Najib or Anwar?

Reductio ad Absurdum by Chan Kheng Hoe | The Nut Graph

IN light of the recent Bersih 2.0 demonstrations, and the unjustified crackdown by the authorities, one may be forgiven if one were to be carried away in denouncing the current administration. They handled the demonstrations in an appalling manner, both in the run-up to the actual day and on the day itself. The conduct of the administration is shameful, arrogant, and senseless. The lies that are spewed to cover up the very public acts of violence add insult to injury.

In contrast, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has cleverly stepped in to support Bersih 2.0. It cannot be denied that Bersih 2.0’s demands, which promote fair play and a level playing field during elections, would end up favouring the federal opposition.

And except for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s gaffe in claiming that he could call off the demonstrations, the PR has generally allowed civil society to take the lead in this movement.

The dramatic unfolding of events on 9 July 2011, as broadcast to the world through social media, YouTube and international media, may lead one to conclude that clearly the PR is the better choice for the next elections. However, there is one major obstacle, to my mind: Anwar.

For all intents and purposes, and subject to the court’s verdict in Anwar’s sodomy trial, Anwar is the person put forward by the PR as Prime Minister designate. But is Anwar in reality a better candidate than Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be PM of Malaysia? With respect, I cannot at this juncture respond with a resounding “yes”.

Points for Najib

Grudgingly, I must admit that Najib has made some good moves as PM. The 1Malaysia campaign stands out as an extremely clever move. Yes, 1Malaysia means different things to different groups, but isn’t that part and parcel of the art of politics? And while many may belittle this campaign as nothing but empty talk, I beg to differ. As a practising lawyer, I have observed in the past couple of years an increase in the recruitment of non-Malay Malaysian personnel in the courts. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, but the observation must be recorded.

The appointment of Datuk Sri Idris Jala to the cabinet is another outstanding feather in Najib’s cap. Idris comes with excellent credentials, and an enviable track record. I feel safe for Malaysia that someone like Idris is taking a hard look at the state of the Malaysian economy. I am comforted when Idris announces that Malaysia may potentially go bankrupt, because it tells me that at the very least, the authorities know the dire straits we are in. I would be much more alarmed if the authorities keep on insisting that Malaysia is on a fine growth track, and we are poised to be the next Asian economic powerhouse.

Najib has also eased much of the tension between Malaysia and Singapore, and that too is a good thing. Really, we have got to stop the rivalry between our two countries. Singapore can be very beneficial for Malaysia, and Singapore can gain much from cooperating with Malaysia as well. We have got avenues to strike win-win collaborations. Twenty years of demonising Singapore under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s rule is enough.

It’s time to move on.

Here’s another reason why I like Najib. He appears to be a man of the world. He does not pretend to be overly religious, or cite the scriptures wantonly. I don’t know him personally, but I suspect that he may have a quiet sip of Chardonnay on some nights. In Malaysia, there are so many politicians who want to claim the moral high ground, either by asserting religious or racial rights. That makes me exhausted. Sure, there would be occasions when Najib, too, would have to play to the gallery. But I imagine our PM is not reading books on political philosophy during his free time. One could imagine him sitting down on a quiet Sunday afternoon with his family watching The Simpsons, and actually appreciating the show.

Points against Anwar

In contrast, Anwar may speak much about unity, but he can never fully explain away his years in the Mahathir administration. Yes, imprisonment (usually referred to by Anwar as “solitary confinement”) can change a person. Nevertheless, I do not buy Anwar’s story of solitary confinement. I imagine the Malaysian prison to be a crowded and unpleasant place, and I imagine that Anwar was given his own cell due to his previous high position. Hence, what he touts as “solitary confinement”, I suspect to be a benefit accorded to him by the prison authorities.

Anwar promotes populist economic policies. He claims that the eradication of corruption would be sufficient to maintain subsidies for the Malaysian economy. I think this is a muddied approach. Yes, we need to install a social net for the poorest of the poor. But why should money saved from the eradication of corruption go towards maintaining subsidies? Why should the subsidy mentality be maintained?

Anwar was in the forefront of the fight to restore the use of Malay language in the teaching of Mathematics and Science. That is subjecting our education system to politics, and that is irresponsible. We are in a global village, and English is the lingua franca. Perhaps the policy to use English could have been better thought out. Perhaps there could be a dual system. And perhaps some schools may be given a choice. Anwar did not discuss any of these options. It appears as if he sensed an opportunity to score some brownie points with the populace, and he took the opportunity. Opportunists do not make great statespersons.

And finally, I sometimes cannot understand Anwar when he launches into his intellectual mode. An old proverb says, “When words are many, sin is not absent.” Have you heard Anwar when he tries to assert his intellectualism? Sure, bombastic words sound impressive. And when someone quotes multiple sources, he or she sounds credible. But in doing so, he or she forgets that 93% of communication comes from non-verbal cues. To me, in Anwar’s case, his words get so much in the way that I cannot sense his heart. And that makes me have reservations about him.

So what is the impact of Bersih 2.0? It has shown me that I have no credible choice in the next general election.

Najib/Hisham – have you lost all power over Utusan spin-doctors?

By Lim Kit Siang,


UMNO’s spin doctors in Utusan Malaysia are scraping the bottom of the barrel bringing out of the woodwork discredited personalities to weave lies which positively damage Malaysia’s national interests and international image.

The latest incident is the surfacing of the discredited Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Rahim Noor who gave an interview with Mingguan Malaysia on Sunday alleging the Bersih 2.0 rally could open the door to Jews and Israel to infiltrate Malaysia as there were parties who wanted countries like Malaysia that was against Jews and Israel to be toppled.


Although Rahim Noor established his professional career as Special Branch Director (just as he destroyed his service as IGP because of his criminal assault of Anwar Ibrahim in the infamous “black eye” episode in 1998), he could have no evidence for his sensational allegation in the Mingguan Malaysia interview apart from a very fertile figment of imagination.

However, based on Rahim Noor’s unsupported allegation, Utusan Malaysia carried an editorial yesterday as good as warning that the “Jew are coming” as a result of the Bersih 2.0 rally.

Either the Utusan Malaysia spin doctors have the full endorsement and a blank cheque from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to spin their worst, or the Umno spin doctors are totally out of control and neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister has the power to exercise any control over them even when they go on a rampage positively damaging Malaysia’s national interests and international image.

Which is which, Najib and Hishammuddin?

Have you ‘liked’ the ‘Free Jeyakumar’ Facebook page?

Hello people, have you “liked” the “100,000 Rakyat Malaysia Demand The Immediate Release Of MP Dr Jeyakumar” Facebook page already?


By now, most of you will have heard all about Dr Jeyakumar and his party colleagues, cruelly incarcerated without trial under the Emergency Ordinance.

Please publicise the Facebook page among your circle of friends. Free Jeyakumar and the others now.

Video of brutal Taliban execution of Pakistani policemen emerges

Warning: The video below is extremely graphic in nature. If you choose to watch this video, you will see the Taliban brutally execute more than a dozen bound Pakistani policemen. The Taliban then proceed to pump rounds into those who survived the initial firing.

Click here for Video

The Taliban videotaped the brutal execution of more than a dozen Pakistani policemen who were captured during last month's raid in a remote area of northwestern Pakistan.

The graphic video, which shows 16 Pakistani policemen who are lined up and then gunned down by Taliban fighters wielding AK-47s, was taken in early June in the Shaltalu area of the district of Dir in northwestern Pakistan, a Pakistani official and US intelligence officials who track the region told The Long War Journal. The executions were filmed after the policemen were captured during several days of heavy fighting.

The policemen were captured after the Taliban crossed the border from Kunar province in Afghanistan and attacked police outposts and villages in the Shaltalu area on June 1. The raid sparked a pitched battle that lasted for several days. Dozens of Pakistani policemen were taken hostage during the ensuing fighting, according to Pajhwok Afghan News. Pakistani officials claimed that 27 policemen and 45 Taliban fighters were killed during the raid, but Pajhwok put the number of policemen killed at more than 40. Raids by the Taliban on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border have increased this year as the terror groups have expanded their footholds in the region [see LWJ report, Taliban step up cross-border attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan].

The graphic video, which was published on the LiveLeak website, begins by showing the policemen, whose hands are bound behind their backs, in a line along a hillside. A Taliban commander tells the policemen they are responsible for the execution of six Pakistani "children" in the neighboring Pakistani district of Swat. Just prior to executing the Pakistani men, the Taliban leader gives a quick speech.

"These are the enemies of Islam who originated from Pakistan," says the Taliban commander, who is masked and has not been identified, according to a translation of the statement received by The Long War Journal. He describes the men as "murtards," or those who have abandoned Islam.

"They are the Pakistani police, soldiers, and their supporters who recently lined up six kids in Swat and shot them execution style," the commander continues. "These Pakistanis are now our captive and we will avenge the death of the children by doing the same to them."

The Taliban commander orders the policemen to remain still, then he and his fighters immediately open fire on the bound men. Most of the policemen are killed during the initial volley of Taliban fire. Several of the men are heard moaning as the Taliban stop shooting. The Taliban quickly move in to finish off the survivors at close range. The Taliban then travel up and down the line of bodies, pumping rounds into those still alive.

A Taliban fighter with a video camera tapes the entire execution and its aftermath. Later in the video, his shadow is cast over the dead bodies as he films them.

The video has not been attributed to a specific Taliban faction, however two major Taliban groups operate in the region, one commanded by Qari Zai Rahman, and another by Mullah Fazlullah.

Qari Zai Rahman is the dual-hatted Taliban and al Qaeda leader who operates in Pakistan's tribal agencies of Bajaur and Mohmand, as well as in Afghanistan's provinces of Kunar and Nuristan. ISAF and Afghan forces have been hunting Rahman for more than a year.

Mullah Fazlullah commands the Taliban forces in the district of Swat, which borders Dir to the east. Fazlullah's forces openly ruled Swat and neighboring districts from 2007 until April 2009, when the Pakistani military launched an operation to eject the Taliban. Fazlullah and most of his top leaders evaded the operation, however, and have since sheltered along the Afghan-Pakistani border, particularly in Dir.

The Pakistani Taliban routinely videotape executions of their captives. The most recent high-profile execution was carried out by Hakeemullah Mehsud and his followers. Earlier this year, the leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan released a videotape of the execution of a former Pakistani military intelligence official known as Colonel Imam. Although Imam, a senior officer in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, was a favorite of the Afghan Taliban for his support of Mullah Omar, the Pakistani Taliban accused him spying against the terror group [see LWJ report, Video: Pakistani Taliban execute Colonel Imam].

Indonesian volcano rumbles again, spitting massive ash clouds

The Mount Lokon volcano spews thick smoke and 

ash into the air as seen from the town of Tomohon on Sunday.

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- An Indonesian volcano erupted twice Monday, spewing thick ash clouds a day after the number of evacuees rose to 5,200.

The two eruptions occurred within 10 minutes of one another, spitting ash clouds as high as 600 meters (1,970 feet) into the air.

Mt. Lokon in the northern Sulawesi province first erupted Thursday night. Since then it has erupted several more times.

Authorities worry that the latest eruption sent smoke so high into the sky that it could affect flights at nearby airports.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Indonesia is located on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Gov't feels threatened, says Marina

(Malaysiakini) The Malaysian government feels threatened, is in a total state of panic and cannot think clearly, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's eldest daughter Marina Mahathir says.

“They do feel threatened because they underestimated Bersih in 2007 and then in the 2008 general election, they lost a lot of seats in Parliament and the state assemblies.

"And since then, they have been in a state of total panic and they can't think clearly at all. Now they are obsessed about how to win them back.

“You can win back people just by being nice. You can't win back people by being nasty. You can't say that those people who marched are hooligans. Maybe there was a handful, not all of them.

"The majority of them were professionals. The group was so diverse and it was really one Malaysia - young, rich, poor of every race, creed and every religion,” she told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview.

On July 9, Marina (right) took part in the Bersih 2.0 protest, with her daughter and friends.

They started from near Jalan Pudu (Berjaya Times Square) and walked along Jalan Hang Jebat (formerly Davidson Road) in front of Stadium Negara towards the Olympics Council of Malaysia building, where she encountered other friends.

She added that the people who marched were proud of the Bersih 2.0 movement. “I may not agree with your cause but you did a really good thing. We all became One Malaysia.

“Now, they are labelling us all sorts of names and let me tell you that they have lost all these votes. They may think they have lost them anyway, but let me tell you that there were a lot of people sitting on the fence and they have definitely gone to the other side. I see this clearly in the social media, especially email, on Twitter and in the blogs.”

Marina explained that the July 9 march had dented the image of the government and would obviously affect the ruling party “from the all the stupid statements that they are making and have been made by the government officials”.

She added: “Imagine saying that the police fired into the Tung Shin Hospital to protect the patients. It does not make sense. Again, they cannot think clearly and it is having an effect on the government.

“The prime minister came to give a briefing to 6,000 people the following day after July 9. If you are constantly surrounded by people who are telling you that you are wonderful and you are right, you are not going to get a true picture of what happened. You have to go and talk to people with different, not mutual views.

“If they refuse to listen to the people, the government leaders are going to be cocooned in complacency. And they are going to react in absolutely the wrong way.”

Putrajaya needs to respond to Bersih’s demands, says Ambiga

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — The federal government needs to actively engage with Bersih and respond to its electoral demands instead of warning people against taking part in street demonstrations, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has said.

The Bersih 2.0 chairman today demanded to know the Najib administration’s response to the group’s concerns, saying that Bersih had not ruled out more demonstrations in the future.

Ambiga did not rule out more demonstrations in the future. — File pic

“There are reports that I said there will be no more rallies. This is not accurate and I see ministers repeating it. What I said was that there will be no more rallies in the near future. We do not take organising such rallies lightly.

 

“We will continue to take such steps to keep the pressure on in relation to reforming the electoral system but what we are hoping for is active engagement with the authorities on the subject,” she told The Malaysian Insider.

Ambiga charged that the government was “missing the point” by issuing threats and more blanket bans against future rallies when what it should be doing was to address the valid concerns raised on July 9.

“What is the government’s response to our call for reform? To our call for a royal commission of inquiry? The government will do well to address the rakyat’s concerns rather than to just continue to threaten them.

“Simply put, is the government going to look at electoral reform or not?” she asked.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday issued a warning that the government will brook no further street demonstrations.

The July 9 Bersih rally has put the Najib administration on the back foot, and criticism of the way it suppressed the mass gathering has taken on a global nature.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived in the UK for a four-day visit last week and was greeted by a scathing editorial in The Guardian that compared his administration to ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak’s regime.

On Tuesday, US national daily The Wall Street Journal said the government’s response to the Bersih 2.0 rally has created an environment of fear and repression in Malaysia.

Despite the efforts to prevent the rally from taking place, tens of thousands converged on the capital city in a march for free and fair elections.

The protest, which the government earlier declared illegal, turned chaotic close to midday when the police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protestors.

Between right and might

Whatever rationalisations Najib starts cooking up to defend the actions of the police during the Bersih 2.0 rally, little is going to help him gain the people’s trust.

COMMENT

July 9, 2011 is reluctantly tattooed in the memory of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. And for obvious reasons.

But more disturbingly, the date will haunt him as it signifies that the tide is turning against the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as shown by the 50,000 supporters of the “Walk for Democracy”.

For the rakyat of this country, after witnessing the happenings of last Saturday, they unanimously reached a conclusion – that their leader is is one who has no guts to walk the talk.

July 9 was the day when an election watchdog, Bersih 2.0, decided to “Walk for Democracy” as its way of pressing for reforms to the electoral system. It wants the polls to be conducted in a free and fair manner.
The walk or rally was meant to end with a memorandum detailing the eight demands being delivered to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. But on July 9 the memorandum never made it to the King’s hands.

And who made sure that never happened? It was none other than Najib who went on parroting his meaningless catch-phrase “people first, performance now” post-2009.

July 9 bears proof that the “people first” claim was never a truth and likewise the “performance now” too turned out to be a fallacy.

Instead, July 9 turned into a showdown between the right which stands for Bersih 2.0 and might which represented Najib and his men.

Whatever rationalisations Najib starts cooking up to defend the actions of the police during the Bersih 2.0 rally, little is going to help him gain the people’s trust.

The heavy-handed persecution carried out against the faces behind the Bersih 2.0 coalition has left the rakyat feeling nauseous. They are utterly disgusted at a leader who has failed in handling a simple request from an award-winning lawyer to engage in a “Walk for Democracy” with the rakyat before handing over the memorandum to the King.

Instead, the Bersih 2.0 rally riled Najib up, inflating his paranoia of losing that plush seat in Putrajaya, the nation’s administrative capital.

Sore loser, Najib

The massive support given by the people to the “Walk for Democracy” made Najib very angry. His blood is up as seen from the remarks he made post-July 9 of wanting to teach Bersih 2.0 a lesson.

If there is a worry, it is this that henceforth all actions taken by the Najib camp against Bersih 2.0 leaders will border on revenge. Truly unfortunate that with power and authority at his disposal, Najib is forgetting that he is no gift to the rakyat of Malaysia. He has feet of clay and all that power that Putrajaya accords him is “temporary”.

Like their boss, the police too declined to be held accountable for the violence that broke out during the July 9 rally.

But then what does the Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar have to say to a remark made by national laureate and a supporter of the “Walk for Democracy”, A Samad Said, who witnessed the random firing of tear gas by the police?

“I saw them (the police) randomly firing tear gas at the crowd,” Samad had said.

The 76-year-old poet-activist was determined to lend all the support he could to the Bersih 2.0 rally that even after losing his shoes during a tussle at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, this senior citizen, whose eyes were bloodshot due to the tear gas and chemical-laced water, continued walking, barefoot. Dare they refute what he revealed?

What about the rally supporter who collapsed at the KLCC while running away from the tear gas fired by the police at the Bersih 2.0 supporters there. Baharuddin Ahmad, 59, was rushed to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police as always washed their hands of this casualty.

Intead, they quickly blamed Baharuddin’s excess weight and three blocked arteries for his demise.
A husband and father is dead and the police took the easy way out by blaming Baharuddin’s lifestyle as the cause of his death. Hello, who is Ismail trying to con here? The rakyat knows better.

Najib, BN learn from July 9

The Bersih 2.0 rally is certainly a lesson in progress for Najib and party. The events of July 9 have blunted the edge of the BN administration, which stubbornly defies all claims of corruption and manipulation practised during the polls.

What remains now is to wait and watch what Najib and his Umnoputeras would do from the bashing that came from the people’s support of Bersih 2.0.

As the Malay saying goes, “Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga” (No matter how smart the squirrel is to jump, he will still fall to the ground).

The brutality shown by the police on July 9 confirmed the people’s worst fears – that the cops are only too glad to be trigger-happy and have no issues embracing violence to get the people to “do as I say”.

As of now, Umno bigwigs are afraid of their periuk nasi or rice bowl and amusingly are all singing the same tune of verbally bashing Bersih 2.0 and its chairperson S Ambiga.

What Najib and Umno dare not accept is that the July 9 “Walk for Democracy” was not devised by the opposition, more precisely Anwar Ibrahim. It simply was a walk to uphold democracy, which the BN government found detrimental to its survival.
When Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim declared that the Bersih 2.0 rally was a ploy to overthrow the government, he was simply shooting empty darts by talking gibberish.
Again, BN and Umno are affecting ignorance by claiming the rally was politically motivated. It was not.

Awakening of the rakyat

The rally was a “walk” by the rakyat to exercise their fundamental and democratic rights, which for a long time have been repressed by the BN government under the guise of various draconian laws.

Najib outlawed Bersih 2.0 and all else related to this coalition, including the colour yellow, which was a symbolic feature in the Bersih 2.0 rally vis-à-vis the T-shirts.

Supporters of the rally were barred from wearing the Bersih 2.0 T-shirt, a yellow-colour outfit that lists down the eight demands of the coalition.

Yet, Umno, synonymous with malpractices and double standard, could not care less when Umno Youth under its “Patriot” guise was giving out free “Patriot” T-shirts during the rally. What was really going on here?

Also, all claims of the rally shooing away tourists from the city and the country had no basis, not until the police turned hysterical and started raiding hotels to look for “subversive elements”, which of course were no where to be found, for none exist.

What the Bersih 2.0 rally brought to light is the fear of the BN government and Umno, of the awakening of the rakyat who will without fear or favour go on to demand what is rightfully theirs.

Malaysia is home to all its 28 million children. The question, however, is, of that number, how many of them will go to any extent to protect their motherland from being devoured by the greedy hands?

IS BN BEHAVING LIKE OCCUPATION ARMY??? PICTORIAL COMPARISON!!!

In the run up to the now historical BERSIH 2.0 rally calling for free and fair elections, the BN government did many things to scare Malaysian into staying away from the rally. The government’s threat to its own citizens reached the apex of incredulity during a joint exercise between Federal Reserve Unit and Royal Malay Regiment on July 6th, three days before the BERSIH rally were to take place. Malaysiakini headlined its report “Army’s simulation exercise: Disperse, or we’ll shoot” on July 6th here: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/169088

The authorities issued threats against those intending to participate in BERSIH 2.0 rally by showcasing the kind punishment meted out to those violating the ban on ‘illegal’ rallies. Among the banners held up during the exercise the most conspicuous one reads:’BERSURAILAH KAMU KALAU TIDAK KAMI TEMBAK’ (‘Disperse. If not, we’ll shoot’)
Translations of the stern message in Tamil and Chinese were repeated along with a transliteration in the ‘Jawi’ script is repeated in the banner as shown in the picture below:

The notion of security forces of a democratic government threatening to shoot the general public for participating in a peaceful rally is beyond comprehension, unless of course if it’s a threat from an occupational army as the image below shows. (Click on the image below)

Picture source: End of Empire by Brian Lapping, ISBN 0-246-11969-1, Refer to page 333
Take a long good look at the image above; the subtitle in the top right corner reads: ‘Disperse or we shoot’, in English, Greek and Turkish on a British army lorry. It shows the British occupational army in Cyprus warning the public who are rallying for their freedom. The majority of Cypriots are of Greek and Turkish descent, hence the warning on the banner is repeated on both Greek and Turkish. Only an army of occupation will rule a country through fear and intimidation like the British did in many countries it colonized. The situation is repeated in Malaysia now!!!! Is Malaysia is still being governed ruthlessly like a colony of BN? You know the answer…

Every fight for freedom will eventually prevail. The British Empire ended when people rose up for their freedom. And if the BN-UMNO regime refuses to heed the call to reinstate their basic rights and freedom of its people… their citadel will crumble to dust sooner than they can ever imagine.
KEEP UP THE FIGHT MALAYSIANS…. PROUD TO HAVE WALKED WITH YOU…

Helah Media Merekayasa Berita Akhirnya Terbungkam

Akhbar gagah News of the World yg mencecah 2.6 juta jualan harian akhirnya dibungkam! Ini berikutan pendedahan betapa media milik korporat media ulung dunia Rupert Murdoch terkait dengan skandal pemalsuan maklumat dalam satu kes pembunuhan ngeri di Britain.

Namun yang lebih memprihatinkan ialah helah dan pendekatan media milik Murdoch yang berhasil melonjakkan penjualan akbar dan khalayak tv melalui kaedah yang melanggar etika kewartanan, merekayasa berita malah sanggup terjerobos ketahap kewartawanan paling hina!

Dalam beberapa tweet saya tadi, saya merujuk rencana Carl Bernstein (masyhur dalam pembongkaran skandal Watergate Presiden R Nixon) dalam Newsweek “Murdoch’s Watergate”. Beliau menyanggah budaya berita Empayar Murdoch yang tampak angkuh dan mengganas. Pemerintah Inggeris, dunia kewartawanan tercegat dengan skandal terbaru ini. Ada kemungkinan siasatan akan dilanjutkan ke Amerika Syarikat.

Bayangkan seandainya wujud penyiasatan rapi, pemantaun etika, dan badan kehakiman bebas di Malaysia. Mampukah media Umno-Bn utamanya Utusan Malaysia dan TV3 terselamat?

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Death in custody – R Gunasegaran (Sentul District Police Headquarters, 16 Jul 2009)

Two years ago on 16 Jul 2009, R Gunasegaran died on the way to Kuala Lumpur Hospital after having been detained at the Sentul District Police Headquarters on the same day. 

The police claimed that the then-31-year old toddy shop assistant collapsed due to drug abuse while the police was taking his thumbprint at the Sentul District Police Headquarters.  However, R Gunasegaran’s sister, R Ganga Gowri, claimed her brother had been assaulted by the police. 

An inquest into R Gunasegaran’s death began on 11 Nov 2009 and concluded on 25 Oct 2010, with Coroner Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin giving an open verdict stating that the cause of R Gunasegaran’s death while in police custody could not be proven conclusively.

After the first autopsy, the doctor verified that R Gunasegaran’s death had been due to drug abuse.  However, another suspect who had been arrested with R Gunasegaran claimed that he had seen a policeman assault R Gunasegaran until the latter was unconscious.  The second autopsy also reportedly revealed a scar measuring 28 cm (length) by 8 cm (width) by 5 cm (depth) on R Gunasegaran’s chest.

After the open verdict was delivered, R Gunasegaran’s family announced they would file for a judicial review of the decision in the High Court.  

Every death in custody must be thoroughly and impartially investigated.  R Gunasegaran’s death must not be relegated to a mere statistic.

 

Based on the Royal Malaysia Police’s statistics, 85 persons died in police custody between 2003 and 2007 alone.

We express our heartfelt condolences to R Gunasegaran’s family and friends on the anniversary of his death.

Sex change op not enough for gender change, says judge

The Star

KUALA TERENGGANU: A medical assistant failed in his bid to be declared a woman when the High Court here rejected his application for a gender change.

Mohd Ashraf Hafiz Abd Aziz, 26, who was not present in court, had also wanted his name changed on his birth certificate and MyKad to Aleesha Farhana Abd Aziz.

He wanted this reflected in his driving licence, two bank accounts and medical assistant diploma from a medical college.

Ashraf Hafiz, from Seberang Takir here, had a sex change operation in Thailand in May 2009 after seeking advice and hormonal treatment from Pantai Medical Centre.

In his application, Ashraf Hafiz said he had exhibited female mannerisms and was more inclined to socialise with girls since he was in school.

His mother, in her affidavit, said his private parts was too small and was not functioning normally.

Justice Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa, in rejecting Ashraf Hafiz’s application, said there was no legal statute to grant his application based solely on the sex change operation.

“He also did not meet three other criteria for being declared a woman – chromosome count, and exterior and interior organs.

“The medical reports were not complete or conclusive and no doctors were called to give their statements regarding biological factors throughout the court proceedings,” he said.

He said a person’s gender was determined during birth and could not be changed through surgery.

“In making my judgment, I have to take into account the legal impact as well as whether a decision would confuse the public.

“Surgical intervention is not sufficient, given that the surgery was conducted to ensure a person would be comfortable with his body,” he said.

In his previous arguments, lawyer Horley Isaacs, who represented the plaintiff, said his client was facing difficulty leading a normal life, especially in wanting to further his studies in a local university.

Ashraf Hafiz created a stir when he attended the proceedings on May 25 clad in a red and white kebaya and pink tudung.

When approached by reporters then, he refused to comment. Instead, he covered his face and dashed away from the media.

Scottish uni to set up campus in Putrajaya?

A leading Scottish university in the field of science and technology is inching closer to setting up a campus in Putrajaya by 2014.
 
The tertiary institution, also known for its business and engineering programmes, has been chosen as the “preferred university” to set up the campus. Final contractual negotiations and approvals could be concluded by the end of this year.

If all goes well, it will be the university’s first campus in East Asia.

Unofficial Translation of Pastor Youcef Nadakhani’s Verdict

TEHRAN, IRAN (Worthy News)– An unofficial translation of the Iranian Supreme Court’s decision to execute Pastor Youcef Nadakhani was obtained by Worthy News on Monday, July 18.

The unofficial translation was provided by Present Truth Ministries (PTM).

In the name of Allah
To the lawyers of the accused (defendant)
To the local court
To the state court of Gilan Section 11
December 5, 2010
Issued by section 27 Supreme Court Judge Morteza Fazel and Azizoallah Razaghi
Mr. Youcef Nadarkhani, son of Byrom, 32 years old, married, born in Rasht in the state of Gilan is convicted of turning his back on Islam, the greatest religion the prophesy of Mohammad, at the age of 19.

He has often participated in Christian worship and organized home church services, evangelizing and has been baptized and baptized others, converting Muslims to Christianity. He has been accused of breaking Islamic Law that from puberty (15 years according to Islamic law) until the age of 19 the year 1996, he was raised a Muslim in a Muslim home. During court trials, he denied the prophecy of Mohammad and the authority of Islam. He has stated that he is a Christian and no longer Muslim.

During many sessions in court with the presence of his attorney and a judge, he has been sentenced to execution by hanging according to article 8 of Tahrir -olvasileh (one of Khomeni’s books about Sharia Law and Khamenie’s and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi’s fatwa) His sentence was appealed by his attorney and sent to the supreme court.
The Supreme Courts Response
In the name of Allah

June 12, 2011
This sopena states;
We know that Mr. Nadarkhani has confessed that in his heart and in his actions he has denied being Muslim and converted to Christianity and has advertised and encouraged other Muslims to convert to Christianity. And because of advertising and pastoring a church repeatedly professed his Christian faith and denied the prophet Mohammad and the 12th Imam and denied the entire Koran and truth of the Koran.

His case was forwarded to the supreme court (Judge Fazel) and according to Part 2 of article 265 of the Islamic Republic Criminal Law, this case received by and must be returned the state court of Gilan Section 11, and further investigated to prove that from puberty (15 years) to 19 he was not Muslim by his acquaintances, relatives, local elders, and Muslims he frequented. He must repent his Christian faith if this is the case. No research has been done to prove this, if it can be proved that he was a practicing Muslim as an adult and has not repented, the execution will be carried out.

Signed by Morteza Fazeli and Azizollah Razaghi

According to PTM, Youcef was not a practicing Muslim, but simply born into a Muslim family and did not practice any religion before coming to Jesus Christ. This fall an Iranian lower court will re-evaluate the case and determine if Youcef was a practicing Muslim to determine whether or not he is found guilty of apostasy which carries a sentence of death in Iran.

The U.S. State Department has also expressed concerns about the pastor’s fate. The last known Christian to be officially hanged for his faith in Iran was Assemblies of God Pastor Hossein Soodmand, in 1990.

PSM top guns secure meeting with Hisham

No more street rallies, warns Muhyiddin

Muhyiddin said Malaysia’s election system was time tested and ought to be acceptable to all. — file pic

 

DENPASAR, July 18 — With Putrajaya still reeling from the July 9 Bersih rally, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today warned Pakatan Rakyat (PR) that the government will brook no further street demonstrations.


“Do not take any threatening action (towards the administration). We will not bow to threats but since they (PR) have a political motive, they are trying to make it look as though the government is insensitive, our electoral system is outdated and that our general elections had been conducted improperly,” Bernama Online quoted the deputy prime minister as saying today.

Muhyiddin today maintained the establishment line on the list of electoral reforms demanded by Bersih, but added that Barisan Nasional was also interested in improving the present system.

“Our electoral system has been tested for more than five decades and this system should be accepted by all,” he said.

Bersih is persisting with its eight reform demands for free and fair elections, but chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan has said that no further rallies are being planned.

The July 9 Bersih rally has sent the Najib administration on the back foot, and criticism of the way it suppressed the mass gathering has taken on a global nature.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived in the UK for a four-day visit last week and was greeted by a scathing editorial in The Guardian that compared his administration to ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak’s regime.

On Tuesday, US national daily The Wall Street Journal said the government’s response to the Bersih 2.0 rally has created an environment of fear and repression in Malaysia.

Despite the efforts to prevent the rally from taking place, tens of thousands converged on the capital city in a march for free and fair elections.

The protest, which the government earlier declared illegal, turned chaotic close to midday when the police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protestors.

Vatican, Malaysia establish diplomatic ties

Move raises political concerns that the government will come under fire from opposition party PAS.

VATICAN CITY: The Vatican and Malaysia have established official diplomatic ties, the Holy See announced today after talks between Pope Benedict XVI and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, according to an AFP report today.

“In the cordial conversations, the positive developments in bilateral relations were discussed, and an agreement was reached to establish diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Holy See,” the Vatican said in a statement.

Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country of around 28 million people, is the 179th country to have diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

Some nine percent of Malaysians are Christian, including 850,000 Catholics.

Last month, Najib met with Malaysian church leaders in a bid to ease religious tensions stirred by a report that alleged Christians wanted to replace Islam as the official religion.

The row is one of a string of religious disputes in recent years that have raised fears among minorities that the country is being “Islamised” and that their rights are being eroded.

Religion and language are sensitive issues in multi-racial Malaysia.

A Malaysian government official told AFP on condition of anonymity that there are political concerns that the move to establish ties with the Vatican would be criticised by the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

Earlier, Najib today met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Pope’s summer residence at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, reports Bernama.

Najib’s audience with Pope Benedict took place soon after his arrival at the palace overlooking a beautiful lake on a hot Italian summer day.

Universal government

Following the private meeting, Najib introduced members of his entourage, including his wife Rosmah Mansor, to the Pope.

Najib later presented the Pope with gifts in the form of a book titled “Najib” and a framed songket embroidery.

Both of them were later joined by Rosmah and members of the Malaysian delegation for a group photograph.

Najib was then ushered into a separate room for a delegation meeting with Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

Najib brought along with him a multi-faith entourage including Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Koh Tsu Koon and Jamil Khir Baharom, and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok.

They were joined by National Fatwa Council chairman Prof Abdul Shukor Husin and Archbishop Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam.

It was the second meeting between a Malaysian prime minister and the Pope after the one involving former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pope John Paul in June 2002.

The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican City State and Holy See.

The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign, independent territory of 0.44 sq km.

Polis minta orang ramai serah rakaman video Bersih

Kerjasama itu perlu bagi membolehkan polis mendapat gambaran sebenar kejadian yang berlaku, kata Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara.

GENTING HIGHLANDS: Orang ramai diminta bekerjasama dengan polis bagi menyerahkan rakaman video berkaitan perhimpunan haram 9 Julai lepas untuk dijadikan bukti sama ada terdapat dakwaan polis bertindak ganas semasa menyuraikan perhimpunan itu.

Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar berkata kerjasama itu perlu bagi membolehkan polis mendapat gambaran sebenar kejadian yang berlaku setelah banyak pihak mendakwa kekasaran polis semasa menangani perhimpunan itu.

“Kita akan siasat secara telus, terperinci dan polis tidak akan sembunyikan apa-apa fakta yang benar,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Bengkel Banteras Kecurian Kenderaaan di Malaysia di  sini, hari ini.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata polis menubuhkan enam jawatankuasa yang diketuai seorang pegawai kanan bagi menyiasat enam dakwaan kezaliman polis ketika bertugas menangani perhimpunan tersebut.

“Siasatan akan diselesaikan secepat mungkin dan polis telah panggil beberapa saksi untuk siasat enam tohmahan itu.

“Polis ingin tahu tohmahan itu benar ataupun tidak. Bagaimanapun tohmahan yang disiasat itu tidak termasuk kejadian di Hospital Tung Shin,” katanya.

Khalid berkata sekiranya perlu polis bersedia menayangkan video mengenai kejadian sebenar yang berlaku pada perhimpunan itu.

“Sekiranya perlu kita akan siarkan video itu selepas jawatankuasa yang ditubuhkan selesai menyiapkan laporan berhubung perhimpunan itu,” katanya.

Mengulas mengenai tangkapan yang dilakukan ketika perhimpunan itu, Khalid berkata tangkapan yang dilakukan adalah mengikut undang-undang, jika mereka yang ditahan tidak berpuas hati dengan tugas polis, perkara itu boleh dibawa ke mahkamah.

“Tangkapan yang dilakukan kebanyakannya kerana memakai baju Bersih (Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil)…sebahagian besar tangkapan telah dibebaskan tanpa syarat dan sebahagian lagi kita siasat sebab ajak orang berhimpun.

Sementara itu, Khalid turut meminta mana-mana pihak yang mempunyai bukti dakwaan kematian pemandu teksi Baharudin Ahmad, 59, akibat gas pemedih mata ketika menyertai perhimpunan itu supaya menyerahkan bukti itu kepada polis.

“Kalau ada bukti tunjukkanlah…jangan sebarkan dakwaan itu tanpa ada kesahihan,” katanya.

Sebelum ini, polis mengesahkan kematian Baharudin itu yang menyertai perhimpunan haram di kawasan KLCC pada 9 Julai adalah akibat komplikasi jantung dan bukan berpunca daripada gas pemedih mata seperti didakwa pihak tertentu.

- Bernama

No kidding, it is actually called the 'Ibrahim Ali Award'!

Five thousand ringgit: That is the amount Ibrahim Ali is offering. Any takers?

(Harakah Daily) -  Heaven and earth may be closer than Ibrahim Ali and ivory tower, but that did not stop UiTM to name one of its awards after the Perkasa leader.
While Ibrahim Ali's antics may evoke anger among a section of people, most Malaysians have come to terms with the staunchly pro-UMNO independent member of parliament's rhetoric, welcoming him as comic relief in a political environment that has been otherwise littered with vile and personal allegations.

And his most recent antic notwithstanding - his weeks-long threat to hold a counter gathering to stop Bersih's rally on July 9, only to disappear during the peak of Bersih's massive rally which saw more than 1,600 arrests.

For Pahang PAS commissioner who is also the Islamic party's information chief, the announcement of the award came as embarrasing though retaining all the humour that accompanies any news about the Pasir Mas MP.
Understandably so, since Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (left) was once attached to the same university as a lecturer.

"Those leaders who strove hard to make UiTM well-known and respected would have been more deserving of awards being named after them. Tan Sri Arsyad Ayub, Tan Sri Ani Arope, Dato Ishak Mohamad, Dr Awang Had Salleh, and Tan Sri Ibrahim Abu Shah (former UiTM vice chancelor) will also be smiling to find out that there is an award named after Ibrahim Ali!" said Tuan Ibrahim in response to a report today.

Earlier today, online news site Malaysiakini reported that UiTM's Institut Pemikiran dan Kepimpinan Melayu was offering the 'Ibrahim Ali Award' in the form of a cash prize sponsored by the Perkasa chief.

Among the criteria sought by the award is that students must have "clear and consistent" principles in upholding their race. In addition, they must also help UiTM encourage students to join activities related to "upgrading the honour and reputation of the race".

Tuan Ibrahim however predicted that the award would die a natural death.

"It is unfortunate when an institute of higher learning does something without any background check on someone. Ibrahim Ali is not a person who is held in esteem by the people.

"An award recipient should feel proud of the award. If an award only invites scorn that will later become a stigma on the recipient, I am sure such an award will fail," he added.

Najib’s Vatican trip: A letter to the Pope

A group of 365 Catholics and other Christians in Malaysia, including a string of priests and religious, have signed a joint letter to Pope Benedict XVI expressing their concern over Prime Minister Najib Razak’s official visit to the Vatican on 18 July 2011 in view of recent developments in the country.
The letter highlighted concerns about the lack of democratic rights and religious freedom in Malaysia to enable the Pope to “understand more critically and comprehensively the political and social realities” lest the pontiff be “presented with a one-sided view of developments” in the country.
It should be remembered that six political activists, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, are being unjustly detained without trial.
See the full letter and list of signatories on the Aliran website.

Sikh community in Lahore prevented from celebrating festival

The Sikh community in the eastern city of Lahore has been barred from organising a religious celebration at a disputed gurdwara after a religious group persuaded authorities that celebrating the Muslim holy day of 'Shab-e-Barat' is more important than the Sikh festival. 

The musical equipment of the Sikhs was thrown out and their entry to the gurdwara barred due to the efforts of the Dawat-e-Islami, a Barelvi proselytising group, The Express Tribune newspaper reported today. 

Police were deployed outside the gurdwara to prevent Sikhs from conducting a religious ceremony until after the end of Shab-e-Barat, which falls tomorrow. 

The Sikh community wanted to commemorate an eighteenth-century saint at the gurdwara on Friday. 

Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore was built to honour the memory of a Sikh saint who was executed in 1745 on the orders of the Mughal governor of Punjab, Zakaria Khan.

Bersih an opportunity for Jews to infiltrate country, says Utusan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Utusan Malaysia said today that street demonstrations could open the door to Jews and Israel to interfere in  the country’s affairs.

The Umno-owned newspaper specifically named Bersih as such an example after citing former police chief Tan Sri Rahim Noor’s assertion that there were parties who wanted any country that was against Jews and Israel to be toppled.

“When the drums in the name of basic human rights becomes louder, it gives an opportunity to pro-Jewish groups to interfere in any Muslim country,” Utusan said in an editorial today.

“We may not be aware that supporting an action, including demonstrations, can trap us in the mission of foreign parties who are trying to control the country. The same with the illegal Bersih gathering, it is not free from getting foreign aid where thousands of ringgit was channelled into their account.”

The Malay daily also added that “we have seen a political leader who is said to be close to Jewish leaders and NGOs. Due to political ambitions, Islam and Malays can be sold out,” it said, repeating allegations it has made in the past against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose Pakatan Rakyat (PR) were firm backers of Bersih.

Utusan Malaysia has also painted Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan as anti-Islam and previously alleged that Bersih was funded by Christian groups such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation from Germany and the Canadian Allied Foundation.

It added today that “Muslims and Malaysians should not allow any party especially Jews from interfering in the affairs of this country”.

Its news editor, Zulkiflee Bakar, also wrote in a separate commentary that swift action should be taken against the Bersih chief, as “we want to know the truth behind the allegations that Ambiga has received foreign funds to organise the illegal demonstration”.

Bersih had gone ahead with the July 9 gathering despite being denied police permission, plunging Kuala Lumpur into chaos as tens of thousands poured into the city, resulting in nearly 1,700 arrests, scores injured and the death of a PKR division leader’s husband.

The coalition of 62 NGOs had earlier agreed to an offer by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to move its street gathering to a stadium but was then told by authorities not to gather in the capital, ruling out its choice of the historical Stadium Merdeka.

Following the rally, Utusan Malaysia had also accused Anwar, Ambiga and DAP leaders of using PAS and Malays as political tools to press ahead with the rally.

PSM 6: An unlawful detention

How can Najib talk to the Pope with a clear conscience when at home, six people... are held without trial?

Most people would not have known him personally but they would have read of him and know that he comes from Sungei Siput. Few, especially those he has helped, will disagree that he is a champion of the poor and the forgotten.

To those whose lives he improved, he is a king among ordinary men. To the government, he stands accused of plotting to overthrow the King.

Today, as his health deteriorates, he is kept in isolation, under the draconian 1969 Emergency Ordinance (EO) of Malaysia.

If you thought it couldn’t happen to you, then you might wish to think again.

The man in question is Dr D Michael Jeyakumar, the Sungei Siput MP. On June 25, he and 29 other people from the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) were arrested for allegedly possessing communist propaganda material and so were considered a threat to national security.

The authorities claim that the PSM was a danger to the public as it was planning to revive the communist party and then topple the government by starting a revolution.

According to some reports, PSM members had been forced to sign confessions in which they admitted that there was a plot to overthrow the government and that some members had undergone suicide bombing training.

Some serious allegations have surfaced regarding the treatment of the 30 people. Women were physically abused, forced into an overcrowded cell and had to drink from a toilet bowl, to quench their thirst.

The conditions in the cell were deplorable with many unable to relieve themselves and had to beg to go to use the toilet which apparently was not working. Other ill-treatment involved the inhumane and life-threatening treatment of a diabetic.

Among the activists who were detained without trial with Jeyakumar are PSM deputy president M Saraswathy, central committee members Choo Chon Kai and M Sugumaran, Youth chief R Sarathbabu and Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan. They are collectively known as “The PSM 6”.


Last month, they were arrested and charged. After being released, they were re-arrested on July 2. There were also allegations that the Special Branch had tricked some members of PSM who were illiterate, into signing statements alleging their involvement in a violent revolution. It was also alleged that their responses for being members of PSM and their relationship with Bersih 2.0, had been written for them.
Unflinching service
The authorities may wish to tarnish Jeyakumar’s reputation but his colleague, another doctor, writes of the young Jeyakumar who was at that time, performing a stint in the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), in the 1980s. The following is his description of the young medical officer:

Even then he was most outstanding as a government officer of uncommon social responsibility, providing patient service unflinchingly regardless of heavy workloads. Indeed he showed his concern for patients well beyond his immediate patient care responsibilities at SGH.

I recall that as a junior medical officer at SGH, he actively canvassed for:
The safety and comfort of patients on long boat journeys, while on referral from Kapit district hospital to Sibu Hospital;

Injured workers’ timely entitlements under the Workers Compensation Scheme; especially timely and more just awards by medical boards to injured workers;

The legislatively prescribed responsibilities of Socso in the rehabilitation of permanently disabled workers, and weakness of Socso thereof; and

The occupational safety of mostly Dayak logging workers in Sarawak, or rather, lack thereof.
This is all the more remarkable as he comes from a comfortable upper middle class family in Penang.
I was disappointed in myself for having failed in my effort to recommend him for Perkhidmatan Cemerlang award.



Nonetheless, he was a personal inspiration to me, and he will always be such.

I have no doubt that it is a highest level of humanity which made him not just a physician, but an uncommon one. He has dedicated the last three-four decades of his life as much to his Dayak patients in Sarawak as to the Indian plantation workers, both groups being the marginalised of the marginalised in Malaysian society.

His humanity finds expression in his leadership of Malaysian Socialists.
We might not agree with the principles of PSM but if we are to have free, fair and clean elections, we have to allow everyone to express their views.
Today, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will pay a visit to the Pope in the Vatican City.
How can Najib hold his head high up and talk to the Pope with a clear conscience when at home, six people and possibly several thousand others, are held without trial, their future destroyed, their lives in jeopardy, just because they want to uphold their rights to free speech and freedom to hold peaceful assemblies?
Is the Vatican going to remove all its crucifixes for Najib’s visit?

Mariam Mokhtar is a columnist with FMT.

Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo’ Lo’ dies of cancer

Her remains will be taken to the Masjid Al-Akram in Dato Keramat for prayers at 8am tomorrow.

PETALING JAYA: Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo’Lo’ Mohd Ghazali of PAS died at about 10.25pm today after suffering from breast cancer.

A tweet message, sent out from her twitter account by an admin at 10.28pm, read: “Dr Lo’ Lo’ has just breathed her last moments ago.”

This was confirmed by PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, who is also the Rantau Panjang MP.

SMSes sent out to PAS members are saying that her remains will be taken to the Masjid Al-Akram in Dato Keramat for prayers at 8am tomorrow.

Lo’Lo’ had undergone treatment at the Selayang Hospital and was in a critical condition earlier today.
The news of Lo’Lo’s death made its round in the micro-blogging twitter site earlier today afternoon but her family had denied the news, stating that the parliamentarian was in critical condition and seeking treatment in Selayang Hospital.

Even Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had tweeted at about 2pm about her death. He later retracted his tweet and apologised to her family.

The first term MP won the Titiwangsa seat in 2008.

While her seat will be declared vacant now, there will however be no by-election as the Parliament has served its three-year mandate. PAS will have to nominate someone to look after this constituency until the next general election.

‘Malay dinosaur’ Ibrahim hits out at ‘crocodile’ Wong

The Perkasa chief hits back at Wong Chun Wai for calling him a "dinosaur" and labels him as “father of crocodile”.

PETALING JAYA: Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has branded Group Chief Editor of the Star, Wong Chun Wai, as the “father of crocodile” and accused him of writing “very subtly to destroy the country’s basic constitution”.

Ibrahim’s latest tirade was provoked by Wong’s column in the Sunday Star today entitled “Talk Less, Listen Harder” in which he suggested that politicians begin paying attention to the real boss – the rakyat.

“We are not interested in 100-storey buildings, whether wives should be obedient to their husbands in bed or racist tirades from political dinosaurs like Datuk Ibrahim Ali of Perkasa,” Wong wrote.

During his opening speech at the Perak Perkasa annual meeting this afternoon, an indignant Ibrahim told 1,200 delegates that he wasn’t interested either in a” racist tirade from a columnist father of crocodile like Wong Chun Wai”.

“I know this is a person who writes on and on very subtly to destroy the country’s basic constitution,” he said in a statement via text message. “So I would like to say right in front of Wong Chun Wai, you can write and fool others but not the dinosaur Ibrahim Ali.”

“I’m proud to be a Malay dinosaur who will protect at any cost against those who try to write a new social contract for Malaysia. So Wong better behave and be a good Malaysian citizen. Don’t try to ask more. Enough is enough.”

When asked what a “father of crocodile” meant, Ibrahim said that it referred to a hypocrite who swallowed everything.

The independent Pasir Mas MP then proceeded to dragged Pakatan Rakyat’s national leaders into his diatribe.

“If I’m a dinosaur then (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim, (DAP advisor) Lim Kit Siang, (PAS spiritual advisor) Nik Aziz Nik Mat, (Penang chief minister) Lim Guan Eng and (DAP national chairman) Karpal Singh are fathers of dinosaurs,” he ranted. “They (have been in power) longer than me. We call them the fathers of nepotism.”

Ibrahim questioned why Wong chose to overlook this fact.

DEATH IN CUSTODY – “WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN”

This day, two years ago, our brothers, Teoh Beng Hock and Gunasegaran, died in the custody of authorities who were supposed to keep them safe from harm.
We have not forgotten.
We will never forget.
It’s been a week since the Bersih 2.0 walk.
That day, we overcame fear and a new and brave spirit  has pervaded our nation.
That spirit must continue.
And that spirit must push for justice for those who died while in custody.
Every man’s death diminishes us because we are a part of humanity.
Please join us this evening.

PROGRAMME:

6.15 PM –   Gather at Annexe/Bar Council/ Klang River side

6.30 PM –   Short Message/ Sharing by Reps of CS organisations

6.45 PM –  ”We have not forgotten” Minute of Silence 

6.47 PM -  ” Sprinkle Flowers into flowing River”

7.00 PM –   Bersurai

WIKILEAKS: BLOGGER ALLEGES DPM'S WIFE AT MURDER SCENE

Controversial internet journalist Raja Petra voluntarily completed a sworn statement ("statutory declaration") at a Malaysian court on June 18, in which he affirmed that he was "reliably informed" Deputy Prime Minister Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, together with her aide Norhayati and acting Colonel Aziz Buyong (Norhayati's husband), were present at the scene of the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibbu in October 2006.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000529

SIPDIS

FOR EAP/MTS AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2028

TAGS: PGOV, PINR, KJUS, KDEM, MY

SUBJECT: BLOGGER ALLEGES DPM'S WIFE AT MURDER SCENE

REF: KUALA LUMPUR 335 - SEDITION CHARGES AGAINST BLOGGER

Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reason 1.4 (b and d).

Summary

1.  (C) Controversial internet journalist Raja Petra executed a sworn statement on June 18 to the effect that Deputy Prime Minister Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, was at the scene of the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibbu in October 2006, and that PM Abdullah and a Royal received information to that effect. 

While the mainstream press has shied away from printing Rosmah's name, Kuala Lumpur is abuzz with this latest explosive allegation.  PM Abdullah has thus far remained silent, while the national police chief and Attorney General said they would investigate. 

Raja Petra, who faces sedition charges for earlier claims, informed us that the Attorney General's Office filed a police report on the matter, and he expected to be called in for questioning soon.

While the latest allegations of Rosmah's presence at the murder seem implausible, they nevertheless will have resonance with a Malaysian public that does not have confidence in the integrity of the Altantuya murder investigation.  Continued public attention to such reports also could damage Najib's front-runner status as PM Abdullah's successor.  End Summary.

Rosmah at Murder Scene, PM Has Report

2.  (U) Controversial internet journalist Raja Petra voluntarily completed a sworn statement ("statutory declaration") at a Malaysian court on June 18, in which he affirmed that he was "reliably informed" Deputy Prime Minister Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, together with her aide Norhayati and acting Colonel Aziz Buyong (Norhayati's husband), were present at the scene of the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibbu in October 2006.

Raja Petra also stated that military intelligence provided a report with this information to Prime Minister Abdullah, which was subsequently given to Abdullah's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin "for safe-keeping," and that one of Malaysia's traditional rulers also was briefed on the matter.  Raja Petra did not reveal the source of this information. 

Raja Petra remains indicted for sedition for his earlier internet reports that implied DPM Najib and wife Rosmah were connected to the on-going Altantuya murder case (ref A).

3.  (SBU) Internet reports of Raja Petra's declaration emerged on June 20, and the full text became available on his Malaysia Today website.  Some of Malaysia's mainstream media briefly reported Raja Petra's new allegations, but carefully avoided identifying Rosmah Mansor as the "prominent VIP" named in his statement. 

An aide to Najib reportedly described the statement as "mind-boggling."  Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan told reporters the police would look into the "highly inflammatory" allegations, and could take action against Raja Petra if they were found to be untrue, while Attorney General Abdul Gani Patil stated his office would look "seriously" into the matter.

Heavy Buzz in Parliament

4.  (C) As members of Parliament gathered June 23 for the opening of the second parliamentary session, Raja Petra's story competed with speculation of a no-confidence vote against PM Abdullah for the attention of lawmakers.

Opposition MPs, parliamentary watchers, and journalists who spoke with us at Parliament all remarked that Raja Petra had put himself at great risk, and therefore they speculated that he must have some evidence in hand.  If this is a bluff, "it will cost him and his family," one MP remarked. 

Prominent opposition MP Lim Kit Siang said he was troubled that the PM had kept quiet about the allegations.  Later on June 23, Kit Siang introduced an emergency parliamentary motion to discuss Raja Petra's statement.  The Parliament Speaker is required to accept or reject on an emergency motion within 24 hours.

Raja Petra Ready for Police

5.  (C) We spoke briefly with Raja Petra and his wife Marina on June 23.  They related that the AGO had filed a police report regarding the affidavit.  A seemingly confident Raja Petra said, "I am ready and eagerly waiting for the police to question me," and took exception to the threatening tone of IGP Musa's remarks.  He also implied he had further evidence to implicate DPM Najib and his wife, and asked rhetorically what action the police would take "if the allegations are true."

Comment

6.  (C) Putting aside the question of Najib's links to the case, the allegation that Najib's wife would be present at the Altantuya murder scene strikes us as very implausible, though fully in keeping with Raja Petra's sometimes wild and highly emotional reporting. 

The Malaysian public and political elite, however, have no confidence in the integrity of the government's investigation into the 2006 murder of Altantuya.  The government's inept and gruelingly slow prosecution of the case against DPM Najib's former advisor Razak Baginda and two soldiers from Najib's security detail, and the authorities' decision early on to limit the scope of the investigation to exclude any further links with DPM Najib, have sent clear signals of political interference.

Against this backdrop, most Malaysians will believe there is at least some truth in Raja Petra's affidavit.  Amidst the leadership struggle within the ruling UMNO party, emerging fractures in the National Front coalition, and maneuvering for a no-confidence vote against PM Abdullah, the latest allegations add to the nation's sense of political turmoil.

Continued public focus on such allegations also could harm Najib's front-runner status as PM Abdullah's successor.

KEITH

Press statement for the immediate release of Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj

The Malaysian Insider
Jul 17, 2011 

17 JULY — We, the undersigned doctors, including members of the Malaysian Medical Association (Perak Branch), and/or the Perak Medical Practitioners Society

1. are very concerned and troubled over the prolonged ‘illegal’ detention of our colleague Dr. Jeyakumar Devaraj.

2. are concerned for Dr Jeyakumar’s health, which seems to be deteriorating under detention.

3. are deeply saddened, hurt and disillusioned by the action of the Judiciary (which is supposed to be to be independent) which on 13/07/2011 delayed the hearing date of habeas corpus application of Dr Jeyakumar and five others by a month.

We urge the immediate release of our colleague, who is also the Member of Parliament Sungai Siput, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj.


Dr Jeyakumar and five other Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) members were ‘illegally’ detained under the Emergency Ordinance recently. They have been placed in a cruel and unjust situation. They were first accused of waging war against the King and now of being a threat to national security, allegedly trying to revive communist ideology. They are subjected to interrogation and solitary confinement, denied proper visitation rights with their lawyers and close family members. This is of course unacceptable in a civil and democratic society.

We say that the detention is ‘illegal’ because till today, there is no solid and substantiated basis for the continued detention of Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and five of his PSM colleagues.

We scarcely need reminding that Article 5 (1) of our Federal Constitution says no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law.

Malaysia sits on the Human Rights Council. The Malaysian government must do justice to its position on this council by according and recognising the human rights of Dr. Jeyakumar and his team who are under ‘illegal’ detention. The least that the Malaysian government can do is to live up to the ideals of Human Rights Council ─ and not violate the very rights that the government has been charged to defend steadfastly.

In view of this obligation, it will be totally unjustified to continue the ‘illegal’ detention of Dr Jeyakumar and his team without giving them a fair trial in court. The Government should do justice to its position on this Council and convince Malaysians that there is no malice on their part. Denying Dr Jeyakumar and his team the right to defend themselves is denying them justice.

Therefore, we urge the Government, especially the home minister, to release Dr. Jeyakumar and his team immediately.

It is pertinent to emphasise that we are strictly apolitical and are acting as colleagues of Dr Jeayakumar, who is also an active and much respected member of the MMA, whose family is much respected for the outstanding social work it does. Dr Jeyakumar family has contributed enormously towards the development of the healthcare services in our country.

The Government has rightly spoken much about transformation and change, and this is something every loyal citizen endorses. But what appear to be the deployment of Cold War tactics by resurrecting the “communist” and “foreign” bogeyman on political rivals in these days only serves to dissuade the public that the government is earnest in its efforts to bring about civil changes that would be in line with first world societies.

Those who know Dr Jeyakumar personally will readily vouch for his integrity, his passion for the poor and his principled, patient and peaceful approach. He is neither a communist nor a violent man who could be a serious threat to the country. For the record, Dr Jeyakumar is a highly dedicated physician who has had excellent service record while he was working in the Ministry of Health and a tireless social advocate and activist who has worked throughout his life to help and protect the rights of the poor, the marginalised and the forgotten communities in the society. All those who know Dr. Jeyakumar speak highly of his work and commitment to the people. How could someone with such immaculate professional standing and exemplary be an enemy to the country! The home minister must make every effort to secure the immediate release of Dr Jeyakumar and do justice to both his ministerial duties and to Dr Jeyakumar.
Undersigned,

1. Dr N Prasad Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
2. Dr Sharifah Halimah Jaafar Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
3. Dr Ko Chung Sen Consultant CardioThoracic Surgeon
4. Dr T. Vesvanathan Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
5. Dr Loh Choong Sing Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
6. Dr Wong Choon Heng Consultant Gastroenterologist
7. Dr Foo Chang Ling Consultant Surgeon
8. Dr Goh Guan Chai Consultant Surgeon
9. Dr Goh Phaik Kee Consultant Anaesthetist
10. Dr Lee Mun Toong Consultant Ophthalmologist
11. Dr Leong Chin Leng Consultant Otho Surgeon
12. Dr Ting Cheh Sing Consultant General Surgeon
13. Dr Chin Yow Wen Respiratory Physician
14. Dr Dev Teo Chin Nee Consultant Geriatrician
15. Dr Usha Devi Balaguru Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
16. Dr Chakr Sri Na Nagara Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
17. Dr Teoh Soong Kee Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
18. Dr Jasmine Lau Consultant Paediatrician
19. Dr Adeline Tan Ai Leen Consultant Paediatrician
20. Dr David Manickam Consultant Paediatrician
21. Dr Giritharan Consultant Physician
22. Dr Yeoh Thiam Long Consultant Physician
23. Dr Hasral bin Mohd Hasni Consultant Cardiologist
24. Dr Liew San Foi Consultant Paediatrician
25. Dr Go Kuan Weng Consultant Nephrologist
26. Dr Divakaran TG Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
27. Dr Lam Fook Shin Consultant Eye Surgeon
28. Dr Lee Boon Chye Consultant Cardiologist
29. Dr Meor Ahmad Consultant Radiologist
30. Dr Ong Teong Onn Consultant Radiologist
31. Dr Mahendra Mano Consultant Surgeon
32. Dr A. Naidu Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
33. Datuk Dr S Jenagaratnam Consultant Anaesthetist
34. Dr Lu Luan Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
35. Dr Fauziah Khairudin Consultant Nephrologist
36. Dr Susan King Consultant Paediatrician
37. Dr Lee Kim Seng Consultant Paediatrician
38. Dr Ranjoth Singh Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
39. Dr Yap Foo Ngan Consultant Family Physician
40. Dr Esther Gunaserali Consultant Psychiatrist
41. Dr Chan Chee Hoe Consultant Physician
42. Dr P. Moganarajoo Consultant O & G
43. Datuk (Dr ) K.S Sivananthan Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
44. Dr Yeap Yean Lian Consultant Surgeon
45. Dr William Tan Kah Wee Consultant Physician
46. Dr Wong Chong Yuan Consultant Physician
47. Dr Yeat Siew Eng Consultant ENT Surgeon
48. Dr Choong Choon Hooi Consultant Physician & Cardiologist
49. Dr Chong Swee Woon Consultant Psychiatrist
50. Dr Koh Wai Keat Consultant Geriatrician
51. Dr Surinderjit Singh Gill Consultant Ophthalmologist
52. Dr Kumar Thiyagarajah Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
53. Dr Raveendran Kandiah Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
54. Dr Minseh Kimin Consultant Radiologist
55. Dr Ishak Abu Bakar Consultant Radiologist
56. Dr Ng Yew Sang Consultant Nephrologist
57. Dr Tan Huat Chai Consultant Cardiologist
58. Dr Mok Chung Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
59. Dr Shaidan Sulaiman Consultant Anaesthetist
60. Dr Hj Ahmad Adlan Nuruddin Consultant O & G
61. Dr Sumathi Anandaraj Senior Medical Officer
62. Dr Ooi Tian Su Consultant O&G
63. Dr Yeak Siew Tin Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
64. Dr Loo Kok Lim Consultant Rheumatologist
65. Dr Ruslan Razak Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
66. Dr Philip Ho Consultant Cardiologist
67. Dr Leow Aik Ming Consultant Plastic Surgeon
68. Dr Katheleen Yap Consultant Neurologist
69. Dr Kevin Joseph Consultant Cardiologist
70. D Sumithra Consultant Surgeon
71. Dr Inderjit Singh Consultant Cardiologist
72. Dr Uma Karthigasu Consultant Radiologist
73. Dr Jevan Gunaselan Senior Medical Officer
74. Datuk Dr SK Rathi Consultant Dermatologist
75. Dr Koh Chan Sing Consultant Cardiologist
76. Dr Aznan Radiologist
77. Datuk Dr Andrew Chua Seng Boon Consultant Gastroenterologist
78. Dr Michael Joseph Consultant Cardiologist
79. Dr Teh Hiok Seng Consultant Haematologist
80. Dr Lee Boon Ping Consultant General Surgeon
81. Dr Lee Haik Teong Consultant Paediatrician
82. Dr Kuldeep Singh Consultant Paediatrician
83. Dr Jeyabalan Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
84. Dr Cheong Soo Tow Consultant Paediatrician
85. Dr Lim Wee Yoong Consultant Paediatrician
86. Dr Suppramaniam Consultant Ortho-Surgeon
87. Dr Harvinder Singh Consultant ENT
88. Dr Loo Chin Sum Consultant Nephrologist
89. Dr Thomas Haris Consultant Anaesthetist
90. Dr Ng Seng Lew Consultant General Surgeon
91. Dr Anandaraj Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
92. Dr N. Jeevaraj Consultant General Surgeon
93. Dr V. Mannimanan Consultant Urologist
94. Dr Loke Yee Peng Consultant Anaesthetist
95. Dr Vinod Kumar Senior Medical Officer
96. Dr Azhar Senior Medical Officer
97. Dr Lam Kuan Kin General Practioner
98. Dr Tan Kim Khian General Practioner
99. Dr Lim Boon Pin General Practioner
100. Dr Lian Chin Chew General Practioner
101. Dr Chan Yee Ming General Practioner
102. Dr Kok Yuan Sing General Practioner
103. Dr Chee See Choke General Practioner
104. Dr Soo Kam Chiew General Practioner
105. Dr Abdul Malik General Practioner
106. Dr Leong Poh Nam General Practioner
107. Dr Lau Sau Khuen General Practioner
109. Dr Chin Kit Kong General Practioner
110. Dr Doong Hock Yuen General Practioner
111. Dr Khairuddin General Practioner
112. Dr Lee Nik Hooi General Practioner
113. Dr Cheah Saw Imm General Practioner
114. Dr Kamalanathan General Practioner
115. DR Arunash General Practioner
116. Dr Kwok Hou Phin General Practioner
117. Dr Rita Leow General Practioner
118. Dr Paizah Ramli General Practioner
119. Dr Uma Devi Arunasalam General Practioner
120. Datuk Dr Sarjeet Singh Sidhu Ob Gyn Specialist
121. Datuk Dr Subramaniam Consultant Plastic Surgeon
122. Dr Lai Thian Seong GP
123. Dr Chew Teik Chye GP
124. Dr Lim Tee Jin GP
125. Dr Teoh Lee Yong GP
126. Dr Ho Kok Hin GP
127. Dr Hoo Thoun Ting GP
128. Dr P. Raghavan GP
129. Prof. Dr Jackie Ho Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist
130. Dr Seet Chee Lin GP
131. Dr Kek Kim Huat GP
132. Dr P F Gill GP
133. Dr T. M. Ong GP
134. Dr C W Ong GP
135. Dr Nagara GP
136. Dr S Subramaniam GP
137. Dr Chew Keat Eng GP
138. Dr Ting Seo Leong GP & President, Perak Medical Practitioners’ Society
139. Dr Ling Hee Huong GP
140. Dr Lee See Chee GP
141. Dr Diong Ko Ing GP
142. Dr Ling Yok King GP
143. Dr V.Gurunathan GP
144. Dr Ching Lee Kee GP
145. Dr Suresh Sammanathamurthy Orthopaedic Surgeon
146. Dr Gurdep Singh GP
147. Dr Teoh S K GP
148. Dr Harbaskg Singh GP
149. Dr Suppaiyah GP
150. Dr Wong Ai Fook GP
151. Dr S Y Chan GP
152. Dr Bhajan Singh GP
153. Dr Ramesh GP
154. Dr Yek Sing Chee GP
155. Dr K. Skanthadevan GP
156. Dr Nasri GP
157. Dr Yusof GP
158. Datuk Dr Gurdeep Prakash Singh Consultant Physician
159. Datuk Dr. Gunasegaran Consultant Plastic Surgeon
160. Dr Jaspal Kaur Malhi GP
161. Datuk Dr Sharil Che Mat GP
162. Dr Rajeswaran Paramjothy GP
163. Dr Chan Kai Soon Consultant Pathology
164. Dr Harry Louise D’Cruz GP
165. Datuk Dr Palanicawnder GP
166. Dr George Thavarajah GP
167. Datuk Dr Aris Chandran Consultant Physician
168. Dr Tan Ooi Hong Consultant Physician
169. Dr Tan Boon Chye GP
170. Datuk Dr Ranjoth Singh Consultant O & G
171. Dr Rahmantulnisha GP
172. Dr Hu Wen Shing Consultant Radiologist
173. Dr K Muruhadas GP
174. Dr Thomas Arul GP
175. Dr Ong Chew Wui GP
176. Dr Ong Tee Meng GP

Najib Arrives In Rome

ROME, July 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak arrived here Sunday for a working visit.

The aircraft carrying the Prime Minister and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor touched down at Ciampino Airport at about 6pm local time.

He was received by Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

Najib is scheduled to meet Pope Benedict XVI and hold a meeting with Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at Castel Gandolfo here.

Malaysians have a dream

This video clip captures vividly the mood on the streets during the Bersih 2.0 rally on 9 July.