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Monday, 14 July 2014

Iraq gunmen target prostitutes in shocking slaughter of 33 people including 29 women

A police officer described ­gruesome scenes in Zayouna, eastern Baghdad after a raid by men wearing plain clothes and camouflage
 
Gunmen appeared to be ­targeting prostitutes in Iraq last night after 33 people, 29 of them women, were slaughtered in two apartment buildings.

A police officer described ­gruesome scenes in Zayouna, eastern Baghdad after a raid by men wearing plain clothes and camouflage.

He said: “We saw women’s bodies and blood streaming down the stairs.

“We entered a flat and found bodies everywhere, some lying on the sofa, some on the ground.

“One woman who had tried to hide in a cupboard in the kitchen was shot to death there.”

An ­inscription left on the door of one of the attacked buildings in a housing complex read: “This is the fate of any prostitution.”

At least 18 people were ­wounded during the massacre.

Shia militias have been accused by locals of carrying out killings of women branded as prostitutes in that district of the capital.

Last night it was not possible to ­confirm who was responsible for the latest in a series of ­atrocities committed by rival Sunni and Shia fighters in Iraq.

Sunni group Isis is fighting to control land in Iraq and Syria

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/iraq-gunmen-target-prostitutes-shocking-3849421#ixzz37ORIphXh
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Bolton aid worker who delivered Syrian supplies arrested over alleged sexual assault and indecent images

A Bolton aid worker, who has led several life-saving missions to Syria, has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenager and possession of child porn.

Kasim Jameel, 33, of Farnworth, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman and possessing an indecent image of a child.

He is now being questioned in police custody.

A police spokesman said: “A man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation.

"The 33-year-old man was arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman and possessing an indecent image of a child.

“He remains in police custody for questioning and enquiries are continuing.”

Mr Jameel has made the 3,000-mile journey to war-torn Syria 11 times over the last 18 months to provide vital aid for its people in the form of food and critical medical equipment.

However, in a recent BBC documentary he criticised border control officials claiming he and others are treated like potential terrorists.

He and his team of nine were held up at the UK border for hours while police searched their food-packed ambulances.

They also quizzed the group about their views on Isis, the Jihad and the murder of Fusilier Drummer Lee Rigby.

“They put us down as being guilty for something – they see us as potential terrorists,” Mr Jameel told MM.

The UK authorities argue that Brits, including charity workers, could be radicalised by what they see and become involved in terrorism if they go to Syria, which Kasim dismisses.

“I can’t imagine anyone getting radicalised by going to a refugee camp,” he said.

Image courtesy of BBC, via Youtube, with thanks

World Cup final: Germany defeats Argentina in extra time

CNN) -- Never bet against Germany.

In a world where so much can change so quickly, perhaps it is reassuring that there is one constant which remains.

The nation which had ripped Brazil's dreams to shreds in the semifinals, won its fourth World Cup after a tense 1-0 victory over Argentina Sunday.

Mario Gotze's strike, seven minutes from the end of extra time, ensured Germany ended its 24-year wait for glory at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium.

For all the doubters who said that no European side would or could ever win the World Cup on South American soil, there was one team which refused to listen.

Lazy stereotypes often abound when describing German football.

The words 'organized', 'ruthless' or 'machine' are bandied about along with that other cliché, 'efficient.'

To use those words to describe this German side would not only do it a disservice -- it would ignore the wonderful talent which passes through the veins of each and every player.

Germany has long threatened to rule the world.



In 2006, it came close, bowing out at the semifinal stage after a painful defeat by Italy in a tournament held in its own country.

Two years later, it was beaten in the final of the European Championships by Spain before the same opposition ended its World Cup dream in South Africa.

At Euro 2012, Italy once again was its nemesis as Germany fell at the semifinal stage of Euro 2012.

Nobody doubted Germany's talent -- but critics said it did not have the ability to get over the winning line.

The sight of Bastian Schweinsteiger, bloodied and bruised, provided all the insight you needed into the psyche of this German team.

It can do ugly -- but it can do beautiful too.

That beauty was there for all to see when Gotze took Andre Schurrle's cross on his chest and volleyed the ball past the Sergio Romero's despairing dive.

But in Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, it has steel, in Schweinsteiger it has a warrior and in Thomas Muller it has a man who can do everything.

Few could begrudge Germany this success -- it has been the team of the 2014 World Cup.

Germany has thrilled in this tournament. Its 4-0 victory over Portugal was sublime; its 7-1 thrashing of Brazil was mesmerizing.

But this win, secured through guts, fight and a moment of magic from one of its bright new stars showed that Germany overcame the most difficult hurdle of all.

With the game deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, substitute Gotze provided the game's defining moment with a touch of magic.

The Bayern Munich star took Schurrle's pass on his chest before displaying exquisite technique to volley the ball past Sergio Romero.

Argentina, which was beaten by West Germany 1-0 at the 1990 World Cup, rallied briefly but failed to find an equalizer.

Even with the mercurial Lionel Messi in attack, Argentina were unable to take the game to penalties -- not that it deserved to.

For all the talk of Messi, it was left to another wonderful talent and his left foot to steal the headlines with the decisive goal.

At least Brazil could smile once again -- there is not enough beer in the entire country to distract from the prospect of an Argentine party on the Copacabana.

Argentina failed to muster a single shot on target during the contest -- and yet it will walk away ruing three wonderful chances to have won the tie.

With 20 minutes played, Toni Kroos, so impressive throughout the tournament, inexplicably headed the ball over his own defense for Gonzalo Higuain to run through on goal.

The Napoli striker did everything right. He took a touch, allowed the ball to move slightly in front of him and with just Manuel Neuer to beat, then somehow shanked his effort horribly wide.

As Higuain stood still in disbelief and his teammates held their heads in their hands, Germany breathed again.

For a side so assured in its 7-1 victory over Brazil, Germany were rattled by a couple of team changes -- just before the final and soon after the game had started.

Deprived of Sami Khedira through injury after the midfielder suffered an injury just before kickoff, Germany's shape was disrupted further when replacement Christoph Kramer was forced off following a heavy clash with Ezequiel Garay.

As Germany regrouped the South American side constantly looked to use the flanks to exploit a lack of pace in their opponents' defense.

It was from the right flank which Argentina created the move it thought had provided the crucial breakthrough.

Ezequiel Lavezzi found space on the right before delivering the perfect cross for Higuain to fire home from close range.

As Higuain wheeled away to celebrate and those draped in blue and white danced with joy, the flag of the assistant referee was held aloft after the forward was correctly adjudged to be offside.

Germany, having scored seven in its previous game against Brazil, began to wake from its slumber and only a fine save from Romero prevented Kroos' fierce drive from nestling in the corner.

But with just a minute of the first half remaining, Romero was forced to thank the woodwork as Argentina got out of jail in dramatic circumstances.

Kroos' corner dissected the Argentine defense and Benedikt Howedes flew through the air before sending a thunderous header against the post.

Forced to play 120 minutes during its semifinal against the Netherlands, Argentina showed little signs of tiredness and made a rapid start to the second half.

Once again it was Messi causing problems, this time latching onto Lucas Biglia's through ball before running clear of the German defense.

This was it. This was his moment. The boy from Rosario, the boy who left home at 13 and moved halfway across the world to Barcelona to become the world's greatest. Destiny beckoned.

He'd been here so many times before. The ball was in his stride, the goalkeeper was advancing, the net was supposed to bulge.

But it didn't. Messi dragged his shot wide. Argentine hearts sank, Germans stood relieved, almost open mouthed. Messi looked bewildered. Proof that the world's best player is human after all.

Having seen Argentina contrive to miss two wonderful opportunities, perhaps those in German shirts believed this would be their night.

It certainly had chances to win the contest before the end of 90 minutes with Kroos firing wide from 20-yards, while Schurrle failed to control the ball after moving in on goal.

With an extra day's rest following its semifnal victory over Brazil, Schurrle brought out a sharp save from Romero as Germany picked up the tempo.

But Argentina remained a threat on the counter attack and substitute Rodrigo Palacio should have done better than hook his effort high and wide after being played through on goal.

With tired limbs and minds beginning to show, the pace of the contest slowed with both sets of players struggling to create any kind of chance.

Challenges began to fly in with Javier Mascherano fortunate to escape a second yellow card, while Schweinsteiger was left with a blood pouring from his face after a clash with Sergio Aguero.

Penalties seemed inevitable. And then it happened.

Schurrle, found space down the left and his cross picked out Gotze, who took the ball on his chest before volleying the ball past Romero and into the far corner.

It was a goal worthy of winning any World Cup -- a wonderful strike which came with just seven minutes of the contest remaining.

Argentina tried to respond but while minds were willing, bodies were not. Messi was anonymous, his final effort from a free kick sailing high into the stand.

Those in white turned towards the center circle, the sight of gleaming gold trophy was there for all to see.

A campaign which began with the thrashing with Portugal ended with victory over the team which so many had tipped for victory.

Perhaps Argentina should have known. Never bet against Germany.

Fatal shootout in Pulau Mabul as Najib visits Sabah

 
A fatal gunfire exchange was reported in Semporna last night, just as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was in Kota Kinabalu last night drumming up his coalition's morale.

According to a source in Sabah this morning, a marine police Corporal Rajah Jamuan was reported killed, while his colleague Constable Zakia Aleip is believed to be have been abducted.

Eight gunmen in military uniform, suspected to be Filipinos, were reported landing on Mabul Island off Semporna at 11.10pm.

According to the source, the police were tipped off by locals who heard gunfire at the eatery and office of a resort on the island.

It is also understood that a semi-automatic M16 rifle was missing following the attack.

This incident follows a string of kidnappings since the major Sulu incursion last year, with the last three taking place on a monthly basis discounting a failed attempt on July 7.

It also comes in the face of Najib's revamp of the Sabah Eastern Security Command (Esscom) after severe criticism over the government's failure to stem kidnappings despite setting up the security zone and spending millions.

According to Bernama, Najib was in the state capital on the other side of the state speaking to Sabah BN leaders to shore up the coalition's "fixed deposit", promising goodies from Petronas.

The PM has since left Sabah for his itinerary in Pahang today, and later in the afternoon tweeted, "My condolences to the family of Corporal Rajah Jamuan who fell in Mabul.

"We will do all we can to find and rescue Constable Zakia Aleip."

'Security forces being targetted'

Meanwhile according to Bernama, newly-appointed Esscom operations director Abdul Rashid Harun told the national news agency today the insurgents used heavy arms in the ambush when the marine policemen were at the Mabul Water Bungalow Resort, Pulau Mabul.    

Speaking to reporters in Semporna, Abd Rashid said in the attack, the suspects were attired in jungle fatigue pants, black coloured clothes and their face covered.    

According to Abdul Rashid, after the attack, the group fled to the waters of a neighbouring country.      -

"The group had wanted to kidnap someone at the resort but attacked the two policemen instead.

"This is the first fatality involving a security force personnel in preventing a kidnap here," he said

He did not rule out the possibility of the criminals targeting Malaysian security members following measures, including strict enforcement, by the Malaysian authorities in the country's territorial waters.   

"I want to remind members from all security agencies in the Esscom area to be more careful and always to be prepared for any eventualities," he added.

Local representatives have been slamming the government for not taking the Sabah east coast security situation seriously.

Both State Reform Party (Star Sabah) chairperson Jeffrey Kitingan and Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) chief and Tamparuli assemblyperson Wilfred Bumburing have warned that foreigners with Malaysian ICs found in the security forces pose a great danger.

Bumburing in April also lamented the government had ignored numerous calls for reinforcements while intruders into Sabah's maritime border carried out kidnapping after kidnapping.

Security boost hoorah shortlived

Ironically Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman at an event with Najib last night hailed the Esscom restructuring exercise saying it brings hope the east coast would be "safeguarded effectively". 

The latest incursion also comes no sooner when Najib at the same event announced reinforcements to secure the troubled maritime border.

Bernama reported Najib saying the Bunga Mas 5 naval vessel owned by Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad, will be stationed in Sabah's east coast off waters bordering the Philippines, to boost ESSCom's strength.   

He said the vessel which would function as the 'mother ship' would be manned by a security force team and equipped with speed boats to curb cross border crime.   

"But the cooperation of the people is also important. If we leak information to the enemy, then they might be able to elude the defence system in the state.

"I hope this can be avoided. Otherwise, any system however modern can be infiltrated if someone is there to give them the information," he cautioned.   

He said this at a gathering and breaking of fast with state and federal leaders here tonight.   

Najib who is also finance minister said two radar-equipped Petronas oil rigs would also be stationed off Semporna and Lahad Datu waters as the hindmost defence line.     -

He said the whole set up would be implemented within six months in line with its recent restructuring.   

Najib said as national security director, he would be returning to Sabah again soon for a working visit and to reveal other initiatives on the development and security of the state.

Additional reporting by Gary Louis Supi  

Yes, Negara-Ku has an agenda, Ambiga tells Utusan

Negara-Ku’s agenda is to promote unity, peace and harmony, say its founders. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, July 13, 2014.Newly formed Negara-Ku’s agenda is to promote unity, peace and harmony, and those who criticise it are trying to deflect Malaysians from issues of racism and extremism, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said today.

“Of course, Negara-Ku has an agenda. It is an agenda for unity, peace and harmony,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider in a text message.

“Everyone who loves this country should support this agenda. Those who criticise it are merely trying to deflect from the pressing issues of racism and extremism that threaten the fabric of our nation. What is their agenda, I wonder?”

The former Bersih co-chairperson was responding to Awang Selamat’s column in Utusan Malaysia today slamming the newly formed non-governmental organisation (NGO) as a smokescreen to further Ambiga’s political ambition.

Awang, a pseudonym for Utusan’s collective editors, had demanded that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) reject any formal application from Negara-Ku unless its name was changed to “AgendaKu”.

"Let it remain an illegal body, unless the name is changed to AgendaKu. That is more befitting Ambiga's record and reputation," said Awang today in Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia.

Ambiga said she and national laureate Datuk A Samad Said were only patrons of the movement, and that she had never claimed it was her own personal initiative.

“It is a movement of the people set up by concerned citizens and NGOs and chaired by the respected Zaid Kamaruddin.

“We accepted the honour of being patrons because the cause is timely and most worthy.”

The former Bar Council president said any action taken by RoS must be within the boundaries of the law.

She said checks by Negara-Ku’s members found there was nothing unlawful in adopting such a name.

“We have examined it ourselves and can see no legal impediment to our use of the name Negara-Ku (not Negaraku).

“Nevertheless, we continue to be inspired by our beautiful national anthem that unites all Malaysians.”

She said Negara-Ku was an initiative by concerned citizens unable to remain on the sidelines while leaders did nothing to stop certain quarters from destroying the nation’s harmony.

The new movement was launched on Thursday to heal Malaysia and restore hope, given the recent challenges that continue to threaten the peace and harmony of its multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Touted as the "people's movement to reclaim our nation", it is chaired by Zaid, the secretary-general of Ikram, and its patrons are Ambiga and Samad.

Some 68 civil society groups and NGOs have endorsed Negara-Ku, which is aimed at mobilising and empowering people to return to the basics of the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and Rukunegara.

Ambiga had previously said the movement sought to provide the correct information to meet the challenges facing Malaysian society.

This would be done through videos, social media and forums and talks “to get people to listen, to question and to think," she said recently.

Awang Selamat today said Negara-Ku was a desperate platform to restore the image of the opposition pact, namely PKR and DAP.

It said that after failing many times to garner the support of the rakyat, including through the Bersih rallies, Ambiga was now hiding behind the name Negara-Ku, which was similar to the national anthem.

"The excuse that this NGO supposedly wants to encourage harmony, tackle extremism and racism is just a smokescreen. It is disgusting.

"In Malaysia, anybody can form an NGO but do not use the name Negaraku, especially for political purposes. Do not think you are so honourable, for I worry that this will attract extremism.

"Many know who Ambiga is. The anger of Malaysians, particularly Muslims, over numerous issues has yet to die down," he said in the column titled "Agenda Ambiga?"

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/yes-negara-ku-has-an-agenda-ambiga-tells-utusan#sthash.0Uq8w4Nh.dpuf

Utusan tells ROS to reject Negara-ku

The Umno backed paper dismisses the group as an opposition lackey.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno backed daily Utusan Malaysia has urged the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to reject Negara-ku, an NGO launched last Thursday with the declared aim of fostering unity among Malaysians.

The paper, in its weekly editorial column Bisik-bisik Awang Selamat, questioned the motive behind the formation of the group, suggesting that it was to serve the parliamentary opposition’s agenda.

It also questioned its decision to take as its name the title of the national anthem.

It dismissed Negara-ku’s stated objective—“to foster racial harmony and fight racism”—as mere theatrics, saying the group was formed in a desperate attempt to restore the opposition’s image.

Negara-ku is a coalition of 68 civic organisations. It is led by former Bersih chief S Ambiga, national laureate A Samad Said and former Suhakam chairman Simon Sipaun.

Ambiga said on Thursday that it had no political intentions and did not serve any political party.

She said its purpose was to reaffirm Malaysians’ commitment to the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Agreement and Rukun Negara in the light of recent signs that racial and religious extremism were on the rise.

In Malaysia, Islam’s legal advance divides families and nation

Reuters

Deepa Subramaniam would not let go of her son, clinging to five―year―old Mithran’s leg even as the car into which he had been bundled began to accelerate.

The 30―year―old, a Hindu in Muslim―majority Malaysia, says she was dragged along the stone―strewn road outside her house until she dropped to the ground, scratched and sobbing, as her ex―husband drove off.

The alleged abduction on April 9, detailed by Subramaniam in a police report and witnessed by a neighbour, was a painful loss for the mother―of―two, who has not seen Mithran since and fears her ex―spouse’s conversion to Islam will win him custody.

The case has become a focal point of tensions over the widening role of Islam, which critics say is threatening Malaysia’s secular core and exacerbating fraught relations between ethnic Malays, who are Muslims, and minority Chinese and Indians.

Subramaniam’s estranged spouse converted from Hinduism to Islam in 2012, after their nine―year marriage broke down, taking the name Izwan Abdullah.

He then converted Mithran and their now eight―year―old daughter to Islam, giving him a strong case under Islamic law, or Shariah, to take over their custody ― which a Shariah court granted him five months later.

“In five minutes, the children read some verses and were converted,” said Subramaniam. “In 10 years, he never gave us money, he enjoyed his life and abandoned me countless times. Under what characteristic are they giving my children to him?”

Subramaniam fought back, last year obtaining a court protection order based on her accounts of domestic violence and in April winning a high court ruling that dissolved their marriage and gave her custody of the children.

Two days later Izwan took Mithran from outside her home in the town of Seremban, 60 km (37 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur.

Reuters attempted to contact Izwan through his lawyers but did not receive a response. In April, he told The Star newspaper that he had taken the boy because he feared his ex―wife would turn the children away from Islam.

Secular or Islamic?

In Subramaniam’s custody battle, and another similar case, Malaysia’s national police chief, Khalid Abu Bakar, has declined to act on judges’ orders for children to be returned to their mothers, citing competing orders from the civil courts and state Shariah courts. His stance has been backed by the home minister.

Legal experts say that is an unprecedented challenge to the secular courts’ authority.

Politicians and activists pushing for Islam to play a bigger role in society have been on the advance since a May 2013 election that further polarised the nation and left the government more reliant on Malay and Islamic conservatives.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who casts himself globally as a leader of Islamic moderation, is accused by critics of failing to take a stand against emboldened Islamic officials and courts as he seeks to shore up his party’s core Malay vote.

“After the elections last year, somebody seems to have stepped on the gas pedal and we are moving much more headlong to a situation where Islam is enforced through all these institutions of state,” said Andrew Khoo, a prominent lawyer.

Shariah courts operate at the state level and have been limited to Muslim family matters. Law experts say they had been recognised as subordinate to civil courts, but the legal lines have become blurred as Shariah courts have expanded their powers in recent years to areas such as homosexuality and gambling.

“The civil courts have totally abdicated whenever there is a whiff of an Islamic issue,” said Shad Faruqi, a law professor at Malaysian university UiTM. “We are witnessing a situation where a silent re―writing of the constitution is taking place.”

Police chief Khalid and the attorney―general, the country’s chief public prosecutor, have applied to the Court of Appeal to intervene to determine the jurisdiction of the courts.

Khalid and the attorney general’s office did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Peace and harmony

Islam’s special role in the former British colony is enshrined in the constitution, which defines it as the religion of the federation. But the same article goes on to say that other religions may be practised in “peace and harmony”, a provision that has been challenged by recent events.

In January, state Islamic authorities raided the office of a Christian group and seized more then 300 copies of Malay language Bibles because they contain the word “Allah”, which Christians here say they have used for centuries.

The use of the word has become a touchstone issue for conservative Muslim groups, who declared victory in a protracted legal battle last month when the nation’s top court ruled that a Catholic newspaper cannot use the word to refer to God. The Islamic body has not returned the Bibles and has said it will seize other publications, defying the attorney general’s position that they are not illegal.

“Najib is a moderate but I think he is under tremendous pressure from certain quarters in the party,” said Saifuddin Abdullah, a former member of the Supreme Council of the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) who now heads the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation set up by Najib.

“We are not the only ones who counsel him.”

The minister for Islamic Affairs, Jamil Khir Baharom, said in June that Malaysia was not a secular state and that the government was working to expand Shariah.

Conversions, custody battles

Najib’s cabinet said in 2009 that conversions by one parent should be halted, but the decision was never passed into law. Rights advocates say it is mostly husbands who convert to Islam seeking an upper hand in custody disputes. Non―Muslims are not allowed to appear in Shariah courts.

“It becomes a weapon to wield power over a wife ― ‘not only can I wield power over you, but so can the whole state apparatus’,” said Ivy Josiah, executive―director of the Women’s Aid Organisation.

In one case, Hindu school teacher Indira Gandhi has been waiting four years for police to act on a high court ruling that her convert husband should hand back her daughter, now six. In May, a high court cited the ex―husband for contempt.

Subramaniam has filed more than 20 police reports against Izwan since their marriage began to disintegrate and said he had shown no interest in the Islamic faith before they separated. Police chief Khalid was reported in April as saying that Izwan was being investigated over four of those reports.

She says she receives regular calls from government officials urging her to convert to Islam as an “easy” way to get Mithran back.

“I was given custody but he has my child; there’s no justice in Malaysia,” said Subramaniam. “No religion tells us to separate a mother from her children.”

Muhyiddin should present to October Parliament a Higher Education Masterplan to produce at least two world-class universities by 2020 instead of allowing Malaysian universities to become recruiting grounds for terrorists for Islamic State (IS) war in Syria and Iraq

By Lim Kit Siang,

The admission by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi that local tertiary institutions have become recruiting grounds for militants and that Dr. Mahmud Ahmad, senior lecturer with University of Malaya (UM)’s Department of Akidah and Islamic Thought, the Academy of Islamic Studies, was among five individuals wanted by the police for militant activities have catapulted Malaysian universities to unwanted national and international attention and publicity.

Instead of producing world-class universities in keeping with the Vision 2020 objective to achieve developed nation status, Malaysian universities have for the past decade been a national embarrassment, annually confirming the absence of world-class universities in Malaysia.

Malaysia was completely absent from the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2013-2014 for the world’s top 400 University.

For the second year running, Malaysia failed to get on the list of the 2014 Times Higher Education (THE) Top 100 Universities under 50 years old – although four Asian universities are ranked among the top 10 of the world’s young universities, two from South Korea, one from Hong Kong and one from Singapore. In Malaysia, all the public universities except for University of Malaya, are under 50 years old.

Malaysia was also excluded from the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2014 for the Top 100 Universities, although 14 universities from Asia were included – five from Japan, two from Singapore, three from South Korea, one from China, two from Hong Kong and one from Taiwan.

Last month, in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2014, Malaysia was again conspicuously omitted among the top 100 Asian universities.

Five countries were represented in the top 10 of the Asian university rankings – Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and China.
University Of Tokyo emerged top among Asian universities followed by the National University of Singapore.

University of Hong Kong, Seoul National University and China’s Peking University clinched the third, fourth and fifth spots respectively.

Singapore has two highly placed universities in the ranking, NUS at second spot and Nanyang Technological University at 11th position.

Hong Kong was named the star performer by THE, given its size, and the fact that it had six universities the top 50 of the ranking.

Even India made outstanding progress with 10 institutions in the top 100, compared with only three last year.

Thailand was in the top 100 list with two universities, King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi, which rose five places to joint 50th and Mahidol University (No.82).

The Middle East was also well represented, with universities from Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Turkey making the list.

But there was not a single university from Malaysia in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2014, which is most shameful and mortifying for Malaysians as in the fifties and sixties, University of Malaya was one of the world-class universities comparable in academic excellence with universities like Universities of Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney.

Now, after 57 years of Merdeka and 51 years of Malaysia, University of Malaya has not only been left behind by its previous peers, including Universities of Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, all our universities are regarded as far inferior to foreign tertiary institutions which had not been highly regarded by Malaysians in the past.

Instead of producing world-class universities, Malaysian universities are hitting the international headline for the wrong reasons such as becoming recruiting grounds of terrorists for IS (Islamic State) in their current “war” in Syria and Iraq.

Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, whose Education Ministry has swallowed up the separate Higher Education Ministry after the general election last year, should present a Higher Education Masterplan for October Parliament to produce at least two world-class Malaysians universities by 2020 instead of allowing Malaysian universities to become recruiting ground for terrorists for Islamic State (IS) war in Syria and Iraq.

If Najib and Muhyiddin are serious in wanting to achieve the objective of Malaysia becoming a developed nation by 2020, then it is all the more urgent and imperative that they ensure that Malaysia can produce two world-class universities by 2020, for there is no country in the world that has achieved developed status without first producing world-class universities.