MY MALAYSIA

ANWAR CERITA TENTANG PROFESOR KANGKUNG

2011-05-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

DSAI @ PAHANG: PART 1

DSAI @ PAHANG: PART 2

DSAI @ PAHANG: PART 3

DSAI @ PAHANG: PART 4 (PROFESOR KANGKUNG KAKI AMPU)

DSAI @ PAHANG: PART 5

ANWAR CLAIMS DR M THREATENED HIM BEFORE SACKING

Syed Jaymal Zahiid
May 29, 2011

SUBANG JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed he was threatened by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who told him to voluntarily step down a day before his sacking as the deputy prime minister in 1998.

The PKR de facto leader further alleged that Mahathir had offered him financial compensation. Should he reject, he would be charged, the Permatang Pauh MP added.

“Mahathir told me… you have wife, a family, its better if you resign voluntarily, if not charges will be brought against you,” he told some 150 people who attended a closed-door dialogue with young professionals here.

The supposed threat was highlighted in book by writer Ziauddin Sardar. The audience during the question and answer session asked Anwar if this was true to which the opposition leader replied:

“It’s true because I told him (Ziauddin). I also went against Dr Mahathir, and was wrongfully imprisoned and subsequently beaten half to death.”

Despite the ordeal, Anwar told the audience that he held no grudges against his former mentor, and forgave him for what happened.

“He is old and senile. Leave him alone lah,” he said jokingly in reply to a question by an audience who wanted to know what would he do to the former premier if he becomes prime minister.

Anwar was sacked in 1998 and charged with sodomy and power abuse, charges he claimed were high level conspiracy to topple him.

He was later convicted and jailed for both offences but was eventually freed in September 2004.

Anwar has since led Pakatan Rakyat to major electoral gains when they denied Barisan Nasional their customary two-thirds parliamentary majority and ousted the ruling coalition from four states while retaining one in 2008.

Much of the success is attributed to Anwar’s influence which he claimed was the reason behind a second sodomy charge.

Anwar described the second sodomy charge as “evil, frivolous lies by those in power”, singling out Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor as the masterminds.

The opposition leader is charged under section 377B of the Penal Code and can be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years’ jail and whipping upon conviction.

--FREE MALAYSIA TODAY--

TENANG BY-ELECTION

2011-01-24T03:03:00.000-08:00

NORMALA SUDIRMAN, THE CANDIDATE

ANWAR IBRAHIM AT FELDA TENANG - PART 1

ANWAR IBRAHIM AT FELDA TENANG - PART 2

SIDANG MEDIA DS HADI AWANG & DS ANWAR IBRAHIM @ PGU

WIKILEAKS, LEE KUAN YEW AND PENANG

2010-12-14T20:38:00.000-08:00

ANWAR @WANGSA MAJU (14 DEC 10): ISU WIKILEAKS - PART 1

ANWAR @WM (14 DEC 10): SINGAPURA JANGAN BIADAP! JAGA SAJA NEGARA SENDIRI - PART 2

ANWAR @WM (14 DEC 10): ISU PULAU PINANG - PART 3

Surat Rasmi KEADILAN Kepada Kedutaan Besar Singapura Mengenai Isu ‘Wikileaks’

Ref no: MISC/PAR/10/10/yh

H.E. T Jasudasen
High Commissioner
The Republic of Singapore

Dear Sir,

Greetings. The latest exposure in WikiLeaks has triggered a serious and alarming signal for Malaysia-Singapore relations. While I agree that the confidentiality of diplomatic correspondence must be respected, I also hold that a healthy friendship with neighbouring countries must be based on trust and mutual respect.

The cables released by WikiLeaks contain the opinions of Singapore’s senior politicians and diplomats. Their comments show, despite being our close neighbour, Singapore Government leaders view Malaysia with contempt and disdain. For example, Malaysian developmental decline was simplistically attributed to “incompetent” leadership. Besides the defamatory remark by Lee Kuan Yew that the Opposition Leader was “set-up”, Singapore’s Government senior leaders also described Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as an “opportunist” and asserted that he was involved in a murder case.

These comments, coming from Singapore Government officials, were not expressed in private conversations or within a close circle. Instead, the cables revealed that Singapore’s political leaders and diplomats had been actively communicating such damaging remarks to the international community. From the nature of these communications, one can not help but to interpret that Singapore is actively engaging in a covert exercise to undermine Malaysia’s international standing. As a Malaysian, despite my differences with the ruling parties, I find it extremely offensive when a foreign government deliberately spreads unverified information to tarnish my country’s image.

For decades, Malaysia-Singapore relationship has been marred by suspicion and mistrust. I personally believe that there is room for improvement in the relationship between our two countries. We place high hope in professional diplomats to play an important role in promoting positive relations between countries.

But unfortunately, in spite of our proximity and long-term cross-border exchanges, Singapore diplomats have still failed to assess Malaysia accurately. It is particularly insulting when Singapore informs other countries that Malaysia was on the brink of ethnic riots, and Singapore risked having to face a flood of refugees of ethnic Chinese from Malaysia.

I believe I am not the only Malaysian who feels disturbed by the patronizing and arrogant attitude of Singapore’s leaders. I hereby, seek your clarification on the above-mentioned issues. I hope the Singapore High Commission on behalf of the Singapore Government will explain to the Malaysian public whether the opinions of its officials as revealed on WikiLeaks reflect the government’s official view on Malaysia.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that as a Malaysian Member of Parliament, I value a good relationship with our neighbour Singapore and have no intention to create a diplomatic brawl over the leaked information. However I seek an honest explanation so that our future relations can again be placed on a sound footing.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

TIAN CHUA
Vice President of the People’s Justice Party
Member of Parliament Malaysia [Batu]
14 December 2010

WIKILEAKS REVEALS, WIKI-PHOBIA

2010-12-12T21:50:00.000-08:00

WIKILEAKS: JIRAN BANTU JATUHKAN ANWAR

Rupa-rupanya jiran-jiran serantau turut membantu membenam kerjaya politik Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Dalam apa yg disifatkan sebagai mengejutkan, wikileaks mendedahkan bahawa Singapura melalui menteri mentornya, Lee Kuan Yew dan pegawai risikan negara pulau tersebut meyakinkan Agensi Perisikan Australia bagi Penilaian Nasional (ONA) bahawa Anwar 'benar-benar melakukan seks songsang'.

Menurut akhbar The Sun-Herald, ONA difahamkan oleh singapura bahawa penilaian tentang Anwar dibuat berdasarkan 'Technical Intelligence' yang mungkin berkait dengan pemintasan sistem komunikasi.

Menerusi penilaian ONA, mereka dan Singapura setuju bahawa dakwaan terhadap Anwar hanyalah rekaan semata-mata dan ONA berpendapat, Anwar tahu tentang dakwaan ini tetapi memilih untuk 'masuk ke dalamnya'.

Rumusan mudah dari kebocoran kabel Jabatan Pertahanan Amerika adalah,
ada kemungkinan dakwaan The Sun-Herald bahawa sistem komunikasi kita dapat dipintas adalah benar dan negara perlu lebih berhati-hati tentang perkara seperti ini.

Anwar telah ditipu hidup-hidup oleh Singapura selama ini dan konspirasi menjatuhkan Anwar menarik perhatian Pulau Republik untuk terbabit secara langsung.
Mungkin benar dakwaan azmin bahawa Singapura akan berhadapan saingan sengit andai kerajaan UMNO/BN tumbang dan pembangkang yang di ketuai oleh Anwar mampu menyaingi sosio-ekonomi republik itu.

WIKILEAKS REVEALS HOW SINGAPORE VIEWS ITS NEIGHBORS

Posted 13 December 2010
By Mong Palatino

Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew thinks North Koreans are ‘psychopathic types’ and their leader is a ‘flabby old chap.’ Senior Singapore diplomats believe that Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak is an opportunist while opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is guilty of sodomy. They also describe deposed Thailand leader Thaksin Shinawatra as “corrupt” along with “everyone else, including the opposition.” Japan is ‘the big fat loser’ as relationship between China and Southeast Asian nations continues to improve.

The source of these sensational revelations is Wikileaks. It is up to the readers to believe in the authenticity of these exposed cable reports. What is certain is that this latest batch of releases from Wikileaks will keep the Singapore government busy in the next few days and weeks as they try to minimize the damage caused by these reports in their foreign relations.

Meanwhile, here are blog and twitter reactions from Malaysia.

Din Merican is disappointed that the attitude of Singapore officials has remained “contemptuous” of Malaysia

It will be interesting to see how Singaporean diplomats can diffuse this situation.

As someone who has consistently supported better relations between Malaysia and Singapore and regards himself as a friend of Singapore, I am disappointed to note that the attitude of officials in Singapore has remained contemptuous of Malaysia. Old habits of mind are certainly difficult to change. I would have thought our two countries could move forward on the basis of mutual respect and interests with the warming of relations between the two Prime Ministers.

Ktemoc points out that the proof of Anwar Ibrahim’s purported guilt in the sodomy case is not factual but only hearsay

I read the news yesterday, and it’s an aspect of Anwar Ibrahim I have never really been interested in, well, for a couple of reasons. One, so long as it was consensual between adults then it bothers me not; two, it’s news that came about from a series of “I was told by …, who was told by …, who heard it from …, “ so it’s technically not factual, hearsay evidence so to speak. So what’s the big deal?

But let’s examine in more details where or who the source was. The Yanks heard it from the Aussies; the Aussies heard it from the Sings, in particular LKY; the Sings claimed they extracted it from ‘technical’ intelligence, meaning electronic interception or even land line eavesdropping.

rocky's bru tells his readers that he has not yet signed the petition to support Wikileaks

Bugger. So, we all support press freedom, right? We all signed up the petition to defend WikiLeaks, eh? Now, according to Wikileaks, the Aussies and the kiasu Singaporeans knew about Dr Anwar and Saiful all along, about it being a set-up and how Dr Anwar had known that it was an entrapment but didn't - or could not - give a damn.

Wow.

Damning ni.

Because it is Wikileaks, more people will believe that Saiful was buggered. Right?

By the way, I haven't signed the petition to support Wikileaks.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of Parti Keadilan Rakyat urges the publication of the ‘technical intelligence’ which was allegedly used by Singapore with regards to the case of Anwar

It should furthermore be pointed out that the cables exposed by Wikileaks are essentially information collected by third parties – like Australia – that were then shared to the US State Department. As a result, the cables contain all manner of information – including personal opinions and hearsay and hence are far from reliable.

I hope the ‘technical intelligence’ mentioned in Wikileaks could be revealed to the public since that was the basis that the Singaporean intelligence claimed led to their conclusion.

My Words, My Freedom is more worried about the ability of Singapore to intercept Malaysian communications

what concern me much about the leak is that, if it was true, how safe our secret information is? if the singapore intelligence can easily intercept our communications, what our security officials are doing? and, i'm afraid that our military secrets can also be compromised! hey folks, our security is much more important that anwar and saiful's case! as my friend always say, “the future of our country is not depending on these two figures!” so, let's focus on more important issue than this sodomy case! ;)

Malaysiakini gathers the views of readers about the latest Wikileaks report. Rolls-Royce opines

The intelligence services always think they are more intelligent than others. Honestly, how much of the so-called leaked information are actually hunches that most of us have already had anyway?

Singapore talking bad about Malaysia, US talking bad about North Korea and Burma, Pakistan or Malaysia talking bad about Israel or Singapore, etc. These are to be expected. If we think these are great enlightenments, then we are the idiots.

Twitter reactions from Kuala Lumpur

CliffCLF: Wikileaks said that Malaysia was in a ‘’confused and dangerous’’ state due to “its incompetent politicians”. couldn't agree more though.
equal_o_not: @jonathanfun @timmysay just cos Wikileaks says that some1 thinks M'sia set him up? Fat chance……unless solid proof is provided.
sultanmuzaffar: WikiLeaks is now officially relevant to the Malaysians. More please!
drcheehoe: have second thoughts of #wikileaks being helpful instead of harmful. I prefer to think the cable leak about @anwaribrahim merely ‘cakap'
stephendoss: @matkeri the info is between diplomatic cables, wikileaks just exposes, it is not in a position to determine truth or falsity @Aisehman
YeoWai: actually who needs Wikileaks to tell us our politician is incompetent?
matkeri: @Aisehman bro, back to the source : WikiLeaks. No source, no leaks. Just a controversial rpt by a Sunday tabloid. :D

For his part, Anwar tweeted that the cable reports from Wikileaks strengthened his argument that there was a conspiracy on the part of the Malaysian government to set him up with a sodomy case and destroy his political career.

--GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE--

ZAID IBRAHIM AND SISTER IN ISLAM

2010-11-22T04:18:00.000-08:00

KENAPA KEPIMPINAN TERTINGGI PARTI BIARKAN DATO ZAID IBRAHIM KELUAR DARI PKR

Salam, sahabat2 sekalian.Setelah lama bercuti, hari ini saya kembali menulis dan diharap tidak akan terhenti lagi seperti sebelum ini atas beberapa sebab yang tidak dapat dielakkan.

Hari ini saya ingin mengulas sedikit tentang KENAPA KEPIMPINAN TERTINGGI PARTI BIARKAN DATO ZAID IBRAHIM KELUAR DARI PKR DAN PAKATAN RAKYAT.
Menurut sumber-sumber dalaman parti yang boleh dipercayai, Dato Zaid mempunyai sikap sambil lewa dalam parti dan sentiasa mahu kehadapan dalam peluang-peluang pada kedudukan tertinggi parti.Beliau juga dikatakan sangat bersetuju pada perjuangan Sister In Islam(SIS) dan bercadang membawa masuk SIS kedalam PKR sekaligus kedalam PR.

Ini antara sebab mengapa Dato Seri Anwar enggan membela Dato Zaid.Tambahan pula dengan sikap Zaid yang kebudak-budakan dalam meluahkan ketidakpuasan pada media musuh politik.Asal tak puas hati, cari Utusan Malaysia!
Bedasarkan pada sejarah perjuangan Zaid dahulu, ada asasnya Zaid menyokong SIS.
Samada benar atau tidak Zaid menyokong SIS, hanya Zaid dan SIS sahaja yang tahu.

Pemikiran liberal Zaid sememangnya hanya layak duduk diluar PR.Dahulu tolak jawatan menteri dan keluar dari kerajaan.Kini buat perkara yang sama.Cuma bezanya keluar tanpa sebarang jawatan tertinggi parti.

Apa sekalipun yang berlaku, sudah pun berlalu dan Anwar serta kepimpinan tertinggi PKR perlu mencari jalan untuk keluar dari segala kemelut yang melanda.Semoga segala kemelut yang berlaku, akan mematangkan parti supaya lebih ampuh.

Zaid Was Never PKR Co-ordinator, Says Anwar

BUTTERWORTH, 18 Nov (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim denied on Thursday that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim was ever PKR co-ordinator.

He said that he himself had chaired all PKR meetings and there was no record in the minutes of Zaid, the former Federal Territory chairman of the party, being appointed to that position.

What PKR had was a secretariat, and he (Anwar) had acted as co-ordinator at the top level, the opposition leader told reporters here.

Anwar said:" We have repeatedly clarified this, but the media had kept using it (the title for Zaid), and he had through his friends in the media promoted himself as PKR co-ordinator."

But a month ago, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali went through the records and found no such appointment, he added at the distribution of meat to the poor in conjunction with Aidil Adha.

Asked to comment on reports that Zaid might set up a new party, Anwar said: "It is up to him..."

Zaid, who withdrew from the contest for deputy president alleging fraud in the election system, confirmed that he was quitting PKR and would explain all at a news conference on Friday.

--BERNAMA--

DATO SOSILAWATI DIDERA SEBELUM DIBUNUH?

2010-09-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

UPDATE (12/9/2010 – JAM 7.23 PM): UJIAN DNA YANG DIJALANKAN KEATAS 4 MAYAT YANG DIBAKAR DI SEBUAH LADANG KELAPA SAWIT MANAKALA ABU MAYAT MEREKA PULA DIBUANG KE DALAM LAUT DI PANTAI MORIB, SELANGOR, ITU TELAH DISAHKAN YANG IANYA MEMANG DATUK SOSILAWATI LAWIYA DAN 3 LAGI YANG TERLIBAT.

--zonartis.com--

LOKASI KEJADIAN BUNUH & BAKAR DATO SOSILAWATI SERTA 3 YANG LAIN

SOSILAWATI's FAMILY STILL HOPEFUL

Submitted by Darshini on Sunday, September 12th, 2010

* Datuk Sosilawati Lawiyam murder

Bernama

Sunday, September 12th, 2010 19:46:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The family members of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya, 47, accepted her death as "fated" if it is indeed true that she has been murdered along with three others.

Sosilawati's eldest daughter Erni Dekritawati Yuliana Buhari, 25, said they would performed prayers for Sosilawati but said that they were still hopeful that the forensic report would confirmed otherwise.

Police today said they had arrested eight people in connection with the case and that the suspects admitted to killing the four at Ladang Gadong, Tanjong Sepat and burned their bodies and the ashes strewn at a river nearby.

"I thank all for the prayers for my mother and the three others," she told reporters at Sosilawati's home in Taman Harmonis, Gombak, here.

Also present was Sosilawati's ex-husband known only as Buhari.

Sosilawati's fourth daughter, Rina, said she would want to see for herself her mother's remains.

"If it is true that my mother is gone, show us the body," she said.

The family had been following the development of the case and watched the news conference by Bukit Aman CID chief Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin about the murder.

Sosilawati, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsudin, 44, CIMB Kampung Baru officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, and her lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, went missing on Aug 30 after going to Banting for a land purchase deal.

Meanwhile, former vocalist of the rock group Lefthanded, Nashrudin Elias or Nash, who was Sosilawati's ex-husband, said if the murder was indeed true, he could not understand how human being could commit such cruelties.

"This should not happen, not in our peaceful country," he told Bernama when contacted.

Nash, who was now in Sabah, said he tried to contact Sosilawati's children but his phone calls were not answered.

He added that although his marriage with Sosilawati did not last, "we harboured no ill-feelings."

He also conveyed his condolences to Sosilawati's family and those of the other three victims.

Meanwhile, the family members of bank officer Noorhisham believed he was still alive.

"I'm still waiting for the forensic report. Until then, I believe my son-in-law is still alive," Radin Pangat Ishak, 66, told reporters in Ampang here.

He said Noorhisham was a dedicated officer.

Noorhisham's wife Suzana Radin Pangat, 38, declined to comment.

--The Malay Mail--

APCO WORLDWIDE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA

2010-04-24T02:34:00.000-07:00

FIKIR DAHULU SEBELUM PANGKAH...KATAKAN TAK NAK PADA BN/ISRAEL!!!

Esok adalah hari bagi menentukan calon pilihan penduduk parlimen Hulu Selangor untuk dihantar ke Dewan Negara.Soalnya kini, apakah pemilih di parlimen P.94 sudah bersedia untuk memberi 'signal' kepada UMNO-BN bahawa mereka selesa bersama Pakatan Rakyat atau mereka mahu memperkukuhkan 'media lidah hitam' dengan memberi ruang kepada BN...?

Sebagai umat islam, pemilih di P.94 wajib untuk tidak memberi undi kepada UMNO/BN yang terang-terangan menjalin hubungan sulit dengan kerajaan Israel menerusi perantara sebuah syarikat yang didaftarkan di Tel Aviv, Israel.Syarikat tersebut adalah APCO WORLDWIDE.Ambil sedikit masa untuk mendengar penerangan saudara Saifuddin Nasution di bawah ini untuk anda lebih memahami bahawa negara kita kini berada dalam genggaman Israel hasil usaha PM, Najib Tun Razak.

Adalah sangat mengecewakan kerana PM tidak cukup cerdik sehingga meminta bantuan Israel untuk melicinkan pentadbiran negara dengan bayaran yang begitu tinggi sekali.
Kepada umat Islam di parlimen Hulu Selangor, adalah HARAM jika memberi undi kepada calon BN setelah menyedari bahawa kerajaan sedang berada dalam genggaman Israel!!!
Fikirkan, kemana perginya pejuang melayu-islam yang kononya keluar parti kerana sayangkan agama dan bangsa, yang meronta-ronta membuat huru-hara dalam pakatan kononya atas semangat islam sehingga dipecat dari parti kerana menjadi 'biawak hidup'.Mana dia mereka-mereka ini bila terdedah hubungan bahaya APCO-BN ini??

Pemilih di P.94 sepatutnya menyanjung tinggi Dato Zaid Ibrahim sekligus memberi undi kepada beliau yang telah membuktikan kepada kabinet sebelum ini bahawa princip keadilan mengatasi poket sendiri.
Beliau dengan berani mengakui kesilapan masa lampau dan telah menegaskan bahawa beliau tidak lagi bergelumang dengan arak.
Bagaimana pula dengan menteri-menteri yang tidak pernah mahu mengaku kesilapan sendiri sebaliknya sentiasa mencari helah untuk menafikan kejahilan diri?
Berlagak seperti orang yang bersih..berpura-pura membela Islam.
Isu rotan peminum arak agak melucukan.Yang mahu dirotan memberontak mahu dijatuhi hukuman, tetapi menteri pula yang rasai kesakitannya sehingga sanggup mencari jalan menghentikan perlaksanaan hukuman tersebut...inikah pejuang Islam?

Mirzan Mahathir, anak bekas PM telah memiliki saham dalam syarikat arak terbesar di Filiphina...adakah ini contoh pembela Islam? CLICK disini: http://www.sanmiguel.com.ph/Content.aspx?MID=0&coid=1&navID=7.
Lihat senarai nama no.2 dari bawah.

Tidak menghairankan bila Dr Mahathir turun berkempen dengan menyerang peribadi Dato Zaid Ibrahim.Ini kerana beliau telah dimalukan oleh Dato Zaid ketika memegang jawatan dalam kabinet Tun Pak Lah.Dato Zaid telah memohon maaf kepada bekas hakim-hakim mahkamah negara yang dipecat oleh Tun Mahathir pada tahun 1988.Dan kerana Dato Zaid juga, maka hakim-hakim tersebut telah diberi ganjaran 'EXGRATIA' oleh kerajaan sebagai menebus dosa dan kesilapan PM ketika itu, iaitu Dr Mahathir.
Kerana isu inilah Dr Mahathir 'bebulu' dengan Dato Zaid.
Dr Mahathir juga terkena tempias dalam isu arak yang dijaja oleh UMNO-BN.Bilamana Dato Mustapha Ali bersungguh mengatakan bahawa kesemua bekas PM adalah peminum arak, kecuali Pak Lah.Maka, semestinya maksud dari Dato Mustapha Ali bahawa Dr Mahathir juga adalah kaki botol!!!

Kepada penduduk Hulu Selangor yang diberikan pelbagai imbuhan, maka terimalah dengan rasa terima kasih dan syukur kepada ALLAH.Tetapi jangan sesekali memilih orang-orang yang menentang hukum-hakam Allah.Ambil sahaja segala yang mereka beri, kerana itu sememangnya hak anda!

Semoga para pemilih dapat membuang undi dengan tenang tanpa rasa takut akan kerugian di dunia ini kerana kenikmatan diakhirat adalah jaminan yang abadi.

SELAMAT MENGUNDI.

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION: DOKUMEN TERPERINCI APCO-ISRAEL DIDEDAH - PART 1

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION: DOKUMEN TERPERINCI APCO-ISRAEL DIDEDAH - PART 2

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION: DOKUMEN TERPERINCI APCO-ISRAEL DIDEDAH - PART 3

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION: DOKUMEN TERPERINCI APCO-ISRAEL DIDEDAH - PART 4

SAIFUDDIN NASUTION: DOKUMEN TERPERINCI APCO-ISRAEL DIDEDAH - PART 5

TIME RUNNING OUT, NIK AZIZ PLAYS APCO CARD

By Adib Zalkapli

HULU BERNAM, April 24 — Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat slammed Barisan Nasional (BN) today for paying APCO Worldwide more than RM76 million in fees but refusing to entertain Kelantan’s claims for oil royalty, as he continued his whirlwind campaign for PKR’s Datuk Zaid Ibrahim ahead of tomorrow’s Hulu Selangor by-election.

The PAS spiritual leader hit the hustings yesterday here as part of Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) eleventh-hour push to win over Malay votes, particularly in the traditional BN strongholds in Felda plantations.

“Umno is not happy that PAS is with Pakatan and working with DAP but now they are working with Israel,” said the Kelantan mentri besar.

His remarks were in reference to Umno’s use of the race card to project PAS and PKR as traitors to the Malay cause for working with multi-racial but Chinese-dominated DAP, as well as PR’s claims that the government’s public relations consultants are linked to Israel.

The Najib administration has been under pressure for hiring APCO at an exorbitant fee.

Government officials have given conflicting accounts of why APCO was hired, with no definitive answers given so far as to what the consultants have done to justify the over RM76 million bill.

“They paid the Israelis RM77 million but cannot even pay Kelantan RM20 million oil royalty,” Nik Aziz told Felda settlers here today.

The Kelantan government is currently fighting for cash payments from Petronas for oil extracted off its shores.

Zaid also made an appearance at the campaign stop at the Sungai Tengi Felda settlement, and attempted to turn the Hulu Selangor by-election into a referendum on the future of the Felda schemes.

“This election is not about my future, I was a minister, I have been there but this election is about the future of Felda settlers. Tomorrow will determine whether or not Felda’s profits can be enjoyed fairly by the settlers,” said Zaid.

There are close to 7,000 voters in the four Felda settlements in the constituency.

PR lost badly in the four settlements in Election 2008 and is still trailing in the current campaign.

“I am not jealous if Felda wants to grow big and be rich, I just want the settlers to also enjoy the benefit,” said Zaid.

The gathering of Felda settlers was, however, not well attended by locals. Most of those present party workers or supporters from outside the constituency, suggesting solid support for BN in the area.

BN had also consolidated its stronghold following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appearance yesterday, when he handed out cash support from the federal government and promised more for settlers.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

NIK AZIZ DEFENDS ZAID, CALLS UMNO'S ATTACKS CHILDISH

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA KUBU BARU, April 23 — Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat made a last ditch attempt to salvage Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) Hulu Selangor campaign tonight, slamming the attacks on Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s drinking past as “childish”.

The Pakatan Rakyat candidate is facing a blistering campaign from rivals Umno over his “un-Islamic” drinking past but Nik Aziz (picture), who Islamic credentials are well-respected, chose to back the former law minister ahead of Sunday’s polls.

“Itu kerja bodoh (it is a stupid thing to do),” said the charismatic Kelantan Mentri Besar to a packed press conference here.

“He is a candidate of a party so you attack the party and not the candidate. It is childish,” blasted Nik Aziz

The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government is said to be leading the race for the parliamentary seat due to several factors including the effective smear campaign used by Umno.

In recent days, Umno and BN have stepped up their campaign with even Datuk Seri Najib Razak hitting the hustings.

On the stump, the prime minister and Umno president has made uncharacteristically aggressive attacks against PR, by calling Zaid a “Cabinet reject” and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a two-faced politician.

Umno’s aggressive attacks on Zaid’s character by dredging up his past drinking habit and ownership of race horses have also caused PR to go on the defensive.

DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang had also admitted that PR was trailing its rivals and have sounded the alarm in a desperate attempt to scrape a much needed victory.

Umno leaders had also dug the brittle relation Zaid had with PAS in the past when the former had sued the Terengganu government over attempt to enact the hudud law. Terengganu was under PAS at the time.

PR hopes to capitalise on the holy image of Nik Aziz to cast away doubts over Zaid’s Islamic credentials in the final stretch of the 8-day long campaigning trail.

Aware of BN’s attempt to drive a wedge between PR over the drinking issue, Nik Aziz, just like his fellow PR leaders, moved quickly to contain the damage by reassuring PAS’ support for Zaid and PKR.

“We have no problems being with PR. The Chinese and Malays all support me,” he said after explaining that all man are created equal in Islam.

“There is no racism in Islam,” he added.

Zaid, who was present at the press conference, said he had always look up to the PAS leader and express appreciation for his support.

“He called me almost twice a day everyday when he was in Mecca. He told me to be patient, patient, patient,” said the former Umno man.

Both BN and PR have less than 48 hours to campaign for the crucial by-election.

It is generally agreed that the outcome is a verdict, either support for the Najib administration or a continuous and expanding influence for PR.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION

2010-04-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

DR HALILI RAHMAT KELUAR PKR DAN MAHU MASUK UMNO

Bekas bakal calon bg kerusi parlimen Hulu Selangor yang juga bekas Dr peribadi DSAI telah mengumumkan keluar dari PKR dan mahu masuk UMNO.

"BAGUS KELUAR SEKARANG DARIPADA LANTIK JADI CALON..KEMUDIAN MENANG..PASTU BUAT
HAL, CARI ALASAN..ISTIHAR JADI BEBAS..DOK SEBELAH ZULKIFLI NORDIN LAK NANTI.
SYUKUR, KERANA DIA BLAA TANPA TITLE 'YB'" - AKU KATA

INILAH CONTOH PERANGAI BIADAP UMNO-BN

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: DSAI WAS "FORCED" TO SPEAK AFTER THE NOMINATION

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: DSAI AT KG BARU KALUMPANG - PART 1

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: DSAI AT KG BARU KALUMPANG - PART 2

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: DATO SERI NIZAR AT KG BARU KALUMPANG - PART 1

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: DATO SERI NIZAR AT KG BARU KALUMPANG - PART 2

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: KHALID SAMAD AT KG BARU KALUMPANG - PART 1

HULU SELANGOR BY-ELECTION: KHALID SAMAD AT KG BARU KALUMPANG - PART 2

HULU SELANGOR'S DR HALILI RAHMAT QUITS PKR

By Adib Zalkapli

PETALING JAYA, April 19 — Datuk Dr Halili Rahmat, who was previously speculated to be picked as PKR’s candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election, quit the party today.

The party instead picked Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to contest the April 25 by election.

Dr Halili, who was division treasurer, said he would apply to join Umno as he claimed PKR has deviated from its original struggle.

Also present at the announcement was former PKR secretary-general Datuk Salehuddin Hashim who chaired the press conference.

A neurosurgeon, Dr Halili was one of the founding leaders of the then National Justice Party and contested in the 1999 and 2004 general election in Hulu Selangor and in Batang Kali.

A close friend of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Halili was listed by the party as one of 12 the potential candidates for the federal seat left vacant by the death of PKR MP Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

APCO, MALAYSIA & ISRAEL LINK

2010-04-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

ANWAR IBRAHIM: PENDEDAHAN TERPERINCI TENTANG APCO, ONE ISRAEL = 1MALAYSIA -PART 1

ANWAR IBRAHIM: PENDEDAHAN TERPERINCI TENTANG APCO, ONE ISRAEL = 1MALAYSIA -PART 2

ANWAR IBRAHIM: PENDEDAHAN TERPERINCI TENTANG APCO, ONE ISRAEL = 1MALAYSIA -PART 3

ANWAR IBRAHIM: PENDEDAHAN TERPERINCI TENTANG APCO, ONE ISRAEL = 1MALAYSIA -PART 4

BN 'STOLE' IDEAS FROM OUR ECONOMIC AGENDA: ANWAR IBRAHIM

THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION ON APCO

'Why is a foreign company engaged to craft 1Malaysia?
How much are taxpayers paying for this service?
How much commission, if any, is Ethos Consulting getting for this deal?'

Anwar produces documents on Apco-Israel-1M'sia link

Avatar: I am happy that Anwar Ibrahim has finally walked his talk and the BN member can't refute this piece of evidence. But then, the government will deny all contacts and suprisingly the documents will go missing.

Ghkok: Why is a foreign company engaged to craft 1Malaysia? Why is it necessary to craft a slogan anyway? How much are taxpayers paying for this service? How much commission, if any, is Ethos Consulting getting for this deal? Who else is involved?

Is it legal to engage a company to perform services in this country, from a country that we don't have diplomatic relations with? Many questions - does Prime Minister Najib Razak have the answers to them?

Arif Shazman: Putting aside whether or not 1Malaysia is indeed a recycled idea, Anwar Ibrahim is such a hatemonger. As the saying goes, "Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house" - there are so many internal issues, his personal image and party are both crumbling, and he thinks attacking others will change that.

I cannot see how anyone can invest their trust in a man so obviously driven by vengeance and spite. I don't care if they sent him to jail, how victimised he has been - this is not the kind of person I'd want to lead Malaysia.

Kgen: On the contrary, Arif Shazman, Anwar has shown amazing lack of spite, vengeance or malice despite being humiliated, demonised and jailed six years by Dr Mahathir Mohamad for nothing.

Have you ever heard him attacking Mahathir personally although Mahathir has continued to be spiteful towards him? He demonstrates true compassion and forgiveness when a lesser man would be consumed by bitterness, anger and revenge. Such noble qualities make him suitable as PM in my eyes.

Simon Law: Am I ignorant or something? Why the big fuss about whether 1Malaysia is linked to One Israel? Who cares if it does or doesn't? There are young graduates having trouble finding a decent job even after many years they have graduated. There are robberies, rapes, con-men out there on the streets. The police force is not working. Corruption is running rampant within the government service.

Now, can someone please tell me why DSAI still pressing on some petty stuff? Who cares if 1Malaysia is a recycled idea from Israel? The kampung man doesn't care. I couldn't care less. If we need to boycott Israel product and services, then stop using Windows because Microsoft Israel build the core for the modern Windows platform.

Stop using mobile phone, because that is Israel founded the technology, stop using Intel processors because Intel Israel designed them, stop using voice mail, video cam, instant messaging and don't take any medication too. Most are invented by Israelis.

Hardtail: I'm okay with PM Najib having Israeli links or friends. I'm not okay with Najib using our money - RM20 million of it is to pay these links just to make him look good? Was Najib blackmailed to use Apco's services?

Pigasus Phua: Im very impressed that Anwar was able to get hold of the contract signed between Apco and Najib's administration. Obviously there are reformasi moles embedded throughout the crumbling Umno establishment.

SusahKes: "Anwar asked why a Najib's aide be at the signing of the contract." Well DSAI (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), Najib's aides have a habit of showing up in critical places during critical moments. Just ask Razak Baginda.

Wanita MCA head's career on the line

Gk: The credibility and integrity of most MCA leaders, Chew included, have long gone. Whether she resigns or does not resign from both party and government posts makes no difference.

"I can't allow myself to convey the message that politicians have no integrity"? If she had the integrity as claimed, she should not have accepted any position in the cabinet earlier on after being rejected in the last general election.

This equally applicable to Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon and many more non-elected 'leaders'. You may regard yourselves as 'leaders' of your respective parties, but you are definitely not 'leaders' of the rakyat. Please draw a line between the two.

Louis: A minister's post is the prized trophy of those fighting for MCA posts. Do you think that Chew Mei Fun is different from them? Next, she will come up with the excuse that her supporters want her to keep her minister's post. I really cannot trust any of those MCA fellows.

Malayamuda: They will all cry and tell her not to resign, so she will cry and say she won't resign. Malaysiakini can carry this report today itself. No need to wait for the Wanita MCA exco meeting.

Nizar: Prominent police presence created climate of fear

Rightness: Now who is scared of who? I thought the Perak BN government is so confident of themselves now after the sultan help to put them in power after the 'froggy' business. Now they need the police to keep them in the state assembly sitting after the assistance from court to win over Pakatan Rakyat.

hope they don't bring the army in as well to the Dewan Rakyat to provide security for them to retain their seat.

Disgusted: BN with the help of police personal and their own security team, has made it looks like a communist country holding its meeting rather that a democratic state assembly. It has brought shame to the institution of democracy.

The rakyat's patience is tested to the limits and if BN keeps this up it will pay heavily not only in Perak but the whole of Malaysia for their folly at the next GE (general election).

--MalaysiaKini--

ONE ISRAEL ONE MALAYSIA, ANWAR STRIKES BACK

2010-03-30T02:32:00.000-07:00

1ISRAEL = 1MALAYSIA

ANWAR JAWAB SEGALANYA...UMNO DIAM MEMBISU

PEMIMPIN UMNO TIDUR DALAM KASINO DI DEPAN MESIN JUDI, KAKI BOTOL

ANWAR IBRAHIM BONGKAR SCANDAL APCO(ISRAEL)-UMNO

MP KALABAKAN LEPAS GERAM KERANA ZAHRAIN

PARLIAMENT: ANWAR SAYS APCO WAS IN MALAYSIA BEFORE 1MALAYSIA CONCEPT

Published: Tuesday March 30, 2010 MYT 2:56:00 PM
By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that Apco Worldwide, which he said had links to Israel, had started operations in Kuala Lumpur months before the 1Malaysia concept had been created.

He added the local branch of Apco began as a public relations company, Mindteams Sdn Bhd, at least six months before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the 1Malaysia concept and aspirations last year.

Anwar called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to provide an explanation on the Government's ties with Apco.

"The Government should cease its relationship with Apco immediately and a Royal Commission of Inquiry should be formed to investigate the scandal of Apco's involvement in Malaysia, which has affected the national security and integrity," he said in his speech at the Dewan Rakyat.

Anwar's speech came after he was directed by the House last week to explain his allegations that the 1Malaysia concept was designed by a foreign firm that created the One Israel concept in 1999 for then Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

After Anwar completed his speech, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee advised MPs to submit a motion to the Speaker to bring Anwar to the Rights and Privileges Committee if they felt that Anwar had misled the House for his remarks.

--The Star Online--

THE REUNION OF REFORMISTS AND SODOMY TRIAL II

2010-02-11T03:55:00.000-08:00

THE REUNION OF REFORMISTS: ANWAR IBRAHIM AT PKR HQ, PJ - PART 1

THE REUNION OF REFORMISTS: ANWAR IBRAHIM AT PKR HQ, PJ - PART 2

THE REUNION OF REFORMISTS: ANWAR IBRAHIM AT PKR HQ, PJ - PART 3

SODOMY TRIAL II, KL HIGHT COURT (10 FEBRUARY 2010) - DSAI: ALLEGED DEATH THREAT ON FACEBOOK, SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

DSAI: PRESS CONFERENCE AT KL HIGHT COURT, 10 FEBRUARY 2010

ANWAR IBRAHIM: BKT SENTOSA, HULU SELANGOR

2010-01-24T22:54:00.000-08:00

ANWAR IBRAHIM: BKT SENTOSA, HULU SELANGOR - PART 1

ANWAR IBRAHIM: BKT SENTOSA, HULU SELANGOR - PART 2

ANWAR IBRAHIM: BKT SENTOSA, HULU SELANGOR - PART 3

ANWAR IBRAHIM: BKT SENTOSA, HULU SELANGOR - PART 4

ANWAR IBRAHIM: BKT SENTOSA, HULU SELANGOR - PART 5

A LANDMARK SHURA COUNCIL

CENTURIES back, tribes in Arabia were said to have each consulted a gathering of elders and community leaders for guidance in making decisions for the people. The use of such a council, called the “shura”, was meant to act as a congenial forum for decisions to be made in an air of mutual respect and responsibility. The shura formed one of the key characteristics of governance in the region during the early Islamic period, and even before the religion rose to prominence.

There was an interesting development in Penang last week when the Pakatan Rakyat state administration formed the first ever shura gathering for any government in the country.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng launched the Penang Shura Council which brought together some 30 persons from Islamic agencies and NGOs, as well as syariah lawyers, before it convened its inaugural meeting at his office last Friday.

The occasion turned out to be a rather warm-hearted affair. Chaired by PKR’s state executive councillor Abdul Malek Abul Kassim, the council is meant to serve as an advisory platform for the state on various Islamic issues and to make recommendations when necessary.

The formation of a shura council in the only state in peninsular Malaysia with a non-Muslim majority population is a significant step for Lim and the ties that now bind secular DAP, Muslim PAS and multi-ethnic PKR.

For some time now, and to a large degree, Lim has managed to endear himself to the Muslim populace, as evinced by the ovations he received from Pakatan supporters during the by-election campaigns in Penanti and Permatang Pasir last year, and even before that, at the landmark Permatang Pauh parliamentary contest that ushered Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim back to Parliament in 2008.

And in the process, he has worked to break new ground by becoming closely bonded with Muslim groups and the masses. In fact, I have observed that there has been a concerted effort by Lim’s administration to undertake activities to present the state government as being highly supportive of Muslim affairs in Penang.

As it is, folks in villages and the Malay heartland still remember him getting jailed a decade back while trying to defend a Malay-Muslim girl in an alleged statutory rape case. Then, just days after he assumed power in March 2008, Lim raised eyebrows by attending the Maal Hijrah state-level festival, becoming the first non-Muslim government leader to attend the religious event.

In fact, Lim had during a visit by PAS president Hadi Awang in April 2008, proposed the formation of a Penang Religious Goodwill Council, a suggestion that was favourably received, only to be hit by critics from the other side of the political divide. And in his administration, he has consistently been referring to medieval Islamic leader and scholar Khalifah Umar Abdul Aziz as a model and inspiration; drawing praise from Muslims, including ulamaks.

Lim also initiated the conferring of monetary awards by the state for all Huffaz (people who have memorised the Quran by heart) in the state. He has stood on stage with the governor of Penang at the ceremonies where the Huffaz were given their awards.

And in the economic sphere, Lim has been a driving force, together with Malik, in establishing a halal hub in Penang; with land already allocated for the purpose, and investments now coming in.

There was, however, one particular issue that drew silent attention during the shura’s first meeting – the appointment of the new president of the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP), Elias Zakaria, as a member. The Pakatan Rakyat had wanted PAS state commissioner Salleh Man to assume the MAIPP’s head post after the term of the previous president, Shahbudin Yahaya of Umno, expired late last year. However, the Pakatan leadership had to acquiesce as the King stood by the royal decision to appoint Elias.

Elias was absent during the inaugural shura meeting, but there were other prominent personalities present to weigh in their support, including the state mufti, Datuk Hassan Ahmad, and Penang syariah court chief judge Yusof Musa.

Due mainly to political differences, the Pakatan state authorities had had a rather acerbic relationship with Shahbudin when he headed the MAIPP. In one of their most bitter confrontations, Shahbudin, the Umno assemblyman for Permatang Berangan, had objected to Lim employing the Arabic phrase “Amal maaruf nahi mungkar” (enjoining good, forbidding evil), a line derived from the Quran, arguing that it was not meant for a non-Muslim.

It is remarkable to note that even as Lim and Shahbudin clashed on the matter, the Muslim representatives in PR came out in support of Lim, praising him for taking heed of a noble Islamic tenet.

Now with the formation of the landmark shura council, Malek has insisted there would be a strong forum for the state to work more cohesively with MAIPP and the State Islamic Religious Department. It is, after all in that spirit of consultation and dialogue that the early civilisations of Arabia had evolved the concept of the shura. Above all, it will be most interesting to observe how the initiative for the shura develops, to further cement ties that have found new ground between Muslims and non-Muslims in PR and the civil societies in Penang.

--THE SUN--

MALAYSIA POLICE HALT ANWAR SPEECH IN KAUAL LUMPUR

2010-01-24T22:03:00.000-08:00

POLICE VS ANWAR IBRAHIM - 24 JAN 2010, KUALA LUMPUR

ANWAR IBRAHIM: THE ALLAH ISSUE

WORD 'ALLAH' NOT RESTRICATED ONLY TO MUSLIMS, SAYS HADI

Wednesday January 6, 2010

PETALING JAYA: The word “Allah” is not restricted only to Muslims as Christians and Jews are also allowed to use it, according to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

However, the name of Allah should not be used in a wrong and irresponsible manner that could jeopardise racial and religious harmony in the country, he said in a statement.

PAS has warned all quarters not to abuse the issue for cheap political mileage to gain public support as the party strongly rejected aggressive and provocative actions that could jeopardise peace and harmony, he said.

In supporting the High Court’s decision that allowed the weekly Herald to use the word ‘Allah’, he said the principle of freedom of religion was championed by Islam because human beings could not be forced to profess any religion except through their own free will.

“In the Malaysian context, the situation must be considered for the sake of public interest to preserve harmony among the various races and religions,” said Abdul Hadi.

Former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said while some Muslims might question the right to use the word “Allah”, it was the people’s prerogative to practise their own religion.

However, he cautioned that non-Muslims must not use the name Allah as a tool to spread propaganda to insult Islam.

He also saw nothing wrong with using the name Allah in daily interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims such as using the term “May Allah bless you” as long as it is done in a respectful manner.

PKR Religious Understanding and Strengthening Bureau chairman Dr Muhd Nur Manuty said opportunists should not harp on the issue for political mileage.

He said the non-Muslims’ request to use the word ‘Allah’ should be viewed with an open mind.

“This is a positive development. We view this phenomenon as manifestation of human nature to acknowledge Allah as the Creator,” he said.

Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia vice-president Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Ariffin Suhaimi supported the move by the Home Ministry in filing an appeal on the case.

Dr Ariffin said churches would not lose its strength in faith if they did not use the name Allah and continued using the term “God” or “Lord”.

Jamaah Islah Malaysia president Zaid Kamaruddin said the issue should be resolved through the legal process.

--MSTAR--

ALLAH ROW & JOKE OF THE MONTH

2010-01-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

Isu penggunaan Kalimah 'ALLAH' yang membabitkan penerbitan Herald seakan reda pada minggu ini sejak ia 'diledakkan' oleh tangan-tangan ghaib pada minggu lalu menerusi beberapa siri serangan bom petrol terhadap gereja-gereja kristian.Juga diberitakan serangan 'ala-Along' di kota tinggi, pejabat peguam bagi pihak Herald juga dipecah masuk serta serangan balas yang dikatakan berlaku di beberapa Masjid.

Sejak keputusan mahkamah yang membenarkan penerbitan Herald menggunakan kalimah 'Allah', umat islam Malaysia dengan pantas bangkit menyatakan bantahan mereka dan sepakat untuk turun berdemo beramai-ramai.Peliknya dalam hal berdemo ini ialah sikap kelompok pemimpin '1 Malaysia' yang memberi lampu hijau untuk umat Islam berdemo.
Adakah kerana sayangkan Islam maka diberikan lampu hijau untuk berdemo dalam isu ini?

Lantaran demo-demo yang diadakan, maka terkesan sehingga dilempar bom-bom petrol, cat dan memecah masuk pejabat peguam bagi pihak Herald.
Bagi penulis, hanya ada dua kemungkinan dalam siri-siri serangan ini:

1) Umpan yang berjaya mendatangkan keuntungan.
2) Tangan-tangan ghaib dibelakang setiap siri serangan tersebut.

Disebabkan kejahilan, umpan yang dicampakkan menjadi rebutan.
Disebabkan keangkuhan, keharmonian digadai demi keuntungan yang belum pasti.

Mengapa dalam isu murtad, tidak ada gelombang demo dan tidak ada suara sokongan untuk berdemo dari kem 'wawasan 2020, Hadhari dan 1 Malaysia'?
Walhal, isu murtad dan undang-undang berkaitan murtad itu sendiri lebih penting untuk kita gubal dan berikan desakan serta tekanan kepada kerajaan & Parlimen.

Adakah kita lihat siri-siri demo ketika Aisyah Hj Bukhari & Hartina Hj Kamarudin dimurtadkan dengan mudah?

Umat Islam perlu realistik dalam isu kalimah 'ALLAH' ini.Penulis ingin menyatakan sokongan terhadap keputusan PAS dalam isu ini yang sememangnya tepat.Kalimah ALLAH bukan hak mutlak umat islam.Mungkin hak mutlak umat islam ialah 99 nama tuhan (ArRahman, ArRahim...).

Non-Muslims boleh menggunakan apa sahaja kalimah, perkataan dan ungkapan dalam Islam selagi tidak bercanggah dengan kehendak islam.Beberapa tokoh terkemuka islam turut bersetuju dalam hal ini iaitu Dr.Yussuf Alqardawi dan Dr Wahbah Al-Zuhayli.
Usaha beberapa majlis agama islam negeri yang menyekat penggunaan istilah-istilah, ungkapan dan perkataan dalam islam dari digunakan oleh non-muslims hanya merugikan umat islam sendiri.Bahkan boleh merumitkan lagi usaha dakwah di kalangan umat islam terhadap bukan islam.

Agak melucukan bila perkataan seperti dakwah, mufti, rasul, nabi, selawat dan beberapa lagi perkataan telah dilarang dari mulut-mulut dan tangan-tangan non-muslims.

Saya cadangkan agar ditambah lagi di dalam senarai larangan tersebut dengan perkataan seperti 'khatan, sunat, potong (P1 WIMAX mungkin terjejas kelak), junub dan banyak lagi yang jika disenaraikan akan merangkumi Al-Quran & Hadis itu sendiri.

Semoga para ulama 'bertauliah' bermuhasabah terlebih dahulu sebelum membuat sebarang keputusan yang sejak akhir-akhir ini membuat gempak seperti berada didalam gelanggang raja lawak.

Islam bukan milik mutlak para-para yang bertauliah.Islam adalah milik seluruh umat Islam dan Islam itu sendiri adalah RAHMATANALAMIN.

THE LAST REFUGE OF SCOUNDRELS

Jan 18, 10 7:38am

'As a Roman Catholic Christian, I am totally against acts of vandalism or violence related to the use of 'Allah' on places of worship, which are sacred grounds. For the alleged attack on the mosque, I strongly condemn it.'

Bottles thrown at Sarawak mosque

SRR: Like in all races and religions, there are the educated and not-so-educated, the intelligent and not-so-intelligent, the civilised and uncivilised. It's part of being human.

This act of throwing bottles at a mosque could be the work of some uneducated, unintelligent and uncivilised Christians, just like some uneducated, unintelligent and uncivilised Muslims went around burning churches.

Human beings need to think critically and embrace progress so that such acts do not occur... We also need to break the emotional attachments and strong sentiments to tradition and religion if peace is going to be attained any time soon.

Ruben Antony Soosay: As a Roman Catholic Christian, I am totally against acts of vandalism or violence related to the use of 'Allah' on places of worship, which are sacred grounds. For the alleged attack on the mosque, I strongly condemn it and have been praying for all these unnecessary acts to stop.

I am a proud Christian and a patriotic Malaysian. I love my country and, despite what is happening, will continue to live and die in this beautiful country of ours. I blame it all on the people of our ruling government, who puts their own agenda over that of the people.

Thomas Foo: The act of vandalism on the mosque must be condemned at all cost. Whoever you are, whatever religion you profess, you have done a heinous crime against the Almighty, similar to the arsonists who fire-bombed the churches and stoned the Sikh temple.

Multi Racial: Dear Malaysians, regardless of your religion, we are peace-loving people. Let's not allow a few irresponsible people to destroy this peace. Please refrain from any violence, for it will not solve anything.

This problem was created by some irresponsible politicians. Let's not play to their tune. Just remain calm and provide any information if you have any on those involved in the arson, regardless of their religion.

John Smith: The unambiguous teaching of the Holy Bible, known by all Christians and taught regularly, as regards all forms of persecution, is to love those who persecute you, to bless them, to pray for them, and to rejoice, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are persecuted for the sake of Jesus. Indeed, it is preferable to be killed rather than repay evil for evil.

X'roy: This could well be a retaliatory attack by some Christians. The attacks on churches have taken place for too long and has been treated as if nothing wrong has happened by the police. One gets the feeling that only Umno Muslims in this country are entitled to be sensitive, while all other Muslims and Malaysians of other faiths must be sensitive to their sensitivities.

Kgan: Broken glass found on the outside wall of the mosque hardly constitute an act of vandalism or an attack on the mosque. It is just rubbish found outside the mosque, that's all. Are the police trying to stir things up?

Might!: This is what those 'syaitans' want to create, chaos and unrest, so that Malaysia becomes the home for 'syaitans' and terrorists. Be calm and don't fall into their trap!

Opposition to Nazri's 'East-West' solution

AF McLaren: The prime minister and the home minister are in Jeddah, while our deputy prime minister was in London. I'm wondering when and how this East-West solution was hatched. Or is de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz now the de facto PM too?

Judge Doe: Are some politicians out to destroy the peace and harmony of this beloved nation, what with Nazri now acting like the voice of the Vatican by suggesting that Malay-speaking East Malaysian Christians have a different version of their Holy Book in reference to God from their peninsular counterparts?

Jbss: The proposed solution is Umno's knee-jerk reaction to tone down the anger of Sabahan and Sarawakian Christians. But the solution is simply not practicable.

Charles Chia: There are many Sabahan and Sarawakian Christians living here in Semenanjung. Are we to tell them to read and use only English Bibles despite that the majority of them do not understand English? As if we have don't have enough differences between us already that we now use religion to separate us and make us overly sensitive.

Lim Lye Seng: Separation of religion from the state is the only viable solution. People can believe and do what they wish and fight each other over it in the courts, while the government stays out unless a crime has been committed, e.g., arson, vandalism, assault, murder.

Lonestar: Why the East-West divide? God is omnipresent. God cannot be 'Allah' in Sabah and Sarawak and someone else in the peninsula. Do try harder, BN, if you want to retain Sabah and Sarawak. Remember 1Malaysia!

Ismail Saleh: The government should acknowledge its mistakes in the handling of this issue and provide clear directions for better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. This will help to resolve the tensions that have been built up due to the bad decisions.

It is also very crucial that inter-faith dialogue be carried out as soon as possible. We should not allow a few religious extremists to destroy our beloved country.

Kama Mustaffa: Having lived and worked in Ireland for a long time, I know that many Christians also oppose the use of the word 'Allah' to represent their God... The Pope doesn't use the word 'Allah'.

Many predominantly Christian countries don't call Jesus as 'Allah' because they know the clear difference between the two. If the Vatican themselves don't use the word 'Allah', what right have they got to call Jesus 'Allah'?

Clearly, Herald editor Lawrence Andrew made a unilateral decision... If he starts to call Jesus as 'Allah' in countries like France, Ireland and Spain, he would be 'crucified'.

Bunny: Father Lawrence believes that the cloth is his protection and elevates him. Now he shows his colours as the only Roman Catholic who fights for Christian use of the word 'Allah'. Go to any Christian country in the world, and everybody will abhor the use of the word 'Allah' by Christians. Even Jews would object.

Mamat: There they go again (Kama Mustaffa and Bunny) - both trying to confuse the issue, just as Umno and its mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia, are doing.

No one is talking about Christians calling 'Allah' in English or any other foreign language. East Malaysian Christians have been calling God 'Allah' for centuries in Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia. That is the issue, so please stay on topic.

Allah row: Other M'sia upset with 'half-solution'

Bingo: Has anyone noticed that many of the peninsular states' anthems - Kedah, Selangor, Johor, to name a few - use the word 'Allah'? Are non-Muslims allowed to sing them, then?

Watan: Fatwas are meant for Muslims only. Non-Muslims are not under the jurisdiction of the syariah laws.

Daniel Tan: I supposed now Umno is worried that Sabah and Sarawak as its 'fixed deposit' is no longer fixed any more. Or, should I say, there is a run in the bank.

--MalaysiaKini--

NOSTRADAMUS, MAYA CIVILIZATION, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW & 2012 CONSPIRACY

2009-11-22T20:47:00.000-08:00

Sempena musim haji ini, sesuatu yang menarik telah berlaku di bumi palestine.
Pihak Zionist/Israel telah membantu membekalkan VAKSIN H1N1 kepada lebih 4000 jemaah haji Palestine sebelum menunaikan ibadah haji tahun ini.

Persoalanya kini, MENGAPA YAHUDI SUDI MEMBANTU?

Teori mengenai kosnpirasi kapitalis barat mencipta virus H1N1 semakin terserlah dengan pelbagai 'jariah' yang dilakukan barat kononya atas dasar kemanusiaan.
Laman web www.ibnuyaccob.com telah membongkar teori dimana vaksin H1N1 adalah sejenis vaksin yang dibangunkan dengan teknologi 'NANO' yang berupaya mengawal setiap mahkluk yang telah menerima suntikan vaksin H1N1.
Menerusi vaksin ini, tiap pergerakan penerimanya akan dikawal menerusi satelit yang mampu memudahkan usaha Zionist/Israel mengawal dan mengurangkan ancaman terhadap mereka.Mereka juga akan lebih mudah mengawal dunia dan melakukan apa sahaja yang dirancangkan tanpa kegagalan.

Baru-baru ini penulis sempat meluangkan masa untuk menonton film bencana 2012 yang bakal bersambung pada siri 2013 tahun hadapan.Film ini tidak begitu 'best'.
Namun yang menariknya adalah 'hidden point' yang dipaparkan pada beberapa babak yang mungkin di-REALITIKAN oleh 'pengawal dunia' hari ini.

Penulis masih ingat, 5 bulan selepas film 'The Day After Tomorrow' di tayangkan, bencana tsunami telah mengamuk sehingga terkesan ke 11 negara disekitar lautan hindi.Ada beberapa pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa 'THE GIANT TSUNAMI' ketika itu adalah rancangan kapitalis barat untuk mengurangkan penduduk dunia dengan mencipta '1 ledakan dahsyat' dilaut dalam.
Atau mungkin juga pakar-pakar geologi telah mengehtahui lebih awal tentang ancaman Tsunami yang bakal berlaku.Tetapi memilih untuk berdiam agar mereka dapat mengurangkan lagi penduduk dunia.
Sejak dahulu lumrah Hollywood gemar memberi 'KLU' sebelum mereka merealitikan keadaan sebenar dengan gaya 'persembahan' berbeza tetapi tidak lari dari objektif sebenar.'Permainan' Zionist/Israel ketika berlaku tragedi september 11 2001 dengan menyerlahkan spiderman untuk menarik minat seluruh umat manusia.Kononya sebagai simpati terhadap USA, maka babak-babak Spiderman disebalik WTC dipotong sebelum ditayangkan di pawagam seluruh dunia.

Michel De Nostredame (14 Disember 1503 – 2 Julai 1566), seorang ahli nujum France yang dikenali sebagai NOSTRADAMUS, telah meramalkan hampir 5000 ramalan dan telikkan yang tidak bertarikh tetapi banyak memberi ilham masa pada tiap sesuatu ramalan.
Beliau telah meramal segala macam situasi samada politics, agama(kristian), perang, iklim dunia dan bencana alam.Sudah pelbagai ramalan beliau menjadi kenyataan seawal dari revolusi perancis (Napoleon Bonaparte: 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), perang dunia pertama (world war 1), perang dunia kedua(world war 2)dimana beliau ada membayangkan tentang kemunculan singa yang hampir menakluk dunia iaitu Adolf Hitler.Didalam ramalan tersebut juga ada digambarkan keadaan 'Holocaust'.
Beliau juga telah meramal tentang usaha membunuh POPE (tok imam kristian) yang juga telah berlaku, Perebutan takhta empayar rome dan vatican (port tok imam kristian).
Paling menarik adalah ramalan tentang tragedi serangan WORLD TRADE CENTRE (WTC) pada 11 SEPTEMBER 2001, dimana beliau turut melukiskan suasana ketika tragedi tersebut berlaku. Nostradamus juga ada menyebutnya sebagai: 'DUA BERADIK KEMBAR DITENGAH KOTA MAJU REBAH MENYEMMBAH BUMI AKIBAT DIREMPUH OLEH HELANG BESI'.
Seterusnya, Nostradamus meramalkan berserta tarikh iaitu pada tahun 2012 akan berlaku huru-hara di planet bumi akibat terkesan dengan perubahan iklim dunia dimana beliau menggambarkan satu keadaan yang amat dahsyat seperti kiamat tetapi dunia tidak akan kiamat.Nostradamus meramalkan ketika itu Ombak ganas(GIANT TSUNAMI), LETUSAN GUNUNG BERAPI, BUMI MEREKAH SEHINGGA TERBELAH, TERPISAH DAN MENJADI LAUTAN.Inilah ramalan Nostradamus yang bakal tiba.
Kaum MAYA/Tamadun MAYA (200 - 900 sebelum masihi) yang menguasai ilmu matematik dan astronomi juga pernah meramalkan dengan yakin bahawa dunia akan kiamat pada tahun 2012.Malah, kalender kaum MAYA juga terhenti sehingga 21 december 2012.Bagi para saintis, kalender MAYA terhenti setakat itu kerana tamadun mereka telah musnah sebelum mereka merekodkan kalender berikutnya.Namun, logiknya kalender mereka terhenti pada 31 december 2012, jika mereka tidak sempat meneruskan untuk tahun berikutnya.

* Maya (atau leluhur Olmec mereka) memajukan konsep sifar (malah, mereka telah menggunakan konsep sifar berabad-abad sebelum Dunia Lama), dan menggunakan sistem nombor asas 20.Ukiran menunjukkan mereka kadang-kala membuat pengiraan sehingga beratus juta.Mereka menghasilkan pemantauan astronomi yang amat tepat, peta pergerakan bulan dan planet adalah setaraf atau lebih baik berbanding sebarang kebudayaan yang melakukan pencerapan menggunakan mata kasar.Pengiraan Maya terhadap tahun matahari (solar year) adalah lebih baik berbanding takwim Gregory. -WIKIPEDIA-

Persoalanya kini, apakah kita perlu percaya dengan Nostradamus dan Kalender MAYA?

TIDAK!!! TIDAK PERLU!!!

Apa yang perlu adalah, kita sebagai umat ISLAM perlu berhati-hati dengan permainan licik dari golongan yang sedang mengawal dunia hari hari ini iaitu Zionist/Israel.

Penulis ingin menegaskan bahawa tiap ramalan Nostradamus yang telah menjadi kenyataan adalah HASIL KERJA ZIONIST/ISRAEL yang telah 'MEREALITIKAN' ramalan-ramalan Nostradamus mengikut selera dan keperluan orang-orang yahudi.
Penulis percaya bahawa Adolf Hitler juga seorang Yahudi yang hanya membunuh orang-orang yahudi(Holocaust) yang menentang idea 'ZIONISTME'.Perancangan awal kelompok Zionist adalah menguasai eropah untuk dijadikan sebuah negara Israel Raya.Pada masa sama ejen Zionist telah berjaya menjatuhkan emyar Islam terakhir, iaitu empayar othmaniah yang berpusat di Instanbul.Mustafa Kamal Attartuk telah berjaya menipu orang-orang turkey sehingga merubah seluruh sosio politik tempatan yang terkesan sehingga ke hari ini.

Akibat usaha keras perikatan yang telah berjaya menjatuhkan Hitler/NAZI sehingga menamatkan perang dunia kedua, maka Zionistme beralih arah ke plan kedua mereka iaitu Turkey.Mustafa Kamal Attartuk yang menjadi ejen Zionist telah melepaskan palestine kepada perancis dan british.Palestine adalah wilayah naungan asal empayar Othmaniah.

Maka bermulalah episod pahit umat islam terutama rakyat Palestine sehingga tergadai tanah air mereka akibat sikap tidak bertanggungjawab Perancis dan British yang telah menjanjikan bumi Palestine untuk Zionist sehingga berjaya mewujudkan negara ISRAEL.

2012

Menerusi film 2012, selain moral supaya manusia lebih bersedia dan menghargai alam tua ini, terdapat juga beberapa babak yang berbentuk 'KLU' yang mungkin akan direalitikan oleh yahudi.Antara babak yang menarik perhatian penulis adalah:

* President USA pada tahun 2012 adalah seorang berkulit hitam (mugkin obama) yang juga seorang duda anak 1.President USA turut terbunuh akibat rempuhan Tsunami ganas.
Menariknya, President USA mati akibat dihempap oleh kapal pengangkut pesawat perang USA iaitu 'USS KENNEDY'.USS KENNEDY adalah bersempena dengan nama president USA yang mati ditembak oleh ejen-ejen perisikan Rusia.

~ 'KLU' - apakah Zionist yang menguasai Hollywood mahu memberi amaran kepada president Barack Obama supaya tidak membelakangkan Israel jika mahu hidup lebih lama dan mahu keluarganya selamat.Apakah nanti Obama juga bakal menduda ketika masih menduduki kerusi president?

* Ketika film 2012 ditayangkan di America Utara, President Barack Obama telah membuat 1 lawatan bersejarah kenegara China.Seperti kita ketahui, hubungan USA-CHINA tidak mesra sehinggalah Obama membuat kunjungan bersejarah kenegara Tembok Besar itu.

~ 'KLU' - Dalam film 2012, USA MENJADI RAKAN KARIB CHINA dalam usaha
mereka bersama membangunkan 4 buah kapal gergasi di wilayah TIBET yang
dapat menyelamatkan segelintir penduduk dunia ketika bencana sedang
menjelajahi dunia.Persoalanya, mengapa film ini memilih CHINA sebagai
rakan kongsi untuk membina kapal-kapal penyelamat?
Berdasarkan track rekod kebangkitan CHINA ketika ini yang sedang melonjak naik dalam pelbagai sektor, adakah USA-CHINA akan menjadi sekutu paling rapat dalam beberapa tahun mendatang?

* Film 2012 berakhir dengan hanya segelintir penduduk dunia yang terselamat dan mereka yang terselamat didalam kapal-kapal besar, menuju ke daratan yang masih ada di benua africa untuk memulakan kehidupan baru bermula dari tarikh baru iaitu 1/1/0001.

~ Mungkin dan hampir pasti orang-orang Yahudi mengidamkan suasana dan
keadaan seperti itu berhasil.Yahudi mahu tunjukan kepada dunia bahawa
mereka mampu membina dunia baru dengan bermula dari 1 semula dan mereka
menjadi dominan dalam dunia baru kelak.Itulah yang mereka mahu buktikan.
Mereka hidup semata-mata untuk menentang ALLAH S.W.T.
Mereka mahu buktikan bahawa ALLAH akan memuliakan mereka suatu masa nanti dan kononya dapat mengembalikan semula hak mereka sebagai umat terpilih.

Sebagai umat Islam, kita percaya bahawa kiamat tetap akan berlaku dan tetap menjadi rahsia ALLAH.Film-Film Hollywood hanya ramalan dan harapan sia-sia barat/zionist untuk melenyapkan ISLAM dimuka bumi ini.
Sama-samalah kita menanti dan sentiasa bersedia dengan sebarang kemungkinan yang pada hemat penulis akan berlaku sesuatu yang menggemparkan kelak.Bukan kerana ramalan Nostradamus atau kalender kaum MAYA menjadi kenyataan, tetapi kerana Zionist sedang menunggu masa yang sesuai untuk 'ME-REALITIKAN' ramalan-ramalan Nostradamus dan kalender MAYA.Seperti yang mereka telah Realitikan sebelum ini termasuk pada tragedi SEPTEMBER 11 2001.

Semoga ALLAH sentiasa merahmati umat Islam dan ALLAH maha mengehtahui akan tiap-tiap sesuatu itu.Semoga kita tidak tergolong didalam golongan yang tertipu dengan muslihat musuh-musuh Islam.

PAS SEMINARS 2009

2009-11-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

SEMINAR PAS 2009: PRO AZIZ BARI KRITIK KEPIMPINAN PAS - PART 1

SEMINAR PAS 2009: PRO AZIZ BARI KRITIK KEPIMPINAN PAS - PART 2

PROF ABU HASSAN HASBULLAH: PAS SUDAH HILANG BISA - PART 1

PROF ABU HASSAN HASBULLAH: PAS SUDAH HILANG BISA - PART 2

PROF ABU HASSAN HASBULLAH: PAS SUDAH HILANG BISA - PART 3

PAS SETUJU DATA KAJIAN PAS BANTU AHLI PARTI

PAK LAH OF PAS

* Opinion

2009-11-09 14:18

The two factions challenged each other in the PAS political seminar.

PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was called “Pak Lah of PAS (Pak Lah versi PAS)” during the seminar. We understood it tacitly.

Indeed, compared to the late PAS President Datuk Fadzil Noor, Hadi's performance was...oh, it should be no performance at all.

Hadi-led Terengganu PAS lost the state regime and even the political tsunami was unable to help him.

He did not have a strong stand on whether to keep PAS in Pakatan Rakyat or join UMNO and his responses were self-contradictory. Even if he had repeatedly made commitments, the people would not believe him.

He was unable to restrain the conservative or speculation group, including Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, allowing them to do as they wished and triggered disturbances.
"How could we sack the captain when we have not yet even completed the first half?"

PAS' support rates have been declining and according to a research by Universiti Malaya media department lecturer Dr Abu Hassan Hasbullah, only about 10% of the younger generation (21-30 years old) are supporting PAS now.

PAS has lost its direction and the cohesion consolidated in the past has been gradually weakened.

If the situation continues, the party may end up in two possibilities: completely defeated by UMNO or wait for UMNO to summon it to surrender.

Therefore, party spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat could no longer tolerate it and convened the political seminar, trying to awaken Hadi.

Hadi Awang did not understand well the party's problems and it seemed that he did not understand well his own problems, too.

He could only say based on the simplest logic: “How could we sack the captain when we have not yet even completed the first half?”

Alas, he did not even know the basic rules of football. The first thing to do when the captain was found not performing well during a game was to sack him out of the course. Otherwise, he would drag the whole team down.

Unfortunately, PAS members were unwilling to express such a will during the seminar.

Of course, supporters of Nik Azzi lambasted those in power during the seminar and they were fired back by Hadi's supporters.

The conservative group, ulama, those who supported the unity government plan and those who were oppose to Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have grouped together and backed Hadi, enabling him to hold the President position for at least another few years.

Or, until the party collapses.

This time, the two factions fought slightly. Nik Aziz and his supporters again had Hadi's guarantee that he will not cooperate with UMNO. At least they did not return empty-handed. However, it was not a great achievement.

Hadi, Deputy President Nasharuddin Mat Isa and Secretary-General Mustafa Ali are still the core power and the power structure remains unchanged.

To be fair, Hadi is not bad. The key is, he is an ulama more than a political leader.

He has sealed himself in the political ecology of the past and is now hovering in the restraints of conservative religion and Malay thoughts. He has failed to transcend and launch a breakthrough.

Even the political turmoil was unable to take him to another peak. Moreover, his vision has been limited as he can be easily influenced by his trusted followers.

“Pak Lah of PAS” fits him quite well indeed.

The problem is, the rival of PAS is no longer Pak Lah (former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), but Najib, who is shrewd and competent. (By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily)

(The opinions expressed by the writer do not necessarily reflect those of MySinchew)

--MySinchew--

PAS DREAM TEAM: 'NIK AZIZ, NIZAR, DR ASRI'

2009-11-09T19:09:00.000-08:00

GELOMBANG FITNAH: INSTITUT AL-QAYYIM PADA 3 NOV 2009, OLEH DR ASRI ZAINUL ABIDIN

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

'PAS' DREAM TEAM - 'NIK AZIZ, NIZAR, DR ASRI'

'A team comprising of Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Nizar Jamaluddin and Dr Asri would be formidable indeed. That is the ideal PAS Dream Team to lead Pakatan into the next general elections.'

AZIZ BARI IN 'HOT SEAT' AT PAS SEMINAR

Nicholas Lim: A team comprising of Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Nizar Jamaluddin and former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin would be formidable indeed. That is the ideal PAS Dream Team to lead Pakatan Rakyat into the next general elections.

Lusiapa: Professor Abdul Aziz Bari's comments are indeed timely. It is perhaps the first time that the other side of Abdul Hadi Awang is publicly discussed. The PAS president has often been perceived as a hard-headed leader who is totally uncompromising on the issue of the Islamic state.

Because of this dogmatic stand, he is viewed with suspicion and fear by a large section of non-Muslims in the country. That is why his repeated declaration on the discontinuation of talks on the so-called unity government is still being doubted; and many Malaysians continue to believe that he wants to be the PM if Pakatan Rakyat captures the federal government.

Until and unless he amends his ways and renounces this aspiration, he will remain the main impediment to Pakatan Rakyat's efforts to Putrajaya. Hadi Awang must realise that an "expired medicine" in its present form is irrelevant in post-308 (March 8, 2008) Malaysia.

Maggie Lim: I respect Dr Mohd Asri Zainul. People like him don't drive non-believers away. His sensibility gains non-believers' respect and want to know more about the religion.

The professionals or the Erdogans and Tok Guru should lead the team because they have more wisdom in leading Pakatan. They also understand that in order to gain respect, you need to respect others. The other faction is too extreme for comfort.

DohDoh: PAS has much to contribute towards making Pakatan a much stronger coalition. Its commitment and discipline are excellent examples for the other parties in Pakatan to emulate. But PAS must play as part of the team.

It must focus on the values it shares with DAP and PKR and not make statements that are seen to violate non-Muslims' way of life. It is on the platform of these shared values that there was such a big swing in votes in Pakatan's favour in the March 2008 GE. Many non-muslims were voting for PAS candidates for the first time.

PAS, remember, as long as you do not make statements that infringe on the way of life of non-muslims, you will have their votes. It is not unreasonable to speculate that PAS lost in Bagan Pinang so miserably because of the sale of beer issues and the Beyonce concert issue in Selangor.

Ong Guan Sin: The open debate in PAS is certainly commendable. However, I find some delegates' focusing on attacking Abdul Aziz personally as alarming. What Abdul Aziz Bari did was to bring out key issues threatening the party.

PAS members should focus on the issues, examine them closely, make their own judgement and deal with them accordingly. Personal attacks sound so... Umno, no?

PASSSSSSS: Hey Hadi, make up your mind and don't act like a person who has amnesia. If you want to talk about race, then Umno is the right party for you and you should not call yourself a religious man anymore.

Individuals who knows about religion will not bring up race issue and it seems you have not learn after your fiasco in Terengganu. Wake up man, and be a Malaysian rather than a Malay.

Gk: I still feel that there is something very wrong in the last PAS party election as the results do not jive with the ground sentiment, which are pro-Edrogan. Hadi and his so-called "problematic leaders" are clearly aware of the direction PAS should take and yet keep harping on the idea of "unity government".

Many people see these problematic leaders as moles planted by Umno, and the image is still there till now. They have to work hard to convince they are not Umno's moles in order to survive next general election.

The wisdom of Nik Aziz by suggesting EGM to rid of this problem is in fact, drawing a line in the sand between PAS and Hadi's group, and this bodes well for Pakatan Rakyat.

--MALAYSIAKINI--

DR MAZA BUAT SERANGAN BALAS

2009-11-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

DR MAZA JAWAB TUDUHAN SIJIL PALSU

KETUA WANITA PKR (MP AMPANG) DEDAH BAGAIMANA JAIS MENAHAN DR MAZA

KES DR MAZA: KERAJAAN NEGERI BERMESYUARAT KHAS

ISU DR MAZA: DEWAN RAKYAT SEPAKAT HENTAM JAIS!

ASRI'S ARREST: JAIS AND STATE MUFTI TO BRIEF SELANGOR EXCO

Maria J.Dass

SHAH ALAM (Nov 3, 2009) : The Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) and the state mufti are to brief the state executive council on the arrest of former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin tomorrow.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim issued the invite to the two parties today.

In a statement on Monday, Abdul Khalid said the state was aware of the public sentiment on the arrest by JAIS, which has powers that are independent of the state government to implement the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment.

He hoped JAIS would give a reasonable explanations to the public about the incident, as there have been uncertainties and questions arising as to the nature of arrest and that they would conduct investigations in a fair manner.

The Islamic scholar’s arrest unleashed a torrent of accusations and finger pointing over who ordered it.

On Monday Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak denied that the arrest had anything to do with the federal government and shifted the blame to the Selangor state government.

Abdul Khalid and other Selangor leaders, on their part, denied any involvement, and labelled the arrest as a "ruthless act".

JAIS yesterday said that Asri’s arrest was not politically motivated and that the charge against Asri was for breaking the law by not obtaining the necessary permit for preaching on religion.

This was an offence the department had written to notify Asri about several times before, said Jais director Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi.

Asri, who was arrested by JAIS enforcement officers and police on Sunday night while preaching at a private residence in Hulu Klang, has been released on bond and is yet to be charged.

--THE SUN DAILY--

JAIS DENIES ASRI'S CLAIMS

Submitted by pekwan on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 08:05:00

JABATAN Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) says that though former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin was aware that he had to get Jais approval before he could give talks or preach in the State, he never made any application.

Its director, Datuk Mohammad Khusrin Munawi, who said this, denied claims that they had rejected Dr Asri’s applications. Mohd Khusrin claimed that even when Asri was Perlis mufti, he was aware of the procedures.

However, it was Asri who had never submitted any application, he said.

“We had sent the letters to every mufti to inform them of this procedure, even when he held the post of mufti in 2006. It’s impossible he was not informed of this,” Mohd Khusrin said yesterday.

On the possibility of legal action by Asri against Jais, Mohd Khusrin said that the decision was entirely up to him (Asri).

“We cannot stop people from doing what they want. If he wants to sue us no one can stop him,” he said.

He reiterated the statement he made at the press conference on Monday, that the arrest was based on the grounds that Asri was “not qualified” to give talks in Selangor.

Asri said he did not submit any application because he claimed when he was a mufti, Jais had allowed other muftis to give talks in Selangor but not him.

“They (Jais) had already stopped me, so how could I proceed with any application?” he asked.

He also questioned the way the arrest was made on Sunday night.

“Why did they have to bring so many officers, as though I was the most wanted criminal for an offence like this?” he asked.

“I wonder what was Jais’ agenda behind all this,” he said, adding that Jais’ actions just showed the limits of freedom of speech in the State.

Asri was arrested on Sunday night while giving a talk in Taman Seri Ukay, Hulu Kelang. He will most likely be charged next Monday under Section 119 of the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment for preaching without the State’s permission.

If found guilty, he can be fined not more than RM3,000 or two years imprisonment or both.

--MALAY MAIL--

DR ASRI VS NAKHAIE AND JAIS

2009-11-02T19:05:00.000-08:00

'PENJENAYAH' PALING DIKEHENDAKI BERJAYA DIBERKAS JAIS!

Salam.

Seluruh Nusantara dikejutkan dengan penahanan bekas mufti negeri Perlis, Dr M.Asri Zainul Abidin (MAZA) oleh Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) pada tengah malam kelmarin.Menariknya, Dr MAZA bukan ditahan di disco, pusat karaoke, pusat snuker atau mana-mana pusat hiburan lain.Tetapi beliau ditahan di sebuah rumah mewah ketika sedang memberi KULIAH.Dr MAZA dikatakan tidak memiliki tauliah dari pihak JAIS yang membolehkan beliau memberi sebarang Kuliah atau ceramah di seluruh negeri Selangor.

Saya pecaya ini bukan soal tauliah, tetapi isunya adalah lebih dari itu.Melihat Dr MAZA sebagai ancaman 'periuk nasi' sebahagian 'orang agama'.Juga Melihat Dr MAZA sebagai wahabi yang meliberalkan fahaman ahli sunnah.Saya tidak nampak Dr MAZA menyesatkan, membawa fahaman Wahabi atau liber.Setiap teguran, kritikan dan pandangan beliau disokong dengan Al-Quran, hadis-hadis sahih dan dalil dari tokoh-tokoh ilmuan islam.Sebaliknya mereka yang anti-Dr MAZA tidak pernah menjawab beliau dengan nas atau dalil-dalil kuat.Mereka hanya mampu katakan Dr MAZA sebagai Wahabism.

Dr Aziz Bari dalam penulisanya mengulas tentang masalah dalaman PAS baru-baru ini ada mengatakan: KEBANYAKKAN PERKARA PELIK DIDALAM DUNIA INI BERLAKU DI NEGARA KITA, MALAYSIA.

Tepat sekali kenyataan Dr Aziz Bari tersebut yang disusuli dengan penahanan Dr MAZA atas sebab yang sememangnya PELIK! Seoarang tokoh agama Islam, bekas mufti negeri Perlis, pensyarah universiti, kolumnis di web peribadi dan akhbar perdana, memiliki program sendiri di saluran Astro Oasis, pernah di jemput ke Kelantan oleh Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat dan mempunyai 'peminat' tersendiri dalam urusan dakwah islamiah di negara kita, yang akhirnya tidak ditauliahkan oleh JAIS.

Secara peribadi saya melihat hal ini sebagai permainan orang politik yang dicengkam oleh permasalahan dalaman pentadbiran kerajaan negeri dan oleh parti politiknya sendiri.Mungkin untuk mengalihkan perhatian 'dahsyat' terhadapnya kepada Dr MAZA.
Hal ini tidak mustahil berlaku.Apakah JAIS menahan Dr MAZA tanpa pengehtahuan EXCO yang bertanggunjawab?
Apakah EXCO tersebut tidak mengenali Dr MAZA secara dekat?
Bukankah Tok Guru Nik Aziz juga mengiktiraf Dr MAZA?
Atau tiada lagi peduli apa kata mukmin asalakn selesai urusan peribadi?
Apa yang tidak kena dengan mereka sehingga membawa kepada penahanan Dr Asri yang tidak perlu diperkenalkan lagi?

Secara peribadi saya yakin ada arahan orang politik dalam penahanan Dr MAZA atas tujuan peribadi.Saya melihat Dr MAZA bukan ancaman kepada akidah umat Islam.
Bahkan kita perlu ulama di dalam majlis FATWA yang seperti Dr MAZA.Supaya majlis FATWA tidak lagi dilihat sebagai siri komedi.

Apakah mengkritik Lembaga Zakat, mahkamah syariah, parti politik, orang-orang besar negara, majlis fatwa, di kira sebagai merbahaya?

Kepada pihak berkuasa, ketepikan perasaan hasad dan belajarlah menerima kritikan serta menjawab kritikan secara profesional.Bukan bertindak menggunakan kuasa yang sedikit untuk menghuru-harakan agama Islam.

EX PERLIS MUFTI - TANPA TAULIAH SELEPAS 'TERKENAL'

PART 1: JAWAB FITNAH, CADANG JABATAN AUDIT NEGARA SIASAT YADIM

PART 2: YDP YADIM SEBAGAI PUNCA MEMORENDUM 'FITNAH'?

PART 3: YADIM & PPSM DI SERANG

CONTROVERSY FOLLOWS EX-MUFTI

Tuesday November 3, 2009

Analysis by JOCELINE TAN

Who are the ‘black hands’ behind the arrest of the charismatic but controversial former Mufti of Perlis?

THERE is little doubt that the controversial religious figure Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has a following as evidenced by the big group that turned up to support him at the Gombak Syariah Court.

His biggest supporter is Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the former Perlis Mentri Besar, who is in London. Otherwise he would have been there as well.

Dr Asri, the former Mufti of Perlis, was released on police bond after being detained the night before by the Selangor branch of the religious enforcement unit JAIS.

He was giving a religious lecture in a private home in Gombak at the time.

He is likely to be charged for preaching without a permit but those in the know said that events behind the scenes had been building up to this moment.

Some are even talking about “black hands” trying to fix up the charismatic preacher who had made waves with his unorthodox views on religious issues and matters the past few years.

They blamed the PAS-controlled religious arm in Selangor for the crackdown on Dr Asri.

Others said the “black hands” belong to those who are out to block Dr Asri’s appointment as head of Yadim or Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia, the prestigious Islamic outreach arm of the Government.

Apparently, Dr Asri was to have been appointed as Yadim head on Nov 1, replacing Datuk Nakhaie Ahmad who has held the post since the 1990s.

It is believed the appointment has not proceeded because of opposition from Islamic groups.

There is no evidence connecting the Yadim appointment to Dr Asri’s Sunday night arrest but 17 Islamic NGOs had sent a letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister protesting the would-be appointment.

News of the protest leaked out when one of the signatories, the Syariah Lawyers Association, posted the letter on its blog; the posting has since been removed.

“There are no black hands or whatever you may call it. The point is that there are Islamic bodies who are very uncomfortable that Dr Asri may be appointed to Yadim,” said former Abim president Yusri Mohamad who was a signatory to the letter.

Shahidan, who remains one of Asri’s closest associates, has slammed the opposition to Dr Asri as the work of selfish people.

“We carry out dakwah (outreach) work without harming people. We are trying to explain Islam to non-Muslims. What is wrong with that?” he said.

Shahidan also asked Dr Asri to reject any offer from Yadim and in a tit-for-tat move, has asked for a thorough audit of the accounts of Yadim.

The soft-spoken and baby-faced Dr Asri is quite glamorous for an ulama. He is acquainted with a number of entertainment celebrities and has been courted by both Umno and PAS.

Earlier this year, there was talk that he was about to join PAS but, according to Shahidan, Dr Asri consulted Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who advised him to stay politically neutral if he wished to be accepted by the general populace.

He also writes a weekly column called Minda Maza or Thoughts of Maza (Maza being the acronym for Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin) in the influential Mingguan Malaysia.

But Islamic intellectuals complain that his views on religion do not reflect that of “mainstream Muslims or the traditional scholars.”

They pointed out that during the recent fasting month, his column had analysed an obscure text by a medieval scholar on the question of performing a major ablution (mandi wajib) after sexual intercourse in an abnormal situation.

“There are so many pressing issues in Islam and he uses his column to talk about that,” said Yusri.

Critics such as Yusri have accused Dr Asri of promoting a body of thought that is harmful to the unity of Muslims in the country.

“He should be aware that by continuing to promote his particular view on Islam outside of Perlis, he is inviting action on himself,” said Yusri.

But Dr Asri’s ideas resonate among a segment of moderate Muslims and non-Muslims. They see him as a modern and progressive ulama.

His supporters find his views refreshing and in tune with modern Malay society and issues.

Among his champions are groups like Sisters in Islam who are drawn to his unconventional views on social issues and women in Islamic society.

But the storm blowing around Dr Asri has yet to subside for as Yusri promised: “We will continue to oppose his appointment to Yadim.”

--THE STAR ONLINE--

NAJIB PUZZLED BY ASRI'S ARREST

Tuesday November 3, 2009

PM QUESTIONS MOTIVE

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has questioned the motive behind former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin’s arrest Sunday night.

He said Dr Asri’s speeches were always backed by proof and clear dalil (quaranic and Hadith verses).

“I don’t know what is the motive behind the arrest,” he said. “It was done by the state religious agency. It has nothing to do with the Federal Government.

“I know of people who deliver all sorts of talks but they are not prosecuted, but when it comes to Dr Asri, he was arrested,” he told reporters after launching a Pasar Tani convention at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Najib was commenting on Dr Asri’s arrest by the Selangor Reli- gious Affairs Department (Jais) for allegedly preaching the Wahabi doctrine to supporters in an unauthorised lecture. He was later released on a police bond without being charged.

The Wahabi sect, which was founded by Muhammad ibni Abd al-Wahhab, an 18th century scholar, is prescribed as a puritanical form of Islam.

Earlier last month, the Syarie Lawyers Association of Malaysia had submitted a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong protesting a proposal to appoint Dr Asri as Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) president.

The memorandum, signed by association president Mohamad Isa Abd Ralip, was backed by 11 religious organisations.

It also claimed that Dr Asri’s teachings had created an uproar among Muslims in the country and accused the former Perlis mufti of degrading religious scholars such as Imam Nawawi and Imam Ghazali.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin posted in his blog www.rembau.net.my that the situation behind Dr Asri’s arrest was murky and raised a lot of questions.

“Among others, if it is true that (Dr) Asri was arrested because he gave a lecture, why didn’t Jais take action when he gave his ceramah (speeches), shared his opinions, and commented on his blog and in his columns for local newspapers,” he wrote.

Khairy said Dr Asri should be accorded fair treatment as he had cooperated with the religious enforcement body when he was arrested without a warrant yesterday morning.

He said this should not be a selective arrest as a result of provocations from parties that were unhappy with Dr Asri.

--THE STAR ONLINE--

BUDGET AND TOK GURU VS TOK GURU

2009-10-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

NIK AZIZ WANTS EGM TO 'AXE' HADI?

KOMEN ANWAR TENTANG BAJET: TENTERA DILUPAKAN SELEPAS PILIHANRAYA KECIL

TONY PHUA: BAJET RAPUH?

SALAHUDDIN GIVES THUMBS UP FOR PROPOSED WHISTLE BLOWER ACT

PAS SPRING-CLEANING: KKUDOS TO TOK GURU

'Good job, Tok Guru. All parties should do the same, kick out the troublemakers. PKR has one too. Anwar should follow Nik Aziz's lead.'

Nik Aziz wants EGM to 'axe' Hadi?

X Roy: Nik Aziz Nik Mat is a man of honour. He has no need for a Datukship, he's Tok Guru and the Guru speaks. It is because of the likes of Nik Aziz that we, the non-Muslims, voted PAS in. The way Abdul Hadi Awang and Hasan Ali are behaving will take the votes away from PAS at the next election.

Cala: It is more of a differences in political ideals within PAS on certain subjects. Unfortunately, the two big guns in PAS do not see eye to eye on certain party policies. The good news is the clash at the top is issue- driven which can be solved under appropriate institutional structure in PAS. Communication is the key.

Mohd Fadzli Kadir: I agree with the clean-up but why must they target only PAS and PKR? Jeff Ooi and Ronnie Liu from DAP must also go. If not, people's perception, especially the Malays, about Pakatan will get worse.

Maggie Lim: Good job, Tok Guru. All parties should do the same, kick out the troublemakers. PKR has one too. Anwar should follow Nik Aziz's lead. Giving excuses not to take action will only make the rakyat angry and reject Pakatan Rakyat in the next elections.

Reality check: During the Bukit Gantang by-election in Perak, we have Indian and Chinese friends proudly carrying and displaying the green PAS flag. But after this Umno 'mole' Hasan Ali appeared, many like me have lost their taste for PAS.

I think Hasan has reversed all the goodwill built up by the good PAS leaders. He has done much damage to PAS image. PAS should gift Hasan to Umno.

Ahmad Kamal: My respect for Nik Aziz has grown over the years since the reformasi in 1998. Nik Aziz and the late Hj Fadzil Noor are rare leaders in PAS and in the opposition history of the country. Fadzil Noor's speeches during reformasi were priceless. Nik Aziz has lived long enough to understand the political priorities of the day.

Habib Rak: I must congratulate Nik Aziz. He had taken effort to explain his objectives and why he is doing it. This is how all leaders should be. I shall look forward to a PAS EGM that will reassess some of it current leaders in particular.

To all PAS members, I hope you shall vote for a united and strong Pakatan Rakyat.

Chandroosubra: This world is going through changes and this change is one of the Charles Darwin theory - evolution. So get rid of those who are not aligned to Pakatan.

Duke: Pakatan leaders, don't take non-Malay voters for granted. I can tell you that we are beginning to lose faith in you. It would be better to vote for Barisan Nasional than to see a PAS-Umno government.

Gk: There must be something seriously wrong with the PAS election system the last round where people deemed losers before balloting emerged winners. It is best that PAS get rid of these problematic leaders. These are 'white ants' that can eat up the strong foundation of PAS, and lead to the collapse of PAS and Pakatan Rakyat if they are not removed.

Md Imraz Muhammed Ikhbal: I couldn't echo Tok Guru any louder. Thorns within the flesh will have to be removed lest they shall become cancerous.

A fresh line-up of leaders will inject a new blood into this Islamist party and perhaps rejuvenate it to manifest the true meaning of Islam - not the chauvinistic imposition of religious standards unto others but rather a democratic advocacy of righteousness and morality.

Pah Eng Cheong: Very good, PKR and DAP should also do likewise to sack the 'dead wood' in their camps. There are still a lot of 'loose cannons' in PAS that must also go. These are the kind of people that cause Pakatan to fall.

Louis: Nik Aziz, the most respected political leader in Malaysia. There is really no need to call for a PAS EGM. Just ask those three recalcitrant politicians to leave and join Umno.

--MALAYSIAKINI--

BAGAN PINANG BY-ELECTIONS

2009-10-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

PORT DICKSON BANDAR TENTERA: BEKAS TENTER RASA TERHINA & GELI HATI - KAPTEN(B)DATO ABU ZAHAR HASHIM

PR AJAR SPR / GET SET FOR A PAKATAN SURPRISE IN BAGAN PINANG - DATO SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

DR M BETEGAS TIDAK BERKEMPEN UTK ISA SAMAD

KOMITMEN CALON PAS, ZULKEFLI MOHD OMAR: PEMBANGUNAN OLEH BN GUNA DUIT CUKAI RAKYAT

KITA ADA MORAL, ADA LONJAKKAN & TERSERAH KEPADA RAKYAT - PRESIDENT PAS

AMANAH PILIH PEMIMPIN AKAN DIPERTANGGUNGJAWABKAN

PAS-DAP SEPAKAT! 'LIDAH HITAM' GAGAL LAGI

BAGAN PINANG BY-ELECTION: A VOTE ON CORRUPTION

By Dr. Chris Anthony

I refer to the Malaysiakini report Isa's victory could spark dangerous trend.

The dark clouds that shrouded Port Dickson on nomination day may be an indication of the uncertainty of the Bagan Pinang by-election and the nation as a whole come the 13th general election. The historic elections of March 8, 2008 has drastically changed the political landscape in the country.

In a country divided and ruled along ethnic lines, a multiracial and a two-party system of governance, which was unthinkable before, have suddenly become a possible reality.

Bagan Pinang may be a Barisan Nasional (BN), in particular Umno, stronghold with its candidate Mohd Isa Samad enjoying mass popularity among the constituents but these days victory for BN is far from guaranteed as it used to be before in the pre-March 8 era.

The battle has to be fought with all their might and resources at their disposal. For BN, its main asset for this by-election, besides money, is the experience and popularity of its candidate on whom it depends to redeem its wavering support among the people.

For Pakatan Rakyat (PR), it is the call for change to eradicate corruption, abuse of power and to promote multi-racialism. The people in Bagan Pinang must decide on behalf of the 27 million Malaysians which of the two should emerge the victor.

It is interesting that Bagan Pinang is a racially-balanced constituency with 62.7% Malays, 20.7% Indians, 10.9% Chinese and 5.5% others. That means that the composition of Malays (63%) and non-Malays(37%) reflects the overall racial makeup of the nation.

The voting pattern in this election may be an indication of the support the BN and PR enjoy among the various communities. It may further indicate the possible trend in the next general elections that is not too far away.

Another significant factor is that the Indians, who have many grouses with the BN, make up a larger than usual proportion of the constituents which offers them a tangible voice this time around that could determine the winner.

Realising their strength this time, there have been calls by Indian rights groups for the Indians to boycott the by-election as they feel both BN and Pakatan have failed to help the Indians. Their boycott will definitely give a much-needed victory for BN but will that in anyway benefit the Indians who claim they have been marginalised for the last 52 years under Umno-BN?

The only way Indians can get long-term benefits is for BN to do away with their present race- based politics and adopt one based on merit and need regardless of race or creed. Is the ruling Umno-BN ready or willing to adopt such a system? It does not appear to be so although it says it wants to in its '1Malaysia' policy.

Even on the day of nomination, race politics started to rear its ugly head. Racist books attacking Pakatan were being distributed though of course, we do not expect any action against those responsible. No Umno leaders see it fit and right to condemn such seditious acts but they expect full support from the non-Malays this time around. That is the irony, attacking those whose support they need badly.

The battle may be between a political heavyweight, Isa, a veteran with wide experience but who has been found guilty of money politics, and Zulkefly Mohd Omar, a political novice who is yet to be tested for his capabilities and integrity, but the main issue in this election is corruption.

By nominating Isa who has been found guilty of money politics, what message is BN trying to convey to the people? Is it alright to be corrupt as long as you can win an election? Wouldn't a win for Isa set a dangerous precedencent?

It is interesting how the perception of corruption has changed over the years. When we were young, we were taught the no-nonsense approach to corruption which was described as illegal, bad or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power. We were taught that corruption is terribly wrong in whatever form or magnitude it may take.

However today, we are now told by our top leaders that corruption may be a 'technical', moral or legal offence and if one is found guilty on 'technical' grounds, then it is not a real offence. If our leaders have such compromising views on corruption, there is no way this cancer can be eradicated and we are doomed.

The people of Bagan Pinang have the opportunity to send a clear message to our national leaders that they will not tolerate corruption in whatever from it takes or whoever perpetrates it. They must choose the candidate who is in a better position to fight corruption that has plagued the nation for too long and is undermining every effort to elevate the nation to developed status.

Only a candidate who himself is free of corruption, is trustworthy, and is willing to go down to serve the rakyat will be best suited to represent their interests. The people must be the judge to decide who that is.

Our politicians have taken the voters wisdom and maturity for granted for far too long. The people today are mature enough to decide for themselves the good and bad of each candidate. They cannot be hoodwinked by the antics and empty promises by the political parties anymore.

The country is undergoing some difficult times in inter-ethnic relations and its transformation into a two-party multiracial nation and the people of Bagan Pinang can help the process by sending a strong message on behalf of all Malaysians that they want a nation that is multiethnic and corruption-free where everyone regardless of race, creed or political ideology can live side by side in peace and harmony.

The onus is on the people of Bagan Pinang to demonstrate their wisdom and maturity in no uncertain terms come Oct 11.

--MALAYSIAKINI--

KU LI QUESTIONS ROHAIZAT'S SUITABILITY TO BE LAWMAKER

2009-08-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

MEDIA PRO-UMNO/BN DICABAR & CALON 'TANGKAP MUAT'

SEBAGAI AJK MASJID, ROHAIZAT TIDAK PERNAH SOLAT DI MASJID?

ROHAIZAT JERUT LEHER SENDIRI - YUSMADI

BAYANGAN AWAL KEMENANGAN PAS

KU LI QUESTIONS ROHAIZAT'S SUITABILITY TO BE LAWMAKER

* News
* Headlines
* Permatang Pasir by-election

2009-08-19 14:22

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran UMNO leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has added to the party's woes by questioning its choice of disbarred lawyer Rohaizat as its candidate for the Permatang Pasir by election.

"I don't know En. Rohaizat. He may be a fine upstanding citizen. However, his public record of dishonesty would long ago have disqualified him from being a candidate for public office in any normal political party, "Ku LI posted onhis website razaleigh.com Wednesday.

"Is UMNO so short of people that we have to find a lawyer disbarred for financial dishonesty to stand? Has financial misconduct become so common among us that we no longer see it as a factor in a candidate's suitability? The party leaders who select and screen candidates must have known of this impediment but considered financial misconduct a trivial matter."

Razaleigh said honesty is a minimal condition for public office. Whatever the other virtues of the candidate, he should not be considered if he fails this test. The candidates we field for election must have a clean record because we are asking the public to place their confidencet in him as their leader, and democratic government breaks down without public confidence.

"We are also saying this candidate represents us. I'm sad to have to say such obvious things," he said.

"By fielding a disbarred lawyer, today's UMNO is projecting the image that it lives by a different moral code from the rest of Malaysia. One set of rules for UMNO, and another for everyone else. Either that, or this is the best we can do, "he added.

Rohaizat is facing PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man Mat Aji in the by election to be held on 25 Aug.

The by-election was being held following the death of the State Assemblyman, Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman from PAS on July 31 at the National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur due to a heart attack.

In the general election last year, Mohd Hamdan won the seat for the third term when he polled 11,004 votes to beat Ahmad Sahar Shuib from the BN with a majority of 5,433 votes.

--My SinChew--

THE ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS DISCIPLINARY BOARD

2009-08-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Selepas gagal menumbangkan PAS dibawah pimpinan TOK GURU NIK AZIZ pada pilhanraya kecil DUN Manek Urai, UMNO/BN terus menggunakan LIDAH HITAM (TV3) mereka untuk menyerang TOK GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT(TGNA).Kali ini, isunya lebih keras dan tampak 'GOBLOKK' dengan mendakwa TGNA telah mengatakan bahawa 'AHLI UMNO TIDAK AKAN MASUK SYURGA'.Seperti biasa LIDAH HITAM akan menghubungi TOK'KOH-TOK'KOH FAVORITE untuk mengulas kenyataan yang TOK'KOH-TOK'KOH ini sendiri tidak mendegar dengan telinga sendiri, tetapi hanya membuat ulasan dengan panduan 'lusoh' LIDAH HITAM!

Selepas membiarkan LIDAH HITAM mengasak diri beliau, TGNA membuat kenyataan untuk menjelaskan setiap maksud sebenar pada isu ini.Sama-sama kita dengarkan 'AUTA' LIDAH HITAM BERSAMA LABU-LABUNYA dan Penjelasan sebenar dari TGNA.

ISU MASUK SYURGA: ULASAN LIDAH-LIDAH UMNO @ KEBODOHAN MEDIA!

ISU MASUK SYURGA: PENJELASAN NIK AZIZ

THE ADVOCATES AND SOLICITORS DISCIPLINARY BOARD

In response to inquiries from the media, we wish to clarify Rohaizat Othman’s status as an advocate and solicitor.

The Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board struck Rohaizat Othman off the Roll of Advocates and Solicitors on 7 March 2008 after he was found guilty of misconduct. The Disciplinary Board’s decision arose from an investigation into the complaint lodged against Rohaizat Othman by the purchaser of a piece of real property. According to the complaint, Rohaizat Othman failed to refund almost RM 161,000 to the complainant after the transaction was aborted.

Rohaizat Othman appealed against the decision of the Disciplinary Board to the High Court, and the appeal was dismissed on 12 August 2009. He is therefore legally disqualified from practising as an advocate and solicitor.

The finding of misconduct is personal to Rohaizat Othman, as the Disciplinary Board would not hold a lawyer liable for the actions of his/her law partner(s).

George Varughese
Secretary
Malaysian Bar

18 August 2009

MANEK URAI BY-ELECTION AND HIJAB: STORY OF THE CRIME

2009-07-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

EJEKAN PADA PENIAGA IKAN SEPERTI EJEKAN PADA RASULULLAH - NIK AZIZ

HAPUS ISA: MENTERI KENA JAWAB DI AKHIRAT! - NIK AZIZ

MARWA AL-SHERBINI MUSLIM WOMAN STABBED 18 TIMES TO DEATH IN A GERMAN COURT CAUSE OF HIJAB.
KERANA HIJAB, DIHADAPAN HAKIM, DIDALAM MAHKAMAH, DI DEPAN POLIS, PEMBUNUHAN KEJAM DENGAN 18 KALI TIKAMAN TERHADAP SEORANG WANITA MESIR YANG HAMIL 3 BULAN.SUAMI MANGSA DITEMBAK POLIS KERANA CUBA MENYELAMATKAN SI ISTERI.PEMBUNUH TIDAK MENGALAMI KECEDERAAN.

PEMUDA PAS KESAL PEMBUNUHAN KEJAM WANITA BERTUDUNG DI GERMANY DAN CHINA

HIJAB: STORY OF THE CRIME

A woman stabbed to death in a German court was an Egyptian who had sued her attacker after he insulted her for wearing the Islamic headscarf.

Marwa al-Sherbini, 32, who was killed in a court in Dresden on Wednesday, was the wife of Egyptian academic Elwi Ali Okaz who was also hurt in the incident and is now in critical condition in hospital, the state-owned Al-Akhbar reported.

The attacker stabbed Sherbini "shortly before she was to give evidence in an appeal lodged by the man against a conviction for insulting her over wearing the hijab,"

When her husband tried to help her the police fired a shot on him, he is now in critical condition , and Marwa Al-Sherbini died in the courtroom after 18 stabs yes 18 stabs inside the court.

The probelm why western media don't speak about this crime, last week when neda from iran killed all the media commented about her like it was a halucaust in iran, and now they didn't say anything and you can search ever in internet you won't find more informations.

وذكرت صحيفة دريسدنر مورغن بوست أن الجاني أليكس دبليو فاجأ القضاة والحضور خلال نظر المحكمة دعواه، ووجه للصيدلية المصرية الحامل في الشهر الثالث 18 طعنة نافذة أدت إلى وفاتها على الفور أمام أعين ابنها البالغ ثلاثة أعوام.

وأضافت الصحيفة أن زوج الضحية المصرية -وهو مبعوث للحصول على درجة الدكتوراه في معهد ماكس بلانك للفيزياء بدريسدن- حاول حماية زوجته غير أن الجاني عاجله بثلاث طعنات شديدة في الكبد والرئة، مشيرة إلى أن الزوج الذي يرقد في حالة
صحية حرجة تعرض أيضا لإصابة بالرصاص من شرطي بالمحكمة اعتقد أنه الجاني
المصدر: الجزيرة

NATIONAL UNITY OR MALAY UNITY?

2009-06-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

NIK AZIZ 'SOUND' NASHA, BIDAS UTUSAN!

MUSLIMAT TOLAK PERPADUAN DENGAN UMNO, MAJLIS FATWA DIMINTA SIASAT 'SIS'

PAS: NASHA TO SETTLE PROBLEM WITH NIK AZIZ

AZIZAN: ASK HIM TO EXPLAIN

ALOR SETAR: Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak has asked PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat to call deputy party president Nasharuddin Mat Isa to explain the proposed unity government talks instead of telling him to quit the party.

Azizan said Nik Aziz’s statement was not proper and could only create confusion among party members.

“As a high ranked leader, Nik Aziz can just call Nasharuddin directly and ask him to explain the unity government.

“Why must he issue such a statement when any plan to implement a unity government must first be agreed upon by all members through a meeting?” he said after chairing the state exco meeting here yesterday.

--THE STAR ONLINE--

UNITY GOVERNMENT: NIK AZIZ TELLS NASHARUDDIN TO JOIN UMNO

2009-06-17T01:21:00.000-07:00

GELARAN 'BONEKA' SEBAGAI NASIHAT - NIK AZIZ

AKSI NIZAR & MP PR, KHALID SAMAD 'WARNING' PETUGAS PARLIMEN!

NIZAR DIGANTUNG SELEPAS ANGKAT SUMPAH

NASHA VIEW PM's RESPONSE WARMLY. UMNO LAGA PAS-PR - KHALID SAMAD

DSAI: BAHAS RUU LHDN

SALAHUDDIN: YESTERDAY REFLECTS SERIOUSNESS OF PERAK

URGENT MOTION ON RM125 BILLION PKFZ SCANDAL - LIM KIT SIANG

UNITY GOVERNMENT: NIK AZIZ TELLS NASHARUDDIN TO JOIN UMNO

June 17, 2009 15:40 PM

KOTA BAHARU, June 17 Bernama) -- PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has told Nasharuddin Mat Isa to quit as PAS deputy president and Bachok Member of Parliament and join Umno if he persists with the unity government agenda.

"The unity government issue did not come from PAS but is an idea floated by certain individuals. The matter was never in black and white as a PAS agenda or that of the opposition alliance.

"If it's true that Nasharuddin is agreeable (to the unity government), then he had better join Umno, resign from his posts as deputy (president of PAS) and in Bachok (MP)," the Kelantan Menteri Besar told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting here Wednesday.

He said the proposal on a unity government between the opposition alliance and PAS was something tossed around by "Umno's puppets" to create confusion within PAS and the opposition alliance.

Nik Abdul Aziz was commenting on a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday that he believed PAS was sincere about having a unity government as proposed by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang recently.

Najib had said that he was open minded and was willing to consider any suggestion by PAS if it would bring good to the country.

Nasharuddin, in response, said PAS was open to discussions on unity and not a unity government because the party saw chances to make good suggestions to the government to help resolve the political and economic crises.

Nik Abdul Aziz said he regretted Nasharuddin's stand because PAS in Kelantan had accepted him as a candidate for the Bachok seat in the 2008 general election.

He said PAS and the opposition alliance had fallen into Umno's trap over the unity government agenda had which had caused disunity among them.

"The Umno people are now rejoicing because PAS is splitting and the opposition alliance is splitting," he said.

He also said that if the unity government agenda were to truly materialise the BN should appoint leaders from the opposition as ministers.

"If everyone agrees..PAS (leaders) become ministers, DAP (leaders) become ministers and Keadilan (Parti Keadilan Rakyat leaders) become ministers," he said.

Nik Abdul Aziz also said that he would be suing Utusan Malaysia for defamation over its report on June 15 which quoted him as saying that his advice must be heeded.

"I categorically deny using the word 'must'," he said, adding that it was a lie and a move to humiliate so that the soiety and the mufti would hate him.

He said he had engaged a lawyer to institute the suit.

--BERNAMA--

I AM NOT ONLY DISAPPOINTED, BUT ALSO SADDENED

2009-06-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

YB KHALID SAMAD KRITIK KERAJAAN PERPADUAN - PART 1

YB KHALID SAMAD KRITIK KERAJAAN PERPADUAN - PART 2

DATO HUSAM MUSA: MENGGULONG PERBAHASAN UCAPAN DASAR PRESIDEN PAS - PART 1

DATO HUSAM MUSA: MENGGULONG PERBAHASAN UCAPAN DASAR PRESIDEN PAS - PART 2

PENDEDAHAN USTAZ AHMAD AWANG - PART 1

PENDEDAHAN USTAZ AHMAD AWANG - PART 2

MB KEDAH: UMNO MACAM KUCING - PART 1

MB KEDAH: UMNO MACAM KUCING - PART 2

UCAPAN PENGGULUNGAN HJ.MUHAMAD SABU

MAHFUZ OMAR: KENALKAN 'REPORT CARD' PEMIMPIN

TALKS WITH UMNO UNNECESSARY, SAYS NIK AZIZ

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — In another blow to the PAS leadership's insistence on resuming talks with Umno, the party's spiritual leader said engaging the Malay nationalist party should never be part of party's agenda.

In an interview with the party newsletter Harakah, published today, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat reiterated his stand against any form of political co-operation with Umno.

“Islam has always encouraged discussion. To place it as part of party's agenda creates the impression that Islam does not provide room for discussion,” said the PAS spiritual adviser.

During the recently-concluded muktamar, president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and his deputy Nasharudin Mat Isa declared their commitment to strengthening Pakatan Rakyat (PR) but vowed to continue discussion with Umno, in a sign that both leaders have yet to abandon plans to form a unity government with the ruling party.

“Islam has always allowed those who are against it to talk and discuss. It has always been there, so there is no need to make it part of our agenda. When we make it part of our agenda, it creates redundancy,” Nik Aziz added.

He also praised Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, who is another strong critic of unity talks with Umno, for demonstrating his knowledge in Islamic history during the muktamar.

Nik Aziz said Khalid, an engineer by training, had shown there is no clear division between the religious scholars or ulama and the professionals in the party.

“Although I have never seen him in skullcap, turban or robe, but throughout his speech he used arguments commonly used by the ulama,” he added.

In the fiery speech, Khalid also criticised the muktamar secretariat for accepting sponsorship from Umno-linked corporation Puncak Niaga.

The Kelantan Mentri Besar also expressed his shock with the defeat of the state leaders in the party election.

“I am not only disappointed, but also saddened. I don't know what was the reason. We will study the matter and let the next muktamar decide,” he added.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

55th PAS MUKTAMAR

2009-06-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

UCAPAN DASAR KETUA PEMUDA - TEGURAN UNTUK PM

TIMBALAN MURSYIDUL AM PAS, DATO DR.HARON DIN - PART 1

TIMBALAN MURSYIDUL AM PAS, DATO DR.HARON DIN - PART 2

TIMBALAN MURSYIDUL AM PAS, DATO DR.HARON DIN - PART 3

PROFESSIONAL-ULAMAK DISCUSSION WILL NOT DOMINATE PARTY DEBATES - NASHARUDDIN MT ISA

NO 2 STILL ON DEFENSIVE OVER UNITY TALKS - NASHARUDDIN MT ISA, PART 1

NO 2 STILL ON DEFENSIVE OVER UNITY TALKS - NASHARUDDIN MT ISA, PART 2

KEMPEN BUBAR DUN PERAK, USUL TERGEMPAR DITERIMA

MUSLIMAT PAS: ISLAM MEMIMPIN PERUBAHAN - DR HALIMAH ALI, PART 1

MUSLIMAT PAS: ISLAM MEMIMPIN PERUBAHAN - DR HALIMAH ALI, PART 2

MUSLIMAT PAS: ISLAM MEMIMPIN PERUBAHAN - DR HALIMAH ALI, PART 3

DR HARON: EMPOWER SYURA COUNCIL TO VELT POLLS CANDIDATES

Thursday June 4, 2009

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ Syura Council should be given the power to reject unsuitable candidates vying for positions in the party, deputy Mursyidul Am Datuk Dr Haron Din said.

This would block “puppets” of external influence from securing crucial positions in the party, he said.

Dr Haron said such a system was important for the survival of the party in view of a global movement to check Islamist parties from gaining significant political power.

PAS must have a mechanism to weed out leaders “embedded” by enemies of Islam who are on a mission to demonise and weaken Islamist parties, he said.

“At present, the council has the ultimate say on candidates for by-elections and general elections,’’ he said.

“It is pertinent to also allow the council to screen and reject unsuitable candidates from contesting in party elections.”

To a question, he said he had no qualms about any of the candidates currently contesting posts in the party elections.

Dr Haron also hit out at the media for pitting the ulama against professionals.

“In PAS, ulama and professionals work as a team,’’ he said. “They may have differences in opinion, but that is normal in the political arena.”

In-coming Ulama Council president Datuk Harun Taib said the party’s strength was its ulama-professional team.

Outgoing PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the differences in opinion among PAS leaders had provided a good system of checks and balances in the party.

Salahuddin, who had served as Youth chief for six years, had taken the wing to greater heights through political engagement with the palace, NGOs, government departments, and the private sector.

--THE STAR ONLINE--

MUKTAMAR PAS KALI KE - 55 (STADIUM MALAWATI, SHAH ALAM SELANGOR)

2009-06-07T21:29:00.000-07:00

UCAPAN DASAR PRESIDEN PAS, DATO SERI HJ. HADI AWANG.

PERKUKUH PAKATAN, ISLAM MEMIMPIN PERUBAHAN

UMNO PERKUDA ISLAM UNTUK BERKUASA

RATUSAN SLOGAN UMNO/BN DALAM AMALAN KUNO MEREKA

EKONOMI MELESET: BN MASIH DENGAN SINDROM PENAFIAN

PUJI ERDOGAN & MAHMUD AHMADINEJAD

KELAB PENYOKONG PAS DIPERKASA

KESIMPULAN UCAPAN DASAR PRESIDEN PAS

A.SAMAD SAID & HASAN AHMAD TERIMA ANUGERAH PEJUANG BAHASA PAS

HADI STILL UPBEAT ON UNITY GOVERNMENT - MALAYSIA KINI

PAS WANTS SISTERS IN ISLAM BANNED

By Adib Zalkapli

SHAH ALAM, June 7 – In a sign that PAS continues to adopt the hardline approach, the Islamist party today urged the government to ban women’s rights group Sisters in Islam for allegedly putting the faith of the Muslims in danger.

In a motion passed by the party's annual muktamar, it asked the National Fatwa Council to conduct a study on the teachings promoted by Sisters in Islam, claiming that it has caused confusion to the society.

The party also wanted members of the group to be sent to faith rehabilitation programmes.

The motion was proposed by the party’s Shah Alam division.

Formed in 1988, Sisters in Islam said in its website that it aims to promote true Islamic principles and to fight against gender discrimination.

Since its formation, the groups has been under constant attack from Islamic authorities and organisations, due to its unconventional interpretation of Islamic principles.

In an immediate reaction, its programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi asked if other Pakatan Rakyat parties agree to the motion.

“We would like to know what is DAP's and PKR's view on this matter, because they are in Pakatan and whatever PAS does will reflect on Pakatan,” Norhayati told The Malaysian Insider.

She said the party should make it clear on what issue they disagree with Sisters in Islam.

“This is very intimidating because we are a very small organisation,” said Norhayati.

She also accused PAS of being inconsistent in their stand on freedom of expression.

“PAS talks the language of human rights and freedom of expression but when they disagree with us they want to shut us up, this is hypocrisy,” said Norhayati, adding that “what is right and wrong cannot be based on PAS's standard.”

Norhayati urged PAS to widen their perspective as the party was also supported by non-members in the last general election.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

KEADILAN DISAGRRES WITH PAS' CALL FOR BAN ON SISTER IN ISLAM

LETTER TO EDITOR

Parti Keadilan Rakyat disagrees with PAS’ Muktamar motion Sunday calling for the National Fatwa Council to study with a view to ban non-governmental organization Sisters in Islam (SIS). KEADILAN is further disturbed that the motion also called for SIS members to be rehabilitated.

Freedom of speech and association are cherished principles under a modern and democratic state. Differing and dissenting views (and association) are not only allowed but should be protected as these are the essence of a democratic, fair and just society – where any views or association whether in the majority or minority, mainstream or fringes are allowed to stand and even flourish without threat of repercussion.

The correct way is to engage and debate with any organization in a mature and civilized manner rather than seeking for its ban and punishment for its members.

KEADILAN therefore calls upon PAS to reconsider its resolution especially since it was not debated and reaffirm its commitment to the protection of freedom of speech and association.

Mustaffa Kamil
Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat
7 June 2009

--MySinchew--

REALLY WILLING TO ALLOW ITS GOAL

2009-06-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

TOK GURU: MENTERI WANITA DAKWA 'PROGRAM AURAT' MEMBAZIR

TOK GURU: KHUTBAH - KETUA PEMUDA UMNO KELANTAN TAK FAHAM ISLAM

DATO HUSAM MUSA: PAS MAMPU GANTI UMNO - PART 1

DATO HUSAM MUSA: PAS MAMPU GANTI UMNO - PART 2

DATO HUSAM MUSA: PAS MAMPU GANTI UMNO - PART 3

DATO HUSAM MUSA: PAS MAMPU GANTI UMNO - PART 4

DATO HUSAM MUSA: PAS MAMPU GANTI UMNO - PART 5

DATO HUSAM MUSA: PAS MAMPU GANTI UMNO - PART 6

INTERVIEW - MALAYSIA ISLAMIST TO PROTECT FREE MARKET, MINORITIES

By Razak Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - An influential opposition leader running for a key post in Malaysia's Islamist party has "guaranteed" a commitment to a free market economy and protecting the rights of the country's multi-racial communities.

Husam Musa, vice-president of the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), the country's second largest party in mass membership, is vying to be PAS deputy leader at its five-day annual conference which starts on Wednesday.

The three-way contest for the PAS deputy presidency has been billed as a clash between conservatives and reformists in a party long demonised as hardline Islamist.

PAS, part of Anwar Ibrahim's three-member People's Alliance, is the only party apart from the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) able to anchor itself on the Malay Muslims who represent 55 per cent of the electorate in this Southeast Asian country of 27 million people.

"We won't change the system but how it is implemented. PAS cannot rule Malaysia alone because we need help from our non-Malay friends, so this is our guarantee," Husam told Reuters in an interview.

"We will not make drastic changes or change in a manner that can be regarded as rough or unacceptable (to non-Muslims)," he added. Malaysia has significant minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians who are generally not Muslims.

HOW PAS GOT ITS GROOVE BACK

PAS holds 24 of 222 seats in Malaysia's parliament and controls two of 13 states in the country.

For decades it insisted on establishment of a strict theocratric state, its appeal never extending beyond rural Malay enclaves.

In 2005 Husam, a 49 year-old economist, led a reform team to victory in party polls, promising to moderate the party, and he has been tipped by some as a future party leader.

Observers have watched for clear signs of social and economic policies the party will push in the event of an opposition win in the next polls.

Husam said the priority would be to cut the cost of doing business in the country by stemming corruption and patronage and dismantling a decades-long policy of affirmative action.

The policy that favours the majority Malays in economic and social opportunities has been abused by the government and bred corruption, said Husam.

"Help should be given without consideration of any factor, even race, just need. Get rid of this and all the economic potential of this country can be fully unlocked," said Husam.

TROJAN HORSE?

Despite shows of unity, PAS's relations with its other People's Alliance partners, especially the stridently secular, ethnic Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP), have been marked by occasional public spats.

The biggest unknown about PAS remains whether it is really willing to allow its goal of a theocratic state to lie in perpetual dormancy.

The party enacted strict Islamic criminal laws in the states of Kelantan and Terengganu both of which it at one point held.

The laws would ultimately have included amputation as punishment for theft and has not been enforced. A legal challenge over the laws' validity is still pending in court.

Husam said PAS would opt for a very gradual approach aimed at winning public acceptance in Malaysia's multi-racial society.

"Islamic governance covers a wide spectrum encompassing many issues that have to be addressed first such as rule of law, social and economic justice."

"If you move in the political arena without this wisdom, you will do damage to the cause itself," he added.

--REUTERS INDIA--

GOOD ENOUGH...IF WE HAVE 'ERDOGAN'

2009-06-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

BAGUS KALAU ADA 'ERDOGAN' DALAM PAS

GANGGUAN UMNO GAGAL SEKAT KELAB PENYOKONG PAS SEBAGAI DEWAN

EKONOMI KITA KRITIKAL, JANJI KOSONG KERAJAAN

BN NO BETTER THAN COMMUNISTS, SAYS NIK AZIZ

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

PENANTI, May 28 — PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz joined an all-star ceramah session last night as Pakatan Rakyat stepped up efforts to wrap up the by-election and bag the win.

Nik Aziz went straight for the Barisan Nasional (BN) jugular and mocked prime minister and BN president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision not to allow former communist leader Chin Peng to return to Malaysia, describing it as hypocritical.

“Chin Peng wants to come back and somebody asked me what I thought about it so I said if BN wants to reject the communists, then the same can be said about nationalists,” he said.

The statement was made in reference to his belief and past statement that Umno should replace its nationalist trait with Islam as the main ideology.

Nik Aziz, who vehemently opposes the “cooperation with Umno” idea supported by some of his own party members, had stated in the past that the Islamist party will only work together with its rival if the latter discards its nationalist ideology.

But judging by how the charismatic PAS leader pounded BN last night, this “cooperation” is a long way off.

BN was accused of total evil, reigning with treachery, manipulation and corruption. He urged Penanti voters to rise against the BN rule and vote for PKR candidate Mansor Othman this Sunday.

The other big names at the ceramah were Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who also asked voters to send a strong signal to BN.

He also blasted BN for their decision to contest in Manek Urai, slamming the decision as a reflection of their arrogance and hypocrisy.

“When they did not want to contest at Penanti, they said they wanted to focus on improving the country’s economy and not play the political game supposedly created by me.

“But it seems that the economy of the country, in fact the world, has been solved since BN now has the time to contest there,” he said.

The Manek Urai by-election in Kelantan will be the seventh since the March 8 polls. The state seat was vacated following the death of its assemblyman, Ismail Yaakob.

Also present at the ceramah was PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

MILLENIUM JEBAT?

2009-02-06T04:13:00.000-08:00

OBAMA SUPPORT FOR MOHD NIZAR!

MOHD NIZAR: MILLENIUM JEBAT?

ANWAR IBRAHIM: GIVE MANDATE BACK TO THE PEOPLE

PR: MOHON SULTAN TIMBANG PERMOHONAN

DEFECTIONS ROIL MALAYSIAN POLITICS

Malaysia's national ruling party and the opposition are headed for a political showdown in the northern state of Perak over the defection of three legislators.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) claimed control of the state government after the three elected representatives, two of whom are facing corruption charges, quit their parties and backed the ruling party as independents.

The Pakatan Rakyat (PR), or People's Alliance, in a last-ditch attempt to hold on to power, refused to cede control of the state despite orders by the sultan to hand power to the BN.

The political crisis has sparked public outrage and widespread allegations that the defectors had been bought over by Umno, the main partner in the ruling BN.

The BN was denied the two-thirds majority for the first time in 40 years after the PR, a loose opposition coalition, made unprecedented gains in the March 8 general election.

Perak's sultan, or Malay ruler, had a day earlier consented to the appointment of a new BN government, the coalition that has run Malaysia for 51 years, but the opposition remained defiant and threatened legal action.

Political fallout

The Perak imbroglio is expected to improve the chances of Najib Abdul Razak, the prime minister-in-waiting, in the run-up to party elections next month.

The opposition alliance said it would mount a legal challenge to the decision by the ruler of Perak's decision to recognise the new state government.

Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin, who became the chief minister after the general election, was escorted from his office on Friday but insisted: "I will go about my job as usual."

He said he would only quit if he is removed by a vote of no-confidence in the state assembly.

"As far as we are concerned, this is the legal government," Jamaluddin said before the swearing-in of the new BN chief minister.

Later in the afternoon police stopped more than 1,000 opposition supporters from marching to the Iskandariah Palace, the venue of the swearing in of Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak's new BN chief minister.

There were reports that riot police fired tear gas at opposition supporters protesting against the seizure of state power.

Local media reported that at least 10 people were arrested.

Perak was one of five states won by the three-party opposition alliance led by Anwar Ibrahim, the country's former deputy prime minister.

Anwar, who last year tried to seize power nationally with the aid of defecting government MPs, said the opposition alliance would not quit the Perak government but would appeal to the royal leader for fresh polls.

"Such a takeover [in Perak] is really a big blow to democracy and insults the wisdom of the masses," he told The Associated Press news, while calling for fresh elections.

--AL-JAZEERA--

INTIFADA' NO. 3

2009-01-18T17:18:00.000-08:00

Sebelum menuju pada pucuk cerita, izinkan penulis menyanggah nas-nas yang mengatakan bahawa:
*Konflik Israel-Palestine adalah perang pertikaian wilayah hasil pencerobohan Zionist, dan bukan perang ISLAM-Yahudi.
*Dalam nas yang diberikan, turut diseru supaya melihat peta Palestine tahun 1878 sebagai permualaan perang pada hari ini.

Nas ini seolah menafikan kaitan secara langsung permasalahan diantara umat ISLAM sejak zaman kepimpinan Rasulullah S.A.W sehingga ke para khalifah-khalifah Islam termasuk empayar terakhir sistem khalifah ISLAM iaitu empayar OTHMANIAH yang dijahanamkan oleh barat melalui Mustafa Kamal Ataturk.Selepas tumbang empayar terakhir sistem khalifah ISLAM ini yang ketika itu menguasai Palestine, maka British masuk mengambil-alih pentadbiran di Palestine yang akhirnya membiarkan Yahudi memiliki dan menzalimi Palestine demi penebusan dosa perang dunia ke-2.

Berikut adalah peta-peta palestine dari tahun 1878 sehingga tahun 2000:

Benar, segalanya bermula dari kehadiran sekelompok yahudi sehingga beranak-pinak dibumi Palestine serta merampas tanah-tanah Palestine.Dibantu oleh France & America, Britain yang berasa berdosa keatas Yahudi kerana tidak membantu dalam kempen pemutihan yahudi oleh Hitler, mengambil tanggungjawab untuk menebus dosa dengan memberi kedudukan sementara kepada Israel di Palestine.Ini kerana ketika itu Britain adalah penjajah di bumi Palestine.Hakikatnya tindak-tanduk Britain itu adalah untuk menghalau bangsa PARIA Eropah ini keluar dari London yang pada ketika itu telah memilih London sebagai destinasi penempatan.

Setelah mendapat sedikit ruang di Palestine, maka bermulalah usaha sedikit demi sedikit gerakan doktrin Zionist merampas wilayah-wilayah Palestine dan tercetuslah perang sehingga kehari ini.Selain dari perjuangan membebaskan wilayah-wilayah Palestine dari cengkaman Israel, umat Islam melihat Yahudi sebagai ancaman kepada kesucian MASJIDIL'AQSA.PARIA EROPAH ini memilih Palestine kerana disitulah terdapatnya MASJIDIL'AQSA yang mereka percaya melalui kitab suci mereka(kitab Talmud) terdapat kuil yang dibina oleh king salamon (Nabi sulaiman) dibawah Masjidil'Aqsa itu sendiri.Oleh itu, mereka merencana gerakan pengukuhan wilayah-wilayah sehingga berjaya mengawal sepenuhnya Masjidil'Aqsa dan memudahkan usaha untuk meghancurkan Masjidil'Aqsa.Inilah impian sebenar mereka dibumi Palestine selain dari mendapatkan negara bangsa sendiri.Yahudi tidak mahu pergi ke South Africa atau Uganda yang telah ditawarkan oleh block barat, hanya kerana Yahudi/Zionist mahukan....AL-AQSA!

VIDEO- > THE PROMISED LAND(TANAH DIJANJIKAN)

ZIONIST BICARA BAHASA PELURU

Selesai isyak dimalam minggu lalu, bergerak sekumpulan pemuda termasuk penulis menuju kesebuah tapak untuk menghayati dan menyelami permasalahan rakyat Palestine menerusi medium dari dalam palestine sendiri.VCD ditayangkan bersama kopilasi gambar (slide) tentang keperitan, rintihan diantara runtuhan, secebis kegembiraan dibalik kemusnahan serta kebangkitan demi kedaulatan ISLAM dan bumi AL-AQSA.

VCD dalam bentuk dokumentari berlatarkan petikan ayat-ayat suci Al-Quran dan puisi dalam bahasa arab benar-benar menginsafkan para sahabat yang bertamu.Meski VCD tersebut merungkai tentang kebangkitan (INTIFADA') ke-2 pada tahun 2000 namun ia tetap dapat mengambarkan suasana ketika ini dibumi Gaza, Palestine.

Antara yang menyentuh hati adalah ketika sekumpulan kanak-kanak Palestine memanjat dicelah sisa runtuhan untuk terus ketiang yang sedang terkibarnya bendera Israel.Salah seorang dari kanak-kanak itu berusaha sedaya upaya memanjat tiang itu sehingga berjaya menurunkan bendera Israel dan digantikan dengan bendera Jihad berwarna hitam 'bertatahkan' kalimah SYAHADAH! SUBAHANALLAH...Begitu kuat usaha anak-anak ini walau hanya pada sekadar bendera.
Turut menyentuh hati ta'kala rejim Zionist sedang menuju masuk kedalam wilayah Gaza, sekumpulan pemuda dan kanak-kanak berusaha melambatkan pergerakan rejim dengan serangan-serangan hendap menggunakan lastik berpelurukan batu-batu yang bertaburan dari sisa runtuhan kediaman mereka.Ketika itu, 3 anak muda Palestine sempat berjemaah berperisaikan sekeping batu setinggi paras peha mereka sambil dikawal oleh 2 orang rakan mereka dan selebihnya meneruskan serangan hendap tersebut.

Dalam satu paparan lain, ditengah-tengah sebatang jalan raya, seorang anak palestine berumur kurang dari 10 tahun sedang memper-aksikan seni mempertahan diri dengan penuh gaya dan teratur sambil menanti 3 orang askar zionist yang lengkap bersenjata menuju tepat kearahnya.

Bayangkan kita dibumi yang aman ini masih leka dan lalai dalam menunaikan solat.
Juga sedikit ketakutan bila anak-anak kita bermain diluar rumah...paling ditakutkan kalau-kalau anak kita diculik.Anak-anak kita juga handal bermain lastik dan berpistolan menyasarkan pada burung-burung pilihan.
Tetapi dibumi Palestine, anak-anak mereka melastik dan berpistolan kearah askar-askar Yahudi.Tiada gentar dihati ibu-bapa mereka akan keselamatan anak-anak ini.Kerana mereka tidak gusar akan cacat-cela mahupun kehilangan nyawa pada anak tersayang demi sebuah AL-AQSA!

JIHAD

Disebalik kedamaian dan ketenangan dibumi Malaysia, kita juga rugi kerana tidak dipilih oleh ALLAH S.W.T untuk dilahirkan dibumi palestine sekaligus mendekatkan kita dengan jalan syahid.Disebalik kesengsaraan mereka, setidak-tidaknya bagi mereka sebelah kaki telah berada disyurga ALLAH dan sebaik nyawa mereka direntap oleh Zionist, maka syurga ALLAH terbuka untuk mereka.SUBAHANALLAH, MAHA SUCI ENGKAU YA ALLAH.

Walaubagaimanapun, kita masih boleh berjihad dari jauh melalui pelbagai cara selagi atas nama keikhlasan demi AL-AQSA.Samada dengan tangan, lidah atau pun hati.
Kita adalah umat yang punyai kuasa beli.Dengan kesungguhan memboikot produk-produk America dan Israel, maka kita mampu menghentikan kemaraan rejim Zionist kedalam wilayah-wilayah Palestine bahkan kita mampu memaksa mereka pula keluar dari bumi Palestine dan menjadikan mereka pelarian bertaburan diluar bumi arab.

Ketika nabi ALLAH, Ibrahim A.S sedang dibakar dalam unggun api oleh Raja Namrud, seekor burung Pipit berusaha membawa air menggunakan paruhnya untuk memadamkan api yang sedang marak menyala.Apalah sangat usaha si Pipit yang sudah pasti sekadar hanya sebagai renjisan keatas api tersebut.Tetapi dari satu sudut, ALLAH mengangkat si Pipit kesatu mercu yang mulia kerana melepaskan tanggungjawapnya sebagai hamba ALLAH dimuka bumi ini.Semangat Pipit ini perlu ada dalam dada dan akal setiap Muslim didunia ini khususnya di Malaysia kita.SESUNGGUHNYA UMAT ISLAM PALESTINE SEDANG BERJUANG UNTUK PEMBEBASAN MASJIDIL AQSA MEWAKILI SELURUH UMAT ISLAM DIMUKA BUMI INI TERMASUK MEWAKILI KITA, UMAT ISLAM MALAYSIA!

RACUN DALAM PERJUANGAN

Oleh itu, janganlah kita termakan dengan dakyah-dakyah sempit yang diwar-warkan tentang usaha memboikot America-Israel.Antara yang popular:
'kita akan menutup pintu rezki hampir 2000 tenaga tempatan yang bekerja bersama-sama syrkt. Coca-Cola'.'Kesiankan mereka'. 'jangan boikot produk mereka kerana kita hanya merugikan kerajaan akibat kemungkinan terkeluarnya pelaburan mereka dari negara kita'. 'Mana boleh tak minum milo atau nescafe kerana tidak ada yang boleh menandingi kualiti produk mereka'. 'Mana boleh makan maggie selain keluaran Nestle'.Begitulah antara saranan-saranan mereka kononya untuk mencari jalan yang lebih memberi 'impak maksima'.
PM, Pak Lah berjaya menyediakan peluang pekerjaan pada sektor perladangan dan pertanian akibat kemerosotan pada industri perkilangan.Mengapa tidak hal yang sama dikembangkan demi AL-AQSA? Rezeki akan hadir jika kita berkorban demi saudara kita di Palestine.

CLICK - > SENARAI BOYCOTT

Tidak timbul soal negara kita kecil, tidak timbul persoalan tentang kemampuan kita menutup syrikat induk yang pro-America & Israel, tidak perlu difikirkan usaha sendirian kita akan berhasil atau tidak.
Sebaliknya yang perlu timbul adalah USAHA, SUMBANGAN & JIHAD KITA PADA AL-AQSA!

Jadilah kita seperti si Pipit yang dimuliakan ALLAH S.W.T atas usaha yang nampak kecil dan seakan sia-sia, tetapi sebenarnya dilakukan dengan penuh kesedaran dan tanggungjawab keatas perjuangan agama ILAHI.

AL-QASSAM: WE CARRIED OUT DOZENS OF PAINFUL STRIKES AGAINST THE IOF TROOPS

19/01/2009 - 04:28 PM
www.infopalestina.com

GAZA, (PIC)-- Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, stated during a press conference on Monday that it managed to carry out dozens of painful strikes against the IOF troops during 22 days of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, asserting that its fighters were able to kill 49 Israeli soldiers.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, told the press conference which was held in Gaza city that the Brigades accurately monitored the operations of killing 49 Israeli soldiers in a direct way, not to mention dozens of Israeli casualties whose death was not eyewitnessed by Al-Qassam fighters during many resistance attacks such as the soldiers killed during the operations of detonating tanks and armored troop carriers.

Accordingly, Al-Qassam Brigades conservatively estimated the death toll in the ranks of IOF troops as up to 80 soldiers, Abu Obeida added.

The spokesman also noted that the Brigades fired during the aggression 980 rockets and shells including 213 Grad missiles on the invading IOF troops and different Israeli settlements.

Al-Qassam fighters also destroyed completely or partially about 47 tanks and bulldozers, hit four helicopters and shot down one drone, the spokesman said.

Abu Obeida also revealed that the Brigades managed to take several IOF troops as captives, but they were always targeted deliberately along with Al-Qassam captors by Israeli warplanes.
He pointed out that Israel killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, a vast majority of them were civilians, children and women which showed that the Israeli war on Gaza was only a process of mass killing bearing the hallmarks of a hateful Talmudic ideology.

He added that 48 Qassam fighters were killed during the Israeli occupation war on Gaza.

POEMS ABOUT PALESTINE

THE CHILD AND HER DIARY
June 17, 2002, Laila Yaghi

She wrote in her diary every night

When bullets passed by her window… she wrote

When Israeli soldiers killed her mother she wrote

She wrote of the horrors she sees

And the nightmares of flames and destruction

She the Palestinian child

Writes in her diary every night

To ease her enormous pain

To sedate her fears and nightmares

That little Palestinian child

Had died while writing in bed

From Israelis bulldozing her home

And now she lies in her tomb

Forgotten…as if she never existed

But her diary will carry on

The suffering of every Palestinian child

And now on her tomb Israeli children play

And sing with no worries of tomorrow

Where she once lived is confiscated

What are left from her family are refugees

And we continue to support Israel

With 10 million dollars a day!

And we continue to say

All humans are created equal

But continue to send to Israel

10 million dollars a day!

* * * * *

AMERICAN WOMEN VS PALESTINIAN WOMEN
October 17, 2001, Laila Yaghi

Just as the birds flutter their wings… care free

And the sky begs the sun to come out and wipe its tears

Palestinian women cry for their pain to be known

And the grieve and agony they suffer from the death of their born

Just as we enjoy a sip of coffee in the morning

While we enjoy the beauty of the flowers in the spring

And dance to the rhythm of the music while we sing

Palestinian women suffer every second of the day

And wish to be invisible or numb to all their pain

Just as we enjoy the peacefulness of a full moon

While we sit on our porch rocking our fancy chair

Palestinian women beg the foreign policies to be fair

And stop all the blood shed of the innocent and the young

But does this stop the earth from orbiting around the sun??

Or a Palestinian child getting killed by an Israeli gun??

* * * * * *

TEARS OF BLOOD
December 2001, Laila Yaghi

Sometimes tears have to drop

But too many tears turn into blood

Oh Palestine my ancestors’ land

Your earth has turned into red-colored sand

In it you have buried so many boys

Innocent, young still playing with toys

But their little hearts have turned into men

So fast before they had a chance to begin

A life like other men with family and kin

Born into their own country they face persecution

And live their lives full of confusion

Oh little boy playing with sand

Shot dead from snipers in your own land

Mother’s tears fall like razor sharp

Penetrating down deep with permanent scars

Oh world wake up his mother screams

Another atrocity with holocaust fears

Peace has been written in Rainbow colors

And doves are praying for all the mothers

* * * * *

DO NOT DEPRIVE ME
April 12, 01, Laila Yaghi

Do not deprive me from that gentle smile

For I’ve been debating weather to live or die

Heaven shakes when I see that face

And makes me optimistic that there will come a day

Full of laughter, and then my sorrows will dissipate

So do not take away from me that gentle smile

I promise you that I won’t get in your way

But make me choose to live rather than to die

And let me look forward to that special smile

To lift me up when I’m feeling down and depressed

For God in heaven had made my heart compressed

And filled it up with sorrows and distress

I make my plea through the silent night

When my aching soul is about to flee

The sadness and loneliness it is a witness to

To God I pray to fill my life with light

And take away from me the loneliness of the night

Happiness is bound to visit me one day

So ‘till then I plea, in God’s name, to humor me

And not take that gentle smile away from me

Gloomy place I look at… full of darkness

Crows linger by… with no smile… full of madness

* * * * *

CHILDLESS WOMAN

Passing by the valley of the night

And all the flowers tilt their heads for me

Drooping full of sadness and loneliness

In that valley of that lonely night

Forsaken as the trees forsake their leaves in the fall

And the unfaithful tears when they fall

Like rivers streaming hot through the muggy night

And the embedded echoes of sorrows and woes

My kids have forsaken me and have grown

And left me with empty arms… all alone

I think of the days that they were by my side

With warmth and love we cuddle up side by side

Reading bed time stories and talking of that day

Why can’t we go back and live in the past

And keep our children from growing so fast

Now that you both have grown into men

Are so far away from me but I can’t forget

All the beautiful days we spent together

No matter how much I try and you try

You are from me and always will be so loved

So don’t forget, no matter how much you’ve grown

I still see you the kid who needs me, my babies… My own

* * * * *

RIVER OF TEARS

Down by the river of tears
she the mother kneeled
and grasped the dirt between her hands
Then planted a flag of peace
Her heart wrenched with fear
when remembering her indelible dreams

She the mother grasped
Frantically her last child

...Rocks... gunfire...bloodshed
Tombs filled with children...

She looked up to the sky
and wished to be with her children

...Then remembering her last child
Gazed desperately into the Horizon
and shouted a piercing sentence

Stop killing our children
stop killing our children

©Laila Yaghi 2001

--www.nathanielturner.com--

NOT THE TIME TO POINT FINGERS, SAYS ANWAR

2008-12-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

AL-JAZEERA LIVE WITH RIZ KHAN: MALAYSIA'S OPPOSITION, ANWAR IBRAHIM - PART 1

AL-JAZEERA LIVE WITH RIZ KHAN: MALAYSIA'S OPPOSITION, ANWAR IBRAHIM - PART 2

NOT THE TIME TO POINT FINGERS, SAYS ANWAR

Wed, Dec 10, 2008
The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM, MALAYSIA: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all parties to stop the blame game over the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide tragedy.

He said the focus should be on finding out the cause of the tragedy and not point fingers.

"Now is not the issue of blame. We need to get to the bottom of the cause (of the tragedy) and the results of whatever findings should be made public for the people to judge.

"But instead, we now have an attempt to cover up by proportioning the blame to who is in charge now," he said to newsmen during a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Yayasan Aman yesterday.

The Permatang Pauh MP called the Government to launch a full and independent investigation on not only Bukit Antarabangsa, but also other hillside development projects in the country.

He said the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor had stopped approving all category three and four hillside development projects on Bukit Antarabangsa since March this year.

"For the last 15 years, the projects on Bukit Antarabangsa have been blatantly approved by the previous administration.

"Now, the Selangor Government has to scrutinise all 90 hillside development projects in the state that were approved by the previous government.

"It will be difficult for the current government to cancel the projects because it could lead to court cases," he said.

On the Kuala Terengganu by-election, Anwar said PKR and DAP would support any candidate PAS picked.

He was optimistic that Pakatan would make it in Kuala Terengganu if all its coalition parties worked hard to face the might of the Barisan Nasional machinery.

Anwar had a tight schedule yesterday when he visited sick constituents, distributed beef and attended kenduri Qurban at Telok Wang, Mengkuang Mak Sulong, Sungai Semambu, Kampung Paya, Permatang Rawa, Kampung Pertama, Sembilang, Tanjung Putus and Bukit Indera Muda.

--AsiaOneNews--

PAS CAN'T GOVERN ALONE?

2008-12-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

EKSKLUSIF BERSAMA DATO' MUSTAFA ALI

MENJADI DALANG PEMECATAN PRO-ERDOGAN?

SAYA PENGASAS PR,

TIDAK DEDAH SEBELUM PRU KERANA TAKUT 'INI' YANG TERJADI

PERTAHAN PRINSIP SYURA!

TERIMA REALITY NON-MUSLIM MAHUKAN PAS - LAKUKAN SESUATU!

PAS CAN'T GOVERN ALONE

Posted by admin
Thursday, 04 December 2008

So it takes time and I think we are moving in the right direction. And I hope that by the next elections, we should be in a position to give membership to the non-Muslims. That is the objective.

By Shanon Shah, The Nut Graph

THERE has been some speculation among political observers that PAS is trying to purge the progressives from the party. One news analysis talked about the axeing of the “Erdogan” faction, referring to the removal of none other than the party's Shah Alam Member of Parliament (MP), Khalid Samad, as deputy commissioner II of Selangor PAS.

Prior to that, in a 26 Oct issue of Mingguan Malaysia, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s Zulkifli Nordin accused Khalid of being too rigid in his party affiliations. Khalid apparently raised Zulkifli's ire by not supporting his stand on Islam.

Add to this the fact that Khalid's brother is Umno supreme council member and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, and you have quite an interesting political figure.

In the first part of this exclusive interview with The Nut Graph, Khalid reflects on PAS' dynamics and future, responds to PKR's Zulkifli, and talks about being an Umno politician's younger brother.

TNG: The New Straits Times reported on 24 Nov that you have been axed as deputy commissioner II for Selangor PAS. Do you see this as an attempt within PAS to sideline more progressive voices? How far is it true that PAS is now divided between the conservatives and the progressives or the “kumpulan Erdogan”?

Khalid Samad: (Chuckles) Well, in Selangor, the chief is (Datuk Dr) Hassan Ali. I don't think you would be able to classify him as a conservative. He's not a graduate of a pondok or Islamic school or university or whatever.

There are three deputy commissioners, I am deputy number two. It was decided in a meeting where I also attended that it would be better if I give up that post and let somebody else take it who will be, how do you say, more in line with what Hassan Ali has in mind.

So I agreed. I have been critical of his leadership ever since we came into power in Selangor (after the 8 March elections). But he was able to tolerate me for eight long months, I think, and that's credit to him (chuckles).

Can you give examples of the points you were critical of?

No need lah. Because that would be very biased, kan? I think what he feels he needs is somebody who can support him all the way and not second guess him on every turn. And I think he's right.

So it is his prerogative. He should set up a team who can work with him. Then he can show his full potential.

You have said in your blog quite emphatically that PAS is not a race-based party. What are your views about accepting non-Muslims as members of PAS or perhaps creating a Dewan for non-Muslims?

I'm in full support because we had the initial attempt some time in the 80s when we formed the CCC, the Chinese Consultative Council. Members of Chinese society were willing to have discussions with us and support us in the elections. [They] were organised into the CCC, and that was in 1986.

The recent development is actually [from] a continuous effort lah, not something which just cropped up overnight.

Okay, as far as the Indian community is concerned...that came as a result of the policies that the BN [Barisan Nasional] were implementing which were to our advantage. It made the Indian community willing to consider an alternative. They weren't too critical about DAP or PKR, but the idea of getting support from the Indian community was something which was quite alien.

But for the Chinese community, we've been working with them for some time. So I'm in full support of the party having a better relationship with the non-Muslims. I'm in full support of having the Kelab Penyokong PAS, and for that to then develop into a Dewan and be given Dewan status within the organisation.

[W]e want our members to be fully prepared as well, because whether we like it or not... the (BN) government has been inculcating us with fear of the other race, of the other religion, and not all of us are immune from that influence, right?

So it takes time and I think we are moving in the right direction. And I hope that by the next elections, we should be in a position to give membership to the non-Muslims. That is the objective.

PAS has been consistent in opposing the Internal Security Act (ISA). However, some of PAS' own members disrupted the Bar Council forum on conversions on 9 Aug 2008, most notably the party's youth leader, Salahuddin Ayub. The press widely reported Salahuddin as saying that the Sedition Act should be used against the Bar Council. How do you think PAS can reconcile its opposition to the ISA as well as the opposition of some PAS leaders towards such forums on freedom of religion?

I think it has to be corrected because I think that Salahuddin went there as the youth leader to make sure that nothing untoward occurred. He was aware that many of our youth members were going. He wanted to make sure they were not swayed by the emotional issues that were raised by some of the leaders of the groups opposing the forum. He didn't go into the hall and stop or interrupt the forum. He stayed outside and kept most of our members under control.

Number two, with respect to the Sedition Act, what he was saying is that in the event the Bar Council has done something wrong, don't use the ISA. Use whatever law that you have, probably the Sedition Act, [and] charge them in court if it is true that what they have done is wrong.

But of course when it came out in the papers it was different...

Ya, I read it in Utusan Malaysia.

(Chuckles) So you can understand. The third is that actually the Bar Council must also understand. I mean it has developed, whether wittingly or unwittingly, a reputation of taking up issues seemingly aimed at the sensitivities of Muslims. Even that forum, the way it was advertised — “Conversion to Islam”.

But actually the issue that they wanted to discuss was more about the problems that occurred when a couple who were originally non-Muslims, then one becomes a Muslim, the other remains as a non-Muslim, and they divorce, right? And there's no legal procedure by which their divorce can be heard in the same court. The Muslim will be heard in the syariah court, the non-Muslim will be heard in the civil court.

[I]f the way the programme was advertised was not as provocative as it was, then maybe it would not have given the opportunity to some of these people who seek limelight by coming to the forefront, by supposedly championing “the cause of Islam”.

So I think the Bar Council itself is partly to blame, and it should be a bit more, how do you say, wise.

And actually I was under the impression that it had quite a good panel. And I think I did mention it in my blog as well, [and] if you read what Hanipa Maidin said about the programme, he was all in support of it. But he did say that the title was a bit provocative.

It's interesting you should mention those who champion “the cause of Islam”. One of the forum protesters was none other than PKR's Zulkifli Nordin. In his interview with Mingguan Malaysia, Zulkifli said that you should have supported his position on Islam when he brought it up in Parliament. Instead he says you made it seem like he was taking the same position as Umno. Therefore he said you were being too rigid in your affiliation with PAS. Would you like to respond to this?

I think he should ask first why I didn't support his stand, because I don't think that the stand that he portrayed is necessarily the best way to portray the issue. Thanks to Umno, we Muslims have developed a siege mentality, where we believe anybody who asks or talks about Islam, [or] is not a Muslim or comments about Islam, is out to get us. And that should not be the way.

I mean if somebody complains and says that, “Look, the azan is too loud, can you please do something about it?” Then you just say okay lah, let's see. Maybe it is loud, so let's go and see. But don't give this impression that Islam and the Muslims are so unapproachable and you can't comment, you just have to accept what we do.

I mean even amongst Muslims, there are those who complain, you know, that it's too loud. Why do you have to make it so loud? And it is not the intention of the azan to make noise or be a nuisance.

I was told that (DAP MP for Seputeh) Teresa (Kok) herself had a problem at one time, about two years ago [with the residents] of a condominium or apartment. There were many non-Muslims, and there were Muslim families living in the apartment and they had a surau on the ground floor. And in the fajar, Subuh prayers, the azan [was called] and then the non-Muslim residents complained and they wrote to her. And then what she did was she arranged for a meeting between the residents and the surau committee together with the director of Jawi (the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Affairs Department).

You don't have to be like, “Oh, no comment. This is what we do, you like it or you don't like it, that's not our concern.” I don't think that's the face of Islam that we want to show to the public. So I don't see why I should support him. Do you see any reason why I should support him?

(Chuckles) Back to the question of gaining broader support for PAS. It's very clear there are many Muslim women in this country who do not wear the hijab and there are Muslim women who could be seen as tomboys and so on. These women could also be voters and could also be disenchanted with the current BN government. How does PAS propose to capture their support and their votes?

Well, I think what we have to understand is that we're in a very different situation and environment compared to the Islamic state at the time of the Prophet, the rightly-guided caliphs, or the other caliphs, ya? We are in a position where people are generally confused about what Islam is actually all about.

So when we want to handle the situation we have to be able and willing to explain Islam in general terms that people understand, and we have to talk to people in a language they can understand and they can follow, right?

And I think that the top priority, as far as I am concerned, is that we want a clean government which serves the rakyat and does things which are good and gives Muslims, in particular, the ability to express the true teachings of Islam.

So I think what we have to do is that we have to move in a manner which is very inclusive, emphasising on areas of common interest and common concern.

And as far as these people who want to vote, what they have to realise is that we will abide by our promises. I mean, even in the time of the Prophet s.a.w., [in the treaty of] Hudaibiyah, even though it was very painful for him to allow Muslims to be dragged from Medina to Mecca, but because the agreement was such, he had to stand by his promise.

So, similarly, when PAS enters the election with a promise that this is what [we] are going to do, then we will hold on to that. And as we know we can't govern alone, that is what's important! We're going to govern together, so [they need to see] what are the main features of our manifesto and whether what we say is in their interest or otherwise.

You are very well respected and regarded, and your brother, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, is also very respected as Umno supreme council member and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister. What is it like sitting on the opposite side of Parliament from your brother?

(Chuckles) Well, personally we have no problems. We meet at our parents' house or at functions, so it's okay. Of course, being on the opposite side, sometimes it's a bit awkward. But I think he understands that I have my views and that I am expected to voice it out irrespective of who is on the other side, right?

And well, you know, it's not something that you want or wish for, but it is what it is, and as long as we all understand that it's nothing personal, then I think it's not going to be a problem.

So, [what would] a typical Hari Raya Aidilfitri be like?

We will all go to my parents' house in the kampung in Janda Baik and we'll all be there. And the rest of the brothers and sisters will also come. Then when they want to criticise the BN they talk to me, when they want to criticise Pakatan Rakyat they talk to him! (Chuckles) And he is the eldest boy, so he normally has his own open house and we also come. So, we don't make it personal lah. As brothers, we are still brothers.

--MALAYSIA TODAY--

AL-JAZEERA: RIZ KHAN WITH RAJA PETRA & OTHERS

2008-12-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

AL-JAZEERA: RIZ KHAN WITH RAJA PETRA & OTHERS - PART 1

AL-JAZEERA: RIZ KHAN WITH RAJA PETRA & OTHERS - PART 2

THUMBS-UP FOR KeADILan AND PAKATAN BUT THE HONEYMOON IS OVER

Isnin, 1 Disember 2008

Experts say Pakatan now needs to focus on micro-managing and governing their states

By Wong Choon Mei

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Parti Keadilan Rakyat won praise for stepping up pressure on the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and for keeping in check potential abuses by the current federal government.

Of late, the effectiveness of Malaysia’s first significant opposition coalition helmed by Anwar’s PKR has come under scrutiny after failing to deliver on a promise to form a new federal government by Sept 16.

But political and economic experts said it still deserved the thumbs-up for raising public awareness on the extent of alleged corruption in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration. They also credited Anwar’s role in getting the federal government to be more accountable to the rakyat on economic issues such as fuel and food prices.

“The achievement of the PKR and the Pakatan Rakyat is not so much what they have done so far but more so, the abuses they have prevented in the federal government,” said Ramon Navaratnam, chairman of Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

“Barisan parliamentarians and assemblymen are now more conscientious, more alert and more careful about exercising greater responsibility because they know they are now being watched by a large opposition,” Navaratnam added.

“The perception, be they opposition sympathisers or Barisan sympathisers, is that the general public wants change and to a certain extent, they now have some change thanks to the opposition denying the BN of their two-thirds parliamentary majority. On a scale of 10, I would peg the opposition’s achievement so far at 8,” said Azrul Azwar, senior economist at Bank Islam.

At the PKR’s 5th annual congress held over the weekend, Anwar turned the heat up on the Umno-led Barisan Nasional, claiming it was not respecting the wishes of voters and was playing up racial and religious issues to further divide the country’s different ethnic groups.

“I wish to tell Umno and BN that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel - to play the racial card, to pretend to be the self-proclaimed defenders of the Malay race and the Islam religion,” Anwar said in his keynote address on Saturday.

PKR President Wan Azizah Wan Ismail too did not mince her words.

“PKR will continue to be the eyes of the public and keep the rakyat informed especially with regards to power transition plan from Abdullah Badawi to Najib Abdul Razak.”

“We stress that transition of power will not bring about any positive changes to the Judiciary, the Police, the Anti-Corruption Agency nor the Parliament. Instead the transition will only bring back the past ways of the previous regime (of Mahathir Mohamad) wherein the Internal Security Act was abused and corruption was rampant,” Wan Azizah said in her opening speech.
Time to revamp and re-strengthen

But the tirade has not been one-way.

Since sweeping control of five of the country’s 13 states at the March 8 general elections and winning 82 of the 222 parliamentary seats, Anwar and his opposition alliance - the Pakatan Rakyat - have come under intense attack from the Barisan which has ruled the nation since 1957.

Leading the charge against the Pakatan is Abdullah’s successor, Najib. The deputy premier - himself hounded by allegations of a sex scandal and corrupt deals during his time in the defence ministry- has accused the Pakatan, which is made up of the PKR, DAP and PAS, of lying to the rakyat and failing to make good on its election promises.

“Yes, there have been setbacks. We skirted with destiny on Sept 16 and despite our best efforts our march to victory has been delayed,” Anwar rebutted.”We are all forced to further endure the slings and arrows of an incompetent government that has lost touch with the people. Although our promise has not yet been fulfilled, the Pakatan Rakyat leaders and I remain committed to the agenda for change and our tenacity has never been stronger,”

Meanwhile, social groups and pundits warned that Pakatan’s delay in formalising coalition ties and announcing a shadow cabinet to benchmark performance against the Barisan were other weaknesses that should be addressed quickly.

“We call upon Anwar to make formation of shadow cabinet his top priority from now to March 2009,” 18 civil society groups including Suaram, Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) and Group of Concerned Citizens, said in a statement issued late last week.

“Nearly nine months after the March election, Pakatan - which has vowed to take over the federal executive power via crossover of BN parliamentarians - must now be prepared to show that they are not only interested to govern but able to do so,” the groups said.
Honeymoon over, raise publicity

Experts also urged Anwar and his Pakatan partners to start focussing on the micro-management and governance of the five states that they controlled or risk incurring voter disenchantment.

They said the honeymoon period was over and Pakatan administrators had to get cracking despite obstacles in the form of limited state funds and in some cases, outright attempts by Barisan die-hards within the civil service to block reform programs from taking off.

Voters of the day not only want a check-and-balance at Parliament but are also demanding greater efficiency and benefits such as better roads, cleaner markets, faster service and delivery from Pakatan-run town and state councils.

“They say they are better than the BN, so they have to be. But unless there are dramatic changes people will not notice on a daily basis,” said Navaratnam.

“To be fair, even if there are positive changes, the press which is controlled by the Barisan may not play it up. The lesson here is that Pakatan must turn to their blogs and their own newspapers to get the correct information out to the rakyat,” Navaratnam added.

“I don’t think it’s about excuses but perhaps expectations have been too high. We have to benchmark against the reality, the barrage of political obstacles and the current economic slowdown,” said Azrul.
Brain gain and minimum wage

Among the Pakatan-controlled states, Selangor and Penang drew the most praise for good governance and innovative approaches. Their ability to persuade top professional talent from the financial markets to join them as economic advisers was also applauded.

“The Pakatan states can show that even with limited resources they can deliver more by holding open tenders for state contracts, as Penang is now doing. Such a move will plug leakages and cut down corruption. The states should also continue to hire the best brains regardless of ethnic background. The best talent are no longer afraid to join the opposition. Some are even doing it because they want to contribute to the advancement of integrity,” Navaratnam said.

At the congress, Wan Azizah also announced that Selangor would soon introduce a minimum wage of RM1,000 a month for both private and public sector workers.

“When inflation hits, the most affected are the working class. Because of this, PKR reiterates its resolve to introduce a minimum wage of RM1,000 per month. The Selangor state government will be implementing this shortly,” she said.

The announcement found favour with analysts, although they also warned care must be taken to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country as economic activity shrank or locals might lose out in the scramble for jobs.

“A minimum wage will help reduce poverty and lift the per capita income. It is a move the federal government should emulate,” said Azrul.
Targeting Sarawak and Sabah

Pledges to better integrate and give equal importance to the development of East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak too resounded at the PKR congress. In particular, top PKR leaders zoomed in on Sarawak, which is expected to dissolve its state assembly in the second quarter of 2009.

The presence of Yong Teck Lee, president of the Sabah Progressive Party which holds two parliamentary seats, at the congress also fuelled speculation the former Barisan component might be considering a move to join the Pakatan coalition.

“PKR is reorganising its operations there and reinforcing ties with a new generation of Sabahans and Sarawakians who give us hope of future success there. Even now, our message of change is filtering down to the grassroots. We are committed in our promise to give 20 percent share of petroleum revenues from Sabah and Sarawak back to its people,” Wan Azizah said.

According to pundits, the recent fall in world oil prices will not hamper the 20 percent share payout. They said it was crucial for Pakatan to win over the two East Malaysian states if it wanted to realise its ambition of forming the next government.

“The federal government and Petronas can afford to do it (give 20 percent share of petroleum revenues). This is the states’ due and such a move will assuage a lot of the bad feeling the people there have for the current federal government,” said Navaratnam.

--SUARA KEADILAN--

MALAY SUPREMACY ISSUE

2008-12-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

SRI GADING: KETUANAN MELAYU SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT - PART 1

SRI GADING: KETUANAN MELAYU SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT - PART 2

KETUANAN MELAYU: SIAPA HAMBA? - PART 1

KETUANAN MELAYU: SIAPA HAMBA? - PART 2

NURUL IZZAH: MEMPERKASA BAHASA MALAYSIA

PERPADUAN NEGARA - PART 1

PERPADUAN NEGARA - PART 2

SEX SCANDAL MINISTER SAYS COMMENTS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT

Wed, Dec 03, 2008
The Star

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said his comments on ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) in a speech at an advertising award had been taken out of context.

"I regret that certain parties have twisted my speech to create anger among the Malay community.

"Those who accused me of challenging the position of the Malay rulers, status of Bahasa Melayu and bumiputra rights which are enshrined in the Federal Constitution should read my entire speech," Dr Chua told a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

"I have used the phrase ketuanan Melayu in the context of power sharing within the Barisan Nasional and not challenging the position of the Malay rulers, special rights of Malays and the status of Bahasa Melayu as the official language," he said.

Dr Chua's speech was made during the Kancil Awards which was held on Nov 28.

--ASIA ONE--

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: SAIFUDIN NASUTION, TIAN CHUA & GOBI

2008-12-01T19:20:00.000-08:00

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: SAIFUDIN NASUTION - PART 1

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: SAIFUDIN NASUTION - PART 2

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: N.GOBALAKRISHNAN

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: TIAN CHUA - PART 1

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: TIAN CHUA - PART 2

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: UCAPAN PENUTUP DSAI

PAKATAN'S DOORS OPEN FOR ARIF SHAH

TAN SRI KHALID IBRAHIM SHOWS HIS METTLE

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: AZMIN ALI - PART 1

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: AZMIN ALI - PART 2

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: SHAMSUL ISKANDAR

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS: NEW DAWN

2008-11-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

ANWAR IBRAHIM: NEW DAWN - 29 NOVEMBER 2008 (PART 1)

ANWAR IBRAHIM: NEW DAWN - 29 NOVEMBER 2008 (PART 2)

ANWAR IBRAHIM: NEW DAWN - 29 NOVEMBER 2008 (PART 3)

ANWAR IBRAHIM: NEW DAWN - 29 NOVEMBER 2008 (PART 4)

PKR NATIONAL CONGRESS IN FULL SWING

Sunday, 30 November 2008 09:42

(The Nut Graph) - PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s 5th National Congress is being held at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam from 29 to 30 Nov 2008, with the Youth and Wanita wings' congress having taken place on 28 Nov.

The congress, attended by 1,927 delegates and over 1,200 party observers, is the first since the party's triumph at the 12th General Election on 8 March, where it emerged the biggest opposition party in Parliament, with 31 seats.

Many are expecting de facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explain to the party faithful why the much-touted takeover of the federal government on 16 Sept failed to materialise. Some are even hoping Anwar will provide a new date to look forward to.

The high-profile VIPs at the congress include former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim; Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee; and the former speechwriter to Anwar, Dr Munawar Anees.

The congress is also a chance for PKR to display its multiracial credentials to the public. To that end, multicultural shows such as a lion dance, Kadazandusun Sumazau dance, Dayak Sebuyau "Ngajat", and a percussion performance by multiethnic groups entertained delegates and guests.

--MALAYSIA TODAY--

NO BAN ON ALCOHOL IN SELANGOR

2008-11-28T18:05:00.000-08:00

KHALID SAMAD: HASSAN ALI PERLU REALISTIK!

KHALID SAMAD: TIDAK LOGIK JUAL ARAK DI 7ELEVEN & STESEN MINYAK

ANWAR IBRAHIM: NO BAN ON ALCOHOL IN SELANGOR

THE QUESTION LIES WITH PAS, NOT THE BAN ON ALCOHOL

2008-11-27 18:41

The banning of alcohol is actually a problem of PAS. And the problem of PAS lies with the conflicts between the conservatives and reformists within the party.

And the heart of the conflict lies with one person, the Selangor PAS chairman Hassan Ali.

Hassan Ali belongs to the conservative camp of PAS, who has over the years strongly advocated theocracy as well as Malay rights.

Such a discourse is vastly different from PAS' effort to try to shed its racist image. It therefore doesn't come as a surprise that some in the party have suggested that he should join UMNO.

As a matter of fact, Hassan Ali has been a key figure pushing for enhanced cooperation between PAS and UMNO after the March general elections.

If he had succeeded, the Pakatan Rakyat state government would no longer exist in Selangor, and the menteri besar would not have been PKR's Khalid Ibrahim, but Hassan Ali.

Last month, when PKNS appointed Low Siew Moi as its interim GM, Hassan Ali was on UMNO's side protesting the appointment of a non-Malay as PKNS' acting GM.

It is therefore not surprising that Selangor PAS is now pushing for the banning of alcohol in the state.

Merely a few days ago, Hassan Ali lashed out on the reformists within the state, stripping the party posts of Shah Alam MP Hj Khalid Abdul Samad (state vice chairman) and Ulu Kelang state assemblyman Saari Sungip.

Such explosive actions from Hassan Ali protrude more than just his own disposition, but the struggle between the opposing factions as well as the conflicts between the two major schools of thoughts within the party.

Behind Hassan Ali is national deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa and Terengganu state liaison committee chairman Mustapha Ali, while party president Hadi Awang has been deeply influenced by them.

Based in Terengganu, this faction has been tilting towards religious conservatism while not being able to emancipate itself from the Malay chauvinism. They are more inclined to reject any open policies of the party, and have attempted to distance themselves from PKR and DAP, even resisting any further cooperation with these two parties.

Their opponents are the party's reformists under Nik Aziz. Based in Kelantan, among the key figures in this camp are vice president Husam Musa, secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaafar, chief treasurer Mohd Hatta Ramli, and Khalid Abdul Samad from Selangor.

The reformists are staunchly against any form of cooperation with UMNO, advocating instead more openness and enhanced cooperation with PKR and DAP. They also accept Anwar Ibrahim as the Pakatan Rakyat leader.

The conservatives are currently in the upper hands, thanks to the support of ulamas within the party. A series of Islamisation policies introduced by them have also pleased the party's fundamentalists.

While party president Hadi Awang appears neutral, he has shown an inclination towards this faction. And Mustapha Ali has even become Hadi Awang's right-hand man, dominating in a number of major party policies.

The reformists, meanwhile, have garnered the support of the grassroots, besides leaders from Kelantan and Nik Aziz, and the stalemate in PAS-UMNO negotiations has been blamed largely on the powerful objections from the grassroots.

Nik Aziz's many notions, including the attire for women, have invited widespread controversies. Having said that, he has remained relatively open in making his decisions, including his rejection of racism, support for equality and righteousness as well as acceptance of non-Muslims as party members.

And this has also been the predisposing factor that has led to the support of many non-Muslims for PAS during the March general elections.

Conflicts between the two major opposing camps have blurred the distinct direction of PAS, resulting in swayed policies, indecision and diminished influences, while entrenching the suspicion of non-Muslim communities and internal rift within Pakatan Rakyat.

In the future, the triumph of any faction is poised to dictate the direction of the party. Perhaps, we can get the answer by the time the party holds its elections next year. (By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)

--MY SIN CHEW--

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 26 NOVEMBER 2008

2008-11-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 26 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 26 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 26 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 26 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 4

CAMPUS ELECTION AND WORKERS ISSUE

2008-11-28T17:40:00.000-08:00

CAMPUS ELECTION

UNDOCUMENTED WORKES ISSUE

BUDGET FOR DBKL

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 25 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 25 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 25 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

JKKP VS JKKK & ANWAR FACES LONG TREK TO POWER

2008-11-25T16:56:00.000-08:00

JKKP AMBIL ALIH JKKK: (DAH KALAH MENGAKU SAHAJA LAA)- PART 1

JKKP AMBIL ALIH JKKK: (JKKP ADALAH OTAI)- PART 2

NOW YOU SEE NOW YOU DONT RM 7 BILLION "STIMULUS" BUDGET - PART 1

NOW YOU SEE NOW YOU DONT RM 7 BILLION "STIMULUS" BUDGET - PART 2

UTUSAN MALAYSIA ABOVE THE LAW?

ONE DAY OFF FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS - KDN TIADA PERIKEMANUSIAAN?

M.KULA ON MINIMUM WAGE OF WORKER

OIL PALM PLANTATION EVERYWHERE, BUT DO WE STUDY THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT?

HSBB WHICH MINISTRY IN CHARGED?

MALAYSIA'S ANWAR FACES LONG TREK TO POWER

Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:11pm

By Jalil Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - After a botched bid to oust the government in September, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will likely have to bide his time until elections in 2012-13 before making another bid for power.

From watershed elections in March to his triumphant return to parliament after a decade's absence, Anwar dominated the headlines. Even his arrest and trial on fresh sodomy charges failed to thwart his campaign to topple the government by his self-imposed deadline of Sept. 16.

Victory seemed within his grasp when the government apparently felt compelled to ship 40 MPs to Taiwan on a "study trip" in mid-September to prevent them from defecting to Anwar's camp and thus giving him a majority in parliament.

The deadline passed. Financial turmoil swept the globe, and with an economic slowdown looming, voters in this Asian country of 27 million people suddenly had more immediate worries than Malysia's chronic political intrigue.

Now the 61-year-old Anwar, whose People's Justice Party holds its annual convention this weekend, has to explain why he is not addressing the meeting as the new prime minister of Malaysia.

"His (Anwar's) strategy of haste that he adopted after March 8 (elections) stopped working after Abdullah was forced to retire," said Ooi Kee Beng, an analyst at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

"Now, he has to do it the patient way."

Lacklustre Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi essentially derailed Anwar's express train to power by deciding to hand power to his more assured deputy, Najib Razak, earlier than planned.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Abdullah's National Front coalition, which has ruled uninterrupted for 51 years, stopped being transfixed by Anwar and started making policies to deal with an economy that is expected to grow by only 1.5 percent next year from 5.4 percent this year.

Najib, 55, will take office in March when he becomes president of the United Malays National Organisation, the dominant party in the 13-party National Front.

Najib, who is deputy premier and finance minister, has taken the fight to Anwar by linking him to unpopular measures proposed by the International Monetary Fund when Anwar was finance minister during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, while projecting an aura of economic competence himself.

He has announced some measures to offset lower economic growth, but hasn't raided the treasury to do so, putting $2 billion saved from petrol subsidies into pump-priming measures.

Najib even stole some of Anwar's thunder by relaxing a requirement that ethnic Malays have to own 30 percent of companies -- one of the affirmative action programmes that aim to uplift Malays who constitute 60 percent of the population.

Anwar's opposition coalition had campaigned for abolition of those programmes in the March elections.

Inflation is falling rapidly from a peak of 8.5 percent in midyear and the central bank on Monday unexpectedly cut interest rates for the first time in five years.

"There's a widespread acceptance that Anwar will no longer take over the country," said an investment analyst at a foreign bank in Singapore. "Being PM is out of the question right now."

"Najib is reinforcing his power base. He's the new face of Malaysia," he said.

SNAP ELECTIONS?

The opposition and some pro-government newspapers have started to push the idea of snap elections soon after Najib takes power in March, saying he would need to win a popular mandate.

But UMNO's coalition allies are still in disarray after the electoral debacle eight months ago.

"The risk (for snap polls) is very great. It will be suicidal because of the hangover from the March political tsunami," said political author Yahaya Ismail.

Other analysts said Najib would likely wait for mandatory re-drawing of electoral boundaries in 2012 before calling for polls. The government's current five-year mandate ends in 2013.

One glimmer of hope for Anwar could be polls in the timber- and petroleum-rich state of Sarawak on Borneo island. Sarawak has been a Barisan stronghold since it joined Malaysia in 1963 and may hold state elections as early as next year.

Provided Anwar can fend off what he says are politically motivated sodomy charges that are a reprise of the court action that got him jailed in the 1990s, and can keep his fractious three-party coalition together, victory in Sarawak could be another lever to apply pressure to government legislators.

Key to that will be how well the opposition runs the five states it controls. There has already been a backlash in the pro-government media over issues ranging from race relations to dual language street signs.

"The next electoral showdown is the Sarawak election, so it is a given goal for (the opposition coalition) to make an impression there," analyst Ooi Kee Beng said. "It will try to open the floodgates so that the 'March 8 tsunami' will flow into east Malaysia as well.

--REUTERS, INDIA--

SOLAR ENERGY, AIRASIA OPERATION AND LPP

2008-11-24T16:50:00.000-08:00

TERESA ON SOLAR ENERGY

AN ACT OF WASTAGE - AIRASIA OPERATION WHICH COSTS
MILLION OF RINGGIT WILL BE SHIFTED

APAKAH DASAR KEAHLIAN LPP - PART 1

APAKAH DASAR KEAHLIAN LPP - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 24 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 24 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 24 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 24 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 4

MOTION BY ANWAR TO DEBATE FDI OUTLOW TURNED DOWN

Husna Yusop and Giam Say Khoon

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24, 2008) : An urgent motion by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to debate the decreasing in-flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Dewan Rakyat today was rejected by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee as it was not an urgent matter.

Anwar moved the motion under Article 18(1) of the Standing Orders because he said Malaysia has suffered a negative net-flow of RM9 billion with RM38 billion outflow in FDI as reported in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) World Investment Report 2008.

Kiandee said the matter had been explained by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak during the winding-up at committee stage.

He also said several MPs like Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak), Dr Dzulkelfy Ahmad (PAS-Kuala Selangor), Nasharudin Md Isa (PAS-Bachok) and Anwar himself had brought it up in their questions and debates.

“So, the issue has already been taken up and tackled by the ministry,” he said.

At a press conference at the parliament lobby later, Anwar said although the report had mentioned an increase in the in-flow of the FDI from RM21 billion in 2006 to RM29 billion last year, a massive outflow of FDI has been occurring since 2005 and it will cause contraction in the economy, a decrease in gross domestic production and an increase in the unemployment rate.

“The Asean region had an increase of 81.9% in the in-flow of the FDI from RM116 billion in 2006 to RM209 billion in 2007 and Malaysia recorded the lowest in-flow with only 13%," he said.

“If the minister only told us that this was because of the global financial crisis, why did the country perform worse than the other (Asean) countries?

“I do not deny the effect of the global financial crisis but I would like to know why Malaysia is doing worse than other Asean countries in FDI?

“If such a phenomenon is not tackled immediately, the country will be left behind in the economic and development race by its neighbouring countries."

Anwar said it was not just a financial crisis but a crisis of confidence to Malaysia because the reports by the World Bank, UBS (an international financial firm) and International Institute of Finance had pointed out that the obstruction of in-flow of FDI into the country was because of its economic policies, including:
>> high requirements and strict regulations, especially in the service sectors;
>> the “mismatch” of training in the vocational schools and universities with the requirements of the industry;
>> high management cost, such as commissions, "which are always linked to corruption”; and
>> lack of transparency in awarding contracts and confidence in the judiciary.

Anwar also said that since the government was reluctant to engage the Opposition for such debate, a bipartisan roundtable meeting or a discussion initiated by the minister should be held to address the issue.

“We have made it quite clear that we are here to engage and assist,” he added.

--SUN2SURF--

POLICE STOP ANTI-ISA EVENT IN AMPANG, NINE ARRESTED

2008-11-24T02:33:00.000-08:00

POLICE STOP ANTI-ISA EVENT IN AMPANG, NINE ARRESTED

The police moved in to disperse a group of people who had gathered at a field in Ampang Jaya for the launch of an anti-ISA campaign and arrested nine people including a parliamentarian.

ANTI ISA CERAMAH IN AMPANG JAYA

SOLAT RASULULLAH S.A.W

2008-11-19T17:26:00.000-08:00

CARA BERSUCI & SOLAT DARI CONTOH RASULULLAH S.A.W - AS-SHEIKH MUHAMMAD NASIRUDDIN AL-ALBANY: PART 1

CARA BERSUCI & SOLAT DARI CONTOH RASULULLAH S.A.W - AS-SHEIKH MUHAMMAD NASIRUDDIN AL-ALBANY: PART 2

CARA BERSUCI & SOLAT DARI CONTOH RASULULLAH S.A.W - AS-SHEIKH MUHAMMAD NASIRUDDIN AL-ALBANY: PART 3

CARA BERSUCI & SOLAT DARI CONTOH RASULULLAH S.A.W - AS-SHEIKH MUHAMMAD NASIRUDDIN AL-ALBANY: PART 4

CARA BERSUCI & SOLAT DARI CONTOH RASULULLAH S.A.W - AS-SHEIKH MUHAMMAD NASIRUDDIN AL-ALBANY: PART 5

SALAH/PRAYER EXPLAINED

What is Salah?
Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God with no earthly intermediaries. A prayer takes a few minutes to perform.

What no Priests?
There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person (Imam) who knows the Qur'an, chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.

An Audience with God
Each prayer is practically an audience with God. Facing in the direction of the Kaaba (the first mosque ever, built by patriarch Abraham and his son Ismail for the worship of the One God, at the site which long later became the city of Makkah in Arabia), the prayer is opened by saying "Allah Akbar", ie. God is Greater (than all else), and practically you are turning your back to all the universe and are addressing God. One of the constant readings during prayer is the Opening Chapter of the Quran that reads "Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Compassionate, the Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You only do we worship and to You only we cry for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, those whose lot is not wrath, and who go not astray." (1:1-7) Bowing down and prostrating oneself (to God) interjecting "Glory to my Lord the Great", "Glory to my Lord the Highest", "Allah listens to those who thank Him" and what fills one's heart by way of supplication, the prayer is concluded in the sitting position by reiterating the affirmation of the faith, the Shahada, and seeking God's peace and blessings on Mohammad and Abraham and their people and followers.

When and where
Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life. Performing daily prayers is an act of communication between humans and God. The prayers are considered a duty for all Muslims,and on these occasions preparations in ritual purity are required.

Ritual prayer and worship
Ritual prayer (Salah) is a distinct entity from worship in its wider sense, that is communicating your feelings to God at any time in any place and asking for His guidance, help and forgiveness, an ingredient of life which is highly commendable whether in Islam or other religions. Salah takes a special form and content, where both body and soul are harmoniously involved.

In prayer, every muscle of the body joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah. Prayer is an act of worship. It is a matchless and unprecedented formula of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined.
Congregational prayer and Mosques
Although salah can be performed alone, it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. The word mosque comes from the Arabic masjid, meaning "place of prostration." Although it is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors, it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.

Who is it applicable to?
Offering of prayers is obligatory upon every Muslim male and female who is sane, mature and in the case of women free from menstruation and confinement due to child birth.

How is it performed?
Requirements of prayer: performing of ablution (Wudu), purity of the whole body, clothes and ground used for prayer, dressing properly and having the intention and facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka'bah at Mecca). Only around the Kaaba mosque in Makkah do Muslims stand in circles for their prayers (quite an impressive scene). All the world over they are in straight lines, leaving no gaps, and facing Makkah.

Remebering the Creator
Praying to the Creator on a daily basis is the best way to cultivate in a man a sound personality and to actualize his aspiration. Allah does not need man's prayer because He is free of all needs. Prayer is for our immeasurable benefit, and the blessings are beyond imagination.

In addition to the prescribed prayer, a Muslim expresses gratitude to God and appreciation of His favours and asks for His mercy all the time. Especially at times of, for example, childbirth, marriage, going to or rising from bed, leaving and returning to his home, starting a journey or entering a city, riding or driving, before or after eating or drinking, harvesting, visiting graveyards and at time of distress and sickness.
Friday Prayers
The noon congregational prayer of Friday afternoon is mandated to be a collective and must be said in a Mosque, and is preceded by a sermon (Khutba). The Imam (prayer leader) is not a priest nor need be the same person every time, but considerations of scholarship and knowledge of the Quran and the religion are exercised in choosing him (doctors, teachers, business people and others as well as religion scholars are commonly featured in bearing this responsibility).

Conclusion
Prayer, obligatory and spontaneous, is an immense spiritual treasure to be tapped. It inspires peace, purity and tranquility and instills companionship with God. It amazingly reduces the hustle and bustle of life to tame proportions. By their spacing to five times a day, including its beginning, prayers tend to maintain a therapeutic level and practically leave no room for mischievous thought or deed.

--ISLAM AWARENESS--

SODOMY TRIAL FACES FURTHER DELAY & ANTI - ISA VIGIL

2008-11-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

SODOMY TRIAL FACES FURTHER DELAY - SAYA TAK MINTAK 5 JUTA

ANTI - ISA VIGIL: 16 NOVEMBER 2008 AT PJ CIVIL CENTRE, PETALING JAYA

SPECIAL SONG FOR DATO SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

A NIGHT TO MARK 'CHANGE IN THE MAKING'

Tony Thien | Nov 17, 08 1:42pm

“We join tonight, tomorrow we start work.”

These were the words of PKR’s latest elected representative recruit Gabriel Adit Demong, 58.

Adit, who until two days ago was an independent state assemblyperson for Ngemah - a predominantly-Iban constituency in Sarawak’s central region - has on Saturday hosted a 330-table dinner in Sibu with PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim as the guest of honour.

Adit’s speech before a crowd of 4,000 people at Sibu Trade and Exhibition Centre was listened intently by his new boss Anwar, the recently-elected MP for Permatang Pauh and parliamentary opposition leader.

--MALAYSIAKINI--

WILL OBAMA SUPPORT ANWAR IBRAHIM ALL OUT?

2008-11-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

'WHERE'S THE EUROCOPTER REPORT?' PAC CHIEF FLAYED

The temperature in the Dewan Rakyat rose a couple of notches when DAP leader Lim Kit Siang trained his guns on Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chief Azmi Khalid.

Apart from calling for his resignation, Lim also challenged Azmi to explain the PAC's findings on the controversial Eurocopter deal outside the House.

Earlier, Lim had asked when the PAC would furnish its report on the RM1.6 billion deal to Parliament in order for the matter to be debated. -MALAYSIAKINI-

KARPAL RESUBMITS EMERGENCY MOTION ON CJ

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 11 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 11 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 11 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

WILL OBAMA SUPPORT ANWAR IBRAHIM ALL OUT?

Written by Kazi Mahmood
Thursday, 06 November 2008

The Malaysian government is one of the first foreign regimes to have quickly congratulated Barack Husein Obama on his massive victory in the Presidential polls but their message to the newly elected President of the United States is not what the Malaysians think it is.

Having acted tough against the George W. Bush administration in its comments on the Anwar ibrahim sodomy case this year, the Malaysian government expects a non-interference policy from the Obama administration in its local affairs.

Malaysia has a leftist thinking Minister of Foreign affairs who made his mark as a tough opposition member during the days of the Semangat 46 (S-46) party. Minister Rais Yatim is respected in the local political circles for his consistency in his criticism against American interference in other nations affairs.

Supported by a solid group of civil servants oriented towards the protection of the nation's integrity – territorial and moral – the Minister will not have any difficulty to pinpoint to the Obama administration that any interference in the Malaysian affairs will only worsen Malaysian-US relations.

Anwar Ibrahim is well supported by the Democratic Party where he has top officials of the party on his side. They include former Vice President Al-Gore and several influential members of the American foreign diplomatic circles not forgetting the Clintons and the close circle of Barack Obama. It will not be difficult for Anwar Ibrahim to weave good and solid ties with Obama in the future. The Democratic Party has close ties with the Party Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) while its support for the Party Keadilaan Rakyat (PKR) is undoubted.

President Obama himself is known to be interested in the ideals of leaders like Anwar Ibrahim and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in that they want to be the bridge between the west and the Muslim world. Anwar Ibrahim is also member of an international foundation where both Republicans and Democrats from the US political spectrum are involved. His popularity among the current US administration is well known too and this is what has brought the recent 'freeze' between Malaysian and the US after the outbreak of the sodomy case in which Anwar was defended by the US State Department.

It is the strong and incessant response by Minister Rais Yatim and other members of the Malaysian government – mostly members of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) – that took centre stage.

Anwar Ibrahim has the total support of former President Burhanuddin J. Habibie of Indonesia. The latter is a close friend of King Abdullah and of Anwar Ibrahim indeed and recently, the role played by former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid by the side of Anwar Ibrahim during the by-election in the state of Penang, won by Anwar is of great significance here. Abdurrahman Wahid is very pro-American and he is a strong link between Washington, Obama and Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia. He is trusted by the current Bush administration and while Obama is being briefed on intelligence by American spy chiefs after his electoral win, the name Abdurrahman Wahid will feature prominently as a close ally of the US.

So will the names of Anwar Ibrahim and surely that of B. J. Habibie though the latter is no more involved in active politics.

With this large support base, Anwar Ibrahim will rise as the major political figure in the Muslim world alongside King Abdullah and Abdurrahman Wahid. Wahid still has a meagre chance of contesting the upcoming Indonesian Presidential elections but notwithstanding this, he will be great influence in the next year's elections in Indonesia.

The fact that Indonesia is now a closer ally to the US and that Turkey has showed strong interest in 'bridging' the gap between Islam and Christianity for example, the Obama administration will do everything to work hand in hand with the two Muslim nations. Malaysia is not really seen as an ally in the 'gap bridging' and the 'civilization building' exercise that the group represented by Anwar Ibrahim, Tayyab Erdogan – Prime Minister of Turkey – and Abdurrahman Wahid. Erdogan is a close friend and ally of Anwar Ibrahim on the movement to bring Islam to moderation and to tie its knots with the Christian world with America as the leading nation.

Barack Obama explained in his victory speech at the Democratic Party's celebration party in Chicago that 'those who will try to break the wall of unity will be dealt with firmly'. In other words, it will be 'either you are with us or you are against us' once more. This was well practiced by the Bush administration to the extent that Kuala Lumpur was forced to bow to the US leadership in the war on terror.

But the leadership in Kuala Lumpur today is not willing to bow to any such suppressive moves be it from the US and Barack Obama or from the PKR and its member parties in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

Hence what does Malaysia expect from the Obama regime? As said earlier, Putrajaya instead of Kuala Lumpur, is not going to give in to threats, pre-emptive meddling in the affairs of the government and in the imposition of pro-US tactics in the war on terror and so on and so forth.

The Obama regime will have a tougher time to deal with the current government in Malaysia and this will be because the change in the US is seen as a good element by the Umno and the Barisan National (BN) government to the extent that it is already in talks with the Obama future regime.

The message to the Obama camp is pure and simple: No interference in Malaysia's internal affairs notwithstanding which the USA risks heavy criticism from the Malaysian government on the international front.

It now depends on whether the Obama regime will allow the Malaysian government to be left alone in its rule of the country, which is not what the opposition supporters are expecting by all means. However, Obama does not have any commitment with the opposition of Malaysia as he did promise a new style of governance in Washington and this include 'negotiated' settlements of issues and cases in which the governments in the world will not end up losers while the US will be seen as the 'eternal policeman' of the world.

Obama has to listen to Putrajaya though the lobbying factor on Capital Hill will not allow his government to dry the funds and the support intended towards the implementation of 'democracy' in the rest of the world, which is a follow up of the Bush's ugliest foreign policy in the history of the United States.

Yet do not expect any stick from Washington for the BN regime in Malaysia or a massive swift in American policies towards Kuala Lumpur. The Americans are far more interested in trade, investment and business this time around and with Obama offering the olive branch of peace to many Muslim nations, it will not be bombs or 'covert' operations against the BN, it will rather be the mellowing of the Obama governance towards accepting the BN, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and even the Taliban if necessary in order to achieve peace.

--WORLD FUTURES--

"IT'S GOD'S WILL"

2008-11-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 11 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 11 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 11 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

"IT'S GOD'S WILL"

11 Nov 08 : 9.00AM
By Shanon Shah
shanonshah@thenutgraph.com

PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kulim-Bandar Baru constituency Zulkifli Nordin has been in the headlines, and some say for all the wrong reasons. Many remain horrified by his participation in the storming of the 9 Aug 2008 Bar Council forum on conversion. His own party is contemplating disciplinary action against him, and he is now apologetic about the manner in which he protested. However, he remains adamant that he will continue to defend Islam.

Rumours have also been circulating that the Kedah-born, New Zealand-educated MP might be crossing over to Umno because his recent public statements echo Umno's position on Islam.

Known for not mincing his words, Zulkifli sat down with The Nut Graph in Parliament on 4 Nov for this exclusive interview. In this, the first part, he talks about the Bar Council incident, the impending disciplinary action by his own party, and some aspects of the country's electoral politics.

TNG: You have clarified many times that you protested the Bar Council forum on conversion in your capacity as exco of Peguam Pembela Islam (PPI), not as a PKR MP. Do you feel that you are unable to advocate Islamic issues under the PKR banner?

Zulkifli: That's two separate issues. First, the Bar Council issue — I made it very clear from the beginning, even on the day that it happened, that I represented PPI. In fact, I specifically mentioned that I was not there as a PKR MP. That has been explained to even (PKR advisor) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Now, talking about PKR — PKR is a new but dynamic party that allows a lot of room for differences of opinion. So far, I have not encountered any problem with regard to the Islamic issues that I brought up, either with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — especially with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — or even with the others.

So I don't agree with the view that PKR doesn't allow any discourse or argument or point based on Islamic issues. They do allow it. Maybe it's the manner of doing things that they are against, but not the substance. Especially Islamic issues within the context of the constitution.

The Nut Graph spoke to (PKR deputy president and disciplinary committee head) Dr Syed Husin Ali, who said that PKR will take action against you this November for your actions at the Bar Council forum. If PKR takes disciplinary action against you, what will you do? Will you consider joining another party?

PKR, [or] for that matter any party, or any organisation, has every right to take action against its members. That is a fundamental right of any organisation. So, PKR has every right, if they feel I have infringed certain rules, certain regulations, or certain policies of the party, to take action. And I have every right to defend the action that I have taken. So, it depends what's the basis of the disciplinary action. Does it go to the core of the Islamic cause, or is it the manner of doing it? This I want to know.

At the moment, PKR is concerned about the Bar Council issue. They've narrowed it down to the Bar Council issue, not the Islamic cause that I am fighting. So I'm quite okay with that. If they happen to take some measures against me by virtue of that, so be it. That's their right.

But if they start touching on the Islamic cause, Islamic issues, and they take action on the bigger issue of Islamic cause, then we may have to rethink or we have to come up with a clear guideline or agenda. On the Islamic cause, [on matters of] Islamic nature, what is the stand of PKR?

At the moment what I understand is that disciplinary action taken against me is narrowed down to the incident at the Bar Council, so it doesn't touch on the Islamic issue at all. And I defended the action, saying I was there not as a PKR member, so [the disciplinary action] doesn't touch on the Islamic issue. Unless they touch on the Islamic issue, then it's different story.

In your 26 Oct 2008 interview with Mingguan Malaysia, you were asked about your exchange with Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS – Shah Alam). You were quoted as saying that Khalid should have supported you in your position on Islam when you brought it up. If there are differences of opinion within the Pakatan Rakyat about Islam, how do you think these should be discussed in the coalition?

First, the respective parties must come up with their own stand. This we don't have at the moment. What he have are common issues between the individual parties — PAS, PKR, and DAP. Issues against corruption, issues against human rights [violations], and we have a common enemy, that is the Barisan Nasional. But on Islamic issues, there is no clear stand by the respective parties. So I think each party has to come up with its own stand first, and then we'll have to sit down to come up with a common stand.

At the moment there is none, except for a statement that the Pakatan Rakyat respects the status of Islam within the constitutional context. That is the general stand. But on the specific issues, when we have issues like [the] Bar Council [forum], how do we react?

So I think it's time — as I said in reply to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that day asking me to give an explanation — that we come up with a clear agenda on Islamic issues and the Islamic cause. Otherwise it will continue creating problems.

In the Mingguan Malaysia interview, at one point you said you are Muslim first and foremost, everything else is second. Why then didn't you make the choice to join PAS? Why join PKR? When did you join PKR?

In fact, I am a PAS member.

Oh, you are a PAS member?

I am a PAS member. When the (general) election was called, I was asked to take the Kulim-Bandar Baru seat, which is a PKR seat. So when you stand as PKR in Kulim-Bandar Baru, naturally you have to be with them, with [Parti Keadilan Rakyat]. I have no qualms about [stating] that.

So you are a PAS member who stood under a PKR ticket?

During the elections. But I am now a PKR member. By virtue of standing as a candidate under the PKR banner, I became, by the consensus of PAS and PKR, a member of PKR.

To clarify, you have active membership in both PAS and PKR?

No, now PKR.

So you were with PAS before. How long were you with PAS?

For quite some time.

Since 1998-99?

No, much earlier.

So you were a member of PAS all this while; then you decided to run in Kulim-Bandar Baru under PKR. And since your victory on 8 March, you joined PKR.

In fact, when I was offered the seat, when I was asked to stand in Kulim-Bandar Baru as a PKR member, we had a discussion, and at that time we decided I should join PKR.

This is a bit of a naughty question. I hope you will still answer it. Why do you think Umno withdrew their election petition against you?

The statement was made that they withdrew it in the interest of the country. Datuk Seri Anwar said what that means is that they don't want any by-election. After being demolished in Permatang Pauh, I don't think they can afford any by-election, especially with the transition of power. So I think they want the status quo to remain. I'm just lucky to have been there at the right time, that's all.

--THE NUT GRAPH--

RPK RELEASED

2008-11-07T18:44:00.000-08:00

COURT FREES ISA DETAINEE RAJA PETRA

RAJA PETRA RELEASED FROM DETENTION UNDER ISA

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF RAJA PETRA KAMARUDDIN

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA; 7 NOVEMBER 2008

The release of Raja Petra Kamaruddin from ISA detention is a victory for the people of Malaysia. In its ruling against the Home Ministry, the High Court of Shah Alam has exposed yet another crack in the steadily eroding wall of justification surrounding the ISA.

I commend the courts which have come to the rescue, as they must do, when citizens are rendered helpless before arbitrary authority and its inclination to the abuse of power. It is through the judge’s commitment to justice that Raja Petra will once again experience the freedom that is the birthright of all Malaysians.

This episode underscores the fact that the government of the day is unfit to lead. By the sheer arrogance of its perceived grip on power, it has failed to recognise and respond to the Malaysian people’s desire for democracy, freedom and adherence to the rule of law.

Those BN leaders and particularly cabinet members who expressed staunch support of the ISA should feel remorse
over the hardship that has been foisted upon Raja Petra, his family and the many others still detained without hopes of trial.

To those members of Parliament who have been silent in response to Pakatan Rakyat’s efforts to initiate a debate on abolishing the ISA, I urge you to reconsider your position. The Court's decision today offers a new opportunity to work together to rid Malaysia of this unjust law once and for all.

Many others still languish in prison under the draconian ISA, including members of Hindraf and individuals allegedly involved with radical groups such as Jemaa Islamiyah. They all deserve the right of judicial review.
I reiterate my call for their immediate release and that any credible charges against them should be made in a court of law.

--ANWAR IBRAHIM--

ANWAR WINS PROCEDURAL VICTORY IN SODOMY TRIAL

2008-11-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

SODOMY: ANWAR MENANG FIRST ROUND

RENAISSANCE MAN - ANWAR IBRAHIM, MALAYSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER

07 November 2008

Jane's talks to Malaysia's opposition leader about his bid for power

"We have the numbers. But it is also important to find a way to have a smooth and problem-free transition of power," Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian political opposition leader and former deputy prime minister, told Jane's in October. Anwar has been seeking to position himself as Malaysia's potential new leader, which would mark the country's first change of ruling party since independence in 1957.

Anwar was deputy prime minister and heir apparent in 1998 before he disagreed with then prime minister Mahathir Mohamed on Malaysia's economic recovery package and lost favour with the political leadership. He subsequently launched a popular reformasi (reform) movement aiming to oust Mahathir, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

If his push for power is successful, Anwar's political renaissance would mark a major shift in Malaysia's political system.

Image: Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's opposition leader and former deputy prime minister, waves to supporters before casting his vote in the Permatang Puah by-election on 26 August 2008. Anwar has been seeking to position himself as Malaysia's potential new leader.

--JANE'S, UK--

OBAMA AND MALAYSIA

2008-11-05T17:02:00.000-08:00

OBAMA FOR MALAYSIA?

PARLIAMENT: 5 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

PARLIAMENT: 5 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

PARLIAMENT: 5 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

SHADOW BUDGET

DEWAN RAKYAT SUSPENDED FOR 2 HOURS

BUDGET PROTEST: HOUSE SUSPENDED FOR 2 HOURS

'OBAMA MANIA' SPREADS WITH 'HISTORIC CHANGE': GLOBAL VOICES

By Steve Scherer, Berni Moestafa and Theophilos Argitis

Nov. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Here is a sampling of the world's reaction to Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential election.

The U.K.'s Guardian newspaper: ``They did it. They really did it. So often crudely caricatured by others, the American people yesterday stood in the eye of history and made an emphatic choice for change for themselves and the world. Savour those words: President Barack Obama, America's hope and, in no small way, ours too.''

The English-language news site ChinaDaily.com: ``We wish him all the best in bringing America out of the present financial quagmire as soon as possible, and re-energize the world's largest economy with his brand-new ideas and vision. A strong U.S. economy is in the interest of China and all other countries that trade with it. We also hope the good momentum of a relatively amicable and constructive bilateral relationship between China and the U.S. will sustain and extend during the incoming four years of the Obama presidency.''

The French newspaper Le Monde: ``The new President has transcended tensions to achieve the essential: balancing black resentment and white anxieties, and uniting them in a single design for justice. After having elected George W. Bush two times, in an incredible turn of boldness and faith in its own resources, America has put an end to its conservative revolution made from deregulation and the wild law of the market which resulted in the sub-prime crisis and the collapse of the financial system.''

``President-elect Obama was inspirational, and I'm certain he will continue to be,'' U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters in Washington today. ``One of the great things about representing this country is it continues to surprise, it continues to renew itself. It continues to beat all odds and expectations.''

``I hope we will work as partners to help achieve peace in the Middle East, through a negotiated settlement on the basis of the two-state solution that guarantees security for Israelis and independence for Palestinians,'' Jordanian King Abdullah said in a statement e-mailed by the Royal Court.

Pope Benedict XVI, the leader of more than 1 billion Catholics around the world, hopes Obama ``can respond to the expectations and the hopes of those that look to him,'' Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters today in Rome. He said Benedict also wants the new American president to ``favor human growth and dignity with respect to essential human and spiritual values.''

``While this is without a doubt a moment of great happiness, at the same time we should remember those men and women that made the greatest sacrifice, their lives, in the fight for an equal society,'' Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said in a letter to Obama. ``I'm sure many veterans of those days have been reflecting on the words of Reverend King: `I have a dream that my four small children will someday live in a country where they aren't judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their characters.' This day has arrived.''

``I thank God for having lived to see that we have a U.S. president of color,'' said Yehude Simon, Peru's prime minister. ``Peru wins with the change; it's a change that we all expected. God help us he won't fail us, that all his proposals during the campaign can be real.''

``The historic election of an Afro-descendant to the head of the most powerful country in the world is a sign that the change that's been carried out in South America may be reaching the doorstep of the U.S.,'' the Venezuelan foreign ministry said in an e-mailed statement. ``The hour has arrived to establish new relations among our countries and with our region.''

``The profoundly symbolic value of Obama's victory escapes no one,'' said Jean Leonard Touadi, the first black man to be elected to the Italian parliament, in an interview in Rome. ``Martin Luther King's dream has been realized by Barack Obama. This is a great opportunity also for Italy, which is a country used to immigration, to find inspiration.''

``We hope Obama can restore America to become a great nation again,'' said Yustina Amirah, principal of Asisi Elementary School in Jakarta, where Obama studied for a couple of years as a child. ``Obama's election may motivate children here to see that dreams can be reached. We hope that our children have dreams as high as Obama's.''

``The message that has come through very clearly is we can change the world,'' said Patricia de Lille, leader of the Independent Democrats, South Africa's opposition party, by telephone from Cape Town. ``We have seen a man who is a visionary, a man who is giving hope back to the biggest democracy in the world.''

She said she hopes his election can ``move all Africans to be inspired, to move out of the victim mentality and claim the space in the world that Africa so rightly deserves.''

Mohammed Abdo, a 32-year-old restaurant employee in the Gaza Strip, said the election result won't make any difference where he lives. ``The only difference between the two American candidates was their color,'' he said. ``U.S. policy will remain biased in favor of Israel.''

``I hope the blockade of Cuba ends, because it no longer has any justification in the history of humanity,'' Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula said in a speech in Brasilia.

``I'm confident that Georgian-U.S. cooperation will continue, especially on the economic side, since it was Joe Biden who visited Georgia after the August crisis and initiated economic aid for Georgia,'' Prime Minister Grigol Mgaloblishvili said in comments broadcast on Rustavi-2 television.

``This is beautiful,'' said Ijaz Shahid, who was leading a demonstration of landless peasants protesting the seizure of their farms by local landlords at barbed-wire barricades outside Pakistan's presidential offices in Islamabad.

``A true democracy has elected a person from the oppressed people of that country,'' said Shahid, a retired army major. ``We are fighting in Pakistan just to have some bread and water and land for the poor people, and we want true democracy also.''

At the East African Restaurant less than a mile from Canada's legislature in Ottawa, Alexander Semaw threw an Obama party for about 100 patrons, who crowded in to watch CNN and drink a Kenyan beer called Obama. When his victory was called, the restaurant erupted in celebration, people raising their arms and dancing while chanting ``Obama, Obama'' and ``Yes, we can.''

``Now we can love America,'' said Semaw, a 30-year-old Ethiopian immigrant. ``He's going to bring America back to its proper place in the world.''

Faisal Ali al-Mutawa, chairman of Kuwaiti financial services provider Bayan Investment Co. KSCC, said Obama's ``incredible'' victory proves he's ``an extraordinary person.''

``Am I worried?'' he asked from Kuwait City. ``Yes, because he is untested as far as foreign policy and its complexity is concerned, especially in our area. If there's no orderly withdrawal from Iraq, there will be chaos in our region.''

``A hundred years ago, he would have been a slave,'' said T. K. Kurien, president of strategic programs at Wipro Ltd., India's third-largest software services provider, in an interview from London. ``A hundred years on, he is the president. That's massive.''

French President Nicolas Sarkozy congratulated Obama in a letter released publicly, saying the outcome ``resonates well beyond your borders.''

``Your stunning victory rewards a tireless commitment to serving the American people,'' Sarkozy wrote. ``It is also the crowning achievement of an exceptional campaign whose brilliance and high tone demonstrated the vitality of American democracy to the entire world, while keeping them spellbound.''

``America has made history and proved to the world that it is a nation eager for change,'' said David Cameron, leader of the U.K.'s main opposition Conservative Party. ``In these difficult times people everywhere are crying out for change. Barack Obama is the first of a new generation of leaders who will deliver it.''

``For Obama to overcome what people consider to be synonymous with America -- race -- it's unimaginable,'' said Eric Shepherd, a professor of investigative police science at City University in London. ``It's given the world a lot more faith in America. America has become a place that does deliver on its promises. People can achieve anything. It's iconic. Martin Luther King's journey. Who thought he'd be the one to achieve it? If he succeeds, it will be the American dream.''

``Obama winning the election shows just how much the U.S. has changed,'' said South Korean Kim Sang Hyuck, 32, watching the results on his mobile phone in downtown Seoul. ``When I was studying there in Philadelphia nearly 10 years ago, there were still pockets of racism. I never thought then that the U.S. would choose an African-American president.''

Jacques Santer, 71, a former prime minister of Luxembourg and ex-president of the European Commission, said Obama's victory marks ``a historic change which shows that the United States is an entirely exceptional power, completing a fundamental social revolution in the space of two, three generations.''

``A new face offers Europe a new chance to remarry America,'' said Wolfgang Ischinger, 62, a former German ambassador to the U.S. ``That's the good news. The bad news is that this outburst of Obama-mania does create expectations which no president can possibly fulfill. Sooner or later there will be some disappointment on the way.''

--BLOOMBERG.COM--

FISCAL POLICY SHOULD BE FORWARD-LOOKING

2008-11-05T16:47:00.000-08:00

PARLIAMENT: NAJIB INTERRUPTED BY PAKATAN MPs

PARLIAMENT: 4 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 1

PARLIAMENT: 4 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 2

PARLIAMENT: 4 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 3

PARLIAMENT: 4 NOVEMBER 2008 - PART 4

FISCAL POLICY SHOULD BE FORWARD-LOOKING

2008-11-05 17:06

Two months ago when the benchmark of international oil prices was still $125 a barrel, the government's expenditure budget was RM207.9 billion.

Oil contributes 40% of the Government's revenue and when oil prices dropped to around $65 a barrel today, how much money has the government lost?

The situation has completely changed in two months.

It is not only the fall of oil prices and the reduction in revenue, there is also the financial tsunami triggered by Wall Street. Don't ask whether the financial tsunami will strike Malaysian coast, but we should ask how strong its destructive power could be.

The global stock markets get the cold when Wall Street sneezes. The global economy is affected when the U.S. suffers from recession. When the U.S. Finance Minister is having an headache, Finance Ministers of the world are having acute infantile convulsions.

It is a severe test for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to take over the Finance Minister position. How is he going to re-plan the budget and adjust fiscal policies when revenue has been reduced and growth has been slowed down?

The stimulus package to boost economy suggested by Najib focuses on three aspects:

Firstly, to increase the deficit to make up for the lack of income;

Secondly, to increase public construction to stimulate construction projects;

Thirdly, to stimulate domestic consumption to maintain the market's vitality.

These measures are expected.

In fact, the people are greatly expect the government will carry out a drastic economic reform like to review the New Economic Policy in order to release restrictions; to open up new economic motive forces in order to create vitality for enterprises; and banks to gradually cut interest rates in order to ease business loans and housing loans pressures.

--SIN CHEW DAILY--

GLOBAL CRISIS SET TO CRIMP MALAYSIA'S GROWTH

2008-11-04T04:27:00.000-08:00

PART 8

PART 9

PART 10

PART 11

PART 12

PART 13

GLOBAL CRISIS SET TO CRIMP MALAYSIA'S GROWTH

Thomson Financial News
11.04.08, 6:37 AM ET

By Jalil Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Malaysia's government admitted on Tuesday that growth would be hit by fallout from the global crisis as Najib Razak, the man who is set to be prime minister, laid out his plans to deal with the slowdown.

Opposition politicians, led by Anwar Ibrahim, walked out of parliament complaining Najib had not allowed them to debate the 2009 budget properly, although political and economic analysts said Najib had shown he was 'market friendly'.

Najib, who will become prime minister in March, slashed the country's 2009 growth forecast to 3.5 percent from 5.4 percent and said the budget deficit would be 4.8 percent of gross domestic product, up from a previous projection of 3.6 percent.

He also outlined plans to shift almost $2 billion to be saved from fuel subsidies into infrastructure projects and to cut pension fund contributions to 8 percent from 11 percent to put more cash in voters' pockets.

'The drastic change in the global economic development lately requires us to take a proactive action to deal with the global crisis,' Najib said at the close of the 2009 budget debate.

'Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,' Najib said.

Malaysia's economy has largely been insulated from the crisis that has swept the global economy because of capital controls, reforms in the wake of the 1998 Asian financial crisis and huge foreign exchange reserves, but it is geared to exports.

'The growth forecast (revision) has not come as a surprise, obviously Malaysia is quite heavily exposed to the global economy with an exports-to-GDP ratio in excess of 100 percent,' said Aninda Mitra, sovereign analyst at Moody's (nyse: MCO - news - people ) Investors Service.

Other Asian countries, such as South Korea, have not been as lucky and Seoul on Monday announced an $11 billion package to boost the economy.

Najib also adopted measures attractive to foreign investors by allowing them to hold up to 70 percent of firms in the service sector from 2015, a move that has often been resisted by developing countries.

POLITICAL PRESSURES

Najib will take power at a time when economic growth in this Asian country of 27 million is fading fast and a newly resurgent opposition led by Anwar is snapping at his heels.

He needs to act quickly to rebuild confidence in the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled Malaysia for 51 years but which recorded its worst ever election result in March, losing its two-thirds majority that allowed it to change the constitution.

Anwar, who said in September he was on the verge of toppling the government with the aid of defectors from the ruling coalition, was denied the opportunity to speak in the debate.

'We didn't come here to listen to a lecture on economy. There is no meaning to just listen and be not allowed to debate after waiting for one hour,' he said after leading a walkout.

Anwar was kicked out of government during the 1998 financial crisis for saying Malaysia should adopt free-market policies advocated by the International Monetary Fund, a move which was opposed by then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Since he was released from prison after what he says were trumped-up sodomy and corruption charges, Anwar has challenged the government and his pressure forced it to dump incumbent prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in favour of Najib.

'I think Najib sends the right signals to the market. The market expects the new prime minister to be prudent and take a hands-on approach to the economy,' said James Chin, a political scientist at the Monash University campus in Malaysia.

'The key difference between Najib and Abdullah is that Najib is pre-empting the market by announcing these measures rather than waiting for the technical recession to happen,' Chin said.

--FORBES.COM--

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE TOTALLY DEFENCELESS IN ANSWERING EUROCOPTER SCANDAL

2008-11-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

PART 6

PART 7

KIT SIANG: INCLUDE EX-RMAF PILOTS AND SIKORSKY IN EUROCOPTER INQUIRY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — The DAP has urged the Public Accounts Committee, which is meeting today, to involve former Royal Malaysian Air Force helicopter pilots as well as representatives from helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky before it concludes its investigations into the Eurocopter scandal.

Party advisor Lim Kit Siang told reporters in Parliament today that he had received an e-mail purportedly from a former RMAF helicopter pilot who claimed that there was no urgency for the federal government to replace the current fleet of Sikorsky S61A helicopters, better known as the Nuri, with the Eurocopter EC725 Cougar.

The anonymous writer noted that the Malaysian Nuris could last another 20 years and more as their airframe time was low compared to the international standard. The local aircraft has an average of 9,000 airframe hours compared to the international standard which hovers between 50,000 and 60,000 airframe hours, he said.

The former pilot also claimed that 85 per cent of Nuri crashes were due to human error, 10 per cent to enemy aggression and only five per cent were due to technical errors.

Lim, the MP for Ipoh Timur, reiterated his previous stance that the PAC should invite representatives from all the helicopter manufacturers that had made bids for the helicopter tender so as to help the inquiry.

--THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER--

SODOMY TRIAL & CONVICTION

2008-11-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

SODOMY TRIAL TRANSFER: COURT HEARS OBJECTIONS FROM ANWAR

COURT THROWS OUT MUNAWAR'S APPEAL

MUNAWAR'S SODOMY CONVICTION STAYS

Posted by St Low
Thursday, 30 October 2008 18:59

By Debra Chong

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 — The Federal Court here today dismissed Dr Munawar Anees's application for an appeal against his 10-year-old sodomy conviction.

"We have decided that the application should be dismissed. We will give our grounds later," said Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi, who led the three-member panel of judges.

Pakistan-born Munawar is a former speechwriter to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when the latter was Deputy Prime Minister over a decade ago.

In mid September 1998, Munawar was arrested under the Internal Security Act and later charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court with sodomy alongside Anwar and Anwar's Indonesian adopted brother Sukma Darmawan.

Munawar pleaded guilty, as did Sukma. He was sentenced to six months’ jail, which he served.

Subsequently, he filed an appeal against his conviction on the grounds that his plea of guilty then was obtained through force while detained under the ISA.

His application was thrown out by the KL High Court in September 2003. Meanwhile, Anwar and Sukma were both cleared of the sodomy convictions.

Munawar took up the matter to the Court of Appeal. The matter was dismissed there as well in October last year though no grounds were given then.

The Federal Court was the last legal avenue available for Munawar's application.

The US-based project management consultant, now 60, had been waiting in court since 8.30am for the decision. He appeared dumbfounded by the decision. He rose up and left the courtroom swiftly.

Speaking to reporters on the grand staircase leading to the lobby of the Palace of Justice, he said: "This is a total disappointment. A total denial of justice. The system is playing with the lives of people.

"Where is the justice for me and my family?"

His voice continued to rise as his frustration became more apparent.

"I will not stop. The system has tried to fail me but it will not fail me. If I don't get justice in this country, my children and my grandchildren will stand up for the justice denied to me," Munawar pledged.

Lawyer Mabel Sebastian, who was standing in for Munawar's counsel Manjeet Singh Dhillon to receive the judgment today, said the next step was up to the latter.

Manjeet is away on business abroad and will only return next week.

--MALAYSIA TODAY--

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT - 29 - 30 OCTOBER 2008

2008-10-31T04:59:00.000-07:00

GOVERNMENT RISKING LIVES OF SOLDIERS - DSAI

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT (29 OCTOBER 2008) - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT (29 OCTOBER 2008) - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT (30 OCTOBER 2008) - PART 1

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT (30 OCTOBER 2008) - PART 2

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT (30 OCTOBER 2008) - PART 3

DECISION ON VALIDITY OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF ANWAR'S CASE NOV 7

31-10-2008
by Yong Min Wei

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court will decide on Nov 7 on the validity of the certificate of transfer of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case to the High Court.

Judge SM Komathy Suppiah told the court on Oct 31 that she would announce her decision at 3pm on Nov 7 after the prosecution and defence wound up arguments pertaining to the validity of the certificate of transfer.

The contention on the transfer of Anwar's sodomy case from the Sessions Court to the High Court arose in September after the prosecution produced a certificate of transfer signed by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had earlier given assurance that the attorney-general would not be involved in Anwar's sodomy case after the Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) de facto leader lodged a complaint against Abdul Gani for tampering evidence in the 1998 "black eye" incident.

Anwar is charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a condominium in Bukit Damansara on June 26 and faces a maximum jail term of 20 years if convicted.

--THE EDGE DAILY--

THE MOST DIRTIEST MP OF ALL TIME?

2008-10-31T04:09:00.000-07:00

HUJAH TV9 - YB SAIFUDDIN NASUTION & YB KHIR TOYO - PART 1

HUJAH TV9 - YB SAIFUDDIN NASUTION & YB KHIR TOYO - PART 2

HUJAH TV9 - YB SAIFUDDIN NASUTION & YB KHIR TOYO - PART 3

STATE ASSEMBLY CONDEMNS KHIR TOYO FOR STIRRING UP RACIAL DISCORD

Posted by St Low
Thursday, 30 October 2008 08:01

By Maria J. Dass in The Sun

The Selangor state assembly, through a motion passed in the House, today condemned Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for stirring up and igniting racial discord and Utusan Malaysia for articles which were false and incited violence and racial discord.

Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim who moved the motion to condemn Mohd Khir said Khir should apologise to Kinrara assemblywoman Teresa Kok and all Malaysians for making the false allegations which led to Kok being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

"Mohd Khir used this issue as an opportunity to defame the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government and to make him look like a Malay hero, more so during this time when he is vying for the Umno youth head position," he said.

"All this at the expense of public order, peace and harmony," he added.

Mohd Khir had in response to a posting on his blog allegedly accused Kok of supporting a petition by residents in Kinrara to lower the volume of the azan (call to prayer) by a mosque in the area. Kok denied this.

Mohd Khir later clarified that what he quoted was an acknowledgement of receipt of a copy of the petition which residents sent to Kok’s office.

Ng said: "Mohd Khir should apologise to all Malaysian for causing disharmony and Kok for causing her to be detained under the ISA."

Ng also said that Mohd Khir should be referred to the privilege committee of the House.

He also accused Mohd Khir of conspiring with Utusan Malaysia and its columnist Zaini Hassan and Datuk Chamil Wariya to ignite the issue.

Ng also stressed that the PR was in no way against the media but condemned any media that is used to plant hate, violence and cause unrest.

"One would expect more maturity from a senior writer like Chamil Wariya but instead he incites murder and unrest," said Ng adding that Chamil had authored a book on Mohd Khir’s political journey and rise to become Selangor Menteri Besar in a book titled Dari Sungai Burong Ke Bukit Melawati in 2004.

Ng said the actions of Mohd Khir went against the principals of Islam which upholds fairness and does not condone defamation and slander against any person.

"To us in PR, we view the azan as something sacred and will uphold the sanctity of this religion in the interest of preservig harmony," he said.

Ng’s PR colleague from Meru, Dr Abdul Rani Osman supported Ng saying that it is written in the holy books that one should not treat their fellowmen regardless of their race unfairly.

Rawang assembly woman Gan Peh Nei said Mohd Khir’s action showed that he cared little about Selangor’s welfare as the allegations which led to Kok’s arrest had caused potential investors to pull out. Kok is also the state investment, industry and trade executive councilor.

Meanwhile, Subang Jaya assemblywoman Hannah Yeo said the opposition had done nothing to defend Mohd Khir.

"Before this we only had two opposition assemblymen but their voices were loud and forceful; Now there is 10 times the number but it is silent," she said.

Only Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias stood up to defend Mohd Khir saying that the motion was malicious, however speaker Teng Chang Khim upheld the motion saying that it was a motion against a member of the House and not a speech.

The rest of Mohd Khir’s colleagues were absent.

Meanwhile Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said although there will be many impediments towards introducing local government elections in the state, they witll not stop the state’s efforts to work towards making this a reality.

However to get things moving the Federal government needs to amend the laws, he said adding that the state will come up with a working paper on the matter which it will present to the Federal government during meetings between the state and the Prime Minister.

Abdul Khalid was responding to a motion moved by Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San to reintroduce local government elections in Selangor.

--MALAYSIA TODAY--

DSAI ASKING FOR ROYAL COMMISSION

2008-10-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

MP BN BERCANGGAH PERTAHAN GELARAN DATUK KPD SRK

LIM DAPAT SUMBER ABDUL GANI & MUSA SALAH GUNA KUASA

ANWAR BAYANGKAN PERALIHAN KERAJAAN AIDIL ADHA

SALAHUDDIN AYUB PELAWA KJ SERTAI PAS

3 BANGSA MAKAN SEMEJA DI RUMAH TERBUKA PAS KOTA BHARU

MALAYSIA's ANWAR DEMANDS INVESTIGATION INTO EUROCOPTER DEAL

By Channel NewsAsia's Melissa Goh
Posted: 30 October 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's opposition, led by Anwar Ibrahim, is demanding an investigation into the defence ministry's plans to buy several helicopters. He is asking for a royal commission to be set up.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced on Tuesday that the purchase of 12 helicopters from Eurocopter would be deferred to 2011. His government is reprioritising its spending amid the global financial crisis.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, the opposition said there were irregularities in the defence procurement.

They also pressed for an emergency motion to discuss the US$470 million purchase, which they claimed was way above the market average.

Lim Kit Siang, Opposition, Democratic Action Party (DAP), said: "It must be a shotgun deal because the letter of intent must have been issued early this month after the announcement by Pak Lah of approval and maybe in less than two weeks, you have this cancellation. Something seems to be very extraordinary."

The opposition is holding Deputy Prime Minster Najib Razak responsible.

The letter of intent to purchase the 12 cougar helicopters was issued to Eurocopter two days before he switched defence portfolio with the prime minister last month.

But the public accounts committee, which began its investigation into alleged impropriety, said everything had been done in an orderly fashion.

Azmi Khalid, chairman, Public Accounts Committee, said: "Up to now, the technicalities from what we saw were not professionally done, but I'm not going to comment."

Mr Najib who is now the Finance Minister maintains that the purchase was necessary to replace the ageing fleet of Nuri helicopters.

He has proposed extending the repayment period with Eurocopter instead of deferring the purchase.

Meanwhile the supplier Eurocopter, which is a wholly-owned division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space, is optimistic about the deal.

--CHANNEL NEWsASIA--

NEW BUDGET: ANWAR AND SELANGOR MB's

2008-10-27T00:24:00.000-07:00

DSAI BENTANG BAJET PR - PART 1

DSAI BENTANG BAJET PR - PART 2

ONE-ON-ONE WITH SELANGOR MB - PART 1

SELANGOR MB's DEEPAVALI MESSAGE

ANWAR: DEBATE VALUECAP FUND INJECTION

Tuesday October 28, 2008

IPOH: Parliament should have been informed of the RM5bil injection into fund management company Valuecap Sdn Bhd so that it can be debated, said Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“At a time like this, you should have announced the package in Parliament. Let us debate. These are public funds,” he said.

Anwar said the Government must come up with measures, such as the strengthening of financial institutions, to counter the global economic crisis. On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the additional funds of RM5bil to double the size of Valuecap to RM10bil to help shore up foreign investors’ confidence in the Malaysian capital market.

Anwar said he preferred that the RM5bil be used to help small businesses, public health, education and infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

“I am not suggesting that we should stop all projects. The problem arises when you use funds as bailout to protect some select companies with certain interests.

“There should be strict rules to ensure that the money is not abused,” he told reporters at the Pakatan Rakyat’s Deepavali celebration on Saturday.

--The Star Online--

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 22 & 23 OCTOBER 2008

2008-10-24T05:24:00.000-07:00

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 22 0CTOBER 2008

KARPAL VS SPEAKER: 23 0CTOBER 2008

MALAYSIA PARLIAMENT: 23 0CTOBER 2008

MUSLIMS BAN LESBIANS IN MALAYSIA

11:54am UK, Friday October 24, 2008
Lesbianism has been banned under an edict issued by clerics in Malaysia who ruled that "tomboy" behaviour was against Islam.

The National Fatwa Council also forbade the practice of girls behaving or dressing like boys.

Abdul Shukor Husin, chairman of the council, said many young women admire the way men dress and behave - and branded it a denial of their femininity and a violation of human nature.

He said: "It is unacceptable to see women who love the male lifestyle including dressing in the clothes men wear.

"It becomes clearer when they start to have sex with someone of the same gender, that is woman and woman.

"In view of this, the National Fatwa Council have decided and taken the stand that such acts are forbidden and banned."

They must respect God. God created them as boys, they must behave like boys. God created them as girls, they must act like girls.

Harussani Idris Zakaria, member of Malaysia's National Fatwa Council

Under the edict, girls are forbidden to sport short hair and dress, walk and act like boys.

Male homosexuality - specifically sodomy - is illegal in Malaysia and punishable with up to 20 years in jail.

Accusations of sodomy have twice been levelled against the opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in what he says are politically motivated attempts to destroy him.

But lawyers say there is no provision banning lesbian sex in Malaysia's civil code.

The latest fatwa appears to be an attempt to push lesbianism towards illegality.

Harussani Idris Zakaria, the mufti of northern Perak state, said the council's ruling was not legally binding because it has not been passed into law, but that tomboys should be banned because their actions are "immoral".

He said: "It doesn't matter if it's a law or not. When it's wrong, it's wrong. It is a sin."

--SKY NEWS, UK--