Kamal-talks

Najib’s Iran snub risks Malay vote in Hulu Selangor

2010-04-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

The Najib administration is bravely showing a willingness to risk losing the Hulu Selangor by-election and key Malay support by siding with the US against Iran in a nuclear dispute.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak unwittingly turned his foreign policy into an election campaign issue when he confirmed that national oil firm Petronas has stopped supplying gasoline to Iran ahead of further global sanctions.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) campaigners have exploited Putrajaya’s decision, with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying it pandered to Washington’s lopsided policy on Iran, seen by many Muslims as a defiant hero against Western imperialism.

“When US President Barack Obama calls failed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I had criticised him. When Obama called for sanctions against Iran, I said fine, but what of Israel?” Anwar asked last night when bringing up the issue on the campaign trail.

Malays form slightly more than half of the 64,500 registered voters eligible to cast ballots in the April 25 by-election, and are generally against US pressure for an embargo on Iran and view the sanction call as a product of lobbying by the Israelis.

“But what did Najib do? He supported the US call for sanctions against Iran,” pounded Anwar to a roar of applause from the crowd of 200 Felda settlers here.

The PR and PKR de facto leader has already linked Najib’s public relations consultant APCO Worldwide to Israel and news of Petronas stopping fuel supplies to Iran adds another issue in PR’s Hulu Selangor election campaign against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

He called Najib a “hypocritical leader without principles”, saying the government criticised the US for its impotence to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while at the same time bowing to Washington’s pressure with the Iranian sanctions in the name of “improved bilateral ties”, which Anwar alleged was done merely to boost the PM’s image.

Najib, who is currently visiting the US and sat in Obama’s nuclear non-proliferation summit earlier this week, had said Malaysia supported Iran’s right to pursue the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes but the Islamic republic was obliged to meet a UN Security Council order directing it to halt uranium enrichment until the purpose of such activities could be independently verified by the IAEA.

“They (Iran) must earn the trust of the international community and the only way they can earn the trust is to be fully transparent in whatever they do and allow full verification by the IAEA and there are some serious doubt as to whether this has been carried out or has been complied with by Iran,” he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Most Muslim countries are generally against Iran’s nuclear activities but point out that the US has not reprimanded or issued sanctions against Israel for similar activities. Malaysia does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, saying it has to resolve the question of a Palestine state.

Anwar and other PR leaders are playing up the anti-Israel sentiment among the local Malay voters, hoping it would lure them to the electoral pact although the BN, particularly Najib’s Umno, has used the same tactic on the opposition leader.

“They tried to portray me as a Jewish agent but Allah is great... now it is revealed that APCO has a former Israeli intelligence officer as its chief,” said Anwar, adding that the Malaysian police have been infiltrated by Israeli agents through the public relations company.

Anwar was flanked by the DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and ousted Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin who played supporting roles to the opposition leader’s assault on BN.

“It was revealed that BN had paid APCO RM78 million just so Najib can take photos with Obama,” Lim said to a thunderous applause.

Nizar too harped on the APCO issue, saying any single vote for the BN meant the voter was supporting the Israeli oppression of the Palestinian people.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang also issued a strong statement last night, regretting Malaysia’s move to cut supplies to Iran.

“The prime minister must deny the report that he directed Petronas to stop oil sales to Iran. If the report by AFP is true, it is unfortunate for the people and the Islamic ummah in Malaysia to have a government that is just a follower of Washington to punish the innocent people of Iran,” Hadi said.

Both Anwar and Hadi came to political prominence three years after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 although the PKR leader climbed through the ranks to be deputy prime minister by joining Umno before being sacked in late 1998 on sodomy and corruption charges.

Anwar has named PR ideologue and former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to stand in Hulu Selangor. Nomination day is today for the by-election triggered by the death of its incumbent, PKR’s Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Pundits note a win for either side will indicate a return of support towards the ruling coalition which suffered heavy losses in Election 2008 or signal continued faith in PR which lost four federal lawmakers recently.

With the Chinese support pretty much secured, the battle for Anwar and PR now lies in the fight for the hearts and minds of the Malays and Indians, who generally support BN. They had consistently returned BN in the seat from 1990 to 2008 until the four-term MP Datuk G. Palanivel lost to Zainal Abidin.

BN has dropped Palanivel in a fractious and open argument between Umno, which insists on a fresh face, and MIC, which wants it deputy president in Parliament after incurring heavy losses in Election 2008.

Umno won the argument and MIC is now fielding its information chief P. Kamalanathan, who has an uphill task of convincing the significant number of Indian voters that he is a capable replacement for Palanivel. The Indians form 19.3 per cent of the electorate.

Local issues such as granting land titles and job opportunities dominate the campaign but PR has promised help as it controls the Selangor government, arguing instead Hulu Selangor needs to send a representative to fight BN’s hypocrisy and power in Parliament.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Mugilan: I was offered cash, land to campaign for PR

2010-04-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan claimed tonight that he had been offered cash and land rewards, in exchange for supporting Pakatan Rakyat in the coming by-election.

The youth leader, who came at odds with his party when he was accused of attempting steal the candidacy from Datuk G. Palanivel, said that the offer was made yesterday, shortly after Barisan Nasional revealed the name of its candidate, MIC’s information chief P. Kamalanathan.

“I was offered. I am not lying to you, my friends. There was a huge offer to me but I am a party man and I love my party so I was not swayed,” he said in a press conference here at Batang Kali.

He told The Malaysian Insider later that the offer amounted to a whopping cash reward of RM2 million and land to the size of 20ha.

“I received a phone call from a politician, a person who holds a post, who told me that if I am interested, I could meet with him on the same night,” claimed Mugilan but declined to reveal the name of the caller.

He said that he had not lodged a police report on the incident as he did not see the need to do so.

“Why should I? I did not take up the offer. I have no plans to do so,” he said.

He pointed out that he was a party man and did not place much emphasis on his rift with his top party leadership over the candidacy for the by-election.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had announced recently that the party would investigate Mugilan for allegedly lobbying to be a candidate and even said he could face a possible sacking.

Mugilan’s name had emerged as a possible candidate after the Umno grassroots rallied behind him as a substitute to MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel.

Mugilan however continued to insist that he had done nothing wrong and said that he had no intention to leave MIC.

“How could I have stolen the candidacy? You think the PM or the DPM have no brains?

“And why should I leave the party, this party is not a ‘sendirian berhad’ — its a party for the people,” he said.

Mugilan also said that he had never once lobbied to be a candidate for the by-election and challenged his accusers to prove him wrong.

He also claimed that he was merely being used as “propaganda material” by certain quarters for the by-election.

“I never lobbied to be a candidate. I never did. Ask anyone, ask the Prime Minister, ask the Deputy Prime Minister.

“I never said that I was interested in contesting,” he said.

He pointed out that Palanivel had been his mentor for years and that the former MP for Hulu Selangor was the one who had introduced him into politics.

“I have been Hulu Selangor MIC Youth chief for over ten years now and have been here, campaigning for him since the 1999 elections,” he pointed out.

Mugilan added that he was not aware of who or why his name had suddenly been mentioned as a possible candidate but boasted that it was probably due to his large pool of supporters in the constituency, which amounts to the thousands.

“It is just like in sports in school. If you are good, you are chosen to represent your school, then your district or your state.

“That is why I was chosen, I think,” he said.

He went further to claim that he had even received a personal call from deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at 2pm yesterday, two hours before the latter announced Kamalanathan’s candidacy.

“He (Muhyiddin) told me, he said ‘Mugilan, we need you, you are an aggressive leader, the PM needs you.
We hope you help us and we will not forget you’.

“It is unprecedented for such a thing to happen,” he said.

Mugilan however said the Muhyiddin had not offered him any reward but merely persuaded him to help the BN’s campaign in Hulu Selangor.

“He told me to come to the stage on nomination day,” he said.

Mugilan continued to say that the reason why Palanivel had lost in his bid to contest the by-election was because his name had been revealed too early in the game.

“Not even 24 hours passed after PKR MP Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad passed away when his name was offered up already.

“In any by-election, it is bad strategy to reveal the name of your candidate so early. You will subject him to attacks from the opposition,” said Mugilan.

He pointed out that his name was also shelved as it had been mentioned after Palanivel’s.

“Why or who did this actually, I do not know,” he said.

He said however that he had utmost respect for the BN leadership and would respect its choice.

“I have no issues with Kamalanathan,” he said, pointing out that he, like Palanivel, had no qualms in helping the former in his campaign.

Mugilan also said that he was confident of BN’s chances and pledged his thousands of supporters to vote the BN candidate come polling day.

“Furthermore, I am a local here, bred here all my life so my friends amount to the thousands.

“It is untrue what the rumours say that I am not local just because I was born in Perak.

“My mother merely gave birth to me there because by Indian customs, a pregnant woman would go to her mother’s house to deliver,” he said, adding that his family had stayed in Hulu Selangor for over 50 years now.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Zaid Ibrahim will win but by how much?

2010-04-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Did it matter to the Malays in Kampong Raja Uda that Charles Santiago is Indian? Should it matter to the Indians of Hulu Selangor that Zaid is Malay? Or are the Malays more matured than the Indians?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

My comrade-in-exile, private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, has bet that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim will win the Hulu Selangor by-election with a majority of 5,000 to 6,000 votes. I, in turn, have bet that Zaid’s majority will be between 3,000 to 5,000 votes. I will not reveal what the bet is but it looks like we both agree that Zaid’s majority will be around 5,000 votes, plus-minus.

Looking at the smear campaign that Barisan Nasional is embarking upon it appears that they have really nothing much to throw at Zaid. He has deep pockets. He has baggage. He is an outsider and a ‘parachute’ candidate. Why a Malay and not an Indian candidate? And all such trivia and petty issues.

So what if Zaid has deep pockets? Does this not prove that he is a self-made man? How many road or construction projects did the government give him? How many APs or permits did he get? How much sand or timber concessions was Zaid awarded?

Zaid used to head the largest law firm in Malaysia. So that made him rich. Is that not good? Should Perkasa and Umno not sing his praises and stand tall and be proud that there are at least some Malays who can make it on the ‘open market’?

So it looks like not all Malays need crutches if you go by Zaid’s success and track record. Does not Umno want more Malays like these, Malays who can succeed even when faced with stiff competition?

Earlier today, in a keynote speech to commemorate the 44th anniversary of Mara, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Malays must not be proud of always getting aid from the government. “Aid is like a crutch... to be given when we are weak. It is better if we can stand firmly on our own feet. Do not be proud with such aid. In truth, we are not masters because of aid,” said Dr Mahathir as he lamented the attitude of the Malay community who always looked for the easiest way of getting rich.

Even Dr Mahathir, the man who supports Perkasa, said that the Malays should not be proud of their crutches. This can be rephrased to mean we should be ashamed. Should this not also mean we should be proud of Malays who can make it without crutches? And in that case, going by this argument, should we not be proud of Zaid who made it without crutches?

So why are they whacking Zaid for having deep pockets? Why are they not singing his praises instead? Zaid did not rob the rakyat? Zaid did not pilfer the government’s coffers. Zaid did not steal the taxpayers’ money. Zaid worked hard to put bread on the table. And that is a crime?

Hundreds of other Malays have also become successful lawyers. I can name dozens whom I personally know and who are now very rich. I know many more Chinese and Indians who are now rich because of their successful law practice. And this is supposed to be a bad thing?

When Malays get rich the wrong way we lament and sigh. But when they get rich the right way we whack them. So what is it that we want? Ini pun salah. Itu pun salah. Tak pahamlah minda Melayu.

Actually, Malays are like crabs. They can’t walk straight and they are trying to teach others how to walk straight. Then, when you place crabs in a basket, they will bring down those who try to climb out. So, in the end, not one crab gets to climb out of the basket because they would pull each other down every time someone tries to climb out. I suppose this is why most Malays are basket cases.

And this is the real issue here. Malays just can't bear to see other Malays become successful. PHD: perangai hasat dengki.

So Zaid is Kelantanese. So what? Why can’t a Kelantanese stand for elections in Selangor? Terengganu once had a Kelantanese as the Menteri Besar. When it comes to Malays we worry about which state or which town they come from. Were Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Gobind Singh, and whatnot all born in the town they contested in?

Mat Sabu of PAS has contested in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and all over the place and won most times. No one asked him where he was born or accused him of being a parachute candidate. If I wanted to contest the general election then where would I contest? I was born in Surrey, England. Does this mean there is no seat for me anywhere in Malaysia?

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not born in Permatang Pauh. Yet she not only won that seat but became the Opposition Leader in Parliament as well.

We need to break away from this old pre-Merdeka culture where you must be born in that town to be able to contest a seat in that town.

In the old days it took five days and four nights to travel from the tip of the East Coast to Kuala Lumpur.
Today, it takes only an hour. In the old days it look a week for a letter to arrive. Today, we can communicate in real time.

Times have changed. We now live in a global village and a borderless world. You can be born in the UK, like me, and still contest in Hulu Selangor, Ulu Kelantan, Ulu Terengganu, Kuala Kedah, or wherever. It does not matter. What matters is that you can serve your constituents.

And I believe Zaid Ibrahim can.

Zaid is not concerned about race. He is concerned about human rights and justice. He worries about the underdog.

In short, Zaid is colour-blind. And that is what matters. That is what we want the New Malaysia to be about.

For more than half a century since Merdeka the Malays in Kampong Raja Uda in Kelang, Selangor, voted ruling party. They never once voted opposition. For the first time in history, on 8 March 2008, the Malays of Kampong Raja Uda voted for Charles Santiago as their Member of Parliament.

Today, Charles Santiago is a Member of Parliament.

Did it matter to the Malays in Kampong Raja Uda that Charles Santiago is Indian? Should it matter to the Indians of Hulu Selangor that Zaid is Malay? Or are the Malays more matured than the Indians?

Yes, Zaid will help the Indians. But he will help deserving Indians and not Ananda Krishnan. Yes, Zaid will help the Chinese. But he will help deserving Chinese and not Francis Yeoh. And Zaid will also help the Malays in the Felda settlements and the Orang Asli in their reservations.

Maybe it is good that PKR finally fields a candidate with deep pockets. Then Umno can’t pay him RM2 million to cross over. Maybe that should be the criteria in future. Make sure that the candidate is not bangsat and therefore can be easily bought.

Zaid should be the new benchmark that the opposition uses in what the candidates should look like. That would ensure we will not see ‘cheap sales’ every month of the year.

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

Hindraf not a factor, says BN candidate Kamalanathan

2010-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

Those were the words of BN's Hulu Selangor by-election candidate P Kamalanathan when asked for his opinion on whether the well-known Indian rights movement would be able exert its influence among the constituency's Indian electorate.

"Hindraf? No effect. The people will judge us from our work not by any individual. Most of them have forgotten (Hindraf)," he said, dismissing the movement in having any impact in the upcoming by-election.

Kamalanathan said there were still some who were keeping the legacy of Hindraf alive "...but the Hindraf by-products themselves are not sure where they are heading".

"But for me, it's very simple. As long as the Indian community wants development, they have to work with everybody, even the Malays and the Chinese," said the buoyant candidate.

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini late this evening, Kamalanathan claimed that BN was 'a family' that worked together to solve problems and did not bully each other to achieve certain means.

The public relations professional and MIC Putera leader admitted that there had been 'issues' over the past few days in deciding BN's candidate for the parliamentary by-election.

"Even within families, brothers and sisters argue and sometimes someone gets angry and walks out of the house (but) at the end of the day, the family comes together.

"Whatever happens within BN, it doesn't mean we are at the end of everything. it just means that we will discuss and we will be transparent.

"We had a problem, we had discussions and as usual we managed to find a solution," he said.

'Umno didn't bully us'

Kamalanathan, 44, was thrust into the political limelight yesterday after MIC failed in its frantic bid to get its deputy president G Palanivel to stand in Hulu Selangor and win back the seat which he lost by a slim majority of 198 votes in the 2008 general election.

In a last-minute compromise in face of objections to Palanivel's candidacy by Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, MIC president S Samy Vellu was forced to put forward Kamalanathan's name.

The Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency - the biggest of the nine constituencies in Selangor - fell vacant after its Pakatan Rakyat representative from PKR, Zainal Abidin Ahmad, succumbed to brain cancer on March 25.

The by-election on April 25 is seen as crucial by political observers to gauge the popularity and strength of both BN and Pakatan Rakyat in wake of the landscape-changing March 8, 2008 political tsunami.

For the opposition in particular, it will a referendum of faith of sorts after a recent string of defections rocked anchor partner, PKR.

Kamalanathan brushed off the possibility that ruling party Umno had browbeaten MIC into choosing a different candidate other than Palanivel.

"If Umno was bullying us, they would have taken back Hulu Selangor a long time ago but they did not. I can also say PKR is bullying PAS as a PAS candidate will probably do better here."

Met at his residence in Taman Garing, Rawang, Kamalanathan said he was 'just a soldier' ordered to the battlefield.

"I never lobbied, full stop, promise. If you want me to be honest, I was just working very hard to convince the party and BN leadership to consider me as a candidate for the 13^th general election [...] I was preparing for that," he said.

'I'm very grateful'

Preparing for that, however, also meant being prepared at all times to face the unexpected, he explained further.

"I am ready, I have the time and I'm mentally and physically prepared. I won't say I'm reluctant. It's like 911.

The people in the fire brigade don't dress up and wait for a call. When there is an emergency notice they suit up and go [...] that's what I'm going to do," he said.

Kamalanathan, who has been an MIC member for 25 years before being appointed information chief last year was at pains to stress that he did not wrest the seat from Palanivel.

"When Samy Vellu told me I had been nominated for Hulu Selangor, I was shocked.

"I asked whether it was a party recommendation but S Murugesan (MIC secretary-general) just told me to get ready and that they will see me at Bukit Sentosa at 3.30pm when the BN candidate was to be announced."

He revealed it was not a scenario the party was preparing for as the plan was to not field anyone other than Palanivel.

"The next day, I was waiting with Murugesan at the party headquarters (and) there were a lot of meetings held, phone calls from New York to Putrajaya, Putrajaya to Kuala Lumpur and even to Parliament.

"A lot of discussions and after all that, finally I was informed that there was a decision made by the party and prime minister and the deputy prime minister had accepted my name," he said, looking astonished.

"I'm very grateful for the trust they have in me and it is not going to easy. The defending champions are the opposition and the state is run by the opposition. But I'm going to work very hard like I have never worked before.

"God has given us 24 hours in a day and I will work up to 11.59.59 pm on April 24 and I will try to get as many votes as possible in that time," he said.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Round 8 of 10: an insider reveals the shenanigans in the PDRM

2010-04-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

On 19 July 2008, a police officer sends Tan Sri Robert Phang an ‘anonymous letter’ highlighting various acts of corruption and identifying those senior police officers behind these acts. This was before the meeting between the Minister and the police on 23 November 2008 and before the police reports of November and December 2008.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

Malaysia's submarine scandal erupts in France

2010-04-16T02:59:00.000-07:00

Murky arms deal linked to international pattern of kickbacks

Judges in the Paris Prosecution Office have been probing a wide range of corruption charges involving similar submarine sales and the possibility of bribery and kickbacks to top officials in France, Pakistan and other countries. The Malaysian piece of the puzzle was added in two filings, on Dec. 4, 2009 and Feb. 23 this year.

Written by John Berthelsen, Asia Sentinel

A potentially explosive scandal in Malaysia over the billion-dollar purchase of French submarines, a deal engineered by then-Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak, has broken out of the domestic arena with the filing of a request to investigate bribery and kickbacks from the deal in a Paris court.

Although the case has been contained for eight years in the cozy confines of Malaysia's courts and parliament, which are dominated by the ruling National Coalition, French lawyers William Bourdon, Renaud Semerdjian and Joseph Breham put an end to that when they filed it with Parisian prosecutors on behalf of the Malaysian human rights organization Suaram, which supports good-government causes.

Judges in the Paris Prosecution Office have been probing a wide range of corruption charges involving similar submarine sales and the possibility of bribery and kickbacks to top officials in France, Pakistan and other countries. The Malaysian piece of the puzzle was added in two filings, on Dec. 4, 2009 and Feb. 23 this year.

For two years, Parisian prosecutors, led by investigating judges Francoise Besset Francoise Besset and Jean-Christophe Hullin, have been gingerly investigating allegations involving senior French political figures and the sales of submarines and other weaponry to governments all over the world. French news reports have said the prosecutors have backed away from some of the most serious charges out of concern for the political fallout.

The allegations relate to one of France's biggest defense conglomerates, the state-owned shipbuilder DCN, which merged with the French electronics company Thales in 2005 to become a dominant force in the European defense industry. DCN's subsidiary Armaris is the manufacturer of Scorpene-class diesel submarines sold to India, Pakistan and Malaysia among other countries. All of the contracts, according to the lawyers acting for Suaram, a Malaysian human rights NGO, are said to be suspect.

With Najib having moved on from the defense portfolio he held when the deal was put together in 2002 to become prime minister and head of the country's largest political party, the mess has the potential to become a major liability for the government and the United Malays National Organisation. Given the power of UMNO, it is unlikely the scandal would ever get a complete airing in a Malaysian court, which is presumably why Suaram reached out to French prosecutors.

"The filings are very recent and have so far prompted a preliminary police inquiry on the financial aspects of the deal," said Philippe Vasset, the editor in chief of a Paris-based military intelligence website. "There isn't a formal investigation yet. The investigation will most likely use documents seized at DCN in the course of another investigation, focusing on bribes paid by DCN in Pakistan."

Vasset said police have confined their inquiry to bribery allegations so far and have not looked into the 2006 murder of a Mongolian woman in Malaysia who was a translator on the deal for Najib and his friend, Abdul Razak Baginda, during a visit to Paris.

There have been numerous deaths involving DCN defense sales in Taiwan and Pakistan. Prosecutors are suspicious that 11 French submarine engineers who were murdered in a 2002 bomb blast in Karachi – first thought to have been the work of Al Qaeda – were actually killed in retaliation for the fact that the French had reneged on millions of dollars in kickbacks to Pakistani military officers.

The Malaysian allegations revolve around the payment of €114 million to a Malaysia-based company called Perimekar, for support services surrounding the sale of the submarines. Perimekar was wholly owned by another company, KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd, which in turn was controlled by Najib's best friend, Razak Baginda, whose wife Mazalinda, a lawyer and former magistrate, was the principal shareholder, according to the French lawyers.

"Over the past years, serious cases have been investigated in France by judges involving DCN," lawyer Renaud Semerdjian told Asia Sentinel in a telephone interview. "This is not the first case of this kind that is being investigated. There are others in Pakistan and there are some issues about India. To a certain extent, every time weapons of any kind have been provided, suspicion of violation of the law may be very high."

As defense minister from 2000 to 2008, Najib commissioned a huge military buildup to upgrade Malaysia's armed forces, including two submarines from Armaris and the lease of a third, a retired French Navy Agosta-class boat. There were also Sukhoi supersonic fighter jets from Russia and millions of dollars spent on coastal patrol boats. All have come under suspicion by opposition leaders in Malaysia's parliament but UMNO has stifled any investigation. Asked personally about the cases, Najib has responded angrily and refused to reply.

Despite efforts to bury it, the case achieved considerably notoriety after the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a 28-year-old Mongolian translator and Razak Baginda's jilted lover, who participated in negotiations over the purchase of the submarines. By her own admission in a letter found after her death, she was attempting to blackmail Razak Baginda for US$500,000.

She was shot in October 2006 and her body was blown up with military explosives by two bodyguards attached to Najib's office after Razak Baginda, went to Najib's chief of staff, Musa Safri, for help in keeping her away from him. Not long after being acquitted in November 2008 under questionable circumstances of participating in her murder, Razak Baginda left the country for England. The bodyguards were convicted but no motive was ever established for their actions.

The submarine deal was never brought up in court during a months-long murder trial that was marked by prosecutors, defense attorneys and the judge working studiously to keep Najib's name out of the proceedings. A private detective hired by Razak Baginda to protect him from the furious Altantuya filed a statutory declaration after the trial indicating that Najib had actually been the victim's lover and had passed her on to Razak Baginda.

The detective, P. Balasubramaniam, said later that he was unceremoniously run out of Kuala Lumpur. He eventually emerged from hiding in India to say he had been offered RM5 million (US$1.57 million) by a businessman close to Najib's wife to shut up and get out of town. He also said he had met Nazim Razak, Najib's younger brother, and was told to recant his testimony.

In the current complaint in Paris, the issue revolves around what, if anything, Razak Baginda's Perimekar company did to deserve €114 million. Zainal Abidin, the deputy defense minister at the time of the sale, told parliament that Perimekar had received the amount – 11 percent of the sale price of the submarines – for "coordination and support services." The Paris filing alleges that there were neither support nor services.

Perimekar was registered in 2001, a few months before the signing of the contracts for the sale, the Paris complaint states. The company, it said flatly, "did not have the financial resources to complete the contract." A review of the accounts in 2001 and 2002, the complaint said, "makes it an obvious fact that this corporation had absolutely no capacity, or legal means or financial ability and/or expertise to support such a contract."

"None of the directors and shareholders of Perimekar have the slightest experience in the construction, maintenance or submarine logistics," the complaint adds. "Under the terms of the contract, €114 million were related to the different stages of construction of the submarines." The apparent consideration, supposedly on the part of Perimekar, "would be per diem and Malaysian crews and accommodation costs during their training. There is therefore no link between billing steps and stages of completion of the consideration."

As Asia Sentinel reported on April 1, services for the subs are being performed by a well-connected firm called Boustead DCNS, a joint venture between BHIC Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of publicly-listed Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd, and DCNS SA, a subsidiary of DCN. Boustead's Heavy Industries Division now includes Perimekar as an "associate of the Group. PSB is involved in the marketing, upgrading, maintenance and related services for the Malaysian maritime defence industry," according to Boustead's annual report.

Originally Boustead told the Malaysian Stock Exchange that the service contract was for RM600 million (US$184.1 million) for six years, or US$30.68 million annually. However, the contract later ballooned to RM270 million per year. Boustead Holdings is partly owned by the government and has close connections with UMNO.

"There are good grounds to believe that [Perimekar] was created with a single objective: arrange payment of the commission and allocate the amount between different beneficiaries including Malaysian public officials and or Malaysian or foreign intermediaries," the complaint states.

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

Big bully Umno shames MIC, slays Palanivel

2010-04-16T02:46:00.000-07:00

The controversy surrounding the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election is the "most shameful and humiliating" episode in the history of MIC, said opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang.

“While Umno's hegemony in BN reached a new apex, MIC president S Samy Vellu and his deputy G Palanivel completely lost face,” he added.

The DAP veteran asked if there was ever a time in MIC's 64-year-old history that the party's choice was vetoed by others.

“If this never happened before, why is it happening in the long 31-year reign of Samy Vellu?

“This is most ironic. The Umno and BN leadership continue to be blind and deaf to the message of the March 8 political tsunami two years ago – which is a massive national vote against Umno political hegemony both in BN and in Malaysian politics,” he said.

Lim said Umno is not only usurping the right of individual BN component parties to determine who should be their candidates, but is also taking over their right to determine the leadership in these parties.

“In eliminating Palanivel as a candidate, the Umno leadership has virtually delivered a death knell to the political future of Samy’s heir-designate in MIC.

“The writing on the wall is clear – Palanivel has been eliminated not only as the BN candidate for Hulu Selangor, he has been eliminated as the successor to Samy Vellu as MIC president,” he added.

Khairy adding salt to the wound
Meanwhile, Lim also took Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to task over his comments which appeared in Sin Chew Daily.

Khairy had said that the selection of the Hulu Selangor candidate must be decided collectively by the BN and not by Umno or MIC alone.

“Is Khairy joking or taking Malaysians for four-year-old children?” asked Lim.

“The BN is a coalition of 14 parties. Is he suggesting that apart from Umno objecting to Palanivel’s candidature, there were others who objected? Can Khairy name them?” he said.

He also challenged the Umno Youth chief to cite a single instance since the formation of BN in 1973 where Umno had acted as such a “big bully”.

Lim also asked if Khairy would accept the scenario where other BN component partues could decide by majority vote who should be the Umno president, deputy president and Umno Youth leader.

“Khairy is just adding salt into the wounds of MIC leaders and members, divisions and branches,” he said.

by FMT

Disquiet in Hulu Selangor: MIC factions see red

2010-04-16T02:40:00.000-07:00

Barisan Nasional's decision to field P Kamalanathan for the Hulu Selangor by-election has enraged the supporters of MIC deputy president G Palanivel and local leader V Mugilan. According to sources, both camps are contemplating casting protest votes in order to teach BN and Umno leaders a lesson.

“How can they embarrass Palanivel in this manner?” exclaimed a local MIC member, who declined to be named.

“He is the deputy president of MIC and a four-term MP in Hulu Selangor. They should not have done this to him. Mark my words, there will be protest votes,” he told FMT.

The MIC member pointed out that Palanivel has worked hard for MIC and BN for many years, and he should not have been treated in this manner.

“You cannot simply use and throw leaders like this, he won the seat four times for BN and nobody complained then. Suddenly, they talk about change and a new face,” he said.

Hitting out at the Umno top brass, the MIC member said: “Forget about Indian and Chinese votes, Let's see if they (Umno) can deliver the Malay votes.”

On the same note, a supporter of Mugilan also expressed outrage that the Hulu Selangor MIC Youth chief was sidelined despite having the backing of Umno leaders in the constituency.

“Former menteri besar (Dr Mohd) Khir Toyo and (Selangor Umno deputy chief) Noh Omar also wanted Mugilan and he (Mugilan) was made to believe that he will be the candidate.

“He stuck out his neck, but in the end, they slit his throat,” he said.

Meanwhile, a source close to Palanivel told FMT that the MIC deputy president has accepted the decision, and will campaign in the by-election.

“Whatever said and done, he is a MIC man and he will deliver the votes to BN,” he said.

On the speculation that he will be offered a senatorship and eventually be made a deputy minister, the source said Palanivel will “think carefully” about this.

'Give Palanivel senatorship and we'll back Kamalanathan'

In a related development, Hulu Selangor MIC information chief Raily Muniandy said the division will only back Kamalanathan if Palanivel is offered a senator post.

He also conceded that the last-minute change in candidate will have an impact in terms of votes for the ruling coalition.

“We in Hulu Selangor were hoping that it will be Palanivel. He was the MP here for four terms and is a well-known figure in this area.

“The decision not to field him will definitely see a decrease in votes for BN,” he told FMT.

“We wanted Palanivel, but we are forced to accept the BN leadership's decision. We are prepared to support Kamalanathan but the government needs to give a senator post to Palanivel," he added.

On his earlier threat to close down MIC branches in Hulu Selangor if Palanivel is not named as the candidate, Raily claimed that he was misquoted by the media.

MIC had nominated Palanivel for the parliamentary seat, but the BN leadership had rejected this based on opposition from Umno, which lobbied for Mugilan.

However, MIC threatened to take disciplinary action against Mugilan for allegedly using backdoor tactics to be named as the candidate.

Following an intense last-minute discussion between Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and MIC president S Samy Vellu, both parties agreed on Kamalanathan.

In a related development, local non-governmental organisation Persokemas said the controversy surrounding the candidate showed that it is Umno, and not MIC, which calls the shots.

"We, the people of Hulu Selangor are not stupid. What we want from BN and MIC is a capable candidate not a substitute," he told FMT.

“What does Samy Vellu think? He can change the candidate as he pleases, and we are expected to vote for him,” he said.

by FMT

Dr M repeats: NEP's Malays & bumiputra privileges a 'temporary crutch'

2010-04-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

The New Economic Policy (NEP) was intended to be a "temporary crutch" and abolished when the Malays and bumiputeras are capable of standing on their own two feet, said former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

He said the whole point of the NEP and similar programmes would be lost if the Malay and bumiputera communities continue to rely on it for financial support, a "weakness" which he said is inherent in their culture.

He said this in his speech during the Mara 44th Anniversary Convention at Medan Mara in Kuala Lumpur today.

Taking Malay reserve land as an example, Mahathir (left) said the then British colonialists and Malay leaders decided to gazette such land to stop the constant sale of land by Malays looking to gain some quick money.

"The trend then was that Malays would sell their land in urban areas because of the high price and move out to the outskirts. When the city expanded, again they sell the land and move further out.

"By logic, if that had continued the Malays would have ended up living in the jungle," he said in his address.

Mahathir stressed that it is up to the Malays and bumiputras to make full use of the opportunities given to them instead of accusing other races of controlling the economy.

"It is shameful not to fully utilise the opportunities given to you but at the same time demand that these opportunities are not given to anyone else," he said to a packed hall.

This is a far cry from his past defence of the controversial policy, having once said that not enough is being done to improve the lot of the Malays and bumiputeras.

In a later press conference, Dr Mahathir said that it is difficult to set a deadline for the abolishment of the affirmative action practices that were implemented under the NEP but noted that a clear indication would be when the Malays and bumiputeras are financially independent.

Apco a waste of money

On a separate issue, Mahathir said he did not see any reason for the government to pay nearly RM77 million to Apco Worldwide, which was engaged to mend ties between Malaysia and the United States.

He said regardless of the perceived ties between the two countries, there has not been any outward show by the United States that they were unhappy with Malaysia.

Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz dumped much of the blame on Dr Mahathir's shoulders for deteriorating ties with the United States over his 22 year tenure, while the rest of the blame went to his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's six years in power.

To this, Mahathir merely said; "I don't care".

He said the fact is that foreign direct investment from the United States has continued to come to Malaysia, along with a USD1 million handout from the world superpower to "train" Malaysia's armed forces.

"If they want it back, we can give it back. We have one million dollars," Mahathir said.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Dr M: Don’t put APCO bill on my tab

2010-04-16T00:30:00.000-07:00

Dr Mahathir said the US had never shown displeasure at his administration. — file pic

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he disagrees with the Najib administration for spending a whopping RM76 million to arrange a meeting between the prime minister and US President Barack Obama earlier this week.

“Meeting is good but to say this money is spent because of what happened in the past, I don’t think is good,” the former premier said, rubbishing claims the government needed to spend the enormous sum of money.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had disclosed this week the amount paid to global public relations firm, APCO Worldwide, and claimed it was necessary to “repair” Malaysia-US ties strained during his 22-year rule from 1981 to 2003.

“I don’t care,” Dr Mahathir said, when asked to comment on Nazri’s charge.

“Whether the ties are good or bad, the fact is the US has not done anything that would show they were offended by us,” he added, citing the absence of official US complaints lodged with his administration.

Dr Mahathir also pointed out that investments from the US continued to flow into Malaysia.

“We did not get anything from the US,” he claimed, but was quick to make an exception that the world military superpower had given “one million US dollars” (RM3.2 million at current rates) to Malaysia “for the training of our armed forces”.

“They want it back? We have one million US dollars,” he quipped.

Dr Mahathir was speaking to reporters after delivering a keynote speech here, in conjunction with the 44th anniversary celebration of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), a government agency formed to aid the indigenous community.

He appeared disinterested in continuing the subject, noting that he was no longer in power. He noted that the Najib administration had the authority to do as it sees fit with federal funds.

“If I’m in power, I have my own way of doing things,” he said with a smile, capping the subject.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Application to cite Nazri for contempt over his statement 'Pornthip a liar'

2010-04-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

An application to cite Nazri Abdul Aziz for contempt of court was filed by senior counsel Karpal Singh today over the minister branding an internationally-respected foreign pathologist a 'liar'.

The application was made under item 26 of the Subordinate Courts Act 1948 in relation to the minister's statement to Malaysiakini on April 11 regarding evidence given by Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand during the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.

Nazri, who is minister in the Prime Minister's Department, was quoted to have said: "She is a liar. She lied in the inquest."

The motion to cite the minister (left) for contempt was supported by an affidavit in support filed by Teoh Meng Kee, who is Beng Hock's brother.

Karpal is a lawyer representing Teoh's family.

The application to get leave to get an order to cite the minister will be heard at the Coroner's Court next Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Karpal said it was high time that Nazri be cited for contempt as he had disrupted the legal proceedings of the on-going inquest.

"This can be seen as an attempt by the executive to exert pressure on the on-going proceedings," he said.

Nazri had labelled Pornthip a liar after she claimed to have come under 'political pressure' from Malaysia to end her involvement in the inquest.

He was responding to Pornthip's allegations in a Malaysiakini exclusive that she had been given 'signals' and 'political pressure' to cease her involvement in the ongoing investigation into the death of the young DAP political secretary.

Southern Thailand link

According to the doctor, Thai government officials had discreetly relayed to her the 'message' from the Malaysian government officials.

She claimed to have been prevented from entering Kelantan on official business through the Thai-Malaysian border in January this year, saying that this was one of the 'signals' of pressure being applied upon her.

Despite being reluctant to do so, Pornthip had decided not to testify because of the pressure being put upon her.

Forced to choose between her work in investigating the deaths in southern Thailand or the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.

Nazri, however, had scoffed at Pornthip's (right) claims, and said her problems with investigations in southern Thailand had nothing to do with the Malaysian government.

"It has nothing to do with her fear of not getting our cooperation in investigating her forensic cases in southern Thailand.

"I think it is a personal problem, it is a problem in Thailand.

"If she is unable to perform her investigation there, it is problem with the Thai government, not us," said Nazri

Questioned overnight

During the inquest last October, Pornthip had made startling comments on the possible cause of Teoh's death, suggesting that he could have been strangled.

His body was found on July 16 at the fifth floor verandah of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, Selangor, after he had been questioned overnight by the Malaysian

Anti-Corruption Commission as a witness in a graft complaint.

Teoh was the political aide to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, who is being investigated in relation to alleged irregularities in the disbursement of state funds.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Dr M to skip Hulu Selangor campaign

2010-04-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not be campaigning in the Hulu Selangor by-election, although his name has surfaced several times in the run-up to nomination day.

Mahathir appeared amused with the situation, but stressed that he has no interest in being involved in the campaign, which will see his harsh critic Zaid Ibrahim from PKR taking on P Kamalanathan representing Barisan Nasional.

"I am not going to campaign. If people want to use my name to campaign, that is their problem... I don't care," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Mara's 44th anniversary convention in Kuala Lumpur.

Mahathir's last campaign foray was in April 2009 during the simultaneous Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-election, which saw him deliver speeches in both constituencies. BN lost both contests.

When asked what he thought of Zaid's recent attacks against him, Mahathir said he could not understand what kind of hold he could possibly have over the PKR man.

Earlier, Zaid said on the campaign trail that a vote for BN was akin to a vote for Mahathir and his oppressive policies.

"I think he sees me as a ghost hovering over him. I don't know why he's so scared of me, I'm just a retiree," quipped Mahathir.

Pakatan is a dirty word

To a question, Mahathir said he believes that BN stood a good chance should voters think rationally and is thankful for the coalition's contribution.

"Of course they (Pakatan Rakyat) will play up emotions and how the country was destroyed under my leadership over 22 years...

"I don't like the word Pakatan... It is conspiracy. You only use the word when you are up to no good and then you 'pakat-pakat' (conspire).

"But if voters think Pakatan can give them a better deal, then choose Pakatan. But remember that people are resigning (from Pakatan) already," he said.

Mahathir refused to comment about Zaid's chances and but feels that the latter's credentials were mostly overrated.

On Kamalanathan, Mahathir said it was inconsequential who represented BN as voters should vote according to party lines.

"It does not matter if he is really smart. He alone cannot do anything. You should not think of the candidate, but of the party," he said.

Sibu by-election on May 16

2010-04-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

Sibu voters will go to the polls on May 16 after an eight-day campaign with nomination day being set for May 8, announced the Election Commission today.

This will be the 11th by-election in the country after the last general election in March 8, 2008.

SUPP's Robert Lau Hoi Chew, who was also the deputy transport minister, died on Apr 9 after losing in the battle with liver cancer.

At last count, Sibu has 53,679 voters with a Chinese majority of 60 per cent. There is also a large concentration of Melanau (20%), Iban (18%), Orang Ulu (1.1%) and other races (0.9%).

Lau, who had been Sibu MP under the Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) flag for five terms since 1990, beat Sarawak DAP chief Wong Ho Leng and PKR's Lim Chin Chuang in a three-cornered fight in the last general election.

Lau won by a majority of 3,235 votes with 19,138 votes against Wong's 15,903 and Lim's 812.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

MAS flights to London, Amsterdam, Paris disrupted

2010-04-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Airlines flights to London, Amsterdam and Paris today were disrupted due to airspace restrictions as a result of volcanic ash from Iceland spreading across the United Kingdom and Northern Europe.

As a result, MAS flights from Kuala Lumpur to these three cities and vice versa will be rescheduled or cancelled.

The following flights are affected:

• Kuala Lumpur–London (MH4) which departed Kuala Lumpur 10 this morning will not be landing in London. Instead it will be diverted to Frankfurt with an estimated arrival at 2.15pm local time. The passengers will be provided accommodation for one night and given assistance for onward travel by land to London.

• Kuala Lumpur–London (MH2) and Kuala Lumpur–Amsterdam (MH16) departing tonight at 11.45pm and 11.55pm respectively have been delayed until further notice.

• London–Kuala Lumpur (MH3) has already departed London and is expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on schedule.

• Amsterdam–Kuala Lumpur (MH17) has already departed and is also expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on schedule.

• Kuala Lumpur–Frankfurt (MH006) will be departing on schedule at 11.50pm.

• Affected connecting passengers in Kuala Lumpur on tonight’s flights to London and Amsterdam will be given a one-night accommodation.

• Kuala Lumpur-Rome (MH14) will be departing on schedule at 11.45pm

• Kuala Lumpur-Paris (MH20), scheduled to depart at 11.55pm, will be delayed until further notice as the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris will be closed. Subsequently, the Paris-Kuala Lumpur flight (MH21) will also be delayed

MAS director of operations Captain Azharuddin Osman said: “We are rescheduling the flights after receiving confirmation from the airport authorities to suspend our flights in and out of both airports. We will only be able to confirm our flight schedules once we receive clearance from the relevant civil aviation authorities.”

Customers holding special fare tickets with restrictive terms and conditions which normally do not allow for change of travel dates can now do so without penalty fee until April 30. A penalty fee will be incurred for any subsequent booking changes. Refunds are not applicable.

Customers holding tickets which allow for change of travel dates may do so without penalty fee. Refunds are allowed and subject to a refund administrative fee.

Customers are encouraged to watch out for updates on www.malaysiaairlines.com or call the MAS call centre 1300-88-3000. Likewise, customers in London, Amsterdam and Paris are urged to contact our reservations offices for the latest schedules.

London: +44 (0) 871 423 9090

Amsterdam: +31 20 521 6250

Paris: +0892 35 08 10

Malaysia Airlines operates two non-stop daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and London. The carrier flies to both Amsterdam and Paris from Kuala Lumpur once daily.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

THE GUESSING GAME IS OVER. IS MIC RELEVANT?

2010-04-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

A funny caption to start, isn't it.

The candidate chosen to represent BN is already revealed. MIC's Information chief P Kamalanathan has been chosen instead of party deputy, Datuk G Palanivel.

One thing need to be said. MIC had only nominated Datuk G Palanivel. The UMNO-led BN leaders have selected a different candidate.

Remember, this is an MIC seat as agreed and allocated by BN. So, who should make the decision, MIC or UMNO-led BN?

Can MIC or MCA decide on a UMNO candidate when a UMNO seat becomes available?

It could be justified that Datuk Palanivel is not the favorite although he had served Hulu Selangor for more than a decade.

Are MIC CWC leaders not capable of selecting a suitable candidate. A suitable candidate is usually selected on certain criteria. Are these MIC leaders so dumb in selecting a suitable candidate. A candidate is always chosen so that he could be the winner.

MIC had all this while been claiming that Datuk Palanivel has the capabilities in capturing the seat from the Opposition since he lost it by a mere 198 votes during the last general election in March 2008.

But information obtained from feedbacks from Hulu Selangor reveal that Datuk G Palanivel would be unable to secure a victory since he had not fullfill his promises. MIC would have receive these same feedbacks if the BN coalition leaders are informed.

Just because Datuk Palanivel is the Deputy President does not render him to qualify for selection. MIC elections are based on President's favorites. What the president says goes, has always been the saying. Its time MIC delegates realise the shame they have place MIC in. They have selected a official who is unreliable and not capable. This is another reason why HINDRAF was formed, to create awareness that Indians have been marginalised by the system and MIC is the cause.

MIC's powerful body, CWC selected and forwarded Datuk G Palanivel as their choice candidate after getting feedback.

But surprise to everyone, UMNO-led BN leaders have selected someone else. There were rumours that another favorite Mugilan, a truly local and capable candidate but due to certain legal disputes have been scrapped. MIC even threaten to sack him if UMNO-led BN chose him.

What impression is MIC giving. MIC is suppose to represent and champion the Indian cause. Here, we find the MIC officials are only interested in their own welfare - having power and position. Rumours indicate that Datuk Palanivel would be rewarded as a Senator and given a Deputy Minister or Senate President as a 'buy-off'

Should Malaysian, especially Indians continue to support MIC? MIC has NO POWER. What can MIC do to achieve in uplifting the Indian community?

It seems SO CLEAR that Indians will always be marginalised UNLESS we find a new and capable party to represent the Indians.

Malaysian Indians are seeking for a NEW DAWN.

My challenge to Hindraf: let’s fight for a New Deal

2010-04-15T05:07:00.000-07:00

The problems that the Indians are facing is NOT the disease. It is merely the symptoms of the disease. If we can eradicate the disease then the symptoms will disappear. We can't cure the symptoms. We need to cure the disease.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

You can read Dr Kua Kia Soong’s article called Stop labelling Hindraf as 'racist', which I ‘stole’ from Malaysiakini without their permission.

First of all, let me reiterate what I had written earlier, which I must stress was never rebutted by Hindraf or anyone who claims to represent the movement. And that is YB Ronnie Liu, Bala of Bangsar, my wife, and I, went to Manoharan’s house in the run-up to the 8 March 2008 general election to speak to his wife about the Hindraf 5 contesting the election on a parliament ticket.

The Hindraf 5 -- P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and T. Vasantha Kumar -- were at that time under Internal Security Act detention in Kamunting. Only Manoharan agreed to contest and he is now the Selangor State Assemblyman for Kota Alam Shah. The other four refused to contest.

I did say in my earlier article that we were devastated. We took all the trouble to talk to the three Pakatan Rakyat coalition partners to get them to offer the Hindraf 5 seats to contest (maybe two each from DAP and PKR and one from PAS -- or all five from PAS if DAP and PKR have no spare seats) but only one wanted to contest the election. And even then Manoharan wanted a state and not parliament seat (when parliament would have been a better platform seeing that the Indian cause is a national issue).

Instead of replying to this, Hindraf challenged me to state my stand on Article 8 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. I accepted Hindraf’s challenge and not only stated my stand on Article 8 but on the many other Articles in the Constitution as well.

So, I have accepted Hindraf’s challenge. I spoke out against the violation of Article 8. I also spoke out against the violation of the many other Articles as well. If you have been following what I have been saying the last many years you will know that I labelled the New Economic Policy as unconstitutional and Ketuanan Melayu as Apartheid. How much stronger than that can I speak? Many Malays already label me as a traitor to my race. Some even suggest that my citizenship should be withdrawn for my act of treason.

Do I need to fall on my sword to prove my stand?

Now, why did the other four of the Hindraf 5 refuse to contest the general election? I still insist that they would have won because they would have been given ‘safe’ seats. Looking at some of the Pakatan Rakyat candidates who won, many who are half-baked, there is no reason the Hindraf 5 would not have won. Then, today, we would have five Hindraf leaders in Parliament who could further their movement’s cause at national level.

They refused to contest the election because they were worried they would antagonise the government and would give the impression that they are still defiant. And this would mean they would have an extended stay in Kamunting and would not be able to see an early release. In other words, they were scared. They did not want the government to detain them longer. So they ‘behaved themselves’ by not contesting the elections.

What could I say to that? When I was under detention I continued writing and continued whacking the government even though I too wanted to get out. I was not happy with being detained. In fact, some of the Hindraf 5 had to console me while I was in Kamunting because I kept breaking down and cried like a baby.
I was a mental wreck and it was some of the Hindraf 5 who offered me ‘counselling’. If not I would have become totally mental.

Hindraf regards me as racist because I do not specifically fight for the Indians. I also do not fight for the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asli, Ibans, Dayaks, Penans, Bajaus, Kadazans, Bugis, Thais, Minangkabaus, Acehnese, Javanese, Portuguese, Mamaks, and whatnot. I suppose that makes me a super-racist. Why am I a racist only when I do not fight for the Indians? Am I not also a racist because I do not fight for the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asli, Ibans, Dayaks, Penans, Bajaus, Kadazans, Bugis, Thais, Minangkabaus, Acehnese, Javanese, Portuguese, Mamaks, etc?

Okay, let’s say, today, I declare I will fight for the Indians. Am I now no longer a racist even though I do not also fight for the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asli, Ibans, Dayaks, Penans, Bajaus, Kadazans, Bugis, Thais, Minangkabaus, Acehnese, Javanese, Portuguese, Mamaks, etc? Does racism come in only when it involves the Indians but not when it involves non-Indians?

According to Hindraf, I am racist by exclusion. I am not racist because I fight AGAINST the Indians. I am racist because my fight is not SPECIFICALLY for the Indians. Going by this argument this would mean even if I do fight specifically for the Indians I would still be considered racist because my fight has excluded the others such as the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asli, Ibans, Dayaks, Penans, Bajaus, Kadazans, Bugis, Thais, Minangkabaus, Acehnese, Javanese, Portuguese, Mamaks, etc. Therefore, fighting for the Indians would not remove my racist label, if we go by the definition of ‘racist by exclusion’.

Okay, I have written a lot about this matter the last week or so. I am prepared to lay the matter to rest and meet Moorthy to see what I can specifically do about the Indian cause. And if because I am Malay then I have no place in Hindraf then I rest my case.

I doubt there is any confusion that my fight is to end corruption, end extrajudicial killings, end police brutality, end detention without trial, end abuse of power, end oppression, end discrimination, end wastage of public funds and taxpayers’ money, end racial quotas in government and education, end manipulation of the judicial system, end cronyism and nepotism, and much, much more.

My fight is also about respecting the Constitution, abolishing draconian laws and laws that violate our fundamental human rights, seeing the emergence of two equally strong parties so that Malaysia can have a true two-party system, reforming the electoral system so that we can see a level playing field, seeing more transparency and accountability in government and seeing good governance emerge, etc.

Now, many (maybe the majority) of the victims of the above abuses are Indians. This I do not deny. I never said that most times Indians are not the victims. But we do not need to fight specifically for the Indians. If we can end all those abuses that I mentioned above then the Indians would AUTOMATICALLY get a better deal, a New Deal. And so would the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asli, Ibans, Dayaks, Penans, Bajaus, Kadazans, Bugis, Thais, Minangkabaus, Acehnese, Javanese, Portuguese, Mamaks, etc. Everyone benefits.

The problems that the Indians are facing is NOT the disease. It is merely the symptoms of the disease. If we can eradicate the disease then the symptoms will disappear. We can't cure the symptoms. We need to cure the disease.

Is this message too difficult to comprehend? Which part of ‘equality’ and ‘fairness’ do you not understand? It is about being fair to all and about everyone being treated equal regardless of race, religion, age, status and gender. Is this not a good platform to fight on? Does this make me a racist?

*************************************************

Stop labelling Hindraf as 'racist'

Listen all you people who have been flinging the 'racist' label at Hindraf – if the November 25, 2007 uprising organised by Hindraf had not happened, we would not have had a political tsunami on March 8, 2008!

We can flail our arms and criticise the Hindraf leadership all we want but let us be 'politically correct' about racism and who the racists are in Malaysia.

Yes! It's important to be politically correct on this issue because otherwise our political analysis becomes erroneous, leading to incorrect practice and, more importantly, we let off the real villains!

Hindraf happened because the marginalised Indians in this country are a specially oppressed section of the working class. It is an oppression that has taken on a racist character through the years, so much so that even middle class Indians, especially the youth, have often become the victims of police brutality.

The Indian working class is among the poorest in the country and they do not have the benefit of affirmative action because they have been classified as non-bumiputera.

Indians are a minority in this country but they form the majority when it comes to statistics on deaths in police custody or police killings.

We should be glad the Hindraf uprising happened and the political ripples it created after the 2008 general elections. Credit should be given to their leaders for achieving this feat and for breaking the decades of MIC patronage and pacifism.

The uprising certainly did not happen through the MIC nor did it happen through the other political parties in this country no matter what they say now. It is pointless being wise after the event or to advertise your pristine party – the fact is, Hindraf succeeded where the other political parties failed to do, namely, to mobilise the Indian masses to come out and make their stand on Nov 25 2007.

Right to a specfic identity

Being a specially oppressed and marginalised section of the masses, it is the right of the Indian masses to organise themselves just as the Black Power movement developed in the west during the Sixties. Similarly, women have the right to organise themselves through their special circumstances as an oppressed section of the population.

But to then say that Indians or Blacks are “racist” or that feminists are “sexist” is to expose your own shortcomings and more importantly, to let off the culprits who cause racial oppression and gender oppression in our society.

Racism or more specifically, 'bumiputeraism' has been the dominant ideology of the Malay capitalist class ever since May 13, 1969. It has been practiced under the guise of the New Economic Policy and that racism has been covertly disseminated through state institutions such as the Biro Tata Negara all these years.

It is a marvel that it has taken so long for this racist garbage perpetrated through the BTN to be exposed!
Before long, we will hear of racist propaganda in other state institutions especially schools and hostels since the Seventies.

In 1986, this racism was flagrantly espoused by Abdullah Ahmad in his infamous 'Malay Dominance' speech in Singapore but the cat was let out of the bag when Mahathir (left) had a spat with Nazri recently and they were calling each other 'racist'.

Umno's alter-ego

More recently, we have seen the formation of Perkasa, which is none other than Umno's alter-ego. It has been delegated the role of the racist lobbyist traditionally played by Umno Youth while Umno tries desperately to change its spots to win over the non-Malays after the 2008 debacle.

The stereotypes created by this racism to justify the New Economic Policy remain in circulation: We recently heard Perkasa shouting the old refrain that the Chinese still dominates the Malaysian economy.

It was a cue for Umno to continue the NEP in another guise, the New Economic Model. While this has populist appeal to win over the Malay voters, the main beneficiaries are the well-connected capitalists of diverse ethnicities under Umno hegemony.

The marginalised Indians who make up some of the poorest and most oppressed sections among West Malaysians have been portrayed in a racist light. Yet Indians have been the main victims of racial killings such as at Kampong Medan in 2001, deaths in police custody as well as trigger-happy police shootings. (See 'Policing the Malaysian Police', Suaram 2005)

Our indigenous peoples and migrant workers have also been portrayed in a racist light and the recent historic demonstration (right) at Putrajaya recently by our Orang Asli community was truly uplifting.

Whither Hindraf?

Having a separate organisation does not of course guarantee that its leadership will be necessarily progressive. Since 2008, we have seen the Hindraf leadership split into various factions.

It is in the common interest of all communities to fight racism on a class basis. In this day and age, affirmative action is not justifiable for any ethnic community which has undergone class differentiation. Thus, I would think that neither the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazanmurut nor Iban communities can justify any affirmative action.

However, communities that are not yet class differentiated such as the Orang Asli and Penan communities may justify affirmative action as a particular community.

The best non-racist approach to progress is still affirmative action based on class or sector.

All progressive Malaysians must unite around their struggles and stop flinging the 'racist' label about. The racists are the Umnoputras who control the Malaysian state.

We hope that the true Hindraf leaders will stay faithful to their just cause and correctly identify the primary role of capitalism and the state in causing racial oppression suffered by the Indian masses. The struggle against the Malaysian state can only succeed if it is anti-racist.

At the same time, Hindraf must also work alongside other campaigns for justice, democracy and human rights. We can only mobilise the whole masses if we fight on all fronts, against all oppressions and against the divisions within the masses. As the Black Panthers said in the sixties:

“We do not fight racism with racism…

We fight racism with solidarity”.

DR KUA KIA SOONG, a former MP, was principal of the New Era College, Kajang. He is also a director of human rights group Suaram.

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

My Response to Raja Petra’s GREAT Hindraf debate! - IraiPuttiran

2010-04-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

The following is my response to two desperate articles written by Raja Petra Kamarudinn titled” I am also an Orang Asli” and the Great Hindraf Debate” and published in his website. I am responding in the HRP’s website as I want for RPK to come to this website and read it and respond on this website. He likes to always talk to his gallery.The statements in red are clipped out from his article.

1. My grandmother on my father’s side is Tengku Badariah binti al-Marhum Sultan Ala’ eddin Suleiman Shah…

- So what? Who cares? Six paragraphs of nothing but self glorification like that.

2. A combination of Orang Asli, Bugis and Welsh blood is a very potent combination indeed.

- So are many other combinations! What have you achieved with your so called ‘potent combination’ other than harping on your blog, hell-bent on promoting yourself ?

3. The Indians are too conscious of the fact that they are Indians

- more than you of who you are? Six paragraphs of who you are and how proud you are of what and who you are. Who can be more conscious than that? And yeah, and I also see the connection between your interest in Indians and your name!

4. They want to be accorded equal treatment but refuse to also treat others as equals.

- I can also say the same about you and the likes of you in PR. What is it that makes you think your statement is any truer than mine?

5. They keep talking about Indian this and Indian that, never Malaysian this or Malaysian that.

- Such a sweeping statement with no substance…! …never…? You, Raja Petra, are the one who keep talking about Indians this and Indians that

6. I am actually quite tired of the antics of these Indian racists

- So am I of you, your PR comrades and cyber troopers! We are soooooooo tired of your antics trying to distort the truth and pollute the minds of Malaysians about Hindraf’s earnest struggle!

7. Which is the real Hindraf? There are five different Hindrafs. Will the real Hindraf please stand up!

- Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic! Because – the PR cyber troopers seem to know who is or are the real Hindraf leader(s) as they very fondly use the Ponnusamy brothers’ names when lambasting Hindraf. Why don’t you ask your shallow demagogue de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, to show you his version of Hindraf leaders, as they are already on his side! So, if Anwar is correct, all these lambasting about Hindraf is aimed at those two who are masquerading with him? How strange!

8. Yes, in England Hindraf would be declared a racist organisation and their leaders would be dragged to court. Maybe I will file legal action against Hindraf in a British court just to prove my point. Hmm… I think I will contact my lawyer tomorrow and see if he can file legal action against Hindraf in a British court. That would teach them not to be too racist.

- Yes baby, bring it on…please do! We will battle it. We will see who teaches who a lesson! We will see who knows the English law better, you or the Ponnusamy brothers! May I remind you my worthy opponent, that it is precisely in England, that Waytha Moorthy gave a briefing in the House of Lords on the plight of Malaysian ethnic Indian community, on 8th December 2008 and again, in the House of Commons, on the 10th March 2010, together with the Cigma activists from Sabah and Sarawak and even organised a meeting of British MPs for Anwar. And England has given him political asylum and he is travelling on a UN passport! Do you know what that means? Are you smarter than the English lawmakers or the UN officials? Who are you trying to fool Raja Petra? Please keep this utter crap within your circle of people who deify you!

9. I would love to get involved in Hindraf

- Why the intensity to want to get involved in Hindraf if it is doomed to fail and it is racist and has no grass root support, blah…blah…blah….! Besides, there are many NGOs and other Indian and non-Indian political parties which are very multiracial and you can readily join and render your social service duly! But, why particularly Hindraf? In fact, which Hindraf would you like to join?

10. The Hulu Selangor by-election on 25 April 2010 will be a good test of Hindraf’s sincerity.

- Who are you to test Hindraf’s sincerity? And sincerity for what? Hindraf has their interpretation of sincerity too! And I have seen true sincerity in PR’s sincerity , a sincerity based on broken promises and deceiving perceptions.

11. And I will send a message to Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, in the event he is chosen as the Hulu Selangor candidate, also support Hindraf’s cause.

- Truly fascinating! In the first place, why does Zaid Ibrahim need you to tell him whose and what cause to support? And next, why do you have to wait for Hulu Selangor by-election to tell PR lawmakers to support
Hindraf’s cause? Why should Hindraf believe anything you say, so close to the crucial by-election? Hello, who are you trying to fool here? In the 12th General Election, there were so many promises made, including saving Kampung Buah Pala! So, the Indians supported PR and voted for PR! But, they watched in vain and bled in pain the way PR dispensed their services to the Indians as opposed to the Chinese and Malays ! Hindraf’s conclusion is made very clear by the its leaders and you can check Human Rights Party Malaysia website for further details! PR has lost Hindraf’s trust! They were given the golden opportunity to do justice to all Malaysians, including Indians! But, unfortunately, PR screwed it up gravely! In 2008, all Malaysians, including the Indians, Malays and Chinesewoke up from the long slumber for good! PR failed to realise it! PR still thinks that they can have a free ride on the Indian votes, forever!

My conclusion

It is PR that needs to wake up, and not Hindraf! Instead of wasting time trying to play games to win the Indian votes, you should go and talk to the supremo leader. Ask him why he wasn’t there in Kampung Buah Pala, why the Hindu cemeteries were desecrated with such impunity in PR states, why nine Chinese schools in Perak were allocated 2,500 acres of land and not Tamil schools (except one Bagan Jermal of 0.9 ha), why 349 planned villages and 134 new villages with 110,000 and 102,000 titles respectively are to be given out irrespective of the National Land Council’s order, involving almost all Malay and Chinese owners and land recipients excluding Indians, why freehold titles were given for just RM63 to 110,000 planned villages (almost 99% Malay) and 102,000 (estimated to almost 99% Chinese) Chinese new villagers in Perak, but not to Indians in Buah Pala or any other Indian settlement, why DAP made such a big fuss over a pig abattoir in Kedah but not Buah Pala, why was there a Teoh Beng Hock Trust Fund and “Justice for Teoh Beng Hock” on DAP website and not for the so many other Indians killed by the Malaysian police, why was there a Ceramah Perdana at Tapak Pesta for the Malays but none for the Indians over the Buah Pala Issue?
……why ..why?

We know why! This is RACISM! And you have the audacity to call Hindraf a racist party! Hindraf has always remained true to its cause of struggle from the day Hindraf was born until now! PR supported Hindraf before the 2008 Tsunami and rode to victory on substantial Indian votes, then stopped supporting Hindraf when it refuses to continue its support to PR! It is PR that has changed, not Hindraf!

Thank you.

Iraiputtiran

courtesy of makkal.org

Round 7 of 10: PDRM admits that Malaysia’s security has been compromised by Israeli agents

2010-04-15T04:49:00.000-07:00

Two police reports were made in November and December 2008. In December 2008, the police sent a letter to the MACC asking them to investigate the allegation of wrongdoing involving the police computerisation contract. The police admit in that letter that the Special Branch has confirmed the penetration of two Israeli agents through the company owned by Othman Talib, a PFC Commissioner. All this is well documented, and in great detail. Yet, today, the government calls Anwar Ibrahim a liar.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

Hulu Selangor: It's Kamalanathan vs Zaid vs Independents

2010-04-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has officially named MIC information chief P Kamalanathan as BN's candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election.

According to Muhyiddin, MIC's first choice G Palanivel was dropped because there had been request for a change in candidate. Palanivel held the seat for almost two decades - between 1990 and 2008.

“Even though he has been here for a long time, many on the ground yearn for change... they want a to feel the winds of change in Hulu Selangor,” he said.

When Muhyiddin announced Kamalanathan's candidacy during a function in Bukit Sentosa, the crowd of about 2,000 people cheered for the candidate.

Kamalanathan, 44, though making is electoral debut, wasted no time in taking a swipe at PKR candidate Zaid Ibrahim.

“I will swim with you and I will sink with you... I won't go back to Kota Bharu. I will be here, not Kota Bharu,” said Kamalanathan, in reference to Zaid's place of origin.

At a press conference later, Muhyiddin dismissed suggestions that BN was allowing a rookie Kamalanathan to go against 'heavyweight' Zaid, 59.

“Maybe in size he is heavier than our candidate. If you look at his record, it is not all that good. (Moreover), he is not local. Very lightweight. In fact, featherweight,” he said.

To a question, Muhyiddin offered words of consolation to MIC deputy Palanivel, who was dropped at the eleventh-hour as the candidate and did not attend the ceremony.

“Maybe he had other work (to do). Maybe he is disappointed, but it won't be for long. Hopefully, no one says anything about this. It is just normal human behaviour,” he said.

It is believed that as a consolation, Palanivel may be appointed senator and given a deputy minister's post.

'I am BN's soldier'

Contrary to earlier reports that Palanivel was the sole candidate nominated by MIC, Muhyiddin claimed that Kamalanathan was also on the list.

“Kamalanathan was in the list but (at the time) his name was not very prominent. After some research, he was chosen,” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Kamalanathan vowed to help BN regain its “stronghold” as a gift to mark Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's first year in power.

Kamalanathan expressed confidence that he would receive support from all BN component party members and dismissed talk of possible boycotts by MIC grassroots.

"I am the representative of Barisan Nasional, I represent the brand of 1Malaysia. I am like a soldier that has been placed by the leader in a war. The prime minister has named me as a soldier and with the help of other BN soldiers, we'll face the challenge," he said.

To another question, Kamalanathan said he was "shocked" and brought to tears when informed of his candidacy by Samy Vellu at noon today as he was not expecting to be fielded.

Kamalanathan however declined to comment on his opponent Zaid, saying that he would go to the ground to promotes BN's struggles and promises of economic development.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Mohd Isa Samad gets married

2010-04-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

Former Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan Datuk Seri Utama Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, aged 61, marries his former Secretary of UMNO Putri Malaysia, Bibi Sharliza Mohd Sulaiman, aged 40 . The marriage ceremony was solomised by the bride's father Mohd Khalid Sulaiman at Gentam in Kuala Pilah yesterday.

Datuk Seri Utama Mohd Isa is UMNO Negeri Sembilan Information chief and State Assemblyperson for Bagan Pinang.

Those who attended his marriage ceremony were Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and MP for Pengerang, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

I wish him and his wife ALL THE BEST

Stop labelling Hindraf as 'racist'

2010-04-15T01:23:00.000-07:00

Listen all you people who have been flinging the 'racist' label at Hindraf – if the November 25 2007 uprising organised by Hindraf had not happened, we would not have had a political tsunami on March 8 2008!

We can flail our arms and criticise the Hindraf leadership all we want but let us be 'politically correct' about racism and who the racists are in Malaysia.

Yes! It's important to be politically correct on this issue because otherwise our political analysis becomes erroneous, leading to incorrect practice and more importantly, we let off the real villains!

Hindraf happened because the marginalised Indians in this country are a specially oppressed section of the working class. It is an oppression that has taken on a racist character through the years, so much so that even middle class Indians, especially the youth, have often become the victims of police brutality.

The Indian working class is among the poorest in the country and they do not have the benefit of affirmative action because they have been classified as non-bumiputera.

Indians are a minority in this country but they form the majority when it comes to statistics on deaths in police custody or police killings.

We should be glad the Hindraf uprising happened and the political ripples it created after the 2008 general elections. Credit should be given to their leaders for achieving this feat and for breaking the decades of MIC patronage and pacifism.

The uprising certainly did not happen through the MIC nor did it happen through the other political parties in this country no matter what they say now. It is pointless being wise after the event or to advertise your pristine party – the fact is, Hindraf succeeded where the other political parties failed to do, namely, to mobilise the Indian masses to come out and make their stand on Nov 25 2007.

Right to a specfic identity

Being a specially oppressed and marginalised section of the masses, it is the right of the Indian masses to organise themselves just as the Black Power movement developed in the west during the Sixties. Similarly, women have the right to organise themselves through their special circumstances as an oppressed section of the population.

But to then say that Indians or Blacks are “racist” or that feminists are “sexist” is to expose your own shortcomings and more importantly, to let off the culprits who cause racial oppression and gender oppression in our society.

Racism or more specifically, 'bumiputeraism' has been the dominant ideology of the Malay capitalist class ever since May 13, 1969. It has been practiced under the guise of the New Economic Policy and that racism has been covertly disseminated through state institutions such as the Biro TataNegara all these years.

It is a marvel that it has taken so long for this racist garbage perpetrated through the BTN to be exposed! Before long, we will hear of racist propaganda in other state institutions especially schools and hostels since the Seventies.

In 1986, this racism was flagrantly espoused by Abdullah Ahmad in his infamous 'Malay Dominance' speech in Singapore but the cat was let out of the bag when Mahathir (left) had a spat with Nazri recently and they were calling each other 'racist'.

Umno's alter-ego

More recently, we have seen the formation of Perkasa, which is none other than Umno's alter-ego. It has been delegated the role of the racist lobbyist traditionally played by Umno Youth while Umno tries desperately to change its spots to win over the non-Malays after the 2008 debacle.

The stereotypes created by this racism to justify the New Economic Policy remain in circulation: We recently heard Perkasa shouting the old refrain that the Chinese still dominates the Malaysian economy.

It was a cue for Umno to continue the NEP in another guise, the New Economic Model. While this has populist appeal to win over the Malay voters, the main beneficiaries are the well-connected capitalists of diverse ethnicities under Umno hegemony.

The marginalised Indians who make up some of the poorest and most oppressed sections among West Malaysians have been portrayed in a racist light. Yet Indians have been the main victims of racial killings such as at Kampong Medan in 2001, deaths in police custody as well as trigger happy police shootings. (See 'Policing the Malaysian Police', Suaram 2005)

Our indigenous peoples and migrant workers have also been portrayed in a racist light and the recent historic demonstration (right) at Putrajaya recently by our Orang Asli community was truly uplifting.

Whither Hindraf?

Having a separate organisation does not of course guarantee that its leadership will be necessarily progressive. Since 2008, we have seen the Hindraf leadership split into various factions.

It is in the common interest of all communities to fight racism on a class basis. In this day and age, affirmative action is not justifiable for any ethnic community which has undergone class differentiation. Thus, I would think that neither the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazanmurut nor Iban communities can justify any affirmative action.

However, communities that are not yet class differentiated such as the Orang Asli and Penan (left) communities may justify affirmative action as a particular community.

The best non-racist approach to progress is still affirmative action based on class or sector.

All progressive Malaysians must unite around their struggles and stop flinging the 'racist' label about. The racists are the Umnoputras who control the Malaysian state.

We hope that the true Hindraf leaders will stay faithful to their just cause and correctly identify the primary role of capitalism and the state in causing racial oppression suffered by the Indian masses. The struggle against the Malaysian state can only succeed if it is anti-racist.

At the same time, Hindraf must also work alongside other campaigns for justice, democracy and human rights. We can only mobilise the whole masses if we fight on all fronts, against all oppressions and against the divisions within the masses. As the Black Panthers said in the sixties:

“We do not fight racism with racism…

We fight racism with solidarity”.

Comments of DR KUA KIA SOONG, who is a former MP, was principal of the New Era College, Kajang. He is also a director of human rights group Suaram.

Bakar Arang state rep Tan Wei Shu quits PKR

2010-04-15T01:16:00.000-07:00

Kedah state assemblyperson Tan Wei Shu today announced his resignation from PKR at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

The Bakar Arang representative is the latest in a series elected representatives to have quit PKR since February.

He is also the second Kedah PKR state assemblyperson to defect, since Lunas assemblyperson Muhammad Radzhi Salleh defected last year in the run-up to the Permatang Pasir by-election.

BN to field Kamalanathan

2010-04-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Barisan Nasional is expected to field MIC information chief P Kamalanathan for the April 25 Hulu Selangor by-election, according to sources.

It is learnt that MIC president S Samy Vellu held a last-minute discussion with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to convince the latter to field MIC number two G Palanivel.

Sources claimed that the two parties reached a compromise and agreed on Kamalanathan, 42.

Since the onset of the 'candidate controversy', the Rawang-born Kamalanathan, who speaks fluent Malay, has been touted as the president's 'second choice'.

He is also known to be close to Umno leaders, especially those from the Youth wing.

Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin stressed that BN should field a young candidate for the by-election.

Previously, speculation was rife that Hulu Selangor MIC Youth chief V Mugilan could be named as the candidate.

However, Samy Vellu told reporters after an emergency Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting last night that the party plans to take disciplinary action against Mugilan.

Reports have claimed that Mugilan enjoys the backing of local Umno leaders, who have rejected Palanivel.

Banners have also appeared in Hulu Selangor, stating 'Residents do no want Palanivel'.

Muhyiddin is expected to announce the BN candidate at 4pm.
Senate president's post on offer?

Should Palanivel be dropped, it would be a lethal blow to the 63-year-old politician's career. The move would also be a slap for Samy Vellu, reaffirming the belief that the president of three decades is no longer a commanding force under the new administration.

However, certain observers believe that Samy Vellu would turn this around to his favour in order to kill off Palanivel in the party, since ties between the duo have soured.

Other quarters claim that the trade-off could see Palanivel being made a senator and subsequently the senate president under the rotation agreement between BN parties.

Previously, it was reported that Palanivel's camp had even commenced printing election posters and other paraphernalia.

Local MIC leaders have also warned of a boycott should Palanivel be dropped, and pundits have noted that the crisis has demoralised members on the ground.

by FMT

HULU SELANGOR : MIC SEAT BUT UMNO DECIDE ON CANDIDATE

2010-04-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

It seems very clear that MIC is in a losing battle to get its only nominated candidate Deputy President Datuk G Palanivel for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-elections.

The Barisan Nasional which is dominated by UMNO wants to place a compromising candidate but NOT Datuk G Palanivel.

Datuk G Palanivel has served 3 terms as MP for Hulu Selangor but during the last 2008 general elections he lost to the Opposition with a mere 198 votes.

But on the ground, Datuk Palanivel had not kept up to his promises and not taken care of the welfare of the Hulu Selangor residents and voters. Even MIC members have always been raising this problem but MIC just ignores them since they are considered 'small fry' and only those within the 'circle' were benefitting. With HINDRAF, Malaysian Indians including MIC members have woken-up and realise that MIC is not a force to be reckon within the BN coalition.

Latest word is that party information chief P Kamalanathan is the choice candidate although he was NOT the one approved by the MIC CWC body.

It looks that its time MIC withdraws itself from BN, to show their dissatisfaction.

Whatever the circumstances, with internal problems in BN, the voters may more likely vote with a greater and bigger majority for the Opposition candidate, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in the Hulu Selangor by-elections.

We need to wait and see for the announcement at 4pm by DPM and Deputy BN chief, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

MIC dilemma : Compromise candidate in place of Palanivel?

2010-04-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

There is currently high drama with the MIC camp after party president S Samy Vellu failed to convince Barisan Nasional deputy chief Muhyiddin Yassin to field deputy president G Palanivel as the coalition's candidate in the Hulu Selangor by-election.

It is understood that Samy Vellu met Muhyiddin in the deputy prime minister's office in Putrajaya early this morning in a last ditch effort to secure Palanivel's candidacy.

Muhyiddin is scheduled to officially announce BN's candidate in Bukit Sentosa at 4pm today.

MIC sources said that during the meeting, Muhyiddin insisted on fielding a candidate other than Palanivel, prompting Samy Vellu to leave in order to consult his party top brass.

The MIC central working committee already held an emergency meeting last night, which resolved that the party was only prepared to accept Palanivel as the candidate.

Several top MIC officials when contacted were unable to confirm details of the morning meeting because Samy Vellu had been tightlipped.

However, the officials are confident that a 'second round' of talks between the duo will be held this afternoon.

Muhyiddin’s gaffes

2010-04-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

By Deborah Loh
deborahloh@thenutgraph.com

CAN someone please send Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for image consulting? Or for some prepping on the art of answering reporters' questions? Maybe the deputy prime minister ought to have a daily practice session with aides who should throw him trick questions on race and religion. He should learn to either deflect difficult questions skilfully, like former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, or not answer them at all.

For all the millions the Malaysian government is paying Apco Worldwide to pretty its image, personal coaching for key members of the federal administration doesn't appear to be in the consultancy package. A pity, because after all those public funds spent, the toil of Apco's hard work is lost on those who are waiting to be impressed the most: the citizens.

Unless Muhyiddin and his boss, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, are really playing "good cop, bad cop" — one each to placate Malay and non-Malay Malaysians — what should we make of Muhyiddin's gaffes?

Foot in mouth

Muhyiddin has always been a blunt straight-talker. I am not senior enough to have had the experience of covering him when he was Johor menteri besar, but I do recall that his press conferences while he was agriculture and agro-based industries minister (2004-2008) were as dry as deadwood and straight to the point.

Muhyiddin tackles questions so narrowly that I'm guessing he doesn't think about how his answers are perceived by a larger audience. Of course, the consequences are different when talking about agricultural subsidies and padi output, than when responding to a dare to state whether one is Malay or Malaysian first.

Lim

And so, into wily Lim Kit Siang's trap the deputy premier fell, and provided the opposition just the soundbite it needed to go to town with: "I am a Malay first." And Muhyiddin's reason for not prioritising being Malaysian? "All the Malay [Malaysians] will shun me and say you're not proper."

May I suggest what Muhyiddin could have said? If he really could not bring himself to say he is Malaysian first, he could have said any of the following:

a)    "My race is Malay, but I am a Malaysian."

b)    "All citizens are Malaysians, although we are of different races."

c)    "I will not entertain Kit Siang's challenge. There is no need for me to respond directly just to show I support the 1Malaysia concept. The proof will be in the government's policies and actions."

Any of the above would have sounded more nuanced than a flat-out declaration of his racial identification.
While the above responses would unlikely score Muhyiddin extra points with Malay Malaysian ultras, it is unlikely they could have earned him the demerit points he seems to have secured from other Malaysians.

Muhyiddin seems prone to verbal blunders when he's on the defensive; "I am a Malay first" being a case in point. In an earlier incident, he was trying to defend the indefensible — the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, disbarred lawyer Rohaizat Othman, in the August 2009 Permatang Pasir by-election. Muhyiddin likened the Bar Council's fines slapped on Rohaizat to parking tickets.

Assets and liabilities

In comparing disciplinary action by the Bar Council to parking tickets, Muhyiddin betrayed either arrogance, or a lack of respect for professional ethics, or a lackadaisical attitude towards traffic offences.

In that cornered situation, Muhyiddin should have simply acknowledged that the Bar Council, as a professional body, had the right to act against its members. Instead, he accused the Bar of an anti-BN agenda. Muhyiddin may be thinking of the adage "the best defence is a good offence", but unless he can master it, he only comes out looking desperate.

Muhyiddin's forthright, no-nonsense style of talking, a possibly good trait under other circumstances, will become a liability if he doesn't pause to ponder his responses before speaking.

As it is, Muhyiddin's image seems to be getting more damaged by the day. And this is a pity, because he has strength of experience, knowledge, and leadership on his side. Yet, he's chosen to show his stripes as a Malay-Muslim supremacist first and foremost, when, as second-in-charge of the country, he should be a leader for all citizens.

Unlikely Apco can do anything about this, though. This is public relations advice that politicians can only get from the public, not a consulting company.

Silly arguments about whether Apco had a hand in designing the 1Malaysia concept, or whether it is based on a similar Israeli campaign, are a waste of time. Instead, we should be questioning the real value of spending millions on public relations to shore up Malaysia's image abroad while leaders at home continue to stupefy citizens with their obtuse remarks.

Deborah Loh doesn't expect politicians to be sincere, but does expect them to manage society's different expectations without offending anyone, and without sounding stupid while at it. Courtesy of Nut Graph

Malaysians first?

2010-04-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

By The Nut Graph team
editor@thenutgraph.com

SOME years ago, while studying in the United Kingdom, one of The Nut Graph's team members had a discussion with a classmate from India about a fellow Indian Malaysian student.

TNG journalist: Ya, she celebrates Diwali, too. She's a Hindu Indian.

Indian classmate: Huh? She's not Indian, she's Malaysian!

Journalist: Yes, she's Malaysian, but she's also Indian.

Classmate: Oh, she has two passports —
one from Malaysia and one from India?

Journalist: No, no, nothing like that. She's ethnically
Indian but her nationality is Malaysian.

Classmate: But that doesn't make any sense. "Indian" is a
nationality. Like me — I'm Indian. How can she be
Indian when she's Malaysian?

How, indeed?

(Pic by John Tomaselli / sxc.hu)

For in India, there is no Indian ethnicity, only Indian nationality. There are ethnic groups such as Tamil, Telugu, Malayalee, Sindhi and so on, each with its own distinct language, culture and history. Indian Malaysians still identify with their respective ethnic groupings till today. So, there are Tamils, Telugus, Malayalees and Sindhis, but no such thing as Indians, except if one is referring to an Indian national. Some Ceylonese Tamils don't consider themselves Indians, and prefer to be known as "lain-lain".

Similarly, in China, there are ethnic Han Chinese, consisting of dialect groups such as the Hokkien, Hainanese, Cantonese and Foo Chows. But the Han are only one of over 50 ethnic groups in China. So most Chinese Malaysians should strictly speaking be called ethnic Han, not Chinese, unless one was referring to citizens of China.

As for Malay Malaysians, one need only study the following table to note the British's haphazard and completely arbitrary attempts at classifying diverse groups under the heading "Malay":

1871	1891	1911 Straits Settlements (SS)	1911 Federated Malay States (FMS)	1931
Europeans and Americans (plus 18 sub- categories)	Europeans and Americans (plus 19 sub- categories)	Europeans (plus 31 sub- categories and Americans)	Europeans (plus 17 sub- categories)	Europeans (plus 24 sub- categories)
Malay races: BoyaneseBugis Dyaks Javanese Jawipekans Malays Manilamen	Malay races: Aboriginies Achinese Boyanese Bugis Dyaks Javanese Jawipekans Malays Manilamen	Malay and other allied races: Achinese Amboinese Balinese Bandong Bahjarese Bantamese Batak Borneo Boyanese Bugis Bundu Dyaks Dusuns Javanese Jawipekans Kadayans Korinchi Malays Rawanese Sulu Sundanese Tutong	Malay races: Malay Javanese Sakais Banjarese Boyanese Mendeling Kerinchi Jambi Achinese Bugis	Malay races: Malays Javanese Boyanese Achinese Bataks Minangkabaus Korinchis Jambis Palembang Other Sumatrans Riau-Linggans Banjarese Dutch Borneo Bugis Dayaks Sakais Others Also natives from Dutch East Indies
Chinese	Chinese races: Cantonese Hokkiens HylamsKhehsNanyangs Teo-Chews	Chinese: Straits-born China-born	Chinese tribes: CantoneseKhehTie Chiu Kheh Hokkien Hiu Hua Hok ChiuTie Chiu Hailam Kwong Sai	Chinese tribes: Hokkien Tiu Chiu Hakka (Kheh) Hok Chia Cantonese Hailam Hok Chiu Kwongsai
Hindus Bengalees and other Indian races not specified	Tamils and other Indian races: Bengalees Burmese Parsees	Indians: India-born Straits-born Born elsewhere	Indians by race: Tamil Telugu Punjabi Bengali Malayali Hindustani Afghan Gujerati Maharatta Burmese	Indians by race: Tamils Telegu Malayalam Punjabi United Provinces Burmese Bengal Bombay Bihar Nepal

Source: Charles Hirshman, The Meaning and Measurement of Ethnicity in Malaysia, Journal of Asian Studies, 1987,
as referred to in The Lost Tribes of Malaysia: The construction of race politics from the colonial era to the present,
by Dr Farish Noor

Multiracial coalition Putera-AMCJA proposed in 1947 that we all be called Melayu, regardless of ethnicity or religion. As documented in Fahmi Reza's 10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, eventual MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock also agreed to this after much deliberation with his Malay coalition partners.

Their proposals were rejected by the British, who preferred to negotiate with Umno. Britain was intent on establishing the Federation of Malaya, which would maintain British power. By the time Malaya was given independence in 1957, the ethnic constructs of Malay, Chinese and Indian were cemented in place.
Fifty-two years later, we're still stuck with these definitions and still arguing about whether we're Malaysian first, Malay first, or some other racial categorisation. And for those who don't fit into "Melayu, Cina atau India", we call them "dan lain-lain" or the nifty acronym "DLL". And since these DLL don't fit neatly into any one category, some of us go so far as to ask, "Actually, what are you, ah?"

This constant need to define "what are you" in relation to "what I am" has polarised our nation and created an "us" versus "them" mentality among Malaysians. By seeing our fellow Malaysians only as "Malay" or "Chinese" or "Indian", we propagate the old colonial constructs that make it easier to provoke discontent towards the "other", who are not like "us".

But are "we" really so alike, and are "they" really so different? Is it always easier to identify with those from our own race? Especially when our so-called races were artificially created in the first place?

Amartya Sen (Pic by Elke Wetzig / Wiki
commons)

As economist and philosopher Amartya Sen points out in his book Identity and Violence, classifying people with a single identity ignores the other identities they may have and value. These include, for example, "class, gender, profession, language, science, morals and politics".

Is it time we stopped harping on our respective races and developed a broader view of our fellow Malaysians? Is that possible if the Barisan Nasional government continues to practise race-based politics and play up racial rhetoric? How do you see yourselves as Malaysians? Tell us in six words only. Here are some of the newsroom's thoughts:

Ding Jo-Ann

What's wrong with being Malaysian first?

Don't want to be Chinese first.

Don't call me banana, I'm Malaysian.

"Us" and "them" isn't so straightforward.

Koh Lay Chin:

Only "Malaysians" when we are overseas?

At home I am a category.

Race = My sprint to KFC

Jacqueline Ann Surin:

Who defines what a "Malaysian" is?

"Dan lain-lain" = "Others". "Malaysian" better.

Melayu, Cina, India. Dicipta oleh British.

Melayu, Cina, India. Disokong oleh BN.

Race is a colonial construct, duh!

Imagine, even after independence, still colonised.

Why does BN racialise citizens' identity?

Shanon Shah:

Prioritising multiple identities: stupid. I'm everything.

In old hikayat, Malays more accommodating.

Confusing citizenship with race. False dilemma?

Curious first. Critical second. Malay? Maybe.

This land was cosmopolitan. What happened?

Malaysian despite Muhyiddin and Kit Siang.

The Nut Graph believes in diversity.
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's genius, the Six Words On... section challenges readers to give us their comments about a current issue, contemporary personality or significant event in just six words. The idea is to get readers engaged in an issue, while having fun and being creatively disciplined. Courtesy of Nut Graph

“Truth Is The Remedy To All”. Fuad Stephens and his Cabinet Members "POLITICALLY ASSASSINATED" ?

2010-04-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

As sure as an orphan would want to know his parents, Sabahans want to and must know the truth as to what really happened on the 6th.June.1976.Was the death of Tun Fuad Stephens and his Cabinet members an accident or ‘accident’? Reliable sources claimed that the fatal Nomad Aircraft carrying Tun Fuad exploded in mid-air and dropped to the ground where a second explosion occurred. Why was the aircraft requested to circle and not given the green light to land?

Doesn't the Chief Minister of Sabah take precedence over everyone? Did the control tower inform the pilot to circle because an Air force Hercules C-130 was about to take off? Reliable sources also claim there was no Hercules C-130 on the tarmac that was ready to take off on that day.

In my earlier 2 articles in my blog on the oil royalty issue, we referred to information that was never made known to Sabahans. The revelation by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah that he was already strapped to his seat alongside Datuk Rahman Yaakub(Chief Minister of Sarawak) and a member of the Pahang Royalty and together with Tun Fuad and his Cabinet Ministers and later requested to disembark from the aircraft by Harris Salleh to visit a cattle farm in Kudat/Banggi is not only baffling but against any protocol- hence a huge can of worms has now open.

It is also tantamount to insubordination and an insult to the Chief Minister then, Tun Fuad. Harris Salleh in a recent press statement ( Daily Express dated 7th.April.2010 ) denounced this fact in what he claimed to be " grossly inaccurate and carried away with pleasantries ".

Was the visit to the cattle farm more important than the historical event that was going to take place - which was the signing of the petroleum agreement between the Sabah Government and the Federal Government/Petronas? Was visiting this cattle farm in the agenda of Razaleigh's visit? Who is now LYING ? The people of Sabah now demand to know the truth. Was this a " political assassination "?

Researching this event gave me the opportunity to come into contact with many Sabahans who are still till this very day angered by the events that took place on the 6th.June.1976.Was there a " BOMB " planted in the ill-fated Nomad Aircraft ? If a bomb did exist who planted it and under whose instruction?

And who is Lee Kang Yu ? It was reliably learnt that Lee Kang Yu was a trusted aid and trustee to Harris Salleh, who fled to Hong Kong where he later passed away. His thumb print had to be used for verification for withdrawal of assets before he could be laid to rest.

Did Lee Kang Yu plant a bomb in the Nomad Aircraft, and who gave the instruction? Among the first person to be at the crash site was senior information officer,TK Wong,who lived a few metres from the crash site.Ironically,the police arrived almost immediately and condoned off the entire area.No known report was submitted by the Information Department to the State Security Committee on the ill-fated crash,why?

In the purported conversation between Tengku Razaleigh and Tun Fuad Stephens, pursuant to the oil royalty, Ku Li had claimed that Tun Fuad had agreed to the 5% oil royalty as Sarawak had earlier also agreed to the 5% oil royalty.Sabah and Sarawak have over the years till this day have had a brotherly relationship.

Now Sarawakians should be asking,did Rahman Yaakub agree to the 5% oil royalty? On the morning of the 6th.June.1976,Tun Fuad and his Cabinet Ministers flew to Labuan with an objective to re-negotiate. Tun Fuad was in total disagreement to the 5% oil royalty hence he brought his Cabinet Ministers to say their piece to Tengku Razaleigh. Did Tun Fuad and his Cabinet inform Tengku Razaleigh that if the Federal Government did not agree to his demand for an increased share percentage for Sabah, he would publicly announce that he was going to pull Sabah out of Malaysia?

In the afternoon of Good Friday (2nd.April.2010) at my lunch interview with Tengku Razaleigh, I sensed a man that was just waiting to tell the truth, but decided to provide bits and pieces and allowing others to complete the jig-saw puzzle. On the evening of the same day, Tengku Razaleigh was no longer the same person I met earlier.

Was he threatened by anyone, group or enforcement agency? Tengku Razaleigh was supposed to deliver a talk on the Petroleum Development Act 1974 as well as the problems plaguing the oil producing states in Malaysia.

Why did Tengku Razaleigh bring up the matter of the plane crash on the 6th.June.1976?

Was he deliberately trying to tell the truth but not the whole truth?In the presence of about 1,000 odd people who were in attendance at the dialogue, Tengku Razaleigh clearly stated that he was all strapped up in the ill-fated Nomad Aircraft and ready to fly with Tun Fuad to Kota Kinabalu, until Harris Salleh boarded the aircraft and "invited" him to visit the cattle farm in Kudat/Banggi, which apparently was more important and took precedence over the signing of the oil royalty agreement.

Another interesting episode of the crash, was the inconsistent manner in which the Inquiry was conducted. The Magistrate concerned requested for a full re- investigation in "an open verdict" as reported in the newspapers but did the authorities re-investigate the crash ? Why not?Whose was the hidden hand that instructed the authorities NOT to re-investigate the crash? Perhaps the time has come for this Magistrate to appear and tell the truth.

Since the exposure of these new developments in my blog, a few political leaders have "suddenly" come out demanding for the case to be RE-OPENED. I applaud the daring stand taken by Datuk Yong Teck Lee and Dr.Jeffery Kitingan in demanding a new investigation on what actually happened on the 6th.June.1976.

What is mind boggling and beyond comprehension is the reversal of the stand of the Sabah State Government. Chief Minister, Musa Aman in a press statement(Daily Express, dated 7th.April.2010 ) said "the amount of allocation from the Federal Government pouring into Sabah is more important than discussing an increase in the oil royalty for the state ", " KL has been very generous with funds for Sabah”. He further added "to me ,what's important here is we don't talk about oil royalty".

My question to Musa Aman is, when did Sabah become so rich that our own resources are not important to discuss? Allow me to jerk the memory of our delusional Chief Minister. Sabah is currently the second poorest state in Malaysia and the oil in Sabah belongs to the people of Sabah. Are Chief Ministers required to take an oath of secrecy never to divulge the truth on what actually happened on the 6th.June.1976?

Oil is a gift from God to the people of Sabah, and ‘His’ name is not Musa Aman. Musa Aman's remarks, clearly proves that Tengku Razaleigh was probably not lying when he mentioned that NO SABAH CHIEF MINISTER had ever made any attempt to re-negotiate, request or demand from the Federal Government for a larger oil royalty stake for Sabah. Musa Aman has therefore insulted the intelligence of Sabahans and should do the honourable thing by resigning or better yet dissolving the entire assembly and call for fresh state elections.

Could history have changed for the better had Tun Fuad and his Cabinet Ministers not perished in that controversial crash? The truth must be told and the people of Sabah have every right to know the truth and no one has the right to say otherwise. I therefore urge the family members of Tun Fuad and his Cabinet Ministers to join and assist me as well as all right thinking Sabahans who till this day are devastated by the death of our warriors to demand for the truth to be told. The tears of many are still flowing, let us not remain persecuted by "cover- up's ".

“Truth Is The Remedy To All” said Guru Nanak, Sikhism’s revered founder and so - let the truth be told.

And, if made necessary through new facts and revelations, let’s correct and rewrite Our Sacred History.

courtesy of Putt For Changes

Nazri: We're not at the beck and call of the US

2010-04-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

The government has never compromised its principles just to get close to the United States, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

"We are not at the beck and call of the US. That is not true because we are a nation which has its own stand.

What we are trying to do is establish closer ties with the US but without compromising our principles," he said when winding up the Supplementary Supply Bill (2010) 2010 for the prime minister's department in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He also said Malaysia's stand was very clear that it supported Iran's nuclear programme for peaceful purposes but did not agree if it was for military use.

Earlier, responding to a question from Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), Nazri explained that the government's contract with Apco Worldwide Sdn Bhd did not end following the meeting between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and US President Barack Obama in Washinton on Monday.

He said the services of Apco Worldwide, which was based in the US, were secured to boost ties with the US in view of the culture of lobbying in that country.

He also admitted that US-Malaysia ties were not emphasised previously because of differing priorities by past prime ministers.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon, when winding up the debate, urged all quarters, including Mps, not to play up issues relating to the Inter-Religious Committee to avoid causing confusion.

He said the committee was set up to promote inter-religious harmony and did not have executive powers.

The committee involves the participation of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia and the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism nd Taoism.

The Dewan sits again tomorrow.
- Bernama

HULU SELANGOR - V S CHANDRAN & JOHAN MOHD DIAH OFFER AS INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

2010-04-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

A businessman, Johan Mohd Diah, 31, today offered himself as an independent candidate in the by-election for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat on April 25.

He is the second candidate who had offered to stand as an independent after former Hulu Selangor MIC division deputy head V S Chandran announced his candidacy.

"I am a Felda settler and a voter here. I have taken the form to contest as an independent candidate at the request of the public to champion the cause of 1,000 Felda settlers at the Felda Sungai Tenggi and Gugusan Felda Hulu Selangor, which has 6,000 voters.

"There are many people of caliber here... why should we elect a candidate from outside like the PKR candidate from Kelantan," said the settler from the Sungai Tenggi Felda scheme and representing about 20,000 young voters in Hulu Selangor.

Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim had been selected as the PKR candidate while Barisan Nasional is expected to announce its candidate tomorrow.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to announce the BN candidate at 4pm tomorrow.

Nomination day is on Saturday.
- Bernama

Time to face the Israel question

2010-04-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

All publicity is good says an old adage among press agents. That adage is being put severely to the test in the matter of the federal government's publicity consultants Apco Worldwide.

At last count, six institutions and seven members of the ruling establishment have become embroiled in a fast-escalating row that threw up questions of national security and Israeli influence. It is a row that has now gone up to the very top – to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Yet it had seemed innocent enough when Anwar Ibrahim questioned Apco's role in the 1Malaysia campaign of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, and linked it to Apco's relationship with Israel. Inevitably the Z word and the J word came into play.

At first glance Anwar's question was just a political stunt to repay Barisan Nasional administration leaders in the same coin, for having been tarred by them over many years with the taunt of being an agent of Jews and Jewish interests. It looked like payback time.

But there are more serious questions to answer – about Apco's relations with Israeli intelligence, Israeli links to the federal police through a Singapore company, and the implications these have on national security. Answers have been few.

One answer given shows that Apco's deal with the government, at RM77 million, will cost the taxpayer at least three times more than was originally believed.

As the prime minister basks in the Washington spring sunshine and the warm limelight of an association with the world's favourite US president, the taxpayer will wonder exactly what – and who – that RM77 million has bought on their behalf.

Memories will be stirred of another Malaysian PM, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, another US president, George W Bush, and another lobbyist from K Street, Jack Abramoff, now serving a five-year jail term for fraud and corruption offences.

It must be said those offences had nothing to do, as far as we know, with the US$1.2 million fee that Mahathir later said Abramoff was paid for arranging his meeting with Bush in 2002. That meeting helped to raise Mahathir's profile after being severely criticised by the previous Clinton administration – for anti-Semiticism, and for Anwar's jailing.

That Anwar is again at the centre is not surprising. Neither is the government's response about Apco and the Israelis. (In typical shoot-the-messenger style, it is Anwar that is to be investigated by four government agencies, including the National Security Council.)

But the fundamental questions go unanswered.

Did the Home Minister at the time receive a briefing from senior police officers about Israeli links to a billion-ringgit computerisation project at Bukit Aman? (The pathetic partial response, that he couldn't really remember, is no answer.)

Do Apco the worldwide publicity agents and lobbyists have Israeli links, and do these pose any danger to Malaysian security? Do Apco have any relationship to APCO P25 the computerised police response system, or is this in truth just a coincidence of names? Do the companies involved in APCO P25 have Israeli links, and are these a threat to national security?

Did the Inspector-General of Police have any links to the companies associated with this project? How were the companies chosen? Were thorough background checks carried out? How were they given security clearance?

Were the Israelis associated with the Singapore end given access to Bukit Aman? Do the Singapore partners have any continuing association with the Israelis?

Is Israel an enemy? Is there a security threat in dealing with Israeli people?

Does Anwar Ibrahim have genuine copies of official documents? Are those images genuinely of official documents posted by Raja Petra Kamarudin? Will the government explain the damaging revelations contained in them?

Fanciful notions of Mossad or Shin Bet having penetrated Bukit Aman are not the point. It would beggar belief to accept that Shin Bet was openly allowed into Bukit Aman under only the flimsy pretext of being software installers. But if they did, we are entitled to ask why – not because they are Israeli or Jewish or Shin Bet – and to know how secure is the headquarters of our internal security organisation.

These matters are what relate to Malaysia's national security, not Anwar's antics, nor his access to information, nor the religious faith of certain Middle Easterners.

Rising above the noisy hubbub of Apco, Zionism, and Jewishness – and recognising that these are essentially red herrings – there remains the larger question about Israel that Malaysia cannot avoid.

Is Malaysia to be the last holdout in Asia, when five of Israel's Arab neighbours have already established ties, and many in the Gulf carry on private lucrative trade with putative enemies?

As Najib and his delegation enjoy cherry blossom time in the one western capital that could loosely be called Tel Aviv West, it is a pertinent time to pose this question.

It is not the Jewish question. That one is merely for schoolyard taunting. It is the Israel question that must be answered, and a mature Malaysia to answer it. With chutzpah, even.

by FMT

How Malaysia gets meetings with the US President

2010-04-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

George Bush - USD 1 Million

Barack Obama - USD 8 Million

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

Round 6 of 10: the police resist the order to terminate the computer contract

2010-04-14T03:13:00.000-07:00

The Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter to the PDRM on 3 December 2008 (after the 23 November 2008 meeting with the Minister: refer to the Minutes published in part 1 of 10) asking them to terminate the computer contract because of the infiltration of Israeli agents (quote: tentera risik Israel). According to the letter, the Ministry has recognised the fact that the PDRM has been compromised by Israeli agents. The PDRM, however, resists and refuses to comply with the instructions from the Ministry.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Hulu Selangor MIC branches issue 'final' ultimatum

2010-04-14T03:06:00.000-07:00

Several Hulu Selangor MIC local leaders have issued an ultimatum to the BN leadership to field deputy president G Palanivel or they will shut down the party's branches in the constituency.

The ultimatum was delivered just 24 hours ahead of the planned announcement of the candidate by BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.

About half of the branch chiefs, representing some 30 of the 72 branches in Hulu Selangor, went to the MIC division headquarters in Kuala Kubu Bharu this afternoon to express concern that Palanivel could be snubbed by top BN leaders.

According to them, if Palanivel is not chosen as the BN candidate, it would be a blatant show of disrespect to MIC and its leadership.

"We will not go out to vote if it is not Palanivel," said grassroots leader K Alloo Pillai, suggesting that BN could be facing a boycott.

'He's the chosen one'

Hulu Selangor MIC information chief Raily Muniandy has threatened that all the party branches in the constituency will be closed.

"We fully support Palanivel because he has the calibre, a clean hand, and has been a resident here for almost 18 years," said Raily (left).

He explained that Palanivel, who hails from Penang, does not have to be born in the constituency to qualify as a local.

"He knows who is Ah Kow, Ahmad and Ramasamy here because for 18 years he has been here," he said, stressing that Palanivel is the most suitable person.

Asked if they would support any other MIC candidate, Raily said: "The MIC central working committee has decided Palanivel as the candidate for Hulu Selangor and that's final."

"If any other candidate stands here, he will not get full support from MIC in Hulu Selangor. We will not back an alternative candidate.”

Resignation threats

Hulu Selangor MIC Wanita chief Letchimi Verasingam echoed similar sentiments.

"I will resign from my post... I only support Palanivel," she said.

Meanwhile, Hulu Selangor division secretary R Sittambaram said he is mystified by the sudden change in BN's plan.

"He (Palanivel) is the BN chair(person) here, why the sudden change of mind? MIC's decision for Palanivel as the candidate is final and he is the best candidate," he said.

"The Indians here want him because Palanivel has helped them a lot. He has helped improve their socio-economic well-being, he has improved the schools, he has given them temples."

The MIC leaders also argued that the party had never questioned Umno on its choice of candidates or who should be appointed the prime minister.

"Why do they question our choice now?" asked a branch leader.

Asked if they would oppose Mugilan if he is picked as the candidate, Raily said: "Even Mugilan said he will resign his posts in MIC if it is not Palanivel. If Palanivel is not qualified, Mugilan is definitely not qualified.”

BN deputy chief Muhyiddin Yassin, tasked with making the announcement of the BN candidate, has rubbished claims that he is in favour of fielding MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

BN sees easy shot with Zaid as goal keeper

2010-04-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

Barisan Nasional sees an easy battle now that PKR is fielding former minister Zaid Ibrahim as its candidate for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

For one, Zaid is not a local boy, and so he is not in touch with local issues which the upcoming by-election is expected to focus on. Worse still, he may not be able to blend with the locals, some voters here say.

The semi-urban voters of the constituency are mostly working in factories, plantations and their own land and bread-and-butter issues are their daily worries. National issues, which Zaid is fond of and which brought him into the limelight, are treated as “extraneous” and do not concern them.

“I heard of him (Zaid). PKR members told me he is a righteous man. It's good but what we want here is someone who can relate to us, someone who can help us solve our local problems such as licensing, garbage collection, developing the town so that our business can grow,” said one shop owner here.

But PKR de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim probably has other plans for Zaid. Anwar may be looking at the larger picture: Zaid is not just a man representing 64,500 voters; more importantly, he is someone who can be a great asset in Parliament to address the bigger issues.

While Anwar probably wants Zaid to be a national player as an MP, the main concern for the party now is how to sell Zaid to the local voters. The 198-majority votes garnered by the late Zainal Abidin Ahmad in the 2008 general election was “unreal” because it reflected more a general anti-government sentiment than a liking for PKR, according to folks here.

Office worker Rosmina Ismail, 44, said voters wanted someone whom they could relate to.

“The late Zainal Abidin was an intellectual but he came across as a people’s man whom the semi-urban voters could relate to. He was simple and down-to-earth.

“We thought PKR would have picked a local man but instead it chose a prominent personality, someone we find difficult to communicate with,” she said, with two friends nodding in agreement.

For BN, the early prediction of an uphill battle has now ceased as it sees Zaid a candidate with “loads of baggage”.

“It is good for us that PKR is fielding Zaid. It will be a pleasure to fight him here. Our chances of winning are better now since he has lots of baggage with him,” said Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

The Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister believes that Zaid’s past disciplinary problems when he was in Umno will be his undoing.

Other BN MPs shared similar sentiments: the field is clear now and the goal post is wide open for a good shot; there is no need for a penalty.

Despite BN’s “feel good” sentiment, the ruling coalition is not without problems. With just two days to go for the coalition to name its candidate, squabbles within the MIC may just blow away BN’s chances of walking away with the coveted prize, come April 25.

Former three-time MP G Palanivel is still being pushed hard by party president S Samy Vellu while the preferred choice among Umno division members is MIC deputy Youth chief V Mugilan.

Whoever the candidate is, some local folks said they would prefer local boy Mugilan who is known to be affable and easy to get along with.

The ball is now in BN’s court: it must field a suitable candidate who can win the hearts and minds of the local people. More importantly, he must be someone who can effectively serve the people after the battle is over.

If BN fields the wrong candidate, then PKR may romp home with a bigger majority.

by FMT

Zaid was chosen because he has money, says DPM Muhyiddin

2010-04-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today claimed that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the opposition bloc's candidate for Hulu Selangor, was picked for his deep pockets and not his ability to serve.

“I was notified he was chosen because he has a lot of money. Not because he can serve,” he replied when asked his view whether PKR's decision to field the former Umno man in the April 25 poll showed it had run out of suitable candidates.

“However, the decision is theirs. I am confident the voters, they want development,” he added.

Kelantan-born Zaid was officially named as PKR's candidate last night.

Formerly the minister in charge of law, Zaid had quit in late 2008 to protest arbitrary detention of DAP MP Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.

He was sacked from Umno for attending opposition party events, joined PKR last year and was subsequently appointed to the party’s political bureau.

He was also responsible for drawing up the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) common policy framework aimed at bringing together the loose coalition of PAS, PKR and DAP.

But Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, has been taking shots at his former Cabinet colleague since word leaked that the ex-senator had been shortlisted.

Speaking to reporters after launching the 14th Malaysian Education Summit here this morning, Muhyiddin hinted that the charismatic Zaid who was last night described as a highly-principled man by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had a “record” but did not elaborate.

“If the Hulu Selangor voters want to know about Zaid Ibrahim they can go to Kota Bharu and see for themselves. He was the Kota Bharu MP and also the Umno division chief,” Muhyiddin told reporters in Perlis yesterday.

The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government will name its candidate tomorrow in what appears to be a toss-up between MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel and Hulu Selangor Youth chief V. Mugilan.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has declared support for his deputy but Umno appears to be more keen on the Hulu Selangor-born Mugilan.

But Muhyiddin today denied he was backing the younger MIC man when quizzed about it.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Syariah Court throws out Anwar’s ‘friviolous’ suit

2010-04-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s qazaf or false declaration suit against his sodomy accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was struck out by the Syariah High Court here today.

The Syariah High Court said the qazaf application made by Anwar against his accuser was “frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the Islamic justice system.”

Today’s decision was based in preliminary objections filed by Islamic Affairs Minister Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom’s lawyer Zainal Rijal Abu Bakar.

Anwar had filed an application for the court to order Federal Territory (FT) Syariah chief prosecutor
Shamsuddin Hussain to charge his former aide for making false accusations about being sodomised by him.

Awakening to A New Dawn (Part 2)

2010-04-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

By Rachel Vanuja Suppiah
An examination of privacy laws and the recently passed Personal Data Protection Bill by the Dewan Rakyat in Parliament and its application, enforcement, and implications for Malaysia.
Continued from Part 1

I am glad that Malaysia is making a leap forward to enact the Personal Data Protection Act. However in my opinion there are several grey areas that need to be scrutinised. My points of scrutiny towards the Act are:

1) Section 3 (1) of the act shall not apply to Federal government and state governments. This means that privatised bodies are still bound by the Bill. One major point of concern is that the Government – Federal and State – are the biggest collectors of personal data. As such the data protection law must bind them to prevent abuse.

2) In effect, if the bill is passed in its current form the result will be that there will be 2 different standards for data protection in Malaysia. This means there will be one standard based on the Bill for private companies and another standard for the Government and government bodies – diffuse the strength of the Personal Data Protection Act. E.g., a private company processed information and this company was in a business of dealing with the government, the risk is that whilst the personal data stored by the Company in question adhered to the Bill, what would happen to the same data in the event it was transferred to the Government? This would give rise to any 3rd party to actually circumvent the effectives of the act by simply accessing the personal data when it is sent to the Government or the Government body in question. As such the Bill would be rendered a toothless tiger.

3) What are the standards for monitoring the Malaysian Government’s method of Data Protection? Will it be the self regulatory method a.k.a. the safe harbour method? (I think its even lower than that or non-existant) A legal paper I have read seems to suggest that the self-regulatory method has not been very effective. The reason being the effectiveness of the self-regulatory method depends entirely on the cooperation of the participants. Hence if they have a set of self-regulatory rules and do naught, then the end result is nil.

4) Adequacy of the bill. Will the is bill be adequate data protection in accordance with the OECD guidelines and the standard adopted by the EU and other Nations such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan to name a few. It is obvious that the Bill is not adequate. The Bill has its merits but its still has many flaws as stated next – The Act does not adopt all the 7 core principles as I have mentioned above. A reference to Section 5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12 of the Act shows that Principle 1 and 7 are lacking from the Bill.

5) From a Human Rights perspective, the act imposes penalties such as heavy fines and imprisonment that are even stricter than the UK Data Protection Act 1998 and the Hong Kong Data Protection Act. My view is that imprisonment should not be imposed, instead Directors and shareholders should be made to pay fines personally if the company is found guilty. That way a person’s liberty will not be taken.

6) Right to privacy is not recognised in Malaysia. One important issue that may have been missed out by the Drafters of the Bill is the fact that the right to privacy is not recognised by any statute in Malaysia. As such there is no real recourse for an individual whose privacy has been exposed or made public. It is thus imperative that the Bill be amended to include some form of compensation/relied and remedy to those whose rights have been infringed. There must first be recognition of the right to privacy and then laws created to strengthen that right and give remedies to those in need.

7) The act has no civil remedies for individuals who may want to sue. As mentioned earlier, the act imposes severe fines and sentences for companies and individuals who do not obey the Act but an individual whose personal data has been exchanged or used has no personal recourse against the persons who involved. The Bill should consider allowing some form of private prosecution for individuals whose rights have been infringed. The Commissioner has powers to conduct prosecution, but in reality with the amount of infringements and investigations that are foreseen, it would take months if not years for a successful prosecution to be brought to Court. This would actually cause more harm than good as individuals whose rights have been violated will be denied the fruits of justice.

8) Section 47 of the Bill creates the existence of a Commissioner. The Commissioner’s office must be an independent one; he cannot be attached to the executive arm, in this case the Ministry, but should be made Accountable to Parliament. Independence is a fundamental aspect here as the Commissioner holds a very important position. This position in my view is similar to that of a fiduciary position and as such greater accountability is needed.

9) Section 70- the Personal data Protection Advisory Committee. The existence of the Advisory Committee is not necessary – it will merely be a waste of taxpayers money and burden the Rakyat. The Committee serves no real purpose as its advice can be rejected and is not compulsory for the Commissioner to heed.

10) Section 83 – the Appeal tribunal. I disagree with the creation of an appeal tribunal. All disputes should be brought to court. The purpose of having an appeal tribunal is to decide on appeals by dissatisfied individual towards rulings made by the Commissioner. Any dissatisfied individual who is unhappy with the Commissioner’s ruling should be able to take his case straight to court by way of Judicial Review because the Tribunal would only lengthen the process for which disputes can be resolved.

It is high time for the Personal Data Protection Act to be passed, and this law will give some recognition to the right of privacy, in this case, personal privacy. However, the Bill in its current form will be severely lacking and may not be deemed to be of acceptable and adequate level of compliance with that of other countries.

Malaysia, our homeland is now at the start of a new era with the impact of globalisation and the emergence of a new market we do need the Personal Data Protection Act 2009. The standard of this act leaves much to be desired. Only time will be able to show us the effectiveness of this new high-impact legislation. We are certainly progressing, but is this the right direction?

courtesy of Loyarburok.com

Nazri lied, Apco was paid RM80m, says Tian Chua

2010-04-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

In an interesting twist, Batu PKR parliamentarian Tian Chua said the Umno-Barisan Nasional government had paid international consultancy Apco Worldwide almost RM80 million and not RM28 million as stated by Minister in Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Aziz.

He said a written reply from the Prime Minister’s Department had indicated that total disbursements made to Apco was USD24 million.

“This contradicts with Minister Nazri (Aziz)’s comment in the MalaysianInsider report where he states that fee paid to Apco was RM28 million.

“If not for this written reply from the PM’s department we would never have known the figure,” Tian Chua said.

He described the RM80 million disbursement as too big an expense for Malaysia.

“How did they evaluate Apco Worldwide’s services. They paid them almost one billion ringgit.. or maybe they paid them more ..” Tian Chua said.

Apco Worldwide, has been in the spotlight, since Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim made an explosive disclosure in Parliament last month linking the consultancy to several known former Israeli leaders and its secret service.

Anwar had also alleged that the 1Malaysia concept mirrored the One Israel campaign held in the 1990s.
Apco had twice denied having worked with Israel.

However a Singapore Straits Times report earlier this month traced a document in the US Justice Department which confirmed Apco’s involvement in an Israeli housing project, which was funded by the US government.

Speaking to the media in the Parliament lobby yesterday Tian Chua said, the written response from the PM’s Department made no mention of 1Malaysia.

“We noticed there were two services that they were paid for. One was for public affairs and public government affairs and the second was strategic communication, public relations and press outreach, “ he said.

Tian Chua urged Umno-BN to cancel their wasteful contract with Apco and appoint a local consultant.

by FMT

Settlers accuse Felda of fraud and discrimination

2010-04-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Disgruntled settlers in and around Hulu Selangor have lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) against the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) for fraud, human rights abuse and widespread discrimination.

National Association of Felda Settlers’ Children (Anak) president Mazlan Aliman, who handed Suhakam the memorandum on behalf of the settlers, said many of them were angry with Felda for refusing to release their land titles despite having cleared their debts with the scheme.

“Some settlers have said that Felda authorities have even threatened to evict them from their land schemes.

“There’s just so many issue. There are over 25,000 settlers who have been short-changed by Felda.

“Felda has forgotten its roots and is now turning against its own,” said Mazlan in reference to the original idea of the schemes which was mooted by the late Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein in 1956.

Razak, who is Prime Minister Najib’s father aimed for the schemes to power the economic development of the rakyat under the New Economic Policy, which it did to some extend.

Golden goose

Felda is currently Najib’s golden goose not only in financial terms but as a vote-bank. Felda schemes nationwide house over one million voters, and in the upcoming by-election Najib’s BN is desperately needing settlers’ undivided support.

At a recent gathering in Felda Soejarto, Najib had urged settlers to vote for BN in the Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25 if they wanted his continued attention.

Najib’s warning in Felda Soeharto however may go unheeded and he has only Felda to blame.

According to Mazlan, settlers had, until now, not received reseeding funds which were promised to them.

“We have received various complaints from the settlers. Some have complained about denial of basic rights, others have said Felda is withholding their reseeding funds.

“Yet more have said that Felda is refusing to give settlers licenses to sell oil palm produce and access education and entrepreneur loans, “ he said, adding that Felda had also recently slapped a RM100 per acre levy on settlers wanting to re-planting their scheme.

This, he said, was not inclusive of Felda’s fee for “advising’ planters on the re-planting programme.

“This is greed. Why are they charging the settlers a fee in the first place, after all it is Felda who is developing the settler’s land and raking in a larger chunk of the profits. It’s outright cheating,” said Mazlan.

Rising social ills

He also drew attention to a increasing rate of social ills in the schemes which the Felda authorities refuse to acknowledge.

“Lee Lam Thye from the Crime Prevention Foundation was spot on when he said crime rates were on the rise in Felda schemes. We cannot ignore this anymore.

“We have a lot of youth related problems on the scheme. Drugs, alcohol, gambling and unmonitored socialising among genders are rampant, “ he said.

Mazlan said Felda was developed under the Group Settlement Act 1960 (GSA) but today the government used it as ‘tool to control all actions and activities of the Felda settlers.’

He said the gap between the settlers, Felda management and the younger generation was wide and issues involving basic rights, power abuse and disharmony was not easy to deal with.

by FMT

Let Richard Riot be dep minister, SUPP told

2010-04-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

The voices of the Bidayuhs in SUPP are growing louder by the day. They are cries of discontentment and their demands are getting more ferocious.

In recent weeks, Bidayuh leaders have petitioned the party to consider its Bengoh state assemblyman, Dr Jerip Susil, to fill the vacant post of chairman of the Padawan Municipal Council.

But that is not likely to happen. The party's former assistant minister, Alfred Yap, is said to be keen to return to his former seat in the council. Yap was defeated in the 2006 state election and has been without a position since then. He was also a former chairman of the council.

The council's top spot was vacated by Tan Joo Phoi who was recently appointed an assistant minister.

Today, several Bidayuh leaders want the Serian MP, Richard Riot (also from SUPP), to take over the federal deputy minister's post from the late Robert Lau Hoi Chew. The Bandar Sibu MP died last Friday after a long battle with cancer.

"We want SUPP leaders to recognise the sacrifices and services rendered by Richard Riot to the party," said Frederick Bayoi Manggie, the state assemblyman for Kedup.

Kedup is one of the state seats under the Serian parliamentary constituency. The other is the Tebedu seat which is held by Michael Manyin, the state minister of infrastructure development. Both Bayoi and Manyin are from PBB.

Won Serian five times

Contacted by the Malaysian Mirror, Bayoi said: "The people of Kedup want Richard to be made a deputy minister to represent the Bidayuh community from SUPP. He deserves to be appointed after helping SUPP to win Serian for the fifth time and he is very hard working.

"I hope the prime minister will listen to the voices of the Bidayuh people who want Riot to be included in the Federal cabinet," Bayoi added.

Apart from Riot, there are two other Bidayuh MPs, Mambong's Dr James Dawos Mamit of PBB and the MP for Mas Gading, Dr Tiki Lafe of SPDP.

Dawos was recently appointed deputy tourism minister replacing Sulaiman Taib who resigned due to health reasons.

The Malaysian Mirror reliably learnt that a group of supporters from Serian SUPP was supposed to hold a press conference at 4 pm yesterday at the SUPP headquarters in Kuching to throw their support behind their MP, Richard Riot, to fill the deputy minister's post.

At the last minute, the drama was called off when top party leaders intervened.

Next most senior MP

When contacted, Riot who was attending the parliamentary session in Kuala Lumpur has this to say, "I am the next most senior MP. I have stood and won five times in Serian and does not hold any ministerial position. It is the prerogative of the party president and the chief minister to recommend me. The final decision is with the prime minister," he said.

Another Bidayuh leader and former president of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association, Peter Minos, wanted SUPP to recommend Riot to fill the vacant post in order to prove its claim that it is a multi-racial party.

He said SUPP cannot claim itself to be a multi-racial party if it only nominates Chinese assemblymen and MPs to hold ministerial and other government posts.

"If SUPP is truly a multi-racial party then there is no reason for them not to give at least one of the two vacant posts to the Bidayuh," Minos said, referring to the other vacant post of the chairmanship of Padawan Municipal Council.

Minos said he does not expect the two posts to be given to the community as that would be unfair to SUPP and other communities; but felt that the community should be given one post.

Early this month, Minos warned SUPP of the consequences if it failed to appoint a Bidayuh to be the PMC chairman or else the party would lose two Bidayuh majority seats currently held by the party in the coming election.

"This is a warning of the consequences, but not a threat." he had said.

Other Bidayuh leaders from SUPP such as Louis Gines and Granda Aing of Sarawak PKR have also made similar calls to SUPP.

Tiong also in the running

Sources from SUPP said that Richard Riot is one of the names submitted for consideration by the party's central working committee which will meet this weekend.

The other is Tiong Thai King, the Lanang MP. The Malaysian Mirror understands that SUPP Sibu branch has recommended Tiong for the vacant federal position.

Tiong, the younger brother of one of Malaysia's richest men and media baron Tiong Hiew King, is also the chairman of the Sibu Municipal Council. He was said to be a reluctant politician and for the most part of his political career, he has shied away from the press.

SUPP's traditional quota in the Federal Cabinet since the days of Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been one full ministerial post and two deputy ministers. Peter Chin Fah Kui is currently a full minister while Yong Khoon Seng is a deputy.

SUPP was founded as a multi-racial party in 1959 but its rural support base had been severely eroded in later years. Today, its strength lies in the urban centres and most of the party leaders appointed to public positions are Chinese.

However, the party still managed to hold on to several semi-rural seats such as Serian, Bengoh, Dudong and Engkilili.

courtesy of Malaysian Mirror

Zaid says voting MIC is ‘like giving Mahathir another chance’

2010-04-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

PKR’s outspoken candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has asked Hulu Selangor voters to elect him on April 25, saying MIC has had 18 years there and voting them back is “like giving Mahathir another chance”.

The former law minister said the 64,500 voters should choose someone who understands their problems and also articulate their voice in Parliament.

“Enough is enough. How many times was that? It’s been 18 years. It’s like giving Mahathir another chance, for instance. You’ve had 22 years, that’s enough,” the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ideologue told The Malaysian Insider in an interview yesterday.

Zaid waves to the crowd at Serendah community centre in Hulu Selangor where his candidacy was announced yesterday. - Picture by Choo Choy May

Yesterday evening, PKR and PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced his name to a cheering crowd in Serendah, saying the man who quit as a Cabinet minister to defend the people in 2008 will now help defend the Hulu Selangor electorate.

The Hulu Selangor seat fell vacant after the death of PKR MP Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad, who ended MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel’s 18-year stint representing the sprawling federal seat the size of Malacca.

“MIC’s been at it for 18 years, so how many more years will you give them? Another 18 years before your problem is solved? There is no reason the people of Hulu Selangor should give MIC another term. You should try me lah,” Zaid said.

The Kelantan-born lawyer, who built his firm into the country’s largest partnership before entering the Cabinet in 2008, believed the voters understand what is at stake in Hulu Selangor.

“The stakes are very high. Firstly, do we want this country to continue to be ruled by BN, an administration that, in my opinion, not only has no respect for the law but one that will use any excuse to stay in power?

“Do we want BN to carry on like this, or do we want to make sure that the voice of the people is heard as well? If we want to the people’s voice to be heard in Parliament, we should vote for the opposition. That is the issue from the point of national politics,” he said.

Zaid also spoke on the local issues afflicting the semi-rural constituency, listing them out as abandoned housing, un-issued land grants, unprocessed land grant applications, joblessness and problems affecting the Felda settlements and estates in the area.

“As for local issues, it’s simple. Whoever they vote for must be able to solve their problems. MIC has been in power there for four terms, for 18 years. If the people of Hulu Selangor want to stick with MIC, they can pick MIC — that’s if they’re satisfied with MIC’s performance.

“But judging by the problems we see now, I think MIC has failed in Hulu Selangor. If we want to pick someone who has failed once more, I don’t know,” the maverick politician said.

In the interview, Zaid spoke of Barisan Nasional’s strategy to label him as an outside unable to relate to Hulu Selangor and the problems in the constituency.

“I know. And I wish to speak about orang luar (outsider) and dalam (local). That’s what people keep bringing up, right? It’s not a question of luar or dalam. It’s a question of whether or not the candidate knows the problems and can do something about it. That’s the question.

“I’ve lived in Selangor for 30 years now. Even though I was born in Kelantan, I’m a Selangor resident, so I’m not an orang luar,” he stressed.

The crowd thumping away for PKR's Hulu Selangor candidate Zaid last night. - Picture by Choo Choy May

Asked why he wanted to enter Parliament again after his last stint representing Umno, Zaid said simply, “I want to voice the desires of the people, the people’s desire to seek freedom, the people’s desire to seek better economic opportunities, a better economy and the desire of Felda settlers to have a better life.

“I want to try to defend their positions and interests. I want to try to get land grants for those don’t own land and have asked for it, those who have been waiting for 20 years now. I want to fight for the rights of the Orang Asli, I want to fight for the Indians whose estates have been reduced or whose jobs have been terminated.

“There are many Indian youths looking for job opportunities. So I will try to convince the state of Selangor to bring investment, bring development, bring new industries so that we get more job opportunities. This is the job of the representative,” he said.

Zaid, who was elected as Kota Bharu MP for one term in 2004 before being dropped by Umno in Election 2008, said he just wanted to help the people just like a former Tumpat state assemblyman years ago.

“I remember one state assemblyman from Tumpat. This was many years ago. I mean, he got no job, no family, he’s just a full-time representative. He’s popular. He doesn’t want it, actually. Every time during elections he’ll say, “Enough, enough,” but the people just want him. And the reason I think is because he’s genuine. He really wants to help the people.

“That is my sort of role model. I hope one day the people of Hulu Selangor will see me as the people of Tumpat remember Che Lah. I mean, I would like the people of Hulu Selangor to remember me as a caring MP.

“I’m not interested in glamour-glamour, kompang-kompang, getting school kids to clap for me. There’s no need. I want people to remember me as a caring politician. The rakyat (people) lah; I don’t care if the others don’t like me,” he added.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Anwar, Israel and the King

2010-04-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

By Shanon Shah
shanonshah@thenutgraph.com

OPPOSITION Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must have a lot on his mind: his ongoing sodomy trial, the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s loss of four parliamentarians earlier in 2010. But one other thing is surely preoccupying his thoughts: Israel. In fact, he is clearly bothered by two things Israeli:

How Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia campaign employed a public relations firm, Apco Worldwide, that is also connected to the One Israel campaign; and
The alleged existence of Israeli spies who have subverted the Malaysian police force.

Anwar says he is driven by a concern for national security, not anti-Semitism. At the same time, he says, "If we love our country, and we are supposedly Malay [Malaysians], then why should we sell our pride to the Israelis?" In fact, Anwar is so bugged by this assumed loss of pride that he has asked no less than the King to direct Najib's government to cease dealing with Apco Worldwide.

The Malaysian government hires an international public relations firm to bolster its credentials to the public.
That firm has also been consulted by another government, Israel. For this, Anwar wants the monarchy to interfere with the executive? Does he even know the implications of this demand? How will it implicate the Malaysian constitutional monarchy, democratic checks and balances, and government transparency and accountability?

Constitutional monarchy 101

Just to recap, here are some facts about Malaysia's constitutional monarchy:

Shad Faruqi

According to constitutional expert Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, ours is largely fashioned after the British model, but with "local adaptations".

The current British constitutional monarchy evolved from a far less democratic absolute monarchy. The British monarch is now "bound by law and convention to remain above political parties and to refrain from intervening directly in government administration" (emphasis added).
Although containing many "local adaptations", including guarding the privileges of Malay Malaysians and East Malaysian natives, and heading Islam in eight regions, the Malaysian system still ensures that the monarch's powers are non-discretionary. The monarch is the de jure head of state, and it is the prime minister who is the de facto head of government.

Therefore, in calling for the King to intervene in the Apco matter, Anwar is not upholding democratic checks and balances. He is, in fact, subverting the principles of a constitutional monarchy, which is part of the basis for our democracy.

Historical facts

Perchance Anwar feels that the Malay rulers' historical track record will help uphold public interest and democracy. But if he feels this way, he would once again be wrong.

It was the Malay rulers who acquiesced to the formation of the Malayan Union in 1946. As a British colonial construct, the Malayan Union was vehemently opposed by diverse sectors of society, especially Malay groups that would eventually form Umno.

Datuk Onn Jaafar and Tunku
Abdul Rahman (Public domain)

The motives of the various rulers who agreed to the Malayan Union is up for debate. Were they threatened by the British, or protecting their own vested interests? What is clear is that even Umno's own founder, Datuk Onn Jaafar, was dead against the rulers' decision. That is the context in which Onn's "Hidup Melayu!" cry became meaningful to the public — he said "Hidup Melayu!", not "Hidup raja-raja Melayu!"

It was Onn's successor in Umno, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who took a slightly different stance and said, "[At] all costs I want to avoid having a split with the rulers." In fact, Tunku, of royal lineage himself, organised processions in July 1954 to display loyalty to the rulers to encourage them to support the Alliance's policies.
Not surprisingly, they in turn preferred Tunku to Onn.

So, if Anwar thinks he is appealing to a disinterested institution to overturn a perceived abuse by the executive, he is mistaken. Even before Merdeka, the monarchy demonstrated that it was only human, and had its own interests to consider. This is not to say that the monarchy has no constitutional role to play in contemporary Malaysian democracy; it's just that interfering in the executive should not be one of them.

Hence, one has to ask this question of our opposition leader, a self-professed democrat: By appealing to the monarch over the Apco issue, isn't Anwar actually saying he wants royalty to interfere in the running of this country? What kind of democrat would do that? One who is unclear on the concept of modern-day democracy? Or one who is merely pretending to be a democrat?

No matter, asking royalty to interfere in the running of the country smacks of feudalism. And feudalism, as we know, has no place in a vibrant democracy.

Burden of proof

What is especially frustrating is that Anwar is doing nothing to advance debate and deliberation on something that he claims undermines national security. Here are some things to consider:

Governments hire public relations firms all the time. Whether or not the Malaysian government hires a public relations firm that the Israeli government also hires is actually a red herring.
What is relevant to the public is whether the firm is living up to its brand promise, since tax money is being used to pay Apco. Apco says it wants to "meet and extend industry best practice in all areas of ethics, integrity and social responsibility". So, if Anwar has a problem with its involvement in the 1Malaysia campaign, he has to tell Malaysians exactly what is unethical and irresponsible about the firm.

Has Apco helped the Malaysian government to lie or cover up abuses? If so, which ones, specifically? How, when and where did these happen? Does Apco have a track record of improving the image of democratically suspect governments around the world? Which governments? Using Apco's relationship with Israel as the clincher in his argument is, sadly, Israel/Jew-baiting.

If Anwar insists on pointing out "similarities" between 1Malaysia and One Israel, he has to tell us also exactly how One Israel was a failure to the Zionist state, and how this failure is directly attributable to Apco. And then he is going to have to predict that 1Malaysia is going to fail us because of its connection with Apco, to make his claims hold water.

The only similarity between 1Malaysia and One Israel that should matter is if both campaigns have similar intentions and outcomes, not that they have similar ideas.

Holding accountable

It's not like governments have not been held accountable before for embarking on dubious public relations strategies. After the 11 Sept 2001 terrorist attacks, Saudi Arabia engaged in a massive campaign to bolster its image, especially in the US. This campaign has been analysed in depth, and has proven to be a failure.

The Star of David, the symbol of Jewish
identity, is also associated with Israel
and Zionism (Public domain)

But Anwar seems to be doing something else with the Apco issue. He's not trying to hold the 1Malaysia campaign under Najib's administration accountable. He's casting aspersions by using the emotive buttons of Israel and Zionism. Hence, this is likely Anwar's attempt to regain or bolster his credibility with the Malay Malaysian Muslim constituency.

Really, apart from telling us that a public relations campaign will not help an undemocratic government smell like roses, Anwar must provide substantiated proof about Apco's and Malaysia's "abuses" before crying wolf to the public and the King.

If he doesn't, then his "I'm not anti-Semitic" position should be little comfort to the rest of us. After all, intellectual dishonesty can't be a trait we want in our leaders, especially those who aspire to take over government.

courtesy of Nut Graph

Zaid: I understand the feelings of every Malaysian & not a outsider

2010-04-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pakatan Rakyat's Hulu Selangor by-election candidate Zaid Ibrahim (with garlands) was called an "extraordinary man" by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim but Zaid was quick to assert that he was just one of the people.

The ceremony to name Pakatan's candidate was held at a community hall in Serendah last night and drew some 5,000 PKR, DAP and PAS supporters. It took off at 9.30pm and ended just before midnight.

Zaid was invited to the podium after Anwar introduced him as Pakatan's pick for Hulu Selangor, and greeted the Tamils and Sikhs with New Year wishes for today, which certainly appealed to the constituents present.

He thanked the party for nominating him despite being a newcomer in a short speech.

"I'm not an outsider. I've been residing here in Selangor for a long time. I know the problems here.

"God willing, with your help, ladies and gentlemen, I can become your voice," said Zaid.

Accosted by reporters just before leaving, Zaid denied that he was much too liberal for the rural community of Hulu Selangor.

"I disagree... I came from a Malay constituency. I'm more Malay than most Sabah leaders. I understand the feelings of the people."

When asked about BN hopeful G Palanivel, he brushed the question off, saying that "it does not matter" who his opponent will be.

Earlier, when Anwar hollered that Zaid, who is Pakatan's coordinator, was be fielded, the enthralled crowd broke into tumultuous applause.

Anwar depicted Zaid, a former law minister, as a man of principle - one who was willing even to give up his minister's post to stand by his principles.

"This was the man who told Dollah (referring to former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), 'enough, here's my resignation'," said Anwar, beamingly.

Almost all of Pakatan's top brass attended the event, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, Syed Husin Ali, Tan Seng Giaw Wan Azizah Ismail, N Gobalakrishnan, Chua Jui Meng, Charles Santiago and S Manikavasagam.

Zaid quit as the law minister in 2008, objecting to the arrest of Selangor executive councillor Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily's journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He was then booted from Umno the same year for attending several opposition party events and a year later joined PKR.

The lawyer was then appointed as member of the party's political bureau and tasked to construct Pakatan Rakyat's common policy framework aimed at fastening the loose coalition of DAP, PAS, and PKR.

Apart from Zaid, Pakatan's national leadership had also considered local's blue eyed boy, neurosurgeon Dr Halili Rahmat, whose name was proposed by the Hulu Selangor PKR division.

Anwar's announcement of its candidate comes two days ahead that of BN, which is expected to name MIC deputy president Palanivel as its candidate on Thursday at Bukit Beruntung, Batang Kali.

Nominations will be filed on Saturday, while polling will be held on April 25.

The by-election was announced following the death of Pakatan's Zainal Abidin Ahmad on Mar 25.

There are 64,500 voters in Hulu Selangor, with the Malays making up 52.7 percent of the total while the Chinese constitute 26.3 percent, Indians approximately 19 percent and other races at 1.7 percent.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

HAPPY PUTHANDU VAZTHUKAL, VAISAKHI & VISHU 2010

2010-04-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Wishing all my

Hindu & Sikh relatives, friends and readers

HAPPY PUTHANDU VAZTHUKAL, VAISAKHI & VISHU (New Year)

From: Mohd Kamal Abdullah

The Constitution versus the Emergency Laws

2010-04-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

If you want to amend or rescind any Article in the Constitution, or get the Emergency lifted, we must first ensure that we get a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Without that we can talk till the cows come home and make all sorts of promises, which we will never be able to deliver.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

HINDRAF has challenged me to state my stand on Article 8 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. I have, in fact, already done that many times before. So allow me to repeat myself here.

I am opposed to the violation of many Articles in the Constitution, not just Article 8. But I am more opposed to the many laws that were passed by Parliament that violate the Constitution. Unfortunately, Malaysia declared a State of Emergency in 1962 during the Konfrontasi with Indonesia and since 1962 the State of Emergency has not been lifted although there is no longer any Konfrontasi with Indonesia. There is no longer even any Malayan Emergency (1960) since the Communist Party of Malaya signed a Peace Treaty with Malaysia in 1989.

But the Emergency remains and because of this Parliament is able to pass laws under Emergency provisions although these laws may violate the Constitution. In other words, illegal laws can become legal if Malaysia is in a State of Emergency like it is now.

Then we have contradictions ‘embedded’ in the Constitution that ‘cancels off’ other parts of the Constitution, another bone of contention for me. Therefore, while the Constitution allows certain things, another part of the Constitution forbids what has been allowed. In other words, while the Constitution guarantees certain things, another Article in that same Constitution takes away that guarantee.

For example, one Article in the Constitution allows freedom of assembly. Then another Article allows the police to forbid us from assembling. Then we have one Article in the Constitution that forbids discrimination based on race or religion (Articles 8 and 12). Then another Article in the Constitution imposes quotas based on race and religion (Article 153). Then the Constitution says we can’t be detained or arrested without due process (Article 5). Then the same Constitution allows for detention without trail.
And so on.

We have to decide whether certain things can or can’t be done. According to our Constitution, they can and can’t be done both at the same time. And this is why so much confusion has been created. For example, we have two courts, the Shariah and Common Law court. But which court has jurisdiction over Muslims? If we were to say we have left Islam then what happens? Can the Shariah court still punish us for drinking beer or will the beer drinking charge be dropped and instead we are charged for apostasy? And can they enforce the punishment of beheading in a public place if we admit to apostasy and are found guilty by the Shariah court?

This is just one example of the grey areas in our Constitution and laws that need addressing.

Without confusing you with the entire Constitution, let us look at just one section below -- PART II - FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES -- to understand what I am talking about. And let’s see if you can spot what has been allowed and then disallowed in the same breath.

To address the many problems we need to first un-declare the Emergency and restore the spirit of the Constitution. However, to do that, you need a two-thirds majority in Parliament, which we do not have.
Therefore we are stuck with the Constitution. Worse still, we are stuck with the Emergency and all the violations to the Constitution that the Emergency allows.

If you want to amend or rescind any Article in the Constitution, or get the Emergency lifted, we must first ensure that we get a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Without that we can talk till the cows come home and make all sorts of promises, which we will never be able to deliver.

My ‘favourite’ Article in the Constitution is Article 4(1), which says: This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day, which is inconsistent with this Constitution, shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

This means, any laws passed after Merdeka that violates the Constitution is an illegal law. In that sense Malaysia has many illegal laws. But if we are in a State of Emergency then laws that violate the Constitution can be passed.

Articles 5 and 8 are anther two that need addressing. Currently, both are being violated.

Now, Article 10 is my ‘pet hate’. While it starts off by saying “every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression; all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; all citizens have the right to form associations”, in that same breath Articles 10 (a), (b) and (c) take away those rights “in the interest of the security of the Federation”.

Can you see how Malaysians have been played here? Sure, HINDRAF is upset. Well, so am I. And I am not just upset about Article 8 like HINDRAF is. I am upset about the whole shooting match. We need to more than just enforce Article 8. We need to enforce all the rest as well.

And this is why we have to rise above fighting for the government to enforce Article 8 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. We need to fight for a two-thirds majority in Parliament so that corrections and amendments can be made in its entirety.

That should be our struggle.

THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF MALAYSIA

Article number: 4

(1) This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day, which is inconsistent with this Constitution, shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

(2) The validity of any law shall not be questioned on the ground that -

❍     (a) it imposes restrictions on the right mentioned in Article 9 (2) but does not relate to the matters mentioned therein; or
❍     (b) it imposes such restrictions as are mentioned in Article 10 (2) but those restrictions were not deemed necessary or expedient by Parliament for the purposes mentioned in that Article.

(3) The validity of any law made by Parliament or the Legislature of any State shall not be questioned on the ground that it makes provision with respect to any matter with respect to which Parliament or, as the case may be, the Legislature of the State has no power to make laws, except in proceedings for a declaration that the law is invalid on that ground or -
❍     (a) if the law was made by Parliament, in proceedings between the Federation and one or more States;
❍     (b) if the law was made by Legislature of a State, in proceedings between the Federation and that State.

(4) Proceedings for a declaration that a law is invalid on the ground mentioned in Clause (3) (not being proceedings falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of the Clause) shall not be commenced without the leave of a judge of the Supreme Court; and the Federation shall be entitled to be a party to any such proceedings, and so shall any State that would or might be a party to proceedings brought for the same purpose under paragraph (a) or (b) of the Clause.

PART II - FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES

Article number: 5

●     (1) No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.
●     (2) Where complaint is made to a High court or any judge thereof that a person is being unlawfully detained the court shall inquire into the complaint and, unless satisfied that the detention is lawful, shall order him to be produced before the court and release him.
●     (3) Where a person is arrested he shall be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest and shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.
●     (4) Where a person is arrested and not released he shall without unreasonable delay, and in any case within twenty-four hours (excluding the time of any necessary journey) be produced before a magistrate and shall not be further detained in custody without the magistrate's authority:

Provided that this Clause shall not apply to the arrest or detention of any person under the existing law relating to restricted residence, and all the provisions of this Clause shall be deemed to have been an integral part of this Article as from Merdeka Day.

Article number: 8

●     (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.
●     (2) Except as expressly authorized by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.
●     (3) There shall be no discrimination in favour of any person on the ground that he is a subject of the Ruler of the State.
●     (4) No public authority shall discriminate against any person on the ground that he is resident or carrying on business in any part of the Federation outside the jurisdiction of the authority.

Article number: 10

(1) Subject to Clauses (2), (3) and (4) -
❍     (a) every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression;
❍     (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms;
❍     (c) all citizens have the right to form associations.
(2) Parliament may by law impose -
❍     (a) on the rights conferred by paragraph (a) of Clause (1), such restrictions as it deems necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof, friendly relations with other countries, public order or morality and restrictions designed to protect the privileges of Parliament or of any Legislative Assembly or to provide against contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to any offence;
❍     (b) on the right conferred by paragraph (b) of Clause (1), such restrictions as it deems necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof, or public order;
❍     (c) on the right conferred by paragraph (c) of Clause (1), such restrictions as it deems necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof, public order or morality.
(3) Restrictions on the right to form associations conferred by paragraph (c) of Clause (1) may also be imposed by any law relating to labour or education.
(4) In imposing restrictions in the interest of the security of the Federation or any part thereof or public order under Clause (2) (a), Parliament may pass law prohibiting the questioning of any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty or prerogative established or protected by the provisions of Part III, article 152, 153 or 181 otherwise than in relation to the implementation thereof as may be specified in such law.

Article number: 12

(1) Without prejudice to the generality of Article 8, there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, descent or place of birth -
❍     (a) in the administration of any educational institution maintained by a public authority, and, in particular, the admission of pupils or students or the payment of fees; or
❍     (b) in providing out of the funds of a public authority financial aid for the maintenance or education of pupils or students in any educational institution (whether or not maintained by a public authority and whether within or outside the Federation).

Article number: 13

(1) No person shall be deprived of property save in accordance with law.
(2) No law shall provide for the compulsory acquisition or use of property without adequate compensation.

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

YBK audit report reveals misuse of land

2010-04-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

The much-anticipated audit report on Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK) was released today in the Selangor State Assembly, making it fodder for the Hulu Selangor by-election campaign.

Already BN is promising to approve the building of a UiTM campus on YBK land in Serendah, which has been held back by the Pakatan government.

But quoting the report, Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim (right) said that neither the foundation nor its subsidiary Permodalan YBK Sdn Bhd (PYBK) had submitted an application for the project.

Khalid added that the approximately 60-page report is incomplete as Selangor Audit Department officers were barred from entering YBK's premises to conduct the audit.

The Selangor Audit Department reports directly to the Auditor-General office and does not take instructions from the state government, he said.

To fill in the blanks, a taskforce will be set up for the purpose of obtaining the details on the use of land provided to YBK by the Selangor government.

He added that the taskforce will be formed after the Hulu Selangor by-election, with members still to be finalised.

"The suggestion is to have independent bodies like Transparency International and the Bar Council in the taskforce.

"We could even invite the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," he said.

The report, which was handed to all state assemblypersons and the media today, revealed that land issued by the state to YBK for the purpose of poverty eradication have been misused or mortgaged.

Sixteen lots of land were mortgaged to third parties, with PYBK responsible for five lots amounting to RM102 million.

Of the 16 lots, 12 of the caveats are held by Bellgrand Sdn Bhd.

"We need to find out who are the shareholders in Bellgrand," Khalid said.

Relocation project scrapped

In Gombak, a relocation project for the poor was scrapped with the 8.5 acres of land used for a commercial project involving 410 units of shop houses and low and medium cost flats.

Asked if the Selangor government will take legal action against the foundation, Khalid said that this will have to wait until the taskforce has done its research.

"While those living in the flats now may not be poor, they will still be affected by any decision we take," he said.

YBK is headed by former Batang Kali ADUN Zainal Abidin Sakom (left), with wife Hartini Osman being one of the trustees.

Since 1990, the state government has awarded a total of 1,977.428 acres of land to the foundation for the purpose of poverty eradication.

The foundation and its subsidiaries owes the Selangor government RM7.376 million in of quit rent arrears.

Audit report "irrelevant"

In the royal debate later BN-Sungai Burong Shamsuddin Lias said the audit report was "irrelevant" as according to the Undang-Undang Tubuh YBK (YBK Formation Law) only an auditor appointed by the Board of Trustees is allowed to conduct such an audit.

In fact, he said, YBK had already conducted its own audit using reputable auditors from Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Norazizi Rashid & Associates.

He also refuted claims that the foundation had not acted in a transparent manner.

"All financial reports from 1993 to 2008 can be accessed freely from the YBK website, he said.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Rift emerges between MIC, Umno over candidate

2010-04-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

With less than 48 hours before Barisan Nasional announces its candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election, there appears to be rift over who should represent the coalition.

A high-ranking MIC source told Malaysiakini that the choice now boiled down to party deputy president G Palanivel (below) and its deputy youth chief V Mugilan (left).

This was discussed in what was described as a heated BN management committee meeting late yesterday, chaired by BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.

According to the source, Muhyiddin, much to the ire of senior MIC leaders, told the meeting held at the Parliament House last night that Mugilan was the BN leadership's choice.

MIC president S Samy Vellu then rose to defend the party leadership's choice of Palanivel followed by a 'lively exchange' between the MIC leaders and the others present.

"If Mugilan is named as the candidate, the MIC leadership will sack him for lobbying for the seat as well as for carrying out underground activities to tarnish Palanivel," said the source.

The party insider said Samy Vellu was unwilling to compromise on the choice of MIC's candidate because an agreement had already been reached between him and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib had met Samy Vellu early last week on the matter before he left for Hanoi and later Washington DC.

MIC grassroots unhappy with DPM

The source said that it was 'unthinkable' for MIC to nominate anyone other than Palanivel as he was poised to take helm of the party.

"Currently, morale among party members is very low because of SMS rumours and news reports over a possible change of the MIC candidate," he said.

MIC leaders are increasingly worried that should Umno gets its way in having Mugilan picked as the BN candidate, it would set a precedent for other parties to interfere in MIC's affairs.

Several Hulu Selangor Umno leaders have previously objected to Palanivel's candidacy, citing his purportedly bad track record.

Former Selangor Umno liaison chief Mohd Khir Toyo (left) has also openly objected to Palanivel's nomination.

As Saturday's nomination day draws closer, several MIC leaders are already taking pre-emptive action against a possible change in the MIC candidate.

Tomorrow morning, MIC central working committee A Saktivel will be holding a press conference to protest against Muhyiddin's alleged insistence on Mugilan.

"We want the party's choice, not Umno's choice, as this is a matter of pride," he said when contacted.

Mugilan, when contacted, refused to comment on reports that he was being backed by Umno for the Hulu Selangor candidacy.

"There are many speculations. I can't say anything," he said.

Muhyiddin is scheduled to announce the BN candidate at a function in Hulu Selangor at 3pm on Thursday.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Samy: Only concern is for BN win

2010-04-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today he is not distracted by speculations that the Barisan Nasional (BN) will not pick a candidate proposed by him or that the opposition is likely to field former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

“I don’t worry about what others say. My worry is only for the BN to win,” he said when met at the Hulu Selangor MIC office here where he was discussing plans for the by-election with grassroot leaders.

The veteran politician said he had been working tirelessly in the constituency in the past two weeks to identify problems and take measures to solve them with the cooperation of all parties.

Asked about a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday that BN would field a local candidate for the by-election on April 25, Samy Vellu said everyone was local.

“It does not mean anything to me... everyone is local. I played a major part in doing work earlier than anyone else,” said Samy Vellu who had proposed his deputy, Datuk G. Palanivel, a four-term MP who lost in Election 2008, as candidate.

The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent MP Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad of Parti Keadilan Rakyat on March 25.

Muhyiddin’s statement had raised speculation that MIC Youth deputy leader and Kerling Estate-born V. Mugilan would be the likely candidate, while MIC information chief P. Kamalanathan and MIC division deputy chief K. Balasundram’s names have also cropped up.

On Zaid being PKR’s likely candidate, he said it did not make any difference as the constituency of 64,500 voters need an MP who could serve the people.

“We are not fighting a person...we are fighting a party. He (Zaid) is a good man, but reputation is different from serving the people.”

He said a candidate from the ruling government would be better off in serving the people here and a victory for the BN would transform the physical condition of the area.

“They (PKR) already had two years but nothing had moved. People here can see for themselves...they need a government that cares, need leaders who can plan their future and this can only be done by the BN,” he said. — Bernama

MIC hits brakes to protest Umno scheming

2010-04-13T05:26:00.000-07:00

The Umno campaign to install V. Mugilan in place of Datuk G. Palanivel as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election has hit a raw nerve with the MIC, whose grassroots members are now “going-slow” on the campaign in protest.

Top MIC leaders are also beginning to react, not just by lashing out at Mugilan but also at his backers in Umno and BN.

The Malaysian Insider understands that MIC president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, spoke out for his deputy, Palanivel, at a BN management committee meeting yesterday.

There, Samy Vellu lashed out at BN leaders who argued for Mugilan.

Palanivel had been nominated by Samy Vellu to be BN’s candidate for the by-election, but Mugilan’s name has surfaced in recent days as a replacement because the MIC No. 2 was apparently unpopular with Umno and voters in the constituency.

Mugilan had told The Malaysian Insider on Sunday that he was not behind the speculation that he would be chosen as BN’s candidate.

“I have already denied it... what more can I do?” Mugilan said.

Samy Vellu criticised those who pitched for Mugilan over Palanivel. — file pic

However, top MIC leaders, who were huddled in several meetings yesterday and today, were not convinced by Mugilan’s denial.

It is understood the senior party leadership was also blaming Umno Hulu Selangor divisional leaders for orchestrating the anti-Palanivel movement, by feeding the media and blogs with such speculation.

MIC sources say the party machinery in Hulu Selangor that has been on overdrive since PKR incumbent Datuk Zainal Abdin Ahmad died of cancer last month, has slowed down dramatically because of the Mugilan-Palanivel issue.

“We are going slow and cancelling many functions. We want to see how they are going to get the Indian voters without our support. We are very unhappy... that they are telling us what to do, who is our candidate,” said one MIC grassroots leader on condition of anonymity.

“If Palanivel is not selected, we will boycott the election,” said another MIC grassroots campaigner.

An MIC central working committee member, who went to Bukit Beruntong yesterday to take part in campaigning by delivering hampers to families, was surprised to find the activity had been cancelled.

“Nobody was there... they had closed shop and left,” said the CWC member. “Only today I learnt the campaign has slowed down over the candidate dispute.”

MIC sources further say some party members were planning to organise a protest tomorrow over the alleged “interference” by Umno.

“We want Malaysians to know we cannot be trampled upon,” said a local MIC leader involved in organising the proposed protest.

“Mugilan is an inexperienced boy compared to the veteran Palanivel.”

The Mugilan-Palanivel issue, if not resolved, will serve as a major boost for Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which is preparing to field heavyweight Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as its candidate.

“Mugilan is no match to the heavyweight Zaid,” said a Palanivel aide today.

Despite the controversy over the candidate, sources close to Palanivel said the former MP is “still confident” of being fielded as the BN candidate.

They said BN’s infatuation with Mugilan was temporary.

“He (Palanivel) is also confident of winning against Datuk Zaid but by a small majority,” the sources told The Malaysian Insider.

The PR coalition will officially announce its candidate tonight while BN is expected to do so on Thursday.

The bad blood among BN parties over the candidacy is likely to weaken BN’s chances in the contest.

PR is also throwing everything it has into the battle to retain the seat.

Its chance of keeping the seat will be bright if the MIC continues to drag its feet or boycotts the BN campaign entirely should Palanivel not be fielded.

BN risks alienating about 6,000 hardcore MIC voters in the constituency if it leaves Palanivel out in the cold, MIC sources said.

“Indian votes will scatter if Umno is seen as interfering in the candidate issue,” said another MIC leader. “We will walk out.”

A local leader from another BN party said, however, that he believed Samy Vellu was bluffing and would not dare to walk out if Mugilan was fielded. Instead, he said, Samy Vellu would close ranks and fight for Mugilan’s victory.

“There is too much at stake for him personally to go against Barisan/Umno,” the leader said. “He knows who is the boss of the situation.”

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Apco contract cost RM77Million a year

2010-04-13T05:21:00.000-07:00

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz today revealed in Parliament that the contract signed between the government and the controversial communication consultant giant Apco Worldwide amounted to a whopping RM77 million.

In a written reply to Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) to his query on the fees paid to Apco, the amount provided by Nazri is more than twice what was earlier reported.

Chua referred to a newspaper report which quoted Nazri as saying that the amount paid to Apco was RM28 million.

"Convert this to ringgit and you will get almost RM77 million," he said based on last year's currency exchange rate.

"I don't know whether he was mistaken or his conversion rate of ringgit to US dollars is different. Maybe he thinks that the Malaysian ringgit is still strong, almost on one to one with the dollar?"

Chua also expressed his disbelief that much money is being paid to a foreign contractor for a task which could have been performed by a local company.

He said that the RM77 million contract was for one year.

"Are Apco's services so special that we need to pay so much? Why wasn't a local company employed? I am sure there are local firms that can do the job."

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Amex wants Matthias Chang ruled vexatious litigant

2010-04-13T02:29:00.000-07:00

American Express (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd wants the High Court in Kuala Lumpur to declare lawyer Matthias Chang as a vexatious litigant.

In its originating summons filed on March 5, the company wants the court to declare Chang to be a vexatious litigant and be restrained from instituting any legal proceedings in any court without leave of a judge.

A vexatious litigant means a person who files a suit without any basis, and if the court grants the application, the person cannot not file any suit against anyone without the court’s permission.

American Express is also seeking costs and other reliefs deemed fit by court.

High Court Senior assistant registrar Suzarika Sahak set June 4 for case management of the suit after counsel N. Vanaja, for American Express, and TE Cheah, for Chang, in chambers yesterday.

On March 26, Justice Noor Azian Shaari dismissed Chang’s suit against American Express and ruled that he had failed to prove his case after hearing witnesses from both sides as well as submissions.

Chang, 60, had sued American Express for breach of contract and defamation because his card was suspended.

American Express, in its defence, said that there was no evidence of breach of contract or defamation as claimed.

The ex-political secretary of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been incarcerated at the Kajang Prison for 12 days, was freed yesterday after the Court of Appeal granted an ex-parte order for his release.

The release was pending the hearing of his appeal against the High Court’s refusal to issue a discharge order for his release despite the fine imposed by the High Court being paid by Chang’s friend.

Chang, was sent to prison on April 1 following his refusal to pay the RM20,000 fine imposed on him by the High Court on March 25 for contempt of court in his defamation case against American Express.

On April 7, judge Noor Azian refused to issue the discharge order to Salahuddin Hashim, a friend of Chang’s, to secure Chang’s release despite the fine having been paid by Salehuddin, on grounds that a third party did not have locus standi to pay the fine.

Chang was cited for contempt when he failed to apologise to the court after an argument with the judge and a lawyer, during cross-examination by the lawyer in his civil suit. — Bernama

Inter-faith panel’s talks postponed indefinitely

2010-04-13T02:23:00.000-07:00

All talks between non-Muslim religious leaders and their Muslim counterparts mooted by the Cabinet’s inter-faith panel have been put on hold, the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said today.

Its president, Reverend Thomas Philips said the inter-faith panel chief, Datuk Ilani Isahak, has postponed all scheduled meetings between the two religious communities until the controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s “small fry” remark, meant to describe the panel members, has been cleared up.

“I understand from Datuk Ilani the meeting has been postponed. She said she’s waiting for my greenlight,” Philips told The Malaysian Insider this morning.

The MCCBCHST was due to join a sub-committee comprising representatives from the government’s National Unity and Intergration Panel (NUIP), the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Malaysian Insititute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) and other Muslim groups at two separate talks today to draw up ground rules to ensure a smooth discussion on how to deal with the number of growing inter-religious conflicts affecting Malaysia in the last 20 years.

The first, to talk about arranging a formal annual meeting between religious leaders and the prime minister was scheduled to start at 10am.

A second discussion by a separate sub-committee on the propagation of religion and use of religious terminology at 2.30pm today has also been called off.

Philips added the non-Muslim religious body will not take part in any further talks arranged by the Cabinet committee to promote inter-religious understanding and harmony until it hears directly from the minister-in-charge, Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon or Muhyiddin.

The DPM caused an uproar yesterday when he reportedly dismissed the religious leaders peopling the panel as “small fry” while trying to soothe fears among a Malay rights movement over the status of Islam, the nation’s official religion.

“We want them to reassure us that the government is serious about promoting national unity,” said Philips.

“He has not said a thing,” he added.

Malaysian Hindu Sangam vice-president Dr Bala Tharmalingam echoed the same.

“We’re really sincere towards the Cabinet committee. We’re thankful to them for setting it up. It was started in good spirits but we just want a clarification if this exercise, which is very important for national unity, is necessary and if they are committed,” he said, when contacted over the phone.

“We can’t afford to waste our time,” Dr Bala added.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Bala won’t play ball, claims MACC

2010-04-13T02:20:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today said private investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s refusal to co-operate has prevented them from recording his statement over the murder of a Mongolian model.

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has asked the witness P. Balasubramaniam to be present to have his statement taken so that the investigation papers can be completed as soon as possible,”
MACC said in a statement issued by the commission’s corporate communication division.

It said that the anti-graft body was willing to meet Balasubramaniam in any Malaysian mission overseas.

“His failure to give [a] statement to [the] MACC has resulted in the investigation being incomplete and cannot be concluded,” said MACC.

“Thus far, we have taken the statements from witnesses including Deepak Jaikishan and the prime minister’s brother, Nazim Tun Razak,” the missive continued.

The MACC was referring to the murder case of Mongolian national, Altantuya Shaaribuu, but her name was absent from the statement.

Both Deepak and Nazim were alleged to have caused Balasubramaniam to withdraw his first sworn testimony regarding the case.

Balasubramaniam, whose current whereabouts are unknown, had accused the prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, of being involved in the murder of the Mongolian model, only to retract his statement with a second sworn testimony later.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, told Parliament yesterday that the MACC had recorded statements from both Nazim and Deepak, but that Balasubramaniam has refused to co-operate.

Nazri was responding to Batu MP Chua Tian Chang’s question on the progress of the case.

The minister stated in Parliament that arrangements were made with Balasubramaniam’s lawyers for a meeting at the Malaysian Embassy in Singapore, but the plan failed to materialise because the private investigator requested for a copy of the interview, should it have taken place.

Nazri said that was not possible, as the contents of the interview would be classified.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Principles vs personalities

2010-04-13T01:09:00.000-07:00

By Chan Kheng Hoe
editor@thenutgraph.com

MATTHIAS Chang seems to have a way with people. Bear in mind that Chang's greatest claim to fame, in the public's eye, is to have been political secretary to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for a brief period. Now ask yourself, how many political secretaries have been so publicly scorned by others?

Additionally, Chang has gone on to outdo himself by riling up a presiding judge, resulting in the present predicament he finds himself in. I don't know what happened in the courtroom, but from Chang's account, it seemed like Chang felt he was being bullied. He therefore stood up against the bullying by stepping out of the witness stand and informing the judge that he would appeal against her conduct. He thereafter refused to apologise, resulting in the finding of contempt against him.

Now, I am no fan of Chang and his convoluted conspiracy theories. However, I respect his right to believe as he does, and to propagate his beliefs through as many blog posts or self-published books as he may so wish. Having said that, Chang most definitely does not fit the image of a pitiable "victim" of the system. This is not least by virtue of his long association with the fourth prime minister. For the record, I am no fan of the fourth prime minister, either.

Herein lies the dilemma. Can we disagree with, or even despise, Chang — which I don't, but evidently many readers in blogosphere do — yet support his stance to stand up against bullying in the courtroom?

(Pic by Cory Thoman / Dreamstime)

Principles vs personalities

Was Chang bullied? I don't know. Does bullying happen in the courtroom? At times, yes. Hence, notwithstanding the personality of Matthias Chang, can we still stand in solidarity with him to say that bullying in the courtrooms must stop?

Perhaps Chang is not someone who many would feel compassion for. True, the nation is facing bigger issues than Chang's incarceration. But this question as to whether we can accept a principle — despite less-than-savoury personalities being involved — is a question that can be extrapolated to a bigger context and platform.

For example, can I embrace 1Malaysia, yet be opposed to the Barisan Nasional (BN)? Or can I affirm the need for a strong opposition even if I am fully persuaded that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is an unfit character?

These questions pit principles against personalities, and too often we get caught up with specific personalities and forget the principles involved.

Larger political issues

Anybody recall the now-distant claim by Anwar that he could procure sufficient Members of Parliament (MPs) to jump ship to effect a change of government? There was not much protest from opposition-minded citizens at that time. For better or for worse, there were MPs and elected members of state assemblies who subsequently jumped ship, but not in the direction intended.

(Pic by Leonardo Barbosa
/ sxc.hu)

Now, everybody is raising a hue and cry over the issue of the "frogs". Are people against the principle of changing camps, or merely against the personalities or political parties involved?

How about the constant calls to royalty to get involved in various affairs of state? "Daulat Tuanku," the citizenry shouts, hoping to receive a decree that would put an end to dirty politics or lop-sided elections, or even commercial contracts entered with Apco.

But these very citizens are scathing in their criticism of the BN for apparently not upholding democracy. Now, how can self-proclaimed democrats resort to the feudalistic practice of appealing to a sovereign ruler to resolve issues of state? Isn't that an inherent contradiction? Is the principle of democracy or the personalities involved more important?

Ideally, principles should always trump personalities. After all, we have observed how even a ruler as wise and learned as Sultan Azlan Shah can make decisions that may not necessarily reflect the rakyat's aspirations.

The principles that govern the BN are apparent, notwithstanding the fact that some of us may disagree with a whole load of them. Across the divide, the opposition has thus far cobbled together a collection of impressive personalities. But personalities aside, what kind of principles underscore the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)'s words and actions?

There are some who aspire for the 13th general election to finally be the moment when the BN is no longer in power. But unless we want more of the same principles at work in government, it might be best for citizens not to be so beguiled by our like or dislike of the personalities on offer.

Chan Kheng Hoe will never go to prison instead of paying a fine. It's a matter of principle. Courtesy of Nut Graph

Round 5 of 10: The police rent 34 helicopters for 30 years from the IGP’s company

2010-04-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

The IGP’s letter of 12 February 2007 was to urge the Finance Minister to consider the proposal by Asiacopter Sdn Bhd, another company headed by Othman Talib, to rent 34 helicopters to the PDRM for a period of 30 years.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

After writing to the Prime Minister on 3 November 2006 urging him to issue a LETTER OF EXCLUSIVE INTENT to Web Power Sdn Bhd to award the company the police computerisation project (read here), an outfit headed by Police Force Commissioner Othman Talib, the IGP then writes to the Minister of Finance on 12 February 2007.

The IGP’s letter of 12 February 2007 was to urge the Finance Minister to consider the proposal by Asiacopter Sdn Bhd, another company headed by Othman Talib, to rent 34 helicopters to the PDRM for a period of 30 years.

The IGP mentions in that letter that the rental cost is very reasonable but no figure is mentioned.

Dato' Othman Bin Talib, IC No. 500130-01-5819, is, in fact, a director of the following companies:

1. 541456-X - WEB POWER SDN. BHD.
2. 731218-P - ASIACOPTER SDN. BHD.
3. 776750-W - PAN-MALAYSIA GLOBAL TAEKWON-DO FEDERATION SDN. BHD.
4. 747967-P - PFI MARINES SDN. BHD.
5. 769785-V - WP DEVICES SDN. BHD.
6. 776973-X - PAYMENT GATEWAY SDN. BHD.
7. 780990-T - AUXILIARY SECURITY SDN. BHD.
8. 762309-H - APPROTRONIC SDN. BHD.
9. 827429-P - SPECIAL SKILL SECURITY SERVICES SDN BHD

Every police officer knows that Othman Talib was placed in the Police Force Commission (PFC) personally by the IGP. The PFC is a very powerful ‘tool’ that decides on the promotion of police officers. And, of course, police officers that do not ‘play ball’ are not promoted but are instead sent into cold storage under the guise of ‘transfers’. The less fortunate are sent to Tatatertib to be crucified (like those who signed Statutory Declarations alleging that the IGP has links with the Chinese crime syndicate).

Now see the IGP’s letter to the Finance Minister below.

courtesy of malaysia-today.net

Selangor EC: Ten Sets of Nomination Forms Sold

2010-04-13T00:36:00.000-07:00

Ten sets of nomination forms for Hulu Selangor by-election on April 25 have been sold, Selangor Election Commission (EC) director Dzulkifli Ab. Rahman said.

He said the forms available from Selangor EC office and Hulu Selangor district office at RM20 each were bought by agents or representatives of candidates.

"Some of them bought two or three sets. This is normal as not all will file the papers on nomination day," he told Bernama at his office here today.

Several independent candidates are expected to contest the tenth by-election since the 2008 general election.

Nomination will be held in Kuala Kubu Baru on Saturday.

PKR will announce its candidate today while Barisan Nasional (BN) will announce its canddiate on Thursday.

The by-election was called following the death of Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) of cancer on March 25.

Dzulkifli said 1,370 people would be involved to ensure that the by-election went on smoothly.

Nomination and vote tabulation would be held at the multi-purpose hall, sports complex of Hulu Selangor district office.

He said the by-election would involve 46 schools and a community hall with 136 voting streams.

EC was organising a programme for voters to check the electroal roll and voting stations starting today.

April 13 - Kampung Melayu Rasa and Kampung Pasir/Kerling, Batang Kali (10am-12pm, 2pm-4.30pm).

April 14 - Kampung Sentosa and Kampung Pasir/Ulu Yam, Batang Kali (10am-2pm, 2pm-4.30pm).

April 15 - Kuala Kubu Bharu town and Kampung Kelapa, Kuala Kubu Bharu (10am-12pm, 2pm-4.30pm).

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof had said the 2009 electoral roll updated until March 26 would be used for the by-election.

Hulu Selangor has 64,550 registered voters comprising 63,701 ordinary voters and 799 postal voters.

- Bernama

Najib-Obama historic meeting

2010-04-13T00:31:00.001-07:00

"HELLO, Mr President."

"Hello, Mr Prime Minister."

After the greetings President Barack Obama invited Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to sit with him for their first-ever bilateral meeting at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre where the United States is hosting the inaugural Nuclear Security Summit.

Reports on their meeting said the two leaders looked relaxed as they settled down for their 40-minute discussion that touched on trade, security in the Asian region, Malaysian-American ties and Malaysia's role in the Islamic role.

The meeting took longer than the half-hour that was scheduled for the talks.

Present at the 11am meeting Monday (11.30pm Malaysian time) were acting Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Also in the PM's delegation were Foreign Ministry secretary-general Rastam Mohd Isa and Malaysian ambassador to the US Jamaludin Jarjis.
A 'fresh spring' in bilateral ties
Media reports said the meeting, ahead of the Summit in Washington, sent clear signals of a 'fresh spring' in relations between the two countries.
Najib is among 46 world leaders invited for the two-day summit, the largest ever gathering of international leaders in the US capital, as Obama seeks a global effort to prevent nuclear terrorism.

The PM is one of two Asian leaders granted a face-to-face meeting with Obama. The other is Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Obama had scheduled bilateral meetings with also three others leaders; King Abdullah of Jordan, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich and Armenian President Serzh Sargsian.
Speaking to Malaysian journalists later, Najib hailed what he described as a "new beginning in Kuala Lumpur-Washington relations" and said that Malaysia looked forward to a much more positive development in the ties between both countries.
He said the new development in the ties between both countries could contribute to regional peace and prosperity.
Obama, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction over the KL-Washington ties and took note of positive developments in Malaysia.
Najib said Obama’s willingness to engage, listen and not adopt an antagonistic approach in dealing with the Muslim world was a change from the previous Bush regime.
“I think it is a refreshing change by the new administration but I hope it is not only in style and approach but also in substance,” said Najib, who met Obama on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.
The prime minister is among 46 world leaders, including those from nuclear powers and developed as well as developing countries, invited by Obama to the summit where leaders seek to safeguard weapon-grade nuclear materials from falling into the hands of terror groups.
“This is a recognition for us and shows that Malaysia is not just a national community but also part of the global community in which we play an integral role in helping to create a stable and peaceful world,” the PM said.
Apart from meeting Obama, Najib also attended a working lunch with US Vice-President Joe Biden and 11 other summit delegates at the US Naval Observatory.
Najib’s discussion with both leaders touched on wide-ranging issues including steps to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons towards making the world free of weapons of mass destruction.
A hectic schedule for PM
Immediately after the meeting, Najib was whisked away for a lunch hosted by Vice-President Joe Biden at his residence in the US Naval Observatory for 12 of the summit dignitaries.
According to the White House, Biden's guests discussed Obama's commitment for a nuclear weapon free world and addressed the goals of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Apart from Najib, the others included South African President Jacob Zuma, Nigerian acting President Dr Goodluck E.Jonathan, Vietnamese President Nguyen Tan Dung, Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, Indonesian Vice President Boediono and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankiri.

The others were Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medeici, Saudi Arabia's Prince Muqrin Abd al-Aziz Saud, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.
It was a hectic day for Najib, who began his day with an early morning meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel with US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinburg and chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman who paid a courtesy call on him.
Malaysia's nuclear stand
Najib is slated to hold a bilateral meeting with his New Zealand counterpart John Key at the convention centre in the afternoon before attending a welcoming reception by Obama for all invited heads of government.

In the evening, Najib will attend a Heads of Delegation working dinner chaired by Obama where the discussion topic is “Threat of Nuclear Terrorism”.

At the summit, Najib is expected to stress on Malaysia’s stance that any nuclear programme should be used only for development and peace.
A White House statement after the meeting said the two leaders agreed on the importance of Iran strictly abiding by its obligations under the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.
"The two leaders also agreed on the need for the international community to send a clear signal to Iran that while it has the right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Iran should not use this right to develop nuclear weapons capability as stated in UNSC and IAEA resolutions," the statement said.
Iran, which is at loggerheads with the United States over its atomic program, is not represented at the nuclear summit.
Ahead of Najib's arrival in Washington, Malaysia passed a law to curb the trafficking of nuclear weapon components after being linked to illegal supply of sensitive technology to countries including Iran and Libya.
The Strategic Trade Bill, approved by Parliament about week ago, provides for prison terms of at least five years and fines of millions of ringgit for those illegally bringing in or exporting material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction.
Helping hand to Afghanistan
Najib also stated in the talks with Obama that Malaysia was ready to consider "capacity building" in cooperation with Afghanistan through the training of police, military personnel and civilian administrators, the White House said.
Malaysia at present provides training to Afghan teachers and public officials.
Obama telephoned Najib last June to discuss the global financial crisis and nuclear non-proliferation issues and the prime minister took the opportunity to raise the issue of two Malaysians detained in Guantanamo for alleged links to the Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah militant groups.

The summit is part of Najib's week-long working visit to the US, his second since taking office in April last year.— Malaysian Mirror

MP Tajuddin gets away with stern warning

2010-04-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) today escaped from being referred to the powerful rights and privileges parliamentary committee for hurling "abuses" at fellow MP M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat).

Instead of an inquiry, House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia issued a stern warning to Tajuddin after meeting the two feuding MPs yesterday.

"Pasir Salak (referring to Tajuddin), do not accost other MPs in the House," he said when dishing out the warning.

He also took the opportunity to remind other parliamentarians to watch their language when debating in the House.

"Please do not offend your fellow MPs," he stressed.

Tajudin refuses to retract statement

The warning came after Tajuddin ignored the speaker's earlier decision to ask him to retract his statement.

Kula filed a motion last Thursday for an inquiry into Tajuddin's alleged threat issued on the same day.

According to Kula, he was approached by Tajuddin at the Parliament lobby and was accused of tarnishing Pasir Salak's "good name" in his blog posting

Kula, however, told Tajuddin to either make a police report or sue him.

In which, Tajuddin was reportedly replied:

"I will punch you and send people to your area to beat you up!"

courtesy of Malaysiakini

ZAID - PKR CANDIDATE FOR HULU SELANGOR

2010-04-13T00:23:00.000-07:00

PKR will field former law minister Zaid Ibrahim in the Hulu Selangor by-election, setting the stage for a 'clash of the titans' with BN's G Palanivel.

Zaid's candidacy was decided today at the political bureau meeting held at PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's home in Segambut Dalam, Kuala Lumpur.

According to a party leader who attended the meeting, the political bureau endorsed Zaid's candidacy because he stands the best chance of winning the seat for PKR.

"This is a 'must-win' by-election and thus, we must field the strongest candidate that we have," a source told the Malaysiakini journalist who waited outside Anwar's house.

The source added that the decision to choose Zaid was unanimous.

State leaders are expected to be briefed at 1pm at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya and an official announcement will be made during a ceramah in Serendah tonight.

Anwar and other top Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, are to attend the event tonight.

PKR's announcement of its candidate comes two days ahead that of BN, which is expected to name MIC deputy president G Palanivel as its candidate on Thursday.

Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin, asked for comment at the Parliament lobby, said: "It doesn't matter, nothing changes. We have a game plan (and the prime minister) will make the right choice.

"We have been expecting Zaid to contest, as only a few names were reported (as Pakatan's possible candidates)."

Nominations will be filed on Saturday, while polling will be held on April 25.

Prominent lawyer

Zaid is a prominent lawyer who once ran the biggest law firm in the country. He previously served for one term as Kota Bharu MP and a member of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's cabinet.

In 2008, he quit his ministerial post in protest of the use of the Internal Security Act on an opposition leader, journalist and blogger. He was later sacked from Umno for attending opposition events.

Soon after, Zaid joined PKR and quickly rose up the ranks. He was an instrumental figure in the formulation of the Pakatan Common Policy Framework, an important document that outlines the fledgling coalition's policy direction.

Zaid is relatively free of controversy, but his campaign will be dogged by the fact that he was once found guilty of vote-buying by the Umno disciplinary board.

courtesy of Malaysiakini

Awakening to A New Dawn (Part 1)

2010-04-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

By Rachel Vanuja Suppiah
An examination of privacy laws and the recently passed Personal Data Protection Bill by the Dewan Rakyat in Parliament and its application, enforcement, and implications for Malaysia.

The Personal Data Protection Bill 2009 was recently passed by the Dewan Rakyat in Parliament. This is a radical act that will affect a large number of organisations and individuals alike.

How personal data protection laws came to being

To understand why there is a need for Personal Data Protection legislation, we must first understand why the need for such laws arose. The Personal Data Protection Bill by the way has no connection whatsoever with data Protection of software in computers. This area of law specifically relates to the dissemination and storage of personal data of people and is related to the law of privacy.

Privacy law is the area of law concerning the protecting and preserving of privacy rights of individuals. While there is no universally accepted privacy law among all countries, some organizations promote certain concepts be enforced by individual countries. For example, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 12, states:

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

For Europe, Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right to respect for private and family life, one’s home and correspondence. The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has developed a large body of jurisprudence defining this fundamental right to privacy. The European Union requires all member states to legislate to ensure that citizens have a right to privacy, through directives such as the 1995 Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of personal data. It is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Data Protection Act 1998 and in France data protection is also monitored by a governmental body which must authorize legislation concerning privacy before them being enacted.

The protection of Privacy here relates specifically to information privacy; in lay terms it means the protection of your personal details and information about you.

What are the principles of data protection?

These are seven core principles in the ethics of how personal private Data is to be collected, processed and stored.

The seven principles governing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) guideline for protection of personal data:

1. Notice: data subjects should be given notice when their data is being collected
2. Purpose: data should only be used for the purpose stated and not for any other purposes
3. Consent: data should not be disclosed without the data subject’s consent
4. Security: collected data should be kept secure from any potential abuses
5. Disclosure: data subjects should be informed as to who is collecting their data
6. Access: data subjects should be allowed to access their data and make corrections to any inaccurate data
7. Accountability: data subjects should have a method available to them to hold data collectors accountable for following the above principles.

Personal data should not be processed at all, except when certain conditions are met. These conditions fall into three categories: i) transparency, ii) legitimate purpose and iii) proportionality.

i) Transparency

The data subject has the right to be informed when his personal data are being processed. The controller must provide his name and address, the purpose of processing, the recipients of the data and all other information required to ensure the processing is fair. (art. 10 and 11 EU Directives)

Data may be processed only under the following circumstances (art. 7):

when the data subject has given his consent

when the processing is necessary for the performance of or the entering into a contract

when processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation

when processing is necessary in order to protect the vital interests of the data subject

processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller or in a third party to whom the data are disclosed

processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by the third party or parties to whom the data are disclosed, except where such interests are

overridden by the interests for fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject. The data subject has the right to access all data processed about him. The data subject even has the right to demand the rectification, deletion or blocking of data that is incomplete, inaccurate or isn’t being processed in compliance with the data protection rules. (art. 12)

ii) Legitimate purpose
Personal data can only be processed for specified explicit and legitimate purposes and may not be processed further in a way incompatible with those purposes. (art. 6 b)

iii) Proportionality

Personal data may be processed only insofar as it is adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes for which they are collected and/or further processed. The data must be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that data which are inaccurate or incomplete, having regard to the purposes for which they were collected or for which they are further processed, are erased or rectified; The data shouldn’t be kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data were collected or for which they are further processed. Member States shall lay down appropriate safeguards for personal data stored for longer periods for historical, statistical or scientific use. (art. 6)

When sensitive personal data (can be: religious beliefs, political opinions, health, sexual orientation, race, membership of past organisations) are being processed, extra restrictions apply. (art. 8)

The data subject may object at any time to the processing of personal data for the purpose of direct marketing. (art. 14)

A decision which produces legal effects or significantly affects the data subject may not be based solely on automated processing of data. (art. 15)

A form of appeal should be provided when automatic decision making processes are used. The Principles above are based on the OECD Guidleines and that of the European Union.

Why is there a need for such laws?

Personally I feel it’s about time we had a Personal Data Protection Act in Malaysia to stop abuse and to curtail the many marketeers who transfer sell and barter personal data for profit. Many Malaysians are not aware that their personal Data is being viewed, traded like a commodity, and used by third parties who should not have access to their personal information.

How many of you have bought a new car or applied for a loan or credit card and weeks later you find third parties approaching you in an attempt to promote products or spam you with e-mails? Isn’t it is scary knowing that while you are asleep, someone somewhere could be assessing a data base and taking down your personal details?

The impact is great: In the EU Data Protection Laws are viewed very seriously to such an extent that member states must ensure that they all have adequate Data Protection Laws, and further that when member states deal with non member states the non member state must have adequate data protection laws. Article 25 of the OECD states :-

Art 25.1
The Member states shall provide that the transfer to a third country of personal data which are undergoing processing or are intended for processing after transfer may take place only if, without prejudice to compliance with the National provisions adopted pursuant to the other provisions of this Directive, the third country in question ensures an adequate level of protection …
Art 25.2
The adequacy of the level of protection afforded by a third country shall be assessed in the light of all the circumstances surrounding a data transfer operation or a set of data transfer operations, particular consideration shall be given to the nature of the data, the purpose and duration of the proposed processing operation or operations, the country of origin and the country of final destination, the rules of law, both general and sectoral, in force in the third country in question and the professional rules and security measures which are complied with in that country

Now that Malaysia is enacting a Personal Data Protection Act, what will the impact of the Act be and would it be deemed adequate or provide adequate measures to ensure the spirit of Data Protection principles are entrenched?

Editorial Note: In Part 2 tomorrow – Considering the Personal Data Protection Act’s implications, enforcement and efficacy for Malaysia.

Courtesy of Loyarburok.com

Selangor gives RM522,000 to Tamil schools

2010-04-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Taking its queue from Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s strategy in Felda two weeks ago, Selangor brought out its bag of goodies yesterday aimed at wooing Hulu Selangor's Indian community.

The Pakatan Rakyat state government, which has come under fire from the Human Rights Party for its lack of affirmative action towards Indians, distributed RM522,000 to aid infrastructure development in 97 Tamil schools in the Selangor.

Nineteen percent of Hulu Selangor’s 64,500 registered voters are Indians.

Health, Estate Workers and Poverty Eradication portfolio chairman Dr Xavier Jayakumar said the allocations were part of RM4 million set aside for upgrading Tamil schools in the state for the year 2010.

“On the average each school received RM5,000 to RM10,000 each. It for essential repairs and upgrading works. The funds were donated to the respective PTAs," Xavier said.

He said seven Tamil schools in Hulu Selangor received additional funding.

The additional funds were for infrastructure improvements including the upgrade and repair of toilets and the building of reading huts.

The seven schools were SRK(T) Ladang Nigel Gardner, SRK(T) Lima Belas, SRK(T)Ladang Kerling, SRK (T) Changkat Asa, SRK (T) Bukit Beruntung SRK (T) Batang Kali and SRK (T) Sungai Choh,

“Five schools received RM25,000 each while SRKT Batang Kali received RM31,000 and SRKT Sungai Choh received RM49,000.

“This is a record. BN has administrated the Selangor for 50 years and this has never happened," he said after the cheque presentation ceremony here.

The ceremony also saw 160 excellent students from the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency receive RM100 each for their success in the UPSR, PMR, SPM and STPM respectively.

MIC hoodwinked community

Meanwhile on the issue of MIC, Xavier said the party had failed the Indian community and its leaders had long since ignored issues facing rural Tamil schools and those in estates.

“They’ve hoodwinked the community into thinking MIC is the only saviour …but their views are changing and many are switching their support to the Pakatan,” he said..

He added that the Indian community had punished MIC in the March 2008 general elections when it almost wiped itself out.

Hulu Selangor, with its 64,500 registered voters, was one of MIC’s strongholds which fell to PKR in the March 2008 political tsunami.

The recent death of Hulu Selangor PKR MP, Dr Zainal Abidin paved the way for a by-election on April 25. Nomination of candidates is set for April 17.

Until the March 2008 election, the seat was held by MIC deputy president G Palanivel. Palanivel, who held the seat from 1990 to early 2008, lost to Zainal by 198 votes.

While MIC is set on fielding him again, factions within its coalition partner Umno is dead against the idea.

As of now it is still a tumultuous state in the BN camp as to who the candidate will be.

PKR however is set to announce its candidate later today.

by FMT

Matthias Chang freed

2010-04-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Matthias Chang, the ex-political secretary of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been incarcerated at the Kajang Prison for 12 days, was freed today.

This follows the granting of an ex-parte order for his release by Court of Appeal judge Datuk Sulaiman Daud pending the hearing of an appeal against the High Court's refusal to issue a discharge order for Chang's release despite the fine imposed by the High Court being paid by Chang's friend.

An interim order was also given to stay the High Court's decision in refusing to issue the discharge order.

Looking weak upon release

Chang was released at about 6.30pm from the Kajang Prison and was received by his lawyers and family members. His lawyers obtained the release order at about 4.30pm.

Bernama reported that Chang looked weak when approached by reporters. "I'm okay," he said.

When asked had he been eating of late, his words (at times inaudible) were: "Bubur (Porridge)."

Chang, 60, a lawyer, was sent to prison on April 1 following his refusal to pay the RM20,000 fine imposed on him by the High Court on March 25 for contempt of court in his defamation case against American Express (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

courtesy of Malaysian Mirror

Nazri: DPM’s ‘small fry’ to protect, not insult inter-faith panel

2010-04-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz defended Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s “small fry” remark when describing the Cabinet’s inter-faith panel, saying the deputy prime minister was protecting it from religious groups rather than reducing its role.

Muhyiddin had caused an uproar with his statement yesterday prompting an umbrella body for non-Muslim faiths to threaten a boycott of the inter-faith committee until he explains his remarks.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department explained that the “small fry” statement must be seen in the context of Mufti of Perak’s objection to the committee. Malay right-wing group Perkasa had also made similar objections.

“I think we should look at DPM’s reply in the context of the objection from the Mufti of Perak because Mufti of Perak objected. What the DPM is trying to say is that don’t make it into a big deal. That is all,” Nazri told The Malaysian Insider last night.

The Perak Fatwa Committee led by influential state mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria yesterday announced its objection to the committee, dealing a further blow to prime minister’s Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s efforts to repair inter-religious ties.

It is to be headed by former Kota Bharu MP Datuk Ilani Isahak and will comprise religious leaders — the panel will discuss various issues and provide advice to the Cabinet via Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

Harussani had said other religions could not be placed on equal footing with Islam, which he explained had a higher position by Allah’s side.

“We have to address the objection of the Mufti of Perak. So we have to look at the DPM’s comment at the context of telling the Mufti of Perak that it is not such a big deal. It is only a committee for the beginning so if anything happens, we will try to solve it here first then we will bring to the cabinet,” Nazri added.

Muhyiddin’s had explained the inter-faith committee set up by the Cabinet consisted only of “small-fry,” as he sought t calm fears expressed by right-wing Malay groups that it would threaten the sanctity of Islam.

The lack of any legal powers in the committee, said Muhyiddin, meant it will not have any influence over the nation’s official religion.

Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Reverend Dr Thomas Philips told The Malaysian Insider last night they will boycott the inter-faith panel if Muhyiddin does not provide an explanation for his “small-fry” remark.

Nazri stressed that the inter-faith committee will not collapse even if certain groups decide to boycott it, adding the Cabinet had agreed to form the committee and would not retract it due to the objections.

“Don’t be too sensitive about this. I know what the DPM is trying to say. He was trying to say in the context of the objection of the Mufti.

“The cabinet has made the decision and its decision will prevail. Only the cabinet can repeal the decision, not the inter-faith committee, not the Mufti of Perak, not anybody. They (MCCBCHST) boycotting will not affect the committee,” he said.

The idea for an inter-faith panel was first mooted in the early 1980s but was shot down after objections from Muslim groups such as the Islamic Development Department, better known by its Malay acronym Jakim.

According to sources, the objection was because an inter-faith council would place Islam, the nation’s official religion, on equal footing with the other religions.

The Malay rights group Perkasa made the same objections on Sunday, demanding the Najib administration place the new inter-faith panel under Jakim or it would reject the entity in its current form.

Perkasa says it would tolerate the committee only if it fell under the guidance of Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom, the Islamic Affairs Minister under the Prime Minister’s Department and not Koh.

But Nazri believed that committee should remain independent and not be placed under Jakim.

“It should be independent because if it is under Jakim then it is a recognition already from the Islamic authority that this committee should belong to them. At the moment is has nothing to do with them.

“It is just a committee to look into issues which could be avoided at the preliminary stage. Don’t be too sensitive that is all. Look at the positive side at the DPM’s statement,” he said.

He also reiterated that relevant parties should not be “too sensitive” to Muhyiddin’s comment.

“Everybody don’t be too sensitive, the DPM was only trying to defend the committee to ensure that this small step can be defended. He was only in the context of the objection of the mufti,” he said.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider

Playing Santa Claus in Hulu Selangor

2010-04-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat are in a race to dish out goodies as they attempt to outdo each other in the Hulu Selangor vote, a crucial by-election for both coalitions since Election 2008.

For BN, it means steadily clawing back its way to a two-thirds parliamentary majority while PR needs a win to reassure its supporters that it remains strong despite losing four federal PKR lawmakers recently.

The Hulu Selangor vote was triggered by the death of its MP, PKR’s Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad, who succumbed to brain cancer late last month.

Nomination day falls on April 17 and polling is eight days later. Legally, campaigning should begin after nomination but both the blocs had kicked off their campaign almost immediately after Zainal’s death.

PR’s elections director for the by-election, Selangor PKR Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had openly admitted that he was dishing out goodies as part of his coalition’s move to bolster its flagging momentum.

BN leaders have stuck to their time-tested playbook by thronging the Hulu Selangor seat with seismic development promises to tempt the electorate to overturn the slim 198 votes loss in Election 2008. The BN’s advantage is it controls all three states seats within the federal ward.

So how much have the two spent or plan to spend so far? To do the maths, The Malaysian Insider made an informal audit based on reports of both the coalition’s spending spree in the run up to the official campaigning period.

Barisan Nasional:

It is without doubt that the ruling coalition, through the federal government, have the upper hand in the race.

From media reports, It is estimated that BN have proposed to spend close to RM60 million on various infrastructure projects.

First up in the list is the housing project in Gugusan Kampung Dusun worth RM32 million.

The project was announced by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak in a move aimed at ensuring the vote of Felda settlers in the constituency. The settlers are considered the coalition’s vote-bank in the constituency.

Second up is the proposed development of three primary national schools, one secondary school and one Chinese school. No exact value is available but by conventional standards, the projects should cost a minimum of RM20 million.

Third on the list is the RM16 million worth of miscellaneous “infrastructure projects” that Najib announced in a walkabout event there. No details were given on what the projects are.

Another announcement made by the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is the flood mitigation project in Kg Sentosa, Batang Kali. The project is estimated at RM2 million.

And in what has become a standard election practice, the BN had also promised to repair mosques and public facilities within the constituency at an estimated cost of RM650,000.

Last on the list is the controversial announcement of a daycare centre made by Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. The Pusat Permata Negara will cost the federal government RM200,000.

Other projects announced are the provision of a hearse & facilities improvement for the Masjid Kg Sentosa in Batang Kali with an estimated cost of RM100,000.

Though BN leaders argued that the projects were already planned prior to the by-election, the announcements were made in the run up to the Hulu Selangor vote and will be perceived as a move to woo voters.

Pakatan Rakyat:

The ruling state coalition will not have the cash prowess of its political foes but will have the strength of the state government in its arsenal.

It has capitalised on the state government machinery and coupled with the power over land ownership which is a key issue in Hulu Selangor, will have an advantage over BN.

Khalid has been fully aware of this and has exploited the advantage by announcing that some 100,000 families, who have been occupying state land for more than 15 years, will be eligible for leasehold grants of up to 99 years.

The Selangor PKR chief also said that farmers working on land with temporary occupation licenses (TOL) would either given long-term rent options or issued grants.

Other goodies-giving moves made by the former corporate captain include land grants to 108 families in Ladang SKC Bernam and RM182,500 allocation for 73 senior citizens under the Mesra Usia Emas scheme.

Though no exact amount has been announced, Khalid’s government is expected to spend at least RM1 million for the Hulu Selangor vote.

The Selangor government have also temporarily shifted its office there in a move to be closer to the Hulu Selangor grassroots.

The amount spent by both coalitions so far, particularly BN, is testament to the Hulu Selangor by-election’s significance.

Observers say a win for BN signals a return of voter confidence towards the ruling coalition and Najib’s leadership which was recently boosted by a higher approval rating.

It could also signal the end of PR’s Election 2008 support momentum.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider