Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Kuala Besut ADUN dies

Kuala Besut ADUN dies, by-election may trigger change in Terengganu state govt The state assemblyman for Kuala Besut Abdul Rahman Mokhtar has died at age 55 due to lung cancer. His death triggers Malaysia's first by-election after the controversial May 5 general election.

Political observers said the by-election that must be held within 60 days could lead to a 'hung' state government and trigger a "new power equation" in the state government now led by Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno-BN coalition.

In the recently-concluded 13th general election, Umno-BN had won control of the state government with a razor thin victory of 17 seats over the Pakatan Rakyat's 15.

Should Abdul Rahman's successor fail to defend the seat, it would lead to a situation where the Umno-BN is deadlocked against the Pakatan at 16 seats each in the state assembly.

"This by-election will be critical for Pakatan Rakyat," Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday.

Not an easy seat to take from Umno

Abdul Rahman, who is from Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party, was also the Terengganu state executive councilor for Health, Family and Community development. He died at the Critical Care Unit of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Kuala Terengganu at about 10.18 am, after having been warded for the past seven days.

Anwar acknowledged it would not be easy for Pakatan to win Kuala Besut. A career Umno politician, Abdul Rahman had won the seat with a 2,434-vote majority, polling 8.809 votes over PAS candidate Napisah Ismail, who garnered 6,375.

"Abdul Rahman has a pretty impressive majority for the seat, but I'm sure PAS and PKR will work together to challenge for this seat," said Anwar, who also extended his condolences to the late assemblyman's family.

All eyes on Kuala Besut

Indeed, all eyes will be on Kuala Besut especially with the Umno-BN and the Pakatan now deadlocked in a fierce post-election fight. Anwar and his Pakatan colleagues have refused to concede defeat, citing massive fraud and vote rigging.

Najib had claimed a 133-seats victory in Malaysia's 222-seat federal Cabinet, but Anwar and Pakatan are demanding re-elections in some 30 constituencies. Najib's Umno-BN coalition has countered by filing a similar number of election petitions. Kuala Best is not on either of the Pakatan's or the Umno-BN's list of election petitions.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission said it would hold a special meeting to set the by-election date after receiving official acknowledgement on its vacancy.

"After that, the EC will issue an official statement when the special meeting will be held. According to the State and Federal Constitutions, the by-election should be held within 60 days from the date of vacancy," said EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad.

Terengganu was under the PAS-led government during 1999 to 2004. The chief minister then was PAS president Hadi Awang, who is also the Marang Member of Parliament.

The state fell back to Umno-BN control in the 2004 election and the current chief minister is Umno's Ahmad Said.

Malaysia Chronicle

Anwar-Najib friendly gesture a step in the right direction?

While criticisms from some quarters of Pakatan Rakyat supporters greeted the sight of parliamentary opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in jovial mode with prime minister Najib Razak during Monday's parliamentary opening, a former cabinet member lauded the two leaders' gesture as part of civility.

"At a time when the nation is festering with racial distrust and even hatred in some quarters, the leaders of both factions share the responsibility of cooling things down.

"The rakyat is tired of listening to endless recriminations, accusations and shouting matches. They want to start hearing positive news. They want a good exchange of policy statements that’s conducted in a civilised manner so they can appreciate the wonderful things that we have in the country," said former minister in the Prime Minister's Department turned opposition supporter, Zaid Ibrahim.

He was responding to several pictures of Anwar and Najib posing together and exchanging jokes while seated for a meal together with other BN leaders at the parliament house.

Some pro-UMNO blogs have however interpreted this as the PR leadership's hypocrisy, and argued that its supporters who were protesting outside the parliament building against electoral fraud had been cheated.

But Zaid welcomed the 'friendliness' shown by the two foes, saying if it was genuine, it could address the country's politics of hate which will be "an immense relief to all of us".

Zaid called on Anwar to follow-up the gestures by making more courtesy calls on the PM.

"A lot can be achieved by talking to one another whereas nothing would be gained by endless fighting in or outside of Parliament. The Prime Minister would be hard-pressed to reject such overtures and there is no reason for him to do so, the coming UMNO General Assembly notwithstanding," said Zaid.

Zaid, a former Kota Bharu member of parliament, said a "friendly mode" during parliamentary sessions would reduce distrust and lessed offensive criticism, ultimately leading to better policies and laws.

"I dare both leaders to take this first step towards bringing civility to our politics," Zaid said. -HD

Can Umno's 'over-dominance' be broken?

Can Umno's 'over-dominance' be broken? Is the Pakatan up to the game?Many governments in the world have established some sort of democracy and Malaysia has her own peculiar version which cannot be branded with any particular name.

It is not even a Malaysian version of democracy per se but purely and totally - it is UMNO’s own version of democracy. And sad to say, Prime Minister Najib Razak's party knows little about the subject, hence the great controversies and boorish clownishness.

What UMNO has done to “democracy” is not to practice it but to institutionalize the facades of democracy, including regular multiparty elections to give the appearance of being a democratic country. These multiparty elections have never been free or fair, resulting in the formation of an authoritarian government.

Many people - within and outside Malaysia - may take these democratic facades for real. Many others, however, do not. More than anyone, the Opposition parties and candidates here who have suffered the worst consequences of the cheating know very well that the present government is only playing a game and not practicing legitimate democracy or democratic elections.

A new era of adversity where courage must be the first quality

It is time to call a spade a spade. It is time for those in the Opposition who say 'but what can we do' to stand aside and make way for people with stronger gumption. For example, you may have been brave in the past and went to jail for so and so, but are you brave anymore - NOW? Or has your gut grown thick and fat like those in the UMNO-BN?

Such a question may seem rude, but it is a very legitimate one for Malaysian voters to ask. As we often slam the Umno-BN, perhaps it is now timely to cast the spotlight on the Pakatan and what does it have to offer Malaysians in the face of a rabid Umno-BN, even more arrogant and dangerous now that it has 'won' another 5 years in power.

Boils must be pricked and pus must be expelled otherwise gains made in the past few years will be lost and we become like the past generations - silent because we were afraid when we came face to face with 'danger'!

Old dogs and new tricks

Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh and Hadi Awang are towering figures in the Opposition and have been so for decades. With all due respect, when it comes to broken electoral promises, surely these three would have to account for the most number since they have never been able to wrest the federal government and thereby implement their dreams and visions for the people. Looking at the situation objectively, theirs is actually a pretty horrendous track record. 30, 40 or perhaps even 50 years of not being able to realize their goal. Why should Malaysians, if they seriously want change, continue to choose these leaders then? These guys could not do it after so many decades, and the chances are, unless they revamp their mindset, Malaysia will continue to be governed by the Umno-BN.

Do Malaysians really want 'Ubah'? If so, they had better stop wearing rose-tinted glasses and confront the fact that some of their revered leaders have in actual fact never managed to perform at all. The question begs - did Umno-BN rule Malaysia since 1957 because they were strong or because the Opposition until 2008 was weak? Malaysians must pick winners, if change is truly what they want. Of course, this is not easy and we could jump from the frying pan into the fire. But we still move - whether forward or backward, there is still motion. Life and strength still flow in our veins and limbs, and with a bit more courage, we can get to our goal. The worse option is to stay comatose, trapped in loss, stuck in defeat.

Pakatan has to continue playing the game but they have to change their game plan. Otherwise, it is tantamount to allowing themselves to be cheated over and over again. And that is a mark of insanity.

It is also a mark of cowardice and bad faith with voters who supported Pakatan because they wanted a change in government. What would help and are really needed most are fresh ideas to be get the county moving forward and not round and round in circles.

The drastic responses from Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Rakyat in the immediate aftermath of the recently-concluded 13th general election marks the start of an era to break the impasse and shatter once and for all Umno's dominance. This is a tack that Pakatan leaders must hammer through and ferociously!

Right direction but not yet there

For the first time in Malaysia's history, the Opposition had dared to say no. Anwar and Pakatan voiced their rejection of the election results. They mobilized their followers to protest the fraudulent electoral process and its outcomes via the Black 505 rallies. But have Anwar and Pakatan succeeded?

So far, the desired outcome of their actions has not materialized but they must not give up. Umno-BN has still formed the government. On the first day of new Parliament session, Umno-BN continued to cheat with the election of the Speaker. Prime Minister Najib Razak made a laughing stock of himself by forcing his own reps to sign a so-called secret ballot so that all would toe the line and vote a controversial toady back into office.

It was also ironic that as the re-elected Speaker was pompously calling for 'change' in his acceptance speech, 32 youth activists were roughed up and arrested by the police just outside Parliament. In other words, nothing has changed. Democracy has not deepened or widened. It may have shrunk even further following GE13.

Meanwhile, the Black 505 rallies seem to have lost steam despite clear evidence of public support. No doubt, the crowds are no longer so large but obviously, if you have attended one or two such 'ceramahs', you won't want to go again unless there are new issues or speeches to hear. So the right medicine is not to dump the rallies but to ask, what new strategies can we apply to keep the public interest intact? Actually, if the crowd size tapers down to sustainable levels, that's fine because there may be another 5 years to go before the next general election, so don't throw away this powerful and precious early momentum.

Also, has there been enough 'outreach' to all the towns in the country yet? Who is really losing interest here - the Pakatan leaders or the people? Who is feeling the fatigue? Why are there no efforts to galvanize public interest with new issues? Why zero search for new tacks to keep the flame burning? Also, why are only PKR and PAS involved and not DAP?

Does 'Ubah' stop with GE13 campaigning? What happens at GE14?

In the May 5 general election, DAP won the most seats with 38 versus PKR's 30 and PAS' 21. Most of their wins also came with thumping majorities. But is DAP really so strong? They should not forget that most of their wins came from Chinese-dominated seats which they insisted on and exerted enormous pressure on PKR and PAS to yield to their candidates. The fact is the Chinese are already pro-Opposition and there is no need to 'convert' their thinking. Maybe this is also why DAP leaders are reluctant to take risks and get nabbed for attending the Black 505 rallies. Instead some have even behaved like their Umno counterparts and actively contributed to the scaremongering over the event.

Let's not forget that it is what the voters want that counts, not the DAP, PAS or PKR leadership. The Chinese ardently want change and if they don't get this from DAP and Pakatan, they will look else where. So scrap the hype and thanksgiving rhetoric. The core electoral promise has already been broken. And to make it worse, it looks like the DAP leaders have no intention to stick their necks out to stop a repeat electoral robbery. It seems they just want to have their 5 years of being a Member of Parliament or state assembly-person. They want to stick to the safe and narrow path, immerse themselves in rhetoric but without carrying the burden of output. If this is so, at GE14, why should Malaysian Chinese vote for them again? They might as well stick with the mousy, greedy and selfish MCA. As for the Malays, it is odd but DAP is to most of them what Umno is to the non-Malays - something that the Pakatan leaders should take note of.

Pulling wool over the people's eyes: Fighters needed in the Opposition ring

It also seems like Pakatan may be experiencing a dose of 'over success' among its ranks. It is obvious that the pretty boy and girls of the Opposition, and a good example of these are in the DAP, seem to care more about the frills and fuss of being in Parliament, no? They certainly seem to hanker for the high government posts, the power-dressing that befits their double-barelled qualifications, the chauffeur-driven cars and plush-carpeted corridors of power.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. Just don't do it in the political space - especially that which belongs to the Opposition. In the Opposition ring - particularly in a semi-dictatorship like Malaysia -fighters are needed. Really tough ones. So like their counterparts in the MCA, DAP boys and girls should move on to the corporate scene where they can make more money although they won't enjoy so much fame. But stop wasting the precious 5-year mandates of the people. Do not repeat the non-achievement of the elder leaders and keep Malaysia forever floundering in Umno's ever-increasingly vicious cycle.

The acid test is simple. There is nothing hazy about this. For example, what is the point of raising motion after motion on the haze? What real or concrete result can Teo Nie Chieng or her rival Wee Ka Siong from MCA achieve here other than a fleeting puff for themselves? Face it, even Singapore strongman Lee Hsien Loong and his dad Lee Kuan Yew are powerless to reduce the haze in their precious republic.

Malaysian Opposition leaders should be honest and ask themselves - do the people want them to keep pointing out corruption case after corruption case, one cheating scam after another, haze year in and year out but at the end of the day be the same powerless people unable to make a real or concrete difference? We see Pakatan leaders at risk of failing in their primary duty, we believe they may lose sight of the main goal because of their desire for the fluff, and a good example is Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa who was apparently so terrified of being left out from Parliament that he broke party line to attend a briefing that was boycotted by the rest of the Opposition.

Really, what is the point of being in the fight if the Opposition is only making the motions of trying to win the federal government. Just yesterday Pakatan could not even stop Najib from cheating again in the secret ballot for the Speaker. And yet some of the Pakatan MPs have brazenly and a tad arrogantly declared their 'priority' to 'solve' the issue of the haze and to 'combat' the even more complex matter of corruption!

Seems to us that all the Umno-BN needs to do is to just threaten arrests, label an issue or event illegal and that's the last you see of some of these so-called "brave but at the same time kiasu" leaders from the Opposition! We say why should Malaysians vote for 'kiasu' leaders at all - be they from the Pakatan or the BN?

Round and round in circles

It takes a lot to be called a hero but what Malaysians need and deserve are heroes in their Opposition. This is the sad fact of politics. So do wake up, Pakatan. Also, wake up Malaysian voters. There is no doubt the so-called drastic responses that Anwar had tried to initiate are vital.

To stay relevant, some in the Pakatan - and they know who they are - must look at new strategies and stop the hot gas and rhetoric to mask their sheer political cowardice - no one is fooled! Look in the mirror and stop tricking themselves and the people. All Tony Puas in this world could never stop the corruption in KLIA2 or in the ministry of defense if they continue to keep their heads buried in the sand!

Instead, the cheating and corruption only increases because as Tony and his Pakatan colleagues including Rafizi Ramli holler out the Umno-BN's worst secrets, it is not in the least bit scared! Umno-BN leaders don't care at all because they know - as proven in the past 5 years - that Pakatan can blow the whistle as much as they like but they can't do anything more than that. So who wins then, and who loses? The answer is pretty obvious - Umno-BN gets the illicit cash, Pakatan gets the publicity, the people lose.

Really, the time has come to stop being 'clever children'. Political prodigies are a waste of time. Malaysia is near bankruptcy and no one has time for 'smart-alec' stories that yield no concrete results in the end.

So what can Pakatan do?

Pakatan will have to go back to basics and try to learn from the examples of other countries that managed to shake off the shackles of political dictatorships.

Let's have a quick look at just one. Let's go to South America and take a look at Brazil where the citizens have marched on the streets, blocked roads and halted traffic in more than a half-dozen cities, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Brasilia, as well as swarming past the Congress and Presidential Palace because of a hike in transport fares from 3.00 to 3.20.

We highlight this example because like in Malaysia, the ruling politicians in Brazil only defend their own interests, wasting public funds and unlawfully enriching themselves while the various law enforcement officials are known to be equally as corrupt. However, the economy is active. Money is easy to earn and the ordinary people there can still manage to get a small slice of the economic pie. Hence, it is easy to close an eye on the new government which had inherited the sound economy from ex-President Lula. But the new government, like Najib's, has failed to sustain real or developmental growth and has to keep on spending without having priorities in order to hide the truth from the people.

If the Brazil protests were just about transport fares, few would be taking notice. But the fare increase was merely the last straw –there were so many issues that had outraged the Brazilians. Ultimately, it all boils down to “their dissatisfaction and total disbelief in politicians.” This was why the protest became so massive - enough to pressure a real solution, if not a complete change in government.

Sense of urgency vital

Street protests are not the only way. Sometimes, street demos are counter-productive because they make the ruling regime more authoritarian, resolute, vigilant and inventive in maintaining the status quo. Unless massive enough, street demonstrations are seldom enough to constitute a serious threat to the regime's survival.

At the moment, the Black 505 peaceful gatherings are not a threat and cannot spark any immediate governmental changes. But they sure make a helluva statement. And with the right approach and development, Black 505 can be used to harness enormous public support plus an all-important sense of urgency that is still sorely lacking despite Malaysia being in a really precarious position - socially, democratically and economically.

The lesson to take home from the Brazilian example is that the focus of their protests was on "collective grievances”, not just about transport fares. For the Black 505 gatherings here, the focus was on the “common grievances” suffered by voters due to the lack electoral reforms and the frauds perpetrated during the election. The scope of Black 505 can easily be expanded because the chest of wrongdoings of the UMNO-BN is too deep and way too wide.

And another key point is that the Black 505 must retain its core feature of being a peaceful gathering. Given the amiable nature of the Malaysian people plus the good track of the rallies held so far, this should not be beyond the organizers.

Mass civil pressure exerted peacefully, with dignity and regularly can achieve dramatic results. There is no need for the violence of the Arab uprisings to bring about change here. All it takes is for Malaysians to keep repeating their demands to the government in a very VISIBLE way - stop the nonsense. Enough is enough!

How to fight a 'law unto itself'

In Malaysia, where Umno is dominant, it is almost impossible to change the government through the ballot box because of the past gerrymandering by unscrupulous people including Mahathir Mohamad and even Abdullah Badawi.

However, the Umno legacy of “collective grievances” inflicted onto the rest of the country may in the end be its own undoing. This is the crucial common denominator that unites 51% of Malaysians against them.

The second tie is the social media network that helped to communicate down the line the latest developments and happenings in the Opposition, uniting it with the people of the county and the rest of the world.

Without freedom of speech and a free press, the Umno-BN government could take any action or make any laws it wants unobserved by its own people and the outside world.

It is ironic that in GE13, Pakatan has won 7 more seats and taken 51% of the popular vote while Umno-BN has slid further. Yet over the next 5 years, the going will be tougher for Pakatan than for Umno-BN.

The call is very clear for greater courage from the Pakatan. It not yet time for it to rest on its laurels and to 'enjoy' the fruits of its hard work yet. Otherwise, Malaysians voters will dump Pakatan in GE14 for not doing enough to fulfill their primary request - which is to take over the federal government and make real, broad-based, structural reforms to save this country.

The test before the Pakatan MPs as they doll themselves up to take their oaths at Parliament is far greater than for Umno-BN, which by now is practically a law unto itself and therefore lawless. Umno leaders have managed to get away scot-free despite all the outrageous tricks and stunts they pulled the past 5 years.

So Pakatan MPs, especially the 'boys and girls', please get savvy and learn 'guerrilla warfare' real fast because you will now be fighting a completely lawless and amoral entity.

Malaysia Chronicle

Monday, June 24, 2013

Speaker’s appointment 'unconstitutional'

Former Sabah BN leader Pandikar Amin Mulia has been appointed again as speaker of the Dewan Rakyat after a vote among members of parliament today.

Pandikar defeated Pakatan Rakyat’s nominee Abdul Kadir Sulaiman, polling 133 votes against 89 as required under Standing Order 4(3), when more than one name is nominated.

However, PAS's Sepang member of parliament and the party's veteran legal advisor said Pandikar’s appointment was unconstitutional.

According to Hanipa Maidin, the requirement that MPs write their names on the ballot papers during the voting process violated Standing Order 4(4), which calls for secret ballot.

“Together with a few MPs from PR, I stood up in protest at the parliament secretary because the process of electing the Speaker was not conducted through guaranteed ballot secrecy,” Hanipa told Harakahdaily.

Hanipa (left) said the manner in which parliamentary rules had been compromised to appoint the Speaker was not much different from how the Election Commission violated electoral laws in the indelible ink fiasco during the recent general election.

PAS vice president and Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar meanwhile questioned the need to jot down one's name and signature on the ballot paper.

“Does the prime minister not trust his own MPs?” he asked.

However, BN's Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin shot back at PR for disputing Pandikar’s appointment.

“Pakatan suggests 'neutral' speaker in Parliament [because] they know they don't have numbers. Hence PR stunt. In Selangor, they picked YB Hannah (Yeoh),' he said on Twitter.

PR’s earlier call to appoint PAS’s Tumpat MP Kamaruddin Jaffar as deputy speaker was also dashed. Khairy argued PR had failed to submit its candidate's name within the deadline.

At today's opening of the parliament, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee and Kuala Krau MP Ismail Mohamed Said were appointed deputy speakers. -HD

Calls grow to name and shame haze makers

Calls have emerged for action to be taken against culprits behind the worst ever air pollution crisis in the country following worsening haze condition in the Klang Valley and surrounding areas.

PAS urged Environment minister G. Palanivel to expose the Malaysian companies which Indonesia earlier said were culprits behind the current crisis.

The party's environment bureau chief Zulkefly Mohamad Omar argued that the move could force drastic actions to be taken by all stakeholders to stop the crisis for the sake of public health.

Zulkefly said the people’s health and security should remain top priority for Palanivel.

Earlier, DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng hit out at Palanivel for showing more concerns on a pair of Pandas from China due to arrive in Malaysia, when he appeared at a signing ceremony on the matter even as millions of Johoreans struggled with haze.

Last weekend, Indonesian Environment minister Balthasar Kambuaya named 8 Malaysian companies as responsible for forest burning in Riau and Jambi.

The eight are PT Langgam Inti Hiberida, PT Bumi Rakksa Sejati, PT Tunggal Mitra Plantation, PT Udaya Loh Dinawi, PT Adei Plantation, PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa, PT Multi Gambut Industri and PT Mustika Agro Lestari.

In an immediate response, Health minister S Subramanian said Indonesian authorities should take swift action against the haze culprits.

"I urge Indonesian authorities to take swift action, even against Malaysian companies who are responsible. It is not a natural disaster but it is a man made disaster caused by irresponsible people," Malaysiakini quoted him as saying. -HD

Defiant EC say 'we are not going anywhere'

Despite mounting pressure for their resignation, embattled Election Commission deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (pic) said he and his colleagues were staying put.

“EC will not budge with the illogical demand. We will not give in. No need to continue with rallies causing hardship to people and others because EC is staying firm with its decision,” said Wan Ahmad.

He was responding to the Blackout 505 rally in Padang Merbok which attracted some 30,000 people despite worsening haze condition.

The rally last Saturday called for Wan Ahmad and his boss Abdul Aziz Yusof's resignation as well as for a postponement of the constituency delineation exercise.

The rally was followed up by young activists and students from Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) who set up their tents at Padang Merbok, vowing to stay there until the opening of the 13th parliamentary session, which is due today.

"They (the new members of parliament) sometimes do not know how redelineation is done, they are only following the old MPs. The matter has its own procedures, not decided by EC, the commission can only recommend, those who are not happy can protest,” said Wan Ahmad defiantly.

At PR’s leadership convention yesterday, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said there would be no more Blackout rallies by the opposition but said the campaign against electoral fraud would continue.

"We cannot deny that majority of rakyat rejected UMNO and BN," said Anwar, alluding to PR's victory in terms of popular votes.

"(But) it is the system that allowed them to remain in power. But we cannot concede,” the Permatang Pauh MP was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini. -HD

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

MCA says alcohol drinking is against Buddhism

MCA has angrily spoken out against the opening of a global bar franchise branch in Kota Kinabalu which uses the name 'Buddha' on its business.

The party, which in the past had lashed out at the Kelantan state government over its curbs on gambling and open sale of alcoholic beverages, also described the act of drinking alcohol as being against the teachings of Buddhism, the predominant religion followed by Malaysia's Chinese community.

"Drinking alcohol is not only a violation of the Five Precepts of Buddhism but this act also goes against the five thousand years of Buddhist culture. This is common sense to anyone with a basic understanding of world religion," said Heng Seai Kie, MCA's deputy secretary and publicity bureau chairman.

The rare condemnation of a liquor-serving outlet by the Chinese-only party followed the protest by Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) over Buddha Bar's use of not only the name of the revered figure in its name, but also the use of Buddhist statues as decoration.

"I urge the Kota Kinabalu City Hall to take prompt action to withdraw the establishment’s operating permit," Heng added.

Heng, who in February accused then Kelantan Menteri Besar Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat of endorsing rape of women who are not dressed modestly, said being a "devout Buddhist", she found the name "Buddha Bar" as disrespectful of the revered Buddha and "detrimental to the holiness of Buddhism".



Earlier, YBAM launched the “Say No to Buddha Bar” campaign, and urged Buddhists in the country "to protest persistently and continuously until the business owners stop using 'Buddha' as their business name and Buddha images and statues as decorative items in the bar".

"To fellow Malaysians, please show our respect to the religious beliefs of each other. While we respect the rights of a certain section of Malaysians to alcoholic drinking, this should be done without hurting the religious rights of others including abuse the usage of Buddha’s name and Buddhist labels and symbols," the group said. -HD

Time to look at GST, says tax expert

The goods and services taxes has been “misunderstood” by the public, a tax expert said today, stressing that there was a need to relook the controversial system now that polls were over.

“All countries in Asia have implemented the GST except Myanmar and Malaysia. This is not a good comparison for us to make,” said Jennifer Chang, senior executive of PricewaterhouseCoopers Tax Services at the Perdana Leadership Foundation CEO Forum 2013.

Chang said the GST was the only way in which the government could ensure all its citizens paid taxes evenly.

“Only one million out of 29 million Malaysians pay taxes now. All those people driving the big, beautiful cars – some of them are probably evading taxes, and the GST is the most efficient way of collecting the taxes from them.”

But she said the government had failed to “market” the GST effectively enough to the people, and this was why it had dragged its feet in the implementation.

“The problem of not implementing it faster was because of the general election. In Australia, after the government implemented the GST, they lost the election,” she said, to laughs from the audience.

But now that the polls were over, the time was ripe to talk about the GST seriously, she said.

“GST has been misunderstood by the public, and we need to properly market these taxes so that the public understand what it is all about,” said Chang.

She rubbished the misconception that the price of goods would increase dramatically in the wake of the GST, saying that common goods such as milk would be exempted from the tax.

“This tax exemption will ensure it doesn’t hurt the common person so much,” she said.

-FMT

Singapore, Indonesia tussle over haze problem

Smog from forest fires in Indonesia stayed at unhealthy levels in Singapore on Tuesday as the two neighbours blamed each other for the seasonal problem.

Singapore’s Pollutant Standards Index stood at 115 as offices opened — still above the “unhealthy” threshold of 100 but down from the peak reached late Monday when the entire island was shrouded by a smoky haze.

Most commuters walked in bright sunshine on Tuesday without covering their faces despite the lingering smell of burnt wood in the business district.

The Ministry of Manpower has urged employers to issue protective masks to staff with heart and respiratory problems, and those working outdoors. The elderly and children have also been told to reduce strenuous outdoor activity.

The pollutant index soared to a peak of 155 late Monday, the highest since Southeast Asia’s prolonged haze crisis in 1997-1998, but eased off overnight.

On Monday, Singapore urged Indonesia to take “urgent measures” to tackle its forest fires as smoke blown from Sumatra island choked the densely populated city-state as well as parts of Malaysia.

But the Indonesian forestry ministry said firefighters were already tackling the blazes and water-dropping aircraft would be deployed if local governors made a request.

A ministry official, Hadi Daryanto, also attempted to shift some of the blame onto Malaysia and Singapore, saying their palm oil companies that had invested in Indonesia were also responsible.

“The slash-and-burn technique being used is the cheapest land-clearing method and it is not only used by local farmers, but also employees of palm oil investors including Singaporean and Malaysian companies,” he said.

“We hope the governments of Malaysia and Singapore will tell their investors to adopt proper measures so we can solve this problem together.”

But Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s minister for environment and water resources, kept up the pressure on Indonesia.

In remarks carried Tuesday by Singapore media, he said “commercial interests in Indonesia have been allowed to override environmental concerns.”

He repeated an offer of help from Singapore, which has a modern military and civil defence system including firefighters.

The Singapore military came to Indonesia’s aid after Aceh province was devastated by a tsunami in 2004.

-AFP

PAS makes Saturday's rally in KL compulsory for members

All PAS members have been urged to attend the Blackout505 rally this June 22 in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur to press for the resignation of Election Commission members following its controversial management of the May 5 general election.

PAS vice president Husam Musa reminded that it was the decision by the Islamic party's central leadership to participate in the rally.

“Our intention is to put an end to electoral fraud and those who are involved in the fraud must take responsibility,” said Husam.

The Kelantan state assemblyman said while PAS accepted its recent losses, it would not allow frauds documented in the recent elections to continue.

“PAS accepts defeat but we can never accept lies and wrongdoings. They are two different things,” he said.

Husam urged all Pakatan Rakyat parties to continue to speak out against electoral frauds.

The series of Blackout rallies was launched two days after the general election and saw more than 100,000 gathering in Petaling Jaya on May 8.

The protest rally soon took a life of its own, travelling nationwide with a message to EC's leadership to quit.

Husam said any failure to end wrongdoings this time would mean the same fraud being repeated in the next elections.

“If EC chief does not resign, then (Prime Minister) Najib (Razak) must resign.

"Better if they both resign," he quipped. -HD

Najib vs Mahathir: Who will survive, who will bite the dust?

Najib vs Mahathir: Who will survive, who will bite the dust?How do you feel when someone keeps breathing down your neck, nagging, criticizing and meddling with your work right from the day you start work?

Well, if you want to know, 'tanya Najib'. Yes, ask Prime Minister Najib Razak because that must be how he is feeling all this while. And worse still, the person doing the heavy breathing is not Mongolian beauty Altantuya Shaariibuu or wife Rosmah Mansor but Mahathir Mohamad!

Yes, Mahathir or Dr M the former prime minister - hard as nails and some say ruthlessness personified - who defeated all other pretenders to his throne including Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh and Anwar Ibrahim. Dr M also removed Abdullah Badawi from power even though he had handpicked Badawi to succeed him. And this was how Najib came to power - given the green light from Mahathir to replace Badawi..

Yes, the old man was that powerful. Remember Tun Salleh Abas who was unceremoniously sacked as Chief Judge. Even the Malay Rulers lost their immunity against prosecution! It was then that dazzled by his own power, Mahathir began ruling the country like his own property, arbitrarily helping his sons and cronies to amass wealth beyond imagination.

By comparison Najib, and for that matter Badawi too, have not been able to match the mega structures built by Mahathir, such as the still half-full office blocks at the Petronas Twin Towers, the money-swallowing F1 Circuit, the far from perfect Putrajaya and the ever rising tolls for using our highways.

Up till now, Najib has failed to eke out any real or lasting transformation programs despite having the gall and vanity to encourage the people to call him Bapa Transformasi or the Father of Transformation!

However, in gravy train department, neither Najib nor Badawi have been slouches. While they may not be able to drive the gravy train as well Mahathir and his sons, they too have supped and feasted well on the largesse that comes with near absolute power.

Fed up of Dr M's backseat driving

About to begin his second term as PM - if he is not thrown out as Umno president in the party's elections later this year - there are signs Najib is now fed up with being in Mahathir's shadow. He wants to be his own man but is not sure how. He wants to claim his own right as the elected Prime Minister, but is afraid Mahathir might get upset and squash him to death like a pesky fly.

No wonder Najib is feeling peeved and rather insecure with all the recent talk of removing him from power in UMNO and taking out a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament. Obviously, Najib must feel he must do something and do it fast.

He probably reckons his trump card was leading UMNO/BN to win the 13th general election. Whether it was by hook or by crook, UMNO-BN has won and UMNO has the biggest number of seats - 88 out of 133 to boot. To him, this took place at a time when the country has not been doing too well in every aspect; UMNO was in big trouble due to its never-ending infighting and scandals, while the BN component parties were in shambles too. Above all, the Opposition was the strongest ever. Could Mahathir win the GE-13 or for that matter all the previous elections if faced with the same problems?

And from here, the seed grows, a bulb suddenly lights up for Najib. Why not stand up to Mahathir and then inherit all the devious and lucrative ramifications already set up by the older man.

Of course for now, Najib and strategists will try to walk silently like Ninjas, delivering the killer blow when they are ready and without Mahathir even realising it. But wily old fox as he is, Mahathir may already be two steps ahead in this cloak-and-dagger game that he excels in.

Right time, right place

Mahathir was fortunate to be at the right place in the right time when the world’s economic growth was at its peak. Malaysia had lots of funds and needed infrastructure development while the Opposition was divided! Of course there were two economic recessions, but Malaysia still had the resources and national was nowhere near the record level it now is.

Yes, Mahathir can boast that he did it his way but what about replaying the script today amid the current shortage of funds, which has forced Najib has to consider imposing the unpopular GST?

Within UMNO, the camps are divided. Some say that there are reasons for Najib to be removed from power, but there are just as many who think he deserves a second chance.

This is what Najib is banking on. His strategists and media are playing it to hilt- from trying to win him sympathy and making him appear the 'good guy' to Mahathir's 'bad guy', they are going for broke.

Najib's chances

But how strong are Najib's chances of retaining the UMNO presidency and premiership? With Mahathir's help - which would mean Najib and the rest of the country would have to endure the old's man bullying and bitching for another 5 years till the next GE - it is certain he will be able to maintain his positions.

The question is - what about without Mahathir? Can Najib take on other Umno rivals who are supported by Mahathir from behind the scenes for whatever Machiavellian reasons that Mahathir has? Chances are that in such an event, Najib would have to retire real early.

Could this be why Najib's camp bizarrely leaked false news that he was to meet with Anwar in Jakarta? Was Najib trying to tell Mahathir, 'hey, if you want fo fight, OK I too have a smoking gun!' Or was Najib merely trying to play 'good guy' to Mahathir's 'bad guy'? When one considers the enormity of the implications, which would involve a unity government, chances are higher Najib was trying to tell Mahathir he can also play hard ball.

Then what's next? Face it, for those who hope for national reconciliation, it definitely won't come from Najib who can be expected to want the same unquestioned power that Mahathir wielded.

Anwar was just a means to an end. In any case, given Anwar's mega popularity, he is too risky a rival for Najib to strike a deal with. Already, Anwar has won himself the tag of being the 'People's Prime Minister' - something that Najib cannot be too happy about!

So what else can Najib do?

Well, he can just ignore Mahathir but this will only make Mahathir more determined to keep nagging and interfering. Not to mention, insisting on taking the driver's seat on the UMNO gravy train. Which perhaps Rosmah might also want.

Najib can also ask his supporters to confront or counter attack Mahathir but Mahathir has instructed his supporters to do the same against Najib. Yes, Mahathir's son Mukhriz - the newly-minted Kedah Mentri Besar - has said he will back Najib to remain as PM and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin to stay as DPM. But remember, nothing is cast in stone and Mahathir is the master of last-minute sleights of hand!

In short, Najib will have to use all available ways to fight Mahathir. In the coming weeks and months to the UMNO internal election, Malaysians can expect 'movie' after 'movie', 'drama' after 'drama' although most of these will tend to be either disaster flicks or outrageous comedies.

After all Mahathir has so many ways and resources at his disposal. And he is so experienced in this type of guerilla warfare. Not to mention, former sidekick Daim Zainuddin is never to far away to offer diabolical schemes and plots if the need really arises to evict the Najibs from Putrajaya.

Finally, Najib can also seek the help of some ’bomohs‘ (spell casters) as he was previously reported to have done to secure the PM's post. Rosmah too is watching like a hawk. After all she stands to lose all the status, the kow-towing, the glamor, the charging of expenses to the PM's Office, as well as spending public cash if Najib is ousted.

Will Najib survive or bite the dust

So will Najib be ousted? And who will replace him? Will it be Razaleigh but does he really have enough support to win a no-confidence vote against Najib when Parliament convenes later this month? At this point in time, there is more doubt than confidence that the Kelantan prince will finally get to achieve his dream of becoming PM.

"Ku Li will need Mahathir's support, that's for sure. But will Mahathir forgive and forget so easily? We think it is not impossible but only if Najib makes a wrong move and gets Mahathir all uptight and worried. Two desperate men, and I mean Ku Li and Dr M, can easily defeat Najib but how desperate is Dr M to form an alliance with Ku Li," a political source told Malaysia Chronicle.

Or will Najib's replacement be Muhyiddin? Yes, Muhyiddin lacks charisma but a lot of those who have worked with him says he is capable of reasonable output. With Home Minister Zahid Hamidi roped in to provide the charm (Umno-style anyway), Muhyiddin cannot be written off. But a dark horse, he will remain.

So, by and large, these are the players. As the drama staged by the Najib camp unfolds and is countered and feinted by his rivals, Malaysians can look forward to a lot of laughs in the weeks ahead. Intrigue is set to bust the UMNO ceiling!

Malaysia Chronicle

EC chief finally admits ink fiasco

EC chief finally admits ink fiascoAfter defending itself in the indelible ink fiasco during the recent general election where it was found that the ink could be easily removed, Election Commission chief Abdul Aziz Yusuf has acknowledged the embarrassing episode, indirectly admitting his failure.

“If people ask me now, what is the most saddening episode in my life, I will say indelible ink,” Aziz (pic) told Malay daily Sinar Harian today in an exclusive interview.

However, he stopped short of explaining why the indelible ink had caused so much sadness to him.

The discovery that the ink could be washed off from one's skin started during the advance voting stage after voters showed how the ink could be removed, contradicting EC’s earlier claim that it would last for seven days.

Following a public uproar, EC then held a public demonstration on May 2 to prove that ink could last, with its secretary Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria washing his finger several times for the camera.

However, on May 5, voters took to the net to show the indelible ink could be easily removed, and gave way to widespread anger accusing the EC of masterminding electoral fraud to ensure victory for BN. The Commission had defended itself claiming that it was obliged to limit the content of silver nitrate in the ink as instructed by the Health ministry.

But earlier this month, the Health ministry denied the claim, saying it had not been consulted. -HD

Aussie PM accused of ‘showing cleavage’

Aussie PM accused of ‘showing cleavage’
The ABC has defended the broadcast of allegations that Prime Minister Julia Gillard was disrespecting the nation by showing cleavage in federal Parliament.

Fairfax columnist and industrial relations consultant Grace Collier told a panel discussion on ABC Radio National on Sunday that it was wrong to show so much flesh during parliamentary sittings as it was an issue of workplace conduct.

In the latest case to trigger claims of prejudice against Ms Gillard as a female leader, Ms Collier made the comments while discussing last week’s Howard Sattler controversy.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for a Prime Minister to be showing her cleavage in Parliament,” the Australian Financial Review columnist said during the Outsiders panel segment.

“It’s not something I want to see. In my opinion as an industrial relations consultant, it is inappropriate to be in Parliament, it is disrespectful to yourself and to the Australian community and to the parliament to present yourself in a manner that is unprofessional.

“In every Australian workplace we have certain standards of presentation and conduct. It’s not just about personal presentation. It's about conduct.”

Her comments were immediately howled down by the other people on the show, saying she was a right-winger, a claim Ms Collier denied.

Feminist and social commentator Eva Cox defended Ms Gillard and criticised Ms Collier.

“I think you are showing a considerable prejudice against a woman who dresses quite conservatively, very reasonably,” she said.

Ms Collier said: “I don’t want to see any politician’s flesh in Parliament.”

Ms Cox said: “Men don’t have breasts to show.”

Ms Collier said: “Some do, and they’re well covered.”

Show host Jonathan Green later promoted the episode on Twitter, saying it was “lively”.

An ABC spokeswoman said Ms Collier was not an employee and the observations were strongly rejected by the rest of the panel.

“The RN audience is capable of weighing different views and perspectives when aired during a live debate,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard declined to comment.

However, a senior Labor source said Ms Collier “should crawl back into the gutter she came from’’.

The comments come amid Parliament’s gender wars after Fairfax radio host Howard Sattler was sacked last week after asking Ms Gillard whether her partner Tim Mathieson was gay because he was a male hairdresser.

Daily Telegraph columnist Piers Akerman also came under fire yesterday over an appearance on ABC’s Insiders.

Akerman said Sattler’s behaviour was the “most stupid thing he had ever heard on public broadcasting” and that the rumours had circulated in the Canberra press gallery since 2010.

‘‘A lot of people in the Canberra gallery have been saying the same thing ,’’ he said.

Host Barrie Cassidy criticised the comment.

“You’ve just done precisely what Howard Sattler did and passed on rumours and that’s just as pathetic, quite frankly,’’ he said.

Akerman later denied passing on rumours, saying he was just pointing out how wrong Sattler was to air the rumours when the press gallery had not.

At the end of the show, Akerman said: ‘‘If the Prime Minister is watching, as she usually does, I hope she hasn’t taken any offence at anything I’ve said this morning.’’

Mr Sattler yesterday said he may enter politics and run against Defence Minister Stephen Smith in WA in the September election.

- News.com.au

MRT lines may cover Putrajaya

The second and third lines of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is expected to serve Putrajaya, MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Azhar Abdul Hamid said today.

He said the Land Public Transport Commission was preparing a working paper with regard to the new lines which would be presented to the government for approval.

“We are expecting good news (approval from the government) by year-end,” he told reporters after visiting MRT’s centralised labour quarters (CLQ).

Azhar said the working paper by the commission would cover the second and third lines of the MRT but the execution would depend on the government if it wants to implement both lines simultaneously or one after the other.

He also said the second line may ply between Sungai Buloh and Putrajaya but, however, nothing has been finalised.

On the CLQ, Azhar said the centre would cater for the accommodation requirement of foreign workers and a small percentage of local personnel.

At the peak of the MRT construction, about 13,000 workers are expected to be deployed in the project.

MRT would build four centres for approximately RM100 million to accommodate 12,000 workers in Sungai Buloh, Cochrane, Cheras and Kajang.

Besides accommodation, the CLQ would also house a surau, health bay, cafeteria, recreation area, several sundry shops and the state-of-the art security system activated by face recognition.

The first line of the MRT project is expected to be completed in July 2017 and it will have the maximum capacity to ferry 400,000 passengers daily with a catchment area of 1.2 million living along the Sungai Buloh-Kajang stretch.

- Bernama

Monday, June 17, 2013

'Boundary Commission' mooted to oversee redelineation exercise

A think-tank has proposed the setting up of a Boundary Commission to supervise the redelineation of constituencies, saying the task should not be left solely to the embattled Election Commission.

Political Studies for Change (KPRU) said that its research showed that such a commission is present in most countries including Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada and India, in reviewing and redrawing election boundaries "fairly and efficiently".

The group cited New Zealand's seven-member Representation Commission which includes the Surveyor-General, limiting role of politicians in the exercise.

KPRU said allegations of massive frauds in the recent 13th general election had led to worries that the impending redelineation exercise by the EC would not be done in a transparent manner.

"Hence, in KPRU’s point of view, EC is no longer eligible to carry out electoral constituencies redelineation. Segregation of duties is needed and the EC should instead focusing on the implementation of a clean, free and fair election at both federal and state levels," it added.

Last month, director of University of Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Elections, Redzuan Othman, warned that the next redelineation exercise by the EC could see more seats carved out of Felda settlements in an effort to deliver more parliamentary seats to the BN, which narrowly won the recent polls.

According to the Federal Constitution, a period of at least eight years is imposed between two redelineation exercises, and a two-year mandatory deadline for the process to be completed.

However, getting the redelineation to be approved this time could be a problem since it needs two-third parliamentary support which the ruling coalition lost after 2008. -HD

US, West react after 64-year old Rouhani wins big in Iran

TEHRAN, Jun 16: The United States has said that it is prepared to engage Iran directly over its disputed nuclear programme after Hassan Rouhani was declared the country's new president.

The White House said on Saturday such engagement would be aimed at reaching a "diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community's concerns about Iran's nuclear programme".

Iran's president-elect earlier urged world powers to speak to his country with respect and acknowledge its rights in order to receive an appropriate response, as he hailed his election as a "victory of moderation over extremism".

"A new opportunity has been created by this great epic, and the nations who tout democracy and open dialogue should speak to the Iranian people with respect and recognise the rights of the Islamic Republic," Rouhani said.

However, while the West welcomed his conciliatory tones, Israel reacted to Rouhani's win by saying it was Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who had so far decided on nuclear policy, not the president.

"After the elections, Iran will continue to be judged by its actions, in the nuclear sphere as well as on the issue of terror," the foreign ministry said in a written statement after Rouhani was elected.

Britain's Foreign Office called on Rouhani to take Iran on a different course and highlighted concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, its relationship with the international community and its human rights policy as areas where improvement was required.

France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the European nation was ready to work with Rouhani on issues ranging from Tehran's nuclear drive to the conflict in Syria.

The key opposition Syrian National Coalition umbrella grouping urged the president-elect to review his country's support for the Syrian government.

"The Syrian National Coalition believes that it is its duty to call on the new president of Iran to rectify the mistakes made by the Iranian leadership," the group said on Saturday, in reference to Tehran's staunch backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Jack Straw, Britain's former foreign secretary who dealt with Rouhani during nuclear negotiations from 2003 to 2005, called Rouhani a "very experienced diplomat and politician" who was "tough but fair".

The West hopes that the former chief nuclear negotiator's concilatory statements will lead to talks on Iran's nuclear programme, which it suspects is aimed at building nuclear weapons. However, Iran insists it is for peaceful purposes like generating energy.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Saturday that she was committed to working with newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on finding a solution to Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

The White House said in a written statement it respected the will of the Iranian people and congratulated them for taking part in the election, praising "their courage in making their voices heard."

It said the vote on Friday was held amid lack of transparency, censorship of the media, the Internet and text messages, and "an intimidating security environment that limited freedom of expression and assembly".

"However, despite these government obstacles and limitations, the Iranian people were determined to act to shape their future," it said.

"It is our hope that the Iranian government will heed the will of the Iranian people and make responsible choices that create a better future for all Iranians. -HD

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Sabah opposition divided on ‘chief whip’

Now that the 60 elected assemblymen have been sworn in, the next big question here is who will be the chief opposition whip when the Sabah Legislative Assembly (DUN) begins its sitting on Monday?

After a long time, the DUN will see just over 20% of its seats occupied by the opposition – peninsular-based Pakatan Rakyat and local boy Sabah State Reform Party (STAR).

Pakatan’s PKR and DAP won 12 seats while STAR took away one from Barisan Nasional. In the 2008 general election BN only lost one seat to DAP.

As of yesterday, when the 60 took their oath before the Speaker Salleh Said Keruak, there was still no news on who it will be.

Speculations are however rife that it will be either Klias assemblyman Lajim Ukin or Tamaparuli representative Wilfred Bumburing.

Both are not actual PKR members but stood on the party ticket in the May 5 general elections.

Lajim and Bumburing have their own respective political platforms – PPPS and APS – which are awaiting registration.

Both of them quit Umno and Upko respectively last July and threw their contentious support behind PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The Sabah Pakatan opposition bloc is however divided over Lajim and Bumburing.

Lajim had told reporters that the opposition representatives will be meeting soon to decide on who will lead the “team” in the august house.

“The opposition block will be meeting again and we will submit a name by Monday,” he said.

When pushed further about rumours that PKR wanted him to lead, Lajim said: “Yes, they have asked me.

“If I have everyone’s vote and given the opportunity, then I will accept the responsibility.”

Lajim, who was once a Sabah deputy chief minister, said the opposition bloc would closely monitor the the government’s actions.

“We will speak for the people and point out any weaknesses,” he said.

Meanwhile Salleh when asked about the increased opposition voice in DUN said it “won’t make a difference”.

“I believe there will be a healthy debate among all members of the House and they are free to share their views as long as it is conducted professionally based on the Standing Order,” he said.

Asked about the “unprecedented” position of Opposition Leader, Salleh said it was not a procedural matter and was based on ‘conventional selection’.

“If they (opposition reps) want to do so, they are free to submit a proposal to us and action will be taken according to their terms.

“But to date, they have yet to submit anything to us,” he said. -FMT

'Whither the war against crime?'

Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament Tony Pua has voiced concern over the increasing incidents of robberies in public places in Klang Valley.

"Has the Klang Valley descended into a state of lawlessness with near nightly incidence of audacious robberies in public areas? Or is this still an issue of 'perception'?" asked Pua, taking a jibe at the former Home minister Hishamuddin Hussein's claim that high crime rate was a matter of perception.

Pua recalled three incidents of armed gang robberies at three eateries since last week. They include in a steamboat restaurant in Cheras where some 70 patrons were robbed by a 10-member gang, as well as in Kepong and Kajang in the past two nights.

"In fact the situation got so ridiculous last night that these gang of 8 to 10 armed robbers can rob 2 eateries and then proceeded to enjoy and binge themselves at a local pub, following which they refused to pay and robbed the pub cashier as well!" said Pua.

Pua asked whether the much trumpeted 'war against crime' declared by the prime minister and the newly appointed inspector general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had started.

"If the Prime Minister and the new IGP is serious about this 'war against crime', they must implement the key recommendations of the 2005 Royal Commission of Inquiry recommendations for the Royal Malaysian Police," he added, repeating calls for the implementation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.

Pua lamented that the structure of the police remained the same and ill-prepared to fighting crime, with only 9% of the force in crime-fighting task, while 41% in management functions and 31% in anti-riot and public order roles.

"This is consistent with the fact that the new IGP seems more preoccupied in a war against civil society activists and Pakatan Rakyat leaders under the Peaceful Assembly and Sedition Acts to clamp down on anti-BN dissent, as opposed to putting up a 'real' war against crime," Pua stressed.

Earlier, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Lee Lam Thye said criminals were on the loose due to poor law enforcement.

“I feel we have lagged in terms of law enforcement that strikes fear in the hearts of the criminals,” he was quoted as saying. -HD

In Malaysia, bosses happier than workers: survey

A recent survey has revealed that Malaysian bosses are happier than workers, however both are relatively happier compared to developed countries such as Australia, United States and Britain.

According to global workplace provider Regus, 80 percent of business owners enjoy their work, in comparison to 72 percent of workers who display the same spirit.

Overall, Malaysia scored 124 in the Work:Life Balance Index 2013, 4 points higher than the global average of 120.

The survey involved 26,000 professionals in more than 90 countries.

Among others, it also found that young workers enjoy their work more than the so-called 'baby boomer' generation, those born between the years 1946 and 1964.

However, their high spirits did not mean they would be loyal to their employers, warned John Roy of research firm Galoc Production Company.

“It is crucial to let them work in ways that suit them, rather than fit them to your way of doing things. Work:life balance is top of their agenda, and the tech-savvy generation view work as something you do, rather than somewhere you go,” he said. -HD

No, Dr M - it is time for Malaysians to get tough with YOU!

No, Dr M - it is time for Malaysians to get tough with YOU!The former premier’s no-holds-barred warning to Najib that it is time to get tough with the opposition again riles up the ralkyat who have been in recent pasts, unleashing their loads of criticisms and condemnations against this one man who once garnered undivided support from the entire nation.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad must be told that the opposition politicians in Malaysia are neither terrorists nor uninvited creatures of this beautiful nation. They deserve respect as much as you would expect the same for your UMNO-lama members for as long as Malaysia chooses to remain a democratic nation.

The Tun’s latest smoke-signal that the opposition politicians cannot be sparred and that it is time to get tough not only hurts the legitimate political block of PR but also implies more damage to his own UMNO-baru, let alone the citizens, the Sovereign status of this nation and the country’s reputation as a democracy.

Why should Dr M be above the law?

It is a foregone conclusion that this one man who once had the audacity to clip the powers of our revered Rulers by hoodwinking His majesty’s subjects, is very much apparently above the law. He can say anything, anywhere and anytime and yet get away with it all. Even when his words are deemed seditious and are laced with hints of treason, no law can catch up with him.

Just imaging, at an international platform – never mind the fact that the participants at the Langkawi-do (LID) were not from the developed circles of planet earth, he insults the Constitutional democracy that we preach and aspire to be.

By addressing an international community and allowing the global threads to report his statements, he is also embarrassing the very government headed by Najib.

By saying that it is time to get tough with the opposition, he is also implying that Najib is incapable of doing his job.

By condemning the opposition he is also belittling the majority of voters who cast their ballots in favor of the opposition parties. And in doing so he insults the very subjects of His Majesty DYMM Yang DiPertuan Agung.

By belittling the citizens who exercised their democratic right he is conclusively condemning the very democratic principles that he himself proclaims to protect.

Time for Dr M to take his own medicine

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad does not have a license to say whatever plagues his mind and still get away with it scot free. If a simpleton citizen can be immediately hauled up for what is deemed treason against our revered Ruler, right-minded citizens are asking how come the Tun is spared for insulting the very subjects of His Majesty.

Many citizens had in the past almost begged the Tun to be the mortar that seals the cracks between the BN and the Opposition. Many had appealed to him to be a true and blue-chip Statesman who brings honor to our nation and our Rulers.

Many too had lambasted the Tun for his divisive and disparaging views.

But all of these are not working rightly on the Tun. The general perception is that he is dead bent on keeping to his drumming war.

Why can he not dutifully be subservient to the Constitutional Monarchy and do his personal bit as a loyal subject of His Majesty and paly his part in nation-buulding and not fighting tooth-and-nail to keep his legacy intact.

It is time that we put an affirmative and decisive stop to the antics of destruction, insult and embaressment coming out from the mind of our past Prime Minister who ought to remain ‘Honorable’.

This is one man who must learn fast that he must take his own medicine – if you are not happy with what you see then use the right channels to register your protest. Do not insult citizens, King and nation at public platforms.

And if the Tun remains adamant with using his ‘above the law’ license to shoot as he pleases, then the law enforcers who are subservient to the Crown must act decisively. We cannot continue to dismiss the Tun’s continuing stabbing at the nation’s heart of democratic principles as the ‘rumblings of an old man’. -MC

Friday, June 7, 2013

Health minister: No, EC did not consult us on 'indelible' ink

The Health minister has refuted a claim by Election Commission chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof and UMNO information chief Ahmad Maslan that the 'indelible' ink used on voters in the recent polls had its silver nitrate content lowered for health reason.

The low silver nitrate in the ink had been cited as reason why the ink could disappear from voters' fingers almost immediately after being applied.

Asked whether there was indeed a medical reason for loweing silver nitrate, Health minister Dr S Subramaniam said: “I’m not sure, you must ask the Election Commission that question. If you ask whether they have asked us for any report on that, I don’t think so."

Subramaniam also said there had be no consultation with his ministry for a report on the use of the indelible ink from the medical perspective.

“If they had asked us and we had given a report, it is very different, but I don't think so...”

Aziz had claimed that the EC obtained a letter from the Health ministry warning against excessive silver nitrate in the indelible ink which could lead pose risks to kidney as well as cancer.

While Maslan had claimed it was a last minute decision to lower the level of silver nitrate for 'health reasons'.

“(This is) the first time I am hearing of this,” said Subramaniam when pointed out the claims by Aziz and Maslan.

-HD

Will Musa bar Anwar from Sabah?

Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, whose daughter Nurul Izzah was deemed a “security threat” and barred from entering Sabah last week will himself test the waters when he arrives in Kota Kinabalu tomorrow.

He is expected to attend, as chief guest, a thanksgiving party by PKR members here.The party is being hosted by the PKR’s sole Sabah parliamentarian Darell Leiking.

Anwar, who is PKR de facto leader, is also scheduled to hold closed-door meetings with Pakatan Rakyat as well as Sabah PKR leaders. The meeting will include Pakatan’s 12 freshly-elected state and three parliamentary representatives.

For the first time in Sabah, PKR managed to secure one parliament and seven state seats. Its coalition partner, DAP, doubled its parliamentary seats to two and state seats to four in May 5 general elections.

Anwar, is among several names who are reportedly barred from entering Sabah.

During the height of the controversial decision by Chief Minister Musa Aman, DAP had claimed that Anwar and other leaders – DAP national advisor Lim Kit Siang, Bersih co-chairman S Ambiga and PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli – were also on the ban list.

But Sabah state secretary Sukarti Wakiman later clarified that there was no unilateral ban on Nurul Izzah’s entry into Sabah and “no permanent ban on any other opposition leaders coming into Sabah as long as they do not pose a security threat.”

Under various constitutional guarantees, Sabah, just like Sarawak, has unfettered jurisdiction over its immigration matters including the power to bar anybody from entering the state.

Years back, a High Court in Kota Kinabalu, in an immigration case involving a top lawyer, ruled that Sabah Immigration Director, though under a Federal agency is constitutionally under the “State Authority” that is the Chief Minister.

In Nurul’s case, most observers had opined that the order to bar her from joining a state-level celebration of Tadau Kaamatan or Harvest Festival on May 30 and 31, was to avoid untoward incidence at the Hongkod Koisaan, the compound of the celebration.

It was said that local PKR, DAP and PAS members would have accompanied Nurul and Leiking to the celebration in dark t-shirts as a sign of protest of what PR leaders termed as frauds committed during the general election.

So far, there is no sign that Anwar, who had visited Sabah at least eight times last year, and a few times this year, would be barred from entering the state.

While it is not established, it is believed that members of Pakatan’s component parties would try to stage a peaceful silent protest during Anwar’s visit here this weekend.

But PKR Kadamaian assemblyman, Jeremy Uku Malajad, when contacted, said he was not aware of any such protest.

Bridge collapse: Stop the blame game

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan wants an independent “no holds barred” probe into the collapse of a uncompleted flyover ramp connecting the in-progress second Penang Bridge in Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway at Batu Maung last night.

Penang Gerakan secretary Dr Lim Boon Ben also called on all quarters to stop playing the blame game over which authority should be held responsible and accountable for the tragic incident.

“It is imperative to get to the bottom of the root causes that led to the collapse of the ramp, which caused deaths and injuries,” he said in a statement here today

He added that the authorities should also reevaluate the structures of the second bridge proper and the ramps to ensure safety.

Dr Lim said an independent body, preferably with foreign reputable consultants, should conduct both the studies.

He said three levels of government were involved in the construction of the bridge and the ramps.

Firstly, the federal and state governments are responsible for supervision, while local authorities such as public works department (PWD) and Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) monitor the construction works.

“Public safety is of paramount importance. Whoever was responsible should take the responsibility,” insisted Dr Lim.

The 30-metre wide flyover ramp structure collapsed at about 7.20pm on yesterday, according to eyewitnesses.

Four people are feared dead but until now there is no official confirmation from the authorities.

Scaffolding gave way

Confirmed however is that three people were injured in the tragic incident. Two of them were an Indonesian worker identified only as Slamat, 36, and an a Myanmar national, Tin Maung Iwin, 39. They were sent to the Penang Hospital for treatment and are in stable condition.

The third person injured was a local woman, Thilasheni Rajendran, 24, who was injured by flying debris while driving through the affected area.

Her car’s side window was shattered by a fallen beam.

The collapsed portion was part of Package 3A of the Second Penang Bridge project.

Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) public relations and communications department deputy manager Azizi Azizan has revealed that the incident occurred while concrete pouring works were ongoing.

“It collapsed when the scaffolding supporting the area gave way,” he said, adding that investigation was still going on.

Until now the search and rescue team is yet to dig out any corpse although it is feared several people may have been buried alive under the rubble.

More than the 300 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence, St Johns and Red Society, Special Team operation and Response Mechanism (Storm) have been involved in the search and rescue operation.

Was SOP observed?

Meanwhile Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to investigate the incident.

Penang branch secretary K Veeriah said the union wanted to confirm on whether acceptable safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOP) had been strictly observed in the construction works.

“It is utmost crucial especially in the construction industry for necessary safety measures to be taken seriously.

“We are shocked by recent incidences involving the construction industry,” said Veeriah referring to several industrial accidents in past few months.

An unused flyover near the Selangor Science Park 2 Interchange in Cyberjaya collapsed in March while early this month, a crane collapsed at a construction site in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

The Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin stadium in Trengganu collapsed for the second time when a steel structure holding up the roof collapsed and injured five workers in February.

During construction of the first Penang Bridge in the early 80s, some 20 workers were killed, including five workers when a crossbeam collapsed on Oct 20, 1984.

Veeriah said the contractors of the second bridge should have learnt from past industrial incidents and taken extra measures to avert such industrial accidents.

He said contractors should have carried out works during off-peak hours, closed off the particular section of road and diverted traffic using available alternative roads.

“All these measures should have been taken to protect the safety of motorists,” said Veeriah.

The second bridge is being constructed by UEM Builders Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the UEM Group Malaysia, as well as China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the China Construction & Communications Group (CCCG).

-FMT

Muhyiddin-Zahid combo emerges to seize the day in Umno?

Muhyiddin-Zahid combo emerges to seize the day in Umno: But can they win over Mahathir?When 4th prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was in power and the economic growth hovering between 6 to 7 percent, the various mega-projects he implemented drove up his popularity. Obviously, with hindsight and as the shocking expose's of corruption, abuse of power and the media to suppress information splash all over the Internet these days, Malaysians no longer care that much for the veteran leader anymore.

But at that point in time, Mahathir rode so high he did not have to spend any money to promote himself. UMNO was also strong then and the thought of any competition then was laughable. Now the UMNO we are seeing is a comedy in self-denial, propped up by false popularity, vote-rigging and an over-compliant duo at the Election Commission's top management.

6th prime minister Najib Razak, on the other hand with the country at the brink of bankruptcy, has done and is doing little more than putting old wine in new bottles via his so-called transformation initiatives. His own scandals plus his wife’s garish antics are another major bane for his strategists. It is not surprising they have to spend hundreds of millions of the country's money to promote his image. Sad to say, all those 'investments' have just about fizzled out with the conclusion of the 13th general election on May 5.

Of course, UMNO increased its seats but as Mahathir said, this does not mean that UMNO is stronger or Najib is really popular but may be due to sympathy votes from the Malays in the rural areas. It is conspicuous that Mahathir completely avoided mentioning the rampant electoral fraud in GE13, the gerrymandering that he was primarily responsible for that led to the current situation where the Opposition has 51% of the total votes cast and yet only 89 of Parliament's 222 seats.

Perhaps that was to be expected but it is in no way acceptable. Be that as it may, with that dubious result, Najib has failed to secure his position as the leader of the country and even as president of his own UMNO party, the dismal performance has sparked calls for his unseating.

Mahathir openly trying to influence party members on choice of leaders

Needless to say, this is hardly the time for Najib to consider his 'legacy'. True, there is precious little to speak of but having eked out an electoral result that is even worse than 5th prime minister Abdullah Badawi's 140 seats, Najib is now the most vulnerable UMNO president and prime minister.

The 59-year-old is at his weakest and if not for the lifeline tossed out to him by Mahathir's son Mukhriz, who a day ago said he would support a Najib-Muhyiddin Yassin combination for the UMNO No. 1 and No. 2 positions, Najib might as well just pack up his bags and go before he is thrown out in disgrace.

But how serious is Mukhriz? There are others aligned to Mahathir who have offered conflicting opinions. They make it clear that either Najib should go and make way for someone more capable, or at the very least allow the grassroots to decide his fate. With so much dissension going on, no wonder people in UMNO itself are saying the post of president will and should easily be challenged. Most members are also aware that nothing is cast in stone in politics and what Mukhriz has said can be withdrawn in a trice especially should Najib fail to 'pay' up on favors, largesse and so forth.

Frankly any of the top UMNO leaders with sufficient support and worth their salt could easily toss their hat into the ring and beat Najib flat.But sad to say, the majority just do not have the gumption to take on Mahathir. Still 'all-greedy' and 'ever-avaricious' at 87, Mahathir demands that he remains in control and pulls the strings in UMNO from behind the scenes. His political vindictiveness is also such that it is another reason why few want to take on the hassle and dangers of crossing him.

But for those who have the guts to do so, this is the moment for them!

Dog eat dog

The obvious challengers to Najib are his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin and newly-appointed Home Minister Zahid Hamidi, also an UMNO vice president. Some say Muhyiddin and Zahid are second-tier leaders but has Najib proven himself a first class leader? Was Badawi a first-class leader? How about Mahathir Mohamad?

These are questions for UMNO members to think about as they brace for a future that has begun to dim on them and might even completely shut down on them if they do make the necessary changes.

Since Mahathir has set the pace for wanting to maintain Najib as president and prime minister, Muhyiddin has to fight his way through on his own. But all is not lost because another ant hill has cropped up in UMNO's flat land in the form of Zahid Hamidi, who despite having a reputation for being somewhat of a loud mouth, also has genuine support within the party.

It is not a secret that Zahid and Muhyiddin have been partners in trying to weaken Najib. It is even more well known that Najib and Mahathir have been trying to sabotage the duo. Yes, dog eat dog - UMNO style!

While Muhyiddin has tried to portray himself as being different from Najib and has taken pains to associate himself with Mahathir, Zahid has been active behind the scenes. Like former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam, who was clearly back-stabbed in GE13 to ensure he posed no threat to Najib in the coming party poll, Zahid is good at networking and making friends 'all over the party' so to speak.

Najib's aides have also been busy spreading rumors that Zahid was behind the leaks from the Defence Ministry when he was minister there that resulted in Najib’s reputation being tarnished. But the scandals from the Scorpenes submarines, Altantuya murder, the Eurocopters, jet fighters and frigates exploded when Najib himself was still Defense minister!

Many in UMNO long for a shakeup: Is a Muhyddin-Zahid combo the answer?

The irony is that, despite the chance to rise higher in the UMNO hierarchy, Zahid has openly supported the proposal that the top two UMNO posts be left uncontested - thereby prolonging Najib's power and cutting down his own chances.

But does Zahid really mean what he says? Was he doing a "Shahrizat Jaili'? In the 2009 UMNO election, the Wanita chief had time and again insisted she would not challenge Rafidah Aziz and even told Wanita divisions she would not entertain their nominations. Yet when the time came, challenge she did and she won!

Some say Zahid and Muhyiddin are just playing 'good cop and bad cop'. And they are not wrong. Muhyiddin and Zahid are testing the waters and trying to show that they are the most suitable and compatible duo to take over the top two UMNO posts. Obviously in this combo, it will be Muhyiddin going for the presidency and Zahid the deputy presidency.

To be frank, despite the oft-repeated hype from Mahathir and the UMNO media that is now controlled by Najib that there is no suitable Malay leader other than Najib himself, many UMNO members like the idea of a shakeup. A Muhyiddin-Zahid combo appeals to them.

The danger for Muhyiddin and Zahid is being made to look like fools and clowns. They must be careful and learn from the example of Ibrahim Ali, who thanks to his idiotic antics now has zero political capital.

It was not for nothing that a young Malay leader Chegubard recently warned Zahid not to be dense and get sucked into being ultra hardline in his treatment of Opposition leaders so as to curry favor with UMNO grassroots. Firstly, UMNO grassroots are not that stupid and no one likes blatant bullying. If that sort of crazed ultra-Malay stance was worth 2 cents, Ibrahim Ali would have won the Pasir Mas seat and Zulkifli Noordin would not have been thrashed by PAS' Khalid Samad, who stands as a shining example of what a clean-cut, fair and responsible Muslim leader should be about.

To get back to the main story, it is Zahid who will play side-kick to Muhyiddin in the coming UMNO general assembly. Muhyiddin has to keep his head low until the general assembly is closer in sight and make his move only then.

Obviously, both men can abandon their plan as nothing is cast in stone especially in politics. But all things equal, both men are unlikely to stop in their quest to depose Najib and establish a new power equation in UMNO.

A turning point for UMNO and the Mahathir system of dominance

If they succeed, it will mark a serious turning point in UMNO. And this is why Mahathir objects to the change. Not only is this an initiative that he did not broker and therefore have control over, there would be a huge question mark over his own fate in UMNO and Malaysian politics.

So this is why it has been imperative for Mahathir and the Najib camp to stamp in the message that Muhyiddin and Zahid are dumb asses who cannot count to 10 without using their fingers. As long as Najib stays as UMNO president and prime minister, Mahathir still owns UMNO and Malaysia.

Furthermore, there is no need for investors to 'worry' about succession. Who becomes the next prime minister after Najib has already been decided - Hishammuddin Hussein and his own son Mukhriz will be the next combo to take over!

Malaysia won't go bankrupt or not so visibly anyway. From the trillion-odd illicit outflows they have been accused of salting away overseas, Mahathir and his crony Daim Zainuddin will ensure sufficient money is sent back now and then as 'foreign' direct inflows to keep the machinery oiled and the country alive so that it can be raped and plundered of its resources again and again.

This is how the cookie will crumble in UMNO and sad to say, for Malaysia too.

It is for Muhyiddin and Zahid how they plan to break down this 'Berlin Wall' in their party and seize the day for themselves. Can they do it?

With courage, courage and courage - yes. After all, Mahathir is just an 87-year-old bully and the greatest power comes not from money but the human spirit!



Malaysia Chronicle

DAP racist, Umno multiracial! Dr M slammed?

DAP racist, Umno multiracial!  Dr M slammed for "SENILE PERVERTED LOGIC"The UMNO DDD brigade, exposed by Member of Parliament of Gelang Patah, Lim Kit Siang has continued their non-stop inflammatory propaganda to cast the DAP as a racist party.

The DDD brigade led by none other than former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamed has now claimed that the proof that DAP is a racist party is that the Chinese voters voted for them, and the Chinese turn out for the recent Pakatan Rakyat rallies are high.

This accusation must rank as among the biggest piece of gibberish coming from the 88 year old UMNO President.

When Malays vote overwhelmingly for UMNO in the past, it is never “racism”. When a 100% Malay crowd hold weekly protests against the Pakatan Rakyat government in Penang, it is not “racism”. When Chinese voted for MCA in the past, that can’t be racism. When Chinese also voted strongly for PAS and PKR in the current elections, PAS and PKR are not accused of racism.

When Malays increased their support for the DAP candidates in the same election, Dr Mahathir accused DAP of spreading “propaganda” that influenced educated Malays into perceiving the Barisan Nasional (BN) government as corrupt.

However, when the Chinese also voted strongly for DAP, that is proof of DAP “racism”. When many Chinese turns up at Pakatan Rakyat events, that is beyond shadow of a doubt, Chinese “racism”. What type of senile perverted logic is that?

Dr Mahathir and his DDD brigade should perhaps look up the dictionary on the definition of “racism”. Racism is defined in Dictionary.com as “a belief… usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others” or “a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination”.

By the above definition alone, it is proof that the real racists of this country are UMNO, Dr Mahathir and his DDD brigade. In fact the multi-million ringgit DDD brigade has via influential blogs and the UMNO mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia completely rewrote the definition of “racism” to fit their own political objectives. Their objectives are to brainwash Malays and Malaysians into believing “anti-racism” as “racism”, and “racism” as their birthright.

Ketuanan Melayu

Where else in the world can you find a party like UMNO which calls for “ketuanan Melayu” or supremacy of the Malays as its sole raison d’etre being able to dispel all notions of its racism? While at the same time, DAP, a party that fights only for equality of opportunities, justice regardless of race and religion as well as for free and fair elections, being demonised as the most racist entity in the world.

Just because we support the doctrine of “ketuanan rakyat” or the supremacy of the people, and oppose the doctrine of the supremacy of any single race, UMNO has since the end of last year made DAP their biggest enemy to ensure the survival and continuation of their racist policies. The concerted non-stop onslaught by the DDD brigade led by Dr Mahathir, funded with hundreds of millions of ringgit is resulting in DAP facing the single biggest fight of our political history. Their objective is nothing less than the total demise of the DAP whether via de-registration by the Registrar of Societies, the imprisonment and disqualification of our leaders via the abuse of Sedition Act and other draconian laws, and the total rejection by Malays and Malaysians of DAP as a “racist” party it is not.

The DAP will stand firm on our principles and fight all racist attacks from UMNO and Barisan Nasional. The leaders will stand on our principles without fear or favour and are prepared to suffer all injustices meted out by the UMNO regime to ensure that our future Malaysian generations will not be trapped in the racist framework we endure today.

Tony Pua is the MP for PJ Utara