Sunday, 4 January 2015
IS Militants Blow Up Historical Tal Afar Castle
A Kurdish official from Tal Afar has told BasNews that the extremist group, which has controlled the Turkmen majority town since early August, blew up large part of the historical castle.
“On Wednesday night, after planting hundreds of IEDs on the castle, the Islamic State militants blew up a large part of Tal Afar castle”, said Hassan Khalo, senior official from Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) office in Tal Afar.
Khalo also revealed that the latest action from the extremist group was due to most of the administration buildings of the town was based on the castle, and now most of the buildings have been destroyed.
The Kurdish official also said that a few days ago, before the militants blow up the castle, they have looted all the historical antiques inside the castle.
According to historians the Tal Afar castle, goes back to 16th-century, which was built by the Ottoman Empire, which is located in the center of town.
Tal Afar is district in northwestern Iraq in the Ninawa Governorate located approximately 50 km west of Mosul and 200 km north west of Kirkuk.
Since taking over most of the cities and town of northern Iraq, the Islamic State militants has destroyed most of the historical and religious sites in the area.
Two brothers arrested in India over rape of Japanese tourist
The tourist had been held hostage at gunpoint in a secluded underground room close to a pilgrimage site, according to a preliminary investigation.
"When her health condition deteriorated due to repeated rape and poor living conditions, she was brought to Gaya (district headquarters) for medical treatment on December 20," a police officer who is part of the investigation told AFP on condition of anonymity.
But she managed to escape and reached Varanasi where she met some Japanese tourists who helped her contact the Japanese consulate in the nearby city of Kolkata, the officer added.
Sajid Khan, 32, and his 25-year-old brother Jawed Khan, both tourist guides, were arrested in the case on Friday, police deputy superintendent Alok Kumar Singh said.
"We have arrested the duo for confining and raping the Japanese student," Singh told AFP by telephone from Bodh Gaya.
The Bodh Gaya complex, 110 kilometres (68 miles) south of Bihar state capital Patna, is home to one of the earliest Buddhist temples still standing in India and attracts visitors from all over the world.
The Japanese woman, a university student, had come to Gaya from Kolkata where she had checked into a hotel in November.
India has faced intense scrutiny over its efforts to curb violence against women following the fatal gang rape of a medical student in New Delhi in 2012 which sparked global outcry.
Since then, several attacks on foreign women have also been reported, leading to a dip in tourist numbers to the country.
Last January, a 51-year-old Danish tourist was robbed and gang raped at knife-point in Delhi.
In 2013, a Swiss cyclist holidaying in central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh was robbed and gang raped by five men, all of whom were later sentenced to life terms.
Forgiveness helps ‘touch-a-dog’ organiser overcome hate, do more charity
The messages range from threats like, “If I see you, I will break your face” and “I will kill you” to plain vitriol, like “My child chose you over me. Are you satisfied?”
He said he lodged four police reports on the death threats, but when asked what action was taken against the culprits, he flashed a rueful smile.
“Nothing. When the police tracked them down and let me speak to them, I told them I forgive them and won’t press charges,” the pharmacist told The Malaysian Insider recently.
“Of course, that just makes them angrier, then they get their friends to send me hate messages,” he added with a frown.
But forgiveness is the message that the cheerful do-gooder wants to spread through his numerous charity and social projects, along with love and acceptance.
The "I Want to Touch a Dog" programme, which was aimed at helping Malaysians overcome their fear of dogs and understand how Islam perceives the canines, was just one of Syed Azmi’s numerous programmes under his #tamakpahala project.
Recently, the floods in the east coast prompted the activist to organise a donation drive in his neighbourhood with his FreeMarket team, in collaboration with several other NGOs.
The drive was a huge hit, with the team finding themselves swamped with boxes piling around the drop-off centre, in a scene that Syed Azmi described as “officially insane”.
But even when Malaysia is not facing a crisis, Syed Azmi is organising five to eight programmes a month which he broadcasts on Facebook for others to join.
Last month, he and his friends went kite-flying with some 100 orphans, after spending two hours digging in the dirt under the morning sun to harvest vegetables for 160 refugee families.
During another memorable weekend, he organised an “azan by deaf people” programme, where he roped in 22 deaf people to perform an azan (call for prayers) through sign language on stage before an audience of some 3,000 Muslims during an event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
“I had goosebumps. The entire hall was silent as they did the azan. No one left until they finished,” recalled Syed Azmi, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
“These are the programmes that mean the most to me. Azan by deaf people. Playing futsal with the blind.
“Next year, we’re doing ‘halal speed dating’ and ‘ride for dummies’. I can’t provide more details yet but it’s going to happen,” he said with an excited grin.
The unique twist to Syed Azmi’s #tamakpahala projects is that they don’t cost him a single sen.
One example is the "pregnant train", where he directs a group of female volunteers wearing fake baby bumps onto trains across the Klang Valley.
As the trains begin moving, the “expectant mothers” stand before seated commuters. Some hurriedly give up their seats, but others deliberately lower their gaze, even as the volunteers groan and pointedly rub their protruding bellies inches from their face.
“Once the train stops at the next station, we announce to them that this was actually our project to spread awareness on giving up their seats for the needy,” explained Syed Azmi, adding that they have done this three times so far.
When asked what inspired him to begin #tamakpahala single-handedly three years ago, he replied without hesitation: “My parents. I work really far away from my parents, so if they need help, the first people they can reach out to are their neighbours.
“So I wanted to encourage this spirit of neighbourliness starting with myself, and that was how #tamakpahala was born.”
The projects proved a hit in the neighbourhood, and everything was working out beyond Syed Azmi’s expectations – until the controversial "I Want to Touch a Dog" event in October.
Ironically, it was his most infamous #tamakpahala project that turned several of their neighbours against his parents, undoing all his past good deeds in their eyes.
“My dad prays at the nearby mosque every day, and people there just turned away from him. That was the saddest part,” said Syed Azmi, his voice overcome with emotion.
“To be turned away, at the age of 60-plus, when the entire point of #tamakpahala was so that my neighbours could care for him.”
Things are getting better for his parents, he said, but it’s not the same.
The hate messages, too, weigh heavily on Syed Azmi’s mind, but he won’t be changing his mobile phone number as too many people need to reach him.
“The worst threats are from the ladies, they say they want to break my face. The men say they want to kill me, but I know that’s practically impossible to carry out so I’m not so shaken.
“But to break my face? That’s possible, and a very real threat.”
But rather than condemning the haters, they actually spur Syed Azmi to work harder and ensure they understand the true message behind his projects.
“I failed to reach out what I wanted to teach and share with the event. My words are not right; I have bad English. I’m not articulate enough to express what is the goodness of the event.
“Today, I still smile towards my haters, because they taught me to work harder. The message behind my project didn’t get to them, so I have to work harder to get to them,” he said earnestly.
Calm in the face of hate and scorn
But being the target of nationwide animosity and baseless accusations was not easy for him during the first month.
As hate and scorn poured through anonymous blogs and into his inbox, Syed Azmi said he remained calm because he remembered a message about dogs by Ustaz Iqbal, who had spoken at the programme.
“The reason I was calm was because of the dog. Ustaz Iqbal said that it is wrong for anybody to feel that they are better than the ‘anjing kurap’ (disease-infested dog).
“To me, it was a very powerful message, and that’s how I feel about the dog. A dog taught me to be kind, humble, and that I am no better than anyone else. The dog taught me that you can be up one day, down one day.”
But the pain came flooding back when Utusan Malaysia published an article on Wednesday mentioning his “dog-touching campaign” as part of its 2014 highlights, prompting fresh hate messages into his phone even as he was busy organising donations for flood victims.
Despite the stigma now attached to his name, and the numerous claims on the Internet that he is a Christian masquerading as an ustaz to spread Shia teachings, Syed Azmi refuses to give up.
“The underprivileged and the poor are still out there. I promised to help them, and this project is something that I have put my heart and soul in,” he said.
For other Malaysians who wish to make a difference in society, Syed Azmi believes what is most important is to work within your means and believe in your ideas.
“Be honest. Be transparent. Start within your means. If you have an idea to change the mind-set of the nation, never think your idea is small and miniscule. Explain it in the best possible way can.
“Nobody is going to give you money. If you have RM100, use RM100. You don’t need money to do good. For me, the charity not only comes from money, but time, effort and knowledge.” – January 3, 2015.
10 more eminent Malays join 'Group of 25'
Ten additional prominent Malays have joined the group of ‘Eminent 25’, group spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin announced.
Former diplomat Noor Farida declared more members would be joining the group, which currently includes highly influential former civil servants.
“Dear friends, it is with pleasure that we announce the names of the new members of the G25”, the former diplomat to the Netherlands declared in a short statement yesterday.
The new inclusions are:
The former top civil servants, comprising judges, ambassadors, and scholars, said in the joint letter that it was time for the moderate Malays to speak out against extremists.
The group on Tuesday said that they were only interested in meeting Najib to discuss the issues that they have raised and have declined to meet any other agencies.
This includes declining to meet the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which wanted to meet the group to discuss religious issues they raised.
After the open letter was published, many Malaysians have come out to express support for the group and their stand.
In support of the call for moderation, a few other groups of individuals and NGOs have also come out to voice their concerns.
They include young Muslim activists, and a multi-ethnic cluster ‘KamiJuga25’ (We, too, are 25)
Former diplomat Noor Farida declared more members would be joining the group, which currently includes highly influential former civil servants.
“Dear friends, it is with pleasure that we announce the names of the new members of the G25”, the former diplomat to the Netherlands declared in a short statement yesterday.
The new inclusions are:
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Alwi Jantan – former deputy secretary-general of the Prime Minister’s Department
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Rafiah Salim – former vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya
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Nazir Ariff – prominent businessman
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Ahmad Mokhtar Selat – former ambassador and former deputy secretary-general of Asean
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Anwaruddin Osman – former Petronas Dagangan Berhad managing director
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Baharuddin Musa – former deputy secretary-general of Defence Ministry
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Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman – Universiti Malaya dean of the medicine faculty
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Ariff Abdul Kareem - former executive director of MIER and former dean of UM economics and administration faculty
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Tawfik Ismail - former Member of Parliament and son of the late deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman
- Shazal Yusof Mohd Zain – former corporate finance executive for the Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad
The former top civil servants, comprising judges, ambassadors, and scholars, said in the joint letter that it was time for the moderate Malays to speak out against extremists.
The group on Tuesday said that they were only interested in meeting Najib to discuss the issues that they have raised and have declined to meet any other agencies.
This includes declining to meet the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), which wanted to meet the group to discuss religious issues they raised.
After the open letter was published, many Malaysians have come out to express support for the group and their stand.
In support of the call for moderation, a few other groups of individuals and NGOs have also come out to voice their concerns.
They include young Muslim activists, and a multi-ethnic cluster ‘KamiJuga25’ (We, too, are 25)
Raub MP says Najib is finished
Ariff Sabri says the devastation caused by the floods in Kuala Krai show the full extent of the “incompetence” of our PM and his government.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Ariff Sabri has said in no uncertain terms that Prime Minister Najib Razak had no political future left to speak of, the devastating floods the country has suffered having more or less shown the people the full extent of his incompetence and that of his administration.
In his latest blog entry, the MP for Raub said, “To me, Najib has no more future. The fate of UMNO and his own is already sealed by the next GE.”
He argued that Najib’s handling of the floods especially in Kelantan, the worst hit state, left much to be desired, adding, “Kuala Krai is indeed a watershed which showed the government’s incompetence in handling a national disaster.
Accusing Najib of taking things too lightly, Ariff said in a cynical tone, “Najib and his gang appear to think, they can respond to the flood with a jamboree mentality complete with his minions pointing to the water and saying or mocking us – look Tonto – this is water.”
He also put forth a “nagging” question: “With such extent and level of devastation that took place in many areas of Kelantan, why wasn’t a state of emergency declared?”
Like DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang who has repeatedly called for a declaration of a state of emergency, Ariff too expressed his incredulity that despite over 150,000 people losing property and livestock in the floods, the PM had adamantly refused to declare a state of emergency.
Ariff further argued, “The last time severe floods overwhelmed Pahang, I asked the same question through the Pahang MB.
“The answer I was given was that Najib would also have to declare a state of emergency in other states. That meant more resources would have to be spent.”
Rubbishing this statement, Ariff drew comparisons with President Obama who went ahead to declare a state of emergency during the recent Mississippi floods without having to do the same in all other states.
“Maybe Obama did not have the opportunity to impart some knowledge to Najb during their golfing meet. The game does not enhance intelligence after all.”
Saying Najib was losing out on the opportunity to showcase the country’s machinery in handling a national catastrophe, Ariff said, “Such a declaration would allow the usage of nationally owned facilities and assets and other resources to be used.”
Writing about the horror he felt at reading the many SOS messages sent by desperate doctors at Kuala Krai hospital who were unable to operate on patients because power was cut, he lamented, “Help did not come in time. We will never know of the fatal devastation at Kuala Krai hospital.”
He also praised ordinary Malaysians who came out in droves to help distribute food supplies and basic necessities to flood victims saying, “Thank you to these unsung heroes. There is a future yet for Malaysia.”
This statement was in sharp contrast to the one Ariff made in regard to Najib when he wrote, “ I am not going to offer ameliorating rationale about Najib’s and UMNO’s conduct over the worst flood the country has faced.
“I only want to contribute towards affirming our coming rejection of Najib and his government.
“Our destiny does not depend on whether UMNO survives the next election or not.”
FMT
PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Ariff Sabri has said in no uncertain terms that Prime Minister Najib Razak had no political future left to speak of, the devastating floods the country has suffered having more or less shown the people the full extent of his incompetence and that of his administration.
In his latest blog entry, the MP for Raub said, “To me, Najib has no more future. The fate of UMNO and his own is already sealed by the next GE.”
He argued that Najib’s handling of the floods especially in Kelantan, the worst hit state, left much to be desired, adding, “Kuala Krai is indeed a watershed which showed the government’s incompetence in handling a national disaster.
Accusing Najib of taking things too lightly, Ariff said in a cynical tone, “Najib and his gang appear to think, they can respond to the flood with a jamboree mentality complete with his minions pointing to the water and saying or mocking us – look Tonto – this is water.”
He also put forth a “nagging” question: “With such extent and level of devastation that took place in many areas of Kelantan, why wasn’t a state of emergency declared?”
Like DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang who has repeatedly called for a declaration of a state of emergency, Ariff too expressed his incredulity that despite over 150,000 people losing property and livestock in the floods, the PM had adamantly refused to declare a state of emergency.
Ariff further argued, “The last time severe floods overwhelmed Pahang, I asked the same question through the Pahang MB.
“The answer I was given was that Najib would also have to declare a state of emergency in other states. That meant more resources would have to be spent.”
Rubbishing this statement, Ariff drew comparisons with President Obama who went ahead to declare a state of emergency during the recent Mississippi floods without having to do the same in all other states.
“Maybe Obama did not have the opportunity to impart some knowledge to Najb during their golfing meet. The game does not enhance intelligence after all.”
Saying Najib was losing out on the opportunity to showcase the country’s machinery in handling a national catastrophe, Ariff said, “Such a declaration would allow the usage of nationally owned facilities and assets and other resources to be used.”
Writing about the horror he felt at reading the many SOS messages sent by desperate doctors at Kuala Krai hospital who were unable to operate on patients because power was cut, he lamented, “Help did not come in time. We will never know of the fatal devastation at Kuala Krai hospital.”
He also praised ordinary Malaysians who came out in droves to help distribute food supplies and basic necessities to flood victims saying, “Thank you to these unsung heroes. There is a future yet for Malaysia.”
This statement was in sharp contrast to the one Ariff made in regard to Najib when he wrote, “ I am not going to offer ameliorating rationale about Najib’s and UMNO’s conduct over the worst flood the country has faced.
“I only want to contribute towards affirming our coming rejection of Najib and his government.
“Our destiny does not depend on whether UMNO survives the next election or not.”
Najib urged to raise Rosmah’s status
Blogger Shahbudin suggests that the PM get Cabinet approval to allow his wife to use the government jet freely.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been urged to get formal Cabinet approval for his wife’s use of the government’s private jet whenever she wants to.
This should put an end to incessant public questioning about Rosmah Mansor’s right to make use of the facility, says frequent Umno critic Shahbudin Husin in the latest instalment of a series of blog articles on the issue.
He notes that Najib’s prime ministerial predecessors were never bugged by a similar issue because their wives never used the facility for their privates purposes. In contrast, he says, Rosmah’s “apparent passion” for using the plane has become the stuff of media gossip.
“Perhaps it’s time that Najib make a formal decision in a Cabinet meeting to give his wife special qualification to freely use the government jet for reasons such as the performance of her duties, the interest of her safety and the fulfilment of her wishes, since she is someone important in the Prime Minister’s life,” he writes.
With such a decision, he says, Rosmah’s status will be raised so that she will be on the same level as the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
“If one government jet is not enough, Najib can lease another one,” he suggests in sarcastic language that is more biting in the original Malay than in translation.
“After all, we’re a rich country. In five years’ time we’ll achieve developed nation status. So the status of the Prime Minister’s wife should, by right, be raised.
“With the Cabinet decision, Rosmah will be free to use the government jet for official duties, personal purposes or to go on holidays without having to get special permission.”
This would spare her the need to be stealthy, he adds.
“It’s time for Najib to think outside the box, not only to enable his wife to travel to and fro in the government jet as proof of his love for her, but also to prevent the waste of time incurred by administration officials in having to answer questions posed by members of Parliament and the media,” says Shahbudin.
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been urged to get formal Cabinet approval for his wife’s use of the government’s private jet whenever she wants to.
This should put an end to incessant public questioning about Rosmah Mansor’s right to make use of the facility, says frequent Umno critic Shahbudin Husin in the latest instalment of a series of blog articles on the issue.
He notes that Najib’s prime ministerial predecessors were never bugged by a similar issue because their wives never used the facility for their privates purposes. In contrast, he says, Rosmah’s “apparent passion” for using the plane has become the stuff of media gossip.
“Perhaps it’s time that Najib make a formal decision in a Cabinet meeting to give his wife special qualification to freely use the government jet for reasons such as the performance of her duties, the interest of her safety and the fulfilment of her wishes, since she is someone important in the Prime Minister’s life,” he writes.
With such a decision, he says, Rosmah’s status will be raised so that she will be on the same level as the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.
“If one government jet is not enough, Najib can lease another one,” he suggests in sarcastic language that is more biting in the original Malay than in translation.
“After all, we’re a rich country. In five years’ time we’ll achieve developed nation status. So the status of the Prime Minister’s wife should, by right, be raised.
“With the Cabinet decision, Rosmah will be free to use the government jet for official duties, personal purposes or to go on holidays without having to get special permission.”
This would spare her the need to be stealthy, he adds.
“It’s time for Najib to think outside the box, not only to enable his wife to travel to and fro in the government jet as proof of his love for her, but also to prevent the waste of time incurred by administration officials in having to answer questions posed by members of Parliament and the media,” says Shahbudin.
Palanivel dumps Vell Paari and four others in MIC reshuffle
New disciplinary committee named in wake of Registrar's call for new elections.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC chief Datuk Seri G Palanivel has removed his harsh critic Datuk Seri Vell Paari, son of the former party leader Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and four others including the secretary-general A. Prakash Rao from their posts in the central committee.
Palanivel’s move comes in the wake of a decision by the Registrar of Societies on Dec 5 to nullify the election of three vice-presidents and 23 members of the central committee at the party elections in 2013.
The Registrar recommended that the posts be re-elected within 90 days, following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
The new secretary-general is Datuk Kumar Silambaram, with Ramalingam Krishnamoorthy replacing Vell Paari as strategic director, Bernama reported.
Three new members join the central committee – Karuppanan Malairaja (Penang), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam (Kedah) and Ganesan Thankaveloo (Selangor) – replacing Tan Sri K.S Nijhar, Datuk R. Ramanan and Datuk K.S Balakrishnan.
Palanivel appointed a new disciplinary committee comprising Karuppanan (chairman), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam and Datuk Randhir Singh.
“All the appointments take effect from today and I have issued letters to all concerned which will be received by them in due course,” Palanivel said in a statement.
Prakash Rao was replaced as secretary-general after only a year. The previous secretary-general, A. Sakthivel, lasted only about seven months.
Vell Paari, who has been a harsh critic of the party president, said in a text message to Bernama that his position was already null and void due to the Registrar’s decision.
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC chief Datuk Seri G Palanivel has removed his harsh critic Datuk Seri Vell Paari, son of the former party leader Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu and four others including the secretary-general A. Prakash Rao from their posts in the central committee.
Palanivel’s move comes in the wake of a decision by the Registrar of Societies on Dec 5 to nullify the election of three vice-presidents and 23 members of the central committee at the party elections in 2013.
The Registrar recommended that the posts be re-elected within 90 days, following alleged irregularities and breach of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act.
The new secretary-general is Datuk Kumar Silambaram, with Ramalingam Krishnamoorthy replacing Vell Paari as strategic director, Bernama reported.
Three new members join the central committee – Karuppanan Malairaja (Penang), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam (Kedah) and Ganesan Thankaveloo (Selangor) – replacing Tan Sri K.S Nijhar, Datuk R. Ramanan and Datuk K.S Balakrishnan.
Palanivel appointed a new disciplinary committee comprising Karuppanan (chairman), Datuk Ganesan Subramaniam and Datuk Randhir Singh.
“All the appointments take effect from today and I have issued letters to all concerned which will be received by them in due course,” Palanivel said in a statement.
Prakash Rao was replaced as secretary-general after only a year. The previous secretary-general, A. Sakthivel, lasted only about seven months.
Vell Paari, who has been a harsh critic of the party president, said in a text message to Bernama that his position was already null and void due to the Registrar’s decision.
AirAsia had Singapore approval for daily Surabaya flights
Indonesia suspends airline's Sunday flights from Surabaya for violation of permit
FMT
SINGAPORE: In the wake of Indonesia’s suspension of AirAsia Indonesia’s Surabaya-Singapore flight on Sundays, civil aviation authorities here said that the airline had received Singapore approval for daily flights until March.
The airline had been operating the flight four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
However Indonesian officials said the Sunday service had not been authorised and went beyond their permit. The Sunday service has been suspended pending a review and in the face of a possible threat to revoke the airline’s licence.
Bernama reports that the Civil Aviation Authority here and Changi Airport Group had said the airline had received Singapore approval for winter season daily flights from October to March. Before an airline can launch a service between two points, it needs to obtain approval of its flight schedules from the respective civil aviation authorities at each end of its flight routing separately.
These daily flights were approved as there were available air traffic rights under the bilateral ASA and the slots at Changi Airport were available.
Airlines may adjust their flight frequencies in the course of a season in response to market demand or operational requirements.
FMTSINGAPORE: In the wake of Indonesia’s suspension of AirAsia Indonesia’s Surabaya-Singapore flight on Sundays, civil aviation authorities here said that the airline had received Singapore approval for daily flights until March.
The airline had been operating the flight four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
However Indonesian officials said the Sunday service had not been authorised and went beyond their permit. The Sunday service has been suspended pending a review and in the face of a possible threat to revoke the airline’s licence.
Bernama reports that the Civil Aviation Authority here and Changi Airport Group had said the airline had received Singapore approval for winter season daily flights from October to March. Before an airline can launch a service between two points, it needs to obtain approval of its flight schedules from the respective civil aviation authorities at each end of its flight routing separately.
These daily flights were approved as there were available air traffic rights under the bilateral ASA and the slots at Changi Airport were available.
Airlines may adjust their flight frequencies in the course of a season in response to market demand or operational requirements.
Malaysian opposition demands probe into minister's claim Paul Phua was assisting in national security
People’s Justice Party Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil calls for inquiry into comments made by Home Affairs minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in letter to senior FBI official
Bryan Harris - South China Morning Post
A key Malaysian opposition party member has demanded an inquiry into remarks made by the country’s home affairs minister that former Macau junket operator and Asian gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei-seng was assisting the government with matters of national security.
The call for the probe comes on the back of a report in the South China Morning Post last week that documented a letter sent by Malaysian cabinet minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to a senior FBI official vouching for the integrity of Phua, 50, who is currently facing illegal-bookmaking charges in Las Vegas.
“Mr Zahid writing the letter comes across as very shocking not only because the letter attempts to exonerate Paul Phua, who clearly has a chequered past, but also because Mr Zahid claims that Mr Phua has assisted with ‘projects of national security,’” Fahmi Fadzil, communications director of the opposition People’s Justice Party, told the Post on Saturday.
“I will be discussing with several Members of Parliament on formally requesting a response from Mr Zahid in the Malaysian Parliament.”
Sarawak native Phua and his son stand accused of running an illicit gambling operation from luxury suites at the Nevada city’s Caesar’s Palace Hotel during the soccer world cup last year.
An online message – contested by Phua’s lawyers – found on his computer during a police raid suggested that bets of the alleged operation reached a “grand total” of HK$2.7 billion, according to court documents.
Phua has denied any wrongdoing and is strenuously contesting the charges.
In the “private and confidential” letter to FBI deputy director Mark Giuliano, Zahid denied allegations made by US federal agents that Phua was a member of the notorious 14K triad.
He added: “Mr Phua has, on numerous occassions [sic], assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”
The letter, dated December 18, was submitted to the Las Vegas court last week, but was quickly withdrawn by Phua’s lawyers due to an objection by the Malaysian government.
However, the incident sparked concern in the Southeast Asian nation after being picked up by the Post.
“Like many out there, I was surprised to read a news report [on Zahid’s letter] in the South China Morning Post,” said Fahmi.
“I hope Zahid will be able to give an explanation … in order to dislodge the uneasiness among the people about this issue.”
Phua was Macau’s top earning junket operator a decade ago, before becoming a prominent high-stakes poker player.
Weeks prior to his arrest in Las Vegas last summer, he had been detained in Macau in a crackdown on an online betting ring that, according to Macau police, took HK$5 billion in wavers. He was deported from the territory.
The raid remains the largest strike on illegal bookmaking in the gambling hub’s history.
Zahid himself has been the subject of a number of controversies. In 2013, the minister faced public uproar after remarks to a group of town elders seemed to suggest he was friendly with an outlawed crime gang. Zahid claimed he was quoted out of context.
Bryan Harris - South China Morning Post
A key Malaysian opposition party member has demanded an inquiry into remarks made by the country’s home affairs minister that former Macau junket operator and Asian gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei-seng was assisting the government with matters of national security.
The call for the probe comes on the back of a report in the South China Morning Post last week that documented a letter sent by Malaysian cabinet minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to a senior FBI official vouching for the integrity of Phua, 50, who is currently facing illegal-bookmaking charges in Las Vegas.
“Mr Zahid writing the letter comes across as very shocking not only because the letter attempts to exonerate Paul Phua, who clearly has a chequered past, but also because Mr Zahid claims that Mr Phua has assisted with ‘projects of national security,’” Fahmi Fadzil, communications director of the opposition People’s Justice Party, told the Post on Saturday.
“I will be discussing with several Members of Parliament on formally requesting a response from Mr Zahid in the Malaysian Parliament.”
Sarawak native Phua and his son stand accused of running an illicit gambling operation from luxury suites at the Nevada city’s Caesar’s Palace Hotel during the soccer world cup last year.
An online message – contested by Phua’s lawyers – found on his computer during a police raid suggested that bets of the alleged operation reached a “grand total” of HK$2.7 billion, according to court documents.
Phua has denied any wrongdoing and is strenuously contesting the charges.
In the “private and confidential” letter to FBI deputy director Mark Giuliano, Zahid denied allegations made by US federal agents that Phua was a member of the notorious 14K triad.
He added: “Mr Phua has, on numerous occassions [sic], assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”
The letter, dated December 18, was submitted to the Las Vegas court last week, but was quickly withdrawn by Phua’s lawyers due to an objection by the Malaysian government.
However, the incident sparked concern in the Southeast Asian nation after being picked up by the Post.
“Like many out there, I was surprised to read a news report [on Zahid’s letter] in the South China Morning Post,” said Fahmi.
“I hope Zahid will be able to give an explanation … in order to dislodge the uneasiness among the people about this issue.”
Phua was Macau’s top earning junket operator a decade ago, before becoming a prominent high-stakes poker player.
Weeks prior to his arrest in Las Vegas last summer, he had been detained in Macau in a crackdown on an online betting ring that, according to Macau police, took HK$5 billion in wavers. He was deported from the territory.
The raid remains the largest strike on illegal bookmaking in the gambling hub’s history.
Zahid himself has been the subject of a number of controversies. In 2013, the minister faced public uproar after remarks to a group of town elders seemed to suggest he was friendly with an outlawed crime gang. Zahid claimed he was quoted out of context.
Call on Najib to declare state of emergency to mobilise the 150,000-strong armed forces to deal with worsening flood situation in some states and humongous post-flood challenges in others
By Lim Kit Siang BlogIt is still not too late for the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak to declare a state of emergency in the flood-stricken states.
A state of emergency in the flood-stricken states will make it easier and faster to mobilise all federal, state and local resources to deal firstly, with the worst flood disaster in recent decades (for some states, the flood situation could worsen in coming days); and secondly, the post-flood situation in states where although the worst flood situation are over with the receding of flood waters, new problems are beginning with the humongous and mind-blogging scale and scope of the post-flood challenges and dangers.
The Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob has said that Kelantan will need at least six months to fully recover from the devastation of the worst floods that hit the state in the past few weeks.
Six months to recover from the devastation of the floods catastrophe is too long and will impose great problems and grave burdens on the flood victims in Kelantan.
Whether for Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak or any state for that matter, the period for the full recovery from the devastation of the floods catastrophe should be cut down from “at least six months” to two months, and this is why a state of emergency for the flood-stricken states should declared, to deal firstly with the floods disaster management, mitigation and relief during the floods catastrophe, and secondly, the post-flood challenges and dangers.
In fact, a state of emergency should be a normal part of the Standard Operating Procedure to deal with a major floods disaster.
The Prime Minister was clearly misled when he said that a state of emergency could not be declared because it would absolve the insurance companies from having to pay compensation to the insured, which had been debunked by the insurance regulator, the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (Piam).
The Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was also wrong when he said that there was no need to declare a state of emergency unless there was a critical situation, such as when the electricity and water supply were completely cut off or when the number of flood victims reached hundreds of thousands of people.
Muhyiddin seemed not to know that for thousands of the flood victims, electricity and water supply were completely cut off for more than a week. Is this not an emergency?
Is Muhyiddin saying that before an emergency situation could arise, electricity and water supply should be completely cut off for the whole country and that hundreds of thousands of people should be made homeless as a quarter of a million people are still not sufficient?
If so, these are the most cock-eyed arguments ever presented by a Deputy Prime Minister in Malaysia.
It is most shocking and outrageous that both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister do not seem to have a clue as to what is needed for the declaration of a state of emergency in the event of a natural or even man-made disaster which has nothing to do with a political crisis.
There should be a total revamp of the mindset and mentality about Floods Disaster Management Plans and Preparedness, where declaration of a state of emergency for flood-stricken states or regions will be an integral part of the Standard Operating Procedure.
I can understand why Malaysians as a whole are quite reluctant to support declaration of state of emergency, for their experience is for the state of emergencies to be permanent and misused to serve the interests of the Executive, such as the Emergencies arising from Indonesian Confrontation in 1965, the Sarawak Political Crisis in 1967, the May 13 Riots in 1969 and the Kelantan Political Crisis in 1977.
A state of emergency arising from a floods catastrophe will be limited both in place and time – confined only to the flood-stricken areas and lapsed as soon as the floods catastrophe and the post-flood challenges and dangers are dealt with.
I would urge the Prime Minister to ask the Cabinet on Wednesday to endorse the declaration of a state of emergency in the flood-stricken states, which will enable the mobilization of the 150,000-strong armed services personnel (land, air and sea) to deal with worsening flood situation in some states and to tackle the post-flood situation in states where the flood waters have receded.
One of the biggest post-flood challenges is to shorten the time needed for the people to recover from the devastation of the floods – for instance, slash the period from “at least six months” to two months.
The armed forces can be mobilized to help the police in looking after security, assist the flood victims who have become homeless to build temporary housing and ensure that there is no outbreak of diseases by helping to clean up the flood-stricken areas.
If the military forces in other countries can render such national services in times of national disasters, there is no reason why this cannot be done in Malaysia.
The Federal government must use all its resources to help the flood victims to start their lives and business anew.
This is why there should be a doubling of the RM500 million flood relief allocation announced by Najib to RM1 billion, so that there could be interest-free loans to every flood victim to allow business and ordinary life to start anew immediately, in the shortest possible time.
Every flood victim whose business, whether from hawker stalls to shop business, had been wiped out by the floods catastrophe, should be entitled to interest free loan, ranging from RM1,000 to RM250,000 to restart business.
The Cabinet on Wednesday should take bold and decisive measures on the declaration of a state of emergency in the flood-stricken states as well as approve the doubling of the RM500 million flood relief allocation RM1 billion to enable interest-free loans to be given to everyone whose livelihood had been wiped out by the flood catastrophe.
(Media Conference Statement in Mentakab on Saturday, 3rd January 2015 at 10 am when visiting the flood-stricken areas in Mentakab and Temerloh together with DAP Acting National Chairman Tan Kok Wai, DAP Selangor State Assemblyman for Balakong Ng Tien Chee and DAP Pahang State Assemblyman for Mentakab, Tengku Zulpuri Shah b. Raja Puji )
'Zahid wrote to FBI to correct wrong PDRM report'
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had written to
the US over alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua purportedly in order to
correct a mistake in a report by the Malaysian police, said lawyer
Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
At a press conference today, the prominent Umno lawyer speaking on behalf of Phua's legal team, clarified a South China Morning Post report about Zahid's letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dated Dec 18 where the minister claimed Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad.
The FBI had submitted an internal document to the courts in US, which it said Malaysian police had informed the agency's representative in Malaysia that Phua was a member of the 14K Triad, a Hong Kong-based transnational organised crime entity.
"I think because the mistake is very big, it affects people's liberty.
"(Therefore), the minister found it quite necessary to correct the situation," said Shafee (left).
When asked if this meant the 2008 report by Malaysian police about Phua was wrong, he replied, "Wrong".
He added he had clarified the matter "from the horses' mouth", but declined to name names other than saying that it was from a very senior police official.
Shafee, who has been a criminal lawyer for 40 years, repeatedly stressed that the 14K Triad does not exist in Malaysia.
Elaborating on the matter, Shafee said Zahid had only written the letter at his (Shafee's) request as per legal requirements.
Shafee said the US law firm Messrs Chesnoff & Schonfeld, who is acting for Phua, had sought his help to clarify about Phua's background.
Phua is standing trial in the US for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation in Las Vegas.
Shafee: Zahid was asked to write to the FBI
The veteran lawyer added the US law firm had sought his help as he had previously advised them about extradition matters in Malaysia, also relating to Phua's case.
"I wrote (to the minister) some time in August to give the full name (of Phua) and subject and I said, can you please clarify if Paul Phua is a member of the 14K Triad in Malaysia.
"Interestingly,
the minister answered almost two months (sic) later – he didn't answer
immediately because he had to find out from the police – he said Paul
Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad," he said.
Shafee added that Zahid (right) was asked to write directly to the FBI rather than reply to his law firm to avoid doubt.
He said if Zahid had replied to Shafee's law firm, which made the request at first, it would have to be forwarded to the FBI, which may question the authenticity of the reply.
Shafee added that Zahid had a legal duty to release such information upon request in such cases, as long as it does not affect national security.
"If he did not answer the question, I could have actually compelled the minister to answer by way of a court proceeding.
"The minister was very aware of his rights pertaining to national security," he said.
'Maybe Phua can still help Putrajaya'
Commenting on Zahid's claim in the letter that Phua had aided the government in matters of national security, Shafee said he could no elaborate on the matter and that information was also a "bonus" to him.
He speculated that Zahid may have disclosed the additional information in "defence" of a Malaysian citizen, after coming across it while reviewing Phua's file.
When pointed out that the letter not only touched on Phua's supposed assistance but also expressed the government's "eagerness" to see Phua returned to Malaysia, Shafee said the man may still have information useful to the government.
"It gives you a hint, that Paul Phua, prior to his arrest, may have been as current in assisting the government and there could still be remnants of matters to follow up with him.
"But I'm not aware, because I cannot go into the subject (of national security)," he said.
However, he added that in no way was Zahid vouching for Phua's innocence in the illegal gambling charge.
Shafee also downplayed the seriousness of Phua's charge, stating that it was merely a "revenue" offence – for gambling without a licence.
"It is not such a big deal, as far as I am concerned. I started as a defence counsel in common gaming cases.
"It is almost in the blood of segments in the Chinese population that they wouldn't regard it as a serious offence and we regard it as a revenue offence," he said.
Zahid's letter to the FBI
At a press conference today, the prominent Umno lawyer speaking on behalf of Phua's legal team, clarified a South China Morning Post report about Zahid's letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) dated Dec 18 where the minister claimed Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad.
The FBI had submitted an internal document to the courts in US, which it said Malaysian police had informed the agency's representative in Malaysia that Phua was a member of the 14K Triad, a Hong Kong-based transnational organised crime entity.
"I think because the mistake is very big, it affects people's liberty."(Therefore), the minister found it quite necessary to correct the situation," said Shafee (left).
When asked if this meant the 2008 report by Malaysian police about Phua was wrong, he replied, "Wrong".
He added he had clarified the matter "from the horses' mouth", but declined to name names other than saying that it was from a very senior police official.
Shafee, who has been a criminal lawyer for 40 years, repeatedly stressed that the 14K Triad does not exist in Malaysia.
Elaborating on the matter, Shafee said Zahid had only written the letter at his (Shafee's) request as per legal requirements.
Shafee said the US law firm Messrs Chesnoff & Schonfeld, who is acting for Phua, had sought his help to clarify about Phua's background.
Phua is standing trial in the US for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation in Las Vegas.
Shafee: Zahid was asked to write to the FBI
The veteran lawyer added the US law firm had sought his help as he had previously advised them about extradition matters in Malaysia, also relating to Phua's case.
"I wrote (to the minister) some time in August to give the full name (of Phua) and subject and I said, can you please clarify if Paul Phua is a member of the 14K Triad in Malaysia.
"Interestingly,
the minister answered almost two months (sic) later – he didn't answer
immediately because he had to find out from the police – he said Paul
Phua is not a member of the 14K Triad," he said.Shafee added that Zahid (right) was asked to write directly to the FBI rather than reply to his law firm to avoid doubt.
He said if Zahid had replied to Shafee's law firm, which made the request at first, it would have to be forwarded to the FBI, which may question the authenticity of the reply.
Shafee added that Zahid had a legal duty to release such information upon request in such cases, as long as it does not affect national security.
"If he did not answer the question, I could have actually compelled the minister to answer by way of a court proceeding.
"The minister was very aware of his rights pertaining to national security," he said.
'Maybe Phua can still help Putrajaya'
Commenting on Zahid's claim in the letter that Phua had aided the government in matters of national security, Shafee said he could no elaborate on the matter and that information was also a "bonus" to him.
He speculated that Zahid may have disclosed the additional information in "defence" of a Malaysian citizen, after coming across it while reviewing Phua's file.
When pointed out that the letter not only touched on Phua's supposed assistance but also expressed the government's "eagerness" to see Phua returned to Malaysia, Shafee said the man may still have information useful to the government.
"It gives you a hint, that Paul Phua, prior to his arrest, may have been as current in assisting the government and there could still be remnants of matters to follow up with him.
"But I'm not aware, because I cannot go into the subject (of national security)," he said.However, he added that in no way was Zahid vouching for Phua's innocence in the illegal gambling charge.
Shafee also downplayed the seriousness of Phua's charge, stating that it was merely a "revenue" offence – for gambling without a licence.
"It is not such a big deal, as far as I am concerned. I started as a defence counsel in common gaming cases.
"It is almost in the blood of segments in the Chinese population that they wouldn't regard it as a serious offence and we regard it as a revenue offence," he said.
Zahid's letter to the FBI
Basarnas Confident They've Found AirAsia QZ8501
By Azeman Ariffin
JAKARTA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the AirAsia flight QZ8501, which has entered its seventh day, has so far found 30 bodies of victims and two big objects believed to be from the passenger plane.
Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief Bambang Soelistyo said based on the size and types of the two objects found on the sea bed, it was strongly believed that they were the wreck of the AirAsia jet that crashed on Dec 28.
"With the discovery of an oil spill and two big objects, we believe that this is the AirAsia passenger jet that we have been looking for," he told a press conference which was broadcast live by several local television channels.
He said the biggest of the two objects measured about 10 metres by five metres and both objects were found about 30 metres below sea surface.
Meanwhile, of the 30 bodies of victims recovered so far, 17 were men and 13 were women and the bodies were taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya for identification process.
The AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 with 162 people on board crashed while flying from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore.
Those on board the flight comprise 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, a Singaporean, a Malaysian, a Briton and a French.
JAKARTA, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the AirAsia flight QZ8501, which has entered its seventh day, has so far found 30 bodies of victims and two big objects believed to be from the passenger plane.
Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief Bambang Soelistyo said based on the size and types of the two objects found on the sea bed, it was strongly believed that they were the wreck of the AirAsia jet that crashed on Dec 28.
"With the discovery of an oil spill and two big objects, we believe that this is the AirAsia passenger jet that we have been looking for," he told a press conference which was broadcast live by several local television channels.
He said the biggest of the two objects measured about 10 metres by five metres and both objects were found about 30 metres below sea surface.
Meanwhile, of the 30 bodies of victims recovered so far, 17 were men and 13 were women and the bodies were taken to Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya for identification process.
The AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 with 162 people on board crashed while flying from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore.
Those on board the flight comprise 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, a Singaporean, a Malaysian, a Briton and a French.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
'Insane man' destroys three Buddhist deities
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the
act of an insane man who destroyed three Buddhist deities in a temple
in Tanah Liat, Bukit Mertajam, today.
"I visited three mosques on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's birthday today and all the religious heads have disagreed with the act.
"I
then told them I am heading to the Siamese temple and none of them
protested," he told reporters at a press conference in the main hall of
Wat Chatararam where the incident happened yesterday morning.
Anwar (right) felt grateful that the communities in Tanah Liat did not react to the incident as though it was a religious attack.
"I am thankful the public understands that this kind of behaviour is not Islamic," he added.
"I hope the police will monitor and step up security at the other temples around the area," he urged.
Anwar said the matter was reported in the Thai media and that he was alerted to it by a former Thai official who had visited the temple in his trips to Penang.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, accompanied by several DAP and PKR assemblypersons, and Seberang Perai Tengah OCPD Rusli Mohd Noor.
Temple committee chairperson Koh Kok Weng and Reverend Chan Ah Pin joined the group at the press conference.
Both Anwar and Lim praised the police for their swift response to the incident, which happened around 10am.
In a CCTV recording of the incident, a man wearing a kopiah was seen entering the temple on a motorcycle.
He then kicked down three deities, which shattered upon impact on the ground, yet he seemed very calm and remained in the area until three temple staff appeared and tried to stop him.
He then fled on his motorcycle, almost running into one of them, after circling the place and punching the air with his right fist.
‘No Muslim would approve of such behaviour’
Lim urged the public to remain calm, and to not link the issue to a religious threat.
Today is the Prophet's birthday, he reminded, saying no Muslim would approve of such behaviour.
Lim said the state government viewed the incident seriously, although it appears that the culprit may be "a mad man".
His behaviour in destroying the three deities and attempting to run down one of the temple staff who had witnessed the incident, was described as "dangerous".
"He is dangerous and may be planning on doing the same to other temples," Lim cautioned.
"We hope the police will nab the culprit soon. If he is from this village, it may not be difficult to identify him," he added.
"Such acts (attacking deities), although by an insane man in this incident, is a threat to all communities.
"If he is a fanatic, it is a cause of concern for all," Lim stressed, and then pledged financial aid to the temple to restore the deities.
Koh said that a police report has been lodged at 4pm yesterday in Bukit Mertajam.
"This temple has been around for 100 years, but nothing like this has happened before.
“When I found out what happened I rushed to the temple, and many who heard about it felt shocked and worried. This temple is next to a mosque and the place has always been peaceful," he told Malaysiakini.
Koh said the temple is well-known in Thailand, and that many prominent individuals - including Buddhist religious heads - have visited the Wat before.
When asked how much would it cost to restore the broken deities, Koh noted that the damages have yet to be ascertained.
"They are about 50 years old and are priceless," he quipped.
"I visited three mosques on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's birthday today and all the religious heads have disagreed with the act.
"I
then told them I am heading to the Siamese temple and none of them
protested," he told reporters at a press conference in the main hall of
Wat Chatararam where the incident happened yesterday morning.Anwar (right) felt grateful that the communities in Tanah Liat did not react to the incident as though it was a religious attack.
"I am thankful the public understands that this kind of behaviour is not Islamic," he added.
"I hope the police will monitor and step up security at the other temples around the area," he urged.
Anwar said the matter was reported in the Thai media and that he was alerted to it by a former Thai official who had visited the temple in his trips to Penang.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, accompanied by several DAP and PKR assemblypersons, and Seberang Perai Tengah OCPD Rusli Mohd Noor.
Temple committee chairperson Koh Kok Weng and Reverend Chan Ah Pin joined the group at the press conference.
Both Anwar and Lim praised the police for their swift response to the incident, which happened around 10am.
In a CCTV recording of the incident, a man wearing a kopiah was seen entering the temple on a motorcycle.He then kicked down three deities, which shattered upon impact on the ground, yet he seemed very calm and remained in the area until three temple staff appeared and tried to stop him.
He then fled on his motorcycle, almost running into one of them, after circling the place and punching the air with his right fist.
‘No Muslim would approve of such behaviour’
Lim urged the public to remain calm, and to not link the issue to a religious threat.
Today is the Prophet's birthday, he reminded, saying no Muslim would approve of such behaviour.
Lim said the state government viewed the incident seriously, although it appears that the culprit may be "a mad man".
His behaviour in destroying the three deities and attempting to run down one of the temple staff who had witnessed the incident, was described as "dangerous".
"He is dangerous and may be planning on doing the same to other temples," Lim cautioned.
"We hope the police will nab the culprit soon. If he is from this village, it may not be difficult to identify him," he added.
"Such acts (attacking deities), although by an insane man in this incident, is a threat to all communities.
"If he is a fanatic, it is a cause of concern for all," Lim stressed, and then pledged financial aid to the temple to restore the deities.
Koh said that a police report has been lodged at 4pm yesterday in Bukit Mertajam."This temple has been around for 100 years, but nothing like this has happened before.
“When I found out what happened I rushed to the temple, and many who heard about it felt shocked and worried. This temple is next to a mosque and the place has always been peaceful," he told Malaysiakini.
Koh said the temple is well-known in Thailand, and that many prominent individuals - including Buddhist religious heads - have visited the Wat before.
When asked how much would it cost to restore the broken deities, Koh noted that the damages have yet to be ascertained.
"They are about 50 years old and are priceless," he quipped.
Rowdy teen told police he only answers to Allah
Emmett Byrne (19) of Ardown, Monbrief, Craigavon appeared before the town’s Magistrates Court as a result of the incident and when invited to quote the Koran told the District Judge he could not remember making the comment.
Byrne admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour and was fined £300.
Intoxicated
At 11.30am on the morning of December 4, police went to the Strathroy Road after receiving a report that the teenager was shouting abuse at members of the public.
The court was told he was intoxicated and became abusive towards the police officers. Despite being warned to calm down he continued to shout and swear at members of the public. On being cautioned, he told police, “F*** the court I only answer to Allah.”
On telling District Judge Bernie Kelly he could not remember making the comment, she said, “Absolutely, you don’t recall saying that because you were as high as a kite.”
She also told Byrne not to bring that behaviour “down here” from Craigavon and said there was “no reason” for him to come west of the Bann.
Judge Kelly added his remark about Allah could be viewed as racist as the defendant is not a Muslim.
Apologise
A defence solicitor said the teenager accepted he was “totally out of line.” He said Byrne went to Omagh with friends and had been drinking and had no way to get home. The solicitor said his client wished to apologise to the court.
Judge Kelly pointed out the defendant has two previous convictions for public order offences, the last coming just weeks before this incident.
The solicitor replied that he is staying off drink and his mother is “steering him in the right way.”
Imposing the fine Judge Kelly added, “It is frightening at the age of 19 he has a drink problem. I expect this to be paid and it will be less money to buy drink.
“The good news is I am temporarily in court in Craigavon and if I see him again he is going to prison.”
- See more at: http://ulsterherald.com/2015/01/02/rowdy-teen-told-police-he-only-answers-to-allah/#sthash.lca5V5gR.dpuf
Putrajaya must revise budget in light of oil slump, says economist
As Putrajaya responds to falling global oil prices by prioritising domestic spending and investments, a leading economist has warned that the national budget for 2015 was unsustainable if it is not revised to account for the price drop in the commodity, of which Malaysia is a net exporter.Tan Sri Dr Kamal Salih, an adjunct professor of Economics and Development Studies at Universiti Malaya, said no amount of tax increase could compensate for Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) lower revenue contributions to Putrajaya.
“Of course, the government has to revise the budget. The assumption of the oil price was quite high and now it must be reduced to a realistic level, especially as the price may go down for a long time,” he said.
“The current budget is not sustainable now.”
Budget 2015 of RM273.9 billion was tabled last October and passed by the Dewan Rakyat on November 25. It was prepared on the assumption that oil prices would hover around US$100 (RM351) to US$105 a barrel.
The government has moved to boost domestic consumption in 2015 by instructing all government-linked companies and statutory bodies to prioritise domestic investments and cease purchases of foreign assets.
A circular on this dated December 26, 2014, was seen by The Malaysian Insider.
Kamal also warned that plunging commodity prices, such as oil, palm oil, rubber as well as surplus trade were putting pressure on Malaysia’s revenue and the creation of jobs.
“Now the job creation (rate) has dropped again. So if there is a recession due to the lowering of prices, we are going to enter a deflationary period that the government may not be able to handle.”
A few days after the budget was passed, Petronas, which contributes to almost 40% of the national coffer, warned Putrajaya to tighten its belt. The national oil firm said it faced the possibility of lower earnings in light of falling crude oil prices.
Petronas president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas said the price range of Brent crude oil at US$70 to US$75 may be a "new era", until the end of next year, if not for the next two years.
“If the oil price is to remain at the current level, it would mean a much lower revenue contribution (from Petronas) to the government. Lower oil price will affect the amount of tax and royalty to the government," Shamsul had said in a statement on November 28.
Petronas' pre-tax profit fell 12% to RM22.8 billion in the third quarter ending September 30, 2014, against RM25.9 billion in the previous corresponding quarter. Its revenue also slipped 1% to RM80.4 billion from RM81.4 billion last year.
Despite this, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong told Dewan Negara on December 8 that the budget would not be revised, as the 3% fiscal deficit target in 2015 would not be affected.
He said the decline in oil revenue would be balanced by substantially reduced fuel subsidy with the implementation on December 1 of a managed float system to determine prices of RON 95 petrol and diesel.
While Malaysia may not face another 1998 financial crisis, its debts were still high and thus created “a different ballpark”, said Kamal, who co-authored the United Nations' Malaysia Human Development Report released last year.
Kamal said that aside from revising the budget in terms of oil revenue, the government needed to create “pragmatic new economic policies” to address the high income and wealth inequality in Malaysia.
He said efforts to alleviate the burden of the poor through cash transfers, such as the 1Malaysia People’s Aid Voucher (BR1M), were not financially sustainable for the government.
Instead, Putrajaya should “reset the economy” to create a larger middle class, he said, noting that only 20% of Malaysians made up that demographic.
He added that expanding the middle class through policies revolving minimum wage and education, for instance, would ensure inclusive growth and development, as opposed to the government’s current focus of simply pursing a high-income status.
“We must allocate our resources better and not pursue this very pro-business capital economy orientation that the current administration prefers.
“The policies must be directed more to the vulnerable group. The government should not add to the living costs, but instead tax the more wealthy,” said Kamal.
He gave as an example the capital gains tax – a system mooted by opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat in place of the goods and services tax (GST), but shot down by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the grounds that it was not business-friendly and would result in capital flight.
Kamal dismissed such an argument, noting that other countries had implemented capital gains tax without much difficulty.
“If you just favour the GST, that is being biased. Such taxes should be implemented, but what matters is that it is done without creating a disincentive. Economics is all about balancing incentives with disincentives.”
When asked if he believed the government was on the right track to improving the country, Kamal said, “I think the government is aware what needs to be done.
“The question is whether it was the political will to get it done correctly.”
He had also told The Malaysian Insider in the first part of this interview published yesterday that the government should have a national economic policy that did away with the Bumiputera agenda in favour of one that would uplift all Malaysians regardless of race. – January 3, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/putrajaya-must-revise-budget-in-light-of-oil-slump-says-economist#sthash.0R9tTMmP.dpuf
G25 growing with more influential Malays, says group coordinator
Ten more Malays, many of whom are former but influential members of the government service,
have joined the group of 25 prominent Malays who signed an open letter appealing for rational discourse on Islam, the group’s spokesperson, former diplomat Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin (pic), said today.In a brief statement to the media, Farida, the former Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands, wrote: “Dear friends, it is with pleasure we announce the names of the new members of the G25.”
They are Tan Sri Alwi Jantan, former director-general, Public Services Department; Tan Sri Rafiah Salim, former vice-chancellor, Universiti Malaya (UM) and former assistant secretary-general, United Nations; Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff, businessman; and Datuk Ahmad Mokhtar Selat, former deputy secretary-general of Asean.
Joining them are Datuk Anwaruddin Osman, former managing director and CEO of Petronas Dagangan Berhad; Datuk Baharuddin Musa, former deputy secretary-general of the Defence Ministry and first director-general of the Tourist Development Corporation; and Professor Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, dean of the UM's Faculty of Medicine.
Professor Dr Ariff Abdul Karim, the former executive director of MIER and former dean of UM’s Faculty of Economics; former member of Parliament Mohamed Tawfiq Tun Dr Ismail; and Shazal Yusof Mohd Zain, the former corporate finance executive for the Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad complete the list of newcomers.
The original group of 25, which comprises retired civil servants and influential leaders, had published an open letter on December 8 asking for a rational dialogue on the position of Islam and Islamic law in a constitutional democracy.
In their open letter, they had asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to address religious and racial tension and exercise leadership in guiding Malaysia back to moderation.
The letter decried the "lack of clarity and understanding" on the place of Islam within Malaysia's constitutional democracy, as well as a "serious breakdown of federal-state division of powers, both in the areas of civil and criminal jurisdictions".
It also expressed concern at how religious authorities were "asserting authority beyond their jurisdiction" and that fatwa issued had violated the Federal Constitution as well as the consultative process.
Among the proposals it recommended was the need to promote awareness about the diversity of views and interpretations in Islam.
Some members, in individual comments to the media, had singled out groups like Perkasa and Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) for politicising Islam, prompting Perkasa to mull taking legal action against them.
“We are not going to be lenient anymore. We will take action against any party who makes baseless allegations against Perkasa,” Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali told The Malaysian Insider on Tuesday.
But Farida said she was happy that Perkasa was following the law in addressing their grievances instead of breaking it.
“The Malay rights group wants to sue G25, so sue us, let the courts decide,” she told The Malaysian Insider.
Public support for the letter's contents and for the 25 signatories has been strong, with many writing to media organisations expressing their thanks and solidarity with the signatories, while an online petition called #iam26 drew thousands of signatures. – January 2, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/g25-growing-with-more-influential-malays-says-group-coordinator#sthash.0kCHoiBy.dpuf
Flood-hit teachers not forced to return to work earlier – Bernama
There is no obligation for teachers affected by the floods to report for duty before the 2015 school session begins, said Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan yesterday.He said all parties must comply with the directive issued with regard to commencement of the school session. However, if there were teachers willing to volunteer to clean up their school, they were most welcome.
"We are not forcing anyone, but if there are teachers who want to help in the cleaning-up, we are more than happy.”
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) had recently appealed to the Education Ministry to investigate reports of teachers affected by the floods being called to report for work before the new school session begins.
Schools are scheduled to start the new session on January 11 (Sunday) in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor, and on January 12 (Monday) for other states.
Kamalanathan said the matter was being investigated.
He said the ministry was identifying the number of teachers and pupils affected by the floods for the purpose of channelling aid to them. – Bernama, January 3, 2015.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/flood-hit-teachers-not-forced-to-return-to-work-earlier-bernama#sthash.Xl4UDYa3.dpuf
Same old, same old from EPU on bumi equity
Instead of addressing the substantive issue of government massaging of the corporate equity data through methodology subterfuge, and selective and disputable definition, there is a meaningless declaration of good intentions and how "the government is intent on reducing the socioeconomic imbalances and improving income of all Malaysians irregardless (sic) of race."
The
EPU should revisit the messy history of the corporate equity
controversy which goes back to 2006. It needs to inform the public of
the progress it has made in improving the methodology for measuring the
respective racial shares.More important, the Prime Minister's Department needs to address various concerns I had highlighted in March 2007 in response to then prime minister Abdulah Ahmad Badawi's statement in Parliament that the government hoped to achieve the 30 percent Malay corporate equity target in three years (i.e. by 2010!)
At that time, I had pointed to these major issues:
"One is to ensure that during the remaining three-year life span of that condition, it is the bumiputera poor that will become the beneficiaries of the quota condition, and not the politically connected and already wealthy...
“The other is that the corporate equity condition is a small part of a large system of racially privileged entitlement. That larger system needs to be dismantled if the country is to go forward as a united and cohesive nation."
I had also noted:
"The best gift Pak Lah can give to young Malaysians on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Merdeka is to define a new and historic direction for the country in which all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, class and region, will be treated equally; and the poor and vulnerable are provided resources and special attention to help them improve their lives."
Musa Hitam on GLC's share
The public can understand why the EPU continues to ignore feedback from me and others who are seen as critics. But surely it should respond to its own past leaders.
Musa
Hitam, former deputy prime minister, has recently gone on record to
state that shares held by government-linked companies (GLCs) should be
taken into account when calculating the bumiputera equity participation
in the national economy.According to the former deputy prime minister, corporate wealth owned by bumiputera may go beyond the 30 percent target set under the New Economic Policy (NEP).
He is also reported to have told the Sinar Harian forum on ‘Survival of the Malay economy’ last year that "Statistics can be twisted. If you want to talk about Malay participation, I would include the GLCs. They are part of the Malay agenda".
Dr LIM TECK GHEE is former World Bank senior social scientist, whose report on bumiputera equity when he was director of Asli's Centre for Public Policy Studies sparked controversy in 2006. He is now CEO of the Centre for Policy Initiatives.
VIP jet lands in Bangkok after trip around the world
Since Najib is already back in Malaysia to deal with the recent floods, it is unclear who is using the aircraft or for what purpose.
According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, the Airbus 319 jet left its base in Subang on Dec 20 and flew to Honolulu, Hawaii after a brief stop in Osaka, Japan.
There,
Najib had played golf with US President Barack Obama, but had to cut
his holiday short amid criticism for his absence as the flood situation
worsened.He later revealed to the media that while his family was sad to see him leave, he had told them that the suffering of flood victims was greater.
He later revealed to the media that while his family was sad to see him leave, he had told them that the suffering of flood victims was greater.
He also defended the tee-off with Obama, saying that it is ‘golf diplomacy’ and was also practiced by his predecessors, including his father and former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein.
The floods are reportedly the worst in recent decades, especially in the East Coast, with 21 dead and over 200,000 displaced at its peak.
Najib had reached Kota Bharu on the afternoon of Dec 27 using a different aircraft. He is believed to have been picked up from Hong Kong by another Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) VIP jet.
From Honolulu to Hong Kong?
It is unclear how Najib reached Hong Kong from Honolulu, but Flightradar24’s records show that the Boeing 737 business jet (BBJ) arrived in Kota Bharu from there at the same time Najib was reported to have arrived.
At that time, the government jet that took Najib to Honolulu was already in Indianapolis, US, having arrived there on Dec 26 after a brief stop at Los Angeles.
It remained in Indianapolis for six days until Dec 31, where it took off for Los Angeles, then New York, London, Dubai and finally Bangkok – all with brief stops at each airport for no more than several hours until it reached Bangkok.
It touched-down at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport at 2.11pm today after a journey of some 41,900 kilometres, and is still there as of the time of writing.
Indianapolis is also the base for the aircraft cabin design, maintenance, and refurbishing arm of the aviation company Comlux Aviation, which specialises in chartering and refurbishing VIP aircraft.
Comlux has previously done refurbishing work on 9M-NAA, and has a six-year contract from 2013 to perform maintenance work on the aircraft. However, it is not clear if this is the reason for its stop in Indianapolis.
Malaysiakini has contacted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Comlux about the aircraft earlier today, but has yet to receive a response.
Aircrafts for VVIP use, not just PM
The aircraft is among a few VIP jets registered to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
In a statement last year, the PMO had said that there are four VIP jets: A Bombardier Global Express, a Dassault Falcon 900, and the aforementioned Boeing and Airbus jets.
A fifth aircraft, a Fokker F28-1000, has been decommissioned in Aug 2012, it added.
It added that the aircrafts were not exclusively for Najib’s use, but are also for the Agong, sultans, yang di-pertuas negeri, ministers, deputy ministers, foreign guests to the federal government, senior government officials and VIPs.
It said this helps these individuals move about safely and aids their busy schedule.
Meanwhile, Semambu assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung (left) appealed to members of the public to come forward if they had sighted any VIPs at the cities that 9M-NAA stopped over.He also urged the prime minister to explain the purpose of the trip.
“The aircraft was flying back and forth between Los Angeles and New York. Is this for a holiday or to strengthen relations between Malaysia and the US? Since the aircraft was originally carrying Najib to Hawaii to celebrate Christmas with Obama, Najib must clarify what transpired,” he said in a statement today.
He added that it would be an abuse of public resources if Najib had allowed his relatives or close confidants to use the aircraft for personal purposes.
What’s wrong with Perdana 1?
The technical problems it developed must be quite serious for it to spend six days in Indianapolis.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s been a week since Prime Minister Najib Razak returned to address the flood situation in the country, but the official government jet, Perdana 1, is still not back.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the plane developed technical problems and needed to be checked for maintenance, forcing Najib to take a commercial flight to Hong Kong before flying to Kota Baru on a Royal Malaysian Air Force jet.
Perdana 1, an Airbus 319, is operated by the KL-based Jet Premier One, which has a six-year maintenance and service contract with Comlux Aviation Services. Comlux’s specialty is designing and outfitting exclusive aircraft cabins. In a press statement in October 2013, Complux announced it had completed refurbishing the “Head of State of Malaysia’s Aircraft”.
We know that Perdana 1 was in Hawaii before going to Los Angeles. It then flew eastwards to Indianapolis, and then back to Los Angeles before heading east again to New York en route to London, Dubai and Bangkok, where it landed yesterday.
One of the nagging questions is why it spent six days in Indianapolis. Although the Indiana capital is the home of Comlux, any of the airports where it landed could have serviced any technical problem, according to Airbus’s official website.
When Najib leased the Airbus 320 9H-AWK, or Perdana 2, it cost taxpayers RM27,501.75 per hour. How many hours has Perdana 1 been in use since Najib left for his Hawaiian holiday?
It is likely that Najib took along his wife, Rosmah Mansor, on his holiday, although there has been no official confirmation of this. If he didn’t, where is she? If he did and left her in Hawaii when he rushed back to handle the flood crisis, wouldn’t she have taken commercial flights for the rest of her holiday instead of risking her life flying in a faulty plane? Or has she been on the plane at all?
Perhaps we’ll know when Perdana 1 officially lands in Malaysia. Keep checking Flightradar24.com to find out when that will be. Search for Perdana 1′s tail number, 9M-NAA.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s been a week since Prime Minister Najib Razak returned to address the flood situation in the country, but the official government jet, Perdana 1, is still not back.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the plane developed technical problems and needed to be checked for maintenance, forcing Najib to take a commercial flight to Hong Kong before flying to Kota Baru on a Royal Malaysian Air Force jet.
Perdana 1, an Airbus 319, is operated by the KL-based Jet Premier One, which has a six-year maintenance and service contract with Comlux Aviation Services. Comlux’s specialty is designing and outfitting exclusive aircraft cabins. In a press statement in October 2013, Complux announced it had completed refurbishing the “Head of State of Malaysia’s Aircraft”.
We know that Perdana 1 was in Hawaii before going to Los Angeles. It then flew eastwards to Indianapolis, and then back to Los Angeles before heading east again to New York en route to London, Dubai and Bangkok, where it landed yesterday.
One of the nagging questions is why it spent six days in Indianapolis. Although the Indiana capital is the home of Comlux, any of the airports where it landed could have serviced any technical problem, according to Airbus’s official website.
When Najib leased the Airbus 320 9H-AWK, or Perdana 2, it cost taxpayers RM27,501.75 per hour. How many hours has Perdana 1 been in use since Najib left for his Hawaiian holiday?
It is likely that Najib took along his wife, Rosmah Mansor, on his holiday, although there has been no official confirmation of this. If he didn’t, where is she? If he did and left her in Hawaii when he rushed back to handle the flood crisis, wouldn’t she have taken commercial flights for the rest of her holiday instead of risking her life flying in a faulty plane? Or has she been on the plane at all?
Perhaps we’ll know when Perdana 1 officially lands in Malaysia. Keep checking Flightradar24.com to find out when that will be. Search for Perdana 1′s tail number, 9M-NAA.
Another 11 eminent Malays join Group of 25
The newcomers read like a list of who’s who from all walks of life.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: The ranks of the Group of 25 Eminent Malays were bolstered on Friday by 11 new equally eminent persons, according to the Group’s spokeswoman Noor Farida Arifin, a former Ambassador to the Netherlands.
The 11 newcomers include former Umno lawmaker Mohamed Tawfik Ismail, the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Abdul Rahman, and former Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Rafiah Salim.
Others joining them are Alwi Jantan, formerly a deputy secretary-general in the Prime Minister’s Department, and former ambassador and ex-ASEAN deputy secretary-general Ahmad Mokhtar Selat.
Also on the list are the former chairman of the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Abu Huraira Yazid, former Petronas Dagangan Berhad managing director and CEO Anwaruddin Osman, former Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general Baharuddin Musa, UM dean of medicine Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, former executive director of the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) Professor Ariff Abdul Kareem, businessman Nazir Ariff and former senior banker Shazal Yusof Mohd Zain.
The Group of 25 penned an Open Letter on December 8 calling for respect for the Federal Constitution, and expressed concern at the creeping Islamisation and desecularisation amidst increasing polarisation.
They called for dialogue among all concerned parties to pull the country back from the brink.
KUALA LUMPUR: The ranks of the Group of 25 Eminent Malays were bolstered on Friday by 11 new equally eminent persons, according to the Group’s spokeswoman Noor Farida Arifin, a former Ambassador to the Netherlands.
The 11 newcomers include former Umno lawmaker Mohamed Tawfik Ismail, the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Abdul Rahman, and former Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Rafiah Salim.
Others joining them are Alwi Jantan, formerly a deputy secretary-general in the Prime Minister’s Department, and former ambassador and ex-ASEAN deputy secretary-general Ahmad Mokhtar Selat.
Also on the list are the former chairman of the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) Abu Huraira Yazid, former Petronas Dagangan Berhad managing director and CEO Anwaruddin Osman, former Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general Baharuddin Musa, UM dean of medicine Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, former executive director of the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) Professor Ariff Abdul Kareem, businessman Nazir Ariff and former senior banker Shazal Yusof Mohd Zain.
The Group of 25 penned an Open Letter on December 8 calling for respect for the Federal Constitution, and expressed concern at the creeping Islamisation and desecularisation amidst increasing polarisation.
They called for dialogue among all concerned parties to pull the country back from the brink.
Married via Skype to IS fighter, then nabbed at KLIA
Police arrest a 27 year-old student who tried to leave for Syria to join her husband in the IS struggle.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have nabbed a 27 year-old student who married an Islamic State fighter via Skype as she was trying to leave the country to join the struggle in Syria. She was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
According to the New Straits Times, the woman from a higher learning institution in the Klang Valley, was arrested on December 24 by the Special Branch’s Counter-Terrorism Division (SB-CTD) operatives.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, said the woman fell under the spell of the IS struggle after watching a YouTube video on the group’s propaganda, after which she embarked on a Facebook relationship with an IS fighter.
He explained, “Police found that the suspect then started interacting with an IS fighter through Facebook since mid-November.
“The woman then got married to the Maghribi man through Skype application mid last month,” Khalid said, after which her “husband” then persuaded her to join him in Syria.
The second suspect, a 22-year-old male student of a public university in Perlis, was arrested in KLIA on December 28, also trying to leave the country for Syria where he planned to join a suicide mission there.
Both suspects were detained on suspicion of committing an offence under Chapter VI A (terrorism-related offences) of the Penal Code, and will be investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have nabbed a 27 year-old student who married an Islamic State fighter via Skype as she was trying to leave the country to join the struggle in Syria. She was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
According to the New Straits Times, the woman from a higher learning institution in the Klang Valley, was arrested on December 24 by the Special Branch’s Counter-Terrorism Division (SB-CTD) operatives.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, said the woman fell under the spell of the IS struggle after watching a YouTube video on the group’s propaganda, after which she embarked on a Facebook relationship with an IS fighter.
He explained, “Police found that the suspect then started interacting with an IS fighter through Facebook since mid-November.
“The woman then got married to the Maghribi man through Skype application mid last month,” Khalid said, after which her “husband” then persuaded her to join him in Syria.
The second suspect, a 22-year-old male student of a public university in Perlis, was arrested in KLIA on December 28, also trying to leave the country for Syria where he planned to join a suicide mission there.
Both suspects were detained on suspicion of committing an offence under Chapter VI A (terrorism-related offences) of the Penal Code, and will be investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
Get rid of Najib or lose Putrajaya, BN told
Kadir Jasin makes his most blatant call yet for the PM's ouster.
FMT
PETALING JAYA: If Umno and Barisan Nasional wants to keep Putrajaya, they must get rid of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, veteran journalist Abdul Kadir Jasin says in his latest blog entry.
“I am sorry to have to say this,” he writes. “Umno and BN can keep the PM and pretend that everything is fine, but they must accept the fact that the risk of them being chucked out at the next GE is immense.
“The Pakatan Rakyat parties do not have to do much. They just need to keep their internal differences in check and stop washing dirty linen in public.”
Kadir is known to be a close associate of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his blog articles are often interpreted as echoing Mahathir’s thoughts. He has often criticised Najib’s leadership, but this latest article is the most blatant call he has made for the Prime Minister’s ouster.
“For Umno and the Barisan Nasional, a change has to happen,” he writes. “If it does not happen, the situation can only get worse and the grand old coalition may finally succumb to old age.
“Like the Romans who had to choose between Caesar and Rome, the time has come for Umno and BN to choose between Mohd Najib and Putrajaya.”
He says Najib and “his merry men and women” have wasted the opportunity offered by the current floods to prove their concern and capabilities.
Quoting a Malay saying which he translates as “each time it floods, the sandbank would move”, he says it could “very well have a literal meaning” for Najib.
“If that saying holds true, I believe the wave of change will only get stronger. Umno has to do something about its President and Prime Minister if it wants to stop the situation from getting worse. Like the sandbank, it could be swept away at the next general election.
“The big floods may be the watershed that we are hoping for. They may spell the beginning of the end of a mediocre leadership.
“It is a watershed and an ominous one when the rakyat, through the blogs, the independent news portals and the social media outlets, discovered that the PM was golfing in Hawaii while a quarter million people were flooded out of their homes and asked, ‘Does the PM care?’
“No amount of explanation and attempts to gloss over the Hawaiian misstep by his propaganda machines will restore the Prime Minister’s image as a caring leader. His ‘rakyat didahulukan’ (people first) slogan is a sham.”
PETALING JAYA: If Umno and Barisan Nasional wants to keep Putrajaya, they must get rid of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, veteran journalist Abdul Kadir Jasin says in his latest blog entry.
“I am sorry to have to say this,” he writes. “Umno and BN can keep the PM and pretend that everything is fine, but they must accept the fact that the risk of them being chucked out at the next GE is immense.
“The Pakatan Rakyat parties do not have to do much. They just need to keep their internal differences in check and stop washing dirty linen in public.”
Kadir is known to be a close associate of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his blog articles are often interpreted as echoing Mahathir’s thoughts. He has often criticised Najib’s leadership, but this latest article is the most blatant call he has made for the Prime Minister’s ouster.
“For Umno and the Barisan Nasional, a change has to happen,” he writes. “If it does not happen, the situation can only get worse and the grand old coalition may finally succumb to old age.
“Like the Romans who had to choose between Caesar and Rome, the time has come for Umno and BN to choose between Mohd Najib and Putrajaya.”
He says Najib and “his merry men and women” have wasted the opportunity offered by the current floods to prove their concern and capabilities.
Quoting a Malay saying which he translates as “each time it floods, the sandbank would move”, he says it could “very well have a literal meaning” for Najib.
“If that saying holds true, I believe the wave of change will only get stronger. Umno has to do something about its President and Prime Minister if it wants to stop the situation from getting worse. Like the sandbank, it could be swept away at the next general election.
“The big floods may be the watershed that we are hoping for. They may spell the beginning of the end of a mediocre leadership.
“It is a watershed and an ominous one when the rakyat, through the blogs, the independent news portals and the social media outlets, discovered that the PM was golfing in Hawaii while a quarter million people were flooded out of their homes and asked, ‘Does the PM care?’
“No amount of explanation and attempts to gloss over the Hawaiian misstep by his propaganda machines will restore the Prime Minister’s image as a caring leader. His ‘rakyat didahulukan’ (people first) slogan is a sham.”
Bad weather sees MAS flight diverted
Kuala Lumpur flight bound to Kota Kinabalu is diverted to Miri due to bad weather.
FMT
KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Kota Kinabalu was diverted to Miri after encountering bad weather this morning.
According to the New Straits Times, MAS flight MH2604 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 7.30am and was scheduled to land at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 10.05am.
Reassuring passengers that no technical issue had cropped up, the official statement from Kota Kinabalu Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad confirmed bad weather was the only cause for the diversion.
“There was no technical issue. It was the bad weather,” their operator said.
KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Kota Kinabalu was diverted to Miri after encountering bad weather this morning.
According to the New Straits Times, MAS flight MH2604 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 7.30am and was scheduled to land at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 10.05am.
Reassuring passengers that no technical issue had cropped up, the official statement from Kota Kinabalu Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad confirmed bad weather was the only cause for the diversion.
“There was no technical issue. It was the bad weather,” their operator said.
Let’s band together against the extremists in 2015
Another new year has arrived and we are now in 2015. I have never declared or committed myself to any new year resolution because I think it's all crap. You change when you want to change.
But this time, I'm going to commit to a resolution. It is simple. I will continue to use every platform that I have to promote moderation, open-mindedness, multiculturalism and religious pluralism.
I have done it for years and will continue doing it with even stronger force this year because 2014, to me, was the year of overbearing racial and religious extremism.
Groups like Isma and Perkasa, and individuals like Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, have been so loud throughout last year that my ears are still aching and ringing into the new year. They definitely do not speak for me.
And I'm very sure that this feeling is shared by so many of my fellow sane, rational and logical Malaysians out there. We should all band together and do something about these annoying extremists.
Since we all believe that these people who go on and on about preserving a specific racial and religious supremacy are the loud minority, then why are we allowing them to be so loud?
If they are such a small group (Perkasa is reported to only have 900 odd official members), why are we allowing them to shout so loud without any repurcussions?
If we are the silent majority, then we need not be too worried about showing our strength in numbers and not be silent anymore. What can they do to a whole huge bunch of us, right?
There are among us those who have already stood up to voice their concerns. There are the Prominent 25, former ministers and politicians like Tun Musa Hitam, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, etc, who have taken the lead.
And if we feel strongly about what the extremists are spreading, we need to also do our share and create a counter movement that will spread across the country.
I say it is enough what these loudmouths are trying to propagate. Malaysia is for Malaysians and it doesn't matter what race or religion you are. We all have the right to live together with respect, understanding and harmony.
The days of Isma, Perkasa, Ridhuan Tee and their likes are numbered. Let 2014 be the last year of them having free reign saying whatever they please. We need to silence them and take Malaysia back starting this 2015.
Happy New Year Malaysia! – January 2, 2015.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/zan-azlee/article/lets-band-together-against-the-extremists-in-2015#sthash.FIIcNHsu.dpuf
But this time, I'm going to commit to a resolution. It is simple. I will continue to use every platform that I have to promote moderation, open-mindedness, multiculturalism and religious pluralism.
I have done it for years and will continue doing it with even stronger force this year because 2014, to me, was the year of overbearing racial and religious extremism.
Groups like Isma and Perkasa, and individuals like Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, have been so loud throughout last year that my ears are still aching and ringing into the new year. They definitely do not speak for me.
And I'm very sure that this feeling is shared by so many of my fellow sane, rational and logical Malaysians out there. We should all band together and do something about these annoying extremists.
Since we all believe that these people who go on and on about preserving a specific racial and religious supremacy are the loud minority, then why are we allowing them to be so loud?
If they are such a small group (Perkasa is reported to only have 900 odd official members), why are we allowing them to shout so loud without any repurcussions?
If we are the silent majority, then we need not be too worried about showing our strength in numbers and not be silent anymore. What can they do to a whole huge bunch of us, right?
There are among us those who have already stood up to voice their concerns. There are the Prominent 25, former ministers and politicians like Tun Musa Hitam, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, etc, who have taken the lead.
And if we feel strongly about what the extremists are spreading, we need to also do our share and create a counter movement that will spread across the country.
I say it is enough what these loudmouths are trying to propagate. Malaysia is for Malaysians and it doesn't matter what race or religion you are. We all have the right to live together with respect, understanding and harmony.
The days of Isma, Perkasa, Ridhuan Tee and their likes are numbered. Let 2014 be the last year of them having free reign saying whatever they please. We need to silence them and take Malaysia back starting this 2015.
Happy New Year Malaysia! – January 2, 2015.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/zan-azlee/article/lets-band-together-against-the-extremists-in-2015#sthash.FIIcNHsu.dpuf
7 More Bodies Recovered From AirAsia Crash, 16 Total
By EILEEN NG and ROBIN McDOWELL Associated Press
More ships arrived Friday with sensitive equipment to hunt for the fuselage of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the more than 145 people still missing since it crashed into the sea five days ago.
Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said efforts would be stepped up as long as the weather allowed.
"We will focus on underwater detection," he said, adding ships from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the U.S. had been on the scene since before dawn Friday to try to pinpoint wreckage and the all-important black boxes? the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
The Airbus A320 crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people on board. Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far. Seven were announced Friday morning, six of which were found by a U.S. Navy ship, said Suryadi B. Supriyadi, operation coordinator for the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Nine planes, many with metal detecting equipment, were also scouring a 13,500 square kilometer (8,380 square mile) area off Pangkalan Bun, the closest town on Borneo island to the search area. Two Japanese ships with three helicopters were on their way to the area, Soelistyo said.
But he said bad weather, which has hindered the search the last several days, was a worry. A drizzle and light clouds covered the area Friday morning, but rain, strong winds and high waves up to 4 meters (13 feet) were forecast until Sunday. Strong sea currents have also kept debris moving.
Soelistyo estimated the fuselage was at a depth of 25 meters to 30 meters (about 80 feet to 100 feet), and vowed to recover the bodies of "our brothers and sisters ... whatever conditions we face."
So far, one victim of the crash has been returned to her family Thursday ? the first of many painful reunions to come.
Hayati Lutfiah Hamid's identity was confirmed by fingerprints and other means, said Col. Budiyono of East Java's Disaster Victim Identification Unit.
Her body, in a dark casket topped with flowers, was handed over to family members during a brief ceremony at a police hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city and the site where the plane took off. A relative cried as she placed both hands against the polished wood.
The coffin was then taken to a village and lowered into a muddy grave, following Muslim obligations requiring bodies to be buried quickly. An imam said a simple prayer as about 150 people gathered in the drizzling rain, and red flowers were sprinkled over the mound of wet dirt topped by a small white tombstone.
The longer the search takes, the more corpses will decompose and the farther debris will scatter.
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas in Australia said there's a chance the plane hit the water largely intact, and that many passengers remain inside it.
He added that bodies recovered so far would have come out with a breach in the fuselage. "But most passengers still should have had their seat belts on, particularly as the plane was going into weather. The captain would have still had the seat belt sign on."
It's unclear what brought the plane down about halfway into its two-hour flight to Singapore. The jet's last communication indicated the pilots were worried about bad weather. They sought permission to climb above threatening clouds but were denied because of heavy air traffic. Four minutes later, the airliner disappeared from the radar without issuing a distress signal.
More ships arrived Friday with sensitive equipment to hunt for the fuselage of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the more than 145 people still missing since it crashed into the sea five days ago.
Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said efforts would be stepped up as long as the weather allowed.
"We will focus on underwater detection," he said, adding ships from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the U.S. had been on the scene since before dawn Friday to try to pinpoint wreckage and the all-important black boxes? the flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
The Airbus A320 crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people on board. Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far. Seven were announced Friday morning, six of which were found by a U.S. Navy ship, said Suryadi B. Supriyadi, operation coordinator for the National Search and Rescue Agency.
Nine planes, many with metal detecting equipment, were also scouring a 13,500 square kilometer (8,380 square mile) area off Pangkalan Bun, the closest town on Borneo island to the search area. Two Japanese ships with three helicopters were on their way to the area, Soelistyo said.
But he said bad weather, which has hindered the search the last several days, was a worry. A drizzle and light clouds covered the area Friday morning, but rain, strong winds and high waves up to 4 meters (13 feet) were forecast until Sunday. Strong sea currents have also kept debris moving.
Soelistyo estimated the fuselage was at a depth of 25 meters to 30 meters (about 80 feet to 100 feet), and vowed to recover the bodies of "our brothers and sisters ... whatever conditions we face."
So far, one victim of the crash has been returned to her family Thursday ? the first of many painful reunions to come.
Hayati Lutfiah Hamid's identity was confirmed by fingerprints and other means, said Col. Budiyono of East Java's Disaster Victim Identification Unit.
Her body, in a dark casket topped with flowers, was handed over to family members during a brief ceremony at a police hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city and the site where the plane took off. A relative cried as she placed both hands against the polished wood.
The coffin was then taken to a village and lowered into a muddy grave, following Muslim obligations requiring bodies to be buried quickly. An imam said a simple prayer as about 150 people gathered in the drizzling rain, and red flowers were sprinkled over the mound of wet dirt topped by a small white tombstone.
The longer the search takes, the more corpses will decompose and the farther debris will scatter.
Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas in Australia said there's a chance the plane hit the water largely intact, and that many passengers remain inside it.
He added that bodies recovered so far would have come out with a breach in the fuselage. "But most passengers still should have had their seat belts on, particularly as the plane was going into weather. The captain would have still had the seat belt sign on."
It's unclear what brought the plane down about halfway into its two-hour flight to Singapore. The jet's last communication indicated the pilots were worried about bad weather. They sought permission to climb above threatening clouds but were denied because of heavy air traffic. Four minutes later, the airliner disappeared from the radar without issuing a distress signal.
Highlight Equality, Celebrate Diversity To Enrich Unity - Najib
KUALA
LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
has urged Malaysians to always enrich the spirit of unity by
highlighting equality and celebrating the existing diversity.He invited the people to together build the country based on the unity they have enjoyed all this while.
"Let us together build this country with open hearts in the name of unity, take along all that is good and leave out the bad," the prime minister said his in message in conjunction Maulidur Rasul 1436 Hijrah (Prophet Muhammad's birthday) which was uploaded on his www.najibrazak.com website, Friday.
Prophet Muhammad's birtday will be celebrated Saturday.
In exalting the greatness of Islam in Malaysia, Najib said Muslims should make the struggle to strengthen Islamic faith and teachings espoused by Prophet Muhammad as the main agenda in their daily lives.
At the government level, Najib said the commitment was proven by the development of the Shariah Index which will be measuring the government's commitment to implement policies based on the principles, values and systems of Islam across a range of sectors.
"This initiative is hoped will make governance more towards the practices and the teachings of the Prophet in our efforts to meet the demand for the tenets of Islam to be enhanced.
"The result will be the birth of a country and people well-balanced and excellent in terms of progress, mastery of knowledge and skills while at the same time virtuous and with good self-esteem as Malaysian citizens," Najib said.
He hoped that the efforts to apply Islam in administering the nation would make Malaysia a more prosperous and blessed country.
"May the celebration of Maulidur Rasul this time continue to arouse passion and empowers us to emulate the Prophet and practice his teachings to be successful in the world and in the hereafter," he said.
At the same time, the prime minister urged Malaysians to fortify themselves with patience and acceptance especially in facing the unusual floods in the country.
He hoped that the efforts of the government would in some way help ease the burden of the victims affected by the disaster.
"And at the same time we continue to pray for our country to be always blessed by Allah," he said.
--BERNAMA
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