Thursday, 28 November 2013
Life sentence for Noida Muslim couple who killed their daughter and Nepalese servant
by Christopher SharmaRajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar committed murder to punish an alleged affair between their 14 year old daughter and the Nepalese domestic worker, Yam Prasad Banjade . Dating to 2008 , the crime sparked strong debate among Muslim , Hindu and secular Indians. Interviewed by AsiaNews, Banjade’s wife welcomes the judgment. Impoverished, the woman hopes to be compensated for her husband’s murder.
Kathmandu ( AsiaNews) - A special court in Uttar Pradesh ( northern India ) yesterday sentenced Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar to life imprisonment. The wealthy Muslim couple, both dentists, are guilty of the murder of their 14 year old daughter and Yam Prasad Banjade, a Nepalese domestic worker killed in Noida in May 2008.
Originally the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) had asked for the death penalty, but the judges have opted instead for life imprisonment . The couple acted in anger after discovering an alleged affair between their only child and employee. The Talwar's lawyers say they will appeal. Yesterday, hundreds of Nepali women and human rights activists launched a campaign in New Delhi for 16 days against violence against women and against honor killings , very common in Muslim communities .
Interviewed by AsiaNews Khumkala Banjade , wife of Hemraj Banjade , said she was satisfied by the sentence : " I had asked for the death penalty for the murderers of my husband, but I accept the court's verdict against the Talwars". Since her husbands death the woman has been living in abject poverty with a sick child and her mother-in-law of 80. "It was our poverty - she says - that led my innocent husband to his death at the hands of this couple. I ask for compensation for his murder and I hope the Indian court will be able to give justice to me and to my family. "
In these five years, the case of the pair of Noida has been followed by millions of people and has raised many criticisms against the local police accused on several occasions of serious shortcomings. A few hours after the crime, dozens of people, including journalists and television crews and strangers arrived at the house without any police control, compromising the scene. The trial also raised a number of cultural debates among Muslims, Hindus and civil society. Some experts say that the case showed a "clash of cultures " in India, pitting police and conservative sectors of society against the excesses of the upper middle class . Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar were both observant Muslims and according to Islamic community had the right to punish the serious affront committed by the domestic worker and daughter, both adulterers . In order to justify the decision, Judge Shyam Lal also used the passages from the Koran that punish murder.
Penan families not going to get a sen more, says Sarawak Chief Minister
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic, left) continued to play hardball with the state's long-suffering Penan tribe when he said his government will not pay an extra sen to the 100 families displaced by the Murum hydroelectric dam project.He called their cash demands "outrageous" and insisted the state government will not budge as the demands "would be rejected anywhere in the world".
The 100 Penan families, who have set up a blockade on the access road to the dam site, are demanding RM500,000 compensation for each family while the state government is only prepared to pay RM15,000 per family.
"Their demands are often over exorbitant cash payouts. The government will continue to reject their most outrageous demands because they are unreasonable," Taib said when concluding the debates in the state assembly this afternoon.
The chief minister also hinted that the Penan had been made use of when he said: "What they have managed to achieve is a lot of publicity for the instigators behind them, who received cash from their sponsors outside Sarawak".
He said that to those affected by the proposed construction of a larger dam in Baram and another proposed dam in Baleh along the Rajang River, the government would devise a resettlement plan that is acceptable to all parties.
In Baram, the project would displace thousands of people in 33 villages.
The dams are the cornerstone of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score), the industrial corridor of the state government’s industrialisation plan.
Taib said the success of Score depended on the successful resettlement of the affected communities.
"There is no doubt in my mind in the link between Score and resettlement.
"The government is committed to a successful resettlement exercise because the people of Sarawak owe it to the affected communities.
"We owe it to the indigenous people that they should also benefit from the development programme which we are pursuing for Sarawak," he said.
Taib also said Sarawakians should be proud of their present resettlement policy because "it is probably among the best in the world".
The chief minister also acknowledged that Sarawak had not taken adequate measures in the past to provide for better resettlement because "we could not afford them".
"Now that we are able to integrate hydro development as part of our hinterland development strategy, we are in a position to plan better and have a better approach."
On another contentious issue, the Malaysia Agreement, Taib said it should not be questioned as Sarawak had benefitted much in the 50 years after it gained independence and became an integral member of Malaysia.
He said the people had enjoyed peace and harmony, tackled poverty which fell from 60% in the 60s to only 2.4%.
"The standard of living in Sarawak has improved by leaps and bounds in the last 50 years," he said. – November 27, 2013.
MIC U-turn: Youth results upheld
The party management committee, led by MIC president G Palanivel, reversed an earlier decision to suspend the results .
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: In less than 24 hours, the MIC leadership decided to uphold the MIC Youth election results after a high level meeting today at the party headquarters.
Yesterday, MIC secretary-general A Sakthivel said that the party leadership had suspended the party’s youth wing’s election results pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the polls.
The emergency meeting this morning by the party management committee, led by MIC president G Palanivel, also decided to reinstate all 38 youth delegates who were voted in the youth polls on Nov 16 polls.
Hence, the delegates would be allowed to vote in the party national election, scheduled on Saturday.
The management committee comprises of the party president, deputy president, the three vice presidents and party state chairpersons.
Sakthivel told reporters today the committee decided that the phantom-voter allegation would not change the outcome of the results.
“The one vote does not make any difference to the result,” he said, adding that the party also sacked a youth member.
However, Sakthivel refused to give further details about the youth member who was overseas.
In the youth polls, former secretary C Sivarraajh won the wing’s top post defeating deputy chief V Mugilan by 44 votes.
Sivarraajh obtained 278 votes to Mugilan’s 234 to take over from outgoing youth chief T Mohan who is contesting for vice-president’s post this time.
The deputy’s post was won by MIC youth legal bureau head R Thinalan who garnered 321 votes beating Malacca MIC youth deputy chief K Sashi who obtained 188 votes.
Meanwhile, Sivarraajh urged the leadership not to make the same mistake in the future.
Sivarraajh also thanked Palanivel for sorting out the issue quickly and also the youth members for supporting him while the results were suspended.
He urged the party’s election committee to vet the candidates to see if they had been declared bankrupt before preparing electoral list.
ROS letter
Sakthivel also confirmed that the Cheras division delegates were entitled to vote in the national election.
The Registrar of Societies (ROS) had directed the MIC to iron out problems in its Cheras division as the issue could affect the party’s annual general assembly.
In a letter to Sakthivel on Nov 21, ROS deputy director-general Alias Mamat said they had received a complaint from Cheras division deputy chief K Palanisamy on the running of the division’s 14 branch meetings.
Palanisamy had written to the ROS that the meetings were held simultaneously on July 21 at the Cheras MIC division office in Taman Kobena, Cheras.
However, Sakthivel admitted that the issue was brought up in today’s meeting.
“All the delegates in MIC Cheras division are allowed to vote in the polls as for now,” he said.
UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR: In less than 24 hours, the MIC leadership decided to uphold the MIC Youth election results after a high level meeting today at the party headquarters.Yesterday, MIC secretary-general A Sakthivel said that the party leadership had suspended the party’s youth wing’s election results pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the polls.
The emergency meeting this morning by the party management committee, led by MIC president G Palanivel, also decided to reinstate all 38 youth delegates who were voted in the youth polls on Nov 16 polls.
Hence, the delegates would be allowed to vote in the party national election, scheduled on Saturday.
The management committee comprises of the party president, deputy president, the three vice presidents and party state chairpersons.
Sakthivel told reporters today the committee decided that the phantom-voter allegation would not change the outcome of the results.
“The one vote does not make any difference to the result,” he said, adding that the party also sacked a youth member.
However, Sakthivel refused to give further details about the youth member who was overseas.
In the youth polls, former secretary C Sivarraajh won the wing’s top post defeating deputy chief V Mugilan by 44 votes.
Sivarraajh obtained 278 votes to Mugilan’s 234 to take over from outgoing youth chief T Mohan who is contesting for vice-president’s post this time.
The deputy’s post was won by MIC youth legal bureau head R Thinalan who garnered 321 votes beating Malacca MIC youth deputy chief K Sashi who obtained 188 votes.
Meanwhile, Sivarraajh urged the leadership not to make the same mistake in the future.
Sivarraajh also thanked Palanivel for sorting out the issue quickly and also the youth members for supporting him while the results were suspended.
He urged the party’s election committee to vet the candidates to see if they had been declared bankrupt before preparing electoral list.
ROS letter
Sakthivel also confirmed that the Cheras division delegates were entitled to vote in the national election.
The Registrar of Societies (ROS) had directed the MIC to iron out problems in its Cheras division as the issue could affect the party’s annual general assembly.
In a letter to Sakthivel on Nov 21, ROS deputy director-general Alias Mamat said they had received a complaint from Cheras division deputy chief K Palanisamy on the running of the division’s 14 branch meetings.
Palanisamy had written to the ROS that the meetings were held simultaneously on July 21 at the Cheras MIC division office in Taman Kobena, Cheras.
However, Sakthivel admitted that the issue was brought up in today’s meeting.
“All the delegates in MIC Cheras division are allowed to vote in the polls as for now,” he said.
PKR Roban Lumpuh, 110 Anggota Sertai SPDP
(Bernama) - Operasi PKR cabang Roban di Saratok, Sarawak, lumpuh selepas pengerusi dan setiausahanya keluar parti dan membawa bersama-sama mereka 108 anggota serta penyokong untuk menyertai Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak (SPDP). Gani Eli, yang mempengerusikan cabang itu sejak 2011, mengetuai kumpulan yang keluar PKR itu untuk menyerahkan borang permohonan mereka kepada Presiden SPDP Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom di sini hari ini.
"PKR tidak ada hala tuju selepas pilihan raya (umum ke-13). (Kami telah dibiarkan) macam itu sahaja," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas menyerahkan borang permohohan mereka di ibu pejabat SPDP di sini.
Beliau berkata lebih banyak anggota dan penyokong PKR dari Roban dijangka mengikuti jejak mereka.
Sementara itu bekas Setiausaha PKR Roban Abang Mokhtar Abang Zulkifli berkata beliau menyedari parti pembangkang itu tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa untuk meningkatkan kehidupan rakyat.
"PKR tidak boleh diharap untuk masa depan tetapi kami yakin SPDP boleh membawa pembangunan yang dapat memajukan rakyat," kata Abang Mokhtar.
Sebaik saja menerima borang permohonan mereka, Mawan menyifatkan keputusan kumpulan itu untuk keluar PKR sebagai berita baik bagi Barisan Nasional.
"Mereka memilih untuk menyertai arus perdana dan mahu bekerjasama (dengan Barisan Nasional) dengan menyertai SPDP," katanya.
Beliau berpendapat di sebalik beberapa cabaran yang melanda SPDP sejak beberapa tahun lepas, parti itu tidak pernah kehilangan daya penariknya dan masih berjaya membawa kemasukan anggota baharu.
"Kami tidak pernah mengutuk orang sebaliknya sentiasa bersedia untuk menghulurkan persahabatan dan merapatkan hubungan," katanya.
Orang Asli: We are not stupid anymore
FMT by Vignesh Kumar
The Orang Asli throughout the country are awakening to the loss of their lands and rights and demand that the government cease these acts of crime.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Orang Asli communities say that they are not stupid anymore and have realised how the government is grabbing their land.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Se-Malaysia (JKOASM) co-ordinator Tijah Yop Chopil said: “I hope the government will be fair in protecting indigenous people’s land and rights”.
“The government must realise that robbing the indigenous people of their land is a crime. They do not comply with the indigenous people’s land laws.” she said.
“They have to stop this immediately. We are not stupid anymore,” Tijah said.
Tijah was speaking at the 7th Land Conference of the Indigenous People held at the YMCA Brickfields today.
She also wants the government to respond to Suhakam’s report on the national inquiry pertaining to the Orang Asli land rights.
Suhakam’s report initially listed 18 recommendations but during the five-day land conference which started on Nov 21 and ended today, JKOASM further identified and added 17 new resolutions toward protecting their land rights.
“The government has formed a special task force to look into this matter. We want assurance from the government’s task force that they will protect the Orang Asli land rights,” said Tijah.
Tijah said the Orang Asli community need proper clarification from the government and that their rights should not be questioned.
“We hope the government gives due recognition to our land rights, looks into this matter seriously and preserve our rights.
“We are the original people of Malaysia and we have the rights,” she said.
“We will fight all out to protect our land,” she added.
The Orang Asli throughout the country are awakening to the loss of their lands and rights and demand that the government cease these acts of crime.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Orang Asli communities say that they are not stupid anymore and have realised how the government is grabbing their land.
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Se-Malaysia (JKOASM) co-ordinator Tijah Yop Chopil said: “I hope the government will be fair in protecting indigenous people’s land and rights”.
“The government must realise that robbing the indigenous people of their land is a crime. They do not comply with the indigenous people’s land laws.” she said.
“They have to stop this immediately. We are not stupid anymore,” Tijah said.
Tijah was speaking at the 7th Land Conference of the Indigenous People held at the YMCA Brickfields today.
She also wants the government to respond to Suhakam’s report on the national inquiry pertaining to the Orang Asli land rights.
Suhakam’s report initially listed 18 recommendations but during the five-day land conference which started on Nov 21 and ended today, JKOASM further identified and added 17 new resolutions toward protecting their land rights.
“The government has formed a special task force to look into this matter. We want assurance from the government’s task force that they will protect the Orang Asli land rights,” said Tijah.
Tijah said the Orang Asli community need proper clarification from the government and that their rights should not be questioned.
“We hope the government gives due recognition to our land rights, looks into this matter seriously and preserve our rights.
“We are the original people of Malaysia and we have the rights,” she said.
“We will fight all out to protect our land,” she added.
Najib Wants More People To Benefit From Development Programmes
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun
Razak has expressed hope that more people will benefit from development
programmes and initiatives introduced by the government.
However, he said the programmes, such as 1AZAM, would only provide the platform, and it was up to the individual to make an optimum use of the available opportunities.
He said through the 1AZAM programme, four opportunities to increase income had been made available, namely through job placement, small business, service provider and agriculture.
In his Facebook status today, Najib said he was impressed by the success of single mother of five, Zabidah Abdul Hamid, in operating her cake business.
"Starting with a monthly income of RM300, the business now enables her to earn RM3,000 a month, especially after she spreads her wings to Klang Valley and Selangor," he said.
By participating in 1AZAM, Zabidah was given training and guidance in terms of manufacturing and marketing aspects, besides being encouraged to move on her own and grab all available opportunities, Najib explained.
"The 1AZAM programme has provided a comprehensive platform for Zabidah and with hard work and determination, nothing is impossible," he said.
The prime minister also called on all people to work harder to improve their living conditions and contribute to the country's economic growth.
However, he said the programmes, such as 1AZAM, would only provide the platform, and it was up to the individual to make an optimum use of the available opportunities.
He said through the 1AZAM programme, four opportunities to increase income had been made available, namely through job placement, small business, service provider and agriculture.
In his Facebook status today, Najib said he was impressed by the success of single mother of five, Zabidah Abdul Hamid, in operating her cake business.
"Starting with a monthly income of RM300, the business now enables her to earn RM3,000 a month, especially after she spreads her wings to Klang Valley and Selangor," he said.
By participating in 1AZAM, Zabidah was given training and guidance in terms of manufacturing and marketing aspects, besides being encouraged to move on her own and grab all available opportunities, Najib explained.
"The 1AZAM programme has provided a comprehensive platform for Zabidah and with hard work and determination, nothing is impossible," he said.
The prime minister also called on all people to work harder to improve their living conditions and contribute to the country's economic growth.
Two MPs thrown out over temple demolition issue
Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia today stopped R Sivarasa
(PKR-Subang) from raising the demolition of the Sri Muneswarar temple
annexe in Kuala Lumpur, and then booted him out of the House for
delaying proceedings.
An hour later, V Sivakumar (DAP-Batu Gajah) (left)
was ordered to leave the House by deputy speaker Ismail Mohamed Said
for questioning the speaker's ruling that the issue cannot be raised
anymore.
Sivarasa is the second PKR representative, after Padang Serai MP N Surendran, to be thrown out of the House for raising the issue.
While Sivarasa is barred from the Dewan Rakyat up to Friday, Surendran is serving out a six-month suspension order.
Sivakumar's suspension period is uncertain at this point.
On both occasions, in dealing with Surendran and Sivarasa, Pandikar fell back on the Federal Territories Ministry's account of the issue and the claim that a court order had been issued for the demolition exercise.
"The issue has been settled, it has been raised before," Pandikar said when preventing Sivarasa from elaborating on his argument.
This took place when he was debating the Federal Territories Ministry's 2014 budget at committee stage.
At a press conference later, Sivarasa said Pandikar (right)
does not appear to be acting neutrally and is reacting "emotionally"
whenever it comes to the issue, by accepting the ministry's version of
events.
He also said that the court order did not allow for demolition of any part of the temple.
Sivarasa said he would bring a copy of the court order to Parliament on Monday, when his suspension ends, to prove Pandikar and the ministry wrong.
Sivakumar later incessantly questioned the deputy speaker, who took over proceedings from Pandikar, as to why the issue could not be raised and said that the speaker must not answer on behalf of the ministry.
Ismail told Sivakumar to "take a rest" while he was ordered to leave the House.
"The speaker already made a ruling. I don't have to explain to you on the matter anymore," Ismail told Sivakumar.
In a press conference earlier, Sivarasa said that many issues are constantly repeated in the Parliament and questioned why the speaker has prevented anyone from speaking on this particular issue.
"And all along, the speaker has been referring to a false statement," Sivarasa said.
An hour later, V Sivakumar (DAP-Batu Gajah) (left)
was ordered to leave the House by deputy speaker Ismail Mohamed Said
for questioning the speaker's ruling that the issue cannot be raised
anymore.Sivarasa is the second PKR representative, after Padang Serai MP N Surendran, to be thrown out of the House for raising the issue.
While Sivarasa is barred from the Dewan Rakyat up to Friday, Surendran is serving out a six-month suspension order.
Sivakumar's suspension period is uncertain at this point.
On both occasions, in dealing with Surendran and Sivarasa, Pandikar fell back on the Federal Territories Ministry's account of the issue and the claim that a court order had been issued for the demolition exercise.
"The issue has been settled, it has been raised before," Pandikar said when preventing Sivarasa from elaborating on his argument.
This took place when he was debating the Federal Territories Ministry's 2014 budget at committee stage.
At a press conference later, Sivarasa said Pandikar (right)
does not appear to be acting neutrally and is reacting "emotionally"
whenever it comes to the issue, by accepting the ministry's version of
events.He also said that the court order did not allow for demolition of any part of the temple.
Sivarasa said he would bring a copy of the court order to Parliament on Monday, when his suspension ends, to prove Pandikar and the ministry wrong.
Sivakumar later incessantly questioned the deputy speaker, who took over proceedings from Pandikar, as to why the issue could not be raised and said that the speaker must not answer on behalf of the ministry.
Ismail told Sivakumar to "take a rest" while he was ordered to leave the House.
"The speaker already made a ruling. I don't have to explain to you on the matter anymore," Ismail told Sivakumar.
In a press conference earlier, Sivarasa said that many issues are constantly repeated in the Parliament and questioned why the speaker has prevented anyone from speaking on this particular issue.
"And all along, the speaker has been referring to a false statement," Sivarasa said.
'Johor sultan has power to change rest day'
“The sultan, in my view, can do that as Friday is a holy day for Muslims and (he) has some practical reasons; so that Muslims can spend more time in the mosque as in pre-1993 (days),” he said in an email to Malaysiakini.
“The issue here is about whose power and through what procedure. The power is with the state and the sultan appears to have exercised it for religious reasons.”
He said state holidays fall under state jurisdiction, according to Schedule Nine of the federal constitution.
“It is not stated (in the constitution) whether it should go through the Dewan,” he said referring to the state assembly.
The constitutional law professor said the sultan can act unilaterally as long as it is in matters which do not contravene the federal constitution.
Furthermore,
he said, Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin has already indicated that
the ruling will not be forced upon non-Muslims and the business sector. Abdul Aziz (left), who returned to academia last month, two years after being sacked from by Universiti Islam Antarabangsa for critical remarkes against the Selangor sultan, said that changing the rest day from Friday to Sunday in 1993 had been more problematic.
“The (state) government may declare a holiday for a day or two but when it comes to changing something that has been going on for centuries, it is something else; it should have been more careful and elaborate.
“Now it has caused difficulty as the society has been so used to it, hence the uneasiness over the sultan's announcement.”
'Disrupting centuries-old practice'
Johor, then led by Muhyiddin Yassin, and Perlis, then headed by Shahidan Kassim, had changed their rest days from Friday to Sunday, disrupting a centuries-old practice in the two states.
Friday was the rest day for the unfederated Malay states - Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis - where British colonial influence had been relatively weaker.
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu still maintain this practice.
In
modern history, Abdul Aziz said, Johor's rest-day change is likely
linked to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's campaign to “clip the
rulers' wings”. “Some of the rulers have forgotten what the former PM did to them in 1983 and 1993.
“Note that Umno Baru was launched in Istana Besar Johor Bahru in 1988, four years after Mahathir amended the constitution which took away the power to assent to bills and also power to declare emergency.”
Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in his birthday speech decreed that the rest day will revert to Friday with effect from next year.
The private sector will mostly maintain the Monday to Friday work week to facilitate external trade, as long as banks do the same.
Banks, however, are undecided as to whether they will maintain Monday to Friday operating hours, pending official confirmation from the state government that the Friday rest day is optional.
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Istanbul monastery 'to be turned into mosque'
A ruined fifth century monastery in Istanbul is to be turned into a mosque next year, local media reported Tuesday, amid a row with Greece over possible similar moves for the ancient Hagia Sophia complex.
The plans for the Monastery of Studios, which was dedicated to St John the Baptist and was considered the most important of Constantinople, were revealed by the Hurriyet Daily News.
Religious authorities in the city could not immediately be reached for comment on the report, which comes amid increasing criticism of the government over its attempts to impose Islamic values on secular society in Turkey.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc angered Greece when he voiced hope that Hagia Sophia, a stunning Byzantine monument that dates back almost 1,500 years, would be converted into a Muslim place of worship.
Two churches of the same name in other parts of Turkey have recently been turned into mosques, adding to the estimated 83,000 across the country.
Hurriyet said the monastery, which has been left in ruins by fire and earthquakes with only part of the church remaining, would be restored next year and then converted.
Hagia Sophia, now one of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions, was a church for centuries -- and the seat of the Patriarchate of Istanbul -- before the Ottomans turned it into a mosque in the 15th century.
Both Hagia Sofia and the Monastery of Studios were turned into museums after the founding of modern Turkey by Mustafa Kamal Ataturk in 1923.
Debate about the role of religion in Turkish society has intensified in the run-up to a highly-charged election period, kicking off next March with local polls.
Truth about Gani could have altered Umno polls results, says ex-CID chief
The outcome of the Umno polls last month could have been different if party president Datuk Seri
Najib Razak had revealed the contents of a statutory declaration on Pulau Batu Puteh, said former city CID chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim.
In a statement today, Mat Zain said he had sent a 31-page statutory declaration to the prime minister on October 9 on the alleged wrongdoings of Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail (pic) with regard to Pulau Batu Puteh, but Najib chose to remain silent on the matter until today.
Mat Zain felt that if the content of the SD was made public, voters at the Umno polls would have voted differently.
“There were Umno supreme council candidates who are known to have been protected by Abdul Gani when allegations of wrongdoings were raised against them. There is a strong possibility that Umno members would not have voted in these candidates.
"Umno supreme council candidates, especially those from Sabah, would not have fared well either as Abdul Gani is from Sabah and has family ties with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
"Musa himself has been accused of being protected by Abdul Gani on several occasions when he was accused of corruption and abuse of power. I believe that if Najib had told the assembly about my SD, the outcome of the polls would have been very different," Mat Zain said.
Mat Zain said concealing material information was tantamount to deception.
"And by concealing the content of the SD, Najib could be said to have deprived the members of their rights in choosing the right candidates in the party polls.”
Mat Zain said the Registrar of Societies should declare the results of the 2013 Umno elections null and void.
"The RoS must show that it has a backbone and is able to take action against any political party which has violated the laws or party constitution," Mat Zain said, adding that deception and intentionally hiding vital information was a serious offence.
He said following the Lahad Datu incursion in February, Corporal Hassan Basari of the Special Branch was sentenced to seven years' jail for hiding information relating to the intrusion by the Sulu gunmen.
"The one who decided to charge Hassan was none other than Abdul Gani, who is from Sabah," said Mat Zain.
"I hope Hassan's case will make Najib and other ministers realise how serious the issue of concealing information is, especially when it concerns the nation's security and sovereignty.
"If a mere corporal can be sentenced to seven years' jail, what more someone who caused Malaysia to lose Pulau Batu Puteh?"
Both Malaysia and Singapore had claimed Pulau Batu Puteh, a dispute which was later settled by the International Court of Justice in 2007. The ICJ ruled in favour of Singapore, a decision which put Abdul Gani under the spotlight.
Mat Zain alleged that Abdul Gani had deliberately lost the case resulting in the ICJ ruling in favour of Singapore. He alleged that a substantial amount of money had been deposited into a bank account in Hong Kong.
"A heavy punishment is in order, especially if there is information and evidence that hundreds of millions of ringgit changed hands. Najib should form a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate these claims against Abdul Gani."
Mat Zain said Pulau Batu Puteh should not be seen as a cluster of rocks in the middle of the sea and without any commercial value. Malaysia gave up the coastal waters and air space when it lost the island.
"What is the actual reason for Malaysia losing Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore? The RCI must be formed to investigate and maximum penalties must be levied on whoever is guilty of betraying Malaysia's sovereignty."
The former CID chief pointed out that Najib's silence on major issues could backfire on him and his government.
"Perhaps he has been wrongly advised.
"Najib should be transparent. Whenever there are allegations against the AG, no matter how serious they are, the PM will somehow brush them aside.
"As the prime minister, he should not show that he is afraid of Abdul Gani." – November 26, 2013.
Ministers' wives lectured on the wrongs of Shiism
This story, related by Jakim’s assistant director of Akidah Mohd Aizam Mas’od, had the wives of ministers in stitches.About 30 members of the Wives' Charities and Welfare Body (Bakti), including prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor, were today lectured about the Shiite sect, and how it clashes with the Sunni brand of Islam, as practised in Malaysia.
The ladies took down notes as Mohd Aizam held a power-point presentation.
The presentation illustrated the millennium-old history of the second largest denomination of Islam - its leaders, practices, teachings and geographic spread and why it was wrong.
Two million Shiite followers in South-East Asia
Practitioners of Shiism, widely found in Iran but considered heretics in Malaysia, look to Ali, Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law, as the divinely-appointed successor to Muhammad, and the first Imam.
"It is the oldest and most classic heresy in the history of Islam," said Mohd Aizam. "Shiism is the main enemy of Islam after the Jews and the Christians (in the historical context)."
Although Sunnis and Shiites had shared roots in the Quran, Mohd Aizam said that the advent of the Shiite sect had been warned about by Prophet Muhammad himself.
The
sect was gazetted as ‘haram’ (prohibited in Islam) by the Malaysian
National Fatwa Council for Islamic Affairs, Muzakarah Special Committee
on May 5, 1996, as its teachings were feared to create factions among
Muslims.Mohd Aizam said in South-East Asia, there were two million followers of Shiism or about 1 percent of the Muslims in Indonesia, 21,000 in Thailand, 5,000 in Singapore and only 1,500 in Malaysia.
Mohd Aizam’s figure was in contradiction with a recent Home Ministry estimate of 250,000 Shiite followers identified nationwide consisting of 10 active groups.
But the Jakim official clarified that his figure referred only to Shiite followers who were Malaysians, not foreigners.
There also many splinter groups within the Shiite religion, Mohd Aizam warned.
Amongst the most widespread in Malaysia, he said, were the believers in the "Twelver Shiites" who believe in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams, with a last Imam to be revealed when Al-Mahdi returns.
The talk lasted nearly two hours before it went into a closed-door question-and-answer session.
Trouble in MIC over Palani’s stance
Party boss told to be clear about whether he is endorsing anyone for vice president.
PETALING JAYA: An MIC leader today demanded that party president G Palanivel state clearly that he has no preferences among the candidates vying for vice presidential positions.
Palanivel had been making confusing statements about the issue, said the party leader, who declined to be named.
“Last night, at a meeting with delegates from Perak in Ipoh, the president said he was not supporting anyone in the vice president race,” the source told FMT. “But this morning he held a meeting with the Selangor MIC liaison committee and declared that he was in support of two candidates in particular.”
The source claimed he was at today’s meeting, which he said was held at the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and attended only by members of the Selangor liaison committee.
“Who is he trying to bluff? I am sure he knows things like this leak out. One day, he says he is not supporting anyone, then the very next day, just after 12 hours, he says he is backing the two candidates.”
The two, according to the source, are party treasurer general Jaspal Singh and former youth chief SA Vigneswaran. Palanivel also mentioned them last Saturday at a meeting with Selangor delegates who will vote at the election on Nov 30.
Jaspal and Vigneswaran are among eight candidates fighting for the three vice presidential positions. The others are Youth and Sports Deputy Minister M Saravanan, Perak state assembly speaker SK Devamany, former youth chief T Mohan, former vice president S Sothinathan, Johor Baharu MIC division leader KS Balakrishnan and Bukit Bintang division leader James Selvarajah. Saravanan and Devamany are incumbents.
Soon after the Saturday meeting, several of the aspirants contacted FMT to voice their displeasure over Palanivel’s open endorsement of the two candidates.
Palanivel had told the meeting that he was not endorsing them but was merely introducing them to the delegates.
“There was not need for him to introduce the two because Vigneswaran is from Selangor and not a new MIC member contesting for the post and Jaspal has been the treasurer general for the last three years,” said FMT’s source. “Everybody in the party, including grassroots members, know who they are.
“If he is sincere, then he must once and for all say he is not supporting anyone in the race.”
Peace deal
Palanivel and his deputy, Dr S Subramaniam, won their positions uncontested as part of a peace deal brokered by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and finalised last August. Another part of the deal stipulates that neither Palanivel nor Dr Subramaniam should take sides in the veep race.
Dr Subramaniam, who is on medical leave following a road accident last week, is yet to comment on the latest turn of events.
Observers say Najib’s peace plan was in danger of being torn up.
“The plan was put in place so that there will not be a split in the party,” said an observer who declined to be named. “But if the president takes sides, then the other candidates may revolt and this will eventually divide the party. Some may even cross over to the opposition and this will give a bigger headache for Najib and Barisan Nasional.
“Instead of keeping the party united, Najib’s peace plan may just divide and weaken the party further because of Palanivel’s action.”
However, several party leaders close to some of the vice presidential candidates said Palanivel might just be trying to “please everybody” although he was not doing it well.
“He knows things will go out of control if he announces his choice of veep candidates,” said one source. “People like Saravanan, Devamany and Mohan are not going to take this quietly. There will be a revolt and he knows it.
“Those three can do a lot of damage to Palanivel and the party. Can you imagine if they leave the party to become independent? They need not even jump over to the opposition. The repercussions on the party and Palanivel would be considerable.
“But before they do that, they will surely sully Palanivel’s leadership and character. This is not good for MIC and the Barisan Nasional.”
More trouble
The party’s decision today to suspend the MIC Youth polls results too did not go down well with many of the candidates vying for leadership slots in the party polls.
These leaders claimed Palanivel had “shot himself in his foot” by suspending the MIC Youth polls on grounds of irregularities, including the possibility of having bankrupt and phantom voters.
The decision to suspend the outcome was announced by party secretary-general A Saktivel at the MIC headquarters today.
Following this suspension, a total of 38 youth delegates will not be allowed to cast their votes in the upcoming party elections on Nov 30.
“This is quite strange. Who is actually at fault here? Isn’t it the party HQ for failing to monitor the delegates?” asked a CWC candidate.
He further said that the party should also look into the number of bankrupt candidates who were involved in nominating Palanivel for the presidency.
“Will he stand down pending an inquiry?” he further asked.
Another senior party leader said with this latest development, the best thing Palanivel could do was to postpone the party elections until the mess was cleared.
Meanwhile, a source close to C Sivarraajh who won the Youth chief’s post by defeating V Mugilan by 44 votes, said they were contemplating of taking the matter to the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
PETALING JAYA: An MIC leader today demanded that party president G Palanivel state clearly that he has no preferences among the candidates vying for vice presidential positions.Palanivel had been making confusing statements about the issue, said the party leader, who declined to be named.
“Last night, at a meeting with delegates from Perak in Ipoh, the president said he was not supporting anyone in the vice president race,” the source told FMT. “But this morning he held a meeting with the Selangor MIC liaison committee and declared that he was in support of two candidates in particular.”
The source claimed he was at today’s meeting, which he said was held at the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and attended only by members of the Selangor liaison committee.
“Who is he trying to bluff? I am sure he knows things like this leak out. One day, he says he is not supporting anyone, then the very next day, just after 12 hours, he says he is backing the two candidates.”
The two, according to the source, are party treasurer general Jaspal Singh and former youth chief SA Vigneswaran. Palanivel also mentioned them last Saturday at a meeting with Selangor delegates who will vote at the election on Nov 30.
Jaspal and Vigneswaran are among eight candidates fighting for the three vice presidential positions. The others are Youth and Sports Deputy Minister M Saravanan, Perak state assembly speaker SK Devamany, former youth chief T Mohan, former vice president S Sothinathan, Johor Baharu MIC division leader KS Balakrishnan and Bukit Bintang division leader James Selvarajah. Saravanan and Devamany are incumbents.
Soon after the Saturday meeting, several of the aspirants contacted FMT to voice their displeasure over Palanivel’s open endorsement of the two candidates.
Palanivel had told the meeting that he was not endorsing them but was merely introducing them to the delegates.
“There was not need for him to introduce the two because Vigneswaran is from Selangor and not a new MIC member contesting for the post and Jaspal has been the treasurer general for the last three years,” said FMT’s source. “Everybody in the party, including grassroots members, know who they are.
“If he is sincere, then he must once and for all say he is not supporting anyone in the race.”
Peace deal
Palanivel and his deputy, Dr S Subramaniam, won their positions uncontested as part of a peace deal brokered by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and finalised last August. Another part of the deal stipulates that neither Palanivel nor Dr Subramaniam should take sides in the veep race.
Dr Subramaniam, who is on medical leave following a road accident last week, is yet to comment on the latest turn of events.
Observers say Najib’s peace plan was in danger of being torn up.
“The plan was put in place so that there will not be a split in the party,” said an observer who declined to be named. “But if the president takes sides, then the other candidates may revolt and this will eventually divide the party. Some may even cross over to the opposition and this will give a bigger headache for Najib and Barisan Nasional.
“Instead of keeping the party united, Najib’s peace plan may just divide and weaken the party further because of Palanivel’s action.”
However, several party leaders close to some of the vice presidential candidates said Palanivel might just be trying to “please everybody” although he was not doing it well.
“He knows things will go out of control if he announces his choice of veep candidates,” said one source. “People like Saravanan, Devamany and Mohan are not going to take this quietly. There will be a revolt and he knows it.
“Those three can do a lot of damage to Palanivel and the party. Can you imagine if they leave the party to become independent? They need not even jump over to the opposition. The repercussions on the party and Palanivel would be considerable.
“But before they do that, they will surely sully Palanivel’s leadership and character. This is not good for MIC and the Barisan Nasional.”
More trouble
The party’s decision today to suspend the MIC Youth polls results too did not go down well with many of the candidates vying for leadership slots in the party polls.
These leaders claimed Palanivel had “shot himself in his foot” by suspending the MIC Youth polls on grounds of irregularities, including the possibility of having bankrupt and phantom voters.
The decision to suspend the outcome was announced by party secretary-general A Saktivel at the MIC headquarters today.
Following this suspension, a total of 38 youth delegates will not be allowed to cast their votes in the upcoming party elections on Nov 30.
“This is quite strange. Who is actually at fault here? Isn’t it the party HQ for failing to monitor the delegates?” asked a CWC candidate.
He further said that the party should also look into the number of bankrupt candidates who were involved in nominating Palanivel for the presidency.
“Will he stand down pending an inquiry?” he further asked.
Another senior party leader said with this latest development, the best thing Palanivel could do was to postpone the party elections until the mess was cleared.
Meanwhile, a source close to C Sivarraajh who won the Youth chief’s post by defeating V Mugilan by 44 votes, said they were contemplating of taking the matter to the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
MIC Youth results suspended
The MIC leadership has suspended results of the MIC Youth polls held on Nov 16 pending investigations.
PETALING JAYA: The MIC leadership has suspended the party’s Youth wing’s election results pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the polls.
Party secretary general A Sakthivel in announcing this, said a Youth member had lodged a complaint on the running of the Youth elections and the party had decided to investigate the matter.
“During this period, the Youth wing election results would be suspended,” he told FMT when contacted.
The MIC secretary general had earlier held a press conference to announce the suspension. Only Tamil vernacular dailies were invited to attend the press conference.
Speaking to FMT, Sakthivel said the Youth wing election results would remain suspended until a probe on it was completed.
“We do not have a time frame for the suspension. We will decide on the next course of action only after we complete the investigations,” he added.
The suspension is because there were claims that seven people who were bankrupt were allowed to vote in the Youth polls. There is also allegation that a ballot belonging to a delegate, who was overseas during the election, was in fact cast by someone else.
Following suspension of the Youth wing election results, some 38 Youth delegates will not be able to cast their ballots to pick three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members at the party annual general assembly on Nov 30.
Former Youth secretary C Sivarraajh won the wing’s top post at the election, defeating deputy chief V Mugilan by 44 votes.
Sivarraajh obtained 278 votes to Mugilan’s 234 to take over from out going Youth chief T Mohan who is contesting for vice-president this time.
The deputy’s post was won by MIC youth legal bureau head R Thinalan who garnered 321 votes, beating Malacca MIC youth deputy chief K Sashi who obtained 188 votes.
It must be noted that Mugilan was favoured by party president G Palanivel while Sivarraajh was backed by Mohan.
Ulterior motive
Party sources claimed that the MIC leadership headed by Palanivel has an ulterior motive in suspending the Youth polls.
“He does not want the Youth’s 38-votes at the assembly as he knows the youth wing will not vote candidates favoured by him (Palanivel). They will follow what Mohan says…so what a better way to get rid of them for now.
“After the election this weekend, they will either reinstate the Youth wing results or call for new polls.
“Either way the 38 Youth leaders chosen at the Youth elections will miss out in picking the vice-presidents and the central working committee members,” said a national leader who declined to be named.
Another party leader when contacted was equally miffed with the latest ruling on the Youth wing election.
“Who did Palanivel consult before making this decision? The central working committee was not called. The MIC management committee was not consulted…so who made this decision?
“Furthermore, if bankruptcy is a problem, then what about those who nominated Palanivel for president. Their nominations should also be null and void and if that is the case, there is a need for Palanivel to hold the presidential nominations again.
“How many of those who nominated Palanivel are bankrupts? Are we going to suspend them as well? To stop all this once and for all, the party should postpone its polls on Nov 30 until this matter is sorted out,” he said.
Palanivel was elected unopposed at the MIC presidential election nominations in August this year.
PETALING JAYA: The MIC leadership has suspended the party’s Youth wing’s election results pending investigations into alleged irregularities in the polls.Party secretary general A Sakthivel in announcing this, said a Youth member had lodged a complaint on the running of the Youth elections and the party had decided to investigate the matter.
“During this period, the Youth wing election results would be suspended,” he told FMT when contacted.
The MIC secretary general had earlier held a press conference to announce the suspension. Only Tamil vernacular dailies were invited to attend the press conference.
Speaking to FMT, Sakthivel said the Youth wing election results would remain suspended until a probe on it was completed.
“We do not have a time frame for the suspension. We will decide on the next course of action only after we complete the investigations,” he added.
The suspension is because there were claims that seven people who were bankrupt were allowed to vote in the Youth polls. There is also allegation that a ballot belonging to a delegate, who was overseas during the election, was in fact cast by someone else.
Following suspension of the Youth wing election results, some 38 Youth delegates will not be able to cast their ballots to pick three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members at the party annual general assembly on Nov 30.
Former Youth secretary C Sivarraajh won the wing’s top post at the election, defeating deputy chief V Mugilan by 44 votes.
Sivarraajh obtained 278 votes to Mugilan’s 234 to take over from out going Youth chief T Mohan who is contesting for vice-president this time.
The deputy’s post was won by MIC youth legal bureau head R Thinalan who garnered 321 votes, beating Malacca MIC youth deputy chief K Sashi who obtained 188 votes.
It must be noted that Mugilan was favoured by party president G Palanivel while Sivarraajh was backed by Mohan.
Ulterior motive
Party sources claimed that the MIC leadership headed by Palanivel has an ulterior motive in suspending the Youth polls.
“He does not want the Youth’s 38-votes at the assembly as he knows the youth wing will not vote candidates favoured by him (Palanivel). They will follow what Mohan says…so what a better way to get rid of them for now.
“After the election this weekend, they will either reinstate the Youth wing results or call for new polls.
“Either way the 38 Youth leaders chosen at the Youth elections will miss out in picking the vice-presidents and the central working committee members,” said a national leader who declined to be named.
Another party leader when contacted was equally miffed with the latest ruling on the Youth wing election.
“Who did Palanivel consult before making this decision? The central working committee was not called. The MIC management committee was not consulted…so who made this decision?
“Furthermore, if bankruptcy is a problem, then what about those who nominated Palanivel for president. Their nominations should also be null and void and if that is the case, there is a need for Palanivel to hold the presidential nominations again.
“How many of those who nominated Palanivel are bankrupts? Are we going to suspend them as well? To stop all this once and for all, the party should postpone its polls on Nov 30 until this matter is sorted out,” he said.
Palanivel was elected unopposed at the MIC presidential election nominations in August this year.
London slavery: Family of Malaysian woman held as slave in London comes forward
The Daily Telegraph spoke to retired teacher Kamar Mautum who claims to be the sister of the 69-year-old victim, whom Kamar said disappeared from the family’s lives after joining a Maoist sect.
Kamar names the victim as her sister Aishah, who she says was a bright student who studied in an elite school here before winning a Commonwealth scholarship, which brought her to London in the late 1960s.
Screenshot of The Telegraph of Kamar Mautum.
Aishah and her fiancé became a part of an organisation called Malaysian and Singaporean Students Forum (Mass), believed to be one of the more extreme Maoist groups in London.
After coming under the influence of Aravindan Balakrishnan (better known as Comrade Bala) and his partner Chanda, she gave up her relationship, as well as her plans to build a career and family.
Aishah eventually became so involved in the group that she ceased contact with her family, who were against her involvement with the left-wing group.
It was reported that Kamar wishes to meet her sister at least once before either of them dies.
Was IGP just firing blanks?
PKR accuses Khalid of backpedalling on his line-of-fire offer to Surendran.
PETALING JAYA: PKR today accused Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar of backtracking on his challenge to Padang Serai MP N Surendran to accompany policemen in an anti-crime ops.
In a media statement issued here, PKR’s Subang MP R Sivarasa said it was “absurd” for the police to insist that Surendran first agree to clear them of any responsibility for his safety before being allowed to join in such an operation.
He said Surendran was ready to participate in the police operation and urged Khalid to “to stop this charade and withdraw this unlawful and unethical condition.”
Sivarasa is Surendran’s legal advisor.
Last month, Surendran, who is the Padang Serai MP, criticised Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for telling police to “shoot first” at criminal suspects.
In response, Khalid challenged Surendran to accompany police on anti-crime missions, promising to provide him with body armour. The MP accepted the challenge, saying he was willing to place himself “in the line of fire with the policemen who are subject to similar risks.”
In his statement today, Sivarasa said he received a letter from CID chief Hadi Ho last week which listed 10 conditions for Surendran’s participation in the police mission, one of which was that he must not blame the police if anything untoward were to happen to him.
“It is unacceptable for the police to insist on such a demand,” he said.
“It is now clear that the IGP has backtracked on his earlier offer to Surendran. The IGP had made the offer in a knee-jerk manner in response to Surendran’s criticism of the police’s shoot-to-kill policy.”
Sivarasa said the offer was made to intimidate and silence Surendran.
“If the IGP is serious about the offer, he would not impose such an absurd and unacceptable condition”.
Sivarasa also urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to take punitive action against Zahid for his “shoot first” statement.
PETALING JAYA: PKR today accused Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar of backtracking on his challenge to Padang Serai MP N Surendran to accompany policemen in an anti-crime ops.In a media statement issued here, PKR’s Subang MP R Sivarasa said it was “absurd” for the police to insist that Surendran first agree to clear them of any responsibility for his safety before being allowed to join in such an operation.
He said Surendran was ready to participate in the police operation and urged Khalid to “to stop this charade and withdraw this unlawful and unethical condition.”
Sivarasa is Surendran’s legal advisor.
Last month, Surendran, who is the Padang Serai MP, criticised Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for telling police to “shoot first” at criminal suspects.
In response, Khalid challenged Surendran to accompany police on anti-crime missions, promising to provide him with body armour. The MP accepted the challenge, saying he was willing to place himself “in the line of fire with the policemen who are subject to similar risks.”
In his statement today, Sivarasa said he received a letter from CID chief Hadi Ho last week which listed 10 conditions for Surendran’s participation in the police mission, one of which was that he must not blame the police if anything untoward were to happen to him.
“It is unacceptable for the police to insist on such a demand,” he said.
“It is now clear that the IGP has backtracked on his earlier offer to Surendran. The IGP had made the offer in a knee-jerk manner in response to Surendran’s criticism of the police’s shoot-to-kill policy.”
Sivarasa said the offer was made to intimidate and silence Surendran.
“If the IGP is serious about the offer, he would not impose such an absurd and unacceptable condition”.
Sivarasa also urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to take punitive action against Zahid for his “shoot first” statement.
College rejects claims of duping foreign students
The college in KL is accused of duping Indian and Nepali students by offering them non-existent courses.
PETALING JAYA: A college in Jalan Geraja, Kuala Lumpur which has been accused of cheating hundreds of India and Nepali students have rebutted the allegations made by Tenaganita yesterday.
Several of the college’s students yesterday had claimed in a press conference held by human rights organisation Tenaganita that the college has allegedly cheated hundreds of students from India and Nepal over a diploma course in cruise management, internship and job placements.
Tenaganita also urged the Education Ministry to seriously investigate the college over the matter.
Responding today to the claims made against it, a college spokesperson who was accompanied by a lawyer, denied that it was cheating students.
The college spokesperson showed all relevant documents and approval from the Education Ministry to run its programmes.
He also claimed that some 60% of its students who had graduated from the cruise management programme have been offered job placements with cruise liners.
They said they were disappointed with the manner Tenaganita had conducted the press conference yesterday without inviting the college representatives.
“We never knew there was such a press conference to be held until we received numerous phone calls from the media.
“At least Tenaganita should have invited us and we could have clarified the matter in public,” said the spokesperson.
Nevertheless, the college has requested to meet Tenaganita officials to clarify the matter and a meeting is expected to be held today.
Yesterday, at Tenaganita’s office, a student from India said he had paid RM20,000 for the one-year diploma course in cruise management but after a year, he received Food & Beverages Services certificate instead.
He said he never signed up for such a programme. When the student failed in his attempt to get the college to keep to its promise of offering him a course in cruise management, he filed a complaint with the Consumer Tribunal for a refund from the college.
The tribunal found the college liable and ordered it to pay RM19,320 to the student. However the college appealed the tribunal’s verdict at the High Court. The High Court on Nov 19 upheld the decision of the Consumer Tribunal.
It was also alleged that some 400 foreign students were affected by the college’s scam in offering non-existent diploma programme.
The college spokesperson however said the Food & Beverages Services certificate was part of the programme as some students, when they enter the cruise line industry, would find it helpful to land a job in F&B section.
PETALING JAYA: A college in Jalan Geraja, Kuala Lumpur which has been accused of cheating hundreds of India and Nepali students have rebutted the allegations made by Tenaganita yesterday.Several of the college’s students yesterday had claimed in a press conference held by human rights organisation Tenaganita that the college has allegedly cheated hundreds of students from India and Nepal over a diploma course in cruise management, internship and job placements.
Tenaganita also urged the Education Ministry to seriously investigate the college over the matter.
Responding today to the claims made against it, a college spokesperson who was accompanied by a lawyer, denied that it was cheating students.
The college spokesperson showed all relevant documents and approval from the Education Ministry to run its programmes.
He also claimed that some 60% of its students who had graduated from the cruise management programme have been offered job placements with cruise liners.
They said they were disappointed with the manner Tenaganita had conducted the press conference yesterday without inviting the college representatives.
“We never knew there was such a press conference to be held until we received numerous phone calls from the media.
“At least Tenaganita should have invited us and we could have clarified the matter in public,” said the spokesperson.
Nevertheless, the college has requested to meet Tenaganita officials to clarify the matter and a meeting is expected to be held today.
Yesterday, at Tenaganita’s office, a student from India said he had paid RM20,000 for the one-year diploma course in cruise management but after a year, he received Food & Beverages Services certificate instead.
He said he never signed up for such a programme. When the student failed in his attempt to get the college to keep to its promise of offering him a course in cruise management, he filed a complaint with the Consumer Tribunal for a refund from the college.
The tribunal found the college liable and ordered it to pay RM19,320 to the student. However the college appealed the tribunal’s verdict at the High Court. The High Court on Nov 19 upheld the decision of the Consumer Tribunal.
It was also alleged that some 400 foreign students were affected by the college’s scam in offering non-existent diploma programme.
The college spokesperson however said the Food & Beverages Services certificate was part of the programme as some students, when they enter the cruise line industry, would find it helpful to land a job in F&B section.
Emotionally blackmailed Malaysians desire change but fear to act
Mariam MokhtarOUTSPOKEN: Millions of Malaysians have spent their entire lives in the captivity of Umno-Baru and the Barisan Nasional (BN), and they do not know any other type of government. They are not used to anything different, so they would be confused if they were given the smallest amount of extra freedom.
Enslaved Malaysians only accept things which are familiar. Just imagine how difficult it is for them to grasp some of the most important aspects of everyday life, such as the rule of law, democracy, human rights and equality.
Reports of a 69-year-old Malaysian woman who has been kept as a slave, with two others, in England, for the past 30 years have shocked the world. It is a story that resonates with Malaysians.
Just like the three enslaved women, Malaysians are victims of emotional blackmail. Despite wanting change to improve their lives and the lives of their children, many Malaysians are repressed by an invisible force which stops them from rejecting Umno-Baru.
The rakyat, principally the Malay community, has been brainwashed into thinking that only Umno-Baru can “save” them, protect their way of life, their rulers, their language and their religion. They are told that a vote for the opposition will lead to a nation ruled and dominated by Chinese and Christians, whilst Malays will become beggars.
Details are sketchy, but the three London women were beaten and emotionally manipulated by the suspects, a married couple from Tanzania and India. The women were rescued when one of them watched a television programme and contacted the Freedom Charity.
Policemen handling the case said that there was a possibility that there were thousands of others who are being held in similar circumstances. Malaysians empathise. Many of us are like those women, being held captive against our will, unable to free our minds of the pervasive influence of Umno-Baru.
I have no intention of trivialising the London women’s experience, but there are many similarities between their plight and ours.
Various British newspapers say that the women were forced into a life of servitude. To their neighbours and outsiders, the suspects gave the impression of being a “normal family”.
Isn’t this similar to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s representation on the world stage of Malaysia as a nation of moderate Muslims? Only Malaysians know that extremism and nationalist policies dominate. An ignorant and ill-informed rakyat will always pay homage to Umno-Baru. Didn’t Najib also say he would tackle corruption, and yet he and his cabinet ministers are allegedly still implicated in many corruption scandals?
The British policemen describe “invisible handcuffs” being used to metaphorically shackle the women, at a house in south London. Sadly, Malaysians know only too well what it is like to be restrained by “invisible handcuffs”, with civil servants and students suffering most from Umno-Baru’s enforced enslavement.
It is alleged that teachers who vote for the opposition can be traced by the serial number on their ballot papers. This is a means of control and it forces everyone who values his job to vote Umno-Baru.
It is also alleged that civil servants who attend opposition ceramahs face a bleak future. They are denied promotions, unlike their peers who climb speedily up the career ladder. This means of control ensures loyalty to Umno-Baru. Civil servants are not enamoured of Umno-Baru policies, but they are forced to toe the line.
Students who attend opposition marches also allege discrimination by the college authorities. Scholarships may be withdrawn. Student leader Adam Adli faced a severe punishment and was suspended from college.
The subtle message is that if you are anti-Umno-Baru or anti-BN, your career prospects and future will be severely restricted. These are not the acts of a democratic government, but more the by-products of a tyrannical government. As long as we think we cannot escape Umno-Baru, we will forever be their slaves.
Fear of destroying your career is understandable, but the time is right to take the brave step and vote Umno-Baru out of office, at the 14th general election. If you do this, your life will blossom.
Malays who are pro-opposition but who are not civil servants face additional challenges. They are denied various opportunities and benefits, such as being unsuccessful in bids for a government tender, having their application for educational grants rejected and their request for government land turned down.
Millions of Malaysians know about the corruption, the abuse of power and the mishandling of the economy. They want an improvement in their lives and they are desperate to embrace change. These same people are also difficult to convince to act. Ironically, it is most difficult to persuade these people to act to save themselves.
Although they want change, they are also very scared. For 56 years, they were led to believe that only Umno-Baru can ensure their survival. If you know someone like that, your job should be to steadily show them that they can and must rebuild their lives, just like the three women in London, who stopped being slaves and are now embracing freedom.
Mariam Mokhtar is "a Malaysian who dares to speak the truth."
How to Fix Malaysia In Five Easy Steps
The question then is why isn't it being done if it is in fact that easy? Politics. It does not matter if it is in fact Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, neither gives two hoots for the public.
Vivegavalen Vadi Valu
You often read about the never-ending issues ailing our country and sometimes we get tired and frustrated by the politicians *cough* [idiots] who run the country. The thing is, have you stopped to think that all our problems are actually a repeated cycle and can be solved easily? Today, the Prime Minister is quoted to say "it's either GST or face bankruptcy". Now, while the statement may seem exaggerated it is not in fact that far off the actual reality facing Malaysia's looming economic disaster.
In 1993, the World Bank produced a 400 page report on the Asian Economics, and Malaysia was dubbed the “Tiger of Asia” with an annual growth of 9% in comparison with South Korea’s 6% and Singapore’s 7%. Our GDP per capita stood at US$350 in contrast to South Korea’s US$130. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was also at its highest of US$7.3 Billion, whereas our market capitalisation was ranked 1st in Asia at 14.6% (excluding Japan).
Fast forward to the present, Malaysia has never recovered from the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, and since then we have fallen behind Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong, and now sit at par with Indonesia and Philippines.
While both Singapore and Hong Kong built up their portfolios by providing lucrative incentives and a favourable environment for investors to do business, Malaysia’s stock exchange recorded a drop in listings from 1,025 companies to 976 in 2009. The final blow came from the World Investment Report 2010, which stated that Malaysia suffered a staggering 81.1% drop in FDI compared to Thailand’s 30.4% and Indonesia’s 44.7%.
This shocking indictment of the current economic state of our country should come as no surprise, for it was revealed that as of 30 June 2011, the country’s debt stands at 54% wherein if it touches 55%, the Constitution will have to be altered to increase borrowings, and we may face the similar disposition of Greece and opt for a bailout.
As Malaysia continues to be ploughed under debts, the Government continues to spend lavishly, ignoring the economic climate to ensure that the ruling power remains in their hands. Most notably, petrol and sugar prices both respectively being subsidised have been kept in check although being distorted by market value. The question that begs to be answered is why as petroleum producers, do we currently face this deplorable disposition?
The New Economic Model (NEM) proposed by the Prime Minister in the first year of his regime failed to curb our decline as he released Part 1 which was effectively rendered useless as we continued the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) which advocates racial-policies instead of merit-based policies albeit using the backdoor. The 30% quota for tenders and projects reserved exclusively for Bumiputeras continued and this further added to wounds of the economy.
Furthermore, the country's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) stands at #54 below countries like Rwanda while Singapore sits at #5. The perceived illicit outflow per annum stands at RM 30 Billion and it should therefore come as no surprise that the implementation of GST is a must as we can ill afford to depend on Petronas.
The crux of the matter here is mismanagement and corruption, nothing more and nothing less and the generation that will pay the ultimate price will be mine and yours. Then, how do we fix Malaysia?
1) Absolute judicial independence, practicing proper separation of powers between the Executives, Judiciary and Legislature + a shadow cabinet with funding allocated to provide for proper check and balance.
2) Revamp the MACC and PDRM with an independent commission reviewing abuse of powers to ensure those who are put in place to serve the people actually do just that instead of serving those who sign their monthly pay slips.
3) De-regularize government purchases, practice transparency with ethics and ensure total open tenders with documents of sale and purchase being made public.
4) Improving the education system with globalization and pro-employment reforms with special emphasis given to children from rural areas, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak.
5) The absolute banning of all racial politics and policies with maximum punishment meted out for repeat offenders. Enough of the bullshit that racism begins at home, it is time we implement a non-partisan and merit-based system for all.
The question then is why isn't it being done if it is in fact that easy? Politics. It does not matter if it is in fact Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, neither gives two hoots for the public save maybe a few but the overriding do not and that is all that matters. What can you do about it? Simple, citizen activism - reclaim your rights and powers, for demanding for change will not suffice, it is nigh time to act upon it.
Vivegavalen Vadi Valu You often read about the never-ending issues ailing our country and sometimes we get tired and frustrated by the politicians *cough* [idiots] who run the country. The thing is, have you stopped to think that all our problems are actually a repeated cycle and can be solved easily? Today, the Prime Minister is quoted to say "it's either GST or face bankruptcy". Now, while the statement may seem exaggerated it is not in fact that far off the actual reality facing Malaysia's looming economic disaster.
In 1993, the World Bank produced a 400 page report on the Asian Economics, and Malaysia was dubbed the “Tiger of Asia” with an annual growth of 9% in comparison with South Korea’s 6% and Singapore’s 7%. Our GDP per capita stood at US$350 in contrast to South Korea’s US$130. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was also at its highest of US$7.3 Billion, whereas our market capitalisation was ranked 1st in Asia at 14.6% (excluding Japan).
Fast forward to the present, Malaysia has never recovered from the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, and since then we have fallen behind Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong, and now sit at par with Indonesia and Philippines.
While both Singapore and Hong Kong built up their portfolios by providing lucrative incentives and a favourable environment for investors to do business, Malaysia’s stock exchange recorded a drop in listings from 1,025 companies to 976 in 2009. The final blow came from the World Investment Report 2010, which stated that Malaysia suffered a staggering 81.1% drop in FDI compared to Thailand’s 30.4% and Indonesia’s 44.7%.
This shocking indictment of the current economic state of our country should come as no surprise, for it was revealed that as of 30 June 2011, the country’s debt stands at 54% wherein if it touches 55%, the Constitution will have to be altered to increase borrowings, and we may face the similar disposition of Greece and opt for a bailout.
As Malaysia continues to be ploughed under debts, the Government continues to spend lavishly, ignoring the economic climate to ensure that the ruling power remains in their hands. Most notably, petrol and sugar prices both respectively being subsidised have been kept in check although being distorted by market value. The question that begs to be answered is why as petroleum producers, do we currently face this deplorable disposition?
The New Economic Model (NEM) proposed by the Prime Minister in the first year of his regime failed to curb our decline as he released Part 1 which was effectively rendered useless as we continued the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) which advocates racial-policies instead of merit-based policies albeit using the backdoor. The 30% quota for tenders and projects reserved exclusively for Bumiputeras continued and this further added to wounds of the economy.
Furthermore, the country's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) stands at #54 below countries like Rwanda while Singapore sits at #5. The perceived illicit outflow per annum stands at RM 30 Billion and it should therefore come as no surprise that the implementation of GST is a must as we can ill afford to depend on Petronas.
The crux of the matter here is mismanagement and corruption, nothing more and nothing less and the generation that will pay the ultimate price will be mine and yours. Then, how do we fix Malaysia?
1) Absolute judicial independence, practicing proper separation of powers between the Executives, Judiciary and Legislature + a shadow cabinet with funding allocated to provide for proper check and balance.
2) Revamp the MACC and PDRM with an independent commission reviewing abuse of powers to ensure those who are put in place to serve the people actually do just that instead of serving those who sign their monthly pay slips.
3) De-regularize government purchases, practice transparency with ethics and ensure total open tenders with documents of sale and purchase being made public.
4) Improving the education system with globalization and pro-employment reforms with special emphasis given to children from rural areas, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak.
5) The absolute banning of all racial politics and policies with maximum punishment meted out for repeat offenders. Enough of the bullshit that racism begins at home, it is time we implement a non-partisan and merit-based system for all.
The question then is why isn't it being done if it is in fact that easy? Politics. It does not matter if it is in fact Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, neither gives two hoots for the public save maybe a few but the overriding do not and that is all that matters. What can you do about it? Simple, citizen activism - reclaim your rights and powers, for demanding for change will not suffice, it is nigh time to act upon it.
Show us your income tax returns, Najib
PM Najib Razak recently called tax evaders "traitors". Columnist Kee Thuan Chye has a proposal for him which he hopes Najib will accept to prove his sincerity and accountability as a leader.
By Kee Thuan Chye
Dear Najib,
You have come out to call tax evaders traitors. That’s a very strong word. If you had used it on corrupt public officials and politicians, especially government ministers, that would have been more apt. It would have struck a resonant chord. It would also have indicated your seriousness in fighting corruption within your ranks.
As it is, according to your minister Paul Low, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested nine politicians who were reported to be involved in corruption between 2010 and August 2013, and only five have been charged. That’s a pretty low number over the course of four years. The minister did not clarify who these politicians were, but one would presume that they were part of the ruling party.
It may well be that Malaysian politicians, including those holding public office, are generally clean, but the unofficial allegations that have been brought up from time to time tell us a hugely different story. You may be aware of them yourself – allegations about this minister living beyond his means, like building a palatial home, and that minister receiving kickbacks or laundering money for his so-called “adopted son”. And of course the biggie surrounding Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud and his relatives, some of whom were caught on video earlier this year by the international NGO Global Witness allegedly offering logging licences in return for profit.
Only a few days ago, Sarawak Report exposed another alleged scheme of Taib and his family in exploiting the Bandar Samariang low-cost housing project for their own financial gain. If these allegations about the family are true, what would you call the people involved? More important, would you launch an investigation and haul them in for corruption?
Okay, let’s get back to the tax evaders issue. I have a proposal for you that I hope you will accept to prove your sincerity and accountability as a leader.
Since you call tax evaders traitors, show us you are not one. Release your income tax returns to the public. Let us know how much income you make, what assets you own and how much tax you pay. Get your ministers to do the same. Show us that you are not a traitor, that you do not under-declare your income or resort to tax shelters in order to pay less tax.
Don’t try and back out of this one, with some excuse or other. The US president publicly reveals his income tax returns and declares how much tax he pays. And that’s good, don’t you think? He apparently has nothing to hide. Even if he tried to, it’s all out there in the open. If he’s found out later, he can be held accountable.
You should do the same. Since you condemn others for evading tax, it is all the more incumbent on you now to show that you are not doing it yourself. You probably know the saying, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
For your information, the tax returns of US presidents are protected by law from public disclosure, but since the late 1960s, most of them have chosen to release their returns publicly. Apparently, Gerald Ford is the only exception. Even candidates for the presidency do the same, including those contesting in party primaries.
If you want to look at the combined tax returns of Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, for 2012, please click here.
Barack and Michelle reported an adjusted gross income of US$608,611. They both paid US$112,214 in total tax. It could have been higher if they had not donated about 24.6 per cent of their adjusted gross income to charity. That’s a generous US$150,034.
Out of curiosity, may I ask how much you donate to charity? You may of course include your wife’s donations too, if you like. Oh, by the way, does she pay income tax?
On top of the federal income tax, the Obamas also released their state tax returns and reported paying US$29,450 to their home state of Illinois.
For Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill’s combined federal tax returns for 2012, have a look here.
They reported an adjusted gross income of US$385,072 and paid US$87,851 in total tax. For state income tax, they filed separate returns, with Jill filing a non-resident one for the state of Virginia. They paid US$13,531 to Delaware and US$3,593 to Virginia.
The Bidens gave to charity US$7,190. That’s a small fraction of what the Obamas donated, but that’s not the point.
The point is, don’t you think this sort of declaration contributes to a wonderful and open system?
Other countries that operate with such openness and transparency include Sweden, Finland and Norway. In fact, there, everyone’s income tax returns are made public. It is said to cohere with the Scandinavian tradition of jantelag, which roughly means that nobody is better than anyone else.
It should also cohere with the “best democracy” that you promised for Malaysia in the speech you made on September 16, 2011. Don’t you agree?
If you recall, on that occasion, you announced the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which effectively outlawed the use of preventive detention in Malaysia. Now that preventive detention is back – reinstated through the recent amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act – does your promise of “best democracy” still hold true?
In that speech, you also said the repeal of the ISA was part of the political transformation that your government was carrying out pertaining to human rights. You said, “The time has come for us to take another step forward not only in economics and education but also in upholding democratic principles.”
Do you still believe that?
If you do, walk the talk. For now, to put your money where your mouth is, disclose your tax returns publicly. And get your deputy and your other ministers to do the same. Be a leader and lead the way. Prove to us that you can lead.
Otherwise, you are just sounding like a prime minister who is talking in abrasive language because your coalition didn’t win the popular vote at the last general election in May.
Otherwise, we will not know for sure that you are not a traitor – like any vile, shameful, despicable, crooked, cheapskate tax evader.
Sincerely,
Chye
* Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to MSN Malaysia
* Kee Thuan Chye is the author of the new book The Elections Bullshit , now available in bookstores.
By Kee Thuan Chye
Dear Najib,You have come out to call tax evaders traitors. That’s a very strong word. If you had used it on corrupt public officials and politicians, especially government ministers, that would have been more apt. It would have struck a resonant chord. It would also have indicated your seriousness in fighting corruption within your ranks.
As it is, according to your minister Paul Low, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested nine politicians who were reported to be involved in corruption between 2010 and August 2013, and only five have been charged. That’s a pretty low number over the course of four years. The minister did not clarify who these politicians were, but one would presume that they were part of the ruling party.
It may well be that Malaysian politicians, including those holding public office, are generally clean, but the unofficial allegations that have been brought up from time to time tell us a hugely different story. You may be aware of them yourself – allegations about this minister living beyond his means, like building a palatial home, and that minister receiving kickbacks or laundering money for his so-called “adopted son”. And of course the biggie surrounding Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud and his relatives, some of whom were caught on video earlier this year by the international NGO Global Witness allegedly offering logging licences in return for profit.
Only a few days ago, Sarawak Report exposed another alleged scheme of Taib and his family in exploiting the Bandar Samariang low-cost housing project for their own financial gain. If these allegations about the family are true, what would you call the people involved? More important, would you launch an investigation and haul them in for corruption?
Okay, let’s get back to the tax evaders issue. I have a proposal for you that I hope you will accept to prove your sincerity and accountability as a leader.
Since you call tax evaders traitors, show us you are not one. Release your income tax returns to the public. Let us know how much income you make, what assets you own and how much tax you pay. Get your ministers to do the same. Show us that you are not a traitor, that you do not under-declare your income or resort to tax shelters in order to pay less tax.
Don’t try and back out of this one, with some excuse or other. The US president publicly reveals his income tax returns and declares how much tax he pays. And that’s good, don’t you think? He apparently has nothing to hide. Even if he tried to, it’s all out there in the open. If he’s found out later, he can be held accountable.
You should do the same. Since you condemn others for evading tax, it is all the more incumbent on you now to show that you are not doing it yourself. You probably know the saying, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
For your information, the tax returns of US presidents are protected by law from public disclosure, but since the late 1960s, most of them have chosen to release their returns publicly. Apparently, Gerald Ford is the only exception. Even candidates for the presidency do the same, including those contesting in party primaries.
If you want to look at the combined tax returns of Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, for 2012, please click here.
Barack and Michelle reported an adjusted gross income of US$608,611. They both paid US$112,214 in total tax. It could have been higher if they had not donated about 24.6 per cent of their adjusted gross income to charity. That’s a generous US$150,034.
Out of curiosity, may I ask how much you donate to charity? You may of course include your wife’s donations too, if you like. Oh, by the way, does she pay income tax?
On top of the federal income tax, the Obamas also released their state tax returns and reported paying US$29,450 to their home state of Illinois.
For Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill’s combined federal tax returns for 2012, have a look here.
They reported an adjusted gross income of US$385,072 and paid US$87,851 in total tax. For state income tax, they filed separate returns, with Jill filing a non-resident one for the state of Virginia. They paid US$13,531 to Delaware and US$3,593 to Virginia.
The Bidens gave to charity US$7,190. That’s a small fraction of what the Obamas donated, but that’s not the point.
The point is, don’t you think this sort of declaration contributes to a wonderful and open system?
Other countries that operate with such openness and transparency include Sweden, Finland and Norway. In fact, there, everyone’s income tax returns are made public. It is said to cohere with the Scandinavian tradition of jantelag, which roughly means that nobody is better than anyone else.
It should also cohere with the “best democracy” that you promised for Malaysia in the speech you made on September 16, 2011. Don’t you agree?
If you recall, on that occasion, you announced the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which effectively outlawed the use of preventive detention in Malaysia. Now that preventive detention is back – reinstated through the recent amendments to the Prevention of Crime Act – does your promise of “best democracy” still hold true?
In that speech, you also said the repeal of the ISA was part of the political transformation that your government was carrying out pertaining to human rights. You said, “The time has come for us to take another step forward not only in economics and education but also in upholding democratic principles.”
Do you still believe that?
If you do, walk the talk. For now, to put your money where your mouth is, disclose your tax returns publicly. And get your deputy and your other ministers to do the same. Be a leader and lead the way. Prove to us that you can lead.
Otherwise, you are just sounding like a prime minister who is talking in abrasive language because your coalition didn’t win the popular vote at the last general election in May.
Otherwise, we will not know for sure that you are not a traitor – like any vile, shameful, despicable, crooked, cheapskate tax evader.
Sincerely,
Chye
* Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to MSN Malaysia
* Kee Thuan Chye is the author of the new book The Elections Bullshit , now available in bookstores.
Lawyer Sues Attorney General, 10 Others
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- A lawyer has filed a multi million
civil action against the Attorney General, former Inspector General of
Police, Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner
and seven others for malicious prosecution.
Rosli Dahlan filed the suit involving more than RM47 million on Friday at the Civil High Court here through Messrs Kumar Partnership.
He named Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, the MACC, Malaysian Government, Royal Malaysian Police, three deputy public prosecutors, a MACC investigation officer and a police officer as defendants.
In his statement of claim, he said the defendants conspired to arrest and charge him in court for a MACC case.
He said he was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Dec 20, 2010.
Rosli is seeking punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages totaling RM47 million, special damages of RM750,000, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.
-- BERNAMA
Rosli Dahlan filed the suit involving more than RM47 million on Friday at the Civil High Court here through Messrs Kumar Partnership.
He named Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, the MACC, Malaysian Government, Royal Malaysian Police, three deputy public prosecutors, a MACC investigation officer and a police officer as defendants.
In his statement of claim, he said the defendants conspired to arrest and charge him in court for a MACC case.
He said he was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Dec 20, 2010.
Rosli is seeking punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages totaling RM47 million, special damages of RM750,000, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Angola ‘bans’ Islam and Mosques for ‘final end of Islamic influence’. Angola may be the ‘role model’ to Europe, America, Australia to check Muslim aggression.
Angola ‘bans’ Islam and Mosques. Becomes first country to put clear message to its Muslim Citizens to ‘end of Islamic influence’.
25 Nov 2013:: I had to wait after hours to confirm this news as mostly unbelievable at this highest point of Jihad and Radical Islam, but really a small state of Africa named Angola banned Islam and Mosques after putting a clear message to its Muslim Citizens to ‘end of Islamic influence‘.
Now, the international media and a portion of Islamically influenced Indian counterparts have also confirmed this story that Angola emphatically did it.
Fear of radical Islam is not the preserve of Westerners. Indeed, in October, hostile actions have been conducted in several cities of Angola. Several officials have spoken on the subject. The governor of Luanda (Capital City of Angola) summarized the act stating that radical Muslims were not welcome in Angola and that the government was not ready to legalize the presence of mosques in the country.
The Minister of Culture , Rosa Cruz went in the same direction by stating that : “The process of legalization of Islam has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, their mosques would be closed until further notice. We must remember that the country is 95 % Christian and has a rather Christian culture.” The government has decided to destroy the long term, the country’s mosques deemed illegal, Islam is not considered as religion in its own rights in the country.
Last October, the minaret of a mainly frequented by ‘Guinean Mosque’ was dismantled . In the urban commune of Zango , the municipality has gone further by destroying the only mosque in the city. Even, no Jihadi group has been given any chance to take any revenge for that.
According to several Angolan newspapers, Angola has become the first country in the world to ban
Islam and Muslims, taking first measures by destroying mosques in the country.
“The process of legalization of Islam has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, their mosques would be closed until further notice,” Rosa Cruz e Silva, the Angolan Minister of Culture, was quoted by Agence Ecofin on Friday, November 22.
Silva comments were given during her visit last Tuesday to the 6th Commission of the National Assembly.
“This is the final end of Islamic influence in our country,” Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos was quoted by Osun Defender newspaper on Sunday, November 24.
The Governor of Luanda, Bento Bento, has said that “radical” Muslims are not welcome in the country and that the Angolan government will not be legalizing mosques or other places of worship for Muslims.
As a matter of fact Angola’s citizens primarily are showing their inclinations to their early indigenous beliefs. Recent surveys show that 47 percent adhere to traditional indigenous beliefs while another 38 percent of the population practice Roman Catholicism and 15 percent practice Protestantism.
Now, the ’banned religion of Islam’ in Angola is practiced by a very small percentage of the 18.5 million inhabitants of the Country. Only about 80,000-90,000 Angolans practice Islam. These Muslims are primary migrants from West Africa and Lebanon.
Angola has successfully given a global message how to restrict Radical Islam in the face of growing Jihad and Islamophobia.
Angola has started the ‘Era of Banning Islam’ in modern times. Now this starting of ’ban on Islam by the non-Muslim states’ may be defined in a way that the Final ‘War between Cross and Crescent‘ will be most evident in America, Europe, Australia and even in China though it has been initiated by African Angola.
There is no injustice to it. All the Muslim Countries do not allow the practice of Non-Muslim Religions. So, each and every Non-Muslims states have to right to ban the practice of Islam in those Non Muslim lands accordingly.
And this the time to put all nails to the Coffin of Islam. It is easy now as depicted by the Great Sign of Islam, ’786′. Do you know the meaning of Islam? Know it now.
Muslim clerics teach the mystery of ’786′ very confidentially. 786=? 7th Century: Birth. 7+8=15th Century: Peak. 7+8+6=21st Century: Fall. 786 depicts the birth, rise and fall of Islam in this encapsulated chronicle of bloodiest phases of human history.
The final fall of Islam has been started from Angola. World has to follow Angola. Hindu Existence Forum appreciates this action of Angola.
25 Nov 2013:: I had to wait after hours to confirm this news as mostly unbelievable at this highest point of Jihad and Radical Islam, but really a small state of Africa named Angola banned Islam and Mosques after putting a clear message to its Muslim Citizens to ‘end of Islamic influence‘.Now, the international media and a portion of Islamically influenced Indian counterparts have also confirmed this story that Angola emphatically did it.
Fear of radical Islam is not the preserve of Westerners. Indeed, in October, hostile actions have been conducted in several cities of Angola. Several officials have spoken on the subject. The governor of Luanda (Capital City of Angola) summarized the act stating that radical Muslims were not welcome in Angola and that the government was not ready to legalize the presence of mosques in the country.
The Minister of Culture , Rosa Cruz went in the same direction by stating that : “The process of legalization of Islam has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, their mosques would be closed until further notice. We must remember that the country is 95 % Christian and has a rather Christian culture.” The government has decided to destroy the long term, the country’s mosques deemed illegal, Islam is not considered as religion in its own rights in the country.
Last October, the minaret of a mainly frequented by ‘Guinean Mosque’ was dismantled . In the urban commune of Zango , the municipality has gone further by destroying the only mosque in the city. Even, no Jihadi group has been given any chance to take any revenge for that.
According to several Angolan newspapers, Angola has become the first country in the world to ban
Islam and Muslims, taking first measures by destroying mosques in the country.“The process of legalization of Islam has not been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, their mosques would be closed until further notice,” Rosa Cruz e Silva, the Angolan Minister of Culture, was quoted by Agence Ecofin on Friday, November 22.
Silva comments were given during her visit last Tuesday to the 6th Commission of the National Assembly.
“This is the final end of Islamic influence in our country,” Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos was quoted by Osun Defender newspaper on Sunday, November 24.
The Governor of Luanda, Bento Bento, has said that “radical” Muslims are not welcome in the country and that the Angolan government will not be legalizing mosques or other places of worship for Muslims.
As a matter of fact Angola’s citizens primarily are showing their inclinations to their early indigenous beliefs. Recent surveys show that 47 percent adhere to traditional indigenous beliefs while another 38 percent of the population practice Roman Catholicism and 15 percent practice Protestantism.
Now, the ’banned religion of Islam’ in Angola is practiced by a very small percentage of the 18.5 million inhabitants of the Country. Only about 80,000-90,000 Angolans practice Islam. These Muslims are primary migrants from West Africa and Lebanon.
Angola has successfully given a global message how to restrict Radical Islam in the face of growing Jihad and Islamophobia.
Angola has started the ‘Era of Banning Islam’ in modern times. Now this starting of ’ban on Islam by the non-Muslim states’ may be defined in a way that the Final ‘War between Cross and Crescent‘ will be most evident in America, Europe, Australia and even in China though it has been initiated by African Angola.There is no injustice to it. All the Muslim Countries do not allow the practice of Non-Muslim Religions. So, each and every Non-Muslims states have to right to ban the practice of Islam in those Non Muslim lands accordingly.
And this the time to put all nails to the Coffin of Islam. It is easy now as depicted by the Great Sign of Islam, ’786′. Do you know the meaning of Islam? Know it now.
Muslim clerics teach the mystery of ’786′ very confidentially. 786=? 7th Century: Birth. 7+8=15th Century: Peak. 7+8+6=21st Century: Fall. 786 depicts the birth, rise and fall of Islam in this encapsulated chronicle of bloodiest phases of human history.
The final fall of Islam has been started from Angola. World has to follow Angola. Hindu Existence Forum appreciates this action of Angola.
PA Sheikh: Only Solution for Jews is the Sword
 |
| Violence outside Al Aqsa mosque` |
parts of "Palestine".
A Palestinian Authority Arab sheikh on Friday blasted the Palestinian Authority for being “too soft” towards Israel, and presented what he said was the “only solution” for the Jewish people.
The sheikh, Omar Abu Sara’a, made the remarks in a sermon he gave at the Al-Aqsa mosque during which he blasted the “traitor” Palestinian Authority.
He argued that the Oslo Accords did not bring about any results, and that in fact it is now recognized that they were nothing but a mistake that led to "the sale of land to Jews". He stressed that “Palestine” is holy Islamic land and should not be given up under any circumstances.
The solution, said Abu Sara’a, is in the words of the prophet of Islam Muhammad, who said, "Fight them" and did not say that Jews should be negotiated with. In this context he mentioned the tradition quoted by the prophet Muhammad, where a tree and a stone call a Muslim and tell him, “A Jew is hiding behind me, come and kill him."
“For Jews, we do not have but the sword and by extension we need to hold an all-out war against them and not talk with them," declared Abu Sara’a.
He called the leaders of the Palestinian Authority “traitors” because they gave up three quarters of “Palestine” to the Jews and are holding negotiations in which they are willing to make concessions on lands on which Muhammad ascended to heaven.
He also accused the Palestinian Authority of political, economic and ethical corruption and argued that the PA will be holding a wine festival near Ramallah which will feature an Israeli band and “Jewish harlots” who will morally corrupt young PA Arabs.
Abu Sara’a also claimed that women's organizations which operate within the PA are connected to international intelligence agencies as well as to the Israeli Mossad, and that they are designed to “dismantle the Palestinian society from within” by working to free women from the prohibitions that apply to them under Islamic law and tradition.
He warned his audience that these groups would also eliminate the authority of the father over his daughter in determining the identity of her husband, will deny the husband the authority to divorce his wife, give the woman permission to leave the house without her husband and establish equality between women and men. The desired solution to this situation, said Abu Sara’a, is the establishment of an Islamic caliphate and implementing Islamic law.
Adulterers may be stoned to death under new Afghan law, official says
Billions
have been invested on promoting human rights in Afghanistan over more
than 12 years of war
and donors fear that hard won progress,
particularly for women, may be eroding.
"We are working on the draft of a sharia penal code where the punishment for adultery, if there are four eyewitnesses, is stoning," said Rohullah Qarizada, who is part of the sharia Islamic law committee working on the draft and head of the Afghan Independent Bar Association.
Billions have been invested on promoting human rights in Afghanistan over more than 12 years of war and donors fear that hard won progress, particularly for women, may be eroding.
During the Taliban's 1996-2001 time in power, convicted adulterers were routinely shot or stoned in executions held mostly on Fridays. Women were not permitted to go out on their own, girls were barred from schools and men were obliged to grow long beards.
Providing fresh evidence popular support for the brutal punishment has endured, two lovers narrowly escaped being stoned in Baghlan province north of Kabul, but were publicly shot over the weekend instead, officials said.
"While they were fleeing, suddenly their car crashed and locals arrested them. People wanted to stone them on the spot but some elders disagreed," the provincial head of women's affairs, Khadija Yaqeen, told Reuters on Monday.
"The next day they decided and shot both of them dead in public. Our findings show that the woman's father had ordered to shoot both man and woman."
The public execution was confirmed by the provincial police chief's spokesman, who said the killings were unlawful.
"It is absolutely shocking that 12 years after the fall of the Taliban government, the Karzai administration might bring back stoning as a punishment," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
The US-based rights group has urged funding to be tied to commitments and last month, Norway took the rare step of cutting aid on the grounds that Afghanistan had failed to meet commitments to protect women's rights and fight corruption.
Most donors, however, have stopped short of using money to pressure President Hamid Karzai's administration and US and United Nations officials were aware of the plan to reintroduce stoning, Qarizada said.
The new law, he told Reuters, was unlikely to make stoning a common practice.
"The judge asks each witness many questions and if one answer differs from other witnesses then the court will reject the claim," Qarizada said.
UN official says Malaysia should reverse Allah ban
Malaysia should reverse a ban on a Christian newspaper using the word Allah to refer to God, a UN official said today about a decision that fanned religious tension in the mainly Muslim country.Malaysia's second highest court ruled in October that the Catholic weekly, Herald, could not use the word Allah to refer to God, in a landmark decision on an issue that has fanned religious tension in the majority Muslim country.
"Freedom of religion or belief is a right of human beings, not a right of the state," the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt, said in a statement.
"It cannot be the business of the state to shape or reshape religious traditions, nor can the state claim any binding authority in the interpretation of religious sources or in the definition of the tenets of faith," he said.
The chief judge in the Malaysian court said the word Allah was not an integral part of the faith in Christianity and that its use by the newspaper would cause confusion.
Since then, confusion has reigned over the interpretation of the ruling, with government ministers, lawyers and Muslim authorities giving widely diverging views on its scope.
Critics of the ruling have said it casts a chill on religious and minority rights in Malaysia, which has substantial minorities of non-Muslim ethnic Chinese and Indians.
"The current case may affect the right of all non-Muslims in Malaysia to use the word Allah while referring to God," the UN official said.
Lawyers for the Catholic paper had argued that the word Allah predated Islam and has been used for centuries by Malay-speaking Christians in Malaysia's part of Borneo island.
They said they planned to appeal against the decision in the country's highest court.
Christians make up about 9% of Malaysia's 28 million people. Muslims are the majority at about 60%. - Reuters, November 25, 2013.
Umno open to discussion with PAS
However, the Prime Minister and Umno president wants to know the scope of discussions between the two political parties.
KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Tun Razak said Umno is keeping an open mind on the willingness of PAS to hold discussions with the party on matters pertaining to Islamic administration in the country.
“We are open, but we want to see what is the scope of discussion and we are seeking for further clarification from PAS,” the Prime Minister, who is also Umno president, told reporters after presenting letters of appointment to 29 members of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), here today.
He said this when asked to comment on the statement yesterday by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who expressed the party’s willingness to discuss with Umno on the efforts to implement administration based on Islamic teachings in the country.
Meanwhile, Najib said it was the decision of the state government when Johor decided that the weekend holidays in the state be changed to Friday and Saturday beginning Jan 1.
“It is a state decision. So under the constitution, we have to respect once the state has made a decision,” he said.
Najib said the private sectors were not affected as the decision only involved the state service.
He also said that the government was creating the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) which would house both the federal and state departments in Johor Baharu.
“The UTC will open seven days a week and people can make use of that,” he said.
Last Saturday, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had ordered that the weekend in the state be changed to Friday and Saturday effective Jan 1.
He said Friday was the most auspicious day of the week and Muslims should take advantage of the day to perform more religious deeds.
KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Tun Razak said Umno is keeping an open mind on the willingness of PAS to hold discussions with the party on matters pertaining to Islamic administration in the country.“We are open, but we want to see what is the scope of discussion and we are seeking for further clarification from PAS,” the Prime Minister, who is also Umno president, told reporters after presenting letters of appointment to 29 members of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), here today.
He said this when asked to comment on the statement yesterday by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who expressed the party’s willingness to discuss with Umno on the efforts to implement administration based on Islamic teachings in the country.
Meanwhile, Najib said it was the decision of the state government when Johor decided that the weekend holidays in the state be changed to Friday and Saturday beginning Jan 1.
“It is a state decision. So under the constitution, we have to respect once the state has made a decision,” he said.
Najib said the private sectors were not affected as the decision only involved the state service.
He also said that the government was creating the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) which would house both the federal and state departments in Johor Baharu.
“The UTC will open seven days a week and people can make use of that,” he said.
Last Saturday, the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had ordered that the weekend in the state be changed to Friday and Saturday effective Jan 1.
He said Friday was the most auspicious day of the week and Muslims should take advantage of the day to perform more religious deeds.
Stay neutral, candidates tell Palanivel
The MIC president's move to 'introduce' two candidates at a meeting with delegates from Selangor has turned others vying for the post against him.
PETALING JAYA: MIC chief G Palanivel’s move to ‘introduce’ two of the eight candidates vying for the three vice president seats in the party has got himself in hot soup.
Other candidates are now claiming that the party president was going back on his word of not taking sides in the vice-president race.
“He initially said he will not endorse or support anyone in the veep race, but now he starts attending meetings with some candidates. He says he is there to introduce these candidates.
“If that is the case, why didn’t he introduce all eight candidates. That is fair. The so called introduction session must be stopped once and for all. If he continues this, then we will do whatever it takes to ensure the election is free and fair,” a vice-president aspirant told FMT when contacted.
Eight leaders are fighting for the three veep positions up for grabs at the party polls on Nov 30, in Malacca. They are incumbents Youth and Sports deputy minister M Saravanan and Perak state assembly speaker SK Devamany. Others include former Youth chiefs T Mohan and SA Vigneswaran, party treasurer general Jaspal Singh, former vice-president S Sothinathan, Johor Baharu division leader KS Balakrishnan and Bukit Bintang division leader James Selvarajah.
Palanivel and deputy president Dr S Subramaniam won their positions uncontested under a peace deal brokered by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman a few months ago.
The deal was concluded in the presence of Palanivel, Dr Subramaniam, Saravanan and Devamany.
Under the deal, the president and deputy president would retain their positions uncontested and that they will not take sides in the vice-president contest.
Palanivel’s soon after being elected uncontested as party chief three months ago, declared that the party’s second top post should not be contested in accordance with the peace deal.
He has also said that he will be neutral in the vice-president’s race. This sentiment was echoed by Dr Subramaniam who maintained that he will not throw his support for any of the veep aspirants in-line with the peace deal hammered by Najib.
Dr Subramaniam himself was reported to have said that he hoped that the party president would stay neutral in the race, which also has about 88 candidates vying for 23 central working committee posts in the polls.
Wearing two hats
Party sources claimed that Palanivel had been quietly meeting delegates to the party general assembly telling them to support certain candidates, soon after he returned home from a five day official trip to Poland on Saturday.
The latest was on Sunday when he met delegates from 10 divisions in Selangor at the Bukit Jalil Golf Resort. Delegates who attended the meeting confirm that Palanivel called out names of two vice-president candidates and told delegates that he was supporting them. They were also told to vote for the two candidates.
“He told the delegates they have the freedom to pick the third and last vice-president. He is playing with fire. If all the other candidates gang-up against him, then he is in trouble. They can give him hell throughout his tenure.
“He should not have done that. Furthermore, Palanivel himself lacks support. Out of the 23 divisions in Selangor only 10 attended the meeting. And out of the 10, not all divisions are in support of Palanivel…some came just to hear what he had to say. To be frank they were equally miffed with the president’s move to introduce the two candidates, who are not the favourites.
“His behaviour was totally unacceptable as the party president vowed to stay out of the contest. Now another issue has cropped up. Palanivel is the election committee chairman for the veep and CWC elections.
“If he goes around endorsing someone, then he has to resign from this position or let someone else handle the polls. He cannot be wearing the two hats . If you support a candidate, then resign as the election committee chief,” said a division leader who attended the meeting.
He said Palanivel’s move was also ‘giving rope’ for candidates who lose the veep race to run to the Registrar of Societies to seek redress after the polls.
“He does not realise that although we cannot take the party to court we can still go to the ROS and complain that the polls were neither free nor fair,”said a veep candidate who declined to be named.
PETALING JAYA: MIC chief G Palanivel’s move to ‘introduce’ two of the eight candidates vying for the three vice president seats in the party has got himself in hot soup.Other candidates are now claiming that the party president was going back on his word of not taking sides in the vice-president race.
“He initially said he will not endorse or support anyone in the veep race, but now he starts attending meetings with some candidates. He says he is there to introduce these candidates.
“If that is the case, why didn’t he introduce all eight candidates. That is fair. The so called introduction session must be stopped once and for all. If he continues this, then we will do whatever it takes to ensure the election is free and fair,” a vice-president aspirant told FMT when contacted.
Eight leaders are fighting for the three veep positions up for grabs at the party polls on Nov 30, in Malacca. They are incumbents Youth and Sports deputy minister M Saravanan and Perak state assembly speaker SK Devamany. Others include former Youth chiefs T Mohan and SA Vigneswaran, party treasurer general Jaspal Singh, former vice-president S Sothinathan, Johor Baharu division leader KS Balakrishnan and Bukit Bintang division leader James Selvarajah.
Palanivel and deputy president Dr S Subramaniam won their positions uncontested under a peace deal brokered by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman a few months ago.
The deal was concluded in the presence of Palanivel, Dr Subramaniam, Saravanan and Devamany.
Under the deal, the president and deputy president would retain their positions uncontested and that they will not take sides in the vice-president contest.
Palanivel’s soon after being elected uncontested as party chief three months ago, declared that the party’s second top post should not be contested in accordance with the peace deal.
He has also said that he will be neutral in the vice-president’s race. This sentiment was echoed by Dr Subramaniam who maintained that he will not throw his support for any of the veep aspirants in-line with the peace deal hammered by Najib.
Dr Subramaniam himself was reported to have said that he hoped that the party president would stay neutral in the race, which also has about 88 candidates vying for 23 central working committee posts in the polls.
Wearing two hats
Party sources claimed that Palanivel had been quietly meeting delegates to the party general assembly telling them to support certain candidates, soon after he returned home from a five day official trip to Poland on Saturday.
The latest was on Sunday when he met delegates from 10 divisions in Selangor at the Bukit Jalil Golf Resort. Delegates who attended the meeting confirm that Palanivel called out names of two vice-president candidates and told delegates that he was supporting them. They were also told to vote for the two candidates.
“He told the delegates they have the freedom to pick the third and last vice-president. He is playing with fire. If all the other candidates gang-up against him, then he is in trouble. They can give him hell throughout his tenure.
“He should not have done that. Furthermore, Palanivel himself lacks support. Out of the 23 divisions in Selangor only 10 attended the meeting. And out of the 10, not all divisions are in support of Palanivel…some came just to hear what he had to say. To be frank they were equally miffed with the president’s move to introduce the two candidates, who are not the favourites.
“His behaviour was totally unacceptable as the party president vowed to stay out of the contest. Now another issue has cropped up. Palanivel is the election committee chairman for the veep and CWC elections.
“If he goes around endorsing someone, then he has to resign from this position or let someone else handle the polls. He cannot be wearing the two hats . If you support a candidate, then resign as the election committee chief,” said a division leader who attended the meeting.
He said Palanivel’s move was also ‘giving rope’ for candidates who lose the veep race to run to the Registrar of Societies to seek redress after the polls.
“He does not realise that although we cannot take the party to court we can still go to the ROS and complain that the polls were neither free nor fair,”said a veep candidate who declined to be named.
Waytha: NRD’s attitude reflects badly on govt
Indians continue to face many obstacles in obtaining identification documents from the NRD, says Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.
KUALA LUMPUR: The callous attitude taken by National Registration Department (NRD) officers against Indians reflects badly on the government as it appears purely racist in manner, said Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.
Waythamoorthy, who is also a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Indians continued to face many obstacles in obtaining identification documents from the NRD.
He was referring to the 12-year-old S Mahalachemi who attempted suicide after the NRD told her to undergo a DNA test to determine her parentage to obtain her MyKad.
The NRD had said Mahalachemi should obtain a DNA test because her skin colour differed from her mother,V Kamala, 60.
Waythamoorthy said it was an unreasonable request by the NRD because the child had her birth certificate confirming her Malaysian parentage.
Hindraf had earlier provided to the prime minister a holistic solution within the law whereby issues relating to the identification documents for more than 300,000 stateless Malaysian Indians could be solved permanently.
The solution proposed by Hindraf is in compliance with Article 14, 15, 16 & 19 of the Federal Constitution and initiates a pro-active manner to resolve the stateless issues facing Indians once and for all.
“The failure of a comprehensive solution will lead to such instances as the attempted suicide by this child due to the unreasonable manner how the NRD officers racially profile the Indian community.
“We urge the government to adopt the proposals so that such incidents can be prevented and reflect the willingness of the government in addressing the statelessness of the Malaysian Indians,” said Waythamoorthy.
MIC Youth to be involved
Meanwhile, special officer to Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir, C Sivaaraajh said he will meet Perak NRD director Mohd Zahari Hassan on issuing a MyKad to the girl.
“It is a straight forward case, where the mother has all the documents required to apply for MyKad. Thus, I do not think the NRD will reject her application,” he told FMT after visiting the girl in hospital.
“The problem started with the Ipoh NRD deputy director who had asked the mother and daughter to conduct DNA test,” he said, adding that MIC will lodge an official complaint against the officer.
Mahalachemi attempted suicide on Saturday after becoming upset with the NRD treatment and heartless teasing in social media.
She was taken to Raja Permaisuri Bainun hospital for treatment after she fainted at her aunt’s house in Taman Harmony, Jelapang.
It is learnt that Mahalachemi is in stable condition and doctors have advised her to take a two-week rest.
Mahalachemi, who turned 12 in September, applied for her MyKad in NRD at Ipoh Urban Transformation Centre on Tuesday.
Sivaaraajh , the newly-elected MIC Youth wing chief, also criticised opposition leaders for highlighting the matter in the media.
“They should be more careful on highlighting such issues, especially incdents involving underaged children. We must protect their identity,” said Sivaaraajh.
KUALA LUMPUR: The callous attitude taken by National Registration Department (NRD) officers against Indians reflects badly on the government as it appears purely racist in manner, said Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.Waythamoorthy, who is also a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said Indians continued to face many obstacles in obtaining identification documents from the NRD.
He was referring to the 12-year-old S Mahalachemi who attempted suicide after the NRD told her to undergo a DNA test to determine her parentage to obtain her MyKad.
The NRD had said Mahalachemi should obtain a DNA test because her skin colour differed from her mother,V Kamala, 60.
Waythamoorthy said it was an unreasonable request by the NRD because the child had her birth certificate confirming her Malaysian parentage.
Hindraf had earlier provided to the prime minister a holistic solution within the law whereby issues relating to the identification documents for more than 300,000 stateless Malaysian Indians could be solved permanently.
The solution proposed by Hindraf is in compliance with Article 14, 15, 16 & 19 of the Federal Constitution and initiates a pro-active manner to resolve the stateless issues facing Indians once and for all.
“The failure of a comprehensive solution will lead to such instances as the attempted suicide by this child due to the unreasonable manner how the NRD officers racially profile the Indian community.
“We urge the government to adopt the proposals so that such incidents can be prevented and reflect the willingness of the government in addressing the statelessness of the Malaysian Indians,” said Waythamoorthy.
MIC Youth to be involved
Meanwhile, special officer to Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir, C Sivaaraajh said he will meet Perak NRD director Mohd Zahari Hassan on issuing a MyKad to the girl.
“It is a straight forward case, where the mother has all the documents required to apply for MyKad. Thus, I do not think the NRD will reject her application,” he told FMT after visiting the girl in hospital.
“The problem started with the Ipoh NRD deputy director who had asked the mother and daughter to conduct DNA test,” he said, adding that MIC will lodge an official complaint against the officer.
Mahalachemi attempted suicide on Saturday after becoming upset with the NRD treatment and heartless teasing in social media.
She was taken to Raja Permaisuri Bainun hospital for treatment after she fainted at her aunt’s house in Taman Harmony, Jelapang.
It is learnt that Mahalachemi is in stable condition and doctors have advised her to take a two-week rest.
Mahalachemi, who turned 12 in September, applied for her MyKad in NRD at Ipoh Urban Transformation Centre on Tuesday.
Sivaaraajh , the newly-elected MIC Youth wing chief, also criticised opposition leaders for highlighting the matter in the media.
“They should be more careful on highlighting such issues, especially incdents involving underaged children. We must protect their identity,” said Sivaaraajh.
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