Hak pekerja Malaysia antara terburuk

Youth delegates see red over chief's speech

Vienna imam tried over teen jihadists

The imam of a Vienna mosque told the District Criminal Court on Tuesday he had nothing to do with the disappearance of two young girls who left Austria in April to fight in Syria's civil war.

"I have never seen the girls," said the imam, who goes by the name Ebu Tejma.

The tabloid daily – Österreich - claimed the 15 and 16 year-old girls of Bosnian origin were "driven" to the so-called holy war in Syria by the imam, who preaches a particularly radical form of Salafism at the Altun-Alem mosque in Vienna's second district.

The 32 year-old preacher has gone so far as to file a legal complaint against the media for misrepresentation.

"There are no facilities for women in our mosque. There is no place for women," he told Judge Gerald Wagner.

The newspaper has "totally ruined my reputation. I have never spoken to the girls. My name has been dragged through the mud."

However, the defendant's legal representative, Peter Zöchbauer, wants to examine the evidence, suggesting it is also possible that he came in contact with minors outside the mosque.

Zöchbauer named a witness he claims can confirm the imam had "confronted (the girls) with religious content."

The hearing has been adjourned until early October.

Before setting the date, the judge played Youtube clips in which the imam was shown preaching.

Along with praise of Osama bin Laden, he also mentioned "duty" to a "defensive war".

The imam described the sequences as being taken out of context.

"If I said so, I was not right in the head. I do not recommend even adult men to go into battle."

Muslim Brotherhood cleric declares his support for the Islamic State

Wagdy Ghoneim, just expelled from Qatar along with other Muslim Brotherhood leaders, used to live in the United States. He served as imam at the Islamic Institute of Orange County, California in the early 2000’s, and raised funds for Hamas-linked Muslim charity KindHearts. How many people are still in the United States today who learned about Islam from Wagdy Ghoneim?

And why doesn’t this Muslim cleric, who has dedicated his life to understanding and teaching the Qur’an and Sunnah, see what Barack Obama and David Cameron and Tony Abbott and so many other non-Muslims see so clearly, that the Islamic State has nothing to do with Islam?

“Video .. Wagdy Ghoneim after being expelled from Qatar announces support for ISIL,” my translation of the Arabic article “بالفيديو.. وجدي غنيم بعد طرده من قطر يُعلن تأييده داعش” by Hassan Bahi, Al-Masry Al-Youm, September 16, 2014 (thanks to Coptic Nationalism):

Islamic preacher Wagdy Ghoneim on Tuesday announced his rejection of the war being organized against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and his “support for them, despite differences on some issues,” he said, and asked for “unity in the face of the Crusader alliance against Muslims.”

Ghoneim said, in the first video he recorded and put his on Facebook page after being expelled from Qatar, under the title, “Do not crusade against the Islamic State”: “America is heating up the world against ISIL. The West and America and the Crusaders in general are vengeful against Islam and Muslims, and they desire evil for Islam.”

He added: “Our enemies are Crusaders, their faith is based on bloodshed and murder, and this is evident in their Bible,” accusing the West of fabricating videos depicting the “slaughter of hostages in Iraq at the hands of ISIL.”

He continued: “America is the largest terrorist state, and the West, too. We will not forget what it did to America’s Indians, and the Abu Ghraib prison, Allah is sufficient for me, the most excellent in whom I trust, and yes, America threw the body of the martyr bin Laden into the sea, is that respect for human beings and human rights?”

He explained: “I am with my brothers in ISIL in some matters, but I advise them always to adhere to the Qur’an and Sunnah and to unite against their enemies, and I reject the Crusader alliance to defeat them.”

Sabah Christians tell Putrajaya to stop interfering in their religion

Christians in Sabah, already hard pressed in fending off attempts to convert Bumiputera Christians to Islam, have told Putrajaya to leave non-Muslims alone to manage their respective faiths and that laws enacted for the administration of Islam should not be applied to non-Muslims nor should non-Muslims be subject to Shariah law.

They said while Islam is the religion of the federation, people of other religions and faiths should have “the constitutional right and freedom to profess, practise, propagate and manage their respective faiths without interference and intervention by the state”.

They claimed that while freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and is also set out in the 18- and 20-point conditions of Sarawak and Sabah respectively, to be part of the Malaysia Agreement, “the legislative, executive and judiciary have trampled upon such rights of people of other faiths by making laws and decisions that militate against such freedom”.

Citing the prohibition of the usage of the word ‘Allah’ by Bumiputera Christians to refer to God and the restricted ban on the use of the AlKitab – the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Bible – since the early 1980s, they said this was a gross violation of human rights.

In their 30-point Kota Kinabalu Declaration at the end of a three-day “mamangkis” held at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association in Penampang, Sabah Christians also accused the judiciary of being “increasingly more inclined to defend the supremacy of race and religion than to abide by their oath of office to defend the supremacy of the constitution”.

The mamangkis, which was organised to coincide with Malaysia Day, was an old Kadazandusun war cry used by their pagan ancestors to rally warrior troops for battle but a new mamangkis movement spearheaded by Perpaduan Anak Negeri (PAN) is now making it a Christian clarion call for revival.

Following the feud over the use of the word Allah, the Sabah churches said the state, including Islamic agencies and the sultans as heads of Islam in their respective states, must not intervene in other faiths.

The declaration also stated that “the proliferation of oppressive laws that violates our fundamental civil liberties continues unabated”.

They pointed to the trampling of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that gives recognition to the inherent dignity and of the equal rights of all people.

They also said the legislative, executive and the judiciary must restore “just, fair, and democratic principles of governance as envisaged by the framers of our Constitution and our founding fathers”.

“The Federal Constitution shall be the supreme law in the nation and all citizens have equal protection under the law and any other form of supremacy is clearly ultra vires the Constitution and unacceptable.”

The Sabah churches also defended the rights of the indigenous Orang Asal communities in Peninsular Malaysia when it said it was timely after half a century of “unjust exclusion, the rights of the indigenous Orang Asal communities must be given due recognition with utmost urgency” under Article 153 of the Constitution.

They said while Article 153 accords special position and privileges to Peninsular Malays and indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, the Orang Asal are excluded from such protection.

“While the special position of the Malays and natives of Malaysia shall be safeguarded, it is timely that the legitimate interests of other communities in Malaysia be equally observed and upheld in accordance with the provisions of Article 153.”

In signing the declaration, Sabah Council of Churches president Bishop Datuk Dr Thomas Tsen, National Evangelical Christian Fellowship–Commission of Sabah Affairs chairman Reverend Datuk Jerry Dusing, PAN chairman Pastor Esther Golingi, and Pastors Fellowship of Kota Kinabalu English and Chinese leader Pastor Steven Choon and Pastor Daniel Chin, also pledged their commitment to defend the sovereignty of Malaysia as a federation composed of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya. – September 17, 2014.

'Queens ruled in Acheh, so Azizah can be MB'

Seven Islamic NGOs have backed PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the Selangor menteri besar post on the basis that the Acheh Sultanate had been ruled by queens.

Spokesperson for the group, the Centre for Studies in Modernity and Civil Society (Cesmacs) director Muhammad Nur Manuty said the Acheh Islamic government had been ruled by four successive female monarchs between 1641 and 1689.

They are Queen Sofiatuddin (1641-1675), Queen Naqiatuddin (1675-1678), Queen Zakiatuddin (1678-1688) and Queen Kamalat Syah (1688-1689).

“The rule of these female rulers for 59 years in Acheh clearly shows that they can govern fairly, and were successful in providing welfare for the people,” he told a press conference in Shah Alam today.

The former PKR information chief added that Islam does not forbid women from taking on leadership roles, and women have become presidents and prime ministers in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as well.

When asked to comment about doubts about Wan Azizah’s capabilities after an incident in June where her written questions to the Selangor State were rejected, Muhammad Nur said Wan Azizah’s track record needs to be evaluated as a whole.

“Whatever we want to use to measure up a person, let it be comprehensive and not based on a single incident.

“Recently she had just become a Selangor assemblyperson so in Selangor’s context, she is still new, but she has been an MP since 1998,” he said.

In June, Selangor speaker Hannah Yeoh reportedly rejected all 10 questions that Wan Azizah submitted on the basis that it exceeded a requirement that the questions are limited to 40 words or less. She was sworn into office two months before.

Meanwhile, Nik Yusof Nik Ismail from Badan Dakwah Selangor rebutted allegations that Wan Azizah is a puppet to her husband and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Wan Azizah can listen to advice from any person, but the final decision rests with her alone.

Also present at the press conference this morning were representatives from the NGOs Wadah Selangor, Selangor Abim, Yayasan Takmer, and Pusat Kerohanian.

 

Uthaya to be freed on Oct 3 as sentence slashed

 

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar’s appeal to set aside his sedition conviction.

However, the appellate court reduced his jail sentence from 30 months to 24 months.

With the remission, his lawyer M Manoharan (left) said, Uthayakumar would be set free on Oct 3.

Justice Aziah Ali led the three-member panel that made the unanimous decision.

"We find that the complaints raised against the conviction made by the appellant on the sessions sourt and High Court decisions are without merit, and the appeal against the conviction is dismissed.

"After considering the mitigation plea, we agree to reduce the prison sentence to 24 months, from 30 months," Justice Aziah said.

The other judges sitting with her are Justices Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and Ahmadi Asnawi.

Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi appeared for the prosecution.

As this case originated from the sessions court, this was Uthayakumar's final appeal.

Uthayakumar was found guilty of sedition by a sessions court in Kuala Lumpur June 5, 2013, for publishing seditious material in a letter, written between Nov 15 and Dec 8, 2007, to then British prime minister Gordon Brown.

In the letter, Uthayakumar claimed that the government had state-sponsored 'social-ethnic cleansing' of the Indian poor in Malaysia.

For this, he was ordered to be jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The High Court in KL upheld the sessions court decision, which led to Uthayakumar's final appeal which was heard today.

Detained under ISA

Prior to this he had been detained under the Internal Security Act for more than 800 days, from December 2007, on similar grounds, along with his lawyer Manoharan and three others.

His younger brother P Waythamoorthy (left) who was also part of the Hindraf movement, escaped the ISA crackdown on the Hindraf leaders and lived in the UK for several years before being appointed as a senator and deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department last year, following the 13th general election.

Waythamoorthy eventually resigned over claims that the promises made to Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia, an entity registered with the Registrar of Societies, were not fulfilled.

Earlier, Manoharan submitted that there was no corroborative evidence between the investigating officer and the Malaysiakini journalist to prove the article was seditious.

The Malaysiakini journalist was a witness in the case.

He also told the court that what was printed by the investigating officer from the Police Watch website was no longer available and there was no evidence to suggest that the letter was sent.

Manoharan also said that the 30 months jail sentence was excessive as the courts had, prior to this, at most imposed an 18 months jail sentence for sedition.

He asked that a fine be imposed instead of a jail sentence as the late Karpal Singh was ordered to pay RM4,000 fine for a similar charge of sedition.

"The number of police reports lodged against the late Karpal were higher than what Uthayakumar had faced," Manoharan argued.

About 20 Hindraf supporters gathered since this morning to hear the appeal. Also present was his wife S Indra Devi.

Former top cops to join pro-Sedition Act roadshow

(Malay Mail Online) – A former inspector-general of police and retired Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief will join a nationwide roadshow calling for the retention of the Sedition Act 1948.

Ex-IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan and former CID head Tan Sri Zaman Khan is set to embark on the roadshow together with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chief executive officer Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman as part of the Gerakan Malaysia Mempertahankan Akta Hasutan (Movement of Citizens Defending the Sedition Act 1948) campaign.

The campaign and the involvement of the three was publicised over Facebook today by the movement’s organiser, Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, who was also listed as a speaker in the roadshows.

“We live in a fragile country with different races and we need a guideline, should anything happen..we need a law to refer to, in ascertaining if one has crossed their limits, or not,” lawyer Mohd Khairul said when contacted by Malay Mail Online.

When asked the purpose of the roadshow given the growing call for the act to be repealed, Mohd Khairul answered; “We love this country more than anyone else.”

“We have already started our activity, with Ipoh being our first stop. We have already received many invitation to give talks in Pahang, Kedah and even Tawau, Sabah,” he added.

He added that although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has announced the plan to repeal the colonial era law, the movement is seeking to ensure that Putrajaya does not “err” as it did by abolishing the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the Emergency Ordinance (EO) security laws.

When launching the movement last week, Musa suggested a mandatory death sentence for “habitual” offenders under the Sedition Act.

This prompted former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to tell the former IGP to “try it on himself” before suggesting it for others.

There now exist opposing movements either calling for the retention of the colonial era law or pushing for it to be repealed as pledged by the government.

Putrajaya was recently forced to reaffirm its commitment to repeal the Sedition Act, which remains in use two years after Najib said it will be replaced with laws on national harmony.

Critics, however, believe the government is deliberately dithering on the promise due to pressure from strong right wing elements within Umno and its supporters, who want the Act to stay.

Defenders of the Sedition Act, primarily pro-establishment conservatives including Dr Mahathir, contend that its removal will open the floodgates of attacks against the Bumiputera, Islam, and the Malay rulers in the absence of the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA).

Those pushing for the law to be eliminated, however, insist that its ambit is too broad, as it criminalises speech with an undefined “seditious tendency” and without need to prove intent.

Azmi tells public to keep fighting for freedom

He calls for patience, saying academic freedom isn't something that can be achieved overnight.

KUALA LUMPUR: Azmi Sharom has called for patience in the fight for academic freedom but said the public must not stop pushing for it.

“Trying to achieve standards in democratic practice, I see it as a process,” the Universiti of Malaya law lecturer said in an interview with FMT.

“It’s a process where we have to be patient, and we have to keep pushing every single step of the way.”

Azmi today filed an application with the High Court to challenge the constitutionality of the Sedition Act, under which he has been charged because of comments he made in relation to the ongoing Selangor political crisis.

He referred to a 2011 case in which another law lecturer, Abdul Aziz Bari, had his service with the International Islamic University suspended for a similar offence. Police investigated Aziz under the Sedition Act, prompting numerous student demonstrations calling for academic freedom and university autonomy.

Azmi said the current movement against the Sedition Act and for academic freedom actually began with Aziz’s case.

“The act should have been gone back then,” he said.

But it was not a lost cause, he added. “It’s difficult to sustain a protest for three years, but it is clear that what happened to Aziz and what is happening to me now has raised awareness about the Sedition Act not only amongst students but also the general public.”

He said the greater public awareness was crucial in the fight to get the Sedition Act repealed and, by extension, in achieving academic freedom.

Referring to the application he filed today, Azmi said, “The constitutional rights that exist for us as Malaysians have to be protected.

“Limitations to these rights have to be done exactly the way the constitution allows. The wording is very specific. These rights have to be taken pedantically because they are extremely important.”

PAS going back and forth on gender issue

NGO Empower says it is disappointed PAS cited gender as one of the reasons to reject Wan Azizah as the Selangor MB.

PETALING JAYA: The Communications and Media Officer of Empower Yasmin Masidi has stated her disappointment that PAS’ clergy wing still cannot accept Wan Azizah as the Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) because she is a woman.

Citing a statement a PAS representative made to an online news agency recently, Yasmin quotes PAS as saying they rejected the PKR president “due to her gender, along with two other reasons”.

Expressing her disagreement Yasmin said, “Honesty and integrity are qualities that should be part of leadership criteria, not gender.”

Yasmin also said that following PAS’ statement on gender, members of the NGO were “especially disappointed that PAS continues to hide behind its version of Islam to justify gender discrimination.”

Yasmin added, “Malaysian women – including Muslim women – have proven themselves capable of being leaders and decision-makers at all levels of society, despite the many barriers in their way.

“Even in the classical period, Islamic history is filled with examples of women leaders such as Hurrah Malikah Arwa’ bint Ahmad, who was the head of administration for Yemen on behalf of the Fatimid Caliphs in the 9th century.”

Yasmin cited modern Muslim-majority nations including Pakistan and Bangladesh that have had women heads of state.

Another issue of contention was the conflicting statements PAS has made regarding the suitability of Wan Azizah as the MB.

Yasmin said that on August 14, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali had said that “gender was not the reason” however a later statement saying the exact opposite was told to an online news portal.

Youth of the nation

Thank you Zaid Ibrahim, for exposing the political hypocrisy of our PM and other Umno leaders.

COMMENT By Koon Yew Yin

The latest assault on DAP and PKR, from the Prime Minister (PM) himself, concerns their “loyalty” to the Sultan of Selangor.

This cheap political trick to question the loyalty of opposition parties should not come from a PM. In a democracy anyone who has a public duty has to be accountable for his actions.

Instead of talking to the people about the complexities of democracy and how constitutional monarchs and political leaders should conduct themselves, the PM took the lazy route of inflaming the feelings of the Malays by suggesting PKR and DAP would not protect the Malay rulers and their religion.

For a man who talks about the great transformation of the country, this was irresponsible and most disappointing.

My concern is that this anti-DAP feeling will spin out of control into anti-Chinese sentiment, that in turn has the potential to become anti-Malay and, ultimately, anti-Muslim.

Hatred will then consume the nation. Then what? Racial clashes? Innocent lives will be lost, both Chinese and Malays, and the country will grind to a halt. Wealthy leaders will flee and the so-called defenders of the Malay race will run off to London or Argentina.

Ordinary people who just want to live in peace will have to start over.

Speaking as a non-Malay Malaysian, I wish to express my deep appreciation to Zaid Ibrahim for exposing the political hypocrisy of our PM and for spelling out, in easily understood terms, the looming scenario of violence should racial hatred and anti-opposition bashing continue unabated.

Unfortunately it is not the PM alone who engages in this duplicitous double talk. The Deputy PM, the Home Affairs Minister, the Minister in the PM’s Department in charge of Islamic affairs, even the most junior Umno deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries do it.

Where’s the political moderation?

Speeches at an international level show political moderation, while back home it’s a different story.

When speaking to Chinese, Indians or East Malaysians, a moderate slant is adopted. When speaking to Malays, a hard line and racially or religiously ultra-nationalist slant is taken, urging Malays to defend Malay royalty, the Malay race and Umno, their saviour against rampaging and disloyal and traitorous non-Malays.

Where the rot started

Many attribute this radicalisation of Umno politics to opportunistic leadership, with the rot starting with Mahathir Mohamad’s prime ministership.

Others have argued that this is due to the fear of loss of power, wealth and status, should BN and Umno’s rule come to an end.

Whatever the reasons, the reality is that we have today Umno as a party that is committed to moderation on paper but in reality is the breeding ground of intolerance and bigotry, which will bring about the destruction of our country as we know it.

What is the solution?

Zaid has proposed to his non-Malay readers to “interact with them … so that they see that you are not the enemy.”

He notes that in Kelantan, Malay and non-Malay relationships are excellent, and it is the same in many other places. He also makes the important point that the people are tired of these leaders’ defeatist mantras but that “since they have a monopoly over TV stations and newspapers, they will keep working to get (ordinary Malaysians) to believe that the threat truly comes from within.”

This is sound advice aimed at the grassroots. But time is needed to build up these interracial and interreligious relationships and time is not on our side. More rapid responses are needed to fight this mother of all battles to ensure a peaceful, democratic, pluralistic and progressive nation.

Perhaps the most urgently needed of these rapid responses is for similar voices of sanity and moderation to come from within the ranks of Umno.

Zaid has long been a voice of common sense, even from the days when he was part of the ruling party. He has championed the case for greater freedom and basic liberties and is now taking up the cudgels to fight political and racial extremism.

Another is the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and now CEO of the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation, Saifuddin Abdullah, who has a track record of advocacy for democratic reform and has championed youth empowerment. He has also refused to play the race card, despite his long time membership in Umno.

Are there other moderate and progressive Umno leaders out there who can rise above racially laced platforms and rhetoric now deemed de rigueur for any aspiring Malay with ambitions to rise to political prominence in the country. Or is this a no-brainer?

The PM himself should lead the way and not smear the opposition governments of Penang, Selangor and Kelantan as enemies or traitors to the Malay cause.

The answer to this question, I believe, holds the key to the kind of future facing the Malays and all other Malaysians.

Youth of the nation

The Star
by LIM MAY LEE, JC LAM and JAYDEE LOK

THEY are creative, intelligent, passionate and, most important, patriotic.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve featured young Malaysians – from all walks of life – who have been running initiatives and movements that encourage nation-building, unity and political participation.

As a youth news platform, we’re proud to say our fellow young Malaysians have taken on the challenge to drive the nation forward, and they’re doing it with some fresh, amazing ideas. Here are some of their stories.

myHarapan

In 2010, a group of friends organised a focus group, during which they concluded that young Malaysians intent on starting nation-building initiatives rarely get the support they need.

“So, we felt what was needed was an independent platform … not one regulated by the government,” said myHarapan CEO Nurfarini Daing.

The result of that aspiration was the birth of the aptly-named NGO myHarapan, which aims to help youths drive initiatives on their own.

“We advocate social entrepreneurship. It’s really about creating the right mindset,” said Nurfarini. “We get them to do projects on their own and facilitate the process, instead of spoon-feeding them.”

To do that, myHarapan provides engagement programmes, organises workshops, provides content and offers grants, among other things. Simply put, they act as an “accelerator” to get determined young people to work on their ideas.

In fact, those hoping to kickstart their projects can opt for one of two grants by myHarapan – The Youth Action Grant (which offers up to RM15,000) for one-off projects, or the Social Venture Fund (which provides up to RM250,000) to establish organisations with long-term plans.

On top of that, myHarapan also provides ample opportunities for young people to share and pitch their nation-building ideas to a global audience.

One example is the ongoing Social Business Challenge. This competition, to formulate project ideas designed to address and alleviate poverty in urban communities, is open to those aged 18-35.

The winning ideas, besides earning startup funds, will also be sent to this year’s Global Social Business Summit (GSBS) in Mexico, where opportunities for them to grow are aplenty.

“GSBS is the biggest social summit in the world right now. It brings together all the big shots in the industry interested in pitching good social business ideas,” said Nurfarini. “Through this, we’re also trying to showcase Malaysia on the global stage.”

Last year, the fifth edition of GSBS was held in Kuala Lumpur, the first time the event took place outside of Europe – thanks to myHarapan.

“It was a big achievement for us,” said Nurfarini. “It can be hard getting funds. But after hosting the GSBS last year, there has been a lot of local interest in social entrepreneurship.

“I think social entrepreneurship has become very trendy now. In the future, it will be something people really look out for in terms of running businesses.”

Next year, myHarapan hopes to continue promoting social entrepreneurship internationally, by including it in the agenda at the ASEAN Summit here in Malaysia.

MyConsti

Political awareness among young people has certainly increased over the past few years, and with that comes a desire to make a change. But change cannot happen without an understanding of the fundamentals behind policies, right?

Understanding our constitution, however, can be pretty difficult for the average person. Enter MyConsti. First formed by the Bar Council in 2009, it aims to educate citizens – especially those aged between 15 and 35 – on the Federal Constitution, and the law in general.

“Lack of knowledge and understanding on the law particularly the Federal Constitution often leads to misinterpretation and misinformation,” said Firdaus Husni, chairperson of the Bar Council Constitutional Committee (BCCC).

“That’s why we spearheaded MyConsti – to bring the contents of the Malaysian Federal Constitution to all Malaysians in a manner simple enough for the public to understand and appreciate without compromising the substance.”

To reach out to the youth, MyConsti produced a series of public service advertisements (called Rakyat Service Advertisements, or RSAs), and guides (called The Rakyat Guides) based on nine main themes they identified within the Federal Constitution. They’ve also run a series of public forums, conducted television and radio interviews and written articles – all based on the constitution.

On ground, MyConsti has developed and run workshops, mostly in partnership with school and college students, NGOs and even churches. And in keeping with their aim to educate the youth, they’ve even held two concerts called Rock 4 Rights.

These efforts were not just contained to urban areas, either. MyConsti has also organised trips to orang asli settlements.

“We are all beneficiaries of the Federal Constitution. I hope the younger generation realises that,” said Firdaus. “And that’s why they need to protect the Federal Constitution.”

She also added that the constitution has been amended several times, which shows that change is possible for the young people of Malaysia.

“But first, they need to arm themselves with knowledge. How can we protect the Federal Constitution if we don’t even know what’s in it?”

Firdaus’ hope now is for the people to take ownership of MyConsti, and help spread its message throughout the country.

“Get a copy of our Rakyat Guides,” urged Firdaus. “Read them and pass them on. Organise a MyConsti workshop in your area.” She promised they would be there, once told of the time, venue and date of the workshop.

You can also join MyConsti for free! Just send an email to perlembagaanku@gmail.com and complete the registration form, and you’ll be on your way to helping spread sorely-needed knowledge to your fellow countrymen.

“In the course of our campaign, we have met many youths who are enthusiastic to do their part for nation building. Seeing them never fails to inspire the MyConsti campaigners to do more. It tells you that there’s hope for the country,” said Firdaus.

Perdana Fellows Programme

If you’re talking about getting young people involved in nation-building, there’s probably no better way to do it than to actually stick them straight into the Government – which is exactly what the Perdana Fellows Programme does.

Through the programme, the country’s brightest young minds get to apply to be interns under Cabinet ministers for a period ranging from six weeks to six months.

This means the youth won’t just get a chance to learn, but also have their voices heard by the people who run the country.

In the two years since it was initiated, the programme has given 70 future leaders the chance to learn, first-hand, the ins and outs of policy-making and ministerial administration.

“The Perdana Fellowship Programme helps bridge the gap between the government and the youth, making both parties better informed of each other. This way, the youth will have a well-rounded understanding of issues and know not to criticise policies blindly,” said University of Nottingham undergrad Victoria Cheng, 22, who is currently a Perdana Fellow under Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low.

University of Warwick student Muhammad Mikhail Rosli, 21, who worked with Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, said one of the most important things he learnt was how tedious and complex policy-making can be.

“I’ve learnt that the recurring criticism that governments are slow to implement things disregards the need to be careful when exercising government functions.

“Most people do not consider the trade-offs involved when good policies are politically unattractive, or the wide gap between planners and implementers,” he said.

In an earlier interview with The Star, Perdana alumnus Hafiz Ariffin, 25, confessed that he had underestimated the amount of work a Prime Minister had until he was placed under Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself.

According to Mikhail, some people tend to be quite skeptical about the motives behind the programme; but his personal experience as a fellow was very positive.

“I think it has given urban youths, like myself, the opportunity to experience first-hand this distant and controversial figure we call ‘the Government’.

“The programme does not breed (negative) ideologies but instead gives direction for more informed conversations among the youth,” said Mikhail.

Cheng believes the programme serves as an effective awareness platform and encourages Malaysian youths to get involved.

“The most crucial aspect of this programme is having the government opening itself up to the people,” she shared.

“I also see youths becoming more proactive and passionate about public policy and civil welfare. More of us are actually involving ourselves in concrete ‘servanthood’ activities as opposed to just making noise on social media and the blogosphere.”

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RM1 Million Pledge For Education Of MH370, MH17 Cabin Crew's Children

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun HusseinGENTING HIGHLANDS, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Eu Yan Sang and Genting Group have pledged RM500,000 each to kickstart the Flagbearer Education Foundation for the children of the cabin crew on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and MH370.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who was appointed as the patron of the foundation, applauded Eu Yan Sang for establishing the foundation and other charitable drives that have improved the conditions of Malaysians who were less fortunate.

"My heart reaches out to the affected families (of the MH17 and MH370 tragedies). Their loss is great, an incomprehensible one that cannot be soothed by mere words of consolation and comfort.

"We could not begin to imagine their pain as much as we can try to be empathetic to their grieving. What we can do is to continue our best efforts to ensure that every affected family receives closure and to pray for the peace of those who have tragically departed regardless of our racial and religious background," he said in his speech at Eu Yan Sang's 135th Anniversary Celebration Gala Dinner, here, Wednesday night.

Hishammuddin said with the kind of struggles that the nation had been going through recently, it was extremely commendable to witness a strong sense of communal responsibility from the local industries that supported those who were in need.

"It echoes the aspiration of the government to have more private and public organisations undertake strong positions in their corporate social responsibility programmes that centre upon the ideology of mutual respect, love and charity.

"In the future, we hope to see more such entities embodying this philosophy as we strive to become a nation that is not only economically driven but also morally responsible," he said.

At the event, Eu Yan Sang also donated RM1.26 million to the Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation and the Registered Trustees of the Joseph William Yee Eu Foundation.

Himpunan di KLCC, KL Sentral bantah akta hasutan

Mat Sabu denies Pro-Hadi group walk out

The ISIS-style execution of 17 workers in Afghan province by Taliban

The ISIS-style execution of 17 innocent workers is a heart-wrenching and shocking disaster

By Shakir

Farah, a province in western Afghanistan along the Iranian border, is one of the most insecure provinces in the country. Its defenseless inhabitants are victims of the treacherous conspiracies of the warmongers every day. Besides the deadly poverty, instability and insecurity that plagues the people of this isolated province, they have witnessed countless instants of bombings by the occupier forces, mass killings and beheadings, suicide bombings, kidnapping of children, and the shooting of their working children by the mercenary Taliban and non-Taliban forces.

Disaster has struck one after the other and made life a living hell for the people of this area. There is not a day when the people of Farah are not mourning. Farah city is the only relatively secure city. Outside this city, the Taliban monsters wait like hunters for their prey, backed by their masters. Every day a village is shrouded in grief. One day the Taliban kidnap the defenseless workers of the city municipality who are busy disposing off garbage and kill them; another day they behead innocent people in groups; and yet another day women and children are targeted by a roadside mine.

The ISIS-style execution of 17 innocent workers is a heart-wrenching and shocking disaster. On August 30, 2014, at 8 o’clock in the morning, a group of workers from the Robaat village were going to the customs on the border where they worked. In the Pul Poshta area, their car was stopped by the armed men of Mullah Nasir, one of the Taliban criminals. They were all stood in a line and shot dead. Five people among them were seriously injured and are currently fighting for their lives in a hospital. These people were Mohammad Ameen, Naseem, Fazel Ahmad, Mohammad Naeem, and Ahmad. The remaining twelve were all killed:

Wazir s/o Rasheed Woldyat Nazeer

Jan Mohammad s/o Sher Aqa

Gul Ahmad s/o Said Ahmad

Ghulam s/o Hakeem

Naeem s/o Haleem

Said Ahmad s/o Fazel Ahmad

Ghaus s/o Gulzar

Wazir s/o Abdul Rashid

Qiyamuddin s/o Mohammad Younis

Gulbuddin s/o Jabbar

Mohmmad Isa s/o Mullah Omar

Wazir s/o Rashid (same name as the person mentioned above but two different people)

One of the injured narrated the incident. He said that the Taliban were in a rush and quickly stood everyone in a line before opening fire. They were agitated and left the scene in one or two minutes. That is how some of them were not killed.

Mullah Nasir is the brother of Mullah Wakeel, and one of the most brutal Taliban. He belongs to the Siyah Jungle village of Bala Buluk district. A while back, Mullah Wakeel’s criminal gang was annihilated by the people of Boomdi. Now this bloodthirsty thug is out to get revenge for his brother’s death, with support from foreign countries. He is targeting the most oppressed strata of people. He has told some people that he wishes to put every man, woman, and even animals of the area through a shredder and cut them into bits and pieces.

Some time back, Mullah Wakeel and his criminal group entered the tents of the nomads of this area in their Taliban-style rage and wrath and against all the Afghani traditions. They walked around insulting the poor people, threatening to kill them, and abused them calling them dishonorable, US lackeys, and spineless. Then they tried to take some elders of the area as hostage.

It was then that the people of the area gathered and took arms. They stopped the cleric and his group. In the confrontation that ensued, two men were martyred, two women were injured, and a great deal of financial loss was caused for all the people of the area. But fortunately several men of the gang were killed and the filthy gang was disbanded. According to eye witnesses, they had been defeated so badly that nobody touched Mullah Wakeel and his men’s dead bodies and they lay on the ground for several days.

Most inhabitants of this area (which stretches to the Iranian border) belong to the Boomdi tribe and are Baloch nationals. They don’t have land, breed livestock and lack the very basic necessities of life, but they do not tolerate their insult and aggression of their area. Bravery and fearlessness are the valuable legacy of their ancestors and run through their blood today. By embarrassing this Taliban aggressor and his thug partners, they showed their resistance and defended their homes, teaching the murderous lackeys of occupiers and the infamous Iranian and Pakistan governments a lesson they will never forget.

One of the residents of the area who has closely followed the situation of Farah, evaluates the insecurity and the consequential incidents this way: the incapacity of the rulers has made the Taliban confident. Like many other insecure provinces Farah watches the death of its residents because a mixture of local, Pakistani, Iranian, and Chechnyan criminals have all gathered around the eight notorious Taliban commanders who were recently released from Bagram prison. They have started a horrendous battle and stream of crimes. Unfortunately what has increased the insecurity and poverty, is the drawn-out fraudulent elections and the cheap bargaining of the two sides which has further victimized our people.

Originally published on Sep. 10, 2014

Synagogue in Brussels burned

Arutz-7 reports:

A fire broke out in a synagogue in the Belgian capitals of Brussels Tuesday, in what appears to be a "criminal" act, according to reports.

Belgian daily La Dernière Heure said that several people broke into synagogue, which is located in the predominantly Muslim neighborhood of Anderlecht, and ignited several fires on the fourth floor of the building.

The wife and two children of the synagogue's caretaker suffered slight smoke inhalation in the fire on the top floor of the building, where they lived, said Laurens Dumont, a spokesman for the city prosecutor. The caretaker was absent at the time.

Dumont said "it would seem that the fire was set deliberately" at the synagogue in the Brussels neighborhood near the main train station, but the investigation was in its early stages.

Here is the news video about the story in French.


La synagogue d'Anderlecht visée par un incendie criminel

Pak Lah starts blogging, focuses on unity

Troubled by the tone and the increasing rancour in Malaysia, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has made a surprising entry into the blogosphere.

Pak Lah, as he is affectionately known, posted his first entry on www.paklah.net today on Malaysia Day and shared his views on the meaning of independence and unity.

"As Malaysians, we are very proud of the diversity in our nation and we have promoted it around the world as an impressive treasure.

"But lately, many among us focus not on our diversity, but on our differences in political views, race, religion, and living standards.

"Such differences if left unchecked will escalate into fights that know no bounds," he wrote in the posting “Erti kemerdekaan dan perpaduan” (“The meaning of independence and unity”).

Abdullah, who was prime minister from 2003 to 2009, said tolerance and mutual respect among the people had diminished.

The freedom to speak in social media and other sites on the Internet had been used to express racial anger, he said.

"I am sad to see what is happening in our country, despite all the efforts put into forging unity among the races," he wrote

Abdullah said the people were feeling less spirited in celebrating the Merdeka season from August 31 to Malaysia Day today.

He added that such feelings should not be something seasonal.

"We must 'merdeka' (be free or independent) in our hearts and be united in our souls.

"We cannot only be united when celebrating something or in facing a tragedy or disaster. Unity must be with us in our hearts all the time, not just seasonal," he wrote.

Abdullah also said unity must not be forced on the people by frightening them because it could lead to fights.

He said that the May 13, 1969 racial riots should be a lesson to all but not something to be brought up all the time.

"Stop bringing it up. We should look ahead towards the future."

He said it was normal for people to have different views in a democracy but that it should not lead to fights.

"The government chosen democratically must be given the chance to govern, whether it is Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

"The same goes for leaders. If a leader is chosen, let him have his chance to run the government fairly and justly," he wrote.

Abdullah said even leaders were human and made mistakes, and if necessary, they should be advised.

He said if the people were not satisfied with anything, they should speak up but with courtesy and in keeping with the practices of democracy.

Abdullah said it was not his intention to discuss arguments between the races about matters like the special rights of the Malays, the status of Islam as the official religion and the right to profess other religions for non-Malays.

"I am not discussing them here because I realise that I may not have the answers to them now.

"All I want is to remind everyone that this is our country where our blood spills together.

"We must preserve the blessing and happiness God has bestowed on us all. Happy Malaysia Day," he said. – September 16, 2014.

Ambiga: Judiciary can stop abuse of Sedition Act

 

The judiciary is the only institution which can stop the abuse of the Sedition Act, said former Bar Council president S Ambiga.

"It is the only institution that stands between the people and those abusing power," she added.

She also pointed out that lawyer Edmund Bon, who is under investigation for sedition, was merely offering his legal opinion when he said non-Muslims were not subjected to fatwas.

"I agree with his opinion. You may think it is wrong, but it is his view and it was a legal opinion," said Ambiga, who was one of the guest speakers at the launch of the Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH) last night.

Bon was called up by the police last week over comments he made in an article published by The Malaysian Insider.

Ambiga, the co-founder of NGO Negaraku and former Bersih co-chairperson, also said that the government's actions are the catalyst for hate and contempt.

"It is what they are doing to us that is bringing them to hate and contempt," she added.

Activist Safwan Anang, who recently received a 10-month jail sentence for sedition, told the audience that he was given the jail sentence because he was not a politician.

"We know that (PKR MPs) Tian Chua and N Surendran were charged so that there will be by-elections in Batu and Padang Serai, where having to pay a fine of just RM2,001 will forfeit their parliamentary seats.

"Since I am not a politician, that is why I was given a jail sentence," he added.

According to Safwan, no one is safe under the Act with the exception of Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

"Only he will be safe from being charged under the Act, although everyone knows how this 'frog' (a term used in reference of Ibrahim hopping to different political parties) is the king of all things seditious," he added.

'Those around Najib will not allow repeal'

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom labelled the Sedition Act as the biggest "penghasut" (inciter) as it is "anti-democracy".

"The Act is against democracy and against the country's identity. That's why it needs to be abolished," added the academic, who was charged under the Act recently.

DAP's Lim Kit Siang, who was accused of making seditious remarks against Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, said the country was not becoming the “world's best democracy” as mentioned by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"What that has been happening (spate of arrests under the Sedition Act) is quite the opposite," he said.

Former deputy minister Saifuddin Abdullah (left) said that even if Najib wanted to abolish the Act, those around him would not agree.

"We should show him (PM) that we want the Act to be abolished. Amending the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) was hard, but I believe that together, the message will be delivered.

"Malaysians have their own strength to ensure it will be abolished," he said.

Saifuddin said that the country will not be a good democracy "if we continue nurturing the culture of fear".

Pro-Hadi group walks out on Mat Sabu's speech

 

MUKTAMAR Some 50 PAS Youth delegates staged a walkout from the wing's muktamar when party deputy president Mohamad Sabu delivered his speech.

The delegates, who wore black vests which read, "We are with the president and Syura Council", immediately left the hall as soon as Mohamad took the stage at 4.42pm.

Before that, PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat had delivered his policy speech for almost 90 minutes.

Mohamad Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, is at odds with party president Abdul Hadi Awang and PAS clerics over the Selangor menteri besar issue.

His recent remarks in an interview with Malaysiakini, asking for the party's religious clerics to reform themselves to remain relevant also created dissatisfaction among conservative groups.

The delegates, who staged the walkout, lingered outside the Choon Moi Hall as Mohamad delivered his speech.

Several of the delegates clad in the pro-Hadi vests refused to comment when approached.

However, a Johor division delegate, who disapproved of the stunt but did not want to be named, told Malaysiakini they were led by Terengganu delegates.

A text message has since circulated among PAS delegates about the incident which read: "All the Terengganu gang in special vests 'we are with PAS president and Syura Council' stood up and left the muktamar hall."

"They were followed by some delegates from Pahang, Selangor and the Federal Territories. It is poor attitude shown by members of PAS, an Islamic movement. It is clearly a planned move,” added the message sighted by Malaysiakini.

However, the group was only a small part of the over 700 delegates present at the muktamar, who were generally supportive and cheered at Mohamad's speech.

In his speech Mohamad repeated the contents of his interview with Malaysiakini, stressing PAS' Islamic credentials alone is no longer enough as voters also look at performance.

He stressed how the clerics' loss of focus led to people supporting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a staunch secularist who did away with the Islamic system of governance in Turkey.

"It took more than 100 years before Islamic culture could be reintroduced," he said.

Salahuddin: This should not have happened

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, when approached by journalists, said he would wait for PAS Youth's report on the matter.

"I did not manage to see (the incident) as I was seated in the front row.

"It is something that should not have happened especially in this atmosphere where PAS Youth is showing how great it is," he said.

Salahuddin also defended Mohamad's urging for the party's clerics to reform themselves.

"I have read Mat Sabu's interview in Malaysiakini, he stated that the capability of clerics must also consider the factors around them if PAS is to move forward.

"I did not see, after reading it, any line that belittled the leadership of clerics," he said.

Mohamad Sabu: Maybe they went to pray

Mohamad and Suhaizan, during a joint press conference later played, down the walkout incident.

"I did not see, perhaps they wanted to go pray or do some other things and return later, it's normal," said the deputy president.

"I think that is the case, because it was getting late and some had to pray," added Suhaizan.

When pressed about the vests the delegates wore in support of Hadi and the Syura Council, Mohamad said it was "normal".

"They can wear whatever they want... I am certain PAS Youth did not determine the dress code," he said.

Asked if the vests were a sign of protest, he replied: "No, no."

Melayu pemalas?

Uthaya Sankar SB, Malay Mail Online

Kata-kata Tun Mahathir Mohamad baru-baru ini bahawa orang Melayu adalah “pemalas” dan “kurang amanah” membuatkan ramai tersentak.

Bekas perdana menteri itu memang terkenal dengan sikap “mulut laser” selepas jawatan perdana menteri diserahkannya kepada Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003), dan selepas itu dimintanya supaya diserahkan kepada Datuk Seri Najib Razak (2009).

Najib juga tidak terlepas daripada kritikan di mana Mahathir berkata, jika dia berada di tempat Najib sekarang, dia tentu sudah melepaskan jawatan perdana menteri.

“Harapan saya, Najib akan mengambil ikhtibar daripada prestasinya yang buruk dalam PRU-13. Malangnya sehingga kini tidak nampak apa-apa perubahan dari segi dasar atau pendekatan walaupun saya cuba menyampaikan pendapat saya secara langsung kepada Najib,” akui Mahathir di blognya pada 18 Ogos 2014.

Agak menarik untuk diperhatikan bahawa media arus perdana (elektronik dan bercetak) yang sering menjadi alat propaganda Barisan Nasional (BN) tidak berani bersuara menentang hujah bekas perdana menteri itu.

Ketika melancarkan sebuah buku di Kuala Lumpur pada 11 September lalu, bekas perdana menteri berdarah Malayali itu dilaporkan menyindir orang Melayu dengan menggelarkan mereka “malas”.

Mahathir yang menjadi perdana menteri selama 22 tahun (1981-2003) turut menuduh bangsa Melayu sebagai “kurang amanah”.

Sedap mulut sahaja mamak ini menuduh orang Melayu di negara bertuah ini sebagai “malas” dan “kurang amanah”.

Demikian saya meluahkan rasa marah saya menerusi Facebook kerana saya amat tidak bersetuju dengan kenyataan Mahathir yang bersifat serkap jarang dan stereotaip.

Saya menunggu juga Perkasa, Isma, Umno, Pekida, Kimma, Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, penari tarian punggung, pengusung kepala lembu dan para pejuang Melayu bangkit membantah tuduhan liar itu.

Menunggu juga golongan penulis Melayu bangkit berjuang mempertahankan maruah bangsa Melayu menerusi tulisan-tulisan yang bernas.

Menanti pertubuhan-pertubuhan penulis yang menerima habuan kewangan daripada Najib dan BN bangkit menyatakan sokongan padu yang tidak berbelah bagi.

Golongan penulis tidak berani bersuara

Pada suatu majlis penyampaian hadiah di kediaman rasminya di Putrajaya pada 7 Januari lalu, Muhyiddin dilaporkan berkata bahawa golongan sasterawan (Melayu) sentiasa bersama BN dan tidak pernah bersama pembangkang.

“Sekiranya ada pihak yang mendakwa golongan sasterawan berada di haluan sana (pembangkang), manakala pemimpin negara berada di haluan sini (kerajaan), itu adalah dakwaan yang tidak benar sama sekali,” katanya (Utusan Malaysia, 8 Januari 2014).

Akan tetapi, sepanjang pengetahuan saya, sehingga makalah ini ditulis, mereka belum berani bersuara menentang tuduhan liar Mahathir.

Agak menarik bahawa apabila Pengerusi Majlis Gagasan Malaysia, Manivannan Rethinam membidas kritikan Mahathir, Yang DiPertua Perkasa Selangor, Abu Bakar Yahya memberikan amaran kepada Manivannan supaya tidak masuk campur.

Selain tuduhan “malas”, golongan belia (lelaki) Melayu pula dilihat oleh Mahathir sebagai lebih berminat menjadi mat rempit dan sampah masyarakat.

“Kalau kita pergi universiti, 70 peratus perempuan. Budak-budak jantan, apa dia buat? Jadi mat rempit. … Semasa saya jadi perdana menteri, saya tidak mahu orang Melayu jadi bodoh,” katanya dalam suatu wawancara khas yang disiarkan di akhbar Mingguan Malaysia (14 September 2014).

Semasa berkongsi tuduhan “malas” dan “kurang amanah” itu menerusi Facebook, saya terpaksa membuat catatan berikut: Jangan pula ada lagi puak kurang cerdik yang menuduh “Uthaya kata Melayu malas dan kurang amanah”.

“Dalam al-Quran, ada satu Islam sahaja. Kita yang buat tiga Islam, empat Islam. Sekarang ini, ada 1,000 Islam,” katanya lagi menerusi Mingguan Malaysia.

Petikan itu juga saya kongsikan menerusi laman rangkaian sosial dengan catatan berupa harapan bahawa tidak ada sesiapa yang memutar-belitkan fakta lalu membuat tuduhan “Uthaya kata sekarang ini ada seribu Islam.”

Catatan berupa sindiran halus itu adalah disengajakan kerana semua paparan saya di Facebook adalah umum (public) dan sering disalah tafsir golongan kurang cerdik, etnosentrik dan rasis yang turut memantau tulisan saya.

Sekadar contoh, tidak lama dahulu, saya mengulas buku “Sensitive Truths in Malaysia: A Critical Appraisal of the Malay Problem” (2013) tulisan AB Sulaiman.

Segera muncul sekelompok kecil manusia yang kurang mampu membaca, lalu memutar-belitkan fakta berdasarkan fikiran sempit mereka.

Jangan lupa ‘Dilema Melayu’

Kelompok fanatik yang kurang cerdik itu membuat kesimpulan “Uthaya kata bangsa Melayu tidak wujud” sedangkan itu adalah hujah penulis buku berkenaan.

Anehnya, apabila Mahathir menyelar pemimpin Melayu serta bangsa Melayu secara terang-terangan, mereka memilih untuk membisu seribu bahasa.

Mungkin kerana mereka menganggap Mahathir maha berkuasa dan pengkritik akan terbakar hangus jika cuba melawan hujahnya.

Kalau mahu dikatakan kelompok ultrakiasu itu tidak mahu “cari gaduh” dengan pengkritik daripada kaum sendiri (Melayu), ternyata Mahathir berjaya mengabui mata mereka dengan menyembunyikan identiti sebenar keturunannya.

Dalam pada itu, ada pihak yang terlalu taksub dengan Mahathir mempersoalkan mengapa baru kini kita mahu mengkritik Mahathir, sedangkan sejak dahulu dia mengkritik orang Melayu secara terang-terangan.

Contoh paling mudah adalah buku “The Malay Dilemma” (1970) di mana Mahathir mengkritik, menyindir dan menyelar orang Melayu dengan berani dan tanpa simpati.

Ada dua faktor asas yang perlu diperhatikan berkenaan buku itu untuk menjawab persoalan mengapa orang tidak marah-marah pada waktu itu.

Pertama, buku berkenaan ditulis menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris dan sebagaimana selalu diingatkan oleh Mahathir sendiri sehingga hari ini, orang Melayu kurang membaca buku “bahasa penjajah” itu.

Kedua, selepas terbit, buku berkenaan diharamkan oleh perdana menteri waktu itu, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Maka, tidaklah dibaca secara terbuka atau dikritik secara terbuka kandungannya.

Pada 1981, sebaik Mahathir berjaya menjadi lelaki berdarah Malayali pertama memegang jawatan perdana menteri Malaysia, buku “The Malay Dilemma” tidak lagi diharamkan.

Malah, Ibrahim Saad menterjemahkan buku itu ke Bahasa Malaysia dengan judul “Dilema Melayu” (1982) demi manfaat pembaca Melayu (Umno).

Orang Melayu mudah lupa?

Memandangkan buku berkenaan dikarang oleh perdana menteri yang amat berkuasa dan disifatkan bersikap “kuku besi”, tentulah tidak ada sesiapa pun berani mempersoalkan segala hujah, kritikan, sindiran dan cemuhan Mahathir terhadap orang Melayu.

Orang Melayu mudah lupa. Demikian juga sering diingatkan oleh Mahathir.

Sajak berjudul “Melayu Mudah Lupa” dibacakan Mahathir dengan penuh perasaan pada akhir ucapan penggulungan semasa Perhimpunan Agung Umno di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur pada 23 Jun 2001.

Harap maklum bahawa Mahathir masih perdana menteri waktu itu dan tidak ada sesiapa yang berani melawan atau membantah hujah-hujah yang disampaikannya menerusi sajak berkenaan.

Menurut laporan di Utusan Malaysia, “sebaik sahaja beliau (Mahathir) selesai membacanya (sajak), seluruh perwakilan (Umno) bangun secara spontan dari kerusi masing-masing sambil memberikan tepukan gemuruh.”

Walaupun saya dan Mahathir sama-sama mempunyai darah Malayali, saya masih tidak bersetuju apabila Mahathir menyelar orang Melayu sebagai malas, tidak amanah dan sebagainya.

Kalaulah benar orang Melayu masih malas dan tidak amanah, bukankah itu bukti kegagalan Mahathir sendiri sebagai perdana menteri, presiden Umno (baru dan lama) dan pengerusi BN?

Timbul pula pertanyaan berkenaan motif sebenar Mahathir membuat segala tuduhan dan kritikan itu.

Apakah dia sebenarnya mahu melemahkan Najib yang sudah sedia “retak menanti belah”?

Apakah Mahathir mahu segera mengangkat Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin atau Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi menjadi perdana menteri baru menjelang PRU-14?

Atau apakah pemimpin veteran itu asyik terimbas akan kegemilangan masa lalu dan menyimpan sedikit cita-cita untuk kembali memegang tampuk pemerintahan negara?

“Bangsa saya tidak tahu bersyukur”

Persoalan-persoalan di atas hanyalah andaian-andaian yang timbul semasa berbual santai dengan rakan-rakan pelbagai kaum dan agama sejak seminggu lalu.

Kalaulah kata-kata Mahathir boleh dipercayai, segala kritikannya tidak bertujuan meraih simpati dan tidak juga bertujuan memburukkan kaum Melayu.

“Saya sedih. Bukanlah saya berharap kerana kesedihan saya akan menarik simpati sesiapa. Hanya saya ingin menyatakan perasaan saya – perasaan apabila melihat kaum bangsa saya, orang Melayu, begitu sekali tidak tahu bersyukur, begitu sekali mudah lupa, begitu sekali mudah dipengaruhi dan diperalat oleh orang lain sehingga sanggup memburukkan bangsa sendiri.”

Demikian petikan “Suara hati Dr Mahathir” yang disiarkan di Utusan Malaysia (23 September 2012) untuk renungan bersama.

“Orang putih, secara terbuka menyatakan orang Melayu adalah bodoh dan malas, tidak mampu menyumbang apa-apa kepada pembangunan negeri-negeri mereka. … Orang asing dari India dan Cina [sic] perlu dibawa masuk untuk mengatasi masalah Melayu malas dan tidak cekap,” katanya lagi.

Ternyata tidak seorang pun individu kaum Melayu yang terlepas daripada kritikan pedas Mahathir.

“Untuk bekerja sebagai budak pejabat memerlukan kelulusan tertentu. Tetapi untuk menjadi Yang Berhormat, menteri, bahkan Perdana Menteri tidak memerlukan apa-apa sijil atau kelulusan.”

Kata-kata Mahathir di atas seiring keluhan orang ramai yang sudah meluat, kecewa dan menyampah dengan perangai buruk para politikus yang tidak layak menjadi pemimpin.

Dalam tulisan sama di akhbar Utusan Malaysia (23 September 2012), Mahathir meluahkan rasa sedih dan kecewa kerana bangsanya (Melayu, bukan Malaysia) “jelas tidak dapat menangani kejayaan”.

“Bangsa saya mudah lupa. Bangsa saya tidak tahu bersyukur,” katanya.

Memang hebat lakonan dan persembahan Mahathir. Memang besar sumbangannya kepada negara.

Namun, saya tetap merakamkan rasa sedih, marah dan kecewa berikutan kenyataanya bahawa orang Melayu “malas” dan “tidak amanah”.

Dr Mahathir fears Barisan will lose GE14 under Najib

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told a Malay non-governmental organisation of his fear that Barisan Nasional (BN) will lose in the next general election if Datuk Seri Najib Razak continues as prime minister.

Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, the president of Ikhlas, an NGO representing Malay traders and small businesses, said they met the former prime minister for a dialogue lasting more than an hour in which Dr Mahathir talked about BN’s future under Najib’s leadership.

"Tun (Dr) Mahathir was quite clear on this. He is firm in his stand that he is not in favour of PM. He said BN may lose GE14 if Najib continues to rule," Ridzuan told The Malaysian Insider.

The meeting was held yesterday at Dr Mahathir’s office at the Perdana Foundation in Putrajaya.

It was initiated by Ikhlas, or Pertubuhan Ikatan Usahawan Kecil dan Sederhana Malaysia, which wanted to meet the former premier over concerns about the economy and BN’s future.

Ridzuan told The Malaysian Insider that they had not intended to discuss Najib’s leadership, but that Dr Mahathir himself had raised the issue.

"It was not on our agenda when we met him but he told us that just because he shook hand with Datuk Seri Najib or took pictures with him, it does not mean that he supported him," Ridzuan said.

He said besides Ikhlas, representatives from Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia, a group whose members were mainly former Malay army personnel, the Muslim Consumers Association and a few others were also present at the meeting.

Last month, Dr Mahathir had criticised Najib’s leadership and said he was withdrawing support for the latter because his feedback had not been heeded. Dr Mahathir, however, has not made a clear call for Najib’s resignation.

Ridzuan said Dr Mahathir had told the meeting yesterday that mistakes should be pointed out so they can be corrected.

"He said what is wrong is wrong. We have to point it out and not sit on the fence. This is the only way to move forward," said Ridzuan, adding that the Malay NGOs would request another session with Dr Mahathir in the future.

Ridzuan also said that all the groups at the meeting agreed that the Sedition Act should not be repealed.

"We do not want the Act to be repealed and replaced with the National Harmony Act. We have tried to get a campaign going but it did not receive support.

“The government does not seem to be interested. It is their loss. On the other hand, the opposition has been getting wide coverage. They do not mind if their cause gets no space in the mainstream media because they have the support of the online media,” Ridzuan said.

Dr Mahathir had begun the meeting yesterday by talking about Najib, BN’s future and the future of Malay economics, and he predicted that Malaysia would become a consumer nation and not a production powerhouse, according to Ridzuan.

"This has to do with the government’s policy to allow foreign nations to open their businesses in the country which affects the country's income. Our money has been going out in billions because of this," he said.

"Some of us were worried about BN and some did ask what they should do because they somehow feel like they are trapped in the middle," said Ridzuan. – September 16, 2014.

PAS supports terrorism, says MCA

MCA's Publicity Bureau Deputy Chairman cites statements by Mahfuz Omar and Nik Abduh as proof.

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has denounced PAS for its alleged support of terrorism, citing statements by two of the party’s officials when reacting to news of the death of Mohd Lotfi Ibrahim, a Malaysian who fought on the side the Islamic State (IS) militia in Syria.

MCA Publicity Bureau Deputy Chairman Marco Yap said that PAS’s “full backing for militant activities by Malaysians against innocent civilians and religious minorities in Syria and Iraq” was indicated by statements issued by its information chief Mahfuz Omar and central committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, which contained references to Mohd Lotfi as a “martyr.”

Yap’s press statement, released yesterday, referred to IS by its old name, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

“Unless PAS wants to put Malaysia in the headlines of world news for its open backing for ISIS,” he said, it “must rescind its support for the nightmare, mass shootings, head severing and terrorism committed by ISIS fighters including Malaysian ISIS followers abroad and even within Malaysia, where they had planned to bomb pubs, entertainment centres as well as the Carlsberg brewery.”

Yap, a Sabahan, said his state had experienced “intrusions, gunfire, kidnappings and murder” by terror cells linked to the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group. “I fully comprehend the fear and reign of terror ignited by these ISIS terrorists and urge PAS to sympathise with the victims, their families, the refugees and not with ISIS,” he said.

PAS Picking On BN Candidate's Ustaz Title In By-Election Campaign

By Mohamad Bakri Darus

TUMPAT, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mat Razi Mat Ail has become the subject of PAS' grouses as the Pengkalan Kubor by-election campaign period enters its fourth day.

The PAS' by-election machinery seems uneasy over the candidacy of BN's respected 48-year-old candidate, who also founded and owns the Maahad Tahfiz Pondok Simpangan religious school, regarding him as unworthy of being called an ustaz (religious teacher) and asked that villagers stop calling him that.

PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim, 56, said Mat Razi was ineligible to be called ustaz because he was once a civil servant and dressed formally when carrying out his religious duties.

In response to this, Mat Razi said he never asked to be called ustaz but the term was given by villagers after he opened up a madrasah (religious school).

He set up the religious school on his land where 50 students are currently studying for free.

Mat Razi, formerly Tumpat district education officer, remains calm amid such allegations as he only wants to focus on solving the people's problems and to plan additional development for the area.

Today, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin slammed PAS' insults against Mat Razi and described the party's action as a desperate attempt because it has no real issues to play up.

However, he said, the personal attack would not affect voter support for BN.

"I don't see any big issues here and PAS is attacking our candidate because they know our candidate is well-liked and excellent.

"One of their (PAS) strategies is personal attack against the (BN) candidate. Even I myself did not attack the opposition candidate in my speeches. Nevermind, they are scared, perhaps," he told reporters at Mat Razi's house in Kampung Simpangan, here, today.

Pak Din, in his 70s, was one of the PAS supporters met and asked why Mat Razi's ustaz title was being questioned.

"He is not an ustaz, he (Mat Razi) is a school teacher and he teaches the Quran," he told reporters at a coffee shop in Pengkalan Kubor.

Meanwhile, Kampung Simpangan resident Mohamad Asri Ismail, 51, said the opposition were not living in reality and loved to use slander to mislead voters.

"I've known Mat Razi since we were small and we studied in the same school. I know where he is after office hours too. He teaches the Quran and imparts religious knowledge."

He said Mat Razi also gave religious talks after Maghrib prayers at the Mukim Simpangan Hilir Mosque next to his home and that was why he was called ustaz.

Political observer, Universiti Utara Malaysia Adjunct Professor Datuk Hasan Haron said BN chose the right candidate because of his religious knowledge and work experience which made him close to the community.

He said it was normal during by-elections for local issues to be highlighted, but it must be remembered that in a state governed by PAS, the party had a role in addressing the issues.

However, the question is what has been developed by the state government because most of the projects in Pengakalan Kubor and Kelantan in general are contributed by the federal government.

"In the by-election campaign, PAS is seen trying to divert voters' attention to other issues to hide their weaknesses," said Hasan.

The Pengkalan Kubor by-election will see a three-cornered fight between Mat Razi, PAS candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

It is being held following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar, 57, from liver cancer on Aug 20. The Election Commission has set Sept 25 for polling.

In the 13th General Election last year, Noor Zahidi defeated PKR candidate Saharun Ibrahim and Izat Bukhary (Independent) with a 1,736-vote majority.

PERKASA S'gor anggap nasihat Dr M 'bapa pada anak'

Erdogan's new Turkey to requires all students to study the Qur'an

by NAT da Polis

School reform begins this year by introducing compulsory Islamic religious education to all grades, including Arabic, to help students understand the Qur'an. For 200,000 Syrian Christian refugees in Turkey, this will be a problem.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) - Turkey's newly elected President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aided by his faithful new Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, begins his term of office with a major overhaul of the country's education system.

Although adopted a year ago, the reform plan, which has largely gone unnoticed, begins this year and extends Islamic religious education to all school grades. Only religious high schools (Imam Hatip Lisesi) offered such an education as part of their training programme for the country's Muslim clergy. At the same time, the reform extends compulsory schooling from Grade 8 to Grade 12.

Erdogan's new Turkey, which plans to celebrate the centenary of the secular Turkish Republic founded by Kemal Ataturk in 2023, is making Islamic religious education compulsory in both primary and secondary school, for 12 grades. Until recently, the latter was available only in religious high schools starting in Grade 9.

Another significant change is that religious school graduates can now apply to university faculties that train students for top public administration positions. Even Turkey's current president, who studied Business Administration and not political science, was kept out because he was graduate of a religious school.

It seems clear that the school system AKP leaders dream about and planned for is inspired by existing religious high schools.

The next step in the reform involves teaching Arabic, even as a second language, to enable students to understand the Qur'an, as Turkish lacks words that help understand the Holy Book.

However, Turkey's Armenian and Orthodox schools are not required to provide Islamic religious education to their students who number 2,000 and 250 respectively.

By contrast, those who do not want to attend public schools to avoid religious education will have to go to private schools, which are a privilege of the wealthy because of high tuition fees.

People have to get used to the idea that 52 per cent of Turks, plus another 10 per cent from the ultranationalist Turkish party, believe in Erdogan's Islam, this according to the newspaper Radikal.

Recently in Anatolia, a local school principal, whose tasks also includes assigning students to classes, required Jewish students to register for Islamic religious courses because of their Turkish-sounding names.

Historically in fact, many Jews (and members of other ethnic groups and religions) chose to Turkify and Islamise their names and surnames out of sheer need for survival in view of the rules established following the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923, based on the notion that Turkey was ethnically homogenous as a Turkish and Muslim nation.

Following an outcry from world Jewish leaders, Turkish authorities suspended the measure in the case of Turkish Jews.

However, many wonder about what will happen to the 200,000 Christian refugees from Syria who are at present in Turkey and their children who will soon start school in Turkey.

The Malaysian premier Najib Razak praised ISIS fighters

By AWDNews

The Malaysian prime mister ordered police to suppress voices demanding his Islamist government to abandon supporting ISIS.

My party members must emulate the bravery of a Middle Eastern militant group that defeated an Iraqi force outnumbering it nearly 30 to one if we (Malay Islamist party) are to survive, Najib Razak said on Sunday during a formal party dinner in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian prime minister was listing virtues that were needed to allow his party to continue in power, during a dinner to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Malaysian independence.

“For example, when someone dares to fight to their death, they can even defeat a much bigger team.

“As proof — whether we agree or not is another matter — the group ISIL with the strength of just 1,300 people, can defeat an Iraqi army of 30,000 soldiers, until four, five generals with three, four stars run for their lives, jump out the window at night. Why? Because they are afraid of those who are brave,” he told more than 1,000 Malaysian Islamic party members in attendance.

He also stressed the importance of being loyal to god, the party, and friends.

Najib said having wisdom and foresight in battles as well as the ability to organize is also crucial in strengthening the party.

The Sausi-backed Islamic State of Iraq in the Syria (ISIS) is a splinter group of al-Qaeda that wants to set up an Islamic caliphate encompassing both Iraq and Syria.

Engineer latest arrest over UPSR exam leaks

The on-going investigation into the UPSR examination leaks has led to one more arrest today, Bernama reports.

Police detained an engineer in Kemaman, Terengganu, in connection with the leak of UPSR examination papers for two subjects, English and Science, last week.

This brings the total number of people arrested over the exam leaks to seven. Four were arrested yesterday, while two more this morning.

Two of those arrested yesterday were subsequently released last night on police bail.

The six people detained earlier comprise a primary school headmaster, four teachers and an insurance agent.

On the latest arrest, Kuala Lumpur CID chief SAC Gan Kong Meng said the man aged 34, was detained at 1pm today.

"The man will be brought to the Putrajaya Court and will be remanded tomorrow," Bernama quoted Gan as saying.

Following the leak, the examination for the English papers, 014/1 and 014/2, which the pupils had sat for on Thursday was nullified, while the examination for the Science papers, 018, 028 and 038, which was to be held the same day, was suspended.

According to Bernama, the Examinations Syndicate has set September 30 as the new examination date for both subjects. – September 15, 2014.