TheStar Letter -PM should abolish the ISA

Monday October 13, 2008

THE decision by Datuk Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Prime Minister by March, though surprising was not unexpected.
Many may feel let down by his premature exit from the political arena especially when there country is plagued with numerous problems.
They would have preferred him to defend his post and remain as PM for a short while more and pursue his promised reforms with more vigour and zeal.
Similarly there are those who are pleased that he finally agreed to make way for others to take over and manage the affairs of the nation more effectively in facing the current challenges.
Nevertheless it was magnanimous of him to give in to the calls of the people to relinquish his post and make way for someone new to succeed him especially when the country is facing tremendous political and economic uncertainties.
Whoever succeeds him will have a monumental task at hand to rebuild the nation to its past glory.
He will have to possess not only all the skills of political manoeuvring but above all the integrity, courage and whole-hearted commitment to bring bold changes for the benefit of the people and nation. Abdullah promised many changes when he took over the premiership in 2003. Despite his honesty and sincerity in wanting to bring changes and reforms for the benefit of the common man, Abdullah met with limited success.
The hardcore political realities prevented him from succeeding in realising his dreams as he would have wanted.
Abdullah has admitted his shortcomings and plans to continue with his unaccomplished tasks during the remaining short period of six months.
He plans to continue with his attempts to reform the judiciary by establishing a Judicial Appointments Commission and a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to strengthen and empower the anti-corruption body.
He wants to set up a Special Complaints Commission to improve the effectiveness of enforcement agencies and organise a Barisan Nasional convention to tackle head-on sensitive inter-communal problems that are threatening to disrupt the peace and harmony in our multi-racial country.
These may be honourable and praiseworthy aims on the part of the outgoing prime minister but time constraints may not allow him to complete these noble tasks before he leaves.
Nevertheless he should boldly push through these reforms with more vigour and zeal in the remaining time he is in office and impress on his successor the need to continue with them fearlessly.
While these reforms may meet tremendous resistance in their implementation and have limited chance for success, one thing that he can definitely succeed in the short time he has is abolishing the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) and releasing all those detained under the Act.
Repealing the law is not an option but a must as the vast majority of the people oppose it.
Pak Lah still has the time to demonstrate that he listens to the people, whom he claims to love so much.
What the people want now is the immediate release of all ISA detainees and the abolition of the Act altogether.
If he can do that he will at least go done in history as the prime minister who restored greater democracy to the nation and freed the people from the clutches of a repressive law.

DR CHRIS ANTHONY,

Butterworth.

Parliament 13 October 2008 - Revise 2009 Budget

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

All The King's Men...

I wonder what it means for the future of this country that Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, a current UMNO favourite son and most certainly one whom the dizzying heights beckons, has taken the view that matters pertaining to the reform of the Judiciary are not a priority. As was reported in an article in The Sunday Star, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Jerlun questioned the need for judicial reform. He claimed that Malaysia would not crumble without these reforms and, in any event, they did not benefit the Malays or UMNO.

I would have thought that the question of whether the Judiciary and the wider system of justice are in need of reform is moot. Even without the acknowledgment by the Government earlier this year that steps had to be taken to restore confidence in the Judiciary, it is glaringly apparent that all is not as it should be. Standards of judicial competence are worryingly low as is public certainty of the integrity of the judicial process. This latter aspect is no longer a matter of speculation, delusion or political spin, the conclusions and recommendations of the Royal Commission of Enquiry on the VK Lingam video made things explicitly clear: things need to be sorted out.

Matters of judicial competence and integrity impact across the board; they are neither race nor political-party specific. Bad or skewed decisions hurt the wider legal profession and the nation as a whole as much as the litigants involved. One of the biggest difficulties practicing law at the present is the lack of certainty in the law, in part for there being a slew of decisions that have been adjudged without due regard to principle or precedent. In becoming precedents themselves, these decisions have undermined the foundations of not only the legal system but also the system of commerce that it supports. Commerce being wholly dependent on the certainty that only an effectively functioning legal system can provide, the current state of affairs is anathema.

It is for this reason that when entering contracts pertaining to Malaysia, many a commercial party now take pains to stipulate that the law of the contract is not Malaysian law and that dispute resolution is to take place outside the country. That is a cause for great concern, one that we have ignored for far too long to our own detriment. A weak system of justice does no favours for the country in which it exists; it is a sure path to failure for driving investment away, much as we are currently experiencing.

Is this not a matter that affects the Malays and UMNO as much as the rest of us?

This is not just a matter of our all being Malaysians and having a common future. Malays are as much litigants before the courts as any other Malaysian. They are as involved in business and corporate deals as much as the next person is, even more some would say. A cursory perusal of the law journals would show just how far, just as they would the fact that they accuse, or are being accused, of cheating and breaching duties, or murder, rape or theft, just like anyone else. UMNO itself is capable of being dragged into court just like any other society and has in fact been there before.

Surely a stronger, independent and more competent Judiciary would benefit these quarters, as much as they would everyone else? After all, justice is supposed to be blind.

I think Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has much to offer this nation, in parliament and outside it. His reasoning in this instance is however sorely misconceived. The said article suggests that he has formed the view that the reforms are an expression of anti-Mahathirism, notably that of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Though I will not speak for the former Minister in charge of legal affairs, he is more than capable of doing that for himself, I will say that the potential UMNO Youth Chief may have mistakenly confused an articulation of the need for reform with a personal attack on Tun Mahathir.

The call for reform started long before Datuk Zaid Ibrahim made headway in UMNO. It was prompted by the serious consequences of the 1988 attack on the Judiciary and the Rule of Law. Many in one form or the other, including the Judiciary itself and great legal luminaries such as His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah, have taken it up. Their message is clear; something needs to be done.

The Malaysian Judiciary was once respected throughout the Commonwealth, it no longer is. Its foundations have suffered a beating from the shockwaves that emanated from the events of 1988. The testimony at the Lingam Commission hearings showed how much they still reverberate and, for that, how precarious the position of the institution is.

Is it in danger of collapsing, taking the nation along with it? Only time will tell. The question for us all, Datuk Mukhriz included, is whether we want to wait to find out.

(Malay Mail; 14th October 2008)

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar

Politics of judicial appointment

Contributed by Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera

Tuesday, 14 October 2008 10:48am

The Malaysian Insider OCT 14 - Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamed, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, will be retiring in a few days. His retirement will bring to close a career spanning almost 30 years in the Malaysian Legal and Judicial Service and the Bench. I wish him happy retirement. Hamid’s appointment as the head of the judicial branch was an eventful one. Unlike others, it was the result of the Conference of Rulers becoming more assertive in the exercise of the collective constitutional powers of the Rulers. Many in the legal fraternity heralded this development. Apart from the political implications of this new found role of the Conference of Rulers, Hamid’s appointment had another noteworthy historical significance. For the first time, the heads of the three branches of government hailed from a single state - Penang. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the head of the executive, was born in Kepala Batas, Penang; Hamid, the head of the judiciary, was also born in Kepala Batas, Penang; and Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh, the head of the legislature, was born in George Town, Penang. Tun Hamid and Tan Sri Hamid went to the same school, St Xavier's Institution, while Abdullah attended Bukit Mertajam High School. However, the impending retirement of both the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister is about to change this equation. The main political players have agreed on the new chief executive. Barring the unforeseen, the nation will have Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the next Prime Minister. However, the process to appoint the successor to Tun Hamid as the Chief Justice is still being worked through. Constitutionally, this process starts with the present Chief Justice making his recommendation to the Prime Minister, who in turn will advise the Conference of Rulers on the suitable candidate. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will then make the appointment upon the advice of the Prime Minister with the concurrence of the Malay Rulers. Though the selection process is confidential, in the best traditions of Malaysian soothsaying, several names have been bandied about. Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi, the President of the Court of Appeal; Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, the Chief Judge of Malaya; and Federal Court judge Datuk Ariffin Zakaria are reportedly the front runners. Alauddin and Arifin were both career officers from the Judicial and Legal Service before their elevation to the bench. Zaki served for a while in the Judicial and Legal Service before going into private practice. Zaki had a successful law practice and was for many years the principal legal counsel for Umno and had also served on the party’s Disciplinary Committee. He holds the singular distinction of being the only member of the Bar to be elevated straight to the Federal Court. However, Zaki’s elevation and his subsequent appointment as President of the Court of Appeal were opposed by some, mainly politicians across the aisle. Their concerns were mostly related to Zaki’s political affliliation. The Bar Council, while congratulating Zaki, noted that: “There are the added concerns of his previous business interests and his involvement in Umno. We trust these concerns will be dispelled by a display of integrity and exemplary performance on the bench by Tan Sri Zaki. Society must be left in no doubt that the Judiciary is free from any allegiances or alliances and that it is above reproach in all respects.” To date, there has not been any indication that Zaki’s conduct on the bench has been anything but exemplary. There has not been an occasion where his previous political affiliation or business interest has in anyway influenced his judgment; nor has there been any evidence of partisan politics at play in the current workings of the Judiciary. In an ideal society, the doctrine of separation of powers would demand that the various branches of government are independent of one another. But we do not live in an ideal world. Judges too are political actors in the administration and governance of a nation. Every one of us would have some political inclination. We may not be card carrying members of political parties, but we are not devoid of some political inclination; be it as a liberal democrat, socialist, republican or some other political persuasion. It is not uncommon for politicians to assume judicial office. The Republican politician, William Howard Taft, who was elected the 27th President of the United States, subsequently became the 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court having been nominated by another Republican President, Warren G. Harding, and confirmed by the US Senate. In fact, presently in some states like California and North Carolina, the State Supreme Court judges are elected by the electorate in a general election. Candidates can and do run along party lines and partisan politics. A lawyer I met during a recent visit to the United States told me that when elections for the judges began, he gave US$200 in campaign contribution to each of the candidates in order to hedge against any fallout at future appearances before the victorious candidate. I found the spectacle of judges canvassing for votes from lawyers highly amusing. On the other hand, in the state of Nebraska, I found that the State Supreme Court judges were appointed by the Governor for six years and are reconfirmed every six years in a referendum by the electorate. Here, the system allowed the electorate to act as a check and balance on executive power. However, a populist judge need not necessarily be the best in administering and dispensing justice. No one system is perfect. They have their advantages and pitfalls. The system is only as good as the people who administer it. The selection process must be able to weed out the incompetent and unqualified. However, to dismiss a person’s qualification to hold judicial office based merely on political affiliation is unconstitutional and would set a dangerous precedent. Political preference, or affiliation, cannot be a bar to employment. *Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera was a Bar Council treasurer and also former chairman of the Kedah/Perlis Bar.

Mahkamah Rayuan tersilap terima laporan DNA

©Utusan Malaysia PUTRAJAYA 13 Okt. - Mahkamah Rayuan tersilap kerana menerima laporan ujian asid deoksiribonukleik (DNA), tanpa penelitian mendalam ketika mengaitkan bekas pencuci kabin kapal terbang, Ahmad Najib Aris dengan pembunuhan penganalisis teknologi maklumat, Canny Ong Lay Kian. Peguam Mohamad Haniff Khatri Abdulla ketika berhujah di Mahkamah Persekutuan menyatakan, antaranya ujian DNA melibatkan sepasang seluar jeans mengandungi percikan darah si mati yang dipakai oleh Ahmad Najib (perayu) pada malam kejadian berlaku. Menurut beliau, panel yang mendengar rayuan itu turut tersilap ketika menerima bukti keterangan bahawa perayu mempunyai akses pada sehelai kain yang ditemui terlilit pada leher dan pinggang mangsa. ''Laporan ujian DNA (P83) yang mengaitkan perayu dengan pembunuhan Canny Ong diragui kesahihannya dan tidak boleh diterima masuk sebagai bukti keterangan, maka keputusan yang diperolehinya juga wajar diketepikan. ''Laporan DNA yang merupakan cebisan keterangan yang cukup penting bagi menyokong kes pendakwaan telah 'tercerai' dan menjadikan tiada bukti kukuh bagi mengaitkan perayu dengan tuduhan itu," ujar Mohamad Haniff Khatri. Ahmad Najib turut diwakili barisan peguam, Mohd. Nadzim Ibrahim, Rosal Azimin Ahmad dan Amir Ajree Meor Nordin. Ahmad Najib merayu terhadap sabitan dan hukuman gantung kerana membunuh Canny Ong, 29, serta penjara maksimum 20 tahun dan sebatan 10 kali kerana merogol mangsa yang diputuskan oleh Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam, Selangor pada 23 Februari 2005. Dia melakukan perbuatan itu antara pukul 1 dan 5 pagi, 14 Jun 2003 di Batu 7, Jalan Klang Lama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Plot kejadian tragis itu bermula apabila Canny, 29, ditemani ibu, Pearly Visvanathan dan adik perempuannya menghadiri majlis makan malam di Restoran Monte di Pusat Beli-Belah Bangsar (BSC) Kuala Lumpur. Dia kemudiannya hilang dipercayai diculik setelah dilarikan bersama kereta Proton Tiara sebelum mayatnya dijumpai berkeadaan hangus di dalam lubang pembetungan seluas 1x1x1 meter dengan kedua-dua tangannya bersilang di atas dada dan kakinya terjuntai keluar dari lubang itu. Tubuh mendiang dihimpit di bawah dua buah tayar besar berisi simen, empat hari selepas dia diculik dari tempat meletak kereta BSC. Mohamad Haniff Khatri selanjutnya berhujah, mahkamah tersilap ketika menyimpulkan tiada kemungkinan orang lain terlibat menyebabkan pendarahan, kecederaan pada leher mangsa serta menyumbatkannya dalam lubang pembentungan sebelum membakarnya. Beliau berkata, ini kerana tayar besar dan bersimen yang menindih mayat Canny terlalu berat untuk diangkat oleh kudrat seorang manusia yang memungkinkan wujudnya penglibatan orang lain. Muhammad Haniff Khatri turut menghujahkan, panel hakim Mahkamah Rayuan tidak mempunyai bidang kuasa mendengar rayuan Ahmad Najib dan menilai keterangan atau penemuan fakta tanpa merujuk kepada penghakiman Mahkamah Tinggi. Peguam bela menghujahkan, tindakan panel berkenaan meneruskan proses memeriksa dan menilai semua keterangan lain seolah-olah mahkamah itu mengendalikan perbicaraan asal, sedangkan ia tidak sah di sisi undang-undang. Panel lima hakim diketuai oleh Datuk Arifin Zakaria menetapkan esok bagi mendengar hujah Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Datuk Nordin Hassan. Beliau bersidang bersama Hakim-Hakim Datuk Nik Hashim Nik Ab. Rahman, Datuk S. Augustine Paul, Datuk Hashim Yusoff dan Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.

Cocktail of sleaze allegations poses threat to political stability.

OCT 14 - No one can say Malaysian politics lacks lurid stories. The grisly killing of a Mongolian model, links between that murder and the man tipped as Malaysia's next prime minister, fresh accusations that former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim is a sodomite and sedition charges against a popular online editor are among the big issues in the press in Malaysia over recent days.

That is to say nothing of the decision by the prime minister, Abdullah Badawi, not to run in the next election as a way of averting an uprising against him within the ranks of his own United Malays National Organisation party, which forms the core of the National Front coalition that has ruled Malaysia since it became independent in 1957.

All the stories are technically separate, but connected in a thickening web of sleaze.

The government had a disastrous showing in elections in March, which combined with rising fuel costs and financial fears, is generating the kind of turbulence that threatens stability in the southeast Asian nation.

Abdullah's decision to step down opens the door for his deputy Najib Razak to become premier. The former defence minister is also the subject of lots of speculation, although not in the mainstream media, which is
effectively controlled by political parties in Malaysia. The country's hundreds of blogs are seen as independent platforms and offering anti-government commentaries on social and political issues.

The editor of the best-known anti-government news website, "Malaysia Today", is on trial on sedition charges for implying that Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, were involved in the 2006 killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a 28-year-old Mongolian interpreter and model.

Journalist Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin, who also faces other accusations of trying to undermine the government, made the accusations in an article on April 25th titled "Let's Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell". Raja Petra (58), who denies the accusation, is already in jail in a separatecase under national security legislation that allows indefinite detention without trial.

The two cases against Raja Petra have provoked an outcry against the government, with detractors accusing it of misusing the judiciary to crack down on critics and suppress freedom of speech. If convicted, Raja Petra faces up to three years in jail.

Two policemen have been accused of shooting Altantuya Shaariibuu twice in the head and then blowing up her body with explosives in a jungle clearing near Kuala Lumpur.

Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of Najib, is charged with abetting the murder. All three are currently on trial. The two policemen were part of the Special Action Squad, an elite team of bodyguards directly under
Najib's control when he was defence minister.

Najib's name has barely come up in official media reports about the murder, except to say that he swears before Allah that he didn't know the woman.

Some websites say that it was Najib who in fact introduced the translator/model to Abdul Razak, allegations they say are backed up evidence.

But there are a whole series of sub-plots to the mystery, involving tampering with statements, disappearing witnesses and interference with witnesses.

In a letter she left behind, Shaariibuu claimed she had been blackmailing Abdul Razak without giving any details.

The prosecution says Abdul Razak had her killed because she pestered him for money after he ended an affair to support a child that she claimed he had fathered.

Najib is also being linked to accepting a large commission through a private company "for co-ordination and support services" on the purchase of French submarines for the Malaysian military.

Watching these various strands draw together is opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who says he has won over enough defectors from the government to form a new administration and is confident the country's beleaguered government will be gone by the important Eid al-Adha Muslim festival, which falls on Dec 8th.

There are suspicions Anwar is crying wolf - his earlier self-imposed deadline of September 16th for his supporters to walk across the house and force a confidence vote passed. "We have built our base to go
forward, if it does not happen this week or next week, it can possibly happen before Eid al-Adha," he told the Berita Harian newspaper, adding that it would happen peacefully. He needs 30 MPs to walk over in order to
have a majority in the 222-seat parliament.

At present the opposition coalition, made up of Anwar's Keadilan party, the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia and the Democratic Action party, has 82 seats.

Anwar is one of Malaysia's best-known political figures. He was dismissed in the late 1990s by then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad after he started calling for Mahathir to quit.

He was charged with sodomy and corruption and the image of him in court in 1998 with black eye and bruises after he was beaten up by a police chief was flashed around the world.

He was convicted on both charges and spent six years in jail. Human rights groups called him a political prisoner.

Malaysia's Supreme Court overturned the sodomy conviction in 2004, after Abdullah became prime minister following Mahathir's retirement, and he was freed from prison.

Anwar was in court again last week on fresh charges of sodomising a young aide, charges that the father of six says are politically motivated.

But if he is convicted it will be a serious setback to his political ambitions. Whatever happens, Malaysia's political scene is hardly likely to get any less colourful in the coming months. - Irish Times

SMS poser begs an answer

COMMENTARY

OCT 14 - No one has answered the million ringgit question yet: is the SMS exchange on the Altantuya murder case between Datuk Seri Najib Razak and a prominent lawyer authentic?

If it is not, then it should be put down as yet another move by critics of the government to discredit the man slated to be the next prime minister of Malaysia; dismissed as another desperate attempt to implicate Najib in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

If it is authentic, then the disclosure raises a whole host of questions. How did private and confidential SMS records of two individuals reach the public domain? Was Najib interested in the case because his advisor Abdul Razak Baginda was a central figure? Was there something sinister or inappropriate in any of the exchanges between Najib and Datuk Shafee Abdullah?

Did Najib use his position as the DPM to interfere in the progress of the murder investigation or did he merely make a few telephone calls to find out the gravity of the situation facing his friend?

Nobody in the government has said anything since the SMS exchange was posted on Malaysia Today, the website owned by Raja Petra Kamarudin, the blogger who is being detained under the Internal Security Act.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s attempt to protect his number two was clumsy.

At a press conference yesterday, a journalist from a local daily broke the monotony of questions on the economy by asking the Prime Minister his thoughts on the SMS. Abdullah, either because he did not catch the question or because he wanted to stay on message and only speak on the economy, ignored the reporter. Later on, he walked up to the reporter and sought a clarification on the question.

The reporter elaborated a bit more on the SMS exchange between Najib and Shafee. The press conference was reconvened and Abdullah defended Najib.

“I can't believe Datuk Seri Najib wants to abuse power. If he's the one who is inclined to abuse power, then how could he be my successor? I believe in him, I believe he's a good person and he would be a good prime minister, “ said Abdullah.

The problem with this stout defence of his deputy is that it does not answer the most important question swirling out there today: is the SMS exchange between Najib and Shafee authentic?

Continuing silence on this matter will not help Najib or the Abdullah administration. Continued silence on this matter will also create paranoia on the strength of firewalls and security measures of Malaysia’s telcos.-themalaysianinsider

Dewan Rakyat 13/10/2008 Q&A

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

DO WE NEED A STRONG GOVERNMENT

1. In a previous article I said that a multiracial country needs a strong Government.

2. A weak Government would not be able to deal with the quarrelling between the races, which is the natural tendency of most multiracial societies. Indeed in some multiracial countries violence and fighting are common. Witness the countries around us.

3. For the slightest reason the races would be at each other's throats. One incident was the reaction in some countries because of the currency crisis.

4. Even religious differences can lead to conflict and violence. We see this in Northern Ireland, Lebanon, India, Indonesia and elsewhere. It is important to remember that in Malaysia racial differences are associated with religious differences. We are already seeing incidents involving religious differences.

5. We now have a weak Government and clearly it is incapable of dealing with the tendency towards conflicts because of race and religion. Because of its weakness it commands little respect and even the weakest parties would thumb its collective noses at the Government. The Government apparently has no idea how to handle these problems. We see it apologising only to have it's apologies rejected.

6. The worst part is to find its apologies causing anger among the race for whom it is apologising. It has managed to displease everyone; to please no one.

7. Admittedly even a powerful Government, if it is incompetent and badly led would not manage to govern a multiracial country well. We see this happening with the present Government. In 2004 the people gave it almost unlimited power. But it was not able to use the power well and the people decided to reduce drastically its power. Now we see it floundering about, unable to deal with the sensitivities of a multiracial country.

8. The BN was a 14-party coalition of big and small parties. Because it was powerful the component parties did not challenge it. They know if they left the coalition they would be unable to exert any pressure on anyone.

9. Even if they join the opposition they would not be able to reduce the coalition's two-third majority enough to bring it down. For that reason none of the component parties would want to leave the coalition.

10. On the other hand a coalition of two parties would be very weak. This is because the bigger party need the smaller partner in order to achieve majority to form the Government.

11. Such a Government would be unstable as the smaller party could always threaten to leave and thus bring down the Government. On the other hand the smaller party can join the opposition giving it the majority to form a new Government.

12. The reason the BN was able to create political stability before was because it could not be threatened by any one of its component parties. If any one left the Coalition would not collapse. The party quitting would be out in the wilderness.

13. Presently because the Government coalition is weak every little party can thumb its nose at the Government. The Coalition Government could not afford to lose any component party's support. It is also not in a position to discipline its component parties.

14. The weak Government lives in fear of being toppled by its components switching side to support the opposition. That is why we see such silly things as sending members of Parliament to a foreign country ostensibly to study agriculture.

15. What does it mean to a multiracial country to have weak Government? The Government would not be able to concentrate on governing because it has to deal with continuous threats by its components of different races.

16. The stability of the country would be undermined. This would be bad for the economy. We are seeing today investors pulling out their money by the billions from the stock market; we are seeing little investment either by locals or foreign investors.

17. The trade balance is in our favour not because of anything smart done by this weak Government, but because the prices of oil, palm oil and rubber on the world market are very high (although now the prices are declining).

18. Generally the economy is bad, as bad as the race politics that we are seeing. The people are the ones to pay the price. They are suffering from high prices with no compensating increase in income.

19. We have had strong Governments for almost 50 years. When we gained independence few gave us any chance. They foresaw racial clashes and political instability.

20. But they are wrong. With strong Governments in place, the bickering between races was reduced. The country was stabilised and with that the economy grew. The objective of becoming a developed country by 2020 seems possible.

21. Now with this weak Government, with incompetent leadership the country is not developing as fast as it used to.

22. In a single ethnic country it does not matter if the Government is weak because it will not have to deal with the heavy pressure of racial conflicts even if the Government is less competent.

23. My observation of Malaysian politics over the last 50 years has convinced that a powerful Government lead by competent leaders is necessary for multi-racial Malaysia.

Dewan Rakyat disambung semula hari ini 13 Oktober 2008

Dewan Rakyat mulai bersidang hari ini 13 Oktober selepas berehat panjang sepanjang Ramadhan dan Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Pembentangan Bajet 2009 oleh Menteri Kewangan pada 29 Ogos lalu mula dibahaskan hari ini. Kemungkinan besar Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim akan memulakan ucapannya membahaskan Bajet mulai jam 11.30 pagi selepas sesi soal jawab. Klik di sini untuk lihat Aturan Urusan Mesyuarat (AUM) untuk hari ini.-Anwar Ibrahim

Pak Lah backs Najib on latest allegations

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today defended his designated successor Datuk Seri Najib Razak against renewed allegations about the latter’s involvement in the murder of a Mongolian woman in 2006.

"I cannot believe Datuk Seri Najib will want to abuse power," said Abdullah when asked to comment on the allegations which surfaced over the weekend on the Malaysia Today website.

Malaysia Today carried a report detailing what it alleged was an exchange of text messages between Najib and Datuk Shafee Abdullah, the prominent lawyer who represented Abdul Razak Baginda, the close associate of Najib who was eventually charged with abetting two police officers in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.

In one SMS, Najib allegedly tells the lawyer that Razak — his advisor — "will face a tentative charge but all is not lost."

Malaysia Today said that this message raises some questions about Najib's role in the case. "Why did he mention 'tentative' charge and that 'all is not lost' for RB (Razak Baginda)? How would Najib know this before Razak was charged? These are important questions which will have ramifications, not just on this case but far beyond," a posting on the website said.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the opposition have tried to link Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor with the murder since it happened in October 2006.

Today, Abdullah backed the deputy prime minister against the latest allegations.

"I believe in him, that he would be a good person," said the Prime Minister.

"He will be Prime Minister and provide leadership."

Since Abdullah announce his decision to not defend the Umno presidency, tremendous momentum has built up for Najib to take over as party president next March and also as Prime Minister if the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition remains in power.

But in the past week the political pressures on Najib have mounted.

Besides the allegations surrounding his involvement in the 2006 murder, he is also being linked with a return to "Mahathirism."

His critics have accused him of being a "puppet" of former hardline Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with some observers expecting a more authoritarian system of government with tighter controls.

In defence of Utusan Malaysia

Tabung Azan for Utusan Malaysia. We live in interesting times, where those who complain about the mainstream media being muzzled by the authorities are also the ones who sue these media at the slightest provocation.

DAP's Teresa Kok has filed a RM30 million suit against Utusan Malaysia, the Bahasa Malaysia daily controlled by Umno, over the azan issue. Another DAP leader has also sued the same newspaper for RM10 million, despite the newspaper having published an apology for a mistake it did in a report affecting the politician.

One can argue that ordinary people and organisations sue newspapers all the time. But Ms Kok is not an ordinary person and the DAP is not an ordinary body. As a people's representative, we expect Ms Kok to fight for our basic freedoms, including assuring Malaysians of the all-important Press Freedom.

If Ms Kok and the DAP really believe in the freedom of, say, the Rocket and Malaysia Today, they must also believe in the freedom of Utusan Malaysia.

When I was editor of Business Times and The Malay Mail, I lost many nights' sleep over legal suits filed by disgruntled individuals and organisations. Many politicians were unhappy but none sued because we provided them with the right of reply. And we published without malice. The newspapers I led never sued anyone, either.

I hope politicians will not make it a habit to sue the media, old and new. I hope Theresa would find it fit to withdraw her suit against Utusan Malaysia.

I must applaud Syed Ali Alhabshee's initiative over the weekend to come to the defence of Utusan Malaysia. Some will see it as a political gimmick, but I see the Umno Cheras' inititiave for its simple message: if we believe in a freedom, we must defend that freedom at all times.

Read Syed Ali Alhabshee's posting on the Tabung Azan for Utusan Malaysia, h e r e.

Updates, 530 pm:
Note: I'm including the article about Karpal Singh suing Utusan. I understand from this article that Utusan had apologized for the error in its reporting. And thanks Sinatra_Z for the RM30 million ringgit article

Karpal sues Utusan for RM10 million h e r e
The article that made Theresa Kok sue for RM30 million h e r e
-Rocky's bru

Tee Keat, Jui Meng in straight fight, Mei Fun and Ka Siong win in MCA elections

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — It will be a one-to-one battle for the MCA top post at the party elections on Saturday, with vice-president and favourite Datuk Ong Tee Keat battling it out with former vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng.

At the close of nomination for national positions at the party headquarters this evening, only the two leaders had filed their nomination papers for the presidency.

The MCA nominations, devoid of any surprises, saw intense contest for all positions — president, deputy president, four posts of vice-president and 25 posts of central committee members.

Ong, who is also the transport minister, filed his papers soon after nomination opened at 1 pm while Chua, the former health minister, submitted his bid at about 3.30 pm, confirming the tussle to decide the 59-year-old party’s eighth president. Nominations closed at 5 pm.

For the deputy presidency, four candidates filed their nomination papers. They are MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek, Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai and Lee Hack Teik.

In this race, Ka Chuan, the elder brother of outgoing president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, seems to have the edge over Chua, the former health minister who resigned from the Cabinet late last year after a video of him in a “compromising” position with his girlfriend was made public.

The deputy presidency fell vacant after incumbent Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy declined to seek re-election.

The top two positions are considered important at this juncture, especially after the party suffered a humiliating defeat in the March 8 general election, which saw MCA winning only 46 state and parliamentary seats compared to the 106 it had secured at the 2004 polls.

For those contesting the top two posts, winning in the party elections is the easier task while the bigger responsibility would be in capturing the hearts and minds of the Chinese community which deserted the party at the general election.

Eight candidates are vying for the four posts of vice-president, with incumbent Datuk Seri Fong Chan Onn leading the charge.

The others are Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen; Datuk Kong Cho Ha, the Lumut Division chief who topped the list of 25 elected CC members at the last party elections; Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, former MCA Youth chief and current health minister; Datuk Chor Chee Heung, deputy home minister and Alor Setar Member of Parliament; Datuk Yap Pian Hon, former MCA vice-president and former Serdang MP; Lim Teck Chong, Kuala Langat MCA Division vice-chairman; and Tan Kok Heng of Johor.

Meanwhile, Selangor Wanita MCA head Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun today won the Wanita MCA chief post uncontested at the close of the MCA national, youth and wanita election nominations at the party headquarters at Wisma MCA.

There were no other candidates for the Wanita chief post when nominations closed at 5pm.

The Wanita deputy chief post was also won uncontested by Datuk Yu Chok Tow, the former secretary-general of the wing.

The same went for the four Wanita MCA vice-chairman seats, which were won by Agnes Shim, Datuk Christina Lim Bee Kau, Datuk Lee Pit Chern and Tan Ah Eng.

The MCA wanita chief post became vacant after incumbent Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen decided not to seek re-election as she was contesting the party vice-presidency.

Also, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong is the new MCA Youth Chief after he was unchallenged when nominations for the post closed today.

Speaking to reporters after nominations closed, he said he would carry out a number of structural reforms to ensure the wing continued to be relevant to the youths.

Among the major changes, he said, was to lower the maximum age limit for the wing from the current 45 years to 40 years old.

“I pledge to do this in five years' time. This is appropriate in order for the wing to live up to its youthful image,” said the the 40-year-old Wee, who was the former secretary-general.

The post was left vacant when Datuk Liow Tiong Lai had to relinquish his post upon exceeding the age limit of 45.

Liow is going for the vice-president's post.

The post of deputy Youth head is being contested by Perak Youth Chief Dr Mah Hang Soon and Kapar Division Chief Song Kee Chai in a straight fight.

Song, 45, who said he was confident to win the post, said he would work closely with Wee on rejuvenating the team.

“I will be the conductor and Wee the driver, together I believed we will drive the youth to greater success,” he said.

Six candidates meanwhile are vying the four vice-chief positions. They are Chin Tung Leong, Yong Chen Leong, Koe He Choon, Yoo Wei How, Yit Lee Kok and Khoo Ngee Chai.

Twenty-four candidates are vying for the wing’s 20 Central Committee (CC).

The second largest political party in the country will hold its elections on Saturday.

Met by reporters at the close of nomination, Tee Keat said he would campaign as much as possible to win votes.

“On my plans for MCA if I win, I have already mentioned it in my manifesto. I am open to the multiracial outlook too. But our approach should be to fight for all races, not only for the Chinese,” he added.

On the inclusion of non-Chinese in the MCA, he said it must first obtain the blessings of MCA members. — Bernama

ACA completes Lingam probe, gets mixed response

©The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The news that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) had completed investigations into matters raised by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video clip has elicited mixed feelings. While the Bar Council and several others welcomed the completion of the investigations they had reservations about the quality or whether any further action would ensue. “Previous ACA investigations into these same issues left much to be desired so we hope the investigations this time were more in-depth and thorough,” said council chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. ACA director of Investigations Datuk Shukri Abdull was reported as saying on Monday that the investigations on matters directly related to lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam were complete. He added that the papers had been submitted to the ACA’s Prosecution Division for further action. In its report, presented to the King on May 9, the Commission had found that it was former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheilkh Abdul Halim who was talking on the phone with Lingam. Among others, it recommended the ACA investigate the New Zealand holiday that then Chief Justice Tun Eusoff Chin and Lingam and their respective families had gone on in 1994. Following the report, which found evidence of manipulation in the appointment and promotion of judges, the Attorney General and the Cabinet directed the ACA to investigate six individuals: Lingam; former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim; Eusoff; former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor; business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan; and then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Hakam president Malik Imtiaz Sarvar said it was in the public interest that steps be taken urgently, in view of the serious lack of confidence in the judiciary. “The need for reform is beyond question. The taking of appropriate measures, one way or the other, is a must.” Transparency International - Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the public had been wondering about the delay. “I hope the ACA has been able to be completely independent and the new powers it now enjoys in prosecution will be fully justified because it is now solely accountable for investigations and prosecutions,” he added. Retired Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Shaik Daud Ismail hoped the ACA would prosecute if the evidence called for that. “They must otherwise the public will not have faith in them or any other Royal Commission.”

Government spent RM12.5b to resolve 1997/98 financial crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — The government spent RM12.5 billion to revive the economy through Danaharta during the financial crisis 10 years ago, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the cost was low, being three per cent of the gross domestic product, compared to 52.3 per cent in Indonesia, 23.1 per cent in South Korea and 34.8 per cent in Thailand.

Nor Mohamed said the government also recovered the RM7 billion allocated under Danamodal to recapitalise the banks affected.

He said this in reply to written questions by Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) on the impact of the 1997/1998 financial crisis, the parties affected and the measures taken.

The third meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament started today.

Nor Mohamed said no “unseen hand” appeared every 10 years to disrupt the national economic and financial system.

The global financial crisis resulted from weaknesses in the liberal capitalist system dominated by the United States, he said.

According to him, there is a need to find an alternative system that provides a financial structure which is fair and impartial.

“We are also aware that under the current global financial system, 80 per cent of the world’s savings is being used by the US,” Nor Mohamed said.

“In fact, the US borrows US$3 billion (RM10 billion) every working day because the savings rate of its citizens is negative," he said.

Nor Mohamed said to prevent a future crisis in the financial world, priority should be given to ensure that a major portion of the savings by Asian countries and oil-exporting countries be used in this region.

In this context, Malaysia had proposed a mechanism to support such an infrastructure in this region and a seminar on this would be held in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 10, he said.

Nor Mohamed said that Malaysia has to be ready and prepared at all times to face and overcome financial crisis that will occur in the future.

“The crisis to come will be different in nature and we need to have an economic system which is flexible to face the challenges,” he said.

Replying to a supplementary question by Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) on whether the political situation could affect the economy, Nor Mohamed said an unstable political system could cause problems in attracting investments.

“We should have a stable political system,” he said. — Bernama

Parliament debate history of budget instead of Budget for 2009

Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed his first test in Parliament as Finance Minister as he was nowhere around this morning to present a revised 2009 Budget for debate or to explain why a revised 2009 budget is not necessary.

When the Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim spoke this morning, the two blocks of Cabinet benches were totally empty – not a single Cabinet Minister was present.

Not only the second Finance Minister even the two deputy Finance Ministers were absent.

Where have they gone to? What could be more important than the start of the parliamentary debate on the 2009 Budget unless Parliament is totally unimportant in their eyes.

In fact, as I pointed out to the House, there was not a single official representative of the government who was present in the House to respond to the Pakatan Rakyat demand that the new Finance Minister should present a revised 2009 budget because the whole set of the 2009 Budget data tabled in Parliament on August 29 had been made obsolete in the past six weeks by the worst economic crisis confronting the world in 80 years.

In fact, the Barisan Nasional government has lost all sense of direction and is presenting a spectacle of a “headless administration” in Parliament – may be this was why there was the need for an “agricultural” study tour of BN MPs to Taiwan last month!

Anwar said UMNO and Barisan Nasional Ministers are guilty of “arrogance of power”

They are also guilty of the height of irresponsibility and contempt for Parliament.

Umno Ministers are more preoccupied with the Umno crisis and party elections than the world economic crisis and its impact on Malaysia – when the party crisis of Umno and other Barisan Nasional component parties after the March 8 “political tsunami” must be completely subsidiary and subordinate to the larger economic crisis facing the country as a result of the global financial meltdown.

Sad and pathetic that Parliament will have to debate an outdated and obsolete 2009 Budget – which cannot inspire confidence in the new Finance Minister or the entire BN Cabinet. Debating history of budget instead of budget for 2009.

'Spices of India' probe intensifies

By : Adrian David, NST, October 13 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian, Singaporean and Indian authorities have intensified a probe into the trafficking of young tribal north-eastern women sold in the Southeast Asian flesh trade as "Spices of India".

Senior diplomatic and law enforcement officials of the three countries acknowledged that investigations had intensified following the latest rescue of five Indian women here, leading to the arrest of several vice kingpins in the three countries.

Manipur police are believed to have made several arrests, including that of Philip Gangmei and Vicky Kungo, in its state capital Imphal on Sept 23. There were another three arrests on Oct 3.

Singapore and Malaysian police are believed to be hot on the trail of another man, believed to be the mastermind of a Singapore-based "recruiting firm".

Earlier this month, Indian authorities intercepted another five of the women in Dimapur. They were about to be shipped to Singapore via Kolkata.
The officials said a third group of 15 young women from Punjab state were rescued by temple priests in Kuala Lumpur and repatriated last month.

"We believe the girls rescued are just the tip of the iceberg. There could be many more victims from other Indian states ," said a diplomat.

She said the Indian tribal women from small villages were being sought for their "exotic" and "pure" qualities as there was demand for them from wealthy clients at posh city nightspots.

The case came to light when one of the five women, from Manipur and Assam, escaped from a Kuala Lumpur nightclub, where they had been "dumped" after their arrival from Singapore last month.

The woman, who escaped on Sept 17, alerted the Indian High Commission in Jalan Duta, which then sought the assistance of police to rescue the other four.

All five were housed at the David Pasteur Christian Home for destitutes here, which linked up with social activist Kinderson Panmei to repatriate them home last Friday with the help of the Indian High Commission.

The women told the authorities that they were initially lured to Singapore with promises of lucrative jobs as maids for six months. However, they were later made to work as bar girls and prostitutes in nightclubs in Singapore and Malaysia.

Indian High Commission counsellor Sudhir Kumar Mehrotra said as many as 150 women from Manipur, Assam and Nagaland were believed to have been duped by recruitment agents in recent months.

The agents took advantage of many ignorant and destitute families in Manipur's backward districts, like Tamenglong, promising them a way out of poverty. Instead, the women ended up broke.

Following the rescue of the women, a non-governmental organisation, the Repatriation of Stranded Girls (RSG), appealed to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to carry out stringent checks on recruitment agencies.

The National Commission for Women, the All-India Christian Council, the Northeast Support Centre and Helpline called on the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi, India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and its Tribal Affairs Minister P.R. Kyandiah to investigate the matter.

Uh-oh, Mahathir calls for return to “strong” government

With the reactionary forces now taking over Umno, Mahathir has fired a broadside calling for a strong, powerful government.

He said in his latest blog entry that a weak government would be incapable of dealing with racial and religious conflict:

We now have a weak Government and clearly it is incapable of dealing with the tendency towards conflicts because of race and religion. Because of its weakness it commands little respect and even the weakest parties would thumb its collective noses at the Government. The Government apparently has no idea how to handle these problems. We see it apologising only to have it’s apologies rejected.

Hang on a minute. Who are the ones actually stirring these conflicts? Who exactly is responsible for “race politics”?

If the government is weak today, it is because of its inability to reform the oppressive structures, many of which were put in place during Mahathir’s time. It is this inability to reform and undo the damage of the Mahathir era that led to the Abdullah administration losing much of its popular support. In fact, the Abdullah administrations initial popularity was based on the hope that Abdullah’s softer approach promised an era of liberalisation that would be in stark contrast to Mahathir’s repressive rule.

Of course, we know that Mahathir’s use of the terms “strong government” and “stability” are but code words for authoritarian and even repressive rule.

Apparently, 22 years of authoritarian rule is not enough for Mahathir. It was 22 years of suppressing problems and differences and sweeping dirt under the carpet, 22 years of one scandal after another.

Now with his son Mukhriz leading the nominations for the Umno Youth chief post and other candidates inspired by the regrouping of reactionary forces, Mahathir clearly feels emboldened enough to call for a return to authoritarian rule…. err, I mean “powerful government”.

19. We have had strong Governments for almost 50 years. When we gained independence few gave us any chance. They foresaw racial clashes and political instability.

20. But they are wrong. With strong Governments in place, the bickering between races was reduced. The country was stabilised and with that the economy grew. The objective of becoming a developed country by 2020 seems possible.

21. Now with this weak Government, with incompetent leadership the country is not developing as fast as it used to.

22. In a single ethnic country it does not matter if the Government is weak because it will not have to deal with the heavy pressure of racial conflicts even if the Government is less competent.

23. My observation of Malaysian politics over the last 50 years has convinced that a powerful Government lead by competent leaders is necessary for multi-racial Malaysia.

Obviously, Mahathir has learnt nothing about the rakyat’s yearning for human rights, social-economic justice, and accountability in all aspects of public life. Obviously, he knows zilch about their aspirations for People Power and democratisation.-anilnetto

'Kidnapped' Seputeh MP speaks up

Anwar calls for a fresh budget

Abuse of Power by The Deputy Prime Minister (MalaysiaToday)

The following text message correspondence is between YAB Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Dato' Shafee Abdullah, a Malaysian lawyer who initially represented Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda who is on trial for abeting the murder of Mongolian national, Altantuya Shaariibuu.

While it does not answer lingering questions about Najib's alleged past relations with Altantuya, the text messages show clearly Najib's active intereference in the case very early on. The messages highlight Najib's willingness to speak with both members of the Attorney General's Chambers and Inspector General of Police about the case, something that suggests an abuse of executive power.

What is particularly revealing and troubling is that the counsel, Shafee, keeps asking Najib for details indicating some political intervention that may have influenced the case. This observation is strengthened by Najib's message to Shafee on 16 November 2006: "Pls do not say anything to the press today. i will explain later. RB will have to face a tentative charge but all is not lost." This message raises a lot of questions about Najib's role in this case. Why did he mention "tentative" charge and that "all is not lost" for RB (Razak Baginda)? How would Najib know this before Razak was charged? Is there already a deal in place that will see Razak aquitted? These are important questions which will have ramifications not just on this case but far beyond.

The text messages were transmitted between Najib's personal mobile phone (+6012 2143177) and Shafee's mobile phone (+6012 3257052).

Those who seek the truth should challenge Najib and Shafee to deny that this correspondence took place between them. Perhaps a record of the messages still resides in the server of the relevant telecommunications company.

The truth is buried somewhere. Those who know what truly happened hope that the truth has been buried deep with Altantuya. But the funny thing is, the truth always finds its way into the hands of those who fight for justice – sometimes in the most mysterious circumstances.

The SMS-Chat Begin ....

Wednesday 8/11/2006

Shafee to Najib (S2N) Date: 8/11/2006 02:59:31

--> Dato Seri, The Razak Baginda thing is troubling me.Can I help? Salam, Shafee

Najib to Shafee (N2S) Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:05

--> I will speak with u later tonight.

S2N Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:31

--> Thank you

S2N Date: 8/11/2006 06:28:56

--> Met the investigating officer today.Position is serious for RB.The 3 are highly implicated.RB's case can be fought.There are redeeming features for him.But we need to meet Dato Seri as there are other looming issues at large.But not to worry. Salam > Shafee

N2S Date: 8/11/2006 21:06:11

--> I have spoken to IGP. U can represent n meet RB in court.

Thursday 9/11/2006

N2S Date: 9/11/2006 12:45:30

--> If RB's remand is upto Sunday, does it mean that he has to be charged by Fri or be released? i hope it is looking better for him.

S2N Date: 9/11/2006 13:11:23

--> 3 things can happen.Firstly, they can ask for more time for detention.We will resist.Second,they have to release him by Friday or thirdly charge him by Friday.Police took him to his office for document search.Nothing incriminating found.Now they are recording stmt from him.Later search in house.Under control so far Dato Seri. Salam, shafee

S2N Date: 9/11/2006 14:09:03

--> Dato Seri, Re RB need to meet up with you today. shafee

N2S Date: 9/11/2006 14:17:47

--> 630 pm at my house in PJaya this evening.

S2N Date: 9/11/2006 14:18:21

--> Thank you

Friday 10/11/2006

N2S Date: 10/11/2006 15:14:31

--> Any news about RB ?

S2N Date: 10/11/2006 15:19:40

--> Dato Seri, Negotiating for conditional release.If not police need 2 or 3 more days extention.I suspect its an exercise in public relation as they do not want public to think a VIP was given an easier time.Being a vip under these conditions is a liability.Otherwise we are on track according to plan. Salam, Shafee

N2S Date: 10/11/2006 15:27:01

--> Thanks, he is very stressful according to his wife n would be a huge help if he could get a conditional release latest by sun.

N2S Date: 10/11/2006 21:35:52

--> Saw the news on tv. RB was sent for DNA. Not sure it was neccessary.

S2N Date: 10/11/2006 21:40:19

--> Unnessasary.But I think its on his lung infection.He has just been sent again to HUKM.Will know more later from inside contacts.

Saturday 11/11/2006

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 03:17:56

--> Dato Seri, I was at ghkl ccu 4th floor.RB was admitted due to lung infection:mild pneumonia and asthmatic.This was the pain he was suffering in the chest and unexplained coughing for months.He is under an able physician Dato Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai(head of Dept of Medicine)Its good he is resting there than in the lockup.Dna was done to eliminate that he was at scene of crime(paternity can be ruled out as well).Need to see Dato Seri on some concerns. Salam. Shafee

N2S Date: 11/11/2006 08:54:17

--> ANy chance of a release by sun ?

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 08:58:14

--> Police should release him by then except that I think the police is disturbeb by Media and public pressure.Other factors need be coomunicated to Dato Seri in person. Investigation wise we are on track for release.

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 09:26:52

--> It is clear that the Police will ask for extention t'row.I will resist strongly in view of the fact that the last few days investigation on RB have completed investigations that require RB's presence in custody.Secondly, from yesterday the Police has done nothing much with him except to do the dna.Thirdly, I am concerned with the Police carelessness yesterday in allowing the 3 other suspects to be freely mixing and therefore tainting their subsequent stmnts as they could be 'group coached'.But it also show Police no longer need to isolate the suspects.Even RB was handcuffed to the C/I. Salam . Shafee

N2S Date: 11/11/2006 11:46:48

--> I Can see u today at my Taman duta hse at 6 pm.

S2N Date: 11/11/2006 11:59:08

--> OK Dato Seri.Insyaallah I will be there.

Sunday 12/11/2006

S2N Date: 12/11/2006 13:53:41

--> 2 days extention to Tuesday.They must release him by then maybe conditionally.Police asked for full 14days.He has message.

S2N Date: 12/11/2006 14:06:23

--> Will give Dato Seri in a while

S2N Date: 12/11/2006 15:10:17

--> 0320949418

Monday 13/11/2006

S2N Date: 13/11/2006 15:53:36

--> Am in his office now.Another search. AG will be unwilling to charge and lose a case yet again.It is agood idea to suggest to AG to hood on and let investigtion proceed with Razak Released on Bond.

N2S Tel: 60122143177 Date: 13/11/2006 16:23:29

--> How was the search ?

S2N Date: 13/11/2006 16:25:56

--> We provided them everything,including old pda and note books and a couple of bills.Nothing incriminating.

Wednesday 15/11/2006

S2N Date: 15/11/2006 13:21:32

--> Things going as expected.2 male officer charged for murder in common intention.Razak's name not in. Lady officer released but rearrested under Emergency Ordinance to be used as Crown witness(exactly as predicted). I am expecting RB to be released on Bond.4 of my lawyers are watching brief the proceedings in the murder case.Rb matter prob t'row. Pl call. Shafee Ps coming back now from Taipei.

N2S Date: 15/11/2006 23:31:09

--> So hopefully he will be released tmrw?

S2N Date: 15/11/2006 23:34:38

--> Dato Seri, I am driving up from S'pore ,no more flight to KL tonight.Hope for th best.Any indication? Shafee

N2S Date: 15/11/2006 23:36:52

--> Not heard anything untoward yet.

Thursday 16/11/2006

S2N Date: 16/11/2006 10:52:43

--> Anything Dato Seri? I am already in Court.

N2S Date: 16/11/2006 10:53:50

--> Pls do not say anything to the press today. i will explain later. RB will have to face a tentative charge but all is not lost.

S2N Date: 16/11/2006 10:54:30

--> OK, TQ

Friday 17/11/2006

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 10:50:30

--> Dato Seri, Its important you speak toYusoff Zainal Abidin as he knows the law a lot better in the Chambers.I am confident he is concerned with the negligible evidence agst Razak.The Raja Mahani and Tengku Ariston cases ought to be the guiding critera for AG.They cannot afford another scandallous loss by the Prosecution as in Norita, Ariston,Dato Balwant etc.

N2S Date: 17/11/2006 11:39:46

--> OK will try. Meanwhile try to console the wife. She is hysterical.

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 11:41:29

--> I know Dato Seri.I will do everything I can.Salam, Shafee

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 12:57:49

--> Dato Seri, Razak has not been sent to Hospital.He is clearly not well.He is refusing to take Prison's medicine for fear of sabourtage.The chief Physician of GHKL Dato Dr Jaya Sinnadurai is shocked that they have not brought Razak back to GHKL.I have spoken to Haji Darussalam,Sg Buloh's Prison Director.Can You sound this to Dato Radzi Shek Ahmad?Need to see you of s'thing that I think had happened that led to her death.Utterly shocking if I am right. Shafee

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 15:45:34

--> Dato Seri, I am at Sg Buloh Prison.I have organised Razak to be in HUKL,He is on his way there now. The Pengarah Hj Darussallam and deputy Supt Gunasegaran very helpful. Shafee

N2S Date: 17/11/2006 21:27:02

--> My regards to him. He Is always in my thought.

S2N Date: 17/11/2006 21:34:44

--> Will tell him

Sunday 19/11/2006

S2N Date: 19/11/2006 16:25:08

--> Dato Seri, I need Dsp Musa ,your ADc to call me to clarify a point.He is not answering Shafee

Monday 20/11/2006

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 13:02:33

--> Any developement Dato Seri? Shafee

N2S Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:20

--> Not yet.

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:38

--> Thank you

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 21:05:17

--> Dato Seri.Razak is being transfered to Sg. Buloh t'row.Can Dr. Jaya do anything?

N2S Date: 20/11/2006 23:04:50

--> When is he being transffered?

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 23:05:48

--> T'row

N2S Date: 20/11/2006 23:07:01

--> What time?

S2N Date: 20/11/2006 23:08:01

--> Probably late morning

Thursday 23/11/2006

N2S Tel: 60122143177 Date: 23/11/2006 13:46:51

--> Your message read" Najib released on personal bond!".

S2N Date: 23/11/2006 13:50:00

--> Razak released on Bail of 1 million. On personal bond undertaking. Shafee?I am terribly sorry for that mistake.Whole night tak tidur preparing. My profuse apologies Sir. salam. shafee

N2S Date: 23/11/2006 14:00:25

--> ALhamdullillah , at least he is on bail.Big relief for him n family.

S2N Date: 23/11/2006 14:02:02

--> Dato, I need to brief you urgently b4 you speak to him.Shafee

N2S Date: 23/11/2006 14:12:32

--> OK but not intending to speak to him as yet.

Saturday 2/12/2006

S2N Date: 2/12/2006 18:59:15

--> Dato Seri, Got some info that are troubling.Quite serious.Are you in Taman Duta?Can we meet? Salam, Shafee

... those who know more, please come forward!