Sunday, 4 January 2015
IS Militants Blow Up Historical Tal Afar Castle
A Kurdish official from Tal Afar has told BasNews that the extremist group, which has controlled the Turkmen majority town since early August, blew up large part of the historical castle.
“On Wednesday night, after planting hundreds of IEDs on the castle, the Islamic State militants blew up a large part of Tal Afar castle”, said Hassan Khalo, senior official from Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) office in Tal Afar.
Khalo also revealed that the latest action from the extremist group was due to most of the administration buildings of the town was based on the castle, and now most of the buildings have been destroyed.
The Kurdish official also said that a few days ago, before the militants blow up the castle, they have looted all the historical antiques inside the castle.
According to historians the Tal Afar castle, goes back to 16th-century, which was built by the Ottoman Empire, which is located in the center of town.
Tal Afar is district in northwestern Iraq in the Ninawa Governorate located approximately 50 km west of Mosul and 200 km north west of Kirkuk.
Since taking over most of the cities and town of northern Iraq, the Islamic State militants has destroyed most of the historical and religious sites in the area.
Two brothers arrested in India over rape of Japanese tourist
The tourist had been held hostage at gunpoint in a secluded underground room close to a pilgrimage site, according to a preliminary investigation.
"When her health condition deteriorated due to repeated rape and poor living conditions, she was brought to Gaya (district headquarters) for medical treatment on December 20," a police officer who is part of the investigation told AFP on condition of anonymity.
But she managed to escape and reached Varanasi where she met some Japanese tourists who helped her contact the Japanese consulate in the nearby city of Kolkata, the officer added.
Sajid Khan, 32, and his 25-year-old brother Jawed Khan, both tourist guides, were arrested in the case on Friday, police deputy superintendent Alok Kumar Singh said.
"We have arrested the duo for confining and raping the Japanese student," Singh told AFP by telephone from Bodh Gaya.
The Bodh Gaya complex, 110 kilometres (68 miles) south of Bihar state capital Patna, is home to one of the earliest Buddhist temples still standing in India and attracts visitors from all over the world.
The Japanese woman, a university student, had come to Gaya from Kolkata where she had checked into a hotel in November.
India has faced intense scrutiny over its efforts to curb violence against women following the fatal gang rape of a medical student in New Delhi in 2012 which sparked global outcry.
Since then, several attacks on foreign women have also been reported, leading to a dip in tourist numbers to the country.
Last January, a 51-year-old Danish tourist was robbed and gang raped at knife-point in Delhi.
In 2013, a Swiss cyclist holidaying in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was robbed and gang raped by five men, all of whom were later sentenced to life terms.
Forgiveness helps ‘touch-a-dog’ organiser overcome hate, do more charity
The messages range from threats like, “If I see you, I will break your face” and “I will kill you” to plain vitriol, like “My child chose you over me. Are you satisfied?”
He said he lodged four police reports on the death threats, but when asked what action was taken against the culprits, he flashed a rueful smile.
“Nothing. When the police tracked them down and let me speak to them, I told them I forgive them and won’t press charges,” the pharmacist told The Malaysian Insider recently.
“Of course, that just makes them angrier, then they get their friends to send me hate messages,” he added with a frown.
But forgiveness is the message that the cheerful do-gooder wants to spread through his numerous charity and social projects, along with love and acceptance.
The "I Want to Touch a Dog" programme, which was aimed at helping Malaysians overcome their fear of dogs and understand how Islam perceives the canines, was just one of Syed Azmi’s numerous programmes under his #tamakpahala project.
Recently, the floods in the east coast prompted the activist to organise a donation drive in his neighbourhood with his FreeMarket team, in collaboration with several other NGOs.
The drive was a huge hit, with the team finding themselves swamped with boxes piling around the drop-off centre, in a scene that Syed Azmi described as “officially insane”.
But even when Malaysia is not facing a crisis, Syed Azmi is organising five to eight programmes a month which he broadcasts on Facebook for others to join.
Last month, he and his friends went kite-flying with some 100 orphans, after spending two hours digging in the dirt under the morning sun to harvest vegetables for 160 refugee families.
During another memorable weekend, he organised an “azan by deaf people” programme, where he roped in 22 deaf people to perform an azan (call for prayers) through sign language on stage before an audience of some 3,000 Muslims during an event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
“I had goosebumps. The entire hall was silent as they did the azan. No one left until they finished,” recalled Syed Azmi, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
“These are the programmes that mean the most to me. Azan by deaf people. Playing futsal with the blind.
“Next year, we’re doing ‘halal speed dating’ and ‘ride for dummies’. I can’t provide more details yet but it’s going to happen,” he said with an excited grin.
The unique twist to Syed Azmi’s #tamakpahala projects is that they don’t cost him a single sen.
One example is the "pregnant train", where he directs a group of female volunteers wearing fake baby bumps onto trains across the Klang Valley.
As the trains begin moving, the “expectant mothers” stand before seated commuters. Some hurriedly give up their seats, but others deliberately lower their gaze, even as the volunteers groan and pointedly rub their protruding bellies inches from their face.
“Once the train stops at the next station, we announce to them that this was actually our project to spread awareness on giving up their seats for the needy,” explained Syed Azmi, adding that they have done this three times so far.
When asked what inspired him to begin #tamakpahala single-handedly three years ago, he replied without hesitation: “My parents. I work really far away from my parents, so if they need help, the first people they can reach out to are their neighbours.
“So I wanted to encourage this spirit of neighbourliness starting with myself, and that was how #tamakpahala was born.”
The projects proved a hit in the neighbourhood, and everything was working out beyond Syed Azmi’s expectations – until the controversial "I Want to Touch a Dog" event in October.
Ironically, it was his most infamous #tamakpahala project that turned several of their neighbours against his parents, undoing all his past good deeds in their eyes.
“My dad prays at the nearby mosque every day, and people there just turned away from him. That was the saddest part,” said Syed Azmi, his voice overcome with emotion.
“To be turned away, at the age of 60-plus, when the entire point of #tamakpahala was so that my neighbours could care for him.”
Things are getting better for his parents, he said, but it’s not the same.
The hate messages, too, weigh heavily on Syed Azmi’s mind, but he won’t be changing his mobile phone number as too many people need to reach him.
“The worst threats are from the ladies, they say they want to break my face. The men say they want to kill me, but I know that’s practically impossible to carry out so I’m not so shaken.
“But to break my face? That’s possible, and a very real threat.”
But rather than condemning the haters, they actually spur Syed Azmi to work harder and ensure they understand the true message behind his projects.
“I failed to reach out what I wanted to teach and share with the event. My words are not right; I have bad English. I’m not articulate enough to express what is the goodness of the event.
“Today, I still smile towards my haters, because they taught me to work harder. The message behind my project didn’t get to them, so I have to work harder to get to them,” he said earnestly.
Calm in the face of hate and scorn
But being the target of nationwide animosity and baseless accusations was not easy for him during the first month.
As hate and scorn poured through anonymous blogs and into his inbox, Syed Azmi said he remained calm because he remembered a message about dogs by Ustaz Iqbal, who had spoken at the programme.
“The reason I was calm was because of the dog. Ustaz Iqbal said that it is wrong for anybody to feel that they are better than the ‘anjing kurap’ (disease-infested dog).
“To me, it was a very powerful message, and that’s how I feel about the dog. A dog taught me to be kind, humble, and that I am no better than anyone else. The dog taught me that you can be up one day, down one day.”
But the pain came flooding back when Utusan Malaysia published an article on Wednesday mentioning his “dog-touching campaign” as part of its 2014 highlights, prompting fresh hate messages into his phone even as he was busy organising donations for flood victims.
Despite the stigma now attached to his name, and the numerous claims on the Internet that he is a Christian masquerading as an ustaz to spread Shia teachings, Syed Azmi refuses to give up.
“The underprivileged and the poor are still out there. I promised to help them, and this project is something that I have put my heart and soul in,” he said.
For other Malaysians who wish to make a difference in society, Syed Azmi believes what is most important is to work within your means and believe in your ideas.
“Be honest. Be transparent. Start within your means. If you have an idea to change the mind-set of the nation, never think your idea is small and miniscule. Explain it in the best possible way can.
“Nobody is going to give you money. If you have RM100, use RM100. You don’t need money to do good. For me, the charity not only comes from money, but time, effort and knowledge.” – January 3, 2015.
10 more eminent Malays join 'Group of 25'
Ten additional prominent Malays have joined the group of ‘Eminent 25’, group spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin announced.
Former diplomat Noor Farida declared more members would be joining the group, which currently includes highly influential former civil servants.
“Dear friends, it is with pleasure that we announce the names of the new members of the G25”, the former diplomat to the Netherlands declared in a short statement yesterday.
The new inclusions are:
The former top civil servants, comprising judges, ambassadors, and scholars, said in the joint letter that it was time for the moderate Malays to speak out against extremists.
The group on Tuesday said that they were only interested in meeting Najib to discuss the issues that they have raised and have declined to meet any other agencies.
This includes declining to meet the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which wanted to meet the group to discuss religious issues they raised.
After the open letter was published, many Malaysians have come out to express support for the group and their stand.
In support of the call for moderation, a few other groups of individuals and NGOs have also come out to voice their concerns.
They include young Muslim activists, and a multi-ethnic cluster ‘KamiJuga25’ (We, too, are 25)
Former diplomat Noor Farida declared more members would be joining the group, which currently includes highly influential former civil servants.
“Dear friends, it is with pleasure that we announce the names of the new members of the G25”, the former diplomat to the Netherlands declared in a short statement yesterday.
The new inclusions are:
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Alwi Jantan – former deputy secretary-general of the Prime Minister’s Department
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Rafiah Salim – former vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya
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Nazir Ariff – prominent businessman
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Ahmad Mokhtar Selat – former ambassador and former deputy secretary-general of Asean
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Anwaruddin Osman – former Petronas Dagangan Berhad managing director
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Baharuddin Musa – former deputy secretary-general of Defence Ministry
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Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman – Universiti Malaya dean of the medicine faculty
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Ariff Abdul Kareem - former executive director of MIER and former dean of UM economics and administration faculty
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Tawfik Ismail - former Member of Parliament and son of the late deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman
- Shazal Yusof Mohd Zain – former corporate finance executive for the Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad
The former top civil servants, comprising judges, ambassadors, and scholars, said in the joint letter that it was time for the moderate Malays to speak out against extremists.
The group on Tuesday said that they were only interested in meeting Najib to discuss the issues that they have raised and have declined to meet any other agencies.
This includes declining to meet the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which wanted to meet the group to discuss religious issues they raised.
After the open letter was published, many Malaysians have come out to express support for the group and their stand.
In support of the call for moderation, a few other groups of individuals and NGOs have also come out to voice their concerns.
They include young Muslim activists, and a multi-ethnic cluster ‘KamiJuga25’ (We, too, are 25)
Raub MP says Najib is finished
Ariff Sabri says the devastation caused by the floods in Kuala Krai show the full extent of the “incompetence” of our PM and his government.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Ariff Sabri has said in no uncertain terms that Prime Minister Najib Razak had no political future left to speak of, the devastating floods the country has suffered having more or less shown the people the full extent of his incompetence and that of his administration.
In his latest blog entry, the MP for Raub said, “To me, Najib has no more future. The fate of UMNO and his own is already sealed by the next GE.”
He argued that Najib’s handling of the floods especially in Kelantan, the worst hit state, left much to be desired, adding, “Kuala Krai is indeed a watershed which showed the government’s incompetence in handling a national disaster.
Accusing Najib of taking things too lightly, Ariff said in a cynical tone, “Najib and his gang appear to think, they can respond to the flood with a jamboree mentality complete with his minions pointing to the water and saying or mocking us – look Tonto – this is water.”
He also put forth a “nagging” question: “With such extent and level of devastation that took place in many areas of Kelantan, why wasn’t a state of emergency declared?”
Like DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang who has repeatedly called for a declaration of a state of emergency, Ariff too expressed his incredulity that despite over 150,000 people losing property and livestock in the floods, the PM had adamantly refused to declare a state of emergency.
Ariff further argued, “The last time severe floods overwhelmed Pahang, I asked the same question through the Pahang MB.
“The answer I was given was that Najib would also have to declare a state of emergency in other states. That meant more resources would have to be spent.”
Rubbishing this statement, Ariff drew comparisons with President Obama who went ahead to declare a state of emergency during the recent Mississippi floods without having to do the same in all other states.
“Maybe Obama did not have the opportunity to impart some knowledge to Najb during their golfing meet. The game does not enhance intelligence after all.”
Saying Najib was losing out on the opportunity to showcase the country’s machinery in handling a national catastrophe, Ariff said, “Such a declaration would allow the usage of nationally owned facilities and assets and other resources to be used.”
Writing about the horror he felt at reading the many SOS messages sent by desperate doctors at Kuala Krai hospital who were unable to operate on patients because power was cut, he lamented, “Help did not come in time. We will never know of the fatal devastation at Kuala Krai hospital.”
He also praised ordinary Malaysians who came out in droves to help distribute food supplies and basic necessities to flood victims saying, “Thank you to these unsung heroes. There is a future yet for Malaysia.”
This statement was in sharp contrast to the one Ariff made in regard to Najib when he wrote, “ I am not going to offer ameliorating rationale about Najib’s and UMNO’s conduct over the worst flood the country has faced.
“I only want to contribute towards affirming our coming rejection of Najib and his government.
“Our destiny does not depend on whether UMNO survives the next election or not.”
FMT
PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Ariff Sabri has said in no uncertain terms that Prime Minister Najib Razak had no political future left to speak of, the devastating floods the country has suffered having more or less shown the people the full extent of his incompetence and that of his administration.
In his latest blog entry, the MP for Raub said, “To me, Najib has no more future. The fate of UMNO and his own is already sealed by the next GE.”
He argued that Najib’s handling of the floods especially in Kelantan, the worst hit state, left much to be desired, adding, “Kuala Krai is indeed a watershed which showed the government’s incompetence in handling a national disaster.
Accusing Najib of taking things too lightly, Ariff said in a cynical tone, “Najib and his gang appear to think, they can respond to the flood with a jamboree mentality complete with his minions pointing to the water and saying or mocking us – look Tonto – this is water.”
He also put forth a “nagging” question: “With such extent and level of devastation that took place in many areas of Kelantan, why wasn’t a state of emergency declared?”
Like DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang who has repeatedly called for a declaration of a state of emergency, Ariff too expressed his incredulity that despite over 150,000 people losing property and livestock in the floods, the PM had adamantly refused to declare a state of emergency.
Ariff further argued, “The last time severe floods overwhelmed Pahang, I asked the same question through the Pahang MB.
“The answer I was given was that Najib would also have to declare a state of emergency in other states. That meant more resources would have to be spent.”
Rubbishing this statement, Ariff drew comparisons with President Obama who went ahead to declare a state of emergency during the recent Mississippi floods without having to do the same in all other states.
“Maybe Obama did not have the opportunity to impart some knowledge to Najb during their golfing meet. The game does not enhance intelligence after all.”
Saying Najib was losing out on the opportunity to showcase the country’s machinery in handling a national catastrophe, Ariff said, “Such a declaration would allow the usage of nationally owned facilities and assets and other resources to be used.”
Writing about the horror he felt at reading the many SOS messages sent by desperate doctors at Kuala Krai hospital who were unable to operate on patients because power was cut, he lamented, “Help did not come in time. We will never know of the fatal devastation at Kuala Krai hospital.”
He also praised ordinary Malaysians who came out in droves to help distribute food supplies and basic necessities to flood victims saying, “Thank you to these unsung heroes. There is a future yet for Malaysia.”
This statement was in sharp contrast to the one Ariff made in regard to Najib when he wrote, “ I am not going to offer ameliorating rationale about Najib’s and UMNO’s conduct over the worst flood the country has faced.
“I only want to contribute towards affirming our coming rejection of Najib and his government.
“Our destiny does not depend on whether UMNO survives the next election or not.”
Najib urged to raise Rosmah’s status
Blogger Shahbudin suggests that the PM get Cabinet approval to allow his wife to use the government jet freely.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been urged to get formal Cabinet approval for his wife’s use of the government’s private jet whenever she wants to.
This should put an end to incessant public questioning about Rosmah Mansor’s right to make use of the facility, says frequent Umno critic Shahbudin Husin in the latest instalment of a series of blog articles on the issue.
He notes that Najib’s prime ministerial predecessors were never bugged by a similar issue because their wives never used the facility for their privates purposes. In contrast, he says, Rosmah’s “apparent passion” for using the plane has become the stuff of media gossip.
“Perhaps it’s time that Najib make a formal decision in a Cabinet meeting to give his wife special qualification to freely use the government jet for reasons such as the performance of her duties, the interest of her safety and the fulfilment of her wishes, since she is someone important in the Prime Minister’s life,” he writes.
With such a decision, he says, Rosmah’s status will be raised so that she will be on the same level as the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
“If one government jet is not enough, Najib can lease another one,” he suggests in sarcastic language that is more biting in the original Malay than in translation.
“After all, we’re a rich country. In five years’ time we’ll achieve developed nation status. So the status of the Prime Minister’s wife should, by right, be raised.
“With the Cabinet decision, Rosmah will be free to use the government jet for official duties, personal purposes or to go on holidays without having to get special permission.”
This would spare her the need to be stealthy, he adds.
“It’s time for Najib to think outside the box, not only to enable his wife to travel to and fro in the government jet as proof of his love for her, but also to prevent the waste of time incurred by administration officials in having to answer questions posed by members of Parliament and the media,” says Shahbudin.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been urged to get formal Cabinet approval for his wife’s use of the government’s private jet whenever she wants to.
This should put an end to incessant public questioning about Rosmah Mansor’s right to make use of the facility, says frequent Umno critic Shahbudin Husin in the latest instalment of a series of blog articles on the issue.
He notes that Najib’s prime ministerial predecessors were never bugged by a similar issue because their wives never used the facility for their privates purposes. In contrast, he says, Rosmah’s “apparent passion” for using the plane has become the stuff of media gossip.
“Perhaps it’s time that Najib make a formal decision in a Cabinet meeting to give his wife special qualification to freely use the government jet for reasons such as the performance of her duties, the interest of her safety and the fulfilment of her wishes, since she is someone important in the Prime Minister’s life,” he writes.
With such a decision, he says, Rosmah’s status will be raised so that she will be on the same level as the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
“If one government jet is not enough, Najib can lease another one,” he suggests in sarcastic language that is more biting in the original Malay than in translation.
“After all, we’re a rich country. In five years’ time we’ll achieve developed nation status. So the status of the Prime Minister’s wife should, by right, be raised.
“With the Cabinet decision, Rosmah will be free to use the government jet for official duties, personal purposes or to go on holidays without having to get special permission.”
This would spare her the need to be stealthy, he adds.
“It’s time for Najib to think outside the box, not only to enable his wife to travel to and fro in the government jet as proof of his love for her, but also to prevent the waste of time incurred by administration officials in having to answer questions posed by members of Parliament and the media,” says Shahbudin.
Palanivel dumps Vell Paari and four others in MIC reshuffle
New disciplinary committee named in wake of Registrar's call for new elections.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC chief Datuk Seri G Palanivel has removed his harsh critic Datuk Seri Vell Paari, son of the former party leader Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and four others including the secretary-general A. Prakash Rao from their posts in the central committee.
Palanivel’s move comes in the wake of a decision by the Registrar of Societies on Dec 5 to nullify the election of three vice-presidents and 23 members of the central committee at the party elections in 2013.
The Registrar recommended that the posts be re-elected within 90 days, following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
The new secretary-general is Datuk Kumar Silambaram, with Ramalingam Krishnamoorthy replacing Vell Paari as strategic director, Bernama reported.
Three new members join the central committee – Karuppanan Malairaja (Penang), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam (Kedah) and Ganesan Thankaveloo (Selangor) – replacing Tan Sri K.S Nijhar, Datuk R. Ramanan and Datuk K.S Balakrishnan.
Palanivel appointed a new disciplinary committee comprising Karuppanan (chairman), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam and Datuk Randhir Singh.
“All the appointments take effect from today and I have issued letters to all concerned which will be received by them in due course,” Palanivel said in a statement.
Prakash Rao was replaced as secretary-general after only a year. The previous secretary-general, A. Sakthivel, lasted only about seven months.
Vell Paari, who has been a harsh critic of the party president, said in a text message to Bernama that his position was already null and void due to the Registrar’s decision.
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC chief Datuk Seri G Palanivel has removed his harsh critic Datuk Seri Vell Paari, son of the former party leader Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and four others including the secretary-general A. Prakash Rao from their posts in the central committee.
Palanivel’s move comes in the wake of a decision by the Registrar of Societies on Dec 5 to nullify the election of three vice-presidents and 23 members of the central committee at the party elections in 2013.
The Registrar recommended that the posts be re-elected within 90 days, following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
The new secretary-general is Datuk Kumar Silambaram, with Ramalingam Krishnamoorthy replacing Vell Paari as strategic director, Bernama reported.
Three new members join the central committee – Karuppanan Malairaja (Penang), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam (Kedah) and Ganesan Thankaveloo (Selangor) – replacing Tan Sri K.S Nijhar, Datuk R. Ramanan and Datuk K.S Balakrishnan.
Palanivel appointed a new disciplinary committee comprising Karuppanan (chairman), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam and Datuk Randhir Singh.
“All the appointments take effect from today and I have issued letters to all concerned which will be received by them in due course,” Palanivel said in a statement.
Prakash Rao was replaced as secretary-general after only a year. The previous secretary-general, A. Sakthivel, lasted only about seven months.
Vell Paari, who has been a harsh critic of the party president, said in a text message to Bernama that his position was already null and void due to the Registrar’s decision.
AirAsia had Singapore approval for daily Surabaya flights
Indonesia suspends airline's Sunday flights from Surabaya for violation of permit
FMT
SINGAPORE: In the wake of Indonesia’s suspension of AirAsia Indonesia’s Surabaya-Singapore flight on Sundays, civil aviation authorities here said that the airline had received Singapore approval for daily flights until March.
The airline had been operating the flight four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
However Indonesian officials said the Sunday service had not been authorised and went beyond their permit. The Sunday service has been suspended pending a review and in the face of a possible threat to revoke the airline’s licence.
Bernama reports that the Civil Aviation Authority here and Changi Airport Group had said the airline had received Singapore approval for winter season daily flights from October to March. Before an airline can launch a service between two points, it needs to obtain approval of its flight schedules from the respective civil aviation authorities at each end of its flight routing separately.
These daily flights were approved as there were available air traffic rights under the bilateral ASA and the slots at Changi Airport were available.
Airlines may adjust their flight frequencies in the course of a season in response to market demand or operational requirements.
FMTSINGAPORE: In the wake of Indonesia’s suspension of AirAsia Indonesia’s Surabaya-Singapore flight on Sundays, civil aviation authorities here said that the airline had received Singapore approval for daily flights until March.
The airline had been operating the flight four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
However Indonesian officials said the Sunday service had not been authorised and went beyond their permit. The Sunday service has been suspended pending a review and in the face of a possible threat to revoke the airline’s licence.
Bernama reports that the Civil Aviation Authority here and Changi Airport Group had said the airline had received Singapore approval for winter season daily flights from October to March. Before an airline can launch a service between two points, it needs to obtain approval of its flight schedules from the respective civil aviation authorities at each end of its flight routing separately.
These daily flights were approved as there were available air traffic rights under the bilateral ASA and the slots at Changi Airport were available.
Airlines may adjust their flight frequencies in the course of a season in response to market demand or operational requirements.
Malaysian opposition demands probe into minister's claim Paul Phua was assisting in national security
People’s Justice Party Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil calls for inquiry into comments made by Home Affairs minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in letter to senior FBI official
Bryan Harris - South China Morning Post
A key Malaysian opposition party member has demanded an inquiry into remarks made by the country’s home affairs minister that former Macau junket operator and Asian gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei-seng was assisting the government with matters of national security.
The call for the probe comes on the back of a report in the South China Morning Post last week that documented a letter sent by Malaysian cabinet minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to a senior FBI official vouching for the integrity of Phua, 50, who is currently facing illegal-bookmaking charges in Las Vegas.
“Mr Zahid writing the letter comes across as very shocking not only because the letter attempts to exonerate Paul Phua, who clearly has a chequered past, but also because Mr Zahid claims that Mr Phua has assisted with ‘projects of national security,’” Fahmi Fadzil, communications director of the opposition People’s Justice Party, told the Post on Saturday.
“I will be discussing with several Members of Parliament on formally requesting a response from Mr Zahid in the Malaysian Parliament.”
Sarawak native Phua and his son stand accused of running an illicit gambling operation from luxury suites at the Nevada city’s Caesar’s Palace Hotel during the soccer world cup last year.
An online message – contested by Phua’s lawyers – found on his computer during a police raid suggested that bets of the alleged operation reached a “grand total” of HK$2.7 billion, according to court documents.
Phua has denied any wrongdoing and is strenuously contesting the charges.
In the “private and confidential” letter to FBI deputy director Mark Giuliano, Zahid denied allegations made by US federal agents that Phua was a member of the notorious 14K triad.
He added: “Mr Phua has, on numerous occassions [sic], assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”
The letter, dated December 18, was submitted to the Las Vegas court last week, but was quickly withdrawn by Phua’s lawyers due to an objection by the Malaysian government.
However, the incident sparked concern in the Southeast Asian nation after being picked up by the Post.
“Like many out there, I was surprised to read a news report [on Zahid’s letter] in the South China Morning Post,” said Fahmi.
“I hope Zahid will be able to give an explanation … in order to dislodge the uneasiness among the people about this issue.”
Phua was Macau’s top earning junket operator a decade ago, before becoming a prominent high-stakes poker player.
Weeks prior to his arrest in Las Vegas last summer, he had been detained in Macau in a crackdown on an online betting ring that, according to Macau police, took HK$5 billion in wavers. He was deported from the territory.
The raid remains the largest strike on illegal bookmaking in the gambling hub’s history.
Zahid himself has been the subject of a number of controversies. In 2013, the minister faced public uproar after remarks to a group of town elders seemed to suggest he was friendly with an outlawed crime gang. Zahid claimed he was quoted out of context.
Bryan Harris - South China Morning Post
A key Malaysian opposition party member has demanded an inquiry into remarks made by the country’s home affairs minister that former Macau junket operator and Asian gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei-seng was assisting the government with matters of national security.
The call for the probe comes on the back of a report in the South China Morning Post last week that documented a letter sent by Malaysian cabinet minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to a senior FBI official vouching for the integrity of Phua, 50, who is currently facing illegal-bookmaking charges in Las Vegas.
“Mr Zahid writing the letter comes across as very shocking not only because the letter attempts to exonerate Paul Phua, who clearly has a chequered past, but also because Mr Zahid claims that Mr Phua has assisted with ‘projects of national security,’” Fahmi Fadzil, communications director of the opposition People’s Justice Party, told the Post on Saturday.
“I will be discussing with several Members of Parliament on formally requesting a response from Mr Zahid in the Malaysian Parliament.”
Sarawak native Phua and his son stand accused of running an illicit gambling operation from luxury suites at the Nevada city’s Caesar’s Palace Hotel during the soccer world cup last year.
An online message – contested by Phua’s lawyers – found on his computer during a police raid suggested that bets of the alleged operation reached a “grand total” of HK$2.7 billion, according to court documents.
Phua has denied any wrongdoing and is strenuously contesting the charges.
In the “private and confidential” letter to FBI deputy director Mark Giuliano, Zahid denied allegations made by US federal agents that Phua was a member of the notorious 14K triad.
He added: “Mr Phua has, on numerous occassions [sic], assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”
The letter, dated December 18, was submitted to the Las Vegas court last week, but was quickly withdrawn by Phua’s lawyers due to an objection by the Malaysian government.
However, the incident sparked concern in the Southeast Asian nation after being picked up by the Post.
“Like many out there, I was surprised to read a news report [on Zahid’s letter] in the South China Morning Post,” said Fahmi.
“I hope Zahid will be able to give an explanation … in order to dislodge the uneasiness among the people about this issue.”
Phua was Macau’s top earning junket operator a decade ago, before becoming a prominent high-stakes poker player.
Weeks prior to his arrest in Las Vegas last summer, he had been detained in Macau in a crackdown on an online betting ring that, according to Macau police, took HK$5 billion in wavers. He was deported from the territory.
The raid remains the largest strike on illegal bookmaking in the gambling hub’s history.
Zahid himself has been the subject of a number of controversies. In 2013, the minister faced public uproar after remarks to a group of town elders seemed to suggest he was friendly with an outlawed crime gang. Zahid claimed he was quoted out of context.
Call on Najib to declare state of emergency to mobilise the 150,000-strong armed forces to deal with worsening flood situation in some states and humongous post-flood challenges in others
By Lim Kit Siang BlogIt is still not too late for the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak to declare a state of emergency in the flood-stricken states.
A state of emergency in the flood-stricken states will make it easier and faster to mobilise all federal, state and local resources to deal firstly, with the worst flood disaster in recent decades (for some states, the flood situation could worsen in coming days); and secondly, the post-flood situation in states where although the worst flood situation are over with the receding of flood waters, new problems are beginning with the humongous and mind-blogging scale and scope of the post-flood challenges and dangers.
The Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob has said that Kelantan will need at least six months to fully recover from the devastation of the worst floods that hit the state in the past few weeks.
Six months to recover from the devastation of the floods catastrophe is too long and will impose great problems and grave burdens on the flood victims in Kelantan.
Whether for Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak or any state for that matter, the period for the full recovery from the devastation of the floods catastrophe should be cut down from “at least six months” to two months, and this is why a state of emergency for the flood-stricken states should declared, to deal firstly with the floods disaster management, mitigation and relief during the floods catastrophe, and secondly, the post-flood challenges and dangers.
In fact, a state of emergency should be a normal part of the Standard Operating Procedure to deal with a major floods disaster.
The Prime Minister was clearly misled when he said that a state of emergency could not be declared because it would absolve the insurance companies from having to pay compensation to the insured, which had been debunked by the insurance regulator, the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (Piam).
The Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was also wrong when he said that there was no need to declare a state of emergency unless there was a critical situation, such as when the electricity and water supply were completely cut off or when the number of flood victims reached hundreds of thousands of people.
Muhyiddin seemed not to know that for thousands of the flood victims, electricity and water supply were completely cut off for more than a week. Is this not an emergency?
Is Muhyiddin saying that before an emergency situation could arise, electricity and water supply should be completely cut off for the whole country and that hundreds of thousands of people should be made homeless as a quarter of a million people are still not sufficient?
If so, these are the most cock-eyed arguments ever presented by a Deputy Prime Minister in Malaysia.
It is most shocking and outrageous that both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister do not seem to have a clue as to what is needed for the declaration of a state of emergency in the event of a natural or even man-made disaster which has nothing to do with a political crisis.
There should be a total revamp of the mindset and mentality about Floods Disaster Management Plans and Preparedness, where declaration of a state of emergency for flood-stricken states or regions will be an integral part of the Standard Operating Procedure.
I can understand why Malaysians as a whole are quite reluctant to support declaration of state of emergency, for their experience is for the state of emergencies to be permanent and misused to serve the interests of the Executive, such as the Emergencies arising from Indonesian Confrontation in 1965, the Sarawak Political Crisis in 1967, the May 13 Riots in 1969 and the Kelantan Political Crisis in 1977.
A state of emergency arising from a floods catastrophe will be limited both in place and time – confined only to the flood-stricken areas and lapsed as soon as the floods catastrophe and the post-flood challenges and dangers are dealt with.
I would urge the Prime Minister to ask the Cabinet on Wednesday to endorse the declaration of a state of emergency in the flood-stricken states, which will enable the mobilization of the 150,000-strong armed services personnel (land, air and sea) to deal with worsening flood situation in some states and to tackle the post-flood situation in states where the flood waters have receded.
One of the biggest post-flood challenges is to shorten the time needed for the people to recover from the devastation of the floods – for instance, slash the period from “at least six months” to two months.
The armed forces can be mobilized to help the police in looking after security, assist the flood victims who have become homeless to build temporary housing and ensure that there is no outbreak of diseases by helping to clean up the flood-stricken areas.
If the military forces in other countries can render such national services in times of national disasters, there is no reason why this cannot be done in Malaysia.
The Federal government must use all its resources to help the flood victims to start their lives and business anew.
This is why there should be a doubling of the RM500 million flood relief allocation announced by Najib to RM1 billion, so that there could be interest-free loans to every flood victim to allow business and ordinary life to start anew immediately, in the shortest possible time.
Every flood victim whose business, whether from hawker stalls to shop business, had been wiped out by the floods catastrophe, should be entitled to interest free loan, ranging from RM1,000 to RM250,000 to restart business.
The Cabinet on Wednesday should take bold and decisive measures on the declaration of a state of emergency in the flood-stricken states as well as approve the doubling of the RM500 million flood relief allocation RM1 billion to enable interest-free loans to be given to everyone whose livelihood had been wiped out by the flood catastrophe.
(Media Conference Statement in Mentakab on Saturday, 3rd January 2015 at 10 am when visiting the flood-stricken areas in Mentakab and Temerloh together with DAP Acting National Chairman Tan Kok Wai, DAP Selangor State Assemblyman for Balakong Ng Tien Chee and DAP Pahang State Assemblyman for Mentakab, Tengku Zulpuri Shah b. Raja Puji )
'Zahid wrote to FBI to correct wrong PDRM report'
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had written to
the US over alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua purportedly in order to
correct a mistake in a report by the Malaysian police, said lawyer
Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
At a press conference today, the prominent Umno lawyer speaking on behalf of Phua's legal team, clarified a South China Morning Post report about Zahid's letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dated Dec 18 where the minister claimed Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad.
The FBI had submitted an internal document to the courts in US, which it said Malaysian police had informed the agency's representative in Malaysia that Phua was a member of the 14K Triad, a Hong Kong-based transnational organised crime entity.
"I think because the mistake is very big, it affects people's liberty.
"(Therefore), the minister found it quite necessary to correct the situation," said Shafee (left).
When asked if this meant the 2008 report by Malaysian police about Phua was wrong, he replied, "Wrong".
He added he had clarified the matter "from the horses' mouth", but declined to name names other than saying that it was from a very senior police official.
Shafee, who has been a criminal lawyer for 40 years, repeatedly stressed that the 14K Triad does not exist in Malaysia.
Elaborating on the matter, Shafee said Zahid had only written the letter at his (Shafee's) request as per legal requirements.
Shafee said the US law firm Messrs Chesnoff & Schonfeld, who is acting for Phua, had sought his help to clarify about Phua's background.
Phua is standing trial in the US for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation in Las Vegas.
Shafee: Zahid was asked to write to the FBI
The veteran lawyer added the US law firm had sought his help as he had previously advised them about extradition matters in Malaysia, also relating to Phua's case.
"I wrote (to the minister) some time in August to give the full name (of Phua) and subject and I said, can you please clarify if Paul Phua is a member of the 14K Triad in Malaysia.
"Interestingly,
the minister answered almost two months (sic) later – he didn't answer
immediately because he had to find out from the police – he said Paul
Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad," he said.
Shafee added that Zahid (right) was asked to write directly to the FBI rather than reply to his law firm to avoid doubt.
He said if Zahid had replied to Shafee's law firm, which made the request at first, it would have to be forwarded to the FBI, which may question the authenticity of the reply.
Shafee added that Zahid had a legal duty to release such information upon request in such cases, as long as it does not affect national security.
"If he did not answer the question, I could have actually compelled the minister to answer by way of a court proceeding.
"The minister was very aware of his rights pertaining to national security," he said.
'Maybe Phua can still help Putrajaya'
Commenting on Zahid's claim in the letter that Phua had aided the government in matters of national security, Shafee said he could no elaborate on the matter and that information was also a "bonus" to him.
He speculated that Zahid may have disclosed the additional information in "defence" of a Malaysian citizen, after coming across it while reviewing Phua's file.
When pointed out that the letter not only touched on Phua's supposed assistance but also expressed the government's "eagerness" to see Phua returned to Malaysia, Shafee said the man may still have information useful to the government.
"It gives you a hint, that Paul Phua, prior to his arrest, may have been as current in assisting the government and there could still be remnants of matters to follow up with him.
"But I'm not aware, because I cannot go into the subject (of national security)," he said.
However, he added that in no way was Zahid vouching for Phua's innocence in the illegal gambling charge.
Shafee also downplayed the seriousness of Phua's charge, stating that it was merely a "revenue" offence – for gambling without a licence.
"It is not such a big deal, as far as I am concerned. I started as a defence counsel in common gaming cases.
"It is almost in the blood of segments in the Chinese population that they wouldn't regard it as a serious offence and we regard it as a revenue offence," he said.
Zahid's letter to the FBI
At a press conference today, the prominent Umno lawyer speaking on behalf of Phua's legal team, clarified a South China Morning Post report about Zahid's letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dated Dec 18 where the minister claimed Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad.
The FBI had submitted an internal document to the courts in US, which it said Malaysian police had informed the agency's representative in Malaysia that Phua was a member of the 14K Triad, a Hong Kong-based transnational organised crime entity.
"I think because the mistake is very big, it affects people's liberty."(Therefore), the minister found it quite necessary to correct the situation," said Shafee (left).
When asked if this meant the 2008 report by Malaysian police about Phua was wrong, he replied, "Wrong".
He added he had clarified the matter "from the horses' mouth", but declined to name names other than saying that it was from a very senior police official.
Shafee, who has been a criminal lawyer for 40 years, repeatedly stressed that the 14K Triad does not exist in Malaysia.
Elaborating on the matter, Shafee said Zahid had only written the letter at his (Shafee's) request as per legal requirements.
Shafee said the US law firm Messrs Chesnoff & Schonfeld, who is acting for Phua, had sought his help to clarify about Phua's background.
Phua is standing trial in the US for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation in Las Vegas.
Shafee: Zahid was asked to write to the FBI
The veteran lawyer added the US law firm had sought his help as he had previously advised them about extradition matters in Malaysia, also relating to Phua's case.
"I wrote (to the minister) some time in August to give the full name (of Phua) and subject and I said, can you please clarify if Paul Phua is a member of the 14K Triad in Malaysia.
"Interestingly,
the minister answered almost two months (sic) later – he didn't answer
immediately because he had to find out from the police – he said Paul
Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad," he said.Shafee added that Zahid (right) was asked to write directly to the FBI rather than reply to his law firm to avoid doubt.
He said if Zahid had replied to Shafee's law firm, which made the request at first, it would have to be forwarded to the FBI, which may question the authenticity of the reply.
Shafee added that Zahid had a legal duty to release such information upon request in such cases, as long as it does not affect national security.
"If he did not answer the question, I could have actually compelled the minister to answer by way of a court proceeding.
"The minister was very aware of his rights pertaining to national security," he said.
'Maybe Phua can still help Putrajaya'
Commenting on Zahid's claim in the letter that Phua had aided the government in matters of national security, Shafee said he could no elaborate on the matter and that information was also a "bonus" to him.
He speculated that Zahid may have disclosed the additional information in "defence" of a Malaysian citizen, after coming across it while reviewing Phua's file.
When pointed out that the letter not only touched on Phua's supposed assistance but also expressed the government's "eagerness" to see Phua returned to Malaysia, Shafee said the man may still have information useful to the government.
"It gives you a hint, that Paul Phua, prior to his arrest, may have been as current in assisting the government and there could still be remnants of matters to follow up with him.
"But I'm not aware, because I cannot go into the subject (of national security)," he said.However, he added that in no way was Zahid vouching for Phua's innocence in the illegal gambling charge.
Shafee also downplayed the seriousness of Phua's charge, stating that it was merely a "revenue" offence – for gambling without a licence.
"It is not such a big deal, as far as I am concerned. I started as a defence counsel in common gaming cases.
"It is almost in the blood of segments in the Chinese population that they wouldn't regard it as a serious offence and we regard it as a revenue offence," he said.
Zahid's letter to the FBI
Basarnas Confident They've Found AirAsia QZ8501
By Azeman Ariffin
JAKARTA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the AirAsia flight QZ8501, which has entered its seventh day, has so far found 30 bodies of victims and two big objects believed to be from the passenger plane.
Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief Bambang Soelistyo said based on the size and types of the two objects found on the sea bed, it was strongly believed that they were the wreck of the AirAsia jet that crashed on Dec 28.
"With the discovery of an oil spill and two big objects, we believe that this is the AirAsia passenger jet that we have been looking for," he told a press conference which was broadcast live by several local television channels.
He said the biggest of the two objects measured about 10 metres by five metres and both objects were found about 30 metres below sea surface.
Meanwhile, of the 30 bodies of victims recovered so far, 17 were men and 13 were women and the bodies were taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya for identification process.
The AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 with 162 people on board crashed while flying from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore.
Those on board the flight comprise 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, a Singaporean, a Malaysian, a Briton and a French.
JAKARTA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the AirAsia flight QZ8501, which has entered its seventh day, has so far found 30 bodies of victims and two big objects believed to be from the passenger plane.
Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief Bambang Soelistyo said based on the size and types of the two objects found on the sea bed, it was strongly believed that they were the wreck of the AirAsia jet that crashed on Dec 28.
"With the discovery of an oil spill and two big objects, we believe that this is the AirAsia passenger jet that we have been looking for," he told a press conference which was broadcast live by several local television channels.
He said the biggest of the two objects measured about 10 metres by five metres and both objects were found about 30 metres below sea surface.
Meanwhile, of the 30 bodies of victims recovered so far, 17 were men and 13 were women and the bodies were taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya for identification process.
The AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 with 162 people on board crashed while flying from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore.
Those on board the flight comprise 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, a Singaporean, a Malaysian, a Briton and a French.
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