Monday, 12 January 2015
'We are here to support freedom. We will not be beaten': 3.7MILLION people march across France as world leaders are joined in Paris for moving tribute to 17 terror victims
- An estimated 3.7million gathered in shows of solidarity across France today in tribute to those killed by terrorists
- Unprecedented crowds were seen in Paris where 3.3million walked the capital's streets…
- An estimated 3.7million gathered in shows of solidarity across France today in tribute to those killed by terrorists
- Unprecedented crowds were seen in Paris where 3.3million walked the capital's streets chanting 'Je suis Charlie'
- British Prime Minister David Cameron linked arms with other world leaders to lead the proceedings this afternoon
- President Francois Hollande began the march, poignantly telling crowds: 'Today, Paris is the capital of the world'
- Elsewhere crowds gathered in major world cities, with famous monuments illuminated in the Tricolor
More than three million people gathered across France today to stage defiant marches in a moving tribute to the 17 people killed in terror attacks across the country last week.
With the majority flocking to the capital where cartoonists and passers-by were murdered by Islamic fanatics last week, British Prime Minister David Cameron joined crowds marching in their memory.
Arm in arm with President Francois Hollande and a host of other world leaders, he was among an estimated 3.3million people marching through the city.
Elsewhere, US Attorney General Eric Holder joined officials, including Home Secretary Theresa Mary, at the Interior Ministry where talks were held about threats posed by Islamist extremism.
Standing in a front-row of world leaders near Place de la Republique shortly before 3pm, President Holland told crowds: 'Today, Paris is the capital of the world.'
Local media reports suggested as many as three million people had turned out to march in defiance of the threats issued by Muslim fanatics responsible for the attacks at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine, and in a kosher supermarket last week.
Among them was Isabelle Gabarre, who had travelled from her home in Rouen, Normandy, with her daughter Mathilde.
She told MailOnline: 'We are here to support freedom. We cannot be beaten. It is an important word, not only here in France, but around the world.
'We are proud of all the people here today. We want to show the world we are united and we are not scared.'
And Anne-Claire Davy, who lives on the Avenue de la Republique where the march passed through, said she was delighted by the march.
She said: 'This is a show of defiance by Paris, by France and by the world. This is exactly the response I expected. I am very proud of my city today.'
Free public transport was arranged to allow hundreds of thousands of mourners to flood into the city to join the march.
Among world leaders taking part in the rally was British Prime Minister David Cameron who described the event as 'extraordinary'.
After taking part in the Paris rally, Mr Cameron told Sky News: ‘It was very moving - extraordinary circumstances to be doing it, and an extraordinary set of people to be doing it with.
‘The memory I will have is people leaning out of their windows of all ages with tricolours - the French flag - incredibly proud of their country, proud of their democracy, proud of freedom of speech, and these great signs saying `I am Charlie. I am a police officer. I am a Jew'.
‘People of all ages wanting to show real solidarity. I think we should recognise the values that we have in European countries of believing in democracy and free speech, freedom of expression, the right to offend people and be offended.
‘These are not sources of weakness against this terrorist threat, they are sources of strength.
'They are what make us great economies, great countries, great societies and it was great to see that in action today.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2905307/One-million-people-prepare-march-Paris-terror-attacks.html
Morocco snubs Paris march due to presence of Prophet cartoons
Agence France PresseParis: Morocco's Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar snubbed the mammoth march against extremism through Paris on Sunday due to the presence of "blasphemous cartoons depicting the Prophet", the…
Agence France PresseParis: Morocco's Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar snubbed the mammoth march against extremism through Paris on Sunday due to the presence of "blasphemous cartoons depicting the Prophet", the ministry said.
He nevertheless went to the Elysee Palace to present the country's "sincere condolences to the French president and to the French government following the despicable attacks in France this week."
Labels:
Europe
French Jews Mob Paris Aliyah Fair
Hundreds of French Jews showed up at an Aliyah Fair held by the Jewish Agency Sunday, after a harrowing week of terror.
Israelnationalnews
In the wake of Friday's terror attack…
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In the wake of Friday's terror attack…
Hundreds of French Jews showed up at an Aliyah Fair held by the Jewish Agency Sunday, after a harrowing week of terror.
Israelnationalnews
In the wake of Friday's terror attack at a kosher market in Paris,thousands of French Jews have begun making plans to leave the country, many sources in the community say – and hundreds showed up at an Aliyah Fair held by the Jewish Agency Sunday that was held under tight security in central Paris. The fair had been planned in advance of the past week's terror attacks at the Hyper Cacher market and the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
In an interview with Army Radio Sunday, Rabbi Moshe Sabag, spiritual leader of the Great Synagogue of Paris, said that he expected French aliyah – immigration to Israel – double this year. While 2014 set a single-year record for French Jewish immigration to Israel, Rabbi Sabag believes that “14,000 or 15,000 immigrants will come to Israel this year as a result of what has happened. There is a sense of insecurity and that these events are just getting worse."
Israel is prepared to absorb them, said Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency. Sharansky was in Paris, along with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, to attend the mass rally against terror being held in Paris Sunday afternoon. Sharansky popped in on the Fair, telling potential immigrants that “the Jewish Agency embraces the French Jewish community at this difficult time and is extending its full support by helping provide for the physical security of Jewish communities across France, increasing our assistance to any individual who wishes to immigrate to Israel, and working to ease immigrants' integration into the Israeli workforce and Israeli society.”
According to The Jewish Agency's figures, 2014 saw a dramatic increase in Aliyah from France with the arrival of 7,000 new immigrants, more than double the 3,400 who arrived in 2013 and triple the 1,900 who came in 2012. The French Jewish community is the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world (after Israel and the United States), with some 500,000 Jews. More than 1% of the entire community immigrated to Israel over the course of 2014, which saw the arrival of the largest number of French immigrants in Israel's history and was the first time more immigrants came from France than from any other country. Even before the most recent events, Jewish Agency officials had predicted that the increase in French Aliyah would continue and that the number of immigrants from France would reach 10,000 in 2015.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu also announced Saturday his plans to convene a special ministerial team to discuss ways to encourage immigration of French and other European Jews. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said: "To all the Jews of France, all the Jews of Europe, I would like to say that Israel is not just the place in whose direction you pray, the state of Israel is your home." "Every Jew who wants to come here will be received with open arms. We will help you absorb into our country," he said.
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In the wake of Friday's terror attack at a kosher market in Paris,thousands of French Jews have begun making plans to leave the country, many sources in the community say – and hundreds showed up at an Aliyah Fair held by the Jewish Agency Sunday that was held under tight security in central Paris. The fair had been planned in advance of the past week's terror attacks at the Hyper Cacher market and the Charlie Hebdo magazine.
In an interview with Army Radio Sunday, Rabbi Moshe Sabag, spiritual leader of the Great Synagogue of Paris, said that he expected French aliyah – immigration to Israel – double this year. While 2014 set a single-year record for French Jewish immigration to Israel, Rabbi Sabag believes that “14,000 or 15,000 immigrants will come to Israel this year as a result of what has happened. There is a sense of insecurity and that these events are just getting worse."
Israel is prepared to absorb them, said Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency. Sharansky was in Paris, along with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, to attend the mass rally against terror being held in Paris Sunday afternoon. Sharansky popped in on the Fair, telling potential immigrants that “the Jewish Agency embraces the French Jewish community at this difficult time and is extending its full support by helping provide for the physical security of Jewish communities across France, increasing our assistance to any individual who wishes to immigrate to Israel, and working to ease immigrants' integration into the Israeli workforce and Israeli society.”
According to The Jewish Agency's figures, 2014 saw a dramatic increase in Aliyah from France with the arrival of 7,000 new immigrants, more than double the 3,400 who arrived in 2013 and triple the 1,900 who came in 2012. The French Jewish community is the largest in Europe and the third-largest in the world (after Israel and the United States), with some 500,000 Jews. More than 1% of the entire community immigrated to Israel over the course of 2014, which saw the arrival of the largest number of French immigrants in Israel's history and was the first time more immigrants came from France than from any other country. Even before the most recent events, Jewish Agency officials had predicted that the increase in French Aliyah would continue and that the number of immigrants from France would reach 10,000 in 2015.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu also announced Saturday his plans to convene a special ministerial team to discuss ways to encourage immigration of French and other European Jews. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said: "To all the Jews of France, all the Jews of Europe, I would like to say that Israel is not just the place in whose direction you pray, the state of Israel is your home." "Every Jew who wants to come here will be received with open arms. We will help you absorb into our country," he said.
Lessons from Charlie Hebdo: An open letter to Malaysians – Netusha Naidu
There has been a myriad of responses, highlighting concerns of all sorts, tackling the reasoning to this crisis. Mostly, it has brought out the best and worst in everyone.
Nevertheless, the better known “sensitivities” have arose to be debated and analysed in a ruthless and unforgiving fashion, but in the end – it should contribute as to what lessons can be learnt to strive for improvements in society.
Dear Malaysians, the implications of Charlie Hebdo have brought about the importance of how we govern ourselves as a community – both on a national and international scale.
As a country that is fighting hard to achieve freedom, equality and balance, it is pivotal for us to see that there are a great many things we must come to terms with if we want to make change.
Freedom of religion is the most crucial aspect that is being discussed at the current moment. Terrorism today is based on the perversion of religion, questioning the very sanctity of the system.
Perhaps the indoctrination of principles via organised religion is not favourable in an era where nothing is above scrutiny and a resurfacing of postmodernist ideologies.
In fact, nothing should be above scrutiny and it is permissible to be “intellectually honest” to ourselves about the shaping of morality and work our way towards achieving a sort of common morality.
If we are still suppressing people’s own ideas of practising their religion and going about moral-policing against the wills of others – how are we supposed to dampen the tension that is built with it?
It merely results in an explosion of misguided and misconstrued actions, leaving an unforgivable scar on the rest of the world.
As we continue to permit the institutionalisation of faith, this lack of discussion space results in the rampant mushrooming of Islamophobia and its potential of being institutionalised as well.
Ali A. Rizvi’s, “An Open Letter to Moderate Muslims” in the Huffington Post highlights the desire to be “intellectually honest” – about “scripture inerrancy” being the stepping stone in curbing the stereotypical relationship between Islam and terrorism.
“But put yourself in the shoes of your non-Muslim audience. Is it really them linking Islam to terrorism? We are surrounded with images and videos of jihadists yelling "Allahu Akbar" and quoting passages from the Quran before beheading someone (usually a non-Muslim) – setting off an explosion – or rallying others to battle.
Who is really making this connection?
What would you do if this situation was reversed? What are non-Muslims supposed to think when even moderate Muslims like yourselves defend the very same words and book that these fundamentalists effortlessly quote as justification for killing them – as perfect and infallible?”
In this case, why do we give so much room for extremism in interpretations? There is a doubt as to how satisfying most people would feel than being coerced into going against personal beliefs.
However, it is beginning to extend beyond the “perfect and infallible” nature of religious scriptures and beckons us to take precedence of what is truly right over statement.
Honestly, it is a frightening prospect that the thing that we hold dear to us most can be shaken, but there is nothing to be feared if it upholds fairness and justice.
Suddenly, Charlie Hebdo makes us wonder if constraints were needed to be placed on the freedom of expression, or that we should alter our perspectives on it.
Within freedom of expression, there is freedom of criticism and speech that get jumbled and creates a potpourri of unpopular opinions, regardless.
We could go with the “if you don’t like it, you can ignore it” basis about everything, or “without the freedom to offend, (freedom of speech) ceases to exist”, as Salman Rushdie, author of the Satanic Verses said.
With that being noted, it brings us to the degree of satire that we can tolerate or digest. The concept of satire is rather simple – take anything and make a fool out of it.
In Malaysia, we are very familiar with satire, especially when it has to do with politics. I suppose, satire comes in all shapes, sizes and colours and so we, the audience choose to view whatever that appeals to our palate.
We are no strangers of persecution to free speech, since the Sedition Act has taken some of us to the courtroom. That is the one thing we must notice in this situation, while there are parts of the world that are perceived to have an excess to offend while here, there is a struggle to give more liberation to speak for the betterment of the country.
With great power, comes great responsibility. Satire may be to cause discomfort, provoke thought but with all this sensation created, it should serve some positive purpose for all of us.
Comics of unnecessarily crude, vulgar and discriminative depictions do not seem to serve to create advancements and innovation. To think that someone out there would have derived so much laughter from such works is a disturbing notion that causes one to revaluate the true state of human nature.
Political rallies that merely insult blatantly without giving us a real sense of thought about reality, but simply riles up violence in our spirits, does not do any good either.
Common courtesy and harmony ceases to exist when we choose to ignore each other’s emotions.
Therefore, it is of great significance to highlight the distortion of love and compassion in the world today. In times like this, I look back at Leo Tolstoy’s strong conviction that mankind was never meant to hurt one another, but the differentiation of political and spiritual ideologies causes us to believe that the only way for a community to function is when some restrain others.
The simple truth is that deep down inside, beyond all this alterations, lies a soul that yearns to help and love, not torture and kill.
“The dissemination of truth in a society is based on coercion was always hindered in one and the same manner, namely, those in power, feeling that the recognition of this truth would undermine their position, consciously or sometimes unconsciously perverted it by explanations and additions quite foreign to it, and also opposed by open violence…
…in public life all forms of violence – such as imprisonment, executions, and wars – might be used for the protection of the majority against a minority of evildoers, though such means were diametrically opposed to any vestige of love.
And though common sense indicated that if some men claim to decide who is to be subjected to violence of all kinds for the benefit of others, these men to whom violence is applied may, in turn, arrive at a similar conclusion with regard to those who have employed violence to them, and though the great religious teachers…
foreseeing such a perversion of the law of love, has constantly drawn attention to the one invariable condition of love (namely, the enduring of injuries, insults, and violence of all kinds without resisting evil by evil) people continued — regardless of all that leads man forward — to try to unite the incompatibles: the virtue of love, and what is opposed to love, namely, the restraining of evil by violence.
And such a teaching, despite its inner contradiction, was so firmly established that the very people who recognise love as a virtue accept as lawful at the same time an order of life based on violence and allowing men not merely to torture but even to kill one another.”
I supposed the greatest fear that comes with voicing out, is mostly to be labelled as something we may not be, or to be judged as a hypocrite. Then again, everything in this universe exists as a paradox. It is an innate part of nature that keeps everything infinitely undiscoverable. It is alright to call out on our hypocritical double standards, but it is not alright to allow it to do injustice and create a disruption of peace.
In the midst of the chaos, lies the realisation of how we can learn from Charlie Hebdo and face these issues differently and in a better light.
Maybe things would not be the way they are today, if we shed more light on goodness. We live in an age where we tend to sensationalise everything that thugs at our heart strings, but does not compel us into making positive change and propagate good intentions.
As Malaysians, racial and religious harmony has screamed into unison with our culture. Its strength acts as the secret ingredient to handling the crisis we are currently faced with.
We are peace lovers, and we only take appropriate action when it is necessary and I have faith that the spirit of our fight for a better Malaysia is on the right path, as long as we do not reduce ourselves to mere, animalistic violence as an answer.
In no time, our goals will be successfully achieved and we will show the rest of the world that peace is the best way to respond to wrongdoings and that love can actually save the day. – January 11, 2015.
In Rajapakse’s defeat, some lessons for Malaysian politicians
Sri Lankan popular strongman Mahinda Rajapakse surprisingly lost the country's presidential elections two days ago while pursuing a third term in office – much to the joy of the South…Sri Lankan popular strongman Mahinda Rajapakse surprisingly lost the country's presidential elections two days ago while pursuing a third term in office – much to the joy of the South Asian island nation.He lost with 47.6% of the vote, while his opponent, former health minister and ally Maithripala Sirisena took 51.3% of the vote.
If those numbers are familiar, it is because those are nearly the same numbers as the split between the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the 2013 general election in Malaysia.
More importantly, the fall of Rajapakse in Sri Lanka offers a lesson for Malaysia: that the very powerful and those who intimidate their opponents and the press, apart from advocating censorship – ultimately lose.
Rajapakse was Sri Lanka's hero who ended the 26-year civil war with the minority Tamil population in 2009 and after two terms in office with three brothers also holding key posts in the government – decided to change the law allowing unlimited terms as president.
Using the economy as a key driver in the Indian Ocean island, his government imposed censorship and hounded both opposition politicians and journalists to prevent dissent to his rule.
Rajapakse, who first came to power in 2005, was last elected in 2010 when he defeated his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who was later jailed on charges of implicating the government in war crimes.
According to the BBC, his critics said he became increasingly authoritarian and failed to tackle the legacy of Sri Lanka's civil war, which left the Tamil areas in the north impoverished and embittered. While the circumstance with Malaysia is different, his brand of politics is all too similar to Malaysians.
The licensed mass media in Malaysia paint a picture of a popular government but in cyberspace, dissent and criticism hog online media and social media sites that has now led Putrajaya to bring back a retired civil servant to head its communications regulatory agency.
In public universities, academics and students are routinely reminded not to get involved in political activities while the colonial-era Sedition Act is now the preferred law to silence dissent.
This from a government that has lost further ground in the 2013 elections from the 2008 elections where PR first denied BN its traditional two-thirds parliamentary super-majority.
The BN government had also used the economy as a bait, planning economic and government transformation programmes together with direct cash aid but only gained 47% of the popular vote in 2013.
Perhaps BN can learn from what contributed to Rajapakse's defeat and if it does not, it might just share the former Sri Lankan president's fate in the next general election. – January 11, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/in-rajapakses-defeat-some-lessons-for-malaysian-politicians#sthash.X6Bh4Dmv.dpuf
Labels:
Sri Lanka
MIC veep: I've nothing to do with president's wife
"I a…
"I am a senior member in the congress. Nobody orders me except the president,” he said when asked of allegations by ousted central working committee (CWC) member R Ramanan.
"She has nothing to do with me."
Ramanan recently claimed that MIC president G Palanivel’s wife G Kanagam is the “real president” and gives orders to MIC leaders but Palanivel refuted this.
Pressed
on this, Saravanan said he would not know if Kanagam works closely with
other MIC leaders because he does not have much interaction with
Kanagam himself.He said his relationship with Palanivel is purely professional and he does not visit the president’s home.
"I won't know whether she has done anything of that sort. Only those who work very closely with her would know. I am not one of them…
"I am the wrong person to answer, you know why? I work with the president, not his wife. I am not a friend who goes to the house.
"We only work with a very professional ethics. If you ask me anything about the president, I might know. The president's wife I won't know,” he said when met at the Parliament building today.
Ramanan was recently ousted from the CWC in a leadership reshuffle, but claims he was axed because Palanivel (above) did not like him pushing for party re-elections.
The Registrar of Societies had ordered MIC to hold re-elections for several divisions after finding irregularities.
Saravanan earlier said Palanivel has not been replying to his calls or messages on the matter, prompting him to go to ROS himself fearing party de-registration.
Palanivel after that issued a statement assuring that MIC will not be de-registered and that the matter will be resolved.
Asked on the progress on MIC’s ROS woes, Saravanan said Palanivel still has not gotten back to him.
"So we wait for the outcome from ROS."
Labels:
MIC
MIC beefs up HQ security due to anti-Palanivel move
MIC beefed up security at its headquarters in
Kuala Lumpur following a spate of press conferences by party members
against MIC president G Palanivel.
From now on, anyone who wants…
From now on, anyone who wants…
MIC beefed up security at its headquarters in
Kuala Lumpur following a spate of press conferences by party members
against MIC president G Palanivel.
From now on, anyone who wants to use the headquarters for any press meets must seek prior approval from the secretary-general, newly-appointed secretary-general G Kumaar Amaan said.
Only those issued security passes upon clearance by security personnel and authorized vehicles will be allowed in, he said.
"MIC HQ shall not be used by any persons or individuals for any press conference or press meet intended to criticise and/or making any adverse or disparaging remarks or allegations of whatsoever nature against MIC and/or any of the national leaders of MIC including the president, deputy president and the vice presidents," he said.
Applications
to host events at the party headquarters at Jalan Rahmat in Kuala
Lumpur must be made in writing three days before the event, he said.
Kumaar Aaaman (right) earlier issued a gag order against MIC Youth.
He was appointed after a leadership reshuffle which also saw changes in the central working committee.
Since then, several MIC members including ousted CWC R Ramanan who among others held press conferences to accused Palanivel of taking orders from his wife. This was vehemently denied by the president.
Ramanan also claims that those ousted were axed because Palanivel did not want to hold re-elections following findings of irregularities by the Registrar of Societies, risking party de-registration.
The president has assured that this will not happen but vice president M Saravanan said ROS will no longer entertain MIC’s letters on the matter.
From now on, anyone who wants to use the headquarters for any press meets must seek prior approval from the secretary-general, newly-appointed secretary-general G Kumaar Amaan said.
Only those issued security passes upon clearance by security personnel and authorized vehicles will be allowed in, he said.
"MIC HQ shall not be used by any persons or individuals for any press conference or press meet intended to criticise and/or making any adverse or disparaging remarks or allegations of whatsoever nature against MIC and/or any of the national leaders of MIC including the president, deputy president and the vice presidents," he said.
Applications
to host events at the party headquarters at Jalan Rahmat in Kuala
Lumpur must be made in writing three days before the event, he said.Kumaar Aaaman (right) earlier issued a gag order against MIC Youth.
He was appointed after a leadership reshuffle which also saw changes in the central working committee.
Since then, several MIC members including ousted CWC R Ramanan who among others held press conferences to accused Palanivel of taking orders from his wife. This was vehemently denied by the president.
Ramanan also claims that those ousted were axed because Palanivel did not want to hold re-elections following findings of irregularities by the Registrar of Societies, risking party de-registration.
The president has assured that this will not happen but vice president M Saravanan said ROS will no longer entertain MIC’s letters on the matter.
Labels:
MIC
MP: Cops' integrity at stake with IGP's silence
The Malaysian police cannot allow its integrity
to remain at stake by refusing to address claims that it provided wrong
information to the US' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about…
The Malaysian police cannot allow its integrity
to remain at stake by refusing to address claims that it provided wrong
information to the US' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about
alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua.
Puchong
MP Gobind Deo Singh, who is a lawyer by training, said the force's
credibility was not only at stake locally, but also internationally.
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) had - in a letter to the FBI dated Dec 18 last year - claimed Phua was not a 14K triad member, which contradicted Malaysian police information to the US agency.
Senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah - who is acting for Phua in Malaysia - said Zahid's letter was meant to correct the Malaysian police's error.
"The
inspector-general of police (IGP) cannot just zip up in silence. He
must respond. Did the police make a very big mistake or not?
"If the police did, then own up to it. If they didn't, the inspector-general of police must defend his force.
"He must strike back and tell both Shafee and Zahid they are wrong," Gobind said in a statement today.
IGP Khalid Abu Bakar has been coy about the matter, refusing to be at loggerheads with the home minister.
The top cop was only willing to divulge that while there were no 14K members in Malaysia, there were citizens who are part of the triad abroad.
'IGP must speak up, not hint'
He did not say if Phua is among them, merely stating that it was up to people to "interpret" his statement.
He had also denied being silent out of fear of the home minister, insisting that he did not want to jeopardise Phua's prosecution in the US.
US prosecutors have relied on information of Phua's alleged 14K triad links in the case against the Malaysian and his son on illegal gambling charges in Las Vegas.
Gobind (right)
said that Khalid dropping hints wasn't enough, and rubbished claims
that addressing the matter would jeopardise Phua's case in the US.
"With respect, that is ludicrous. All we are asking him to do is to state the position of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) insofar as Paul Phua and the 14k triad is concerned. It does not affect the case.
"As far as I am concerned, Shafee has no business speaking for the police force or the government. He may speak on behalf of his client, but it must be the IGP who also must likewise speak up for his force," Gobind said.
The 14K triad is a transnational organised crime entity with roots in Hong Kong.
Phua's lawyer Shafee has insisted that his client is not a 14K triad member.
Puchong
MP Gobind Deo Singh, who is a lawyer by training, said the force's
credibility was not only at stake locally, but also internationally.Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) had - in a letter to the FBI dated Dec 18 last year - claimed Phua was not a 14K triad member, which contradicted Malaysian police information to the US agency.
Senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah - who is acting for Phua in Malaysia - said Zahid's letter was meant to correct the Malaysian police's error.
"The
inspector-general of police (IGP) cannot just zip up in silence. He
must respond. Did the police make a very big mistake or not?"If the police did, then own up to it. If they didn't, the inspector-general of police must defend his force.
"He must strike back and tell both Shafee and Zahid they are wrong," Gobind said in a statement today.
IGP Khalid Abu Bakar has been coy about the matter, refusing to be at loggerheads with the home minister.
The top cop was only willing to divulge that while there were no 14K members in Malaysia, there were citizens who are part of the triad abroad.
'IGP must speak up, not hint'
He did not say if Phua is among them, merely stating that it was up to people to "interpret" his statement.
He had also denied being silent out of fear of the home minister, insisting that he did not want to jeopardise Phua's prosecution in the US.
US prosecutors have relied on information of Phua's alleged 14K triad links in the case against the Malaysian and his son on illegal gambling charges in Las Vegas.
Gobind (right)
said that Khalid dropping hints wasn't enough, and rubbished claims
that addressing the matter would jeopardise Phua's case in the US."With respect, that is ludicrous. All we are asking him to do is to state the position of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) insofar as Paul Phua and the 14k triad is concerned. It does not affect the case.
"As far as I am concerned, Shafee has no business speaking for the police force or the government. He may speak on behalf of his client, but it must be the IGP who also must likewise speak up for his force," Gobind said.
The 14K triad is a transnational organised crime entity with roots in Hong Kong.
Phua's lawyer Shafee has insisted that his client is not a 14K triad member.
Labels:
DAP,
Home Minister,
IGP
Free speech is for racists, sexists and everyone else
COMMENTARY, Jan 11 — The Charlie Hebdo shootings have seen a pushback against the defence of the French satirical weekly’s right to…
COMMENTARY, Jan 11 — The Charlie Hebdo shootings have seen a pushback against the defence of the French satirical weekly’s right to free speech, with critics accusing it of xenophobia and racism.
The hashtag #JeNeSuisPasCharlie (I am not Charlie) arose in response to #JeSuisCharlie (I am Charlie), with proponents of the former attacking Charlie Hebdo for frequently setting its sights on the French Muslim minority amid growing anti-Muslim sentiment in France and the rest of Europe.
While no one has come out publicly to say that Charlie Hebdo cartoonists deserved to be shot dead for lampooning Prophet Muhammad, which included nude sketches of the religious figure, there is the suggestion that the magazine should have expected some sort of “reaction” to their controversial works.
There’s nothing wrong with criticising Charlie Hebdo’s satire of Islam and other religions; that is a perfectly normal response in the exercise of free speech. People who find it offensive can fire back with peaceful protests or even by boycotting the weekly.
However, violence is never an acceptable reaction to mere words, no matter how offensive or incendiary.
Free speech is about having the freedom to say anything you like, without state sanctions or being assaulted by private citizens.
Of course, threatening to kill a person or a group of people crosses the threshold of free speech to criminal intimidation. Otherwise, everything else short of threatening violence should be protected.
That includes racist and bigoted speech against minority groups.
If such minorities face systemic discrimination in a democracy, it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that they enjoy the same rights as everyone else, but not at the expense of freedom of speech.
Protecting minorities from discrimination at work, for example, is a completely separate matter from giving other private citizens the freedom to say what they want to say.
Blocking free speech for the sake of minorities is also illogical.
How do we define minority groups? Muslims are a minority in France, but the majority in Malaysia.
Why should state boundaries be the defining criteria of minority groups? Christians are the biggest religious group in the world at 32 per cent of the global population as of 2010, according to the Pew Research Center, but they are the minority in Malaysia.
Would it then be acceptable to mock Jesus Christ on Facebook, where physical locations cease to matter in an increasingly borderless world?
Even the definition of minority groups in Malaysia itself is problematic.
Malay-Muslims are the numerical majority here. They dominate top government positions. There are also powerful Islamic institutions that increasingly encroach on the civil liberties of non-Muslims. Yet, the majority of low-income earners are Malay-Muslims.
It is misleading to treat minorities as a homogenous group.
Would it be acceptable for an atheist to mock Islam? Muslims far outnumber atheists here in Malaysia and in the world. Atheists also suffer discrimination. US news website Huffington Post reported last June the American Humanist Association as saying that 13 countries have laws that revoke citizenships, deny marriages of, and even kill people who lack religious beliefs.
At first glance, it would appear that atheists are in the minority. But throw in other factors and it becomes more complex. What if the atheist is a white male and the Muslim whose religious beliefs he’s criticising is an Asian woman? What if the atheist is an affluent Chinese businesswoman and the Muslim is a poor paddy farmer whose sole solace is his faith?
In the same vein, if we argue that we should not be allowed to criticise or mock minority groups, we should ban sexist and misogynistic speech. Women are a minority group everywhere on this earth.
Other common misconceptions about free speech should also be cleared up.
Free speech is not about speaking the “truth”. If that were the case, religious believers should not be allowed to say anything because many monotheistic religions claim monopoly over the “Truth” with a capital T.
Free speech is not about making clever, intellectual arguments. If that were the case, people would not have been allowed to say things that were once considered absolutely absurd, such as the earth being round instead of flat.
Free speech is also not about saying politically correct things. If it were, it’s not really “free” speech then.
The idea behind free speech is to allow a contestation of ideas – no matter how offensive or polite, stupid or erudite – so that people can choose what to believe in, without being oppressed by the powers-that-be.
Malay-Muslim groups like Perkasa and Isma have just as much right to spread their right-wing ideology as Charlie Hebdo has in lampooning Islam. The right to free speech should not be reserved for particular groups, nor should certain people be protected from it.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/free-speech-is-for-racists-sexists-and-everyone-else#sthash.ByCmywXb.dpuf
Islamic State fan shop puts shutters down
All quiet after media publicity as police take 'preventive measures'
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: The shutters have come down on a shop in Selangor selling souvenirs, T-shirts and other merchandise bearing…
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FMTKUALA LUMPUR: The shutters have come down on a shop in Selangor selling souvenirs, T-shirts and other merchandise bearing…
All quiet after media publicity as police take 'preventive measures'
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: The shutters have come down on a shop in Selangor selling souvenirs, T-shirts and other merchandise bearing words such as “Mujahideen cyberspace” and symbols of the terrorist group Islamic State and the Taliban.
The shop signboard had also been taken down, the Star reported, after media reports about the shop in Bandar Baru Bangi were published on Friday.
According to media reports, T-shirts inspired by Islamic State go for RM59, and stickers for RM5-RM10. The owner was quoted as saying: “I am doing this for Allah and if I am doing it for Him, I shouldn’t be afraid.” The merchandise is made in Indonesia.
Police have said background checks were being done on the owner and his family, who are from Sabah, and whether there were any links to militant groups.
“Even if the family does not fund any terror group, selling such merchandise could generate a fanbase in Malaysia and that’s exactly what we don’t want,” the Star quoted deputy police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim as saying.
Noor Rashid said police were taking preventive measures. “We can’t just go in, seize the items and arrest the owner. We need to ascertain whether it is a pure business or whether they are funding any terror organisation,” he was quoted as saying.
▲
FMTKUALA LUMPUR: The shutters have come down on a shop in Selangor selling souvenirs, T-shirts and other merchandise bearing words such as “Mujahideen cyberspace” and symbols of the terrorist group Islamic State and the Taliban.
The shop signboard had also been taken down, the Star reported, after media reports about the shop in Bandar Baru Bangi were published on Friday.
According to media reports, T-shirts inspired by Islamic State go for RM59, and stickers for RM5-RM10. The owner was quoted as saying: “I am doing this for Allah and if I am doing it for Him, I shouldn’t be afraid.” The merchandise is made in Indonesia.
Police have said background checks were being done on the owner and his family, who are from Sabah, and whether there were any links to militant groups.
“Even if the family does not fund any terror group, selling such merchandise could generate a fanbase in Malaysia and that’s exactly what we don’t want,” the Star quoted deputy police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim as saying.
Noor Rashid said police were taking preventive measures. “We can’t just go in, seize the items and arrest the owner. We need to ascertain whether it is a pure business or whether they are funding any terror organisation,” he was quoted as saying.
Labels:
ISIS,
Malaysia Terrorism
MCA hits out at Ibrahim Ali for justifying Paris attack
Ti Lian Ker says police should haul up Ibrahim Ali for promoting violence and the slaughter of innocents.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker lashed…
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KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker lashed…
Ti Lian Ker says police should haul up Ibrahim Ali for promoting violence and the slaughter of innocents.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker lashed out at Perkasa Chief Ibrahim Ali for offering a justification of the brutal terrorist killings in Paris last Wednesday, saying police should haul him up for promoting violence and lawlessness in the country.
In a statement, Ti said, “There is no justification whatsoever in taking innocent lives on the slightest provocation as in this case.
“The police should haul up Ibrahim Ali for questioning as he seems to be promoting violence and the slaughter of innocents.”
Saying Ibrahim should instead have emulated the prime minister in condemning the “massacre”, Ti reminded him that Malaysian Christians chose not to embark on a “shooting rampage” despite being provoked by him in the past when he threatened to burn Bahasa Malaysia bibles.
Ti also said that Charlie Hebdo cartoonists did not only target Muslims but “lampooned the Pope as well as government authorities”.
He explained, “The majority of the estimated 4.7 million Muslims in France … the largest Muslim population in Europe would have been offended by the caricatures but they certainly did not go on a shooting rampage nor take hostages.”
Describing Ibrahim’s past “bigoted rantings” as a “xenophobic pursuit of publicity”, Ti added, “Ibrahim Ali should explain how the customers and employees, including women and children as well as Muslims at the kosher grocery store had provoked the assailants to be subsequently taken hostage”.
Ti was referring to the civilians who were taken hostage soon after the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo office which he described as “wanton terrorism committed by terrorists who do not represent Islam at all”.
Drawing a comparison between Ibrahim and the people of France, Ti said, “French and other European Muslims also joined fellow French citizens in the night vigils while Muslims worldwide condemned the attacks,” the exact opposite of Ibrahim who instead offered an excuse for the terrorists’ brand of “vigilantism and lawlessness”.
▲
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker lashed out at Perkasa Chief Ibrahim Ali for offering a justification of the brutal terrorist killings in Paris last Wednesday, saying police should haul him up for promoting violence and lawlessness in the country.
In a statement, Ti said, “There is no justification whatsoever in taking innocent lives on the slightest provocation as in this case.
“The police should haul up Ibrahim Ali for questioning as he seems to be promoting violence and the slaughter of innocents.”
Saying Ibrahim should instead have emulated the prime minister in condemning the “massacre”, Ti reminded him that Malaysian Christians chose not to embark on a “shooting rampage” despite being provoked by him in the past when he threatened to burn Bahasa Malaysia bibles.
Ti also said that Charlie Hebdo cartoonists did not only target Muslims but “lampooned the Pope as well as government authorities”.
He explained, “The majority of the estimated 4.7 million Muslims in France … the largest Muslim population in Europe would have been offended by the caricatures but they certainly did not go on a shooting rampage nor take hostages.”
Describing Ibrahim’s past “bigoted rantings” as a “xenophobic pursuit of publicity”, Ti added, “Ibrahim Ali should explain how the customers and employees, including women and children as well as Muslims at the kosher grocery store had provoked the assailants to be subsequently taken hostage”.
Ti was referring to the civilians who were taken hostage soon after the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo office which he described as “wanton terrorism committed by terrorists who do not represent Islam at all”.
Drawing a comparison between Ibrahim and the people of France, Ti said, “French and other European Muslims also joined fellow French citizens in the night vigils while Muslims worldwide condemned the attacks,” the exact opposite of Ibrahim who instead offered an excuse for the terrorists’ brand of “vigilantism and lawlessness”.
Malay group complains about race bias in newspaper
Perak and Penang muftis endorse move to tick off paper's management
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Malay scholars, which includes the mufti of Perak and Penang, are to complain…
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KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Malay scholars, which includes the mufti of Perak and Penang, are to complain…
Perak and Penang muftis endorse move to tick off paper's management
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Malay scholars, which includes the mufti of Perak and Penang, are to complain to the management of an unnamed newspaper which they say carries articles portraying Muslims as extremists and Malaysia as intolerant.
Islamic Organisations Consultative Council of Malaysia (Mapim) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid also said a group who portrayed Muslims in Malaysia as belonging to two groups only bring negative effects.
The group who tried to split the Muslim community by labelling Islam as extreme and moderate has been urged to stop doing so to avoid tension and untoward incidents.
This view was shared by 35 Malay scholars including the Perak Mufti, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria and the Penang Mufti, Datuk Dr Wan Salim Mohd Noor in a discourse recently, he told a press conference, here today, Bernama reported.
They said several writers who wrote articles in the newspaper were biased toward Muslims when they labelled the Muslims as extremists and Malaysia as an intolerant country.
Mohd Azmi said the writers views can create tension among the people and lead to disunity.
“When they (writers) start to label others, they are accusing a certain race, and this is unhealthy. It is as if the Malays cannot be controlled, are greedy, irrational and intolerant. This is insulting. They are supposed to argue with facts, and not put a blanket label on others.”
Mapim and the 35 scholars also agreed to send a letter to the newspaper concerned to make their stand against the management for publishing the biased articles.
(The Bernama report did not name the newspaper concerned, or the “group” they said was trying to split the Muslim community.)
- BERNAMA
▲
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Malay scholars, which includes the mufti of Perak and Penang, are to complain to the management of an unnamed newspaper which they say carries articles portraying Muslims as extremists and Malaysia as intolerant.
Islamic Organisations Consultative Council of Malaysia (Mapim) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid also said a group who portrayed Muslims in Malaysia as belonging to two groups only bring negative effects.
The group who tried to split the Muslim community by labelling Islam as extreme and moderate has been urged to stop doing so to avoid tension and untoward incidents.
This view was shared by 35 Malay scholars including the Perak Mufti, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria and the Penang Mufti, Datuk Dr Wan Salim Mohd Noor in a discourse recently, he told a press conference, here today, Bernama reported.
They said several writers who wrote articles in the newspaper were biased toward Muslims when they labelled the Muslims as extremists and Malaysia as an intolerant country.
Mohd Azmi said the writers views can create tension among the people and lead to disunity.
“When they (writers) start to label others, they are accusing a certain race, and this is unhealthy. It is as if the Malays cannot be controlled, are greedy, irrational and intolerant. This is insulting. They are supposed to argue with facts, and not put a blanket label on others.”
Mapim and the 35 scholars also agreed to send a letter to the newspaper concerned to make their stand against the management for publishing the biased articles.
(The Bernama report did not name the newspaper concerned, or the “group” they said was trying to split the Muslim community.)
- BERNAMA
Labels:
Islam Discrimination,
Media
Subra tight-lipped about fresh MIC elections
New contests ordered by Registrar in 12 divisions and three branches
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has declined comment on whether the party is…
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KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has declined comment on whether the party is…
New contests ordered by Registrar in 12 divisions and three branches
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has declined comment on whether the party is taking any decision to hold fresh elections.
He merely said: “We will assist MIC from being de-registered by the Registrar of Societies,” when asked by reporters at a party event at MIC headquarters.
Dr Subramaniam said his view was that more than 600,000 MIC members would not allow one person to act alone as it was the joint responsibility of all party members to preserve the MIC.
On December 5, the Registrar had directed the MIC to hold new elections for three vice-presidents and 23 MIC Central Working Committee posts following complaints of abuse of power and acts of misconduct which violated the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
The party was also ordered to hold new elections in Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin divisions within 60 days; new contests within 30 days for Batu Kawan deputy chairman, Kota Raja division chairman, Tanjung Malim division chairman and Taman Koperasi Polis branch chairman; and fresh elections for Merlimau Utara and Rumah Pangsa Pekeliling Selatan branches in 30 days.
The party was also advised not to hold the annual general assembly before these matters were settled.
The event at party headquarters today was about 200 MIC volunteers heading to the East Coast states to assist flood victims. The volunteers would take along foodstuff, kitchen utensils, cash and assistance for school children, amounting to about RM400,000.
“They will also be carrying out welfare work, school cleaning and hold health and village clinics,” he added.
- BERNAMA
▲
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has declined comment on whether the party is taking any decision to hold fresh elections.
He merely said: “We will assist MIC from being de-registered by the Registrar of Societies,” when asked by reporters at a party event at MIC headquarters.
Dr Subramaniam said his view was that more than 600,000 MIC members would not allow one person to act alone as it was the joint responsibility of all party members to preserve the MIC.
On December 5, the Registrar had directed the MIC to hold new elections for three vice-presidents and 23 MIC Central Working Committee posts following complaints of abuse of power and acts of misconduct which violated the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
The party was also ordered to hold new elections in Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin divisions within 60 days; new contests within 30 days for Batu Kawan deputy chairman, Kota Raja division chairman, Tanjung Malim division chairman and Taman Koperasi Polis branch chairman; and fresh elections for Merlimau Utara and Rumah Pangsa Pekeliling Selatan branches in 30 days.
The party was also advised not to hold the annual general assembly before these matters were settled.
The event at party headquarters today was about 200 MIC volunteers heading to the East Coast states to assist flood victims. The volunteers would take along foodstuff, kitchen utensils, cash and assistance for school children, amounting to about RM400,000.
“They will also be carrying out welfare work, school cleaning and hold health and village clinics,” he added.
- BERNAMA
Labels:
MIC
Malaysians taking loans to join Isis, reports paper
Some Malaysians have gone to the extent of taking personal loans from banks and moneylenders in order to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) in the Middle…Some Malaysians have gone to the extent of taking personal loans from banks and moneylenders in order to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) in the Middle East.The South China Morning Post quoted Malaysian counter-terrorism officials as saying the loans were taken to fund passage and living expenses in Syria and Iraq.
"At least two women have taken personal loans to pay for their passage to Syria to join Isis and also to fund their living expenses there," the official told SCMP.
"One woman took a RM20,000 personal loan from RHB Bank while the other borrowed RM6,000 from a licensed moneylender."
SCMP reported that the emerging trend comes after an Isis cell leader in Malaysia urged followers to apply for the loans in order to help them join the fight in the Middle East.
Despite numerous Isis supporters and sympathisers being arrested by police, Malaysians have not been discouraged from attempting to join up with Isis.
To date, at least 59 Malaysians are officially known to have joined Isis.
More than 65 have been arrested by police either on their way to Syria and Iraq or on their way back since the start of last year.
"There are no indications that these two women will return to Malaysia. The chances of that is very slim, hence the loan is not likely to be repaid," the official told SCMP.
Apart from seeking martyrdom, some Malaysians went to Syria because they wanted to live in an Islamic caliphate, which was declared in an area straddling Syria and Iraq in June last year.
Malaysia, according to Isis supporters, is an infidel state as it maintains a secular constitution.
"We arrested a family of five in Shah Alam who sold off their business, property and land and were about to move to Syria," said the official.
Shah Alam is located 25 kilometres outside the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
"This family owns one restaurant and three kindergartens,” the official said.
At least six Malaysians have died in Syria and Iraq fighting for Isis, said the official, who also confirmed that a former Malaysian Armed Forces commando was among 135 Isis-linked militants detained by Saudi Arabian authorities in Riyadh in December. – January 11, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/malaysians-taking-loans-to-join-isis-reports-paper#sthash.hAue2V8o.dpuf
Labels:
ISIS,
Malaysia Terrorism
Halim Shafie Appointed As MCMC Chairman
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie, who was
once the chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
Commission (MCMC), is back in the position at…
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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie, who was
once the chairman of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia
Commission (MCMC), is back in the position at the commission for a
two-year term, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad
Shabery Cheek announced Sunday.
Halim, 65, is currently the chairman of Telekom Malaysia, a non-executive position he has held for close to six years after his stint with MCMC ended. He had served as MCMC chairman from April 2006 until May 2009.
Before joining MCMC, Halim was secretary-general of the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications where he served for six years.
"I am happy to announce that Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie has agreed to come on board again," Ahmad Shabery told Bernama.
"His tenure will be for two years and I have assigned specific tasks for him to achieve. These include looking at good governance, which is in line with the government's efforts for all ministries and agencies."
"Among others, Halim will be working on decoupling the role of the chief executive officer (CEO) from the role of chairman of MCMC. I feel this is important for MCMC in ensuring continuity and the balance of power within the organisation," he added.
According to the minister, Halim was also expected to review the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 towards a healthy cyber space.
"What happened during the East Coast floods last year should be prevented from happening again. Although the law is not likely to prevent it fully, we hope that people will think carefully before they share information which is unverified," said Ahmad Shabery.
In a crisis situation, this sort of irresponsible behaviour might cause chaos and make relief work more difficult, he added.
Halim, who is also the chairman of the Multimedia University, is well placed to assist Ahmad Shabery in advancing the minister's digital agenda for the nation.
The minister said: "This year, the focus will be on all aspects of digitisation for the country. I am keen to pursue a digital initiative which will cover both hard and soft infrastructure.
"We need this if Malaysia is to remain competitive as a nation. In addition to focusing on content development, we also need to constantly address issues like quality, speed and affordability."
Ahmad Shabery also said that he would be expecting MCMC to play the lead role in implementing this and Halim's wide experience in these areas would be an asset to the organisation, and in helping him progress this digital initiative.
"I had to persuade Halim to come out of his semi-retirement to help me with all these tasks. His first comment to me was that age was not on his side," Ahmad Shabery said.
But the minister is confident that having served the nation for so long, Halim's public service background, sense of commitment and dedication as well as his corporate experience gained in the last few years would augur well for MCMC and the industry.
"More importantly, once the MCMC Act 1998 is amended and the role of the chairman is decoupled from the role of the CEO, Halim will be helping me in the transition of the CEO post into the newly decoupled position," he said.
On the former MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, the minister wished him well for the future, thanked him for his efforts during his tenure and said, "we all appreciate his commitment to the job."
Halim obtained a Bachelor of Economics (Hons.) degree from the University of Malaya, Master's in Economic Development, Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburg and PhD in Information Transfer from Syracuse University.
He started his career in the Education Ministry in 1972 which was followed by various appointments, including at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) and Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU).
His contributions to the public service include the setting up of INTAN's National Computer Centre and Management Technology Centre.
Specific to this industry, Halim is credited for initiating programmes related to bridging the digital divide in Malaysia, formulating a framework for Ubiquitous Libraries and fostering the relationship between MCMC, the industry and academia through initiatives such as the MCMC Academy and the Consultative Committee on Spectrum Research.
His commitment and professionalism has accorded him accolades and awards from various state governments as well as the federal government.
His varied experience has also seen him on the boards of numerous agencies and companies in various capacities.
▲
Halim, 65, is currently the chairman of Telekom Malaysia, a non-executive position he has held for close to six years after his stint with MCMC ended. He had served as MCMC chairman from April 2006 until May 2009.
Before joining MCMC, Halim was secretary-general of the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications where he served for six years.
"I am happy to announce that Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie has agreed to come on board again," Ahmad Shabery told Bernama.
"His tenure will be for two years and I have assigned specific tasks for him to achieve. These include looking at good governance, which is in line with the government's efforts for all ministries and agencies."
"Among others, Halim will be working on decoupling the role of the chief executive officer (CEO) from the role of chairman of MCMC. I feel this is important for MCMC in ensuring continuity and the balance of power within the organisation," he added.
According to the minister, Halim was also expected to review the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 towards a healthy cyber space.
"What happened during the East Coast floods last year should be prevented from happening again. Although the law is not likely to prevent it fully, we hope that people will think carefully before they share information which is unverified," said Ahmad Shabery.
In a crisis situation, this sort of irresponsible behaviour might cause chaos and make relief work more difficult, he added.
Halim, who is also the chairman of the Multimedia University, is well placed to assist Ahmad Shabery in advancing the minister's digital agenda for the nation.
The minister said: "This year, the focus will be on all aspects of digitisation for the country. I am keen to pursue a digital initiative which will cover both hard and soft infrastructure.
"We need this if Malaysia is to remain competitive as a nation. In addition to focusing on content development, we also need to constantly address issues like quality, speed and affordability."
Ahmad Shabery also said that he would be expecting MCMC to play the lead role in implementing this and Halim's wide experience in these areas would be an asset to the organisation, and in helping him progress this digital initiative.
"I had to persuade Halim to come out of his semi-retirement to help me with all these tasks. His first comment to me was that age was not on his side," Ahmad Shabery said.
But the minister is confident that having served the nation for so long, Halim's public service background, sense of commitment and dedication as well as his corporate experience gained in the last few years would augur well for MCMC and the industry.
"More importantly, once the MCMC Act 1998 is amended and the role of the chairman is decoupled from the role of the CEO, Halim will be helping me in the transition of the CEO post into the newly decoupled position," he said.
On the former MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, the minister wished him well for the future, thanked him for his efforts during his tenure and said, "we all appreciate his commitment to the job."
Halim obtained a Bachelor of Economics (Hons.) degree from the University of Malaya, Master's in Economic Development, Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburg and PhD in Information Transfer from Syracuse University.
He started his career in the Education Ministry in 1972 which was followed by various appointments, including at the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) and Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU).
His contributions to the public service include the setting up of INTAN's National Computer Centre and Management Technology Centre.
Specific to this industry, Halim is credited for initiating programmes related to bridging the digital divide in Malaysia, formulating a framework for Ubiquitous Libraries and fostering the relationship between MCMC, the industry and academia through initiatives such as the MCMC Academy and the Consultative Committee on Spectrum Research.
His commitment and professionalism has accorded him accolades and awards from various state governments as well as the federal government.
His varied experience has also seen him on the boards of numerous agencies and companies in various capacities.
Labels:
MCMC
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