Silence on Perkasa backing shows multiracial BN a lie

BN parties should publicly apologise for knowingly backing Malay supremacist group Perkasa or drop pretense that they are fighting for a multi-racial Malaysia, DAP said.

Its secretary general Lim Guan Eng said that since Perkasa has disclosed that the government had funded some of its activities, BN  has revealed its true colors.

He said that while it was not surprising that Umno backed Perkasa even before the general elections, he charged MCA, MIC and Gerakan for being liars, irrelevant or powerless partners in BN, if they now profess ignorance of this fact.

"Umno can no longer blame non-Malays and non-Muslims for not supporting Umno and BN because their strong suspicions that Umno is behind Perkasa is now proven correct.

"BN and its component parties in MCA, Gerakan and MIC should publicly apologise for trying to deceive and delude the public that they are multi-racial and fight for all Malaysians. Perkasa has nothing else to offer to Malaysia to deal with the most pressing issues of fighting corruption and rising cost of living," Lim said in a statement.

The Penang chief minister said he considers BN funding of Perkasa's activities as a cover up of its own flaws as a ruling party, especially on pressing economic issues.

"Clearly BN will continue to play the racial card because they fail to provide sound policies and a bright vision of the future that will fight corruption and lead to stronger communities, a higher standard of living and sustainable development," Lim said.

He noted that BN has yet to implement open competitive tenders, make public declaration of assets of leaders of government and has not fairly explained the extraordinary wealth of BN cronies and family members, nor the recent price hikes.

Lim also criticised BN for misplaced policies including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and price hikes of essential goods and services at a time when Malaysia's record household debt to GDP ratio stood at 83.5 percent, the second highest in Asia.

Despite this, he said, "BN cronies and their family members are continuing to live in luxury with expensive tastes not only in Malaysia but also buying expensive properties overseas."

Lim said he was sure that if the general election was held now, Pakatan would win more votes.

"After these serial price hikes, public anger at the realisation that they were deviously tricked by BN would have enabled Pakatan to win an even higher popular vote if a general election was held now," he said.

Bersih says nay to taxpayers money for Perkasa

Joining the chorus of dissenting voices, the Coalition of Free and Fair Elections (Bersih) has today urged the government to clarify if taxpayers' money or party funds are being channeled to Perkasa.

Malay supremacist group Perkasa had disclosed last week that some of its programmes have been funded by government-related agencies.

It later told Sinar Harian that funds were to help BN win the next general elections.

Bersih's president Maria Chin Abdullah (right) said today that the distinction between taxpayers and political party money was an important matter.

"Parties should be giving the money and it should not come from government, which is taxpayers' money," she told Malaysiakini.

"If the government admits to giving money to Perkasa, this would be shocking. Perkasa incites hatred and racist statements - does government actually support that or not?"

BN partners join in chorus

Other political parties Gerakan, MCA, DAP and PKR have issued similar statements calling for funds to Perkasa to be investigated and immediately stopped.

Umno supreme council member Isa Samad had said that since it was formed Perkasa has received plenty of aid from Umno.

Maria said that the Election Commission has the power to step in if there are signs of government machinery being abused to skew elections in favour of any political party. But she added that Bersih has lost faith in the EC.

After taking over the Bersih helm this month, Maria started a petition for the Agong to step in and replace the EC's existing members. This would be handed over next month after gathering signatures from as many NGOs as it can.

In the past, Maria said Bersih had noted that there had been many public complaints about BN usurping taxpayer's money to help in their polls campaigns but to no avail.

The grouses included BN using government vehicles and equipment, and promising development funds for projects even after the dissolution of Parliament.

She said that Bersih had also queried the timing of handing out BR1M aid - making it seem like part and parcel of the election campaign.

"The government should also be accountable so that their giving to NGOs is not for political purposes," Maria said.

"I wouldn’t object to NGOs taking taxpayers’ money but when they take funds to carry out political work, especially a racist thing, I totally disagree."

Kula lauds 'rare unanimity' between BN and Pakatan

From among the factors that bring down governments, which one more surely puts the skids under them in comparison to other factors?

According to DAP national vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran, the factor that more certainly scuttles incumbent governors is economic failure beyond the limits of plausible excuse or explanation.

The MP for Ipoh Barat alluded to the "rare unanimity of views" between BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicians on what would more surely bring down the more than half-century-old BN government.

"On Dec 24, the Umno MP Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the increases in the prices of goods and services will result in BN losing more votes in the 14th general election," noted the opposition legislator.

Kulasegaran said as an accountant Nur Jazlan would have a finer feel for the impact of abruptly raised prices on the pockets of the middle classes and the lower income groups.

"That must have been why he raised the alarm over what he must have seen as the pathway to certain defeat for the BN at the next general election which is the gouging of the ordinary people by forcing them to bear the burden of raised taxes and inflated prices for goods and services beyond their capacity to withstand," explained the three-term MP.

Najib administration has overspent

Citing as evidence of the "rare unanimity of views" between BN and Pakatan politicians on the matter, Kulasegaran noted that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had urged in his latest blog postings that the government should trim its expenditure before it chooses to raise taxes and curtail or remove subsidies.

"We acknowledge that over time the government's expenditure would increase to meet the costs of serving the public, but this increase should not primarily be derived from increased taxation of the public but from prudence and frugality in its expenditure.

"After that only, should taxed be raised and subsidies be curtailed or removed," argued Kulasegaran.

He said that Prime Minister Najib Razak was "putting the cart before the horse by proposing to increase tolls and tariffs, raise taxes and remove or curtail subsidies even before looking to see where he can trim a fat and flabby administration whose upkeep is a burden to the ordinary taxpayer."

Kulasegaran said this was why even the Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin had remonstrated against the proposed increase in the electricity tariff which is expected to be raised by 15 percent from Jan 1, 2014.

"The Najib administration has overspent and now the rakyat is forced to bear the consequences of the government's spendthrift ways," said Kulasegaran.

"The shirking of responsibility is going to be punished by voters at the next election even if the government decides to resort to more rounds of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) handouts before the polls to seduce the people from remembering who is responsible for their reduced economic plight," predicted DAP leader.

Perhimpunan haram dikhuatiri cetus rusuhan kaum

Ketua Pemuda PBB, Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof berkata, perhimpunan itu dikhuatiri akan mencetuskan pertelagahan antara kaum di Sarawak.

KUCHING: Tindakan Persatuan Anak Muda Sarawak untuk mengadakan Perhimpunan Haram di Padang Merdeka, 31 Disember ini, mendapat kecaman dari Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Ketua Pemuda PBB, Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof berkata, perhimpunan itu dikhuatiri akan mencetuskan pertelagahan antara kaum di Sarawak.

“Ia bukan sahaja menyalahi undang-undang, malah boleh mencetuskan suasana tidak tenteram, huru-hara dan menjejaskan keharmonian kaum yang dinikmati rakyat pelbagai kaum selama ini.

“Tindakan pihak terbabit sama sekali bercanggah dengan nilai-nilai budaya di Sarawak yang dihuni kira-kira 30 suku etnik yang selama ini hidup aman dan harmoni,” tegasnya.

Malah, katanya, rakyat beragama Kristian baru sahaja menyambut perayaan Krismas dalam suasana aman harmoni dengan budaya saling mengunjungi tanpa mengira kaum dan anutan agama berdasarkan konsep 1Malaysia yang menjadi nadi kekuatan perpaduan di Sarawak.

Menteri Kerja Raya itu menasihati rakyat di semua peringkat usia supaya tidak terpengaruh dengan hasutan persatuan terbabit atau mana-mana pihak berkepentingan yang mahu mencetuskan suasana huru-hara dan porak-peranda menerusi perhimpunan sedemikian.

“Kita perlu sama-sama memelihara keharmonian kaum dan keamanan di negara ini dengan menggunakan saluran yang betul untuk menyatakan rasa tidak puas hati, bukannya bertindak melakukan perhimpunan yang kononnya aman tetapi boleh bertukar menjadi insiden yang tidak diingini,” katanya.

Tambahnya, negara ini memiliki saluran demokrasi berparlimen dan Dewan Undangan Negeri atau kepada kementerian untuk menyampaikan rasa tidak puas hati atau apa jua masalah tanpa perlunya mencetuskan huru-hara.

“Saya menggesa semua pihak memelihara keamanan dan keharmonian kaum dengan menghindarkan diri daripada terlibat dengan perhimpunan sedemikian demi mengelakkan kejadian tidak diingini tercetus di negara yang kita cintai ini,” ujarnya.

PBB akan memantau keadaan dan akan membuat laporan polis sekiranya perlu.

Jika tidak, perkara itu mampu mengganggu keharmonian dan kestabilan yang akan dikecapi menjelang ambang tahun baru nanti dengan insiden yang tidak dijangka.

“Justeru, kita perlu sama-sama memfokuskan perhatian dalam usaha untuk membangunkan negeri Sarawak demi kesejahteraan rakyat, bukan sebaliknya.

“Apa yang kita harapkan adalah sambutan kali ini diraikan secara aman tanpa melibatkan perhimpunan jalanan yang diharapkan oleh pihak tertentu untuk mengucar-kacirkan keadaan,” katanya.

Polis Melaka siasat 29 kes `Along’

Dua puluh lima kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 5(2) Akta Pemberi Pinjam Wang (AAPW) 1951 iaitu memberi pinjaman tanpa lesen melibatkan penangkapan 13 orang dan kerugian sebanyak RM105,320.

MELAKA: Polis Melaka menyiasat 29 kes melibatkan ceti haram atau ‘Along’ yang membawa kepada penangkapan 20 orang sejak Januari lepas hingga semalam, kata Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial Melaka Supt Ee Khong Koy.

Beliau berkata daripada jumlah itu, 25 kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 5(2) Akta Pemberi Pinjam Wang (AAPW) 1951 iaitu memberi pinjaman tanpa lesen melibatkan penangkapan 13 orang dan kerugian sebanyak RM105,320.

Katanya empat kes lagi disiasat mengikut Seksyen 29AA AAPW 1951 iaitu menjalankan kerja menampal poster membabitkan penangkapan tujuh orang.

“Polis sentiasa melakukan usaha berterusan untuk memerangi sindiket Along ini agar tidak lagi memberi ancaman kepada orang ramai,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Terdahulu beliau mengetuai Operasi Ceti Haram dan dalam operasi itu kira-kira 2,000 poster ceti haram ditanggalkan Polis Melaka dengan kerjasama pihak berkuasa tempatan.

Ee berkata daripada jumlah suspek yang ditangkap, tujuh suspek telah didakwa di mahkamah mengikut Seksyen 5 (2) AAPW 1951 manakala tiga lagi suspek dituduh menurut Seksyen 29AA AAPW 1951.

Mengulas tentang operasi tersebut, beliau berkata pihaknya akan berterusan menanggalkan poster iklan pinjaman wang haram ditampal di tepi-tepi jalan sekitar Melaka khususnya di taman dan kawasan perumahan.

“Kita juga pernah membuat panggilan kepada nombor telefon Along yang dipaparkan dalam poster pinjaman haram mereka (bagi siasatan), namun tidak menerima respons yang begitu bagus,” katanya.

Ee turut mengingatkan agar orang ramai berjaga-jaga dan tidak melibatkan diri dengan membuat pinjaman dengan Along kerana hanya membawa keburukan.

Bernama

Kg Railway: DBKL plans to sue FMT

Deputy FT Minister Loga Balan said DBKL has done everything possible to relocate the remaining 30 families in Kg Railway, Sentul, but they have rejected the offer.

PETALING JAYA: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is contemplating to sue FMT over a report on the demolition of houses in Kg Railway, Sentul, by enforcement officers yesterday.

Federal Territories deputy minister Loga Balan said DBKL was planning to sue FMT and Tamil daily Makkal Osai for carrying misleading news.

Earlier, Loga told reporters that the matter had been brought to his attention three months ago at a meeting with Federal Territory MPs.

Loga said the initial offer of PPR flats without rental and RM18,000 for each family were given.

About 120 families accepted the offer and remaining 30 took the matter to court and lost.

“On Dec 5, in a public programme in the presence of the media we gave out the offer letters to the 120 families.

“We gave the remaining 30 families until Dec 15 to vacate their homes and extended the deadline to Dec 20 and postponed it further to Dec 26 so that the villagers will have more time to move out.

“The 30 families then came with Batu MP Tian Chua on Dec 18 to meet me.

“On humanitarian grounds, we decided to give them PPR flats in Bukit Jalil but they had to pay the rental,” said Loga.

He said the families had taken to matter to the Federal Court and lost so they were not entitled to the PPR flats.

“But City Hall did the 30 families a favour by offering the flats.

“I also assured the villagers help in transferring their children to the school in Bukit Jalil.

“So the issue that we did not offer flats and assitance is a lie.

“I have even instructed the 30 villagers to move out before the demolition to transit homes in Dewan Perdana Satu,” said Loga.

He said if the 30 families rejected the City Hall offer nothing could be done.

NGO serah memo bantahan kezaliman Bangladesh

Memorandum diserahkan bagi membantah kezaliman kerajaan Bangladesh yang mengenakan hukuman gantung sampai mati kepada Penolong Setiausaha Agung Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Abdul Quader Mulla
UPDATED

KUALA LUMPUR: Sebuah kumpulan – gabungan PAS, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), PKR dan persatuan mahasiswa menyerahkan satu memorandum bantahan kezaliman kerajaan Bangladesh berhubung hukuman gantung sampai mati kepada seorang pemimpin Islam di negara tersebut.

Penolong Setiausaha Agung Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Abdul Quader Mullah dikenakan hukuman gantung sampai mati 11 Disember lalu setelah didapati bersalah oleh Tribunal Perang Antarabangsa atas tragedi pembunuhan perang kemerdekaan Bangladesh dari Pakistan pada tahun 1971.

Kumpulan seramai hampir 200 orang itu berarak lebih tiga kilometer sejurus selepas solat Jumaat dari Masjid Tabung Haji di sini hingga ke Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Bangladesh.

Hampir 50 anggota polis ditugaskan bagi mengawal keadaan.

Kumpulan ini berhenti hampir 100 meter dari Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Bangladesh setelah pihak polis melakukan sekatan.

Seramai 10 orang wakil kumpulan tersebut dibenarkan untuk menghantar memorandum mereka yang diketuai oleh Timbalan Presiden PAS Mohamad Sabu.

“Kami membantah tindakan membicarakan mereka yang digelar pengkhianat atas peristiwa yang berlaku pada tahun 1971 dan perbicaraan yang dijalankan tidak mengikut lunas undang – undang antarabangsa.

“Seorang telah dihukum gantung dan enam orang lagi bakal dikenakan hukuman sama. Ribuan lagi masih lagi ditahan dalam penjara,” kata Mohamad kepada wartawan sejurus selepas menyerahkan memorandum tersebut.

Mohamad menambah bahawa perkara ini seperti konspirasi global bagi menjatuhkan parti-parti Islam yang dilihat mula mendapat kemenangan dalam pilihan raya di negara masing-masing.

“Seperti di Algeria, kemenangan dinafikan. Di Tunisia, pemerintahan sering diganggu gugat. Ikhwan Muslimin yang dahulunya menang di Mesir kemudian dirampas kuasa dan kelmarin diisytiharkan sebagai pengganas oleh kerajaan Mesir.

“Dan di Bangladesh gerakan Jemaah Islamiah yang cuba masuk dalam proses demokrasi melalui pilihan raya tetapi pemimpin mereka diambil tindakan. Kita lihat ini konspirasi global terutama oleh Amerika Syarikat dan negara-negara Arab seperti Arab Saudi dan Qatar yang tiada pilihan raya dilihat cuba menganggu proses demokrasi terutamanya di Mesir,” tegas Mohamad.

Mohamad menambah konspirasi ini seperti menutup ruang demokrasi kepada gerakan dan parti-parti Islam di negara-negara Islam.

“Kita nampak seperti gerakan Islam dan parti Islam dipaksa bertindak jalan di luar pilihan raya.Ini yang kita tidak mahu sebab kita memilih proses pilihan raya dan proses demokrasi.

“Di Malaysia pun begitu juga. Walaupun proses demokrasi itu tidak sempurna tapi kita tetap mahu demokrasi dan berlawan melalui sistem demokrasi,” tegasnya.

Kumpulan tersebut bersurai secara aman pada jam 3.40 petang tadi.

Third force in full force to join MIC

(TMT) - The renowned ‘third force’ is in full gear to meet MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and to join-hands with the biggest Indian-based party.

A source, who is involved in the third force initiative, told The Malaysian Times (TMT) that the neutral movement is prepared for the collaboration and will be approaching Palanivel soon for a table talk with the party number 1 man.

“The ground is very positive for us and our groundwork among the party members has showed a very optimistic result towards our third force,” the leader, who preferred to be anonymous, said.

The leader said that the movement will request Palanivel to set up a special task force comprising of young professionals from various backgrounds in order to attract the young generations of the Indian community.

“Third force has been observing MIC’s latest fiasco after party elections very closely and we feel that the party must put bigger agenda rather than harping on same old issues which can cause damage to party future.

“MIC must also learn from the past mistakes and must move on towards the party betterment under Palanivel’s new leadership,” he said.

The leader, a lawyer by profession, added: “We have carried out observations and studies on the party and have compiled a blueprint that can assist the (MIC) president to enhance on what the party is lacking of.

“We will also discuss on how we can contribute to the party by uniting with the party members,” the leader added.

The leader said that the third force is seeking for an immediate “ice breaking “session with Palanivel to be a helping hand for MIC and the Indian community.

“We are ready to join MIC to help the community and young generation. The MIC will be a great platform to achieve our objectives.

“Third force is not a normal movement, but we are the “solid voice” of the younger generation and want to create new political approaches and strategies.

The spokesperson of third force told TMT that, MIC leaders must show good example to the community and young generation and must cut off “arrogant characteristics” to disunity.

On December 10, TMT reported that the ‘third force’, comprised of over 10,000 youths, is gearing up to join hands with MIC and be committed in working towards reinforcing the party under Palanivel’s guidance.

The initial agenda of the non-political movement, which includes professionals and graduates, is to fight for the community’s plights and to restructure the 67-year-old MIC.

It was learnt that a ‘prominent young leader’ will be heading the ‘third force’ and would be the MIC’s missile to launch initiatives aimed for the development of the party and to persuade the Indian community to put their trust in the party.

Another leader, who is involved in the third force initiative, told TMT that the only priority of the movement is to be a helping hand to the community and the party.

“We will not seek any political mileage or request for a seat during election and we are very strong in our purposes,” the leader, who spoke in condition of anonymity, said.

THIRD FORCE RECEIVED WELL

The reports on the ‘third force’ initiative were received well by MIC leaders and the young generation.

Earlier, newly elected MIC vice presidents Datuk S. Sothinathan and Datuk S. Balakrishnan had expressed their support on the idea of alliance between the party and the huge group of young leaders.

“Youth are always an important force to the party. “They are the shadow of the party,” Sothinathan, who is also the Negri Sembilan MIC chairman, had said.

While, Balakrishnan, the Johor chief, said: “That (the collaboration) should be welcomed. “This is important because they (youth) are the future voters.”

Besides the two, newly elected Central Working Committee (CWC) member S. Sunther also lauded the call for cooperation for the party betterment.

“If it is true (that a third force exists) then it is definitely good for the party,” Sunther was quoted as saying.

In the meantime, the ‘third force also managed to get their attention from the young generations, who felt that the MIC needs a magic touch from the youth.

Official announcement on the MIC-Third force partnership is expected to be made soon.

Religious without religion – Muhammad As’ad

To be a religious believer we have to follow certain strict rules which cannot be violated. For instance as Muslims we believe that Allah is the only God and the Prophet Muhammad is His messenger; we must regularly observe the five daily prayers, zakat, fasting during the month of Ramadhan, and the haj at least once in a lifetime — all these are the five pillars of Islam. As Muslims, we cannot evade those five pillars except for some specific exceptions.

Another important step is to make religion a part of our life. The number of Muslims in this country is remarkable. How can we say that we are not religious?

However, Transparency International’s 2012 Corruption Perception Index showed that Indonesia was ranked 118 out of 176 countries; worse than in 2011 when Indonesia was ranked 100. The Indonesia Ulama Council (MUI) even issued an edict in 2000, stating that bribery, corruption and gratification are forbidden.

Nonetheless, these rules fail to deter corruption. For instance, the treasurer of MUI, Chairunnisa, who is also a lawmaker of the Golkar party, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) along with the former Constitutional Court chief Akil Mochtar. We probably have religious piety but we certainly do not have social piety.

In terms of religiosity, we are quite remarkable. We can see many Indonesian people celebrating religious activities, rituals and commemorations. Nevertheless, this religiosity does not seem to influence our life.

Recently I was invited by the Japan Foundation to an intellectual exchange program. Japan resembles a nation that religious people might think and imagine as a religious country. Everything is well ordered, the streets are clean even in a rural area like Fudai, a village in Iwate prefecture where I visited. We could say that the Japanese people are very religious, through their adherence to a moral code of conduct in daily life.

However the World Values Survey in 2010 showed most Japanese think religion is not important. Only 9.9% said that religion was very important. Interestingly, this proportion is decreasing over time.

Apparently religious rituals are not an important factor in determining the good progress of a country particularly in the Japanese case.

In comparison one could refer to an article published in the Berkeley-based Global Economy Journal in 2010, on “How Islamic are Islamic countries?” It measured the degree of Islam in some countries especially in the field of economy, education, corruption, financial systems and human rights.

Interestingly, most Islamic countries including Indonesia ranked low. Most of the high ranks were occupied by non Muslim countries; New Zealand came first, followed by Luxembourg. This fact once again shows that many developed countries are already religious even though some of them claim to be non-religious countries.

I am not saying that we have to copy most of those countries, leaving behind our religious rituals and focusing on social piety. We can do better than those who think that religion is not important.

We have to implement our religious values so that they are embedded in everyday life, by helping to stop corruption, for instance, or not lying to ourselves. By applying our religion we can contribute to making our country better. - Jakarta Post, December 28, 2013.

* The writer is the director of the Pesantren Tebuireng Social Fund (LSPT) and a participant in the 2013 Invitation Program for Young Muslim Intellectuals in Southeast Asia.

Press Release: Repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act; Independent Regulation to Preserve Independence of Media

The Malaysian Bar reiterates its call for the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, and for the establishment of an independent Media Council.

The Malaysian Bar calls into question the recent decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs to suspend indefinitely the publication permit of the weekly publication The Heat.  No clear explanation has been given for their decision to do so.

It appears from news media reports that the decision to suspend the publication permit for The Heat was made before the publisher had been given the right to be fully heard pursuant to section 13B of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 or before the process of being heard had been completed.

An indefinite suspension is an oxymoron, that is, a contradiction in terms, and is effectively a revocation.  The indefinite suspension of The Heat would appear to be in breach of Article 13 of the Federal Constitution, which provides that no person shall be deprived of property save in accordance with law.  Article 13 does not mean merely following the written law, but adhering to the due process of the law and natural justice.

The timing and speed of such indefinite suspension by the Ministry of Home Affairs gives rise to the perception that the Government is seeking to muzzle and punish a member of the media for an article it published in its 23 to 29 Nov issue headlining a report on the alleged “big spending” of the Prime Minister.

The suspension of The Heat is an unwarranted attack on the freedom of the press specifically, and an attack on freedom of speech and expression generally.  Action against The Heat is merely the latest event in a long list of State actions to suppress the press.  Other instances include incidents during which the Minister of Home Affairs harassed a Malaysiakini journalist who was asking him questions, and threatened to shut down newspapers that reported his speech in Malacca on the following day; and the physical assault and abuse of media professionals by the police during the BERSIH 3.0 public assembly in Kuala Lumpur on 28 April 2012.

A free press is a fundamental feature of a vibrant and accountable democracy.  An independent press acts as a disseminator of information, and as a check and balance of elected representatives and government.  The wellbeing of a democratic nation is dependent on, amongst other things, a healthy, professional, ethical and independent press.

The Malaysian Bar reiterates its position that the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 should be repealed.  It is offensive to the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.  It is an archaic piece of legislation that no longer holds any relevance in a modern democracy.  The Act has been used and abused to influence, bully, intimidate, threaten and punish the press.  Such legislative and governmental control of the press, including licensing regimes, should end.  The recent court decision against the Ministry of Home Affairs, in relation to Malaysiakini’s application for a newspaper licence, is a reminder of this.

This is not to say that a newspaper, or any publication (whether print or online), is at liberty to publish anything with impunity.  It is time that Malaysia provides for independent regulation of the press media.  Complaints regarding objectionable press stories and material should be dealt with by an independent Media Council to be established — consisting of journalism practitioners and civil society representatives, and with minimal or no government representation — or, alternatively, a Media Ombudsperson.  Such a Media Council or Media Ombudsperson should be able to regulate media owners, publishers, editors, and journalists regarding offensive content and conduct.

There should be a clear separation between the role and purview of owners of media, and professional journalists and management.  There should be no pressure or interference by owners of media in the management of editorial and news content of any publication.  Any breach of such restrictions should be dealt with by the Media Council or the Media Ombudsperson.

Additionally, the press is liable to be held to account by the law just as any Malaysian citizen, for example, the laws on defamation. 

Malaysia needs, and Malaysians deserve, a free and independent press, as well as a press that is ethical, responsible and fair.

Christopher Leong
President
Malaysian Bar

Malaysia To Spread Its Wings Further On Global Map Next Year

By Nor Baizura Basri

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, which continued to spread its wings and presence especially in the international arena this year, is expected to flourish further come 2014.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's presence at international economic forums such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) in January, as well as, World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in October, have further boosted the country's image on the global landscape.

During WEF in Davos, Switzerland, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, together with several Cabinet ministers, presented and marketed Malaysia's success stories, which were mostly driven by the country's transformation programmes.

Since the implementation of these programmes, Malaysia has successfully attracted increased investments to its shores while stepping up investments abroad, value of the stocks and employment.

Besides, Najib also presented the business community with the country's aspiration to become a high-income economy by 2020 with a per capital income of US$15,000.

The per capital income jumped to US$9,750 by end-2012 from US$6,700 four years ago, he said.

"We presented all these as one package to the international community at the WEF here. There is no other platform as big and strategic as WEF," he said at the end of the trip.

Najib said at 'Malaysia Night', the culmination of the country's participation in the WEF, investors saw a 'shadow' of what investors could enjoy and achieve if they were to visit Malaysia, what more if they decided to invest in the country.

"In gloomy conditions, especially in Europe and the United States, Malaysia is one of the few places that radiates success in managing its economy which brings about the transformation which we promised," he said.

In London, the prime minister wooed foreign investors with Malaysia's capabilities in Islamic banking and finance.

That made the city, which is among the biggest financial markets in the world, to take bold steps into the Islamic finance landscape.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said London wants to become the hub for Islamic finance outside the Muslim world.

"I don't just want London to be a great capital of Islamic finance in the Western world. I want London to stand alongside Dubai and Kuala Lumpur as one of the great capitals of Islamic finance anywhere in the world," he said.

To further prove his commitments, he announced several moves including becoming the first sovereign outside the Islamic world to issue sukuk, the creation of new Islamic indices on the London Stock Exchange Group, as well as, offering ten new Chevening Scholarships for Islamic finance for 2014-2015 period.

That, of course, did not come out blindly. It was proof of a stronger bond and relationship between Malaysia and Britain that has grown over the years.

Not only that, Cameron also praised and commended Najib on promoting moderation against extremism.

"Prime Minister Najib is a newly re-elected leader whose pioneering Global Movement of Moderates is uniting and inspiring people across the world in the fight against extremism and whose commitment to business with Britain is delivering millions of pounds of new investment and hundreds of new jobs here and in Malaysia," he said.

This has certainly boosted existing ties between the two countries and taken it to another level since 2011 compared with the "benign neglect" level between 1997 and 2010.

Meanwhile, in terms of ranking, Malaysia has set another record this year, being the only Muslim country among the top 10 global economies in terms of ease of doing business.

According to the World Bank's Doing Business 2014 report, Malaysia jumped to sixth position in the ease of doing business from 12th previously among the 189 economies in the World Bank's report.

This, according to the Prime Minister, was due to the effectiveness of the government's reform programmes.

Due to several fiscal consolidation moves by the government, international rating agencies such as Moody's and Standard & Poor's also revised their ratings to "positive" and "stable", respectively, on Malaysia's sovereign rating.

Turning back to the regional front, Malaysia has been very committed in Asean's regional integration in 2015 with 88 per cent of the measures already implemented.

With another year to go, certainly Malaysia has the tenacity and the drive to make the Asean Economic Community (AEC) a reality.

AEC, with a population of 600 million, will become the next growth driver for Asean member countries as they become a single market and production base.

Asean will then become a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy, attracting possible investments around the world.

This AEC would also transform Asean into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour and freer flow of capital.

3M Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Michael Wu said moving forward to 2014, the company was confident Malaysian businesses would seek to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the global market.

This included continued growth in demand in the key fields of oil and gas, electronics, automotive, metal fabrication, consumer and healthcare.

"Malaysia must also recognise the emerging strength of the automotive industries of our neighbours in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. We must be able to compete with them especially with their participation in the AEC," he told Bernama.

With the wealth of opportunities to be found within these industries alone, he said Malaysia would be able to significantly enhance both its productivity as well as position along industry supply chains so as to move the country towards gaining significantly higher value.

"Innovation will be the key that allows the nation to unlock this untapped potential and 3M is ready to partner both the Malaysian government, as well as, private enterprises to achieve our nation's goal of becoming a successful, developed and high-income nation," Wu added.

ISMA, Veteran Umno gesa batal sambutan tahun baru

Saudi scholar: 'Women must not work for telemarketing firms'

Use of coquettish voice tones could lead to harassment and extortion, warns scholar 

Manama: A Saudi religious scholar has warned women against accepting to work in direct marketing or telemarketing services, saying that it could have ominous consequences for them and society.

“Such jobs, because of their nature, could result in grave problems for women,” Abdul Aziz Al Fawzan, a jurisprudence professor, said. “When women call men they do not know in their homes or offices and use a soothing and coquettish tone of voice to make them accept specific offers, we have a serious problem because the conversation could ultimately lead to soliciting and blackmailing,” he said during an interview on a private television channel.

Women need to be extra cautious and avoid working for such companies that want customers to swallow baits. “From a religious point of view, the companies themselves should avoid recruiting women to do their marketing with strange men because they put them at the risk of being harassed or becoming subject to vulgarities by some people whose religious values are weak and who lack good manners,” he said.

Al Fawzan’s advice caused uproar on social media networks where he was praised and criticized in equal measures. Those who supported him said that he spoke out of his concern for the well-being and comfort of women and that he wanted to protect society from evil.

“Thank you so much for promoting the virtue of women at a time when so many people endeavour to afflict our society with their poisonous pens,” Her Father’s Daughter, a blogger, posted. “We want you to be a thorn in the flesh of all the liberals and seculars who want to abuse women in all ways.”

However, those who disapproved of his words said that he should allow women with no steady financial income to earn a living and that he should appreciate that women are well capable of honouring their values and virtues.

“I wish the scholar if he wanted to offer valuable advice to press men to respect good morals and to order them not to harass or bother women,” a blogger under the moniker “Someone”, wrote. “He should not engage in scaring people about women taking up jobs. He should not deprive women of their right to work by distorting people’s views and presenting them under a negative light. He should be more positive of he really cares about the nation with its male and female citizens.”

Cross-dressing outlawed in Malaysian state

Kuala Lumpur (dpa) - An Islamic state in Malaysia has decreed cross-dressing a criminal offence punishable by jail, news reports said Friday.

Under an amendment to the Sharia Criminal Offences Enactment, in force since December 1, any Muslim caught dressed as the opposite sex faces up to one year in jail and a possible fine of 1,000 ringgit (300 dollars), the Harian Metro daily reported.

"Before, we could only arrest them and advise them to change, but this has not brought any results," Pahang state Islamic Religious Council Deputy President Wan Wahid Wan Hassan was quoted as saying."Instead the phenomenon has become widespread."

"After this, a jail term or a fine or both can be imposed if they are convicted," he said.

The law only applies to Muslims in Pahang state, where a degree of sharia law is applied by local authorities. The law was part of a major review of the sharia enactment, that also included new sections on defiance of the sultan and religiousagencies, according to the official news agency Bernama.

Islamic authorities have decreed a national fatwa, or prohibition, ruling masculine dress on women to be forbidden, but there is no national law to this effect. Pang Khee Teik, a prominent local gay activist, blasted the stateruling.

"Leave the Mak Nyahs (transvestites) and pengkids (tomboys) alone," he wrote on Facebook. "This is Malaysia where unkindness is law, where we kick those who are already down," he said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Cross-dressing-outlawed-in-Malaysian-state-30223119.html

We will keep on using Allah in Selangor churches, says priest

Catholic churches in Selangor will continue to use the word Allah during its weekend services in Bahasa Malaysia despite the state’s Islamic Religious Department (Jais) intention to send them reminders on a 1988 state enactment prohibiting non-Muslims from using the word.

Catholic weekly Herald editor Rev Father Lawrence Andrew said Article 11(3) (A) of the Federal Constitution prescribes that every religious group has its right to manage its own religious affairs.

“Our religion cannot be managed by any Muslim group. It is against the Federal Constitution.

"We will continue to use the word Allah in our masses,” he told The Malaysian Insider today.

He said that Jais as an Islamic body has no jurisdiction over other religious bodies.

“At the moment, the case is still in court and no decision has been made yet. They can’t pre-empt this,” he added.

Aside from the Catholic church, other Christian churches, such as the Sidang Injil Borneo, also conduct services in Bahasa Malaysia and other native languages from East Malaysia, with the use of the word Allah.

In an interview with news portal The Malay Mail Online, newly-appointed Jais director Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad had said the Islamic authority would draw up a list of Selangor churches before writing letters asking them to comply with the Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.

“We will write letters to all the churches in Selangor to respect the law that is in force in relation to this,” he was quoted as saying.

The enactment, which was passed by the Barisan Nasional state government, prohibits non-Muslims in Selangor from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faith, including “Allah”, “Nabi” (prophet), “Injil” (gospel) and “Insya'Allah” (God willing).

The Catholic church has been on a collision course with Putrajaya over the use of the word Allah.

Many Islamist groups in Malaysia had insisted that the word Allah belongs exclusively to Muslims, although Christians and other faiths have argued otherwise.

In December 2009, the High Court made a landmark ruling in favour of the Catholic Church, when it said Allah, which means God in Arabic, was not the exclusive right of Muslims and the Catholic weekly Herald could publish it in its Bahasa Malaysia section, which caters to its East Malaysian Bumiputera congregation.

This led to the Home Ministry appealing against the ruling in January 2010.

On October 14 this year, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court decision, and said the ban was justified as "the word Allah was not integral to the practice of the Christian faith".

The church’s leave application to appeal the appellate court’s decision will be heard on February 24.

The decision spooked Christians in Sabah and Sarawak as many felt the ban was not exclusive to Herald but was binding to all Christians.

This led to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak assuring Christians in East Malaysia that they could continue using the word and that the Federal Government will honour the 10-point solution.

Under the 10-point solution announced in 2011 by Datuk Idris Jala, it was agreed that bibles in all languages can be imported into the country, including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.

The 10-point solution also states that bibles can be printed locally in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

The Court of Appeal decision also received worldwide attention, with respected American Muslim theologian Reza Aslan, among others, criticising the decision.

The debate on the matter continues, with the Sun newspaper reported on October 30 that the Bar Council was considering following in the footsteps of the Sabah Lawyers Association (SLA) and throwing its weight behind the Catholic weekly in the appeal process.

This raised the ire of Muslim Lawyers Association, who strongly opposed the move. – December 27, 2013.

Rosmah's son buys RM110mil condo in New York

The 36-year-old stepson of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has reportedly purchased a US$33.5 million (RM110 million) condominium unit in New York.

Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz (far left), the son of the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor from an earlier marriage, bought the property at 63rd Street in Park Laurel, New York, according to Sarawak Report.

The report quotes a New York real estate website, The Real Deal, which said Riza bought the seven-bedroom property on Nov 19 last year.

A New York Times report says the penthouse unit, situated in Central Park West, was purchased by Riza under the shield of a limited-liability company named Park Laurel Acquisition.

Riza, according to Sarawak Report, began a banking career after graduating from the London School of Economics in 2000.

The report said Riza had worked with consultancy firm KPMG until 2002 and later at HSBC London until the financial crash of 2008.

"According to the Financial Services Authority, Riza Aziz was employed in a relatively minor role at HSBC for five years, although Aziz himself says he resigned in 2008," reads the report.

Despite his brief banking career, Riza is now a rising star in Hollywood, for he is said to have bankrolled the recently released film, 'Wolf of Wall Street', through producing company Red Granite Pictures which he co-founded with Joey McFarland.

'Flush with funds'

The report also cites a Los Angeles Times interview that quotes Joey's partner McFarland as saying that their company's strategy is “to buy up promising but troubled production projects that other studios have dropped”.

Riza's source of funding is unclear, says Sarawak Report, but his company has bankrolled other Hollywood films including 'Friends With Kids' and the sequel to 'Dumb and Dumber' dubbed 'Dumb and Dumber To', with a deliberate mispell.

The report also said Penang-based businessman Jho Low was present during the launch of 'The Wolf of Wall Street' - starring Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio - and posed for photographs together with the two rising producers.

Jho Low, described as a billionaire, has grabbed the headlines over his lavish spending and supposed close links with Najib and Rosmah.

Riza's wealth in Hollywood has not pleased everybody, for the original producers of "Dumb and Dumber", Steve Stabler and Brad Krevoy, have filed a suit against him.

Red Granite taken to court

According to documents filed with the Superior Court of California that were reproduced by Sarawak Report, the producers are upset with Riza's company for attempting to cut them out from the production of "Dumb and Dumber To", which Red Granite bought over from New Line Cinema and Warner Bros.

The court document filed on July 22 singles out Riza as a "relative" of Najib.

"Red Granite has established a pattern of using (Riza) Shahriz Bin Abdul Aziz's family money to buy motion picture franchises from the studios that developed them and purporting to assume the studio's obligations relating to the franchises, but then reneging on contractual obligations to the key talent," the court document says.

Despite the controversy, Sarawak Report said, Riza has been described by Hollywood as a producer to keep an eye on as his company has risen from "nowhere" in 2010 to "top company to watch".

Why for Perkasa only, ask other Malay rights defenders

With the funding sources of Perkasa disclosed, two Malay-Muslim NGOs, Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), are crying foul over the government favouring the right wing Malay movement over them.

The two NGOs, which are similarly involved in defending Malay and Muslim rights in the country, said they, too, want recognition and some of these funds.

MJMM president Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah said they suspected that Perkasa had government backing, but it had not been made this clear before.

"Now, with it revealed that Perkasa has government funding... I feel it's not fair if only Perkasa alone gets the funds," Rani said in a text message to Malaysiakini today.

"We are moving along with our own pocket money... so I urge the government to carefully review again the funds for NGOs."

MJMM has been actively policing the social media, such as Facebook, and has filed several police reports against those allegedly insulting Muslims or Malays online.

It is also among the NGOs that in October called on police to investigate DAP MP Tony Pua for labelling Utusan Malaysia and the Registrar of Societies (ROS) as 'anjing Umno' (running dogs for Umno) in a online posting.

MJMM is also protesting against price hikes and higher cost of living, Rani said.

Isma: It’s not Umno’s generosity

Earlier this week Perkasa admitted that it had received funding from agencies such as the National Security Council (MKN), National Civics Bureau (BTN) and the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), which come under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

Isma is similarly unhappy that  government funds are not handed out more evenly.

"Umno cannot bring it up as if it is their generosity (to fund Perkasa)," Isma's president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman (right) said.

"Until now, I have not seen the government truly acknowledge the role of NGOs in building up the community, especially Malay and Islamic NGOs."

Abdullah noted that the government has shortchanged Islamic NGOs as they were given much lesser funds than non-Islamic NGOs, despite the bigger contribution to society by Islamic NGOs.

Isma made the limelight recently for tearing at human rights group Comango at the UN review in Geneva two months ago.

It has also called for Malaysia to take a stand on the Islamic form of human rights and to ignore the more liberal international standards.

To avoid favouritism, Isma recommended that the government enshrine funding to NGOs as a constitutional right, so that governments would no longer hand  them out at their discretion.

"For me, the role and credibility of the NGOs are ruined when they are managed according to the whims of the ruling party," Abdullah Zaik said.

Funding Perkasa suicidal for BN, says Gerakan Youth

The BN government is undermining itself by funding a "disruptive" group such as the Malay supremacists Perkasa, and this has warded off many voters, including urban Malays, Gerakan said today.

Calling the Malay rights group's work as the opposite of BN's objectives, the party's Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (left) urged the government to clarify why key government institutions were involved with a number of Perkasa programmes.

Earlier this week Perkasa admitted that it had received funding from agencies such as the National Security Council (MKN), National Civics Bureau (BTN) and the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), which comes under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

"It's suicidal for BN to fund Perkasa because its activities are not helping the government... it's creating a bad image," Tan told Malaysiakini.

"If it is true, it has to be reviewed... the government has to come out and clarify the situation, or more rumours will spread."

Tan's views were echoed by Gerakan vice-president Dominic Lau who also texted his view that the party "strongly opposed the government aiding Perkasa."

"Gerakan's stand on Perkasa has been very clear all this while, which is we are against extreme racist party/organisation," he noted.

He said that the government should ensure that all NGOs, regardless of political inclinations, are fairly funded but must also make sure no fund goes to NGOs that are not promoting social unity and justice.

Similarly, MCA, another BN component party questioned Perkasa's qualification.

Citing her past experience as a deputy minister, MCA woman division chief Heng Seai Kie said that only NGOs that provide community and social services and effectively help the government received such financial aid.

Perkasa self-image in sorry state

"We feel sorry to say that with Perkasa's current leadership - all their statements, activities and programmes - they create a negative impression in public...they have been labelled as racist propagandists and have nothing to do with government," Heng told Malaysiakini over the phone.

Heng, however, said that she hoped Perkasa can change, since it is now in the limelight.

"I hope Perkasa can learn from the public response when they know about the funding. As a responsible NGO, Perkasa should revise their programmes and statements and they way they carry themselves. They should be grateful for government support and stop creating racial-friction," she said.

"If they don't change, the government has a right to stop funding them."

When asked if Perkasa was helping BN to win the Malay electorate  over as recently claimed, MCA's Heng also disagreed.

"I don't think so. If they are helping to unite the Malays, then in the last general elections, Pakatan Rakyat wouldn't have gotten so much support from the Malays," she said.

"Unity is called for as we move towards Vision 2020 with PM's 1Malaysia spirit, Perkasa is doing just the opposite."

2013, a year of tragedies for Malaysia

The incidents which were often followed by sometimes incredulous 'official' explanations have left Malaysians with more questions than answers.

KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2013 has seen a diverse series of ‘tragedies’ in the country ranging from politics, finance, crumbling buildings, accidents, gangland killings, unexplained deaths in custodies and calamities as a result of environmental desecration and climatic change.

The incidents which were often followed by sometimes incredulous ‘official’ explanations have left Malaysians with more questions than answers.

Politically May 5 was defining not so much for Barisan Nasional and the opposition but for the rakyat.

They learnt that popular votes don’t count under the first-past the post system practiced here and that no amount of Black 05 gatherings and rantings on ground and on social media platforms will change the polls outcome.

They also heard that we were heading the Greek-way in terms of ballooning debts and there was really nothing the man on the streets could do because it is increasingly obvious that the rakyat must scrimp and save for the Umno-led government to spend as it likes.

On the streets, post GE13, the Malaysian parliament was told that there has been 230 cases of death in custody since year 2000.

Up until July 2013, Amnesty International noted 12 deaths.

These deaths have yet to be properly explained by the authorities.

Amnesty International in a open letter in July pointed out that police abuses allegedly also took place outside of custody and that they had received a “steady” flow of reliable reports of police using unnecessary, excessive and sometimes lethal force during arrests.

Also in July and August gangland clashes topped the news with reports of dismantled pistols, revolvers smuggled in from Thailand and later sold cheaply here.

As at August this year, there have been at least 35 reported shootings nationwide which left 22 dead.

Killings and drownings

The spike in drive-by shootings and mafia-style killings including the high profile murder of banker Ahmad Hussain Najadi in July saw the police and government lawmakers blaming the abolition of the Emergency Ordinance (EO) in 2011.

They claimed the abolishing the EO had set free 2,600 hardcore criminals and gang members who were now allegedly on rampage.

Also reported in the first half of the year was the tragic loss of three lives in Sarawak.

On May 28, a boat packed with more than 100 people returning home to celebrate the annual Gawai Dayak festival with family and friends capsized after hitting a log.

Three passengers died while others were either rescued by villagers or managed to swim to safety.

The accident in Sungai Rejang near Jeram Giam brought into focus the lack of enforcement on safety issues. Boats and ferries are crucial mode of travel along the mighty Rejang.

The incident also drew attention to the incessant logging activities, legal and otherwise, alongside the river and the state government’s dogged determination to build more dams at ths cost of its indigenous people and environment.

On June 6 four people were killed when a section of the Second Penang bridge, which was under construction, collapsed on a Perodua Kelisa car they were travelling in.

If the first half was not morbid enough, Bernama reported that the country’s worst road tragedy in 17 years was the Genting Highlands crash.

The tragedy on Aug 21 claimed 37 lives.

The crash occurred when the Kuala Lumpur-bound stage bus which ferried 53 people, skidded and plunged 60 metres into a ravine at the 3.5km Jalan Genting Highlands.

Human failings or attitudes

A Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) study noted, among other factors, that the bus which was going downhill was being driven at break-neck speed, exceeding 50kmph.

The other factor was its dysfunctional brake system.

The rescue operation which followed, involving more than 150 firemen and personnel from various agencies, was hailed as the most organised and efficient.

On Oct 10, a MASWings Twin Otter aircraft crashed in Kudat while attempting to land at the provincial airport.

Two people were killed and 16 others injured in the incident which saw the plane overshoot the airport runway and crash into a house in Kampung Sinsan, killing the co-pilot and a passenger.

Two weeks later the serenity in Cameron Highlands was interupted following a landslide and mud flood in the Bertam Valley.

Three people were killed, one injured and another reportedly missing in the incident which also damaged 80 houses and about 100 vehicles.

The incident occurred after Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), which operates the Sultan Abu Bakar hydroelectric dam power plant di Ringlet, released water from the dam to avoid it from bursting, following continuous rain since Oct 22.

According to TNB the water was released according to procedures.

The fault they insinuated was not theirs but the state authorities which allowed ‘settlements’ buffer zones and the continued apathy among residents.

Post incident cleanup saw tonnes and tonnes of garbage and debri surface.

‘Unusual rainfall’

A week later, on Oct 30, three people returning from a haj pilgrimage were killed and three others were injured when the van they were travelling in, crashed into a lorry at the East Coast Expressway.

Early this month, more than 40,000 residents in Pahang had to be evacuated to relief centres due to flood.

Three people were killed in the floods, said to have been caused by “unusual rainfall”.

The flood caused 1,072 TNB sub-stations to be submerged, resulting in TNB to stop electricity supply to 62,907 consumers.

With just days to go before 2014 descends on us, the rains continue to pelt Malaysia even as other ‘tragedies’ beseige us in the form of arbitrary price hikes in everday goods, utilities and the much speculated looming unemployment situation next year.

Whilst the government continues to shut out naysayers, the reality on the ground is shaping up to prove the authorities wrong.

DBKL demolishes Kg Railway houses

Bumiputera mampu kendalikan kontrak RM300 bilion

MOGSC sendiri yang merangkumi 450 anggota, 90 peratus daripadanya syarikat Bumiputera.

Shahrullizan Rusli

KUALA LUMPUR,:Nilai kontrak kira-kira RM300 bilion yang diberi Petronas kepada syarikat Bumiputera sejak lima tahun lepas menunjukkan mereka mempunyai daya saing yang tinggi, sekali gus meraih kepercayaan firma minyak dan gas negara itu, kata Majlis Perkhidmatan Minyak dan Gas Malaysia (MOGSC).

Presidennya Sofiyan Yahya berkata sememangnya syarikat Bumiputera aktif dalam industri minyak dan gas, dan ini dilihat melalui MOGSC sendiri yang merangkumi 450 anggota, 90 peratus daripadanya syarikat Bumiputera.

“MOGSC sanggup membantu syarikat Bumiputera yang mahu menceburi bidang ini,” katanya kepada Bernama berhubung penyertaan Bumiputera dalam industri minyak dan gas negara, khususnya melibatkan Petronas.

Mengakui wujud aduan berhubung syarikat Bumiputera sukar mendapatkan lesen Petronas, beliau menjelaskan ini kerana syarikat minyak itu mengikuti piawaian antarabangsa dan sangat profesional dalam pengurusannya.

Sofiyan seterusnya menegaskan Petronas tidak pernah mengetepikan syarikat Bumiputera dan jika ada kontraktor Bumiputera menghadapi isu berkaitan tender atau lesen, MOGSC sanggup menjadi pengantara untuk menyelesaikan masalah yang timbul.

“Sebagai contoh, syarat utama (pemberian) lesen pun perlu berstatus Bumiputera, urusan pemberian tender pun, Petronas akan jemput kontraktor Bumiputera,” kata Sofiyan.

Beliau turut menarik perhatian bahawa pembinaan Kompleks Petroleum Bersepadu Pengerang di Johor turut melibatkan pemberian tender khusus untuk kontraktor Bumiputera.

Dalam pada itu, beliau meminta pengurusan syarikat Bumiputera supaya berfikiran strategik untuk merebut peluang dalam industri minyak dan gas yang menyaksikan kepakaran Bumiputera diiktiraf di peringkat antarabangsa.

“Kepakaran kita boleh diketengahkan di peringkat antarabangsa. Kita memang menghadapi kekurangan pegawai, dan ini merupakan satu-satunya penghalang syarikat Bumiputera untuk berkembang,” kata Sofiyan sambil menambah bahawa ia bukan sahaja berlaku dalam industri minyak dan gas negara, malah di peringkat antarabangsa.

Justeru, beliau berkata syarikat Bumiputera perlu tampil dengan teknologi baharu sebagai jawapan kepada kekurangan tenaga manusia berkenaan.

Sofiyan juga meminta kontraktor Bumiputera supaya tidak mudah melenting apabila melihat beberapa projek dalam industri minyak dan gas tempatan diberi kepada pihak luar.

“Yang penting ialah hasil selepas projek itu siap, seperti aspek servis, baik pulih, pemeriksaan dan sebagainya. Peluang sebeginilah yang patut diintai syarikat Bumiputera,” katanya.

Beliau berkata peluang untuk Bumiputera bukan sahaja wujud dalam Petronas, malah turut disediakan syarikat minyak antarabangsa lain yang beroperasi di Malaysia.

Allah issue threatening racial unity

The unity and harmony Malaysians of different faiths enjoyed is under threat with Najib's handling of the Allah issue.
COMMENT

Prime Minister Najib Razak is struggling to put things in perspective and ended up instead insulting his own intelligence. First he goes to declare that MCA needs political “viagra” to get its act in order.

Maybe Najib was being cheeky by taking a dig at former MCA chief Chua Soi Lek whose extra-marital affair came to light after he was caught in the act and which led to him quitting mainstream politics.

But then the “viagra” analogy did not go down well with both MCA and outgoing president Chua. Still, Najib, however, was far from perturbed, oblivious to the fact that associating MCA with “viagra” was the worst co-relation he could think of.

Then came the issue concerning the use of the word “Allah” by the non-Malays. During the Umno general assembly early this month, Najib had insisted that “Allah” was exclusive to the Muslims.

It did not end there. The premier later dropped hints that it was best Christians ended its battle over the “Allah” row and abided by the Constitution.

Najib’s biased and undemocratic stance has further divided an already divisive nation. To outgoing Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, this was the last straw that broke the camel’s back which led to Pakiam openly castigating the premier saying it was Najib who should stop preventing the Catholics from using the word “Allah”.

Responding to Najib’s call for Muslims and Christians to end the national-level debate over the use of the word “Allah”, Pakiam on Christmas Day voiced his worry that Najib’s insistence that “Allah” remain exclusive to the Muslims was inciting right-wing groups against the Christian community.

To Pakiam, it was Najib who was adding to the confusion by saying “Allah” can only be used in Sabah and Sarawak, but banned here in the peninsula.

“But still, he is the prime minister, so I have to pray, God, please help him to see his mission, his duty for the whole country, not for just Umno, ,” Pakiam had lamented.

The row over the “Allah” issue undeniably had a hand in Pakiam tendering his resignation as the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on Dec 6 upon reaching the retirement age of 75.

To some, the speed with which the Vatican accepted Pakiam’s resignation raised alarm bells, with some speculating that the Vatican was disappointed with Pakiam’s “soft approach” over the “Allah” controversy.

The episode started in 2008 when Catholic newspaper The Herald was ordered by the Home Ministry to stop using the word “Allah”.

The Catholic Church took the matter to court and won a High Court decision in 2009 upholding its constitutional right to do so.

Unhappy with the court verdict, Putrajaya counter-challenged the decision and was successful in overturning an earlier decision when the Court of Appeal on Oct 14 this year ruled that “Allah” was not significant to the Christian faith.

Allah is used in the Bahasa Malaysia versions of the Bible, especially by Christians in Sabah and Sarawak as the mostly bumiputera congregation there worship in Bahasa Malaysia.

The Home Ministry has, however, banned peninsular Malaysia-based publication The Herald from using it.

Since the ruling, churches in Sabah and Sarawak have taken a more vocal stand in pressing for their right to use the term that they say is entrenched in the 20- and 18-point agreements with the two states, insisting they will continue their age-old practice of referring to God as “Allah” in their worship and in their holy scriptures.

The ruling has since also sparked confusion over the use of the word by Christians in their worship, especially with conflicting opinions within the government itself on how far the ruling would affect practising Christians.

Situation surrounding the controversy shows no signs of abating with calls from right-wingers like the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) urging the Najib-administration to cut diplomatic ties with the Vatican to pre-empt the speculated appointment of a more hardline bishop to defend the “Allah” issue.

In July this year, racially-motivated Jalur Tiga (Jati), Perkasa and other Muslim NGOs demanded that the role of the Vatican embassy in Malaysia be reviewed. The embassy was set up in January this year, in a follow- up to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s visit to Rome in 2011 to meet the Pope.

These Muslim hardliners took umbrage with the Holy See’s embassy after its envoy Joseph Marino was reported to be in solidarity with the local Catholic church for championing the right of Christians in using the word “Allah” to refer to God. Marino, however, apologised for this remark.

But the “Allah” row shows no respite or end with Islamic groups and authorities stepping up vigilance against non-Muslims over this issue.

In the meantime, the unity and harmony Malaysians of different faiths once enjoyed faces the threat of exile at the hands of none other than Najib, who is more keen to win the popular vote instead of averting a major crisis back home.

Cops: Indian man stabbed girlfriend and himself

PETALING JAYA: The Indian national found dead at an apartment in Damansara Damai with his Malay­sian girlfriend on Dec 18 is believed to have turned the knife on himself after stabbing her.

The police believe Mohinder Pal, 24, had committed the act after killing student K. Shanmugavalli as her parents did not consent to their relationship.

The case has been classified as murder-suicide.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed said: “We believe that was what happened as there are no signs of forced entry.

“There are also no signs of another party besides the two at the scene.”

The police had said the pair had been dead for about four to six days before their bodies were found by a debt collector who went there for the monthly rental.

A knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was found beside the body of the man, who was lying face down in the living room.

Mohinder had seven stab wounds on his abdomen while Shanmuga­valli, who was clad only in her bra and panties, was found sprawled on the bed in the master bedroom with five stab wounds on the abdomen.

It is learnt that the girl had been missing from home since Dec 13 and her family had lodged a report at the Puchong police station.

The debt collector had to force open the front door to get into the apartment unit that the man had rented for about two months. - The Star

Ministers and police chiefs have done a great disservice to the nation trumpeting to the world about a “fairy tale” plot on New Year’s eve to “topple the government” as if Malaysia is a “basket case country” on the verge of political and economic collapse

Cabinet Ministers and police chiefs have done a great disservice to the nation in the past ten days trumpeting to the world about a “fairy tale” plot on New Year’s eve to “topple the government” as if Malaysia is a “basket case country” on the verge of political and economic collapse at any moment.

The whole “topple government” caper was started by of all persons the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar who should have shown greater professionalism and gravitas instead of shocking the country ten days ago with the flighty announcement that a planned gathering on New Year’s eve at Dataran Merdeka to “topple government” was “a national threat”, vowing action under the Penal Code and SOSMA – Security Offences (Special Measures) Act – and threatening that any person guilty of the offence of activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy can be jailed for a maximum of 15 years.

Even Cabinet Ministers like the Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek got into the act to present to the world the spectacle of Malaysia as a “basket case country”, although warning that the December 31 rally is “to divert the people’s attention from the lies spread by the opposition after failing to capture Putrajaya in the May 5 general election”.

Pakatan Rakyat parties of PKR, PAS and DAP are even accused by UMNO mass media and cybertroopers of masterminding the New Year’s eve “plot” to topple the Najib government.

There were arbitrary arrests, an NGO activist Muhamad Azan Safar and a Sarawakian, for allegedly implicated in the “topple government” plot.

But nobody really believe that there was such a New Year’s eve “plot”.

Neither the Pakatan Rakyat nor the DAP are in any way involved with such New Year’s eve “plots”.

I can confirm that no New Year’s eve programme, including the alleged “topple government” rally plot, was ever raised or discussed at any Pakatan Rakyat leadership or DAP meetings and whatever being planned for New Year’s eve has nothing to do with Pakatan Rakyat or the DAP.

It is clear however that the Najib administration, which has promised to make Malaysia “the best democracy in the world”, has to learn to live with a more awakened democracy with a more active and outspoken citizenry and civil society, and if there are Malaysians who want to demonstrate their grievances and opposition to the the string of price hikes, whether sugar, petrol, power or toll, the government must accept such human rights of freedom of expression without tarring them with the brush of being anti-national elements or traitors.

Furthermore, the Najib government must learn to live in an information society brought about by the advent of Internet, and should not regard the expression of individuals on the social media, whether on facebook, twitter or blogs as a national conspiracy against the state.

Shabery may be right about a conspiracy to divert the people’s attention – but it is the Barisan Nasional government which is guilty as it has many skeletons in its cupboards in Putrajaya which it is trying to hide from the knowledge and inquiry of the Malaysian citizenry.

The latest skeleton to be exposed is the secret that the Najib government had been funding the activities of the extremist and racist Perkasa while the Prime Minister present a front of being a moderate in national and international forums.

Malaysians are entitled to know the total amount of taxpayers’ money which had been funnelled to Perkasa by the various government agencies from the establishment of Perkasa and to demand that Perkasa refund every sen it has improperly received from the government for its anti-national activities disseminating the politics of hate, intolerance and division in the country.

Is it because the Najib administration has many skeletons like the secret funding of Perkasa that Ministers and police chiefs are trying to distract public attention with fairy-tale stories about New Year’s eve conspiracy to “topple government” – without realising that they are in fact committing a most anti-national act and doing a great disservice to the nation by spreading the notion worldwide that Malaysia is a very fragile and unstable country?

Press Release | SUHAKAM is Right: Malaysia Needs to be Human Rights-Compliant

The Malaysian Bar strongly supports the call by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (“SUHAKAM”), and its Chairman, Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, for Malaysia to look seriously into accelerating the pace of ratification of the six remaining core United Nations instruments relating to human rights, as follows:

(1) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
(2) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
(3) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
(4) International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;
(5) International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families; and

(6) International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Indeed, Malaysia should also be looking into ratifying the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, since these involve critical issues right on our very doorstep.

The recent Universal Periodic Review (“UPR”) of Malaysia by the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2013 has brought into sharp focus the glaring disparity between Malaysia’s international ambitions on the one hand, and the domestic realities on the other.

Malaysia’s term as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council ends on 31 December 2013.  As an outgoing member, Malaysia has failed in the last four-and-a-half years to show much progress in extending our commitment to the international system of human rights norms and standards.

 

Although Malaysia has ratified one more international instrument since the last UPR in February 2009, namely the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Malaysia has failed to make much headway in the commitments we made in June 2009 to study the ratification of four further international instruments, namely the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.  In the National Report submitted by the Malaysian Government for the October 2013 review, there was reference to an expected conclusion and recommendation in respect of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and a commitment to studying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.  Nothing, however, was said about the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

 

If there are genuine concerns about these international instruments, they should be intelligently and coherently articulated.  Proper discussion of the ratification of these international human rights instruments is not advanced by the vilification of individuals and groups in support of them. The unwarranted disparaging remarks and verbal attacks on Tan Sri Hasmy Agam, SUHAKAM, and the Coalition of Malaysian Non-Governmental Organisations in the UPR Process (“COMANGO”) and members of that coalition, serve no positive purpose. 

 

It is also irresponsible to allege that countries, especially fellow member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (“OIC”), were either forced to accede to the international instruments or did not know better, but provide no evidence to support these fantastical observations.  After all, 54 out of the 56 OIC member states that are also United Nations member states have ratified or acceded to more international human rights instruments than Malaysia. Such comments are thus not just patronising and condescending, but additionally have the potential to damage Malaysia’s relations with these countries.  This also serves to highlight that the practice of Islam is not a hindrance for the OIC member states, and should not be used as an excuse by Malaysia to delay our ratification of the international instruments.  It should be noted that although Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution provides that Islam is the religion of the Federation, it is nevertheless not the supreme law of the Federation.  Article 4 provides that the Constitution itself is the supreme law of the Federation.

Malaysia now has ambitions to vie for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2015-2016 term.  Malaysia would need to rely on the support of other countries, including these OIC countries, if we are to emerge successful in our ambition.

 

Our international record would come into focus.  Malaysia has to convince members of the United Nations General Assembly in October 2014, when the voting is carried out, that we are a mature and responsible member of the international community, capable of being entrusted with decision-making at the United Nations’ most important body.

 

Recent actions and decisions by our Government, and recent statements by some of its Ministers, raise serious doubts as to whether Malaysia is ready.  The world today is very different from that of 1989-1990 and 1999-2000, the previous times Malaysia sat in the Security Council.  The 232 paragraphs of recommendations to Malaysia at the UPR in October 2013 point to the extremely high level of expectations that the international community places on Malaysia.  We can no longer hide behind excuses that we are a developing country, and need more time.  Our goal of achieving “developed nation” status by 2020 is not viewed as merely an economic target, but a political and diplomatic one as well.  For us to adequately respond to these expectations, our domestic realities must accord with our international ambitions.

 

Christopher Leong

President

Malaysian Bar

More Groups Condemn Proposed Gathering To Topple Government

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- More NGOs and political organisations have condemned the move by a certain group to organise the so-called "Himpunan Guling Kerajaan" gathering next Tuesday aimed at toppling the government.

From Perlis to Johor and right up to Sarawak and Sabah, the message of these organisations is loud and clear: the authorities must come down hard on those intent on causing chaos and the people must not fall prey to the propaganda.

In KANGAR, Perlis Puteri Umno appealed to the younger generation to keep away from the group which it claimed was bent on ruining the future of the nation.

"The gathering is detrimental to the people and can result in loss and damage to property," said its chief, Zuraidah Zainal Abidin, adding that a police report had been made in protest against the gathering.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, the Kuala Terengganu branch of the Malaysian Islamic Propagation and Welfare Organisation (Pekida) described the attempt to incite the people into toppling the government as a barbaric act because the government was elected in accordance with the law and the federal constitution.

"We are concerned that the gathering may be destructive to the nation's youths. Pekida supports firm action by the authorities," its chairman, Ahmad Syukri Abdullah, told reporters after lodging a police report at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters.

The Hulu Terengganu District Youth Council, 4B Youth, Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC), Federation of Peninsular Malay Students Associations (GPMS) and the Hulu Terengganu Felda Youth Council have also lodged police reports in protest against the gathering.

In BERA (Pahang), the Bera District Ex-Policemen's Association saw the gathering more as an attempt to spark chaos.

"The people must support the government as it has done a lot to champion their cause," said its chairman, Chong Nyee Lai.

More than 200 people assembled for a peaceful demonstration in protest against the gathering. They were representatives from the Bera Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno; Bera District Association of Village Chiefs; Mempaga Felda Youth Council; Bera Army Veterans Association; Ex-Policemen's Association; Pahang Natives Heritage Association; Kerayong Youth Association and Bera Farmers Organisation.

In KUANTAN, a spokesman for the Paya Besar and Kuantan Umno divisions, Zaiton Mat, said it was needless for the government to compromise with those out to cause chaos.

Zaiton said a police report had been made at the Kuantan police headquarters asking the police to arrest the mastermind behind the proposed gathering.

In PENDANG (Kedah), Pendang Umno Youth head Mohamad Fadzil Zolkipli said there were alternative ways to express dissatisfaction against the government without causing chaos.

In TAWAU (Sabah), OCPD ACP Awang Besar Dullah said the police had received seven reports in protest against the gathering, the latest being from the Tawau Puteri Umno.

In IPOH, Syamsul Baharin Putra Ahmad Shibi, a representative of a group of four NGOs and the Ipoh Barat Umno Youth which lodged a report at the Sungai Senam police station, said the gathering should be stopped for the sake of the majority of peace-loving people.

The NGOs were Kesatuan Anak Muda Islam, Suara Anak Muda 1Malaysia, 4B Youth and Gabungan Kelab Kereta Negeri Perak.

In KUCHING, the Pertubuhan Peradaban dan Warisan Melayu Sarawak (Adab) claimed it had information that Sarawak was to be made the first location to launch the gathering to overthrow the government.

"I fear that the agenda to overthrow the government is going to be launched in Sarawak before it is held in the peninsula on Dec 31," its chairman, Shariff Busrah, told reporters after lodging a police report.

In SHAH ALAM, the deputy president of the Persatuan Kebangsaan Anak Polis Malaysia (PKAPM), Syed Abu Bakar Syed Ahmad, said the organiser of the gathering should realise that policemen would not want their leave to be frozen when they had to make preparations for their children to attend school when the new term begins early next year.

He was approached by reporters after the association had joined the Selangor Anti-Irregularities Federation (Gaps) and Community Policing Malaysia to lodge a report at the Shah Alam police headquarters.

In GOMBAK (Selangor), Gombak Umno Youth joined several NGOs, namely Gombak 4B Youth; Gombak District Youth Council; Kg Sri Gombak Indah Youth Association; Persegi Malaysia Gombak; Pertubuhan Generasi Setia Gombak and the Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC), to lodge a police report.

Gombak Umno Youth head Aidi Haris Anual urged the authorities to act firmly against the organiser and participants of the gathering as well as those who promoted the gathering on the social media.

In MUAR (Johor), Bakri Umno Youth head Azman Ismail said the gathering, besides posing a threat to national security, was "an unforgivable mistake" if it were to take place.

Muar Umno Youth head Sallehudin Satar urged the government to prohibit the gathering, planned to coincide with the 2014 New Year Eve celebrations.

"Otherwise, it would be an embarrassment for the country, known all along to be peaceful and progressive," he said after representatives of the two Umno divisions held a peaceful demonstration at the Muar police headquarters after making a police report.