'Might as well expect Rosmah to cook for you'

Firebomb on Kosher Eatery in Paris

Several Muslims called the diners at the restaurant 'dirty Jews' before the firebomb was thrown.

A firebomb was thrown at a kosher Jewish restaurant in the 17th district of Paris at week's end.

Several minutes earlier, some young Muslims who walked by the restaurant threatened the diners inside and called them “dirty Jews.” The diners did not react.

A few minutes passed, and a loud smash was heard when a firebomb hit the restaurant's door. The diners managed to see a group of Muslims running away as the firebomb ignited, starting a fire, which the restaurant's employees succeeded in putting out. None of the restaurant-goers was hurt.

The restaurant door was reportedly made of tempered glass, a factor which may have saved the clients inside the eatery from harm.

Police were called in and they examined security camera footage as part of the investigation.

The restaurant is mehadrin-kosher and serves the religious Jews in the area.

Christian couple lynching: Six-year-old narrates details of his parents' murder

LAHORE: Narrating the horrific events that led to the death of his parents, the six-year-old son of the Christian couple lynched and burnt to death over alleged blasphemy said his parents were tortured, dragged in the neighbourhood tied to a tractor and then thrown in a kiln.

Sajjad Masih and his wife Shama Bibi – brick kiln workers from Chak-59 of Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur – were brutally killed on November 4 for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.

Speaking to Express News after a prayer ceremony held for his parents, the son said the mob attacked their house and beat up his parent before tying them to a tractor and dragging them around in the area. According to his account, the couple was then thrown in the furnace.

Father of Shama, who had been taking care of the children since the incident, said he fears for his and his grandchildren’s lives and is changing locations for safety reasons.

Calling for public execution of his daughter’s murderers, the father said strict action should be taken against the culprits.

Since the incident took place, police have arrested many suspects, however, the main accused is still at large.

Setting the record straight, Shama’s father also said the picture shown in the media as Shama’s was in fact her niece’s. He said he will soon reveal the picture of his daughter once he gains access to her belongings which are currently in police custody.

PAS Dewan Ulama calls transgender decision a challenge to Islamic law

The appellate court's decision that a Shariah law preventing cross-dressing by men is unconstitutional is a challenge to the status of Islamic law in the country, the PAS Dewan Ulama said today.

Information chief Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the position of Islamic law has been acknowledged in the Federal Constitution but it is now being challenged by the appellate court's decision," Khairuddin said in a statement.

On Friday, the Court of Appeal ruled that Section 66 of the Negri Sembilan Shariah Criminal Enactment 1992, was illegal.

The section outlaws any Muslim man from wearing "a woman's attire and posing as a woman”. It carries a punishment of a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or jail of not more than six months or both.

A three-man bench, led by Justice Datuk Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, ruled that Section 66 of the Shariah law in the state contravened constitutional provisions that guarantee personal liberty, equality, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression.

It also said the particular law was discriminatory as it fails to recognise men diagnosed with the Gender Identity Disorder (GID), or transgenderism.

"The decision on Friday has now become a challenge towards the position of Islamic law in Malaysia," Khairuddin said.

Besides challenging the position of Islam, Khairuddin also pointed out that the decision had cast doubt on how far the sanctity and sovereignty of Islam was upheld.

He rejected the appellate court's decision saying that Islam had been recognised as the official religion of the Federation and should not be analysed through colonial views.

"The recognition of Islam as the official religion of the Federation should not be interpreted through colonial views.

"Islam should be interpreted as a way of life with all of its laws considered as the highest interpretation in Malaysia."

Khairuddin expressed concern that this would have a big implication on the future of Shariah laws being used in cases.

"This decision will open more spaces for other quarters to come forward and dispute the validity of Shariah laws at state levels," he said.

There will be quarters who will openly challenge Islamic practices and virtues because they feel they will be protected by the Federal Constitution, he warned.

Khairuddin said the PAS Dewan Ulama urged the religious authorities of Negri Sembilan to file an appeal with the Federal Court. – November 9, 2014.

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Let Malaysians support justice, freedom beyond borders, Anwar tells Putrajaya

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged Putrajaya to stop treating activism against human rights violations in other countries by Malaysians as objectionable, as it does not interfere with other nations’ affairs.

Throwing his support for those highlighting atrocities against Tamils in Sri Lanka, the PKR de facto head said Malaysians should be allowed to help promote freedom and justice wherever abuses occur.

“If there is gross injustice, the killings must be stopped,” he said at the closing of the Penang International Tamil Conference in George Town. “That is a consistent, coherent principle.”

In a similar vein, he said Malaysian should also offer support to any marginalised ethnic group, like the Indians, in their own country.

“The Indian problem in terms of poverty, marginalisation, poor access to education, is a national problem. It is not an Indian problem,” he said at the conference organised by the Penang Society for Advancement of Tamils.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister (II) Prof P. Ramasamy and special guest Vaiko, a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu who is general secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) party.

At a press conference later, Anwar said authorities, particularly the Home Ministry, must give space for people to present their human rights causes, particularly for strong and compelling cases that have “incontrovertible evidence”.

“If we want the Indians or Tamils to be concerned about Gaza (where Palestinians are oppressed), we must also show some concern about the Tamil's plight,” he said.

“If as a Muslim I want to make sure the Muslims are not discriminated elsewhere, I don’t want Hindus to be discriminated in my country,” he added.

Commenting on government actions, such as the police move to stop the screening of the documentary "No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka" in Kuala Lumpur last year, Anwar said it is disconcerting that there are growing signs of intolerance in Malaysia.

“What can’t you allow some members of a community – it can be Tamils, it can be others – who are trying to voice their concerns about the atrocities in Sri Lanka?” he said.

“If the Sri Lankan authorities or government want to counter they can always give their view, their explanation.

“But how can you deny an issue which is known and accepted by the international community?” Anwar said.

Ramasamy said the conference, which also saw participation by non-Indians, has shown that non-Indians can also speak out about Indian issues. He said it represented moving away from any “narrow-minded” ethnic approach where groups only fight for their own causes.

Ramasamy said he himself was involved in the international peace talks for Aceh a decade ago. “People were wondering what a Tamil has got to do with it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vaiko said the conference today adopted the "Penang Declaration". Among its eight resolutions was a call for a United Nations-monitored referendum for a sovereign Tamil Eelam, an independent state on the island of Sri Lanka.

It said the referendum should be conducted among Tamils descended from the northern and eastern regions of the island of Sri Lanka, as well as the Tamil diaspora from there, including refugees.

Vaiko said the move was encouraged by the recent independence referendum in Scotland, which has not even seen the level of persecution or oppression as during the recent genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

“The clarion call has been given from this Penang Conference. We are hopeful this will lead to the twilight, the twilight to the suffering of the Tamils," he added.

South African delegate Pregasen Padayachee said the Solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka, of which he is the secretary, together with the South African Tamil Federation will hold the next international Tamil conference in Durban either in late 2015 or early 2016. – November 9, 2014.

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After two-month hiatus, Khalid to make comeback with new NGO

Fresh from his sacking from PKR, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is expected to start a new non-governmental organisation called "Taski" – it is an acronym of his own name – to serve the people under his Federal and state constituencies.

The NGO, with some help from PAS, will focus on charity work, according to Roslan Baharom, a community leader in Bandar Tun Razak, where Khalid is the MP. Bandar Tun Razak is in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

"Khalid will spearhead this NGO, and with some support from PAS, I think he will pull it off," Roslan said.

One of the programmes lined-up for the NGO is the "Sajian Rakyat" programme (The People's Meal), scheduled in the next few weeks to introduce the NGO and jumpstart Khalid's commitment to assist residents in his constituency.

Roslan told The Malaysian Insider that a discussion between Khalid and PAS representatives was held in Kuala Lumpur recently.

He said the Federal Territories PAS has given the green light for the party's division to assist Khalid in his endeavour.

"The reason why Khalid decided to form the NGO is to avoid unnecessary crisis between the Islamist party and PKR since he was sacked from the party on August 9,

"We hope it will not be a problem because, after all, Khalid is working as an NGO and not representing any political party," he said.

Roslan said that if there is enough allocation, Taski plans to hold the "Sajian Rakyat" programme every week. At the moment, he added that Khalid has personally promised to allocate RM5,000 for each of the upcoming programmes.

"We have not decided whether to hold it on a weekly basis. Even if that did not materialise, we have other programmes planned," he added.

It was understood that some of the committee members included those who used to work with Khalid when he was the Selangor menteri besar.

They include former CEO of Menteri Besar Incorporated, Faekah Husin, who is now Khalid's special officer for both Bandar Tun Razak and Port Klang.

Faekah, in a statement recently, said Khalid has never neglected his duties either as an assemblyman or MP and is currently working on programmes to help residents in both areas.

She also brushed off rumours that Khalid wanted to resign, saying that he was on a break and is now starting to get back to his duties.

PKR had sacked him in August after he failed to attend a disciplinary committee hearing over allegations concerning the Selangor water-restructuring exercise, his debt settlement with Bank Islam and the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).

All these came amid a tussle for the Selangor menteri's besar position that started early this year, with the PKR leadership wanting him to step down to make way for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The crisis ended when PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was appointed the new menteri besar.

It was reported today that since Khalid stepped down as the menteri besar and became an independent, he has rarely been seen in Port Klang and Bandar Tun Razak.

Residents said they did not even know where his service centres were and whether he would still be able to serve and attend to their complaints. – November 9, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/after-two-month-hiatus-khalid-to-make-comeback-with-new-ngo#sthash.hy66A3tV.dpuf

Wanita Umno wants Sedition Act to stay

 

Umno Wanita today called for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to retain the controversial Sedition Act 1948 in the wake of seditious remarks by certain personalities.

The wing's chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that such remarks are feared to spark "worrying" incidents.

"We, Umno Wanita unanimously disagree the move to abolish the act for the sake of the nation security and harmony," she said at a briefing on the Sedition Act for the wing in Kuala Lumpur.

"I believe security and harmony issue stand above the religious, ethnicity and political understanding.

"Many of the people we spoke to fear that the current issues may cause something worrying to erupt, especially in issues relates to religious, race and royal institution," she said.

Shahrizat (middle in picture) said many issues raised by those spoken to are caused by seditious remarks and freedom on social media.

As such, the wing will submit a memorandum to urge the premier to postpone the abolishment, she said.

It will also embark on a one-million-signature petition campaign so the voices of those against the abolition will be heard in cabinet.

Najib had in 2012 promised to repeal the Sedition Act but this year said the government is undecided on whether to repeal it, retain it or replace it with the National Harmony Act.

Harmony Act insufficient

Meanwhile, Shahrizat opined that the National Harmony Act may not be able to ensure the security of the nation.

However, she was unable to articulate what is lacking in the proposed draft of the Bills.

The drafts were proposed by the National Unity Consultative Council with assistance by the Bar Council.

Although the government has stressed that this is not the official draft, Shahrizat still reminded the authorities to not just listen to the Bar Council.

"The women's voices must be heard before any decision on the abolition of Sedition Act and the drafting of new law," said Shahrizat, who trained as a lawyer.

She also claimed that public feedback showed that women especially feared for the nation’s security, but could not furnish statistics to support this.

"We will get you the one-million signature," she told a press conference after a closed-door forum dubbed "Understand the Sedition Act" organised by its legal bureau.

Shahrizat said the wing will also embark on a nationwide roadshow to warn the public on the importance of the Sedition Act, which critics say is draconian.

Among the speakers at the closed-door function today were former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan (above) and pro-Sedition Act activist lawyer Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz.

The duo also called for the Act to stay, further advocating that it be amended to introduce the death penalty for repeat offenders.

Another panellist was Salahuddin Saidin, a former deputy public prosecutor turned barrister.

Media were not allowed to observe the forum, but was invited to take a photograph of about 400 Wanita Umno members raising their hands in support of the Sedition Act and the revival of Internal Security Act (ISA).

However, Shahrizat made no mention of the ISA during the press conference.

Mum on NFC

She also refused to comment on the National Feedlot Corporation scandal, involving her family members, stressing that she will only speak of the topic today.

She was asked if her family had suffered from financial problems after the NFC’s assets and accounts were frozen following the Auditor’s General  Report on the firm’s National Feedlot Centre (NFC).

The firm was given a soft loan of RM250 million to run the project, but the audit found targets were not met.

The firm’s chairperson and Shahrizat’s husband, Mohamad Salleh Ismail (above) was charged for criminal breach of trust.

The government last week said it will now terminate the firm’s contract.

In response, the company said if not for the “lies” spread by the Opposition, and the government’ failure to build a promised abattoir, NFC would be a success.

SIS dragging Islam to court, says minister

 

NGO Sisters in Islam (SIS), which had been banned by religious authorities through a fatwa, is dragging Islam to the civil court by filing a judicial review against the fatwa, a minister said today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom in a statement said that the High Court had previously rejected a challenge on a fatwa in 2010 on grounds that it cannot intervene in Islamic affairs.

"In 2010, the High Court rejected an application by some sides who tried to challenge a fatwa on the ESQ Leadership Centre Sdn Bhd issue as it ruled it didn't have the jurisdiction to hear cases regarding fatwa and syariah," he said.

SIS was banned from disseminating its views through a fatwa issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) in July for promoting "liberalism and pluralism".

The fatwa also bars other entities from spreading anything published by SIS, and is being challenged by the NGO via a judicial review.

Meanwhile, Jamil Khir (left) asked religious authorities from all states to join hands in overcoming the "resistance" against Islam from people "who have agendas outside Islam."

"It is important for Muslims to be wary of such understandings to protect Islam. Islamic institutions like state religious councils should work together to face the new form of resistance against Islam," he said.

Bi-partisan rally for century-old ashram

 

Politicians from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat today held rallies in a bid by the Indian community to save the century-old Vivekananda Ashram from being affected by a commercial development.

In a rally in front of the 110-year-old ashram today, MIC vice-president M Saravanan (right), MIC Youth leaders, and a good number of Pakatan representatives showed solidarity for the cause.

They were joined by some 300 people, some whom marched across Brickfields’ main thoroughfare pumping up more support for the ashram.

The trustees for the ashram want to develop a 23-storey building behind the ashram, an idea opposed by the leaders of the committee formed to save the ashram, who organised the protest.

PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil were the rare non-Indian politicians to show their support.

Nurul Izzah labelled the ashram as one of the last “souls” of Brickfields.

“We don’t want Brickfields to become another concrete jungle,” she said.

Nurul Izzah said that she also understood the concern of the trustees, who had said that they are unable to maintain the ashram due to a lack of funds.

“We are willing to meet them half-way. But what's important is for the voice of the people to be heard as well,” she said.

“We don’t want this place to lose its soul. And this ashram is one of Brickfields’ souls,” he said.

MIC Youth chief C Sivaraajh meanwhile said that those against redevelopment of the ashram land are willing to engage with the trustees to find a solution to the matter.

“I hope the board of trustees will be compelled not to go ahead with this project,” he said.

“Maybe this ashram can be converted to a library or a cultural centre. If there are any issues and any help needed, we can meet them and try to help,” he added.

‘Peserve buildings that are our identity’

Selanger state executive councillor V Ganabatirau (left) said that Bangsar and Brickfields used to be early Indian settlements but now there is very little left to preserve that identity.

“It’s important to preserve buildings that are our identity,” he said.

Among others in attendance were PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jeyakumar, PKR’s Kapar MP G Manivannan and PKR activist S Jayathas.

The bid to have the general public sign a petition to urge that the ashram land be preserved has also been gaining momentum.

About 48,000 signatures had been collected at the time of writing and the committee said that it is confident of passing the 50,000 mark by the end of the day.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz had also supported keeping the ashram the way it is, but said that his ministry is unable to do anything more as the land belongs to a private entity, held in trust by the board of trustees.

Perkasa says social media twists their struggles

Ibrahim Ali says the group will continue to fight for the Malays and empower the institution of the Malay Rulers.

FMT

KUALA NERUS: Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said the Malay rights group had never carried out any action which could jeopardise the security of the country and that the bad perception created of them was the doing of those in social media who deliberately twisted the news.

Having said that, Ibrahim said Perkasa will hold firmly to the principles of its struggle of defending the sanctity of Islam and the Sedition Act for the security of the nation as well as defending the national language as the unifying language in this country.

Ibrahim added that the organisation would continue to fight for the Malays and empower the institution of the Malay Rulers.

“We do not fear any accusations and slanders hurled against Perkasa as all parties know from record, Perkasa is a clean organisation that struggles within the legal framework,” he said.

He disclosed this to reporters at a special Kuala Nerus Parliamentary Constituency Perkasa Conference, here which was attended by Terengganu Perkasa president Ismail Saamah as well as 200 Perkasa members.

- BERNAMA

Najib Arrives In Beijing For APEC Summit

From Azlina Aziz

BEIJING, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak arrived here Sunday night to attend the two-day 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM), starting tomorrow.

The AELM, themed 'Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership', will be chaired by President Xi Jinping of China.

Najib, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, touched down at the Beijing Capital International Airport here about 8.20pm local time.

He was met on arrival by Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Iskandar Sarudin.

Also present were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, Prime Minister's Department officials, embassy officials (Chinese side) and representatives from Beijing Municipality.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is leading the Malaysian delegation to the summit.

During the 22nd AELM, Najib is scheduled to deliberate on the three priorities of Apec 2014 -- advancing regional economic integration; promoting innovative development, economic reform and growth; and, strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development.

Najib is also scheduled to hold meetings with global leaders to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interests.

The most important is the meeting with Xi and China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang before the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, Iskandar told reporters Najib's meetings with Xi and Li would be the second within months.

The three leaders would take this opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, and of special interest, both countries celebrated the 40th year anniversary of diplomatic relations with the visit by Najib to China in May, he said.

"Malaysia's role and leadership next year and the years ahead are important, especially the country would assume the chairmanship of Asean next year and the election of the country as one of the non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council," he said.

The annual event will bring together economic leaders from the grouping 21 economies to discuss a range of issues, among others strategies for the region's future especially on promoting trade and investment liberalisation, fostering economic integration and facilitating innovative growth.

Apec economies account for 45 per cent of global trade and half of the total gross domestic product.