Thursday, 12 March 2015
Blindfolded and forced to their knees, three men are beheaded with blood-covered sword by ISIS executioner for homosexuality and blasphemy as crowd cheer on each blow
- Masked jihadi executioner is filmed standing over men with huge sword
- Kneeling before him are men accused of blasphemy and homosexuality
- Chilling images show the men bent over at public site awaiting their death
- ISIS militants claimed the three were executed in a northern city of Iraq
Chilling new images have emerged of three men accused of homosexuality and blasphemy being forced to their knees and publicly beheaded by a sword-wielding Islamic State executioner.
Photographs of the barbaric murders show the blindfolded men kneeling in the centre of what appears to be a traffic roundabout with a crowd of people looking on as a masked executioner stands by with a long, rusty blade.
After an elderly man uses a microphone to read to the crowd from his notes, the executioner then steps forward with the blade poised above the men's heads in the unnamed city in northern Iraq.
Accompanying captions said the trio were then beheaded - two for engaging in homosexual acts and the third for alleged blasphemy - but there were no images released of the actual beheading.
The jihadist group, which controls swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria, has carried out hundreds of barbaric executions as it has imposed its brutal version of Islamic law, many of which are photographed or videotaped.
The photos were said to have been taken in Nineveh province - the first to fall to a sweeping IS-led offensive last June - but the exact location was not specified.
Many young men have also been thrown from the roofs of buildings throughout ISIS-controlled areas after being accused of engaging in homosexual acts.
The stomach-churning photographs usually show a blindfolded victim being dragged to the top of a building by black-masked militants.
As crowds gather at street level the men are thrown to their death, while jihadis and members of the public use mobile phones to film the gruesome murders.
Iraqi troops and militia are battling to push the jihadists back with support from a US-led coalition and Iran.
But retaking Nineveh and its capital Mosul poses a major challenge for Baghdad's forces, as the militants have had more than nine months to dig in.
Iraqi forces launched a huge operation last week aimed at retaking the city of Tikrit that, if successful, would serve as a stepping stone towards Mosul.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2987901/Photos-claim-IS-beheadings-homosexuals-northern-Iraq.html
Fatah celebrates murder of 80 (sic) Israelis in most lethal Palestinian terror attack
"This was the most courageous victory"
by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
Yesterday,
Abbas' Fatah party celebrated the anniversary of a bus hijacking in
which Fatah terrorists murdered 37 Israeli civilians. On Facebook, Fatah
posted a text glorifying the attack. A
striking element of Fatah's glorification and celebration of the attack
was the decision to exaggerate the number of Israelis killed, in order
to make the "operation" seem greater and more successful:
"A huge self-sacrificing operation in Herzliya, Tel Aviv. 80 Israelis killed and over 100 wounded." [Facebook, "Fatah - The Main Page," March 10, 2015]
In
March 1978, a group of Fatah terrorists from Lebanon hijacked a bus on
Israel's Coastal Highway. Confronted by the Israeli army, the terrorists
killed many of the passengers on the bus, in total 37 civilians,12 of
them children, and wounded more than 70. The attack is known in Israel
as the Coastal Road massacre.
In 2010, the PA dedicated a square in Ramallah to Dalal Mughrabi,
who led the attack, by naming it after her. That square was also chosen
this year by Fatah for a public event taking place today, celebrating
its killing of Israeli civilians:
"We will mark the anniversary of the heroic coastal operation (i.e., the Coastal Road massacre), which was led by Martyr (Shahida) Dalal Mughrabi, and the deaths as Martyrs of Dalal and her heroic friends, at 3:30 p.m. across from Martyr Dalal Mughrabi Square in Ramallah."
[Facebook, "Fatah - The Main Page," March 10, 2015]
Palestinian Media Watch has documented that the Palestinian Authority and Fatah present Dalal Mughrabi as a role model for Palestinians, and especially for Palestinian girls, naming at least three girls' schools after her. Last year, PA TV commemorated Mughrabi
by visiting one of the schools. One student said: "My life's ambition
is to reach the level that the Martyr fighter Dalal Mughrabi reached."
Yesterday,
an image of terrorist Mughrabi with the text glorifying her attack was
posted by Fatah on its official Facebook page. To make the "operation"
seem even greater, Fatah exaggerated the number of Israelis killed:
Posted text: "Urgent: A huge self-sacrificing operation (Fida'i
- operation, i.e., terror attack) in Herzliya, Tel Aviv (i.e., the
Coastal Road attack in 1978). 80 Israelis killed and over 100 wounded.
The Palestinian flag was raised at the center of town. The commander of the cell [Dalal Mughrabi] and 12 self-sacrificing fighters (Fedayeen) died as Martyrs (Shahids), and one was wounded. She [Dalal Mughrabi] raised the flag of the [Palestinian] state, and this was the most courageous victory, March 11, 1978."
Text on image: "Dalal Mughrabi, 1958-1978"
[Facebook, "Fatah - The Main Page,"
March 10, 2015]
Click to see more examples of PA and Fatah terror glorification
documented by PMW.
The following is a longer excerpt of Fatah's post on Facebook announcing the event glorifying terrorist Mughrabi:
Posted text: "An invitation to the public and our journalist brothers: Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, we will mark the anniversary of the heroic coastal operation(i.e., the Coastal Road massacre), which was led by Martyr (Shahida) Dalal Mughrabi, and of the deaths as Martyrs of Dalal and her heroic friends. [The ceremony will take place] at 3:30 p.m. across from Martyr Dalal Mughrabi Square in Ramallah."
[Facebook, "Fatah - The Main Page", March 10, 2015]
MIC’s Vell Paari wants police to act on Palanivel video clip
An MIC division chief has decided to get an independent forensic expert, to determine if a video clip featuring Datuk G. Palanivel making candid disparaging remarks about party members and Indians was authentic and not doctored as claimed by the party president.Kepong MIC chief, Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari said police should also start immediate investigation to determine if the clip was doctored and not wait for a report to be lodged by Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
"Analysing the video, the man’s spoken words in terms of sound delivery, it coordinates well with his body language and movement.
"Anyway, I am not a forensic expert. So it's best to wait for the police to complete its investigation. I suggest the police immediately get a sound and voice expert to authenticate if it's Datuk Palani’s voice,” he said in a statement today.
Vell Paari said assuming the video was true, Palanivel’s comments was hurtful to the Indian community, adding that it was unacceptable to go against Barisan Nasional.
Yesterday, Palanivel denied making disparaging remarks about party members and Indians as featured in the video uploaded on a Facebook.
He claimed the contents of the three-minute video clip, uploaded on the Kitchen UP TV Facebook page, had been "doctored and completely untrue".
"I have never made and will never make such untrue statements or remarks," he said.
Palanivel said he would lodge a police report on the matter, and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
"I am appalled that people can stoop to such a low level to put up untrue video clip for reasons best known to them.
"I can only see this being the result of the fresh elections for MIC that I have called and the solid show of support by the branch chairmen of MIC to my leadership." he said.
In the video, a man resembling the Cameron Highlands MP had spoken candidly on several issues where he said MIC members would vote for the opposition in the event of the Permatang Pauh by-election.
He also touched about his smaller majority at the May 2013 national polls, and the opposition’s role in getting the large numbers.
It was reported that the Facebook page operator said he had uploaded the clip so that people would know "what type of leaders we have now".
He said the clip was shot at a private meeting between Palanivel and the crew.
“I could not provide you more details as this will put my safety at risk. I have more videos of Datuk Seri Palanivel’s confession, which I will upload very soon,” said Jason, the Facebook page operator, to The Malaysian Insider, while assuring that the clip was not fake or superimposed.
He said Palanivel should have been aware that he was being filmed as it was a formal interview and not a casual talk.
The Kitchen UP TV Facebook page does not carry much information about itself, and appears to have started its Facebook presence earlier this year.
The video comes on the heels of a crisis that has pitted party members against each other, following the Registrar of Societies's (RoS) declaration that the election of the three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee (CWC) members in November 2013 was null and void.
In a letter dated December 5, 2014, RoS ordered MIC to call for a fresh election for the posts within 90 days.
The conflict within the party worsened after Palanivel on February 14 requested RoS to withdraw all its letters as it allegedly contravened the party constitution and Societies Act, and threatened to take legal action if RoS did not comply. – March 11, 2015.
Altantuya case can only be reopened if there are other suspects, says former A-G
The Altantuya Shaariibuu murder investigation can only be reopened if there is evidence to show that others, apart from the two convicted policemen, have committed offences related to the murder, former attorney-general Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman said."Only then is the police obliged to reopen the case," he told The Malaysian Insider.
Talib said this in response to PAS Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar's statement in Parliament today, urging police to reopen the murder investigation to establish motive.
Mahfuz , who recently visited convicted murderer Sirul Azhar Umar in Australia, said the motive for her murder was never established.
"He kept telling me he was ordered. The rest he spoke about is in confidence.
"I am not trying to defend a criminal, but the police must investigate who ordered the hit," Mahfuz said, while debating the royal address in Parliament today.
Talib said in criminal law, motive was helpful, but not necessary for the case.
"Motive is only helpful to determine intention of the killing," he said, adding that the murder case has been resolved with the conviction of Special Action Unit (UTK) personnel Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Sirul .
"The guilty have been brought to justice when the two cops were sentenced to death," he said.
Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda was acquitted of abetting in the 2006 murder.
Razak, once Altantuya's lover, was also confidante of current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The High Court in 2009 found the police commandos guilty of the crime, but the Court of Appeal set the two free after reversing the findings of the trial court in 2013.
Sirul was absent when the apex court in January overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal and sentenced the two to the gallows.
Sirul had left fled the country to Australia last October, but was detained by Immigration authorities there following a red alert by Interpol.
Allegations have been brewing since 2006 that Altantuya was ordered to keep quiet about purported kick-backs to high-level Malaysian officials over the US$2 billion purchase of two French Scorpene submarines when Najib was defence minister.
Najib has vehemently denied knowing or meeting Altantuya and the Malaysian government refuted allegations of any wrong doing in the submarine deal, which is the subject of an investigation by a magistrate in Paris. - March 11, 2015
'IGP jumped the gun with posting probe order'
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu
Bakar is accused of jumping the gun by instructing the Penang police to
act on a Facebook posting attributed to Deputy Chief Minister II P
Ramasamy, which says he has no fear of facing the Malays.
Ramasamy said the posting Khalid referred to was "doctored" by BN cybertroopers, and carried a challenge to the Malays to bring on the May 13.
"It is a malicious lie out to slander me. Whoever did it even spelt my name wrongly. Didn't the IGP notice that? This is the work of BN cybertroopers," he said.
"The
IGP should investigate the matter first, to see if the posting really
came from me, before instructing the Penang police chief (Abdul Rahim
Hanafi) to come after me," Ramasamy (left) told Malaysiakini.
Today, the IGP tweeted a photo of the alleged Fcebook posting by Ramasamy, which says, "Saya tidak pernah gentar berdepan dengan orang Melayu. Sekiranya peristiwa berdarah itu berulang kembali pada hari ini. Kerana saya sudah lama bersedia. MIC, Gerakan dan MCA mungkin takut. Jika anda mahukan 13 Mei, anda bawa la sekarang...".
The posting was signed off as "R. Ramasami, Deputy Chief Minister II."
(Translation: I have never been afraid of confronting the Malays. If the bloody incident recurs today. Because I have long been prepared. MIC, Gerakan and MCA may be scared. If you want 13 May, bring it on, lah).
About
9am this morning, Khalid had tweeted "Kerap kali @PDRMsia ingatkan
supaya hati2 keluarkan statement, masih ada yg degil. KP Pg sila jlnkan
tugas..."
(Translation: The PDRM has constantly reminded people to be careful when making statements, there still are the stubborn. Penang police chief, please do your duty...).
May 13, 1969, was the worst racial riots the country has seen and both sides of the political divide have been reminding the nation not to encourage a repeat of the bloody incident.
Ramasamy said he was already investigated by the police last year about a tweet on May 13, but nothing came out of the case.
The statement then was a response to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who said it was possible May 13 would recur if there were no efforts to preserve racial harmony in the country.
"I am ready to be called in by the police, but please do your homework first before seeking me out," added Ramasamy, who is the assemblyperson for Perai.
Ramasamy said the posting Khalid referred to was "doctored" by BN cybertroopers, and carried a challenge to the Malays to bring on the May 13.
"It is a malicious lie out to slander me. Whoever did it even spelt my name wrongly. Didn't the IGP notice that? This is the work of BN cybertroopers," he said.
"The
IGP should investigate the matter first, to see if the posting really
came from me, before instructing the Penang police chief (Abdul Rahim
Hanafi) to come after me," Ramasamy (left) told Malaysiakini.Today, the IGP tweeted a photo of the alleged Fcebook posting by Ramasamy, which says, "Saya tidak pernah gentar berdepan dengan orang Melayu. Sekiranya peristiwa berdarah itu berulang kembali pada hari ini. Kerana saya sudah lama bersedia. MIC, Gerakan dan MCA mungkin takut. Jika anda mahukan 13 Mei, anda bawa la sekarang...".
The posting was signed off as "R. Ramasami, Deputy Chief Minister II."
(Translation: I have never been afraid of confronting the Malays. If the bloody incident recurs today. Because I have long been prepared. MIC, Gerakan and MCA may be scared. If you want 13 May, bring it on, lah).
About
9am this morning, Khalid had tweeted "Kerap kali @PDRMsia ingatkan
supaya hati2 keluarkan statement, masih ada yg degil. KP Pg sila jlnkan
tugas..."(Translation: The PDRM has constantly reminded people to be careful when making statements, there still are the stubborn. Penang police chief, please do your duty...).
May 13, 1969, was the worst racial riots the country has seen and both sides of the political divide have been reminding the nation not to encourage a repeat of the bloody incident.
Ramasamy said he was already investigated by the police last year about a tweet on May 13, but nothing came out of the case.
The statement then was a response to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who said it was possible May 13 would recur if there were no efforts to preserve racial harmony in the country.
"I am ready to be called in by the police, but please do your homework first before seeking me out," added Ramasamy, who is the assemblyperson for Perai.
Jaws drop as topless duo frolic in the sun
The topless girls were holidaying at Pulau Sulug totally oblivious to local sensitivities.
FMT
KOTA KINABALU: It was a sight not many tourists in this more conservative part of the world are used to, so many found themselves genuinely shocked to see two young foreign tourists frolicking topless in the sun at Pulau Sulug.
With children gaping at them, other beach-goers decided to make the most of the experience by recording the young women’s antics, the Malaysian Digest reported.
One tourist, Mardiana Abdul Ezam 33, said she saw the girls after her son told her about them. It was around 9am Sunday.
“At first, I thought my son was just joking when he told me that he saw women playing on the beach nearby without wearing clothes.
“I then looked in the direction he pointed and was surprised to find out what he said to me was true,” she told a local Malay daily, yesterday.
It is not known at this point if the authorities, namely Taman-Taman Sabah, which manages the beach, was able to talk to the young women and advise them to cover up.
FMTKOTA KINABALU: It was a sight not many tourists in this more conservative part of the world are used to, so many found themselves genuinely shocked to see two young foreign tourists frolicking topless in the sun at Pulau Sulug.
With children gaping at them, other beach-goers decided to make the most of the experience by recording the young women’s antics, the Malaysian Digest reported.
One tourist, Mardiana Abdul Ezam 33, said she saw the girls after her son told her about them. It was around 9am Sunday.
“At first, I thought my son was just joking when he told me that he saw women playing on the beach nearby without wearing clothes.
“I then looked in the direction he pointed and was surprised to find out what he said to me was true,” she told a local Malay daily, yesterday.
It is not known at this point if the authorities, namely Taman-Taman Sabah, which manages the beach, was able to talk to the young women and advise them to cover up.
Kamal Haasan’s latest flick to be on MH370
The Tamil star is believed to begin pre-production work for the movie next month.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: While the world acknowledges the first anniversary of one of aviation’s greatest mysteries – the disappearance of MAS flight MH370, one Tamil superstar plans to make a move based on it.
According to online India news portal www.iluvcinema.in, Kamal Haasan is believed to be producing the movie under the Raj Kamal Films International banner, with pre-production work scheduled for next month, The Rakyat Post reported.
Besides the Tamil hotshot, the movie will be directed by top choreographer Prabhu Deva, who has a string of Tamil, Telugu and Bollywood hits to his credit.
Kamal Haasan meanwhile has a movie that will be released soon, Uthama Villain, which he produced, wrote and acted in.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: While the world acknowledges the first anniversary of one of aviation’s greatest mysteries – the disappearance of MAS flight MH370, one Tamil superstar plans to make a move based on it.
According to online India news portal www.iluvcinema.in, Kamal Haasan is believed to be producing the movie under the Raj Kamal Films International banner, with pre-production work scheduled for next month, The Rakyat Post reported.
Besides the Tamil hotshot, the movie will be directed by top choreographer Prabhu Deva, who has a string of Tamil, Telugu and Bollywood hits to his credit.
Kamal Haasan meanwhile has a movie that will be released soon, Uthama Villain, which he produced, wrote and acted in.
Police detect two individuals involved in IS through umrah
Police believe that the umrah agency had no connection with the individuals involved in the IS.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have detected two individuals who joined the Islamic State (IS) militant group through their umrah (minor haj) trip before meeting up with the militants in Syria.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said they had used the services of an umrah agency for the trip to ease their plan and to avoid detection by the authorities of their real intention.
“So far, we have detected two such cases where on the pretext of going for umrah, they actually wanted to join the IS militants.
“They went (to the Holy Land) not for a religious purpose….imagine, the umrah being misused,” said Khalid, who declined to reveal the identity of the two individuals.
He was met by reporters after handing out letters of appreciation to selected courteous road users and the best police contingents in the “Op Selamat” 6/2015 held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
Khalid said police believed that the umrah agency had no connection with the individuals involved in the IS.
He said the problem, however, needed to be tackled holistically, including through legal means.
The IGP said police had so far identified 50 Malaysians who had gone to Syria to join the IS, while another 70 had been arrested including those trying to leave the country to go to Syria and also those who had returned from there.
Recently, Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainuddin revealed about individuals planning to join the IS movement through the umrah package, and information on this was obtained through sharing of information with certain countries, including members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
On another development, Khalid said police would call Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, P. Ramasamy over his statement deemed as racist which appeared on social websites.
“I have been informed that it is an old tweet, but we will still investigate whether it is an old or new tweet. We will call him and investigate the matter.”
Khalid said to avoid trouble or tension, elected leaders and community leaders should be careful before making statements, especially on social websites, as these could incite their followers.
- BERNAMA
FMTKUALA LUMPUR: Police have detected two individuals who joined the Islamic State (IS) militant group through their umrah (minor haj) trip before meeting up with the militants in Syria.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said they had used the services of an umrah agency for the trip to ease their plan and to avoid detection by the authorities of their real intention.
“So far, we have detected two such cases where on the pretext of going for umrah, they actually wanted to join the IS militants.
“They went (to the Holy Land) not for a religious purpose….imagine, the umrah being misused,” said Khalid, who declined to reveal the identity of the two individuals.
He was met by reporters after handing out letters of appreciation to selected courteous road users and the best police contingents in the “Op Selamat” 6/2015 held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
Khalid said police believed that the umrah agency had no connection with the individuals involved in the IS.
He said the problem, however, needed to be tackled holistically, including through legal means.
The IGP said police had so far identified 50 Malaysians who had gone to Syria to join the IS, while another 70 had been arrested including those trying to leave the country to go to Syria and also those who had returned from there.
Recently, Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainuddin revealed about individuals planning to join the IS movement through the umrah package, and information on this was obtained through sharing of information with certain countries, including members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
On another development, Khalid said police would call Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, P. Ramasamy over his statement deemed as racist which appeared on social websites.
“I have been informed that it is an old tweet, but we will still investigate whether it is an old or new tweet. We will call him and investigate the matter.”
Khalid said to avoid trouble or tension, elected leaders and community leaders should be careful before making statements, especially on social websites, as these could incite their followers.
- BERNAMA
Zzzzzz… sleeping beauties give cops a bad name
The duo are awaiting disciplinary action from their superior and have been transferred to another department.
FMT
GEORGE TOWN: Two policemen, who were caught sleeping in the Mak Mandin police community beat base, were immediately transferred to another department pending disciplinary action.
Penang CPO, Senior Deputy Commissioner (SDC) Abdul Rahim Hanafi ordered an internal investigation into the embarrassing incident as a photograph of the two sleeping police personnel went viral rapidly yesterday.
The duo was transferred immediately to the district police control room at north Seberang Perai (SPU) where they will work until suitable disciplinary action is taken.
The no-nonsense DCM Abdul Rahim, who said he would not compromise on disciplinary problems among police staff, added, “Such matters are serious and we will take appropriate and stern action on them.”
FMT
GEORGE TOWN: Two policemen, who were caught sleeping in the Mak Mandin police community beat base, were immediately transferred to another department pending disciplinary action.
Penang CPO, Senior Deputy Commissioner (SDC) Abdul Rahim Hanafi ordered an internal investigation into the embarrassing incident as a photograph of the two sleeping police personnel went viral rapidly yesterday.
The duo was transferred immediately to the district police control room at north Seberang Perai (SPU) where they will work until suitable disciplinary action is taken.
The no-nonsense DCM Abdul Rahim, who said he would not compromise on disciplinary problems among police staff, added, “Such matters are serious and we will take appropriate and stern action on them.”
Free medication a miracle, says Dr M
The former prime minister wonders how the government can continue dispensing free drugs with costs going up.
FMT
SERDANG: It’s a near miracle that the government is able to continue giving free medication at public hospitals considering the escalating costs, according to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
“When I was prime minister, we were worried about how to finance the free medicine that we were giving to Malaysians,” he told reporters here.
“During the British time, when I was still practising, it was one cent per bottle of cough mixture. So the government wasn’t spending too much money.
“But the costs of medicines have gone up. How the government can still sustain this free medical treatment is something that is almost a miracle.”
He was speaking at a press conference after witnessing the signing of an agreement between Perdana University and University of California San Diego for a medical and research programme.
He noted that not all medicines will be exempted from the GST, which will be introduced next month. Only drugs that come under the National Essential Drug List will be zero-rated, but Mahathir said some essential medicines had been excluded from the list.
He said the public should let the government know if they feel burdened by the GST.
“It is for the people to respond,” he said. “If this is a burden to them, they can tell the government, ‘If you charge taxes, we will not vote for you anymore.’”
Mahathir surprised journalists for refusing to give any comment on 1MDB, of which he has been outstandingly critical.
He was asked to comment on the Cabinet’s announcement that the Auditor-General has been directed to investigate 1MDB’s controversial finances, but he said he would not answer questions about the company or about politics.
He maintained his silence on the two subjects despite persistent questioning, saying he would limit his answers to questions about the healthcare system and Perdana University, of which he is chancellor.
FMT
SERDANG: It’s a near miracle that the government is able to continue giving free medication at public hospitals considering the escalating costs, according to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
“When I was prime minister, we were worried about how to finance the free medicine that we were giving to Malaysians,” he told reporters here.
“During the British time, when I was still practising, it was one cent per bottle of cough mixture. So the government wasn’t spending too much money.
“But the costs of medicines have gone up. How the government can still sustain this free medical treatment is something that is almost a miracle.”
He was speaking at a press conference after witnessing the signing of an agreement between Perdana University and University of California San Diego for a medical and research programme.
He noted that not all medicines will be exempted from the GST, which will be introduced next month. Only drugs that come under the National Essential Drug List will be zero-rated, but Mahathir said some essential medicines had been excluded from the list.
He said the public should let the government know if they feel burdened by the GST.
“It is for the people to respond,” he said. “If this is a burden to them, they can tell the government, ‘If you charge taxes, we will not vote for you anymore.’”
Mahathir surprised journalists for refusing to give any comment on 1MDB, of which he has been outstandingly critical.
He was asked to comment on the Cabinet’s announcement that the Auditor-General has been directed to investigate 1MDB’s controversial finances, but he said he would not answer questions about the company or about politics.
He maintained his silence on the two subjects despite persistent questioning, saying he would limit his answers to questions about the healthcare system and Perdana University, of which he is chancellor.
The Najib administration has become a hydra-headed government with Ministers and heads of departments giving different stands on a whole variety of issues
The Najib administration has become a hydra-headed government with Ministers and heads of government giving different stands on a whole variety of issues.
The present meeting of Parliament is providing multiple examples of a hydra-headed government.
For instance, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi in a written answer to the DAP MP for Kulai, Teo Nie Ching, said police have completed investigations on incendiary statements by Umno leaders, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim and are waiting for further instructions from the Attorney-General.
A total of 32 police reports were lodged against Ismail over his call for Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses as a way to force down the prices of goods while ten police reports were lodged against Mashitah, who had said that Chinese people had burned the Quran in a religious rite in Kuala Kedah, which was a downright lie as it never happened.
But while the Home Minister said that the Police are waiting for instructions from the Attorney-General, another Minister, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, cleared Ismail Sabri of any offence or any crime!
In a written reply to the DAP MP for Taiping, Nga Kor Ming, Shahidan defended Ismail’s statement claiming that Ismail’s call was “directed to all races and not certain races” – which flies in the face of Ismail’s original statement, which was a very explicit, clear-cut and unmistakable statement calling on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businesses.
If the Prime Minister’s Department is defending and exonerating Ismail’s racist statement, why is the Home Minister indulging in the rigmarole in Parliament with his written answer that the Police are waiting for instructions from the Attorney-General?
This is not the only example from yesterday’s Parliament that the Najib administration has become a hydra-headed government.
In a written reply to my question, Zahid endorsed the twitter-happy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar who used the social media platform to make announcements of police actions and investigations.
Zahid said Khalid’s twitter habits were aimed at keeping the public informed on the police actions and were not politically motivated or out to scare anyone.
Can Zahid cite a single instance where Khalid had tweeted about police action against UMNO/Barisan Nasional leaders whether Ismail Sabri, Mashitah Ibrahim or even Zahid himself?
If Zahid is unable to cite a single instance, and all Khalid’s tweets were directed at Pakatan Rakyat leaders and NGO activists, this is irrefutable proof of the IGP playing with twitter to harass and intimidate PR leaders and NGO activists as part of a politically-motivated campaign.
Khalid was clearly abusing his powers by using his tweets to announce police action against PR leaders and NGO activists, as he was in the process, as good as passing judgment that the PR leaders and NGOs activists had committed offences even before any police investigation had been commenced and the case referred to the Attorney-General for instructions.
Even if the Attorney-General decides on prosecution, an accused is still innocent until proven guilty, but the IGP had already jumped the gun, not once but thrice, in deeming a person guilty of crime firstly, before police investigations commenced; secondly, before the Attorney-General’s instruction to prosecute, and thirdly, before the court’s conviction (subject to appeal process) had been delivered!
Is this how a conscientious and responsible Inspector-General of Police in a country which really respects and upholds the rule of law and a just administration of justice should behave himself?
For such grave transgressions, the Home Minister should have called up the Inspector-General to put him on a correction course.
But how is Zahid to try to discipline Khalid when Zahid had himself been guilty of gross indiscipline and offence, even in breach of the Official Secrets Act, of writing the infamous letter to Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) vouching for the integrity of an alleged Malaysian gambling kingpin Paul Phua standing trial in Las Vegas, Nevada in direct contradiction to the police’s earlier communication with FBI?
The Home Minister and the IGP seemed to be trapped in a “Catch 22” situation where neither one can impose authority or correct the other, as each is aware of the other’s vulnerability!
The has resulted in the most ludicrous ministerial reply when the DAP MP for Segambut, Lim Lip Eng was told by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Shahidan Kassim that information relating to Paul Phua is a “huge secret” classified under the Official Secrets Act and that the government has no plans to reveal it.
In the first place, how does Shahidan know that any information relating to the international gambling kingpin Paul Phua is a “huge secret” under the OSA?
If so, why is Zahid allowed to violate the “huge secret” in his infamous letter to the FBI, without authority, sanction or knowledge from the Police, the Foreign Ministry, the Cabinet and the Prime Minister?
Furthermore what are the criteria for classifying a secret as a “huge secret” under the OSA?
Is the information on Paul Phua more of a “huge secret” than all the other information under the OSA, including respectable characters like members of Cabinet, Parliament and the civil service?
Silence by Shahidan or even the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on this issue of the “huge secret” under the OSA can only undermine public confidence in the credibility and integrity of the Federal Government.
The Najib administration has been make a fool of itself with the hydra-headed replies in Parliament.
For instance, when the Foreign Minister, Datuk Anifa Aman in a written reply to DAP MP for Batu Kawan, Kasthuri Patto defended the appointment of Datuk Shafee Abdullah as Malaysia’s representative at the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission of Human Rights (AICHR), he said Shafee has an “institutional memory” on human rights.
Is Shafee’s “institutional memory” on the suppression and repression of human rights or on the promotion and protection of human rights?
It is indeed sad that Shafee, who had not distinguished himself as a human rights champion in Malaysia, is touted for his “institutional memory” to justify his qualification to represent Malaysia on AICHR!
If all the human rights NGOs in Malaysia disagree that Shafee has the “institutional memory” to protect and promote human rights, will the Malaysian Government replace Shafee on AICHR?
But the answer which must take the cake for being most hilarious is the answer by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nancy Shukri to DAP MP for Bakri Er Teck Hwa that Shafee is being paid only RM1,000 for his services as the prosecutor by fiat in the Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy II case at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court stages.
The RM1,000-answer has raised eye-brows throughout the country and not just the legal and judicial community as there are those who believe that going by Shafee’s rates, his services as prosecutor by fiat at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court would have been in the million-ringgit bracket.
The hydra-headed character of the Najib premiership is also illustrated by the many scandals in the country – with the Cabinet Ministers clearly not on the same page on the scandal of Zahid’s infamous letter to FBI vouching for the character of the international gambling kingpin Paul Phua.
This is also the case of the biggest financial scandal in the nation’s history, the RM42 billion 1MDB scandal.
In fact, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister are clearly at loggerheads over the 1MDB scandal, although Muhyiddin Yassin is subsequently trying to paper over the cracks after his repudiation of Najib’s PMO Communications Unit statement after the Cabinet meeting last Wednesday.
How long will Najib’s hydra-headed government last?
National Debt At RM582.8 Billion, Says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The federal government's external debt at end-December 2014 stood at RM582.8 billion (or 54.5 per cent of GDP), of which RM566.1 billion (97.1 per cent) was domestic debt while the remaining RM16.8 billion (2.9 per cent) was in offshore loans, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"The federal government's debt position remains manageable and puts the country in the moderately-indebted category.
"The government is committed to ensuring the federal government's debt level does not exceed 55 per cent of GDP," the premier, who is also Finance Minister, said in his written reply to William Leong Jee Keen (PKR-Selayang) today.
Leong had wanted to know the reasons for the dramatic rise in the country's external debt to RM740 billion in the third quarter of 2014 from RM43 billion in 1990, and its effects on the government's finances and economy.
Najib said to ensure the federal government's debt remains low and manageable, fiscal consolidation measures would continue to be taken to lower the deficit in stages, reducing the need for the government to borrow and thus reducing the debt level.
"Strict adherence to fiscal discipline and good debt management should be given emphasis to ensure a strong fiscal position and macroeconomy as well as to withstand any crisis," he said.
Najib said Malaysia's external debt was RM740.7 billion in the third quarter of 2014, compared to RM41.5 billion in 1990 and RM196 billion at end-2013.
He attributed the drastic increase to the redefinition of external debt in use since 2014, in line with international reporting requirements, which now put the country's external debt as comprising offshore borrowings by the federal government, public enterprises and the private sector as well as holdings of debt securities, deposits and trade credits denominated in ringgit by non-residents.
Najib said the higher external debt under the new definition reflects the high level of non-residents' holdings of ringgit-denominated debt securities, constituting nearly two-thirds of the rise in the country's external debt.
"This is due to the wider depth, openness and attractiveness of the Malaysian financial market.
"At the same time, the new definition allows the government to better assess the risk exposure to non-residents," he said.
At end-2014, Malaysia's external debt stood at RM744.7 billion or 69.96 per cent of GDP, he added.
"The federal government's debt position remains manageable and puts the country in the moderately-indebted category.
"The government is committed to ensuring the federal government's debt level does not exceed 55 per cent of GDP," the premier, who is also Finance Minister, said in his written reply to William Leong Jee Keen (PKR-Selayang) today.
Leong had wanted to know the reasons for the dramatic rise in the country's external debt to RM740 billion in the third quarter of 2014 from RM43 billion in 1990, and its effects on the government's finances and economy.
Najib said to ensure the federal government's debt remains low and manageable, fiscal consolidation measures would continue to be taken to lower the deficit in stages, reducing the need for the government to borrow and thus reducing the debt level.
"Strict adherence to fiscal discipline and good debt management should be given emphasis to ensure a strong fiscal position and macroeconomy as well as to withstand any crisis," he said.
Najib said Malaysia's external debt was RM740.7 billion in the third quarter of 2014, compared to RM41.5 billion in 1990 and RM196 billion at end-2013.
He attributed the drastic increase to the redefinition of external debt in use since 2014, in line with international reporting requirements, which now put the country's external debt as comprising offshore borrowings by the federal government, public enterprises and the private sector as well as holdings of debt securities, deposits and trade credits denominated in ringgit by non-residents.
Najib said the higher external debt under the new definition reflects the high level of non-residents' holdings of ringgit-denominated debt securities, constituting nearly two-thirds of the rise in the country's external debt.
"This is due to the wider depth, openness and attractiveness of the Malaysian financial market.
"At the same time, the new definition allows the government to better assess the risk exposure to non-residents," he said.
At end-2014, Malaysia's external debt stood at RM744.7 billion or 69.96 per cent of GDP, he added.
Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Al-Aqsa Mosque Address: May the Muslims Wage War on America
Speaking at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Palestinian Arab researcher calls on Muslims to pray that Allah will enable them to wage war on America.
In a recent address at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a Palestinian Arab political researcher launched a verbal tirade against the United States.
The researcher, Ahmad Al-Khatwani, also known as "Abu Hamza", declared that Muslims should pray that Allah will enable them to wage war on America and vanquish it.
Abu Hamza also expressed his desire that the Muslims "raid America on its own land." The address was given on February 18, 2015, and was translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
“What is the way to confront this American war on Islam? It is by treating Islam in a political manner, on the basis of the Islamic creed in its political sense. If the Muslims accept Islam as a political and ideological foundation and guide, they will be able to confront America and its war on the Muslims, and they will be able to vanquish it with ease,” Al-Khatwani said.
“We pray that Allah will enable the Muslims to wage war on America and against its true terrorism. May He grant victory to the Muslims, and may they raid America on its own land and the land of heresy everywhere,” he added.
Radical Muslims often use addresses and sermons at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for purposes of incitement.
Examples include a rally last year in which members of radical Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir called upon the army of Pakistan and the Islamic nation to liberate Jerusalem from “Jewish filth”.
In another incident, a preacher at the mosque engaged in blatant incitement against Jews and Israel and declared, “I say to the Jews: the time for your slaughter has come.”
In a recent address at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a Palestinian Arab political researcher launched a verbal tirade against the United States.
The researcher, Ahmad Al-Khatwani, also known as "Abu Hamza", declared that Muslims should pray that Allah will enable them to wage war on America and vanquish it.
Abu Hamza also expressed his desire that the Muslims "raid America on its own land." The address was given on February 18, 2015, and was translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).
“What is the way to confront this American war on Islam? It is by treating Islam in a political manner, on the basis of the Islamic creed in its political sense. If the Muslims accept Islam as a political and ideological foundation and guide, they will be able to confront America and its war on the Muslims, and they will be able to vanquish it with ease,” Al-Khatwani said.
“We pray that Allah will enable the Muslims to wage war on America and against its true terrorism. May He grant victory to the Muslims, and may they raid America on its own land and the land of heresy everywhere,” he added.
Radical Muslims often use addresses and sermons at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for purposes of incitement.
Examples include a rally last year in which members of radical Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir called upon the army of Pakistan and the Islamic nation to liberate Jerusalem from “Jewish filth”.
In another incident, a preacher at the mosque engaged in blatant incitement against Jews and Israel and declared, “I say to the Jews: the time for your slaughter has come.”
Survey reveals Aussie Muslims who think ISIS has legitimate grievances
And the findings of a study to be released this week reveal the terrorists’ relentless propaganda war is tapping into Islamic community angst over Australia’s counter-terrorism crackdown.
“One of the key messages of terrorist groups ... is that Muslims are a victimised and suppressed minority,” University of Queensland researcher Dr Adrian Cherney said.
He said the survey of 800 Muslims showed political leaders’ attacks on Muslims “can push them to actually say: ‘Well hang on a second, the terrorists are right. Some of their grievances are true’.
“I think that’s what it is tapping into,” Dr Cherney said. “But that doesn’t mean they (Australian Muslims) are going to go out and start attacking people.”
More than one in five participants agreed terrorists had legitimate grievances.
But Brisbane Muslim leader Ali Kadri stressed the findings should not be interpreted as supporting terror groups.
“(Most) Muslims do not condone the killing and persecution of innocent people ,” Mr Kadri said. Citing atrocities committed by the Assad regime in Syria, he said: “Protecting civilians from these atrocities is a legitimate grievance, however using terror and persecution ... is not legitimate or productive.”
Up to Attorney-General to act on ‘racist’ remarks by Umno ministers, says Home Ministry
Police have completed investigations on incendiary statements by Umno leaders Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and are waiting for further instructions from the public prosecutor, the Home Ministry said today.A total of 32 police reports were lodged against Ismail, the agriculture-and agro-based industries minister, over his call for Malays to boycott Chinese businesses as a way to force down the prices of goods.
Ten police reports were lodged against Mashitah, who had said that Chinese people had burned the Quran in a religious rite in Kuala Kedah, despite facts to the contrary.
A written parliamentary reply by the Home Ministry to DAP's Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching today said that police had completed investigations into both cases, and had handed the investigation papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.
Teo had asked the home minister to state the number of police reports lodged against both Umno leaders and for an update on the status of investigations.
The Home Ministry said that in Mashitah's case, investigations were made under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code, which covers statements "conducing to public mischief".
Mashitah, the Baling Umno Wanita chief, at the Umno general assembly in November last year riled up party delegates with her speech in, which she accused Chinese of burning the Quran.
However, Kedah police and state Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir had already by then clarified that the culprit was a mentally unsound man who was later warded in hospital.
Ismail, meanwhile, created an uproar after singling out the Chinese, and also the DAP, for the high price of goods. He called for a boycott of Chinese traders on his Facebook page but subsequently deleted the post.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak later cleared Ismail of any ill-intent, saying that his remark was aimed at profiteering traders instead, but it did not stop Chinese-based parties in the ruling Barisan Nasional from demanding a public apology, while many others called for Ismail to resign. – March 10, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/up-to-attorney-general-to-act-on-racist-remarks-by-umno-ministers-says-home#sthash.f3nEJQwJ.dpuf
It wasn't me, Palanivel says of 'doctored' video
MIC president G Palanivel said he would never make the colourful statements made in a video purported of him circulated online.
Blaming the video on the MIC re-elections, he said he will lodge a police report on the “doctored” video clip and urge action on those responsible.
“I categorically state that the contents of the video clip have been doctored and are completely untrue. I have never made and will never make such untrue statements or remarks…
“I am appalled that people can stoop to such a low level to doctor untrue video clips for reasons best known to them,” he said.
“I can only see this being the result of the fresh elections for MIC that I have called and the solid show of support by the branch chairmen of MIC to my leadership.”
In the 3 minute 16 second video clip uploaded online, a man who looks and sounds like Palanivel he has close ties with PKR and blames Indian voters for BN’s smaller majority in Cameron Highlands in the 13th general election.
"I won every Malay vote box you see, (the other candidates) will get 70 votes, I will get 400 votes. I only lost the bloody Indian vote box."
In the last general election, Palanivel defeated four other candidates with a slim 462 vote majority.
He received 10,506 votes with DAP's M Manogaran trailing behind him with 10,044 votes.
In the video, the person interviewed also disclosed how PKR "commanders" brought the crowd to his recent birthday bash.
"I call all the PKR commanders to my house, I can show you photographs, I am close to PKR you see.
"They are the ones who brought the crowd (to my birthday party), not my own kind, our MIC fellas cannot do that," he said
Pro-Anwar White House petition back online
It reemerges on the White House website about 2,000 signatures shy of reaching its goal of 100,000 signatures by the Mar 12 deadline.
However a counter-petition urging the Obama administration to not interfere in the Malaysian judiciary is missing from the White House website.
The pro-Anwar petition initiated by former United States ambassador to Malaysia John Malott was yanked from the White House website yesterday for “violation of their terms of participants”.
A petition requires 100,000 signatures to warrant a response from the US president.
More than 30,000 people signed the petition since yesterday, likely due to heavy campaiging by PKR and DAP.
The petition was launched on Feb 10 - the day Anwar was sentence to five years in jail for sodomy.
“The future of democracy in Malaysia is at stake. Securing Anwar's
release from prison must be a top priority in US policy towards
Malaysia, to be advanced in every way possible,” says the petition.
The second online petition countering Malott's (above) and urging against US inteference stood at about 70,000 signatures on Tuesday morning.
Rafizi arrested for Kita Lawan, Nik Nazmi freed
Rafizi Ramli is the fourth PKR leader to be arrested for the pro-Anwar Ibrahim Kita Lawan rally.
Laywer Melissa Sasidaran said he is held at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters where he had gone to lodge a police report against 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
The PKR vice president was detained at about 7pm under Section 143 of the Penal Code and Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act.
However, Sasidaran told Malaysiakini that Rafizi was released at 9.10pm on police bail after his statement was taken. He was questioned for about 45 minutes.
"They were questioning about his involvement, his speech, and were also trying to find out who is the organiser of the rally," she said.
Police have arrested PKR Youth leader Saifullah Zulkifl, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and PKR supreme council member Fariz Musa over the rally.
Nik Nazmi was released on police bail at 8.20pm, Sasidaran said.
The Seri Setia assemblyperson was arrested on Sunday afternoon and slapped with a three-day remand.
"He is okay but he is a bit tired from the lack of sleep in the lockup," she said when asked of his condition.
Some 10,000 protestors thronged downtown Kuala Lumpur for the Kita Lawan rally on Mar 7, in solidarity with Anwar who is serving a five year jail sentence for sodomy.
The rally was also to call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation.
Laywer Melissa Sasidaran said he is held at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters where he had gone to lodge a police report against 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
The PKR vice president was detained at about 7pm under Section 143 of the Penal Code and Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act.
However, Sasidaran told Malaysiakini that Rafizi was released at 9.10pm on police bail after his statement was taken. He was questioned for about 45 minutes.
"They were questioning about his involvement, his speech, and were also trying to find out who is the organiser of the rally," she said.
Police have arrested PKR Youth leader Saifullah Zulkifl, PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and PKR supreme council member Fariz Musa over the rally.
Nik Nazmi was released on police bail at 8.20pm, Sasidaran said.
The Seri Setia assemblyperson was arrested on Sunday afternoon and slapped with a three-day remand.
"He is okay but he is a bit tired from the lack of sleep in the lockup," she said when asked of his condition.
Some 10,000 protestors thronged downtown Kuala Lumpur for the Kita Lawan rally on Mar 7, in solidarity with Anwar who is serving a five year jail sentence for sodomy.
The rally was also to call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation.
IGP: Decision-makers will be focus of 1MDB probe
However, he told Malaysiakini the decision to launch a probe would depend on the audit findings.
Khalid said since Auditor-General Ambrin Buang disclosed this morning that an audit has been initiated, the police would wait for the outcome.
He
also clarified media reports which quoted him as stating that Prime
Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who also oversees the finance portfolio,
would be questioned."What I meant was that the police would speak to all those whom it believes can shed light on the case. But the focus would be on the decision makers of the company.
"And let me reiterate, this is only if the auditor’s report discovers discrepancies and indications of wrongdoing. Otherwise, there is nothing to investigate," he added.
At the same time, Khalid cautioned all parties against lodging reports without any basis, saying the police would take action against those who deliberately waste its time and resources.
There have been several police reports on the issue, including one by Umno man Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
Khairuddin, who was recently sacked from his Batu Kawan Umno vice-chief post for being a bankrupt, had raised eyebrows with his report, leading to speculation that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was behind him.
Elaborating on the task force, which is headed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Khalid said it was formed in order to ensure that an investigation, if conducted, would be streamlined and effective.
"It is far more effective for all relevant agencies involved to pool their resources together to investigate the matter, as opposed to carrying out separate investigations," he stated.
In addition to the police's commercial crimes division and the AG Chambers, the task force also incorporates the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Yesterday, Khalid announced the formation of the task force.
Last week, Najib ordered the auditor-general to dive into the debt-laden 1MDB's accounts.
During a meeting with Umno division chiefs over the weekend, the prime minister also pledged that there would be no cover up.
The pressure on Najib regarding 1MDB went up several notches after the recent damning revelations of documents and email communications.
Malays hugging dogs, wearing crosses! What next?
All this shows, stressed Jahara, that they no longer subscribe to Islamic beliefs. “They are more taken up by liberalism.”
FMT
GEORGETOWN: Penang Opposition Leader Jahara Hamid isn’t surprised if the picture of a young Muslim girl in tudung, and carrying a dog, turns out to be authentic. The picture has since gone viral in social media.
“This is nothing new, in fact it’s getting worse” said Jahara who is also Teluk Air Tawar assemblywoman. “The young Muslims think that this is a fashion, a trend. There are others sporting the cross around their necks.”
All this shows, she stressed, that they no longer subscribe to Islamic beliefs. “They are more taken up by liberalism.”
She urged the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP) to get out from their slumber and take appropriate action against those openly indicating that there’s nothing wrong with liberalism. “This involves issues of faith,” said Jahara.
The picture of the young Muslim girl carrying a small dog at a function, “Out to Adopt” sponsored by a private college at a shopping complex, was reportedly taken by a male individual using a mobile phone, and appears in the Facebook pages of Penang Kini and Penang Times Square.
Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin, who heads the Badan Bertindak Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang (JMPP), urged the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Pulau Pinang (JAIPP) to take appropriate action against the young girl seen in the picture.
“Out to Adopt”, a four-day programme which ended yesterday, organised by diploma level students of the college concerned, was reportedly designed to expose the general community to the idea of taking in strays as pets.
FMTGEORGETOWN: Penang Opposition Leader Jahara Hamid isn’t surprised if the picture of a young Muslim girl in tudung, and carrying a dog, turns out to be authentic. The picture has since gone viral in social media.
“This is nothing new, in fact it’s getting worse” said Jahara who is also Teluk Air Tawar assemblywoman. “The young Muslims think that this is a fashion, a trend. There are others sporting the cross around their necks.”
All this shows, she stressed, that they no longer subscribe to Islamic beliefs. “They are more taken up by liberalism.”
She urged the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP) to get out from their slumber and take appropriate action against those openly indicating that there’s nothing wrong with liberalism. “This involves issues of faith,” said Jahara.
The picture of the young Muslim girl carrying a small dog at a function, “Out to Adopt” sponsored by a private college at a shopping complex, was reportedly taken by a male individual using a mobile phone, and appears in the Facebook pages of Penang Kini and Penang Times Square.
Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin, who heads the Badan Bertindak Jaringan Muslimin Pulau Pinang (JMPP), urged the Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Pulau Pinang (JAIPP) to take appropriate action against the young girl seen in the picture.
“Out to Adopt”, a four-day programme which ended yesterday, organised by diploma level students of the college concerned, was reportedly designed to expose the general community to the idea of taking in strays as pets.
Palanivel says ’bloody Indians’ prefer voting for PKR
MIC president is caught on video condemning Indians, and revealing his close ties with PKR leaders.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: A damaging video that shows MIC President G Palanivel condemning Indians, including those in his party, has been uploaded onto the Facebook page of KitchenUP TV.
Lasting some three plus minutes, with a follow-up video to come, Palanivel is seen and heard condemning Indians for preferring to vote the opposition instead of Barisan Nasional, although he said they would do this on the quiet.
In response to a question on how BN would fare should a Permatang Pauh by-election be called, Palanivel said, “Do you think the MIC vote is going to give to another Indian guy? They won’t give. They will all go to PKR … very quietly they’ll go and put for PKR … and Barisan will lose.”
He also blamed the Indians in Cameron Highlands for his poor performance in the last general election and explained: “I won every “peti undi Melayu, you see. Ah, that fella will get 70, I’ll get 400 votes.
“I only lost the bloody Indian vote box … I got 52 per cent Indian votes, I should get 70 per cent”.
In the video, Palanivel also explained the chaos that was bound to erupt in MIC if he was not made a candidate in the coming GE, after the Sultan of Pahang alluded to it last year in the wake of the tragic landslides there.
“(If) they don’t give me the candidature, … there will be an uproar, MIC will have disorder, you know. They won’t come and campaign and all.
“It’s a serious crisis, they cannot play the fool on this kind of thing la.”
Surprisingly enough, Palanivel also talked about his close ties with opposition party PKR, saying he had entertained many of the party’s top bosses at his recent birthday bash and that they were responsible for bringing in a huge crowd for the event.
He however did not have kind words for his own MIC members when he said, “They (PKR) are the ones who brought the crowd yesterday. Not my own kind. My own MIC fellas cannot do that.”
The Facebook page operator, when contacted by The Malaysian Insider, said he uploaded the video so that people would know “what type of leaders we have now.”
Giving his name only as Jason, he said he had more videos that he planned to release in stages.
MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh meanwhile expressed his dismay over the president’s demeaning way of referring to Indians and said, ““As a president he should not say blood Indian. In whatever scenario, he should not say that. He must clarify whether he is the man in the video.”
FMT
PETALING JAYA: A damaging video that shows MIC President G Palanivel condemning Indians, including those in his party, has been uploaded onto the Facebook page of KitchenUP TV.
Lasting some three plus minutes, with a follow-up video to come, Palanivel is seen and heard condemning Indians for preferring to vote the opposition instead of Barisan Nasional, although he said they would do this on the quiet.
In response to a question on how BN would fare should a Permatang Pauh by-election be called, Palanivel said, “Do you think the MIC vote is going to give to another Indian guy? They won’t give. They will all go to PKR … very quietly they’ll go and put for PKR … and Barisan will lose.”
He also blamed the Indians in Cameron Highlands for his poor performance in the last general election and explained: “I won every “peti undi Melayu, you see. Ah, that fella will get 70, I’ll get 400 votes.
“I only lost the bloody Indian vote box … I got 52 per cent Indian votes, I should get 70 per cent”.
In the video, Palanivel also explained the chaos that was bound to erupt in MIC if he was not made a candidate in the coming GE, after the Sultan of Pahang alluded to it last year in the wake of the tragic landslides there.
“(If) they don’t give me the candidature, … there will be an uproar, MIC will have disorder, you know. They won’t come and campaign and all.
“It’s a serious crisis, they cannot play the fool on this kind of thing la.”
Surprisingly enough, Palanivel also talked about his close ties with opposition party PKR, saying he had entertained many of the party’s top bosses at his recent birthday bash and that they were responsible for bringing in a huge crowd for the event.
He however did not have kind words for his own MIC members when he said, “They (PKR) are the ones who brought the crowd yesterday. Not my own kind. My own MIC fellas cannot do that.”
The Facebook page operator, when contacted by The Malaysian Insider, said he uploaded the video so that people would know “what type of leaders we have now.”
Giving his name only as Jason, he said he had more videos that he planned to release in stages.
MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh meanwhile expressed his dismay over the president’s demeaning way of referring to Indians and said, ““As a president he should not say blood Indian. In whatever scenario, he should not say that. He must clarify whether he is the man in the video.”
Police deny rumors of bomb in KLIA
Police deny having found any bombs in the KLIA vicinity.
FMT
SEPANG: Police have dismissed rumours that a bomb was found nearby the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here yesterday.
The rumours which spread quickly on social media caused panic among the public.
Sepang police chief ASP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim confirmed to reporters here today that police did not receive any such report.
“No bomb was found near KLIA yesterday. This is not true,” he said, adding that he was aware of the claim that was spread on social media.
According to the message that was spread on the Whatsapp application since yesterday, a bomb had been placed within a 30-kilomtre radius of KLIA.
However, a picture uploaded with a message showed the employment pass of a male MASKargo employee named ‘Bom’.
- BERNAMA
FMT
SEPANG: Police have dismissed rumours that a bomb was found nearby the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here yesterday.
The rumours which spread quickly on social media caused panic among the public.
Sepang police chief ASP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim confirmed to reporters here today that police did not receive any such report.
“No bomb was found near KLIA yesterday. This is not true,” he said, adding that he was aware of the claim that was spread on social media.
According to the message that was spread on the Whatsapp application since yesterday, a bomb had been placed within a 30-kilomtre radius of KLIA.
However, a picture uploaded with a message showed the employment pass of a male MASKargo employee named ‘Bom’.
- BERNAMA
Aminulrasyid’s friend did not expect police to fire 15 shots
Defendants lawyer claims Amirulraysid should have stopped the car upon hearing the sirens of the police car.
FMT
SHAH ALAM: A private college student told the High Court here today that he suggested to Aminulrasyid Amzah that he stop his car when they were being chased by a police patrol unit.
Muhamad Azamuddin Omar, 20, testifying in the civil suit filed by Aminulrasyid’s family against Corporal Jenain Subi and four others, said instead his friend continued to drive the car.
When questioned by lawyer Zulkifly Omar who represented Jenain, Muhamad Azamuddin, who at the time of the incident was 15 years old, said: “I suggested that he (Aminulrasyid) stop to discuss (with the police) but he kept quiet and continued to drive the car.”
“If you were the one driving the car and it was being chased (by the police) at that time, would you have stopped?” asked Zulkifly, to which Muhamad Azamuddin answered “probably”.
Muhamad Azamuddin, however, agreed with the suggestion by Senior Federal Counsel Normastura Ayub, who represented the other four defendants, that Aminulrasyid should have stopped the car when he was told to do so, furthermore the police patrol car which chased them had also switched on the police siren.
The witness also agreed with a suggestion by Normastura that the shooting incident happened because of Aminulrasyid’s failure to stop the car.
Aminulrasyid’s mother, Norsiah Mohammad, 66, and his elder sister Nor Azura, 45, as plaintiffs, named Jenain, former Selangor Police Chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (now Inspector-General of Police), Shah Alam District Police Chief, the Inspector-General of Police and the Government of Malaysia as defendants.
The plaintiff’s are seeking compensation of almost RM50 million on the grounds that Aminulrasyid’s death was due to gunshot wounds in the head caused by Jenain’s carelessness.
In November 2013, the Appeals Court upheld the High Court’s decision to acquit Jenain from a charge of causing Aminulrasyid’s death while chasing him in Jalan Tarian 11/2, Section 11, here between 1.10 am to 2 am on April 26, 2010.
When acquitting Jenain in 2012, the High Court decided that Jenain had no intentions of causing Aminulrasyid’s death, but shot the car that the 15-year-old was driving, with the intention of stopping it.
Replying to a question from lawyer N.Surendran, who represented Aminulrasyid’s family, Muhamad Azamuddin said he did not expect the police to fire the shots just because his good friend was driving it fast.
He also did not expect the police to fire 15 gunshots towards the Iswara Aeroback car he and Aminulrasyid were in during the incident in the early hours of April 26, 2010.
Muhamad Azamuddin also did not expect the car his friend was driving would be shot at by the police when Aminulrasyid was trying his best to return to his home in Section 11 here.
“Aminulrasyid was driving fast because he was afraid and felt guilty as he had made a big mistake by driving the car without his mother’s permission,” he said.
The hearing before Judge Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim continues on May 5 and 15.
-BERNAMA
SHAH ALAM: A private college student told the High Court here today that he suggested to Aminulrasyid Amzah that he stop his car when they were being chased by a police patrol unit.
Muhamad Azamuddin Omar, 20, testifying in the civil suit filed by Aminulrasyid’s family against Corporal Jenain Subi and four others, said instead his friend continued to drive the car.
When questioned by lawyer Zulkifly Omar who represented Jenain, Muhamad Azamuddin, who at the time of the incident was 15 years old, said: “I suggested that he (Aminulrasyid) stop to discuss (with the police) but he kept quiet and continued to drive the car.”
“If you were the one driving the car and it was being chased (by the police) at that time, would you have stopped?” asked Zulkifly, to which Muhamad Azamuddin answered “probably”.
Muhamad Azamuddin, however, agreed with the suggestion by Senior Federal Counsel Normastura Ayub, who represented the other four defendants, that Aminulrasyid should have stopped the car when he was told to do so, furthermore the police patrol car which chased them had also switched on the police siren.
The witness also agreed with a suggestion by Normastura that the shooting incident happened because of Aminulrasyid’s failure to stop the car.
Aminulrasyid’s mother, Norsiah Mohammad, 66, and his elder sister Nor Azura, 45, as plaintiffs, named Jenain, former Selangor Police Chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (now Inspector-General of Police), Shah Alam District Police Chief, the Inspector-General of Police and the Government of Malaysia as defendants.
The plaintiff’s are seeking compensation of almost RM50 million on the grounds that Aminulrasyid’s death was due to gunshot wounds in the head caused by Jenain’s carelessness.
In November 2013, the Appeals Court upheld the High Court’s decision to acquit Jenain from a charge of causing Aminulrasyid’s death while chasing him in Jalan Tarian 11/2, Section 11, here between 1.10 am to 2 am on April 26, 2010.
When acquitting Jenain in 2012, the High Court decided that Jenain had no intentions of causing Aminulrasyid’s death, but shot the car that the 15-year-old was driving, with the intention of stopping it.
Replying to a question from lawyer N.Surendran, who represented Aminulrasyid’s family, Muhamad Azamuddin said he did not expect the police to fire the shots just because his good friend was driving it fast.
He also did not expect the police to fire 15 gunshots towards the Iswara Aeroback car he and Aminulrasyid were in during the incident in the early hours of April 26, 2010.
Muhamad Azamuddin also did not expect the car his friend was driving would be shot at by the police when Aminulrasyid was trying his best to return to his home in Section 11 here.
“Aminulrasyid was driving fast because he was afraid and felt guilty as he had made a big mistake by driving the car without his mother’s permission,” he said.
The hearing before Judge Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim continues on May 5 and 15.
-BERNAMA
Malaysian PM Najib Takes on his Critics
By Asia Sentinel
Under severe fire from factions within his United Malays National Organization and from outside by the opposition Pakatan Rakyat, Malaysian Prime Minister has gone on the offensive to seek to keep his job, marshaling his forces within UMNO to stand off his critics.
Over the weekend, the prime minister called together 160 of the 191 UMNO division chiefs to a party powwow in Kuala Lumpur that resulted in a unanimous confidence vote from those who showed up to listen to an explanation of his handling of the controversial 1Malaysia Development Fund. Unfunded liabilities and opaque reporting of the fund’s finances have earned blistering criticism from former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The former premier has declared that “something is rotten in Malaysia,” and called for Najib’s ouster as UMNO President and prime minister.
Opposition politicians, mostly led by MP Tony Pua of the Democratic Action Party and Rafizi Ramli, the secretary general of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, have been at the forefront of the rtitics.
In the face of unprecedented pressure from his critics, last week Najib wrung a similar vote of confidence from the 37-member Cabinet – with one conspicuous exception, that of Muhyiddin Yassin, the deputy prime minister and deputy party leader, who was absent, spurring speculation that Muhyiddin intends to take on Najib for his job. His absence was minimized by party wheelhorses, saying the absence meant nothing and that Muhyiddin had prior commitments. However, behind the scenes, sources say Muhyiddin is increasingly on the hunt for Najib’s head. As early as last autumn, prior to the UMNO general assembly, the deputy prime minister, 67, was complaining publicly that the party could lose the next election, due in 2018, without serious change.
Last week, Muhyiddin came out with his own statement on the deeply indebted 1MDB, saying the government would not be allowed to bail out the fund, which has liabilities of more than RM40 billion, and demanding an immediate forensic audit to explain the fund’s tangled business dealings. However, according to people in UMNO, Muhyiddin is hardly a reformer and is likely to emphasize Malay nationalism. His own financial dealings are also tangled, with widespread rumors that he has used his public position as a path to personal wealth.
The fund’s activities have been the subject of sensational investigative reporting by The Sarawak Report, a blog edited by Clare Rewcastle Brown, who uncovered hundreds of company emails indicating that Taek Jho Low, a Penang-born financier, had virtually run the operations and that company officials themselves had little idea of hundreds of millions of dollars of investments he was making. Last week, for instance, Brown reported that Jho Low, as he is universally known, had used Najib’s name to circumvent Bank Negara approval needed on a US$1 billion loan (RM3.69 billion) provided to 1MDB.
It is unclear, however, whether either the cabinet or the party division chiefs examined any of the information published either by the Sarawak Report or The Edge, a Kuala Lumpur-based newspaper that has reported aggressively on the fund’s scandals as well, or a massive New York Times article published on Feb. 6 detailing tens of millions of dollars in property purchases by Jho Low that were actually made for members of Najib’s family. News reports indicated that the cadres mainly listened to Najib’s explanation as well as that of Deloitte, the fund’s auditors.
“With his explanation, we are confident of explaining the 1MDB issue to the public and the grassroots,” Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the agriculture minister, told a press conference. As to the reports of the family’s extraordinary wealth, another party figure, Bung Mokhtar Radin, told reporters there was no issue, that Najib’s siblings are all in business and are wealthy, an explanation that has been met with sarcasm. Najib’s brothers have issued indirect criticisms of the prime minister for statements that his wealth was part of a family legacy, a statement he later retracted.
Monday, the Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, announced that Najib himself would be a target of a three-agency task force that included members of the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney General’s chambers to look into the fund’s dealings. That has been laughed off by cynics, who point out that all three agencies have been deeply politicized and have covered up more offenses than they have investigated. The intent behind the announcement of the probe, they say, is to provide the prime minister a clean bill of health. Najib has also ordered the country’s auditor-general to vet 1MDB’s accounts.
The critics, however, have called for the cabinet to disqualify themselves from any role in probing the fund since a statement by Najib that everything is fine is hardly a serious attempt to clear up any questions. In addition to setting up the fund in the first place, Najib also functions as the chairman of the 1MDB advisory committee.
Auditor-General’s assurance of professional audit of 1MDB most welcome although public confidence have not been helped by contradictory or uncharacteristic statements by MACC and Police
By Lim Kit Siang Blog I welcome the promise by the Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang that his department will call up any individual necessary even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in completing an independent audit on strategic fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The Auditor-General’s assurance of professional audit of 1MDB and not to be swayed by extraneous considerations is most welcome, although public confidence that the various authorities would adopt a professional, accountable and responsible approach in the handling of the 1MDB scandal had not been helped by contradictory or uncharacteristic statements by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Police.
Suddenly, there seems to be a competition among the various departments to show courage and eagerness to investigate the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself – as not only Ambrin does not rule out such possibility, even the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar pointedly said that Najib would be one of the targets of investigation by a three-agency task force to probe the 1MDB scandal.
In fact, the IGP’s announcement has detracted the credibility of the Auditor-General’s statement that his department’s audit would not exclude an investigation into the Prime Minister, for who would believe the IGP’s claim when he had been guilty of kid-glove treatment to BN Ministers and leaders, letting off the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Datuk Ismail Sabri for the most racist and seditious incitement in calling on Malay consumers to boycott Chinese businessmen and allowing the former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Mashitah Ibrahim to enjoy impunity and immunity for spouting heinous lies to incite religious hatred, conflict and tension in plural Malaysia.
In contrast, the IGP had shown neither mercy nor respect for Pakatan Rakyat leaders, and the treatment meted out to Selangor State Exco Member, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as if he is a common criminal is the most telling indictment of the IGP’s partisan bias and double-standards.
But there is another contradiction, as just a few hours before Khalid announced yesterday a three-agency task force comprising members of the police force, MACC and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to probe 1MDB, the MACC Chief Commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamad had declared that the MACC would wait for the Auditor-General’s report on 1MDB before starting its own probe.
One issue which deserves the Auditor-General’s immediate attention is the conflict-of-interest situation, not over the Auditor-General submitting its report to PAC, but from the Prime Minister also being the Chairperson of the 1MDB advisory board and Finance Minister.
As Auditor-General, Ambrin should focus and advise on whether the Prime Minister continues to be caught in a conflict-of-interest situation in doubling up as Chairman of the 1MDB advisory board and Finance Minister.
Singapore axes eight UK law varsities
The Starby SHAILA KOSHY
KUALA
LUMPUR: Malaysians planning to study law in Britain and later practise
in Singapore should choose their law schools carefully as eight of the
19 previously recognised in the island republic have been axed.
“If
Singapore is the preferred eventual work destination, then it would be
unwise to go to any one of them,” said Malaysian Bar vice president
Steven Thiru in an interview.
“This is irrespective of whether they do the English Bar course.”
On
Feb 24, Singapore’s Law Ministry announced that only 11 institutions
remained in the list of Overseas Scheduled Universities, whose degrees
are recognised from 2016 to practise at the Singapore Bar.
Citing
quality control, the Singapore Institute of Legal Education recommended
that the Government cut the law schools of these universities’ based on
their ranking in Britain – Exeter, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, School
of Oriental and African Studies at University of London (UOL),
Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton.
Asked
whether the Bar and Legal Profession Qualifying Board (QB) here was
concerned about the law schools omitted following a review because some
48% of the Bar are graduates of Britain or UOL’s external law
programmes, Steven said a periodic review of recognised universities
under the Legal Profession Act 1976 should be considered.
“It
will ensure that law schools maintain their standards (content and
delivery) and keep abreast with new developments in training lawyers.
“It
will also provide an opportunity for the QB to identify areas of
weaknesses in graduates from particular law schools with the view of
getting these concerns addressed.”
Saying
that recognition should only be withdrawn if there was a serious drop
in the standards and quality of training, Steven added that such a
university should first be given the opportunity to respond to the
criticisms.
Asked
whether the local Bar accepted ‘lower’ standards seeing as Singapore
had reiterated its 1990s stance not to recognise external law degrees
for qualification to its Bar, Steven replied: “Certainly not!”
“We
also do not accept that graduates of the external UOL degree are of a
lower standard. We have many good lawyers in the Malaysian Bar with this
degree, many of whom lacked the financial means to pursue their law
studies in Britain, Australia or New Zealand.
“They overcame this hurdle and are, in many cases, leading members of the Bar.”
He
said all law degrees must provide graduates with the basic legal
knowledge in a number of specified areas, adding that the focus should
then shift to practical training.
Asked
for updates on the Bar and QB’s efforts to check the disparity in
quality of law graduates, he said they were working to replace the
Certificate of Legal Practice with the Common Bar Course (CBC).
“The
CBC will be a post-graduate vocational training course that encompasses
pupillage and it will be a uniform single entry point into the
profession, irrespective of the law qualification of the new entrant.
“Our
desire is to train the future generation of lawyers in a manner that
will equip them to compete domestically and internationally.”
On
why it was taking so long, Steven said the CBC was benchmarked against
international standards that were continuously being revised, adding
that there had been consultations with all key stakeholders.
“We
have also been working on the course materials and looking at preparing
dedicated training manuals. The proposed implementation date is by the
end of 2016.”
Water Restructuring Stalled Due To Selangor's Refusal To Resolve Conditions In Agreement
KUALA
LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- The water industry restructuring in
Selangor is stalled due to the state government's refusal to resolve
three of the eight conditions in the master agreement with the federal
government, thus prolonging the water supply crisis in the state.Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the conditions included that for Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to finalise its list of assets to the enable the individual facility licence to be issued to Air Selangor under Act 655.
He said Air Selangor had also not resolved the transfer of assets ownership to Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) to enable PAAB provide an allocation of RM1.68 billion to assist Air Selangor to bear the cost of taking over the water concessionaires' liabilities amounting to RM7.65 billion.
Ongkili was replying to a question from Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) in the Dewan Rakyat, Tuesday on the federal government's commitment to implementing the Selangor Water Restructuring Master Agreement, which has been stalled.
The minister said although the master agreement had been signed, it had not taken effect as there were conditions precedent (CPs) that had not been met.
"Therefore, the statement by the Honourable Member from Gombak (Azmin), claiming that the federal government has reneged on the agreement was wrong and could confuse the public," he said.
Ongkili said the federal government had asked to extend the grace period of meeting the CPS three times, with the third extension expiring Monday, and it wanted further extension.
However, he said, the federal government regretted when Azmin as Selangor Menteri Besar, issued a media statement that the state government did not intend to extend the master agreement anymore.
On the implementation of the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant project and its distribution system (LRAL2), Ongkili said that up to Feb 25, it was at 1.18 per cent compared to the schedule set at 3.43 per cent.
"I have been informed that the delay is due to the Selangor government instructing the agency and local authority involved to defer approval and issuing of permits to build the plant until the state's water supply restructuring is finalised," he said.
He stressed that the federal government was committed to the Selangor water supply services restructuring as this would have an impact on the people and the state's economic development.
During the question-and-answer session, the atmosphere in the House got heated up when Azmin stood up and questioned the federal government's claim for transfer of ownership of land to make way for the water pipes.
He said the state government was prepared to honour the master agreement signed but found the action for the transfer of land ownership to be against the principles and spirit of the agreement.
"Is the federal government trying to take away the state's sovereignty by taking over the land? This land is for placing the water pipes, so why the need for transfer of land ownership," he said, followed by a lengthy heated argument between the two sides.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia then advised Ongkili and Azmin to discuss the matter at a another place that was more conducive to resolve any misunderstanding, due to the limited time to do so in the House.
In a statement issued today, Azmin claimed the federal government's refusal to honour the principles and spirit of the master agreement had resulted in the Selangor water industry restructuring not being implemented and the agreement to lapse.
He said the issues involved recognition of the state's water assets amounting to RM14.9 billion to be injected into Air Selangor, and acceptance of the transfer of RM2 billion from Air Selangor's water assets for the purpose of financing the taking over of all the water concessionaires in Selangor.
Another issue is the issuing of facility licence to Air Selangor as recognition of ownership of the balance of water supply owned by the entity.
Azmin claimed the federal government also did not honour the leasing and facility licence approval agreement reached between PAAB and Air Selangor for the lease of water assets which were to be transferred to PAAB.
He said if the federal government did not make claims that were in conflict with the spirit of the master agreement, the state government was prepared to discuss and reach a consensus in the interest of all water consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur Putrajaya.
Delayed implementation of the master agreement could adversely affect the building of Langat 2, the first phase of which is expected to be ready by 2017, to provide clean water supply to consumers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)