A Russian woman passes near the site of an animal sacrifice in Tver on November 16.
Friday, 4 October 2013
Qatar 2022, after the massacre of migrants Kathmandu recalls its ambassador
From the poorest villages of Nepal to the yards Doha 2022 host of the next World Cup; Qatar promotes a modern form of slavery. More than one million migrants ' trapped ' in the country: thousands are Nepalese.
Kathmandu ( AsiaNews) - In the face of inhuman living conditions imposed on foreign workers in Qatar , the authorities in Kathmandu yesterday decided to withdraw its ambassador from Doha . "We recalled our diplomatic representative following a controversy over his ability to work - said Madhay Poudel , government spokesman - he was unable to protect and promote the interests of our people in Qatar ."
In a survey carried out by the British newspaper The Guardian, the country is described as the worst place in which a Nepalese can emigrate to find work. Between 4 June and 8 August this year , at least 44 foreign workers have died from heart problems or accidents in the workplace and the trend is clearly worsening since FIFA has decided to award the 2022 edition of the World Cup to Doha. They are 4 thousand immigrants who have already lost their lives in the building yards of Doha , 2022. " We are using all our diplomatic channels - added Poudel - if the situation gets worse we will take measures after talking with the Qatari authorities ."
The country has well-established system of kafala (or sponsor) , under which a migrant workers are deprived of their passport and submissive to their employer. They are subject to minimum wages, inhuman hours and working patterns. Without the permission of their ' sponsors ' they can not resign , leave the country or file a complaint in case of abuse , under penalty of arrest or deportation. These are just some of the most dramatic aspects of a form of modern slavery which now traps more than a million people. The 75 billion dollars of investment planned for the World Cup in 2022 - already agreed on with major Western and Brazilian companies - have only encouraged this trend ..
FIFA , which will meet in Zurich on October 3 , nonetheless is trying to reassure international public opinion expressing its will to fight this trend : "The health , safety and dignity of every employee who contributes to the creation of the infrastructure for the next world cup is a priority of our committee - it said in a statement that appeared on the BBC on behalf of the organizers - we want to ensure that the event will be an example of sustainable development and will help to improve the working conditions of migrants in the country. "
Kathmandu ( AsiaNews) - In the face of inhuman living conditions imposed on foreign workers in Qatar , the authorities in Kathmandu yesterday decided to withdraw its ambassador from Doha . "We recalled our diplomatic representative following a controversy over his ability to work - said Madhay Poudel , government spokesman - he was unable to protect and promote the interests of our people in Qatar ."In a survey carried out by the British newspaper The Guardian, the country is described as the worst place in which a Nepalese can emigrate to find work. Between 4 June and 8 August this year , at least 44 foreign workers have died from heart problems or accidents in the workplace and the trend is clearly worsening since FIFA has decided to award the 2022 edition of the World Cup to Doha. They are 4 thousand immigrants who have already lost their lives in the building yards of Doha , 2022. " We are using all our diplomatic channels - added Poudel - if the situation gets worse we will take measures after talking with the Qatari authorities ."
The country has well-established system of kafala (or sponsor) , under which a migrant workers are deprived of their passport and submissive to their employer. They are subject to minimum wages, inhuman hours and working patterns. Without the permission of their ' sponsors ' they can not resign , leave the country or file a complaint in case of abuse , under penalty of arrest or deportation. These are just some of the most dramatic aspects of a form of modern slavery which now traps more than a million people. The 75 billion dollars of investment planned for the World Cup in 2022 - already agreed on with major Western and Brazilian companies - have only encouraged this trend ..
FIFA , which will meet in Zurich on October 3 , nonetheless is trying to reassure international public opinion expressing its will to fight this trend : "The health , safety and dignity of every employee who contributes to the creation of the infrastructure for the next world cup is a priority of our committee - it said in a statement that appeared on the BBC on behalf of the organizers - we want to ensure that the event will be an example of sustainable development and will help to improve the working conditions of migrants in the country. "
Saudi jails, lashes “naked” dancers, reports say
A Saudi court has sentenced four
men to up to 10 years in prison and 2,000 lashes for dancing "naked" in
public, media reported on Thursday.
In a video posted on YouTube, several men appear dancing atop a vehicle in the ultra-conservative province of Qassim. None seemed naked.
The court in Buraydah, Qassim's provincial capital, sentenced one defendant to 10 years in prison and 2,000 lashes, and another to seven years in prison and 1,200 lashes, Al-Sharq newspaper reported in what media have dubbed the "naked dancing" case.
Their two companions were jailed for three years and sentenced to 500 lashes each, it said.
The four were charged with "dancing on a vehicle in public and posting a video online, encouraging vice, defying norms of the society and violating public morals," according to Al-Sharq.
Two of them were identified as security officials.
Saudi Arabia applies a strict version of Islamic shariah law that imposes many social restrictions and bans public entertainment.
In a video posted on YouTube, several men appear dancing atop a vehicle in the ultra-conservative province of Qassim. None seemed naked.
The court in Buraydah, Qassim's provincial capital, sentenced one defendant to 10 years in prison and 2,000 lashes, and another to seven years in prison and 1,200 lashes, Al-Sharq newspaper reported in what media have dubbed the "naked dancing" case.
Their two companions were jailed for three years and sentenced to 500 lashes each, it said.
The four were charged with "dancing on a vehicle in public and posting a video online, encouraging vice, defying norms of the society and violating public morals," according to Al-Sharq.
Two of them were identified as security officials.
Saudi Arabia applies a strict version of Islamic shariah law that imposes many social restrictions and bans public entertainment.
Gnanalingam emerges as billionaire following IPO
KINIBIZ Westports Holdings Bhd executive chairperson G Gnanalingam has become a billionaire as the main operator at one of Malaysia's biggest ports sells shares.
Gnanalingam (left),
69, and his family will reduce their stake in Westports to 46.8 percent
from 60 percent previously, according to the company's prospectus.
Their stake in the company after the share sale is valued at about
US$1.2 billion (RM3.9 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires
Index.He and his family are also getting about US$350 million from selling some stock. Shares will start trading in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 18.
Westports operates facilities at Port Klang, one of the main hubs serving container traffic along the Straits of Malacca, which links Asia with the Middle East and Europe.
Westports has a 69 percent share of container volume at the port, with six terminals and the potential to build another three, according to its website.
"It is strategic in terms of shipping logistics," said Alan Richardson, a Hong Kong-based money manager at Samsung Asset Management, which bought the company's shares. "It is well located along the Straits of Malacca, which is the key shipping route from the west to the east."
The billionaire, who declined to comment on the share sale or plans for Westports, said that he runs the company like a soccer team manager.
"You prepare the team, and train them up and let them play their own game," he said in an interview by phone today. "At the end of the season, you look for better players."
Top of range
The port operator priced its IPO at RM2.50 apiece, at the top end of a range offered to investors, after getting excess demand for the shares.
Known as "Tan Sri G" - Tan Sri is an honorific title bestowed by the Malaysian King - the billionaire is preparing to hand over the reins of the company to his 37-year-old son, Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, the chief executive officer.
Ruben joined Westports in 2005 after graduating from the London School of Economics & Political Science.
Born in Singapore, the patriarch grew up in Port Dickson on Malaysia's west coast and Kuala Pilah town in Negri Sembilan state. He graduated from Universiti Malaya and Harvard Business School, according to his biography on Westports' website.
He started his career as a sales representative with British American Tobacco group and advanced to become marketing director at age 34. He stayed on for another 19 years before setting up a marketing company, G-team Consultants, which handled the commercial operations of Malaysia's state-owned broadcast station.
In 1994, he started Westports "from a barren, swampy island" and transformed it into the main container terminal operator in Port Klang, according to the website.
'F1 spirit'
He urges his operations team to embrace the "F1 Spirit" and emulate the swiftness of the engineers at a pit stop in being able to change the tires of a Formula One car and service it in just seconds.
"If I have to change the tires of my car, that will take half an hour," he said in the interview. "If you get organised and ready for everything, it will just take six seconds."
Each crane at Westports moves 35 containers an hour, compared with the industry standard of 27, giving faster turnaround for vessels, Gnanalingam said on the company's website. It handled container throughput of 6.9 million 20-foot equivalent units last year, the company said.
"The growth outlook is promising," Samsung Asset's Richardson said. "Fifteen percent annual earnings growth is targeted over the next three years based on shipping container growth and higher tariffs."
- Bloomberg
Zahid, IGP ticked off over “idiotic” guns lost at sea explanation
Opposition MPs spared no punches when they described Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid
Hamidi and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s explanation on the missing firearms as “ridiculous and idiotic".The 2012 Auditor General Report, which was released this week, revealed that the police force had lost RM1.33 million worth of equipment, including 44 guns and 29 vehicles.
The opposition was convinced the missing firearms were related to the recent spike in violent crime and shootings.
Khalid moved swiftly the same day to defend his men, saying the 44 missing firearms could have "fallen into the sea" from boats, thus making it difficult to recover.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok (pic), who heads the DAP crime action task force, did not mince her words when she described Khalid's explanation as “idiotic”.
She told The Malaysian Insider today that despite the firearms going missing between 2010 and 2012, the police are only now hastily coming up with an explanation.
"How does Khalid know that they fell into the ocean? Would any Malaysian in his right mind accept such a lame and unjustified explanation?" Kok asked, lambasting the police for making excuses to deflect attention from their inefficiencies.
She also attacked Ahmad Zahid, saying he and Khalid behaved like brothers. She cited the manner in which the both of them pushed through the changes to the Prevention of Crime Act in Parliament, ignoring the Attorney-General and civil society.
"The PCA is an excellent example of both Khalid and Ahmad Zahid working hand in hand and bulldozing whatever they think is correct," Kok said.
DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke, meanwhile, said Khalid's statement was ridiculous.
"How can the Inspector-General of Police come up with this kind of explanation? A missing bullet, let alone an entire firearm, is a very serious matter and the police should be accountable to the public," Loke told The Malaysian Insider.
"The least Khalid can do is to form a high-powered task force to probe the issue and determine the cause of the firearms going missing. Another question which needs to be answered is how such a thing occurred within the police force in the first place.”
Loke said he was speechless when Ahmad Zahid supported Khalid by describing his explanation as being very transparent.
Professor P. Sundramoorthy from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said he was appalled at the reason given by the nation's top cop for the missing weapons, pointing out that it was obvious there were weaknesses within the police force in terms of handling firearms.
"One or two missing firearms can be explained but 44 missing firearms? I hope this does not reflect the efficiency of the police in terms of handling and caring for firearms," said Sundramoorthy.
"The police must be accountable for the missing firearms because there are very strict and severe laws in Malaysia governing the use and possession of firearms. While on duty, a policeman who has been issued a firearm is responsible for it," he added, stressing on the need for serious action taken against those who lose police property.
Sundramoorthy said the public would be disappointed that the country's number one policeman gave such a lame excuse to explain the disappearance of 44 firearms.
He hoped the entire issue would be thoroughly investigated and a proper explanation given to the public. - October 3, 2013.
‘My sex video not cause for GE defeat’
Gerakan and SUPP do not have morally-tainted leaders, yet they suffered heavy defeats in the general election, said MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek rubbished claims that his involvement in a sex video in the past has driven voters away from MCA in the 13th general election.
Chua said should voters were really in favour of untainted leaders, Gerakan and Sarawak’s United Peoples’ Party would not have left with only one parliamentary seat each today.
“If you say my sex video was the cause of Chinese rejecting MCA, then why Koh Tsu Koon, the Gerakan leader with a clean record, was only left with one seat whereas MCA had seven? he asked.
“What about SUPP’s (president) Peter Chin? His party was also left with one seat. Perhaps he has a sex video as well,” he said.
Chua was responding to his political rival Liow Tiong Lai’s statement that the morally- tainted president was the reason behind MCA’s disastrous defeat in the May polls.
“Many voters have teased us with the word ‘VCD’ when we went around campaigning,” Liow had said.
A group of pro-Chua central committee members have called for an EGM to censure Liow for failing to discharge his duty as MCA’s election preparation committee head and to discuss the need to reverse the party’s “no government post” pledge.
Chua has admitted in 2008 that he was the man in a widely-circulated video that shows him engaging in sexual acts with a young woman.
As a result of the video, Chua resigned as the health minister, Labis MP and MCA vice- president.
Chua said Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was also implicated in several sex videos, but never had the guts to admit it like how he did.
“His party still won 31 seats, so it is up to you to make a conclusion,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek rubbished claims that his involvement in a sex video in the past has driven voters away from MCA in the 13th general election.Chua said should voters were really in favour of untainted leaders, Gerakan and Sarawak’s United Peoples’ Party would not have left with only one parliamentary seat each today.
“If you say my sex video was the cause of Chinese rejecting MCA, then why Koh Tsu Koon, the Gerakan leader with a clean record, was only left with one seat whereas MCA had seven? he asked.
“What about SUPP’s (president) Peter Chin? His party was also left with one seat. Perhaps he has a sex video as well,” he said.
Chua was responding to his political rival Liow Tiong Lai’s statement that the morally- tainted president was the reason behind MCA’s disastrous defeat in the May polls.
“Many voters have teased us with the word ‘VCD’ when we went around campaigning,” Liow had said.
A group of pro-Chua central committee members have called for an EGM to censure Liow for failing to discharge his duty as MCA’s election preparation committee head and to discuss the need to reverse the party’s “no government post” pledge.
Chua has admitted in 2008 that he was the man in a widely-circulated video that shows him engaging in sexual acts with a young woman.
As a result of the video, Chua resigned as the health minister, Labis MP and MCA vice- president.
Chua said Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was also implicated in several sex videos, but never had the guts to admit it like how he did.
“His party still won 31 seats, so it is up to you to make a conclusion,” he said.
Gaji minima: PSM bidas kenyataan bercanggah Riot
Kini sudah 10 bulan dan nampaknya semakin hari semakin jelas bahawa Akta Gaji Minima gagal dilaksanakan, kata S Arutchelvan.
PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) membidas Menteri Sumber Manusia Datuk Richard Riot yang mengeluarkan kenyataan bercanggah berhubung isu pelaksanaan Akta Gaji Minima.
“Kini sudah 10 bulan dan nampaknya semakin hari semakin jelas bahawa Akta Gaji Minima gagal dilaksanakan,” kata setiausaha agung S Arutchelvan dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Menurutnya, gaji minima RM900 di Semenanjung Malaysia dan RM800 di Sabah dan Sarawak yang diumumkan pada 1 Januari 2013 masih belum dilaksanakan dengan sepenuhnya untuk para pekerja di negara ini.
Beliau berkata, pihaknya menerima aduan terhadap lebih 200 majikan yang tidak melaksanakan Akta Gaji Minima.
Tegas beliau, “mereka juga melakukan pelbagai manipulasi seperti memasukkan elaun dalam gaji minima, tambah hari kerja, menghentikan elaun pengangkutan, menghentikan bayaran lebih masa dan banyak lagi untuk mengelak daripada pelaksanaan gaji minima.
“Apa yang mendukacitakan kami bukannya manipulasi majikan tetapi peranan Kementerian Sumber Manusia (KSM),” katanya.
Menurutnya, Riot dalam akhbar The Star 24 September lalu berkata tiada sebarang aduan tentang gaji minima diterima oleh KSM sejak pelaksanaan Akta tersebut.
Ujar Arutchelvan, “ini adalah satu pembohongan besar di mana PSM telah menyerahkan lebih 100 aduan terhadap majikan yang melanggar Polisi Gaji Minima. Lebih 100 aduan ini melibatkan ribuan pekerja tempatan dan luar negeri.
Riot juga dipetik Bernama pada 27 Ogos lalu mengatakan bahawa pihaknya tidak akan memberi sebarang kelonggaran kepada mana-mana syarikat mulai Ogos 2013 daripada pelaksanaan gaji minima.
“Tetapi Menteri berkenaan pada 1 Oktober lalu mengatakan bahawa kesemua 600,000 Syarikat Kecil dan Sederhana (SMEs) telah diberi kelonggaran daripada melaksanakannya sehingga Disember 2013.
“Kenyataan-kenyataan dari KSM memberi gambaran bahawa kerajaan tidak konsisten dan tidak serius dalam pelaksanaan Polisi Gaji Minima malah seolah-olah bersekongkol dengan para majikan untuk tidak melaksanakan Akta Gaji Minima,” jelas Arutchelvan.
Beliau berkata PSM kecewa kerana nasihat dan cadangan pihaknya untuk membantu SMEs tidak diendahkan.
“Ini kerana selagi tiada satu pendekatan serius untuk menyelesaikan masalah SMEs, maka selagi itulah tidak akan ada pelaksanaan gaji minima secara keseluruhan bagi pekerja di Malaysia. Oleh itu kami mencadangkan:
PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) membidas Menteri Sumber Manusia Datuk Richard Riot yang mengeluarkan kenyataan bercanggah berhubung isu pelaksanaan Akta Gaji Minima.“Kini sudah 10 bulan dan nampaknya semakin hari semakin jelas bahawa Akta Gaji Minima gagal dilaksanakan,” kata setiausaha agung S Arutchelvan dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Menurutnya, gaji minima RM900 di Semenanjung Malaysia dan RM800 di Sabah dan Sarawak yang diumumkan pada 1 Januari 2013 masih belum dilaksanakan dengan sepenuhnya untuk para pekerja di negara ini.
Beliau berkata, pihaknya menerima aduan terhadap lebih 200 majikan yang tidak melaksanakan Akta Gaji Minima.
Tegas beliau, “mereka juga melakukan pelbagai manipulasi seperti memasukkan elaun dalam gaji minima, tambah hari kerja, menghentikan elaun pengangkutan, menghentikan bayaran lebih masa dan banyak lagi untuk mengelak daripada pelaksanaan gaji minima.
“Apa yang mendukacitakan kami bukannya manipulasi majikan tetapi peranan Kementerian Sumber Manusia (KSM),” katanya.
Menurutnya, Riot dalam akhbar The Star 24 September lalu berkata tiada sebarang aduan tentang gaji minima diterima oleh KSM sejak pelaksanaan Akta tersebut.
Ujar Arutchelvan, “ini adalah satu pembohongan besar di mana PSM telah menyerahkan lebih 100 aduan terhadap majikan yang melanggar Polisi Gaji Minima. Lebih 100 aduan ini melibatkan ribuan pekerja tempatan dan luar negeri.
Riot juga dipetik Bernama pada 27 Ogos lalu mengatakan bahawa pihaknya tidak akan memberi sebarang kelonggaran kepada mana-mana syarikat mulai Ogos 2013 daripada pelaksanaan gaji minima.
“Tetapi Menteri berkenaan pada 1 Oktober lalu mengatakan bahawa kesemua 600,000 Syarikat Kecil dan Sederhana (SMEs) telah diberi kelonggaran daripada melaksanakannya sehingga Disember 2013.
“Kenyataan-kenyataan dari KSM memberi gambaran bahawa kerajaan tidak konsisten dan tidak serius dalam pelaksanaan Polisi Gaji Minima malah seolah-olah bersekongkol dengan para majikan untuk tidak melaksanakan Akta Gaji Minima,” jelas Arutchelvan.
Beliau berkata PSM kecewa kerana nasihat dan cadangan pihaknya untuk membantu SMEs tidak diendahkan.
“Ini kerana selagi tiada satu pendekatan serius untuk menyelesaikan masalah SMEs, maka selagi itulah tidak akan ada pelaksanaan gaji minima secara keseluruhan bagi pekerja di Malaysia. Oleh itu kami mencadangkan:
- Memberi subsidi kepada syarikat yang hanya membayar gaji minima. Sebelum ini banyak kali kerajaan bail-out (menyelamatkan) majikan besar semasa krisis ekonomi. Mengapa SME tidak boleh dibantu untuk dibayar gaji minima padahal jika pekerja mendapat gaji munasabah, maka mereka akan membelanjakan wang kembali ke dalam sistem ekonomi negara.
- Mengecualikan firma kecil daripada bayaran cukai untuk satu tempoh;
- Menawarkan letrik dengan kadar yang lebih rendah untuk satu tempoh masa bagi syarikat SMEs.
Felda mahu gadai tanah peneroka?
Anak mendakwa Felda menawarkan jumlah bayaran RM500,000 sekiranya peneroka bersetuju memajak 10 ekar tanah mereka untuk tempoh 30 tahun.
KUALA LUMPUR: Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak) membuat laporan polis berhubung dakwaan terdapat pujukan daripada pihak pengurusan Felda agar peneroka memajak tanah milik mereka.Berdasarkan maklumat, Anak mendakwa Felda menawarkan jumlah bayaran RM500,000 sekiranya peneroka bersetuju memajak 10 ekar tanah mereka untuk tempoh 30 tahun.
Cara pambayarannya adalah RM500,000 itu diberikan mengikut pecahan iaitu RM100,000 dibayar kepada peneroka (dengan bayaran RM5,000 sebulan), RM150,000 dimasukkan ke dalam Koperasi Permodalan Felda (KPF), manakala selebihnya digunakan untuk pengurusan peneroka sepanjang tempoh 30 tahun.
Menurut Anak, pengurusan Felda sudah memulakan taklimat sejak Raya Aidilfitri Ogos lalu di beberapa kawasan penempatan Felda, antaranya Felda Kemahang, Felda Sungai Tengi dan Felda Teloi Timur dan ada peneroka yang bersetuju dengan tawaran berat sebelah itu.
“Berdasarkan maklumat ini saya bimbang tanah saya akan dilibatkan dengan penggadaian. Saya yakin hasrat utama Felda adalah gadai tanah peneroka kepada pihak bank untuk mendapatkan pinjaman.
“Kalau tanah sendiri telah dipajak dan perjanjian penyelenggaraan juga diserah hak, maka apa gunanya terus memajak tanah peneroka kalau bukan disalah guna.
“Saya bimbang kesan gadaian sekiranya pinjaman dibuat daripada pihak bank dengan disandarkan pajakan peneroka, maka bank boleh melelong tanah peneroka sekiranya Felda gagal membayar balik pinjaman yang dipajak,” kata peneroka Nazara Muda dalam laporan polisnya.
Laporan itu dibuat Nazara di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Dang Wangi di sini tengahari tadi, ditemani Presiden Anak Mazlan Aliman, Penasihat Ekonomi Anak Dr Rosli Yaakop dan peguam Haris Abdullah.
Bagaimanapun, keraguan utama timbul apabila wujud sekatan kepentingan dalam surat pajakan tanah yang ditentukan kerajaan negeri selaras dengan Akta Kawasan Penempatan Berkelompok (GSA) di bawah Tanah Rizab Melayu.
Syarat pajakan tanah
Mengikut syarat pajakan tanah kerajaan negeri Pahang, tanah yang dikurniakan tidak boleh dijual, digadai, dipajak, dicagar atau dipindah milik dengan apa cara sekalipun termasuk menggunakan segala surat perjanjian yang bertujuan untuk melepaskan atau menjual tanah tanpa penguasa negeri.
Syarat itu juga menyebut, jika kebenaran diberikan maka penjualan, gadaian, cagaran, pajakan atau pindah milik itu hanya boleh dibuat kepada tidak lebih dua orang sahaja.
Selain itu, tanah yang dikurniakan itu juga tidak boleh dilakukan sama seperti di atas melainkan bersekali dengan hak milik (lot ladang) yang berpegang dengan hak milik lot rumah.
“Namun Felda masih berdegil untuk mendapatkan pajakan tanpa menghiraukan sekatan tersebut.
“Pada hemat saya, sekatan tersebut adalah untuk menjaga kepentingan peneroka tanah agar tidak tergadai,” kata Nazara dalam laporan polis.
Beliau sehubungan itu mendesak pihak berkuasa menyiasat proses pengambilan tanah peneroka.
Katanya, ada satu perancangan daripada Felda yang akan menjejaskan kehidupan peneroka dan bersedia mengemukakan saksi yang hadir taklimat jika diperlukan.
Jelajah ‘Selamatkan Felda 2.0′
Sementara itu, Mazlan ketika ditemui diperkarangan luar IPD berkata, Anak akan mengadakan jelajah ‘Selamatkan Felda 2.0′ memberi penerangan kepada peneroka tentang muslihat di sebalik tawaran tersebut minggu depan yang akan bermula di Jengka, Pahang.
Katanya, peneroka bakal kehilangan tanah sekiranya Felda gagal melunaskan pinjaman pajakan mereka setelah tamat tempoh tersebut sekaligus membuka risiko tanah tersebut dilelong.
Mazlan juga mendesak agar Pengerusi Felda, Tan Sri Isa Samad dan juga Pengarah Besar Felda Datuk Faizoull Ahmad memberikan penjelasan mengenai dakwaan tersebut.
Increase in number of cops flouting the law
Between June 2009 and June 2013, 6,335 police officers were hauled up for disciplinary offences while 1,764 for violating the law, says the Home Ministry.
KUALA LUMPUR: Each year, more and more police officers are flouting the law and committing disciplinary offences, the Home Ministry revealed today.
Since 2009 to June 2013, 6,335 police officers committed disciplinary offences while 1,764 violated the law, according to a written reply to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng in Parliament.
“Based on police records, 976 officers were involved in disciplinary cases in 2009; 1,023 in 2010; 1,130 in 2011; 1,400 in 2012 and 1,806 (from January 2013) to June 2013,” the Home Ministry wrote.
“For cases involving violation of the law among police officers, at least 119 were involved in 2009; 393 in 2010; 456 in 2011; 478 in 2012 and 318 (from January 2013) to June 2013.”
In 2009 and 2010, 94 officers were charged in court; 98 in 2011; 84 in 2012 and 36 in 2013.
The rise in numbers fly in the face of the BN-led government’s insistence that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCMC) – a body to investigate disciplinary offences – was unnecessary.
The government said the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) was sufficient to handle issues of integrity and discipline among the police despite civil societies’ cries to the contrary.
KUALA LUMPUR: Each year, more and more police officers are flouting the law and committing disciplinary offences, the Home Ministry revealed today.Since 2009 to June 2013, 6,335 police officers committed disciplinary offences while 1,764 violated the law, according to a written reply to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng in Parliament.
“Based on police records, 976 officers were involved in disciplinary cases in 2009; 1,023 in 2010; 1,130 in 2011; 1,400 in 2012 and 1,806 (from January 2013) to June 2013,” the Home Ministry wrote.
“For cases involving violation of the law among police officers, at least 119 were involved in 2009; 393 in 2010; 456 in 2011; 478 in 2012 and 318 (from January 2013) to June 2013.”
In 2009 and 2010, 94 officers were charged in court; 98 in 2011; 84 in 2012 and 36 in 2013.
The rise in numbers fly in the face of the BN-led government’s insistence that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCMC) – a body to investigate disciplinary offences – was unnecessary.
The government said the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) was sufficient to handle issues of integrity and discipline among the police despite civil societies’ cries to the contrary.
This is a government that doesn’t care!
P Ramakrishnan, ALIRAN In a very determined and desperate mood, the Barisan Nasional has bulldozed through a pliant parliament the much opposed amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959.
These were rushed through the night and passed well past midnight on the morning of 3 October 2013..
The BN did not care that there was no need for this unholy rush to pass these draconian laws during the night when MPs were tired and exhausted by the long day of debate.
It did not care that after more than seven hours of debate during the second reading, weary MPs would not be fresh in body and alert in mind to continue debating the amendments late into the night during the committee stage.
It did not care to postpone discussion to the next day so that the amendments could be debated in a more cordial atmosphere after a good night’s sleep.
It did not do any of this because this is a government that doesn’t care!
It is ironic that the BN which only received 47 per cent of the votes wields so much power that it could ignore and be dismissive of the 51 per cent of voters who oppose these amendments for very valid reasons.
It is unthinkable that 115 elected BN MPs could be so callous and arrogant as to be indifferent to the many voices of dissent that have spoken up against these amendments so forcefully and passionately. They have turned a deaf ear to the critics’ arguments and justification as to why these amendments should be jettisoned.
They just don’t care what you think and what you want.
Their conduct is an affront to the entire nation. Their indifference is indecent and shocking and smacks of dictatorship.
These amendments are so abhorrent, repulsive, outrageous and scandalous to our notion of the rule of law that it is inconceivable that a democratic government preaching good governance and sitting on the UN Human Rights Council could have come up with such atrocious amendments.
But then, they just don’t care.
This is a government that doesn’t care two hoots for parliamentary democracy or for the rule of law. It has clearly forfeited its right to continue to govern this nation. They have lost their moral legitimacy to remain in power.
Obama Cancels Most of His Asia Trip
Obama throws up his hands
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The antics of Republican US Congressmen have led to the cancellation of almost all of President Barack Obama's trip to Southeast Asia, although his schedule is still in doubt over the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference to be held next week.
The US domestic political crisis may well lead to the cancellation of that visit as well. Unless there is some resolution of the US budget issue, it is unlikely that anybody in Southeast Asia will see the US chief executive anytime soon although aborting the trip risks telling America's East Asia allies that there are risks of a diminished US commitment despite the administration's much-discussed "Asia pivot." .
Americans need to worry about how these congressmen are demeaning the nation in the eyes of the world.
Filipinos on the other hand will be worried about the impact of a failure to come to an area to which Obama has attached so much importance just at the time China is stroking the soft underbelly of Asean in an attempt to isolate the Philippines.
In essence, China is pursuing an overtly aggressive attitude to Manila while engaging in sweet talk with other concerned Asean members. Beijing's effective seizure of the Scarborough Shoal last year with the stationing of coast guard as well as fishing vessels there has been followed, says the Philippines, by the dumping of concrete blocks which appear to be the precursor of construction. China has responded with a somewhat ambiguous denial of this claim while attacking Manila for allegedly creating obstacles to negotiating a Code of Conduct between the South China Sea claimants.
China's diplomats under the new foreign minister Wang Yi have been busy with trying to improve relations which were strained in 2011-12 by expressing willingness to discuss the Code of Conduct. A preliminary meeting was held in Suzhou in September after which the semi-official China Daily attacked the Philippines for trying to disrupt China-Asean consultations.
China's diplomats have been deftly trying to persuade the soft-centered diplomats of Indonesia and Malaysia into believing there has been a real change of heart in Beijing rather than a shift in tactics despite its actions on the ground and despite the fact that it says that agreeing the code will be a long and difficult process. Wang Yi has visited most Asean countries except the Philippines in advance of a China-Asean summit this month, which will give China another opportunity to talk trade, investment and good neighborliness.
At the same time Beijing has not budged one inch from its claim to the whole sea as defined by its infamous nine-dotted line, which encompasses almost every rock and shoal in the sea and goes within a few nautical miles of the coasts of the littoral nations. Thus, for example, it describes Scarborough shoal as its "inherent territory" even though it is not a habitable island and lies well within Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
The Chinese principle being applied here can equally well be used to seize the islands, shoals and banks off the coasts of Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei - and probably disrupt any attempt by Indonesia to exploit the gas fields off the Natuna Islands. But by mending fences temporarily with Vietnam, till recently the most resilient opponent of Chinese claims, keeping the Malaysians quiet as an implied quid pro quo for not speaking up against racism against ethnic Chinese, and exploiting Indonesia's desire to be seen as a "nice guy", however ineffective in its diplomacy China seems to be succeeding in changing the climate - and making Manila uncomfortable.
China is also hoping that by agreeing to discuss the Code of Conduct - but meanwhile creating facts on the ground - it has taken attention away from Manila's referral of the claim to international arbitration. This move badly upset China, which will use all its influence to avoid internationalization of issues which it claims are entirely bilateral.
It was certainly a bold move but do not imagine that much will come of it for a long time, if ever. Manila did not - contrary to many assumptions - take the case to the International Court of Justice, the court which settled island disputes between Malaysia and Indonesia and Malaysia and Singapore. The ICJ is a UN body and its decisions are enforceable - though also subject to veto by Security Council members such as China. Nor did it go to the International Tribunal on Law of the Sea which rules on the UN Law of Sea issues. Both would probably have needed China to agree to an international ruling which it would never do. The issues also may fall into both the remits of both the ICJ and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Instead it has had to go to the Permanent Court of Arbitration which sits in the same Peace Palace as the ICJ in The Hague in the Netherlands. This is a venue for arbitration not judicial decision. It may eventually express an opinion but no more.
The Philippines gave notice of its action in January but so far the Court is only to the stage of appointing a five-man tribunal to hear the issue, headed by Judge Thomas Mensah of Ghana, judges from France, Poland and Germany and a professor from the Netherlands.
In due course it will hear evidence from the Philippines. But China rejected the Philippine notice of referral so it can be assume that it will take no part in the proceedings. Any victory for Manila would be an embarrassment for China, but no more. Even that may be difficult as the judges may decline to rule in the absence of Chinese evidence.
Thus the likely failure of Obama at this time to visit the Malay (in its broadest sense) world and show that the US flag as a still reliable counterweight to Chinese designs, would be a particular blow. For the region as a whole it would add to questions about how far the US has the political commitment and money to sustain its "tilt" towards East Asia.
As it is the US commitment to Philippines defense is somewhat ambiguous. Manila gets far less military funding from Washington than Indonesia does, if only because Philippine forces are ill-equipped to manage more - especially the naval and air capability needed to external defense.
The US is also hobbled by its neutrality on specific island claims. China makes much of the fact that the Scarborough Shoal - and other disputed South China Sea features - lies just outside the Philippines as defined by the Treaty of Paris which passed control from one colonial power to another - Spain to the USA. Filipinos were never consulted - nor is there any evidence of a Chinese claim or presence at that time. The shoal lies 135 miles from the coast of Luzon and 350 miles from the mainland of China.
The US together with its Japanese, Australian, Korean and other allies has its own strategic reasons for countering China's claim to the whole sea. But if China can in practice advance this little by little by seizing small but strategically located rocks and shoals off others' coasts it could gradually change what historically was a Malay sea into a Chinese lake.
‘Detention Without Trial’ Law Stokes Further Crackdown Fears in Malaysia
Critics say new crime-prevention legislation can be easily used for political ends
New crime-prevention legislation that critics say would allow detention without trial for years was passed by Malaysian lawmakers early on Thursday, and immediately slammed by opposition figures and human-rights activists as a strengthening of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s increasingly authoritarian administration.
Less than two years ago, Najib abolished the Internal Security Act — which historically had been used to hold political dissidents without charge — amid pledges to uphold human rights in the Southeast Asian nation. But this latest move — ostensibly a bid to combat organized crime — appears to backpedal on these pledges and comes in the wake of a crackdown on opposition figures.
“The fear is that the government may use this law against undesirable elements in the political sense rather than the criminal sense,” Kamaruddin Jaafar, an opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party MP, tells TIME. “After a similar initial promise, we previously had opposition politicians who became victims of the Internal Security Act.”
The new provision allows a “Crime Prevention Board” featuring at least one former senior judge to issue two-year detention orders that can be subsequently renewed on grounds of “public order,” “public security” or “prevention of crime.” The board may determine what evidence can be used in its decisions without any legal representation from suspects.
“Malaysia is taking a huge step backwards on rights by returning to administrative detention practices much like the draconian Internal Security Act,” says Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Prime Minister Najib is backing methods that do little to curtail crime but threaten everyone’s liberty.”
Najib has cited recent robberies and high-profile public shootings as grounds for the ramped-up detention laws. “If the government doesn’t act, more people will become victims,” he said, adding that the provision would only target hardcore criminals and “if the police were to arrest anyone, they have to convince the judge that the particular individual should be detained.”
The 60-year-old is under pressure after leading the National Front coalition back into power with 133 parliamentary seats in May, despite receiving only 47% of the popular vote to the opposition’s 89 seats and 50% share. This disastrous showing at the ballot box is coupled with the need to court Malay hard-liners within his United Malays National Organisation (UNMO) ahead of the party conference on Saturday.
“The return of detention without trial is part of a larger fight between different factions within UNMO, trying to frame themselves as being [bigger supporters of] Mahathirism,” Ong Ooi Heng, executive director of the Political Studies for Change, a Kuala Lumpur–based think tank, tells TIME, referring to Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who presided over a period of remarkable growth from 1981 to 2003.
Since the disputed poll, Najib has increased race-based entitlements for ethnic Malays and increased the deployment of antiquated charges like “sedition” to corral opposition figures — policies he had previously vowed to scale back. This turnaround, says Ong, shows that “Najib is moonwalking … towards consolidating authoritarianism.”
U.S. President Barack Obama was scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 11 for his Southeast Asia tour — which will now take place in Indonesia (including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali) and Brunei — but was forced to cancel the Malaysia trip in order to handle the ongoing federal-shutdown crisis at home.
Even if the visit were to go ahead, Kamaruddin does not believe Obama would be able to pressure the Malaysian government on rights issues. “Unfortunately, the tendency of the government here is always to refer to what is happening in the American and Britain by saying they are also introducing laws allowing detention that do not go through the courts,” he says.
New crime-prevention legislation that critics say would allow detention without trial for years was passed by Malaysian lawmakers early on Thursday, and immediately slammed by opposition figures and human-rights activists as a strengthening of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s increasingly authoritarian administration.
Less than two years ago, Najib abolished the Internal Security Act — which historically had been used to hold political dissidents without charge — amid pledges to uphold human rights in the Southeast Asian nation. But this latest move — ostensibly a bid to combat organized crime — appears to backpedal on these pledges and comes in the wake of a crackdown on opposition figures.
“The fear is that the government may use this law against undesirable elements in the political sense rather than the criminal sense,” Kamaruddin Jaafar, an opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party MP, tells TIME. “After a similar initial promise, we previously had opposition politicians who became victims of the Internal Security Act.”
The new provision allows a “Crime Prevention Board” featuring at least one former senior judge to issue two-year detention orders that can be subsequently renewed on grounds of “public order,” “public security” or “prevention of crime.” The board may determine what evidence can be used in its decisions without any legal representation from suspects.
“Malaysia is taking a huge step backwards on rights by returning to administrative detention practices much like the draconian Internal Security Act,” says Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Prime Minister Najib is backing methods that do little to curtail crime but threaten everyone’s liberty.”
Najib has cited recent robberies and high-profile public shootings as grounds for the ramped-up detention laws. “If the government doesn’t act, more people will become victims,” he said, adding that the provision would only target hardcore criminals and “if the police were to arrest anyone, they have to convince the judge that the particular individual should be detained.”
The 60-year-old is under pressure after leading the National Front coalition back into power with 133 parliamentary seats in May, despite receiving only 47% of the popular vote to the opposition’s 89 seats and 50% share. This disastrous showing at the ballot box is coupled with the need to court Malay hard-liners within his United Malays National Organisation (UNMO) ahead of the party conference on Saturday.
“The return of detention without trial is part of a larger fight between different factions within UNMO, trying to frame themselves as being [bigger supporters of] Mahathirism,” Ong Ooi Heng, executive director of the Political Studies for Change, a Kuala Lumpur–based think tank, tells TIME, referring to Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who presided over a period of remarkable growth from 1981 to 2003.
Since the disputed poll, Najib has increased race-based entitlements for ethnic Malays and increased the deployment of antiquated charges like “sedition” to corral opposition figures — policies he had previously vowed to scale back. This turnaround, says Ong, shows that “Najib is moonwalking … towards consolidating authoritarianism.”
U.S. President Barack Obama was scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 11 for his Southeast Asia tour — which will now take place in Indonesia (including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali) and Brunei — but was forced to cancel the Malaysia trip in order to handle the ongoing federal-shutdown crisis at home.
Even if the visit were to go ahead, Kamaruddin does not believe Obama would be able to pressure the Malaysian government on rights issues. “Unfortunately, the tendency of the government here is always to refer to what is happening in the American and Britain by saying they are also introducing laws allowing detention that do not go through the courts,” he says.
While Putrajaya spends, now Malaysian universities not even in Times rankings
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin launching the Education Blueprint 2013-2025, late last year. Putrajaya allocated RM38.7 billion in its budget for education last year. – The Malaysian Insider pic, October 3, 2013.
Although Putrajaya continues to spend billions on education, Malaysian universities are not benefitting from it. If it’s any indication, for the third year running Malaysian universities have failed to feature in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Meanwhile, universities in Thailand and Singapore continue to track higher as shown in the 2013-14 Times survey.
Last year alone Putrajaya allocated RM38.7 billion in its budget for education, with emphasis on improving quality and standards.
One of Putrajaya's goals is also to make Malaysia an education hub for the region and attract some 200,000 students to local universities by 2020.
But these latest rankings show that for all the money spent and all of Putrajaya’s efforts, Malaysia’s institutions of higher learning are falling behind.
An earlier survey by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), last month saw Universiti Malaya as the only Malaysian university to be placed among the top 200 in that ranking. Even then, it dropped from 156 in 2012 to 167 this year.
The Times rankings are based on assessments of a university’s strengths using 13 indicators to measure its teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook, powered by Thomson Reuters which independently collects, analyses and verifies the data.
In the latest Times Higher Education Survey, two top universities in Singapore – The National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University – improved their rankings from 29th to 26th and 86th to 76th respectively.
Thailand’s only top-400 representative, King Mongkut’s University of Technology, rose from the 351-400 group to the 301-350 band.
For the third straight year, the California Institute of Technology remained top of the list, with Harvard University and the UK’s University of Oxford sharing second place. American universities dominated the list with 7 institutions in the top 10 and 77 in the top 200 – one more than last year.
Japan’s University of Tokyo maintained its status as Asia’s top university, moving up four places to 23rd spot.
Australia's University of Melbourne dropped to 34th from 28th last year. Saudi Arabia and Iran have no top 200 institutions, although both are represented in the 200-400 group.
Just recently, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, commenting on the QS rankings, noted that Malaysia’s ability to set up higher education institutions has not been matched by the quality of education offered because it has been done in haste.
He pointed out that while the teachers hired were qualified, it was a possibility that they might have been “probably lacking in certain areas”.
But Universiti Technologi Mara vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar defended local universities, calling those who criticised the decline “short-sighted” and adding that he was not perturbed by the drop in rankings.
Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon also came out to say that fluctuating rankings were normal.
"No university's ranking continues to rise. What's important is that its ups and downs should on average be positive to show progress," he said. – October 3, 2013.
Malaysia's First Military Airbus On Track To Arrive In 2015
From Haslin Gaffor
SEVILLE (Spain), Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Airbus Military is on track to deliver Malaysia's first A400M aircraft in 2015, with all four ordered by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) scheduled to arrive by 2016, the company confirmed on Thursday.
Airbus Military Head of Media Relations Maggie Bergsma said the RMAF has been involved with the programme from the early stages and was fully participating with the Airbus Military team to prepare for the delivery and entry into service.
"As for all of our customers, the transition is a lap from older technologies to the ultimate technology of the A400M.
"Our A400M FISS (Full In Service Support) is designed to provide our customers with all services needed for the operation of the aircraft and we are already in discussion with Malaysia to ensure this is all set in place and in time for the delivery," Bergsma said.
The French Air Force was the first to receive the A400M, the world's most versatile military air lifter, designed to meet equipment needs of modern armed forces, in a ceremony held at the Airbus Military Delivery Centre, here, on Monday.
The A400M is able to perform missions that previously required two or more different types of aircraft, meeting the most varied needs of world air forces and other organisations in this century.
She said the entry in service of the A400M will mark a before and after in the way both military and humanitarian missions are approached.
"The versatility of the A400M allows one single aircraft doing the job for which previously up to three aircraft was needed. The A400M can deliver the contents of its bigger payload faster, further, and nearer to where it is needed than any other transport to be found in the market.
"The RMAF will not only have three aircraft in one with each A400M, it will have an aircraft that can do it better than these three ones. This is certainly a change. And it is a change for good," she said when asked how the new aircraft will complement the RMAF's existing fleet.
Asked about the company's cooperation with the Malaysian Government in developing the A400M, Bergsma said the Composite Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM) was participating in the design and manufacture of some of the aircraft's secondary composite structural components.
"CTRM is now the sole source of those components, notably the complete vertical tail plane leading edge, the main landing gear doors, and many access panels on the wings and horizontal tail plane, and some nacelle fairings," she said.
The A400M was launched ten years ago to respond to the combined needs of seven European nations regrouped within the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). The countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The seven helped finance costs of the project, and Malaysia is the region's first export customer.
The A400M is able to perform both tactical missions directly to the point of need and long range strategic or logistic ones, and can also serve as an air-to-air refuelling "tanker."
SEVILLE (Spain), Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Airbus Military is on track to deliver Malaysia's first A400M aircraft in 2015, with all four ordered by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) scheduled to arrive by 2016, the company confirmed on Thursday.
Airbus Military Head of Media Relations Maggie Bergsma said the RMAF has been involved with the programme from the early stages and was fully participating with the Airbus Military team to prepare for the delivery and entry into service.
"As for all of our customers, the transition is a lap from older technologies to the ultimate technology of the A400M.
"Our A400M FISS (Full In Service Support) is designed to provide our customers with all services needed for the operation of the aircraft and we are already in discussion with Malaysia to ensure this is all set in place and in time for the delivery," Bergsma said.
The French Air Force was the first to receive the A400M, the world's most versatile military air lifter, designed to meet equipment needs of modern armed forces, in a ceremony held at the Airbus Military Delivery Centre, here, on Monday.
The A400M is able to perform missions that previously required two or more different types of aircraft, meeting the most varied needs of world air forces and other organisations in this century.
She said the entry in service of the A400M will mark a before and after in the way both military and humanitarian missions are approached.
"The versatility of the A400M allows one single aircraft doing the job for which previously up to three aircraft was needed. The A400M can deliver the contents of its bigger payload faster, further, and nearer to where it is needed than any other transport to be found in the market.
"The RMAF will not only have three aircraft in one with each A400M, it will have an aircraft that can do it better than these three ones. This is certainly a change. And it is a change for good," she said when asked how the new aircraft will complement the RMAF's existing fleet.
Asked about the company's cooperation with the Malaysian Government in developing the A400M, Bergsma said the Composite Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM) was participating in the design and manufacture of some of the aircraft's secondary composite structural components.
"CTRM is now the sole source of those components, notably the complete vertical tail plane leading edge, the main landing gear doors, and many access panels on the wings and horizontal tail plane, and some nacelle fairings," she said.
The A400M was launched ten years ago to respond to the combined needs of seven European nations regrouped within the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). The countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The seven helped finance costs of the project, and Malaysia is the region's first export customer.
The A400M is able to perform both tactical missions directly to the point of need and long range strategic or logistic ones, and can also serve as an air-to-air refuelling "tanker."
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Sushil Kumar Shinde, Home Minister of India: The Real Messiah of Muslim Terrorists?
Shinde: A Real Friend of Muslim Criminals & Terrorists of India. Hatching conspiracy against Hindu youths.
BJP termed Shinde’s letter to states unconstitutional and communally divisive, asks him to withdraw it.
The recent
report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that 21% of
under-trials in India’s jails were Muslims, with their proportion in
jails of Maharashtra (36%) and West Bengal (46%) was higher than their
representation in the general population.
And out of this 21 per cent of
under-trial members of the Muslim community finally comprise as only
17.75 per cent of the convicts. This has been revealed in the analysis
of prison data released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB),
recently.
This suggests two things. Muslims are the
largest community involved in criminal activities in India (as also
perceived by the world community). And a large number of arrested
Muslims are released by the courts under an un-understandable situation
created by Islamic lobby so much influential into an appeasing political
atmosphere in India.
The Islamic attitude of criminality or
terrorism is nothing new to anybody. The maximum names in the list of
FBI Most Wanted Terrorists, Interpol Red Corner Terrorists or the Most
Wanted Terrorists by National Investigative Agency of India, are
obviously Muslims. Criminality in Muslims or Islamic Terrorism have
been exposed a biggest threat to the global peace, now a days.
The NYPD (New York Police Department) designated all Mosques in NY as terrorism organizations, recently. China has put restrictions upon Islam.
The entire non-Muslim world has kept a keen vigil upon expanding
Islamic intolerance with a tool of Jihad. In many places renovation of
Mosques, Azan from Mosque minerate, use of Burka, Halal methods, Islamic
polygamy and uncontrolled child birth etc are being banned or
challenged widely and wildly. A skull capped/long bearded-half
mustached men or anybody with Arabic name are the objects of third
degree checking any International airport in America or Europe. Even
Hindu and Sikh persons are some time are being heavily searched there
under an ‘Islamist alike’ suspicion. All such reactions against Islam
has been globally set as a general phenomenon. Islam is now termed as an
averse effect of Jihad and the anti-peace process.
But, the shame of Maratha, Sushil Kr
Shinde and the most dangerous Home Minister, India has ever seen, is the
same person. He is a real friend of Muslim criminals and terrorists of
India. So, there is no other option with Shinde, but only to glorify
Islam and support the trend of criminal and terrorist activities of
Muslim offenders in a very sane way.
Indian Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar
Shinde, on Monday (30 Sept 2013) asked all chief ministers to ensure
that no innocent Muslim is arrested in the name of fighting terror. In
his letter to chief ministers, the home minister said strict and prompt
action should be taken against erring police officers when malafide
arrests are made of any member of a minority community.
“Some of the minority youth have started
feeling that they are deliberately targeted and deprived their basis
rights,” he wrote in his letter that was made public.
“Government has to ensure that no innocent person is subjected to undue harassment,” he said.
The home minister said a Muslim person
wrongfully arrested should be released immediately and suitably
compensated and rehabilitated to join the mainstream. But, what about
any Hindu under same situation? Shinde is trying hard to be a most
faithful to the Muslims by hitting the Hindus in a very different way.
Some months back (Jan 2013) this Shinde accused RSS and BJP for promoting terrorism in India.
Actually, Shinde’s statement for ‘not to
detain’ nor ‘to harass Muslim youths’ through an arrest in connection
with alleged terror activities are mostly unconstitutional and
communally divisive. Perhaps, this man has forgotten the concept of
equal status before law or either he understand himself as a Home
Minister of Muslim community.
BJP termed Shinde’s letter to states unconstitutional and communally divisive, asks him to withdraw it.
Has our Home Minister forgotten the oath
that he took where he promised to protect citizens without bias of any
particular religion? Then why did he have to say Muslim youths? He could
mentioned any malady faced by any person irrespective of religion or
faith, in a challenging situation under police or judicial procedure in
any charge of terrorism. The statement of Shinde violates the sanctity
of Holy Constitution of India in a gross volume.
Shinde’s statement is illegal. He is
creating rift among the communities. He is unfit to be the Union Home
Minister for his communal outlook. He must be tried for treason. While
Shinde and their brigade call themselves “Secular”, then in fact,
Congress is the most communal party in India.
If the friends of Tunda, Bhatkal or the
supporters of Jihad, Hafiz Sayed and Dawood Ibrahim start feeling that
they are deliberately targeted and deprived their basis rights, what can
other do but arrest and assault them for the sake of terrorizing the
terrorists. Shinde has no right to put any restriction upon the law
enforcement agencies only to appease a Muslim Vote Bank without thinking
the big threat of Islamic Jihad in India.
What a dangerous and humiliating approach
of this Shinde, the Messiah of Muslim Criminals and terrorists that he
has a less faith upon his own law enforcement agencies and the
judiciary too.
I think under this humiliation, the top brass in every law
enforcement agencies must take stringent action against the habitual
offenders believe in Quran and must not spare anybody further.
Shinde may be a friend of Muslim
terrorist or a big antagonist of so-called ‘Saffron Terrorism’, but the
majority people are disgusted with the terrorist activities by the
people bearing Arabic names. We don’t know the fate of Shinde’s letter
written to all Chief Ministers of Indian States, but the majority people
has the right to uproot all terrorists from the soil of Bharat along
with their friends, at any cost. Shinde must not forget it.
Somalia’s al-Shabaab pledge terror campaign against Kenya
Are Kenyan security forces ready to face more terror threats from Somalia's al-Shabaab. (File photo: AFP)
The al-Qaeda linked al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for last week’s attack on Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall, in which at least 67 people died, with 39 more listed as missing by the Red Cross.
“We will strike Kenyans where it hurts the most, turn their cities into graveyards and rivers of blood will flow in Nairobi,” al-Shabaab said in a recent statement.
“The Kenyan government’s decision to keep its invading force in Somalia is an indication that they haven’t yet learnt any valuable lessons from the Westgate attacks,” the extremists added, warning that Kenya was
“inviting unprecedented levels of insecurity, bloodshed and destruction.”
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday said troops had been sent to Somalia to restore order to their neighbor and would remain there until this was achieved.
“We will not be intimated, we will not be cowed,” Kenyatta said. “We will stay there until they bring order to their nation.”
In reaction to Kenyan Defense Force’s (KDF) decision, al-Shabaab said it was “fully determined to intensify attacks inside Kenya until the last KDF boots exit Somali soil,” saying it had the “right to defend our land and our people from enemy aggression.”
(With AFP)
Russian outcry over Muslim animal sacrifice
The practice raises no alarm in traditionally Muslim parts of Russia, such as North Caucasus, Tatarstan or Bashkortostan, which have a large Turkik population. But in predominantly Orthodox Christian Russian cities like Moscow or Saint Petersburg, which have experienced an influx of Muslim migrants in recent years, citizens are shocked by the sight of sheep’s throats being slit in the middle of the street.
One incident last year, in which a sheep was sacrificed in the sand-pit of a Moscow playground, sparked particular outrage. Since then, Muslim clergy have exhorted their followers to carry out the rite in private and keep a low profile during the holiday. This year, no such incident was reported in Moscow. However, authorities registered complaints of sheep corpses being dragged through residential neighborhoods, tied up near bus-stops or killed inside minivans parked in the vicinity of Moscow mosques.
In smaller cities, the situation is even tenser. In Tver, Mulsims made their sacrifices right in front of a Catholic Church not far from the city’s mosque. In Vladivostok, the killings took place near a kindergarten school. The sheer size of crowds gathering in and around mosques to pray has posed another type of problem. In Moscow, there were reports of women being unable to reach their homes or offices because the throngs of praying Muslim men near the central Mosque refused to let women pass near them.
The cooler heads in both communities are trying to find solutions that could accommodate everyone’s needs. Some non-Muslim leaders have proposed building more mosques with closed courts, to reduce the size of the crowds that form around the few existing ones, and keep the sacrifices out of public sight. Some Muslim Russians have suggested that the sacrifices take place outside city walls, in spaces set up especially to that effect. But these voices of reason are drowned out by the bitter quarrel between some Russians and Muslims extremists on internet forums, where right-wing nationalists are calling to “clean our cities of Muslim scum”, and Muslim extremists answer with threats of “cutting the throats of infidel bastards instead of sheep”.
“A big problem is the unequal status of Muslim holidays in different Russian regions”
Konstantin, 23, is a historian living in Saint Petersburg. Because this issue has draw violent criticism of Muslims in his city, he prefers to speak anonymously.For me, just as for any Muslim, the Feast of Sacrifice has a huge importance. It symbolises the Mercy and Grace of Allah toward man. History tells us that God replaced Ibrahim's (Abraham's) sacrifice of his son with a sacrifice of a lamb. And our Faith (Iman) is the best sacrifice for our God.
This year, like the one before, I wasn’t able to sacrifice a lamb myself. In the city where I live, Saint Petersburg, the sacrifices took place at the city’s outer limits or in neighbouring regions. This makes it difficult for Muslims in the city to find time to perform the rite, especially because Qurban Bayram is not a public holiday in our region. For most of Saint-Petersburg’s Muslims, the holiday was limited to going to the Mosque after work. But because of the catastrophic deficit of mosques, we crowded in the streets around them during prayer time, in freezing cold winds. There are only two mosques in Saint Petersburg, and four in Moscow, whereas both cities count hundreds of thousands of Muslims.
One big problem is the unequal status of Muslim holidays in different Russian regions. In some, Mulim holidays are also public holidays. In others, including the ones with a substantial Muslim population, they are regular working days. In Saint Petersburg, there are twice as many Muslims as in the Caucasian region of Ingushetia. Yet they have Qurban Bayram off and we don’t. The resulting situations (overcrowded streets around Mosques, sacrifices in inadequate places), make life difficult for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
This is a political issue that will need to be solved at some point, because the number of Muslims in traditionally Orthodox cities is growing every year. Today Islam is an indispensable part of Russian history and Russian culture, without Islam you can't understand Russia's past. If people don’t understand that, and constructive dialogue between faiths doesn’t exist, this will pose problem for the future. Russian society is already divided across property, class and ethnic lines. It will be too much if we're divided across religious lines as well.”
“Although I’m a Muslim, I oppose the sacrifices altogether”
Azamat, 45, was born in North Caucusus but has lived near Moscow for 20 years. He works as a businessman.
Although I'm a Muslim, I don’t zealously follow all traditions. I don’t approve of the practice of killing animals for a religious rite, and I oppose the sacrifices altogether, be it in a crowded square or a private space. Wherever it’s happening, it’s just wrong. This ritual belongs to the past. We're living in XXI century and you can be a religious person without sacrificing living beings.”
Animal sacrifices in Moscow during this year's Qurban Bayram holiday
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No surprises, Dewan Rakyat passes PCA amendments
The amendments were heavily opposed by human rights advocates and opposition lawmakers, who argued that detention without trial was not only affront to principles of justice, but also warned that it can be abused.
However,
Putrajaya had argued proper safeguards such as a board, that will
conduct an inquiry into each case before handing out the detention
order, would be in place to prevent potential abuses.The debate on the Bill went on from 11.30 am on Tuesday morning until 12.50 am early this morning, with the Parliament clock being stopped in order for the Bill to be passed.
It was finally passed unanimously, with the ruling party refusing to entertain any opposition suggestions to amend the Bill further.
A bloc vote was called for before the bill could proceed to the final committee stage at 6.40pm in the evening, but the opposition could only manage 66 votes to BN's 115 in their attempt to cancel out the bill from proceeding to the committee stage.
Opposition motions rejected
Later
during the Bill Committee Stage, which went on for five hours, a total
of two bloc votes on motions by Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers for further
amendments to the Bill were called, but were all defeated.Hanipa Maidin (PAS-Sepang, left) had proposed that Section 3 of the Bill regarding the preamble of the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 be struck out.
His motion was subsequently defeated which means that the Act will have the same preamble as the Ermegency (Public Order and Crime Prevention) Ordinance 1969, a powerful law that allows for detention without trial which was abolished by the Najib-administration on human rights grounds.
Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) called for a third bloc vote in relations to Nga Kor Ming's (DAP-Taiping) proposal to amend the Bill to allow legal representation for those arrested the law, but opposition also lost that bloc vote.
In total, six opposition members had tabled 10 proposed changes to the amendment Bill as they attempted to remove elements of detention without trial and allow for judicial review under the amendment bill - all were rejected by the BN-dominated House.
However, the only concession made by the federal government was to increase the number of advisory board members from three to five, though it would alter the nature of the bill in any way.
The proposal was made by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) himself and was passed unanimously.Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin both came to the Dewan Rakyat to help pass the Bill at the committee stage earlier.
When the bill was finally passed, Zahid congratulated speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia for having presided over the sitting for eight and a half consecutive hours.
IGP floats 'fell into sea' theory over missing guns
Far
from offering a waterproof theory, Inspector-General of Police Khalid
Abu Bakar has claimed that the guns missing from the police force may
have fallen into the sea.
Khalid said each weapon comes with an identification code and the police have not linked these guns with any criminal activity to date.
"Of the 37 missing guns, ballistics reports show that none of them have been used by criminals," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.
"The missing guns may not have fallen into the hands of criminals but could have fallen into the sea from boats... and the weapons could not be recovered."
While Khalid stated that only 37 firearms were missing, the Auditor-General's Report 2012 placed the figure at 44.
The report also reveals that the police lost 156 pairs of handcuffs and 29 vehicles between 2010 and 2012, worth a total of RM1.33 million.
A Bukit Aman source, when contacted by Malaysiakini, explained that the difference in the number of missing firearms stated by Khalid was because seven have since been recovered.
Internal probe carried out
Khalid explained that an internal inquiry had been held on the missing items, and that 92 cases have been resolved.
Another 118 cases are stilll being investigated, he said.
Those responsible for losing the firearms were told to pay for them and so far RM197,984 had been collected, he said.
"(The police force) views this issue seriously. We concede that there are weaknesses that must be fixed and we are in the process of studying this," Khalid added.
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid, who was also at the press conference, said his ministry has given the auditor-general an explanation on the issue.
However, Zahid said, the explanation was not included in the report at the time of printing.
Khalid said each weapon comes with an identification code and the police have not linked these guns with any criminal activity to date.
"Of the 37 missing guns, ballistics reports show that none of them have been used by criminals," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.
"The missing guns may not have fallen into the hands of criminals but could have fallen into the sea from boats... and the weapons could not be recovered."
While Khalid stated that only 37 firearms were missing, the Auditor-General's Report 2012 placed the figure at 44.
The report also reveals that the police lost 156 pairs of handcuffs and 29 vehicles between 2010 and 2012, worth a total of RM1.33 million.
A Bukit Aman source, when contacted by Malaysiakini, explained that the difference in the number of missing firearms stated by Khalid was because seven have since been recovered.
Internal probe carried out
Khalid explained that an internal inquiry had been held on the missing items, and that 92 cases have been resolved.
Another 118 cases are stilll being investigated, he said.
Those responsible for losing the firearms were told to pay for them and so far RM197,984 had been collected, he said.
"(The police force) views this issue seriously. We concede that there are weaknesses that must be fixed and we are in the process of studying this," Khalid added.
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid, who was also at the press conference, said his ministry has given the auditor-general an explanation on the issue.
However, Zahid said, the explanation was not included in the report at the time of printing.
Ambiga defends Bersih, wants minister to apologise
According to Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan (left),
Suhakam found that members of the press were, in fact, assaulted by
police during the April 28, 2012, rally and that this finding was never
responded to or rebutted by the police.She cited, among others, paragraph 114 of the commission's findings that state "...the police did physically assault, injure, intimidate or manhandle media personnel Chen Shaua Fui (from Merdeka Review), Koh Jun Lin (Malaysiakini), Mohd Radzi Abdul Razak (theSun) and Puspanathan Periannan (The Star) ... even though attempts were made on their part to identify themselves as being from the media."
Ambiga was referring to Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek's statement to Parliament yesterday that the government had nothing to do with Malaysia's drop in ranking - from the 122nd spot to the 145th - in the World Press Freedom index, but rather it was due to media "safety concern" following alleged assault of reporters by demonstrators at the rally demanding electoral reforms.
Minister blames Bersih
"It is shocking that the minister is seeking to throw the blame for the appalling standards of media freedom on Bersih, when, in fact, it is entirely the government's fault why we are in this position.
"One
only has to look at the oppressive legislation in place, the lies
spewed by the government media, the stifling of freedom of speech and
the treatment of media who may publish contrary views, to know who is
responsible,' she told Malaysiakini in an email response yesterday.She called on Ahmad Shabery (above), who she claimed was either "misled or is misleading" the Parliament, to immediately apologise to Malaysians who attended the rally that day.
Journalist Koh, meanwhile, said the World Press Freedom Index report itself states that Malaysia's ranking had fallen due to limited access to information, repeated censorship efforts by the government, as well as "a campaign of repression by the government", such as the crackdown on Bersih 3.0 protest.
“Here,
the information minister himself zooms in on one particular aspect of
the report, denies the rest, and omits to inform Parliament that while
one reporter was allegedly beaten by demonstrators, at least 13 others,
including myself, have been on the receiving end of police brutality.“Really, is there any wonder at all that we are not doing well on this index?” Koh asked.
In a statement, Selangor Leadership Council secretary Amirudin Shari said the Umno/BN government should strive to improve its treatment of media practitioners, instead of blaming the rakyat for the country’s press freedom standing plummeting.
“His (Ahmad Shabery's) answer is not just a covering of facts but also reflects the government’s irresponsible attitude, a far cry from the transformation BN is promising,” Amirudin said.
The minister should instead look at the overall picture when it comes to media freedom in the country, he added, pointing out that press freedom was still bad during the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, even though there had not been any Bersih gathering at that time.
Khairy says ministry forced to pay for K-pop concert after sponsors withdrew
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) said his ministry was forced to pay for the K-pop
concert held during the Youth Day celebration last year after the initial sponsors backed off.
"The earlier statement that the concert was sponsored by a private party was made as at that time, there was an offer from them to pay for the concert," Khairy explained in a posting on his official Facebook page today.
He said the sponsorship plan, however, did not materialise, resulting in the ministry having to make the payment.
"For your information, the K-pop concert has been cancelled for the 2013 Youth Day celebration herein," he added.
The Auditor-General's report revealed yesterday that RM1.6 million spent to bring in three South Korean pop groups to perform at the concert had come from the government’s coffers. "I cannot reason by saying the report on the ministry's expenditure was made before I was elected its minister."
Khairy said based on the need for collective responsibility he must answer and react to anything that occurs in his ministry.
"We cannot run away from responsibilities and due duties entrusted upon us," he added.
Khairy said he also viewed seriously the revelations made in the Auditor-General's report and if one is serious about transforming the government towards one that is more transparent, then the revelations cannot be brushed aside.
"The people do not want to see their leaders keeping mum over the report."
With this in mind, Khairy said he has also explained that in the case of work claims paid by the National Youth Council, where repeated payments had been made for the same work, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has already conducted an investigation.
"I was told the probing is at its final stage," he said.
Khairy said that he has also instructed his officers to check on other matters highlighted in the audit report and to brief him on their findings before action is taken on those responsible.
"Government funds are the people's money. We must be accountable for every sen spent," he added. - October 2, 2013
AG Report: Milk project gone sour
The Auditor General points out, among other, that milk cartons were not stored according to specifications, risking damage and contamination.
PETALING JAYA: The 1Malaysia Milk Project (PS1M) failed to meet its objective in providing quality milk to school students despite millions spent on it, said the Auditor-General’s Report 2012 .
In the report, the AG said that the Education Ministry had appointed four contractors, via direct negotiations, for the project which is worth RM188.33 million.
“But after the Education Ministry studied the details of the contract, it was revised to RM170. 93 million,” said the AG.
The companies awarded the contacts were Hybrid Allied Sdn Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Konsuma Sdn Bhd and Sabah International Dairies Sdn Bhd.
The project was initially intended to provide milk, twice a week, to 3.1 million primary school students all over Malaysia.
But an audit done between June 2012 and September last year found that the contractors failed to produce the quantity needed to match the demand.
Contractors slacking
And due to the limitation, the milk cartons were instead, only channelled to those in rural areas and those from low income families.
“As for Sabah, milk was supplied only to students studying between Year 4 and Year 6 as the rest were provided milk by the Sabah Foundation,” said the report.
Among other glitches found in the PS1M project were that the milk were not distributed on schedule and the milk cartons were not kept in proper storage, risking damage and contamination.
The AG report found that instead of the contractors preparing temporary storage facility to store the milk cartons, the products were stored in school libraries, suraus or even storerooms under the stairs.
“And the milk were not kept 15 centimetres above the floor and 15 centimetres away from the wall as per the guideline, which puts the milk cartons at risk of being damaged or contaminated.
“When we spoke to the teachers, they said there were not aware of the procedures and claimed that the contractors did not inform them of the guidelines,” said the report.
The report added that the several contractors did not send a representative to the schools when the milk cartons were distributed to students, as per the agreement, in order to test the milk before being given away.
“And the teachers were not also not aware that a representative from the contractor was required to be present,” said the report.
PETALING JAYA: The 1Malaysia Milk Project (PS1M) failed to meet its objective in providing quality milk to school students despite millions spent on it, said the Auditor-General’s Report 2012 .In the report, the AG said that the Education Ministry had appointed four contractors, via direct negotiations, for the project which is worth RM188.33 million.
“But after the Education Ministry studied the details of the contract, it was revised to RM170. 93 million,” said the AG.
The companies awarded the contacts were Hybrid Allied Sdn Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Konsuma Sdn Bhd and Sabah International Dairies Sdn Bhd.
The project was initially intended to provide milk, twice a week, to 3.1 million primary school students all over Malaysia.
But an audit done between June 2012 and September last year found that the contractors failed to produce the quantity needed to match the demand.
Contractors slacking
And due to the limitation, the milk cartons were instead, only channelled to those in rural areas and those from low income families.
“As for Sabah, milk was supplied only to students studying between Year 4 and Year 6 as the rest were provided milk by the Sabah Foundation,” said the report.
Among other glitches found in the PS1M project were that the milk were not distributed on schedule and the milk cartons were not kept in proper storage, risking damage and contamination.The AG report found that instead of the contractors preparing temporary storage facility to store the milk cartons, the products were stored in school libraries, suraus or even storerooms under the stairs.
“And the milk were not kept 15 centimetres above the floor and 15 centimetres away from the wall as per the guideline, which puts the milk cartons at risk of being damaged or contaminated.
“When we spoke to the teachers, they said there were not aware of the procedures and claimed that the contractors did not inform them of the guidelines,” said the report.
The report added that the several contractors did not send a representative to the schools when the milk cartons were distributed to students, as per the agreement, in order to test the milk before being given away.
“And the teachers were not also not aware that a representative from the contractor was required to be present,” said the report.
PCA amendments passes 2nd reading, now at final stage
The country comes ever closer to seeing a resurrection of detention without trial under the Prevention of Crime Act.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: The amendments to the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Bill today passed its second reading stage, paving way for the third and final reading where it will be debated at the committee stage.
In a secret voting, 115 MPs voted in favour of the final reading, while 66 MPS voted against it.
Under the proposed amendments to the PCA, hardcore criminals can be detained for up to two years without trial.
The bill will likely be passed by tonight or tomorrow, despite Pakatan Rakyat’s unanimous opposition against the amendments, which they have labeled as “draconian” and “undemocratic”.
In tabling the second reading today, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi argued that the amendments were crucial to allow the police to take a “proactive” approach to crime.
“The police have vast experience and expertise in managing crime in this country, especially in terms of investigating and arresting criminals,” he said in his winding-up speech.
“However, the [facilities] we have, such as forensic labs, DNA databanks, fingerprint records centres and ballistic test labs can only be used after a crime occurs; it is reactive.
“What is important is preventive or proactive steps before the crime even takes place,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said strong preventive action by the police was impossible ever since the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and the Internal Security Act 1960 had been abolished, and this was why the amendments in the PCA were necessary.
The Bagan Datoh MP also rebutted claims by Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin that the government was reintroducing detention without trial because the police were not brave enough to bring serious criminal cases to court.
“Up to today, many cases of heavy and serious crimes have been brought to court. More than 25% cases out of all investigation papers opened saw individuals charged in court,” said Ahmad Zahid.
The problem, he said, lay with the witnesses, who were too afraid for their own safety or that of their family’s to testify in court.
“With this Bill, witnesses need not testify in court. They only have to come forward and testify to inquiry officers,” said Ahmad Zahid.
No judicial review
The amendments to the PCA were tabled last week in Parliament, sparking an uproar among the opposition as well as civil societies and triggering several street protests.
Under the proposed new sections 7B and 7C of the Bill, a three-member Prevention of Crime Board would be formed, consisting of a senior-ranking judges as the chairman and two other members.
The board is empowered to issue a detention order under Section 19(a) of the Bill on grounds that “a person has committed two or more serious offences, whether or not he is convicted thereof, if the report finds sufficient evidence to support such finding”.
“That the person has previously been placed under a supervision order under Section 15 and has contravened or failed to comply with any order or restriction imposed on him, whether or not he has been convicted under subsection 15(4),” the Bill says.
The board can also put the person under monitoring on similar conditions.
Section 19A of the bill says the detention order lasts for two years, and may be renewed for a further period not exceeding two years at a time.
Section 15A says there shall be no judicial review in any court in respect of any decision made by the board in exercising of its discretion, except in regards to any question on procedural matters.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: The amendments to the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Bill today passed its second reading stage, paving way for the third and final reading where it will be debated at the committee stage.In a secret voting, 115 MPs voted in favour of the final reading, while 66 MPS voted against it.
Under the proposed amendments to the PCA, hardcore criminals can be detained for up to two years without trial.
The bill will likely be passed by tonight or tomorrow, despite Pakatan Rakyat’s unanimous opposition against the amendments, which they have labeled as “draconian” and “undemocratic”.
In tabling the second reading today, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi argued that the amendments were crucial to allow the police to take a “proactive” approach to crime.
“The police have vast experience and expertise in managing crime in this country, especially in terms of investigating and arresting criminals,” he said in his winding-up speech.
“However, the [facilities] we have, such as forensic labs, DNA databanks, fingerprint records centres and ballistic test labs can only be used after a crime occurs; it is reactive.
“What is important is preventive or proactive steps before the crime even takes place,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said strong preventive action by the police was impossible ever since the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and the Internal Security Act 1960 had been abolished, and this was why the amendments in the PCA were necessary.
The Bagan Datoh MP also rebutted claims by Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin that the government was reintroducing detention without trial because the police were not brave enough to bring serious criminal cases to court.“Up to today, many cases of heavy and serious crimes have been brought to court. More than 25% cases out of all investigation papers opened saw individuals charged in court,” said Ahmad Zahid.
The problem, he said, lay with the witnesses, who were too afraid for their own safety or that of their family’s to testify in court.
“With this Bill, witnesses need not testify in court. They only have to come forward and testify to inquiry officers,” said Ahmad Zahid.
No judicial review
The amendments to the PCA were tabled last week in Parliament, sparking an uproar among the opposition as well as civil societies and triggering several street protests.
Under the proposed new sections 7B and 7C of the Bill, a three-member Prevention of Crime Board would be formed, consisting of a senior-ranking judges as the chairman and two other members.
The board is empowered to issue a detention order under Section 19(a) of the Bill on grounds that “a person has committed two or more serious offences, whether or not he is convicted thereof, if the report finds sufficient evidence to support such finding”.
“That the person has previously been placed under a supervision order under Section 15 and has contravened or failed to comply with any order or restriction imposed on him, whether or not he has been convicted under subsection 15(4),” the Bill says.
The board can also put the person under monitoring on similar conditions.
Section 19A of the bill says the detention order lasts for two years, and may be renewed for a further period not exceeding two years at a time.
Section 15A says there shall be no judicial review in any court in respect of any decision made by the board in exercising of its discretion, except in regards to any question on procedural matters.
‘Thambi’ and ‘Anna’ in heated exchange
BN and PKR MPs in heated exchange in Tamil during parliament session.
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange between two MPs in Tamil had the House bewildered and Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia could not make a ruling as he was unable to understand the language.
The exchange was between Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) and G Manivannan (PKR-Kapar) during Prevention of Crime Act 1959 debate.
Abdul Azeez started the exchange in Tamil: “Dei thambi (hey, little brother), Chin Peng died in Bangkok, he did not die in Malaysia.”
Manivannan responded in Tamil, calling the Baling MP “Anna” (big brother), and said “you can bring back ashes of Malaysians who died from around the world, why not allow Chin Peng’s ashes back to the country”.
They were debating on the government’s blanket ban against the ashes of former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) secretary-general Chin Peng from being brought back into Malaysia. Chin Peng had died in Bangkok on Sept 16.
In the middle of the exchange, Pandikar Amin said he could not make a ruling because he was unable to understand Tamil language.
Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli stood up and said for a moment he thought he was at the “New Delhi Parliament”.
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange between two MPs in Tamil had the House bewildered and Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia could not make a ruling as he was unable to understand the language.The exchange was between Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) and G Manivannan (PKR-Kapar) during Prevention of Crime Act 1959 debate.
Abdul Azeez started the exchange in Tamil: “Dei thambi (hey, little brother), Chin Peng died in Bangkok, he did not die in Malaysia.”
Manivannan responded in Tamil, calling the Baling MP “Anna” (big brother), and said “you can bring back ashes of Malaysians who died from around the world, why not allow Chin Peng’s ashes back to the country”.
They were debating on the government’s blanket ban against the ashes of former Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) secretary-general Chin Peng from being brought back into Malaysia. Chin Peng had died in Bangkok on Sept 16.
In the middle of the exchange, Pandikar Amin said he could not make a ruling because he was unable to understand Tamil language.
Kuala Krai MP Hatta Ramli stood up and said for a moment he thought he was at the “New Delhi Parliament”.
Najadi killing: Mastermind given a week to surrender
The 53 year-old businessman flew to Australia three days after murder of Ambank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi.
KUALA LUMPUR: A 53 year-old businessman, believed to be the mastermind in the murder of Arab Malaysian Development bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi, has been given a week to surrender himself to the police.
Kuala Lumpur CID Chief, Ku Chin Wah told reporters today that the Malaysian born businessman who now resides in Australia flew out of the country three days after the murder.
This latest information was obtained after city cops arrested the sole gunman known as Sei Ngan Chai, also known as four-eyes, in Taiping last week, who is is believed to be a former employer of the wanted businessman.
“We have solid information that could lead us in solving this murder case. We are giving the businessman a week to give himself up to the police,”
“He is now residing in Australia and we believe he can shed some light on this shooting incident,” Ku said.
Ku added that the police will cooperate with Interpol should the wanted businessman refused to assist the police in the matter.
It is learnt that the wanted businessman was in a business deal with the late Najadi before the shooting took place.
Meanwhile, Ku said that the hired killer will most likely be charged before his remand order ends this Saturday.
At the same press conference, Ku said that the search for the murder weapon used to kill Najadi was still ongoing.
Twenty-five police personnel including divers were dispatched to Mines Lake in Seri Kembangan where the shooter allegedly dumped the pistol.
On Monday, police brought along the suspect to point out the spot where the gun was dumped.
Police have also obtained more time to get the suspect to reveal the identity of the mastermind by extending his remand period.
The suspect is believed to have been paid about RM 20,000 to complete his task.
KUALA LUMPUR: A 53 year-old businessman, believed to be the mastermind in the murder of Arab Malaysian Development bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi, has been given a week to surrender himself to the police.Kuala Lumpur CID Chief, Ku Chin Wah told reporters today that the Malaysian born businessman who now resides in Australia flew out of the country three days after the murder.
This latest information was obtained after city cops arrested the sole gunman known as Sei Ngan Chai, also known as four-eyes, in Taiping last week, who is is believed to be a former employer of the wanted businessman.
“We have solid information that could lead us in solving this murder case. We are giving the businessman a week to give himself up to the police,”
“He is now residing in Australia and we believe he can shed some light on this shooting incident,” Ku said.
Ku added that the police will cooperate with Interpol should the wanted businessman refused to assist the police in the matter.
It is learnt that the wanted businessman was in a business deal with the late Najadi before the shooting took place.
Meanwhile, Ku said that the hired killer will most likely be charged before his remand order ends this Saturday.
At the same press conference, Ku said that the search for the murder weapon used to kill Najadi was still ongoing.
Twenty-five police personnel including divers were dispatched to Mines Lake in Seri Kembangan where the shooter allegedly dumped the pistol.
On Monday, police brought along the suspect to point out the spot where the gun was dumped.
Police have also obtained more time to get the suspect to reveal the identity of the mastermind by extending his remand period.
The suspect is believed to have been paid about RM 20,000 to complete his task.
Dharmenderan’s murder: Cops plead not guilty
Four policemen plead not guilty of murdering a detainee at a police lock up in May this year.
KUALA LUMPUR: Four policemen pleaded not guilty in the High Court here today to a charge of murdering a lockup detainee, N Dharmenderan, in May this year.
Inspector S Hare Krishnan, 40, and three others — Sergeant Jaffri Jaafar, 44, Corporal Mohd Nahar Abd Rahman, 45, and Corporal Mohd Haswadi Zamri Shaari, 32, — are alleged to have committed the offence at the Special Investigation Office (D9), 7th Floor of the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters, Jalan Hang Tuah here between 12.20pm and 2.50pm on May 21, 2013.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Jean Sharmila Jesudason, who prosecuted, applied to the court for Hare Krishnan to be tried together with the other three policemen because investigation of their cases was conducted by the same investigating officer.
“This is because the facts of the case are the same and involve the same witnesses, while the date, time and place in both the cases are also the same,” he added.
Jaffri, Mohd Nahar and Mohd Haswadi were first charged with committing the offence on June 5 this year in the Magistrate’s Court, while Hare Krishnan was charged for the same offence last July 30.
Judge Kamardin Hashim, in allowing the application by the prosecution, set Nov 6 for mention for submission of documents.
The court also set Feb 17 to 28 next year to hear the case.
Hare Krishnan is represented by lawyer M Athimulan, while Jaffri, Mohd Nahar and Mohd Haswadi are represented by lawyers Datuk Hazman Ahmad, Baljit Singh and Ariff Azami Hussein, respectively.
KUALA LUMPUR: Four policemen pleaded not guilty in the High Court here today to a charge of murdering a lockup detainee, N Dharmenderan, in May this year.Inspector S Hare Krishnan, 40, and three others — Sergeant Jaffri Jaafar, 44, Corporal Mohd Nahar Abd Rahman, 45, and Corporal Mohd Haswadi Zamri Shaari, 32, — are alleged to have committed the offence at the Special Investigation Office (D9), 7th Floor of the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters, Jalan Hang Tuah here between 12.20pm and 2.50pm on May 21, 2013.
Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Jean Sharmila Jesudason, who prosecuted, applied to the court for Hare Krishnan to be tried together with the other three policemen because investigation of their cases was conducted by the same investigating officer.
“This is because the facts of the case are the same and involve the same witnesses, while the date, time and place in both the cases are also the same,” he added.
Jaffri, Mohd Nahar and Mohd Haswadi were first charged with committing the offence on June 5 this year in the Magistrate’s Court, while Hare Krishnan was charged for the same offence last July 30.
Judge Kamardin Hashim, in allowing the application by the prosecution, set Nov 6 for mention for submission of documents.
The court also set Feb 17 to 28 next year to hear the case.
Hare Krishnan is represented by lawyer M Athimulan, while Jaffri, Mohd Nahar and Mohd Haswadi are represented by lawyers Datuk Hazman Ahmad, Baljit Singh and Ariff Azami Hussein, respectively.
Audit: Pengurusan pembangunan Feldajaya lemah
Kesemua 80 lot pasar awam dan 16 lot hentian bas di Feldajaya Raja Alias dan Trolak dibina dengan kos sejumlah RM2.22 juta serta 10 lot medan selera tidak mempunyai penyewa.
PETALING JAYA: Laporan Ketua Audit Negara mendedahkan pengurusan projek pembangunan Feldajaya adalah kurang memuaskan berdasarkan pengauditan yang dijalankan antara bulan November 2012 sehingga Januari 2013.
Antara kelemahan dalam pengurusan projek pembangunan Feldajaya berkemungkinan kajian dijalankan selepas projek pembinaan dimulakan menyebabkan projek tidak berdaya maju.
Projek Pembangunan Feldajaya mula dilaksanakan pada tahun 2003 iaitu Mempaga di Pahang, Raja Alias di Negeri Sembilan dan Trolak di Perak dengan keluasan 417.77 ekar melibatkan kos pembangunan berjumlah RM206.62 juta.
Kesemua 80 lot pasar awam dan 16 lot hentian bas di Feldajaya Raja Alias dan Trolak dibina dengan kos sejumlah RM2.22 juta serta 10 lot medan selera tidak mempunyai penyewa.
Manakala tunggakan bayaran sewa bulanan bagi rumah banglo, rumah kedai, medan selera dan hentian bas ialah RM1.31 juta dan tempoh tunggakan tertinggi adalah 72 bulan.
“Perjanjian kediaman tidak dipatuhi oleh pembeli di mana 22 buah rumah kediaman dijadikan premis perniagaan dan 40 buah rumah kediaman diubahsuai tanpa kebenaran.
“Projek pembangunan di Feldajaya Trolak dijalankan di atas tanah pertanian yang belum ditukar status kepada tanah pembangunan, menyebabkan pembeli rumah masih belum menerima kelulusan pinjaman perumahan daripada institusi kewangan akibat status tanah tersebut,” kata laporan tersebut.
Manakala, perjanjian perkhidmatan pengurusan dan penyenggaraan tidak diperbaharui menyebabkan tunggakan tuntutan kerja penyenggaraan oleh FESSB sejumlah RM330,924.
Semakan audit juga mendapati kajian projek pembinaan Feldajaya Mempaga, Raja Alias dan Trolak lewat 14 dan 12 bulan.
Banglo disalah guna
“Semakan Audit selanjutnya terhadap kajian kemungkinan yang dijalankan di Feldajaya Raja Alias dan Trolak mendapati projek tersebut adalah tidak berdaya maju.
“Ini disebabkan tiada faktor pemangkin kepada pembangunan seperti pembinaan institut penyelidikan berkaitan pertanian dan perubatan, institusi pendidikan dan pembangunan pelancongan.
“Selain itu, kajian yang dijalankan di Feldajaya Trolak mendapati permintaan pasaran sedia ada kurang berbanding pembangunan yang dirancang manakala sehingga kini, Felda masih belum mengemukakan kajian kemungkinan bagi Feldajaya Mempaga,” tambah laporan tersebut.
Semakan selanjutnya mendapati hanya satu daripada 10 lot medan selera di Feldajaya Raja Alias yang disewakan. Ini disebabkan kedudukannya yang tidak strategik iaitu bertentangan dengan medan selera sedia ada yang lebih mudah diakses dan bersebelahan dengan jalan utama.
Pada pendapat Audit, kemudahan awam yang tidak digunakan sepenuhnya menyebabkan pembaziran dan kerugian hasil kepada Felda.
Manakala ada juga pemilik yang menyalahguna banglo mereka dengan 21 unit rumah banglo telah dijadikan homestay iaitu sebanyak enam unit di Mempaga, lima di Raja Alias dan 10 di Feldajaya Trolak.
Selain itu, sebuah rumah banglo di Mempaga telah dijadikan pusat rawatan kecantikan.
PETALING JAYA: Laporan Ketua Audit Negara mendedahkan pengurusan projek pembangunan Feldajaya adalah kurang memuaskan berdasarkan pengauditan yang dijalankan antara bulan November 2012 sehingga Januari 2013.Antara kelemahan dalam pengurusan projek pembangunan Feldajaya berkemungkinan kajian dijalankan selepas projek pembinaan dimulakan menyebabkan projek tidak berdaya maju.
Projek Pembangunan Feldajaya mula dilaksanakan pada tahun 2003 iaitu Mempaga di Pahang, Raja Alias di Negeri Sembilan dan Trolak di Perak dengan keluasan 417.77 ekar melibatkan kos pembangunan berjumlah RM206.62 juta.
Kesemua 80 lot pasar awam dan 16 lot hentian bas di Feldajaya Raja Alias dan Trolak dibina dengan kos sejumlah RM2.22 juta serta 10 lot medan selera tidak mempunyai penyewa.
Manakala tunggakan bayaran sewa bulanan bagi rumah banglo, rumah kedai, medan selera dan hentian bas ialah RM1.31 juta dan tempoh tunggakan tertinggi adalah 72 bulan.
“Perjanjian kediaman tidak dipatuhi oleh pembeli di mana 22 buah rumah kediaman dijadikan premis perniagaan dan 40 buah rumah kediaman diubahsuai tanpa kebenaran.
“Projek pembangunan di Feldajaya Trolak dijalankan di atas tanah pertanian yang belum ditukar status kepada tanah pembangunan, menyebabkan pembeli rumah masih belum menerima kelulusan pinjaman perumahan daripada institusi kewangan akibat status tanah tersebut,” kata laporan tersebut.
Manakala, perjanjian perkhidmatan pengurusan dan penyenggaraan tidak diperbaharui menyebabkan tunggakan tuntutan kerja penyenggaraan oleh FESSB sejumlah RM330,924.
Semakan audit juga mendapati kajian projek pembinaan Feldajaya Mempaga, Raja Alias dan Trolak lewat 14 dan 12 bulan.
Banglo disalah guna
“Semakan Audit selanjutnya terhadap kajian kemungkinan yang dijalankan di Feldajaya Raja Alias dan Trolak mendapati projek tersebut adalah tidak berdaya maju.
“Ini disebabkan tiada faktor pemangkin kepada pembangunan seperti pembinaan institut penyelidikan berkaitan pertanian dan perubatan, institusi pendidikan dan pembangunan pelancongan.
“Selain itu, kajian yang dijalankan di Feldajaya Trolak mendapati permintaan pasaran sedia ada kurang berbanding pembangunan yang dirancang manakala sehingga kini, Felda masih belum mengemukakan kajian kemungkinan bagi Feldajaya Mempaga,” tambah laporan tersebut.
Semakan selanjutnya mendapati hanya satu daripada 10 lot medan selera di Feldajaya Raja Alias yang disewakan. Ini disebabkan kedudukannya yang tidak strategik iaitu bertentangan dengan medan selera sedia ada yang lebih mudah diakses dan bersebelahan dengan jalan utama.
Pada pendapat Audit, kemudahan awam yang tidak digunakan sepenuhnya menyebabkan pembaziran dan kerugian hasil kepada Felda.
Manakala ada juga pemilik yang menyalahguna banglo mereka dengan 21 unit rumah banglo telah dijadikan homestay iaitu sebanyak enam unit di Mempaga, lima di Raja Alias dan 10 di Feldajaya Trolak.
Selain itu, sebuah rumah banglo di Mempaga telah dijadikan pusat rawatan kecantikan.
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