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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

NAJIB 'HIDES' as irate British investors demand JUSTICE at World Islamic forum

 
It is ironical. While British Prime Minister David Cameron was busy lauding his Malaysian counterpart's 'fight' against extremism, thousands of miles away in the Southeast Asian nation, human rights activists were busy doing the opposite.

Indeed, rights groups such as Suaram and Amnesty International had their work cut out in Kuala Lumpur, debriefing Malaysian citizens on what had transpired at the United Nations review on human rights where Malaysia's worsening racial discrimination and eroding democratic space had raised grave concern among member states.



The startling, even surreal, display of political hypocrisy from Najib and Cameron was also underscored in London, where a group calling itself the British Victims of Investing in Malaysia had held a protest outside the Excel International Convention Centre, where Najib was participating in the World Islamic Economic Forum or WIEF.

Najib is the patron of the Malaysian-mooted WIEF, while Cameron the guest of honor.

"It was a well-attended and loud protest highlighting the suffering of British Investors who have invested in Malaysia. Many VIPs viewed the protest as their cars entered the event," the group, which calls itself the BVIM for short, had said on its Facebook.

Surreal hypocrisy

But despite the BVIM's best efforts, the Malaysian leader did not come out to meet them or send any messengers to speak with their representatives.

"I won't comment on Cameron, who should know what to do to help his own citizens. It is a good opportunity for him to raise the issue with Najib rather just gush out meaningless praise when there is so much evidence to the contrary," Opposition Member of Parliament for Ampang Zuraida Kamaruddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

"For Najib, as the leader of Malaysia, he should not hide but be open about this issue because it is a long outstanding case and has the support of many top people from both UK as well as Malaysia. These people are not frauds or troublemakers but investors who took the initiative to invest in our country. They deserve to be treated better and not be snubbed like this by our PM."

The BVIM has the support of 15 British Members of Parliament and House of Lords member Nazir Ahmed.

They were protesting the lack of action by the Malaysian authorities into their alleged embezzlement at the hands of a senior Umno politician Azim Zabidi.

Umno is Najib's political party and he had previously met and promised the BVIM a fair probe into their case. But so far, little if any progress has been made.

“It is ridiculous that after more than two years since we lodged a criminal case in Malaysia, that no charges have been made or people arrested. I will tell all my friends, colleagues and the people I meet never to invest in Malaysia,” said Steve, a bank worker from London.

The reality on the ground and the grand speeches on the podium

Made up of 60 families, the BVIM protested for 4 hours - from 5pm to 9pm on Tuesday. They demanded action against Malaysian firm Doxport Technologies Sdn Bhd, which they alleged had cheated them of £2.5m (RM12.7 million) in 2008.

Azim, the chairman and director of Doxport Technologies, was also the former Umno treasurer. Hence the concerns of a Malaysian cover-up due to Azim's close connections with the top leaders in his country.

Azim has held many high corporate positions in Malaysia. He was also a director at Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the company at the centre of the scandal-ridden Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project. Azim was chairman at Bank Simpanan Nasional from 1999 to 2009 and vice-president of the World Savings Bank Institute from 2006 to 2009.

The BVIM also wants action against Doxport senior execs - managing director Sivalingam Thechinamoorthy and director Gurmeet Kaur.

Where is the rule of law in Malaysia?

The disgruntled Bitish investors had in 2011 lodged complaints with the Bukit Aman police headquarters, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

BVIM also issued a statement on Tuesday, questioning Malaysia's "rule of law" in protecting foreign investors.

“I invested my life savings because I liked Malaysia, my family is really suffering and it seems the law means nothing in Malaysia. I hope no one invests in Malaysia and suffers like us," said Mohammed, a bus driver from London, who had invested his life savings into the Malaysian firm.

The British investors had been told their money would be used to purchase switches for Telekom and equity in Doxport.

When they found out that there were no such Telekom switches operating in Malaysia, they reported the company to the authorities.

Earlier this year, they also filed a lawsuit against Azim and the company.

Malaysia Chronicle

Sabah lawmaker wants “little Napoleons” in Home Ministry

 
Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (pic) called on the "little Napoleons" in the government to abide by the 10-point solution when taking action on whether or not publications with the word Allah should be allowed into Sabah and Sarawak.

He said government officers should be mindful of people's feelings.

"They should be mindful of the anxiety created by the unnecessary action of confiscating publications from outside Sabah and Sarawak," he said when debating Budget 2014 in Parliament today.

Although he did not mention Catholic weekly Herald, Tangau's speech came on the heels of last Saturday’s report that some 2,000 copies of Herald from Kuala Lumpur meant for Sabah had been stopped at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

The forwarding agent was told by Home Ministry officers that they were not to be released.

On Saturday, Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam called Tangau to help get the copies released so that it could reach church-goers on Sunday.

Tangau immediately contacted the deputy home minister and sent a text message to Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was overseas, on the matter.

However, it was not until Sunday that Tangau was informed by a Home Ministry official that the release order had been given. Despite the clearance, the 2,000 copies of Herald were not sent to churches that day as the forwarding agent's office was closed.

On October 14, the Court of Appeal ruled that Herald must not use the word Allah in its Bahasa Malaysia section, overturning a High Court decision in December 2009.

Following the ruling, constitutional lawyers have argued that the Allah ban was a blanket one that affects all Christians throughout Malaysia.

Subsequently, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the order to stop the distribution of the Herald in Sabah was a "misunderstanding", adding that the 10-point agreement between Putrajaya and East Malaysia still stands.

Idris, who was the architect of the 10-point agreement which allowed the printing, importation and distribution of the Al-Kitab, the Bahasa Malaysia version of the bible, broke his silence on the Allah issue when he said, "this should not have happened”. - TMI

Take whatever they are giving, forget the rest - Hadi

 
PAS president Dato Seri Abdul Hadi Awang wants the people of Sg Limau to be into intelligent voters on Nov 4 by-election.

He said voters has to vote intelligently when faced with the various "baits" being offered to them.

"We must not let go of our principles just because of RM50 or RM100 offered," he added.

Commenting on the question of the choice of candidate, he said PAS' candidate, Mohd Azam Abd Samat is the best there is, to represent the Sg Limau state constituency.

Not only would he be able to continue the legacy of the late Azizan, Azam would also be able to continue PAS' struggle.

" Let us vote for Azam. Whatever he does right we support, what he does that is not, we will oppose," he continued.

"In Umno, everyone supports whatever the 'boss' tells them to do, regardless of right or wrong, that's the difference," said Abdul Hadi. -HD

US embassy in KL allegedly conducting clandestine operations

 
The United States of America is allegedly running clandestine communications intelligence facilities at its embassies in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Yangon.

The country is doing so by tapping telephones and monitoring communications networks from electronic surveillance facilities in US embassies and consulates across east and south-east Asia, according to information disclosed by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden.

A top secret map dated August 13, 2010 lists nearly a hundred surveillance facilities worldwide, the map however, shows no such facilities are located in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Japan and Singapore – the US's closest allies.

According to the map published by Germany's Der Spiegel magazine today, a joint Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – National Security Agency (NSA) group known as " Special Collection Service" conducts the sweeping surveillance operation, as well as clandestine operations against specific intelligence targets.

The map, which was initially published in full on Der Spiegel's website but subsequently replaced with a censored version, lists Special Collection Service facilities at 90 locations worldwide, including 74 manned facilities, 14 remotely operated facilities and two technical support centres.

The map confirms the global reach of US signals intelligence operations with special collection facilities located in most major capitals on every continent. -HD

Malaysia backsliding on human rights

 
Rights groups today slammed Najib and his administration for failure to improve human rights in the country. - October 30, 2013.Rights groups today accused Malaysia's government of reneging on what they called an "empty promise" to improve human rights, after a United Nations (UN) review last week also raised concerns.

Amnesty International and Malaysian rights NGO Suaram said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's vow was in tatters following new restrictions on peaceful assembly, measures reinstating detention without trial, and prosecutions of opposition figures.

In a joint statement, they also noted a continuing scandal involving cases of ill-treatment and even deaths of people held in police custody.

Facing ebbing voter support for his now 56-year-ruling coalition, Najib in 2011 abolished some repressive laws and pledged to protect rights, acknowledging public pressure for "a more open Malaysia".

That now "appears like an empty promise", Amnesty and Suaram said in a joint statement. The UN Human Rights Council last week in Geneva made 232 recommendations for improvements during a review of the Muslim-majority nation's record.

The council highlighted some of the same concerns raised by Amnesty and Suaram, as well as Malaysia's failure to ratify core international human rights treaties.

Amnesty and Suaram said many of the recommendations made during the last review in 2009 were reiterated, while "new areas of concern are emerging".

"Malaysian government representatives present at the review failed to adequately respond to many of the questions raised by UN member-states and were unable to give clear action plans or timelines on many of the key issues," they said.

Human Rights Watch said in a statement last week: "In the weeks before the UN review, Malaysia passed laws permitting detention without trial, dragged critics into court for staging protests and showing films, and continued its dubious prosecution of the opposition leader."

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was acquitted of a sodomy charge in 2012, but the government is appealing. Anwar denies the charges, which he calls a government-orchestrated smear campaign. Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia.

Najib's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Najib's 2011 rights pledge came as he geared up for close-fought elections that were held in May this year and won by his authoritarian coalition. However, despite scrapping some controversial security laws allowing detention without trial, authorities have since restored those powers in other laws.

The government also introduced a law in late 2011 banning street protests and has continued to prosecute critics under a sedition law that Najib has promised to scrap. - AFP

PAS rejects GST because it burdens the people - President

 
PAS and Pakatan Rakyat has rejected the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST ) as it is a form of tax that unfairly burdens people in the low-income category, said PAS president Dato' Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

While debating the 2014 Budget in parliament yesterday, Abdul Hadi who is also Member of Parliament for Marang said that although the Prime Minister had announced items as budu, cencalok and tempoyak as tax exempt, the making these food items required other ingredients such as salt and sugar, fuel would also be used to transport these products.

Abdul Hadi said it was important for the the nation's leaders to be fair while imposing a tax on the people, referring to Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz, who refused a governor's request to raise taxes to cover the country's finances.

"He (Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz) then said in a letter (to the governor), 'be fair or you will be fired ' , " he said.

According to Abdul Hadi, tax may be imposed on the people, but it must be conducted fairly as the zakat was imposed on the rich and not the poor while kharaj was imposed on non-Muslim citizens.

" Zakat can not be eliminated but taxes (on the people ) and kharaj (on non-Muslims) can be abolished when a country is financially sufficient. This is the concept of fairness, " he said. - ES

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

We’re not ready for GST, says Anwar

 
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s argument that Malaysia should implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) because other counties already have is off the mark, said Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

He pointed out that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Report 2012 had revealed in its report that the GST was more regressive in developing and transition economies than in developed counties.

“The low- and middle-income earners will lose a higher percentage of their income to pay for the GST compared with high-income earners,” he told the Dewan Rakyat while opening the budget debate today.

“According to research by Wee Chong Hui (Wee Chong Hui, 2006, Fiscal Policy and Inequality in Malaysia, University Malaya Press, Kuala Lumpur) GST will contribute towards higher income inequality in Malaysia.”

Najib, in his 2014 Budget speech last Friday, had said 160 countries already implemented the GST and this proved to be the “best” and “most effective” taxation system.

But Anwar said such comparisons could not be made. Singapore, for example, needed the GST because of the limited income tax it received. Singapore’s introductory GST, at 3%, was also far lower than Malaysia’s 6%.

“Listing out countries such as Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Cambodia to justify GST in Malaysia is also completely unsuitable because those nations do not have a good income tax system in place and their production is low.

“So these countries should implement GST to sustain their government,” said Anwar.

He said this was why Pakatan believed GST must be reviewed first and implemented only when the rakyat’s income level was satisfactory, the income tax system revamped, and the country’s economy stable.

Najib’s subsidy deception

Anwar said Najib had also failed to mention that the government was cutting cooking oil subsidies by RM505 million through the Cooking Oil Stabilisation Scheme.

“While the people are still in shock over the price hike of sugar, why did the prime minister in his budget speech shy away from announcing a price increase of cooking oil, an amount almost the same as the sugar cut?” asked Anwar.

He added that the RM650 Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BR1M) cash vouchers announced in the budget for households earning less than RM3,000 would not offset the twin subsidy slashes.

Anwar pointed out that RM7.29 billion in subsidies had been cut for 2014, as opposed to RM1.7 billion allocated for BR1M.

“The government will collect RM5.6 billion, which will still come out of the pockets of the BR1M recipients due to the subsidy cut, despite the increase in BR1M,” said Anwar.

Budget discrepancies

Anwar also highlighted how the budget had reduced allocations for rural development by up to RM555 million, while increasing the budget for the prime minister’s office by RM1.5 billion.

“It’s clear that the development of the lower income group continues to be sidelined, but the high cost of negotiators at the prime minister’s office are maintained and even increased,” said Anwar.

Meanwhile, money had also been splurged in duplicating agencies that were already in existence, he said.

The newly announced RM15 million Malaysian Green Foundation is similar to the Green Technology Corporation; the RM30 million Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Start-Up Scheme (Superb) is similar to Teraju; the RM50 million Malaysian Global Innovation and Creative Centre (MaGIC) is similar to the Malaysia Innovation Agency and the Malaysian Foundation for Innovation.

Anwar further estimated that the funds allocated for administration would increase by a further RM22 billion, or 10%, to RM240 billion.

He said this was because the Finance Ministry’s data, in its annual Economy Report, revealed that administrative cost increased by 13% every year since 2010.

“This means the country’s deficit level for 2014 will increase to RM59 million,” he said. -FMT

NAJIB TRICKED MAHATHIR: First backlash on the way?

 
THE DAY NAJIB TRICKED MAHATHIR: First backlash on the way!Former prime minister and Umno president Mahathir Mohamad is a quick thinking political animal who believes he has an answer to every question and a solution for every problem.

His visions of development are on a pharaonic scale and he is a law unto himself. He has never concealed his disdain for democratic ideals, lamenting that the Great Unwashed (err.. the lower income groups) are not quite ready to think for themselves.

Having ensured while he was education minister that students be vigorously discouraged, if not disallowed, from independent thought, he secretly feels that the ignorant and dull-witted masses should not be allowed to vote.

Elections, therefore, are seen as a necessary evil but - with a little help from a compliant election commission and national registration department - they can be circumvented by systematic gerrymandering, postal and phantom votes, and a heavily rigged electoral roll.

So long as the votes are in his favor, Mahathir will tolerate the concept of a guided democracy.

Pushed to step down when he became a grave liability

To ensure that he remained in power indefinitely, he made the post of Umno president virtually unchallengeable. He sacked every deputy who posed a serious threat to his dominance, and promoted self-serving spineless sycophants to ministerial positions. He castrated the monarchy in 1983, thus paving the way to ultimately appointing himself lifetime President of a gleaming new Malaysian republic – but he knew he had to bide his time with this grandiose ambition.

Alas, he had not reckoned with the tenacity of his erstwhile deputy Anwar Ibrahim - whom he sacked in September 1998 and then proceeded to crucify with an unimaginably malicious campaign to forever destroy his reputation and career. Anwar stood his ground and maintained his dignity, despite being imprisoned for 6 years on fabricated charges. Mahathir’s vindictiveness backfired and Anwar’s popularity began to escalate, splitting the Malays into opposing camps.

On 31 October 2003 Mahathir was virtually forced to step down because he had become a grave liability to Umno – or, rather Umno Baru, the ersatz party Mahathir conjured into being in 1988 through sheer sleight of hand. But that didn’t stop Mahathir from daydreaming of a political dynasty. After all, his political enemies had established their own dynasties – why should he not aspire to the same?

Frankenstein's monster

Working indefatigably behind the scenes Mahathir used his vast resources and an influential cabal of loyalists to undermine his successors, Abdullah Badawi and Najib Razak. Age was against Mahathir, so he would focus on ruling by proxy through his youngest son Mukhriz. Finally he managed to get Mukhriz, a political nonentity, appointed Mentri Besar of Kedah, Mahathir’s home state. The next step was to ensure Mukhriz a vice-presidency in Umno.

Despite all his efforts Mahathir has failed to get what he wants for his son Mukhriz. Like all megalomaniacs, Mahathir surrounded himself with devotees and worshipers, effectively insulating himself from the growing resentment and hostility of an increasingly well-informed electorate. His inflamed ego refused to accept the possibility that he was no longer relevant to the swiftly changing political landscape.

Umno Baru, the Frankenstein’s monster with a voracious appetite for instant riches that Dr Mahathir created, had acquired a will of its own and was no longer obedient to its creator.

Choosing between 2 evils - Hisham and Mukhriz

Now let us consider the winning candidates in Umno’s recent elections.

Zahid Hamidi had campaigned vigorously to win the elections. As newly appointed home minister, Zahid had the advantage of incumbency and he rode the wave of communal paranoia stirred up by Mahathir to keep the races divided and easily misruled.

Hishammuddin Hussein has a long and established family history in politics and government -plus he has Najib’s support and consent. The fact that he won by only a narrow margin indicates his failure to impress as a leader. Between Najib and Mahathir’s camps, the sentiment was less in Hishammuddin’s favor than it was against Mahathir getting his way – and the lion’s share of the goodies - once again.

Shafie Apdal is basically a lone ranger and a newbie in national politics but he has the advantage of being an important minister at the federal level and has been in that position for almost two terms. This is the main factor that enabled Shafie to build nationwide support among the grassroots.

Mukhriz Mahathir, on the other hand, was hesitant and only announced his candidacy at the last minute. He lacked self-confidence and could only resort to empty bluster. After entering the race he depended on his campaign manager, none other than his wily father, to promote him. As the youngest Mahathir scion, Mukhriz always had it easy. He made his fortune on business monopolies handed to him on a silver platter. So Mukhriz just sat back and hoped for the best.

Najib tricked Mahathir

Mahathir underestimated Najib, who cunningly appeased Mahathir by agreeing to Mukhriz’s appointment as Mentri Besar of Kedah, where he could play big fish in a small pond – but without national level support, Mukhriz was unlikely to make much of a splash in Umno Baru’s vice-presidential contest.

Mahathir has several strategies

Until he achieves his objectives, Mahathir won’t leave well enough alone. That’s the nature of the vicious political beast in him - and he certainly won’t leave Najib Razak alone.

Mahathir the Unstoppable may have officially relinquished the post of Umno Baru president and prime minister, but his unrelenting ego ensures that nothing short of death will bring his insatiable power lust to an end. Even then, he will not quickly be forgotten, as the administrative mess he left behind will take at least another generation to sort out.

Those who thwart Mahathir’s will face the full force of his vengeance. The man who ruled with an iron hand for 22 years is now on a do-or-die mission to reinstate his political influence and protect his self-aggrandizing legacy.

Mahathir knows he cannot do it on his own

Mahathir cannot defeat Najib on his own. He must have a team, the same scenario that Ku Li used when challenging Mahathir, with Team A pitted against Team B.

Mahathir realizes that his power is diminishing by the day, and the first thing he must do is to consolidate whatever resources he still controls.

Since many of the UMNO leaders are now bowing to Najib and kissing his hand, Mahathir has to get help from outside UMNO: independent players, ultra-Malay NGOs and mercenary bloggers. He will have to spend a lot of money, which he can, of course, afford.

He will have to win the hearts of Najib’s enemies within Umno Baru. Fallen leaders like former Melaka Mentri Besar Ali Rustam who yearns to be restored to power and glory; Idris Jusoh, who covets the post of the Menteri Besar of Terengganu; and a handful who were offered obscure posts but dream of greater things. These are the ones who can be persuaded to be on Mahathir’s side.

Drawing strength from other stakeholders

Mahathir will welcome those in the business community who have been left out by Najib - and there are quite a few of them now. They too are waiting for Mahathir to do something to make the situation right for them because Najib and Rosmah have closed the doors in their faces.

Mahathir has to ensure that media like TV3 and Utusan will give him enough exposure to voice his thoughts, if not put him in the limelight so he can overshadow Najib. Mahathir still has his loyalists in these media - and he has to ‘persuade’ those who are pro-Najib to not totally ignore him.

Besides empowering himself, Mahathir has to weaken Najib by sabotaging his network and loosening his grip. Mahathir has no choice but to depend on previous scandals and any new ones that may crop up: revive the old ones and blow the new ones out of proportion.

Mahathir need not worry too much about getting external help to tarnish Najib’s image because numerous NGOs and the Opposition are already doing this.

MO - Attack, attack, attack

Mahathir now has to attack Najib by undermining Najib’s closest associates, his friends and family members. Mahathir will attempt to ridicule, if not disgrace, all of Najib’s appointees.

The dust hasn’t really settled on the recent Umno Baru elections. Not by a long shot.



Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/

Distribution of Herald to Sabah, S’wak not an issue

 
KUCHING: The distribution of copies of the Catholic weekly, Herald in Sabah and Sarawak, despite the Appeals Court’s recent decision on the use of the word Allah, should not be a problem in the two states, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala said today.

He said the Home Ministry should not have prevented the distribution of about 2,000 copies of the Herald in Sabah last Thursday, which was later lifted yesterday, as Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had made the issue clear during his visit there last week.

“I believe there is a misunderstanding. Christians in Sabah and Sarawak can continue (to use the word Allah in their worship and publications). So the distribution of the Herald weekly is not a problem,” he told reporters after officiating at the opening of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (Capam) regional forum 2013 here.

He was asked to comment on the government’s accountability relating to the ministry’s latest move on the issue.

Najib had said that the Appeals Court’s decision to overturn the Herald’s right to use the word Allah did not at all touch on the practices of Christians in Sabah and Sarawak, as contained in the 10-Point Agreement decided by the federal cabinet.

Following the Oct 14 Appeals Court ruling, the Catholic church, which prints 14,000 copies of the Herald every week for about one million Catholics in the country, used the word allah in inverted commas in the latest edition.

– Bernama

MILLIONS spent to buy votes, Dr M slams Umno

 
MILLIONS spent to buy votes, that's why my son lost VP race - Dr M slams Umno Many people who did not deserve to win in the recent Umno party election emerged victorious because of the money they splashed, claims former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"We are told that they've eliminated corruption during the recent Umno election. I am not convinced.

"I think there was a lot of money involved, going into the millions and loads of people who should not be getting votes were getting votes because of the money they spent," Mahathir said in a speech in Putrajaya this morning.

Mahathir said this in his keynote speech 'Current political trends and their impact on the economic and social direction of Malaysia'.

He lamented that such corrupt trends were also seen in general elections where voters wanted to know what they could get in return for their votes.

The people were more patriotic in the past and such thought was unheard off then.

"Initially we were all very nationalistic, we thought of the country... and the first few general elections were not much affected by corruption.

"But the country has come to a stage are we accept corruption as part of our way of life and culture.

"So buying votes becomes a culture and it becomes the objective of the election. It is no loner about the well-being of the country," Mahathir said.

Relating his personal experience, Mahathir said supporters were upset when he won his seat in a general election uncontested.

"Because there will be no money for nasi lemak or cigarettes or allowances as the deal is done, so they would prefer to see a contest where there is some work to do.

"When there is contest, you need to go around to persuade people and candidates are willing to fork out money, so the minds of the people have become corrupted," he said.

'Corruption worsens'

Mahathir also gave a gloomy take on the future, saying that corruption would likely get worse.

In order to overcome corruption, the topmost leaders in the country must themselves be clean.

"Or else the ministers will say, 'how can you ask me not to be corrupt when you are worse'?" he said, but stressed that he was not referring to Malaysia as an example.

Mahathir suggested that one way to curb corruption in government would be to reduce the period required for government approvals (for projects and contracts).

This, he explained, would cut down time where government officers could possibily solicit for money or favours in exchange for approval.

"For as long as you allow government servants, inclduing ministers unlimited time to do their work, then obviously they are going to be offered some payment for (expedited) services and that leads to corruption," Mahathir said.

Later, about Mukhriz Mahathir losing his bid for vice-preisdency in the Umno party election, Mahathir said his son had no choice but to accept defeat.

"This is democracy. He lost... Even if he wants to complain about bribery, it is too late now," he said.

At a dialogue session that followed, defeated Umno supreme council candidate Saifuddin Abdullah echoed Mahathir words.

"I lost the supreme council (race) and that was because of money politics lah," Saifuddin said when asked about his defeat.

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com

MCA revives 'HUDUD WARS' against PAS

 
MCA revives 'HUDUD WARS' against PASFollowing the announcement that Brunei has begun implementing strict Syariah laws, PAS has reiterated the party’s hardline stance to likewise enforce PAS hudud enactments

New Straits Times (28 Oct 2013) in a front page article had reported that PAS Menteri Besar Dato’ Ahmad Yakob stressed that “we will not give up … Kelantan has made efforts to enforce hudud for a long time but was unsuccessful because of various obstacles. Some critics have alleged that the state government’s action is a political ploy when it is they who are politicizing the issue.”

I wish to emphasise that nobody has made any attempts to politicise the issue. State or local council policies which have drawn criticisms from non-Muslims and which have attracted wide media coverage have led to PAS slowing down on their measures. However, there are no guarantees if PAS hardline policies will be repealed or revoked. Mere window dressing on slowing down is insufficient.

'Zon tutup aurat'

In PAS’ bid to test the reaction of residents, PAS should be soundly rebuked. There are no guarantees that PAS ultra-conservative measures and policies will not affect non-Muslims e.g. designating the State Secretariat building as a “Zon Tutup Aurat”, or forcing hair salons to remove posters featuring female models who did not cover their hair and forcing other businesses to comply with PAS restrictive regulations in order for their licences to be renewed.

Unfortunately, PAS does not pin responsibility on the Kelantan state government on imposing PAS hudud enactments but instead, blames negative media coverage for not fully carrying out its hudud enactments. PAS even assumes that only Muslims will be subjected to its party’s policies, and that non-Muslims will not be impacted. But previous encounters with local authorities have proven simply otherwise.

PAS must recognize the fact that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, religious and cultural country. To compel PAS version of ultra conservative religious laws on all segments of society cannot be accepted. There is no u-turn on PAS’ religious laws. Its implementation will inevitably lead to erosion of non-Muslim rights.

Tan Ken Ten
MCA Kelantan Secretary

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/

Anwar: Azmin not replacing Khalid as S’gor MB

 
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today dismissed claims that PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali will replace Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as the menteri besar of Selangor.

He said it was needless to effect a change, and claimed that Selangor was among the better administered states in the country besides Penang.

“If there is to be any change, I will surely know about it. The newspapers seem to know more,” he told a news conference at the lobby of Parliament.

He was asked to comment on a report in a Malay-language daily about talk that Azmin would replace Abdul Khalid as several people in PKR were unhappy with the latter’s style of administration.

Khalid was criticised by Anwar recently, with the latter quoted as having said that the Selangor menteri besar had failed to expend the state’s revenue well.

Commenting on the criticism, Anwar said: “Abdul Khalid appointed me as the (economic) adviser (to the Selangor state government); that was why I made the remark. I have the responsibility to remind (Abdul Khalid).”

Citing complaints about potholes on Selangor roads, Anwar said it was better to expend more revenue to provide better infrastructure and to spend on education.

“I receive complaints about roads in Shah Alam every week. So, I remind Abdul Khalid to be mindful of officers who present good reports when actually the situation is otherwise,” he said.

-FMT

Monday, October 28, 2013

Herald released in Sabah after Archbishop seeks BN politician’s help

 
Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam (pic) had sought the intervention of a Barisan Nasional MP in Sabah while questioning an order from the Home Ministry to stop the distribution of the latest Herald publication in Sabah.

Tuaran MP Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said, in a Facebook posting today, that he had interceded with the Home Ministry on behalf of the Catholic Church to obtain approval for 2,000 copies of Herald to be released in Sabah.

Wilfred, the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) deputy president, said the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur had sought his assistance last night.

"I attempted to contact the Deputy Home Minister to ask that the 2,000 copies, which were being kept at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, be released.

"I was told to contact Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi directly which I tried but in vain. Apparently, Ahmad Zahid is in Jakarta," Wilfred said.

Undeterred, Wilfred sent Ahmad Zahid a text message appealing for the release of the 2,000 Herald copies.

He said sometime this afternoon the Political Secretary to Home Minister, Datuk Abdul Halim Mohammad, informed Wilfred that approval had been obtained and the 2,000 Herald copies had been released.

Numerous East Malaysian Christians commented on the release of the 2,000 Herald copies - thanking, praising and congratulating Wilfred for his assistance.

Many praised him for being a responsible representative of the people and being able to walk the talk.

Some also condemned the Home Ministry for its high-handedness in their postings on Wilfred’s Facebook page.

On Thursday, tensions rose between the Catholic Church and the BN government when Putrajaya stopped the distribution of Herald in Sabah.

Herald editor Reverend Father Lawrence Andrew said the forwarding company had been informed by the Home Ministry that the copies were not to be distributed.

As per regulation, the Home Ministry checked a copy of the weekly Christian newspaper for vetting purposes when it arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

This time, the forwarding company was told that the copies could not be distributed by Home Ministry officials.

Following the release of the 2,000 copies of Herald, Andrew said the Home Ministry should explain its action.

"We need to know why they stopped it in the first place,” he said today.

Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing put the decision to stop the distribution of the Herald to Home Ministry officials making decisions in haste without consulting their political leaders.

“They have obviously taken matters into their own hands. I suggest that political leaders must be consulted first before taking actionon matters which had negative socio-political impact,” he said while lamenting that politicians would have to bear the brunt of criticism from the public.

“It will be us, not these government officers,” Masing, a senior Christian minister in the Sarawak cabinet and the Parti Rakyat Sarawak president pointed out.

The Herald issue came to the fore on October 14 when the Court of Appeal ruled that the newspaper was banned from using the word Allah in its Bahasa Malaysia edition.

The ruling has since attracted various comments and feedback, even from Muslim scholars on the international stage. - TMI

Sg Limau: The weekend's campaign effort in pictures

 
Kedah PAS commissioner, Dato Mahfuz Omar wants the Kedah BN state government to play its part now and not wait until the Sg Limau by-election is over before trying to bring some semblance of development into the state.

"After all, it has already been five months since the 13th general election, and yet nothing seems to be moving," he added.

Below are several photographs taken during PAS campaign trail on the 25th and 27th October.







Tuesday, October 8, 2013

M'sia on the way to becoming a FAILED STATE

 
M'sia on the way to becoming a FAILED STATE - Zaid Ibrahim joins calls to SACK ZAHIDMalaysia risks becoming a “failed state” if the police takes a “shoot first” policy in dealing with criminal suspects, former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said today as he called for Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who advocated the approach to be replaced.

Zaid, who was the de facto law minister during the Abdullah administration, said a “failed state” is where lawlessness prevails, noting that a “shoot first” approach to law enforcement signals that the authorities themselves are the law, and that there is “no need for investigation and public trial”.

“Zahid Hamidi should be replaced immediately if the PM is to salvage anything left of his administration,” Zaid told The Malay Mail Online via email today, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“Malaysia is on the way to being a failed state. A failed state is when lawlessness prevails,” he added.

Former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan similarly said that Ahmad Zahid was disrespecting the rule of law and the federal constitution that he had swore to uphold as a minister and federal lawmaker.

“This is not a cowboy country. We have the courts for a reason,” Ambiga told The Malay Mail Online today.

“Allowing the police to be judge and executioner is dangerous. Unfortunately, the minister has, in a moment of truth, displayed his prejudices and his lack of respect for due process. His racism and racial profiling are shocking, absolutely shocking,” she added.

On Saturday, Ahmad Zahid reportedly advocated a “shoot first” policy for the police in dealing with suspected gang members in the wake of a violent crime spree that has resulted in Malays making up the majority of the victims.

In his speech at a security briefing event with community leaders in Ayer Keroh, Malacca then, Ahmad Zahid said there was nothing wrong with arresting the over 40,000 known gangsters in the country, half of whom are Indians.

“What is the situation of robbery victims, murder victims during shootings? Most of them are our Malays. Most of them are our race,” he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini yesterday, based on a 20-minute audio recording of the speech.

“I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first,” he added, referring to suspected criminals.

The home minister’s remarks come after he recently pushed through in Dewan Rakyat an amendment to the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) that allows a suspect to be detained without trial for two years.

Human rights group, Lawyers for Liberty, said yesterday that Ahmad Zahid’s “shoot first” comment confirms suspicions of the unwritten policy operating in the police force.

In a Parliamentary reply to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng on September 24, Ahmad Zahid said that the police had fatally shot 124 Malaysian criminals from 2009 to this August, of which 56 were Malays while 41 were Indians. Chinese fatalities stood at 23 while the remainder were non-Malay Bumiputeras.

Several controversial police shootings have previously fuelled the public’s demand for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) recommended by the 2005 Royal Commission of Inquiry on the police force.

But Putrajaya has refused to implement the IPCMC, pointing to the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) to monitor police abuse, despite widespread criticism that the EAIC is toothless.

-http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/

Zahid exposes the DARK SIDE of Umno

 
Zahid exposes the DARK SIDE of Umno: Unity for now a FAR-OFF DREAMHome Minister Zahid Hamidi is making the headlines almost every day with controversial comments and decisions that have shocked certain segments of Malaysian society, while pleasing other stakeholders in the nation.

The latest brouhaha stirred up by Zahid was over how he and the police are handling rising crime in Malaysia with tough action and repressive laws.

"He's talking like the Godfather of the Mafia, giving the green light or encouraging trigger-happy cops. Zahid is working overtime to win the Umno election," Opposition MP for Batu Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Dangerously polarized

Despite Tian's criticism, it is clear many members of Zahid's ruling Umno party agree with their vice president.

In a speech made on Saturday, Zahid had revealed that Malaysian police now shoot first. He also bragged that the recent draconian amendments made to the controversial Prevention of Crime Act 1959 were the result of his efforts.

The contrasting reactions to Zahid is indeed a telling reflection of how dangerously polarized Malaysian society is today.

"This is a wake-up call to all Malaysians. Zahid is not a dumb loud-mouth, but quite a sharp politician. To a certain segment of society - the civil society leaders, the NGOs, the Opposition, many Malays as well as the majority of the non-Malays - the brash comments Zahid is making are disgraceful. In any developed democracy, he would be stripped of his job. But here in predominantly-Malay Malaysia, he is a hero," an Umno watcher told Malaysia Chronicle.

"To the Malays, he is doing what all good Umno leaders should do - go out and grab all you can for the Malays. To ensure the Malays get what they want and to make sure the non-Malays are kept in their place, bring out the guns and the tough laws so that no one dares to revolt. That's why I say an alarm bell has gone off and the non-Malays would now be wasting their time dreaming about a Malaysian Malaysia. It is obvious the Umno Malays do not want this. They want to be supreme over the other races and this is why you see their leaders getting away with this sort of caveman philosophy and policies."

Taking advantage to pitch for VP votes?

Zahid had been speaking at what appeared to be a government briefing to community leaders on security matters but apparently, the meeting quickly dwindled into an Umno affair, with Zahid taking full advantage to 'pitch' for votes.

He is one of Umno's 3 vice presidents and is defending his post which is up for grabs at the party election slated for October 19.

Reporters had been unceremoniously kicked out towards the end of his speech, with Zahid personally threatening the journalists he would close down their newspapers if they dared to report his comments.

"What is the situation of robbery victims, murder victims during shootings? Most of them are our Malays. Most of them are our race,” Malaysiakini reported Zahid as saying.

"I think the best way is that we no longer compromise with them. There is no need to give them any more warning. If (we) get the evidence, (we) shoot first.”

OK to shoot first, detention without trial also OK

According to Malaysiakini, Zahid also said about 28,000 of the more than 40,000 gang members identified by the police in a recent clean-up operation were Indian Malaysians and there was nothing wrong in arresting them.

The Umno minister also highlighted the fatal shooting of five suspected Indian gangsters in Penang in August and chastised a deputy minister for raising questions about the incident. Although he did not the deputy minister, it was obvious he was referring to P Waythamoorthy

"There is a deputy minister ... he disputed me and the police. He (asked) why there were no warning shots first before shooting. "I said that if you want to be (in) a NGO, resign as a deputy minister. He is not qualified to be a deputy minister," Zahid said to cheers in the room.

Draconian PCA was also my doing - Zahid boasts

Zahid also bragged declared that the amendment to the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (PCA) that reintroduces detention without trial was "my new law". The revised PCA allows for indefinite detention without trial for durations of two years at a time.

"We investigate (criminal cases), we take it to the courts. If there is no evidence, if there is not enough evidence, at least there are still two years’ (detention). That is my new law, there is no compromise.”

Zahid further boasted about how he persuaded the Cabinet, the Speaker of the Parliament Pandikar Amin Mulia and the police to support his idea.

"The Internal Security Act has been repealed, the Emergency Ordinance has been repealed, the Restricted Residence Act has been repealed, but they (opposition) did not notice the PCA 1959, they did not notice it.

"I discussed with the inspector-general of police. I discussed (it) with the ministry's legal adviser, I said this can be used. I (discussed) with (minister in charge of parliamentary affairs) Shahidan Kassim so that when the time comes (for a vote), the ... speaker would be on our side, the Dewan Rakyat secretary will be on our side," he said.

Zahid's latest comments contradict remarks made less than two weeks ago, when he was asked what were his chances of successfully defending his post and if he was using his position as Home Minister to gain favor with the Umno hardliners.

"As an incumbent, I am carrying out all the responsibilities given to me. As Minister of Home Affairs, what I have done is not to achieve political objectives but taking care of the safety of all Malaysian citizens as a whole," said Zahid.

Malaysia Chronicle

Public funds wasted by TEKUN for Umno

 
Following the disclosure by Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (TEKUN) chief executive officer Abdul Rahim Hassan who claimed the national financing scheme was formed for Umno members, PKR today charges that the Malay ruling party has a debt totalling RM1 billion with TEKUN.

Citing a Feb 9 report by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, PKR communication director Fahmi Fadzil said TEKUN had loaned a whopping RM2.42 billion, with RM1.6 billion coming from federal government, to 237,173 entrepreneurs and only RM1.42 billion of the loan was recovered thus far.

Tallying the report with what was said by Rahim, Fahmi said the implication was serious as more than 40 percent of the loan given to Umno members, amounting to RM1 billion yet to be recovered.

“On average, that means a total of RM650 millions loaned to Umno members through federal government have not being paid back,” added Fahmi.

Citing the rising number of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia recipients from 3.74 million in 2012 to 3.99 million to 2013, Fahmi questioned whether TEKUN has failed to achieve its objective to uplift the lower income group’s economic position.

“If yes, why?” he asked.

In his statement, Fahmi also proposed a measure to recover the loans.

“TEKUN and its CEO should open a counter to collect its debts during Umno general assembly this coming October 19,” he chided.

Meanwhile, PAS Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said the ruling government must distribute aids to those who truly deserved without discrimination.

“Not only Umno members are paying tax, we are too. This (TEKUN) fund is not for Umno members, all bumiputeras should be eligible regardless of which party,” he told Harakahdaily. -HD

Vikingdom: The Blood Epic … Malaysian failure

 
STRANGE, I thought. I was yawning so much watching Caucasians fighting on screen. I usually only yawn this much watching Malaysian films.

But wait, Vikingdom: The Blood Epic, is produced by Malaysian company KRU Studios, directed by Malaysian Yusry A. Halim and filmed entirely in Malaysia.

The action-fantasy film is the first Malaysian-produced film that will be released theatrically in the United States.

Yusry said Malaysians should be proud of the release of the film. “Despite the international cast, everyone else involved in the making of the film is Malaysian. Even the shooting locations.”

Oh dear, he may have to eat his words. From the fake snow-topped mountain backgrounds to the tedious dialogue laden with hard-to-pronounce Norwegian names and places, Vikingdom is a failure from the word “go”.

Eirick (Dominic Purcell) cuts through the crowd.

There may be a lot of hard-bodied and half naked white men fighting à la Braveheart but the film is essentially Malaysian in spirit.

That means that all the bad habits that permeate Malaysian films are present in this 20 million ringgit (US$6 million) flop: bad directing, bad acting, bad editing and bad lighting.

The hero, Eirick (Dominic Purcell of TV’s Prison Break), is a dandy-haired ex-Viking king who’s been living alone in the forest for 10 years. He knows his stink can be smelled from a mile away.

For a tough guy, he’s chaste and he’s been pining for a woman he knew for the longest time.

Purcell’s expression is as stiff and hard as his body, and his voice is monotonous.

His character can barely inspire confidence in anyone to follow him, yet, by deign of the badly-written script, he gets a bunch of nobodies to follow him on his quest to get a silly horn to fight the red-haired and equally stiff Thor (Australian Conan Stevens).

Eirick even gets Brynna (Natassia Malthe, who is of Norwegian and Chinese-Malaysian parentage), the owner and captain of a ship, to transport his sorry bunch of warriors on their journey to nowhere.

Bryanna (Natassia Malthe, right) horses around in her push-up bra.

Bryanna is smitten by Eirick, who, at first, fends off her interest in him. Bryanna is your standard film girlfriend but thank God the film shows her as tough, independent and a great warrior.

She and Chinese slave Yang (Jon Foo, who’s of Irish and Chinese parentage) make a formidable fighting pair, and Yusry takes delight in showing off her graceful moves as she takes out villains twice her size.

However, I take offence at Bryanna’s skimpy outfit. While Eirick is shown in a parade of colourful costumes, Bryanna is shown in only one outfit: a sports bra. Regardless of whether it’s snowing or hot, she wears her trusted sports bra (or push-up bra) at all times.

How will a Malaysian film deal with sex scenes? A kiss between Eirick and Bryanna is quickly blurred out, and the next scene is of them sleeping in bed after supposedly a vigorous night.

Vikingdom can’t compete on an intellectual level, so it’s filled with close-combat fights. Yusry loves showing white people knifing each other in the neck. He’s also prone to slowing down warriors in motion, just like Brad Pitt’s character in Troy.

Purcell’s impressive ‘body of work’ doesn’t include his acting in ‘Vikingdom’.

The editing is bad throughout the film but it’s atrocious during the fight scenes. The flow from one scene to another is confusing.

What can one say about the lighting? Our hero’s path to the glaring lights is sometimes blocked by others. KRU Studios can learn a thing or two about lighting by watching American TV shows, such as Bones.

Vikingdom throwns in every damn Norwegian name and place it can think of, and after awhile, you’ll just block them out and realise what a waste of time this is.

It’s a simple tale of a hunky country man who must go off on a quest, like Frodo in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, take along of bunch of people who will serve as victims, and fight an even hunkier man in a place resembling Stonehenge.

Like I said, the acting is absent, the romance and background are fake, and the fight scenes are disappointing. It’s just like watching any another Malaysian film.

-jeffleemovies.com
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