Water Restructuring Stalled Due To Selangor's Refusal To Resolve Conditions In Agreement

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- The water industry restructuring in Selangor is stalled due to the state government's refusal to resolve three of the eight conditions in the master agreement with the federal government, thus prolonging the water supply crisis in the state.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the conditions included that for Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) to finalise its list of assets to the enable the individual facility licence to be issued to Air Selangor under Act 655.

He said Air Selangor had also not resolved the transfer of assets ownership to Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) to enable PAAB provide an allocation of RM1.68 billion to assist Air Selangor to bear the cost of taking over the water concessionaires' liabilities amounting to RM7.65 billion.

Ongkili was replying to a question from Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) in the Dewan Rakyat, Tuesday on the federal government's commitment to implementing the Selangor Water Restructuring Master Agreement, which has been stalled.

The minister said although the master agreement had been signed, it had not taken effect as there were conditions precedent (CPs) that had not been met.

"Therefore, the statement by the Honourable Member from Gombak (Azmin), claiming that the federal government has reneged on the agreement was wrong and could confuse the public," he said.

Ongkili said the federal government had asked to extend the grace period of meeting the CPS three times, with the third extension expiring Monday, and it wanted further extension.

However, he said, the federal government regretted when Azmin as Selangor Menteri Besar, issued a media statement that the state government did not intend to extend the master agreement anymore.

On the implementation of the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant project and its distribution system (LRAL2), Ongkili said that up to Feb 25, it was at 1.18 per cent compared to the schedule set at 3.43 per cent.

"I have been informed that the delay is due to the Selangor government instructing the agency and local authority involved to defer approval and issuing of permits to build the plant until the state's water supply restructuring is finalised," he said.

He stressed that the federal government was committed to the Selangor water supply services restructuring as this would have an impact on the people and the state's economic development.

During the question-and-answer session, the atmosphere in the House got heated up when Azmin stood up and questioned the federal government's claim for transfer of ownership of land to make way for the water pipes.

He said the state government was prepared to honour the master agreement signed but found the action for the transfer of land ownership to be against the principles and spirit of the agreement.

"Is the federal government trying to take away the state's sovereignty by taking over the land? This land is for placing the water pipes, so why the need for transfer of land ownership," he said, followed by a lengthy heated argument between the two sides.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia then advised Ongkili and Azmin to discuss the matter at a another place that was more conducive to resolve any misunderstanding, due to the limited time to do so in the House.

In a statement issued today, Azmin claimed the federal government's refusal to honour the principles and spirit of the master agreement had resulted in the Selangor water industry restructuring not being implemented and the agreement to lapse.

He said the issues involved recognition of the state's water assets amounting to RM14.9 billion to be injected into Air Selangor, and acceptance of the transfer of RM2 billion from Air Selangor's water assets for the purpose of financing the taking over of all the water concessionaires in Selangor.

Another issue is the issuing of facility licence to Air Selangor as recognition of ownership of the balance of water supply owned by the entity.

Azmin claimed the federal government also did not honour the leasing and facility licence approval agreement reached between PAAB and Air Selangor for the lease of water assets which were to be transferred to PAAB.

He said if the federal government did not make claims that were in conflict with the spirit of the master agreement, the state government was prepared to discuss and reach a consensus in the interest of all water consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur Putrajaya.

Delayed implementation of the master agreement could adversely affect the building of Langat 2, the first phase of which is expected to be ready by 2017, to provide clean water supply to consumers.

MIC Youth: Azmin not that progressive after all

MIC Youth has expressed “shock” that the opposition led Selangor government has decided not to follow its neighbour in a proposal to enforce a “divorce first, then convert” requirement to Muslim converts.

MIC Youth Chief C Sivarrajah in a statement today took a swipe at Pakatan’s progressive credentials, saying the proposal made last week by Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan last week was a golden opportunity missed.

“Pakatan Rakyat prides itself as a progressive and liberal coalition, and they should be the first one to jump on the new rules and support it and implement it without reservation,” said.

“The benefits of the new rules have been widely hailed by nearly everyone including women's groups except the Muslim fundamentalists and the nation’s extremists.

“But the Selangor government, which is ruled by Pakatan Rakyat, has said it has no plans to implement the proposed new rules that require non-Muslims to dissolve their civil marriages before converting to Islam,” said Sivarraajh, calling Azmin “regressive”.

Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali was reported in various media today saying the suggested rules were not easy to implement and discussions with all parties, including the academicians and religious scholars, would first be needed.

"The Selangor state government has no such plans,” Azmin was reported saying.

Following Negri Sembilan’s announcement last week, Pakatan’s Penang government in contrast said it would discuss and study the proposal to see if it is suitable for the state.

'Azmin regressive'

Sivarraajh said Selangor should have been the one to propose such a move, which the Negri Sembilan MB said was aimed at solving post conversion issues that the country has seen such as custody issues and body snatching.

“So why then is Azmin Ali not jumping into the bandwagon and announce he is also considering similar proposals in Selangor?” he asked.

“We are very shocked and surprised with his regressive ideas,” he added.

Negri Sembilan’s proposal has drawn all-round approval from the public, and has gotten Prime Minister Najib Razak flak for not implementing the same requirement at national level.

PAS’ Kota Raja MP Siti Mariah Mahmud also hailed the move as positive, but certain quarters like MCA have pointed the proposal would have loopholes that can only be plugged if other states have the same requirements.

The most prominent opposition to the idea to date is Islamic NGO Abim, who objected to the would-be convert having his Muslim conversion purportedly delayed by the civil court divorce process.

No fanatics, extremists in my govt, vows S'gor MB

Umno cabar S'gor, benarkan bukan Islam guna 'Allah'

Beyond politics, a Selangor government that cares for the people

It might not seem much, but Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali broke new ground today when he proposed a RM200,000 allocation each for people-friendly programmes in opposition-held seats in the country's wealthiest state.

His own Pakatan Rakyat (PR) assemblymen will each get RM700,000 for similar activities under the Program Mesra Rakyat as part of the move to improve local representative services to the people.

"I hope the federal government will get a clear message from Penang and Selangor that we respect the role of opposition members in the assemblies. They should reciprocate and respect the roles of MPs at the federal level," Azmin said after tabling the state's Budget 2015 proposals today.

Aside from Selangor, Penang also provides allocations of RM40,000 to each of its opposition members for small-scale development projects.

It really is not the amount that matters. It is the fact that a government realises that even their political foes represent the people and public funds are for all and not just for those who vote in the government.

For too long, Malaysians have been used to seeing a federal government that only allocates funds for its MPs while others get help through a "federal office".

And public projects using public funds are labelled as a Barisan Nasional (BN) project – considering the fact that it is the only government known to most Malaysians throughout their lives since Merdeka.

What does it say then that in the past two elections, more Malaysians rejected the BN candidate in favour of a PR candidate despite the plethora of BN projects from roads to hospitals to schools and other infrastructure.

What does it say then that it BN appears to punish those who vote in their foes while politicians such as Azmin and Lim Guan Eng have taken the high road and provide some funds for their respective state's opposition BN lawmakers?

New politics? Populism?

Or really, a government that realises the people should not suffer for the choice they have made. That the electorate will evaluate politicians by how sincere they are through the years rather than just during election campaigns.

What Azmin is doing for his Budget 2015 proposals for Selangor – be it a car for the state opposition leader and the proposed allocations for all lawmakers – is a step that must be praised.

The election campaign is over and he has whatever remains of PR's mandate to run the state and provide for the people of Selangor, no matter whether they are PR or BN supporters.

Because, his government is a government of the people, by the people and for the people of Selangor. And all the funds he allocates are public funds, and not his government's money.

Putrajaya can learn something from Azmin and Lim, that it takes more than just slapping a label on a project to remind people which government is doing the job or that they should be grateful for the project.

Fact is, it is the government that should be grateful itis elected to run a state or a country, and not the people.

Kudos to Azmin, for showing that politics is not a zero sum game and that peoples' interests always come first. – November 24, 2014.

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Azmin Ali steps in to stop eviction of PAWS

Selangor menteri besar saves shelter animals from a bleak future after the PJ District Land Office demanded PAWS vacate the site in six days.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: In a classic case of good triumphing over evil, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has graciously agreed to suspend an eviction notice issued by the Petaling Jaya District Land Office instructing the PAWS Animal Welfare Society to move out in six days.

In a jubilant Facebook posting after a hastily arranged meeting between shelter manager Edward Lim and Azmin Ali, the management of PAWS thanked their menteri besar for being “very responsive” and helping solve the matter of eviction amicably.

Saying, “The eviction notice has been suspended”, PAWS also thanked Wani Muthiar for paving the way to meet up with Azmin Ali yesterday afternoon.

An earlier posting thanked all those who supported PAWS for their love and care, and read, “Words can’t begin to describe our heartfelt appreciation to all who support us.”

The message also thanked Selangor state excos Ean Yong Hian Wah and Elizabeth Wong as well as MBPJ Councillors Sean Oon and Peter Chong who banded together to help resolve the matter of the eviction.

Speaking to shelter manager Edward Lim yesterday just before his meeting with the menteri besar, FMT was told that PAWS received an eviction notice from the PJ District Land Office dated November 10, ordering them to vacate the premises in two weeks. No reason was given for the notice.

“It would take at least six months to a year to properly set up a new shelter, and that still depends on the money and resources we have,” said Lim who added that the sudden eviction came as a nasty shock since the shelter had been occupying the site from 1987.

Lim, who has worked there for 11 years, said he was not around when the notice arrived. He explained, “They (PJ District Land officers) just came and left the notice at the office. The three officers did not even leave their details or say anything.”

The 400 dogs and 200 cats at the PAWS Animal Welfare Society faced an uncertain future and possibly even death by euthanasia if they were forced to shut down operations.

However thanks to the intervention of Azmin Ali, this will not be the case.

Lim explained that PAWS was founded in 1987 by a group of local and expatriate volunteers and was maintained by donations from various corporations, generosity from the public as well as proceeds from merchandise sold at occasional animal-related or community events, organised by and for animal lovers.

Upon hearing about the eviction notice, several animal lovers flocked to the shelter to do their bit for the animals.

“I found out on Facebook yesterday. I know adopting one cat does not justify leaving the rest here but at least I’m doing something good,” said Norashiqueen Bte Ashraff Hassan.

Eric Lim, an insurance agent felt it was most unfortunate that the animal shelter was forced to shut down since they had been doing a great job for the welfare of unwanted animals for years.

Besides giving abused and abandoned cats and dogs a second chance, PAWS has maintained good relations with the Petaling Jaya City Council as well as the Shah Alam Municipality, who both send strays they round-up to PAWS for medical attention and re-homing.

The animal shelter sits on a one acre plot of land originally donated by Sime Darby Plantation Berhad in the 80s, but is now owned by the government, a revelation the management recently discovered when the notice was served.

PAWS currently has three veterinary surgeons and several full time staff on top of the volunteers that come and help with its daily operations.

S'gor returns seized Bibles for use in S'wak

Ramon: Return of bibles is proof of ‘wasatiyyah’

Ramon Navaratnam appeals to all parties to celebrate with thanks, the return of the Holy Bibles to Christians.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Prominent public figure Ramon Navaratnam has hailed the return of the 351 Malay- and Iban-language bibles to their rightful owners as proof that the principle of “wasatiyyah” or moderation was becoming a part of the Malaysian way of life.

In a statement to FMT, Ramon said, “We pray that religious understanding and ‘wasatiyyah’ will prevail always, in the interest of peace, harmony and progress in our beloved country.”

Ramon, who is Chairman of the Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies also thanked the Sultan of Selangor for his wisdom and Menteri Besar Azmin Ali for successfully securing the return of the bibles after months of heated debate among political leaders, Islamic religious bodies and the public.

Saying that what Malaysia needed more of now was much greater mutual respect for each other’s religions and cultures, Ramon added, “Let us from now show more compassion, try our best to forget past trials and resolve to practise all our great principles of peace, love and justice to humankind.”

The former deputy secretary-general of the finance ministry also said that going forward, it was imperative that Malaysians learnt from past mistakes and instituted “proper standard operating procedures” that were acceptable to all parties, especially when dealing with “inter-religious” issues.

He also suggested that more inter-faith dialogues that promoted the spirit of love for our neighbours, be organised.

Reiterating the need to uphold the principle of wasatiyyah at all times, Ramon said, “I sincerely hope that all our leaders will exercise greater care to avoid any policies and actions that will tarnish the beauty and sanctity of our religions as well as the national spirit of wasatiyyah and charity to our Malaysian brothers and sisters, of whatever race and religion.”

A Selangorian and Christian himself, Ramon also expressed his “deep relief” that the holy books seized by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) in January because it contained the word “Allah”, had “finally been returned to their rightful owners.”

Saying that all Malaysians should work towards projecting the rich sacredness of their respective religions, he ended his statement with the solemn wish, “May God bless Malaysian harmony and unity.”

After two-month hiatus, Khalid to make comeback with new NGO

Fresh from his sacking from PKR, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is expected to start a new non-governmental organisation called "Taski" – it is an acronym of his own name – to serve the people under his Federal and state constituencies.

The NGO, with some help from PAS, will focus on charity work, according to Roslan Baharom, a community leader in Bandar Tun Razak, where Khalid is the MP. Bandar Tun Razak is in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

"Khalid will spearhead this NGO, and with some support from PAS, I think he will pull it off," Roslan said.

One of the programmes lined-up for the NGO is the "Sajian Rakyat" programme (The People's Meal), scheduled in the next few weeks to introduce the NGO and jumpstart Khalid's commitment to assist residents in his constituency.

Roslan told The Malaysian Insider that a discussion between Khalid and PAS representatives was held in Kuala Lumpur recently.

He said the Federal Territories PAS has given the green light for the party's division to assist Khalid in his endeavour.

"The reason why Khalid decided to form the NGO is to avoid unnecessary crisis between the Islamist party and PKR since he was sacked from the party on August 9,

"We hope it will not be a problem because, after all, Khalid is working as an NGO and not representing any political party," he said.

Roslan said that if there is enough allocation, Taski plans to hold the "Sajian Rakyat" programme every week. At the moment, he added that Khalid has personally promised to allocate RM5,000 for each of the upcoming programmes.

"We have not decided whether to hold it on a weekly basis. Even if that did not materialise, we have other programmes planned," he added.

It was understood that some of the committee members included those who used to work with Khalid when he was the Selangor menteri besar.

They include former CEO of Menteri Besar Incorporated, Faekah Husin, who is now Khalid's special officer for both Bandar Tun Razak and Port Klang.

Faekah, in a statement recently, said Khalid has never neglected his duties either as an assemblyman or MP and is currently working on programmes to help residents in both areas.

She also brushed off rumours that Khalid wanted to resign, saying that he was on a break and is now starting to get back to his duties.

PKR had sacked him in August after he failed to attend a disciplinary committee hearing over allegations concerning the Selangor water-restructuring exercise, his debt settlement with Bank Islam and the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).

All these came amid a tussle for the Selangor menteri's besar position that started early this year, with the PKR leadership wanting him to step down to make way for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The crisis ended when PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was appointed the new menteri besar.

It was reported today that since Khalid stepped down as the menteri besar and became an independent, he has rarely been seen in Port Klang and Bandar Tun Razak.

Residents said they did not even know where his service centres were and whether he would still be able to serve and attend to their complaints. – November 9, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/after-two-month-hiatus-khalid-to-make-comeback-with-new-ngo#sthash.hy66A3tV.dpuf

The unfortunate lesson from the Selangor MB saga

Voters and politicians take note. The Selangor menteri besar impasse has shown that a sultan can ignore the will of the majority and the wishes of political parties in power and there's little anyone can do about it.

This was the main takeaway from a seminar by constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, an academic who is being investigated for sedition over his remarks on the Selangor sultan’s
conduct.

The seminar was on lessons learnt from the almost two-month impasse, which threw the government of the country's richest state in a tailspin and opened up severe rifts among Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties.

Aziz also said the imbroglio revealed that having laws and a constitution which limited a ruler's ability to meddle in politics and day-to-day governance were not enough to stop one of them from overstepping his boundary.

Yet, Aziz still believed that the Selangor episode was not a reason to abolish the monarchy as morally upright rulers can be a check to autocratic and corrupt elected political leaders.

However, Aziz said there was a huge risk for rulers who intervened in politics and who took sides in a political conflict – it opens them to criticism.

“The point of voting is so that people can choose their representatives and who lead them in government. This is so that (the government) can be evaluated.

“So it is dangerous for rulers to step in. The monarchy should only intervene when it is absolutely necessary.

“When there are clear signs of politicians jumping camp and it is difficult to determine which party is in majority in the legislature,” Aziz told the audience at the seminar organised by publishers GerakBudaya in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

The Selangor constitutional impasse was triggered by the sacking of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim from his PKR party on August 9.

However, Khalid was kept on as menteri besar by Sultan Sharifuddin Idris Shah until September 22 when Azmin Ali was announced as his replacement. The move was criticised by legal experts as being unconstitutional.

They argued that in the Selangor Constitution, a menteri besar holds the post not at the behest of the sultan but after being chosen by a majority of members of a state legislature.

Aziz repeated this point in the seminar, saying the sultan should have removed Khalid the moment that 30 members of Selangor’s legislative assembly declared support for Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the new menteri besar on August 14.

“If there are already statutory declarations (SD), it is difficult to ignore. Khalid had to resign and the sultan had to choose Wan Azizah,” Aziz said.

Instead, the Selangor sultan ignored the collective voice of 30 state assemblymen and picked a candidate not endorsed by PR – Azmin.

The sultan’s conduct has been questioned by PR politicians and also academics. A number of them, including Universiti Malaya law lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom have been hauled to court under the Sedition Act.

Aziz is still being investigated by police and has yet to be charged.

The Selangor ruler, Aziz said, had taken sides in the feud between PR and Khalid, when he should have remained independent and allowed the politicians to sort it out.

“After Khalid was sacked by PKR, he could get an audience with the sultan. But (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim who was the leader of Pakatan could not get an audience.

“When (Dr) Wan Azizah got 30 SDs she also could not see the sultan. But then the sultan granted an audience with Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Najib Razak.”

Yet, Selangor’s case was not unique. It happened to Umno in Terengganu and Perlis after the 2008 general elections.

In both cases, said Aziz, the respective rulers rejected menteri besar candidates forwarded by the BN chief at the time Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

And then there was the Perak crisis of 2009, when the state ruler chose an MB from BN after a series of controversial defections by three PR lawmakers.

In the 1980s, the then sultan of Johor had even overruled a Shariah Court ruling in a custody case, Aziz said.

“So Selangor is not the first time a sultan acted unilaterally. But it is not necessarily a bad thing.

“In the early 1980s, the sultan of Johor played a role in the removal of an autocratic menteri besar. The same thing occurred in Perak in 1974.”

Aziz said the main reason rulers felt they could choose who would be an MB was because of how they interpreted their discretionary powers.

The various state constitutions stated that the rulers had discretionary powers to choose an MB.

“But discretionary in the sense of the constitution is not the same as in other laws. You have to look at it in totality.

“If a ruler uses his powers to appoint who he wants as menteri besar, then why have elections in the first place?”

In the parliamentary system which Malaysia practises, the head of government is chosen by members of the legislature who are in turn elected by the people, said Aziz.

“That is how the government is accountable to the legislature which in turn is answerable to the people.” – November 9, 2014.

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Selangor PAS hits out at reps for defending SIS

Selangor PAS has hit out at its three leaders for defending Sisters in Islam’s move to seek a judicial review over an edict issued by the state’s fatwa body, saying it does not reflect its stand on the matter.

Bernama reported Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad as saying in a statement today said the actions of the three MPs were seen as inappropriate as it could cause confusion among Muslims.

The MPs are Khalid Abdul Samad (Shah Alam), Siti Mariah Mahmud (Kota Raja) and Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Parit Buntar).

"The three MPs had acted without first discussing the matter with Selangor PAS although we hold weekly meetings among the party's elected representatives every Wednesday.

"Our elected representatives should not act on their own as they contested in the general election on a party ticket and not on an individual's ticket. Hence, their action will be reported to the PAS central leadership for further action," Iskandar said.

SIS filed a judicial review on October 31 against a Selangor decree declaring the organisation as one that promotes deviant teaching.

It also denied they were challenging the authority of the sultan with a judicial review of a fatwa against them.

The Malaysian Insider reported yesterday that Mujahid and Khalid, who are PAS central committee members, said the religious authorities would have learned that SIS did not deal with theology, let alone liberalism and pluralism, if they had made the effort to meet with the group.

“The fatwa that was gazetted is related to thought, so there must be discussions with the meeting involved,” said Mujahid after attending a dialogue with SIS at Menara Manulife, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

He said he, Khalid, and Siti had taken the initiative to hold the dialogue with SIS to understand the group, given the accusations levelled against it.

Khalid said SIS could not be accused of spreading liberalism nor pluralism as its arguments were based on Islamic teachings and interpretations by scholars.

He said that while he did not necessarily agree with some of SIS’s views, it did not mean the organisation should be condemned by the religious authorities without given the chance to defend themselves.

“The authorities should give them a chance to defend themselves and ask if what they have been accused of is true.

“This is not how Islam should be practised. Islam is more just and transparent than this, and the society shouldn’t have to fear Islam.”

Meanwhile, Bernama reported today that the Selangor State Mufti's Department (JMNS) refuted the claim that no meeting took place with SIS before the Religious Fatwa on Liberalism and Pluralism Ideologies was gazetted on July 17.

Selangor mufti, Datuk Seri Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid, in a statement said a meeting was held with SIS and members of the Selangor fatwa committee by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department at the JMNS's meeting room on January 12, 2012.

"The meeting chaired by the Selangor mufti was attended by eight SIS representatives including Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and Ratna Osman," he said. – November 7, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/selangor-pas-hits-out-at-reps-for-defending-sis-says-not-partys-stand#sthash.uAgRFfwC.dpuf

Perkasa warns Azmin on returning seized Bibles

Selangor Perkasa chief says Azmin's actions, that go against Mais and Jais, will threaten the future of Malay Muslim youth.

FMT

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor chapter of Perkasa wants Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali to remember his faith and stop siding with Christians on the issue of 321 copies of the Bible, in Malay and Iban, seized by religious authorities some ten months ago.

Perkasa was taking issue with Azmin saying in recent days that the Bibles, apparently meant for Sabah and Sarawak, belonged to Christians and must be returned to them.

The Selangor chapter is worried that Christians would use the Bibles, once returned, “to lead Muslim youth astray”.

“Azmin’s actions will threaten the future of Malay Muslim youth. This means Islam is under threat,” said Selangor Perkasa chief Abu Bakar Yahya in a media update. “It is a huge threat when a Malay leader who professes to be Muslim wants the Bibles returned.”

He added that Selangor Perkasa was very uneasy that a Malay Muslim Menteri Besar would want to go against Mais and Jais, the religious authorities, over Islamic issues.

Abu Bakar reiterated that Azmin, as a Muslim Menteri Besar, should fight for the rights of members of his faith guided by Islam and not side with Christians.

“Maybe he is just saying all this – returning the Bibles — but won’t actually carry it out. If it happens, we will see how the situation is.”

Abu Bakar claimed that his NGO was upholding the Federal Constitution on the issue. He could not however explain how that could be achieved by seizing the Bibles meant for Sabah and Sarawak.

Instead, he reiterated that “Mais and Jais had seized the Bibles and locked them away in order to protect Muslims of Selangor, especially youth, who may be confused by the publication”.

“There should be no ‘Allah’ in the Bibles because otherwise the Bibles can be considered as trying to incite and proselytise to the Muslims, especially the youth,” said Abu Bakar who declined to make the languages of the Bibles, Malay and Iban, an issue.

“The word ‘Allah’ is the reason why the Bibles were confiscated,” he maintained.

“The Bibles can destroy the faith of young Malay Muslims, and that is a threat. The Selangor religious authorities have a right to take action.”

Abu Bakar stressed that Muslims do not hate other religions and races “but what matters is co-operation.

“The Federal Constitution states that other religions can practise their faith, but that does not mean they can proselytise to Muslims,” he said.

Seized Bibles likely to be returned by next week, say Selangor sources

The Malay and Iban Bibles seized early this year containing the word "Allah" are to be returned to the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) soon, ending a 10-month standoff between Christians and the Selangor religious authorities.

The Malaysian Insider understands the 321 copies of the Christian holy books, seized by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), which forbids other faiths from using the word "Allah", are expected to be returned within the next week.

It was learnt that new Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali had raised the contentious issue during a state council meeting which was also attended by the state mufti and religious authorities earlier this week.

"Azmin met with senior officers from both Jais and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) on Monday and brought up the matter with them," a source told The Malaysian Insider.

The outcome of the meeting was said to be positive and a source hinted that everything should be completed within a week. Azmin is scheduled to meet the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah next Tuesday and they will likely discuss the seized Bibles.

"It is a weekly meeting... most likely they will discuss this," said a source.

"If the sultan gives his approval, Azmin is expected to direct the religious authorities to return the Bibles immediately."

It was reported on Monday that Azmin had referred the matter to the Selangor palace, seeking a solution to the case which has dragged on for more than 10 months.

Azmin had also confirmed that he had met with Jais and Mais on the matter but was reluctant to reveal further details.

During a DAP fundraiser dinner in Petaling Jaya on Monday, Azmin once again reiterated his commitment in resolving the matter.

He told the crowd that the Bibles did not belong to Muslims and must be returned to the Christians, adding that Muslims must respect other faiths in Malaysia, and that the rights of non-Muslims to practise their religion were guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.

Azmin’s predecessor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, was widely panned by DAP and even his own party, PKR, for not taking a firm stance over the Bible issue, which had dragged on for months with no resolution in sight.

In January, Jais confiscated the Bibles during a raid at the BSM office in Damansara Kim as they contained the word Allah.

The Court of Appeal had ruled that non-Muslims could not use the word “Allah” to refer to God. The court also said the word “Allah” must be exclusive to Islam or it could cause
public disorder.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail then ordered the Bibles to be returned to BSM, after the Selangor government under Khalid, referred the matter to him.

Although Gani concluded that the Bible distributor had done nothing wrong, Mais insisted there were grounds to prosecute BSM under the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

Khalid later referred the matter to the sultan, who ordered Jais to liaise with the state public prosecutor.

Sultan Sharafuddin's private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani said that the sultan's order was in line with the minutes issued by the A-G's Chambers that "Jais has to act in accordance to the law on the issue of the seized Bibles".

"Jais should promptly refer it to the state public prosecutor for it to be brought to court for final determination," the sultan said in the statement.

He also said the issue should not be politicised by any quarter resulting in confusion by proposing solutions not based on the law.

But the ruler did not state to which court the authorities should refer the matter – civil or shariah. – November 5, 2014.

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Dr M says ‘defeated’ Selangor Umno needs a reality check

Selangor Umno should be dissolved and restructured following disappointing results in the 2008 and 2013 general elections, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In his blog posting, the former prime minister said Selangor Umno leaders had to face up to reality and step down from their positions.

"They lost in the 12th and 13th general elections, they failed to wrest Malaysia's wealthiest state back from Pakatan Rakyat," Dr Mahathir said.

Dr Mahathir's comments come a week after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak lamented how embarrassed he was that Barisan Nasional (BN) was the opposition in Selangor.

Najib said he felt tired as it was humiliating that BN is mentioned as the opposition in Selangor.

In the 13th general election last year, BN won four parliamentary seats – Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Tanjung Karang and Sungai Besar – and eight state seats – Sungai Air Tawar, Sungai Panjang, Semenyih, Dengkil, Jeram, Bukit Malawati, Sungai Burong and Permatang.

In GE13, Pakatan Rakyat won 17 parliamentary seats and 43 state seats.

"Today, even if we wanted to choose a candidate for the position of state Menteri Besar, there are no suitable candidates," Dr Mahathir said.

"This would not be an issue if Selangor Umno was prepared to accept new members but it will not happen as Selangor Umno leaders are afraid of being challenged.

"They are afraid that the entry of fresh members might cause them to lose their positions or not be nominated to stand as candidates in the general election."

Dr Mahathir added that Selangor Umno leaders were more intent on strengthening their position instead of the party.

"In order to carry out reforms in Selangor Umno, the first major change which must be implemented is the acceptance of new members.

"However, the new members should be carefully vetted by a body comprising veteran Umno members and members from other divisions."

Dr Mahathir said vetting was necessary as there were always certain quarters who wanted to manipulate Umno for their own personal agenda.

"Next on the list is focusing on the so-called Gen-Y. At the next general election, it is estimated that 2.5 million young voters will be casting their votes," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the Gen-Y voters were not interested in Umno as many of them who had studied abroad had absorbed Western values and cultures.

"For the Gen-Y voters, many of them do not appreciate what the party and nation's leaders have given in terms of educational opportunities.

"Even if the good deeds of Umno were mentioned to them, the Gen-Y would ignore this reminder and wonder why history was being revisited.

"In their minds, it is immaterial which party forms the government as they feel nothing will change," Dr Mahathir said.

He added that Selangor Umno also needed to do a lot more to attract Malay youths to join the party, including getting closer to those who are anti-Umno.

"Umno leaders should have a deep grasp and understanding of the party's history," Dr Mahathir said, adding the party leaders should be sent for courses.

He said Umno had to shed its reputation or image of being a corrupt party, and that its leaders had to lead a moderate lifestyle.

"They need to go down to the ground and build a closer rapport with the public. Do not drive luxury cars when going to the villages." – November 5, 2014.

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Bibles belong to the Christians, Azmin tells Selangor sultan

The Malay- and Iban-language Bibles seized by the state religious authority in January do not belong to the Muslims and must be returned to the Christians, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said yesterday.

Azmin told some 1,000 DAP supporters at the party’s fund-raising dinner that he informed the Selangor palace of this, with the hope that the prolonged issue will finally be resolved.

“I have brought this matter to the Sultan... how the Alkitab does not belong to the Muslims. They belong to the Christians, whom we must respect,” Azmin said in his speech at the MBPJ Civic Hall in Petaling Jaya.

“Islam has never asked its followers to disrupt the harmony of other faiths. It is our duty to respect the practise of the other religions in the country. This is a multi-religious society. This is not Saudi Arabia or Sudan. This is Malaysia. This is Selangor.

“This is why we are working on a formula, and I am confident that if they understand the true Islam, then the Bibles must be returned back to the Christians.”

He said that as the new menteri besar, he took his position seriously and would look after all Selangor folks, regardless of their background.

He added that Muslims must respect the other faiths in Malaysia, and that the rights of non-Muslims to practise their religion was guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.

“I don’t care what (Perkasa chief Datuk) Ibrahim Ali says… As the menteri besar, I have to defend the people of Selangor, irrespective of race and religion.”

Azmin’s predecessor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, was widely panned by DAP and even his own party, PKR, for not taking a firmer stance over the Bible issue, which had dragged on for months with no resolution in sight.

But, Azmin, who was sworn in as the 15th menteri besar on September 23, told reporters yesterday he had met with the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) and the Selangor Islamic Affaris Council (Mais) and that the outcome would be made known soon.

Jais seized the 321 Bibles during a raid at The Bible Society of Malaysia’s (BSM) office in January.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail ordered the Bibles to be returned to BSM, after the Selangor government under, Khalid, referred the matter to him.

Although Gani concluded that the Bible distributor had done nothing wrong, Mais insisted there were grounds to prosecute it under the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

Khalid referred the matter to the Sultan of Selangor who ordered Jais to refer it to the state public prosecutor.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani said that the sultan's order was in line with the minutes issued by the A-G's Chambers that "Jais has to act in accordance to the law on the issue of the seized Bibles".

"Jais should promptly refer it to the state public prosecutor for it to be brought to court for final determination," the sultan said in the statement.

He also said the issue should not be politicised by any quarter resulting in confusion by proposing solutions which were not based on the law.

But the ruler did not state which court the authorities should refer the matter to, civil or shariah. – November 4, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/bibles-belong-to-the-christians-azmin-tells-selangor-sultan#sthash.eiP72LVP.dpuf

No place for extremism in Selangor, says MB

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has vowed that the state will do its best to uphold justice and moderation.

Speaking at the World Forum for Muslim Democrats in Petaling Jaya, he said there are many groups who fail to appreciate the Quranic imperatives of justice and yet call themselves "extremist".

These "extremist" and "fanatical" groups, he said, have "no place" in the state of Selangor.

"In this regard, I must stress that such sentiments will have no place in the administration of the state of Selangor and we will do our utmost to ensure that the principles of justice and moderation will prevail at all times," he said.

Azmin (right) also echoed the words of the newly-installed Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Julian Leow Beng Kim, who urged mutul respect and cooperation.

Azmin’s urging comes after he was quoted as urging that the fatwa against NGO Sisters in Islam (SIS), for allegedly spreading "liberalism and pluralism" to be "respected".

SIS is seeking a judicial review on the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) fatwa, gazetted in July, and has named Mais, the Selangor Fatwa Council and the Selangor government as respondents.

It argues that the fatwa, which bars SIS from publishing anything including online, breaches its fundamental liberties.

Meanwhile, Azmin conceded as a "microcosm of Malaysia", the way the authorities respond in Selangor would have an effect on the nation.

Selangor’s ethnic and religious distribution is reflective of Malaysia as a whole, he said.

Anwar defends PKR decision to submit one name for Selangor MB

PKR today stood by its decision to submit only one name as the Selangor menteri besar candidate, saying that it would have sent in another name if the Sultan had rejected its first candidate.

Party de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that it was the prerogative of the party which commanded the majority to hand in as many names as it wished.

"If we give one and it is rejected, we will give another name to replace it. So what is the problem," he replied to Tanjung Karang MP Datuk Seri Noh Omar, who asked him why PKR did not submit more than one candidate as requested by the Sultan.

Noh, who is also Selangor Umno chief, had asked the Permatang Pauh MP to explain why PKR did not do this in Selangor but had sent more than one name to the Sultan of Perak when it took over the state in 2008.

"So next time, Umno will also have to give three names to the Agong," said Anwar, referring to the prime minister's position, as other Pakatan Rakyat MPs cheered.

Both PKR and DAP had submitted only the name of PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to the Sultan for the menteri besar's post on the grounds that she alone had the support of 30 of the 56 Selangor assemblymen.

This was despite reprimands from the palace, which had also turned down requests by Dr Wan Azizah to seek an audience.

PKR deputy president Mohamad Azmin Ali was later appointed as the new Selangor MB. The party said it was disappointed with the palace over the matter, adding that it had tainted the constitutional monarchy system and was not in line with the state constitution and the principle of parliamentary democracy.

Anwar, in debating the 2015 Budget earlier, said that the Sultan and the King's special position is bound by the spirit of the Federal Constitution, which means that the monarchy was a neutral institution which did not get involved in political affairs.

"For the record, I have talked about feudalism in the 51st Umno General Assembly where I said Datuk Onn Jaafar (Umno founder) had previously said that the independence concept of our country does not mean bringing feudalism back to life.

"It has to be clear that criticising feudalism and urging to change the way we think is not the same as calling for the abolishment of the monarchy system," he added.

Meanwhile, Noh Omar had also asked Anwar to explain claims by Khalid's aide Faekah Husin, who alleged that he had filed claims worth RM15 million in his role as Selangor economic advisor despite a salary of RM1.

"I don't take any travel allowance. The Selangor menteri besar will reveal all expenses of the State Economic Office, which is not more than RM15,000 a year," Anwar replied. – October 13, 2014.

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Azmin to meet Selangor Islamic bodies over Bible impasse

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali is still waiting for the state Islamic authorities to explain the impasse over their seizure of Malay and Iban-language Bibles from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM).

"I haven't received an explanation from Jais and Mais. This will be the next issue we address as we have been focusing on the water restructuring agreement and other matters last week," Azmin said when met at his Hari Raya Aidiladha open house in Hulu Kelang today.

Meetings with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and the Selangor Islamic Council (Mais) are in the pipeline, he said, adding that he had to prioritise which of the contentious issues inherited from his predecessor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to deal with first.

Azmin said he would send a formal written request to the federal government to release the Selangor water agreement from the Official Secrets Act. To date, his administration still has not seen a copy of the agreement signed by Khalid and Putrajaya, although they have been briefed on the documents by the state's investment arm, Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB).

Asked whether the Bibles were still in the custody of the religious authorities, Azmin said he did not have that information.

"I have no information at this moment, I will discuss it with Jais," he said.

He also would not commit to whether the Bibles will be returned until having met Jais.

"It depends on the discussion with Jais, it won't be fair of me to make a decision now without getting the latest information," he said.

More than 300 copies of the Bahasa Malaysia Alkitab and the Bub Kudus in the Iban language were seized from the BSM by Jais enforcement officers on January 2 this year.

The Attorney-General has decided not to press charges but the state Islamic authorities have also refused to return the Bibles, leading to the current impasse.

Lawyers have said that BSM can still file a civil action to force Jais and Mais to return the Bibles and could also ask for damages if the Bibles had been destroyed, although this would be awarded at the court's discretion.

BSM has missed the 90-day window to file a judicial review on Mais's June 13 decision not to return the Bibles despite the A-G not pressing charges. – October 6, 2014

Avoid no-confidence vote for Azmin, says Dr M

 

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad threw his full backing behind Azmin Ali as the new Selangor menteri besar, expressing his wish that the majority in the Selangor state assembly support Azmin, and avoid any vote of no-confidence.

Speaking to reporters briefly after unveiling a new Proton car, the Iriz Active at the Proton's Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam today, Mahathir said that a vote of no-confidence should be avoided.

"I hope when the state assembly sits, the majority will support Azmin (right).

"If they don't, there will be a vote of no-confidence and then Selangor will have to find a new MB," he said.

There had been murmurs that Azmin, despite being appointed by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah although not initially nominated by his party PKR, could face a no-confidence vote when the state assembly convenes in November.

Meanwhile, Mahathir also refused to read too much into Azmin's decision to reduce PAS' exco allocation from four exco posts to three.

"That is the MB's right, whether he want to increase or decrease. He can do what he feels is appropriate. It is not necessary for him to keep four excos just because the previous administration did so," he said.

On a separate note, Mahathir said that he had not read Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's speech at the United Nations general assembly recently, but did agree with the premier that the Islamic State (IS) militants must be rejected.

"About IS, I agree. There is no doubt we are against IS. We have to get rid of them, they are un-Islamic," he said.

Selangor PAS duo gets heroes' welcome by DAP

 

Branded traitors by PAS, Selangor assemblypersons Saari Sungib and Hasnul Baharuddin who defied their party to stand with Pakatan Rakyat in the Selangor crisis received a heroes' welcome from Chinese supporters at a DAP fundraising dinner last night.

The duo, who were seated beside DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, received a standing ovation from the largely Chinese audience as several DAP leaders described them as "saviours of Pakatan Rakyat".

"Thank you Saari and Hasnul (far right and left respectively in photo), that we still have a Pakatan government. You are not traitors, you are the rakyat's heroes," declared former Selangor exco Ronnie Liu at the 70-table dinner in Petaling Jaya last night.

Meanwhile, Bukit Gasing state assemblyperson R Rajiv said the duo's move to sign statutory declarations with other PKR and DAP representatives in backing PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the menteri besar "shattered" any hopes of a PAS-Umno unity government.

"If not for the two of them, we would have seen a unity government between PAS and Umno. But because of their willingness to sacrifice, we have preserved Pakatan in Selangor under our new menteri besar Azmi Ali," he said.

Damansara Utama state assemblyperson Yeo Bee Yin too praised them for their courage, relating what Saari's wife had told her as Saari prepared to declare that he would stand with Pakatan.

"She told me the pressure was like when Saari was about to be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), but the pressure did not stop them from making this decision," she said.

Lim, who later took the stage likewise heaped praise on the duo before inviting them onto the stage to address the excited audience while he continued to stand beside them as they spoke.

A smiling Saari began his speech by asking, "DAP okay? PKR okay?"

To which he received a loud "okay" from the crowd before asking in a hushed voice, "PAS okay?" to which he also received an equally loud, "Okay".

Saari then related how he had struggled with fellow DAP leaders since the reformasi era, praising their consistency in fighting for democracy.

However, he lamented that the struggle for democracy sometimes faltered among his own party comrades.

'Shed tears over bid with Umno'

"This was proven in 2008 in Selangor when DAP won 13 seats, PKR won 15 seats, PAS won 8 seats and BN won 20 seats.

"DAP and PKR were already holding meetings to plan (the new government), but I lost my own (then colleague) PAS commissioner Hasan Ali.

"We kept trying to find him but we could not. It turned out he was negotiating with Umno (to form the government)," he said as the crowd broke into laughter.

Saari said he was deeply disappointed at that time and had "shed tears" that his leaders thought that he, who had struggled since the reformasi era and detained under the ISA twice, would be willing to ally with arch-enemy Umno.

He added had PAS allied with Umno then, he would have quit the party to become an Independent, to which some in the crowd shouted, "Join DAP." But Saari merely smiled.

Likewise, Saari said in the latest saga he and colleague Hasnul had stood with Pakatan without hesitation.

"Our decision was simple and straightforward, the muktamar had decided that we should stand with Pakatan. But unfortunately 13 of our other colleagues were not prepared to do so.

"Outsiders call us saviours, that it our contribution to save Pakatan in Selangor. But in our own party we are labelled as traitors.

"Are we traitors?" he said as the audience shouted back, "No, heroes!"

As a result of his decision, Saari said he received the highest 'honour' from his party that he described as Double B and Double D - Broker, Barua (lackey), Dicuri (stolen), Dibeli (bought over) - in reference to what PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang labelled the duo during the muktamar.

Saari however stressed he has received no reward for standing with Pakatan and had asked the new menteri besar not to include his name in the shortlist for any exco positions when the government was being formed.

'Like child breaking law'

Meanwhile, Hasnul admitted that he was under tremendous pressure when he decided to side with Pakatan during the MB saga.

"My colleague (Damansara Utama state assemblyperson) Yeo Bee Yin said I looked scared when I entered the room (to declare support for Pakatan), like I had done something wrong to break the law, like how a child breaks the law.

"That was how scared (I felt), but I felt it was a sacrifice I had to do," he said, adding that he hopes the Pakatan coalition will persevere.

Hasnul admitted that his actions means that he is unlikely to be allowed by PAS to contest in the next general election, but joked he could still contest under DAP.

"It's dangerous for me to say like this," he said laughingly. "No, what I meant is I do not care about my position."

"But many of my friends in PAS thought if they did the same (to support Wan Azizah), they would not be nominated to contest in the next election," he said.

Both PAS state assemblypersons when approached by journalists later stressed they will not quit PAS, and will leave their fate up to the party's disciplinary committee.

Saari and Hasnul during the Selangor crisis acted as tie breakers after the duo joined 28 PKR and DAP state assemblypersons to back Wan Azizah.

PAS, which refused to make a decision at the time to back Wan Azizah as MB, had caused a stalemate as the 28 PKR and DAP representatives only made exactly half of the 56-member state assembly.

The crisis was triggered when Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim refused to step down from his position, after the party decided to replace him over increasing difficulty in working with him.