Thursday, 26 February 2015
Tortured. Electrocuted. Sold into slavery. Every day, hundreds of kidnapped women and girls in Iraq and Syria suffer violence and abuse at the hands of militants. Those lucky enough to escape or be released often have no home or family to return to.
They are Yazidi women, persecuted for their faith. Women like Amusha, the mother of two daughters who were stolen from her arms, and Sabreen, whose four-year-old sister was forced to watch as she was electrocuted.
As conflict intensifies, humanitarian organisations struggle to meet the needs of survivors of violence and human rights abuses. Together with the Iraqi Government, UNHCR and its partners have been providing aid for months. But much more needs to be done.
On a recent visit to refugee settlements in Iraq, UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie met Amusha and others like her – all of them survivors of kidnapping and detention who managed to escape or get released.
“Nothing can prepare you for the horrific stories of these survivors of kidnap, abuse and exploitation and to see how they cannot all get the urgent help they need and deserve,” Jolie said. “The needs so dramatically outstrip the resources available in this vast crisis. Much more international assistance is needed.”
Meet three survivors of an unspeakably vicious war.
Naseema
Violent sobs wrack Naseema’s body as she recalls the day when insurgents came to kidnap her family. “My eldest daughter was screaming. She was shouting at them, ‘I will never go with you!’”
Like many Yazidi women, 45-year-old Naseema spent months in captivity. She now lives in an abandoned building near Dohuk, after finally being released, but the torment isn’t over. Her eldest daughter has since been sold to a man in Syria, she says, and her husband and nine-year-old are missing.
With just her two youngest sons left, the mother of seven prays for her family to be reunited. “Imagine taking one’s family before one’s eyes, how it would be,” she says. “It is like a bird that flies and disappears suddenly.”
Sabreen
Sabreen is still haunted by the memory of the day her father was taken away. “They took all the men to trucks,” she remembers. “We heard a lot of gunfire. The children came in crying and said all the men are dead.”
Although the 22-year-old is now safe in Dohuk, thoughts of what she and her family went through are never far away. “My mother and I cried very much,” she recalls. “We pleaded to them to take us together.”
At gunpoint, Sabreen, her four-year-old sister Dilvian and her mother were imprisoned in Mosul and then sold as slaves in Syria. There, Sabreen was tortured and electrocuted for one hour every day while her younger sister was forced to watch.
The pain of losing their father never subsides. “When I go to bed I can’t sleep,” says little Dilvian. “I am always thinking of my father. I miss him. I want to tell him he is always on my mind.”
Amusha
Amusha was among 196 Yazidis released in January 2015. Now she waits anxiously for news of her 35-year-old daughter, who is believed to be in Raqqa, Syria, where women are sometimes taken to be sold.
A widow for 34 years, Amusha has experienced loss before. But the absence of her beloved daughter is especially painful.
Rocking gently on the floor of her tent, she recalls the moment when fighters came to her village. “They brought buses and packed them with beautiful and young girls,” she says, her eyes swollen with tears. “They took my daughter and left 12 of us behind.”
At that, her face crumples. The memories are too painful to bear. “My daughter is like a shining star,” she sobs.
IS abducts 150 Christians, rapes and kills women, a "tragic situation" for vicar to Aleppo
A steady stream of horrific stories is coming out of jihadist-held areas. Terrorists hold hundreds of Christians, including seniors and children. For apostolic nuncio to Damascus, "Christians feel abandoned". There is "blood everywhere" and everyone is suffering. He believes that the war on terrorism is pointless but oil, "financial and military supplies" should be cut off.
Asianews.it
Damascus (AsiaNews) - Initial "reports mentioned 90 people abducted but for others the actual number is greater, perhaps 150. A church was destroyed, at least three Assyrian villages have been occupied and people have had to flee. We do not have accurate information, but the initial evidence points to a tragic situation," said Mgr Georges Abou Khazen, Latin apostolic vicar to Aleppo.
The prelate spoke to AsiaNews about Monday's attack by the Islamic State group against Assyrian villages like Tel Tamar, Tel Shamiran, Tel Hermuz, Goran Tel and Tel Khareta, in north-eastern Syria. Jihadists reportedly raped a woman and then murdered her, but the information could not be confirmed.
Whilst everyone is suffering, "Christians feel they have been abandoned," said Mgr Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Damascus.
Bassam Ishak, president of the Syriac National Council, reports that latest figure for abducted Christians is at least 150, more than the early figure of 90. They were taken in Al-Hasakah Governorate, north-east of the country, where Assyrian Christian communities have lived for centuries.
Some reports indicate that Islamic State militants killed some hostages. "Jihadists have taken a lot of people, including women, the elderly and children," said a local source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. "They burnt their houses, and torched a church." And "At least six" people were killed. The terrorists "also raped a woman before killing her."
The Syriac Military Council, a Christian paramilitary organisation, said that the IS attack on Christian villages was an act of revenge following jihadist defeat in Kobane and other villages in the area, following the Peshmerga offensive and international coalition air strikes.
The apostolic nuncio in Damascus agrees. "They came down from the mountains around 3 am Monday morning, and attacked an area largely inhabited by Assyrian-Nestorian," he told AsiaNews.
This a "high risk area." Some "four or five months ago, I received a text message from the bishop of Hassakah, in which he warned that the danger of a jihadist invasion was high."
After they were pushed out of Kobane, "they shifted to these villages to seize more land," Mgr Zenari explained. Now Christians feel abandoned, he added. However, everyone has suffered. "I see blood everywhere, in the cities, in the neighbourhoods. The desert has changed colour. It is no longer golden yellow but blood red."
The prelate said he hopes that "sooner or later reason will prevail" and "the war will end. It must end" even though at present, "we are still in the middle of winter, not some Arab Spring."
Addressing directly the West and the international community, the apostolic vicar to Aleppo warned emphatically that "military action against the Islamic state is not the right way" to solve the crisis and restore peace and security to Syria and Iraq. "I never believed in war because it creates more hatred and division," he explained.
"The West claims that it is fighting these groups," the prelate said. "Yet, it helps them too. Who is buying their oil? Who is selling them weapons? Who is involved in trafficking of priceless archaeological artefacts?"
For Mgr Abou Khazen, there is a lot of "hypocrisy" in the fight against the terrorists. "This will not be solved with bombs; cutting financial and military supplies will. What we ask is for others to stop supporting these people, to stop selling them weapons. We have been saying this for some time but no one has been listening to us."
The attacked Assyrian community, he said, has lived "in the area for thousands of years with its own ancient traditions and rites. Defenceless, its members have been uprooted. Campaigns are undertaken to save animals threatened by extinction to allow them to live in their habitat. But what is being done for us," he laments.
Christians are gripped by a sense of fear, Mgr Georges noted. "Many want to run away and this is a very dangerous sign. Removing Christianity from these lands would be a tragedy for everyone. Maybe the aim is to create another Afghanistan, in the hands of new Taliban".
"This is our reading of the situation," the prelate said. "They want to empty the Middle East of its Christians and create many small confessional states."
"We Christians are the only ones spread across the territories of Syria and Iraq. We are the only ones who defend national unity and uphold the principle of pluralism . . . something that they increasingly want to destroy." (DS)
Damascus (AsiaNews) - Initial "reports mentioned 90 people abducted but for others the actual number is greater, perhaps 150. A church was destroyed, at least three Assyrian villages have been occupied and people have had to flee. We do not have accurate information, but the initial evidence points to a tragic situation," said Mgr Georges Abou Khazen, Latin apostolic vicar to Aleppo.
The prelate spoke to AsiaNews about Monday's attack by the Islamic State group against Assyrian villages like Tel Tamar, Tel Shamiran, Tel Hermuz, Goran Tel and Tel Khareta, in north-eastern Syria. Jihadists reportedly raped a woman and then murdered her, but the information could not be confirmed.
Whilst everyone is suffering, "Christians feel they have been abandoned," said Mgr Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Damascus.
Bassam Ishak, president of the Syriac National Council, reports that latest figure for abducted Christians is at least 150, more than the early figure of 90. They were taken in Al-Hasakah Governorate, north-east of the country, where Assyrian Christian communities have lived for centuries.
Some reports indicate that Islamic State militants killed some hostages. "Jihadists have taken a lot of people, including women, the elderly and children," said a local source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. "They burnt their houses, and torched a church." And "At least six" people were killed. The terrorists "also raped a woman before killing her."
The Syriac Military Council, a Christian paramilitary organisation, said that the IS attack on Christian villages was an act of revenge following jihadist defeat in Kobane and other villages in the area, following the Peshmerga offensive and international coalition air strikes.
The apostolic nuncio in Damascus agrees. "They came down from the mountains around 3 am Monday morning, and attacked an area largely inhabited by Assyrian-Nestorian," he told AsiaNews.
This a "high risk area." Some "four or five months ago, I received a text message from the bishop of Hassakah, in which he warned that the danger of a jihadist invasion was high."
After they were pushed out of Kobane, "they shifted to these villages to seize more land," Mgr Zenari explained. Now Christians feel abandoned, he added. However, everyone has suffered. "I see blood everywhere, in the cities, in the neighbourhoods. The desert has changed colour. It is no longer golden yellow but blood red."
The prelate said he hopes that "sooner or later reason will prevail" and "the war will end. It must end" even though at present, "we are still in the middle of winter, not some Arab Spring."
Addressing directly the West and the international community, the apostolic vicar to Aleppo warned emphatically that "military action against the Islamic state is not the right way" to solve the crisis and restore peace and security to Syria and Iraq. "I never believed in war because it creates more hatred and division," he explained.
"The West claims that it is fighting these groups," the prelate said. "Yet, it helps them too. Who is buying their oil? Who is selling them weapons? Who is involved in trafficking of priceless archaeological artefacts?"
For Mgr Abou Khazen, there is a lot of "hypocrisy" in the fight against the terrorists. "This will not be solved with bombs; cutting financial and military supplies will. What we ask is for others to stop supporting these people, to stop selling them weapons. We have been saying this for some time but no one has been listening to us."
The attacked Assyrian community, he said, has lived "in the area for thousands of years with its own ancient traditions and rites. Defenceless, its members have been uprooted. Campaigns are undertaken to save animals threatened by extinction to allow them to live in their habitat. But what is being done for us," he laments.
Christians are gripped by a sense of fear, Mgr Georges noted. "Many want to run away and this is a very dangerous sign. Removing Christianity from these lands would be a tragedy for everyone. Maybe the aim is to create another Afghanistan, in the hands of new Taliban".
"This is our reading of the situation," the prelate said. "They want to empty the Middle East of its Christians and create many small confessional states."
"We Christians are the only ones spread across the territories of Syria and Iraq. We are the only ones who defend national unity and uphold the principle of pluralism . . . something that they increasingly want to destroy." (DS)
PMO must answer report on Razak’s inheritance, says veteran newsman
The former group editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times (pic, right) was referring to the statement
issued by four of Razak’s sons last night where they expressed concern over speculation about the "nature and extent" of the inheritance left behind by their father following a report by The New York Times."Unless the PMO makes an about-turn and denies ever making a statement to the NYT about Najib’s so-called inheritance, it stands accused of tainting the memory of that great man.
"The PMO propaganda machine can do whatever it likes even at the expense of ethics and morality to protect the PM and his wife.
"But for it to dishonour and disrespect the memory of Tun Abdul Razak is an unpardonable sin," Kadir wrote in his blog today.
In their statement last night, four of Razak's sons – Datuk Johari, Datuk Nizam, Datuk Nazim, and Datuk Seri Nazir – said their father was known for his frugality and integrity.
They said they took issue with recent news articles and postings that gave rise to speculation about the nature and extent of the inheritance left by their father.
Their statement follows an article in The New York Times on February 8 that highlighted the wealth of businessman Low Taek Jho and his role as a property investor, whose transactions involved various parties including Riza Aziz, Najib's stepson.
Low had bought a luxury apartment in Manhattan, and also a Beverly Hills mansion through shell companies, and later sold them to Riza, although this has been denied by Low.
The paper also reported that Najib had been hard hit by news of his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's spending on jewellery and designer handbags.
It said that Najib, “who earns an annual salary of about $100,000 (RM360,000) as prime minister, has been battered by news media reports of his wife’s lavish spending”.
It added that there were photos of Rosmah using at least nine different Birkin bags, which typically cost between US$9,000 and US$150,000 a piece.
The issue of Najib's family inheritance arose when the paper, furnishing invoices and other documents as proof of jewellery purchases for Rosmah, had asked the Prime Minister's Office for a response.
The paper quotes the prime minister’s office as saying: “Neither any money spent on travel, nor any jewellery purchases, nor the alleged contents of any safes are unusual for a person of the prime minister’s position, responsibilities and legacy family assets.”
Last night, Razak's family expressed unhappiness with those who had tainted their father's memory.
"We wish to put on record that Tun Abdul Razak was a highly principled man, well-known to all who knew him for his frugality and utmost integrity and any statement or inference to the contrary would be totally false and misleading to his memory and to his service and sacrifices for the nation.
"We take issue with anyone who taints his memory, whatever the motive.
"We would also like to add that our whole family is united on this issue," they added in the three-paragraph statement issued to The Malaysian Insider last night. – February 25, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pmo-must-answer-report-on-razaks-inheritance-says-veteran-newsman#sthash.YgZVlqCK.dpuf
IGP unfazed by death threat
Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu
Bakar is not intimidated by the death threat against him made by a group
known as 'Anak Malaysia Anti Demokrasi'.
He described their statement as irresponsible and criticised the group for not respecting parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.
"The threat made to assassinate me shows they do not know the real meaning of democracy, which has longed been practiced by the country.
"Such threats do not scare me as the IGP. Such threats are normal for policemen doing their job," he added in a statement.
It was reported earlier today that an anarchist group had threatened to assassinate the IGP by blowing up his car.
The threat was made via a YouTube video which was also uploaded on Facebook.
Khalid further said that he is concerned that the citizens did not want to use the proper channels available in a democracy to resolve their grievances. Instead they go against the law and their irresponsible actions had the potential to create chaos.
He further urged those who harbour such ill-intentions to immediately stop their actions which had serious security implications, and could affect the harmony of the various races in the country.
“Police are trying to identify the group with the assistance from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“I will not hesitate to take stern action, based on the law on those wanting to upset the harmony of the country,” the IGP warned.
He described their statement as irresponsible and criticised the group for not respecting parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.
"The threat made to assassinate me shows they do not know the real meaning of democracy, which has longed been practiced by the country.
"Such threats do not scare me as the IGP. Such threats are normal for policemen doing their job," he added in a statement.
It was reported earlier today that an anarchist group had threatened to assassinate the IGP by blowing up his car.
The threat was made via a YouTube video which was also uploaded on Facebook.Khalid further said that he is concerned that the citizens did not want to use the proper channels available in a democracy to resolve their grievances. Instead they go against the law and their irresponsible actions had the potential to create chaos.
He further urged those who harbour such ill-intentions to immediately stop their actions which had serious security implications, and could affect the harmony of the various races in the country.
“Police are trying to identify the group with the assistance from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“I will not hesitate to take stern action, based on the law on those wanting to upset the harmony of the country,” the IGP warned.
'Two years, and no info if dad's dead or alive'
A frustrated son has turned to Inspector-General
of Police Khalid Abu Bakar for help after police failed to solve the
mystery of his father, who has been missing for almost two years.
T Rajev lamented that the Kajang district police headquarters was not serious in finding his 46-year old father S Tharmalingam, as it has been passing the case around, among different investigating officers.
"My family and I have suffered as we do not know the fate of our father and the police are not serious in finding him," Rajev said after submitting a memorandum of appeal to the federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman this afternoon.
He was assisted by Suaram coordinator Tarmizi Anuwar, who said he hoped the memorandum would prompt the police to be more serious in this investigation.
Rajev (right)
said his family could not contact his father since Jan 7, 2013, and he
finally lodged a police report on April 1 that year, after returning
from his studies in India.
He lodged the police report after they were forced to break into Tharmalingam’s house, where they discovered it to be in a mess, with bank documents relating to certain individuals left behind.
These information, Rajev said, was passed to the police but their investigation had been slow and constantly changed hands.
He claimed the investigating officers gave various excuses, including being on courses, or having other cases to handle.
"Don't give excuses, such as the investigation is being conducted in stages, as police have had almost two years to investigate.
"Give us the final word on whether our missing father is still alive or otherwise," he said.
T Rajev lamented that the Kajang district police headquarters was not serious in finding his 46-year old father S Tharmalingam, as it has been passing the case around, among different investigating officers.
"My family and I have suffered as we do not know the fate of our father and the police are not serious in finding him," Rajev said after submitting a memorandum of appeal to the federal police headquarters at Bukit Aman this afternoon.
He was assisted by Suaram coordinator Tarmizi Anuwar, who said he hoped the memorandum would prompt the police to be more serious in this investigation.
Rajev (right)
said his family could not contact his father since Jan 7, 2013, and he
finally lodged a police report on April 1 that year, after returning
from his studies in India.He lodged the police report after they were forced to break into Tharmalingam’s house, where they discovered it to be in a mess, with bank documents relating to certain individuals left behind.
These information, Rajev said, was passed to the police but their investigation had been slow and constantly changed hands.
He claimed the investigating officers gave various excuses, including being on courses, or having other cases to handle.
"Don't give excuses, such as the investigation is being conducted in stages, as police have had almost two years to investigate.
"Give us the final word on whether our missing father is still alive or otherwise," he said.
IGP unfazed by death threat
Inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu
Bakar is not intimidated by the death threat against him made by a group
known as 'Anak Malaysia Anti Demokrasi'.
He described their statement as irresponsible and criticised the group for not respecting parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.
"The threat made to assassinate me shows they do not know the real meaning of democracy, which has longed been practiced by the country.
"Such threats do not scare me as the IGP. Such threats are normal for policemen doing their job," he added in a statement.
It was reported earlier today that an anarchist group had threatened to assassinate the IGP by blowing up his car.
The threat was made via a YouTube video which was also uploaded on Facebook.
Khalid further said that he is concerned that the citizens did not want to use the proper channels available in a democracy to resolve their grievances. Instead they go against the law and their irresponsible actions had the potential to create chaos.
He further urged those who harbour such ill-intentions to immediately stop their actions which had serious security implications, and could affect the harmony of the various races in the country.
“Police are trying to identify the group with the assistance from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“I will not hesitate to take stern action, based on the law on those wanting to upset the harmony of the country,” the IGP warned.
He described their statement as irresponsible and criticised the group for not respecting parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.
"The threat made to assassinate me shows they do not know the real meaning of democracy, which has longed been practiced by the country.
"Such threats do not scare me as the IGP. Such threats are normal for policemen doing their job," he added in a statement.
It was reported earlier today that an anarchist group had threatened to assassinate the IGP by blowing up his car.
The threat was made via a YouTube video which was also uploaded on Facebook.Khalid further said that he is concerned that the citizens did not want to use the proper channels available in a democracy to resolve their grievances. Instead they go against the law and their irresponsible actions had the potential to create chaos.
He further urged those who harbour such ill-intentions to immediately stop their actions which had serious security implications, and could affect the harmony of the various races in the country.
“Police are trying to identify the group with the assistance from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“I will not hesitate to take stern action, based on the law on those wanting to upset the harmony of the country,” the IGP warned.
So, let me get this right – it’s haircare over health care?
While the cost of healthcare and education will shoot up after GST, our deputy finance minister is scrambling to place a cap on house call charges for hairdos.
FMT
Tears of joy bathed my cheeks as I felt an immense weight lifted off my chest. Let’s all rise and say “Hallelujah” as the Lord has listened to our prayers.
Our admirable First Lady Rosmah Mansor has gotten a new sidekick who is none other than Ahmad Maslan, the Deputy Finance Minister as they have joined forces for the betterment of mankind (limited only to the lucky citizens of Malaysia).
A few days back, Rosmah lamented that she was being overcharged for her custom made dresses and bouffant hairdo (I’m secretly and inexplicably fascinated by it) and that those days of injustice are over with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Ahmad Maslan, moved by her plight, has proposed that there should be a price guide for tailors, hairstylists, beauticians, plumbers, electricians and so on in order to curb overcharging in the post-GST period.
Obviously the predicament of our First Lady far outweighs that of the common folk. Nothing happened when the people said a loud and resounding “NO” to the implementation of GST or at least to start it off easy so that we wouldn’t crumble from its weight.
I suppose if it is important, you will find a way and if it’s not, you will find an excuse.
I mean why bother about the cost of health care that keeps snowballing. There has only been a 20-50% increase in the costs which is expected to increase even further this year. Thank goodness only 320 types of medications out of 4,200 are subjected to GST. Never mind the fact that, the same type of medicine produced by a different brand is considered different. Somewhere in the near future people will willingly crawl into their graves rather than hop onto a hospital stretcher. A quick death would seem more welcome than a crippling debt that you will spend all your life trying to pay off.
Why bother about the rising cost of education? It is after all the only means for middle and lower class people to break free from the shackles of poverty especially those without any special privileges that some politician decades ago decided was to be the birthright of a select few.
Nurul Izzah pounced on the news of price guides for house calls like a hungry tigress on a baby gazelle and shot out a statement saying that all it took for Putrajaya to sit up and take notice of our financial woes was Rosmah’s hair.
While I agree with her sentiments, I cannot help but ask myself why is everything politicised? All this has given the opposition fodder to vilify the government and feed us their own propaganda.
While we will no doubt be treated to an impressive verbal sparring in the coming days, nothing will be achieved at the end of the day.
Apparently all we can do for now is sit back and smirk while those with silver spoons stuck in their mouths tell us to tighten our belts.
FMT
Tears of joy bathed my cheeks as I felt an immense weight lifted off my chest. Let’s all rise and say “Hallelujah” as the Lord has listened to our prayers.
Our admirable First Lady Rosmah Mansor has gotten a new sidekick who is none other than Ahmad Maslan, the Deputy Finance Minister as they have joined forces for the betterment of mankind (limited only to the lucky citizens of Malaysia).
A few days back, Rosmah lamented that she was being overcharged for her custom made dresses and bouffant hairdo (I’m secretly and inexplicably fascinated by it) and that those days of injustice are over with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Ahmad Maslan, moved by her plight, has proposed that there should be a price guide for tailors, hairstylists, beauticians, plumbers, electricians and so on in order to curb overcharging in the post-GST period.
Obviously the predicament of our First Lady far outweighs that of the common folk. Nothing happened when the people said a loud and resounding “NO” to the implementation of GST or at least to start it off easy so that we wouldn’t crumble from its weight.
I suppose if it is important, you will find a way and if it’s not, you will find an excuse.
I mean why bother about the cost of health care that keeps snowballing. There has only been a 20-50% increase in the costs which is expected to increase even further this year. Thank goodness only 320 types of medications out of 4,200 are subjected to GST. Never mind the fact that, the same type of medicine produced by a different brand is considered different. Somewhere in the near future people will willingly crawl into their graves rather than hop onto a hospital stretcher. A quick death would seem more welcome than a crippling debt that you will spend all your life trying to pay off.
Why bother about the rising cost of education? It is after all the only means for middle and lower class people to break free from the shackles of poverty especially those without any special privileges that some politician decades ago decided was to be the birthright of a select few.
Nurul Izzah pounced on the news of price guides for house calls like a hungry tigress on a baby gazelle and shot out a statement saying that all it took for Putrajaya to sit up and take notice of our financial woes was Rosmah’s hair.
While I agree with her sentiments, I cannot help but ask myself why is everything politicised? All this has given the opposition fodder to vilify the government and feed us their own propaganda.
While we will no doubt be treated to an impressive verbal sparring in the coming days, nothing will be achieved at the end of the day.
Apparently all we can do for now is sit back and smirk while those with silver spoons stuck in their mouths tell us to tighten our belts.
Madrasah founder denies US documentary claim
The religious school does not teach the students to become terrorists, say co-founder.
FMT
ALOR SETAR: Co-founder of the Madrasah Nurul Hidayah in Kuala Ketil Mohd Zainon Ariffin has denied allegations that the school propagates militant ideologies among its students.
Mohd Zainon, 53, said the claim made in the video documentary on the school produced by The New York Times and several other media recently was untrue.
“My madrasah does not teach the students to become terrorists.
“Islam has never taught its followers to become violent or to be terrorists. In Islam, the term terrorist is not in its vocabulary. Islam bans violence,” he told Bernama when contacted by telephone here today.
The Madrasah Nurul Hidayah attracted foreign media attention because Mohd Zainon’s younger brother Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, 46, was killed while fighting in Syria. Mohd Lotfi played an important role in the formation of the madrasah.
Mohd Lotfi, former information chief of the Kedah PAS Ulama Council, was involved in the group known as Ajnad al Sham, which also fought against President Bashar al-Assad.
Mohd Zainon said his younger brother did not join the so-called IS militant group.
The founder of the madrasah said he felt cheated by journalists from the foreign media which produced the documentary and following the false report, he was facing various problems including being investigated by the police, besides the madrasah being monitored by the authorities.
A few days after the documentary was aired, Kedah police chief Zamri Yahya, in a media conference, had said that police would take action and monitor any madrasah in Kedah suspected of being involved in militant activities.
According to Mohd Zainon, the foreign journalists took two days to shoot the documentary at his madrasah and said that the air time was 48 minutes.
However, the final duration of the documentary aired was merely eight minutes, he said.
However, what was more regretful was that his speech which had called on the students of the madrasah to emulate the practices and religious studies of his late younger brother had been left out by the foreign media.
“As students who respected him (Lotfi), they must emulate his attitude and discipline. This was my speech which should have been in the video.
“The video also portrayed as though this place (Madrasah Nurul Hidayah) churned out terrorists. The madrasah does not teach anyone to be cruel and violent,” he said.
Mohd Zainon said to his knowledge, his late younger brother had never propagated militant ideologies or influenced his students to join the struggle in Syria, throughout his teaching days at the madrasah.
To date, none of the students from the madrasah had become militants and the school only offered religious studies for five years to about 180 students aged from 12 to 17 for a monthly fee of RM20, he said.
“Here, we don’t teach the students how to handle weapons,” he said.
If any outsider tried to influence students of the madrasah to join any militant movement, Zainon said he would explain to them to concentrate on their studies and to gain knowledge.
“It is better for them to be here to acquire knowledge,” he said.
However, he did not think that there were outsiders who tried to influence or recruit his students to join any militant movement.
Mohd Zainon said students of the madrasah came from all over the country, including Sabah and Sarawak, and they were from poor families.
– BERNAMA
FMT
ALOR SETAR: Co-founder of the Madrasah Nurul Hidayah in Kuala Ketil Mohd Zainon Ariffin has denied allegations that the school propagates militant ideologies among its students.
Mohd Zainon, 53, said the claim made in the video documentary on the school produced by The New York Times and several other media recently was untrue.
“My madrasah does not teach the students to become terrorists.
“Islam has never taught its followers to become violent or to be terrorists. In Islam, the term terrorist is not in its vocabulary. Islam bans violence,” he told Bernama when contacted by telephone here today.
The Madrasah Nurul Hidayah attracted foreign media attention because Mohd Zainon’s younger brother Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, 46, was killed while fighting in Syria. Mohd Lotfi played an important role in the formation of the madrasah.
Mohd Lotfi, former information chief of the Kedah PAS Ulama Council, was involved in the group known as Ajnad al Sham, which also fought against President Bashar al-Assad.
Mohd Zainon said his younger brother did not join the so-called IS militant group.
The founder of the madrasah said he felt cheated by journalists from the foreign media which produced the documentary and following the false report, he was facing various problems including being investigated by the police, besides the madrasah being monitored by the authorities.
A few days after the documentary was aired, Kedah police chief Zamri Yahya, in a media conference, had said that police would take action and monitor any madrasah in Kedah suspected of being involved in militant activities.
According to Mohd Zainon, the foreign journalists took two days to shoot the documentary at his madrasah and said that the air time was 48 minutes.
However, the final duration of the documentary aired was merely eight minutes, he said.
However, what was more regretful was that his speech which had called on the students of the madrasah to emulate the practices and religious studies of his late younger brother had been left out by the foreign media.
“As students who respected him (Lotfi), they must emulate his attitude and discipline. This was my speech which should have been in the video.
“The video also portrayed as though this place (Madrasah Nurul Hidayah) churned out terrorists. The madrasah does not teach anyone to be cruel and violent,” he said.
Mohd Zainon said to his knowledge, his late younger brother had never propagated militant ideologies or influenced his students to join the struggle in Syria, throughout his teaching days at the madrasah.
To date, none of the students from the madrasah had become militants and the school only offered religious studies for five years to about 180 students aged from 12 to 17 for a monthly fee of RM20, he said.
“Here, we don’t teach the students how to handle weapons,” he said.
If any outsider tried to influence students of the madrasah to join any militant movement, Zainon said he would explain to them to concentrate on their studies and to gain knowledge.
“It is better for them to be here to acquire knowledge,” he said.
However, he did not think that there were outsiders who tried to influence or recruit his students to join any militant movement.
Mohd Zainon said students of the madrasah came from all over the country, including Sabah and Sarawak, and they were from poor families.
– BERNAMA
Kula tells Umno to stay away from MIC
MIC will never regain respect among Indians with an Umno-appointed puppet President and constant interference.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran, coming to the defence of MIC, reminded Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in particular that since the party claims to represent the Indian community, it should be allowed to resolve its internal problems in any manner it sees fit. Otherwise, he warned, it would never have the respect of the Indians it’s trying to woo.
He was commenting on Muhyiddin’s unusually tough language when taking issue with the MIC referring its differences with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to Court by way of a Judicial Review.
Muhyiddin, in a veiled threat, warned MIC that it has only itself to blame if it gets into deeper trouble. He did not elaborate.
“Since Muhyiddin has said that Barisan Nasional will only advice, there is no reason for him to be upset and angry if his or BN’s advice is not accepted. Otherwise, that is not advice anymore,” said Kula. “Muhyiddin has to realize and accept the fact that the MIC leaders and members have the right to resolve their own problems the way they see fit.”
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi received bouquets and brickbats at the same time from Kula for casting doubts on the MIC’s ability to help the Indian community when “it’s unable to solve its own problems”.
“Zahid was right. He must also realize at the same time that MIC can’t champion the Indian community with Umno interfering in the internal affairs of the party and giving it so-called advice,” said Kula. “Umno must not be seen as trying to rescue MIC.”
Kula cited a recent example of Umno’s interference in MIC.
The Ipoh Barat MP, referring to a statement by MIC vice-president M. Saravanan, expressed shock that current MIC president G. Palanivel was in fact the choice of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and not party members.
“So the truth is out. MIC has a puppet President who is the weakest among all its former Presidents,” said Kula.
“I also wish to remind MIC that decades of the BN government’s failed and unfair policies have resulted in the Indian community being marginalized.”
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran, coming to the defence of MIC, reminded Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in particular that since the party claims to represent the Indian community, it should be allowed to resolve its internal problems in any manner it sees fit. Otherwise, he warned, it would never have the respect of the Indians it’s trying to woo.
He was commenting on Muhyiddin’s unusually tough language when taking issue with the MIC referring its differences with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to Court by way of a Judicial Review.
Muhyiddin, in a veiled threat, warned MIC that it has only itself to blame if it gets into deeper trouble. He did not elaborate.
“Since Muhyiddin has said that Barisan Nasional will only advice, there is no reason for him to be upset and angry if his or BN’s advice is not accepted. Otherwise, that is not advice anymore,” said Kula. “Muhyiddin has to realize and accept the fact that the MIC leaders and members have the right to resolve their own problems the way they see fit.”
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi received bouquets and brickbats at the same time from Kula for casting doubts on the MIC’s ability to help the Indian community when “it’s unable to solve its own problems”.
“Zahid was right. He must also realize at the same time that MIC can’t champion the Indian community with Umno interfering in the internal affairs of the party and giving it so-called advice,” said Kula. “Umno must not be seen as trying to rescue MIC.”
Kula cited a recent example of Umno’s interference in MIC.
The Ipoh Barat MP, referring to a statement by MIC vice-president M. Saravanan, expressed shock that current MIC president G. Palanivel was in fact the choice of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and not party members.
“So the truth is out. MIC has a puppet President who is the weakest among all its former Presidents,” said Kula.
“I also wish to remind MIC that decades of the BN government’s failed and unfair policies have resulted in the Indian community being marginalized.”
Local IS-styled group will pay for reckless actions
Bukit Aman says the group who uploaded a video threatening to kill the IGP will face the full brunt of the law when caught.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has slammed the actions of a local IS-styled group who uploaded a video on Tuesday threatening to kill the Inspector-General of Police by blowing up his car.
Bukit Aman’s Special Branch principal assistant director (counter-terrorism division) Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, told The Rakyat Post, “IS have threatened not only the national security, but also the regional and global security. To play around with their image simply to gain views or attention is inappropriate and insensitive.
“We, the authorities, take this matter seriously and those responsible for the release of the two videos will have serious actions taken against them.”
Besides the latest video, another was uploaded two weeks earlier threatening to blast firecrackers in front of the nation’s courts.
Ayob Khan also said the group was treading on dangerous ground by joking around with the concept of IS, an international network of terrorists, whose influence Bukit Aman was working tirelessly to curb.
“Any authority in the world and anyone who can think properly would know that the actions of this group of children do not reflect the country’s stand on IS,” he said, adding that the police had already made numerous arrests as well as issued stern warnings against any locals joining the militants in Syria.
“Anyone who plans to joke around with it should know better,” he said.
In the video, three men are seen clad in black and wearing full face masks while their spokesman, with the logo of their group AMAD obliterating his face, speaks of killing the IGP by blowing up the car.
Identifying themselves as Anti-Democracy Sons of Malaysia, the three end the video by flashing their middle fingers and saying, “f@#$ democracy”, while one individual illustrates the group’s intentions by dragging two toy cars across the table while the spokesman lights the cars aflame to the sounds of a massive explosion.
FMTKUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has slammed the actions of a local IS-styled group who uploaded a video on Tuesday threatening to kill the Inspector-General of Police by blowing up his car.
Bukit Aman’s Special Branch principal assistant director (counter-terrorism division) Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, told The Rakyat Post, “IS have threatened not only the national security, but also the regional and global security. To play around with their image simply to gain views or attention is inappropriate and insensitive.
“We, the authorities, take this matter seriously and those responsible for the release of the two videos will have serious actions taken against them.”
Besides the latest video, another was uploaded two weeks earlier threatening to blast firecrackers in front of the nation’s courts.
Ayob Khan also said the group was treading on dangerous ground by joking around with the concept of IS, an international network of terrorists, whose influence Bukit Aman was working tirelessly to curb.
“Any authority in the world and anyone who can think properly would know that the actions of this group of children do not reflect the country’s stand on IS,” he said, adding that the police had already made numerous arrests as well as issued stern warnings against any locals joining the militants in Syria.
“Anyone who plans to joke around with it should know better,” he said.
In the video, three men are seen clad in black and wearing full face masks while their spokesman, with the logo of their group AMAD obliterating his face, speaks of killing the IGP by blowing up the car.
Identifying themselves as Anti-Democracy Sons of Malaysia, the three end the video by flashing their middle fingers and saying, “f@#$ democracy”, while one individual illustrates the group’s intentions by dragging two toy cars across the table while the spokesman lights the cars aflame to the sounds of a massive explosion.
Irate Najib Brothers Dispute Family Wealth
The rift between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his families appears to be growing, with the publication of a formal statement in Malaysia’s New Straits Times daily newspaper by Najib’s four brothers.
The statement appears to have been triggered by questions over the prime minister’s financial affairs in the wake of a Feb. 9 New York Times article that reported the family has vast wealth, much of it overseas. In that article, the prime minister’s office defended Najib’s wealth by claiming that “neither any money spent on travel, nor any jewelry purchases, nor the alleged contents of any safes are unusual for a person of the prime minister’s position, responsibilities and legacy family assets.” The prime minister has made subsequent statements saying his wealth derives from inheritance.
That has raised the ire of Najib’s brothers, who say there were no “legacy family assets” and that any claim to the contrary is an insult at their father, Tun Abdul Razak, the country’s second prime minister and a man known for his parsimony with government funds.
Without naming any names, the brothers’ statement said that “We wish to put on record that Tun Abdul Razak was a highly principled man, well-known to all who knew him for his frugality and utmost integrity and any statement or inference to the contrary would be totally false and misleading to his memory and to his service and sacrifices for the nation. We take issue with anyone who taints his memory, whatever the motive. We would also like to add that our whole family is united on this issue.”
The statement was signed by Nazir Razak, the chairman of CIMB group, as well as his brothers Johari, Nizam and Nazim. It apparently was not signed by Najib.
As Asia Sentinel reported on Feb. 11, the rift in the family has been growing for months over a variety of issues, many of them related to Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor, including the fact that she makes an ostentatious display of her wealth, in jewelry and expensive handbags.
One source with close connections to the family said Rosmah will not allow Najib to meet with his brothers unless she is present, and that they are not allowed to talk with the prime minister outside of her earshot.
In addition, the bad blood is said to stem from the brothers’ problems with Rosmah over their indignation at the treatment meted out to Najib’s first wife, Tengku Puteri, whom he divorced to marry Rosmah and to the children from the first marriage. When Tengku Puteri’s eldest daughter became a lawyer and was called to the Malaysian bar, Najib’s brother called him and asked him to attend. Family sources said Najib declined, possibly because of Rosmah’s objections. Najib’s mother, Rahah, instead brought her granddaughter to Najib’s office together with a photographer so that the newly minted lawyer could have her photo taken with her father in her court robes.
Other irritations have arisen over the deeply indebted government-backed investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd, which Rosmah is believed to have convinced her husband to initiate. The fund is in deep trouble and only stayed afloat this month with an emergency loan from billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan, a close UMNO crony, who put up RM2 billion to meet debt service. Sources told local media in Malaysia that 1MDB may need another MR3 billion from its owner, the Ministry of Finance.
Hints of the rift began a year ago, when Nazir wrote a long article in Kinibiz, the business edition of the widely read independent online publication Malaysiakini, itself a red flag to the United Malays National Organization leadership because of its continuing criticism of the government and refusal to toe the line of the conventional media, all of which are owned by major political parties.
In the article, Nazir wrote a remembrance of his father, Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia’s second prime minister, titled “Remembering My Father, Tun Razak.” Among other things the father was said in the article to have refused to use public funds to build a swimming pool for the children at the government-owned prime minister’s residence. He personally paid his family’s expenses on government trips, Nazir said, and was personally committed to national unity between the three major ethnic groups, the Malays, Chinese and Indians.
The article stood as an obvious public rebuke to the prime minister, who at his wife’s insistence remodelled the prime minister’s residence at vast public expense, who has been accused of using the government’s public jet for private junkets, and who has refused to rein in Malay superiority NGOs such as Perkasa and ISMA, whose strident rhetoric has led to a poisonous racial situation.
“Nazir has long worried about the negative influence of Rosmah, in particular, on Najib and has complained to friends and associates about it,” said a longtime western political analyst in Kuala Lumpur. “Of course, Rosmah knows this and despises Nazir in return and badmouths him to Najib. So it goes.”
Nazir has threatened suit against Taek Jho Low, the youthful wunderkind behind the creation of 1MDB, whom Nazir has accused of being behind an anonymous blogger who has attacked Nazir’s family. In a personal statement last week on Kinibiz, the business edition of the independent website Malaysiakini, Nazir said the attacks began soon after he wrote the article about his father and after he expressed public reservations about 1MDB. The attacks, constituting “lies and slander,” cross the line, Nazir said. His statement follows a series of statements by businessman Tong Kooi Ong, who had also been subjected to anonymous blog attacks which Tong claimed were due to The Edge Malaysia’s extensive and biting coverage of 1MDB. On Feb. 6, Tong said he had ascertained the identity of the blogger going by the name ‘ahrily90’ and had served a legal letter to Jho Low, who has previously denied any links to the attacks.
Tun Arifin Zakaria is duty-bound as Chairman of JAC to satisfactory account for the by-passing of promotion to Federal Court of the country’s most respected serving judge, Justice Hishammdin
By Lim Kit Siang BlogThe Chief Justice, Tun Arifin Zakaria is duty bound as Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to satisfactorily account for the by-passing of promotion to the Federal Court of the country’s most respected serving judge, Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus.
Arifin had previously tried to shirk from his duty of national accountability when he was asked in September 2013 why Justice Hishammuddin was by-passed from promotion to the Federal Court in the batch of judicial elevations at the time, claiming that the elevation of judges was made without the influence of anyone and that it was at the prerogative of the Yang di Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Arifin is right that the elevation of judges is not 100 per cent the prerogative of the JAC, but it is beneath the dignity of the Chief Justice to hum and haw claiming that it is unfair for the media or anyone to question the fate of any particular judge.
It has been reported that Justice Hishammuddin’s name was omitted from the promotion list in 2013 as a result of a directive from the Prime Minister’s Office, after the recommendation of his elevation to the Federal Court had passed through the JAC.
Justice Hishamudin’s name was missing again on the promotions list released on Feb. 16 this year, this time by-passed in favour of Justice Zaharah Ibrahim.
This is the era of accountability, transparency, open government with the Prime Minister’s much-flaunted National Transformation Programme.
The black-listing and by-passing of Justice Hishamuddin from elevation to the Federal Court is the best proof that the JAC had acted arbitrarily to sideline independent judges of unquestioned integrity who are fully committed to uphold the law and the Constitution instead acceding to pressures from various quarters.
Malaysians still remember the horrors in the appointment of judges revealed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video Tape Scandal, and the still unresolved issues from the RCI Report.
Arifin should not be satisfied with low fruits and standards saying that there is now more transparency in judicial appointments since the formation of the JAC compared with appointments done before 2009.
Malaysians do not just want a system better than the horror-days of the Lingam Videotape Scandal, but a judicial appointment system comparable to the best in the world which can bear public scrutiny and criticism, like the present case for the by-passing of Justice Hishammuddin not only twice from elevation to the Federal Court, but also for the earlier injustices suffered by him when he was overlooked for promotion to the Court of Appeal and was stuck as a High Court judge for 14 years.
Was Justice Hishammuddin being punished for life in the judicial service as being too independent-minded and for his series of landmark judgements, which shows his respect for the law and constitution?
It would be difficult to find another judge who could command as much respect from the Bar for his integrity, independence and respect for the law and Constitution.
If the lawyers have a say, Justice Hishammuddin would have been the favourite choice to be the Chief Justice of the land leading Malaysia to a golden age of new international respect and acclaim for a truly independent judiciary and a just rule of law instead of languishing for 14 years as a High Court and compulsorily retiring in September this year from the Court of Appeal.
If the Chief Justice is unable to give any or satisfactory explanation on behalf of the JAC for the by-passing of promotion of Justice Hishammuddin to the Federal Court, the Bar and lawyer should demand their voices should be heard loud and clear.
Surely Malaysia doe not need another Royal Commission of Inquiry into another judicial scandal before standards of judicial ethics and appointments are raised?
BN Will Skip Chempaka By-Election - Najib
KUALA
LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) will not be
contesting the Chempaka by-election in Kelantan but instead will focus
on post-flood relief work in the state, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Tun Razak.He said this was because post-flood relief work was in the process of being implemented to help the flood-victims.
"There are still many more floods victims deserving help and have not received assistance. We are making this our highest priority," he said after chairing an UMNO Supreme Council meeting here tonight.
Najib, who is also BN chairman and UMNO president, said apart from this, it (skipping the by-election) was also to ensure the people's solidarity was strengthened.
Although the people in Kelantan were divided by differing political ideologies, the solidarity of the "ummah" (people) was seen as an important agenda,' he said.
The Prime Minister said a similar decision was taken by the BN for the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election in May 2014.
"So, we not necessarily have to put up a candidate (for by-elections)... it depends on the circumstances," he said.
Najib said a thorough discussion had been made with the Kelantan UMNO state Liaison Committee and the Pengkalan Chepa UMNO division before taking the decision.
The Chempaka state seat fell vacant following the death of the incumbent assemblyman Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat due to prostate cancer on February 12.
In the 13th general election, Nik Aziz, who was PAS's spiritual leader, won the seat with a majority of 6,500 votes.
The former Kelantan menteri besar obtained 12,310 votes while BN candidate Wan Razman Wan Abd Razak garnered 5,810 votes.
The Election Commission has set March 10 for nomination and March 22 for polling.
On the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, Najib said UMNO would wait for the Election Commission's (EC) decision following the decision by the family of the incumbent Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to petition for a Royal pardon over his sodomy conviction.
"So let us wait ... follow the interpretation of the Constitution and the EC will follow the advice based on this interpretation," he said.
Anwar's wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and two of their children, Nurul Izzah and Nurul Nuha, had filed an application seeking for a Royal pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on behalf of Anwar to the Istana Negara yesterday.
The petition for pardon is related to the conviction and five-year imprisonment of Anwar for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008.
Anwar is currently held at the Sungai Buloh Prison after the Federal Court on Feb 10 dismissed his final appeal against the conviction and five-year jail sentence by the Court of Appeal.
On UMNO, Najib said the party's membership now stood at 3.47 million members, with 1,126 applications for membership received via online since the service was launched on January 27 till Feb 17.
Of these, 774 completed applications were processed and sent to the branches according to the applicants' addresses, he said.
"We hope more people will use this online service to apply for UMNO membership," he added.
Najib also said 21,245 UMNO branches nationwide were qualified to hold their annual branch meetings, which will start by March 13 and end on May 2.
Meanwhile, 19,871 Wanita UMNO, 15,111 UMNO Youth and 10,048 Puteri UMNO branches also qualified to hold their annual meetings, he added.
-- BERNAMA
March 7 demo will also demand for PM's ouster
The planned protest against Anwar Ibrahim's
incarceration on March 7 will also demand for Prime Minister Najib Abdul
Razak's resignation, said organisers.
The organisers have stated 12 reasons for this, including the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case with regard to former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar's latest revelations.
Calling themselves #KitaLawan, the group also wants opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to be freed.
In statement, the #KitaLawan secretariat said last Saturday’s arrest during a protest at the same venue has not deterred them.
As planned earlier, the organiser added, similar protests will be held outside the shopping mall every Saturday until the demands are met.
Among others, #KitaLawan's 12 reasons for Najib to step down includes the 1MDB scandal, reneging promises to abolish sedition laws, GST implementation, weak handling of the economy, failing to stem corruption, failing to ensure free elections and abusing public institutions.
"If these issues are not resolved, the people of Malaysia will face more burdens.
"In view of this, we urge all Malaysians to take the first step towards rectifying the nation's problems by joining our rally on March 7 to demand that Najib step down," said the group.
The rally by #KitaLawan, a coalition of NGOs in cooperation with the youth wings of Pakatan Rakyat component parties, coincides with the March 2 Freedom rally organised by Anwar's family members.
March 2 Freedom slated for March 7 and 8 in Kuala Lumpur. Details of the rally have yet to be released.
Asked if a police permit was needed for the rally, #KitaLawan spokesperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad promised that the rally organisers will cooperate with the police.
"We would carry on with the rally no matter what and we will give full cooperation to the police," said Nik Nazmi, who is also PKR Youth chief and Selangor exco member.
The organisers have stated 12 reasons for this, including the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case with regard to former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar's latest revelations.
Calling themselves #KitaLawan, the group also wants opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to be freed.
In statement, the #KitaLawan secretariat said last Saturday’s arrest during a protest at the same venue has not deterred them.
As planned earlier, the organiser added, similar protests will be held outside the shopping mall every Saturday until the demands are met.
Among others, #KitaLawan's 12 reasons for Najib to step down includes the 1MDB scandal, reneging promises to abolish sedition laws, GST implementation, weak handling of the economy, failing to stem corruption, failing to ensure free elections and abusing public institutions.
"If these issues are not resolved, the people of Malaysia will face more burdens.
"In view of this, we urge all Malaysians to take the first step towards rectifying the nation's problems by joining our rally on March 7 to demand that Najib step down," said the group.
The rally by #KitaLawan, a coalition of NGOs in cooperation with the youth wings of Pakatan Rakyat component parties, coincides with the March 2 Freedom rally organised by Anwar's family members.
March 2 Freedom slated for March 7 and 8 in Kuala Lumpur. Details of the rally have yet to be released.
Asked if a police permit was needed for the rally, #KitaLawan spokesperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad promised that the rally organisers will cooperate with the police.
"We would carry on with the rally no matter what and we will give full cooperation to the police," said Nik Nazmi, who is also PKR Youth chief and Selangor exco member.
'The only time someone won against a sitting PM'
This was the bench, headed by Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, that ruled he and Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar had legal standing to file a suit against the present prime minister and his deputy.
This decision by the appellate court, delivered in January 2013, is said to have halted Justice Hishamudin’s elevation as a Federal Court judge by the Prime Minister’s Office in September that same year.
This followed widespread talk that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak wanted another person elevated, not Justice Hishamudin, despite the Judicial Appointments Commission's (JAC) recommendation that Justice Hishamudin be elevated to the Federal Court.
JAC is the body formed under the law in 2009 to oversee the appointment of judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
Manoharan, who contacted Malaysiakini following the publication of yesterday’s article on Justice Hishamudin (right)
being overlooked again for elevation, said the Court of Appeal decision
in his case was a landmark of sorts as this was a first small victory
against a sitting PM and sitting deputy prime minister.“If I remember correctly, no suit or legal action filed against a sitting PM or DPM in Malaysia has ever been successful. The decision by the Court of Appeal led by Justice Hishamudin was one rare occasion,” Manoharan said.
“In deciding that we have legal standing to file the suit, the Court of Appeal ordered the case to be referred to the High Court and to be heard on its merits,” the lawyer added.
Besides this, Manoharan said, the Court of Appeal also awarded RM2,000 as costs.
Najib and Muhyiddin Yassin were named in the suit in their personal capacities as PM and DPM. Muhyiddin is also the education minister.
The suit was filed by Manoharan and Uthayakumar against the PM and DPM over the government’s alleged neglect of 523 Tamil primary schools nationwide, where they wanted the Tamil schools to be fully aided, as provided for under the Federal Constitution.
Justice Hishamudin sat with recently retired judge Justice Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and Justice Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim in the unanimous decision.
Initially senior federal counsel Effandi Nazila Abdullah had managed to have the suit struck out, based on the issue of locus standi
A Chief Judge Malaysia never had
Manoharan agreed that Justice Hishamudin is truly Chief Justice material or at the very least, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal.
It is unfortunate, he said, that the government does not recognise or had halted the promotion of judges who only upheld the law and the constitution.
“Justice Hishamudin is well-versed in all matters. He is an all-rounder be it in criminal, habeas corpus, civil, trade and even land laws. I had the pleasure of appearing before him two weeks ago, in a land matter, and he is very well-versed in it.
“In that case against Najib and Muhyiddin, he gave a full day hearing in allowing parties to submit. After making a decision, he wrote a full judgment on it.
“Initially, the government (PM and DPM) wanted to appeal the decision at the Federal Court but due to the strength of Justice Hishamudin’s judgment they withdrew the appeal,” he said.
Unfortunately, Manoharan said the suit did not go on as planned as Uthayakumar (left), who was the second plaintiff, faced a prison sentence as a result of a sedition charge.The lawyer noted that most of Justice Hishamudin’s judgments had been upheld by the superior courts.
Manoharan said he acted in the case of another Internal Security Act detainee, Badrul Zaman PS Mohamad, before Justice Hishamudin in the High Court, where the court awarded RM3.3 million for unlawful detention.
“Although the government was partly successful in its appeal to reduce the quantum of damages in that case to RM300,000, Justice Hishamudin’s judgment remains intact,” he said.
“I believe a lot of other decisions that Justice Hishamudin made have been upheld by the superior courts, for he gave sound judgments and reasoning.”
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