Tema Merdeka Pakatan mencakup kepentingan semua kaum

PI Bala: They tried to bribe me... again

Four explosions rock Pune. Suspect Injured.Govt says terror angle cannot be ruled out.

 

Four coordinated blasts rock Pune, one injured.

Agencies ||Mumbai, August 01, 2012 || Four coordinated low-intensity explosions struck the busy arterial JM road in the heart of Pune today on a day new home minister Sushilkumar Shinde was scheduled visit the city. Shinde confirmed that four low intensity blasts hit Pune injuring one person. He also said that he was scheduled to attend a function at Tilak theatre at 6pm but cancelled his trip.

He parried questions in Delhi on whether it was a terror attack, saying they were minor explosions and a probe was on into the blast that occurred between 7.27pm and 8.15pm.

“At this moment I cannot say anything, matter is under investigation,” Shinde told reporters.

He said that a NIA team from Delhi has boarded a flight to Pune.

The new home minister said that the person who was slightly injured in the blast has been admitted to Sasoon hospital and that his statement will be recorded.

The blasts came as Shinde officially took up his duties after being given the key portfolio the previous day.

Ironically, his last two days in the power ministry was marked by a major power outage due to collapse of three grids.

Pune police commissioner Gulab Rao Pol described the explosions as an act of mischief but Union home secretary RK Singh said terror angle cannot be ruled out since it seems to be a planned attack.

A man allegedly carrying one of the bombs was injured in the explosions and has been taken into custody and is being interrogated, Singh said. He has been admitted to Sasoon hospital.

Pol said the explosives carried by the injured man was kept in a cake box with sticky material, two detonators and a pencil cell.

One detonator went off in the explosion while the second was defused by a bomb disposal squad team.

The explosions occurred at JM road at spots near Balgandharva Theatre, Dena Bank branch, a McDonald food outlet and Garware bridge. The first explosion went off at Balgandharva Theatre where the suspected bomber was injured.

The explosion outside McDonald went off in a dustbin while the blasts near Garware bridge and Dena bank were reported from a cycle which had a bucket with explosives strapped on, police said.

The entire JM Road area has been cordoned off.

Pol said explosives at one of the sites was kept in a polythene bag.

Maharashtra ATS and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads were at the spot, police said.

Asked if it was a terror attack, Maharashtra DGP Sanjeev Dayal told PTI, “It is not appropriate to comment at this moment. Police teams have reached the spot and are looking into the matter.”

Maharashtra additional DG (Law and Order) Satyapal Singh said, “the first explosion near Balgandharva Theatre occurred at 19.27 hours and the rest followed afterwards though the exact timings are not yet clear, while one cyclist was injured”.

Singh said he had no information about any fifth explosive device being found and defused.

Pol said, “All are minor explosions. The public need not panic. Police are alert and they are doing their job.”

Pune was rocked by a bomb blast at German Bakery in February 2010 in which 15 people were killed.

Punish Groups Using Children in Violent Islamist Raids, KPAI Says

The Indonesian Commission for Child Protection is urging the police to punish organizations that involve children and minors in their violent actions.

“These children are being used and therefore those who manipulate them should be severely punished,” Maria Ulfa Ansor, chairwoman of the commission known as KPAI, said on Tuesday.

She referred to the involvement of children in violent raids against private businesses, saying that involving the children in those activities was criminal.

“These sweeps are crimes, and I am convinced that the children themselves have no understanding of what they were doing, but those who mobilized them should be punished,” Maria said.

Police recently arrested 62 members of a hard-line Islamic organization, the Council of the Defenders of the Prophet, after they held a violent raid on Saturday on a cafe that had remained open during the Muslim fasting month. Those arrested included 41 children and minors. Only 21 were adults.

The teenagers were released without charge except for two minors who were directly involved in ransacking the bar and found carrying sharp weapons. These two could face up to six years in prison under the 1951 Emergency Law for carrying weapons and two and a half years for destroying private property.

The mob demanded that the business close for the entire fasting month. Some of them came with blades and blunt weapons, and they vandalized the venue and also set bottles of alcoholic beverages on fire.

“We have to provide guidance for these children so that they do not again join organizations that engage in violence,” Maria said

Malaysia far from ‘failed state’ but brain drain worsening, says US think-tank

The think-tank noted that little progress has been made towards achieving the prime minister’s aims of meritocracy. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 ― Malaysia’s continuing economic growth has kept it moderately safe from being ranked a “failed state” in the latest global survey of 177 countries by the Fund for Peace (FFP) but the US public policy think-tank also noted an increasing loss of talent due to citizens seeking better livelihoods abroad.

FFP is an independent think-tank founded in 1957 and based in Washington D.C. that is working “to prevent violent conflict and promote sustainable security” worldwide by focusing on conflict assessment and early warning on transnational threats, peacekeeping, and security and human rights issues.

Malaysia placed 110th and earned an above average mark of 68.5 points out of a maximum 120 points on the Failed States Index Score this year, an annual ranking of 177 nations based on their levels of stability and capacity, it said in the latest survey released last month.

The FPP’s Failed States Index was first published in 2005.

It noted that Malaysia’s economy grew 5.1 per cent last year, but it noted that although the “growth has remained strong, uneven development remains an on-going challenge”.

The country scored 6.4 out of 10 points, with 10 being the worst on uneven development marker, which pointed to a weak position and earned it 105th spot out of 177 nations.

“The Uneven Development score improved slightly but remains high as the central government has not completely phased out preferential treatment for ethnic Malays,” the index said.

The survey also said Malaysia’s 4.4 points on the Human Flight score, which it noted was moderate but put the country at 124th place, which signalled outflow of talent was worsening in a five-year trend outlook.

“A slight worsening of the Human Flight indicator suggests that more Malaysians are seeking better livelihoods abroad,” it reported.

“The Human Flight score increased substantially as social and economic reforms have not produced many changes. While the current prime minster has publicly stated his support for eliminating preferential treatment for ethnic Malays, little progress has been made,” it said.

Malaysia scored 6.5 points for legitimacy of the state, which FPP marked as weak and was worsening in a five-year trend outlook.

“A number of promised legal enactments remain frozen in the political process and restrictions on the freedom of expression continue to be imposed on the Malaysian populace, worsening the Human Rights and Rule of Law indicator score by a 0.5 margin,” it said.

“The Legitimacy of the State score has remained consistent at an elevated level since 2006 as a consequence of continued resentment on the part of the minority Indian and Chinese populations toward policies that are preferential toward the ethnic Malay population,” it added.

The index also noted Malaysia’s high score of 6.4 points for group grievances, which looks at the tension and violence between groups and the state’s ability to provide security.

“The Group Grievance score remains high as political actors attempted to stir ethnic tension and resentment in advance of the special elections,” it said.

While the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition led by Umno has managed to stay in power since independence in 1957, FPP said the results of the 2008 general elections prompted the ruling government to “react aggressively when faced with mass demonstrations in favour of election reform in July 2011”.

Palanivel for Cameron Highlands?

If MIC president G Palanivel contests in Cameron Highlands in the 13th general election, it will only confirm rumours that Umno is 'controlling' MIC.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: MIC president G Palanivel’s purported decision to contest in Cameron Highlands – one of only three seats which MIC managed to win in the 2008 general election – is not going down well with party members.

Palanivel, who has been “seatless” since his loss in 2008, has been scouring the country looking for a safe place to contest and has now allegedly settled for Cameron Highlands where Umno is “supportive” of him.

Several irate local MIC and Umno members told FMT that the deeply religious party president had played an extensive role in attempts to axe incumbent SK Devamany from his Cameron Highlands’ seat.

Devamany is currently the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Palanivel was a four-term MP for Hulu Selangor until he was defeated in the 2008 general election by an opposition PKR member. He lost by a mere 198 votes.

In May 2010, Umno decided not to field Palanivel in the Hulu Selangor by-election and appeased him with a senatorship.

He was later appointed as MIC president replacing S Samy Vellu in December 2010 and made a minister a year later.

Since then, Palanivel has made frequent visits to parliamentary constituencies in Sungai Siput (Perak), Padang Serai (Kedah), Teluk Kemang (Negeri Sembilan), Kuala Langat (Selangor) and Cameron Highlands (Pahang) to assess his chances.

It appears he has now decided to try his luck in Cameron Highlands, where the surrounding hills are supposedly good “feng shui” for him.

But the decision has riled local MIC grassroots leaders who alleged that Devamany was a “hardworking” man and that it was “unfair” of the party chairman to usurp him.

Not fair to Devamany

Said a MIC source in Tanah Rata who declined to be named: “As a party president, Palanivel has every right to contest in the general election.

“But, it is unfair of him to encroach into Devamany’s constituency. It is not right.

“As a party chairman, Palanivel shouldn’t undercut Devamany and enjoy the benefits from his hardwork,” said the source.

He said that if Palanivel remained adamant about contesting in Cameron Highlands, then it simply showed that the MIC chief is an opportunist who “wants an easy win seat”.

“It also shows he will do anything to win the election,” he said.

More importantly, he said fielding Palanivel would be a “political suicide for BN” and the ruling coalition will lose the seat.

But Palanivel, it appears, is less concerned about the views of his own party members, preferring to believe that he can ride on Umno’s clout in Cameron Highlands.

Said a Umno leader recently: “I met Palanivel in Jelai last Saturday. This is third time I’ve met him in Cameron Highlands in one month.

“It is obvious he is keen to contest in Cameron Highlands.”

Umno stoking rift

The leader, who requested anonymity, said Palanivel often visited Jelai – which is a state seat within the Cameron Highlands parliamentary constituency – and held meetings with Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

Wan Rosdy is Cameron Highlands Umno division chief and Jelai assemblyman.

“Wan Rosdy wants Devamany out from Cameron Highlands. They [Wan Rosdy and Palanivel] have been conspiring to get rid of Devamany for a long time now,” claimed the leader.

According to him, even the Village Development and Security committees (JKKK) in Jelai know that Wan Rosdy is the alleged cause of the rift between Palanivel and Devamany.

“Instead of Palanivel protecting his vice-president Devamany, the former plots with the Wan Rosdy to finish off Devamany.

“It is morally wrong and politically incorrect to treat election as an avenue to settle personal feuds.

“It is outrageous and an insult to the political intelligence of the voters in those constituencies,” said the Umno leader, who also claimed himself to be a political observer.

Meanwhile, a prominent leader from the Klang Valley has also slammed Palanivel’s alleged decision to contest in Cameron Highlands.

“When he was recently asked where he would contest, Palanivel said he had identified three places to contest, but had yet to decide which seat.

“The irony is that Palanivel says one thing and does another,” said the leader, who declined to be named.

Umno is ‘controlling’ MIC

He was of the view that Palanivel as the MIC president and Selangor state chief should be contesting in tougher MIC seats like Kota Raja, Kapar or Subang.

“Palanivel now frequently visits Cameron Highlands and throws money to buy votes.

“I don’t see any strong points over his move to Cameron Highlands. Of course, Devamany is not an excellent leader but he is definitely better than Palanivel,” he said.

He also said that if Palanivel declared his candidacy in Cameron Highlands, then it would be “crystal clear” that Umno is “controlling” MIC.

He pointed out that this was “established” during the Hulu Selangor by-election when Palanivel was dropped, at the last minute, in favour of an Umno-favoured MIC candidate.

“Remember, PKR has more Indian MPs than MIC. And if Palanivel goes on to backstab his own man, in the next round, MIC will probably be decimated,” he warned.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/02/palanivel-for-cameron-highlands/#ixzz22QCuhLJN

A BN stain on Merdeka day

Resorting to making a big impact via Aug 31 is not going to determine BN's fate at the polls.
COMMENT

The notoriety with which the Barisan Nasional government has manipulated the country’s 55th independence day celebration to suit its political agenda has left a bittter taste in the mouth of the rakyat.

To say that the people are shocked and disappointed with BN for turning Aug 31 into a political platform will be an understatement.

The rakyat are livid that the government dare misuse the independence day celebration to regain the people’s trust in the BN leadership and help it win big, come the 13th general election.

The subtlety used by BN in reminding the rakyat of all that it has done for them has not worked, never mind how Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim tries hard to word it, verbally and in writing.

Rais had recently stressed that this year’s independence day celebration would have the theme “55 Tahun Merdeka Janji Ditepati” (55 Years Independence Promises Kept) and would bear the 1Malaysia logo as it did last year.

With no official logo and a significant theme to commemorate the nation’s most historical day, this year’s Merdeka day celebrations will smack of the desperation of the federal government in wanting to wipe out its political rival, Pakatan Rakyat, led by Anwar Ibrahim.

As it is, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has placed it high on his list to remind the rakyat to be grateful to the government for keeping to its promises.

But then what are those promises that the BN has been striving to meet? If it is about using money to buy over the Felda settlers or the poor and needy through Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), then that it is far from upholding any promise.

It is the duty of the government of the day to look after the well-being of its people, without holding them to ransom when the situation becomes dire. In Malaysia, however, the contrary is being done to cajole the people into voting for BN.

Let the rakyat decide

Resorting to making a big impact via Aug 31 is not going to determine BN’s fate at the polls, not in a positive sense, that is.

The truth remains that the rakyat’s faith in the BN leadership has eroded drastically post-2008 when BN suffered a massive setback at the polls.

To recoup its losses and that too by fooling the people will only make matters worse for BN, if it has not already.

Instead of now meddling with Aug 31 and Malaysia Day, which is celebrated on Sept 16, it is best that the government let the rakyat be the judge in deciding who best lead the nation.

Slogans like “People First, Performance Now” and “Janji Ditepati” were merely created to narrow BN’s loss at the coming polls.

Why does BN find it so difficult to listen to the rakyat’s grievances? Is the government really listening or is it giving the people the false impression that it is there for them?

Had it been attentively listening, BN would have realised that using crude methods of winning the people’s confidence is a no go. Even the theme song for this year’s Merdeka Day reveals what BN is all about – a nefarious entity plotting and scheming for its own survival.

Bad enough that the theme is sleazy but the corresponding song for Aug 31 could not be any worse than this, for, among others, it contains lyrics penned by none other than Rais and which go “Janji sudah ditepati, Kini masa balas budi” (Promises have been kept, now it is time to repay).

There are also these lines: “Ini janji kita BR1M 1Malaysia”, “Kata kita dikota”, dan “Kedai 1Malaysia” (This is our promise BR1M 1Malaysia), (Our words are kept) and (1Malaysia Store).

No surprise then that this theme song has recorded 20,502 dislikes over YouTube compared with 297 “likes” from its 171,257 viewers as of July 31.

Remembered for wrong reasons

This year’s independence day will just show how desperate BN is in canvassing for votes, having no qualms of turning the event into a political charade.

On so meaningful a day, the BN government wants to milk as much as it can from all the financial assistance it has been rendering to the people.

By the way, had the promises been kept, there would have been no Bersih 2.0 and Bersih 3.0 demanding a clean-up of the electoral system. Had BN stayed true to its words, corruption, cronyism and nepotism would have long died and had the government been faithful to the rakyat, it would not have treated them as commodities, “buying” them over when times were hard.

In short, claims by BN that it has kept to its promises is one big lie. If Umno Youth chief and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin thinks that BN has delivered, he is either delusional or simply trying hard to fool the rakyat.

“Well, I mean it’s up to the voters to decide. We have a track record, we’ve delivered on our promises… It’s our strong point. We have fulfilled our promises [and] it’s going to be an election on who is more likely to fulfil their promises,” he had said.

What track record is Khairy alluding to? As far as the rakyat can remember, BN is all about corruption and cronyism. It is not promises that have been delivered but rather a modus operandi favouring BN has been devised to secure victory in the next general election.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz was also talking nonsense when he claimed that Malaysians in general were comfortable with the government’s promises and their supposed fulfilment.

“If people are not complaining, why are they [Pakatan Rakyat] complaining? They don’t have to complain, and they don’t represent all the people. If they feel threatened and are unhappy, then don’t bother the rakyat.

“We don’t sense that the rakyat are threatened…They (Pakatan) are just the pot calling the kettle black,” Nazri had said.

If people were not complaining, why then did the Bersih 2.0 and Bersih 3.0 take place?

And how has Nazri concluded that the people are “comfortable” with the BN government’s promises?

As far as BN goes, the agenda is all about money. What more will BN do to force the rakyat to support it in lieu of the aid given? Should the people choose not to, what are the repercussions in store for them?

Jeswan Kaur is freelance writer and a FMT columnist.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2012/08/02/a-bn-stain-on-merdeka-day/#ixzz22QCafOii

Pakatan to reduce car taxes gradually

Workers of the industry will not be affected by the move to slash hefty excise duties, says the opposition leader.
FULL REPORT

PETALING JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, in unveiling Pakatan Rakyat’s auto industry revamp plan, said today the pact will implement gradual tax reductions to protect car prices and the used-vehicle market.

The PKR de facto leader also gave his assurance that the workers of the industry will not be affected by the move to slash hefty excise duties unlike what was alleged by the proposal critics.

Detractors claimed local car-makers will likely be hurt by the move as consumers will opt for cheaper imported cars. This will in turn result in the mass retrenchment of workers as business drops.

“The abolition of excise duties and the reduction of car prices will be conducted gradually so the prices of used vehicles and existing car will depreciate slowly,” he told a press conference at the party headquarters here.

“This will be announced annually in the federal budget after taking into consideration the views of financial institutions and stakeholders.

“This is so that the depreciation value and loan assets held by financial institutions are in line with new car prices,” he added.

Pakatan’s political rivals have blasted the proposal as an election winning ploy, saying the opposition bloc will likely draft a new tax scheme to compensate the loss in government revenue generated from car taxes that is estimated to be around RM8 billion annually.

New market

Anwar dismissed the idea, saying Pakatan will introduce incentives to push for the exports of used cars to “new markets” aimed at generating a new revenue stream and at the same time slash hefty expenditures of the Prime Minster’s Department (PMD).

PKR claimed in the past that PMD’s expenses had risen sharply, with last year’s alone amounting to RM11 billion.

But no detailed study was presented to show if the new market for used cars could generate enough income to compensate for the loss in car tax collections, with Anwar merely saying that the plan “is expected” to provide new revenue flows for the government.

There is also the promise to revamp the distribution of APs (approved permits) for imported cars that he said would generate RM2 billion to RM3 billion annually until the system is abolished in 2015.

Anwar, the former deputy prime minister and finance minister, also said Pakatan will reverse the shipping policy on Sabah and Sarawak by abolishing cabotage that requires goods to be shipped domestically with only local vessels.

Freer market

Sabahans and Sarawakians currently have to pay higher prices for cars compared to their peninsular counterparts.

Anwar believes the new policy will drive the local automotive industry forward “and not just for certain quarters” and, at the same time, force local carmakers to compete with international car firms.

Incentives will be given to improve the quality of local cars besides giving “space” to local players to implement strategies with government cooperation.

Anwar said this move will create more jobs in the industry, while preserving its current workforce in a more open business environment.

He said the new auto policy will also go hand-in-hand with improving public transport to tackle traffic congestions. Incentives will also be given to players producing green cars to keep the environment clean.

Pakatan’s auto-policy has generated much interest and will likely be a crucial campaign fodder as it gears up for national polls which must be held by the middle of next year.

Anwar said that a revamped National Auto Policy (NAP) should already be in place to ensure fair competition in an industry rife with corruption and abuses.

Phang tells AG: prove you're not a fraud, liar and criminal

(Malaysian Digest) - Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory panel member Tan Sri Robert Phang (pic) has challenged the Attorney General (AG) Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to disprove allegations made against the latter in a new book on the country’s top legal mind.

The book, titled ‘Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail Pemalsu, Penipu, Penjenayah’ (Fraud, Liar and Criminal), authored by Zainal Abidin Ahmad, was made available to Phang, who claimed it detailed abuses, corruption and criminal acts allegedly committed by the AG.

“I challenge the AG to investigate, arrest and charge the author if the contents aren’t true, and also sue him for defamation. Otherwise, I challenge the MACC and police to investigate these allegations against the AG,” he told reporters at a Press conference in a hotel here today.

This is not the first time that Phang had launched an attack on Abdul Gani. In October 2011, Phang was probed by MACC over allegations of having accepted bribes. Phang later raised allegations that Gani had gone for a haj trip, which was sponsored by certain individuals.

ABU declares war on UMNO / BN

In my ‘Strategising ABU’post, I said :
“We’ve done our homework, and identified the vulnerable BN seats that can be taken and the vulnerable opposition seats that need to be defended.
In Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
For obvious reasons, I’m not going to detail those seats I’ve just mentioned.
Suffice to say that, if we can prise those vulnerable seats away from BN, and successfully defend the existing opposition seats, we should take Putrajaya with a total of 141 seats.
Now, I want to clarify here that by ‘we’, I do not mean Pakatan Rakyat.
I mean the 3 Pakatan parties, working cohesively with the many other non-BN parties in Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
And us, the rakyat”.
And in my “Plan B a no brainer” post, I shared with you the latest intelligence information that we have.
“In Malaya ( what most of you call Semenanjung ), the support for BN and the opposition is split almost right down the middle.
50-50.
What’s very clear is the Chinese vote is solidly behind the move for change.
In Sarawak, BN still has a slight advantage.
Sabah, though, is increasingly becoming the key to who will take Putrajaya post the 13th GE, with Jeffery’s STAR gaining ground daily with its Borneo Agenda, which is resonating with the people of Sabah.
More on what’s going on in Sabah in one of my forthcoming posts.
Recent reports, though, indicate that the Malay sentiment, both in the rural and urban areas, may be swinging back to UMNO, owing to the daily dose of lies and race/religion spin they get through Utusan and TV3 about the possible loss of Malay political dominance, about the danger of the ascendancy of DAP, and thereby the Chinese, if Pakatan comes to power, and this whole business of the hudud.
In my “ABUing Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak” post, I shared with all  of you that the ABU secretariat was working on several efforts and initiatives that will require the involvement of all of you.
Finally, in three short sentences in my “Will RPK make sense of these for us?” post, I alluded to the work all of us will have to throw ourselves into in ABU phase 2.
“We are now in phase 2.
A media war is underway to outreach to the Malay heartlands, to the police and the armed forces.
And to deliver a chilling warning to the new Mykad holders”.
For the last two weeks, a motley crew of taxi drivers, who I fondly and proudly refer to as the ABU Taxi Brigade, have been taking a short message to foreigners who travel in their cabs :  show up at polling stations on polling day during PRU13 and be prepared for dire consequences. The rakyat are no longer prepared to be cheated at the polls.
This is the same message we delivered to the kampung folk in our ABU ceramah in January and February.
If you see foreigners queuing up to get into  the polling stations, get them out, by whatever means.
During this same 2 week period, we soft launched our ABU publicity blitz.

Actress Abby Abadi has gotten into the ABU act. You can, too

Fuel consumers being awakened to the ABU initiaitve

Is Koh Tsu Khoon getting into the ABU act too?

And over the last weekend, I traveled through the north through to the central region, to lay the ground work for our publicity blitz. This week, we will reach out to the east and the south.
What then follows is the launch of our BALIK KAMPUNG BAWA BERITA BENAR campaign.
First issue we are taking out to the kampung folk : MENGAPA HARGA BARANG NAIK?
This issue is affecting 80% of the nation.
ABU pamphlets to explain this are going out.
A special message to the military and police is  also going out, to urge them to side with the rakyat.
Here is how you can involve yourself in these efforts.
The ABU website is up. Please don’t expect something fanciful. You can access it HERE. Its work in progress.
We want you fully involved in the ongoing publicity blitz.
Here’s how.
Click on the ABU stickers thumbnail on the left and a 6 on one pager, in PDF, opens.
Print a 100 copies.
More if you are really inspired.
Don’t bother cutting them into six separate stickers.
Get a can or a tin of glue, head out with a team of friends, and ABUkan public walls.
Please don’t get caught, though.
And when you’re done with this blitz, get ready to help with the MENGAPA HARGA BARANG NAIK? campaign.
Remember the pamphlets that are going out to the kampung?

Click on the cartoon and a PDF version of the pamphlet will open.
Print a 100 copies. Colour, or black and white, it does not matter.
Yes, more  if you are determined to help get the truth to the rakyat.
How to fold it into neat pamphlets?
Go HERE for help.
You are going to BALIK KAMPUNG for the Raya holidays?
BAWA BERITA BENAR.
Take these pamphlets and distribute them to friends and relatives.
This is probably the best Raya gift you can ever give them.
The truth!
All these material are already up on the ABU website. Do go to the site and see for yourself.
I’ll alert you once the material for the military and police personnel are up on the website. Please do the same as I hope you will now do with the MENGAPA HARGA BARANG NAIK? pamphlet.
People, this war against UMNO / BN cannot be won without you.
Please, the time for talking, for commenting here and on other sites, is over.
We have a war to win.
And a nation to take back.
For the anak Bangsa Malaysia long marginalised and left to rot.
Do it for them.

Is that a court room? Damn!

Civil servants and court staff eat here everyday. How to wake them up to the existence of this ABU initiative?

The stairs leading up to the Pusat Penjaja Selera Duta

Road users, wake up ! ABU is here!

Rafizi ‘persecution’ will deter future whistleblowers, says Pua

The Malaysian Insider 
by Clara Chooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 ― Today’s prosecution of PKR’s Rafizi Ramli over his exposé on the RM250 million National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal will frighten away future whistleblowers, DAP MP Tony Pua has said, adding that it showed Barisan Nasional’s (BN) reform agenda was “pure hogwash”.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said Rafizi’s court charge, which comes just over a year after the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 was enacted, would deal a serious blow to public perception of the government’s seriousness in weeding out corruption.

Pua pointed to what he described as a complete lack of urgency in bringing criminal charges against former minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil over the NFC, saying this was proof that Najib was bent on protecting the powerful in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition he leads.

“Rafizi’s persecution will mark the death knell for the Act as no whistleblower will have any trust in the system to protect their interest.

“Such blatant abuse of power will only confirm in the eyes of the world that Najib’s reform agenda is pure hogwash,” Pua said in a statement here.

Rafizi, who is PKR’s strategy director and the man spearheading the NFC exposés, was charged today with violating the Banking and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA) in exposing confidential banking details related of National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp).

The firm, owned by Shahrizat’s family members, runs the federal government’s cattle farming project that has been at the centre of a RM250 million scandal.

The charge proffered under Section 97(1) of the BAFIA stated that Rafizi had disclosed four customer account profiles detailing the balance summary for the NFCorp, the National Meat and Livestock Sdn Bhd, Agroscience and Industries Sdn Bhd and NFCorp chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail, to two individuals identified as Yusuf Abdul Alim and Erle Martin Carvalho.

Under Section 103(1)(a) of the same law, he could be fined a maximum of RM3 million and jailed up to three years if found guilty, which could seriously hobble Rafizi’s chance of standing as a candidate in the 13th general election that must be held by April next year when the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s mandate expires.

The NFCorp and the cattle farming scandal hit the headlines last year when the Auditor-General reported that it had missed its production targets.

Shahrizat, who was a minister when the project was awarded to her family in 2006, relinquished her Cabinet post in early April over the allegations against her family.

On March 12, her husband, Mohamad Salleh, pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM49.7 million with regards to the purchase of two condominium units.

He also pleaded not guilty to two other charges under the Companies Act.

Today, Pua also questioned why only Mohamad Salleh has been charged in court, and even then, only for two key charges ― misappropriating RM40 million of NFC’s money, and acquiring two units of luxury condominium in One Menerung, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur for RM13.5 million.

He said this was despite the fact the NFC’s last audited accounts had shown that more than RM110 million was allegedly misappropriated by the NFCorp’s directors to set up a global chain of companies under their individual names.

Pua further pointed out that Rafizi had also alleged that Shahrizat’s family acquired three luxury condominiums in Singapore worth some RM45 million, as well as a villa in Kazakhstan.

“However, none of these assets have been frozen by the Malaysian authorities and none of the other directors have been charged despite holding various key positions in NFC, including the son, Izran Salleh who is the chief executive officer of NFCorp,” he said.

“Instead of pursuing the culprits who have abused the RM250 million government soft loan extended to NFC, the government has chosen to exact revenge on the whistleblower Rafizi who play the integral role in uncovering the lid on the litany of gross abuses by Shahrizat’s family,” he added.

Pua said despite Rafizi’s charges today, DAP and its leaders will continue to expose all alleged misdeeds and wrongdoings committed by BN leaders.

Umno Continues To Uphold Islam

By Ahmad Shukran Shaharudin

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- There is no assurance that a political party which uses the name, Islam will implement or is capable of implementing Islamic teachings, said religious preacher Datuk Mohd Nakhaie Ahmad.

What more with the uncertainties surrounding its collaboration with non-Muslim political allies, making it even more impossible for a party with an Islamic label to ensure that everything it does is based on the teachings of Islam.

"As Muslims, we should choose a leader who not only vows to uphold the Islamic struggle, but also able to realise the Islamic requirements with wisdom to benefit the people and nation.

"We have to ensure that they are really implemented and not remain as mere rhetoric," he told Bernama when asked whether the use of the name, Islam by a political party would guarantee that it would implement what was required in Islam.

The former president of the Islamic Dakwah Foundation Malaysia (Yadim) said there was no assurance that a political party which used the name, Islam would do everything based on Islamic teachings.

"Moderation in everything is more important that to harp loudly about Islam, when actually nothing is done.

"The excuse that it (PAS) does not have the power to do so cannot be accepted, when it already has power in certain states," he added.

The chairman of the Global Dakwah Friendship Organisation also said that the federal government had carried out various programmes to meet the Islamic agenda, but these efforts were not branded Islamic.

"For example, building of universities, schools, providing water, electricity, houses, mosques and roads for the people. All these are not labelled Islamic although they are demanded in Islam for the people's well-being," he added.

While many Muslims did not fully understand what was demanded by fardhu kifayah (communal obligations), the opposition had the tendency to label everything Islam, and even went to the extent of claiming that insulting and making enemies with fellow Muslims were allowed in Islam, he pointed out.

Mohd Nakhaie, who used to be a PAS vice-president before leaving the party, said it was not necessary to choose a person who looked or seemed pious if he had no knowledge or skills to administer the country, develop its economy and maintain its security, as a leader.

Many Islamic religious scholars, local and foreign, have recognised Malaysia as a model Islamic country due to the various efforts carried out by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government that are in line with Islamic teachings and requirements.

These included the setting up of higher learning institutions such as the International Islamic University, Malaysia in 1983, which has since produced tens of thousands of graduates in various fields, including civil and syariah law, economy, humanities and engineering.

The establishment of Tabung Haji in 1963 was also a manifestation of the BN government's commitment in looking after the interests and welfare of Muslims in the country.

Through efforts like hosting the international Quran recital assembly, which has entered its 54th year and attracting participation from 76 countries this time, Malaysia has become well known and respected in the Muslim world.

The person responsible for starting this event on March 6, 1961, was the first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, who was also known as the "Father of Independence" and "Father of Malaysia".

These are several examples and proof that Islam is held highly by the country's administration.

Muslims should ask themselves whether all these have been achieved by coincidence, with no careful planning and earnest implementation by the Umno-led BN government.

Chairman of the Umno Youth Ulama Secretariat (ILMU), Fathul Bhari Mat Jahaya said Umno provided ample space and opportunities for him to pursue his Islamic missionary work.

"We want to deliver the message of Islam to everyone for common good. Between the Umno and PAS constitutions, Umno's is more encompassing when it comes to meeting the requirements in Islam," he said.

He believes that many young ulama today have got a clearer picture of Umno's real struggle in upholding Islam.

Penang Hindu Endowment Board needs revamp

Devotee from Penang

It's time the Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng makes a decision on how the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) should be managed.

Many issues raised in the past that have been ignored by PHEB over the mismanagement of the Penang Waterfalls Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple.

Ineed many were raised by devotees even before the Thaipusam festival 2012.

The PHEB chairperson should have removed the entire committee after the Maha Kumbabishegam or Consecration Ceremony, which was held on June 29.

The same old committee managing means conflict of interest.

Temple president Kuvenaraju did mention in the meeting with panthal operators that he will resign after the 2012 Thaipusam, but he is still there with a good salary which comes from public funds.

It's time the chief minister as the head of the state government, appoint better deserving and more capable leaders to manage the PHEB board.

This is in view of the latest incident at the temple. It is known that there are illegal private taxis manning the route up to the hill temple.

Devotees are charged a fee for the ride by these private taxis up to the temple under the eyes of the temple committee members and the temple chairperson.

The taxi drivers load seven to eight devotees each time and it's a dangerous drive up the steep hill road leading to the temple.

Last Saturday, a group of seven or eight devotees hired a private taxi and during the ride up the hill, the overloaded taxi which was unable to move uphill causing the brakes to malfunction.

The taxi slid back and the devotees were thrown out of the taxi into the steep ravine.

A few of them were injured and some were given outpatient treatment at a nearby medical institution.

One of the devotees, an elderly lady who had head injuries, died yesterday. Incidentally, the vehicle's road tax had expired and that meant its insurance had also expired.

The PHEB chairperson, the temple chairman and his committee must take full responsibility over this incident and rightfully resign immediately from all posts in the board and the temple.

The matter has also been kept hush-hush within the PHEB board and the temple committee.

It has also been informed that the temple chairperson is in London to watch the Olympic Games.

He did not report the matter or make the effort to see the injured parties. Here we have devotees whose lives are in danger but he has time to go to the Olympic Games.

The matter has been reported in The Star daily today.

The chief minister must take immediate steps to get rid of the rot in the Penang Hindu Endowment Board and the entire Waterfall Temple committee.

He must improve the boards under the governance of the state to keep the trust of the people who voted for him.

'Najib, rakyat memerhatikanmu'

In the name of Religion and Muslim appeasement Delhi is being brought Islamic Supremacy. Steeping up Islam to Capture Delhi in connivance with Congress.

Don’t worry. It’s all in the name of religion.

Author: Balbir K Punj | Daily Pioneer. (Published:30th July, 2012).

The recent construction of an illegal mosque in Delhi is symptomatic of the crass politics of minorityism played by the Congress which is desperate to win Muslim votes.

The nonchalance with which the MLA of Delhi’s Matia Mahal constituency, Mr Shoaib Iqbal, went about raising a mosque at Subhash Park on the pretext that that was the exact spot where an ancient mosque existed is both shocking and not-so-shocking at the same time.

The incident is shocking because the construction of the mosque on land that belonged to North Delhi Municipality and had been leased to Delhi Metro, went on for days but the administration did nothing. It was only after the other locals objected did the Delhi Government intervene and finally a court order was issued to halt the construction. However, by then a massive wall for the proposed mosque had already been built.

On the other hand, the incident is not so shocking because this is what is to be expected from our Government under Congress rule. The entire system bends backwards to please one community to the exclusion of all others in what is drummed up as secularism in India. And hence, some clerics of the community ask the Government to prevent author Salman Rushdie from visiting India, and the Government works to keep him out. Similarly, Muslim leaders in Hyderabad manhandle another famous author Tasleema Nasreen for her writings and the Government gets her to leave the country as well but does not punish the perpetrators.

Worse still, in Muslim majority Jammu & Kashmir, residents of the State have been thrown out lock, stock and barrel because they are Hindus. But the Congress-led Union Government that is supposed to protect the basic rights of every citizen does not even talk about this exodus. On the other hand, the 2002 violence in Gujarat remains a talking point for the Centre even when its alleged victims want to get on with their lives and forget the past.

Don’t worry. It’s all in the name of religion.

Author: Balbir K Punj | Daily Pioneer. (Published:30th July, 2012).

The recent construction of an illegal mosque in Delhi is symptomatic of the crass politics of minorityism played by the Congress which is desperate to win Muslim votes.

The nonchalance with which the MLA of Delhi’s Matia Mahal constituency, Mr Shoaib Iqbal, went about raising a mosque at Subhash Park on the pretext that that was the exact spot where an ancient mosque existed is both shocking and not-so-shocking at the same time.

The incident is shocking because the construction of the mosque on land that belonged to North Delhi Municipality and had been leased to Delhi Metro, went on for days but the administration did nothing. It was only after the other locals objected did the Delhi Government intervene and finally a court order was issued to halt the construction. However, by then a massive wall for the proposed mosque had already been built.

On the other hand, the incident is not so shocking because this is what is to be expected from our Government under Congress rule. The entire system bends backwards to please one community to the exclusion of all others in what is drummed up as secularism in India. And hence, some clerics of the community ask the Government to prevent author Salman Rushdie from visiting India, and the Government works to keep him out. Similarly, Muslim leaders in Hyderabad manhandle another famous author Tasleema Nasreen for her writings and the Government gets her to leave the country as well but does not punish the perpetrators.

Worse still, in Muslim majority Jammu & Kashmir, residents of the State have been thrown out lock, stock and barrel because they are Hindus. But the Congress-led Union Government that is supposed to protect the basic rights of every citizen does not even talk about this exodus. On the other hand, the 2002 violence in Gujarat remains a talking point for the Centre even when its alleged victims want to get on with their lives and forget the past.

Man whipped for drinking water in Iran

Our Persian contact sent this to us this evening. (Thanks Shab) This man was whipped for drinking water during the day during the Muslim month of Ramadan where Muslims are instructed to skip lunch and stuff their faces every morning before sunrise and then again every night after sunset. But they are not allowed to eat or drink during the day and only men over 50 are allowed to have sex during the day. Although I don’t think with each other, I am not 100% clear on how that is supposed to work.
My tribute to the holy month of skipping lunch and killing people is below the photo…

Waythamoorthy back in Malaysia

There was a red alert at the Johor Baru immigration checkpoint, but he was allowed in after half an hour.

JOHOR BARU: Hindraf Makkal Sakti supremo P Waythamoorthy finally returned home to Malaysia at 12.20pm today after living in self-imposed exile in England for 56 months.

He stopped at the Johor Baru immigration checkpoint at noon in a grey Toyota Estima, and there was a slight scare that he might be arrested when his passport was held for about 30 minutes.

He had crossed the causeway after checking out from the Singapore border checkpoint at 11.45am.

There was a red alert on the computer screen of the Malaysian immigration counter when he submitted his passport for clearance. The officer at the counter told him the alert meant that he had to see her superior.

Another official then collected his passport and those belonging to the members of the entourage escorting him, who numbered about 20 and included his wife, K Nageswari, and 10-year-old daughter, Vwaishhnavi.

The fear of arrest dissipated when immigration officials returned the passports.

A relieved Waythamoorthy was driven straight away by Hindraf activists to a local resort.

He is expected to perform prayers at 5pm at a Hindu temple in Ulu Tiram.

During the hiccup at the immigration checkpoint, Waytha said he and the rest of the Hindraf leadership were prepared to handle any situation, including arrest.

Hindraf advisor N Ganesan said Waythamoorthy’s return had opened a new chapter in the movement’s struggle to uphold the civil rights of Malaysian Indians.

“Previously, we fought to establish that there are problems,” Ganesan said. “Now our struggle will be focused on finding effective and decisive solutions to resolve the issues of marginalisation of Indians.”

He said it was time for those in power at both state and federal levels to stop their “political games” and address those issues.

Waythamoorthy left Malaysia three days after the historic Hindraf rally of Nov 25, 2007, which resulted in the detention of several activists under the Internal Security Act. The arrests took place on Dec 13 of that year.

In the following October, the government decided to ban Hindraf.

Earlier, in March 2008, the Malaysian government had revoked Waythamoorthy’s passport. Following this, he applied for and was granted political asylum by the British government.

About a month ago, he filed a class action suit against the British government for alleged wrongs committed against Malaysian Indians during the colonial era.

It was after filing the suit at the London High Court that he announced his intention to return with or without a passport. However, the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore issued him a passport last Monday.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/01/waythamoorthy-back-in-malaysia/#ixzz22JlJmmoY

Pakatan kemaruk hendak perintah negara

Perkasa bidas tema kemerdekaan Pakatan Rakyat - "Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa"

PETALING JAYA: Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) menyifatkan tindakan Pakatan Rakyat mengumumkan tema kemerdekaan alternatif sebagai tanda Pakatan semakin “kemaruk untuk memerintah negara”.

“Mereka ini kemaruk nak memerintah negara. Tunggulah masa kamu,” kata Setiausaha Agung Perkasa, Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

Beliau berkata begitu ketika diminta mengulas pengumuman tema kemerdekaan alternatif oleh Pakatan.

Sasterawan Negara Datuk A Samad Said mengumumkan “Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa” sebagai tema alternatif Pakatan dalam satu sidang akhbar di ibu pejabat PKR hari ini kerana ia lebih mencerminkan semangat kemerdekaan.

Ini bertentangan dengan tema BN “Janji Ditepati”.

Syed Hassan turut mengecam pengumuman tersebut sebagai “tindakan menyibuk” Pakatan.

“Dia orang ni sibuk apa pula? Kerajaan buat bajet, dia pun buat. Kerajaan buat tema kemerdekaan, dia pun buat. Mengarutlah,” kata Syed Hassan.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/01/pakatan-kemaruk-hendak-perintah-negara/#ixzz22Jl2Gmdu

Isu Latheefa balik kepada PKR

Kerajaan negeri tidak terlibat dalam membuat sebarang keputusan membabitkan perkara ini

SHAH ALAM: Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim hari ini berkata keputusan perletakan jawatan ahli Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), Latheefa Koya itu perlu dibuat oleh biro politik Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

“Kerajaan negeri tidak terlibat dalam membuat sebarang keputusan membabitkan perkara ini,” katanya dalam satu sidang media selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat mingguan exco di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditanya pemberita sama ada kerajaan negeri sudah mempunyai keputusan muktamad mengenai perletakan jawatan Latheefa.

Pada 26 Julai lalu, Majlis Pimpinan PKR Negeri (MPN) menyerahkan isu perletakan jawatan Latheefa kepada kerajaan negeri untuk sebarang tindakan lanjut.

Timbalan Pengerusi PKR Selangor dan juga Ahli Parlimen Ampang Zuraida Kamaruddin berkata ini kerana surat perletakan jawatan itu hanya diserahkan kepada kerajaan negeri dan MBPJ.

Maka menurut Zuraida, MPN tidak boleh bertindak namun hanya menyatakan pendirian agar Latheefa mempertimbangkan semula perletakan jawatan sebagai ahli majlis.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/01/isu-latheefa-balik-kepada-pkr/#ixzz22JkYYvRi

Experts: Why politicise Merdeka?

One of the analysts calls for a political ceasefire.

PETALING JAYA: Cast aside your political differences and come together as Malaysians this Merdeka Day.

This was the call that a prominent political analyst made as he spoke to FMT about his distress that partisan lines were being drawn over the Aug 31 celebrations.

“Politicians need to rise above petty political fights,” said Denison Jayasooria, secretary-general of the human rights organisation Proham and a research fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

“The celebration of Merdeka Day must be seen as a national one. Merdeka Day happens for one day. It’s a political ceasefire. Don’t put yourself first, put the nation first.”

He noted that the federal government had not made it a practice to invite opposition MPs to official national celebrations and the latter had usually held their own functions to commemorate Malaysia’s independence from British rule.

There has been no indication that the practice will change this year. Indeed, chances are the divide will be even more apparent, especially with the heavy BN-centric Janji Ditepati (“promises fulfilled”) theme of the celebration.

BN’s refusal to review the theme has prompted Pakatan Rakyat to come up with its own alternative, along with an organising committee led by national laureate A Samad Said.

Jayasooria finds these developments unsettling. He said Merdeka Day was supposed to unite Malaysians of all political persuasions.

He pointed out that opposition leaders in other countries such as Britain and India were routinely invited as VIPs to their national celebrations.

“MPs are chosen by the people. You have to respect the people’s choice. They cannot be isolated from such a national celebration,” he said.

“If you don’t respect an MP or a chief minister, you are disrespecting the people who elected them.”

Jayasooria also had words of advice for Pakatan Rakyat.

“If they’re not invited, they should still go,” he said. “If the leaders don’t put them on the stage, then they should stand with the crowd. If they give in this way, I think people will respect them more.”

Maturity and statesmanship


He said that Malaysia’s lawmakers needed to rise above their differences and behave as mature political leaders and statesmen.

He had one word to describe Pakatan’s plan for a separate celebration: “Not advisable”. And he had a message for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak: mobilise all leaders at federal and state levels to work together for a “joint programme of celebration”.

Universiti Malaya’s Azmi Sharom, although agreeing with Jayasooria, had strong words about the Janji Ditepati theme, which he said was being used to further BN’s chances in the coming election.

“They have hijacked the Merdeka Day celebration and turned it into a campaign for Umno and BN,” he said.

He acknowledged that national celebrations in Malaysia had always been “a very ruling party thing”, but lamented that this year this exclusive control had reached the point of vulgarity.

He also took a swipe at this year’s theme song, the lyrics for which were written by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim.

“Rais should hang onto his day job,” he said. “The lyrics are shameful.”

The song, which focuses heavily on Najib’s recent 1Malaysia government programmes, including the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia RM500 cash aid, has been soundly attacked by local netizens.

Sharom said that the celebration should be about Malaysians, and not about its elected leaders.

“It should not be a BN do or a government do. If you look at the US’s Fourth of July celebrations, they’re not about government involvement. They’re about the people’s involvement.”

However, another analyst from Universiti Malaya, KS Balakrishnan, does not think the theme choice was too serious a matter.

According to him, large events such the Merdeka Day celebrations were always used by governments of the day as an advantage to promote themselves.

The feeling that Merdeka may have been politicised, he said, might have been brought by the public’s awareness that the general election was near.

“The tendency to promote the government as good and right is always there,” he said. “It’s always an advantage to use events to serve the intentions of the government.”

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/08/01/experts-why-politicise-merdeka/#ixzz22JjlVwgs

Desperate MCA doing desperate acts

Senator S.Ramakrishnan,

MCA Chua Soi Lek and his son Chua Tee Yong started the attack on Selangor Talam debt restructuring plan and blaming syabas water rationing on Selangor State government.

Looks like both father and son have targeted Selangor to redeem MCA’s sagging political fortunes.

Selangor Water privatized and Talam debts are both inherited from the previous BN government.

Talam Corp’s easy excess to Selangor land shows the extent of corruption and nepotism of previous BN government.

Many of Talam’s housing projects were abandoned with buyers having to serve housing loans. Many poor people were saddled with bank loan without the house.

Housing and local government minister comes from MCA. Did Chua Soi Lek propose a white paper for this failure of MCA ministers?

PR Selangor has to revive these projects so that the house buyers will get their houses completed. But unfortunately the MCA father and son team choose not see this side of the story.

The Scopene submarine purchase scandal of Mindef involving the highest authority in UMNO/BN which is treason, corruption and murder but MCA never uttered a word on this issue.

MCA choose to ignore PKFZ 12 billion losses, MAS many bailout, Ampang LRT deal and the countless more BN scandals. Talam may have walked away with all the state lands without anyone knowing had BN continued to rule the state government.

One UMNO crony is acquiring all national strategic assets. Tan sri Syed Moktar al-bukhary has proposed a joint venture with Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) to manage all the water business in Malaysia.

He already operates water concession in Johor. Water in Johor is the most expensive. Imagine what a mess the BN government is taking the country into. But MCA father and son team cannot notice these dubious deals.

Did MCA prepare any white paper on the KOMUDA, the deposit taking cooperative which loss an estimated RM3.6 billion belonging to ordinary Chinese members in 1980s? MCA should prepare white paper on the shortage of teachers and low budget allocation to Chinese schools.

MCA past presidents Tan Koon Swan, Kee Yong Wee, Wang Choon Wing, Ling Liong Sik and Chan Kong Choy are either charged or undergoing trial for corruption cases. Chua Soi Lek himself is tainted with sex scandal.

Tan Sri Chan Ah Chye of Talam Corp sweet talked former MBs Muhammad Taib, Abu Hasan Haji Omar and Khir Toyo to alienate large pieces of land for free.

MCA state executives during these periods must be aware and yet did not protest. It’s a mystery how the BN government never endeavored to collect any payment for these lands. But when the PR Selangor Menteri Besar restructured the outstanding debts, MCA finds it corruption and abuse of power.

BN government went ahead and offered the RM7.1 billion west coast expressway to the same Tan Sri Chan Ah Chye’s company Europlus. This deal is sweetened with 60 years toll collection and a government support loan of RM2.2.4 billion.

I don’t think any country will bend backward like this to placate and please their cronies like Malaysia. It’s high time Malaysians of all race and religion get together and retire the 55 years old BN government.

Why Sabah must take itself back… without PKR

Anwar Ibrahim making Azmin Ali Sabah PKR leader was pretty much the biggest clue that PKR does not understand the local populace. It is fairly apparent that PKR practises the Malay-centric mentality that Umno preaches. It is simple; for all its bluster, PKR is just Umno in opposition colours. And Umno and its Malay-dominance ethos is the last thing Sabah needs.

Erna Mahyuni, The Malaysian Insider

Somewhere in Putrajaya, the damage control machinery is going into overdrive.

It would explain why Barisan Nasional (BN) was desperate enough to have one of the least-qualified politicians comment on the two Sabah MPs leaving BN, namely MCA’s president.

Last I heard, MCA is hardly a force to reckon with in the state. Dr Chua Soi Lek? Really, BN?

Before the PKR fanboys start celebrating a “wave of change”, I foresee one thing not changing: PKR’s foothold in the state.

It is far more likely that Sabah politicians will decide to stay within locally-formed parties such as SAPP and UPKO rather than join PKR, DAP or, least likely, PAS.

That is the smartest thing to do because let’s be frank: Neither BN nor Pakatan have Sabahans’ best interests at heart. All Sabah is to them is a pocket of votes, a ticket to claiming Putrajaya.

PKR in its dealings with Sabah and Sarawak have made it clear that they do not understand the local populace and, like Umno, have the same rigid mentality towards race and religion.

Anwar Ibrahim making Azmin Ali Sabah PKR leader was pretty much the biggest clue that PKR does not understand the local populace. It is fairly apparent that PKR practises the Malay-centric mentality that Umno preaches.

If it wasn’t so, then DAP wouldn’t have a reason to exist now, would it? If PKR is truly the inclusive party it claims to be, why should Chinese opposition politicians choose DAP over PKR?

It is simple; for all its bluster, PKR is just Umno in opposition colours. And Umno and its Malay-dominance ethos is the last thing Sabah needs.

Should more Sabah politicians decide to eschew BN, they would be better off forming their own coalitions and “work with” Pakatan.

The problem here is that Anwar and the rest of PKR are still delusional about their chances in the state, unwilling to give ground.

Anwar probably dreams of installing a PKR member as chief minister, where things will probably still remain status quo. Anwar’s government will continue to beggar Sabah’s resources, live off its oil royalties and parcel out contracts as “rewards” to his faithful. Just like Umno.

Allow Sabah more autonomy or self-governance? If Anwar couldn’t give that to Sabah PKR, he wouldn’t give it to Sabah under Pakatan rule.

Sabah PKR is now mostly made up of politicians with very little influence, adept only at being Anwar’s yes-men. Because Anwar is, like most Umno-ilk politicians, more keen on hearing what he wants to hear than what he needs to hear.

Umno will probably still keep the state as the vote will most likely be so split among opposition politicians that BN candidates would win by sheer luck. Or with the help of “new” citizens.

The smartest thing for Sabah BN politicians tired of BN’s empty promises would be just to repeat the 1994 elections and defect right after winning their respective seats.

After all, Sabah created the “frog” phenomenon of jumping whenever they feel like it and at the worst (read: most crucial) moments.

Perhaps for once, Sabah’s politicians will be “frogs” for the right reasons and make a real leap towards taking the state back for its people.

But seeing as Sabah politicians have shown themselves to be mostly self-serving individuals who have no problems signing away our oil rights and Labuan... I’m not very optimistic.

But I would dearly love to be proven wrong.

Malaysia: Cartoonist Case Tests Freedoms

This post is reproduced from here.

Civil Court Ruling Affects Free Expression

JULY 31, 2012

(Bangkok) – A Malaysian civil court ruling in the case of a prominent political cartoonist has set back the right to freedom of expression in the country, Human Rights Watch said today. The verdict finding the initial arrest and detention of Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar, was lawful under the Sedition Act and Printing Presses and Public Act was a disturbing rejection of the right to freedom of expression in all its forms, including cartoons.

However, in a positive development, the court ruled that the authorities’ continued holding of books and artwork seized from Zunar was unlawful after the prosecutor decided to not formally file charges against the cartoonist. The court ruled that the books and artwork immediately be returned to Zunar, and ordered the registrar of the court to assess what damages should be awarded to Zunar. 

Zunar has used political cartoons to highlight the responsibility of government officials for human rights abuses and other problems facing Malaysia. These include corruption, abuse of power, mismanagement of government revenues, racism, and failure to protect religious freedom. Repeated government attempts to stop his cartooning led Zunar on June 15, 2011, to file a civil suit against the government and police seeking damages for unlawful arrest and detention, and for confiscation of books and an original cartoon.

“The court’s verdict against Zunar is no laughing matter, but of real consequence for Malaysia” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The conclusion to be drawn is that politicians and officials who feel stung by Zunar’s pen apparently count for more than free expression.” 

Zunar’s lawsuit stems from police actions on September 24, 2010, several hours before the expected launch of his book Cartoon-O-Phobia. Police raided Zunar’s office in Kuala Lumpur, confiscated all copies of the book they could find, and arrested Zunar for sedition and publishing without a license. After handcuffing him, police ferried Zunar to seven different police stations during the course of an evening before detaining him overnight in a police station one hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. Home Minister Hishammudduin Hussein maintained at the time that Zunar was arrested for poking fun at the judiciary and at religion. However, a judge ordered Zunar released on September 25 without charge when arresting officers could not identify what content in Cartoon-O-Phobia they considered to be seditious.  

In subsequent civil court proceedings, the first defendant, arresting officer Arikrishna Apparau, asserted he had examined Cartoon-O-Phobia, and believed the cartoons capable of confusing Malaysians and inciting hatred of the government and individual leaders. Zunar responded that the police never explained what content in his book they considered seditious, thus violating his right to be promptly informed of the grounds for his arrest.

In his civil suit, Zunar sought the return of all confiscated books plus damages. He alleged that his livelihood had been seriously affected by the continued ban on Cartoon-O-Phobia and two previous books, 1 Funny Malaysia and Perak Darul Kartun (Perak, Land of Cartoon). Government officials have threatened legal action against printing presses and publishers associated with Zunar’s work, and against bookstores who stocked his books. In 2011, Zunar received the prestigious Hellman-Hammett award, given to writers and authors facing political persecution and violations of their rights to free expression.

The government also has announced deepening censorship on cartoons by barring all cartoons for a period of two weeks before the general election, expected to be called later this year. Zunar and a group of political cartoonists announced their opposition to this violation of their rights and said they will defy the ban. 

“The government’s decision to ban cartoons before the elections shows a remarkable lack of confidence in Malaysian voters - not to mention, no sense of humor,” Robertson said. “Politicians from the prime minister down should recognize voters can laugh at them, and the government will not collapse.”

Malaysia's Future Secure Under BN Rule, Says Veteran Politician Sakaran

By Newmond Tibin

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- A Sabah veteran politician foresees a more secure future for Malaysia under the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration, and paid tribute to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for initiating transformation to make the country a developed nation by 2020.

Tun Sakaran Dandai, 82, a former Sabah chief minister, said Malaysians should be grateful that the country had been blessed with leaders who not only helped the country gain independence but also took care of their well-being.

He said he had faced various challenges to the development process in his 50 over years in politics and seen how the country had undergone changes for the better.

Sakaran said the transformation of the country was more pronounced under Najib, whom he described as the architect of the 1Malaysia concept.

"I find that Najib has exceptional qualities. He wants to see the country enter the era of excellence rapidly. In just four years as the prime minister, the people have been overwhelmed by what he is doing and wants done.

"He fulfills his promises to the people. Under the 1Malaysia concept, which gives preference to people regardless of race and religion, we now have the 1Malaysia clinics, 1Malaysia shops, 1Malaysia computers, 1Malaysia unit trust, higher salary for civil servants, subsidy for fishermen and large allocations for rural development.

"All these reflect the honesty of the prime minister in wanting to help the people regardless of race and religion," he said.

Sakaran said he was convinced that the people would be able to enjoy more facilities both in the urban and rural areas under Najib, and expressed the hope that they would give him a fresh mandate to administer the country.

The veteran leader said the transformation programmes required time to be implemented and it was necessary to retain the BN government in the next general election.

Sakaran recalled how the people had to put up with the lack of amenities during the colonial era, unlike now when they had good roads, schools, hospitals, electricity and clean water.

The people of Sabah were "living in the dark" then because not only did they not have electricity supply, the state was also backward in all aspects, including communication.

"For example, taking an unwell person from my village in Semporna to Tawau, where there was a clinic, would require us to travel almost a day by boat. Going to Kota Kinabalu would entail travel by boat over several days because there were no roads.

"The situation has changed now. Almost all major cities and towns and rural villages have tarred roads. If previously, before joining Malaysia in 1963, Sabah was lacking in many areas, now, after 49 years, it has emerged as one of the more developed states in the country," he said.

Sakaran said drastic changes were also seen in the education and health sectors.

"Previously, our children had to go to the peninsula or to other countries to further their studies. Now, we have Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), a branch campus of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), polytechnics and private colleges, as well as primary and secondary schools in every nook and corner of Sabah," he said.

Medical and health facilities were easily available in all the districts of the state, he said, adding that the "flying doctor" service attended to the people in the remote areas.

Sakaran said the BN government had played a vital role in placing the people and country on the right track of development and progress, not only physically but also spiritually, and in terms of solidarity, mutual respect and human capital values.

"The people of Sabah were under opposition rule at one time, and we faced great difficulty then due to a lack of cordial relations between the state and federal governments.

"If there is no cooperation between the state and federal governments, implementation of development programmes will be relatively slow. We do not want a repeat of this. We have seen how rapid development has been in Sabah under the BN," he said.

Sakaran said the Sabah BN government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had raised the state to a stronger economic position.

Hopefully, the people would continue to support the government, and Sabah would remain a stronghold of the BN in the next general election and repeat the excellent performance of the 2008 elections, he said.

Whistleblower Rafizi’s arrest: Aliran responds

Aliran has responded strongly to the arrest of whistleblower Rafizi Ramli under the charge of violating section 97(1) of the Banks and Financial Institutions Act (Bafia), which carries a maximum jail sentence of three years and a fine of up to RM3m.
This is bad news not so much for Rafizi but for the Najib administration – especially with the timing of the announcement yesterday that contract for the Ampang LRT extension had been awarded to a consortium led by George Kent (Malaysia) Bhd.
Read the Aliran statement.

Waytha 's last day in exile

Long-haired man mistaken for a woman in Makkah

A photograph of a man with a long hair showing part of his upper body during Umrah (mini pilgrimage) in Saudi Arabia was mistaken for a woman in social networks, which poured abuse and sarcasm at her.

The picture, taken in the first week of the fasting month of Ramadan, was published in many social websites and one user commented :”It seems this woman misunderstands Umrah and its rules.”

But newspapers in the Gulf kingdom insisted the picture is for an African man not a woman despite the long hair spreading over his shoulders.

“Any sane person will not believe what is published in Facebook, Twitter and other websites…...how can a woman dressed in such a way enter the Grand Mosque without being stopped by the guards,” Alsaudi daily said.

“Even if she manages to get in, thousands of worshippers inside the Mosque will draw her attention to her dress and prevent her from performing Umrah.”

Male beggar in hijab arrested in Dubai

The number of beggars have gone up significantly during the holy month of Ramadan, according to top police officials in Dubai.

The authorities running the anti-begging campaign arrested 37 people last week alone. On Monday a teenage boy in hijab was also caught begging.

The youngster was moving around with a group of women, said Col Salem Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Deputy CID Director, Search and Investigation, Dubai Police.

The 15-year-old boy told investigating officers that he was tempted to beg because of the acitivities of the group he belonged to.

Rumaithi urged public to co-operate with police to report beggars. Children was victims of begging. Adults exploit them for their greed and spoil their future, he added.

About 65 beggars have been arrested so far this year. Between July 17 and 24 police arrested 28 beggars including four women.

‘Waytha’s return rejuvenates Hindraf’

'Hindraf’s detractors want Hindraf to split and implode; it makes life a lot easier for all of them to help themselves to the Indians votes'
INTERVIEW

PETALING JAYA: After spending almost five years in exile in London, Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy is scheduled to return home to Malaysia on Wednesday.

He is now in Singapore, having arrived from London late Sunday. He has been issued a Malaysian passport by the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore, facilitating his return to his home nation without any glithces.

While Waythamoorthy himself believes that the authorities could arrest him upon him stepping into the country, his mere presence back home after the long absence has reignited a strong belief among Hindraf supporters.

Most of them believe that the timing of Waythamoorthy’s return was perfect, just as the nation was gearing up for a general election, a time when the Indian community’s plight could once again be raised at the national level.

Speaking to FMT in an interview recently, Hindraf adviser N Ganesan said Waythamoorthy’s return will herald the emergence of a strong and determined leader to lead the Indian community towards a better future.

“There is unfortunately a serious vacuum in this space today,” he said.

“His presence back in the country will rejuvenate the core Hindraf activist group,” he added.

Ganesan said that Waythamoorthy, who left the country on Nov 28, 2007, three days after the movement organised a mammoth rally in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, would be able to “tell a convincing story on the current sordid state of the marginalised Indians”, especially to the marginalised Indians throughout the country.

“His return will be above partisan politics and will have great appeal to the people and has significant opportunity to unite the Indian Malaysians,” he said.

In the interview, Ganesan also dismissed talk of frictions within the Hindraf ranks. He also explained the relationship between Hindraf and Human Rights Party, helmed by Waythamoorthy’s brother Uthayakumar.

Below is the excerpt of FMT’s interview with Ganesan:

What will be the impact of P Waythamoorthy’s return on Aug 1? What has he achieved during his period in exile?

To start with, the exile is not self-imposed. It was imposed on him. He has only used the exile period to Hindraf’s great advantage and now sees a logical point in his sojourn to return home and test the will of the government to continue to keep him in exile.

Waythamoorthy’s return will herald the emergence of a new strong, determined, independent, proud, brilliant leader of high integrity to lead the Indian community towards a better future. There is unfortunately a serious vacuum in this space today.

Waythamoorthy is a brimming personality for all those who know him. His presence back in the country will rejuvenate the core Hindraf activist group. The logistics of formulating and executing plans will be greatly facilitated. His depth of knowledge about the antecedents leading up to the current sordid state of the marginalised Indians will enable Hindraf to tell a convincing story, especially to the marginalised Indians throughout the country. It will be above partisan politics and will have great appeal to the people and has significant opportunity to unite the Indian Malaysians.

Notice the dead silence on the part of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat on news of Hindraf’s registering of the case against the UK government and his announcement to return to Malaysia. It is not that they are not interested. They are very interested. In the recent candle-light vigil on July 20, 2012, across the country demanding the government issue a passport to Waythamoorthy to return to Malaysia, there was a very significant number of Special Branch plainclothes policemen in attendance at all the vigils. What was the need?

What is the role of Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy and that of Hindraf de facto leader P Uthayakumar?

Uthayakumar has always only been the legal adviser to Hindraf. Uthayakumar has been named the de facto leader by the local media in the absence of Waythamoorthy from the local scene. Uthayakumar remains the legal adviser to Hindraf and the pro-tem secretary-general of the Human Rights Party and Waythamoorthy is the chairperson of Hindraf, who leads and directs all activities of Hindraf.

Is there a split within the Hindraf ranks?

The answer is clearly, no, there is no split within the Hindraf ranks. Hindraf has its share of differences like any other and the media has a field day with all of that.

Look at (DAP chairman) Karpal (Singh)’s ‘over my dead body comment’ on the Islamic state issue and look at all the senior Chinese DAP leaders’ ongoing dead silence on the matter – do they have a split in their ranks?

Look at the recent statement by PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who congratulated Umno on its assemblyperson’s proposal to implement hudud law in Johor for all races. Not long after, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, the Kota Raja PAS MP, in a comment stated that Pakatan would also fight for Hindraf’s cause, although not on a racial platform.

One of Hindraf’s key causes is the elimination of state-sponsored religious supremacist policies, something which runs clear in the face of what the PAS spiritual leader had just said about implementing hudud for all races. So, is there a split within PAS’ ranks?

On the same topic, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek has hit out at Umno’s Kemelah assemblyperson Ayub Rahmat for proposing that the Islamic hudud law be implemented for all – both Muslims and non-Muslims – in Johor. Is there a split in BN ranks?

Then there are persistent rumours that Muhyiddin Yassin and Najib Tun Razak are on different song sheets on many issues in Umno – so is there a split in Umno, or even an imminent one?

Why this question arises for Hindraf is, Hindraf’s detractors want Hindraf to split and implode; it makes life a lot easier for all of them to help themselves to the Indians votes without first having to settle their dues properly. Hindraf is not about to let anything like that happen, so this is just wishful thinking on their part.

What is the relationship between Hindraf, Hindraf Makkal Sakthi and Human Rights Party, if any?

Hindraf was the original name; Hindraf Makkal Sakthi was the name adopted after the ban by the government. There is no difference between the two, just like Umno and Umno Baru.

Hindraf is the overarching mother organisation headed by Waythamoorthy. The Human Rights Party is the political wing of Hindraf headed by Uthayakumar. Hindraf has taken a decision to run along somewhat independent lines now, as a short-term measure to resolve tactical differences that have emerged recently. Hindraf believes that time will show the effectiveness or lack of it of the different tactical approaches. In fact, Hindraf will emerge stronger, much stronger after Waythamoorthy’s return.

Read more: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/07/31/waythas-return-rejuvenates-hindraf/#ixzz22DrG6bIa