Wednesday, 17 December 2014
In Pakistan school attack, Taliban terrorists kill 145, mostly children
Video link: http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2014/12/16/pkg-shubert-pakistan-attack-wrap.cnn-ap.html
Then, 14-year-old student Ahmed Faraz recalled, one of them took a harsher tone.
" 'A lot of the children are under the benches,' " a Pakistani Taliban said, according to Ahmed. " 'Kill them.' "
By the time the hours-long siege at Army Public School and Degree College ended early Tuesday evening, at least 145 people -- 132 children, 10 school staff members and three soldiers -- were dead, military spokesman Gen. Asim Bajwa said. More than 100 were injured, many with gunshot wounds, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Information Minister Mushtaq Ghani.
The death toll does not include the terrorists who attacked the school, bursting into an auditorium where a large number of students were taking an exam and gunning down many of them within minutes, Bajwa said.
"They started shooting indiscriminately," Bajwa said, "and that's where maximum damage was caused."
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Mohammed Khurrassani said the militants scaled the school's walls around 10 a.m. (midnight ET), intent on killing older students there.
The Taliban had "300 to 400 people ... under their custody" at one point, said Khurrassani, whose group is called Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. But Bajwa said there was no hostage situation, as the attackers' focus was shooting to kill rather than taking captives.
They were eventually met by Pakistani troops who pushed through the complex building by building, room by room. By 4 p.m., they'd confined the attackers to four buildings. A few hours later, all the militants -- seven of them, according to Bajwa -- were dead.
Pakistani authorities spent Tuesday night inside the school in Peshawar, a city about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the country's capital, Islamabad, looking for survivors, victims and improvised explosive devices planted to worsen the carnage.
As they searched, they discovered that the school's principal was among the terrorists' victims.
The attack drew sharp condemnation from top Pakistani officials, who vowed that the country wouldn't stop its war against the Taliban.
"We are undeterred. ... We will not back off," Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told CNN.
But he said the ambush at the school is another example of how great his nation's sacrifices have been in fighting that's raged for more than a decade.
"Even the children are dying on the frontline in the war against terror," he said. "The smaller the coffin, the heavier it is to carry. ... It's a very, very tragic day."
What do the Pakistan Taliban want?
Minister: Most of the dead were 12 to 16 years old
On a typical day, the Army Public School and Degree College is home to about 1,100 students and staff, most of them sons and daughters of army personnel from around Peshawar, though others attend as well.
Their nightmare began in late morning, when a car exploded behind the school. Pakistani education minister Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman explained to CNN that the blast was a ruse, meant to divert the attention of the school's security guards.
It worked.
Gunmen got over the walls and walked through where students in grades 8, 9 and 10 have classes and fired randomly, said Dr. Aamir Bilal of Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital, citing students. They came in with enough ammunition and other supplies to last for days and were not expecting to come out alive, according to a Pakistani military official.
Seventh-grader Mohammad Bilal said he was sitting outside his classroom taking a math test when the gunfire erupted. He fell into bushes before running to the school's gates to safety.
Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/16/world/asia/pakistan-peshawar-school-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
'I regret to say I am a terrorist': Wife of Sydney cafe gunman praised the Bali bombings, the Holocaust and 9/11 in online rants as row rages about why the accused murderer is free on bail
- Amirah Droudis, 35, posted series of videos in 2009
- In the videos, she described herself as a terrorist and expressed happiness at the 9/11 attack and Bali bombings
- The videos linked to a website of siege gunman Man Haron Monis
- Droudis charged with murdering Monis' first wife, and Monis was charged with being an acessory
- Outrage has spread that both Droudis and Monis were released on bail
- Police raided their home in Belmore, in south-west Sydney, on Tuesday
The wife of the Sydney terror siege gunman posted a series of hate-filled videos in which she described herself as a terrorist and expressed happiness at the 9/11 and 2002 Bali terror attacks and the Holocaust.
Amirah Droudis, 35, appeared in public Tuesday just hours after her partner Man Haron Monis was shot dead by police to end a 17-hour siege in which he held a score of hostages at a central Sydney cafe. Two of the captives also died.
Droudis reported to Campsie Police Station in southwestern Sydney, as required under conditions of her bail for the alleged murder of Monis' ex-wife, Noleen Hayson Pal, who was stabbed multiple times and set alight in April 2013. Monis was also charged in connection to the murder.
Four years before the killing, a woman believed to be Droudis posted a series of chilling videos on YouTube in which she described acts of terrorism as God's will. The videos bear the address of Monis' web site.
'I regret to say I am a terrorist. I admit and formally confess that for many years I have been a terrorist, but I'll try not to be anymore,' says the woman in one of the videos, whose face is mostly covered by a niqab.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2875682/I-regret-say-terrorist-Girlfriend-cafe-gunman-praised-Bali-bombings-9-11-online-rant-row-rages-accused-murderer-free-bail.html
Militants could target Malaysia too, says Hishammuddin – Bernama
Malaysia could find itself a "target nation" when it is in the crosshair of international militants.
This alert comes from Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic), who said that such a scenario was not impossible.
He said although Malaysia was recently used only as transit by seven Indonesian militants bound for Syria, it could not be ruled out that it later became their target.
"At the moment, Malaysia's status is as a transit nation but don't think such a status cannot change to target nation.
"People didn't expect Australia to have been a target nation, people don't think Canada or the United States can be target nations. So, don't think the militants' targets are only Iraq and Syria," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby in Kuala Lumpur today.
Hishammuddin said this when asked to comment on the detention of seven Indonesians, including four women, in Selangor on suspicion of being involved in militant activities, and having used Malaysia as a transit before heading for Syria.
According to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, the Indonesians, aged between 25 and 35, were nabbed in a raid on December 2 by the Counter Terrorism Division of Bukit Aman's Special Branch.
It is believed that one of the suspects was a facilitator who arranged the militants' travel to Syria, and was suspected of having "links" with Umar Patek, senior member of the Abu Sayyaf Group and elements of Al-Qaeda in South Asia.
Hishammuddin also reminded the public, especially the young, to be always sensitive to the threat of militant groups.
Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar praised the Royal Malaysian Police on their success in nabbing the militants upon their arrival in Malaysia.
He said the success was also due to the cooperation of Malaysian police and the Indonesian security in tackling militant activities. – Bernama, December 16, 2014.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/militants-could-target-malaysia-too-says-hishammuddin-bernama#sthash.YzzAtrqV.dpuf
Use 'secret weapon' on hubby, says Rosmah
Women should use their "secret weapon" instead of bugging their husbands to buy them things, said Rosmah Mansor.
The wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak suggested that women employ their “soft touch” and powers of persuasion.
"Don't
ask him too many things. Don't ask him 'I want this, or I want that',
men do not like that, am I right? If he wants to give, he'll give it.
You can hint, but don't ask and don't force them to get it for you.
"You can always persuade. We've got our secret weapon, so use it to the very best we can," she said amid a resounding applause.
Rosmah was speaking at the launch of MCA's Legal Advisory and Women's Aid Centre (Lawa), of which she is the patron.
Sharing her thoughts on relationships, she said that wives must obediently stand by their husbands, just as how she is with Najib.
They should selflessly serve their men, regardless of their profession.
"I'm sure men are not so boisterous. Don't fight them, be with them, work together with them. If they don't want to eat, you (should) still prepare their food, no matter if you're a doctor or a lawyer, you have to be there with them.
"Make sure that you stand by your husband when he needs you to stand by him, like I do," Rosmah added.
As
such, she said that married couples should not be argumentative all the
time, however, if it is done in moderation, slight arguments can lead
to a better love life.
"After a little bit of argument and then you make up, you will find that your husband will love you a little bit better," she added as the crowd erupted in laughter.
On a more serious note, the PM's wife pointed out that education is important to ensure that boys are raised to be chivalrous.
Centre to help abused women
Meanwhile, MCA Wanita chief Heng Seai Kie said during her speech that Lawa aims to help and improve the lives of abused women.
"The
rise in crime rates and household violence involving women stem from
their ignorance of their own rights, as well as the lack of centres for
them to seek help," she added.
She said that it was because of that, as well as with the encouragement of Rosmah, they had decided to launch this institution with 205 centres nationwide.
Lawa, she said, would be receiving help from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Bar Council and other organisations. The institution also provides Syariah and Civil legal counseling for those in need.
MCA also celebrated Rosmah birthday during the launching ceremony.
The wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak suggested that women employ their “soft touch” and powers of persuasion.
"Don't
ask him too many things. Don't ask him 'I want this, or I want that',
men do not like that, am I right? If he wants to give, he'll give it.
You can hint, but don't ask and don't force them to get it for you."You can always persuade. We've got our secret weapon, so use it to the very best we can," she said amid a resounding applause.
Rosmah was speaking at the launch of MCA's Legal Advisory and Women's Aid Centre (Lawa), of which she is the patron.
Sharing her thoughts on relationships, she said that wives must obediently stand by their husbands, just as how she is with Najib.
They should selflessly serve their men, regardless of their profession.
"I'm sure men are not so boisterous. Don't fight them, be with them, work together with them. If they don't want to eat, you (should) still prepare their food, no matter if you're a doctor or a lawyer, you have to be there with them.
"Make sure that you stand by your husband when he needs you to stand by him, like I do," Rosmah added.
As
such, she said that married couples should not be argumentative all the
time, however, if it is done in moderation, slight arguments can lead
to a better love life."After a little bit of argument and then you make up, you will find that your husband will love you a little bit better," she added as the crowd erupted in laughter.
On a more serious note, the PM's wife pointed out that education is important to ensure that boys are raised to be chivalrous.
Centre to help abused women
Meanwhile, MCA Wanita chief Heng Seai Kie said during her speech that Lawa aims to help and improve the lives of abused women.
"The
rise in crime rates and household violence involving women stem from
their ignorance of their own rights, as well as the lack of centres for
them to seek help," she added.She said that it was because of that, as well as with the encouragement of Rosmah, they had decided to launch this institution with 205 centres nationwide.
Lawa, she said, would be receiving help from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Bar Council and other organisations. The institution also provides Syariah and Civil legal counseling for those in need.
MCA also celebrated Rosmah birthday during the launching ceremony.
Subra tells IPF to stop using MIC as 'bait'
Subramaniam said IPF president M Sambanthan's statement during the recent IPF annual assembly that was attended by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was "unwarranted".
Sambanthan had, at the assembly, asked for IPF to be registered under the BN coalition and had also requested positions for IPF leaders in the government ranks.
However, Subramaniam said MIC remains firm in that it will not allow IPF to join the BN coalition.
'MIC has been consistent in its stand'
"MIC has always been consistent in its stand that we will never allow the entry of another Indian-based political party into the BN coalition," he said.
The entry of another Indian party into BN, he said, would not increase the bargaining power of the Indian community but would instead weaken it.
"We will become victims of a divide-and-rule policy that will further entrench divisions in the community," he said.
Subramaniam also reminded IPF of MIC's "goodwill" in helping the former MIC splinter party when it faced financial difficulties several years ago.
"Please don't forget the past and give value to the goodwill that we have shown all these while," he added.Sambanthan's call for acceptance into the BN comes at a time when MIC president G Palanivel's leadership is openly questioned.
The party has been ordered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to re-elect all but its top two posts due to irregularities in the last party leadership election in 2013.
Najib, who attended the IPF assembly for the maiden time, called on all Indian parties that support BN to consolidate as there are many Indian parties attempting to represent the community, which makes only 7.5 percent of Malaysia's population.
MIC on warpath, with move to stop CWC meet
The internal strife in MIC following the order
from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to the party to re-elect its
national leadership except for the top two positions became more
apparent today as a member moved to stop its Central Working Committee
(CWC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
Former MIC Youth chief T Mohan, who represents the slew of members who complained about irregularities in last year’s MIC elections, sent an open letter to party secretary-general A Prakash Rao and to the ROS, demanding that the CWC meet be stopped.
This, Mohan (left)
said, is because the ROS directive clearly states that the CWC election
on Nov 30, 2013, is not recognised, and as such the CWC elected last
year is invalid and should not call for a meeting.
Instead, the CWC elected in 2009 is the one that should sit down and discuss resolutions to resolve the ROS directive, he said.
"When ROS said that the the party election is not recognised, the CWC and vice-presidents who were elected automatically have their positions cancelled," he said.
In his letter to ROS, Mohan called on the registrar to direct MIC to cancel the CWC meeting scheduled to start at 2pm.
Despite the directive stating that the party re-election should take place within 90 days of the directive, MIC had dallied on the matter.
Party president G Palanivel, who is coming under increasing pressure, has said that the party intends to "appeal" to ROS and Home Ministry on the directive.
Party disciplinary committee chairperson KS Nijhar had said that MIC should “reject” the ROS directive.
Previously, MIC senator A Vigneswaran challenged Nijhar to a "public debate" on his “reject” statement.
A group of MIC members has already staged a forum and protest at the MIC headquarters, calling for Palanivel's resignation.
Former MIC Youth chief T Mohan, who represents the slew of members who complained about irregularities in last year’s MIC elections, sent an open letter to party secretary-general A Prakash Rao and to the ROS, demanding that the CWC meet be stopped.
This, Mohan (left)
said, is because the ROS directive clearly states that the CWC election
on Nov 30, 2013, is not recognised, and as such the CWC elected last
year is invalid and should not call for a meeting.Instead, the CWC elected in 2009 is the one that should sit down and discuss resolutions to resolve the ROS directive, he said.
"When ROS said that the the party election is not recognised, the CWC and vice-presidents who were elected automatically have their positions cancelled," he said.
In his letter to ROS, Mohan called on the registrar to direct MIC to cancel the CWC meeting scheduled to start at 2pm.
Despite the directive stating that the party re-election should take place within 90 days of the directive, MIC had dallied on the matter.
Party president G Palanivel, who is coming under increasing pressure, has said that the party intends to "appeal" to ROS and Home Ministry on the directive.
Party disciplinary committee chairperson KS Nijhar had said that MIC should “reject” the ROS directive.
Previously, MIC senator A Vigneswaran challenged Nijhar to a "public debate" on his “reject” statement.
A group of MIC members has already staged a forum and protest at the MIC headquarters, calling for Palanivel's resignation.
What happened to police probe on Umno delegates?
Following last month’s Umno general assembly, a
slew of police reports were lodged against delegates who raised
sensitive issues pertaining to race and religion.
Chief among them was Wanita Umno leader Mashitah Ibrahim and Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said.
The pair’s incendiary speeches were delivered at the same venue where Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that the Sedition Act would be maintained and fortified.
And now a PKR lawmaker, who himself is facing charges under the Sedition Act, is questioning what happened to the police investigations.
Although N Surendran (right)
said the position of Pakatan Rakyat is not to criminalise freedom of
expression, apart from speeches that instigate violence and bloodshed,
certain laws, however, existed.
“So why is there reluctance on the part of the authorities (to invoke them against ruling politicians)?” he asked.
As for Mashitah’s case, the Padang Serai MP said her speech was widely publicised and an investigation had commenced.
“It has been almost a month since the statements were made, but there has been no news of the outcome of the investigation
“Meanwhile, many from the opposition and civil society have been charged with various offences,” Surendran told Malaysiakini.
“So the question is, why are the police silent about the investigation. It is a matter of public interest. Was the investigation serious or was it just a reaction to public concern?” he asked.
Launching a broadside on Umno, Surendran said the party is tolerating extremist views and people who make extreme statements.
“Mashitah is just the manifestation of Umno’s tolerance level with regard to extremism,” he added.
Racial incitement
The police are investigating the former deputy minister under Section 505 of the Penal Code for racial incitement.
They have since recorded statements from Mashitah as well as a Malaysiakini journalist and editor as her speech was reported in the news portal.
In her speech, Mashitah had called on Wanita Umno delegates to defend Islam and cited how the Chinese community in Kedah had torched pages of the Quran during a prayer ritual.
However,
Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir had earlier clarified that a
mentally-ill Malay man had been detained for tearing the Quran, and
there was no burning involved.
Quizzed later on the police reports lodged against her by DAP, Mashitah remained unapologetic, saying the opposition could sue her if they wished to.
As for Mohd Zaidi (left), he had initially courted flak for alleging that the Chinese in Penang profited from illegal businesses.
However, he later claimed that he was misquoted.
Apart from this, the Tamilar Action Force lodged several reports against him for uttering the derogatory term ‘keling’ in his speech at the Umno meet.
Zaidi had said, “We (Umno) are very unlucky because we lost badly in constituencies with a majority of Chinese voters. So, this shows that the Malays in Penang support Umno, regardless of them being ‘mamak’ (Indian-Muslim) or ‘keling’.”
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Barathidasan (left) lamented the lack of action on the part of the police.
“It seems that whenever a report is filed against ruling politicians, the police and attorney-general will drag their feet, but when it comes to the opposition, they act swiftly.
“So far, we have filed several reports in various states but no action has been taken,” Barathidasan said.
He said Zaidi made his remark in full view of the delegates and there is also a recording of his speech.
“And yet nothing happens. We feel very disappointed. The police are not doing their job for the public,” he added.
Chief among them was Wanita Umno leader Mashitah Ibrahim and Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said.
The pair’s incendiary speeches were delivered at the same venue where Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that the Sedition Act would be maintained and fortified.
And now a PKR lawmaker, who himself is facing charges under the Sedition Act, is questioning what happened to the police investigations.
Although N Surendran (right)
said the position of Pakatan Rakyat is not to criminalise freedom of
expression, apart from speeches that instigate violence and bloodshed,
certain laws, however, existed.“So why is there reluctance on the part of the authorities (to invoke them against ruling politicians)?” he asked.
As for Mashitah’s case, the Padang Serai MP said her speech was widely publicised and an investigation had commenced.
“It has been almost a month since the statements were made, but there has been no news of the outcome of the investigation
“Meanwhile, many from the opposition and civil society have been charged with various offences,” Surendran told Malaysiakini.
“So the question is, why are the police silent about the investigation. It is a matter of public interest. Was the investigation serious or was it just a reaction to public concern?” he asked.
Launching a broadside on Umno, Surendran said the party is tolerating extremist views and people who make extreme statements.
“Mashitah is just the manifestation of Umno’s tolerance level with regard to extremism,” he added.
Racial incitement
The police are investigating the former deputy minister under Section 505 of the Penal Code for racial incitement.
They have since recorded statements from Mashitah as well as a Malaysiakini journalist and editor as her speech was reported in the news portal.
In her speech, Mashitah had called on Wanita Umno delegates to defend Islam and cited how the Chinese community in Kedah had torched pages of the Quran during a prayer ritual.
However,
Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir had earlier clarified that a
mentally-ill Malay man had been detained for tearing the Quran, and
there was no burning involved.Quizzed later on the police reports lodged against her by DAP, Mashitah remained unapologetic, saying the opposition could sue her if they wished to.
As for Mohd Zaidi (left), he had initially courted flak for alleging that the Chinese in Penang profited from illegal businesses.
However, he later claimed that he was misquoted.
Apart from this, the Tamilar Action Force lodged several reports against him for uttering the derogatory term ‘keling’ in his speech at the Umno meet.
Zaidi had said, “We (Umno) are very unlucky because we lost badly in constituencies with a majority of Chinese voters. So, this shows that the Malays in Penang support Umno, regardless of them being ‘mamak’ (Indian-Muslim) or ‘keling’.”
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Barathidasan (left) lamented the lack of action on the part of the police.“It seems that whenever a report is filed against ruling politicians, the police and attorney-general will drag their feet, but when it comes to the opposition, they act swiftly.
“So far, we have filed several reports in various states but no action has been taken,” Barathidasan said.
He said Zaidi made his remark in full view of the delegates and there is also a recording of his speech.
“And yet nothing happens. We feel very disappointed. The police are not doing their job for the public,” he added.
Many Malays fear a bloody May 13 could recur
Polls show 53 per cent of Malays are fearful of a repeat of race riots while most Chinese are confident country is not going down that path.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: A recent unpublished Merdeka Centre survey showed that 53 per cent of Malay respondents feared a repeat of racial riots like the deadly one way back in 1969.
According to an article on Malay Mail Online, more than half the Malay respondents of the survey or 53 per cent feared the recurrence of a race riot in contrast to the 67 per cent of Chinese who registered their confidence a race riot would not repeat. 47 per cent of Indians meanwhile also had the same fears as the Malays.
Seen from the perspective of age, 52 per cent of respondents aged 21 to 30 said a race riot could very well recur while only 36 per cent among those aged 60 and above felt the same way.
In terms of occupation, 52 per cent of those in private or self-owned businesses said a repeat of May 13 was unlikely.
Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said, “The Chinese community for the most part put May 13 behind them, but our survey finds that Malays remain susceptible to insecurities about the past.
“It is likely that this is due to the continued economic disadvantage felt by the community.”
Ibrahim put this down to the rising cost of living and the fear many Malays harboured of being left behind economically.
The survey also revealed that more than half of those with access to mainstream media and 46 per cent of those with internet access felt that economic disparities from rising costs could be the trigger for a racial riot to erupt.
Interestingly 61 per cent of those with access to alternative media felt the riots would not recur.
Ibrahim also pointed out that if a racial riot were to happen, it would begin in places with people of various races and where economic classes competed with each other as well as in places where there existed a history of racial tension.
KUALA LUMPUR: A recent unpublished Merdeka Centre survey showed that 53 per cent of Malay respondents feared a repeat of racial riots like the deadly one way back in 1969.
According to an article on Malay Mail Online, more than half the Malay respondents of the survey or 53 per cent feared the recurrence of a race riot in contrast to the 67 per cent of Chinese who registered their confidence a race riot would not repeat. 47 per cent of Indians meanwhile also had the same fears as the Malays.
Seen from the perspective of age, 52 per cent of respondents aged 21 to 30 said a race riot could very well recur while only 36 per cent among those aged 60 and above felt the same way.
In terms of occupation, 52 per cent of those in private or self-owned businesses said a repeat of May 13 was unlikely.
Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said, “The Chinese community for the most part put May 13 behind them, but our survey finds that Malays remain susceptible to insecurities about the past.
“It is likely that this is due to the continued economic disadvantage felt by the community.”
Ibrahim put this down to the rising cost of living and the fear many Malays harboured of being left behind economically.
The survey also revealed that more than half of those with access to mainstream media and 46 per cent of those with internet access felt that economic disparities from rising costs could be the trigger for a racial riot to erupt.
Interestingly 61 per cent of those with access to alternative media felt the riots would not recur.
Ibrahim also pointed out that if a racial riot were to happen, it would begin in places with people of various races and where economic classes competed with each other as well as in places where there existed a history of racial tension.
Zahid: 94 held even before RCI on ‘Project IC’
Government proactive in taking action against abuse of power by individuals in or outside NRD.
FMT
KOTA KINABALU: There had been no direct or indirect involvement of the National Registration Department (NRD) and state government departments and agencies in the “Project IC” in Sabah, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
However, he said, there had been abuse of power by individuals in or outside NRD at the time and legal action had been taken against the individuals involved.
“Action was taken even before the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (on illegal immigrants in Sabah), whereby 94 offenders were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) at the time. Meaning, there was proactive action by the government.
“So in this matter, I urge all quarters to have an open mind and heart for us at the ministry and federal and state governments to sincerely help resolve this issue,” he said after visiting the Tempopary Detention Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Kimanis today.
Meanwhile, Zahid noted that the number of Malaysian citizens in Sabah was smaller than the number in Sarawak.
He said that according to the Statistics Department Report 2010, the total population of Sabah was 3.2 million comprising Malaysian citizens and non-citizens with valid documents as well as illegals.
“However, out of that number, the citizens formed only 2.511 million, compared with 2.6 million of their counterparts in Sarawak.
“After subtracting the number of Malaysian citizens from the total population of 3.2 million in Sabah, the number of foreigners in the state including those with valid documents and allowed to work and the illegal ones stood at about 700,000.”
However, Zahid said, it was difficult for the ministry to ascertain the actual number of illegals in Sabah as they were not registered but their number was estimated at around 250,000.
Zahid also noted that since 1990, 401,000 foreigners, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, had been repatriated to their countries of origin and in 2014 alone until October, 17,434 were repatriated.
He said efforts to detect and detain illegals in Sabah were ongoing and not seasonal, while any weaknesses were being addressed for effectiveness in tackling the issue of illegals.
On the proposal to increase the number of immigration detention depots in Sabah and expanding the capacity of the existing ones, Zahid said the matter was being considered.
On cooperation from the Philippines and Indonesia in tackling the issue of illegals in Sabah, he said so far it had been satisfactory following discussions between Wisma Putra and the countries concerned.
– BERNAMA
FMT
KOTA KINABALU: There had been no direct or indirect involvement of the National Registration Department (NRD) and state government departments and agencies in the “Project IC” in Sabah, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
However, he said, there had been abuse of power by individuals in or outside NRD at the time and legal action had been taken against the individuals involved.
“Action was taken even before the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (on illegal immigrants in Sabah), whereby 94 offenders were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) at the time. Meaning, there was proactive action by the government.
“So in this matter, I urge all quarters to have an open mind and heart for us at the ministry and federal and state governments to sincerely help resolve this issue,” he said after visiting the Tempopary Detention Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Kimanis today.
Meanwhile, Zahid noted that the number of Malaysian citizens in Sabah was smaller than the number in Sarawak.
He said that according to the Statistics Department Report 2010, the total population of Sabah was 3.2 million comprising Malaysian citizens and non-citizens with valid documents as well as illegals.
“However, out of that number, the citizens formed only 2.511 million, compared with 2.6 million of their counterparts in Sarawak.
“After subtracting the number of Malaysian citizens from the total population of 3.2 million in Sabah, the number of foreigners in the state including those with valid documents and allowed to work and the illegal ones stood at about 700,000.”
However, Zahid said, it was difficult for the ministry to ascertain the actual number of illegals in Sabah as they were not registered but their number was estimated at around 250,000.
Zahid also noted that since 1990, 401,000 foreigners, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, had been repatriated to their countries of origin and in 2014 alone until October, 17,434 were repatriated.
He said efforts to detect and detain illegals in Sabah were ongoing and not seasonal, while any weaknesses were being addressed for effectiveness in tackling the issue of illegals.
On the proposal to increase the number of immigration detention depots in Sabah and expanding the capacity of the existing ones, Zahid said the matter was being considered.
On cooperation from the Philippines and Indonesia in tackling the issue of illegals in Sabah, he said so far it had been satisfactory following discussions between Wisma Putra and the countries concerned.
– BERNAMA
Rowdy village head tries chasing out PKR group
The group was there to deliver aid to a flood victim’s family when Shafie Alwi shouted at them, saying they had entered “his” village.
FMT
PORT DICKSON: A rowdy village head of Kampung Jimah in Lukut started shouting abuses at a group of PKR leaders, demanding they “get out” of “his” village despite the group being there only to deliver aid to a flood victim’s family.
Captured on video and now uploaded on YouTube, the video showed Shafie Alwi demanding the group leave as they had entered the village without asking his permission.
Saying, “Come on, this is my village, you know”, Shafie Alwi refused to let up even though PKR Port Dickson State Assemblyman, M Ravi said he had a right to be there as Shafie did not have the authority to stop people from entering the village.
Repeating many times over “This is my village. I have a right”, Shafie also said, “Don’t do the bullshit. Hey, this is my area, I’ll call my men to scold you.”
He also accused the PKR group of “ambushing” the village and warned he would call the police, a threat Ravi and members of his group said he was more than welcome to.
With raised voices and mounting tension, the heated argument took a political turn when Shafie started accusing the PKR group of offering aid only because they wanted to politicise the flooding mishap.
Ravi said Shafie had done nothing to help the people in his village who have lived with recurrent flooding of their houses for over 10 years.
Meanwhile Shafie told Sinar Harian, that all he was doing was protecting his villagers from intruders.
He also belittled the aid brought by the PKR group, saying it was nothing that would make the villager rich.
Shafie also had an issue with that particular family as according to him, “That family has received aid on many occasions.”
FMT
PORT DICKSON: A rowdy village head of Kampung Jimah in Lukut started shouting abuses at a group of PKR leaders, demanding they “get out” of “his” village despite the group being there only to deliver aid to a flood victim’s family.
Captured on video and now uploaded on YouTube, the video showed Shafie Alwi demanding the group leave as they had entered the village without asking his permission.
Saying, “Come on, this is my village, you know”, Shafie Alwi refused to let up even though PKR Port Dickson State Assemblyman, M Ravi said he had a right to be there as Shafie did not have the authority to stop people from entering the village.
Repeating many times over “This is my village. I have a right”, Shafie also said, “Don’t do the bullshit. Hey, this is my area, I’ll call my men to scold you.”
He also accused the PKR group of “ambushing” the village and warned he would call the police, a threat Ravi and members of his group said he was more than welcome to.
With raised voices and mounting tension, the heated argument took a political turn when Shafie started accusing the PKR group of offering aid only because they wanted to politicise the flooding mishap.
Ravi said Shafie had done nothing to help the people in his village who have lived with recurrent flooding of their houses for over 10 years.
Meanwhile Shafie told Sinar Harian, that all he was doing was protecting his villagers from intruders.
He also belittled the aid brought by the PKR group, saying it was nothing that would make the villager rich.
Shafie also had an issue with that particular family as according to him, “That family has received aid on many occasions.”
Data reveals 80,000 married teens in M’sia
UN says early marriage is denying young people their basic rights to reach their full potential academically and socially.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: A United Nations report has revealed a 2010 Malaysian population census showing that there was a total of 80,000 young girls and 70,000 young boys between the ages of 15-19 who were already married.
Speaking at the launch of the report entitled “The power of 1.8 billion: adolescents, youth and the transformation of the future”, UN resident coordinator in Malaysia Michelle Gyles-McDonnough said, “Early marriage denies young people the basic right to the full realisation of their potential and better options must be made available to Malaysian youth.”
Michelle also said that starting a family this young caused these kids to abandon their studies with many never finishing their basic education much less pursuing higher studies.
Besides this clear drawback, other damning data showed 44,000 children of school-going age had never even attended school as of 2009.
She remarked, ”This has certain negative implications on their future, creating situations that will cost much more to solve than if the problem is averted at its inception.”
She added that this left Malaysia’s young deficient in the proper skills to become productive members in the country’s labour market, more so since Malaysia was working towards achieving high-income nation status.
Another aspect of the report dealt with teen pregnancies and unemployment among the young including reports of mounting social problems stemming from an acute lack of information and services pertaining to sexual and reproductive health.
In her address, Michelle remarked that a 2010 UNGASS Country Progress Report also showed that in 2009, 477 girls under 15 years old underwent pre-marital HIV screening including two who were under 10 years old.
She said, ”If we have children as young as 10 registering for pre-marital counselling, then you have a problem here.”
Michelle added, ”We need to create opportunities for our young to find their place as leaders, innovators, change-agents and entrepreneurs of the future.
“The State of World Population report emphasises that one point – that investments in young people, particularly young women and adolescent girls – has the potential to unleash the power for greater human development and advancement.”
KUALA LUMPUR: A United Nations report has revealed a 2010 Malaysian population census showing that there was a total of 80,000 young girls and 70,000 young boys between the ages of 15-19 who were already married.
Speaking at the launch of the report entitled “The power of 1.8 billion: adolescents, youth and the transformation of the future”, UN resident coordinator in Malaysia Michelle Gyles-McDonnough said, “Early marriage denies young people the basic right to the full realisation of their potential and better options must be made available to Malaysian youth.”
Michelle also said that starting a family this young caused these kids to abandon their studies with many never finishing their basic education much less pursuing higher studies.
Besides this clear drawback, other damning data showed 44,000 children of school-going age had never even attended school as of 2009.
She remarked, ”This has certain negative implications on their future, creating situations that will cost much more to solve than if the problem is averted at its inception.”
She added that this left Malaysia’s young deficient in the proper skills to become productive members in the country’s labour market, more so since Malaysia was working towards achieving high-income nation status.
Another aspect of the report dealt with teen pregnancies and unemployment among the young including reports of mounting social problems stemming from an acute lack of information and services pertaining to sexual and reproductive health.
In her address, Michelle remarked that a 2010 UNGASS Country Progress Report also showed that in 2009, 477 girls under 15 years old underwent pre-marital HIV screening including two who were under 10 years old.
She said, ”If we have children as young as 10 registering for pre-marital counselling, then you have a problem here.”
Michelle added, ”We need to create opportunities for our young to find their place as leaders, innovators, change-agents and entrepreneurs of the future.
“The State of World Population report emphasises that one point – that investments in young people, particularly young women and adolescent girls – has the potential to unleash the power for greater human development and advancement.”
Will MCA, Gerakan, MIC and the Sabah/Sarawak BN component parties leave Barisan Nasional if UMNO Assemblymen in Kelantan support hudud implementation in the Kelantan State Assembly special meeting on Dec. 29?
By Blog Lim Kit SiangThe man who is today preening himself with pride in successfully carrying off the “greatest political coup in UMNO history” will be none other than the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who hatched his political plot par excellence with a statement in Parliament on March 27 which completely took PAS leaders by surprise – that the Barisan Nasional Federal Government was prepared to assist the Kelantan PAS State Government to implement hudud laws.
This was a plot to save UMNO and BN, which former Election Commission Chairman/Secretary for 25 years have said are in their “death throes”, and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin conceded that UMNO/BN would be ousted from power if the ruling coalition loses just two per cent of voter support in the next general elections – by creating division in Pakatan Rakyat over the issue of hudud implementation.
But there is also a bonus in the plot – in providing a life-line to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is facing relentless attack and the greatest pressure in his five-year nine-month premiership over the RM42 billion 1MDB scandal.
Najib has attracted brickbats over the mega 1MDB scandal not only from Pakatan Rakyat led by MPs Tony Pua and Rafizi Ramli but also from inside UMNO led by none other than the formidable fourth Prime Minister of 22 years, Tun Mahathir, and others like Tun Daim.
The Kelantan Special State Assembly on Dec. 29 on the implementation of hudud would be like manna from heaven for Najib, as it would provide precious diversion and distraction from the mega 1MDB scandal!
Although DAP and PKR leaders, and the Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council, were taken completely by surprise by the Sunday announcement of the Kelantan Mentri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Yakob of the special meeting of the Kelantan State Assembly on Dec. 29 on hudud implementation, Jamil is clearly not surprised.
The DAP’s stand on hudud and its implementation is the same as the stand taken by the first three Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein – that hudud laws go against the Malaysian Constitution which provides for a secular state with Islam as the religion of the Federation and freedom of worship guaranteed for other religions.
Let no one suggest that the first three Prime Ministers are not good Muslims, and no one should forget that Tunku served for three years as the first Secretary-General of Organisation of Islamic States (OIC) after he stepped down as Prime Minister.
MCA and Gerakan officials have been issuing very fierce statements about the Kelantan State Assembly special meeting on hudud implementation on Dec. 29.
The Gerakan President Datuk Mah Siew Keong even challenged political leaders from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional to “reject hudud as responsible politicians” and to “make a clear and unambiguous stand to reject Hudud as it is unconstitutional and impractical in a multiracial society.”
Will MCA, Gerakan, MIC and the Sabah/Sarawak BN component parties leave Barisan Nasional if UMNO Assemblymen in Kelantan support hudud implemention in the Kelantan Special State Assembly on Dec. 29?
Better police accountability needed
The New Straits Times
GEORGE
TOWN: The Federal Constitution has provided for the formation of an
Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
Malaysia
Bar Council president Christopher Leong urged the Federal government to
set up IPCMC for better transparency in the police force.
He
said IPCMC, recommended by the commission nine years ago, was overdue
for the force, whose image had been tarnished in recent years by a slew
of police custodian deaths.
“There is an urgency to deal with the complaints and the negative perception of the police.
“It
is high time IPCMC was in place to improve the police’s performance,”
he said at a public forum entitled “Police Accountability” here, last
Saturday.
According
to information received from the Federal Government in Parliament on
June 26 last year, Leong said, there were 231 deaths in police custody
between 2000 and May 2013.
“The statistics show about one death in police custody every three weeks during that period,” he said.
Leong
gave an account of multiple bodily injuries sustained by a 32-year-old
police detainee who was found dead at the Kuala Lumpur contingent
headquarters on May 21 last year.
He said the police must take a hard look at improving its reputation.
“The stakes are high. The police must do something to address their flaws in handling custodian deaths,” he said.
Leong said other challenges identified by the Royal Commission were alleged widespread corruption and power abuse.
Earlier, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had urged for IPCMC to be set up to help the police.
Lim, in his keynote address, said IPCMC was needed to hear out the complaints about the police.
He said IPCMC could also help to prevent the force from being misused for political reasons.
By Phuah Ken Lin
After cops walk free, lawyers demand EAIC report on Dharmendran’s death
Malay Mail
by BOO SU-LYN AND IDA LIM
by BOO SU-LYN AND IDA LIM
KUALA
LUMPUR, Dec 15 — Lawyers are pushing for the Enforcement Agency
Integrity Commission (EAIC) to publish the findings of its inquiry into
N. Dharmendran’s death in custody, after four police officers were
acquitted over his murder.
Bar
Council chairman Christopher Leong criticised the commission that
announced one and a half years ago in June 2013 its investigation on
Dharmendran and another death in police custody case involving R. Jamesh
Ramesh, saying the EAIC has been shown to be ineffective in dealing
with problems linked to the police.
“EAIC must release its report on its inquiry into Dharmendran’s case,” Leong told Malay Mail Online.
Civil
liberties lawyer New Sin Yew noted that the EAIC lacked legal powers to
act on police misconduct, but said it should still release the findings
of its probe into Dharmendran’s case.
“Even
though the EAIC, under the law, they don’t have real bite but the least
that they can do is to let the family members and the public know what
is the result of the investigation.
“If
you are not even able to investigate and come out with a report,
whether or not that is legally enforceable and will lead to prosecution,
then you have failed in your purpose of being a watchdog,” New told
Malay Mail Online, adding that the EAIC should also probe all cases of
custodial deaths.
The
EAIC - which probes complaints of misconduct against the police and 18
other enforcement agencies - said June last year that the task force set
up on May 28, 2013, would review the police’s standard operating
procedures that led to Dharmendran’s and Jamesh Ramesh’s deaths.
Last
Friday, The High Court acquitted Inspector S. Hare Krishnan and three
other police officers of the murder of Dharmendran, a 31-year-old man
who died while detained at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters on May
21, 2013 for the attempted murder of two people in Cheras.
Justice
Kamardin Hashim ruled that the prosecution had failed to provide a
motive for the four and only provided circumstantial evidence to back
its case, also saying that the forensic report was inconsistent with the
prosecution’s arguments.
Dr
Siew Sheue Feng from Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s Department of Forensic
Medicine stated that Dharmendran’s post-mortem revealed that he had died
from various injuries caused by blunt objects.
Leong
also said today that Dharmendran’s case showed the urgent need for
reforms of the police force, particularly its arrest and detention
procedures.
“Very
often, it is difficult to identify the perpetrators of such a heinous
crime alleged to be committed within our police force because of the
insulatory and lack of transparency which the police force enjoys,” said
the Malaysian Bar president.
Leong said the Inspector-General of Police’s Standing Orders on the use of firearms, for example, are not made public.
“There
must immediately be implemented strict safeguards and established as an
independent oversight body in the form of the IPCMC as recommended by
the royal commission,” he added, referring to the Independent Police
Complaints and Misconduct Commission that a royal commission had mooted
in 2005.
Leong
said it was “shameful” that the police force, whose duty is to protect
the public, was perceived as being sullied by deaths in custody.
New
similarly highlighted the importance of setting up an IPCMC to “ensure
impartial investigation into police wrongdoings and oversight of police
abuse of powers”, saying that a compromised investigation would handicap
the prosecution.
“There’ll
always be another Dharmendran and death in police custody will continue
to happen until and unless the perpetrators are scared of the
repercussions of their actions. IPCMC would be a step towards this.
“The
government instead of having window-dressing like EAIC should start
looking at implementing real reforms by establishing the IPCMC. Until
then, the perpetrators can and will continue to act with impunity,” he
added.
Human
rights group Suaram has said over 220 deaths in custody took place in
the country from 2000 to May 2013, nine of which happened in 2012 while
eight occurred from January to May last year.
Dharmendran’s
demise was one of the three deaths in custody in less than two weeks in
May last year, sparking fresh calls for the establishment of the IPCMC.
PM: Don't Be Duped By People Claiming To Be PR1MA Agents
PUTRAJAYA,
Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today
advised the public not to get cheated by people claiming to be agents
for the 1Malaysia People's Housing Scheme (PR1MA)."They are going around collecting money from people who want to buy the (PR1MA) affordable houses," he told a press conference after chairing a National Housing Council meeting here.
Najib said PR1MA's management had a lodged a police report on the matter.
"I hope members of the public will not get easily taken in by these people who go around showing letters that they have been authorised to act for PR1MA." he said.
Meanwhile, PR1MA chairman Tan Sri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said PR1MA had never appointed any agents to process applications to buy its houses.
"These bogus agents are fleecing people claiming that by paying RM2,000 they (public) can apply for PR1MA houses when in fact applicants can download the forms online or come to our offices to fill up the forms, without having to pay any charges," he said.
He said any developer wishing to collaborate with PR1MA would also be asked to meet PR1MA's management in person to pursue the matter.
"We have not appointed any developer to build PR1MA houses or agents to sell PR1MA homes," he said, adding the government guaranteed that PR1MA houses would be 20 per cent lower than market prices.
PR1MA houses are offered to all Malaysians with monthly household income ranging from RM2,500 to RM10,000.
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