Dr M: The West only being ‘helpful’ by killing terrorists

Former PM says justice, Western style, means talking human rights on one hand, and justifying the killing of thousands on the other.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad today commented on the brand of justice the West promotes, saying they thought nothing about killing thousands of Iraqis, Afghans and Arabs but showed great outrage when 12 Frenchmen were killed by two Muslim terrorists in Paris this month.

“Are the Iraqis, the Afghans and the Palestine Arabs not of the human race? Is killing hundreds of thousands of them okay but not 12 Frenchmen?” he asked in his latest blog entry.

According to Mahathir, the West saw it as a “great mission” to come down hard on Muslim terrorists, and added cynically, “People should understand and appreciate. You are just being helpful.”

He also commented on how the West found it “intolerable” that two Muslims chose to kill their “tormentors” for insulting Islam, conveniently choosing not to take into account the 1.4 billion Muslims in the world who “accept their fate”.

He said, “Kill them. Then go after the others. Justice (Western style) will be done.”

In pushing his argument across, Mahathir did clarify that he did not condone the killings at Charlie Hebdo, yet neither did he see how “babies, the children, the sick and the old” deserved to die by the thousands at the hands of Westerners.

“But they were killed. Nobody demonstrated in sympathy with their families over their loss,” he said in reference to the demonstrations held in Paris after the brutal killings.

Implying the West was good at practising double standards, Mahathir said, “Might is always right. But don’t preach to us about human rights, about the right to insult people, about free speech and freedom of the press.”

Saying not much had changed when it came to how Westerners thought and acted, Mahathir said, “You killed the natives by the millions because you wanted their land.”

“You are still killing them so as to rid them of their bad leaders, so they will become democratic.”

PM must put Perkasa in its place over temple in Putrajaya

DAP says Najib Razak should live up to his 1Malaysia slogan and show that moderates will not tolerate extremists like Perkasa.

FMT

IPOH: The DAP has called on the federal government to make the construction of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya, a show of “moderates versus extremists” if Malay rights group Perkasa continued its opposition.

In saying this, DAP national vice-chairman M Kulasegaran urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to lead the moderates in fending off extremists in the battle.

Reminding Najib of his 1Malaysia slogan and his concept of moderation, Kulasegaran added, “Najib has in the past called on the silent majority to speak up against extremism.

“He must speak up now and put Perkasa in its place if the group does not back down from opposing the temple construction in Putrajaya.”

He said the best person to lead this battle was the PM himself, who should position it as a “battle between moderates and the extremists”.

The Hindu temple became something of a controversy when Perkasa Youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris questioned why a Hindu temple was being constructed in Putrajaya, a Malay-majority area.

He even suggested that its entrance face Banting, where a sizeable Hindu population resided.

In addressing Irwan’s dissatisfaction, Kulasegaran said Irwan had shown himself to be an extremist and a religious bigot.

“Perkasa’s frequent stirring up of racial and religious issues also shows without a doubt that it is an organisation not fit to exist in this multi racial and multi religious nation,” Kula added.

He also lauded Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s rebuke of Perkasa’s objections and his admonishment that Perkasa stop playing up the construction of Sri Lalithambikai Alayam, disclosing that the project was approved some time ago.

“We have built many temples before, building another one in Putrajaya is not going to change the entire population into Hindus,” said Tengku Adnan last week.

Kulasegaran said Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa was timely and deserved public commendation and support.

Falling oil prices and plunging ringgit: Government must step up to the plate

18 JANUARY 2015
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Falling oil prices and plunging ringgit: Government must step up to the plate

On December 12 last year, I told the people to brace for tougher times ahead because we

were facing a double whammy with declining international crude oil prices coupled with a

depreciation of the Ringgit at levels unseen since the Asian Financial crisis of 1997.

The prices of Brent crude oil have continued to drop. To date, it has plunged by 53% from

last year, that is, from an average of USD 108 per barrel in January 2014 to an average of

USD 51 for January 2015.

Our Ringgit is currently the weakest Asian currency, leaving aside the Yen. It has depreciated

to 3.55 Ringgit per USD from 3.32 Ringgit a year ago. Since October 2014, the ringgit has

lost almost 8.3%.

It is true that other Asian currencies have also fallen against the USD but our drop is almost

double that of the closest laggards such as the Taiwanese dollar and the Singapore dollar at

4.59% and 4.50% against the USD respectively.

Crude palm oil prices have also weakened by approximately 10% to RM 2300 per tonne.

Impact on our revenue

Income from oil and gas makes up 30% of our total government revenue. The 2015 Federal

Budget that was tabled on October 10 last year was based on an oil price range of USD 100

to 105 per barrel.

Even before the plunge to the current levels, Petronas had warned that if crude prices

averaged at USD 70 to 75, its overall contribution to government revenue would fall short of

8%. This means a shortfall of RM 19.4bn of the estimated revenue of RM 242bn against the

2015 budget projection.

Now that the oil prices have dropped by nearly half, what will be the actual impact on our

revenue?

Granted there will be savings in fuel subsidies but, as Maybank Research in its latest

publication says, a revenue shortfall of RM 8.4bn will already outweigh the subsidy saving

and result in a fiscal deficit of 4% of GDP instead of the 3% target for 2015.

According to Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, crude prices may continue to hover

between the USD 40 and 50 range in 2015. What this means is that the impact on government

revenue and deficit will be even greater. Some analysts are warning of deficit levels reaching

as high as 5%. This would be further accentuated if the ringgit continues to weaken and CPO

prices continue to fall.

In terms of equity investment, according to CLSA (Credit Lyonnais Securities Asia),

Malaysia is the worst performing Asian market in 2014. While the stock exchanges in

Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore still managed to chart positive growth, our Bursa suffered

significant declines.

Apart from the factors already stated earlier, there is also the issue of foreign capital

outflows, exiting both Ringgit bonds (owning 45% of total MGS) and equity. With

weakening carry trade attraction and fiscal uncertainties these have driven the Ringgit to

historical lows and pushed MGS yields up and raised financing cost (debt to GDP at 55%).

What the government must do now

First and foremost, corruption and leakages must be tackled. We have already shown in the

Pakatan Rakyat 2015 shadow budget that a conservative saving of only 15% in government

spending leakages could save almost RM20bn or an equivalent of 1.6% of the projected

GDP.

Secondly, we must put a stop to the culture of wastage and opulent and spendthrift ways

cloaked under shady procurement processes and opaque privatisation awards. The

government must stop sweeping bad debts under the off-balance sheet carpet.

There are no alternatives to good governance other than being transparent and truthful with

information relating to the country’s finances. In this regard, we are already saddled with the

scandalous 1MDB. The people will not tolerate yet another one.

Thirdly, a bi-partisan ‘National Crisis Committee’ should be set up without further delay

comprising government and opposition MPs, economists, market experts and other

specialists.

Inter alia, the committee should be tasked with the responsibility of monitoring commodity

prices on a daily basis and given the authority to execute any necessary measures to mitigate

any negative impacts once a consensus is obtained.

Fourthly, the government should be prepared to introduce austerity measures in the event that

oil prices go lower and remain there. This will mean cut-backs on mega projects while

continuing to spend on critical areas such as healthcare, education and the humanitarian

assistance for flood victims.

It should be noted that other oil dependent countries such as Norway (with very good

governance) are already on ‘alert mode’ running scenarios on the long-term effects of low oil

prices.

It is true that the movement of international commodity prices is beyond our control. But

surely we have control over how we spend our money and manage our overall finances.

This is where the government is failing and continues to fail in spite of our repeated calls to

do a reality check and put in place remedial measures. What have they been doing all this

while? Is this the kind of attitude to show case our drive for transformation?

Flood crisis and lessons drawn

It is the same attitude that had resulted in the devastation caused by the recent floods.

Flooding is an annual phenomenon going on for centuries but no serious mitigation measures

were done by the government.

In this regard, we must commend the NGOs who came in droves to help out. Comprising all

the races and religious groups this show of support and readiness to help the victims is

unprecedented and underscores the paramount importance for the Federal government to

work with Pakatan state governments and the NGOs.

Message to the rakyat

Tougher times lie ahead as government spending could be reduced and growth slows down.

The rakyat needs to remain frugal and not take on additional unnecessary debts.

As inflation continues to rise while wages remain stagnant, the rakyat will face greater

economic hardship and income inequality will continue to widen.

Meanwhile, we want the government to come clean on the economic outlook for the nation.

The people await the Tuesday announcement and expect serious and earnest efforts put in for

the restructuring of the 2015 budget.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Revised 2015 Budget should declare war on corruption, incompetence and extravagance to provide example and leadership of government commitment to austerity, accountability and integrity

By Lim Kit Siang blog,

The revised 2015 Budget should declare war on corruption, incompetence and extravagance to provide example and leadership of government commitment to austerity, accountability and integrity.

Such a campaign would save the Malaysian government and taxpayers scores of billions of ringgit, which would help the country tide through the looming economic crisis as a result of the sharp fall in prices of oil and commodities and the weakening of the Malaysian ringgit.

Despite the greatest investment in anti-corruption campaign, with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission developing into a huge bureaucracy but with very little to show in terms of results, the Najib premiership is still far behind the Abdullah and Mahathir premierships in both ranking and score of the annual Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

Malaysia lags seriously behind other countries in the battle against corruption, particularly Indonesia and China, and Malaysia is at risk of being overtaken by these two countries which had occupied the bottom two of rungs of the TI CPI 1995 two decades ago in a matter of a decade.

China had persevered in its anti-corruption campaign against “tigers and flies” while Indonesia had been quite impressive in catching “crocodiles”, but Malaysia had failed to net and jail a single tiger or crocodile in the 34 years of the the Prime Ministers of Tun Dr. Mahathir, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Has the Prime Minister’s Department or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ever conducted a study why China could net “tigers” and Indonesia catch “crocodiles” while Malaysia has singularly failed to do, only able to get “ikan bilis” in the last two decades of the anti-corruption campaign?

If the revised 2013 Budget could mark a serious anti-corruption campaign first time in the country’s history, with the jailing of the first “tiger” or “crocodile”, then it would be a most path-breaking event.

The country’s worst floods catastrophe in living memory is also the worst example of the government’s lack of competence and lack of a sense of crisis, resulting in the appalling Federal government responses to the worst floods disaster in history, as well in the other phases of floods disaster management on relief and reconstruction.

The damages of the worst floods catastrophe in living memory in Malaysia would not be so great as to cause over a million flood victims, evacuating a quarter of a million to the various flood relief centres in the country, causing a death toll of at least 25, damages to the tune of billions of ringgit and the devastation of Ground Zero zones like Manek Urai, Manjur and Karangan, if both the Federal and State Governments, particularly the National Security Council chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had been better prepared for the floods disasters.

The false claim by the Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Ahmad Maslan that the Federal Government had spent RM800 million on January 5 to help the flood victims in terms of food, logistics and clean-up operations when only RM41 million had been spent to date, is the best evidence of the incompetence and ineptitude of Federal Ministers in charge of the destiny of Malaysians.

I do not believe that Maslan had set out to deliberately lie or mislead Malaysians with his false and ridiculous RM800 million claim, as once it was made, everyone on the ground involved in the flood relief operations knew it was utter rubbish, as nobody could sense or feel the hundreds of millions of ringgit which the Federal Government claims to have been spent.

The very fact that a Deputy Finance Minister could make such a blooper is an indication of the quality of governance in Malaysia.

The annual reports of the Auditor-General provides reams of example of government waste, extravagance and ineptitude year after year.

I had suggested that Najib should set example by slashing by at least 50 per cent the RM19.1 billion budget for the Prime Minister’s Department, which involved gargantuan “slush funds” solely to further the political agenda of the ruling coalition.

The Federal Government is also bloated with too many Ministries and Ministers as compared to other countries like Australia and India.

For a start, let Najib slash the number of Ministers and Ministries by at least 10 per cent – to mark a new era of government austerity and integrity.

In airman’s sacking, law experts see military authorities breaching natural justice, constitution

Malay Mail
by YISWAREE PALANSAMY

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — Malaysia’s armed forces had failed to abide by the rules of natural justice and the Federal Constitution in the recent sacking of airman Major Zaidi Ahmad for blowing the whistle on the weaknesses of the electoral ink touted as indelible in the 2013 polls, law experts said last night.

Speaking at a forum organised by electoral reforms watchdog Bersih 2.0 here, Malaysian Bar vice-president Steven Thiru said that natural justice forms the cornerstone of the country’s supreme law.

He pointed out that the military tribunal that tried and sentenced Zaidi does not function “within the four corners of the constitution”, but stressed that even without that, the special court has a duty to dispense justice according to existing law.

“You will be surprised to know that the Military Court can imprison and even sentence a service personnel to death. It has very wide powers,” the lawyer said.

“There must be rights for both parties to be heard and a breach of the rule of natural justice can render the decision unlawful,” he added.

Steven said that in Malaysia, the right to work is not a contractual right alone but is also a constitutional right as it is essentially a person’s right to live.

Alluding to Zaidi’s case, the lawyer suggested that the dismissal of the airman who had served 26 years with the military was an example of this breach of natural justice.

“If you are going to sack someone therefore, you have to grant the person the right to be heard and you cannot get rid of someone in breach of natural justice as you will also breach his constitutional right,” he said.

The Bar Council man was not alone in his view.

Universiti Selangor law lecturer Dr Abdul Aziz Bari noted the tradition of following superior orders and natural justice sometimes conflict with each other in the military.

However, he said that the Federal Constitution as the country’s highest law, takes precedence to orders issued by a superior military officer, especially in Zaidi’s case.

“In this, I don’t see the logic as to how Major Zaidi was dismissed because he disregarded a superior order, because we have a constitution and what he did is legit under the constitution.

“He was just exercising the moral duty of a responsible citizen by lodging a police report. We are dealing with a situation whereby a public authority like the Election Commission failed to do its job,” the academic said, adding, “So where does his fault really lie?”

Abdul Aziz said that even orders issued by the military must be based on the law and be just, adding that morality cannot be set aside.

“Moral imperative must prevail otherwise, what’s the point of the Federal Constitution?” he asked, alluding to the question of bias raised by Zaidi’s defence team during the latter’s court martial last year.

On November 5, 2014 Zaidi’s lawyers had applied to dissolve the military court panel which presided over his disciplinary case for publicly complaining about the indelible ink, claiming that there has been “real bias”.

Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, the lead counsel for Zaidi, said that his client had found a comment in response to an October 20, 2014 article by news portal Malaysiakini, allegedly made by one of the judges in this case which would indicate bias.

In Zaidi's affidavit that was sighted by reporters, the comment was posted on October 21 under the name of one “Saadon T'son”, with the remark being “Klu tak nak jd tentera duduk kampung motong getah jer.” (If don't want to be in the military, just stay in the village and tap rubber.”

Steven pointed out that with the shadow of bias hanging over the military tribunal, it would have been proper for the person alleged to have voluntarily stepped down.

“Usually, the person implicated as having a strong notion against or for the case must disqualify themselves. He or she may not be biased but there is a likelihood of bias… justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done and even if the judge carries on with the ruling, questions will still arise, even though their judgement was right,” Steven said.

He pointed out that while the tribunal reserves the right to dismiss Zaidi, it has to take note of another implied rule, that the decision imposed must commensurate with the offence.

“The question that must be asked now is if the dismissal was harsh,” Steven said.

On Monday, a five-man panel in the Military Court here found Zaidi to be guilty of two charges — publishing an article without the consent of the Defence Ministry, and revealing the contents of official documents on the indelible ink without authorisation from the Malaysian Armed Forces Council.

The airman who had served for 26 years was sentenced to be dismissed from the military.

Indelible ink was introduced in Election 2013 as one of the main safeguards against repeat voting, but the scandal surrounding its easy removal transformed it into a symbol of the widespread electoral fraud allegedly perpetrated to keep the Barisan Nasional coalition in power.

Najib To Announce Specific, Proactive Economic Policy Measures Tomorrow

By Azlina Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to announce Tuesday specific and proactive measures to deal with current economic developments and the financial situation in Malaysia.

The measures will include strategies to help the people and business community affected by the recent floods and to rebuild damaged infrastructure.

Although there is no economic crisis, the government is taking preemptive measures in view of the changing global economic landscape beyond Malaysia's control.

The measures will not only ensure the economy continues to record respectable and reasonable growth in the coming years but also that development for the nation and the people continues.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, will detail the positive and negative impact of falling crude oil prices and the latest forecast to the nation and people.

The recent 60 per cent fall in oil prices affects the global economy, and Malaysia is no exception.

When addressing the Prime Minister's Department's first monthly assembly for the year Monday morning, Najib said an accurate and wise approach was necessary to mitigate the effects of the oil price slump on economic growth, national revenue and the value of the ringgit.

"Amid this new scenario, we will act more proactively to ensure a sustainable growth rate and protect the people's rights so that their well-being is not adversely affected," he said.

He is expected to address the uncertainty in capital flows and the value of the ringgit, which has slipped to a five-and-half-year low of 3.60 against the dollar.

Dua pendaki Amerika cipta sejarah tawan tebing El Capitan

Christian nurse, 37, says she was sacked for 'harassment and bullying' after PRAYING for a Muslim colleague

• Christian nurse Victoria Wasteney, 37, prayed with her ill Muslim co-worker
• She offered Enya Nawaz, 25, a shoulder to cry on when she was unwell
• She also gave Miss Nawaz book about a Muslim who becomes a Christian
• But Miss Nawaz complained her colleague had tried to convert her
• Miss Wasteney was suspended for nine months and warned about her faith
• Now she is taking the hospital to a tribunal over religious discrimination

By Ollie Gillman for MailOnline

A Christian nurse claims she was sacked for 'harassment and bullying' after she prayed for a troubled Muslim colleague.

Victoria Wasteney, 37, a senior occupational health therapist at a mental hospital in east London, offered support to a fellow nurse when she was unwell.

Miss Wasteney says she put her hand on young colleague Enya Nawaz's knee and asked if she could pray for her, saying: 'God, I trust You will bring peace and You will bring healing.'

The pair had been on friendly terms for months, so Miss Wasteney, who describes herself as a 'born-again Christian', was furious when she was suspended from work for 'harassing' Miss Nawaz.

East London NHS Foundation Trust suspended her for nine months on full pay, gave her a written warning and told her not to discuss her faith with co-workers.

But the nurse, from Buckhurst Hill, Essex, will on Tuesday begin a legal challenge against the trust for discriminating against her for her religion.

Miss Wasteney, who worked at the John Howard Centre - a mental hospital in Homerton, east London - told the Sunday Telegraph: 'I'm not a hard-line evangelical. I'm not anti-Muslim. I believe in freedom of speech, but I've always believed we should be sensitive to one another's beliefs and feelings.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2915253/Christian-nurse-37-says-sacked-harassment-bullying-praying-Muslim-colleague.html

Anti-terror chief tells police not to go out on the streets alone amid rising fears of a plot to murder an officer - as Met deploy hundreds more armed officers

• Advice issued by nation's counter-terrorism chief Mark Rowley
• Fears of an attack raised after events in France that left 17 dead
• Among the dead in the atrocities in Paris were three police officers
• Last week Belgian police killed jihadists wanting to behead a policeman
• Mr Rowley advised force chiefs to abandon lone patrols where possible

By Abul Taher and Ian Gallagher for The Mail on Sunday

Police were last night urged to patrol in pairs for their own safety amid rising fears of a terrorist plot to murder an officer on UK streets.

The advice was issued by the nation's counter-terrorism chief as it was revealed that hundreds of extra firearms officers will be deployed across London.

Fears of an attack in Britain were raised after the atrocities in France that left 17 dead, among them three police officers.

And they intensified last week when Belgian commandos killed Islamic State (IS) fanatics who wanted to behead a policeman or judge in a plot echoing the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, the national police lead for counter-terrorism, has now advised force chiefs in England and Wales to 'review the safety and security of staff' urgently – and to abandon lone patrols where necessary.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2914986/Anti-terror-chief-tells-police-not-streets-amid-rising-fears-plot-murder-officer.html

Subramaniam says party boss refused to meet him over MIC crisis – Bernama

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has reiterated that he did not meet party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel to discuss the party’s present crisis in detail.

He said many of his attempts to meet Palanivel had failed, "except for our cursory meetings in Cabinet".

"(Nevertheless) There have been reports in the press about some imaginary conversation between the (party) president and me, written by some highly imaginative journalist," he said in a statement today.

Dr Subramaniam said on January 7, he had requested to meet Palanivel, to which the party president agreed after the Cabinet meeting.

However, the meeting did not materialise.

"Subsequently, we happened to meet in Cabinet where we exchanged a few statements and once again, I reiterated the need to find a holistic solution to the proble and my willingness to work together to solve the problem, in line with the Registrar of Societies’ (RoS) decisions."

At the Cabinet meeting, he said Palanivel only raised his concern on the need to hold two elections, one in 2015 and another in 2016, but did not share his views on how he intended to solve the problem.

On December 5, RoS, among others, directed MIC to conduct re-elections for 23 central working committee and three vice-presidential seats in 90 days because there were claims of irregularities and violations of the party constitution and Societies Act.

RoS also told MIC to hold again elections for eight divisions in 60 days, namely for Bayan Baru, Bukit Gelugor, Subang, Bandar Baru Kulim, Taiping, Tambun, Sepang and Jasin.

It also directed the party to conduct elections again for Batu Kawan (deputy chairman), Kota Raja (division chairman), Tanjung Malim (division chairman) and Taman Koperasi Polis (branch chairman) in 30 days.

The party was also advised not to hold an annual general meeting as long as the matters remained unresolved. – Bernama, January 18, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/subramaniam-says-party-boss-refused-to-meet-him-over-mic-crisis-bernama#sthash.bv0b57bV.dpuf

Anwar willing to assist anti-graft body if it investigates Daim

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is willing to cooperate with the Malaysian anti-graft body if it investigates former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin's banking business abroad.

However, he cautioned that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must carry out its duties professionally.

"If they ask me, I will give my cooperation, no problem. It is my responsibility to help facilitate investigations. But they have to be professional," he said after a dialogue with Selangor youth in Petaling Jaya today.

He said he had "proof" of Daim's alleged abuse of powers but it was shelved. However, he did not elaborate on the statement, although he said MACC should not focus its investigations solely on Daim's banking business.

Opposition politicians had previously urged anti-graft authorities to investigate Daim, with PKR's Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin in November last year highlighting the lack of police action against the former finance minister despite a police report lodged in 1999.

Anwar had lodged that report 15 years ago, accusing Daim of amassing billions of ringgit in African and Eastern Europe banks through proxies.

Three days ago, Daim had expressed his willingness to cooperate with MACC, but stressed that pressure groups should not interfere.

In a statement to state news agency Bernama, Daim had said he was confident the MACC would be able to carry out the probe.

"I stand ready to support and cooperate with MACC in its investigation," he said in the statement.

It was reported previously that Daim had confirmed owning a bank in Tanzania, but denied any abuse of power.

Daim was quoted by the news report as saying that he had been investigated on the matter twice in 1999, and they found nothing.

Pro-Umno bloggers recently reported that Daim had been attacked by cybertroopers aligned to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for criticising Putrajaya's handling of the economy.

Daim, along with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have emerged as strong critics of Najib's administration over his handling of the economy and national politics.

In what is seen as a psychological war, Najib's supporters in the press and online portals have been attacking Daim with critical articles.

But veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin warned a few days ago that the Umno-controlled media group, Media Prima Bhd, should stop sniping at Daim as it could backfire on Najib.

Najib was more vulnerable to personal attacks than Daim and other critics, Kadir, the retired editor of the New Straits Times Press group, said in his blog.

"The cheap shots about Mohd Najib's critics might smear their image but these people are not the PM and they don't have political positions," said Kadir, referring to the PM by his full name.

"But the juicier stories about Mohd Najib, if there is, can topple him," Kadir said.

Besides opposition lawmakers, Daim and Dr Mahathir, even pro-Umno bloggers who had supported Najib to be prime minister were now becoming critical of him.

Najib took over from former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in April 2008 after the loss of Barisan Nasional's two-thirds majority in the March general election that year.

Among others, Najib has been criticised for his cash aid programme, the 1Malaysia People’s Aid or BR1M, which Dr Mahathir said failed to attract voters back to BN, in addition to being unsustainable.

Najib's brainchild, the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) strategic development fund, also came under scrutiny for its massive debts and opaque operations.

Malaysia's mainstream media, which must have a government permit, have not highlighted the criticism against Najib but instead have cast aspersions on the complaints about his rule.

"So they try to weaken Daim's credibility and at the same time, force a clash between Mohd Najib and Daim," Kadir said. – January 18, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anwar-willing-to-assist-anti-graft-body-if-it-investigates-daim#sthash.lsE7R9xW.dpuf

DAP MP hails Ku Nan as role model for ministers

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who rarely earns praise from the opposition, has been hailed by a DAP MP as a role model for other cabinet ministers.

This comes after Tengku Adnan slammed right-wing group Perkasa for questioning the construction of the  Sri Lalithambikai Alayam Hindu temple in Putrajaya.

"Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa is most timely and welcomed and deserves commendation and support from Malaysians.

"It is hoped that more Muslim ministers can come out to rebuke Perkasa so as to send  a strong and clear message that religious bigotry has no place in this multiracial and multireligious nation," said DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran.

Perkasa Youth chief Irwan Fahmi had questioned the need for a Hindu temple in Putrajaya as the overwhelming majority of population there are Muslims.

He had also asked for the temple to face away from Putrajaya, towards Banting, as more Hindus live there.

Tengku Adnan, who is also Putrajaya MP, yesterday said he didn't know why Perkasa was "making noise" and a Hindu temple wouldn't turn the entire Putrajaya population into Hindus.

Kulasegaran (left) said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who has often asked the silent majority to speak up against extremism, should also speak up himself on this matter.

"If Perkasa does not back down from opposing the temple construction, I propose to the federal government and the prime minister to make the temple construction an issue of the battle between the moderates and the extremists," he said.

Kulasegaran also slammed Perkasa's Fahmi for being a "religious bigot".

"His insensitive, irresponsible and ignorant remarks have enraged the Hindu community and strengthened Perkasa’s right wing and extremist image," said Kulasegaran.

‘Abolish death penalty to bring back Sirul’

Human rights campaigner's way to bring justice to Altantuya and learn the full truth about 'beastly affair'.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should now abolish the death penalty, so that a convicted killer of Altantuya Shaariibuu may be brought back from Australia; and the truth about her killing uncovered, a human rights campaigner said today.

Kua Kia Soong, adviser to human rights organisation Suaram, said full justice had not been delivered in the Altantuya case because the motive for her murder had never been established in the courts.

Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, a model and translater, was shot and her body blown up in the jungles near Subang, Selangor, in a case involving commissions for the Navy’s purchase of two submarines.

Last week the Federal Court reinstated the death penalty on two policemen, Chief Insp Azilah Hadri and Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar, members of an elite VIP bodyguard unit, for her murder. A third accused, defence analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, had been acquitted without his defence being called.

Sirul is now reported to be in Australia but a Malaysian request for his extradition is complicated by Australian policy not to repatriate anyone facing the death penalty, which has been abolished there.

Dr Kua said if the death penalty was abolished, Sirul might be brought back and he raised the possibility of a fresh trial to uncover the whole truth.

However if the death penalty was carried out, “we will never know the full story of why they murdered the woman, whether she was connected with the purchase of the RM7 billion Scorpene submarines, or if they were induced by people in power to murder her”.

He pointed to “too many inconsistencies” in the case, such as:

• the assertion that all records of Altantuya’s entry and presence in Malaysia were erased from the computers of the Immigration Department;
• the sudden removal of the presiding judge before the trial started and the changing of the head of the prosecution team at the eleventh hour;
• the fact that defence lawyers for the accused kept changing, with one walking out on the first day while charging that “third parties” were interfering in his work;
• that defence lawyers and prosecutors both stopping Altantuya’s cousin from testifying further when she revealed that the victim had shown her a photograph of herself, Razak Baginda (an associate of Najib Razak, then defence minister), Najib and “others” having lunch in a Paris restaurant; and
• the possibility of plea bargaining

Dr Kua speculated about the possibility of a fresh trial being ordered and said if the death penalty was abolished, it might be possible to induce the two convicted men to “spill the beans over the whole beastly affair” in exchange for a shorter sentence.

He said doing away with capital punishment would help avoid irrevocable miscarriages of justice, which usually take time to surface, pointing to the film Hurricane about a US boxer who spent 20 years in jail for a murder he did not commit.

Capital punishment has been abolished in about a quarter of the world’s countries, including most of Europe and Australia.

Kedah Sultan speaks out against jihadists

Days after NYT video of jihadist from Kedah madrassah, Sultan speaks out against militant violence.

FMT

ALOR STAR: The Sultan of Kedah, on his official birthday today, spoke out against religious extremism which has resulted in Muslims being lured into joining jihadist movements in foreign countries.

Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, who turned 87, said it was a sin for Muslims to murder fellow Muslims, totally contradicting true Islamic teachings that propagate peace.

His speech came days after the New York Times published a video about religious teacher Mohd Lotfi Ariffinat who left for Syria, to join jihadists fighting President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

The New York Times said Mohd Lotfi, 46, was one of a few dozen Malaysians who have joined militant rebel groups in Syria, including the Islamic State.

It quoted Malaysia’s counter-terrorism official Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay as saying: “It’s easy and it’s more organised there. You can join any group that you want there.”

A New York Times video follows the path taken by Lotfi, as documented on his Facebook postings, from Kuala Ketil to Syria, where he sought martyrdom. The Facebook pages have since been taken down.

Malaysian security officials have also reported that some Malaysians had taken personal loans or sold off their property in order to join the militant Islamic groups.

The Sultan, in his speech at an investiture ceremony, condemned the action of Malaysian Muslims in going to war.

“These so called jihadists’ action in killing fellow Muslims is a sin, as pointed out in the Al Quran. Repent and return to the true Islamic teachings which embrace peace,” he said at Istana Anak Bukit, quoted by the New Straits Times.

He urged parents to closely monitor their children to prevent them from being influenced by “ideologies which contradict true Islamic teachings”. The Sultan’s speech was read by Kedah Regency Council chairman Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, as the Sultan is currently serving his second term as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Sultan also spoke about inter-racial and religious harmony being compromised by those abusing the freedom of speech, and said “it is obvious that the Federal Constitution was formulated to prevent conflict among the rakyat. If the rakyat loves peace and stability like I do, use the freedom wisely,” he said.

His remarks about free speech come a week after civil liberties lawyer Eric Paulsen was arrested under the Sedition Act for criticising Jakim, the Islamic affairs department. Jakim and the police said Paulsen had “insulted Islam” by criticising the department.

In other remarks in the royal speech, which is usually drafted by the state government, the Sultan also hoped that the federal government would approve the Kedah government’s proposal for an international airport in Kulim. The airport project, initiated by menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, has been opposed by the Penang state government, which sees it as a threat to the state’s progress.

SEE ALSO: The Jihadist in Our Family – New York Times

Malaysian admits sex with 31 boys in Singapore

Court told Ipoh-born man made friends on Facebook, had sex with boys in public places.

FMT

SINGAPORE: An Ipoh-born quality assurance engineer has admitted having sex with 31 boys aged between 11 and 15 after befriending them on Facebook under different names.

Yap Weng Wah pleaded guilty on Friday to 12 charges of sex with boys, with 64 other charges to be taken into account for his sentencing.

Prosecutors told the court that he and 30 of the boys engaged in sexual acts at his rented flat, toilets of shopping centres and swimming complexes, hotel rooms and a public park.

He recorded the sex acts on his mobile phone, storing them in his laptop computer, in folders indicating each boy’s name, age and year they met, the Straits Times reported.

He also asked a 12-year-old to send a video of the boy performing a lewd act, the Straits Times reported.

Police found more than 2,000 video clips in his computer when they raided his home after one of the boys made a report.

On Friday, Yap pleaded guilty in court to 12 charges, while 63 other charges of sexual penetration of a minor and one for procuring a child to commit an indecent act will be taken into consideration at sentencing.

The prosecutor seeks a penalty of at least 30 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the rotan.

Yap was reported to have come to Singapore in 2009. His two younger siblings and mother live in Ipoh. His father moved to New Zealand when he was eight years old, the report said.

Ponggal makes its mark in Sarawak

State minister urges more to join in for bigger celebrations next year.

FMT

KUCHING: The Tamil harvest festival, Ponggal, marked by the Malaysian Indian community at a special function at the Kuching Waterfront today received government encouragement for celebrations to be held every year.

State welfare, women and family development minister Fatimah Abdullah encouraged the organisers to come up with a bigger event next year, adding the state government was ready to encourage more non-governmental organisations to join in.

Fatimah lauded the event as this enabled social interaction to foster understanding among the various communities and pave the way for respect and harmony in a multi-racial country.

More than 108 people took part, most of whom gathered under the canopy to cook a sweet dish made of rice and milk.

Other activities at the celebration, held by the Sarawak chapter of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, included cultural dance performances, a Kolam drawing demonstration and kabbadi games.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Mohan Shan said he was happy to see a large multi-racial turnout, despite the drizzling rain.

He said that among the functions of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam was the preservation of the culture and traditions of the Hindus and added that today’s event was a great achievement for the Indian community in Malaysia.

- BERNAMA

Move temple entrance for easy drive: Perkasa

After temple criticism, Malay rights group says it's to avoid a detour through Putrajaya.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay rights group Perkasa, criticised for its remarks on a new Hindu temple in Putrajaya, has said it suggested the entrance be moved for the convenience of Hindu devotees.

It was so “they don’t have to take a detour through Putrajaya”, he said, quoted by the Malaysian Insider.

Irwan Fahmi, head of Perkasa Youth had suggested that the temple entrance face Banting (on the Selangor coast) instead of Putrajaya.

He said there were only 600-700 Hindus in Putrajaya but the temple was big enough for 10,000 people. “It’s already 85% complete, so I’m asking for something realistic, that an entrance from Banting be built,” he said, according to the Insider.

Irwan said Perkasa respected freedom of religion and the sensitivity of other faiths, but it would be more realistic for the temple’s entrance not to be in Putrajaya.

He then reminded Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who had told Perkasa to stop playing up the issue, that Tengku Adnan had won the parliamentary seat due to Malay support.

He questioned if Ku Nan would approve a Chinese temple in Putrajaya. “We do not oppose it, but the location is not suitable,” Irwan said.

Cabinet on Wednesday should uphold the principles of good governance and accountability and declassify information on the “national security projects” involving alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua which the police knew nothing about

Lim Kit Siang Blog

Zahid Hamidi will become the standing joke in the world for a bumbling and bungling Home Minister so long as he does not come clean and admit that his infamous letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) vouching for the character of an alleged gambling kingpin, Paul Phua, standing trial in Las Vegas, Nevada for illegal gambling, was an egregious error of judgment.

Zahid, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the entire Cabinet should not delude themselves into thinking that the Zahid-Phua-Shafee-Khalid quadrilateral tangle would just disappear into thin air if the Home Minister invokes the Official Secrets Act followed by a blanket of silence on the issue from official quarters.

Zahid is supposed to be one of the smartest political leaders in the UMNO pantheon but he could not have been more foolish and self-destructive in his outrageous “defence” of his infamous letter to the FBI, going against not only the Police, the Foreign Ministry and the national interests but simple common sense!

If Zahid is not prepared to come clean and honest and publicly admit and apologise for his infamous letter to the FBI vouching for the character of an alleged gambling kingpin, the Cabinet at its meeting on Wednedsay must revisit the issue and take a stand which is in accord with national interests.

The Malaysian public are entitled to know whether the Cabinet had approved and endorsed Zahid’s infamous letter to the FBI after Zahid’s explanation, and the invocation of the Official Secrets Act to hide the nature of the “national security projects” involving Phua which even the Police knew nothing about!
The Cabinet should let Malaysians know whether there had been such “national security projects” involving Phua in the past, how many of them and why the Police knew nothing about it.

The Cabinet should in fact decide on Wednesday whether in the interests of upholding the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency, and in keeping with the much-vaunted Government Transformation Programme, information on the so-called “national security projects” involving Phua which even the police knew nothing about, should be declassified and its details made known to the public.

Malaysians are eager to know what could be these “national security projects” involving Phua which even the Police knew nothing about – whether all these “national security projects” happened during Zahid’s 19-month tenure as Home Minister from May 2013 or whether Zahid had inherited the “national security projects” involving Phua from the previous Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

罗斯玛抱李宗伟也该受罚? 巫统领袖:这是母亲抱儿子

Syria: Isis crucifixion frenzy in revenge for wave of assassinations

By Gianluca Mezzofiore- IBTIMES

The Islamic State (Isis) have crucified 17 young men in 48 hours in retaliation for a wave of assassinations targeting their fighters.

The executions carried out by the jihadist group, which controls vast swathes of land straddling Syria and Iraq, took place in the eastern and northern Syrian cities of Deir Ezzor (or Deir al-Zor) and Raqqa "to send a message to all their opponents after recent assassinations of 12 Syrian, Iraqi and Algerian jihadists," said London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The men, who were shot dead and then crucified for three days, were accused of fighting against Islamic State.

"Isis is sending a message to all people living under its control, to say: 'This is what will happen to any opponent'", the observatory said.

A man from the Ma'dan area in the countryside of Raqqa, the headquarters of the Sunni militant group, was executed for "taking a picture of an Isis fighter and publishing it on Facebook".

Another man, a university student in the town of al-Bolel, was accused of being an informant for the Assad regime and executed. He was initially arrested on charge of "smoking" as he returned from his university, which is located in regime-held areas.

Among those executed were five members of the Shaitat tribe, which attempted a rebellion against Islamic State rule in Deir Ezzor's Abu Hamam.

The jihadists crushed the revolt in three days, killing, beheading and crucifying members of the tribe. Around 900 people were estimated to have been killed in the bloodiest single atrocity committed by Islamic State in Syria.

Resentment among the population against Islamic State has increased in the past few months, with targeted assassinations taking out members of the group.

A senior member of Islamic State's feared al-Hesbah (or Hisbah) force in Deir Ezzor was found with his head cut off and a cigarette in its mouth. The corpse showed signs of torture and carried the message "This is evil, you Sheikh" written on it. It is unclear who carried out the decapitation but the message was obvious.

Islamic State's ban on cigarettes is one of its signature polices. It has imposed a strict set of Sharia laws barring the use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes in the territories it has conquered.

Britain on beheading alert: Security stepped up for police and Jewish schools as fears grow of new jihadi strike

• Jewish community buildings will receive extra police protection after Paris
• Intelligence sources fear fanatics will launch their own UK terror attacks
• The country's 70 Jewish schools have been placed on high alert
• Britain's senior anti-terror police chief warned of increased risk of attack

By Ian Drury for the Daily Mail

Security was dramatically stepped up for police officers and the Jewish community in Britain yesterday amid fears of a terror attack.

Intelligence chiefs are worried that Islamist fanatics could try to copy the atrocities in France last week that cost 17 lives.

Four Jewish people and three police officers were among the dead.

Fears of similar carnage in the UK intensified on Thursday after commandos in Belgium killed Islamic State fanatics who wanted to behead a policeman or a judge. The plot held chilling echoes of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby outside his barracks in Woolwich.

In other developments:

• David Cameron and Barack Obama pledged to stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism;
• Intelligence sources said as many as 20 sleeper cells with 180 fanatics could be ready to strike in Europe;
• Nearly 800 people have been put on a Home Office programme targeting potential extremists;

The Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly been given enhanced security on a public appearance.

Mark Rowley, the UK’s senior counter-terrorism officer, said: ‘The global picture of terrorist activity does give us heightened concern about the risk to the Jewish community.’

The Met assistant commissioner said the murders at a kosher supermarket in Paris, coupled with a rise in anti-semitic rhetoric from extremists, justified more patrols in areas with large Jewish populations, including London, Leeds and Manchester.

Some 263,000 people in Britain describe themselves as Jewish. The country’s 70 Jewish schools have been put on high alert.

The Community Security Trust, which advises Jewish institutions and groups on safety, said: ‘We spend an inordinate amount of money on security, particularly on our schools – as we should. Obviously there’s a change in the threat level because there could be people who might be perversely inspired by what they saw happen [in Paris].’

Read more:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2914079/Britain-beheading-alert-security-stepped-police-Jewish-schools-fears-grow-new-jihadi-strike.html

MyWatch chief offers Sirul free ticket home

 

Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, found guilty of the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu, has been offered a free ticket to return to Malaysia to face his sentence.

MyWatch chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan said since Sirul, who for unknown reasons managed to leave the country while under bail, cited financial difficulties in securing a ticket home from Australia, he is willing to foot the bill.

"I personally would like to offer him a free return ticket to Malaysia from Australia.

"If the reason cited by the lawyer is true and if he doesn't have the intention of escaping the Federal Court's judgment then I'm certain he would accept this offer and return home to face the court's judgment," said Sanjeevan in a statement today.

He said the excuse of financial difficulty for missing the Federal Court hearing was "totally unacceptable".

The prominent crimebuster expressed "deepest disappointment" that Sirul had been allowed to jump bail while his murder acquittal was under appeal.

How did Sirul leave?

Sanjeevan said Sirul should have been closely monitored after his release on bail.

"How is that possible for a murder case suspect in such a high-profile case leave the country without even being noticed?

"This is something that must be investigated and we should be ashamed of the inefficiency of our authorities," he said.

The Federal Court decision to uphold the guilty sentence against Sirul Azhar and chief inspector Azilah Hadri over the country's most controversial murder case, was delivered on Tuesday.

The Appeals Court on Aug 23, 2013 freed the duo of the charge of causing the death of Altantuya, who had served as interpreter in the controversial Scorpene submarines deals when Prime Minister Najib Razak was defence minister.

Meanwhile, the government said it is discussing how to deal with the Australian government over Sirul's extradition, as the latter's anti-capital punishment laws forbid it from deporting one who is facing the death penalty back to face his sentence.

Ku Nan slams Perkasa for temple instigation

 

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today slammed Malay rights group Perkasa for "making noise" and "instigating" by questioning the construction of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya.

"I don't know why they are making noise. Building temples won't turn an entire Putrajaya into Hindus," he told reporters after launching a development project near Seri Kembangan today.

"The facilities we have at the complex can be used by Muslims as well. There's a hall, and there is a library.

"The way we are building this temple is different from other temples," he added.

He also said that around 600 to 700 Hindus live in Putrajaya, a district comprising many former estates with a large ethnic Indian population.

Perkasa Youth previously questioned Putrajaya’s approval for the temple, saying that the temple entrance should be facing Banting rather than Putrajaya.

The right-wing NGO had argued that Putrajaya is populated mostly by Malays.

However, MIC Youth Chief C Sivaraajh recently asked Perkasa to mind its own business and not interfere in the temple issue.

Tengku Adnan claimed that the temple can become a “tourist destination” in the future when it is built.

He also defended the ministry and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to change the name of Jalan Travers in Bangsar to Jalan Rakyat.

“Of course!” he said abruptly when asked if proper consultation was done before the name change.

“Don’t always talk about negative news,” he sniped.

'Chandran’s death makes IPCMC imperative'

The malignancy of custodial deaths and the urgency of action to prevent its recurrence has reached a stage where the government can no longer evade the issue, said a DAP leader.

DAP national vice-chair M Kulasegaran said the findings of coroner Ahmad Bache in the 2012 death of lorry driver Chandran Perumal while in police custody, was the “latest confirmation that custodial deaths are a malignancy to which the government can no longer be callously indifferent”.

“The recommended remedy is the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), but this was mothballed due to opposition from senior police officers who have not resorted to at least the courtesy of seeing that such cases recur to mar the image of the force as a rights-sensitive and accountable body,” remarked the Ipoh Barat MP.

Kulasegaran (left) said that it seemed not even the stinging judicial rebukes - contained in the opinion of Justice V T Singham in the notorious M Kugan case in 2013 - appeared to be chastening enough to compel the force to adhere to minimum standards of decency in the treatment of criminal suspects in custody.

Alluding to Singham’s 2013 judgment in the Kugan case, he said the judge had urged the force to put an end to “horror stories” in police lock-ups.

Kulasegaran cited Singham’s opinion that “custodial death should not become the rule of the day,” as a warning to the force that it was taking its apathy towards the phenomenon to an extent that was inhuman and callous.

Quoting the judge’s scalding comments further, to wit, “It is a heinous crime perpetrated by the custodians of law,” Kulasegaran added that the government could no longer evade the moral necessity of setting up the IPCMC.

Despite sedition probe, preacher hits out at Jakim

Although a lawyer has been hauled up recently for sedition after criticising the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), a preacher has joined the fray against the religious authority.

Preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin, who is facing a separate sedition charge himself, said it was a misconception that criticising Jakim is tantamount to insulting Islam.

"There is a difference between Islam and a Islamic religious body. The views of an Islamic religious body does not necessarily represent Islam.

"This is because the views of an Islamic religious body can be right or wrong, but Islam is not wrong," he said in a statement today.

Lawyer Eric Paulsen (left) is being investigated for sedition after accusing Jakim of spreading extremism in Friday sermons.

Wan Ji noted that criticising Jakim - or the sermon text prepared by the religious authority - should not be likened to criticising Islam and is, in fact, a "healthy" practice.

He stressed that the only reference for Islam should be the Quran and hadiths, not religious authorities.

Wan Ji also criticised Jakim for giving Islam a bad name over a series of decisions made by the religious body.

'Giving Islam a bad name'

An example, he added, was Jakim's demand for action against dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof which led to her arrest for sedition.

Jakim had ruled that a video uploaded by Maznah of her celebrating Hari Raya with her dogs was insulting to Islam.

"Jakim's action differed from the teachings in the authentic hadith.

"Prophet Muhammad had described how the sins of an Israeli prostitute was forgiven because she gave water to a thirsty dog," he pointed out.

In another instance, he said Jakim had prohibited Muslims from touching dogs even though there are differing schools of thought on the matter.

Wan Ji (left) said Jakim's claim that Malaysia only subscribed to the Shafie school of thought also did not hold water, as the country's does not fully subscribe to it - such as in matters concerning zakat.

He added that Jakim should not be forcing Muslims to comply with the majority view of religious scholars, as they may eventually turn into a minority opinion - such as the initial banning of musical instruments.

Wan Ji was - in September last year - charged at the Shah Alam Sessions Court with sedition for criticising the monarchy on the Internet.

Yesterday, the Shah Alam Sessions Court allowed him to challenge the constitutionality of his sedition charge at the High Court.

What is it with you now, Perkasa? Why target Hindu temple in Putrajaya?

By Sonia Ramachandran

PETALING JAYA: In Malaysia, catering for the needs of its multiracial and multi-religious society is something that is taken for granted.

We see that by the public holidays anointed for each religious festival and of course, the houses of worship that are constructed for citizens to perform their religious obligations.

But ultra-right wing Malay group Perkasa does not seem “too happy” with a Hindu temple being constructed in Precint 20 Putrajaya.

Perkasa Youth is reportedly curious as to why the Hindu temple has been constructed in a Malay-majority area with its chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris feeling the soon-to-be-completed Sri Lalithambikai Alayam temple has a “somewhat inappropriate location”.

Irwan also suggested that the temple’s entrance face Banting where there is a large Hindu population.

Former MIC strategic director Datuk Seri S Vell Paari told Theantdaily that logically, the temple being built there is just testament to the fact that the Barisan Nasional government in power understands the multi-religious nature of this country.

“In the political capital of Malaysia where the majority are Malays, and for the government to approve the building of the temple here just goes to show how much they value the multiracial aspect of this country.

“This temple will be an icon to show that Malaysia is made up of three major races and religions,” he said.

Vell Paari said there would always be one or two idiots among the sane whose statements you just need to shrug off, especially if they are insignificant in the larger scheme of things.

“Perkasa are not the policymakers. Look at them questioning the logic of building a temple there when there are not many Hindus in that vicinity. When they built Putrajaya, were there millions of people there then?

“The government knows that although there may only be about 1,500 Hindus living in Putrajaya currently, these numbers will grow. When they built the first Siva temple in Perth on 10 acres (4.04ha) of land, there were not many Hindus there either and it was about 20 km from the city but now the city has expanded to this area,” he said.

On Irwan’s suggestion to have the temple’s entrance face Banting, Vell Paari said: “I can tell them to point the direction of Perkasa’s door towards Hospital Permai in Tampoi where all the insane people are.

“When Perkasa talks like this, I don’t react. I’m not astonished, shocked or affected. Honestly, when you look at a group that is led by a man who looks like the twin brother of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars, what do you expect?

“We Malaysians live together in harmony except for “worms” like them who are not human beings, let alone Malaysians. How can I comment on a statement by someone from the slug family? I can only comment on statements by human beings. After all, what do you expect to come out from the mouths of slugs except slime.”

According to Wikipedia, Jabba the Hutt is a character appearing in George Lucas's space opera film saga Star Wars and is depicted as a large, slug-like alien whose appearance has been described by film critic Roger Ebert as a cross between a toad and the Cheshire Cat.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Irwan had reportedly said: “There are not many Hindus in Putrajaya and if the entrance faces Banting, this would make it easier for them to reach the temple.

“Although I am not sure of the exact figure, I know the majority of those living in Putrajaya are Malays.”

Irwan did, however, stress that it was the temple’s location they were questioning, not the freedom of religion.

“We will not hold demonstrations over the matter as we respect the other religions,” he said, adding that he would be meeting with the local authority, Perbadanan Putrajaya (Putrajaya Corporation), to obtain a more detailed explanation on the matter as well as Putrajaya Perkasa Youth.

There are approximately 1,500 Hindus living in Putrajaya mostly comprising civil servants.

In January 2013, former MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, who also happens to be Vell Paari’s father, announced the construction of the temple – dubbed the “most unique temple in the country” – at a cost of RM12 million.

Just because the Hindus are a minority in Putrajaya, does Irwan expect them not to have a proper place of worship?

Does he expect them to travel long distances out of Putrajaya to pray?

What about the Hindus in Cyberjaya as well?

Another thing that is baffling is that the temple is “soon-to-be-completed”.

Wouldn’t Irwan have seen the construction going on from 2013? Didn’t he realise the location then?

And the construction of the temple had been publicised in the press.

Why is he questioning it when it is almost done? Does he expect it to be torn down or relocated?

Or is this just a ploy for publicity on a day when he just can’t seem to find any issue to make some inflammatory or incendiary remark and gain some cheap publicity?

After all, without such remarks, Irwan will just be another “Tom, Dick or Harry” on the road with absolutely no claim to fame.

- See more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/What-is-it-with-you-now-Perkasa-Why-target-Hindu-temple-in-Putrajaya

Mystery man ‘HR’ as Najib spin master

Former editor Kadir Jasin raises questions about new man advising PM.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Former newspaper editor A Kadir Jasin has heightened speculation about a rumoured new media and propaganda “adviser” to prime minister Najib Razak, in the latest round of attacks and counter-attacks around Najib.

Kadir said he did not dare publish the name and his link to the prime minister, only stating it with the initials “HR”.

Speculation of “HR” and the position of media adviser arose after former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, under criticism in the media, issued a statement to say he knew who had instigated the coordinated attack.

Kadir, who was former editor-in-chief of New Straits Times and Berita Harian, both Umno-controlled newspapers, is close to Daim and former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

He said cyberspace was “abuzz with talks that a new person outside the media circle has emerged as the new media and propaganda ‘adviser’ to the PM.

Kadir said today he had been warned off by a senior editor at a Malay-language newspaper, probably a reference to Utusan Malaysia, against talking about “HR”.

The editor had sent him an SMS that stated: “HR ini powerful.. keluar saja nama dia, terus kena serang” (HR is powerful…mention his name and get attacked) and had referred Kadir to a video on YouTube in which Kadir was attacked for his recent remarks warning Najib supporters that their anti-Daim campaign might backfire.

Kadir said his YouTube critic had asked what it was that Kadir wanted or had been denied that had made him turn against the PM. Kadir put out an 18-point response to show his professional relationship with Najib and that he had not asked for, or obtained, anything.

On Friday, Kadir said a senior mainstream newspaper editor had asked him by SMS about H… R… “yang dikatakan terlalu rapat dengan PM dan berupaya memberitahu kepala2 media prima dan utusan yang apa perlu di spin?” [Who is this person by the name H... R... who is said to be so close to the PM and is able to tell the heads of Media Prima and Utusan what they should spin?]

Kadir said he had tried, but failed, to receive any confirmation from contacts at the Prime Minister’s Office about “HR”.

Curb fanatics in private schools, says Salleh

Speaker calls for tighter rules to prevent spread of extremist teachings.

FMT

KOTA BELUD: The federal government should monitor and tighten existing rules, especially on private schools in the country, which were suspected to instill fanatic ideologies, says Sabah State Assembly speaker, Salleh Said Keruak.

He said the measure was needed to curb fanatic ideologies spreading among students, and it would also prevent children from being influenced by extremist teachings that could trigger chaos and hostility.

Salleh, who is also state asseblyman for Usukan said through this monitoring, earlier decisive action could be taken by the government.

He said matters which could cause dispute should be discussed in private in the spirit of mutual respect.

“This is important in order to maintain peace, especially in Sabah, where we have been peaceful since independence,” he said in a statement here Saturday.

Salleh, who is also the former chief minister of Sabah said the education system should be able to produce a new generation of Sabahans that were disciplined, self-confident, skilled and practised moderate thinking in racial and religious relationships.

“They (students) should understand the history of the country’s formation and be able to take advantage of economic and work opportunities available anywhere, including those abroad. It has been proven, that Sabahans are capable, and can compete in all professions,” he said.

– BERNAMA

Sedition Act: Najib’s aim to appease critics has backfired

N Surendran says right-wing elements within Umno are still attacking Najib despite him giving in to pressure to retain the Sedition Act.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: After years of reassuring the people that the draconian Sedition Act would be repealed, Prime Minister Najib Razak instead dragged the country down into “party authoritarianism” when he caved in to pressure from right-wing elements within his party and backtracked on his word.

So said MP for Padang Serai, N Surendran, who added that even that move has backfired for Najib since his critics have intensified their attacks against him and his brand of leadership.

In a statement, Surendran said, “Najib foolishly believed he could appease right wing elements in Umno, including Mahathir, by announcing the retention of the Sedition Act.

“But they have since only increased their attacks upon him.”

Lamenting that Najib’s move also went against “all democratic principles”, Surendran explained, “..the decision to retain the Sedition Act was not announced by Najib as Prime Minister, but by Najib as President of Umno at the Umno general assembly.”

Asking if Malaysia had now entered an “era of party rule”, Surendran also asked, “Is Umno running the cabinet and government?”

He described Najib’s U-turn as an “act of betrayal”, saying it was only a short-term strategy to “win over the public in the lengthy run-up to the 13th General election”.

Saying the move was a poor judgement call because it had shaken the public’s confidence in their leader, he said it would be long remembered and not easily forgiven by the people.

Surendran nevertheless said Najib could still make things right come March this year.

He said, “Najib still has an opportunity to redeem himself.

“He must stand up to pressure from right-wing elements from within Umno, and bring in a bill to repeal the Sedition Act during the March session of Parliament.

“He and the BN must avail themselves of this opportunity to do the right thing, or face the wrath of the voters and the harsh judgment of history.”

Fresh photos of Altantuya killers coming

Police to release "most recent" photos after questions raised on hiding from public.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are to release more recent photographs of convicted killers Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar and Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri after criticism that they were given preferential treatment in hiding their true identities from the public.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng demanded that the inspector-general of police explain why the authorities had gone out of their way to hide the faces of the two policemen from the public.

“What is the reason for hiding the faces of both the killers every time they appeared in court until found guilty.”

He questioned whether two photographs released by federal police headquarters on Friday were from 10 years ago, when Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered in connection with commissions for an arms deal for the purchase of the Malaysian navy’s Scorpene submarines.

The IGP, responding to media queries, denied that the police were trying to protect the identities of the killers. He said the police had released the photographs on their own initiative.

“I am not sure when the picture was taken, but we will give the most recent pictures of them that we have,” he told the Rakyat Post on Friday night.

Corporal Sirul is reported to be in Australia, and was not present in court when the Federal Court upheld the pair’s conviction and imposed the death sentence on them.

Lim said fresh photographs were required so that Malaysians in Australia “could help notify the Australian public and authorities about the presence of a killer in their neighbourhood”.

He asked if the government had asked for Sirul’s extradition from Australia. Police have issued an arrest warrant on Sirul.

Adopt Responsible Attitude To Ensure Peace - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants Malaysians to have a sense of responsibility in whatever they are doing to ensure that the peace they are enjoying all this while can be preserved.

The Prime Minister said the people must inculcate the feeling of mutual respect and fit in with the multi-racial environment in the country besides refraining from doing anything based on total freedom.

"If we want the world to be peaceful, we must create a situation where everything that we do is done with a sense of full responsibility. If we want to say that based on freedom, (we) can criticise the other religions, then this will lead to a serious problem," he said.

He said this in his speech when officiating the 63rd Annual General Assembly of the Malaysian Youth Council (MYC), here Saturday.

Citing the Charlie Hebdo incident in France recently, Najib said such incidents could happen if religious sensitivity was not respected.

"Although in the case of Charlie Hebdo, killing is totally prohibited, there will be people who will resort to murder if we don't respect religious sensitivity.

"The Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists have sensitivity. If we understand the sensitivities of each religion, I believe Malaysia will become a peaceful nation with harmony," he said.

Najib pointed out that as the Prime Minister, he was responsible for doing whatever was best to maintain peace and harmony in the country.