Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Brits pledge over £18,000 to defend 'Jihad Johnny'
As reported by The Sunday Times (of London, UK) and also by the ITN British television network, both on March 7, 2015, a London-based advocacy group that goes by the nom d' Internet of CAGE has managed to cull well over £18,000 to defend 'Jihad Johnny' from "harassment" at the hands of the British government. For their part, the British government's Charity Commission has pledged to take "robust action" in their demand that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Roddick Foundation immediately cease and desist "all current and future donations to the group."
While seeking to "address the root causes of conflict and injustice," the Rowntree Foundation has pumped £305,000 ($450,000) to CAGE between 2007 and 2014. Meanwhile, the self-described "progressive" Roddick Foundation has sent £120,000 ($180,500) to CAGE's coffers between 2009 and 2012.
Nonetheless, CAGE has managed to garner thousands of pounds from their internet plea for funds to defend Kuwaiti-born British citizen Mohammed Emwazi, whom the media has dubbed "Jihad Johnny." To his infamy, Emwazi was identified by British anti-terrorism services as the very same masked jihadist who appeared in more than one video slowly decapitating helpless captives in the name of an ISIS global Islamic Caliphate in the making.
For their part, CAGE describes themselves on their internet site as "working to empower communities impacted by the War on Terror." Specific pages include sympathetic biographies not only of Emwazi, but also the likes of Samer Hilmi Abdel al-Barq, Ali Saleh Alkohlah al-Marri, and numerous other individuals who have either been on the run from authorities or currently jailed for active participation in Islamic jihad. The CAGE site also has a specific section titled "Memorizing the Qur'an: A Practicle Guide for Prisoners".
France: Four Arrested over Paris Kosher Supermarket Attack
France: Four Arrested over Paris Kosher Supermarket Attack
By Arutz Sheva
Four people have been detained over their connections to one of the Islamist terrorists who carried out the Paris attacks in January, a judicial source said on Monday.
The four are said to be friends with Amedy Coulibaly, who killed four people at a Jewish supermarket and a policewoman during the January 7-9 attacks.
Europe 1 radio reported that one of those detained was a policewoman posted at Rosny-sous-Bois just outside Paris who converted to Islam two years ago. She was suspended from her duties in early February.
She was detained along with her boyfriend, a man said to have been close to Coulibaly and who is also wanted on separate drug charges.
Phone records indicate he was in close proximity to Coulibaly shortly before the attack on the supermarket.
Le Canard Enchaine, a weekly paper, said the man may have had access to his girlfriend's police barracks at Rosny.
No details have yet been released on the other two people detained.
Four other people were held for questioning at the end of January, suspected of providing arms and vehicles to Coulibaly.
Others - including Coulibaly's girlfriend Hayat Boumeddiene - are thought to have fled to Syria.
Two people have also been charged over their links to the Kouachi brothers who carried out the shootings at the Charlie Hebdo magazine in the same week, leaving 12 dead.
Fritz-Joly Joachin was arrested in Bulgaria and Cheikhou Diakhaby was detained in Turkey - both believed to be on route to Syria, and extradited back to France.
Four people have been detained over their connections to one of the Islamist terrorists who carried out the Paris attacks in January, a judicial source said on Monday.
The four are said to be friends with Amedy Coulibaly, who killed four people at a Jewish supermarket and a policewoman during the January 7-9 attacks.
Europe 1 radio reported that one of those detained was a policewoman posted at Rosny-sous-Bois just outside Paris who converted to Islam two years ago. She was suspended from her duties in early February.
She was detained along with her boyfriend, a man said to have been close to Coulibaly and who is also wanted on separate drug charges.
Phone records indicate he was in close proximity to Coulibaly shortly before the attack on the supermarket.
Le Canard Enchaine, a weekly paper, said the man may have had access to his girlfriend's police barracks at Rosny.
No details have yet been released on the other two people detained.
Four other people were held for questioning at the end of January, suspected of providing arms and vehicles to Coulibaly.
Others - including Coulibaly's girlfriend Hayat Boumeddiene - are thought to have fled to Syria.
Two people have also been charged over their links to the Kouachi brothers who carried out the shootings at the Charlie Hebdo magazine in the same week, leaving 12 dead.
Fritz-Joly Joachin was arrested in Bulgaria and Cheikhou Diakhaby was detained in Turkey - both believed to be on route to Syria, and extradited back to France.
NGO slams Facebook user over allegation of Muslims touching dogs in Penang
A non-government organisation (NGO) in Penang has slammed a Facebook page administrator for stirring up racial and political sentiments by claiming that a charity adoption event held last week in George Town was an event for Muslims to touch dogs.Save Our Strays (SOS) Penang said the allegation was untrue, taking offence at the posting on the page called 'Penang Kini' today.
The NGO's spokesperson, who declined to be named, questioned the intention of the page administrator, who had uploaded a posting that read: "Panas!!! Program orang Islam peluk anjing dah menular ke Penang. Mana Malik Kassim?" (Hot!!! Muslim dog hugging programme has spread to Penang. Where is Malik Kassim?
Malik Kassim refers to Penang religious exco Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim of PKR.
The posting came with a photo of a young woman with a white headscarf posing for a picture while carrying a mongrel puppy at the event held at Penang Times Square from March 4 to 8.
The spokesperson said that the event was a charity programme organised by Han Chiang College students with SOS Penang to promote adoption of strays as pets instead of buying from pet shops.
"It was clearly not an event for Muslims. Why did Penang Kini say it was? Why is Penang Kini stirring it up into something racial and political?
"What is the agenda of the page's administrator? What do they stand to gain from this? We demand they publicly apologise to the students who were trying to do something good," she told The Malaysian Insider today.
The posting had caused uproar on social media today with hundreds of people commenting on the matter. Many of the comments were political and with a racial tone.
Although most Facebook users attacked the woman in the photo, calling her stupid and ridiculed her for alleged lack of faith, there were also others who slammed the page's administrator.
Last year, when activist Syed Azmi Alhabshi held the controversial "I want to touch a dog" event in Kuala Lumpur, which was open to everyone including Muslims, it outraged many Malays, who felt it was an insult to Islam.
He was criticised and turned into a villain, despite his good intention to educate and help people overcome their fear of dogs and learn compassion for all animals, which Islam teaches. – March 9, 2015.
MAS admits maintenance oversight over MH370’s expired beacon battery
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) said today that the expired battery for its underwater locator beacon (ULB) would not make any difference in the search for the missing MH370 jetliner, following revelation in yesterday's interim report that the beacon battery for the flight data recorder had expired more than a year earlier.It admitted that it was a maintenance scheduling oversight, but said a similar ULB unit was also installed with the Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder (SSCVR) and as such, the battery life was still valid on the day of the incident on March 8, 2014.
"The SSCVR battery would have been transmitting for 30 days upon activation when immersed in water," the statement said.
Beijing-bound flight MH370, with 227 passengers and 12 crew members, went missing from radar screen about an hour after it departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 8 last year.
Yesterday, a 584-page interim report into the disappearance of the Boeing 777-200ER said the beacon battery for the flight data recorder had expired in December 2012 and was not replaced.
As stated in the findings of the report, the Engineering Maintenance System was not updated correctly when the ULB battery was first installed.
MAS said this was a maintenance scheduling oversight.
Welcoming the report published by the Transport Ministry, MAS said it would continue to cooperate with investigations and act on recommendations in the final report.
"MAS lost 13 dear friends and colleagues on board the flight. We also want to find all of the answers as fast as possible," the statement said.
Meanwhile, on the consignment of Motorola Lithium-ion batteries, MAS said they were physically inspected by MASKargo personnel in Penang and customs inspectors, prior to being sealed leaving the Penang Cargo Complex.
"The inspection procedures followed for this consignment are in line with those defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation." it said.
In terms of improvements of safety, MAS said it has taken steps in response to the loss of the plane.
The airline said it consistently adhered to the standards required by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) programme, as part of its compliance with IATA membership requirements.
This month, MAS said it would voluntarily adopt the Enhanced IATA Operational Safety Audit to further enhance operational safety and security practices.
"Flight tracking and monitoring procedures are being enhanced. We have upgraded our Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) across the entire MAS fleet.
"Since December 2014, the B777 fleet ACARS position report intervals have been changed from the 30 minute ACARS protocol previously in place, to match the recent ICAO mandated 15 minute reporting interval.
"Our B737-8, A330 and A380 fleet are now set at 10 minute reporting intervals.
It added it was also preparing to upgrade flight tracking application using the SITA system.
"Once implemented, every aircraft will be tracked using ADS-B, Ground Radar and ACARS. This will allow the dispatcher to see both the aircraft’s actual track and projected track.
"Flight planning and flight monitoring is also now better integrated." it said. – March 9, 2015.
'Extend modest attire rule on non-Muslims'
Ridhuan Tee Abdullah has welcomed the Terengganu
state government's move to tighten Islamic regulations concerning riding
pillion on motorcycles, skipping Friday prayers and dressing
provocatively in public.
Slamming critics who labelled it as Talibanism, the academic argued that such enforcement is done to "humanise humans".
"Only the despicable would allow something sinful," he penned in his latest column in Sinar Harian.
Ridhuan,
who has often courted controversy over his views, wanted the rules to
encompass non-Muslims as well in the name of fairness.
"I wish to suggest that these cover non-Muslims as well. Only then would it be fair.
"There is no excuse to dress sexily or act in an improper manner. No religion permits this," he said.
As for those who are not from Terengganu, Ridhuan said they must follow the rules when they visit the state.
"If you don’t want to follow, don’t come. Others would come.
"In Brunei, such rules have been in place for a long time and tourists still flock there because they want to know about the Islamic way of life," he added.
'They will never be satisfied'
Ridhuan argued that when compared to Brunei, Malaysia has allowed more freedom for non-Muslims and yet there are reports which claim that the nation stifles the religions of others.
He lamented that the Malay-Muslim identity has become diluted because of respecting the rights of others, purportedly in the name of human rights.
"In short, no matter how much (leeway) is given, they would not be satisfied until this nation becomes secular, and there is no longer a Malay or Islamic identity," he added.
Ridhuan also took a swipe at those who criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for attending a Malay unity rally recently.
"Didn't the PM when attending the (Thaipusam) festival in Batu Caves and Chinese New Year (celebrations) also gave the same assurance to help and uphold the rights of non-Muslims?
"What about the RM14 million allocation by the Sarawak government for 11 private Chinese schools in the state? Why the silence?
"When one defends the right of the Malays, it is called racism. But when rights are given to them (non-Malays), it is a right and not racism," he added.
Slamming critics who labelled it as Talibanism, the academic argued that such enforcement is done to "humanise humans".
"Only the despicable would allow something sinful," he penned in his latest column in Sinar Harian.
Ridhuan,
who has often courted controversy over his views, wanted the rules to
encompass non-Muslims as well in the name of fairness."I wish to suggest that these cover non-Muslims as well. Only then would it be fair.
"There is no excuse to dress sexily or act in an improper manner. No religion permits this," he said.
As for those who are not from Terengganu, Ridhuan said they must follow the rules when they visit the state.
"If you don’t want to follow, don’t come. Others would come.
"In Brunei, such rules have been in place for a long time and tourists still flock there because they want to know about the Islamic way of life," he added.
'They will never be satisfied'
Ridhuan argued that when compared to Brunei, Malaysia has allowed more freedom for non-Muslims and yet there are reports which claim that the nation stifles the religions of others.
He lamented that the Malay-Muslim identity has become diluted because of respecting the rights of others, purportedly in the name of human rights.
"In short, no matter how much (leeway) is given, they would not be satisfied until this nation becomes secular, and there is no longer a Malay or Islamic identity," he added.
Ridhuan also took a swipe at those who criticised Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for attending a Malay unity rally recently."Didn't the PM when attending the (Thaipusam) festival in Batu Caves and Chinese New Year (celebrations) also gave the same assurance to help and uphold the rights of non-Muslims?
"What about the RM14 million allocation by the Sarawak government for 11 private Chinese schools in the state? Why the silence?
"When one defends the right of the Malays, it is called racism. But when rights are given to them (non-Malays), it is a right and not racism," he added.
Dr M: Umno must be united, since all wear red
Such was the snide comment by Umno veteran Dr Mahathir Mohamad when asked by reporters on the show of support for Najib yesterday.
"I saw their shirts were all red. So if they were wearing red, must be because they were all in consensus," Dr Mahathir (below) was quoted by The Malay Mail Online as saying.
The former PM, who has been vocal against Najib’s pet project 1Malaysia Development Bhd, lamented that he enjoyed no such colour-coordinated support in his 22 years as party president.
"During
my time there was no solidarity. Tengku Razaleigh was fighting with me,
Musa was fighting with me, Anwar was fighting with me…There was no such
thing as solidarity," the news portal quoted him as saying.He reportedly said this after attending the International Conference on New World Order in Putrajaya today.
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah had in 1987 challenged Mahathir for the president post in a vicious election which split the party down the middle and led it to the path of deregistration.
Mahathir then re-registered the party under the name Umno Baru.
He also had two deputy prime ministers who went out against him – Musa Hitam and Anwar Ibrahim, whom Mahathir sacked in 1998.
Musa resigned from the DPM post in 1987 citing irreconcilable differences while Anwar now leads the opposition coalition.
Yesterday 160 divisions met with Najib following attack against him, and declared their support for the embattled PM.
DPM Muhyiddin Yassin and Mahathir’s son Mukhriz, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, were absent. Organisers said they had prior engagements.
Surrender or be hunted, IGP tells Kita Lawan
"If not, we will look for them," he told a press conference in Cheras today.
“Come lah, so it won't be difficult for us to find them. They come, we will make arrests and conduct the investigation.”
The police will not name all the organizers, instead, they should come forward and be arrested, he said.
The Kita Lawan rally in Kuala Lumpur in solidarity with jailed Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim on Mar 7 attracted about 10,000 protestors.
Selangor exco member and PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and PKR youth leader Saifullah Zulkifli have since been arrested in connection with organsing the rally.
Nik Nazmi is being remanded for three days until Wednesday under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA).While some argue the section used by police is unconstitutional, Khalid (right) said it cannot be declared so because the government is still appealing the decision.
"That particular issue is being appealed, so you can't say yet it is unconstitutional, until or unless it has been finalized. We have Section 143 (of Penal Code), that is being used," he argued.
The Court of Appeal ruled that Section 9(5) which requires of a formal 10-day notice before holding a protest is unconstitutional.
It ruled this in relation to the Black 505 rally in 2013, also involving Nik Nazmi.
There is no stay to date on the Court of Appeal decision.
Up to interpretation
Police were also rubbished by PKR Padang Serai MP and lawyer N Surendran, who said that it was abusing Section 143 of the Penal Code which only applies to violent assemblies with criminal motive.
However, Khalid said this was just Surendran’s interpretation.
"This is his own interpretation. I am also a lawyer, I also have my own interpretation," he joked.
"Our responsibility is to enforce the existing law, and pass it to the court (for judgment)," he added.
Two criminals killed in shootout with cops
They fired at the policemen who were pursuing their car as they attempted to evade a police inspection.
FMT
TAPAH: Two men, suspected of being involved in an armed robbery and murder cases, were shot dead in a shootout with the police in Air Kuning here on February 23.
Tapah police chief Supt Som Sak Din Keliaw said the shootout occurred at 5.30am when Wong Chun Ming, 41, and Lee Yoke Kong, 62, who were travelling in a Proton Waja, fired a shot at a team of policemen who were pursuing their car as they attempted to evade a police inspection.
“In defence, the policemen from the Perak CID Special Investigations (D9) Division returned fire and shot both of them dead,” he told reporters at Tapah police headquarters here today.
He said the policemen were patrolling the area in a crime-prevention operation dubbed Ops Cantas and anti-gambling operation Ops Limau when they spotted the two suspects in Kampung Gajah.
“When approached for inspection, they immediately sped off towards Air Kuning. The police managed to give chase and intercepted their car, but in their attempt to escape on foot, they fired several shots at the police,” he said.
Som Sak said investigations revealed that the two men had 11 and 15 previous criminal records respectively, including related to a murder case in Petaling and an armed robbery case in Gunung Rapat on February 20.
“Police also found a pistol with six bullets, two of which were fired, and a machete in their car,” he said.
In another development, Som Sak said police arrested three secondary school students, believed to be involved in motorcycle-theft activity in Sungkai.
Following the arrest, police also found four frames, believed to be from the stolen motorcycles which they cannibalised, in a bush in Jalan Jernang, Sungkai.
The suspects have been remanded to facilitate investigation under Section 379A of the Penal Code, he added.
– BERNAMA
FMT
TAPAH: Two men, suspected of being involved in an armed robbery and murder cases, were shot dead in a shootout with the police in Air Kuning here on February 23.
Tapah police chief Supt Som Sak Din Keliaw said the shootout occurred at 5.30am when Wong Chun Ming, 41, and Lee Yoke Kong, 62, who were travelling in a Proton Waja, fired a shot at a team of policemen who were pursuing their car as they attempted to evade a police inspection.
“In defence, the policemen from the Perak CID Special Investigations (D9) Division returned fire and shot both of them dead,” he told reporters at Tapah police headquarters here today.
He said the policemen were patrolling the area in a crime-prevention operation dubbed Ops Cantas and anti-gambling operation Ops Limau when they spotted the two suspects in Kampung Gajah.
“When approached for inspection, they immediately sped off towards Air Kuning. The police managed to give chase and intercepted their car, but in their attempt to escape on foot, they fired several shots at the police,” he said.
Som Sak said investigations revealed that the two men had 11 and 15 previous criminal records respectively, including related to a murder case in Petaling and an armed robbery case in Gunung Rapat on February 20.
“Police also found a pistol with six bullets, two of which were fired, and a machete in their car,” he said.
In another development, Som Sak said police arrested three secondary school students, believed to be involved in motorcycle-theft activity in Sungkai.
Following the arrest, police also found four frames, believed to be from the stolen motorcycles which they cannibalised, in a bush in Jalan Jernang, Sungkai.
The suspects have been remanded to facilitate investigation under Section 379A of the Penal Code, he added.
– BERNAMA
Agong’s opening address touched on significant issues of the country
Agong’s opening address touched on many issues pertaining to the growth of the country
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament (MPs) described the opening address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah as full of important messages.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (BN-Sembrong) said the people should take his view seriously, especially the spread of extremist ideology in the country.
The defence minister said they should be wise in evaluating information so that the unity and security built 58 years ago was not compromised.
“Our security and economy can be exploited if we take things for granted,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony of the Dewan Rakyat, here today.
The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah was also present.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Earlier, the Agong urged the people to be vigilant against extremist ideologies such as the IS militant group and to stop spreading lies online.
He also advised the MPs to debate with decorum to set a good example for the people.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datok) urged all MPs to appreciate the Agong’s concern and hopes the Prevention Of Terrorism Bill (POTA), that is to be tabled during this parliament session, will get support from Opposition MPs.
The home minister said the tabling of the bill was important to address terrorism, especially the spread of the IS militant group.
“We need preventive law (POTA) to prevent acts of terrorism in Malaysia. The government must implement it as soon as possible to protect the people.”
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) hopes the Agong’s views are taken seriously to ensure the smooth running of the session.
Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Seri Hasan Malek (BN-Kuala Pilah) said MPs should debate with courtesy to preserve the dignity and sanctity of parliament.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) said Pakatan Rakyat will use parliament to debate issues responsibly, in line with the Agong’s address.
Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) also welcomed the Agong’s view and hopes that all the MPs will debate issues with courtesy.
-BERNAMA
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament (MPs) described the opening address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah as full of important messages.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (BN-Sembrong) said the people should take his view seriously, especially the spread of extremist ideology in the country.
The defence minister said they should be wise in evaluating information so that the unity and security built 58 years ago was not compromised.
“Our security and economy can be exploited if we take things for granted,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony of the Dewan Rakyat, here today.
The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah was also present.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Earlier, the Agong urged the people to be vigilant against extremist ideologies such as the IS militant group and to stop spreading lies online.
He also advised the MPs to debate with decorum to set a good example for the people.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datok) urged all MPs to appreciate the Agong’s concern and hopes the Prevention Of Terrorism Bill (POTA), that is to be tabled during this parliament session, will get support from Opposition MPs.
The home minister said the tabling of the bill was important to address terrorism, especially the spread of the IS militant group.
“We need preventive law (POTA) to prevent acts of terrorism in Malaysia. The government must implement it as soon as possible to protect the people.”
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) hopes the Agong’s views are taken seriously to ensure the smooth running of the session.
Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Seri Hasan Malek (BN-Kuala Pilah) said MPs should debate with courtesy to preserve the dignity and sanctity of parliament.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) said Pakatan Rakyat will use parliament to debate issues responsibly, in line with the Agong’s address.
Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) also welcomed the Agong’s view and hopes that all the MPs will debate issues with courtesy.
-BERNAMA
MIC will have its day in court on March 16
March 16 set to review applicants filed by the MIC over Registrar of Societies’ directive to hold fresh elections.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) today set March 16 to hear submissions pertaining to two judicial review applications filed by some MIC leaders against the Registrar of Societies (ROS) over a directive for the party to hold fresh elections.
Judge Datuk Asmabi Mohamad set the date in chambers in the presence of senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, representing the ROS, and lawyer B. Jadadish Chandra, representing the MIC leaders, who included president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
Met by reporters outside the court, Jadadish Chandra said the ROS had submitted preliminary objections against the two applications and the matter would be heard on the same day.
The two applications for the judicial review were filed separately. The first application was filed on Feb 23 by MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) member A. K. Ramalingam, 47, who named the ROS and its director-general, Mohammad Razin Abdullah, as the respondents.
On Feb 24, Palanivel, vice-presidents Datuk S. Sothinathan and Datuk S. Balakrishnan, and former secretary-general A. Prakash Rao filed the second application.
They named the ROS and the Home Minister as the first and second respondent, respectively.
They are seeking, amongst others, a declaration that matters related to a political party’s elections are governed by that party’s constitution and could not be based on the opinion of the ROS.
They are also seeking a declaration that the decision of the MIC annual general meeting held on Nov 30, 2013, was legitimate and enforceable.
The four applicants also sought a temporary injunction to restrain the two respondents from taking any action against MIC nor issue any directives to the party until the disposal of the judicial review applications.
– BERNAMA
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) today set March 16 to hear submissions pertaining to two judicial review applications filed by some MIC leaders against the Registrar of Societies (ROS) over a directive for the party to hold fresh elections.
Judge Datuk Asmabi Mohamad set the date in chambers in the presence of senior federal counsel Suzana Atan, representing the ROS, and lawyer B. Jadadish Chandra, representing the MIC leaders, who included president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.
Met by reporters outside the court, Jadadish Chandra said the ROS had submitted preliminary objections against the two applications and the matter would be heard on the same day.
The two applications for the judicial review were filed separately. The first application was filed on Feb 23 by MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) member A. K. Ramalingam, 47, who named the ROS and its director-general, Mohammad Razin Abdullah, as the respondents.
On Feb 24, Palanivel, vice-presidents Datuk S. Sothinathan and Datuk S. Balakrishnan, and former secretary-general A. Prakash Rao filed the second application.
They named the ROS and the Home Minister as the first and second respondent, respectively.
They are seeking, amongst others, a declaration that matters related to a political party’s elections are governed by that party’s constitution and could not be based on the opinion of the ROS.
They are also seeking a declaration that the decision of the MIC annual general meeting held on Nov 30, 2013, was legitimate and enforceable.
The four applicants also sought a temporary injunction to restrain the two respondents from taking any action against MIC nor issue any directives to the party until the disposal of the judicial review applications.
– BERNAMA
Aminulrasyid’s mother still seeking justice five years on
5 years on the mother of the teenage boy shot by police, claims her son was brutally and unlawfully killed
FMT
SHAH ALAM: The mother of Aminulrasyid Amzah, the teenage boy who was fatally shot by the police about five years ago, told the High Court here today that she was seeking justice for his son, who she claimed was brutally and unlawfully killed at the age of 15.
In her witness statement, Norsiah Mohammad, 66, said her son had not committed any crime to justify the use of firearms on him.
She was testifying on the first day hearing of a civil suit which she and eldest daughter, Nor Azura, 45, filed against Corporal Jenain Subi, then Selangor Police Chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (now Inspector-General of Police) and three others for the boy’s death.
They also named the Shah Alam District Police Chief, the Inspector-General of Police and the government as defendants.
The family is seeking nearly RM50 million in damages for Aminulrasyid’s death, which they claimed was due to Jenain’s negligence.
Jenain was found guilty of causing Aminulrasyid’s death between 1.10am and 2am on April 6, 2010 at Jalan Tarian 11/2, Section 11, Shah Alam.
The boy died of a gunshot wound in the head.
Jenain was convicted and sentenced to five years’ jail in 2011 by the Sessions Court, but on Dec 5, 2012, the Shah Alam High Court acquitted Jenain from the charge of causing the death of Aminulrasyid.
The High Court, in acquitting Jenain, ruled that he did not have the intention to cause Aminulrasyid’s death, but had shot at the car driven by the teenager with an intention to immobilise the vehicle.
Cross-examined by lawyer Zulkifly Omar, representing Jenain, Norsiah said she agreed with the lawyer that despite her son not having committed crime, but his action in running away from the police was an offence.
She also agreed with Zulkifly that Jenain did not know that the car he was chasing was being driven by a child.
When asked what would she do if the car she was driving was stopped by the police, Norsiah said she would stop the car.
The hearing before Judge Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim continues tomorrow.
-BERNAMA
FMT
SHAH ALAM: The mother of Aminulrasyid Amzah, the teenage boy who was fatally shot by the police about five years ago, told the High Court here today that she was seeking justice for his son, who she claimed was brutally and unlawfully killed at the age of 15.
In her witness statement, Norsiah Mohammad, 66, said her son had not committed any crime to justify the use of firearms on him.
She was testifying on the first day hearing of a civil suit which she and eldest daughter, Nor Azura, 45, filed against Corporal Jenain Subi, then Selangor Police Chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (now Inspector-General of Police) and three others for the boy’s death.
They also named the Shah Alam District Police Chief, the Inspector-General of Police and the government as defendants.
The family is seeking nearly RM50 million in damages for Aminulrasyid’s death, which they claimed was due to Jenain’s negligence.
Jenain was found guilty of causing Aminulrasyid’s death between 1.10am and 2am on April 6, 2010 at Jalan Tarian 11/2, Section 11, Shah Alam.
The boy died of a gunshot wound in the head.
Jenain was convicted and sentenced to five years’ jail in 2011 by the Sessions Court, but on Dec 5, 2012, the Shah Alam High Court acquitted Jenain from the charge of causing the death of Aminulrasyid.
The High Court, in acquitting Jenain, ruled that he did not have the intention to cause Aminulrasyid’s death, but had shot at the car driven by the teenager with an intention to immobilise the vehicle.
Cross-examined by lawyer Zulkifly Omar, representing Jenain, Norsiah said she agreed with the lawyer that despite her son not having committed crime, but his action in running away from the police was an offence.
She also agreed with Zulkifly that Jenain did not know that the car he was chasing was being driven by a child.
When asked what would she do if the car she was driving was stopped by the police, Norsiah said she would stop the car.
The hearing before Judge Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim continues tomorrow.
-BERNAMA
Zaid: Time to fight real issues, not imaginary ones
Zaid Ibrahim says he will campaign for the Independent candidate in Chempaka because Kelantanese do not need more prayers but real action to resolve real issues.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has said he will campaign for his friend who will be contesting in the upcoming Chempaka by-election under an Independent ticket against PAS, saying he was happy to do it because Kelantanese do not want more prayers to solve their problems, but real action carried out by a “normal person”.
In his latest blog entry, he wrote: “A ‘normal person’ has more experience of life and can understand better the people’s problems.
“Such a person wouldn’t just pray for those problems to go away, but would instead do something about them”, adding that PAS was all about Hudud when it clearly wasn’t the priority in Kelantan at the moment.
He said rather than have a “leader who can lead us in prayers”, Kelantanese needed a “good and honest government” and someone who would fight for real issues like clean water, housing, better irrigation, and garbage collection.
“They need drug problems to be seriously looked at,” Zaid added.
He also commented on the passing of the much beloved Tok Guru – Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, and said without him, PAS was clueless and left with no identity because the party had nothing to do with politics to begin with but was an Islamist party fashioned around their Tok Guru.
Noting that the ulama faction had been plunged into chaos with the passing of Nik Aziz, Zaid said, “If they think that by introducing hudud they can somehow recover their identity and legitimacy, then they certainly do not understand the Kelantanese.
“We do not want hudud because we are a hard-working people and need all our limbs intact!” Zaid said referring to PAS’s fixation with implementing hudud with its harsh sentences of amputation and stoning for some acts deemed criminal.
He added, “We, in Kelantan, must elect a leader who can administer the state and who can deal with the real problems of the people – not imaginary ones.”
FMTPETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has said he will campaign for his friend who will be contesting in the upcoming Chempaka by-election under an Independent ticket against PAS, saying he was happy to do it because Kelantanese do not want more prayers to solve their problems, but real action carried out by a “normal person”.
In his latest blog entry, he wrote: “A ‘normal person’ has more experience of life and can understand better the people’s problems.
“Such a person wouldn’t just pray for those problems to go away, but would instead do something about them”, adding that PAS was all about Hudud when it clearly wasn’t the priority in Kelantan at the moment.
He said rather than have a “leader who can lead us in prayers”, Kelantanese needed a “good and honest government” and someone who would fight for real issues like clean water, housing, better irrigation, and garbage collection.
“They need drug problems to be seriously looked at,” Zaid added.
He also commented on the passing of the much beloved Tok Guru – Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, and said without him, PAS was clueless and left with no identity because the party had nothing to do with politics to begin with but was an Islamist party fashioned around their Tok Guru.
Noting that the ulama faction had been plunged into chaos with the passing of Nik Aziz, Zaid said, “If they think that by introducing hudud they can somehow recover their identity and legitimacy, then they certainly do not understand the Kelantanese.
“We do not want hudud because we are a hard-working people and need all our limbs intact!” Zaid said referring to PAS’s fixation with implementing hudud with its harsh sentences of amputation and stoning for some acts deemed criminal.
He added, “We, in Kelantan, must elect a leader who can administer the state and who can deal with the real problems of the people – not imaginary ones.”
Malaysia’s Controversial State Fund to be Dissolved?
By John Berthelsen - Asia SentinelA Reuters news service report that 1Malaysia Development Bhd., the ill-starred and debt-ridden state investment fund, may be restructured and possibly dissolved, has to be considered a devastating political blow for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who has been under intense criticism for months over the fund’s debts and its opaque accounts.
Reuters quoted sources with direct knowledge of the matter as saying the investment fund, conceived in 2009 by Najib with the help of a family friend, Taek Jho Low, is to be left as a skeletal structure in a debt repayment plan in which most of its assets will be sold off.
Legions of critics including former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, opposition Democratic Action Party shadow minister Tony Pua and others have been demanding answers about the fund’s finances over a near-default on a loan payment. Concerns over the fund’s finances led to fears it could lead to a default that would cripple the country’s entire financial system. The near-default drove down the value of the ringgit and affected the quality of government bonds.
“I think the prime minister has never been under this much pressure,” said a source with close ties to the government. “Cracks are showing and deep cracks at that. It all depends on whether he can marshal his forces to determine how long he can stay. He is a dead man walking, but he can still walk a long time.”
Najib has come under deepening criticism, including indirectly from his own brothers, for a prime minister’s office spokesman’s statement to the New York Times, that what appears to be a huge fortune stemmed from “legacy assets” from his family. The brothers issued a formal statement that there were no legacy assets and that their father, Malaysia’s second prime minister, died in relatively modest circumstances.
According to extensive reporting by the blog Sarawak Report, the fund appeared to be run as much by Jho Low, as he is known, as by Malaysian government officials, who often took a back seat to Low’s investment plans. In some cases, according to the report, which is run by Clare Rewcastle Brown, officials weren’t informed of plans until hours before billion-dollar deals were made. Jho Low, according to the article, diverted US$700 million of 1MDB money into his own accounts to buy a Sarawak bank.
Mahathir has called for Najib to resign, writing in his blog, Che Det, that “something is rotten in Malaysia.” His allies, including former Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin and A. Kadir Jasin, former editor of the New Straits Times, have served up daily criticism of 1MDB and Najib for months. Rumors – apparently unfounded – have begun to spread that Najib would resign and go into exile with his wife, Rosmah Mansor, who has been widely criticized for her heavy spending.
That appears unlikely, however. A political risk analyst in Kuala Lumpur said that while the matter is damaging, it won’t bring the prime minister down on its own.
The state fund’s RM42 billion debt includes a US$3 billion (RM10.96 billion) bond sale in 2013 that was one of Southeast Asia’s largest issues and made a huge profit for the Goldman Sachs investment bank. Reuters reported that in order to partially meet the debt, the fund’s new CEO, Arul Kanda, has ordered the sale of its power unit Edra Energy via a stock market listing.
According to the Reuters report, 1MDB will also sell off the bulk of its land assets and stakes in two high-profile property projects – Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) and Bandar Malaysia – after splitting them into separate entities, as already partially indicated in a strategic review unveiled last month.
1MDB told Reuters in an email that Edra Energy would be “monetized” in 2015 and the TRX and Bandar Malaysia projects would be ultimately owned by the Finance Ministry.
“This process would turn 1MDB into a skeletal structure that could eventually be dissolved completely,” one person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue told Reuters. “It’s become a hot potato for the Malaysian government. It was just too much to handle,” another source told Reuters.
Malaysian tycoon T. Ananda Krishnan, who originally sold power assets to 1MDB at what critics said were substantially inflated prices, was called in last month to deliver a US$2 billion loan to the fund in order to keep it afloat. However, concerns continued that the Finance Ministry would have to come up with another US$1 billion before the carnage was over.
In an effort to forestall criticism, Najib told reporters yesterday that he had agreed to demands that the country’s auditor general verify 1MDB’s accounts independently.
Auditor General Ambrin must buck up as six-day inaction on investigation into 1MDB dereliction of duty
The Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang must buck up and get on with his work and responsibility as the six-day inaction on investigations into the RM42 billion 1MDB scandal is a major dereliction of duty.
Malaysians want to know why the Auditor-General has not swung into immediate action to investigate into the biggest financial scandal in the nation’s history after the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had directed him on Wednesday to independently verify 1MDB’s accounts
Malaysians can still remember the poor and unacceptable reasons given by Ambrin last November why he was not auditing 1MDB accounts.
This was what Ambrin said on November 12, 2014 at a media session in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the third series of the auditor’s report 2013:
“My answer is as far as their accounts are concerned, it has already been audited by one of the big four (audit firms), so there is no reason why we should ask them to open up their books because auditing financial statements is very laborious (with) examination of documents and things like that.”
Ambrin was rightly flayed in the media for “passing the buck to The Big Four”, and “lectured” that if auditors were infallible, there would be no financial scandals in the world.
Ambrin, as Auditor-General, was also subjected to the humiliation of being reminded of the big financial scandals despite employing leading audit firms, viz:
*Enron which was audited by Andersen;
*Malaysia’s BBMB which was audited by Touche Ross (later swallowed up by Deloittee who happen to be 1MDB’s current auditor), and the fact that Deloitte was the auditor in the Transmile scandal;
*Lehman Brothers, the golden boy of investment banking that went spectacularly bankrupt in 2008 despite having Ernest & Young, one of the Big Four, as auditors.
The 1MDB had in fact gone through three of the “Big Four” in the space of five years – first Ernst & Young, who resigned without signing a single set of accounts; then KPMB which resigned in late 2013 without signing off the accounts; and now Deloitte.
Have the reasons for the resignation of two of the Big Four as 1MDB auditors been explained to the Cabinet on Wednesday, resulting in the Cabinet expressing confidence that no wrongdoing had been committed within 1MDB?
Apparently not, or the Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy UMNO President, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would not have rushed out a statement on Friday night, specifically pointing out that “some of the accusations of wrongdoing hurled at the strategic investment fund were in relation to transactions made since 2009, which were not included in the 2013 accounts audited by Deloitte”!
This would be Ambrin’s most challenging and onerous task as Auditor-General for he would in fact be auditing the Prime Minister-cum-Finance Minister and not just the 1.4 million civil servants in his series of Auditor-General’s Reports up to now, and in the process deciding the future of the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia!
This is in fact one potent reason why Najib should immediately relinquish his portfolio as Minister of Finance, to reduce the conflict-of-interest complications in the 1MDB scandal.
But this can be no excuse for Ambrin’s failure to swing into immediate action to audit the 1MDB accounts in the past six days, and his inability to announce the scope and terms of reference of audit investigations into 1MDB and the time frame as to when he would complete the audit.
Or is Ambrin’s inaction in the past six days simply because he had not received any written instruction from the Prime Minister despite the PMO statement issued after Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that “As a further step, the Prime Minister informed Cabinet that he has instructed the Auditor General to independently verify 1MDB’s accounts.”
From the PMO statement, the Auditor General should have received written instructions from the Prime Minister before the Cabinet meeting last Wednesday to vet the 1MDB’s accounts, unless the PMO was not stating the truth!
Or are we having a replay of what happened with regard to the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Illegal Immigrants in Sabah (RCIIIS), where it was publicly announced that a Working Committee for follow-up on the Report had been established, but Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who was announced as Chairman of the RCIIIS Report Working Committee, did not receive his letter of appointment until some two months later.
Will Ambrin have to wait for two months before he received the Prime Minister’s instruction to verify the 1MDB accounts?
In fact, the question that should be posed is whether Ambrin had to wait for Najib’s instruction to conduct an audit of 1MDB accounts?
The answer is No. There should be no dilly-dally by the Auditor-General who should immediately swing into action to audit the 1MDB accounts, whether he receives written instruction from the Prime Minister or not.
The same applies to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Is the PAC Chairman, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamad going to listen to the Prime Minister, who wants the PAC to wait for the Auditor-General’s audit of 1MDB or the Deputy Prime Minister, who wants the PAC to investigate the 1MDB accounts immediately?
Nur Jazlan and the PAC members do not have to listen to the Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister, but should be guided by their parliamentary mandate and responsibility spelt out in the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders 77 (1)(a) to conduct examination of “the accounts of the Federation and the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure”; SO 77 (1) (b) “such accounts of public authorities and other bodies administering public funds as may be laid before the House” and SO 77(1)(d) “such other matters as the Committee may think fit, or which may be referred to the Committee by the House”.
It is clear that the PAC has full powers under Standing Orders 77 to examine the 1MDB accounts if it “thinks fit” – i.e. if the UMNO, MCA and Gerakan members in the PAC are prepared to put national interests above party and self interests, and agree with the five Pakatan Rakyat MPs on the PAC to launch an immediate investigation into the 1MDB accounts!
But are the UMNO, MCA and Gerakan MPs sitting on the PAC prepared to put national interests above everything else, in resolving on an immediate PAC investigation of the 1MDB accounts?
Task Force Formed To Investigate Complaints About 1MDB Account
KUALA
LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- A special task force has been formed to
investigate into complaints on the status of the 1Malaysia Development
Berhad (1MDB) account if there is evidence of embezzlement and
misconduct.Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the special team which was formed three days ago had been conducting investigations since receiving several reports on the IMDB issue.
"Members of the task force are from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police...we are investigating those issues and reports lodged."
He said this to reporters after attending the graduation and signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian government and Derby University, United Kingdom, here, today.
Khalid said he did not discount the possibility that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would also be investigated.
"The case is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 409 of the Penal Code," he said.
He was responding to PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli's plan to lodge a police report against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and two other individuals, Low Taek Jho dan Datuk Shahrol Halmi, in connection with the 1MDB issue.
On another development, he urged the individuals involved in organising the #KitaLawan gathering last Saturday to surrender themselves to assist in the police investigations.
Khalid said police would take stern action if these individuals refused to do so.
"To the individuals who participated in the gathering, it is better that you surrender yourselves...like Nik Nazmi who turned himself in yesterday so that we can investigate," he said.
Khalid added that if necessary, more people would be detained for their statements to be recorded.
PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is being remanded for three days from today to facilitate the investigations into the gathering held in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday.
Nik Nazmi was detained yesterday after he turned up at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at about 10am, while an employee of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Mohd Saifullah Mohd Zulkifli, was detained at 7pm on Saturday.
Earlier, the signing of the MoU between the Malaysian government and Derby University was also attended by the university's vice-chancellor, Prof John Coyne
A total of 1,580 graduates from throughout the country received their Diploma in Policing, Constable Level, at the ceremony.
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