Lawyer's actions might be misconduct, says Bar

Malay Mail 
by Ram Anand

An advocate or solicitor shall not furnish copies of any document filed in court to the press, says Lim

KUALA LUMPUR: Bar Council member Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz’s conduct while filing his suit to nullify the Bar Council’s EGM on May 11 could have gone against the legal profession rules.

Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee told The Malay Mail he understood that Khairul Azam had distributed copies of court papers after filing his legal action against the Bar and Lim.

“The (council) reminds its members that Rule 60A of the Legal Profession (Practice and Etiquette) Rules 1978 states that an advocate or solicitor shall not furnish copies of any document filed in court to the press,” he said.

According to Lim, the rule stipulates that the copies can only be furnished in hearing in an open court.

Lim was referring to the fact that he had found out about the suit through the press rather than being served a notice.

“The rationale of the rule is to avoid the unpleasant and unfair situation of a litigant finding out about the litigation against him through the press instead of service (of notice),” he said.

He said a breach of this rule could amount to misconduct.

Lim said the Bar intended to defend the suit.

On Monday, Lim had opposed the idea of setting up a law academy as an "alternative" to the Bar Council, which was mooted by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz.

In a statement, he had stated that the creation of any “alternative” institution empowered to control the conduct of the legal profession would usurp the functions and powers of the Bar Council under the Legal Profession Act 1976 and ignore its powers and duty to regulate its own affairs, and would be an intolerable assault on the independence of the Malaysian Bar.

Lim had theorised that the suggestion was similar to a proposal the government had mooted twice in the past, and was purely a reaction to the Bar's message condemning excessive use of force by the police at the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally.

The Bar Council has been criticised by Nazri, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and also former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for being "partial" when they passed the same resolution.

Ahmad Maslan Urges The Few Malays In DAP To Quit Party

PONTIAN, May 16 (Bernama) -- The resignation of DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim proves that the Malays have no place in that opposition party, says Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

In this regard, the deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department is calling on the small group of Malays in DAP to quit the party as it "has no respect for the other communities".

Ahmad said he left it to Tunku Abdul Aziz if he was interested to join Umno.

Ahmad, who is also Pontian member of parliament, was speaking to reporters after welcoming the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim at Kampung Parit Puteri Menangis, here, today in conjunction with the Kembara Mahkota Johor 2012 programme.

He was commenting on Tunku Abdul Aziz's resignation from DAP after being rebuked by the party's top leadership for expressing dissenting views on the opposition-backed Bersih 3.0 rally recently.

He said the DAP's action of getting a few Malays to join the party was just to give the public the impression that it was a multi-racial party.

"And although DAP is called Democratic Action Party, it does not practise democratic principles even within the party."

He said, meanwhile, there was increasing support for the BN government from the Chinese community as they were attracted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's 1Malaysia concept.

"This was shown by the presence of about 2,000 Chinese residents in Bakri, Muar at a dinner function organised by the local Barisan Nasional leaders yesterday.

"Personally, it was a surprise for me as this (Bakri) is a DAP stronghold," he said.

Retired army captain raps bottom-wriggling vets

Retired army captain Hussaini Abdul Karim says he would have disciplined the crude ‘bottoms-up’ army veterans and sent them for rehabilitation if he had been their senior officer. Azmi Sharom adds a dose of sarcasm for good measure.

A letter in today’s Star:

Protest was crude and rude

I REFER to your report, “Group performs ‘butt exercises’ in front of Ambiga’s home” (The Star, May 16).

As a former army officer, I feel grossly ashamed by the antics of those who have conducted themselves unbecomingly by performing “butt exercises” in front Bersih co-chairman Datuk S. Ambiga’s house in Bukit Damansara yesterday.

What they did was not just crude, it was rude.

They held the bizarre and ‘very low-class’ protest in retaliation for her organising the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28, which they claimed had given the country a bad name.

It was reported that on Tuesday morning, about 15 ex-servicemen were seen stretching and shaking their buttocks in front of her house.

As an officer, like all officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces from the Army, Navy and the Air Force, we were trained as officers as well as gentlemen and we were, and are still, expected to conduct ourselves exemplarly at all times, even after we retired or have left the service.

However, the group of army veterans led by the Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom, who held the protest, I believe, are from the ‘non-officers rank’.

Do they think that their way would gain them supporters, admirers or bouquets? I definitely don’t think so.

If such a thing were to happen while I was still in service and if I was the officer-in-charge, or for that matter any officer who was in charge at the time, we would have disciplined all of them and we will put all of them through a rehabilitation programme. But since they are now veterans, they do not have any ‘officers’ to correct them anymore.

There are many acceptable ways to conduct a protest and in a civil manner, one of which is to use the courts. The other way is to hold a dialogue or send a protest letter.

I wish to categorically state the action of that group as not representative of the Corp of Army Veterans, officers or other ranks regardless, and that we detest their action.

CAPT (RTD) HUSSAINI ABDUL KARIM,

Shah Alam.

Azmi Sharom’s column in The Star today:

Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Of burgers and butts
Brave New World (The Star)
17 May 2012

The recent wave of protests has set a precedence of sorts, where it appears that it is perfectly all right to gather anywhere just as long as you ask first.

________________________________

WHAT a week it has been; full of surprises that had me reeling from the improbability of it all.

The police, it seems, have learnt their lesson after Bersih 3.0 and are now the paragons of liberty and freedom – the freedom to assemble to be exact. It would appear that today it is perfectly all right to gather anywhere just as long as you ask them first.

It is okay, therefore, to set up stalls on the road in front of people’s houses. You can even cook food in your stalls.

I was always under the impression that this kind of activity required some sort of city council permission.

After all, there are health and food safety issues to be considered. Obviously, I was wrong.

It is also okay to organise exercise classes on the road in front of people’s houses. Why, the exercise can even be quite risqué, with the swaying of large bottoms in the air.

I suppose that if I were to speak to the men in blue, they would say that these activities were safe because not many people were involved, unlike Bersih 3.0 with the tens of thousands of participants.

Well, seeing as this is their logic, and seeing as some sort of precedence has been established here, I think any future protests should be in the same vein.

No more giant gatherings but instead lots and lots of mini ones. The cops can’t possibly say no because then they would be hypocrites of the first order, and surely hypocrisy is not in their Standard Operating Procedure.

May I suggest that the burger sellers and the aerobic dancing ex-army gang be used as a template? But with more imagination.

For example, a group of citizens can open a little stall in front of the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s house. I think the stall should be a recycling stall. People can go to this stall and bring all those, now useless, science and math school textbooks in the English language and leave them there for recycling.

Or perhaps a stall in front of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s house offering a demonstration of model building. I am thinking along the lines of Airfix models.

You know, little battleships, bombers, submarines, fighter jets, that kind of stuff. After all, he used to be Minister of Defence. I am sure he would like it. Why he might even try his hand at a model or two.

However, may I suggest that any such gathering and protest be done in a non-discriminatory way?

I mean if you are going to protest against the Government, then protest in front of all the houses of the Cabinet members, unlike the burger men and aerobic dancers who seem to have singled out Ambiga Sree­nevasan.

Why don’t they flip their sausages and wave their bottoms at national laureate A. Samad Said’s house? What about Bersih steering committee member Hisha­muddin Rais? He might feel left out.

Bersih urges Suhakam to probe police violence

Tunku Aziz a man of principle and integrity, says Kit Siang

The party stalwart today called on Tunku Aziz and DAP to “move on in our separate but still common destiny to create a clean Malaysia.” — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Lim Kit Siang has called Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim “a man of principle and integrity” despite the former DAP vice-chairman accusing Lim’s son of being untrustworthy and lacking decency.

Kit Siang’s son Guan Eng, the party secretary general, had publicly rebuked the ex-Bank Negara advisor for not toeing the party line and refusing to support Bersih’s April 28 “illegal street protest.”

But party stalwart Kit Siang, whom Tunku Aziz said he still respected and has a decades-long friendship with, called on the founding president of Transparency International Malaysia and DAP to “move on in our separate but still common destiny to create a clean Malaysia.”

“I would have been the first to welcome any change of mind by Tunku Abdul Aziz about his resignation as DAP national vice chairman and DAP member but I fully respect his decision if his mind is set on resignation.

“Over the decades, I have known Tunku Aziz as a man of principle and integrity and my views have not changed one dot, as Tunku Aziz would have known in our three recent meetings, twice at his house and the third time in Parliament,” he said in a press statement this evening.

The DAP parliamentary leader added that “if a parting of ways with his resignation from the party is unavoidable, let it be as gentlemanly as possible with the minimum of rancour and acrimony.”

Guan Eng also refused earlier today to “exchange personal attacks” with Tunku Aziz despite the latter claiming the Penang chief minister had insulted him by “dangling” a job offer before he quit the party on Monday night.

Guan Eng had also said in an immediate response yesterday that he would try to convince the former party vice-chairman to rethink his quit move.

But Tunku Aziz, who was the party’s most senior Malay leader, has since openly criticised the Bagan MP in an interview with The Star published this morning, saying Guan Eng was “biadap” (uncouth) and that he did not trust him.

“I have no wish to exchange personal attacks against Tunku but to convey the party’s thanks for his service during his four years as national vice-chair of DAP. Time will prove who is on the right side of history,” Guan Eng said in a statement that signalled the end of efforts to woo back the 78-year-old.

Tunku Aziz told The Star that Guan Eng had called him on Sunday offering him a senior fellowship in Penang Institute and “[dangled] travel as an attraction” after his tenure as senator was not renewed.

“Then yesterday, Zairil Khir Johari (Lim’s political secretary) called and repeated the offer and stated there was a stipend of RM50,000 to go with it.

“Totally, totally insulting, and I could only conclude that it had come from someone who had no sense and not even a modicum of respect.

“Did he think I was that kind of person? This man has no sense of decency. The only word is a Malay word, and it’s ‘biadap’,” he was quoted by the English daily as saying.

But DAP and the Penang Institute have insisted that the job offer was “genuine” and that it had nothing to do with Tunku Aziz leaving the party or to compensate for the loss of his senatorship.

DAP has tried to reach out to Malays, who make up 60 per cent of the 12-million strong electorate, by recruiting leaders such as Tunku Aziz.

But he has conceded his failure to win over the community to the Chinese-dominated party that has been accused by Umno of being anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

Khalid orders ‘thosai telur’

However, the deputy IGP says the area outside his house will not be suitable and suggests that the stall be set up at a nearby field so that a 'thosai carnival' can be held.

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has welcomed a NGO’s plan to promote thosai in his residential area.

However, he told FMT that setting up the stall outside his house in Ampang would not be a suitable choice.

“I live in a terrace house, so setting up a stall outside my house will disrupt traffic flow and pose an inconvenience to my neighbours.

“Furthermore, the house is located on a slope, so the pots with the curry and dhal may tilt and spill the contents all over the place,” he joked.

Instead, Khalid, who confessed to being a thosai lover, suggested that the NGO, WargaAMAN, erect the stall at an open field located near his house, which would attract more people.

“I can invite my neighbours and I will also ask my officers to join in as well. We can have a ‘thosai carnival’. But the organiser must ensure that the thosai is delicious,” he said.

Making a personal request, the deputy police chief said he preferred the “thosai telur”, which is made with eggs, and hoped that the organiser would be able to serve this on Sunday.

This afternoon, WargaAMAN secretary S Barathidasan invited the public to participate in the event where piping hot free thosai would be available.

However, he said this was not in reaction to the infamous burger protest held outside Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga’s house last week.

Culinary lessons

The burger protest was organised by a NGO called Malaysia Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Alliance (Ikhlas) who claimed to have incurred massive losses as a result of the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28.

Meanwhile, Khalid also pointed out that he previously explained that no action was taken against the burger protesters because they did not commit any “criminal offence.”

WargaAMAN had said that it chose the deputy police chief’s house because of his statement regarding the protest outside Ambiga’s house.

“Since Khalid said what he said, we chose his house. This is the assurance he gave. Moreover he is the number two cop in the country… it would be safe outside his house,” quipped Barathidasan.

He also stressed that it would not be a protest but more of a thosai promotional event since the dish had been declared a heritage food by the Malaysian Heritage Department.

Apart from free thosai, those attending the event would also receive culinary lessons on how to make the popular Indian dish.

Free thosai outside DIG’s house

An Indian NGO claims that it wants to promote the heritage dish and denies that it has anything to do with the burger protest outside S Ambiga's house.

KUALA LUMPUR: Fancy a free thosai breakfast this Sunday?

If you do, then head down to Ampang as a coalition of 20 Indian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are planning to set up a thosai stall in front of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s residence on May 20.

Urging the public to attend the event, the movement dubbed WargaAMAN, said the stall would provide free thosai to all this Sunday, starting 10am, at Jalan 2/7G, Taman Bukit Teratai, Ampang.

WargaAMAN secretary S Barathidasan claimed that the event had “no connection” with the burger stall set up by some traders in front of Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga’s house last week.

Last Thursday, a group of burger sellers staged a protest in front of Ambiga’s house by distributing 200 burgers.

Organised by an NGO called Malaysia Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Alliance (Ikhlas), they set up the stall to show their displeasure over the April 28 Bersih rally, which Ikhlas claimed had disrupted their livelihood.

The NGO alleged that burger stall owners had suffered losses amounting to RM200,000 due to the rally, concentrated in certain parts of the federal capital.

Subsequently, Khalid, when asked why the police did not act against the burger stall owners, had replied that it was not wrong to sit in front of anyone’s house provided they did not disturb the occupants of the dwelling.

The DIG had said that there was nothing wrong with protesting outside a person’s house as long as the occupants are not disturbed.

“What offence? If you want to sit in front of her (Ambiga’s) house without disrupting other people, there is no offence.

“As long as they don’t commit any offence such as trespassing on private property, we will not take action,” Khalid had told a press conference in reference to the “burger protest.”

WargaAMAN, however, is firm that the event in front of Khalid’s house this Sunday would not be a protest but more of a thosai promotional event.

“We plan to promote thosai… Malaysians seems to have forgotten about the dish which had been classified as a heritage food by the Malaysian Heritage Department

“So, the event will be more of an awareness campaign… it is more to introduce the dish than a protest,” added Barathidasan.

Apart from a free thosai meal, the public would also be taught how to make good thosai.

“Since Khalid had said what he said, we chose his house. This is the assurance he gave. Moreover he is the number two cop in the country… it would be very safe outside his house,” he quipped.

‘Licence to grill’

In a related development, another NGO condemned the vulgar aerobic exercise staged outside Ambiga’s house.

Persatuan Kebajikan, Sosial Gemilang Puchong president V Rameshwaran said he was apalled that ex-servicemen could stoop so low.

“This is disgraceful, these men are supposed to be role models for the younger generation. It is a shame that they chose to behave in such a crude manner.

“It is acts like these that upset the public and turn Malaysia into a laughing stock. It will also make the people angrier with Barisan Nasional,” he told FMT.

Rameshwaran said Ambiga was defending the constitutional rights of Malaysians, including that of the ex-servicemen who staged the lewd protest.

As for the police’s justification for not acting against the “burger” protest, he suggested that stall owners whose premises were demolished by DBKL should set up stalls outside the houses of the mayor and Khalid.

“This is wonderful news. Now everyone has the ‘licence to grill’ outside anyone’s house, including that of the mayor, police chief, prime minister and ministers,” he said.

Lawyer: Burger protest flouted DBKL by-laws

Contrary to what DIG Khalid Abu Bakar has said, a lawyer claims the protesters flouted the law.

PETALING JAYA: The protest by burger sellers outside Bersih co-chairman S Ambiga’s house last week had flouted two Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) by-laws.

According to lawyer K Shanmuga, the protesters violated the Licensing of Hawkers and Stalls (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 1989 which was enacted under the Local Government Act.

He said the by-laws stipulated that hawkers are allowed to operate only at certain locations

“DBKL does not issue roving license. The business must operate at a fixed location,” he added, citing by-laws 11(1) and 22(2).

Bylaw 11(1) states that a stall licence should be in respect of a specified site whereas by-law 22(2) states that itinerant hawkers cannot remain stationary in any place except when selling food.

The by-laws are enforced by the DBKL and those found guilty can be fined RM1,000.

FMT had sent an email to DBKL regarding this matter, but had yet to receive a response.

Last Thursday, a group of burger stall operators from an NGO called Malaysia Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Alliance (Ikhlas) set up their stalls in front of Ambiga’s home and distributed free burgers.

They claimed to have suffered losses amounting to RM200,000 due to the Bersih 3.0 rally led by Ambiga on April 28.

Following this, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said that the burger stall operators did not commit an offence since they did not breach the Peaceful Assembly Act.

“What offence? If you want to sit in front of her house without disrupting other people, there is no offence. As long as they don’t commit any offence such as trespassing on private property, we will not take action,” he had said.

Demos had Putrajaya’s okay

In another development Human rights watchdog Proham criticised the two protests held in front of Ambiga’s house as “an insensitive act [that] had unfortunately received the endorsement of some individuals in the federal administration.”

“What is more worrying is the insensitivity of selling beef burgers in front of an individual who is a vegetarian and a Hindu,” the NGO said in a statement.

It likened the demonstration to the notorious August 2009 incident in which a group of Muslims used the severed head of a cow to protest against the relocation of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam.

The statement carried the signatures of former Suhakam commissioners Simon Sipaun, Ramon Navaratnam, Hamdan Adnan and Denison Jayasooria.

The burger protest, carried out by a NGO called Malaysia Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Alliance (Ikhlas), happened on Thursday. Yesterday, retired soldiers followed suit when they assembled in front of Ambiga’s house and did mock physical exercises, bending so that their buttocks faced the house.

Proham said the two protests were “improper, inappropriate and in bad taste” and that they invaded the privacy of the Bersih leader.

Proham also took the police and local council to task, noting that policemen were present during the buttock show.

“The authorities, including the local council and police, seemed to have turned a blind eye, especially towards the threat issued by army veterans,” the statement said.

“Proham also calls on both the police and local authorities to ensure that the perception of apparent selective enforcement and justice is not created in the public mind. On the contrary, the authorities concerned should be careful to take proper action to enhance responsible policing and local government enforcement.”

‘Teacher called students Hindu Pariah’

Both education department officials and the headmistress of SMK George Town have been accused of attempting to cover up the matter.

GEORGE TOWN: Racism has reared its ugly head in schools again and sources claim that there is an attempt to cover up the latest incident.

As the nation celebrates Teachers’ Day today, FMT however was alerted about a disturbing episode which took place at SMK George Town here.

Last week, a teacher at the secondary school had allegedly scolded a group of Indian Form Five students, calling them “Hindu Pariah.”

The teacher, Sabariah Ramli in her late 30s, was also accused of deliberately giving high demerit points to the students during the incident on May 9.

She also allegedly ticked off two other Indian Muslim boys for befriending the Indian students.

Sources claimed that education authorities and headmistress Farah Shikh Abd Rahman attempted to cover up the matter and defended the teacher when confronted by parents of the affected students.

A 16-year-old student lodged a police report last Friday on the matter while an official complaint was also filed by the students with the school authorities.

However, the student later retracted the report, with sources claiming that the headmistress had threatned the student’s father that his son would have a black mark in his school leaving certificate if the report was not withdrawn.

According to the police report, the students were talking in class after an examination when the teacher shouted at them.

She had allegedly singled out the group of Indian students and told them: “Hei Hindu diam (Hindu shut up).” Following this, she called them “Hindu Pariah.”

The teacher also allegedly tampered with the students demerit points after obtaining their signatures on originally lighter demerit points.

One of the student’s demerit points was visibly modified from 10 to 20 while another was modified from 15 to 25.

Sources said that demerit points above 20 could lead to a student’s dismissal but such heavy demerit points were usually given only for criminal acts such as drug abuse, stealing or gang-related activities.

FMT learnt that the headmistress defended the teacher’s behaviour claiming that Sabariah might have over-reacted due to work stress.

‘Students warned with disciplinary action’


Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer, who received a report on the incident, had lodged a complaint with the state education department to resolve the controversy as soon as possible.

“I have told the department to transfer out the teacher, failing which I will call for a meeting with representatives of the school parents-teachers association,” he said.

Following Rayer’s complaint, a team of education officials came to the school in Jalan Batu Lanchang yesterday and recorded statements from the affected students, witnesses and teachers.

Sources claimed that the officials, comprising Mohd Raffie Bachik, Huzaid Ibrahim and Daud Shaari, warned the students and witnesses to “keep their mouth shut” over the incident.

The students were warned of dire consequences if they were to disseminate any information on the issue to outsiders, including their parents.

Some six students, which included those of other races, who gave statements to the officials, had also claimed that the ministry-commissioned investigators threatened them with severe disciplinary action.

Some of them, said sources, were warned that they would be barred from sitting for the SPM examination this year.

Farah, who became the school’s headmistress some four years ago, was also accused of uttering derogatory remarks against Indian teachers and parents previously.

When contacted on the latest incident, Farah told FMT to refer to state education director Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin.

Ahmad Tarmizi, however, could not be reached despite numerous phone calls and text messages.

Meanwhile, the teacher had also lodged a police report yesterday claiming that she had been threatened with harm by four school students.

Last March, Nibong Tebal’s SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman headmaster Ng Tong Koang, 56, allegedly used the word “pariah” to scold parents of schoolchildren for making a prohibited U-Turn at a nearby traffic light. He later apologised.

The word “pariah”, considered derogatory to Indians, was central to the recent Interlok novel controversy.

The novel, which contained such references to the Indian community, was initially earmarked to be used for the Malay literature subject for students but was later revoked after strong objections.

Education dept probing ‘racist’ teacher

The Penang education department has initiated an internal inquiry into allegations that a teacher from SMK George Town uttered racial slurs against a group of Indian students.

PETALING JAYA: The Penang education department is conducting an internal probe into the alleged “Hindu Pariah” remark made by a secondary school teacher in the state.

State education director Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin told FMT that two officers have been sent to gather more information from the school, students, parents and police on the matter.

“We knew about it since last Friday and our officers are investigating. We’re gathering evidence for our internal inquiry and we’ll also see what the police have to say, as we don’t want to jeopardise their case,” he said.

Ahmad Tarmizi also said that his department was also concerned about allegations of attempts to cover up the case by his department and the school.

“That’s what is being alleged. I want to know who is the officer who is talking about covering up or trying to hide information about this case. Is this person from the department or what? For now it’s just hearsay.

“I want to know. Who is the one who hid this information? How did this happen? The issue is what she actually uttered. Did she actually say those words? If it is true, she should admit it, if she did not, we also need witnesses to prove it. If the school is hiding information from us, why was that done? I was informed that our information was different from what reporters received,” he added.

Ahmad Tarmizi said aside from the police case, the department could take various actions against the teacher if she was found guilty.

“If we look at this case, if it’s true, the teacher can be punished for breaching discipline. We can give her a warning or deduct her pay, depending on what we find. If she really did such a thing, we can suggest to the upper management, the ministry, to take stern action,” he added.

Independent probe

Ahmad Tarmizi assured that the department, as “third party observers”, would follow up on the matter, and added that he had even advised his investigating officers to conduct the probe independent from each other.

Responding to a question, he said the teacher had no prior disciplinary problems.

Earlier today, FMT reported that a teacher at SMK George Town had allegedly used racial slurs to scold a group of Indian Form Five students.

The teacher, Sabariah Ramli, had allegedly uttered the words “Hindu Pariah” and was also accused of deliberately giving high demerit points to the students during the incident on May 9.

She also allegedly ticked off two other Indian Muslim boys for befriending the Indian students.

There were also claims of an attempt by the state education department and the school’s headmistress to cover up the incident.

Meanwhile, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Hashim Adnan declined to comment on the matter.

“It’s only reported online? No hard copy? I only comment on things that have been published and printed in national newspapers and which is already out in the public. Please call my secretary-general for comments,” he told FMT.

Sooriyan drags OMS Thiagarajan in Tamil Schools Spat

The Traveler, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Klang Midlands Tamil School board chairman Uthyasooriyan, who is under fire for the 1.9 million outsourcing of multi-purpose hall, has dragged OMS Thiagarajan in the ongoing spat and insinuated that K P Samy did not settle the RM 50,000 donation to Simpang Lima Tamil School (SLTS). “Did K P Samy really give RM 50,000 as promised?” Sooriyan retorted, according to Makkal Osai Tamil daily today. R N Nathan, Bandar Botanic MIC Chairman, earlier produced the donors list published in SLTS publications as evidence.  Side stepping this evidence, Sooriyan insisted that K P Samy donated nothing ever since he became the STLS Parents & Teachers Association Chairman in 2008. Apparently, OMS Thiagarajan headed the SLTS Board and also the additional Building construction in 2006. That being so, now Sooriyan wants OMS or K P Samy to confirm whether the donations were indeed settled. Uthyasooriyan has conveniently side tracked the issue, providing selective answers and being silent on a whole lot of questions. Why no response to K P Samy’s questions? What is the rate charged for the hall? Is it RM 14,000? The hall outsourced for how many? 15 years? How was the contractor selected? Why can’t the Selangor state government absorb the 1.3 million needed for the hall construction ? What is the value of the land returned to i-City? 3 million or 20 million ? Why the School Board stormed K P Samy’s office? Why the School Board returned K P Samy’s donation? As the Chairman, rather than side tracking the issue, Uthyasooriyan is duty bound to explain the above questions .

makkal osai

NGO: Protests against Ambiga 'in bad taste'

Human rights watchdog Proham condemned the recent protests in front of Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan's personal residence, calling the incidents "improper, inappropriate and in bad taste".

While citizens have the right to gather peacefully, as laid out in the Federal Constitution, the two "acts of intimidation" are an invasion of Ambiga's privacy and religious standing, the NGO said in a statement today.

"What is more worrying is the insensitivity of selling beef burgers in front of an individual who is a vegetarian and a Hindu," it said, comparing the incident to the ‘cow head' protest by a group of Muslims in response to the planned relocation of a Hindu temple in 2009.

Proham was referring to the May 10 protest where hawkers group Ikhlas set up a burger stall outside the Bersih leader's house, and the May 15 protest where a group of army veterans conducted ‘butt exercises' at the same location.

Furthermore, the group claimed that the protests would set precedents, since the authorities seemed to have turned a "blind eye" to the events, especially the potentially threatening remarks made by the group of army veterans.

Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association president Mohd Ali Baharom had warned Ambiga not to "cause problems" for the country again, saying: "We will act if you smear the country's name."

The group urged protesters to refrain from carrying out demonstrations in private residential areas in order to avoid such violations of cultural sensitivities and personal intimidation.

"Proham also calls on both the police and local authorities to ensure that the perception of apparent selective enforcement and justice is not created in the public mind," it added.

Proham, or Association for the Promotion of Human Rights, is a relatively new human rights watchdog led by a group of former Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) members.

The press release today was signed by Proham chairperson Simon Sipaun, members Hamdan Adnan, Denison Jayasooria and Ramon Navaratnam.

You are wrong, French lawyer tells Zahid Hamidi

Lawyer Joseph Brehem, who is currently in France pursuing the inquiry into the Malaysian purchase of French submarines, rebutted Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that the French courts have no jurisdiction over Malaysians.

“French courts have jurisdiction on anyone, being French or not, as soon as they are involved in a matter the courts are inquiring on. To say otherwise is either misleading or erroneous,” Brehem (right in photo) said in a statement issued by Suaram today.

Suaram, the local human rights NGO, has filed a civil suit with the French courts to look into the government’s purchase of the submarines.

On Monday, Ahmad Zahid insisted that the French courts have no jurisdiction to summon Malaysians to testify in the ongoing inquiry.

Warrant of arrest

“Who are they to issue a warrant of arrest? We are not subjected to French laws,” he said.

He was responding to an earlier statement by Brehem that an international arrest warrant can be issued by a French judge if a witness refuses to assist in an inquiry following the issuance of a subpoena.

“If the witness refuses to abide by the subpoena, the court can issue a notice mandat d'amener, compelling the witness to appear before it. If the witness (still) fails to oblige, a warrant of arrest may be issued.

“The warrant of arrest is applicable within the French territory, and may be internationalised if the judge deems it necessary,” said Brehem.

Ahmad Zahid is named in the list of seven witnesses proposed by Suaram, which was accepted by French investigating judge Roger Le Loire.

However, this does not mean that all seven witnesses, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his associate Abdul Razak Baginda, will be subpoenaed by the inquiry.

The French judge is currently in the process of issuing subpoenas.

Tunku Aziz – lets move on in our separate but still common destiny to create a clean Malaysia which upholds integrity, human rights and the just rule of law

I would have been the first to welcome any change of mind by Tunku Abdul Aziz about his resignation as DAP National Vice Chairman and DAP member but I fully respect his decision if his mind is set on resignation.

Over the decades, I have known Tunku Aziz as a man of principle and integrity and my views have not changed one dot, as Tunku Aziz would have known in our three recent meetings, twice at his house and the third time in Parliament.

If a parting of ways with his resignation from the party is unavoidable, let it be as gentlemanly as possible with the minimum of rancor and acrimony. Let us move on in our separate but still common destiny to create a new and clean Malaysia which upholds integrity, human rights and the just rule of law with an equal place under Malaysian sun for every Malaysian.

Many thanks to Tunku Aziz for his services and contributions as DAP National Vice Chairman as well as the first DAP Senator from Penang.

Move to set up law academy to check Bar Council's monopoly

The Sun 
by Hemananthani Sivanandam and Pauline Wong

PUTRAJAYA (May 15, 2012): The government will look into reviving the Malaysian Academy of Law Bill, which was dropped in 2002, as part of its plan to create an alternative to the Malaysian Bar.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz told theSun he will discuss with Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and raise the matter in the cabinet soon.

The bill, first tabled in 2002 to provide for the setting up of a legal academy with functions overlapping that of the Bar Council, was subsequently dropped "out of respect for the Bar".

However, Nazri who is de facto law minister said today that the bill will be revisited, albeit with some improvements.

"It (the Bar) is very partisan in its accusations, and I do not think it should be given the monopoly (to represent the legal community)," Nazri had said on Monday, when commenting on the Bar Council's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) last Friday where a resolution condemning the use of excessive force by the police during the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28 was passed.

Several lawyers had subsequently also attacked the Bar Council, accusing it of being a tool for the Opposition.

Nazri had earlier claimed that the Malaysian Bar does not represent the majority voice of the lawyers, as even the election of the Bar Council was monopolised by a small group.

He said in view of frustrations voiced by disgruntled lawyers with the Bar Council, the government was looking into forming an alternate body to represent the profession, welfare and legal interests of lawyers.

In a statement yesterday, Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee said the Malaysian Bar was flabbergasted by Nazri's suggestion last Sunday that the Bar dissolve itself for bringing shame to the profession .

He said Nazri's announcement on the proposed law academy appears to have come purely as a reaction to the Bar's strong message in its final report on Bersih 3.0 and the resolution adopted at the Bar EGM.

"The announcement lends itself to the perception that the proposal is revived from time to time when the government feels threatened by

an independent Bar that does not countenance the abuse of power by the institutions of the state, the police in this case, and speaks up in defence of the public at large," Lim said.

Lim said the proposal to set up a law academy as an alternative to the Malaysian Bar is "fundamentally flawed" as under the LPA, only the Bar Council is empowered to set standards for the legal profession, issue practising certificates, and regulate members of the Bar.

"The creation of any "alternative" institution empowered to control the conduct of the legal profession would usurp the functions and powers of the Bar Council under the act, ignore its powers and duty to regulate its own affairs, and would be an intolerable assault on the independence of the Malaysian Bar," he said.

"The Malaysian Bar is opposed to this suggestion, which appears similar to the proposal that the government had mooted, and subsequently withdrawn, twice in the past," he said.

Lim said the Bar welcomes any move to encourage legal excellence and promote academic standards, but it cannot be dissolved because it is established under the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA).

"We urge the government not to attack the messenger, but to act on the message contained in the Bar's final report and the EGM resolution instead," he added.

Tunku Abdul Aziz's Action To Leave Party Shows DAP Ruled With Iron Fist - Rais

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the decision by DAP Vice Chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim to relinquish his post showed that the party ruled with an 'iron fist' by not allowing its members to speak out.

In contrast, the democracy practiced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was the best whereby he accepted criticism from the people and took the necessary steps to rectify mistakes in the administration and did not sack Barisan Nasional (BN) members as he wished.

"There must have been certain issues that Tunku Abdul Aziz did not agree or not happy when deciding to resign as a matter of principle," Rais told reporters after a Special Installation Committee appreciation dinner in conjunction with the installation of Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, here Wednesday night.

Tunku Abdul Aziz resigned from his post as DAP Vice Chairman and walked out of the party two days ago after disagreeing with the rally held on April 28, which eventually turned into a riot.

Meanwhile, Rais urged a detailed study be conducted on the proposal to set up a Law Academy as an alternative to the Bar Council.

Rais however, said he was not in favour of the proposal because 'the time is not right'.

He however, agreed with views from various parties that the Bar Council should be a neutral body and not be involved in politics.

Journalists send protest memo to PM's Office

Indonesian Church Council Supports Lady Gaga Concert

Lady Gaga, left, is welcomed by fans upon her arrival at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, on May 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)  

While radical Indonesian Islamic groups have voiced their opposition to the planned Lady Gaga concert in Jakarta, the secretary general of the Indonesian Council of Churches said on Tuesday the international pop star should be allowed to perform because of freedom of expression.

“Don’t teach our young generation with pseudo-formality by wearing good outfits but being bad on the inside,” Gomar Gultom, secretary general of the Indonesian Council of Churches (PGI), said responding to complaints about Lady Gaga’s wardrobe.

Islamic radical groups, including the Islamic Defenders Front and the Muslim Defender Team, have threatened bad things might happen if the organizer insists on holding the show.

Mahendradatta, head of the Muslim Defender Team said Lady Gaga teaches her fans how to worship the devil and she promotes immortality.

Big Daddy, the concert organizer, is still waiting for the National Police to issue the concert permit.

Gomar said labeling a show as porn or not depended on individual views and that the concert should not be banned because of sexy outfits.

He said sexy outfits would not lead young people to pornography, but lack of religious guidance would.

“It is the duty of religious figures to guide people to have a clear mind and stand against pornography temptations,” he said.

Suara Pembaruan

Father of Irish women's murderer charged

The father of a man suspected of murdering two Irish women last year in the province of İzmir has also been charged with their murder.

Eyüp Çetin, father of 22-year-old murder suspect Recep Çetin, has been accused of participating in the killing of Elizabeth Graham and her friend Kathy Dinsmore (both 53), who authorities say the Çetin men allegedly murdered in the woods on the outskirts of the city of İzmir in August 2011.

The Anatolia news agency has quoted police as saying that the younger Recep Çetin had confessed to the murders of Graham and Dinsmore, but the elder Cetin, who was taken into custody several months ago, was not formally charged until Sunday.

In a statement to the press, Barış Kaya, lawyer for the Graham and Dinsmore families, said that DNA evidence may place both Çetin men at the scene, stating: "DNA traces were found on a shoe belonging to one of the victims -- two distinct DNA profiles, of two people who are genetically related. … So, DNA confirms there were definitely two men at the crime scene."

The Çetin men allegedly murdered the two women after Recep Çetin offered the two women a tour of İzmir, while sending his girlfriend, Graham's daughter, on a boat tour.

Friends of the younger Çetin said the suspect and his Irish girlfriend, Elizabeth Graham's 15-year-old daughter, Shannon Graham, met last summer and were getting along well, noting that they find the incident unbelievable. At the time of his arrest, Çetin claimed that he was 17 and was jailed at the Bergama Children's Prison. In late 2011, however, bone tests revealed that Recep Cetin was 22, five years older than he claimed. Çetin was originally slated to be tried by a juvenile court, and authorities have not yet announced whether his trial will be moved to an adult court.

Elizabeth Graham and Dinsmore were on holiday in Kuşadası, about 100 kilometers from İzmir. Cetin told police after his arrest that the women had “prevented his dream of marrying Shannon.”

Çetin reportedly took the women in a taxi to İzmir from Kuşadası, where he worked as a waiter, and then used his father's car to take the women to a deserted forested area, where he stabbed them to death.

Mustafa Karatay, the owner of the taxi, who was detained in connection with the murders and later released, told Anatolia in August that Çetin had called him on the day of the incident for a ride to İzmir. Karatay said Çetin had been calm.

According to Karatay, Çetin had called him again that night to ask for a ride to a hospital in Kuşadası because his hand was cut. Karatay and Çetin were both detained by police at the hospital. Karatay remained in detention for two days, although he was unaware of the murder. Karatay said that Çetin, Çetin's girlfriend and her mother had often used his taxi services, and that the dialogue among the three was “very good.” “I had not witnessed any problem among them,” Karatay said.

Paris court can't touch us, says Zahid Hamidi

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday insisted that the French courts have no jurisdiction to summon Malaysians to testify in the ongoing inquiry into the Malaysian purchase of French submarines.

“Who are they to issue a warrant of arrest? We are not subjected to French laws,” he said at a press conference after an official visit by the Thai army chief at the Defence Ministry, aired in full by Mob.tv. 

Ahmad Zahid (right) was asked to comment on the statement made by French lawyer Joseph Breham, who is representing human rights NGO Suaram in the civil case on the submarine buys at the French courts.

Breham had said that the presiding judge has the power to issue an international arrest warrant if a subpeona is rejected, including putting out a “red alert” with Interpol.

Ahmad Zahid, who previously said he was willing to testify, later said that neither he or anyone from his ministry will cooperate with the inquiry.

Ahmad Zahid is on the list of Suaram’s list of witnesses, which was approved by investigating judge Roger Le Loire.

However, this does not mean that all seven witnesses, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his associate Abdul Razak Baginda, will be subpoenaed by the inquiry.

Why double standard on 'burger protest'?

Meanwhile, on a separate issue, Ahmad Zahid sidestepped opposition claims that Umno managed to fill the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Saturday for its anniversary event as it had provided buses and food.

Instead, he turned the tables on the opposition by claiming that Bersih 3.0 protesters were paid “RM200 or RM300” to rally on April 28.

“(PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) admitted to giving people money... this is political bribery,” he said, adding that Umno’s rally was peaceful unlike Bersih 3.0.

He also hit out at Bersih 3.0 co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan for double standards, after she decried invasion of privacy when small traders set up a burger stall in front of her home in protest over their alleged April 28 losses.

“(Ambiga) feels that street demonstrations are democratic and do not disrupt public peace, but selling burgers in front of her house is an invasion of privacy. Why is it that they make noise when it hits them but not when it happens to others?” he asked.

Land split: Ex-estate workers cry foul

They were given 15 acres by the BN Selangor government in 2007, but now they only have seven acres. The other eight acres have been allocated for a luxury housing project.

KLANG: In 2007, the Barisan Nasional-led Selangor government allocated 15 acres of land to build houses for the former Bukit Raja estate workers.

But now a former worker claims that the Pakatan Rakyat state government had allegedly diverted eight of the 15 acres for a luxury housing project.

“Piling work (for the luxury housing project) started last month despite no signboard being placed at the site,” said P Mathialagan, 55.

The tractor driver said he was shocked to learn that the Klang District Land Office had a new plan which showed that the 15-acre land had been divided into two plots.

“The district office was reluctant to provide a copy of the so-called new plan and only allowed us to take a photograph of it.

“Something strange is going on. The ground breaking ceremony was officiated by Dr Xavier Jayakumar, the state exco (for Indian affairs) in January this year.

“So how come the 15-acre land can be split into two plots in just four months?” he asked.

Also present at the ground breaking ceremony were PKR Subang MP R Sivarasa, who is the lawyer for the ex-plantation workers and PKR Kapar MP S Manikavasagam.

Commenting further, Mathialagan said he wanted Jayakumar and Sivarasa to explain the matter.

He said that Bukit Raja estate was one of the pioneer rubber plantations in the country, founded about 200 years ago.

“I was seven-years-old when I came to Bukit Raja estate with my parents who were rubber tappers,” he added.

Mahtialagan said that in 1988, Sime Darby closed the estate to pave the way for commercial development.

However, all the 144 families who had been working in the estate, took Sime Darby to court in 2004 for not meeting several demands.

“We hired Sivarasa as the lawyer to represent us in this dispute,” he said.

“In 2007, former MIC president S Samy Vellu managed to get us the 15 acres from Sime Darby while another five acres were allocated to the Bukit Raja Tamil school,” he added.

Sime Darby allocated the land and RM7,000 as compensation for each family with the agreement that they had to build the houses on their own.

Land size disputed

Mahthialagan said Samy Vellu then handed over the entire housing project to Putra Umno chief Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and the latter brought in SanuMurni Sdn Bhd, which was the current developer.

In 2007, the plantation workers signed an agreement with the housing developer. According to the agreement, each three-room house with two bathrooms would cost RM77,000.

“We were told to pay RM7,000 as deposit while the balance would be covered by bank loans,” said Mahthialagan, who added that the project which was to be completed in 2009 was abandoned.

After a long struggle, the Pakatan state government held the ground breaking ceremony on Jan 18 this year and the event was reported in all the Tamil dailies.

The PKR leaders, who attented the event, were reported as saying that the former estate workers would be given 15 acres.

“We were told that apart from houses, a temple and a public hall will be built as well,” said Mahtialagan.

“However, it seems like the Pakatan government broke its promise now that part of the land has given for a project to enrich their cronies,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jayakumar disputed the land size that was awarded to the ex- estate workers.

“Get your facts right. Go and ask Sime Darby about the land size. The 78 estate workers wanted landed property and the court ruled in their favour. They are getting it,” the exco told FMT.

However, Manikavasagam disagreed, saying that the allocation was indeed 15 acres.

“Bukit Raja estate comes under my constituency and I’m very sure that Sime Darby allocated 15 acres to the plantation workers,” added the Kapar MP.

Despite numerous attempts Sivarasa could not be contacted.

No one is listening to rakyat

Can Najib help enlighten whatever happened to his promise that the government could only work best if it listened to the people?
COMMENT

In some South Pacific cultures, a speaker holds a conch shell as a symbol of temporary position of authority. Leaders must understand who holds the conch – that is, who should be listened to and when. – writer Max De Pree

There is a reason why human beings have been blessed with two ears and one mouth – so that we listen better and speak only when need be. However, looking at the chaotic political scenario of this country, the opposite seems to be in motion.

From Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to his team of ministers, none is listening to the rakyat. These politicians seem to have made up their minds who they will lend a listening ear to.

Joining them is former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who, for reasons best known to him, has never learnt the virtue and value of being a “good listener”, both back when he lorded 22 years over the nation and now when as a “retiree”.

In Mahathir’s case, less than a week ago he accused the events of April 28 as attempts to discredit the ruling government under the Barisan Nasional flagship.

April 28 was when Bersih 3.0 came to be. Like the rest of the BN “loud hailers”, Mahathir’s take on the rally has ended up as myopic. He has blamed the opposition of trying to tarnish the good name of the BN government because the former is not confident of winning the 13th general election.

Who better than Mahathir to admit the hanky-panky that BN undertakes each time faced with an election? But then, the good doctor being the typical politician that he is, has decided to do his bit to discredit Bersih 3.0.

In Mahathir’s words: “….so they want to topple the government through the demonstration and Nik Aziz Nik Mat (PAS spiritual leader) said it is permissible to bring down the government in this manner [demonstration].

“They want to make Malaysia like Egypt, Tunisia, which were brought down through riots and now Syria… when the government does not fall, [they] can appeal to the foreign power to help and bring it down, even if it means using fire-power.

“The people must think and should not allow this thing to happen by giving a big win to the BN in the next general election.”

Does Mahathir honestly believe the people are out to topple the BN government under Najib’s leadership? The protest was all about seeking positive changes to the electoral system of this country. How on earth did Dr Mahathir jump to the conclusion that Bersih 3.0 was about turning Malaysia into Tunisia or Egypt?

Start listening, BN

Enough lies have been spread to malign the efforts to seek electoral reforms. The crux of the matter was simple – for the government to not indulge in “unhealthy” practices to win the country’s elections.

But instead the BN government revealed its true colour. Bad enough that listening to the rakyat has never been of any interest to it, the government decided to “play by its rules” – its Parliamentary Select Committee a mere whitewash, failing to resolve key issues pertaining to electoral reforms as demanded by Bersih.

Can Najib help enlighten whatever happened to his promise that the government could only work best if it listened to the people?

Why then such propaganda work to portray Bersih 3.0 and its key players as going against the establishment? The move to denounce the rally by roping in the National Fatwa Council is a step backward.

Instead of politicising the council which, in turn, politicises Islam, the nation’s dominant religion, BN has to muster the courage to engage in a series of introspection and retrospection and learn from its mistakes.

Sadly, the Umno soul-searching post-2008 that Najib talked about has not helped one bit. Like its

major “shareholder” Umno, BN too has become stagnant, unable to move in the “right” direction.

Had BN been centred on reality and actuality, the Bersih 3.0 could have been avoided. Instead, it has always been the ruling coalition’s arrogance that has made life difficult for the rakyat.

Take cognisance post-April 28

Bersih 3.0 came and went but that does not negate the fact that the people are no longer in the mood to tolerate corruption of any kind. No more sweet talks or handouts to conceal the truth. The rakyat knows it all too well already.

To continue to fool the people is an old trick that BN can no longer play. The setting up of the independent advisory panel to investigate allegations of police brutality is yet another “trick of the trade” the rakyat have become familiar with.

Only time will reveal whether it is yet another gimmick to fool the rakyat in view of the impending general election or is well-intended.

But then why the panel when the country has its own human rights commission, Suhakam? Does the BN administration worry that the commission will do a good job at unearthing the truth, hence the hastily-created panel?

Najib has said the panel would comprise “credible, experienced and respectable” individuals. Does Suhakam lack such “credentials”?

In any case, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s remark that the panel was set up to uphold the rights and freedom of Malaysians is an insult to Malaysians.

Had the rights and freedom of the rakyat been BN’s concern, the police brutality on April 28 would never dare happen.

And were the rights and freedom of Malaysians indeed been the government’s concern, the rakyat, especially the non-Malays, would have never have been treated as persona non grata.

Jeswan Kaur is a freelance writer and a FMT columnist.

PKR: Police protecting MIC Youth

PKR vice-president N Surendran claims that the police, acting on the PM's instruction, is protecting MIC Youth over the MyKad brawl.

PETALING JAYA: More than two weeks have passed since the infamous MyKad brawl outside the Prime Minister’s Office but the debates and accusations continue to rage.

This time, PKR vice-president N Surendran alleged that the police were protecting MIC Youth on the instruction of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Despite the evidence, he said, the police had yet to arrest those responsible for the assault which left PKR Puchong division chief S Murali hospitalised for a fractured cheek bone.

Surendran, PKR legal bureau chief Latheefa Koya and Murali had their statements recorded at the Putrajaya police headquarters this afternoon.

“We stated in our police reports that we are disappointed that the police have not arrested anyone despite the release of the images regarding the brawl.

“The prime minister is protecting MIC using the police,” Surendran told FMT.

Reiterating his allegation that it was a pre-meditated attack, he said MIC Youth chief T Mohan must be arrested and charged for leading a group which perpetuated criminal intimidation.

The PKR leader also responded to his critics in MIC Youth who accused him of falsely claiming that there was an attempt to attack 17-year-old student B Reshina on that day.

Surendran said the photographs released by PKR last week clearly showed a large group of MIC Youth members rushing towards the PKR delegation which included him, Reshina and Murali.

“The mob was coming at us and Murali stood as the barrier. It was with great difficulty that I managed to get Reshina into the PMO.

“If Murali did not stand as a barrier, Reshina and I would have been hurt. I tell you now, those MIC goons wanted to attack the PKR leaders and Reshina,” he said.

On May 2, Surendran had led a delegation to submit a memorandum to the PMO to demand that Reshina be issued a MyKad.

At the same time, Mohan led a MIC Youth delegation to thank the prime minister for issuing MyKads and birth certificates to Malaysian Indians under the MyDaftar programme.

‘Malaysians are furious’

Surendran said the photographs also depicted the merciless beating of Murali, for which MIC Youth had not

answered until now.

He added that despite the evidence, MIC Youth continued to repeat its fraudulent claim that it was not responsible for the fracas.

MIC Youth had accused the PKR delegation of hurling obscenities and throwing the first punch, which the latter denied.

Surendran also claimed that the widely reported incident dealt a devastating blow for MIC, with regard to its image.

“I believe the photos and the incident will send MIC into political oblivion. Malaysians, especially the Indians are furious with what happened,” he said.

Surendran once again trained his guns on the prime minister, claiming that the latter endorsed the violence.

“I am clearly pointing the finger at the PM and his aide. Najib must explain,” he added.

The PKR leader also told MIC Youth not to “repeat the lie” that its delegation was present at the PMO to thank the prime minister.

“Our intention to go there was reported in the papers days before, so they deliberately planned to come there on the same day. I say it again, it was a pre-meditated attack,” he said.

Police: No cover up

Meanwhile, Putrajaya police chief Abdul Razak Abdul Majid dismissed Surendran’s allegation that the case was being covered up.

“There is no such thing. We are neutral in our investigations,” he told FMT.

He said the police recorded statements from the concerned parties, including witnesses, and the investigation papers had been submitted to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters for further action.

“The investigation papers will then be sent to the DPP to determine if there is a need to charge anyone. This is the normal procedure,” he added.

Abdul Razak said the case was investigated under Sections 143, 147 and 352 of the Penal Code for “unlawful assembly”, “rioting” and “using criminal force”.

Police tortured me, claims Bersih participant

A technician alleges he was detained overnight and beaten up after he voluntarily went to the police station to give his statement about his participation in the rally.

PETALING JAYA: A participant in the Bersih 3.0 rally who voluntarily went to a police station yesterday alleged he was detained overnight and tortured when he went in to give a statement.

Mohd Safuan Mamat, 24, lodged a report at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters at 6pm today, accompanied by Lawyers for Liberty coordinators Fadiah Nadwa Fikri and Afiz M Noor.

Also present were Bersih steering committee members Maria Chin Abdullah and Mandeep Singh.

Earlier at 3pm, Safuan was brought to a Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur to face two charges.

In the police report, Safuan said that he went on his accord to the Dang Wangi police station yesterday morning, to give a statement on his participation in the Bersih 3.0 rally held on April 28.

Safuan, who works as a technician, claimed that after recording his statement, a plainclothes officer took him to a lock-up behind the station and threatened to detain him if he did not “confess”.

“I was later handcuffed and put [overnight] in a lock-up. Later, another officer, who was in full uniform, came into my cell holding a black metal pipe,” said Safuan.

The technician from Terengganu said the officer asked him whether he was Bersih participant and kicked him on the buttocks till he fell down.

Safuan claimed the officer also forced him to admit that he had damaged a police car during the rally.

“When I denied the accusation, the officer struck my face with the metal pipe. He also hit me on my shoulder when I refused to confess,” he said.

‘I was completely stunned’

Safuan added that after the assault, he was made to change his shirt and was taken to some prisoners who also assaulted him.

“The officer told the prisoners that I was a Bersih participant and one of them slapped me four times. The officer did nothing to stop him,” he alleged.

He said he did not get the name of the officer who assaulted him.

“I was too frightened at the time. I was completely stunned and I couldn’t remember his name,” he said.

Safuan also claimed that while he was taken to the Sessions Court, some officers told him to confess that he had damaged the police car.

Safuan was charged with causing mischief during the disturbances and for not obeying an order of a public servant under Sections 440 and 174 of the Penal Code.

For the first charge, he can be jailed for five years and fined, or both, and for the second charge, he faces a one-month imprisonment and a fine or both.

He was released today after posting a RM1,500 bail.

His court hearing is fixed for June 6.

Meanwhile, Fadiah accused the police of using scare tactics to hunt down Bersih participants.

“The police should have released Safuan after recording his statement and charge him on another day. Instead, they used harsh tactics on him to get a confession,” she said.

Najib: You don’t need street demos

People's choice is what matters at the end of the day, says the prime minister. 
(Bernama) - LONDON: Malaysians living in this city had their moment with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak yesterday evening, with many rushing to greet him and shake his hand after he had addressed them, mainly on their rights and responsibilities in a functioning democracy and the people’s choice through elections.
Najib had said that in any democracy there would be those who voted for and against but that, at the end of the day, what mattered most was the choice of the people.
“The people of Malaysia would have that choice. We have proven. You don’t need to have street demonstrations in Malaysia because, if you have them, inevitably there would be trouble, there would be clashes,” he said in an apparent reference to the Bersih 3.0 demonstration in Kuala Lumpur last month.
The prime minister addressed some 1,500 Malaysians here who had braved the heavy London traffic to be present at the “Evening with the Prime Minister” held at a concert hall at the 02 Arena in Greenwich, East London.
Najib said that one has the right to support the government or the opposition but “you must operate within the rules of the law”.
“If you discard the rules of law, there would be anarchy in the country. We cannot afford anarchy. We can allow dissent, I can appreciate difference of opinions and views but I will not respect if you break the law in the country. That is the only safeguard that we have for the future of Malaysians,” he said.
The prime minister pointed out that it had been shown that 100,000 people could gather in a stadium, and do so peacefully, making apparent reference to the mass gathering held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in conjunction with Umno’s 66th anniversary celebration.
“That is the right way and, if Bersih wants to meet, we can give them the same stadium, and we will ensure peace and security. Nobody will be harmed and that is the right way for us as a nation that is mature. We believe in democracy, but democracy with responsibility.”
‘Rude to heckle’
Najib’s speech, delivered in a very informal setting, was received with great enthusiasm by the Malaysians who had thronged the concert hall, some bringing along their children as well.
There were one or two boisterous people in the audience, which prompted the prime minister to remark that it is “very unMalaysian and very rude to heckle”, but the rest of the audience listened with rapt attention to his speech.
“I am proud of all Malaysians who are law-abiding and respectful of others and that is why you must speak up. You must speak up for those who abuse their positions. (If) you are a minority, don’t impose your views on the majority,” he said.
He said he believed that the way ahead was to behave sensibly, abide by the law and, when the time comes, there would be the chance to decide as Malaysians.
Najib, who informed the audience of the many significant changes that the government had made in terms of the economy, education and several security laws, emphasised that the government wanted to be a government that represented the feelings of the people of Malaysia.
“We want to engage with the people of Malaysia. To do what is best for the people of Malaysia. And that is my commitment as the prime minister of Malaysia,” he said, drawing applause.
He reiterated that the era of “the government knows best is over”. “We need to listen to the people, and this is what the government is doing, listening to the people.”
Najib said the government was doing its level best to transform Malaysia into a truly developed nation by 2020 through the various economic transformation programmes and the government transformation programmes.
Enthusiastic crowd
He said it was, in fact, a very important juncture in Malaysian history because this was the first time that it was embarking on a massive wholesale transformation of Malaysia, not only in economic terms but also in social and political terms, to reach the status of a fully developed nation in 2020.
“We can do it and I believe that, as Malaysians, we are all committed towards this journey of becoming a developed nation. I hope all of you are willing to join me in this journey because the train has left the station and I want all Malaysians to be on board this train so that we have every reason and every chance to achieve our goal of being a fully developed nation,” he said.
After the speech, Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor mingled with the enthusiastic crowd which swarmed the couple, with some people posing for pictures and others wanting to shake hands with the prime minister who obligingly did so.
Also present at the event were Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Zakaria Sulong, who organised the event, and his wife Hazizah Ahmad.
Najib and Rosmah arrived yesterday for a two-day working visit to the United Kingdom. The prime minister has been invited by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, for a reception in conjunction with the conferment of the Royal Charter Award to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies.

Najib BERSIH-ed in London

"Bersih! Bersih! Bersih”, were the chants that greeted Najib as he started to address Malaysians in London.
“Can you please stop it? Can you stop it, please?…I know, I know, but can you stop it? You can meet with me later, okay? Please, can you stop it?…No, no, no, okay… alright, alright, you… no, no, you wait for me,” , Najib, in sixes and sevens, tried to have his say.
Malaysiakini has the story HERE.
And here’s the video for your viewing pleasure.

Kemenangan presiden baru Perancis cepatkan siasatan Scorpene – Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Mei: Ketua Umum KEADILAN, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata, kemenangan Presiden Perancis yang baru, Francois Hollande akan mempercepatkan siasatan terhadap skandal rasuah Scorpene membabitkan Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“Kemenangan presiden baru Perancis akan mempercepatkan siasatan kes rasuah kapal selam,” kata Anwar dalam satu ceramah di Batu Caves, baru-baru ini.

Menurut Anwar, rakan karib Perdana Menteri yang juga pemilik Perimekar iaitu Abdul Razak Baginda dan Najib sendiri antara saksi yang akan dipanggil.
Katanya, Mahkamah Perancis bukan hanya menghadkan siasatan mereka terhadap pembelian Scorpene, tetapi juga akan mengheret siasatan dalam kes pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibu, apabila turut memanggil Dr Setev Shaariibu sebagai saksi perbicaraan.

“Kalau begitu, nama Malaysia akan terjejas. Proses keadilan sedang berjalan, apa keputusan saya tidak tahu.
“Tetapi yang saya tahu, ia tidak seperti badan kehakiman seperti Malaysia. Ia (Mahkamah Perancis) lebih bebas dan terbuka dan siasatan adalah berat kerana melibatkan kes rasuah yang besar.

“Kes ini ada kaitan dengan penjualan Submarine di Pakistan yang melibatkan 13 orang terbunuh dan penjualan submarine di Taiwan yang menyebabkan seorang terbunuh, dan di Malaysia mengakibatkan seorang terbunuh (Altantuya),” ujarnya.

Pendakwa awam Perancis yang menyiasat urus niaga pembelian Scorpene baru-baru ini menemui bukti bahawa Najib ketika menjadi Menteri Pertahanan meminta AS$1 bilion (RM3 bilion) untuk syarikat tempatan Perimekar daripada DCNI – anak syarikat pembuat kapal Perancis DCN.

Menurut kertas pendakwaan yang didedahkan NGO hak asasi Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), terdapat faksimili menunjukkan Najib meminta jumlah itu sebagai syarat mengadakan pertemuan dengan beliau pada 14 Julai 2001.

7 Mei lalu, Francois Hallonde, menewaskan Nicholas Sarkozy untuk jawatan presiden.

Mooning, Malaysia’s ultimate defence

Jaleel Hameed - The Malaysian Insider

MAY 15 — All hail our army veterans. They only need their bottoms to defend the country from its enemies.

Today, I read in The Malaysian Insider that 10 retired soldiers “exercised” their bums this morning outside Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s Bukit Damansara home against the April 28 Bersih rally.

The members of the Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVTM) did their “butt exercises” to protest against the Bersih chief for being an “enemy” of the nation, reports the news portal.

“We Armed Forces veterans have the right to protest against an ‘enemy’ who tried to smear the nation’s name,” said PVTM president Datuk Mohd Ali Baharom.

Of course, sir. Much obliged that despite your retirement, you are brave enough to take up arms to drop your pants in the face of the enemy.

As they say, if you can’t use your head, use your bottom. Well played, sir.

But this begs the question of the weapon of choice for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

If they can use their derrieres, why do we go out and buy French submarines, Polish tanks, American and Russian fighter jets and other pricey weaponry.

All we need for the country’s defence is the well-trained, muscled bottom of the pride and joy of the nation — the Malaysian soldier — to flex our bottoms at the enemies of the state.

No enemy can defeat us for they will quake in fear when mooned by the Malaysian soldier.

This Malaysian defence weapon could just be the update of US President John F. Kennedy’s famous line: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ass what you can do for your country.”

Nazri: Proposed law academy can replace Bar

The Star

IPOH: The proposed law academy can be an alternative to the Malaysian Bar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

Nazri, who recently proposed the setting up of the academy, said the Bar was not necessarily right at all times.

“It is very partisan in its accusations and so, I do not think it should be given the monopoly (to represent the legal community),” he said here yesterday after launching the e-Judiciary project.

Nazri was recently reported as saying that the time had come to establish a law academy, the membership of which would include non-practising law graduates as well as practising lawyers.

He had said there was an urgent need to establish the academy in view of the recent incidents during the Bersih 3.0 rally and also what transpired during the Bar’s extraordinary general meeting last Friday.

“The proposed academy can represent a broader spectrum of law graduates, which are currently not members of the Bar.

“There are many law graduates in the academic line, banking sector and even former judges who do not have an association to represent them at the moment,” Nazri said, adding that he would be consulting the Cabinet and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on the matter soon.

Lawyers split over resolution

Malay Mail
by Meena Lakshana

Some defend consensus on Bersih 3.0, others says Bar Council partial

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers are divided over the objectivity of the Malaysian Bar Council's resolution passed during the council's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) last Friday on the Bersih 3.0 rally on April 28.

While some have defended the majority consensus reached in passing the 12-point resolution, others have decried it as being partial.

Former Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairman president Edmund Bon said the pertinent issue at the EGM was the council's objection to police brutality, which did not augur well with the relevant authorities.

"Section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976 makes it a duty for the Bar to uphold the cause of justice without regard to its own interests or that of its members, uninfluenced by fear or favour," he said.

"We are independent in our views when it comes to police brutality and we will say it."

He said if the government was serious about reforming the police force, it would have done so by setting up an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was rendered from the Royal Commission on the Management and Operations of the Royal Malaysian Police Force in 2004.

The Bar Council resolution called for an IPCMC and Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate incidents of physical assault perpetrated by the police on rally participants, media members and lawyers.

Bon said there had been attempts to split the Bar in 2002 when the government proposed the setting up of a Academy of Law.

"We have been attacked by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat before, so this is not new to us," he said.

He also said members who opposed the Bar's decision could take the matter to court.

Former Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan said the resolution passed at the meeting reflected the position of the Malaysian Bar and not all lawyers.

"People can agree or disagree with the Bar's stand," he said.

"It shows that we have a right to have dissenting views, which is the central tenet of a mature democracy."

He said the minority group of lawyers who opposed to the council's decision to condemn the excessive use of police force on Bersih 3.0 participants should call for an EGM and vote of no confidence in the Bar's leadership.

Ragunath said the proposal to set up an alternative legal organisation was "not going to work."

"Having another organisation for lawyers is merely duplication," he said.

Another lawyer, Datuk Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, criticised the resolution for not addressing the breach of the court order stipulating a 50m barrier from Dataran Merdeka during the rally.

He also said the Bar Council should have equally condemned the political parties and political leaders, in reference to Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and deputy president Azmin Ali, who had "failed to ensure peace at the rally".

"It was unfortunate that the Bar Council did not condemn violence of any sort and by anyone that disturbs the freedom of assembly," he said.

"Probably, the council should have waited for police investigations and the inquiry panel to complete investigations before hastily calling for an EGM, though I am against any form of harassment against lawyers who are carrying out their duties."