika berucap pada majlis Jaringan Usahawan Nusantara Sedunia di Hotel De Palma, Ampang pagi ini.

Muhammad Ali secara sinis turut mengkritik Ketua Pengarah Eksekutif (CEO), Datuk Abdul Rahim Hassan yang mengatakan Pinjaman Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun) memang ditubuhkan bagi membantu ahli Umno sahaja baru-baru ini.

"Macam pinjaman Tekun, kerajaan beri pinjam tapi ada yang tidak bayar balik," katanya.

Semalam, PKR juga mendakwa ahli Umno yang meminjam daripada Tekun masih gagal menjelaskan hutang sebanyai RM1 bilion.

Muhammad Ali bagaimanapun berkata, beliau tidak menolak kepentingan untuk memajukan ekonomi Bumiputera tetapi ia mesti juga tidak merampas hak orang lain, yang perlu diagihkan secara sama-rata.

"Kita perlu tingkatkan ekonomi Bumiputera tetapi jangan merampas hak orang lain," katanya.

Beliau yang juga Presiden Dewan Perdagangan Islam Malaysia (DPIM), beberapa kali menekankan mengenai jihad ekonomi mengikut lunas agama Islam, dan ia tidak eksklusif kepada suatu kaum sahaja atau bersifat perkauman.

"Jihad ekonomi sebenarnya tidak eksklusif dan bukan perkauman.

"Bukan hanya membela kaum Melayu dan Bumiputera, tetapi terdapat juga kaum Cina dan India miskin, bukan hanya membela kaum-kaum tertentu sahaja," katanya.

Muhammad Ali berkata, kemelut ekonomi dan ketidakseimbangan global yang berlaku di seluruh dunia ketika ini berpunca daripada pengagihan kekayaan yang tidak seimbang dan tidak adil, dengan yang kaya bertambah kaya.

"Sebagai contoh dengan pergolakan ekonomi dunia sekarang yang tidak aman dan stabil, ini semua kerana pengagihan tidak seimbang.

"Pengagihan perlu, tidak boleh yang kaya semakin kaya sehingga wujud jurang luas," katanya merujuk kepada pergolakan ekonomi di Amerika Syarikat dan krisis di negara Arab.

Terdahulu, Muhammad Ali ketika menyampaikan ucapannya berkongsi pengalaman dan cabaran yang dihadapinya semasa berada dalam bidang korporat, dan berkata, setiap usahawan perlu belajar daripada kegagalan dan tidak berputus asa.

Bulan lalu, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak mengumumkan pemerkasaan ekonomi Bumiputera dengan memperkenalkan lima langkah bagi memperkasa kumpulan tersebut berikutan pegangan ekuiti korporat masih belum mencapai tahap 30% sasaran dan golongan itu kini masih dalam tempoh transformasi sejak empat dekad lalu.

Bagaimanapun, pengkritik melihat pelan baru Najib itu bukan untuk membantu golongan Bumiputera sebaliknya lebih digunakan untuk membantu kroni mereka dalam Umno.

Agenda itu juga dilihat sebagai kesinambungan kegagalan dalam pelaksanaan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) yang diperkenalkan pada 1971 kerana dikaitkan dengan masalah rasuah yang melebar. - 9 Oktober, 2013.

'What about rights of cops, crime victims?'

Under fire for his "shoot first" policy, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has questioned why his critics are not defending the rights of those who fall prey to criminals.

"Where is the human rights for police and victims of robbery, shootings and murders. Why are human rights defenders not upholding this? Human rights only applies to criminals?" he asked in a terse tweet.

The tweet does not appear to refer to anything in particular, but comes after a barrage of criticism against him following Malaysiakini's report on a leaked recording of his speech.

Zahid has been silent since the report on Monday, where he was exposed to have condoned the practice of shooting suspected criminals instead of arresting them.

He was also recorded as saying that he would go all out against people who defended criminals.

His critics, including international body Human Rights Watch, has called for his sacking over the remarks which has even made news outside Malaysian borders.

His remarks also prompted the civil society to call for investigations into all extra-judicial killings by the police.

Among those shot dead in recent years were several youths, including 14-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah. All were all accused of attacking police before being gunned down.

Then Selangor police chief and now Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar claimed that Aminulrasyid, who died in a hail of bullets, tried to ram into the police and carried a parang in the car he was driving.

MCA boss regrets Zahid's rants

As the clock ticks down for the Umno election, the candidates, as in the case of Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, appear to be playing the race card with increasing frequency.

Expressing regret over this development, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek (right) reminded Umno leaders that they represent all Malaysians and not just the Malay community.

“Because of the Umno election, a lot of senior Umno leaders, in order to consolidate their support, have resorted to racial profiling... for instance on crime.

“They have not shown themselves to be truly Malaysian leaders. This does not augur well for the nation,” he told Malaysiakini.

However, Chua, when asked about Zahid’s controversial call for the summary execution of suspected criminals, attributed it to overzealousness.

“Perhaps, in his excitement, Zahid was shooting from the hip,” he said.

On the same note, the MCA president stressed that to gun down suspected criminals instead of arresting them was an affront to justice and the rule of law.

“I disagree with this... it will not inspire confidence in the police force,” he added.

Commenting on Zahid’s threat to close down newspapers, Chua also reminded the home minister that this was the 21st century, and there must be space for dissenting views.

Since 2008, MCA had been struggling to remain relevant and one of the reasons why the Chinese electorate had shunned the party was because of its association with Umno.

MCA leaders were seen as being unable to stop their compatriots in Umno from launching racial tirades, thus giving the impression that BN was a coalition of unequals.

Following the disclosure of Zahid’s outburst, Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan (right) was among those who called on MCA and MIC to severe ties with Umno.

Speaking at an event in Malacca last week, the home minister made a series of incendiary remarks, and warned journalists not to report them or he would shut down their publications.

Since then, Zahid has drawn flak from various quarters, with some pointing out that he was encouraging the police to commit murder.

'Zahid safe from law despite implied extra-judicial killing'

Even though Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been accused of endorsing extra-judicial killings by telling the police to "shoot first" when dealing with suspected criminals, the minister himself is unlikely to face any legal repercussions.

Former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim said this is because the home minister was effectively expressing a government policy and is therefore not liable to legal action.

"I do not believe legal action is appropriate or feasible, for he was espousing government policy," he told Malaysiakini when contacted via email yesterday.

Instead, Zaid said, the solution would have to be a political one.

"What the public can do is to reject the government he represents. Only political action is possible, not legal," he said.

However, Zaid noted that in the context of the home minister's right-wing ethnocentric party, his politically incorrect remark is popular.

'Popular for Umno'

"Unfortunately he is well liked by Umno. So (the) more extreme his position, the more popular he becomes," he said.

The Bar Council said yesterday that Zahid's statement could be interpreted as an endorsement of extra-judicial killing and that he may have committed sedition.

In a separate statement, MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu described Zahid's statement, which also contained racial references, as "disappointing".

"Zahid had earlier assured members of the public that the police are colour-blind. His latest remark, if not read out of context, is most unbecoming.

"Crime and law enforcement have nothing to do with colour," Gan said.

'Alliance sustained insurgency to keep CPM in jungle'

The Alliance government may have had to pander to British interests during the Baling Talks in 1955, but it had many chances to broker a peace deal with the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) soon after Independence.

However, PSM’s Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar hypothesised, the nation's leader Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj did not do so as the Alliance wanted to keep the CPM in the jungles, and away from electoral politics.

“I’ll make the argument that the Alliance was prepared to accept casualties among Malaysian soldiers, because it knew that the communists could not win, and would only be able to cause some disruption if sidelined (in the jungle).

“But if (the CPM) contests in elections, they could dislodge the Alliance government. This means it was a class decision, and it is a fact Malaysians have got to see,” Jeyakumar said.

As such, he said, those questioning the casualties sustained during the insurgency after 1957 should consider that the Alliance government and the British shared a greater part of the blame.

Jeyakumar (right) told a PSM-organised forum on Chin Peng in Kuala Lumpur last night that this is apparent as the 1989 Hatyai Peace Accord between Malaysia, Thailand and the CPM contained all the demands the CPM made in 1955.

The Alliance, he said, could not have acceded to these demands in 1955 or even 1958, but its successor, the BN government, could have signed it in 1989 as the CPM’s influence had then decreased significantly.

He noted that the Baling Talks materialised when CPM offered negotiations, following the Alliance’s 1955 sweeping polls victory on two promises - Independence by 1957 and the end of the communist insurgency.

But Tunku likely had his “hands tied”, as he had to show to the British he was not pro-communism and that Independence would not mean nationalisation of British assets.

“When (then Utusan Melayu editor-in-chief) Syed Zahari later asked Tunku if he was disappointed that the Baling Talks broke down, he said, ‘No, I’m not as I never wanted it to be a success’,” Jeyakumar said.

British proxy

While Jeyakumar gave the Tunku concessions for the failed Baling Talks, fellow panellist and social activist Lee Ban Chen said Tunku acted as a “British proxy”.
Lee said Tunku did not budge on conditions set prior to the talks - for CPM members to abandon arms, surrender and be investigated - despite CPM’s concessions.

“The CPM were willing to compromise, by laying down arms and abandoning their ideology, which to me is a big compromise... but they were also asked to do something impossible - to surrender.

“This was a big insult to those who had fought against the Japanese and British imperialists,” Lee (right) said.

The Tunku’s uncompromising stance, he said, forced a “civil war” in Malaya and then Malaysia, resulting in casualties among CPM members, and police and army personnel.

“However, I believe the sacrifices of CPM members and their supporters are far greater, in numbers of death and casualties, being exiled, sentenced to death and villagers who were forced into new villages to live like in a concentration camp.

“The sacrifices on the part of the communists are several-fold more than that on the part of the government,” Lee said.

IGP: Police have no executive powers under PCA

The police have no executive powers under the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) which was approved by Dewan Rakyat recently, said inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

He said the PCA was different from the Internal Security Act (ISA) described by some parties as draconian.

“The significant difference is from the aspect of powers... actually the ISA vested absolute power on the executive while in the PCA, the full powers are  with the judiciary and review board.

“From the initial capture, first 24-hour arrest is by police, followed by 21 days remand ordered by a magistrate and the next 38-day remand approved by the president of the Sessions Courts and thereafter the board, and if there are unsatisfactory matters, they can be brought to court,” he said after a cheque presentation by the Kota Baru Residents Association (POKB) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

At the ceremony in Bukit Aman, Khalid received a cheque for RM10,500 from POKB adviser Mohamad Fatmi Che Salleh to be handed over to Atiqah Mohd Rosdi, the widow of Sgt Zal Azri Abd Somad who was killed while on duty in Malacca on Sept 23.

Khalid stressed that the most important thing was that the PCA is targetted at organised crimes.

He said information sessions with the people or with related parties would give a clear picture on both acts.

The Prevention of Crime 2013 Bill which allows detention without trial was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in a blog was reported to have lleged that PCA was draconian and went against the constitution.

Asked on the police’s preparations for the Sungai Limau by-election,  halid said an assessment team had been sent to check and evaluate the areas there.

The Sungai Limau seat under the Jerai Parliamentary constituency fell vacant ollowing the death of its incumbent, former menteri besar Azizan Abdul Razak, on Sept 26.

- Bernama

Anwar: Send Zahid to law school

Opposition leader says the home minister is in need of 'basic training in law' following latter's 'shoot-first' policy on suspected criminals

PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi needs to be schooled in basic law, said PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim in response to the former’s “shoot first” policy in dealing with suspected gang members.

“Zahid needs to attend basic training on basic law,” Anwar said, at a press conference held at the party headquarters today.

Over the weekend, Zahid was reported saying that the police need not give warning to criminals before opening fire on them.

“I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first,” Zahid was reported as saying.

Anwar described Zahid’s blanket statement as “very dangerous” as it gives an impression that the police could act arbitrarily with no regard to the rule of law.

“Of course when you’re talking about police dealing with armed criminals, the authorities have the right to defend themselves.

“But you cannot give a blanket statement to shoot first. It is a very dangerous statement,” said the former deputy prime minister.

Najib’s silence upsetting Malaysians

Asked to comment on the surge of racist and religious slurs being uttered by government leaders, Anwar attributed it to the Umno polls, scheduled for Oct 19.

“Lately, the issue of racism and religious bigotry has escalated. Why blame the Chinese and the opposition for your faults?

“Who squandered the funds of the people? Who are the rich Malays? Who are the one that get the big contracts? They are all Umno cronies,” said Anwar.

He added that there was a need for all races to work together to overcome racial prejudice in the country.

On Umno, Anwar said that the leaders have this impression that “the more Malay they become, the more support they get”.

“And Prime Minister Najib (Tun Razak) has said nothing on the racial slurs, causing anger among young Malaysians.”

HRW wants Najib to act against Zahid

Human Rights Watch wants Najib to remove Zahid for disregarding right to life and racial claims. Also, DAP's Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng lodges a police report against Zahid over his remarks.

PETALING JAYA: The government should act to ensure that the Home Minister’s support for the police to “shoot first” when apprehending criminal suspects is not police policy, Human Rights Watch said today.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made remarks in a speech in Malacca on Oct 6, 2013, that showed gross indifference for the right to life and the rights of the country’s minority populations.

In his speech, Zahid claimed that 28,000 of some 40,000 gang members in the country were Indian Malaysians who prey on the majority ethnic Malay population.

In an audio recording made public, he was quoted as saying said, “What is the situation of robbery victims, murder victims during shootings? Most of them are our Malays. Most of them are our race. I think that the best way is we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any warning. If [we] get the evidence, [we] shoot first.”

Human Rights Watch called on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to remove the Home Minister for the discriminatory remarks which disregard the right to life.

“Home Minister Zahid is Malaysia’s top law enforcement official, yet he is promoting the illegal use of lethal force,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“Prime Minister Najib should be clear he won’t tolerate such statements or unlawful practices, which show a callous disregard for basic rights.”

Various incidents suggest that Malaysian police have at times adopted a “shoot first” policy, Human Rights Watch said. For example, in a predawn raid in Penang on Aug 19, police shot and killed five ethnic Indians who police alleged were secret society members.

Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar announced the men opened fire after police ordered them to open the door, an account that was contradicted by P Waythamoorthy, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. Photos of the bodies suggest that the men were shot at point-blank range.

In April 2012, police in Cheras fatally shot three men who police alleged had robbed a jewelry store. The three, Noor Azman Othman, Aidi Noor Hafizal Othman, and Saufi Ahmad, had multiple wounds, particularly to their heads, with Noor Azman shot a total of eight times.Contrary to the police accounts, a second postmortem strongly suggested the wounds were from shots at a close range with a downward bullet trajectory, indicating the men were either kneeling or lying on the ground when they were killed.

A “shoot first” policy by law enforcement personnel violates international human rights law and standards.

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is widely accepted as reflecting customary international law, states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”

Principle 1 of the United Nations Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions provides that “executions shall not be carried out under any circumstances,” nor may “[e]xceptional circumstances… be invoked as a justification of such executions.”

The UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement states in article 3 that law enforcement officials should “use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty.”

Principle 9 of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials provides that “intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.”

“Killings of criminal suspects by Malaysian police suggest that Zahid’s disturbing remarks may already reflect the practice of some law enforcement officials,” Robertson said. “Too many people have died in a hail of police bullets for Malaysia’s leaders to continue to sit on their hands.”

In another development, DAP’s Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng has lodged a police report against Zahid over his remarks.

In the report lodged at the Jinjang police station last night, Lim wants the Home Minister to be investigated immediately, and arrested if necessary.

Khalid, Zahid have ‘no sense of accountability’

A Sabah MP has lambasted Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his 'henceman' IGP Khalid Abu Bakar for their arrogant dismissal of public concern.

By Shaimon S Jumadi

SANDAKAN:- Sandakan MP Stephen Wong has criticised government leaders for issuing arrogant statements to genuine concerns expressed by the public including the opposition.

Urging these leaders to behave in a civilised manner, he said there was absolutely no reason why the people had to withold their shock and affront at the findings of the Auditor-General Report 2012.

“This government must stop being arrogant and self-centered. Answer queries sensibly, ” said Wong alluding to the Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s recent comment on the loss of 44 weapons, 29 police cars and 156 handcuffs and other numerous items amounting to a total of RM1.33 million which were detailed in the audit report.

Describing the IGP’s remarks as “ridiculous and totally unacceptable”, Wong said as head of police … “has shown no sense of responsibility, accountability and has failed to acknowledge the wrong-doings of the police force.”

“By claiming that the weapons might have “fallen into the sea”, he has made himself a laughing stock to the entire nation.

“Can the Rakyat and the world accept such a ridiculous response?” he asked.

Wong also said that the Minister of Home Affairs Ahmad Zahid Hamidid was no better when he allegedly warned reporters not to raise further question on the issue.

“Is this the way for a Minister, who is responsible for the Home Affairs of the country, to discharge his duty for the country?

“His action of intimidating the reporters who were merely doing their jobs, is totally uncalled for and unacceptable.

“The Minister of Home Affairs and the IGP should address the public in a humble manner.

“They should apologise to the rakyat for the wrong-doings of the police force and acknowledge the poor standards and weaknesses in the police force,” he said.

Wong further added that the rakyat were generally forgiving but the current “arrogant dismissal” of their concerns by the leaders was “utterly disappointing”.

“Let me remind the Minister and IGP that they are all public servants.

“They are not above the law, and are totally subject to legal actions for any of their negligence or misconduct in any form.

“They are subject to public scrutiny and i advise them not to abuse the power given to them,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/09/khalid-zahid-have-no-sense-of-accountability/#sthash.ZjtQ6cQl.dpuf