Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Freed Yazidis tell of girls and women being raped and sold into sexual slavery by Isis fighters
Many girls from the Yazidi community in Iraq are committing suicide after being raped and sold into sexual slavery by Isis fighters who captured them last August. And some 200 Yazidis, held prisoner for five months before being freed at the weekend because they were sick or old, report continuing mistreatment of those still captive.
“They are very bad people,” said Gawre Semo, 69, who reached the Kurdish-held town of Altun Kupri. “They took our children and they took our women.”
A surprise Isis offensive in August led 50,000 Yazidis to flee into territory held by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). But an unknown number, amounting to many thousands, were massacred or detained while many women were raped or sold as slaves. Isis claims that such treatment of the Yazidis, whose ancient religion is drawn from Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism and who Isis call apostates, is permissible under Sharia law.
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/freed-yazidis-tell-of-girls-and-women-being-raped-and-sold-into-sexual-slavery-by-isis-fighters-9986554.html
ISIS execute 13 football fans by firing squad for watching Iraq play Jordan on TV in Islamist-controlled Mosul
- ISIS soldiers executed 13 teenage boys for watching the Asian Cup
- The teens were rounded up and executed in public using machine guns
- Their 'crimes' were read out on loudspeaker in the street in Mosul, Iraq
- Their parents are too afraid to collect their bodies, local activists report
ISIS militants have executed 13 teenage boys for watching the Asian Cup football match between Iraq and Jordan last week.
The young football fans had been caught watching the game on television in the Iraqi city of Mosul, which is controlled by the Islamic State.
The teenagers were rounded up and publicly executed by a firing squad using machine guns, anti-ISIS activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reports.
'The bodies remained lying in the open and their parents were unable to withdraw them for fear of murder by terrorist organisation,' the group writes on their website.
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently is a small activist collective which secretly documents the shocking violence and oppression ISIS has brought to their home city.
They said the 13 teenagers were rounded up by ISIS militants in the Al-Yarmouk district of Mosul, and executed in public.
The boys' 'crime' - breaking religious laws by watching football - was read out on a loudspeaker before their executions.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2917071/ISIS-execute-13-football-fans-firing-squad-watching-Iraq-play-Jordan-TV-Islamist-controlled-Mosul.html
RoS rejects MIC request to extend deadline for re-elections – Bernama
The Registrar of Societies (RoS) has rejected MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel's request for an extension to the 90-day deadline for re-election.According to MIC vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan, who met the R0S today, the registrar had issued a letter to the MIC on January 6, informing the party that the earlier directive to hold re-election for branch (30 days), division (60 days) and MIC Central Working Committee (90 days) from January 31, was final.
"In the letter, the RoS had said no appeal will be entertained. Until today, the issue of MIC branches has yet to be solved although the deadline is only 10 days away.
"Notice must be given 14 days before an election is held. I believe the branches will be considered defunct automatically. However, it is up to the RoS to give another opportunity," he said when met at the RoS office in Putrajaya today.
Saravanan, who is also the deputy youth and sports minister, expressed concern and disappointment over the MIC president's complacency in resolving the matter, which has besieged the party with more than 600,000 members.
Following the deadlock, Saravanan said he had submitted a letter to the RoS to seek its approval to enable the MIC delegates of the 2009-2012 term to take over the party's role to hold a re-election.
"As we are aware, the party's elections held in 2013 had been declared null and void. Therefore, I have asked the RoS to recognise leaders elected to office for the 2009-2012 term to decide the party’s future.
"I hope the RoS will approve our request. We will then meet the divisions to find a solution and probably go ahead with the re-election as per the directive by RoS."
On December 5, the RoS ordered MIC to hold fresh elections for three vice-presidents and 23 CWC seats within 90 days after finding irregularities in the elections held during the 68th MIC general meeting on November 30, 2013.
The RoS had advised the party not to hold its annual general meeting until the matter was resolved. – Bernama, January 20, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ros-rejects-mic-request-to-extend-deadline-for-re-elections-bernama#sthash.BcvNwbyv.dpuf
Sirul Azhar Umar placed on Interpol red notice
Interpol has issued a red notice for Sirul Azhar Umar, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.A red notice signifies authorities are attempting to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action.
Sirul's name was placed on Interpol's website, alongside 37 other individuals sought by Malaysian authorities for a variety of crimes.
The 43-year-old former Special Action Unit corporal failed to turn up at the Federal Court last week, as he was believed to be in Australia.
Bernama reported that Sirul had left the country two months ago and did not have enough money to return to Malaysia.
The Federal Court allowed the government's appeal over the murder of Altantuya, which led to Sirul and Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri being sentenced to death.
Federal Court judge Suriyadi Halim Omar said the prosecution had proved its case to implicate the two with the charge that carried the death penalty.
"As such, the Court of Appeal was wrong in reversing the findings of the trial court to free them," said Suriyadi, who is a member of the five-man bench to hear the final appeal.
On August 23, 2013, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeals brought by Azilah and Sirul and acquitted them.
Prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah asked the court to issue a warrant of arrest for Sirul, which was granted.
Four years earlier, High Court judge Datuk Zaki Mohd Yassin had found the two guilty and sentenced them to death.
Evidence in court revealed that the Mongolian translator was either murdered by C4 explosives or killed first and the remains destroyed on October 18, 2006, in the outskirts of Shah Alam, near the capital city Kuala Lumpur.
Former political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, a confidante of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was charged with abetting Azilah and Sirul but was acquitted by the High Court in 2008 without defence called. The government did not appeal. – January 20, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sirul-azhar-umar-placed-on-interpol-red-notice#sthash.lj6PwzLC.dpuf
Nik Aziz warded in ICU
PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was admitted into the intensive care unit at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian this evening.In a statement, his son Nik Mohd Abduh said his father's health had been deteriorating during the massive floods which recently hit Kelantan.
"I myself am on the way back from Penang," the Pasir Mas MP said.
Several PAS leaders are also reportedly travelling to Kota Bharu to visit Nik Aziz, who is still considered an influential party leader.
The health of the former Kelantan menteri besar has been reportedly deteriorating since he stepped down from his position in June 2013.
The hospital has become a sort of second home to Nik Aziz after his Pulau Melaka home as he had been travelling regularly to seek treatment.
Nik Aziz is reportedly suffering from cancer. – January 20, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/nik-aziz-warded-in-icu#sthash.f62XyUxU.dpuf
Despite NS camp closures, staff will get pay
"The closing down of the camps will not affect operators and coaches who are on a permanent payroll," Hishammuddin told reporters in Putrajaya today after Najib's special address.
"Our transformation plan for national service remains at 10 years," he added.
Earlier today, Najib announced that the national service programme will be frozen for 2015, in the government's efforts to cut down some spending in the face of dropping government revenue, triggered by the alarming drop in global crude oil prices.
He said that the move will save the government RM400 million.Instead, Hishammuddin (right) noted, his ministry would organise and conduct "labs" involving the national service staff, in their attempt to revamp the whole programme.
"The labs will be conducted with all stakeholders, including parents, to see where we can take the national service to in the next 10 years," he said.
The defence minister stressed that "this freezing won't affect anyone who are directly involved in the programme".
He added that he "wholeheartedly" supported the PM's measures.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin remained coy when asked about Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's support letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), vouching for alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua.
"I can only answer for myself. I never sent a letter to the FBI (while being home minister)," he said.
MP to IGP: Fear not, probe if Zahid breached OSA
In making the call, a DAP lawmaker also challenged the police chief to file a report against the minister, whom he claimed could have breached the Official Secrets Act (OSA) himself.
Gobind Singh Deo was referring to the letter penned by Zahid (left) to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding alleged Malaysian gambling kingpin Paul Phua.Among others, the minister had stated that Phua assisted Malaysia in national security matters, but when quizzed on this later, he said the information fell under the OSA and cannot be disclosed.
"According to Zahid, those projects involving national security that Phua allegedly helped Malaysia on are official secrets," said Gobind.
"The minister's letter exposing Phua's identity and that Phua is instrumental to and had helped Malaysia on security projects may itself be an offence under the OSA," he added.
The Puchong MP said Khalid (right)
should also look into the credibility of the information that was
earlier furnished by his personnel to the FBI on Phua to clear the
police’s reputation."This investigation should focus if there was indeed any 'big mistake' made by the police in respect of Phua's alleged association with the 14k triad as claimed.
"I am of the view that it is Khalid's duty as IGP to have this matter probed as it involves the credibility of his men," he added.
Gobind, who is a lawyer, emphasised that the issue was a matter of public interest and therefore warranted an investigation.
"The IGP should not be afraid and must do what is necessary to protect his men and matters which are protected by law from irregular, if not unlawful, communication to others," he said.
Zahid had written to the FBI last December to state that Phua was not associated with the Hong Kong-based 14K triad.
This was after the alleged triad link was used to secure a warrant to raid Phua’s hotel room. He was later charged with illegal gaming activities in the United States.
Zahid, who came under fire, said he had penned the letter following a request from Phua’s lawyers.When the issue erupted, Phua's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the minister's letter was meant to correct a "big mistake" by the Malaysian police regarding Phua.
Since then, police sources have defended their findings and even denied that Phua (left) had assisted them in national security matters.
Khalid, on the other hand, has maintained silence on the issue in order not to jeopardise the court proceedings in the US.
Zaidi: No grudges against those who sacked me
INTERVIEW
Major Zaidi Ahmad may never fly a fighter jet again after being
discharged from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), but the pilot said
that he holds no grudges against those who had him sacked.
Zaidi appeared devastated when the military court announced that he would be discharged, but still reciprocated when the prosecution team comprising RMAF officers offered to shake his hand.
"We don't want to be hostile. In the concept of dakwah (missionary work) in Islam, today they may not stand with us, but perhaps they will in future.
"So, let us maintain that relationship," he told Malaysiakini.
He
was found guilty of speaking to the media without the military
council's authorisation and disclosing a RMAF about disciplinary action
against him.
Zaidi, after voting in the last general election, had lodged a police report over the Election Commission's (EC) supposed indelible ink which could be easily washed away.
His action gained widespread media attention, landing him in hot soup with the RMAF.
Even though Zaidi said he was prepared for the worst during his trial and expected to be sacked at the very least, he appeared visibly sad after his sentencing.
Painful reality
Acknowledging this, Zaidi said despite his preparedness, the reality of him losing 26 years of service with the RMAF finally sunk in.
"Of course I was sad, I served for 26 years in the military and rarely took days off... but I was repaid in this manner.
"It is sad but I accept it, what else can be done? I accept the reality," said the 47-year-old father of four.
Zaidi also had kind words for Colonel Saadon Hasnan, who presided over the five-men panel which convicted him.
"I have never worked with him before, but we both have the same spirit as pilots.
"The spirit of pilots is where we are trained to be brave, independent and resilient in facing tough situations.
"It
is just that our political affiliation may be different... most people
are more comfortable conforming to the system," he noted.
Saadon had courted controversy after he allegedly asked Zaidi to become a rubber tapper in a Facebook comment while the trial was ongoing.
Zaidi has refused to appeal his sacking - citing bias - and his lawyer has filed a judicial review at the Kuala Lumpur High Court over the military court's alleged injustice.
From piloting to politics
The sacking was a bitter pill to swallow as Zaidi's childhood dream had always to be a pilot.
As a child, Zaidi would never miss a chance to catch fighter jets flying over his home village of Kampung Permatang Tengah, Kedah, heading to the RMAF's Butterworth air base in Penang.
Nonetheless, Zaidi said he has left the RMAF satisfied, as he had climbed up the ranks to become a pilot instructor.
Zaidi added that he is worried about his family's livelihood, but is earning a source of income through direct selling, on top of authoring a book with another in the works.
The norm for pilots who have ended their career with the RMAF would be to join the civil aviation industry, but Zaidi said this is an unlikely path for him to take.
Zaidi is fixed on "contributing to the political process", adding that he has received offers to join PKR, PAS and DAP.
However, Zaidi said he still needs to wait for his civilian identity card, and has yet to decide which political party he will join.
"When the present party ruling the government is not fit to rule any more, you need to come out with an alternative and obviously the alternative is Pakatan Rakyat," he said.
Zaidi noted that even in Pakatan there were "glitches", but said he is prepared to help the coalition in terms of military advice.
He added that he will strive for the truth even in politics, as he did while in the military.
"If tomorrow I am sacked from Pakatan for speaking the truth, so be it," he said.
Part 1: Willing to die for Malaysia, but not lie for Umno
This interview was jointly conducted by Nigel Aw and Ahmad Fadli KC.
Zaidi appeared devastated when the military court announced that he would be discharged, but still reciprocated when the prosecution team comprising RMAF officers offered to shake his hand.
"We don't want to be hostile. In the concept of dakwah (missionary work) in Islam, today they may not stand with us, but perhaps they will in future.
"So, let us maintain that relationship," he told Malaysiakini.
He
was found guilty of speaking to the media without the military
council's authorisation and disclosing a RMAF about disciplinary action
against him.Zaidi, after voting in the last general election, had lodged a police report over the Election Commission's (EC) supposed indelible ink which could be easily washed away.
His action gained widespread media attention, landing him in hot soup with the RMAF.
Even though Zaidi said he was prepared for the worst during his trial and expected to be sacked at the very least, he appeared visibly sad after his sentencing.
Painful reality
Acknowledging this, Zaidi said despite his preparedness, the reality of him losing 26 years of service with the RMAF finally sunk in.
"Of course I was sad, I served for 26 years in the military and rarely took days off... but I was repaid in this manner.
"It is sad but I accept it, what else can be done? I accept the reality," said the 47-year-old father of four.
Zaidi also had kind words for Colonel Saadon Hasnan, who presided over the five-men panel which convicted him.
"I have never worked with him before, but we both have the same spirit as pilots.
"The spirit of pilots is where we are trained to be brave, independent and resilient in facing tough situations.
"It
is just that our political affiliation may be different... most people
are more comfortable conforming to the system," he noted.Saadon had courted controversy after he allegedly asked Zaidi to become a rubber tapper in a Facebook comment while the trial was ongoing.
Zaidi has refused to appeal his sacking - citing bias - and his lawyer has filed a judicial review at the Kuala Lumpur High Court over the military court's alleged injustice.
From piloting to politics
The sacking was a bitter pill to swallow as Zaidi's childhood dream had always to be a pilot.
As a child, Zaidi would never miss a chance to catch fighter jets flying over his home village of Kampung Permatang Tengah, Kedah, heading to the RMAF's Butterworth air base in Penang.
Nonetheless, Zaidi said he has left the RMAF satisfied, as he had climbed up the ranks to become a pilot instructor.
Zaidi added that he is worried about his family's livelihood, but is earning a source of income through direct selling, on top of authoring a book with another in the works.
The norm for pilots who have ended their career with the RMAF would be to join the civil aviation industry, but Zaidi said this is an unlikely path for him to take.
Zaidi is fixed on "contributing to the political process", adding that he has received offers to join PKR, PAS and DAP.However, Zaidi said he still needs to wait for his civilian identity card, and has yet to decide which political party he will join.
"When the present party ruling the government is not fit to rule any more, you need to come out with an alternative and obviously the alternative is Pakatan Rakyat," he said.
Zaidi noted that even in Pakatan there were "glitches", but said he is prepared to help the coalition in terms of military advice.
He added that he will strive for the truth even in politics, as he did while in the military.
"If tomorrow I am sacked from Pakatan for speaking the truth, so be it," he said.
Part 1: Willing to die for Malaysia, but not lie for Umno
This interview was jointly conducted by Nigel Aw and Ahmad Fadli KC.
Fewer than half Malaysians trust the government, study shows
Malaysia’s neighbours in Indonesia and Singapore, however, recorded higher trust levels in their government, the study by global public relations firm Edelman showed, with 72 per cent of those polled in the former nation saying they trust their government while 70 per cent in the latter said they felt the same about theirs.
But, the 2015 Edelman Trust Barometer released yesterday also revealed that Malaysians were not alone in how they felt towards their leaders, noting the same trend in other countries around the world.
“There has been a startling decrease in trust across all institutions driven by the unpredictable and unimaginable events of 2014,” Edelman president and CEO Richard Edelman said in a statement.
“The spread of Ebola in West Africa; the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, plus two subsequent air disasters; the arrests of top Chinese government officials; the foreign exchange rate rigging by six global banks; and numerous data breaches, most recently at Sony Pictures by a sovereign nation, have shaken confidence,” he added.
The vanishing of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370, which carried 239 people on board, in March last year saw contradictory statements being issued by Malaysian authorities.
Questions were also raised on why the Malaysian military failed to report its sighting of the commercial plane on radar when it deviated from its Beijing-bound flight path and flew across the Malaysian peninsula.
According to the Edelman study, Malaysians’ trust in the government dropped nine percentage points from 54 per cent last year to 45 per cent this year.
The study said the government remained the least trusted institution globally for the fourth year running, with trust levels below 50 per cent in 19 out of 27 countries.
The Edelman study also showed Malaysians having lower trust this year in three other institutions measured — media (46 per cent), business (67 per cent) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) (67 per cent).
Malaysians’ trust in the media have dropped even more, by 13 percentage points from 59 per cent in 2014 to 46 per cent this year.
Edelman’s survey of 27 countries also showed increasing trust in online search engines at 64 per cent this year, along with deteriorating trust in traditional media at 62 per cent this year for general news.
The study further showed online searches as the first source for general information, breaking news and for validating breaking news on business.
According to the study, the millennials trust digital media more at 72 per cent, compared to 64 per cent for traditional media.
Malaysians’ trust in NGOs dipped slightly from 75 per cent last year to 67 per cent this year, while their trust in business dropped from 72 per cent in 2014 to 67 per cent this year.
Malaysians’ average trust in the institutions of government, media, business and NGOs declined from 65 per cent last year to 56 per cent this year.
The Edelman survey sampled 27,000 respondents from the general population and 6,000 people from the informed public in 27 countries, including the US, Australia, China and Sweden, among others.
Mahfuz to Sirul: Call me and tell all
The PAS man says he would arrange to meet the fugitive in Australia for a video interview about his motive for killing Altantuya.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar today urged fugitive Sirul Azhar Umar to contact him and disclose his motive for killing Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Speaking at a press conference at PAS headquarters here, Mahfuz said he was keen to get to the bottom of the mystery and announced his phone number (019-442-3685) and e-mail address (mahfuz455@yahoo.com) for Sirul’s benefit.
He said the former police corporal could also contact him through his Facebook.
The Federal Court last week sentenced Sirul and his accomplice, former chief inspector Azilah Hadri, to death for the 2006 murder of the glamorous fashion model, who also worked as a translator in Malaysia’s negotiations with a French company for the purchase of submarines when Najib Abdul Razak was Defence Minister.
The motive of the murder was never established.
Sirul was absent from court during the sentencing, having left for Australia last October. He is still in that country, which has abolished the death penalty. Canberra has indicated that it won’t extradite him although it has an extradition treaty with Malaysia.
Mahfuz said he wasn’t disputing the Federal Court decision against Sirul and Azilah but was curious about the motive of the murder.
“They were not ordinary policemen,” he said. “They belonged to the Special Action Unit. They would kill when ordered to do so.”
He said he would arrange to meet Sirul in Australia to conduct a video interview with him and would submit the recording to Malaysian police.
Mahfuz denied that he was merely seeking publicity.
FMTKUALA LUMPUR: PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar today urged fugitive Sirul Azhar Umar to contact him and disclose his motive for killing Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Speaking at a press conference at PAS headquarters here, Mahfuz said he was keen to get to the bottom of the mystery and announced his phone number (019-442-3685) and e-mail address (mahfuz455@yahoo.com) for Sirul’s benefit.
He said the former police corporal could also contact him through his Facebook.
The Federal Court last week sentenced Sirul and his accomplice, former chief inspector Azilah Hadri, to death for the 2006 murder of the glamorous fashion model, who also worked as a translator in Malaysia’s negotiations with a French company for the purchase of submarines when Najib Abdul Razak was Defence Minister.
The motive of the murder was never established.
Sirul was absent from court during the sentencing, having left for Australia last October. He is still in that country, which has abolished the death penalty. Canberra has indicated that it won’t extradite him although it has an extradition treaty with Malaysia.
Mahfuz said he wasn’t disputing the Federal Court decision against Sirul and Azilah but was curious about the motive of the murder.
“They were not ordinary policemen,” he said. “They belonged to the Special Action Unit. They would kill when ordered to do so.”
He said he would arrange to meet Sirul in Australia to conduct a video interview with him and would submit the recording to Malaysian police.
Mahfuz denied that he was merely seeking publicity.
Cops identify bomb suspect
Image of man captured on CCTV at location where package was found.
FMT
NIBONG TEBAL: Police have identified a man believed to have placed a package containing four bombs in the compound of a house in Jalan Badak Mati, Sungai Bakap here on Saturday.
Seberang Perai Selatan police chief Supt Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the image of a man who placed the package was captured by the closed-circuit television (CCTV) at a shop near the location.
“Efforts to track down the man are being carried out and we believe the bombs were homemade.
“Police also found several new clues including the fingerprint of the suspect involved,” he told reporters after an integrated crime prevention operation by Penang police in Seberang Perai Selatan here today.
On Saturday, a resident found a paper bag containing four homemade bombs in the compound of a house near a godown.
Three of the bombs were detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit while another was sent to Penang police contingent for investigation.
Wan Hassan said police had taken the statements of five individuals including the houseowner to assist investigations.
– BERNAMA
NIBONG TEBAL: Police have identified a man believed to have placed a package containing four bombs in the compound of a house in Jalan Badak Mati, Sungai Bakap here on Saturday.
Seberang Perai Selatan police chief Supt Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the image of a man who placed the package was captured by the closed-circuit television (CCTV) at a shop near the location.
“Efforts to track down the man are being carried out and we believe the bombs were homemade.
“Police also found several new clues including the fingerprint of the suspect involved,” he told reporters after an integrated crime prevention operation by Penang police in Seberang Perai Selatan here today.
On Saturday, a resident found a paper bag containing four homemade bombs in the compound of a house near a godown.
Three of the bombs were detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit while another was sent to Penang police contingent for investigation.
Wan Hassan said police had taken the statements of five individuals including the houseowner to assist investigations.
– BERNAMA
‘Cmon Zam be a man’, Zaid needles veteran journalist
Zaid Ibrahim teases Zainuddin Maidin about his decision to end his political writing career, suggesting there is more to the story.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, in reacting to the sudden news that veteran journalist Zainuddin Maidin will stop writing contemporary political pieces, sent him a naughty tweet saying, “Cmon Zam be a man; dont submit if you believe in the cause?
“Country going down. Of course to be bold u have to be clean”
Zaid tweeted this message after news broke that Zainuddin, also known as Zam, had made the decision to end his political writing in his search for peace, away from “intimidation, pressure” and the smearing of his name in his old age.
However not wishing to let Zam off the hook that easily, Zaid, in his most recent tweet, said, “Zam, Tun M took good care of you.
“U would not be Editor, Minister and a Tan Sri but for Tun.
“The least you can do is stand by him”
Zaid was referring to Zam’s close relationship with former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
In his last blog posting, Zam said he felt insulted to hear that he had been accused of conspiring against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak just because he once had breakfast with former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and on another occasion met Mahathir with a couple of friends.
Daim and Mahathir, like Zam, are prominent critics of Najib.
Zam’s decision took many by surprise as it comes close on the heels of another surprising announcement Sunday by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that he was willing to work with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in their probe against the numerous wrongdoings of Daim.
FMTPETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, in reacting to the sudden news that veteran journalist Zainuddin Maidin will stop writing contemporary political pieces, sent him a naughty tweet saying, “Cmon Zam be a man; dont submit if you believe in the cause?
“Country going down. Of course to be bold u have to be clean”
Zaid tweeted this message after news broke that Zainuddin, also known as Zam, had made the decision to end his political writing in his search for peace, away from “intimidation, pressure” and the smearing of his name in his old age.
However not wishing to let Zam off the hook that easily, Zaid, in his most recent tweet, said, “Zam, Tun M took good care of you.
“U would not be Editor, Minister and a Tan Sri but for Tun.
“The least you can do is stand by him”
Zaid was referring to Zam’s close relationship with former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
In his last blog posting, Zam said he felt insulted to hear that he had been accused of conspiring against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak just because he once had breakfast with former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and on another occasion met Mahathir with a couple of friends.
Daim and Mahathir, like Zam, are prominent critics of Najib.
Zam’s decision took many by surprise as it comes close on the heels of another surprising announcement Sunday by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim that he was willing to work with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in their probe against the numerous wrongdoings of Daim.
Time to end Najib-Rosmah rule, Umno leaders told
Only divisional leaders are still defending the PM, says blogger Shahbudin.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Disaffection with Najib Abdul Razak’s leadership has spread so widely within Umno itself that the time is right for the party’s leaders to call for his resignation, former Federal Territory Umno official Shahbudin Husin says in his latest blog entry.
“In reality,” he writes, “only the 191 divisional heads – and not all of them at that – are still determined to defend Najib. Everywhere, leaders at other levels are openly saying that Umno’s future would brighten if he is replaced by another leader.”
Apart from complaints about Najib’s handling of the economy, he says, the negative talk also revolves around the alleged meddling of his wife, Rosmah Mansor, in his administration to the extent that the government is being derisively referred to as the “Najib-Rosmah” government.
“The time has come for Umno leaders to courageously speak up, to honestly tell Najib that party members at the grassroots and, in fact, members of the general public are becoming increasingly vocal in rejecting his government. The voice is getting louder every day.”
He criticises Umno leaders who, although they realise the need for change, are unwilling to speak up for fear of losing their well-paid positions and all the conveniences that come with them.
He says they should be willing to perform a “jihad” for the good of their party and the nation.
“Umno and the country must not be destroyed by the Najib-Rosmah partnership,” he says. “Asking Najib to resign for the good of the nation is not a crime.”
KUALA LUMPUR: Disaffection with Najib Abdul Razak’s leadership has spread so widely within Umno itself that the time is right for the party’s leaders to call for his resignation, former Federal Territory Umno official Shahbudin Husin says in his latest blog entry.
“In reality,” he writes, “only the 191 divisional heads – and not all of them at that – are still determined to defend Najib. Everywhere, leaders at other levels are openly saying that Umno’s future would brighten if he is replaced by another leader.”
Apart from complaints about Najib’s handling of the economy, he says, the negative talk also revolves around the alleged meddling of his wife, Rosmah Mansor, in his administration to the extent that the government is being derisively referred to as the “Najib-Rosmah” government.
“The time has come for Umno leaders to courageously speak up, to honestly tell Najib that party members at the grassroots and, in fact, members of the general public are becoming increasingly vocal in rejecting his government. The voice is getting louder every day.”
He criticises Umno leaders who, although they realise the need for change, are unwilling to speak up for fear of losing their well-paid positions and all the conveniences that come with them.
He says they should be willing to perform a “jihad” for the good of their party and the nation.
“Umno and the country must not be destroyed by the Najib-Rosmah partnership,” he says. “Asking Najib to resign for the good of the nation is not a crime.”
Najib a great contrarian and absentee PM, says Kit Siang
DAP leader says Najib Razak is in denial about the country’s crumbling economy including its brittle race and religious relations.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: In a scathing review of the performance of prime minister Najib Razak, DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang compared him to the nation’s first three leaders, saying Najib’s lacklustre leadership had earned him the labels “Great Contrarian” and “Absentee Prime Minister”.
In a statement, Lim said, “Under the first three Prime Ministers, Malaysia’s foundation as a tolerant, open, liberal, democratic, multi-racial, multi-religious and secular nation with Islam as the religion of the Federation, was never doubted, questioned or challenged.”
He said this was the basis of the 20-point Sabah and 18-point Sarawak Agreement when Malaysia was formed in 1963.
“… but things began to go awry after 2001”
Echoing the words of the Yang di Pertuan Agong who commented recently that he was gravely concerned over the “brittle” race and religious relations in the country today, Lim said Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn “would have taken positive and pro-active measures to address concerns” unlike Najib who preferred to stand and watch on the sidelines.
Lim explained that he called Najib the Great Contrarian, because the PM always had an opinion contrary to what others were saying and in so doing continued to deny the country was economically in shambles and that race and religious relations had reached dangerous levels.
“The first three Prime Ministers … would have been horrified by the blasphemous claims of the political charlatans, bigots and extremists of today who are claiming to cloak their rhetoric and politics of hatred, fear, intolerance, bigotry and extremism under the banner of moderation!”
Saying he was sure the trio would have made a “swift and immediate response” to the 25 Eminent Malays, he asked, “Can we expect the present Prime Minister to show similar qualities as the first three Prime Ministers and to have a meeting with the 25 Eminent Malays before he embarks on another international junket in keeping with his reputation as “Absentee Prime Minister”?
Earlier Lim outlined the tough challenges the people were put through last year, describing 2014 as having been “bedevilled by a host of disasters and misfortunes” that included three air crashes, catastrophic floods, the 1MDB scandal, the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on illegal immigrants and falling crude oil prices.
Saying it was “most sad and tragic” that Najib and his Cabinet did not seem to understand the grave concerns expressed by the Agong, Lim added that it was up to Malaysians to hold on to the legacy of Tunku Abdul Rahman as well, who, if he was still alive, would be 112 this February 8.
In a sombre tone, Lim said, “Let Malaysians remember Tunku’s legacy of moderation in a meaningful way to help ensure that Malaysia will forever be a land for moderates with no place for the bigots or extremists of any ilk.”
PETALING JAYA: In a scathing review of the performance of prime minister Najib Razak, DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang compared him to the nation’s first three leaders, saying Najib’s lacklustre leadership had earned him the labels “Great Contrarian” and “Absentee Prime Minister”.
In a statement, Lim said, “Under the first three Prime Ministers, Malaysia’s foundation as a tolerant, open, liberal, democratic, multi-racial, multi-religious and secular nation with Islam as the religion of the Federation, was never doubted, questioned or challenged.”
He said this was the basis of the 20-point Sabah and 18-point Sarawak Agreement when Malaysia was formed in 1963.
“… but things began to go awry after 2001”
Echoing the words of the Yang di Pertuan Agong who commented recently that he was gravely concerned over the “brittle” race and religious relations in the country today, Lim said Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn “would have taken positive and pro-active measures to address concerns” unlike Najib who preferred to stand and watch on the sidelines.
Lim explained that he called Najib the Great Contrarian, because the PM always had an opinion contrary to what others were saying and in so doing continued to deny the country was economically in shambles and that race and religious relations had reached dangerous levels.
“The first three Prime Ministers … would have been horrified by the blasphemous claims of the political charlatans, bigots and extremists of today who are claiming to cloak their rhetoric and politics of hatred, fear, intolerance, bigotry and extremism under the banner of moderation!”
Saying he was sure the trio would have made a “swift and immediate response” to the 25 Eminent Malays, he asked, “Can we expect the present Prime Minister to show similar qualities as the first three Prime Ministers and to have a meeting with the 25 Eminent Malays before he embarks on another international junket in keeping with his reputation as “Absentee Prime Minister”?
Earlier Lim outlined the tough challenges the people were put through last year, describing 2014 as having been “bedevilled by a host of disasters and misfortunes” that included three air crashes, catastrophic floods, the 1MDB scandal, the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on illegal immigrants and falling crude oil prices.
Saying it was “most sad and tragic” that Najib and his Cabinet did not seem to understand the grave concerns expressed by the Agong, Lim added that it was up to Malaysians to hold on to the legacy of Tunku Abdul Rahman as well, who, if he was still alive, would be 112 this February 8.
In a sombre tone, Lim said, “Let Malaysians remember Tunku’s legacy of moderation in a meaningful way to help ensure that Malaysia will forever be a land for moderates with no place for the bigots or extremists of any ilk.”
Has Zahid Hamidi been caught red-handed telling another lie?
By Lim Kit Siang Blog I applaud the Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for his prompt response and clarification that he had never written a letter stating support for any individual to the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) now or during his time as Home Minister.
Hishammuddin was asked about this today, as I had issued a statement last Friday asking previous Home Ministers, in particular Zahid’s predecessor Hishammuddin as well as former occupants of this key post like Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Datuk Azmi Khalid to “speak up and clear themselves and to put the record straight” whether they had also written clarification letters to FBI has Zahid had done.
This was because Zahid had made the astonishing claim in his statement last Thursday when trying to exonerate himself from any wrong in his infamous letter to the FBI vouching for the character of alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua, standing trial in Las Vegas, Nevada for illegal gambling, that previous Home Ministers before him had also written such clarification letters.
Has Zahid been caught red-handed telling a lie, unfairly, unjustly and dishonourably implicating other Ministers whether of this administration or previous regimes?
To be frank, I never believed that previous Home Ministers had behaved like Zahid, writing unilaterally to the FBI, without the knowledge or the police or the Inspector-General of Police at the time, contradicting earlier police reports to the FBI, as well as without the knowledge or clearance from the Foreign Ministry.
This would be the conduct of a disgraceful and shambolic government, with Ministers acting in so indisciplined, wild and arbitrary fashion, betraying and disgracing the national trust imposed on them in their appointment as Home Ministers in the Cabinet.
It is pertinent to note that Zahid used the plural of “Home Ministers” and not the singular, which means more than one, of his predecessors who had penned letters like what he had done.
Hishammuddin has denied.l What about the others – Hamid Albar, Mohd Radzai, Azmi Khalid? Probably, we should go further back which will rope in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Mahathir Mohamad as previous Home Ministers?
Zahid had already told untruths about the Cabinet having approved his infamous letter to the FBI, as Wisma Putra had clarified the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Musa’s statement that the Cabinet only “heard” and not “accepted” Zahid’s explanation.
Zahid should be reminded of the axiom that if a person tells a lie, he would have to tell a thousand lies to cover up the original line – which seems to be the dilemma Zahid has put himself in.
Be that as it may, national interests demand that the whole truth about Zahid’s infamous letter to FBI to vouch for the character of the alleged gambling kingpin must be fully revealed, or Zahid should expect to be impaled on the issue in the March meeting of Parliament.
Extradition request to be challenged
The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Sirul Azhar Umar’s defence team will challenge any application by the Government to extradite him from Australia.
Lead
counsel Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin said this was because asking for
Sirul’s extradition would contradict Malaysia’s extradition treaty with
Australia.
“We
will definitely challenge it in a Malaysian court if the request is
made by Malaysia’s authorities,” he told reporters here yesterday.
“However,
it’s all hypothetical for now. It depends what the Government’s next
move is and what my client’s instructions are,” he said.
Kamarul
Hisham clarified that he was still representing Sirul although he had
not been in contact with him and also was unsure about his whereabouts.
Sirul, 43, faces the gallows in Malaysia over the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
He
failed to appear in the Federal Court on Jan 13 when the court
sentenced him and former chief inspector Azilah Hadri, 38, to death for
the October 2006 murder of Altantuya, 26. The court then issued a
warrant for Sirul’s arrest.
Sirul reportedly has been in Australia since November.
On
Jan 17, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
said the Government was strongly considering extraditing Sirul should
the Australian government refuse to repatriate him.
Australia’s
Attorney-General’s Department stated that the country’s legislation did
not allow a person to be surrendered to another country for an offence
punishable by death, unless the country gave Australia an undertaking
that the death penalty would not be carried out on the person.
Government Revises Deficit Target To 3.2 Per Cent In 2015
Datuk Seri Najib Tun RazakPUTRAJAYA, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The government on Tuesday revised the country's fiscal deficit target for 2015 to 3.2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), up from the 3.0 per cent set out in the Budget, in the wake of falling oil prices.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said without any fiscal measures, the deficit would rise to 3.9 per cent of GDP.
Speaking at a special address here this morning, Najib said Malaysians have to accept the reality that the original Budget 2015 target could not be achieved, due to external factors such as the slump in global oil prices.
"But what is important is our commitment to further reducing the fiscal deficit," he said, adding the latest target is still lower than the 3.5 per cent in 2014.
The premier also stressed that the strategies announced by the government today are proactive adjustment measures following external factors beyond our control and that the country is not in an economic crisis.
He explained that at the forecast oil price of US$55 per barrel, there will be a revenue shortfall of RM13.8 billion.
"Despite the savings of RM10.7 billion from the implementation of the managed float mechanism for retail fuel prices, the government still faces a revenue shortfall of RM8.3 billion to accommodate the 2015 Budget measures," he said.
The situation requires the government to take measures to reduce the deficit in line with the government's commitment towards fiscal consolidation, he said, adding the government will not compromise on its national development planning and neglect the people's welfare.
On the ringgit, Najib said the local unit is not the only currency to have depreciated against the US dollar, as nearly all regional currencies have weakened against the US dollar since September 2014.
?The recent volatile capital flows and significant fall in the value of the ringgit were also due to concerns over the impact of the sharp fall in oil prices, he added.
However, Najib said, the government is confident that over time, the ringgit's exchange rate will adjust to reflect Malaysia's strong economic fundamentals.
"Of importance, our financial system continues to function in an orderly manner. Most importantly, there has been no disruption to financial intermediation with lending activities continuing smoothly," he said.
Furthermore, he said, greater policy flexibility, adequate international reserves, deeper and more diversified financial markets, sound banking system and strong domestic institutional investors will increase the country's resilience to volatile cash flows.
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