Saturday, 29 November 2014
Palestinian Preacher at Key Holy Site Calls on Allah to ‘Annihilate America’
A Palestinian Muslim preacher ranted against the United States and Israel at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, where he called on Allah to “annihilate America” and “cut off their heads.”
“Oh Allah, annihilate America and its coalition,” preacher Ali Abu Ahmad said. “Oh Allah, enable us to cut off their heads. Oh Allah, help our brothers, the mujahideen in the land of Iraq and Syria.”
According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which found video of the impromptu sermon and translated it, Abu Ahmad spoke Friday at the Al-Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism and third holiest site to Muslims after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Shouting so he could get the attention of other worshippers and waving his hands to emphasize his points, Abu Ahmad called for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate and appeared to warn against the danger of U.S. military strikes on Islamic State group strongholds.
“Do you want America to bring you a caliphate tailored to its interests? Such a caliphate would sanction the killing of Muslims, would shed their blood, and would violate the honor of their women, in the name of Islam,” the Palestinian said according to MEMRI.
“Absolutely not, oh servants of Allah. We want a caliphate in the path of the Prophet, which will protect lives, will defend women’s honor, and will liberate Jerusalem from the Jews, the most vile of creatures,” he added.
Abu Ahmad appealed to Muslims to “seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, the Avenger” and warned the current time was “merely a prelude” to the “elimination” of the Jews both in Israel and overseas.
Read more: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/11/26/palestinian-preacher-at-key-holy-site-calls-on-allah-to-annihilate-america/
Muslim Grooming Gang Jailed In Bristol, One Of The Paedophiles Claimed Its “A Religious Requirement”.
Details of the first case, which happened in 2013, can only now be reported after legal restrictions were lifted
Thirteen men have been convicted of a string of child sex crimes in Bristol involving the abuse, rape and prostitution of teenage girls.
Bristol Crown Court heard one victim, aged 16, was assaulted by five Somali men after she was moved to the city while in the care of another authority.
Her 14-year-old sister was raped by a member of the gang while visiting her.
The inquiry led to police uncovering another gang of Somali origin who had been abusing four other girls.
The four teenagers were paid £30 or given drugs, alcohol and gifts to perform sex acts on older men from the Somali community.
‘Shocked and shaken’
The court heard some were persuaded to have sex with other gang members as they were told by the gang it was Somali “culture and tradition” and “men always have sex with each other’s girlfriends”.
One 13-year-old victim was raped four times by three different men in a Premier Inn in Bristol city centre.
A statement from the Bristol Somali community said: “The community is deeply shocked and shaken by the outcome of this case. They are unforgivable acts of cruelty against the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Malays will lose out if RMAF base turned into art centre – Bernama
The proposed development of the current site of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Butterworth into an art and recreational centre is a threat to the future wellbeing of the Malays in Penang.Permatang Pauh Umno division leader Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said said the proposed project in an area covering 430ha would also affect the geopolitics of the Malays.
He wanted Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak to intervene and shelve plans to develop the site.
In the speech when debating the presidential policy speech, Zaidi said the RMAF base was in the Air Tawar state constituency, which was won by Umno.
According to reports, the current site of the RMAF base in Butterworth would be developed into an art and recreation centre by a private company through a land exchange concept, whereby it would provide a new site for the RMAF base.
Zaidi claimed that the proposed project would also involve the construction of luxury beach homes. – Bernama, November 28, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malays-will-lose-out-if-rmaf-base-turned-into-art-centre-bernama#sthash.BfinAl28.dpuf
Malaysian footballers caught smoking in national team jerseys
A photo posted on Facebook of Malaysia’s national footballers smoking in their team jerseys has been making its rounds online.The footballers are in Singapore ahead of their Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup Group B clash against Singapore tomorrow.
The players are in the yellow and black jerseys of the Malaysia team. Striker Safee Sali is visibly smoking in the picture.
The photo was posted on Facebook today by a Facebook user "Jose Raymond" at 9.50am.
In the post, he said: “Here’s one reason why I am confident our Lions will go through to the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup. At least have the decency to remove your national colours. Recognise any of them? Tsk tsk tsk.”
Raymond, who is chief executive officer at the Singapore Environment Council, went on to say in the comments section that the photo was taken while the players were having supper at a coffeeshop near the hotel where the team is staying.
“Also serves as a reminder to all of us that the world is a very different place today and you are being watched all the time, regardless where we are, especially so when we are public figures,” Raymond added.
Speaking to TODAY, local footballer and Tanjong Pagar United captain Hafiz Osman feels that what happens off the field is the player’s “personal responsibility”.
“(Safee Sali) should have gone to a quieter place so that no one could see him when he took a puff,” Osman said.
Calling him one of the best strikers in Malaysia, Osman added that he “is human after all” and “you cannot judge him based on his actions”. – TODAY Online, November 28, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysian-footballers-caught-smoking-in-team-jerseys#sthash.RLIDP6Eq.dpuf
Is Umno the right party to help poor Bumiputera?
Umno wants more control of the nation’s economic levers to raise the income of Bumiputera to be on par with other communities.This is despite the fact it has been in power for more than 50 years and has limited success in this endeavour with all its affirmative action policies.
The first part was clearly the gist of the grassroots' debate at its assembly yesterday, while the second was the part it would not admit.
For who else was responsible for the affirmative action policies that were supposed to eradicate income disparities between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera?
Yet the irony – demanding more chances after it had wasted so many – was lost on the party’s delegates.
What was of greater concern was not just that Umno members were demanding their leaders continue policies to “improve the lot of Bumiputera” but their refusal to give up on methods and the same policies that have failed the Malays.
Party must control government
Delegates, who are essentially representing the grassroots, started debating on the Bumiputera economic agenda since Thursday.
Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin of Perlis Umno railed against a civil service policy forbidding government departments and agencies from accepting support letters from politicians.
These support letters, usually written by elected representatives, accompany applications for almost everything, from loans to contracts.
Zahidi wanted party leaders, such as the president-cum-prime minister, to cancel this policy.
“The party must control the government,” said Zahidi, who is also Padang Besar MP.
His colleague from Federal Territory Umno, Datuk Norainah Musa, seconded this in her speech, saying that support letters from Umno division leaders should also be accepted.
“What’s wrong with support letters from division leaders? Are our signatures only valuable during an election?” asked Norainah.
Another favourite demand was that Petronas and other government-linked companies must be compelled to choose Bumiputera companies as vendors.
“Even (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said Petronas’s responsibility is to help local companies, especially Bumiputera ones,” said Pahang Umno delegate, Datuk Maznah Abdul Hamid.
Another “prescription” is that the government encourage lower-income Bumiputera households to dabble in small businesses to earn an extra income.
This, they said, could be done through microcredit loans under Tekun Nasional and more entrepreneur skills-training programmes under Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.
Is Umno the right one for the job?
The delegates' intention is not misplaced.
A Khazanah study on the state of households showed that there is inter-ethnic inequality even after more than 40 years of affirmative action.
The median household income for Bumiputera is RM3,282, while for Indians it is RM3,676 and Chinese, RM4,643.
Economist Azrul Azwa Ahmad Tajudin said the data justified the argument that affirmative action must continue.
The trick is how to do it without repeating past mistakes.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, who listened to the delegates, said a Bumiputera-only economic agenda would not be effective.
“The Bumiputera have to accept that there are other communities, so any economic agenda must be inclusive.”
This is since the private sector, which contributes 48% to gross domestic product, was not as easily demarcated along ethnic lines, he said.
Company workers, managers, along with consumers, for instance, were made up of members of all communities who interacted in ways which are too complex for a mono-ethnic policy to work, said Ahmad Husni, who is also Second Finance Minister.
Azrul Azwa said that too much of the debate on reducing the wealth gap had focused on increasing Bumiputera corporate equity to 30%, a favourite talking point at Umno assemblies, including this one.
“More emphasis should be on what the man-on-the-street really needs to increase his income and to deal with cost of living pressure.”
Much of the approach of the past has also created a section of society dependent on subsidies and handouts, which are easily used for political gain, he said.
And then there is the emphasis on entrepreneurship, which automatically assumes every low-income household can be successful at business.
“Many people are good wage earners and workers. More focus should be given to increase their wages,” said Azrul Azwar.
The obsession with entrepreneurship then becomes a way of not dealing with a key structural problem with the Malaysian economy – that it is based on the creation of low-value products at low cost and low wages.
This structure ensures that wages for Malaysians would always be suppressed because Malaysian companies could choose foreign workers who worked for peanuts, he said.
“And the government continues to allow this to happen.” – November 29, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/is-umno-the-right-party-to-help-poor-bumiputera#sthash.MFgNPPkJ.dpuf
Doc: Each grain of rice you eat is due to Umno
Therefore, he expressed gratitude to the party, which has "contributed immensely to the Malay community."
"I
told my 12-year-old child that every grain of rice you eat is because
of Umno," he said during the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur
today.However, Nawar (left) lamented that most of his friends, who now have "a lot of money and high positions", like to accuse Umno of corruption.
"Don't be like my friends who have become rich but like to accuse Umno of corruption.
"What is most important is our contribution to society," he said, when debating Umno president Najib Abdul Razak's policy speech.
Umno is 'sick' and needs treatment
Earlier, Nawar had admitted that support for Umno had decreased as the party is "sick", therefore requiring "medicine".
He then pointed out that people prefer to go to private hospitals and clinics due to the "quality and security"."Reflecting on this, I am sure that if our quality is high, we will be accepted by all.
"If our leaders have no quality, minta maaflah... (sorry to say). Do we want to go to clinics for low quality medicine?" he queried.
In order for more quality leaders to be created, he said they must possess integrity and pay attention to detail.
"Also, the approach must be based on performance. For example, if you give the same medicine but the person is still sick, that means the medicine is not working.
"And all these (becoming high quality leaders), must come from the heart," he added.
Forget Chinese votes, says Umno delegate
Perak delegate Mohd Radzi Manan (right) said this is because their votes will not increase for the BN."Getting their votes is like curah air di padang pasir (pouring water on sand, futile). Their votes won't increase.
"(Therefore), Umno must go back to their own race (the Malays)," said the Kampar division leader.
Mohd Radzi also rapped Umno leaders for going back to the 'kapitan Cina' (Chinese capitan) after winning the elections.
"When wanting votes, they go to the Malays, but when they win, they go back to the Chinese kapitan," he said.
Mohd Radzi, who was debating Umno president Najib Abdul Razak’s policy speech, however did not specify any particular individual when mentioning the Chinese Kapitan.
Meanwhile, he also advised Umno leaders to be closer to the younger generation.
“We should ask whether our policies make them happy and whether they are satisfied with how we spend money.
“Because they have no problems with the Penang bridge but for the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M), they consider it a waste,” he said.
At this juncture, he urged the party’s Youth wing to “do more”.
“Wake up, Umno Youth. You are not doing enough,” he said.
He also urged that Puteri Umno be fortified, lamenting that its chief, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, was only an MP.
“She is only an MP, there is not much that she can do.
“If we do not give the ‘vehicle’, how can they (Umno Youth and Puteri Umno) move,” he asked.
3mil Umno members deciding for 30mil citizens
Najib’s surprise U-turn on his stand comes closely behind the heels of its Youh chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s alarm when he blazed that “without it (the Act) to protect us, the nation would be in ruins”.
But Najib’s shocking announcement was also preceded by a wiser Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) cautioning that “Umno’s power and strength comes from the people’s support. Remember, if the people no longer support us, there is no law on God’s earth that can save Umno from losing power.”
The nation’s 30 million citizens, minus Umno’s 3 million members, would also take note of what Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said, in reaction to the shocking announcement by Najib.
As a member of the National Unity Consultative Council that was convened to draft a new bill to replace the draconian law, Mujahid said the Sedition Act also had a low burden of proof and was exposed to misuse as to the meaning of the word sedition.
He added that in contrast, the proposed National Harmony Act tightened the burden of proof aspect and also offered protection on freedom of speech.
But to what avail? It seems now that Najib has stuck with his mantra of ‘endless possibilities’ like a leech.
What is most perturbing is how millions around the globe will perceive all these.
As Jack Trout advocates, “Perceptions are really what make you and break you,” Najib needs to know foremost that he stood for the entire nation, deciding and speaking on behalf of 30 million Malaysians on the Umno platform that boasts of only 3 million citizens.
A national decision made on a party platform? Should not such a serious decision with far reaching implications and reverberations not have been made in Parliament where the government rules?
And as we examine the sentiments and arguments postulated at the Umno assembly justifying the need for the resurrection of the draconian rule, surely the nation at large will begin to also wander in the window light of Pak Lah’s caution.
Many will also wonder what would Najib do if five million citizens agreed that it has to be a ‘no go’ for the Sedition Act? Would the three million voices of Umno still overrule the majority voice?
The Sedition Act announcement signals loudly that for as long as Umno thinks its enemies are the nation’s own citizens, it has only crippled its hopes for national transformation; and for as long as Umno leaders think that laws alone will protect the party’s relevancy, its members are duped.
'PM's Sedition Act U-turn cowardly, malicious'
“GHAH is deeply disturbed and outraged with Najib’s cowardly decision to renege on his promise to abolish the Sedition Act and to ‘fortify and strengthen’ the Act instead,” the leading coalition for the Act's abolition said in a statement yesterday.
Led
by Suaram, Lawyers for Liberty and the Civil Rights Committee of Kuala
Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, GHAH added the decision is in bad
faith on the part of the government.“The sudden decision ... allegedly protect the sanctity of Islam and other religions and to address those calling for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak reeks of malice and bad faith, as the Act has been rampantly abused to charge politicians, activists and dissidents.”
GHAH added Najib’s announcement to further fortify the Act will stifle dissent and lead to a “bleak and undemocratic future”.
“This decision tightens the noose around freedom of speech and expression and makes clear what a bleak and undemocratic future we have under Najib's administration.
“The shocking increase in sedition charges and investigations in the past two years reaffirms the prime minister's false reformist credentials and it is evident that his administration is still reliant on the draconian and antiquated legislation to control and suppress democratic norms and legitimate dissent.
Promise not kept
Najib's highly anticipated announcement at the height of the Umno AGM yesterday received a standing ovation and rousing applause from the ruling party's members, who had stepped up calls for their president to back down from his pre-election promise in 2012 to abolish the Act.
After
BN's poorest showing in recent history during the 13th general election
in 2013, there have been growing calls from Umno's right wing to retain
the Act, which has since been used in a massive dragnet over the past
year against opposition members and other voices of dissent.Last Friday, a group of GHAH activists handed over an anti-Sedition Act petition to the Parliament.
It was no surprise that speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected the petition signed by 3,005 people, citing a procedure breach that some of the petitioners did not place their signatures or thumbprints in the petition.
Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) however persisted to move for the petition to be read out in the House but Pandikar stood firm on his decision.
Mashitah unfazed by police report
Quizzed on the report at the sidelines of the Umno general assembly today, the former deputy minister said: "Even if they want to sue me, they can go ahead."
Pointed out that her remarks regarding the incident differed from Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's clarification, she said: "You have to check with him (Mukhriz)."
"My version is based on what was informed to me by Kuala Kedah Wanita chief (Noor Hasita Mat Isa)," she told Malaysiakini.On Monday, Mukhriz said a mentally-ill Malay individual was arrested for tearing the Quran and is being detained at the psychiatric ward. There was no burning involved.
However, when speaking at the Wanita Umno assembly on Wednesday, Mashitah related how she was informed that the Chinese community had burned the Quran during a prayer ritual.
"Do you feel challenged? Sensitive? Sad? Frustrated?" she had asked the delegates.
"If you feel that way, why not voice out? Don't be quiet. Where is our voice in the media, in cyberspace?
"Don't be the silent majority. (Don't allow) the minority to talk," she added.
This morning, DAP MPs Teo Nie Ching and Kasthuri Patto filed a police report against Mashitah and criticised her for making the irresponsible statement.
MCMC Seeks Facebook, Youtube’s Help
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ready to discuss with social website owners in the US to close accounts suspected of inciting violence and those touching on racial and religious sensitivities.
MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi told Bernama, the commission would be applying to Facebook and YouTube of Google Inc to close accounts or videos which have been investigated by the Malaysian police for having elements of stoking Malaysians to join militant activities.
He said MCMC, through a special team, will assist police track down suspects attempting to create tension in the country by touching on racial and religious issues.
“However, we can only apply to the site owners and it depends on their decision. The fact is we cannot restrict the entry of social media and the internet,” he said.
He was commenting on allegations by certain parties that MCMC was slow in acting to close accounts and videos which could threaten public order.
Today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, in tabling a White Paper on combating threats posed by the militant group, Islamic State (IS), in the Dewan Rakyat, appealed for people’s support in the effort to curb the ideology of IS and proposed new laws to eradicate the involvement of Malaysians in militant and violent activities.
Mohamed Sharil said MCMC could not close specific individual accounts or control the entry of videos as the country may have to block the entry of Facebook and YouTube completely.
He said the action would not be in line with the national policy for internet freedom and right to freedom of expression.
As such, he said the best move would be to educate the people in the country on smart internet usage.
He was speaking at a “Click Wisely” campaign at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Ministry kiosk held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly on level three of Putra World Trade Centre here from Nov 22 to 29.
Sabah delegate defends vernacular schools
The government should focus on raising the standard of the national language in vernacular schools.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah delegate, Taufiq Abu Bakar Titingan, told the Umno General Assembly on Friday that Orang Asal students form a near majority, if not a majority, in many Chinese schools in Sabah.
He was explaining why he was not in favour of any move to close down vernacular schools in the country.
Citing figures, he said 84 per cent of one Chinese school in Sabah were Orang Asal.
He disclosed that 15,120 out of 35,162 students in Chinese vernacular schools were Orang Asal.
“If we close these schools, where are they going to go?” he asked.
“We want all Malaysians to be able to speak the national language fluently, no matter which schools they attended.”
He conceded that many students in vernacular schools were not proficient enough in the national language and suggested that more efforts be put in to raise the standard of the Malay language in these schools.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in a recent blog posting on the education system dividing the people, said the natives in Sabah and Sarawak preferred to send their children to Chinese schools.
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah delegate, Taufiq Abu Bakar Titingan, told the Umno General Assembly on Friday that Orang Asal students form a near majority, if not a majority, in many Chinese schools in Sabah.
He was explaining why he was not in favour of any move to close down vernacular schools in the country.
Citing figures, he said 84 per cent of one Chinese school in Sabah were Orang Asal.
He disclosed that 15,120 out of 35,162 students in Chinese vernacular schools were Orang Asal.
“If we close these schools, where are they going to go?” he asked.
“We want all Malaysians to be able to speak the national language fluently, no matter which schools they attended.”
He conceded that many students in vernacular schools were not proficient enough in the national language and suggested that more efforts be put in to raise the standard of the Malay language in these schools.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, in a recent blog posting on the education system dividing the people, said the natives in Sabah and Sarawak preferred to send their children to Chinese schools.
Gobind jubilant at proposal to pay suspended MPs
Puchong MP says this should extend to all elected reps regardless of party as this is a matter of principle that extends beyond politics.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: MP for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo applauded the proposal made by the Selangor State Assembly to pay back salaries to suspended representatives following the decision of the Federal Court in his case against the Speaker of Parliament.
Gobind agreed the proposal which the House’s rights and privileges committee chairperson Hannah Yeoh confirmed today as “being considered”, was “definitely a step in the right direction.”
Explaining that representatives continued to carry out their duties despite the suspension, Gobind said it was only right that they were paid back what was duly owed to them.
He also explained that many elected representatives were full time politicians whose families depended wholly on their salaries.
“Taking away their salary not only cripples them financially but it has a very serious impact on their families as well.”
Adding that he hoped Parliament would consider reimbursing all the MP’s who had been suspended without pay in the past, Gobind said, “My call extends to all elected representatives from all political sides as this is a matter of principle which must necessarily extend beyond politics.”
PETALING JAYA: MP for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo applauded the proposal made by the Selangor State Assembly to pay back salaries to suspended representatives following the decision of the Federal Court in his case against the Speaker of Parliament.
Gobind agreed the proposal which the House’s rights and privileges committee chairperson Hannah Yeoh confirmed today as “being considered”, was “definitely a step in the right direction.”
Explaining that representatives continued to carry out their duties despite the suspension, Gobind said it was only right that they were paid back what was duly owed to them.
He also explained that many elected representatives were full time politicians whose families depended wholly on their salaries.
“Taking away their salary not only cripples them financially but it has a very serious impact on their families as well.”
Adding that he hoped Parliament would consider reimbursing all the MP’s who had been suspended without pay in the past, Gobind said, “My call extends to all elected representatives from all political sides as this is a matter of principle which must necessarily extend beyond politics.”
Why we need a new NEP with no race bias
The DPM's recent statement deserves serious attention.
By Ramon Navaratnam - FMT
Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin made a striking statement last Tuesday at the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies. He said a new national economic policy needed to be drawn up to bridge the gap between the rich and poor, regardless of race.
That was exactly the real intention of the original New Economic Policy and what in fact was also proposed to the government in the New Economic Model (NEM), which has unfortunately been sidelined.
For this reason, Muhyiddin’s statement deserves much more attention than it has been given so far.
Interestingly, his statement was almost a direct quote from the original New Economic Policy (NEP) announced in 1970. Hence, after 44 years, it now appears that we have to go back to our starting point because the spirit behind the original NEP has faded away.
Actually, the recent United Nations Development Programme Report on Malaysia suggests clearly that the NEP has failed to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.
Why is this so? Is it largely because we concentrated too much on the second prong of the NEP, which relates to equity ownership? The second prong was aimed at removing the identity of race with occupation. For many reasons, it was more attractive to many policy planners and implementers. Thus the issue of equity ownership was given higher priority than the issue of raising the incomes of the lower 40% income groups .
Education standards have been low and they have not helped to produce graduates of sufficiently high calibre. That is why we have low-productivity graduates and high graduate unemployment. If our graduates, at levels from schools to universities, were better equipped, especially in Science, Technology and the English language, they would be able to earn much higher incomes for their technical skills and greater productivity. This would have helped to considerably reduce the serious income disparities that have developed over the years..
Cronies of all kinds
Corruption has badly undermined the noble original aims of the NEP. Much of the land alienated for farming (for example, in Cameron Highlands), equity shares, permits, licenses and non-tendered government contracts, were easily provided to many incapable Malay and Bumiputera contractors and to cronies of all kinds. Thus Malay and Bumiputera businessmen lost out despite the billions of ringgit of public funds allocated to develop a more active and sustainable entrepreneurial class among them. Incomes therefore did not rise much for Malay and Bumiputera participants, except for a few.
Urban poverty was not given the high priority that rural poverty enjoyed under the premiership of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. Today, the vast majority of our population is settled in the urban areas. Yet the financial and human resources directed to urban development to improve the welfare and quality of life of the urban poor have been quite inadequate. This has also increased income disparities.
Competition has been curtailed by many continued protectionist policies and practices. Thus a Culture of Mediocrity has seeped in throughout the whole socio-economic system and even the political system.
We have to examine the performance of the Malays and Bumiputeras in all fields to understand the debilitating consequences of pampering or “manja manja”. For instance, we need to assess how they fare in education and business, after so much financial support given so liberally for so long. Why, people ask, is there a predominance of graduate unemployment amongst them? Is it not because they are found wanting in their abilities? Don’t we realise that any good businessman or woman, regardless of race, cannot afford not to employ competent and competitive graduates, regardless of race?
The Ethos of Bumiputeraism and Ketuanan are in themselves psychologically and emotionally disruptive and self deprecating.
Why, for example, should young people – and for that matter even the older ones – want to work hard and excel if they believe that pampering and progress in their careers or businesses, are their birth rights which they may feel is the government’s responsibility to provide for them regardless of their ability to perform?
The observations above provide some insights into why there is growing income disparity and why we have to take up the challenge to review the NEP and move towards a better and more equitable, prosperous and stable Malaysia.
We hope that the DPM’s call for a review of the NEP will help to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, without any race bias, as we are all Malaysians first and foremost.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is Chairman of the ASLI Centre of Public Policy Studies.
Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin made a striking statement last Tuesday at the opening of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri assemblies. He said a new national economic policy needed to be drawn up to bridge the gap between the rich and poor, regardless of race.
That was exactly the real intention of the original New Economic Policy and what in fact was also proposed to the government in the New Economic Model (NEM), which has unfortunately been sidelined.
For this reason, Muhyiddin’s statement deserves much more attention than it has been given so far.
Interestingly, his statement was almost a direct quote from the original New Economic Policy (NEP) announced in 1970. Hence, after 44 years, it now appears that we have to go back to our starting point because the spirit behind the original NEP has faded away.
Actually, the recent United Nations Development Programme Report on Malaysia suggests clearly that the NEP has failed to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.
Why is this so? Is it largely because we concentrated too much on the second prong of the NEP, which relates to equity ownership? The second prong was aimed at removing the identity of race with occupation. For many reasons, it was more attractive to many policy planners and implementers. Thus the issue of equity ownership was given higher priority than the issue of raising the incomes of the lower 40% income groups .
Education standards have been low and they have not helped to produce graduates of sufficiently high calibre. That is why we have low-productivity graduates and high graduate unemployment. If our graduates, at levels from schools to universities, were better equipped, especially in Science, Technology and the English language, they would be able to earn much higher incomes for their technical skills and greater productivity. This would have helped to considerably reduce the serious income disparities that have developed over the years..
Cronies of all kinds
Corruption has badly undermined the noble original aims of the NEP. Much of the land alienated for farming (for example, in Cameron Highlands), equity shares, permits, licenses and non-tendered government contracts, were easily provided to many incapable Malay and Bumiputera contractors and to cronies of all kinds. Thus Malay and Bumiputera businessmen lost out despite the billions of ringgit of public funds allocated to develop a more active and sustainable entrepreneurial class among them. Incomes therefore did not rise much for Malay and Bumiputera participants, except for a few.
Urban poverty was not given the high priority that rural poverty enjoyed under the premiership of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. Today, the vast majority of our population is settled in the urban areas. Yet the financial and human resources directed to urban development to improve the welfare and quality of life of the urban poor have been quite inadequate. This has also increased income disparities.
Competition has been curtailed by many continued protectionist policies and practices. Thus a Culture of Mediocrity has seeped in throughout the whole socio-economic system and even the political system.
We have to examine the performance of the Malays and Bumiputeras in all fields to understand the debilitating consequences of pampering or “manja manja”. For instance, we need to assess how they fare in education and business, after so much financial support given so liberally for so long. Why, people ask, is there a predominance of graduate unemployment amongst them? Is it not because they are found wanting in their abilities? Don’t we realise that any good businessman or woman, regardless of race, cannot afford not to employ competent and competitive graduates, regardless of race?
The Ethos of Bumiputeraism and Ketuanan are in themselves psychologically and emotionally disruptive and self deprecating.
Why, for example, should young people – and for that matter even the older ones – want to work hard and excel if they believe that pampering and progress in their careers or businesses, are their birth rights which they may feel is the government’s responsibility to provide for them regardless of their ability to perform?
The observations above provide some insights into why there is growing income disparity and why we have to take up the challenge to review the NEP and move towards a better and more equitable, prosperous and stable Malaysia.
We hope that the DPM’s call for a review of the NEP will help to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, without any race bias, as we are all Malaysians first and foremost.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam is Chairman of the ASLI Centre of Public Policy Studies.
MCA, MIC and Gerakan utterly irrelevant, but have Sarawak and Sabah also become irrelevant in BN national decision-making process on issues directly affecting the two states?
By Lim Kit Siang Blog When buckling under pressure from the rightists and extremists in UMNO and UMNO-sponsored NGOs, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak not only reneged on his specific promise in July 2012 to repeal the Sedition Act, but added salt to injury by declaring that the Sedition Act would be further strengthened and become even more draconian and repressive.
MCA, MIC and Gerakan are utterly irrelevant in the UMNO-dominated Barisan Nasional scheme of things, as evident by the way the views of these three parties and their leaders were ignored and not even sought in Umno-BN’s major decision-making process.
However, are the views and legitimate interests of Sarawak and Sabah similarly disregarded in the Umno-Barisan Nasional national decision-making process, especially in matters directly affecting the people in the two states?
Najib announced yesterday that the Sedition Act would not only be retained, it would be fortified, so as to deal with calls for secession of Sarawak and Sabah.
Have the Sarawak and Saban Barisan Nasional leaders been fully consulted and given their consent to the proposal to criminalise calls for secession of Sarawak and Sabah by making them offences under the repressive Sedition Act?
DAP opposes any call for the secession of Sarawak and Sabah from Malaysia but I fully agree the Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr. James Masing that only a small group of people have advocated secession of Sarawak and Sabah and instead of criminalising such calls, the wisest political and nation-building response is to engage with these groups to find out what are the causes of their unhappiness. Don’t kill the messenger but miss the message!
Having tasted victory in forcing the Prime Minister to buckle under their pressures, the rightist and extremist elements are piling further pressures to put back the clock of democratisation and national transformation.
A former Court of Appeal judge, Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah wants offenders under the Sedition Act to be punished with a jail sentence of not less than three years and not exceeding 10 years instead of the present penalty of a fine of RM5,000 or a maximum jail sentence of three years or both.
Mohd Noor also wants the definition of sedition to be widened to any acts that caused fear to the Malays.
It is already unbelievable that a former Court of Appeal judge has so little confidence in the discretion and judgement of judges when imposing sentence that he supports the removal of such discretion to be given to judges, but what really boggles the imagination is that he could be so blinkered, biased and sectarian that he could advocate that in a plural nation like Malaysia, sedition includes any acts that caused fears to the Malays.
The Inspector-General of Police meanwhile wants the Sedition Act to be “improved” to make it easier for authorities to prosecute those who violate the law.
It is most shocking that the Prime Minister has failed to address widespread concerns about selective and malicious investigation and prosecution under the Sedition Act against Pakatan Rakyat leaders, intellectuals and activists in the recent “white terror” campaign to create a climate of fear in the country.
It would appear that even before any amendments to “fortify” the Sedition Act, there would be pressures for another dragnet of selective/malicious prosecution against PR leaders, activists and dissent.
Najib would be making a fatal mistake if he thinks that by buckling to the rightist and extremist pressures over the retention of the Sedition Act, he has consolidated his position in UMNO.
The opposite appears to be the case, as illustrated by the blog of Zainuddin Maidin, ex-Minister who is clearly the spokesman of the rightists and extremists in UMNO and UMNO-sponsored NGOs, who warned that “a quiet revolution is under way in Umno” and the applause Najib received was not a show of support, but a release of pent-up emotions and a rejection of his “weak and liberal leadership”.
Zainuddin warned: “If he hadn’t made that announcement, all the Umno members would have buried him, and his future in Umno would have been destroyed”
He added: “Najib’s respite this time, would be his last breath.”
Ominous warning from the rightists and extremists in UMNO and UMNO-sponsored NGOs indeed.
What Umno reps need to talk about
I am also suggesting a poem be read out by the members. The following should be my humble suggestions for Umno, a party my ancestors, too, were members of, to undertake:
- Coming up with strategies to create a better understanding between the races, since we’ve been together for centuries?
- Designing our education system to be inclusive of all Malaysians with each race treated on equal terms,
- Helping any group progress, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation, since we are all lawful citizens and we are not going back to “where we belong”,
- Dismantling all systems that will perpetuate hatred amongst us and redesign our lives around celebrating our strength in diversity,
-
Find ways to unify all races as one dignified race of Malaysians united against any threats from outside (if there are any real or imagined),
- Coming together as Malaysians to redesign our education system that will truly enhance children’s understanding of concepts, skills, attitude to become good learners, global and transcultural in outlook, and will grow up to see each other as a human race with a common humane destiny, rather than see more divisions and destructions,
- Collaborating with all races to see how best we can help those who are marginalised regardless of race and religion, and how best we can design an economic system that will promote cooperation, collaboration, and the enculturalisation of conscience and conscientiousness amongst us, rather that perpetually create competitions that lead to hatred and warmongering,
- Mediating the differences between Muslims of different interpretive practices, schools of thoughts, ways of leading their ‘Islamic life’ rather than create bogeymen and bogey-women for the purpose of witch-hunting and persecuting each other of the things we cannot fully understand,
- Stopping the total closing of the Malay mind by constantly instilling fear of themselves since time immemorial, since feudal times, so that the Malays can be spared of being called stupid, weak, lazy, and dependent on Umno as savior - all these a perfect model of a Master-Slave Narrative,
- Asking all members and members of your race-based component parties to read Thomas Kuhn’s ‘Structure of Scientific Revolutions’ and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ‘Social Contract’ and to be prepared to exist merely as world-class culture clubs rather than hay-wired political parties, due to the nature of changing times, paradigm shifts, and the realisation of the true meaning of ‘social contract’.
Umno leaders and delegates can read this poem, maybe... instead of those hate-filled speeches clenching fists of fury awkwardly.
‘ode to folks of kuala lumpur city’
even if in your lifetime you will taste poverty
aplenty
live a life corrupt-free
and with highest dignity
... there is beauty in deep reverie
when others are living a life obsessed with money
i have seen friends and family fall flat on their face
for a life of greed and gluttony
never take a single cent you do not deserve out of your hard work
and reward you wait patiently
that was the constant advice given by our ancestors remembered so lovingly
how much must one accumulate in life to prepare for one's life
in the uncertainties of eternity
the daily papers tell me how corrupt this malaysian society has chosen to be
millions and billions changing hands with people refusing to work hard like the coolie with the deepest sense of honesty
dig not your million-dollar-grave, friends and family
people these days are getting crazy
over money money money
offer me not a million a billion a trillion maybe
these have no meaning for me who prefers a life of simplicity
where i could ride the, bus, meditate on the train, or watch ships sail the seven seas
i could do these without any worry, where my next million going to crawl to me
how many souls i will need to destroy - him as utility and his entire family
in my path towards achieving the highest glory in life based on money aplenty
no, i shall not sacrifice my cave, my poetry, my love for philosophy, the arts and humanities, my love for humanity, my freedom
to take my midnight walks along highways taking me to the the sea and its serenity
a free spirit i am
blessed will be i hope all - whose life in this kuala lumpur city
is about destroying each other as taught by machiavelli
DR AZLY RAHMAN, born in Singapore and grew up in Johor Baru, holds a Columbia University (New York City) doctorate in International Education Development and Masters degrees in four areas: Education, International Affairs, Peace Studies and Communication. He has taught more than 40 courses in six different departments and has written more than 350 analyses on Malaysia. His teaching experience in Malaysia and the United States spans over a wide range of subjects, from elementary to graduate education. He has edited and authored six books; Multiethnic Malaysia: Past, Present, Future (2009), Thesis on Cyberjaya: Hegemony and Utopianism in a Southeast Asian State (2012), The Allah Controversy and Other Essays on Malaysian Hypermodernity (2013), a first Malay publication Kalimah Allah Milik Siapa?: Renungan dan Nukilan Tentang Malaysia di Era Pancaroba (2014), and Controlled Chaos: Essays on Mahathirism, Multimedia Super Corridor and Malaysia’s ‘New Politics’ (forthcoming 2014). He currently resides in the United States where he teaches courses in Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Political Science, and American Studies. Twitter, blog.
Court affirms rights of Orang Asli in customary land battle
The Court of Appeal today has affirmed that Orang Asli in the peninsula have rights under the common law over their ancestral land.A three-man bench ruled unanimously today to set aside the findings of a high court which dismissed the rights of 82 Orang Asli over their ancestral land, spanning 2,832ha between Maran and Kuantan.
Judge Datuk Dr Prasad Abraham, who delivered the judgment, said the bench was of the opinion that two previous court of appeal rulings were correct in stating the legal principles on the rights of the Orang Asli.
Prasad, however, said the present case of Yebet Saman and 81 others from the Semaq Beri tribe will be reheard before a new judge as evidence on the status of the land was unclear.
He said Yebet Saman and the rest of the tribe members would have to prove that they were aborigines; that they had continuously occupied the land; and had maintained the traditional connection with the property in order to be accorded customary rights.
"The high court has to take oral evidence from the plaintiffs to establish this facts," said Abraham who sat with Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim and Datuk Mah Weng Kwai.
In the first case, an Orang Asli, Adong Kuwau brought an action against the Johor government for encroaching on ancestral land and the Court of Appeal for the first time established the concept of native title in Malaysian law.
The Federal Court in 1998 upheld Adong’s right to the land although he did not possess any land title. However, no written grounds was made available by the apex court.
In the second, Sagong Tasi and 26 other families from the Temuan tribe mounted a legal challenge in 2002 after their ancestral land in Kampung Tampoi in Sepang, Selangor, was marked out to build the Nilai-KLIA expressway.
In 2005, the appellate court affirmed a high court ruling that the families had native titles to the land based on common law and the Federal Constitution.
Lawyer Yogeswaran Subramaniam, who appeared for the Orang Asli, told reporters that the appellate court ruling was a victory for the community as the judiciary had once again recognised their rights to their ancestral land.
"We had to battle it out of court because the executive and the legislature are not recognising their rights."
Yogeswaran said the court agreed with their submission and added that the common law superseded what was provided in the Aborigines People's Act 1954.
"The court has also looked into legal rights of natives in other Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada in arriving at its decision."
Yebet and the rest took their appeal to Putrajaya after what high court judge Datuk Marina Yahya did was found to be against the principles established by the court of appeal.
The judge ruled that the Pahang government had power over land maters and did not recognise the rights sought by the Orang Asli.
The Semaq Beri tribe is seeking a declaration that 7,000 acres be declared as customary land.
The tribe filed their suit in 2012 against Putrajaya, the Pahang government, director-general of Orang Asli Development Department, a developer and a sub-contractor.
They said they had occupied the customary land since time immemorial, but like many other Orang Asli groups, they were temporarily relocated by the government during the Emergency (1948 to 1960) for security reasons.
But, they had continuously returned to their customary land to tend their orchards, forage for jungle products and visit sacred sites during this period.
In 1970 a number of them returned permanently to Kampung Mengkapur.
Despite acknowledging the tribe's presence, occupation and use of the customary land, the Pahang government failed to gazette the areas as Orange Asli settlements.
In 2010, the 82 Orang Asli found a notice detailing logging activities over part of the forests on their land and about 1,000 acres had been alienated for oil palm plantation.
Yebet, 64, who was present, said the struggle to exert their right over the land would continue even if they had to wait.
"I believe justice will be served so that we can exercise our right over the land. We have to be patient." – November 28, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/court-affirms-rights-of-orang-asli-in-customary-land-battle#sthash.AWKdsPEt.dpuf
Umno Assembly Significant In Determining Country's Direction - Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the party general assembly will continue to be a significant platform to determine the country's direction.
He said the content in the assembly was not only important for party members, but also for the Malays, bumiputera and the country, as a whole.
"Therefore the coverage and analysis by the mass media, and whatever perception that was projected at this assembly is important for the people to understand what is actually Umno's aspiration," he said when interviewed by Astro Awani during a visit to the media centre at the Putra World Trade Centre on Friday.
A total of 1,452 media practitioners from 106 local and foreign newspaper organisations and news agencies are covering the 2014 Umno general assembly.
During a visit to the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) operations centre, Najib said he was satisfied with the coverage on the assembly by the mass media.
"The coverage this time is more extensive and able to give a more accurate perspective because now the media is equipped with latest facilities technology applications.
"Hence, the ability of the media to produce fast and more accurate reports is better. I believe with the use of more sophisticated technology in future, the coverage will be better and faster," he said in an interview with RTM.
Present to receive the Umno president at the RTM operations centre was Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is Communications and Multimedia Minister.
Najib also spent some time meeting media practitioners from other news agencies, including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), where he was welcomed by Bernama chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman and Deputy Editor-in-Chief (General News Service) Datuk Zakaria Abd Wahab.
Earlier, Najib launched the National Women Undergraduates Secretariat (Swinas), a club set up under the auspices of the Puteri Umno movement, and at another venue, launched a book, "Politik Islam dan Melayu", written by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) president Senator Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said the content in the assembly was not only important for party members, but also for the Malays, bumiputera and the country, as a whole.
"Therefore the coverage and analysis by the mass media, and whatever perception that was projected at this assembly is important for the people to understand what is actually Umno's aspiration," he said when interviewed by Astro Awani during a visit to the media centre at the Putra World Trade Centre on Friday.
A total of 1,452 media practitioners from 106 local and foreign newspaper organisations and news agencies are covering the 2014 Umno general assembly.
During a visit to the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) operations centre, Najib said he was satisfied with the coverage on the assembly by the mass media.
"The coverage this time is more extensive and able to give a more accurate perspective because now the media is equipped with latest facilities technology applications.
"Hence, the ability of the media to produce fast and more accurate reports is better. I believe with the use of more sophisticated technology in future, the coverage will be better and faster," he said in an interview with RTM.
Present to receive the Umno president at the RTM operations centre was Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is Communications and Multimedia Minister.
Najib also spent some time meeting media practitioners from other news agencies, including the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), where he was welcomed by Bernama chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman and Deputy Editor-in-Chief (General News Service) Datuk Zakaria Abd Wahab.
Earlier, Najib launched the National Women Undergraduates Secretariat (Swinas), a club set up under the auspices of the Puteri Umno movement, and at another venue, launched a book, "Politik Islam dan Melayu", written by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) president Senator Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
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