Sri Lanka rejects probes into slaughter of Tamil civilians

Sri Lanka has no plans to investigate allegations that its security forces massacred 20,000 Tamil civilians in the final stages of an offensive against the Tamil Tigers, and neither is Colombo willing to eventually accept an international probe, trade minister G. L. Peiris said Wednesday in Tokyo. "No, we don't regard that attitude as acceptable. That is some kind of inquisition," Peiris, a former peace negotiator said, according to an AFP report. Last week, leading British and French newspapers published their investigations, including interviews with UN officials, into the massacre.

Minister Peiris had earlier held talks with his Japanese counterpart Toshihiro Nikai and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.

At a news conference, Minister Peiris reiterated that Colombo has no plan to probe allegations of war crimes and rejected international demands for a probe.

The minister said: "The world should not try to... emphasise everything that is negative, make things as difficult as possible for Sri Lanka, threaten economic sanctions."

Unnecessary pressure on the Sri Lankan government may even lead to a revival of terrorism in the country, he warned, without elaborating.

"What the country needs this time is support, understanding, empathy, not condemnation, not judgement... not posturing," he said.

Peiris said his government refrained from using heavy artillery and aerial bombardment attacks out of concern for civilians "at the expense of postponing the end of hostilities."

The United States and other governments had repeatedly called on the Sri Lankan government (GoSL) to cease pounding a narrow strip of land in which 300,000 people had concentrated on the government’s advice.

In mid-March, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephone President Mahinda Rajapakse “to express the United States' deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life occurring in the GoSL -designated 'safe zone'.”

“The Secretary stated that the Sri Lankan Army should not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone,” a State Department press release said.

More pointedly, as casualties mounted amid relentless shelling – even as US satellites observed – President Barack Obama demanded on May 13, “the [Sri Lanka] government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals, and the government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone.”

Last week, independent investigations by The Times and Le Monde newspapers found that up to 20,000 Tamil civilians had been slaughtered by government shells. The papers quoted UN officials as saying the UN knew, but sought to suppress reports to retain Colombo’s goodwill.

Regarding the controversy over an IMF loan Sri Lanka is seeking, Minister Peiris said that a decision on the disbursement of the funds "should not involve political considerations," but should be "dependent upon technical criteria."

Prof. Peiris was the chief negotiator for the then UNP government when it was in negotiations with the LTTE in 2002-3.

The UNP was defeated by the SLFP in 2004 and he switched sides two years later, along with fellow negotiator Milinda Moragoda.

Both men had been popular with Western backers of the peace process as was the UNP, given its enthusiasm for the neoliberal agenda for Sri Lanka.

During the Norwegian-brokered negotiations, Prof. Peiris was famously associated, along with LTTE chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, with the ‘Oslo Declaration’, an agreement between both sides to explore federalism as a solution to the conflict.

At the time Peiris lauded the Oslo Declarations as a ‘paradigm shift by the LTTE’ and as a climb down by the Tigers from the demand of an independent Tamil Eelam state.

However, after crossing over to the Sinhala-nationalist government of President Rajapakse in 2006, Prof. Peiris rejected federalism as a solution.

"Today the intellectuals and experts worldwide agree that terms such as federalism, unitary and united have no clear definition and are indistinct at best," he was quoted as saying.

He added, without elaborating, that what was required was a "practical solution" to the ethnic conflict.

Sri Lanka rejects probes into slaughter of Tamil civilians

Sri Lanka has no plans to investigate allegations that its security forces massacred 20,000 Tamil civilians in the final stages of an offensive against the Tamil Tigers, and neither is Colombo willing to eventually accept an international probe, trade minister G. L. Peiris said Wednesday in Tokyo. "No, we don't regard that attitude as acceptable. That is some kind of inquisition," Peiris, a former peace negotiator said, according to an AFP report. Last week, leading British and French newspapers published their investigations, including interviews with UN officials, into the massacre.

Minister Peiris had earlier held talks with his Japanese counterpart Toshihiro Nikai and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.

At a news conference, Minister Peiris reiterated that Colombo has no plan to probe allegations of war crimes and rejected international demands for a probe.

The minister said: "The world should not try to... emphasise everything that is negative, make things as difficult as possible for Sri Lanka, threaten economic sanctions."

Unnecessary pressure on the Sri Lankan government may even lead to a revival of terrorism in the country, he warned, without elaborating.

"What the country needs this time is support, understanding, empathy, not condemnation, not judgement... not posturing," he said.

Peiris said his government refrained from using heavy artillery and aerial bombardment attacks out of concern for civilians "at the expense of postponing the end of hostilities."

The United States and other governments had repeatedly called on the Sri Lankan government (GoSL) to cease pounding a narrow strip of land in which 300,000 people had concentrated on the government’s advice.

In mid-March, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephone President Mahinda Rajapakse “to express the United States' deep concern over the deteriorating conditions and increasing loss of life occurring in the GoSL -designated 'safe zone'.”

“The Secretary stated that the Sri Lankan Army should not fire into the civilian areas of the conflict zone,” a State Department press release said.

More pointedly, as casualties mounted amid relentless shelling – even as US satellites observed – President Barack Obama demanded on May 13, “the [Sri Lanka] government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals, and the government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone.”

Last week, independent investigations by The Times and Le Monde newspapers found that up to 20,000 Tamil civilians had been slaughtered by government shells. The papers quoted UN officials as saying the UN knew, but sought to suppress reports to retain Colombo’s goodwill.

Regarding the controversy over an IMF loan Sri Lanka is seeking, Minister Peiris said that a decision on the disbursement of the funds "should not involve political considerations," but should be "dependent upon technical criteria."

Prof. Peiris was the chief negotiator for the then UNP government when it was in negotiations with the LTTE in 2002-3.

The UNP was defeated by the SLFP in 2004 and he switched sides two years later, along with fellow negotiator Milinda Moragoda.

Both men had been popular with Western backers of the peace process as was the UNP, given its enthusiasm for the neoliberal agenda for Sri Lanka.

During the Norwegian-brokered negotiations, Prof. Peiris was famously associated, along with LTTE chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, with the ‘Oslo Declaration’, an agreement between both sides to explore federalism as a solution to the conflict.

At the time Peiris lauded the Oslo Declarations as a ‘paradigm shift by the LTTE’ and as a climb down by the Tigers from the demand of an independent Tamil Eelam state.

However, after crossing over to the Sinhala-nationalist government of President Rajapakse in 2006, Prof. Peiris rejected federalism as a solution.

"Today the intellectuals and experts worldwide agree that terms such as federalism, unitary and united have no clear definition and are indistinct at best," he was quoted as saying.

He added, without elaborating, that what was required was a "practical solution" to the ethnic conflict.

Ex-cop demands S-G clears his name in Anwar’s black-eye case

By Leslie Lau - The Malaysian Insider

Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim, the police officer who investigated Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s black-eye assault in 1998, is demanding the government clear him of fabricating evidence in the case.

The former KL CID chief, who has accused the country’s top lawyer and police chief of making up evidence during the investigations, sent a letter of demand through his solicitors today to Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun.

His letter is likely to continue putting pressure on Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan ahead of Anwar’s sodomy trial next month.

Anwar had accused the two men of fabricating evidence during the black-eye investigation and is planning to use the allegations to defend himself in his sodomy trial.

Mat Zain points out in his letter of demand that a press statement made by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan on March 1 and subsequent remarks by Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in Parliament on March 11 this year had cleared Gani and Musa of wrongdoing.

The former police officer asserts the implication of Nazri’s remarks was that the government indirectly admitted Anwar’s claims were genuine with criminal liability shifting to him and forensic consultant Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof.

Mat Zain said Nazri’s remarks meant the retired police officer could be prosecuted for fabricating evidence under Section 192 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Through the letter sent today, Mat Zain is demanding the solicitor-general declare that the three medical reports prepared by Dr Rahman in the black-eye case were obtained illegally and fraudulently, and were used in proceedings of a royal commission set up to investigate the beating.

He also wants the solicitor-general to make a declaration that the former investigator had taken all necessary steps to prevent Gani from using the medical reports.

The letter of demand also seeks to have the solicitor-general clear Mat Zain of any wrongdoing, failing which further legal action would be taken.

Last week Mat Zain claimed a high-level plot using a bankruptcy notice to destroy his credibility ahead of several cases including the opposition leader’s sodomy case in July.

State news agency Bernama had reported that Mat Zain was declared a bankrupt on April 21 for failing to settle a RM250,000 loan and was served with the notice on May 26.

Mat Zain, who retired in 2001, said last week he believed hidden hands were trying to destroy his credibility and to prevent him from giving evidence against Gani and Musa for fabricating evidence.

Mat Zain filed a RM30 million defamation suit against Anwar last year after the Pakatan Rakyat leader claimed that Gani, who was a senior deputy public prosecutor then, and Musa, who was an investigating officer, had fabricated evidence against him in the black-eye assault.

Tan Sri Rahim Noor, the Inspector-General of Police in 1998, later admitted he had assaulted Anwar following a Royal Commission of Inquiry probe in 1999.

Besides Mat Zain, Musa has also filed a defamation suit against Anwar.

The statements of claim made by both Musa and Mat Zain have been admitted as part of an affidavit filed by Anwar for his Sodomy II trial.

Anwar had claimed trial last August to sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, his second sodomy case in a decade.

Mat Zain told The Malaysian Insider last week however that he had decided to sue Anwar to clear his name because unlike Gani and Musa, he had not been officially cleared of the allegations of abuse of power.

In his statement of claims, the former investigator implicates Gani and Musa in what he claims was an attempt to introduce a medical report which he found suspicious.

He claimed the medical report prepared by Dr Rahman from Hospital Kuala Lumpur had suggested Anwar’s injuries were self-inflicted.

Instead, Mat Zain asserts in his statement of claim that he had taken all possible steps to prevent the medical report prepared by Dr Rahman from being included in his investigation papers.

Police still looking for Raja Petra

By Mazwin Nik Anis, The Star

The police is still looking for Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said claims that Raja Petra was in Brisbane yet to be confirmed.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Home Ministry's monthly gathering here yesterday.

Last week, Musa had said the police was investigating how Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin left the country without a trace.

A sessions court had on May 26 slapped Raja Petra with a second warrant of arrest when he failed to show up for his criminal defamation trial.

The court also issued a show-cause notice to Raja Petra's wife and bailor Marina Lee Abdullah for not being in court to explain his absence.

The earlier arrest

Dear Sabah BN leaders…

By Lim Kit Siang,

Dear

Maximus Ongkili, Bernard Dompok, Shafie Apdal, Anifah Aman, Joseph Kurup, V.K. Liew, Abdul Rahim Bakri, Lajim Ukin, Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, (Liow Tiong Lai-dissapointedly excluded)

This again is to highlight to you , in the midst of basking in glory of having more Sabahan cabinet Minister and Dep. Minister and being so proud representing Sabah. I would like to remind you people regarding the true and sad state of affairs in the Land below the wind and of course hope you can do something.

We often discuss regarding the poverty rate and how poor is sabah even until the cow comes home, but below is a best and glaring example of how ill is the whole condition!

One can never dispute that ratio of doctors to population is a good comparisonof ones health care standard. Below is the list of number of medical officers in few district hosp. in Sabah. Bear in mind that these hospitals are very far away from specialist centers. They are often left alone to handle all cases irrespective of how tough it is.

Hospital Papar 3+1 (3 medical officers plus one director)
Hospital Kota Marudu 4+1
Hospital Ranau 3+1
Hospital Pitas 3+1
Hospital Kudat 4+1
Hospital Beluran 3+1
Hospital Kuala Penyu 3
Hospital Beufort 4+1
Hospital Tenom 4+1
Hospital Tambunan 3+1

(plus one means the pengarah, they are often involved in admin duties, meetings, seeing big bosses eg ministers when they visit Sabah. So, hardly contributes in seeing patients)

So in simple conclusion, 3-4 doctors are seeing total of hundreds of patients in clinic everyday, running all the wards, overseeing deliveries, performing operations like C-sections. Managing ill babies and adults. And not forgetting, doing night duties as well.

The same district hospitals in Selangor mostly have more than 10 medical officers running the hospital. And they have voted the govermenc out. So tell me sir/ madam ,don’t you know this ? and what have you done so far in representing Sabah ?

Sincerely
One of the 3 or 4 from the above

New America, One Malaysia: Premesh Chandran

Nashar won't tell on Sarawak surprise

Najib denies any links with Altantuya

BEIJING, June 4 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has again said he “had nothing to do with” Altantuya Shaariibuu, laughing off the federal opposition’s attempts to link him to the murdered Mongolian model whose killers now face the gallows.

“There’s no evidence,” Najib told the Associated Press in Beijing where he is visiting in the footsteps of his father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein who opened ties with communist China.

“They’ve not offered any evidence at all ... I have sworn in the name of God, of Allah, that I had nothing to do with her and I can’t go beyond that.”

The prime minister added what he described as a “tongue in cheek comment,” saying the fact that Shaariibuu was staying at “a two-star run down hotel” at the time of her death was further indication that he had not been involved with her.

“If she was my girlfriend, she will be totally insulted if I put her (there),” he said with a laugh.

Opposition leaders have repeatedly tried to link Najib to Shaariibuu’s death. The 28-year-old Mongolian model and translator was having an affair with his close friend and aide Abdul Razak Baginda when she was shot on Oct. 19, 2006. Her body was then blown up in a forest outside Kuala Lumpur, and only fragments were found.

The opposition had claimed in various election campaigns and in cyberspace that his close association with Abdul Razak makes him suspect.

Abdul Razak has acknowledged the affair but was acquitted last October of abetting the slaying. Elite special services policemen Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar were sentenced to death in April for her murder, though the trial never established what their motive was.

They have appealed.

Controversial blogger and Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamarudin is on the run and a fugitive after skipping bail in several cases incluidng criminal defamation, sedition and Internal Security Act (ISA) related to his postings linking Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to the murder.

Police had also banned any mention of Altantuya in several recent by-elections. - The Malaysian Insider

MIC Youth lodges police report against Ibrahim Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The MIC Youth lodged a police report against Malaysian Pribumi Perkasa Organisation president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today over his statement in Utusan Malaysia which it claimed defamed party president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

The report was made by MIC Youth Social and Welfare Bureau chief at the Sentul district police headquarters here.

He said the report was to enable the police to investigate Ibrahim for making an irresponsible statement and also Utusan Malaysia which he claimed constantly published statements with religious and racial slant which could jeopardise the peace in the country and fan racial sentiments, if left unchecked.

He said the statement was untrue and the MIC Youth wanted Ibrahim to apologise to Samy Vellu.

Utusan Malaysia today reported that Samy Vellu was trying to be a champion of the race by describing the historical facts published in the newspaper recently as seditious. – Bernama

Kayveas still PPP president, says ROS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — The Registrar of Societies (ROS) said today that Datuk M. Kayveas is still the lawful president of People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

However, it was investigating complaints by various interested quarters within the party and scrutinising further information from all sides involved before the completion of the investigation, said ROS Director-General Datuk Md Alias Kalil said in a statement.

“In this regard, until the matter is finalised, ROS wishes to inform that Datuk M. Kayveas is still the lawful president of PPP.

“Hence, ROS has no objection to PPP proceeding with the scheduled Annual General Meeting,” he said.

On May 30, Kayveas was returned unopposed as PPP president for a fourth five-year term at the end of the nomination period and two days ago, he said PPP’s 56th General Assembly would take place as planned in three days time.

Earlier on May 24 however, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T. Murugiah had declared himself the “new PPP president” following an extraordinary general meeting held in Putrajaya. — Bernama

Guan Eng stands firm on council appointment issue

Written by Regina William, The Edge

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng reiterated the state government's stand that the post of president for the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) and Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) would be helmed by civil servants.

Speaking after the swear-in of new MPSP president Mokhtar Mohd Jait at the MPSP headquarters here which was boycotted by six Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) councillors, Lim said the matter had also been discussed with PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on May 31.

He also brushed aside the allegations by PKR councillor Johari Kassim that he, Lim was running the state as if it was his own backyard.

Johari and five others had boycotted Mokhtar's swear-in as they wanted the post to be given to PKR and also to protest his appointment.

Only three PKR councillors attended the ceremony.

"That is not true as this decision was made jointly by all the executive councillors and PKR has its own representatives in the state exco and ask them if I have not been accommodating.

"They should ask excos Malik (Abdul Malik Abul Kassim) and Law Choo Kiang who also endorsed Mokhtar's appointment with Mansor (newly appointed deputy chief minister 1), who made the announcement.

"I always spoke to Wan Azizah on the matter," he added.

Lim reiterated that both the council posts will be headed by civil servants.

Johari had stated that while the MPSP president post must go to PKR, DAP could take the MPPP president's post.

He had also slammed Lim, accusing him of not consulting PKR when deciding on the appointment.

He threatened to resign with the rest of the PKR municipal councillors.

Mansor meanwhile said he would raise the matter with PKR's Penang chief Datuk Zahrain Hashim.

Meanwhile, Lim's chief of staff and Jelutong member of parliament Jeff Ooi called on the indisciplined PKR councillors to resign from MPSP within 24 hours failing which they can be subjected to an inquiry for indiscipline.

"The position of the council president is not to be misconstrued as the fiefdom of PKR or any political party.

"PKR councillors must submit to the fact that under prevailing circumstances, the appointment of council president is the prerogative and right of the state government," he added.

Ooi said if they remained defiant and insisted they had no confidence in the new president, they would not be able to perform their duties as expected of councillors who are paid allowances from ratepayers.

"Municipal councillors are appointed based on recommendations by the respective parties as this is the interim practice before laws are being amended to accommodate local elections.

"The present state government is accountable only to the people, and this PKR cannot regard the post of council presidents as personal to holder fiefdom to any political party, be it DAP or PKR," he said.

He said he would forward a collective memorandum from all DAP elected representatives to refer the PKR councillors for a review at the state exco.

Time for PAS to Demonstrate Its Ability to be a National Party

By Farish A Noor

This week will witness the fifty-fifth General Assembly of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), that has been on the political landscape of Malaysia since 1951, though its actual historical presence in Malaysia dates back even further, to the country’s first Islamic party Hizbul Muslimin, in 1948. Malaysia-watchers and analysts are looking very closely at PAS today, and there has been ample speculation about the fate and future of key PAS ideologues and leaders, notably the representatives of the two camps in the party otherwise known as the conservatives and progressives.

Distinctions such as ‘conservatives’ and ‘progressives’ are not very useful in cases such as these however, for they tell us little about the goings-on in PAS and they lend the mistaken impression that the differences within the party can be essentially reduced to such simple binary opposites. Needless to say PAS’s opponents are likewise tempted to use such dichotomies in their own lame efforts to divide and weaken the party, and such divisive tactics are long familiar to those who have studied Malaysian politics over the past half a century or so…

The fact is that PAS is an infinitely more complex party that outsiders may think, and that its complexities run deep into its history. In the 1950s PAS was seen and cast as a Leftist-Islamist party while it was under the leadership of Dr Burhanuddin al-Helmy and Zulkiflee Mohammad; and the party’s concerns were directed towards the national liberation struggle against colonialism and all forms of neo-imperialism in Asia and Africa. In the 1970s PAS transformed itself to an ethno-nationalist party during its brief courtship with the ruling UMNO party. Since the 1980s the party has become one of the most vocal and visible Islamist parties in Asia and the Muslim world, standing on par with the Jama’at-e Islami of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh on the one hand and the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan’ul Muslimin) of the Arab world on the other.

Despite the rise in its profile and its growing standing in the arena of Malaysian politics, PAS has remained a Malaysian party that has sought to gain power on the stage of Malaysian politics. Following the elections of march 2008 when the opposition alliance broke the two-thirds majority of the ruling National Front coalition, PAS is now poised to become a national party with national aspirations.

Which brings us to the question of what the Malaysian nation is today, and whether PAS can speak on behalf of the new Malaysia that is more complex than ever.

Regardless of whether the leaders of PAS describe themselves as moderate, liberal, progressive or conservative, the fact is that Malaysia and the Malaysian nation they hope to lead and represent is far more complex than even their own party. PAS and whoever leads the party, must come to realize this by now and must have the political will to deal with the complexities of Malaysia in a rational and objective manner. The days when it was assumed that all Malay-Muslims were simple pious Muslims are over: In the urban industrialized zones of West Malaysia, we have seen the proliferation of a myriad of new social constituencies that defy all the stereotypes of the nation thus far. Malaysia is now a country where Malaysian of all walks of life, ethnic and religious background, gender orientation etc are coming to the fore to demand their share in the politics of representation. I am personally acquainted with a number of Gay Muslims who have openly and privately declared their support for the Islamic party, but can the Islamic party they support also show them the same level of support, sympathy and understanding?

PAS needs to understand that to be a national party with national aspirations means having to develop an inclusive political rhetoric and platform that reflects the multifarious character of the complex Malaysia we see around us today. This is what all political parties need to do, be they Islamist, Socialist, Liberal or Conservative anyway. Failure to do so would mean ignoring the realities on the ground to their peril and at their own long-term political expense.

Skeptics have claimed that PAS can never succeed in re-inventing itself ever since the 1980s, when it adopted the mould of being a politically Islamist party similar to its counterparts in the Arab world and South Asia. But the historian would remind us that political parties, like nations and communities, are abstract collections of individual subjectivities that merge and melt and reconstitute themselves all the time. PAS was always a dynamic party that dealt with the realities of the day, from the realities of colonialism in Malaya to the rise of authoritarian politics in the 1980s. Today, PAS has seen and felt the goodwill of millions of non-Malay and non-Muslim Malaysians who have given the party a shot at becoming part of the new government of Malaysia, should the opposition parties take over sooner than later. PAS has also benefitted from the goodwill of millions of moderate liberal Muslims who are prepared to give the Islamic party a chance to demonstrate its commitment to a new politics of accountability and transparency.

Thus for the sake of those Malaysians who are prepared to give PAS a chance, the party now has to set its sights on the biggest prize of all, to become a national party that reflects the pluralism of Malaysian society. The vote swing that took place in march 2008 was not an endorsement for an Islamic state, or moral policing, or a theocracy under the thumb of a bunch of Ayatollahs. It was a sign that PAS’s time has come, and that the party should delve back to its complex past to recover a means to becoming a modern Islamic party that can finally be a Malaysian party as well.

Samy Vellu To Announce His Stand On MIC Election Candidates Soon

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Thursday he would soon announce whether he would endorse any candidate or otherwise for the Sept 12 party elections.

"I have already made up my mind and will let you all know soon," he told reporters before opening a student leadership convention at Universiti Malaya, here.

Samy Vellu said he had given the matter serious thought and felt that as the president of the party, he should make his stand known to the MIC delegates and members.

"Earlier I thought all the aspiring candidates could sit down and discuss as to who should contest which post, but it looks like everyone is making their announcement about which post they want to contest," he said.

The MIC president said he could not stop anyone from contesting as it was a democratic process but stressed that he would have to let the delegates who would be voting in the party elections to know his stand.

"Everyone is free to contest but I too will make known my stand," he said without mentioning when he would do so.

Samy Vellu had said previously that he would not endorse anyone for any post but would rather allow a "free-for-all" contest. However, he had stressed that he could not predict what his stand would be in the future.

The Sept 12 elections would see a contest for the post of deputy president, three posts of vice-president and 23 posts of Central Working Committee (CWC) member.

Former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and current vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan have already announced their intention to contest the post of deputy president while incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel has yet to announce his stand.

Another likely contender for the post is Human Resources Minister and party secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

Party insiders said Samy Vellu would prefer a straight fight for the Number 2 post to ensure that the party remained united. They felt that Samy Vellu was worried that should there be a three- or four-cornered fight, it would break up the party as there would be three or four factions.

PKR’s Zulkifli slams Gurdwara Council

By Zedeck Siew
thenutgraph.com

PETALING JAYA, 4 June 2009: PKR parliamentarian Zulkifli Noordin has slammed the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council for its statement criticising the syariah courts.

"What people like (Malaysian Gurdwaras Council president) Jagir Singh need to do is to start learning to respect decisions of the Syariah Court, even if it is not in one's favour," said Zulkifli in a press statement yesterday.

Zulkifli He was responding to comments by Jagir yesterday about the ability of the Syariah Court to fairly hear cases involving non-Muslims.

The Sikh leader was referring to the case of Mohan Singh, who died of a heart attack on 25 May. Mohan's remains have not been released to his family, as he is believed to have converted to Islam in 1992.

"We are of the view that a syariah court is not in a position to determine Mohan's religion as most witnesses who can vouch for his professing of religion are non-Muslims, whose evidence the Syariah Court has no jurisdiction to hear," Jagir said.

"Without their evidence, there cannot be a just decision," he was quoted as saying.

Zulkifli said the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council statement was "highly baseless, unfounded, and purely contemptuous."

"It shows utter disrespect for a court of competent jurisdiction, duly established by the Federal Constitution, and recognised as such by the Federal Court," Zulkifli said.

"Please learn to respect the Federal Constitution," Zulkifli added.

Zulkifli explained that syariah courts were empowered to hear evidence from non-Muslim witnesses.

The Kulim-Bandar Baru Member of Parliament (MP) cited the case of the late Nyonya Tahir, where there was dispute as to whether the deceased had died a Muslim. The Syariah Court later decided that Nyonya Tahir had died as a Buddhist, and should be buried as one.

"The matter was brought to the Syariah High Court of Negeri Sembilan, where the Buddhist family testified and gave evidence," Zulkifli explained.

According to Zulkifli, the Syariah Court is the best place to determine whether Mohan Singh had died a Muslim.

"Where else on earth can one determine that, except in the Syariah Court, where the judges are very well-versed with the law, and the issue at hand?" Zulkifli said.

The MP stressed that the late Mohan had every right to profess and practise Islam as a religion of his choice. "It is not a crime to become a Muslim," Zulkifli said.

Forum: “Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis in Sri Lanka – What Next?”

Contributed by Sumitha, Executive Officer

The Bar Council organised this pubic forum on 27th May 2009 at the Bar Council auditorium.

The main speakers were S. Pasupathi, Trustee of the World Tamil Relief Fund and the President of the Educational Welfare and Research Foundation (EWRF), Y.B R Sivarasa, Member of Parliament, Subang, Y.B Charles Santiago, Member of Parliament, Klang and A. Kanesalingam, Trustee of the Tamil’s Relief Fund. Approximately 150 members of the public and lawyers attended the forum.

The 2-hour forum began at 8.15pm after a brief welcome speech by Lim Chee Wee, Hon. Vice President of the Malaysian Bar.

The first speaker A. Kanesalingam provided a historical perspective of the conflict. He described what happened in the northeast of Sri Lanka as a holocaust and called for international intervention to set free hundreds of thousands of Tamils now detained behind barbed wire.

S. Pasupathi then shared his experiences based on several trips that he had made over the years to the conflict zone. He moved the audience with many graphic photographs of the conflict.

Y.B. R. Sivarasa provided a political perspective of the conflict. He said that the failure of the Sri Lankan Government to recognise Tamil minority rights was the major cause of the war. He also said in hindsight it was important to pose the question of whether the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had done enough work on the political front.

Y.B. Charles Santiago, the final speaker questioned the Malaysian Government’s double standards. He said it was odd that the Malaysian Government could support Sri Lanka's resolution calling for UN member nations to not interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka when Malaysia had been in favour of UN intervention when Israel invaded the Gaza Strip several months ago.

During the question and answer session, many participants said that it was unfortunate that many Malaysians seemed unaware or concerned about what was taking place in Sri Lanka.

The day after the forum, the UN Human Rights Council adopted Sri Lanka’s resolution over the EU sponsored resolution. The EU resolution had called for an international investigation into possible war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE during the last few weeks of the war.

64 wasted their time appearing at the Ipoh Police station

By MP Kula

Today is the D day for the 64 people who were arrested on 7thMay09. On that day the Perak State Assembly set. The police had obtained an interim order to restrain any one other than assemblyman from being 500meters from the state assembly.

I was prevented from entering the state assembly by the police although I had invitation to attend on that day. The state Assembly is situated in my constituency notwithstanding others like YB Lim Kit Siang and M.Manogahar( Teluk Intan) were also prevented from entering the state assembly.

Our lawyer Karpal would soon file proceedings to set aside the restraining order.

The 64 individual were on police bail and the bail was not extended today. DSP Glean informed us that the investigations are still going on and they are awaiting directions from the Attorney General Chambers as to whether to charge the 64 heroes.

The police should explain as to why the 64 were asked to report to the police station today when they knew yesterday that the bail will not be extended but the 64 can go free pending directions from AG Chambers. Many were displeased with the police the manner in which they had handled the matter today.

Many of the 64 individuals were not only innocent but had come from other states like Penang, Malacca, Selangor and Pahang.

We were also pleased that many lawyers turned up to give support. The blogger’s community were also not spared the arrest as Zorro and others were detained on the 7^th of May. Interestingly Jong the Ipoh blogger somehow was not arrested on the 7^th although she was everywhere and in black too. Why she is so lucky!

June 4: China's Forbidden Date - Jeff Ooi

June 4 is China's Forbidden Date.

So, Najib has to crack a forbidden joke in Beijing, a city away from forbidden Mongolia.

20 years in flashback... I was reading about Tankman Square, Beijing.

See Jeff Widener's portfolio

20 years fast-forward... I am currently reading this book about a Prisoner of the State.

Image source: Telegraph UK

Will Zhao Ziyang's book shake China? Don't bet on it, says Newsweek.

Also read Bao Bu, one of the translators and editors of "Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang".

Vanni IDPs live under appalling condition: Sri Lankan Chief Justice

"Vanni IDPs sheltered in transit centres in Cheddiku'lam cannot expect justice under the Sri Lanka’s law. Law of the country does not show any interest on these IDPs. I openly say this. The authorities can penalize me for telling this," said Sri Lanka's Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva when he addressed a public meeting which followed the ceremonial opening of a court complex at Marawila in Negombo district Tuesday. These transit centres are described as internment camps by human rights activists.

Sarath N. Silva further said:

“I visited 'relief villages' where Vanni IDP families are sheltered. I cannot explain their suffering and grief in words. It is an utter lie if we continue to say that there is only one race and no majority or minority in the country. I visited Cheddiku'lam camps where IDP families live. I cannot explain the pathetic situation they undergo. I was unable to console them. They survive amid immense suffering and distress.

"We construct massive building on our side. But these IDPs live in tent-shelters. Ten IDPs live in one tent-shelter. They could stand straight only in the centre of the tent shelter. Their neck will break down if they move to aside of the tent-shelter.

"IDPs are seen waiting in queues, extending from 50 to 100 yards to take their turn to answer a call of nature. This is the life of Vanni IDPs in Cheddiku'lam camp

"I attempted to smile at these IDPs. But it was without success. I failed to express my feeling towards them. I was unable to tell them that we also were crying with them for their suffering. I was unable to tell them that I would supply new clothes to them.

"They should be provided with enough relief. We would be blamed if we fail to supply them with enough relief.

"They cannot expect justice from the law of the country. Their plight and suffering are not brought to the court of law in our country. I openly say this. I will be penalized for telling this”, said Mr.Sarath Silva who is to retire from the post of Chief Justice at the end June when he reaches 60 years of age.

Sarath Silva's address was aired with Tamil translation Wednesday night in MTV News bulletin.

The full text of the seditious article in UMNO's paper UTUSAN : "MELAYU DIKHIANATI." Charge UTUSAN with Sedition!

Melayu dikhianati?
Hati Awang semakin hari semakin ditoreh-toreh oleh tuntutan pelbagai pihak bukan Melayu yang bersikap terlalu rasis selepas Pilihan Raya Umum ke-12. Kita boleh tafsir apa sebabnya. Awang tidak mahu mengulas panjang kali ini, cukup sekadar disiarkan semula petikan kenyataan seorang pemimpin MCA, Tun Tan Siew Sin pada 30 April 1969 (dipetik daripada buku Khalid Awang Osman dan pernah diulas Ridhuan Tee Abdullah) untuk renungan kita semua.

''Orang Melayu menerusi UMNO bermurah hati melonggarkan syarat-syarat dalam undang-undang negara ini sehinggakan dalam masa 12 bulan selepas kemerdekaan, 90 peratus penduduk bukan Melayu menjadi warganegara. Ini berbeza dengan keadaan sebelum merdeka di mana 90 peratus daripada mereka masih tidak diiktiraf sebagai rakyat Tanah Melayu walaupun hampir 100 tahun hidup di bawah pemerintahan penjajah. Sebagai membalas kemurahan hati orang Melayu, MCA dan MIC bersetuju meneruskan dasar memelihara dan menghormati kedudukan istimewa orang Melayu dan dalam masa yang sama mempertahankan kepentingan-kepentingan sah kaum lain''.

Sebelum itu, seorang pemimpin MIC Tun V.T Sambanthan pada 1 Jun 1965 pernah berkata: ''Pada tahun 1955 kita telah memenangi pilihan raya dengan majoriti yang tinggi, selanjutnya mendapat kemerdekaan dalam masa dua tahun kemudian. Dalam jangka masa itu, kita terpaksa berbincang dan menangani pelbagai perkara termasuk soal kewarganegaraan. Persoalannya di sini, apakah yang dilakukan oleh orang Melayu memandangkan kita bercakap menyentuh perkauman? Apakah yang dilakukan oleh pemimpin-pemimpin Melayu? Mereka mempunyai 88 peratus daripada pengundi menyokong mereka.

Apakah yang mereka putuskan mengenai isu kewarganegaraan? ''Jika kita lihat di serata negara Asia dan Asia Timur, kita akan mendapati kaum India tidak akan diterima di Ceylon dan juga tidak diterima di Burma. Sama halnya dengan kaum Cina, mereka tidak diterima di Thailand, Vietnam, Kemboja dan di negara-negara lain. Apakah bantuan berhubung kewarganegaraan yang mereka peroleh di semua wilayah tersebut?

"Di Burma, seperti yang kita semua sedia maklum, kaum India telah diusir keluar, di Ceylon mereka tidak diberikan taraf warganegara seperti juga di Burma. Saya tahu dan anda juga tahu. Apa yang sedang berlaku di Malaya? Di sini kita mendapati pemimpin Melayu berkata, ''Kita akan menerima mereka sebagai saudara, kita akan berikan mereka sepenuh peluang untuk meneruskan kehidupan di negara ini, kita akan beri mereka peluang untuk menjadi warganegara''. Seterusnya pada tahun 1957, dengan tidak mengambil kira kebolehan berbahasa (Melayu) ribuan orang India, Cina dan Ceylon menjadi warganegara. Seperti yang saya nyatakan, saya amat bernasib baik kerana dilahirkan di negara ini. Di manakah anda boleh berjumpa bangsa yang lebih prihatin, bersopan-santun dan tertib selain daripada bangsa Melayu. Di manakah anda boleh mendapat layanan politik yang baik untuk kaum pendatang? Di manakah dalam sejarah dunia? Saya bertanya kepada anda. Ini adalah fakta. Siapakah anda untuk menjaga keselamatan kami? Saya adalah kalangan 10 peratus kaum minoriti di sini. Tetapi saya amat gembira di sini.''

Persoalannya, kini apakah pengorbanan Melayu dikhianati oleh kaum lain?

-Awang Selamat

The Ruling Politicians Have Taken Over The Role of The Professionals-in-Charge

By Moses Lim

The recent roof collapse of the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium in Trengganu is another accumulated proof of a sickening malady in Malaysia – that the ruling politicians have overstepped their bounds of duty and responsibility and taken over the role of the professionals in public projects.

The skeleton has now come out that the State PWD has not yet issued issue the Works Completion Order (Certificate of Practical Completion) which then leads to the next stage of testing and commissioning the facilties. If everything passed this stage, then the professionals will recommend the issue the CF for use of the facility. Obviously in the case of the Trengganu stadium, the ruling politicians have deemed it fit for use despite the lack of the issue of the recommendation from the professionals.

In our days in the University, we were taught to do a feasibiltiy study before launching into a project. But in Bolehland, it is the ruling politicians that had first decided on the project and then the professionals come in to do the necessary justifications to suit the prior decision of the ruling politician. Reflect back on the Kuantan Port, the Bakun Hydro-Electric Dam, the ‘Crooked Bridge ‘ and other projects carried out in the country not based on technical best fit but on political best fit.

Two groups of people are now called to make a difference in our land: to the ruling politician, will you respect the input of the professional in the decision making of public projects? to the professional, will you stand up to the politician and not commit technical suicide?

Cabinet meeting yesterday a double-disappointment on university education - PSD S’ships and USM Apex Uni fiasco

By Lim Kit Siang,

The Cabinet meeting yesterday was a double disappointment on university education particularly to the young generation of Malaysians which must be rectified in a special Cabinet meeting on university intake as well as PSD scholarships for SPM students with 12As.

I am very disappointed that my call for a colour-blind JPA scholarship system has not been heeded by the Cabinet. Clearly, the Cabinet Ministers themselves have yet to fully understand the meaning of 1Malaysia which the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has adopted as the slogan of his administration.

Furthermore, my specific proposal to resolve this year’s public ruckus over the unfair and discriminatory award of JPA selection of foreign degree scholarships has also not been acted upon.

I had proposed that all students with SPM 9A1s and above should be awarded PSD scholarships – which would mean an increased allocation of RM300 million for JPA scholarships budget from RM700 million to RM1 billion this year.

I had said that Pakatan Rakyat MPs are prepared to vote in support of a special supplementary estimate of RM300 million for 2009 when Parliament reconvenes on June 15 to ensure that all students with 9A1s and above in SPM would be given PSD scholarships.

How could the Cabinet Ministers or Barisan Nasional MPs conceivably oppose the allocation of RM300 million for the development of the best and brightest talents among the new generation of Malaysians especially when the country is in the throes of the greatest financial scandal in the nation’s history – the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal?

The open letter of a Bentong mother, Madam Yap Chwee Lian, 44, to the MCA Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong (Sin Chew) expressing her despair at her son’s failure to get a PSD scholarship despite appeal as he got 12A1s in SPM is heart-rending and should be compulsory reading for every Cabinet Minister.

As she said rightly, the wish of every parent is for “son to become dragon”.

Is Wee prepared to ensure that every Cabinet Minister gets a copy of Yap’s open letter, properly translated into Bahasa Malaysia, so that a special Cabinet meeting could be held to do justice to Madam Yap and her son, as well as to similar cases?

Madam Yap rightly asked in her open letter why her son, Leong Choon Lin could not get a PSD foreign scholarship for engineering when the government had announced that 20% or 400 of the PSD overseas scholarships would be allocated according to meritocracy.

In last year’s SPM results, three students scored 16 1A’s, two scored 15 1A’s, six 14 1A’s, 41 of them scored 13 1A’s while 229 scored 12 1A’s.

Why was Madam Yap’s son left out?

It is pathetic that Cabinet Ministers, whether from MCA, Gerakan, MIC or the other component BN parties, could not check and end injustices like the case of Madam Yap’s son with 12A1s or to ensure that the PSD make public the full list of the successful applicants as well as the criteria of selection so that there is transparency to satisfy all concerned that there is no hanky-panky concerned.

The Cabinet handling of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Apex University student intake ruckus is most scandalous.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddcin Yassin merely said the Cabinet received a report from the Higher Education Ministry on the “confusion” that arose out of a technical glitch in USM’s student intake for the 2009/2010 academic session – when 8,173 pre-qualified students were put up on the website as successful when actually the number should have only been 3,599.

Apart from stating that “while accepting the reasons for the technical glitch, he sympathised with the predicament faced by the affected students”, Muhyiddin held out no glimmer of hope whatsoever that all the 4,574 victims of the USM foul-up would be given places in the other public universities.

The Cabinet meeting yesterday appeared to be a total waste of time for the 4,574 students and their parents.

When Najib returns from his China trip, he should convene a special Cabinet meeting to urgent address these two issues, viz:

Firstly, do justice to Madam Yap, her son and all in their shoes and approve a special supplementary estimate of RM300 million for 2009 to ensure that all students with 9A1s and above in SPM would be given PSD scholarships this year. Pakatan Rakyat MPs assure Najib full support for such a supplementary vote in the June meeting of Parliament.

Secondly, adopt a solution for the USM Apex University fiasco that not a single one of the 4,574 would be denied places in the other public universities, without prejudicing the chances of other eligible students. This can be done through a two-step process, viz:

• University Admission Unit (UPU) selection of the placement of 40,366 places for the public universities from the 61,027 applications through its normal “meritocracy” selection system; and
• those from the 4,574 student-victims of the USM Apex University fiasco who failed to get UPU offers for the 40,366 university places should all be given places in the public universities, through an expansion of public universities places from 40,366 to include this group.

As the 4,574 students were “pre-qualified” by USM from over 22,000 students who applied, I will be surprised if there is even five per cent or more than 250 students (which works out to only one per cent of the total public university intake this year) from this group who are not offered places by UPU.

I do not believe that it is beyond the capability of the Malaysian public university system to increase university intake by one per cent of its target intake of 40,366 students for the new academic year when such a tiny increase in university places will see that justice is done and that not a single one of the 4,574 students nurse a life-long grievance against an unfair university selection system.

Is the Cabinet capable of making these two decisions in a special meeting to give real meaning to the Najib motto of “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now”?

‘The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers’

The Sun
by Sunil Lopez

"THE first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers." This phrase from Shakespeare’s Henry VI is often used pejoratively when people feel the need to vent their feelings of frustration or disgust in respect of the legal profession. Ironically, this now infamous phrase was originally intended to pay homage to lawyers. In Shakespeare’s play, the phrase was spoken by a villain and to better understand the context in which the phrase was used, we need to paraphrase it as follows, the first thing any potential tyrant must do to eliminate freedom and the rule of law is to kill all the lawyers.

Enough about Shakespeare and merry old England for now. Let’s return to Malaysia and the drama that unfolded in Brickfields, where on May 7, five lawyers were arrested. The "Brickfields Five" (as I shall refer to them) had each received a call that their legal services were needed. Much like Batman and Robin, they rushed to the Brickfields police station. When they got there, they may have initially been a little confused as to who the actual perpetrators were but it did not take them long to figure things out. It wasn’t that hard to figure out who was the leader of the gang. He had an inhumanly loud voice and was clothed in a shirt which had the words "Head Hunters" emblazoned on it. In another twist of irony, his shirt was black in colour.

The "Headhunter" was at the top of his game. He seemed unstoppable and invincible. He possessed formidable powers, the inhumanly loud voice, being just one. He also seemed to have the power of a short fuse, the power to arrest anyone without reasonable cause and the power to deny an arrested person the right to legal counsel. He seemed to be more powerful than the Federal Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code combined. The Brickfields Five stood defiantly against the Headhunter and his gang. Unbeknownst to the Brickfields Five, the Headhunter was in no mood to act in accordance with the law. When the Brickfields Five attempted to use their powers of advocacy and reasonableness with the backing of the rule of law, they were thwarted. The Brickfields Five tried in vain to convince the Headhunter that they were there to provide legal assistance to the people who had been arrested only moments before, allegedly for illegal assembly. The Brickfields Five were there as faithful servants of the law, to give effect to the constitutional rights of those arrested but they were in turn arrested and thrown into jail.

The night did not end there, however. The news of the arrest of the Brickfields Five had reached the ears of their brothers and sisters at law and about 80 of them, much like the A-Team, swooped in on the Brickfields police station. The president of the Malaysian Bar was there as well and in his capacity as the leader of the Malaysian Bar, walked into the police station with a few other lawyers to defuse the situation and secure the immediate release of the Brickfields Five. The rest stood around outside the station eagerly waiting for good news. Unfortunately, they were all to be disappointed. Even the president was unceremoniously forced to exit the police station.

The Bar, since the incident, is up in arms about the actions of the police force. Among other things, it has called for the resignation of the home minister, the inspector-general of police and the Headhunter. Some may ask what all the fuss is about. People get arrested everyday so why was it such a big deal when the Brickfields Five got arrested. Lawyers have been arrested before. They have been thrown in jail, they have been detained under the Internal Security Act and so on. All true but this time the lawyers were arrested not for purportedly committing an offence. The Brickfields Five were arrested for doing their duty by giving effect to Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and section 28A of the Criminal Procedure Code which are as follows.

» Article 5 (3) of the constitution states:

"Where a person is arrested he shall be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest and shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice."

» The relevant provisions of section 28A of the code states:

(1) A person arrested without a warrant shall be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest by the police officer making the arrest.

(2) A police officer shall, before commencing any form of questioning or recording of any statement from the person arrested, inform the person that he may:

(a) Communicate or attempt to communicate, with a relative or friend to inform of his whereabouts; and

(b) Communicate or attempt to communicate and consult with a legal practitioner of his choice.

(3) Where the person arrested wishes to communicate or attempt to communicate with the persons referred to in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b), the police officer shall, as soon as may be, allow the arrested person to do so.

(4) Where the person arrested has requested for a legal practitioner to be consulted, the police officer shall allow a reasonable time:

(a) for the legal practitioner to be present to meet the person arrested at his place of detention; and

(b) for the consultation to take place.

Denial of the right of an arrested person to consult a legal practitioner of his or her choice is a clear breach of the constitutional and statutory right of an arrested person. Arresting a legal practitioner who is seeking to provide legal consultation to an arrested client is nothing less than a despicable act that reeks of arrogance, ignorance and utter contempt for the rule of law and the rights guaranteed in the constitution. The arrest of the Brickfields Five is a grave portent of things to come and we may soon find ourselves on a slippery slope towards a state where the constant abuse of power inescapably becomes the norm and the rights that we hold dear, a thing of the past.

Sunil Lopez is a member of the Human Rights Committee, Bar Council Malaysia. For more information, see www.malaysianbar.org.my/hrc . The views expressed in this article are personal to the writer and may not necessarily represent the position of the Bar. Complaints of rights violations may be forwarded to oysim@malaysianbar.org.my for the consideration of the committee. However, we make no assurance that all cases will adopted for action.

‘End is nigh for Jurassic Umno’

Malaysiakini | June 4, 2009

In his outgoing speech, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin said he wanted the party to be the driving force of Pakatan Rakyat.

The Islamic party leader also took a swipe at arch-rival Umno, calling it a “political dinosaur”.

“We are not a sleeping partner in Pakatan or just being there as a filler - we want PAS to be the backbone of Pakatan to end the cruelty, oppression and abuse of power in Barisan Nasional,” he said at the Youth muktamar in Gombak this evening.

Salahuddin, who will be contesting for vice-presidency, stressed that PAS Youth is key to realising this dream.

However, he was quick to add that it does not mean PAS will take driver’s seat in Pakatan but said the Islamic party will play an important role just like its two other coalition partners.

He also said while Pakatan has won the hearts and minds of voters in Peninsular Malaysia, it must maintain its integrity to strengthen the opposition coalition.

Salahuddin dismissed Umno as a “westernised party without any decisive ideology”.

“Umno’s materialistic and individualistic nature will lead to its downfall… meanwhile, PAS is dedicated to the (Islamic) teachings and to Allah.

“We prioritise justice, equality and welfare without discrimination. This is the difference that enables PAS to remain relevant in Malaysian politics while Umno is slowly becoming extinct like dinosaurs,” he added.

Salahuddin contended that the end was near for Umno.

Professionals vs clerics

The outgoing youth leader also commended the efforts undertaken by PAS Youth under his six-year leadership.

He advised the future leadership of the youth wing to embrace new technology in order to engage with the younger generation.

Salahuddin also lashed out at critics for attempting to create a divide between the ulama and the professional factions in PAS.

“They are trying to exploit the freedom of speech in PAS to supposedly expose the differences between the factions,” he said.

Meanwhile, deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa denied that there was an attempt for PAS to join forces with Umno.

In his opening speech at the Youth muktamar, Nasharudin said those allegations were aimed at driving a wedge between party members.

He asserted that the party had not wavered from its position to strengthen the Pakatan coalition.

“The central leadership has never tried to join BN or Umno… (And) I am sure that my brothers in the Youth will stand with me on this,” said Nasharudin.

He also told the 500 Youth delegates that it was crucial to defend the ulama leadership so that the party will retain its Islamic identity.

Come Friday, Nasharuddin who is from the ulama faction will be challenged by Husam Musa, from the professional faction for the number two slot.

Also in the race is vice-president Mohammad Sabu, who was also present at the muktamar.

Other luminaries included national laureate A Samad Said, who recited a poem titled ‘Suara dari dinding’, DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke as well as top PAS leaders Kamaruddin Jaafar and Mustafa Ali.

MEMPERLEKEH PERJUANGAN UMNO

1. Terdapat usaha berterusan untuk memperlekeh perjuangan UMNO dan orang Melayu untuk kemerdekaan.

2. Kononnya orang yang pertama memperjuangkan kemerdekaan ialah Chin Peng, pemimpin Parti Komunis Malaya. Chin Peng lah yang cuba membebaskan Malaya daripada penjajah British sebelum mana-mana orang Melayu mencuba melakukannya.

3. Perjuangan UMNO adalah kemudian dari itu.

4. Chin Peng bukanlah orang yang pertama yang memberontak melawan British. Sebelum Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM atau MCP - Malayan Communist Party), sudah ada Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM) yang bergerak sebelum Perang Dunia II. Mereka tidak mendapat sokongan penuh daripada orang Melayu Semenanjung kerana mereka cenderung ke kiri. Dengan itu perjuangan mereka tidak begitu berhasil. Namun terdapat beberapa pertubuhan yang secara tidak langsung mewarisi perjuangan mereka. Malay Nationalist Party atau Party Kebangsaan Melayu, Angkatan Belia Insaf dan Putera adalah di antara pertubuhan yang meneruskan perjuangan KMM. Mereka juga tidak mendapat sokongan daripada majoriti orang Melayu kerana disyaki dipengaruhi oleh Komunis.

5. Selepas KMM barulah datang Chin Peng dan PKM. Chin Peng berjuang untuk mendirikan sebuah Communist Dictatorship di mana dia akan menjadi diktator. Bagi orang yang bukan Komunis, terutama bagi orang Malayu kejayaan Chin Peng bukan akan membawa kemerdekaan tetapi mengganti penjajahan British dengan penjajahan Komunis pimpinan Chin Peng dengan majoriti daripada pemerintahan terdiri daripada kaum Cina. Melayu yang akan ada dalam pemerintahan Komunis ini hanyalah hiasan, seperti juga kita lihat keadaan di Singapura sekarang.

6. Bangsa Melayu dan Bahasa Melayu lambat laun akan terhapus.

7. Sebab itu Melayu yang sedikit yang mirip ke kiri pun tidak ingin menyertai MCP. Keadaan dalam MCP sepanjang ia mencuba rebut kuasa, mulanya daripada British dan kemudian daripada Kerajaan Campuran Perikatan dan Barisan Nasional, memberi gambaran akan pemerintahan Chin Peng jika ia berjaya. Orang Cina Komunis akan menjadi pemerintah tetapi Komunis Melayu dengan orang Melayu dan India akan diberi peranan yang kecil dan tidak bermakna sama sekali.

8. Inilah sebabnya yang orang Melayu tidak menyertai pemberontakan MCP melawan British, dan tidak anggapnya sebagai perjuangan untuk kemerdekaan Malaya.

9. Dengan kesedaran dan kepercayaan ini maka orang Melayu telah tubuh badan yang tersendiri untuk betul-betul memperjuangkan kemerdekaan daripada penjajahan British. Badan yang ditubuh ialah UMNO.

10. Orang Melayu tidak percaya yang pemberontakan bersenjata akan berkesan. Ini adalah kerana negara yang akan di warisi jika menang sekalipun sudah tentu akan rosak teruk kerana peperangan.

11. Pendekatan orang Melayu dan UMNO mengambilkira kemampuan mereka. Mungkin perjuangan UMNO tidak gah seperti perjuangan kemerdekaan bersenjata di negara-negara lain, tetapi kemerdekaan yang dicapai oleh UMNO lebih bermakna kerana Malaysia dapat menegak pendirian sendiri dan mengecam kuasa besar di dunia apabila mereka membuat kesalahan.

12. Sesungguhnya UMNO lah yang perjuangkan kemerdekaan sehingga berjaya mencapai kemerdekaan yang bermakna. Chin Peng berjuang untuk mendirikan pemerintahan diktator Komunis yang akan menjajah orang Melayu dan kaum-kaum lain juga.

Mara: Springboard For Bumiputera Entrepreneurs

By Melati Mohd Ariff

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 (Bernama) -- "Mara will continue to unearth Malay entrepreneurs as long as there are Malays who have the interest to venture into business."

That being the words of Datuk Othman Ahmad, the Deputy Director General (Entrepreneurs) of Majlis Amanah Rakyat or more popularly known as 'Mara'.

Othman said since Mara's establishment more than 40 years ago, the agency would continuously seek to ensure that the Bumiputera particularly the Malays were not left behind the nation's mainstream development.

At the same time, the Bumiputera entrepreneurs should be willing to change as any transformations made by Mara would be fruitless if they themselves were not willing to make the necessary adjustments, he said.

"Via all of Mara's programmes, we are out to create the generation of successful entrepreneurs among the Malays. We want them to pass down their business to their children and grandchildren.

"When the generation is ready to take over, we only need to assist in expanding the business instead of starting all over again", Othman told Bernama in his office at Mara building here recently.

As the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry had ceased to exist, Mara now comes under the purview of the Regional and Rural Development Ministry.

DEVELOPING THE SMEs

Mara has been synonymous with the government's efforts to develop the Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Nurturing the SMEs to be competitive at the global level is one of the foundations of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) (2006-2010).

Othman said Mara has drawn out plans to provide SME opportunities for the Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Named the Entrepreneur Development Landscape, the programme took off the ground after its launch by the then Prime Minister Datuk Seri (Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on April 2007.

According to Othman, the 2003 statistics showed that there were 523,132 business establishments in the manufacturing, services and agriculture sectors of which 518,996 or 91.2 per cent were SMEs.

He said until 2005 the number of business establishments were 37,866 (manufacturing), 451,516 (services), 32,397 (agriculture) that created 394,670 jobs.

For that, Mara would step up efforts to boost the participation of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in SMEs, he said.

So far, 32,528 Bumiputera SME entrepreneurs are under Mara's patronage.

Under the 9MP, the government had set aside RM210 million for Mara's programmes to develop the Bumiputera SMEs.

FOCUS

To boost active Bumiputera participation in SMEs, Mara is focusing on three business sectors namely food processing, retail and furniture.

Under these, there are five priorities - retail, food and herbal industries, development of graduates from Mara training institutions (Giat Mara, IKM) , development of graduates from public and private universities as well as Industrialised Business System (IBS) and Hardware.

"All of our efforts point towards realising the slogan endorsed by the then Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry of 'entrepreneurship as the career of choice'.

"We want to instill the attitude of doing business rather than earning a salaried income," said Othman.

On the IBS, Othman said it was a new approach to deal with the influx of foreign workers in the country.

He said the foreign workers have dominated various sectors and remitted close to RM15 billion to their homeland each year.

"The IBS will cut down the labour and costs. We have (institutions like) Giat Mara, Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) and UniKL that focus on the technical field. This way we can contribute towards more active Bumiputera participation," he said.

He said all of Mara efforts were towards creating 60,050 Bumiputera entrepreneurs including those in the SME sector, under the 9MP.

Othman said for the period of 2006-2008, Mara had issued funds for 33,000 Bumiputera traders that amounted to RM1.4 billion.

FOOD PROCESSING

Food processing is among the business fields that have the participation of many Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Othman said there were 400 Bumiputera entrepreneurs in this field under the agency's patronage.

However close to 70 per cent of these operators still do not have the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis as well as Critical Control Point (HACCP) accreditation.

"If there are no GMP and HACCP, then how to sell? What more in the foreign market.

"For that reason, we have set up the Mara Food Industry Complex (KIMAR) at Mukim Batu here at the cost of RM12 million where we provide facilities for the entrepreneurs to obtain the GMP and HACCP recognition," he said.

The complex is expected to be operational this month (June).

"This scheme is exceptional as apart from providing the location to operate, we also provide the loan for capital and purchase of equipment," he added.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

A team would manage the complex, which is also equipped with a proper waste disposal system.

An exhibition hall to display the products is also available.

Othman said Mara had picked 18 food industry operators to operate at the complex for up to a maximum period of 10 years.

He said the chosen entrepreneurs have the potential to go further and Mara hopes these operators reach the turnover of RM25 million a year in the near future.

Similar complexes are being developed in Pedas, (Negeri Sembilan), Serkam (Melaka) and Dungun (Terengganu).

"In Dungun (complex), we would focus on the pharmaceutical industry," he said.

Mara would also establish a Halal Park in Pulau Indah (Selangor), he added.

INCUBATOR FACILITY

Mara is also in the midst of setting up the 'Food Technology Incubator' facility at the Kepong Industrial Zone near here.

The facility is due to be completed in July this year. Among others the facility provides a laboratory to study the standard imposed on food products in the foreign nations.

The facility is also entrusted to develop product's packaging and with the equipment available, producers can have their products sent to this facility for tests.

Othman said Mara is collaborating with Campden Food Research Association from the United Kingdom to boost the incubator facility's efficiency.

MARKETING COOPERATION

In terms of marketing products by Bumiputera entrepreneurs, Mara has obtained the cooperation of almost all supermarkets in Malaysia to promote these items.

"Even though the products have entered the supermarkets, we also hold Mega Sale Carnival throughout the year to enable the producers to sell their goods directly to the consumers. Products chosen are definitely that of quality.

"This way, we assist the traders in terms of their cash flow. We plan to hold 70 carnival events nationwide including Sabah and Sarawak," said Othman.

Mara is also actively participating in trade expositions abroad in its efforts to promote products of Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

The agency has also set up Glocal Link Sdn Bhd, a firm to manage 11 trading houses for the marketing of such products abroad.

In the retail sector, Mara has trained 7,780 entrepreneurs in various business including electrical, interior decoration, healthcare, automotive and information communication technology (ICT).

He said 3,552 entrepreneurs have started operations while the rest would do so once they have the place to operate.

MENTOR, MENTEE

Mara has appointed successful businessmen to act as mentors to those who are still new in the field, under the 'mentor-mentee' concept.

Those picked for this programme are required to attend training for three to six months.

"After this period, the new traders would be given special courses that is the Entrepreneur Development Training to beef up their know how in business.

"Later they will start their own business according to their respective mentor's model.

"This concept is what we also call as the bamboo network where the entrepreneurs help each other like that in the clump of bamboo trees," said Othman, adding that the entrepreneurs also receive guidance of Mara's Business Management Consultant (BMC).

According to Othman, Mara focuses on the retail sector as it contributes a significant portion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This sector has recorded a turnover of 5.2 per cent, from RM159.6 billion in the year 2000 to RM205.6 billion in 2005.

VARSITY STUDENTS, GRADUATES

Mara also provides the Technopreneur Programme for university students and graduates, for them to participate in business development programmes, in line with the agency's aspiration to create the generation of Bumiputera traders.

Among these programmes is the Professional Diploma in Retail Management that drew the participation of 21 graduates of various disciplines.

This one-year programme is held at the Open University here.

Mara also collaborates with several tertiary-level education institutions including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) that offers a Master's programme in IT entrepreneurship.

Apart from that Mara also collaborates with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to establish "EduBiz Park" or Persada Siswa.

At Persada Siswa, Mara will place 60 mentor entrepreneurs and any UKM graduates who wish to do business can have their internship with their mentor.

"If they wish to do business, then they can proceed to do so. This programme is not available in other universities. Mara's approach is to create the Knowledge Entrepreneur generation.

"Today, the public sees the business field as the place for those who have no other choices. We want to change this negative perception and instill the sense that entrepreneurship is your future.

"Abroad, those who are in the business are the educated ones," he said.

Othman said under the graduates' entrepreneurship concept, Mara aims to train 1,000 graduates in the entrepreneurship field.

So far, out of the 380 graduates who have signed for the programme, 245 have started their own business.

SUPPORT, TRANSFORMATION

Othman said Mara's role is to transform the Malays into successful entrepreneurs. "There has to be a change or transformation in attitude," he said.

"Parents should also encourage their children to venture into business even though they have degree qualifications.

"I am confident if given the proper guidance and funds apart from the right attitude (confidence, resolve, trust), they can be successful," he added.

Dr M: Give Najib time

MB vs MB: Still no sight of written judgment

From Malaysiakini,

Despite the delay of a written judgment by the Court of Appeals, ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin may file his appeal at the Federal Court against a lower court's decision declaring Zambry Abdul Kadir as the legitimate MB.

MCPX

"We have yet to receive the written grounds of judgment (from the Court of Appeals). Still, we may file the appeal on Monday (June 8) at Federal Court after discussion on the matter with my lawyers," said Nizar.

He added that he had applied for a full-bench of nine-member panel of judges to hear his appeal at the Federal Court.

Court of Appeals judge Md Raus Sharif had earlier said the written judgment would be released on May 29.

However, a fax from the Court of Appeals office dated June 1 stated that the judges are still in the process of preparing the written judgment, said Nizar's lawyer Leong Cheok Keng when contacted by Malaysiakini.

"We were hoping that we will receive the written judgment by this week so that we can prepare the grounds for our appeal (to the Federal Court)," he added.

Nizar (far right in white shirt) has a one-month grace period from the May 22 oral judgment to file his appeal at the Federal Court, said Leong.

When asked what would be their next course of action if the written judgment does not arrive on time for Monday's appeal, he said: "That I'll have to discuss with my client (Nizar)."

Baffled on why the delay

DAP Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran, who was also with Nizar at the press conference, said he was baffled by the delay in the Court of Appeals in providing its written judgment when it was lightning quick in hearing the case.

He said it was crucial for Nizar to get the written judgment before he files his appeal.

"The written judgment will be used in our appeal proper, and will assist all parties whether it (the decision) is sound or otherwise."

"The decision (of the written judgment) will show whether the judgment was fair. Lawyers are also interested (to know the contents of the written judgment).

"The delay in giving the written judgment will raise suspicion among juries, lawyers and the ordinary people," he said.

On another matter, Nizar said the 69 supporters of Pakatan Rakyat, who were arrested and released on police bail during a three-day fast two weeks ago, would regroup tomorrow in front of DAP Ipoh headquarters and proceed to lodge a police report at 10am against the police.

"It is an abuse of police power. I do not know whether they will be charged or released."

On June 15, Nizar will take his oath of office as MP of Bukit Gantang in Parliament when sitting resumes.

Meanwhile, it is learnt from court sources that the Court of Appeal's judgment would be released in a day or two.

Dr M also does not know what 1 Malaysia is

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid (TMInsider)

PUTRAJAYA, June 3 - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has never been shy about offering up his opinions but the feisty former prime minister appears to be holding his tongue so far on what he thinks about the fledgling administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Asked today after a function at his office here about what he thought about Najib’s heavily criticised 1 Malaysia slogan, he offered up a curt “I don’t know.”

Pressed further, he said: “I don’t know what the basic concept is about as I was not told about it.”

Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept is meant to promote the idea of inclusiveness for all races in his government.

The government has, however, found it hard to explain what exactly what 1 Malaysia means, and has been on the defensive against criticisms that it bears a striking resemblance to the DAP’s old Malaysian Malaysia slogan, which was opposed by Umno as an idea which questions Malay rights.

Dr Mahathir was also asked today if he thought the government could do better to improve the ailing economy and his reply was another one liner: “It can.”

He also refused to comment on Najib’s economic council saying that he is not part of the government so he knows nothing about it.

His former political secretary Matthias Chang was, however, scathing in remarks published on his blog this week in his criticism of Najib’s economic council and the manner in which the economy was being managed.

Chang’s attacks appear to suggest some unhappiness within Dr Mahathir’s camp about some of Najib’s appointments to government posts.

Malaysians say politicians the most corrupt lot

By Shannon Teoh - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — We may have voted them into office but the truth of the matter is, we don't think very highly of our politicians.

Malaysians believe that politicians are the most corrupt group, according to a global survey by anti-graft body Transparency International (TI).

In the 2009 Global Corruption Barometer (GCB), 42 per cent of Malaysians said that political parties are the most corrupt institution, followed closely by the civil service at 37 per cent.

They are also not optimistic that graft will be curbed as two-thirds of Malaysians have no faith in the government's efforts to fight corruption.

TI Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low said that this was due to the fact that the public had no idea how political parties were funded.

"Corruption in politics is the mother of all corruption. Nobody knows how they are funded. They need to eliminate money politics as well as disclose their sources of funding," he said, adding that changes in electoral laws as well as compulsory audits would be needed to reverse public perception.

However, he felt that the results may not be accurate as the survey was conducted three months ago, amid speculation of monetary inducement that resulted in the Perak political crisis as well as vote-buying in the Umno party polls.

Low also called for better accessibility to information regarding government contracts and concession agreements as well as reviewing the Official Secrets Act as "these are not strategic interests" which could compromise national security.

Malaysia regularly scores close to five out of 10 on TI's Corruption Perception Index and last November's results left it ranked 47th out of 180 countries.

Despite the move to give further powers to the national anti-graft squad when it was converted from the Anti-Corruption Agency to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), 67 per cent of Malaysians still feel the government has been ineffective in dealing with corruption.

While Low said it was still too early to judge the MACC, he acknowledged public perception was that it practised selective prosecution and must instead "take the big fish along with the small fish." TI Malaysia would also attempt to conduct a public poll on its performance later this year.

Meanwhile, of Malaysians polled, only 9 per cent admitted to paying a bribe in the last 12 months, slightly below the global average of 13 per cent. Low noted that while three out of 10 Indonesians admitted to bribery, three-quarters felt their government has been effective in fighting graft.

"We can see that the Indonesian president has become more popular so it shows people value the intergrity of politicians," he said, referring to surveys showing Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity has increased ahead of this year's presidential elections.

Globally, political parties were considered by 29 per cent to be the most corrupt followed by the civil service at 26 per cent, while on average, 56 per cent felt their governments had not tackled graft well.

Also, respondents indicated an 8 per cent increase in the perception that the private sector is corrupt. Low said that companies should take heed to the fact that 50 per cent of Malaysians said they would prefer to purchase from "corruption-free" companies.

"The private sector should introduce anti-bribery and whistle-blowing policies as well as integrity agreements," he suggested.

He also said that while he was disappointed that Malaysia has not improved its corruption index for over eight years, he was encouraged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's statements on graft so far as it was early days yet in his two-month-old administration.

Low said that TI Malaysia has been consulted by the government many times before and he would be submitting a copy of this year's GCB, its sixth edition and the first with Malaysian participation, to Najib and was hopeful of further discussions with the government on the matter.

Well, IGP, what say you now?

Two years ago, Malaysia Today wrote a series of 12 articles about the Johor Chinese underworld that controls the drugs, loan shark, prostitution and illegal gambling syndicate. Malaysia Today revealed that the syndicate has sprouted its wings to the other states, transforming itself into a nationwide enterprise in partnership with the top guns in the police force, the IGP in particular. It took two years for this story to finally make the mainstream newspapers.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Police out to catch Ah Long 'fathers'
New Straits Times, 3 June 2009

State police chief Datuk Mokhtar Shariff said police were completing their investigations into the ringleaders of illegal moneylending syndicates and expected to bring them to book soon.

He said these "fathers" provided the syndicates with strong financial backing through their close links with crime syndicates involved in prostitution, drug trafficking and four-digit gambling.

"We believe their wealth is linked to money-laundering.

"My warning to them is that we will get you and take you off the streets," he said after a joint operation by police and the Johor Baru City Council to remove Ah Long stickers and bunting in the city here yesterday.

The operation, which was also carried out in other districts, was aimed at giving the local authorities a morale booster in the war against Ah Long syndicates.

Mokhtar said police would not tolerate Ah Long activities and he criticised those who borrowed from Ah Long because of their gambling addiction.

City mayor and council president Datuk Naim Nasir, who was present, said it was illegal to put up stickers and bunting to advertise moneylending services, a common practice among Ah Long.

"It does not matter whether it is licensed or otherwise. The fact is that such a form of advertisement is illegal.

"It ruins public property and brings no benefit to society, besides being an eyesore."

On snatch thefts, Mokhtar said police had arrested 104 suspects, most of whom were drug addicts.

************************************************

My son the AH LONG? — Mum shocked over 'secret' splashed in newspapers
She thought 'secretive' son was a property agent
The Malay Mail, 3 June 2009

ALL along, the family of Chan Ching Fatt thought that he was a property agent... until they saw his face plastered in the newspapers a few days ago.

The 22-year-old is wanted for questioning by police allegedly for his connections with the Krystal-9 loan shark syndicate which had held three debtors in chains and tortured them in a shoplot at Seri Kembangan. Chan was allegedly in charge of the syndicate's operations in Klang.

His mother discovered her son's "secret identity" after buying the evening edition of a Chinese newspaper. And his father is too distraught to speak.

"I usually buy the evening Chinese newspapers... then I saw my son's face. It is a big shock to me," said the woman, in her 40s.

Shock soon turned to anxiety as the phone in their Puchong home began to ring incessantly. Relatives and family friends flooded the family with inquiries about Chan.

"I truly didn't know what to tell them. I am still shocked," she said.

The mother of four said her son, who lives elsewhere, had told the family that he was working as a property agent.

"That's what he told us. Previously, he was working as a tour guide."

She said the last time the family met Chan, the second of four siblings, was about a year ago.

"He has always been the secretive type. We don't even have his phone number, we don't know where he lives," she said.

However, just like any mother, she is worried for his safety.

"What kind of mother am I... how can I not get worried . I am always thinking how, where he is. How is he managing... ."

And naturally, she believes her son isn't a bad person.

"He's not like that... he was probably influenced by the people, friends. He maybe mixed with the wrong crowd," she said.

The couple has yet to be interviewed by police. Chan is one of four men on the police list. One, Lee Chin Onn, was nabbed by police on Monday. (See accompanying story)

Police are also looking for the alleged ringleader, Ong Leng Kok, better known as Franco, 32, and the ring's alleged Ampang operations leader Yong Hock Fai, known as Alex, and two others.

The syndicate used a shoplot in Seri Kembangan to imprison debtors. Three debtors, rescued by police on May 27, were found chained, all by the neck, in a cell that looked more like a toilet, measuring 4x7ft.

For food, they had tap water and a loaf of bread each to last for two weeks. The "prisoners" sat beside a smelly toilet bowl.They said they were also beaten with sticks and belts by enforcers wearing gas masks.

Meanwhile Chan's father, a mechanic in his 50s, was too distraught to talk. "There's nothing to say."

Police looking into underworld links

SELANGOR police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar urged defaulters who had been confined by the syndicate to contact police to facilitate investigations.

The syndicate, believed to have originated from Tangkak, Johor is said to have branches throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Their two biggest branches were said to have been in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

On whether the syndicate's operation has any links to underworld organisations, Khalid said it was possible.

"The ‘taiko' (big brother) could be connected to a triad group but it's too early to make any assumptions."