RAPAT kecewa IGP ambil remeh kes pecah kuil di Ipoh

Apex court to decide if IGP must reunite mum with daughter after 8yrs

M Indira Gandhi's daughter was 11-months-old when her ex-husband, who converted to Islam, took the child. The teacher has not seen her for eight years.

Eight months have also passed since she turned to the courts to compel inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to look for her daughter as she and her ex-husband K Pathmanathan, who now uses the name Mohd Ridhwan Abdullah were embroiled in a custody battle over their three children.

Tomorrow, the Federal Court will deliver its verdict on whether the top cop has to abide by the order of the High Court.

On Sept 12, 2014, the Ipoh High Court issued a mandamus order compelling Khalid to find and arrest Ridhwan and return their youngest daughter to Indira.

Three months later, the Court of Appeal in a majority 2-1 decision overturned the High Court order as Justices Abdul Aziz Abd Rahman and Ahmadi Asnawi allowed the police chief's appeal while Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat dissented.

Following this, Indira, who is represented by Aston Paiva and DAP lawmaker M Kulasegaran, took her case to the Federal Court.

Paiva had argued that Ridhwan only possesses a custody order from the Syariah Court, and not from the civil courts.

Furthermore, he said Ridhwan had failed to appear in court for the past six or seven years.

However, senior federal counsel Suzana Atan told the apex court that the matter is a private dispute and should not involve the police and government.

The judiciary's number two, Court of Appeal president Justice Md Raus Sharif, is leading the five-member bench.

The verdict, however, might only be delivered by four judges since Justice Abdull Hamid Embong retired from the Federal Court early this year.

Meanwhile, Indira is also challenging the unilateral conversion of her three children by her former husband and the matter is fixed for leave to appeal on May 19.

Eight questions of law have been posed for this purpose and although the questions are not known, they are expected to be on the issues of:

- Malaysia's position in international convention like the United Nations convention on the rights of a child, of which Malaysia is a signatory
- Jurisdiction between the civil and syariah courts and
- Whether children born out of a marriage from civil law must comply with the Administration of the Religion of Islam enactment of the respective states.

IGP: Sub judice to discuss Dharmendran, EAIC should've rejected complaint

Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said that the ongoing murder trial of four cops for the death of N Dharmendran in police custody makes it sub judice for the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) to discuss the case.

"(EAIC chairperson) Yaacob Md Sam knows very well that the case against four police officers accused in the murder of the victim will resume trial from May 25 to 27 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court when they will be called to enter their defence.

"Since the case is still ongoing, it should not be discussed outside of the court as it can cause prejudice and is sub judice to the case," said the IGP in a statement.

He argued that by law, the body should have rejected the initial complaint over the Dharmendran case as it involved an ongoing court case, as noted in Section 26 (4) (f) of the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission Act 2009.

"Indeed at the early stage, the complaints committee should be aware that all complaints as well as its findings related to proceedings ongoing in any courts of law, including appeals, must be reported to the commission along with the reasoning behind the findings with the recommendation to reject the complaint," said the IGP, citing the section.

He also lamented that the EAIC report made it seem like the police has failed to take action against those deemed responsible for Dharmendran's death while in custody.

'Last ditch' interrogation method

Khalid argued that from an early stage, a thorough, detailed, and transparent investigation was undertaken concerning the custodial death.

He said based on the investigation, the attorney-general had ordered the prosecution of the four police officers on Jun 2013 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which may lead to the death penalty if they are found to be guilty.

"Clearly, the police never protected any of its officers or men who are involved in any criminal act," stressed Khalid.

The EAIC today released its report on the outcome of the public hearing into the death of Dharmendran, who died while in police custody, in response to a complaint over the matter.

The commission had recommended further charges for other cops whom they deemed had made false statements to cover up the circumstances behind Dharmendran's death.

It also debunked explanations by police personnel that the victim's ears were stapled after his death, noting the coroner's report that it was done ante-mortem and may have been part of a "last-ditch" interrogation method that led to Dharmendran's death.

Dharmendran was detained on May 11, 2013, and died 10 days later while in police custody at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters (IPKKL).

Four police officers from the IPKKL were arrested and charged with causing his death.

On Dec 12, 2014, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur freed the four police personnel from the charge after concluding there was no prima facie case against them.

However, the Court of Appeal ordered the four police officers to enter their defence in the case.

Cops' explanations for detainee's stapled ears debunked

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has debunked explanations by police personnel that the ears of N Dharmendran, who died while in custody, were stapled after his death.

Citing the public hearings which were conducted following Dharmendran’s death, EAIC chairperson Yaacob Md Sam said two police officers had given their theories how the staples were found in Dharmendran’s ears.

One had theorised that the staples were accidentally clipped while the deceased’s body was being wrapped before it was transported to the hospital, while another officer’s theory was that the ears were stapled when the body was at the mortuary.

“(The theories were) totally illogical, unreasonable explanations,” said Yaacob in a press conference after presenting the report on the outcome of the public hearings today.

Yaacob said evidence from the pathologist had confirmed that there was blood after the staples were removed.

“This shows that his ears were stapled when he was alive. It rules out that the staples were made after his death or at the mortuary.”

The pathologist had also confirmed that the ears were stapled not more than three days prior to the post-mortem.

Hypovolemic shock Yaacob added that if it was indeed true that Dharmendran's ears were stapled, there would have been plastic fragments on them.

“I'm not saying that the staples caused his death, but they were injuries suffered by him.

“The combination of those injuries, including the 52 bruises caused by blunt force object, had caused acute massive loss of blood into the tissues, causing hypovolemic shock.”

The EAIC chief also rued the lack of blood sampling for DNA analysis.

Two staplers from the D9 unit’s office at the Kuala Lumpur contingent police headquarters were seized but the lack of blood samples ruled out DNA comparison analysis to ascertain the identity of “Male 1”.

“If blood samples were taken from any of the personnel who had access to Dharmendan, they could have been compared with the blood on the staples. This would have given better evidence,” said Yaacob.

Dharmendran was detained on May 11, 2013, and died 10 days later while in police custody at the IPKKL.

Four police officers from the IPKKL were arrested and charged with causing the death.

On Dec 12, 2014, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur freed the four police personnel from the charge after concluding that there was no prima facie case against them.

The Court of Appeal, however, has ordered the four police officers to enter their defence in the case.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/339536#ixzz476JNmTml

EAIC wants charges on cops who lied to cover up detainee’s death

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) wants the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to consider filing criminal charges against police personnel who were found to have fabricated false information in the lock-up diary involving death-in-custody victim N Dharmendran.

EAIC chairperson Yaacob Md Sam said this while presenting the report on the outcome of the public hearing into the death of Dharmendran, who died while in police custody on May 21, 2013.

The commission found that the last six entries in the D9 IPK Kuala Lumpur lock-up diary, written by the two lock-up sentries, to be false.

Some of the entries were written in an unusual manner by one of the sentries as they were written only two or three days after the death of the deceased, as opposed to while he was on duty.

The commission also found that entries 3150 to 3153 were jointly made up by senior officers of the police, comprising the deputy head of the criminal investigation of the Intelligence and Operations Department, the officer in-charge of D9 IPK Kuala Lumpur, the deputy officer in-charge of D9 IPK Kuala Lumpur and an officer of the D9 IPK Kuala Lumpur.

The commission also found that the above-mentioned police personnel had also instructed the two lock-up sentries to write false entries into the lock-up diary on the night Dharmendran died.

The commission also affirmed that Dharmendran’s death was a result of the use of physical force by the police.

EAIC said the use of physical force that had caused injuries and his subsequent death had violated the Inspector-General of Police’s Standing Order (IGSO) which prohibits the use of physical force against detainees during interrogations.

Apart from the 52 bruises found on the deceased, the post-mortem conducted had also confirmed that the two staples found embedded on the deceased’s ears were stapled while he was alive.

Don’t speculate on temple vandalism incident, says IGP

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has advised all quarters not to speculate on the incident where a Hindu temple was vandalised in Ipoh.

By Malaysiakini

This is after certain groups cast doubts on the official version that the suspect, a medical doctor, was suffering from a psychological condition.

“Our investigations have shown that the suspect was mentally unstable. There are medical records relating to this.

“The police have no reason to conceal information regarding this matter. It was an isolated incident involving a person who is ill,” Khalid told Malaysiakini.

The police chief also ruled out that the suspect was linked to any terrorist organisations, explaining that he acted on his own.

On the same note, he warned that those who spread rumours regarding this incident would face action.

“This incident involves a place of worship, irresponsible statements can cause unrest and lead to undesirable consequences. We would not hesitate to act,” he said.

Earlier today, MIC urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to enable appropriate action to be taken against the suspect.

“We hope that the fact he has been sent to Hospital Bahagia Tanjong Rambutan (which specialises in treating mental disorders) will not prevent the authorities from investigating the case thoroughly and in taking all appropriate actions that need to be taken.

“It has to be noted that despite his mental impairment, the subject in question targeted a Hindu temple specifically,” said party information chief VS Mogan in a statement.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II visited the affected temple and met with the people in the area this afternoon.

“They are questioning why the police has quickly drawn a conclusion that the person who did the act was mentally unstable. People are asking if he is a member of an extremist group.

“We understand that police are concerned that the matter do not go out of hand but the public need to know the truth. The police cannot control things if the public are not informed of the truth,” he said in a statement.

Also casting aspersions on the police’s version was the Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas), which questioned how an individual with a mental condition was allowed to roam free when he is a threat to others.

The suspect had reportedly run amok on Sunday and broke into the temple along Jalan Hospital, where he destroyed several statutes.

The individual later crashed his car into a bus stop not far from the temple while trying to escape and was subsequently arrested.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/339307

Dr M implores M'sians to pull off a Malayan Union-style revolt

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today issued a public appeal for the rakyat to support the Citizens' Declaration in the hope of triggering a Malayan Union-style revolt.

By Malaysiakini

"I appeal to the rakyat, regardless of race or party, to sign the Citizens' Declaration to save our country Malaysia.

"The more people supporting the Citizens' Declaration, the likelier it is for the goal of ending Najib Abdul Razak's position as prime minister to be achieved," he said in a blog posting this evening.

Mahathir reiterated that the Citizens' Declaration, which called for Najib's resignation and institutional reforms, is to ultimately lobby the conference of rulers to intervene just as the Malays had done in 1946.

"Only the rakyat who love the country can act. Indeed, there is no provision in the federal constitution for the rakyat to act (to remove Najib).

"But based on the historical struggle against the Malayan Union, the rakyat's demand for the Malay rulers to reject the Malayan Union succeeded.

"We can believe that the rakyat's demands this time will get similar treatment," he said.

The widespread protest against Malayan Union prompted the Malay rulers to boycott the declaration of the new union and also led to the eventual formation of Umno in 1946.

The British colonial masters eventually gave in to pressure and replaced the Malayan Union with the Federation of Malaya in 1948.

Mahathir, who was among the first 45 eminent persons to sign the Citizens' Declaration, reiterated that he did so as all avenues for redress had been blocked by Najib.

"What is clear, there is no more hope or opportunity for Umno members to change the leadership or put to stop to Najib's wrongdoing.

"Newspapers and television are not allowed to report about Najib's wrongdoing," he said.

Instead, Mahathir said the rakyat was fed with "false news" denying all allegations about abuse of power in scandals relating to 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion in Najib's personal bank accounts.

Najib's alleged lavish lifestyle

Mahathir also cited declining government finances as well as the lost of billions and Najib's alleged lavish lifestyle as among other news being blacked out by the media.

Najib had claimed the billions in his personal bank accounts was a political donation from Saudi Arabia and denied it had anything to do with 1MDB.

He also denied taking public funds for personal gain while attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali accepted this explanation in clearing Najib of wrongdoing.

Mahathir also lamented Umno's inability to put a stop to Najib.

"Umno MPs keep silent and approve any legislations presented to them.

"A vote of no-confidence cannot be initiated because Umno MPs lack courage and will not give support despite knowing about the scandals," he said.

Mahathir lamented that Umno members do no appear to care about the country's problem.

As such, he said, it was up to Malaysians who love the country to take action.

Please sign the online Citizens' Declaration :
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vuIKdnzoDln2d5_v07kz1vgUZByV4EILmecK7NjYh54/viewform?c=0&w=1

Mother grills gov’t, claims son overlooked for head prefect

Dissatisfied with the reasons given by a head prefect selection committee, a mother to an 11-year-old boy has lodged a complaint with the Education Ministry.

Kalaichelvi Nadarajan has lodged a complaint with the ministry after her son was not chosen as head prefect on Feb 4 by the Sri KDU Primary School’s selection committee.

She claimed the reasons given on why the other candidate was better suited as head prefect for the private school were vague, but her assertion is being refuted by the school.

“My son worked hard, maintained above-average performances (in academic and co-curricular programmes) and was even offered the top position in the prefectorial board last year.

“And yet, this year, nobody could tell me why the other student was chosen (as head prefect) over my son,” Kalaichelvi said.

AK Chan, the chief operating officer (COO) and academic director of Sri KDU schools, in a statement to Malaysiakini on Thursday, defended the committee’s selection procedure.

“In the assessment of the committee in Sri KDU Primary School, (the student who was selected as head prefect) was the more suitable candidate for the post, based on the outcomes of the entire selection processes.

“(The selection was also based on the) committee’s observation of this student’s maturity, patience, commitment, and diligence in the execution of his duties in the past year, as well as the respect he garnered from the rest of the prefectorial body,” Chan clarified.

Rated on ‘overall performance’

According to Kalaichelvi, she, her husband, and a family friend had also attended a meeting with the school principal and disciplinary committee to discuss the criteria for the head prefect and deputy head prefect posts.

“They started the meeting by saying the criteria for the head prefect and deputy head prefect selection was ‘overall performance’.

“But the principal and school board were unable to identify and elaborate on the criterion where the other student had excelled over our son,” Kalaichelvi added, when contacted by Malaysiakini last week.

“I could not even give my son a proper explanation regarding the (head prefect selection) outcome,” she added, expressing how devastated her son was upon learning of the school’s explanation.

Then, the mother of two decided to continue pursuing the issue, hoping for clear, definitive answers to her queries.

She wrote a plethora of emails, first to the school board, and later - when she claimed there were no satisfactory responses from them - to the senior management of Paramount Corporation Berhad, the holding company for Sri KDU Primary School, which is a privately run smart school.

Unable to make inroads with her email queries, a frustrated Kalaichelvi then lodged a complaint with the Education Ministry on Thursday.

Interview process

When asked about the steps taken to select the best candidate, Chan explained these 11-year-olds have to go through two sets of interviews.

All Primary Five prefects are eligible to apply for the head prefect post, she said.

“Candidates are subjected to two interviews. The objective of the first interview, conducted by the discipline committee, is to assess the strength of candidates and suitability for the post.

Suitable candidates are then recommended for the second interview, conducted by the discipline committee with the principal and deputy principal, for further screening and to prove the candidates’ potential through (their) presentation of a project and (their responses in) a question and answer session,” Chan explained.

Asked if the ethnicity of a student is considered a factor in the appointment of Sri KDU Primary School head prefects, the COO and academic director answered “no”.

“Ethnicity is never a factor in the appointment of Sri KDU head prefects.

“For the record, in the last 10 years, the primary school head prefect position was held by one Malay, four Chinese and five Indians,” Chan replied.

When contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday, the Education Ministry’s corporate communications representative, Nurhairi Mohd Noor, confirmed that it had received Kalaichelvi’s complaint.

“The Education Ministry is currently investigating the matter,” he said.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/338968

Mettu Kottai Padai Kaliamman temple, Bkt Lagong Selayang was demolished by Majlis Perbandaran Selayang

Dear concerned indians - Mettu Kottai Padai Kaliamman temple, Bkt Lagong Selayang was demolished by MPS officers on Tamil New Year eve claiming that the land is part of a Muslim Burial ground reserve land. The temple is located right under a high tension cable. Earlier Developer Loh & Loh had relocated the temple to the current site. A few damaged deity idols are currently placed at a nearby cabin now. We need to uphold our religious rights. The temple committee together with Hindraf Makkal Periyakkam are inviting Malaysia Hindu Sangam to the temple site to show support & seek a possible solution.

Date: 23.4.2016 (Sat)
Time: 3pm
Place: Demolished temple site at Bkt Lagong, Selayang (near IPD Gombak).

For more details contact temple committees; 0172553717, 0163895640, 0122065424. Please forward.

Rayani Air CEO willing to let go of shares

Ravi Alagendrran wants to ensure that the company will continue to grow and stay relevant.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Rayani Air Chief Executive Officer Ravi Alagendrran is willing to give up a part of his shares to ensure that the airline continues to grow and remain relevant in the airline industry, MStar Online reported today.

Ravi said lack of funding was one of the main factors that caused the airline’s pilots to go on strike. He explained, however, that he had built the company alongside his wife Karthiyani Govindan, and was not willing to sell the airline completely.

“I’m not selling it entirely, but I will let the investors help the company grow.

“Any party that wants to invest and improve the company, we are ready (to let go of some shares),” he told The Star Online at his office in Shah Alam.

“I own Rayani Air and all 100% shares of it, but we are ready to let go some of it.

“My wife and the staff of Rayani Air love this company. We want it to continue growing and stay relevant,” he said.

According to Ravi, four investors – three of them local – had offered to buy the shares.

He added that all four investors had made an offer for at least 51% of the company’s shares.

“We are ready to let go. However, we need to make sure that the new investor will help the company grow.”

He explained that the first step would be to settle the company’s debts and pay the workers’ salaries.

“We will carry out restructuring to ensure more efficient operations and management. We will implement this matter before the development plan,” he said.

Previously, Ravi accepted a three-month suspension by the Department of Civil Aviation after the company ran into problems. Ravi had admitted that the airline faced financial difficulties which had then affected operations.

Mahathir makes bid to freeze Najib's assets worth RM2.6b

Mkini

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has filed an application for a mareva injunction against Najib Abdul Razak to freeze or prevent the prime minister from transferring, reducing (withdrawing) or dealing with assets worth RM2.642 billion.

Mahathir, 91, along with former Batu Kawan Umno vice-head Khairuddin Abu Hassan and former Langkawi Umno member Anina Saadudin, also filed an application for discovery, requiring Najib to inform and itemise his assets, including properties, credit balance, money and other assets kept in banks, financial institutions and as company shares.

The application was filed today at 10.40am through the firm of Haniff Katri at the High Court registry in Kuala Lumpur.

"The order for Najib to produce a list of his assets must be done within 10 days from the deliverance of this letter," the application states.

The application is based on all three of them having filed a civil action against Najib for tort of misfeasance in public office and breach of fiduciary duty, where they are seeking relief of exemplary damages of RM2.6 billion, and RM42 million in aggravated damages.

They said they have proven that RM2.6 billion had entered into Najib's personal account in Ambank in March 2013, and another RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, which was formerly a subsidiary of 1MDB.

All three further claimed that Najib has not denied the money entering into his personal accounts and that it was further confirmed, allegedly through attorney-general Apandi Ali in his press statement.

They further noted that Apandi's statement also verified that money had been transferred out of Najib's accounts allegedly to Saudi Arabia, and this proves that Najib has the tendency to transfer or shift his assets beyond the jurisdiction of the court.

Ramkumar mati di penjara Sg Buloh

Ramkumar a/l Govindasamy kp 910122-08-5907 umur 25 thn.di bunuh dgn kejam akibat dipukul serta di tikam dgn objek tajam sebyk 18 kali di penjara sg.buloh.Penjara adalah tempat yg di anggap paling selamat kerana kawalan yang ada namum penjara juga boleh menjadi tempat pembunuhan yg paling kejam .Di mana semua warden pergi yg bertugas 24jam ?? Tidur ke atau makan gaji buta??.

Mahathir: Zahid mistakenly named as Najib's successor

Move on, Zahid tells Dr M

The Star

IPOH: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has told Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to move on after the explanation by the Saudi foreign minister over the RM2.6bil donation.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the matter – which had haunted the people, including Dr Mahathir – was now deemed over following Adel al-Jubeir’s confirmation last Friday that it was a genuine donation from Saudi Arabia to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, with nothing expected in return.

“We need to have a big heart to accept the explanation,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after launching the Bumiputra Fund Outreach Expo at the Indera Mulia Stadium yesterday.

“There should be a full stop to the issue, which has brought a lot of polemics.

“His (Dr Mahathir’s) own hidden agenda has seen his hatred overshadowing the reality of the matter,” he added.

On the Automated Enforcement System (AES), Dr Ahmad Zahid said the Cabinet had received a memorandum on its implementation.

He reiterated that AES should not be seen as a punitive measure but a preventive one.

“If we don’t want such punitive steps to be taken, then the people ought to change their driving behaviour and habits.

“I know there will be different opinions about it. Its implementation has been delayed too long,” he said.

It has been reported that the Transport Ministry hopes to finalise the concession agreement for the AES once the Bill to amend the Road Transport Act is tabled in Parlia­ment.

Armed Forces Fund Board and Conglomerate Boustead Holdings Bhd will take over the operation of the AES.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said he was embarrassed that Malaysia was one of the countries with the highest number of road accidents.

He noted that China, with over one billion people, had a lower rate of road fatalities than Malaysia.“Malaysia saw over 6,500 deaths in road accidents last year.

“We also recorded an average of 445,000 traffic accidents annually.

“In comparison, populous China recorded 40 deaths daily from accidents,” he said.

Man seriously injured in parang attack

KUALA LUMPUR: A 34-year-old man was seriously injured when he was slashed by three men armed with parang at a 24-hour nasi kandar restaurant in Bandar Manjalara, Kepong here.

Sentul police chief ACP R. Munusamy said the victim sustained injuries on both legs in the 2am incident yesterday.

He said the victim, who was waiting for his friend at the restaurant, tried to run away when he saw the three men coming out from a car but fell in front of the restaurant.

Munusamy said the victim was warded at the Selayang Hospital. — Bernama

Hindus are not agressive enough

By Mohd Firdaus

Today i want to be like Zakir Naik.

But i am not going to make comparision but rather i am going to whack Hindus directly. So if you are not happy, go and report me. I dont care. I speak what i want and i dont fear anyone except GOD.

Hindus are not agressive enough .

They believe in their scriptures and they pray accordingly. They dont preach to others neither do they claim theirs is the only true religion. They dont talk about salvation. They welcome anyone who want to join them and they dont stop anyone who wants to leave. They respect everyone's GOD and religion and some even have multiple GOD statues of other religions in their home.

They pass a temple, they put their hand on the chest as respect. They pass a church also same. They pass a mosque also same. To them, there is only one GOD but in different form. Yes ah?

They dont even tell you what to do and what not to do. Always its between you and GOD. The best part is they say Hinduism is not a religion but its a way of life. They dont even condemn and insult other religion unless someone insult theirs.

But maybe, they dont have to be aggressive right.

Vernacular schools and national unity

By Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

I was once racist, a by-product of a system which celebrates the segregation of race during one’s formative years. I lived in my own echo chamber, free from the liberating influence of racial diversity.

This radically changed when I enrolled myself into the Royal Military College, Malaysia’s most diverse boarding school.

Division is a seed best planted in earliest years. After the turn of the millennium, it was reported that more than 25 percent of Malaysian students are enrolled into vernacular schools. These schools were part of a system that allows parents to decide that race defines their children’s education.

In a country where racial segregation happens in numerous levels, vernacular schools have become dearly held and gleefully internalised. Granted, racial unity is not only formed in school; however, it plays a critical role in the formation of one’s identity and beliefs. Often social circles are created at schools, if for no other reason than the sheer amount of time spent there.

The more diverse schools are, the more likely that these social circles will reflect that diversity.

One reason some people believe we should not oppose vernacular schools is because they perform well. I find this argument problematic in that it presumes the teaching of particular languages and cultures lead to a superior level of thinking.

Does this also mean that all the UiTM’s across Malaysia are substandard due to its espousal of Malay culture? These universities also educate a small number of non-Malay bumiputra, similar to how vernacular schools host a fragment of Malays. If we are against the existence of universities like UiTM, then why are we not also against vernacular schools?

These two examples may be looking at different levels of education but I feel that they are both structured on race-based models.

If we are to truly combat a race-based education model, the best place to start is at school - a place which incubates a person’s moral compass which will then be carried forward to the years in university. But our education system is broken and every single stream has its own gaping discrepancies.

My opposition of vernacular schools is not an unwavering endorsement of national schools by any means. Instead it actually places immense pressure on the government to better the unified school system since all parties are affected. It becomes a national issue, and one no longer divided along racial lines.

A matter of making a better curriculum

Another reason people believe in vernacular schools is in learning of languages. I personally do not understand why we need exclusive schools to acquire proficient level of one or more languages. It is a matter of making a better curriculum and offering those options in national schools.

I feel it is critical that Malaysians from all races have an opportunity to master the national language as one to unite us all.

The intersectionality of races is what sets our country apart from others. However, the ability to choose what elements of a race one wishes to have and what elements of other races one wishes to acquire is what would make us multicultural. Boxing our dreams in schools only drifts us apart.

Thirdly, people also believe they ought to protect vernacular schools because it protects a certain culture. Malaysia needs to extend more opportunity for learning about all of the cultures and realise that we are not just about one or three races.

To some extent, all of these identities must influence the Malaysian identity. There needs to be stronger institutions. The institutions need to be empowered and funded in ways to ensure that history, progress, elements of non-Malay, such as the Chinese and Indian cultures, continue to be spread.

These are some of the oldest and richest cultures in the world and the whole nation needs to learn about them. There is no reason to restrict such priorities to particular schools.

According to the Malaysia Education Blueprint (MEB), bumiputera students now make up 94 percent of enrollment in national primary schools. This means that national schools are no longer ‘national’. A wall has been created to separate our children by race.

I find it hypocritical of those who advocate against race-based politics to oppose a non-race based education system. Similarly, I find it hypocritical for those who advocate against vernacular schools to champion Malay-exclusive schools or religious schools. A compromise must be made by both sides.

Politics can be a divisive force, but that division is constructed and incubated by an education system which divides us from young. Once you move beyond the claims we have gotten used to making because we have gotten used to conforming and making do with substandard political gamesmanship; you realise that the alternative is perhaps in a new system.

I hope that this system is one that we have to voice out for and that will provide STEM education in English. One to inspire our children to learn and not cram and that will prepare Malaysians for the world stage. One that will make us all multilingual, multicultural and proud Malaysians.

There is a wall separating our children today and we need to tear down this wall.

Mahathir: Saudi minister aware, but doesn't mean he agrees

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir saying he is aware of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's claims that monies deposited into Najib's private accounts are donations, does not mean that he agrees it is true, said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"In case Najib’s supporters failed to note, the question is whether al-Jubeir is aware of the background and details about the donation.

"Accordingly, the Saudi foreign minister replied, 'We are aware of the donation and it is a genuine donation with nothing expected in return'," Mahathir wrote in his blog today.

Najib's arch-enemy also noted that al-Jubeir had said he was aware that attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had found no wrongdoing in Najib receiving the donation.

"Being aware of the statements of the A-G does not mean he agreed with the statement," Mahathir said, adding that al-Jubeir also did not retract or negate his previous remarks doubting the RM2.6 billion donation's origins.

"It is the Malaysian media which interpreted his awareness as a negation of his previous statement," he said.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/338280

Gobala apologises to Saravanan, defamation case settled

M Saravanan against N Gobalakrishnan was settled after the former Padang Serai MP made a public apology in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today.

The suit was filed following Gobalakrishnan's statement in a press conference at the Sri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on July 7 last year, alleging, among others, that the MIC vice-president was a liar.

The suit was deemed settled after Gobalakrishnan, as the defendant, read the apology to Saravanan before Judge S Nantha Balan.

"I, Gobalakrishnan, the defendant named in this action, do hereby admit having called for a press conference on July 7, 2015, at the Sri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur and causing words to be published and/or caused to be published matters in relation to the Saravanan based on a poison-pen letter that I had received on June 30, 2015," he read.

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/338286

What kind of justice is this?

The hypocrisy of Malay Muslims

By Shafiqah Othman Hamzah

Zakir Naik is a world-renowned Islamic scholar. Love him or hate him, you cannot deny that his name has travelled across continents and countries.

He’s also an extremely controversial figure. Known to many as an authority in comparative religion, while to some others, as a charlatan who holds no regard for people of other faith.

This Sunday, April 17, Zakir Naik was scheduled to have a talk at UTeM titled “Similarities between Hinduism and Islam.” However, the talk got cancelled after it raised uneasiness within the Hindu community. Sensitivities were touched and eventually, IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar released a statement regarding its cancellation.

Immediately after, there was an uproar in the Malay Muslim community. People started talking about how this was an infringement of freedom of speech, and that Hindus were probably just afraid that their adherents would convert en masse during the talk.

People started talking as though Zakir Naik was denied entry into the country, like how he is barred from UK and Canada. They started talking as though all his talks were cancelled when that was just one out of the many other events he has here. The rest of his talks are carried out as per normal.

Zakir Naik released a statement about how he was upset that such a small matter was blown out of proportion to the extent that Malay Muslims were fighting amongst themselves. He said that some Muslims even had the audacity to call another Muslim “kafir” just because of different opinions.

However, amidst the hustle and bustle of the controversy, I cannot help but feel appalled; not by Zakir Naik, but by the hypocrisy of Malay Muslims. The Malay Muslim community of Malaysia has such jarring double standards, and it’s even more obvious now than ever.
The Malay Muslims who get upset when people talk bad about Islam or when Muslims present a version of Islam that is unfamiliar to them are the same Malay Muslims who shout “It’s freedom of speech!” when Muslims belittle other religions or when an Islamic scholar says something that is potentially inflammatory but is parallel to their beliefs.

But where were you when Dr Ulil Abshar Abdalla was denied entry into Malaysia in 2014 for supposedly being a deviant? Zakir Naik is notorious for his support of al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden while Ulil was denied entry to “defend Malaysia’s brand of Islam” despite wanting to speak against terrorism. What does this say about our brand of Islam then?

The Malay Muslims who say that freedom of religion is mutually exclusive from Islam, disallowing the propagation or profession of other faiths while discriminating against converts from Islam or apostates, are the same Malay Muslims who use that term to justify the propagation of Islam, to fight back cases of Islamophobia, to encourage adherents of other religions to join Islam and to defend converts into Islam who are attacked by their family or friends.

But where were you when Lina Joy wanted to get her religion changed legally? Where is your outrage regarding the Raif Badawi case? Did you try to defend Juli Jalaluddin when she was deported out of Malaysia?

The Malay Muslims who are against pluralism and expect religious minorities to respect the needs and wants of the Muslim majority are the same Malay Muslims who would be appalled at the news of abuse or killings of Muslim minorities in foreign countries, saying, “We should respect other religions! We have to learn to live in peace and harmony!”

But where were you when protests were held against the construction of a Hindu temple? Or when Molotov cocktails were thrown at a church? Where were you when a church was forced to take down their cross?

The Malay Muslims who rallied behind Zakir Naik’s statement against excommunications of other Muslims are the same Malay Muslims who so very easily label others “kafir” for unorthodox opinions.

But where were you when progressive Muslims get told to leave Islam because of their opinions? Where were you when organisations like Sisters In Islam are labelled “deviant” and accused of infidelity? Did you try to stop any acts of takfir (excommunication of another Muslim) when you see it happen? Or did you jump on the bandwagon because the thoughts of these unorthodox Muslims didn’t mirror yours?

Obviously, I know that not all Malay Muslims think like this. But a huge group of us do and it can be seen everywhere. These Malay Muslims that I am talking about only support certain values when it benefits them, or wherever it is convenient for them. They don’t apply these values across the spectrum and immediately take back these “privileges” when someone does not share the same thoughts and opinions as they do.

Their “freedom of speech” means “freedom of speech only for my group.” Their “freedom of religion” means “freedom to only practise Islam.” Their disagreement on takfir means “as long as you think like me, you’re still a Muslim.”

If you don’t agree with the limitation of Zakir Naik’s freedom of speech, you shouldn’t agree with the limitation of other Muslims’ freedom of speech. If you don’t agree with the belittling of Islam, you shouldn’t agree with the belittling of other religions. If you don’t agree with the excommunication of Zakir Naik, you should not agree with the excommunication of other Muslims.

The problem now is not with Zakir Naik, but with the hypocrisy of our Malay Muslims. Like what is written in the Qur’an, “Do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just.” Thinking back, have we really been just to the rest of Malaysians? I wonder.
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

Post from Latheefa Koya