Ex-IGP doubts Dec 31 putsch claims

ALI TINJU: KENAPA NAIK 20 SEN NAK BISING-BISING?

Two imams held as Spain police smash counterfeit clothing ring

MADRID - Police have smashed Spain's largest counterfeit clothing ring, arresting 99 people, including two imams, over the sale of 235 tons of fake designer clothes and shoes, the government said Saturday.

The ring made the counterfeit items in illegal factories in northern Portugal and then shipped them across the border by van to Xinzo de Limia, a city of around 100,000 people in northwestern Spain, the interior ministry said in a statement.

"The network, of Moroccan origin, had 'regional delegates' across Spain who distributed over the past two years 235 tons of fake garments and footwear, generating revenues of $7.5 million," it said.

"Part of this black money was hidden along with bank cards and other financial documents belonging to the organization in the mosques of Ourense and Xinzo de Limia," it added.

Among those arrested was the imam of the mosque of Xinzo de Limia, whom police said was one of the leaders of the ring. The mosque received nearly 100,000 euros in donations from the ring.

The imam at the mosque in the nearby city of Ourense was also detained as part of the operation. His name appears on bank accounts used by the group and police suspect him of helping to launder money earned by the ring.

Police searched over 117 locations across the country, including the two mosques, as part of their investigation, which was launched in September 2012 and carried out in cooperation with Portuguese authorities.

Police seized just over one million items of counterfeit clothing, as well as bank cards, several weapons and software containing the logos of over 200 registered brands.

Police also closed 10 illegal factories in northern Portugal where the fake goods were made.

The operation "dismantled the main network which manufactured and distributed counterfeit clothes in the Iberian Peninsula", the statement said.

The authorities detained 65 people in Spain and 34 in Portugal. The arrested include 37 Senegalese nationals, 34 Portuguese citizens, 19 Moroccans and nine Spaniards.
Two imams held as Spain police smash counterfeit clothing ring

Indian Mujahideen wanted to nuke Surat, Yasin Bhatkal tells cops

NEW DELHI: The prospect of terror organisations getting their hands on a nuclear device has long concerned both security agencies and thriller writers. Now, it seems Indian Mujahideen India chief Ahmad Zarar Siddibappa alias Yasin Bhatkal too was thinking along similar lines. Bhatkal recently told interrogators that he was planning to set off a nuclear bomb in Surat, according to sources.

Bhatkal was arrested on August 27 in Pokhra, Nepal and has been constantly questioned by the NIA, Intelligence Bureau and police of several states. TOI has accessed the interrogation report.

Bhatkal told the interrogators that he had asked his Pakistan-based boss, Riyaz Bhatkal, over phone whether the latter could arrange a small "nuclear bomb". According to him, Riyaz responded, "Anything can be arranged in Pakistan".

"Riyaz told me that attacks can be done with nuclear bombs. I requested him to look for one nuclear bomb for Surat," Yasin told the officials.

"Riyaz told me Muslims would also die in that (nuclear bomb blast), to which I said that we would paste posters in mosques asking every Muslim to quietly evacuate their families from the city," Yasin said, according to the report.

However, the plan could not be initiated since Yasin was tracked by the IB and arrested in August.


Surat has always been on Yasin's radar and he had also played an important role in preparing 27 bombs along with Atif Ameen in 2008 when serial blasts took place in Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

Yasin himself was the bomb expert of Indian Mujahideen and the outfit's bomb-making capabilities have been affected after his arrest, say intelligence officials.

The IM leader has also given details of army level training of IM cadres and other terrorists in Pakistan, which shows that advanced training is given to terrorists with the help of Pakistan. Elaborating on training schedule for IM members in Pakistan, Yasin said, "Training included morning PT, weapon handling and explosive/IED training, pistols to revolvers, AK-47 etc. Indian weapons like LMG, SLR and sniper rifles and so forth".

Yasin further stated that "we were also exposed to handling of explosives like PE3A (black colour explosive), C4, C3, TNT, etc. Besides this, we were also exposed to fabrication of IEDs with the help of ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide, gelatin stick and so forth. This training schedule was for 50 days".

For all the plans and active operations, Yasin remained in touch with Riyaz Bhatkal. Riyaz, according to sources, had sent Yasin Rs 17 lakh in 2013 out of which his personal expenses every month were Rs 25,000.

A senior intelligence official said, "We have been coming across different kinds of IEDs over the years. The reason is that terrorists are undergoing all kind of advanced army level training in Pakistan with the help of ISI. And if terror outfits have access to nuclear bombs, then it is very dangerous for us (India)".

Hentikan ‘maksiat’ tahun baru, berdoa ikut agama masing-masing, kata Mufti Perak

Mufti Perak Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria (gambar) meminta kerajaan menghentikan sambutan tahun
baru yang menjurus ke arah kemaksiatan, dan digantikan dengan acara keagamaan.

Harussani berkata adalah lebih baik kerajaan menyarankan rakyat mengadakan upacara keagamaan di rumah ibadat masing-masing, seperti yang dilaksanakan oleh perdana menteri pertama.

“Pada zaman Tunku Abdul Rahman (Al Haj), beliau meminta supaya setiap kali malam sambutan tahun baru, penganut agama masing-masing berdoa untuk kesejahteraan dan keamanan negara daripada malapetaka dan bencana alam.

“Tapi sekarang, pesta maksiat yang diadakan bagi sambutan tahun baru, ini yang menyedihkan. Sekiranya dapat dilaksanakan perkara tersebut, mungkin kegiatan maksiat dapat dielakkan,” katanya dipetik akhbar Sinar Harian.

Katanya, walaupun sebelum ini kerajaan mengadakan program ceramah agama setiap kali malam tahun baru, namun ia tidak mendapat sambutan.

“Ini masanya kita pupuk kembali apa yang telah kita tinggalkan supaya dapat mengembalikan suasana sambutan tahun baharu yang lebih keagamaan.

“Ajar rakyat supaya mereka lebih mendekatkan diri dengan keagamaan supaya mereka tidak terlalu terdedah dengan aktiviti maksiat,” ujarnya.

Sehubungan itu, beliau menyarankan kerajaan supaya bertemu dengan ketua semua agama dan mengarahkan mereka mengadakan program keagamaan di rumah ibadat masing-masing.

“Sekiranya kerajaan serius rasanya boleh berbincang perkara ini dengan ketua agama masing-masing. Kita juga menunggu berita yang menggembirakan supaya tiada lagi pesta maksiat.

“Kalau mahu pun untuk menyambut tahun baharu, mungkin tidak perlu sambutan yang melalaikan kerana akan mendekatkan dengan perkara yang tidak baik,” katanya. – 30 Disember, 2013.

MCA: Zaiton should say sorry for 'leave Malaysia' remark

Kuantan Wanita Umno chief Zaiton Mat’s call for those unhappy with BN’s policies to “leave the country” has drawn scorn from two MCA leaders.

 

MCA central committee member Chai Kim Sen said Zaiton’s remark has hurt the feelings of Malaysians and does not respect freedom of expression.

 

 “Zaiton Mat should publicly apologise for her comments. Not only does such remarks hurt Malaysians… but it reflects her mind is unable to keep up with progress,” said Chia in a press release today.

 

Zaiton’s remarks were made after she lodged a police report on De 27 against the so-called rally on New Year’s Eve aimed at toppling BN as the federal government.

 

In a separate press release, Kuantan MCA Wanita chief Tee Choon Ser said Zaiton’s comments had reflected her narrow mindedness.

 

“Although some people might be dissatisfied with the policy, it does not mean they are unpatriotic… No one should be told to ‘leave the country’,” said Tee.

 

Zaiton’s remarks had led to angry netizens flooding Wanita Umno’s Facebook page with angry messages since Saturday.

Cops deny claiming anti-price hike NGOs plan bombings

Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Amar Singh has denied accusing four NGOs involved in the anti-price hike protest of planning to conduct bombings during the demonstration on Dec 31.

Utusan Malaysia quoted Amar (left) as saying that he was only talking about the risk of bombings that may be done by other participants.

“During the press conference, I mentioned four NGOs were identified as being part of the protest. The gathering is against the law as they do not have a permit.

“My statement about bomb threats and dangerous weapons was not directed at the NGOs involved but was based on a statement by an individual on Facebook before this,” he was quoted as saying.

This comes after two of the NGOs, namely Solidarti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and Jingga 13, had threatened to sue the senior cop.

The other NGOs named by Amar as being organisers of the protests were Gerakan Turun Kos Sara Hidup (Turun) and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM).

During a press conference last Saturday, Amar had read out a prepared statement about the New Year’s eve anti-price hike protest.

“Irresponsible groups have propagated on websites and social media by telling people that they will topple the government through the rally.

“They also organised a series of illegal protests in a few locations and states by inciting the public, especially youths, to topple the government.

“It cannot be denied that these groups create a ruckus when they turn up with tents, bring tools or dangerous weapons such as hand grenades or gas masks and even breach cordons and clash with police and other actions that are against the law,” he had said.

Turun chief Azan Safar has denied planning to overthrow the government and instead accused the ruling coalition of trying to distract the public from spiralling living cost which the protest is highlighting.

‘Suit to go on’

In an immediate response, SAMM chief Badrul Hisham Shahrin was unconvinced, calling it a panic response.

“The question is who is the participant (that will bring hand grenades)? Do the police know the participant? How many hand grenades have they found?” he said in a statement today.

Badrul said the police were creating panic among the public based on unverified information and the organisation will not back down from its lawsuit.

“This cannot be forgiven. The police and Amar Singh will not escape (from the lawsuit) even though they attempted to spin the matter as SAMM has evidence in the form of video and news clippings,” he said.

He reiterated that the Dec 31 rally is peaceful with the sole intention of highlighting the rising cost of living and urged the public to don black and turn out in force.

In a related development, student leader Adam Adli Abdul Halim (left) who was wrongly implicated by the police in its press conference on Saturday for allegedly being one of the leaders on the New Year’s eve protest, is contemplating suing the authorities.

“Amar Singh had wrongly implicated me for being part of the group. I am upset and disgusted by such false accusations on myself and deny any involvement in the group or being the mastermind behind the proposed protest.

“Since the formation of the NGO Turun by the university students, I have not been involved nor attended their meetings. What is puzzling is how can the police intelligence unit implicate me with the gathering, whereas I have never spoken on or issued statements regarding the protest.

“The police intelligence had acted mala fide and irresponsibly in implicating me with the protest and towards causing possible chaos by using dangerous weapons including grenades. This allegation made against me cannot be taken lightly.”

Hence, Adam Adli said he is consulting with his lawyers to sue the police for RM10 million, for smearing his name in the eyes of the society. A photograph of Adam was shown during the press conference held by Amar Singh.

PSM: Not police's job to decide if people should rally

The job of the police is to maintain security, not to decide whether the people should demonstrate against price hikes or not.

"The police's statement to hinder the people's right to assemble to voice their protest against the hikes in various costs, including electricity and highway toll charges, is police interference in the people's rights.

"The job of the police is to ensure public peace and security, not to make political decisions whether the people ought to assemble at Dataran Merdeka or not," Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan said today.

He was responding to mounting government action in deterring the planned rally on New Year's Eve in Kuala Lumpur at Dataran Merdeka, the annual focal point of new year celebrations.

“PSM is in solidarity with the organisers of this rally opposing price hikes and are supportive of this peaceful assembly,” he said.

He also expressed his worry over the police bringing up claims about there being weapons and bombs to be used during the rally.

“The police’s tactics do not seem to have changed,” he said, referring to similar claims made before the Bersih 2.0 rally.

Meanwhile, PKR’s Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad also issued a statement in support of the rally, decrying government institutions for “slandering” the rally with accusations that rally-goers were out to topple the government.

“This is the same script that was written for rallies such as Bersih and so on. But allegations that molotov cocktails and machetes were to be used during the rally died right after Bersih,” he pointed out.

He said that the government was trying to divert away from the issues that are being brought forth by the rally organisers, such as the price hikes, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“Enough of Umno-BN making a fool out of the people,” he said.

'No excuses, MACC can probe Rosmah's son'

PKR has flayed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for claiming that it does not have the power to probe cases of individuals possessing assets beyond their means, calling it an attempt by the graftbuster to abdicate from its duties.

PKR vice-president N Surendran (right) said that under the MACC Act 2009, there are a wide array of powers the MACC can rely on in order to crackdown on cases of those displaying “massive unexplained wealth”.

"Instead of making full use of those laws, the MACC seems fixated on amending an already powerful MACC Act.

"It is a national shame that the MACC pleads powerlessness, although the whole world can see the fabulous extent of the wealth of friends and relatives of BN leaders at all levels," Surendran said in a statement today.

Before this, PKR had called on the MACC to probe the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's stepson Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz (below, left in photo) for allegedly living beyond his means after he reportedly purchased a RM110 million penthouse in New York.

The 36-year-old is the son of prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor from an earlier marriage and is now a producer bankrolling Hollywood films.

'Enough powers'

Surendran today described the MACC Act as a "strong piece of legislation with wide powers", adding that Section 29(3) of the law already allows the commission to open a corruption investigation if it receives information or suspects possible corrupt practice.

Section 35 of the same law, he said, also grants MACC wide powers to look into bank accounts and other documents of persons suspected of corrupt practices.

Surendran said other Commonwealth country also do not have the power MACC is asking for but is able to probe cases of individuals suspected of living beyond their means.

"Neither Singapore or Hong Kong have the kind of provision which Malaysia's MACC insists on having before taking action in cases like Najib's stepson.

"Yet, Singapore and Hong Kong are well-known for their success and firmness in stamping out corruption and for their strong corruption legislation," he said.

He is therefore calling on the anti-graft body to “stop the excuses” and to “commence immediate investigations into the case of Najib's stepson.”

Waytha slams DBKL as ‘ignorant’

He says the rights of Kg Railway residents were ignored to protect business interests

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy has denounced Thursday’s demolition of Kampung Railway, calling it an “unconscionable act” on the part of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

In a media statement released yesterday, Waythamoorthy said DBKL had shown that it was ignorant of history, particularly the role played by Indian immigrants in the development of Malayan Railway.

He accused DBKL of ignoring the “legitimate rights” of the villagers to protect the business interests of YTL Corporation and other companies.

Waythamoorthy, who is the deputy minister in charge of Indian affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department, lamented that government agencies were “continuously ignorant of the plight of the displaced Indian community”.

“They fail to understand that the Indian settlements are frequently deemed illegal due to historical wrongs,” he said. “The British Government failed to grant land titles to the forefathers of the current community that occupy the land.

“Merdeka meant nothing to these people as they continued to be a landless community and the Federal Government in 1957 should have found solutions for them.

“Kampung Railway for one should be protected as a heritage village.”

The demolition of Kampung Railway came after 30 families who were resident there lost a legal suit against YTL, which had acquired the land to develop it into a housing estate.

“The people may not have rights in the eyes of the law, but they have equitable rights that never found their way into Malaysian laws,” said Waythamoorthy.

He urged “the relevant ministers” to be “people-centric” and open up discussions so that they would have a better understanding of the Indian community’s plight.

He added: “The government should read the sentiments of the Indian community not in terms of voting power only, but instead appreciate the many contributions of our forefathers to this country.”

Kampung Chetti begs to be saved

Kampung Chetti residents want heritage and culture departments at state and federal levels to stop current development project.

PETALING JAYA: State and federal government agencies have been called on to save heritage site, Kampung Chetti in Malacca and stop a development project that threatens to destroy the heritage of the community.

T Sithambaram Pillay, who heads the action committee opposing the development project said in a press statement .

“We want the Tourism and Culture Ministry, Melaka Museum Corporation (Perzim) and the National Heritage Department to intervene and stop this project which is located at the site known as Lot 93,” he said.

Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron has also been asked to make his stand clear in relation to the heritage village of the Malacca Chettis.

“We are begging the Malacca government to end the project. We also want Idris to make his stand to save our village,” said T Sithambaram Pillay in a press statement.

On Dec 17, there were reports that the state government had approved construction of two condominiums with 22 floors each, a 12 floor hotel and a six floor parking lot at the heritage site.

The project was stopped by the former Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam last year but has been revived and given the green light by the current state administration after the 13th general election in May.

Since the news broke various groups such as Hindraf and Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy have voiced their objections over the development project.

Waythamoorthy has questioned the silence of Heritage Commissioners on the matter.

Kampung Chetti in Malacca has existed since 1414. Both the state and federal government have given the village national heritage status. In addition, the village is also Unesco World Heritage site.

Rafizi, jangan kacau bini Najib

Rafizi sering memfitnah Rosmah dengan isu cincin RM24juta, kapal terbang mewah, dan kini kondominium anaknya berharga RM110 juta di Amerika Syarikat.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahli Parlimen Pandan Rafizi Ramli diingatkan supaya tidak lagi mengganggu isteri Perdana Menteri Datin Seri Rosmah Mansur dengan menabur fitnah yang tidak berasas.

Presiden Pertubuhan Veteran Tentera Malaysia Mohd Ali Baharom berkata, Rafizi sering memfitnah Rosmah dengan isu cincin RM24juta, kapal terbang mewah, dan kini kondominium anaknya berharga RM110 juta di Amerika Syarikat.

“Saya dan rakan-rakan NGO kecewa dengan Rafizi yang dianggap terlalu kurang ajar kacau isteri Najib.

“Kenapa selalu nak kacau bini orang? Pergi jaga bini sendirilah,” katanya kepada pemberita di Dataran Merdeka di sini hari ini.

Katanya, dakwaan Rafizi itu dilihat kurang cerdik seolah-olah mahu menunjukkan beliau ‘hero’ dengan mengaibkan Rosmah.

Sementara itu, Presiden Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah menggesa pertubuhan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) datang ke Dataran Merdeka esok sebagai simbol menyokong polis dan kerajaan daripada digulingkan demonstran.

“Kita seru semua NGO yang sah berdaftar dibawah kerajaan termasuk Ayahanda datang penuhkan Dataran Merdeka dan hayati sambutan Tahun Baru,” katanya.

Turut hadir dalam sidang media NGO penyokong Kuat Aspirasi Najib (Pekan), dan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana (Ikhlas).

Nube wants govt to stop GST

Nube general secretary J Solomon said by implementing the GST the government does not care for the lower income group.

KUALA LUMPUR: National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) wants the government to reconsider the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax(GST) .

Nube general secretary J Solomon said e said his members will surely struggle as the lower rank staff don’t earn much and GST will be a burden to them.

“The banks and the government are making huge profit but sadly thyey are selfish and do not care about people’s welfare.
“Now-days banks and government are charging for everything.We have called them for a dialogue regarding this issue but they haven’t responded.

Solomon said GST is not a solution to sustain Malaysia’s economy growth.

“The government should look for other solution to sustain the economy,” he said.

GST is a service tax for products and services and set to be at 6%.

GST is set to be implemented on April 2015.

He said Nube will join forces with olitical parties to fight the implemention of GST.

Church can sue Jais for banning ‘Allah’, say lawyers

(MM) - The Church can take the Selangor Islamic authorities to court for prohibiting Christians from referring to God as “Allah” in their religious practices as such a ban is unconstitutional, lawyers have said.

Andrew Khoo, chairman of the Bar Council’s human rights committee, questioned if the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988 — which has a blanket prohibition on non-Muslims from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faith, including “Allah” — has gone beyond the ambit of Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution that restricts the propagation of other religious doctrines among Muslims.

“If you have a state enactment that is based on Article 11(4) and tells non-Muslims that you cannot use this word absolutely, then has it gone out of the context of Article 11 and 11(4)?” Khoo told The Malay Mail Online today.

The lawyer pointed out that the Selangor 1988 enactment says in its preamble that it is based on Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution, but noted that the enactment does not specifically limit its prohibition on the Arabic words to the context of non-Muslim proselytisation among Muslims.

“It doesn’t say that you cannot use these words when talking to Muslims; it just says you cannot use these words,” said Khoo.

“I may want to tell another non-Muslim, ‘I want to see you again, Insya’Allah.’ Am I propagating something to a Muslim? I’m not. I’m using it towards a non-Muslim,” he added, referring to the Arabic phrase that means “God willing”.

Khoo said that the constitutionality of the Selangor 1988 enactment and other similar state laws in the country could be tested in court.

“By prohibiting the word, how does that deal with the propagation of non-Muslim ideas to Muslims? The churches are saying, ‘We use Allah among our own members’. So, it would appear that if you’re using it among your own members, it should not be something that 11(4) is concerned about,” he added.

Article 11 of the Federal Constitution protects the right to practise and profess one’s religion, but Article 11(4) states that state law and, in respect of the Federal Territories and Labuan, federal law, may control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine among Muslims.

Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad, newly-appointed director of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), said on Thursday that letters will be sent out to all churches in Selangor asking them to comply with the ban on the use of the Arabic words listed under the 1988 enactment.

Jais cannot automatically say it has jurisdiction. For them to act in a non-Islamic context, they can only do so if they have been appointed. Where is the gazette notification? — Andrew Khoo

Jais is also investigating the organisers of a private Christian function that was held in Klang earlier this week, where participants allegedly sang songs containing the Arabic word “Allah”.

Khoo questioned today if Jais was the appropriate authority to enforce the Selangor 1988 enactment, pointing out that he has yet to see a gazette notification that identifies Jais as the authority appointed under the law.

“Jais cannot automatically say it has jurisdiction. For them to act in a non-Islamic context, they can only do so if they have been appointed. Where is the gazette notification?” said Khoo.

Constitutional lawyer Nizam Bashir also said that churches and the organisers of the Christian function in Klang could take Jais to court for violating their freedom of expression.

“Everyone under Article 11(1) is guaranteed the right to profess their faith,” Nizam told The Malay Mail Online, noting that the Sikh holy book contains the word “Allah”, while Bahá’í followers recite the Arabic word in their daily prayers.

“The main concern the Constitution accepts as being valid is that you cannot misuse the word ‘Allah’ among members of the Islamic community. Article 11(4), in the sense, allows the state to go beyond just the Muslim community. I accept that’s correct. But that’s only in relation to propagation,” he added.

Nizam stressed that Jais must prove that there are Muslims at Christian gatherings, where the word “Allah” is used, before action can be taken.

“They have to show that the intent is to propagate to Muslims,” he said.

Disclose reasons for funding Perkasa and amount, Kit Siang asks Putrajaya

(CNN) - With Perkasa’s secretary-general admitting to receiving funds from several government agencies, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang demanded today Putrajaya disclose the sum and justify to Malaysians the reasons to financially support an organisation the opposition lawmaker claimed had threatened a “holy war” against the country’s minorities.

In quizzing the alleged tacit approval of Perkasa by the government, the opposition party’s advisor called for the Auditor-General and a parliamentary committee scrutinising public funds to look into the matter.

“What were the various and total funds provided to Perkasa by MKN, BTN (both of which were under the Prime Minister’s Department) and Jasa (under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia) in the past four years and the specific objectives of each funding?

“What were the justifications for MKN, BTN and Jasa providing funding to Perkasa?” the DAP parliamentary leader asked in a statement today, referring to the National Security Council, National Civic Bureau and Special Affairs Department respectively by their Malay initials.

In his statement, he pointed out that Perkasa’s secretary-general, Syed Hassan Syed Ali, had admitted to being funded by the three government agencies.

Lim also demanded to know if other government agencies had funnelled funds to Perkasa under the table, since the group was founded in 2008.

The Gelang Patah MP further asked if the government had also furtively slipped funds to “other extremist and racist NGOs” even if the groups had overtly contradicted the 1 Malaysia policy that advocated inclusiveness and was meant to unite the country’s diverse races and religions.

The federal lawmaker insisted on a full disclosure of the funding and the government agencies involved.

“The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should give top priority to this serious lapse by the Auditor-General in the past four years, calling up both the Auditor-General and the heads of the various government agencies providing secret funding to Perkasa and other NGOs in the past four years so that a special PAC report on this matter could be tabled in the March meeting of Parliament,” he said.

In his statement, Lim cast a spotlight on the alleged ties between Perkasa and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, asking why the coalition leaders did not seek to find out the “real relationship between the BN government with Perkasa” from the prime minister.

He pointed out that Perkasa vice-president Datuk Zulkifli Noordin contested under the BN ticket in Shah Alam during Election 2013, while the BN candidate in Pasir Mas purportedly pulled out of the race in favour of Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, then an independent candidate for the federal seat.

“Although both were defeated, the question remains as to the role of MCA and other BN component parties in endorsing their candidature on behalf of BN,” Lim said.

In his statement too, Lim asked whether the Cabinet knew that the government was funding Perkasa.

“When did the government secret funding of Perkasa begin, in what form and under whose authority? When was approval by Cabinet given or was the secret government funding of Perkasa so secretive that the Cabinet was completely kept in the dark?” he said, pressing for answers on which ministers and BN leaders had knowledge of the “surreptitious funding”.

Through my aging eyes – a gift from Rocket

By Dr Edwin Bosi, DAP ADUN for Kepayan

Samparita is famous for a wrong reason. The village is home to a teenage girl Norikoh Saliwa who was brutally murdered and dumped on the side of a road in Kota Marudu on 25th November 2012. How could I forget as her date of death is my date of birth? Norikoh who was only sweet sixteen was in town in search of a part time job in a furniture store. A Pakistani man is now charged with her murder and will soon know his fate when the case is up for mention in the High Court.

This is a high profile case because it involves a local girl and a foreigner. As DAP Secretary, I took the time to visit her parents and family at Kg Samparita to listen to their story (not just from the media), and also to convey our condolence and to hand over a little donation. Norikoh’s parents are down to earth simple folks, with a very simple house with basic necessity. She on the other hand had high hope to address this issue. She ventured and pursued her study in Kota Kinabalu and had a bright future for herself and to uplift her family from their present situation. Then the tragic accident happened and now we can only hope for justice to come her way. This is one murder case that must see the light of justice.

When DAP Malaysia mooted the program called “Impian Malaysia” and later extended to “Impian Sarawak” and “Impian Sabah”, I was a little taken aback when it was revealed that the first program of impian Sabah would be in Kg. Samparita Laut. The word “Samparita” rang a bell and that brought me back to the time my team and I visited Norikoh’s parents. When I got hold of the local newspaper upon returning from KL, I saw and read that her case will be up for mention in a few weeks time.

About 22 volunteers came to complete the task of assembling and commissioning a 3km gravity pipe system for the village of Samparita Laut. It took them 18 days to complete the project. There are at least 13 households that would benefit from this clean but untreated water yet the best for this community. Impian Sabah has given them a gravity pipe that will adequately satisfy the water needs of the villagers. It is a Christmas gift from the Rocket.

There are already more than 350 volunteers registered with impian Malaysia, and they come from all walks of life from students to working executives. For now, the majority of the volunteers are from West Malaysia. This is basically the true spirit of impian Malaysia, a brainchild of Sdra Lim Kit Siang where West Malaysians not only talk and sympathise with the level of development and progress in Sabah and Sarawak but they are coming over to help to do whatever that can be done to alleviate the sufferings and miseries of the people of Sabah and Sarawak especially in the rural areas.

On a straight line, Kg Samparita Laut (N06⁰ 54395’, E116⁰ 97442’) is about 23.5km from Kota Marudu. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the village by road and in this case a 4WD is required as some stretch is impassable to other vehicle. I saw electricity poles are hurriedly planted.

I took time to visit Kg Samparita Laut with MP for Batu Kawan Sdri Kasthuri P Patto a day before the launching of the gravity pipe on 20th December 2013 by Sdra Lim Kit Siang. I was impressed with the enthusiasm of the project leaders Kar Lye and Lilian and their volunteers who were able to sleep on mattress-less floor and some without mosquito nets. I was also impressed with how they handled themselves with the lack of proper bathing and toilet facilities. I saw some of them with their legs “ravaged” by insect bites while one of them came down with Malaria. Yet, during the launching they were able to show the bright side and high spirit with laughter, excitement, singing and dancing with the villagers.

The climax was when Sdra Kit Siang opened the tap and water started to sprinkle out of the pipe. A job well done, the people were so happy. Sdra Kit Siang must be hoping that the wish lists that the children have written on the flipchart papers could be realised too. Their wishes are about boat with engine, nice house, bridge, good roads, electricity and good education. Despite the DAP flags flying all over the village, I still wonder if the majority of the folks even realise that it is the DAP that has successfully provided them with a gravity piping system! I am certain however that DAP has made an impression upon them as one of their leaders has told Sdra Kit Siang that he wanted to open a DAP branch in Samparita Laut.

When I arrived at Kg Samparita Laut my thought went back to the time when I visited my grandparents at Kg Kiranau in Penampang. That was about mid 60s. The houses are made of timber and some are still made of bamboo. My grandparent house was made of timber with bamboo flooring and I can still remember the sight and bites of the bed bugs. They somehow disappeared as soon as the insect spray became commercial.

Here, I realised that a dugout log becomes their boat or sampan. They looked so small and clumsy indicating the small size of the timber found in this area. During low water, crossing the river is done with a boat with one person or even two holding both end of the boat and guiding it. I noticed bamboos are plentiful along the river and that surprised me they are not keen to make a raft that can help them cross the river more efficiently. It only takes a good wire cable and ropes to get a raft working. That was my grandparents “ferry” to get across the Moyog river then.

Samparita Laut folks are simple and predominantly Christian SIB living on a 5-acre village reserve perched high up on a hill. They have settled here in the 60s and have applied for land but like many of their native counterparts in various parts of Sabah, their applications have not seen the light of day. Then they were given a shock when a company started logging and planting oil palms just north to their village. According to the villagers, the company even bulldozed their ancient graves and pollute the river. There is totally no respect for NCR. I have a special officer dealing with NCR application and she would be back to assist them and prepare to take back their NCR land.

The folks at Samparita laut are planting hill padi, tapioca and rubber trees to sustain and survive. For now the river is still providing them with fish. I saw a fair number of small-size village pigs and chickens roaming freely in the village. The pigs are fed with tapioca and kangkong. I noticed a woman chipping off the tapioca to feed her chickens. With the pigs, chickens, dogs and cats roaming freely, anything edibles on the ground are gone when they are within sight. The river and the jungle backdrop are so beautiful. Kg Samparita has a huge tourism potential.

The impian Sabah water gravity project has not only provided them with water but at least for the pass 18 days there are lots of human activity with the presence of the volunteers. The best and most memorable for the village folks and volunteers alike is the presence of Malaysia’s iconic politician Sdra Lim Kit Siang. During the start of the project, MP Tony Pua was at Kg Samparita Laut to flag off the project.

Never before a rural village such as Samparita Laut see so many lawmakers in their village. This date 20th December 2013 will go down in history for Kg Samparita Laut where four MPs (Sdra Lim Kit Siang, Sdra Jimmy Wong, Sdra Stephen Wong and Sdri Kasthuri P Patto) and three ADUNs (Sdra Dr Edwin Bosi, Sdra Chan Foong Hin and Sdra Junz Wong) were presence to witness the launching of the impian Sabah water gravity project.

Press Release: Facilitate and Deal Peacefully with Peaceful Assemblies

The Malaysian Bar calls on the authorities, including the police, to continue to facilitate peaceful public assemblies, such as the one that civil society groups reportedly plan to hold at Dataran Merdeka on 31 December 2013 to protest price hikes in the country.

It is the constitutional right of any Malaysian to assemble peacefully in public, whether in celebration or in protest. This would be a legitimate expression by Malaysians of their concerns or objections, and an exercise of their constitutional right.  The existence of other avenues of raising their objections, such as organising petitions, writing letters of complaint or speaking to elected representatives, would not exclude or displace the right to peaceful and orderly public assembly.  These rights are cumulative and indivisible: they have equal status, and none of them operates to negate or exclude the exercise of the other.

The Malaysian Bar urges the police to respect, promote and protect the exercise of the fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression during such gatherings, and not try to stymie or prevent the assemblies.  The provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 must be read and applied purposively to achieve this, and not applied narrowly, slavishly or technically to frustrate its purpose, as well as the purpose of Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

The police have in effect had more than 10 days’ notice of the planned event.  The fact that the police have been speaking about the gathering is itself evidence of their knowledge.  The police must not be pedantic in looking at the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.  The notice period of 10 days in the Act is not intended to prevent an assembly, but to allow time for the police to make arrangements to facilitate an orderly and safe assembly. The police should therefore have been spending the time engaging with the organisers on this basis, instead of thumping their chests and rattling their sabres.

On various occasions in the past, the police have demonstrated that they can work with organisers of public assemblies to allow participants to walk or assemble, and openly and outwardly express their viewpoints, in safety.   We commend these positive and salutary examples.  It is thus evident that, with proper liaising and cooperation, it is possible for the police and the organisers to work together to ensure that these events proceed smoothly and peacefully. 

The Malaysian Bar reiterates that we support and defend the principle of any individual or group’s fundamental freedom to speak, assemble or walk in order to publicly and openly promote and publicise a cause, if that freedom is exercised responsibly and peacefully.  We call on the police and Government to always protect and promote the freedoms of assembly and expression in a fair and equitable manner.  We also remind organisers of public assemblies of their responsibility to take all reasonable action to ensure a peaceful assembly.

 

Christopher Leong

President

Malaysian Bar

Najib Announces 11 Measures To Slash Public Sector Expenditure

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Monday announced 11 measures to slash public sector expenditure beginning Jan 1, 2014, one of which is the reduction by 10 per cent of the entertainment allowance of ministers and deputy ministers.

These measures are in accordance with the government's desire to practise more prudent spending in the new year, he said in a statement issued here.

He said the decision to introduce the measures was made following a discussion with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Najib said the government would also reduce the entertainment allowance of senior government officers on the Jusa C Grade and above by between five and 10 per cent.

Furthermore, the toll facility for senior government officers would also be reduced by between RM50 and RM100 or 30 per cent, he said.

Najib, who is also the finance minister, said the government would also amend the eligibility for domestic and international flight tickets for civil servants, whereby civil servants on the Jusa C Grade and below will only be eligible for the economy class on domestic flights.

The government would also reduce by five per cent the electricity utility cost at all ministries, departments, agencies and government premises, he said.

The prime minister said the government would freeze fresh applications for renovation of government offices while optimising use of existing office space to reduce rental of offices premises.

Najib said the government would tighten the appointment of consultants for government physical projects, including the conducting of feasibility studies.

The proposal for appointment of these consultants would have to be submitted to the National Development Planning Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government for prior approval.

Najib said the government would also cut down on the use of event management companies as well as the awarding of door gifts or souvenirs during government conferences or events involving members of the administration and civil servants.

He also said that the government would reduce the food and drinks as well as the use of buntings and banners when organising conferences, seminars, meetings, courses, workshops or any official government function.

The government would also apply the National Blue Ocean Strategy approach by optimising the use of the 1Malaysia Training Centre (1MTC) and facilities at government-owned training institutions for organising courses, seminar and workshops, he said.