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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Pro-Umno bloggers rebel against PM

 
PETALING JAYA: Calls for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to step down are gaining momentum in the pro-Umno blogosphere, signaling a concerted effort within the own party’s fold to remove the sixth prime minister from Seri Perdana.

Unflattering names such as “Najib kangkung” and “useless PM” are being liberally bandied about among notorious pro-Umno blogs such as OutSyed The Box; the Unspinners and Apanama for the past month, and they show no signs of abating.

“I hope Najib can see the writing. Just resign and go…. We are going to see him unravelling soon…Day by day the Kangkung fellow is going to be sliced and diced. By his own people,” prominent blogger Syed Ali Akbar wrote in a post last week.

Blogger Apanama wrote on Jan 8: “The Government /leadership of the day appears to be worse than the leadership or the lack of it during the dark ages of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi…

“Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak better take heed of what is happening on the ground. It’s my fear that if you fail to digest the sentiments/thoughts/feelings of strong/loyal Government/BN supporters on the ground, you will go down like how Pak lah did.”

These cyber attacks from within Umno’s rank and file are reminiscent of the pressure they placed on former Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in 2007; these same pro-Umno bloggers credit Abdullah’s eventual resignation to their “conspiracy to bring him down”.

Political analysts do not deny that these bloggers’ influence the way netizens perceive their leaders, by painting Najib and, previously Badawi, as fools detached from reality.

But Professor Dr James Chin of Sunway Monash University said it was unlikely that Najib would go the way of Abdullah despite the virtual onslaught, as there were no possible candidate waiting in the shadows to replace him.

“What these bloggers write probably reflects the sentiments of some members in Umno, who are asking Najib to resign. But at the present moment, it looks very unlikely that it will push Najib off the edge.

“Because in Umno, no one seems suitable to take over the role of prime minister. (Deputy Prime Minister) Muhyiddin (Yassin) is not perceived as being wise enough to step up to the position,” the political analyst told FMT.

He pointed out that if Muhyiddin had been seen as a potential candidate, the bloggers would have launched the attack during the Umno election last year, where there was a legitimate chance of Muhyiddin toppling Najib.

What these pro-umno bloggers and their “paymasters” wanted, Chin said, was a revival of the Mahathir era and “strong-man” politics.

“These bloggers are hired by the pro-Mahathir camp in Umno who want a strong leader like Mahathir that can shut any dissenters by using the Internal Security Act.

“But they are living a dream. Under the current Umno structure, it is no longer possible for Umno to present a strong minister,” said Chin.

Meanwhile, Professor Agus Yusoff of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the demand for Najib to step down by those bloggers would only gain traction if it was part of a wider call made by the vast society.

“The problem is that it is a soft intervention. It is just a drop in the ocean. It will only have an impact if that call was also made by the country’s leaders, by intellectuals, by the middle class, the civil service and the political elites,” said Agus.

“At this point, I see no affect on the political landscape,” he said.

He added that pro-Umno, anti-Najib bloggers could gain more influence if they tackled Najib’s alleged failures based on issues, rather than personal matters.

“But I don’t think that’s enough to sway the public opinion at large, unless the Umno bloggers work together with other NGOs in a concerted effort to bring Najib down,” said Agus. -FMT

Sabahans seek judicial review over Allah, Herald

 
KOTA KINABALU : Two Sabahans, both Roman Catholics have filed an ex-parte application for leave at the High Court in Kota Kinabalu to file a judicial review to obtain an order of certiorari (squash) against the decision of a Malaysian Government agency/agencies to seize 2,000 copies of the Herald, a Church weekly, on Sat 26 Oct last year at Kota Kinabalu International Airport here.

The application, was filed yesterday under Order 53 Rule 3(2) of the Rules of the High Court 2012 by activist Daniel John Jambun, one of the applicants, acting in person.

The application cited Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution; a Media Statement by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on 21 Oct, 2013; and a 10 Point Policy Document of the Federal Cabinet adopted in Feb 2011 on the use of the term “Allah” in Malay print of Christian publication in Malaysia.

The duo, including lawyer Marcel Jude Joseph, said in their respective affidavits in support that the seizure affected their rights as Herald readers to have access to the weekly which they regularly purchased on Sundays at their respective churches.

Jambun attends mass at St Catherine’s Church in Inanam, while Marcel at either the Sacred Heart Cathedral or the Church of Mary Immaculate in Luyang.

Besides the order of certiorari, the duo are seeking a declaration that the order of the federal agencies was unconstitutional and in breach of Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and the 10 Point Policy Document of the Federal Cabinet of February 2011 and a public assurance on freedom of worship given by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Kota Kinabalu on 21 Oct, last year.

They are also seeking damages for interference with the Applicants’ right of freedom of worship pursuant to Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution, costs, and any other relief deemed fit by the Court.

On the sidelines of the filing, Jambun said that he and Marcel were prepared to take the fight for the Herald all the way to the Federal Court.

“We will not buy the argument of the Umno Government that Muslims will be confused if Christians too use the word Allah in Malay print.

“We (Christians) hear the azan five times a day and we are not confused. We don’t switch from Christianity to Islam. It will be confusing if we are denied our rights,” said Jambun in a statement .

Allah is Umno’s political capital

The activist who heads the UK-based Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BOPIM), claimed that the Umno Government was making political capital out of Allah to maintain its vice-like grip on the rural electorate in Malaya.

“It’s in fact syirik for Muslims to concede that there are other Gods besides the one God,” said Jambun.

“So, Muslims can’t say, ‘Your God and my God is not the same. Don’t call your God Allah. Call it something else’,” he added.

He further said that BOPIM recently adopted a five-point policy declaration on the use of the word Allah in Malay print in matters that involve the Christian faith.

He disclosed the policy declaration, taken in preparation for the Judicial Review Application, as follows:

  1. The Court of Appeal was wrong to overturn the High Court ruling against the Home Minister on the Herald using Allah in Malay print to refer to the Christian faith;
  2. The Court of Appeal was wrong not to allow the High Court ruling considering the merits of the Home Minister’s decision;
  3. The Court of Appeal was wrong not to consider the merits of the Home Minister’s decision;
  4. The Court of Appeal was wrong to confine its decision to whether the Home Minister followed administrative procedures in arriving at its decision;

And, in a pre-emptive move, BOPIM held that the Federal Court would be wrong to say that it “sees no reason to disturb the ruling of the Court of Appeal” on the grounds that “the Herald did not prove/could not prove that the Home Minister did not follow administrative procedures in arriving at his decision.

“Where there are rights, there must be remedies,” asked Jambun.

Marcel Jude was not immediately available for comment. His affidavit and statement to support the ex-parte leave application was filed by Daniel.

The BOPIM chief said that Marcel would probably represent himself in court while he would either be represented by Marcel or another lawyer.

When contacted by FMT, Jambun said his application is scheduled to be heard on February 10 before High Court Judge, Ravinthran Paramaguru.

RON95: U-turn greeted with disbelief

 
The quick U-turn by the BN federal government on the possibility that RON95 grade fuel in the near future, be only allowed to be sold to certain segments of society, had not managed to calm the nerves of the rakyat.

Instead, the people have gone on the internet to slam the announcement, saying that with the recent price hikes across the board, the number of people ‘going under’ in the budget has increased, and the RON95 limit to the ‘poor’ will only make people go deeper into the red.

“The BN regime has gone deaf (pekak badak),” sums up the comments made by the PAS information chief when contacted Jan 24.

The government it seemed, had totally failed to grasp the goings-on with the rakyat, he said.

“The price of RON95 itself, is already high, as it has been increased several times already in these last few years.

“Unless of course, they can make an iron-clad promise that after this, the gov’t is going to reduce the price of RON95 to RM1.50 compared to what it is now, and make it affordable to the poor, well that would be another thing altogether,” he said.

“I am sure”, he said, “when the government successfully fumbles the country’s fiscal situation again, as what has been done repeatedly every year, the RON95 price would sooner or later be increased, despite the impact on the poor”. - ES

Mahathir torpedo that trapped and sank the 'NAIVE' NAJIB REGIME?

 

ALLAH, the Mahathir torpedo that trapped and sank the 'NAIVE' NAJIB REGIMEPrime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is already well-known for his defence for ‘kangkung’ (water spinach), besides his other flip-flop policies from time to time.

Within the past five years, he made a number of blunders.

In Penang during the Gangnam style concert, he had shouted the same question to an audience that was already giving him the answer in the negative that they would not vote for Barisan Nasional – and, despite the price of water spinach has gone up drastically last year, Najib continued defending the indefensible.

I was tickled when I watched the “That Effing Show #99 - Let Them Eat Kangkung” video clip on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEYZvwm0GHE) that I cannot help but wonder where has our nation, once the envy of the other nations in Asean, ended up with!

Even former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin was quick to pick it up by saying that if the price of kangkung (water spinach) has fallen, it does not mean the cost of living has decreased.

Najib’s Consumer Kangkung Index has turned the nation upside down. Now, his announcement about the cabinet decision is something that I cannot imagine would cost him and his men.

Saying that the 10-point solution still stands, he left the issue of the JAIS raid to the State, although most of us know that JAIS comes under the jurisdiction of the State Islamic Council (MAIS) and the Sultan. The State Government has no power of JAIS and till today, JAIS has not consulted the Home Ministry over the import of Alkitab into this country despite being ordered to do so by Selangor Menteri Besar, Khalid Ibrahim.

Credibility at risk, now Zero

Suddenly, every bit of confidence one has of Najib is now gone.

The 10-point solution that Idris Jala had hammered out was, in other words, only good for nothing. It appears to me that it was done to hoodwink the Christian community into voting the BN during the last General Election. Over such an important issue as the Alkitab and the name of the Almighty God, the Christian community in Malaysia feel that they have been betrayed by the prime minister himself.

To me, confidence in his ability to lead this nation on a righteous path is totally shaken. His failure to be the prime minister of his concept of 1Malaysia is now too glaring. If this is happening to the Christian community today, it can happen to the Sikh community tomorrow, because the Sikh holy book also contains the name Allah.

It can also happen to the Hindu community after Najib gave them an assurance of his government’s nambikei. Despite appointing P. Waythamoorthy as a deputy minister, after less than six months, Waythamoorthy is now silent about issues relating to the Indian community. The Hindu community cannot be indifferent, as they have witnessed the parading of a cow’s head in Shah Alam, at a time when Najib was prime minister.

As expressed by the Venerable Dr Sumana Siri who is chief monk of International Buddhist Cultural Organisation of Malaysia and Singapore, the concern that Malaysia’s version of Islam zealots will also hit the Buddhist community. Already in Penang, which is largely Buddhist, there are hues and cries that pigs sold in markets are disrespectful of the Muslim community.

As news came out that conversion to Islam in Sabah is done through various forms of deception, soon, the Umno brand of Islam will also reach the shores of Sabah and Sarawak, although at this juncture, due to the political volatility of Umno losing Putrajaya in GE14, Najib and his men can promise heaven on earth to our East Malaysian brethren, that they can continue to enjoy their freedom to use the name Allah.

Washing his hands the Pontius Pilate way, Najib is saying that the Federal Government would not have anything to do with the controversy that was in the first place initiated by the Home Ministry.

When the Home Ministry banned the Catholic weekly, The Herald, it was never on the basis of the state enactment. It was based on a Federal policy, which was put in place only to help former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is a Mamak by birth, consolidate his power within a Malay-based organisation.

Never mind about cronyism, nepotism and corruption, beating on the drum of religion was the only way for him to rally the Muslim zealots behind him.

One Country, but four sets of laws

As it is, there are already two sets of laws: the secular laws and the syariah.

Now, with his latest ‘solution’ to the Alkitab issue, Najib is setting a dangerous precedent in the way how this country will be run, based on State enactments for the individual states, while the Federal Constitution is for the entire nation. I have always upheld the Federal Constitution, but now Najib is telling me that the State enactments override the constitution!

While Najib can now say that in Sabah and Sarawak, because there are no enactments that prohibit the use of the name Allah by non-Muslims, will he stand by his promise when the state fatwa or some other enactments are used to prohibit the Christians and Sikh community from using the name Allah in their worship services and their literature?

In my opinion, Najib’s ‘solution’ will tear the country further apart, if the situation is allowed to continue. There goes his 1Malaysia, which he had spent millions to promote before the 13th General Election.

While the Federal Constitution allows freedom to practise one’s religion (in other words, without the interference of the State), Najib has turned the Constitution into nothing but a piece of paper. The irony is that the courts in this country are established under the Federal Constitution, and if any State Enactment is more superior by comparison, then it should also set up its own courts within the States.

Technically speaking, Najib, who is supposed to uphold the Federal Constitution, has made it subservient to the State enactments. It is therefore a big disappointment for any sensible citizen of this country, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu.

Narrow Down: Ketuanan Melayu and Umno

Over the years, the concept of ‘Malay Supremacy’ (or Ketuanan Melayu) has been played up time and again.

It is now more obvious to me, as I read the sloganeering by the one thousand odd supporters who turned up to support Najib, that the concept of ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ is nothing but strictly an Umno concept.

The Bumiputra in Sabah and Sarawak have to better wake up to the fact that they are not ultimately the “Tuan”, despite being given the title, “Bumiputra” under this Mahathir’s fanciful concept of Malay supremacy. To me, it is nothing but an ugly Mahathir twist to the Federal Constitution – ‘the supremacy of the Malay rulers’.

As far as I know, my friends in PAS and PKR have not been harping on the Malay supremacy. All that I know Anwar has been harping is the cronyism and nepotism during Mahathir’s era, which has carried on till today.

While Federal Territories Minister, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was trying to blame the middlemen for the price hikes, the truth is that the price hikes can only be traced to the decisions made by the Federal Government and a whole lot of Umno cronies.

With due credit given to Anwar and Tok Guru, neither one of them have been harping on the exclusivity of the name Allah to the Muslims. The two leaders have remained consistent back then before GE12 in 2008, and after the Herald ruling by the High Court in 2009.

Even after the Appeals Court overturned the High Court’s decision over the Catholic Weekly, The Herald, both PKR and PAS were consistent with their stand. Both Anwar and Tok Guru Nik Aziz have also earned the respect of the Christian community in Malaysia for speaking up for the truth.

Therefore, it is only Umno that has remained adamant that Allah is a name exclusive only to the Muslim God, when the rest of the world, including respectable international Muslim scholars, had given their views contrary to that held by the Malaysian Government.

The choice is now yours. In my opinion, enough is enough. Come the 13th General Election, I will not only vote for Pakatan, but I will put in time and efforts to help them with their campaigns. - MAILBAG

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

Putrajaya not living up to its promises, says Council of Churches

 
Council of Churches Malaysia general-secretary Dr Hermen Shastri (right) says Christians in Malaysia are beginning to see Putrajaya's inconsistencies in living up to its promises. – The Malaysian Insider pic, January 25, 2014.Local churches have accused Putrajaya of being inconsistent in keeping its promises, saying that it was pointless coming up with a policy when the states could overrule it.

In a reference to the prime minister’s statement yesterday that it was up to the states whether the word Allah could be used by non-Muslims, the Council of Churches of Malaysia stressed that no state laws should contravene the policies derived from the 10-point solution.

"Christians in Malaysia are beginning to see Putrajaya's inconsistencies in living up to the promises made to the community," CCM general-secretary Dr Hermen Shastri told The Malaysian Insider today.

Expressing disappointment with the prime minister’s stand on the issue, Hermen said the onus should be on Putrajaya to enforce its own policies.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said that the 10-point solution allowing for the use of "Allah" in Bibles was valid in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as in any other state which did not forbid the use of the word among non-Muslims.

"However, in all other states, the use of the word Allah will depend on their respective enactments, such as in the case of Selangor," the prime minister had said.

Hermen said Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion and it was up to Putrajaya to see that this was adhered to.

"Christians should be allowed to practise their faith in peace," he said.

Ten out of Malaysia’s 13 states have enactments banning non-Muslim usage of “Allah” and other Arabic words. The exceptions are Penang, Sabah and Sarawak, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) controls eight of those 10 states, while Selangor and Kelantan are administered by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

On January 2, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) had seized over 300 Malay and Iban-language Bibles from The Bible Society of Malaysia on the basis of the state’s 1988 enactment that prohibits non-Muslims from using 35 Arabic words and phrases in their faiths, including Allah.

Lawyers immediately denounced the Selangor state law as unconstitutional as its blanket ban on non-Muslim usage of “Allah” and other Arabic words is too broad, and not confined to Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution that prohibits non-Muslims from proselytising to Muslims.

In October last year, the appellate court upheld the Home Ministry's ban on Herald, prohibiting the Catholic publication from using the word Allah in its Bahasa Malaysia edition.

The Church is in the process of appealing and today, Hermen said Putrajaya should show good faith by withdrawing from the Herald case.

Christians form about 9% of Malaysia's 29 million population.

Almost two-thirds of Christians in Malaysia are Bumiputera and are largely based in Sabah and Sarawak, where they routinely use Bahasa Malaysia and indigenous languages in their religious practices, including describing God as “Allah” in their prayers and holy book.

Besides the Bumiputera Christians from Sabah and Sarawak, some of whom have moved to the peninsula to live and work, Orang Asli Christians in the peninsula also typically use Bahasa Malaysia in their worship. – TMI

Anwar as the Selangor MB?

 
Plans are afoot within PKR to make the party’s de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as the new Selangor Menteri Besar to replace the embattled Khalid Ibrahim.

This move is expected to solve the power struggle between Khalid and his nemesis Azmin Ali, who is the state PKR chief.

Popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, in his latest posting in Malaysia-Today, said that negotiations were ongoing to make Anwar the Menteri Besar so that neither Khalid nor Azmin gets the job.

According to Raja Petra, he was informed that DAP and PAS have agreed that Khalid be removed as MB, as the PKR Supreme Council is demanding.

“But they do not want Azmin Ali to replace Khalid,” he added.

He said that under the plan that was being worked out, a PKR state rep would quit his seat to allow Anwar to contest for the seat in a by-election.

“And if Anwar wins the by-election, Anwar would take over as Menteri Besar,” he further said.

“To sack Khalid and replace him with Azmin is no-go. Not to sack Khalid would mean the Selangor crisis would never be solved.

“The only way, therefore, is for Anwar to become the Menteri Besar so that neither Khalid nor Azmin gets the job.

“I was told that negotiations are ongoing even as you read this,” he said.

It is also learned that the DAP hierarchy has agreed to this plan while it is unknown on how PAS would take it. It is also uncertain as to how the Sultan of Selangor will view this development.

In the May 2013 GE, both DAP and PAS won 15 seats each while PKR won 14, following which there were calls from PAS for the party’s candidate to be chosen as the MB.

At the same time, there were also attempts made to make Azmin as the new MB. However Khalid was eventually allowed to retain the MB post in the spirit of Pakatan camaraderie.

In recent weeks, the relationship between Azmin and Khalid deteriorated following the former’s removal from the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) board.

Many blamed Khalid for this as his move to strengthen his position for the April party polls. Khalid is expected to challenge Azmin for the deputy president’s post.

The PKNS fiasco resulted in PKR state reps and party leaders in support of Azmin to call upon the party to remove Khalid as the state MB, and replace him with their man Azmin.

Earlier this week, the party officially announced that there were no moves to remove Khalid.

However Raja Petra’s article today suggests that deals are being negotiated behind the scenes to see Anwar, who is also the state economic advisor, assume the top post in the state.

Raja Petra said a clearer picture could emerge in Anwar’s “Special Address to Malaysians” in Bandar Sunway tomorrow.

-FMT

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Pakatan wants dialogue with BN to ease racial tension

 
Pakatan Rakyat today invited Barisan Nasional to an “urgent” discussion on racial as well as economic issues plaguing the rakyat; in response to the recent rise in racial slurs as well as attempts to evoke the May 13 incident.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the PR leadership was concerned how certain quarters were raising the May 13 and racial issues to frighten the rakyat from voicing their dissatisfaction over rising cost of living.

“It is clear to us that economic issues, issues of poverty and the rise in prices of goods are issues that the rakyat are concerned with, but they have been twisted (by certain quarters) to scare them away.

“For instance, the kangkung issue was an economic issue, but it has been linked to May 13. So this is why we suggest that Pakatan Rakyat immediately hold a dialogue with BN not only on economic matters, but racial issues as well,” Anwar told a press conference today.

The opposition leader said this after attending a meeting with the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council.

Anwar said the opposition coalition had decided in the meeting that it was willing to cooperate with the government to serve Malaysians’ best interests.

“This is so that if there are any signs of racial tension, it can be handled well to save the rakyat, especially those in the lower strata of society.”

“We urge the prime minister cum BN president Najib Tun Razak to immediately rise to this call and hold discussions with us on how to resolve the tensions that have been rising,” said Anwar.

DAP: We don’t want May 13

DAP national advisor Lim Kit Siang, who was also present at the press conference, said the party did not want a repeat of the May 13incident, which was evoked during last Saturday’s protest by various Malay-based groups in Penang.

Although the protest saw a few local Umno leaders in attendance, party state deputy chairman Reezal Merican Naina Merican has distanced the party from the banners, which read: “Because of DAP leaders’ mouth, May 13, 1969 happened… want some more?”

“We don’t want this to go on, so we hope there are leaders in BN brave enough to suggest that a BN leadership council meeting take place to discuss Pakatan’s offer,” said Lim today.

Anwar added that no conditions would be imposed on the talks, and if BN wished for a formal letter inviting them to the dialogue, he would duly oblige.

“We don’t want to impose any conditions, we don’t want to make it difficult, except to suggest that the meeting is urgent and of national interest.

“We must assure or reassure Malaysians of all religious and racial backgrounds that we are here to protect their interests and that we will work together with the government to ensure no repeat of any sort of unwanted elements trying to incite racial conflict or religious tension,” said Anwar.

-FMT

Agong is not the head of Islam, says constitutional law expert

 
Malaysia has no head of Islam and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is only the head of religion in his own home state and in states without rulers, said a constitutional law expert.

Former International Islamic University Malaysia academic Dr Abdul Aziz Bari (pic) said the more appropriate platform to represent the rulers on religious issues is the Conference of Rulers.

"It appears that not all the rulers view the way of the Agong and the Sultan of Selangor," Abdul Aziz said in a statement.

As such, he said the statement made by the Agong on the "Allah" issue last week had no effect.

"It may not even bind the Muslims as the resolution made by the National Fatwa Council in 1986, which was cited by the Agong in his address, has no legal standing," he said.

On Sunday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah had stated that several Arabic words, including "Allah", were exclusive to Muslims.

The Agong, who is also the Kedah Sultan, cited a 1986 decree by the National Fatwa Council which prohibits non-Muslims from using the words.

In November, the Sultan of Selangor also said that non-Muslims in his state could not use the word.

The Agong is appointed on a five-year rotational basis among the nine Malay rulers and is head of the religion of his state, Sabah, Sarawak, Penang, Malacca and the Federal Territories.

Abdul Aziz said the rulers, despite being the head of religion, had no power to lay down the laws of Islam.

"Only the Holy Prophet has the power to do so. Even the companions and later the caliphs had no such power. The position of the rulers is inferior to that of the caliphs.

"In any case, only the laws of Islam that is contained in the constitution and the relevant legislation can be enforced," he said.

Abdul Aziz also said the Agong's statement was not quite in line with the 10-point solution agreed by the Federal Government in 2011.

The 10-point solution which was endorsed by the cabinet, among others, allowed Christians nationwide to use the AlKitab in their religious practices.

"The rulers have no effect on non-Muslims as the right to religious freedom is guaranteed in the Federal Constitution. No authority can tell non-Muslims how they should practise their religion.

"Even for the Muslims, it is for the religion itself to regulate how they should practise Islam," he said.

He said the statement on the "Allah" issue may not even bind the Muslims as there was is no clear basis for it.

"In fact, some religious scholars such as Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawy had stated that it was fine for non-Muslims to use the name."

Abdul Aziz said the Agong, in his performance of the religous functions, may not listen to the advice of Putrajaya and was this was in line with the way the Constitution stipulated how the rulers function as head of religion.

He said the duty to abide by the government's advice under Article 40 (1) of the Constitution is a general requirement.

"I do not think this includes the Agong's religious functions," he said.

Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, at his investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 66th birthday last week, urged Malaysian Muslims to respect each individual’s religion to avoid disharmony.

“In a Malaysian context, the Constitution has set Islam as the official religion of the country without hindering others to practise their own religions," Tuanku Muhriz had said.

“With that, I urge Malaysian Muslims to continue living in harmony with each other and ensuring respect is given to others who practise different religions.”

Tuanku Muhriz also called on leaders of every community to cast aside sentiments which can destroy the harmony the country is thriving in.

Abdul Aziz said that not many people knew that the White Paper which accompanied the Merdeka Constitution final draft stated that Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) should be put under the Conference of Rulers.

"Now Jakim is being put as a unit under the Prime Minister's Department which I think is quite wrong," he said. – TMI

Federer of old sets up Nadal blockbuster

 
Roger Federer of Switzerland leaps for a shot (Source: AP)Roger Federer rekindled his dominance over Andy Murray in Grand Slam matches and advanced to his 11th consecutive Australian Open semi-final with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 win overnight.

Federer clinched it on his third match point with an ace to set up a showdown with top-ranked Rafael Nadal, who beat Grigor Dimitrov 3-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (7), 6-2.

Two of the leading contenders on the men's side survived on a day when two-time defending champion Victoria Azarenka was beaten 6-1, 5-7, 6-0 by Agnieszka Radwanska in the women's quarterfinals.

Still, Nadal and Federer certainly had nervous moments.

Murray, who saved two match points in the third-set tiebreaker, has an 11-10 edge over Federer in head-to-head matches and won their last match in five sets in the Australian Open semi-finals last year, but Federer has won four of five matches in majors.

The Wimbledon champion became agitated after a ruling while dropping serve late in the third set when he indicated that he thought the ball had bounced twice before Federer kept it in play.

Rightly or wrongly, it seemed to spark his resurgence, breaking Federer when the 17-time major winner was serving for the match in the 10th game, and then pushing it to a fourth set when he won six of the last seven points in the tiebreaker.

"They showed it twice on the replay," Federer said of the bounce. "It's an umpire's call. It looked good."
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After spending three months off the circuit following minor back surgery, Murray appeared to be in discomfort at times in the match, clutching at his lower back.

"I was proud of the way I fought," Murray said. "That's the highest level I've played at in a long time. My serve slowed down a bit in the fourth set, especially the first couple points when I was getting up after the change of ends."

After Federer won the opening game of the fourth set, the two played a 10-deuce game in which Murray saved six break points before Murray leveled. But Federer finally broke Murray in the eighth game then held serve to win the match in 3 hours, 20 minutes.

"I'm back," Federer said. "It was a great game on many levels, not just physically - but mentally, also."

In the earlier match on Rod Laver Arena, Nadal received treatment several times for a nasty-looking blister on the palm of his left hand that he said caused him to serve slower than usual. He fended off three set points in the third, including two in the tiebreaker, and won on his first set point.

He went up 2-0 in the fourth when he hit a passing backhand down the line on break point with Dimitrov standing at the net. At the end, Dimitrov appeared to wipe tears from his eyes with a towel as he walked off Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal acknowledged that Dimitrov let him off the hook with a wide forehand on set point in the third-set tiebreaker.

"It's a tough moment mentally for an opponent," Nadal said. "If that forehand from him goes in and he wins the third, I'm going to be fighting."

Dimitrov said: "I'm a bit shattered. I came out expecting nothing less than to win."

Azarenka's loss meant both defending champions went out in the quarterfinals - Novak Djokovic lost to Stan Wawrinka on Tuesday, ending his bid for a fourth consecutive men's title. Azarenka had been aiming for three in a row and other women's title contenders Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova didn't even reach the quarterfinals.

Azarenka's defeat left 2011 French Open champion Li Na as the only major winner in contention. Li, a two-time Australian Open finalist, next plays 19-year-old Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. In the other semifinal, Radwanska takes on No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova, who routed No. 11-seeded Simona Halep 6-3, 6-0.

Radwanska mixed up her game cleverly to keep Azarenka off balance, and never let her settle into the game.

"She was aggressive. She was making everything. She was guessing right," Azarenka said. "I was just playing a little bit too predictably."

Warwinka plays Tomas Berdych in the first men's semifinal Thursday, with Federer and Nadal set to play Friday night.

"We've had some epics over the years," Federer said of the semifinal. "I hope we can slug it out here in a couple of days."

-http://tvnz.co.nz

Blackphone: A Smartphone that Prioritizes Privacy

 
Silent Circle and Geeksphone are expected to launch Blackphone, an Andriod-based phone that prioritizes privacy and security, at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) Feb. 24. As Mashable reports, this new smartphone could garner particular interest from consumers seeking a more secure way to communicate and to transmit data at a time when privacy has become a hot topic in the mobile world. Not surprisingly, both companies bring to the partnership valuable knowledge in the mobile and privacy circles: Silent Circle is focused on encryption, and Geeksphone develops mobile devices running the Firefox OS.

The Blackphone Vision

According to CBR, the new smartphone “comes preinstalled with all the tools you need to move throughout the world, conduct business, and stay in touch, while shielding you from prying eyes.” The unlocked smartphone works across a range of GSM carriers, and allows users access to normal Android-based apps. Only the phone owners have full control of their digital footprints. Users can make and receive calls, send text messages, store files, video chat, and browse the Internet privately.

The Creators

Headed by Phil Zimmerman, Silent Circle is one of the world’s biggest providers of encrypted email. It has a fine record in the field of encryption, with three products: Silent Text, Silent Mail, and Silent Phone. The company isn’t a large software company, but its past record in encryption software is proof that the company knows what it’s doing.

The Spanish start-up Geeksphone is known for creating the developer preview smartphones running the Firefox OS. Blackphone is built on the same foundation as Firefox OS, and will be a truly open smartphone environment free of any carrier, Android, or iOS domination. Geeksphone is likely responsible for influencing these open source initiatives and the open environment that users and developers will enjoy with the new smartphone.

The smartphone will be powered by a customized Android OS version called PrivatOS, which is a truly carrier- and vendor-independent OS. At the moment, there are very few details available about the phone, but reports indicate that the hardware and software will likely be able to communicate with each other and will have to include an open source baseband (the chip that processes the signals and transmissions) in order to be truly snoop-proof. This will enable complete control of what information is shared while supporting various modifications to the source code.

-gazelle.com

MCA ready to prosecute Umno man

 
PETALING JAYA: The MCA Youth’s legal bureau today expressed regret over the delay by the Attorney-General’s Chamber in prosecuting the assailant of Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan, and said the bureau was willing to do the job on behalf of the AG’s Chambers.

The bureau chief Choo Wei Sern said in a statement today that it has been almost a week since the Selangor police chief Mohd Shukri Dahlan said the police has submitted the investigation papers on the incident to the AG’s Chambers, but to no avail.

In the Jan 12 incident, a teacher who was also the Hulu Selangor Umno Youth official, threw a punch at Kamalanathan during an event in Bukit Beruntung. The Umno official was believed to be dissatisfied with the deputy minister as his request to transfer his relative to Selangor was ignored.

“The AG’s Chambers ought to realise that justice delayed is justice denied.

“More so, in a high profile case like this which involves a deputy minister, the delay by AG’s Chambers will seriously impede public confidence in the AG’s Chambers.

“The chambers is seen to be deliberately delaying taking any action or worse, refusing to take action against the suspect merely because of his political affiliation and background,” he said.

Choo said should the AG’s Chambers fail to act, then it might as well appoint MCA’s group of lawyers under the Criminal Procedure Code to act as prosecutors on a pro bono basis to ensure justice is upheld.

“We believe this is the right cause to fight for, and this must be the very same cause the attorney-general fights for and carry out,” he said.

MIC: Don’t put pressure on the AG Chambers

In a related development, MIC’s legal advisor Selva Mookiah said the AG Chambers should be allowed to undertake its duties without pressure or interference from any parties.

While he appreciated MCA’s concern on the matter, he nevertheless cautioned the Chinese-based party from turning the incident into a “us versus them” scenario.

“The due process of the law must be observed at all times. The AG Chambers will need to evaluate the investigation papers in accordance with their procedures.

“I am absolutely confident with the AG Chambers and its processes. At this juncture, it is MIC’s position that physical attack should never be condoned, no matter what the grievances are.

“We cannot allow mob rule and on the same token the alleged perpetrator should not be punished without a thorough investigation. Let the AG Chambers undertake its duties without pressure or interference,” he added in a statement.

-FMT

Jeffrey's statement taken out of context: Yong

 
Sabah Progressive Sabah (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee said Star Sabah Chief, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan's statement on the Chinese community has been taken out of context, especially by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Gerakan.

"Considering that Dr Jeffrey's decades long political struggle, including being detained under the cruel Internal Security Act for more almost three years, has been based on Sabah rights, Sabahans should take Dr. Jeffrey's comments (on the Chinese community) in the right context," he said.

"If you read Dr Jeffrey's whole statement he was actually making the comments in the context of the exodus of leaders from DAP. Dr. Jeffrey had said that "the ex-DAP leaders cannot simply give up the struggle."

Dr Jeffrey also said that they should find a way to bring along the Chinese community to fight for Sabah's rights and autonomy from now on. Sabah is their (Chinese Sabahan) homeland, too, that their ancestors, grandparents and parents have helped to build.

Yong who is a former Chief Minister said the unity of the people of all races, religions and social backgrounds was crucial in determining the success of Sabah's struggle for autonomy and progress.

"Dr Jeffrey is well aware that his struggle for Sabah ever since the 1980s has been helped by patriots of all races, including ethnic Chinese Sabahan activists.

"Therefore, people should not be upset by his "out of the blue" comments last week that Chinese Sabahans should not only be interested in business but should protect Sabah's interests and autonomy, as though the Chinese community have not and are not doing so," he said.

Yong said he too had been fighting for Sabah rights and autonomy.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan and other leaders from Gerakan had criticised Dr Jeffrey saying that he should not be talking about the Chinese community.

While Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Secretary General Datuk Johnny Mositun said a significant part of Sabah's development and progress over the last 150 years or so is directly attributable to its Chinese community and to deny this was not only incorrect and unfair but also a denial of facts.

Speaking in his personal capacity he said it was not right to label Sabah's Chinese community as one that was only interested in doing business and not interested in protecting the state's political rights and interests.

-dailyexpress.com.my

Heavy backlog on NCR cases

 
KUCHING: The huge backlog on native customary rights (NCR) land cases Sabah and Sarawak makes its imperative that a special court be set up immediately.

Senior NCR lawyer Baru Bian said he had 300 cases parked in Sarawak court alone.

“It’s a tough challenge for the courts here. The special court, if established will allow the cases that have been long delayed trial quicker,” he said.

Bian was commenting on a call by Chief Judge of High Court in Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjun. Malanjun had, at the launch of the Sabah and Sarawak Legal Year, recently said a tribunal or dedicated court on NCR had been proposed to dispose such cases in Borneo.

He pointed out that with each year the number of cases were increasing and the situation was “challenging”.

Lauding Malanjum’s view, Bian said it was a relieve to know that the former ‘realised’ the number of cases stuck in court.

“The proposal by Chief Judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak (Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima) Richard Malanjum proved he realized many cases of NCR were on hold.

He said, adding that he hoped the state would respond to Malanjum’s proposal as soon as possible.

Bian also suggested that the the state recall judges and senior attorneys who had retired to sit on the special court.

“I have submitted a motion to establish a Land Tribunal in the State Legislative Assembly sessions ago but was rejected, so I am honoured that (Tan Sri) Richard (Malanjum) raised the issue. It is timely,” he said.

-FMT

Japan eviction: Anwar had no visa

 
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was denied entry into Japan over the weekend for not furnishing a visa application to Tokyo.

Japanese Embassy second secretary Takaharu Suegami explained today that the PKR de facto leader was previously allowed entry into Japan in 2011 and 2012 as on those occasions he (Anwar) had submitted visa applications which had enabled the Japanese government to make “special arrangements” for the latter.

“Since July last year, we had abolished the requirement for visa for Malaysian travellers to Japan, but that is only for the ordinary people,” Suegami told FMT when contacted, today.

“Any persons who has been convicted still need to apply for a visa. That is the problem,” he explained.

“If he (Anwar) knew he was going to Japan, he should have issued a letter to the embassy and we could make special arrangements for him,” he added.

Suegami pointed out that the Japanese authorities had the right to deny anyone entry into the country under Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, which stated that Japan had every right to deny entry to anyone who has been convicted of a violation of any law of Japan or any other country.

“Before this, Anwar was allowed to enter because we received prior application for a visa from his office in the form of a letter.

“As such, we received the application in advance and could make special arrangements for him and then allowed him to enter Japan,” he said.

“But this time, we did not receive prior application of visa from him, so because of that we couldn’t do anything. This is a procedural problem.”

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the opposition leader was denied entry into Japan over the weekend because he was found to be ‘undesirable’ by the Japanese government.

Anifah denied that the Malaysian government was involved in Japan’s decision to bar Anwar from entering the country.

He also denied that Anwar was barred from entering Japan following a Wisma Putra report on him last year.

Anwar went to Tokyo on the invitation of the Nippon Foundation chairman Yohei Sasakawa to present a paper on Muslim Democrats.

Anwar, on his arrival back to Kuala Lumpur blamed the government for his being denied entry into Japan. -FMT

No sorry, I will not bow to Umno

 
While thanking DAP for its concern and support, Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon fell short of taking Lim Kit Siang's advice that he should consider an apology for his controversial "I love kangkung" flash mob which has angered some Malay groups in Penang.

Lee stuffs a pack of kangkung into an effigy of Najib at the flash mob. - The Malaysian Insider pic, January 21, 2014.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat rep is standing his ground, reiterating that he will not bow to "Umno's racial and bullying tactics".

Lee said the most important thing to do now was to tackle the price hike issue and to pressure Putrajaya to listen to the people.

"I want to stress that the most crucial matter now is to continue the people's movement to protest against the price hikes and Putrajaya's plan to implement the goods and services tax (GST) next year.

"I am grateful to (DAP adviser) Lim Kit Siang for his suggestion (that I apologise) and concern. I also thank my colleagues in the state PR backbenchers committee, non-governmental organisations and my voters for their support.

"As a Pakatan Rakyat elected rep, I am angry and worried that the racial sentiments played up by Umno and its supporters will divert our focus from the real issue," he said in a statement this evening.

Lee was responding to Lim, who had suggested that he should consider apologising for holding the flash mob to prevent extremists from using the incident to incite more racial hatred.

Lim had said that Lee should "consider an apology" as there are certain quarters, including him, who see the latter's actions as "excessive, offensive and insensitive".

"An even more important consideration is not to allow irresponsible quarters to look for excuses to distort and manipulate incidents to escalate racial and religious hatred to create another May 13 in the country," Lim had said in a statement earlier today.

Lee stuffs a pack of kangkung into an effigy of Najib at the flash mob. - The Malaysian Insider pic, January 21, 2014.Lee stuffs a pack of kangkung into an effigy of Najib at the flash mob. - The Malaysian Insider pic, January 21, 2014.Lee had sparked controversy when he and others 'fed' kangkung to an effigy of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the flash mob in Alma last Wednesday.

He has since been accused of insulting Najib and the Malays.

Two protests against Lee were held last weekend in Seberang Jaya and Alma. The two events also saw local Umno leaders making fiery speeches with the crowd shouting racial taunts. Some carried banners warning of another May 13-like racial riots.

Lee said the public was unhappy with what Umno did at the protests.

"This means the racial card, often played, is no longer effective and Malaysian politics is becoming more progressive and mature."

On his flash mob, Lee said it was meant to be a symbolic gesture to get Najib to be more aware of the people's feelings as a result of the price hikes.

He said there was no intention to insult anyone.

"The flash mob was merely a response to the price hike issue that affects everyone, regardless of race," he said.

He added that PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu had said that, as a Malay, he did not feel offended by the flash mob.

"Therefore, I will not bow to Umno. The party is the one that started what happened (at the rallies)," he said. - TMI

Bersih supports re-delineation but…

 
Electoral reform watchdog Bersih 2.0 stated that they are merely stating facts when calling for amendments to the Federal Constitution be made before the implementation of re-delineation.

They were responding to the minister in Prime Minister’s department Nancy Shukri’s dismissal of Bersih’s demands related to the re-delineation exercise, due to take place in March, as ‘politicising.’

“Nancy appears to have failed to appreciate that it is a basic tenet of democracy for there to be disagreements. Disagreeing with the past and present actions of the EC is not “politicking”.

“Bersih 2.0 is not politicising the issue of electoral reforms but simply stating the facts of the bias and unjust measures used in the delineation which starkly favours one dominant political party,” Bersih said in a statement

Four days ago Nancy claimed that Bersih was politicising the exercise.

“I think politicians, be they from the right wing or left wing, should not be politicising things too much, as it doesn’t help our people to develop.

“I think it is unfair for them (Bersih to stop the Election Commission’s re-delineation exercise).

“They should be the ones giving good proposals on the re-delineation exercise,” she said, on the objection made by Bersih against the redelineation exercise by EC.

On Jan 16, Bersih had announced that it would take the Election Commission (EC) to court if the redelineation exercise is conducted before amending Article 46 of the 13th schedule in the Federal Constitution, which determines the number of parliamentary seats.

“We wish to clarify that Bersih’s action to file a court injunction to stop the redelineation is conditional,” the group said.

The five demands made earlier by Bersih are; no increase of legislative seats in total, no unconstitutional mal-apportionment, no gerrymandering, no “tele-porting” of voters and the immediate resignation of all EC members. -FMT

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Flood aid: What about Sabah and Sarawak, Petronas?

 
Petronas will channel RM5 million to 21,000 families affected by the East Coast floods, in phases from now until the end of February, its Strategic Communications Division Head, Norliza Kamaruddin, said today.

“This is part of our corporate social responsibility to the flood victims in the states where we operate – Terengganu, Pahang and Kelantan,” she said during the first phase of the aid-presentation ceremony in Kampung Pasir Gajah near here.

“It will be distributed to about 15,000 families in Kemaman and another 6,000 families in Kuantan, Pahang and Pasir Mas, Kelantan,” she said.

Norliza also presented a mock cheque for RM3.4 million to Terengganu Menteri Besar, Ahmad Said, for the flood victims in Kemaman.

Each family would receive a comforter set and Petronas Kedai Mesra voucher worth RM150 for the purchase of daily needs and petrol, she said.

Norliza said all those who had registered at the flood relief centres in their respective districts were eligible for the assistance.

“Petronas is also working with the Social Welfare Department and relevant district offices to ensure the aid is distributed in an orderly and efficient manner,” she said.

Petronas had earlier sent its staff who volunteered to help the victims and donated basic necessities at the flood relief centres in Kemaman during the first wave of floods, she said.

“We also sent 150 staff who volunteered to help at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Pasir Gajah which was severely hit by the floods,” she said.

Ironically neither Petronas nor the federal authorities have moved to assist flood victims in Sabah and Sarawak.

Last month Sabah Star chairman Jeffrey Kitingan charged that giving flood aid to affected states in Peninsula Malaya and not Sabah and Sarawak was just another form of unfair treatment of Sabahans and Sarawakians following the unequal hike in electricity tariff.

Kitingan was responding to the federal goverment announcement of RM500 aid for each family affected by the floods in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Kangkung currency accepted in Malaysian coffee chain

 
Riding on the Najib-inspired craze for kangkung, a popular coffee chain in the Klang Valley lets customers pay in 'kangkung' for a cup of black coffee.

Reporter: Prasadh Michael
Videographer: Azfarafandi Zulkifley
Video editor: Azudin Hidzir

kiniTV

DAP loses cool over MB’s cruise to Antarctica

 
The DAP today questioned the purpose of Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said’s 15-day visit to Antarctica beginning tomorrow, asking how the trip could benefit Malaysia, let alone Terengganu.

“What business does the Terengganu Menteri Besar have in Antarctica which justifies a jolly cruise to the Antartica?” asked DAP’s publicity secretary Tony Pua in a statement.

Ahmad Said had announced that he will lead a Malaysian delegation’s 15-day visit to Antarctica beginning Saturday.

A statement from the Menteri Besar’s Office said the working visit “is initiated towards enabling Malaysia contribute to research on climate change which has become increasingly unpredictable.”

However Pua wanted to know how the “15-day jolly luxury cruise” was going to benefit Malaysia.

“If Malaysia has scientists involved in climate change, they would be better served studying the impact of climate change through massive deforestation happening in our country.

“Why should we be spending any tax-payers money at all to “research” an area where we have no competitive advantage?” he asked.

He further said that even of local academics were interested in the study of climate change in Antarctica, why should the MB be given a “beautiful tour of faraway Antarctica at tax-payers expense”?

“Even worse, he isn’t even the country’s minister of Science and Technology, or the minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

“He is the Menteri Besar of a state who has no business gallivanting in the unpopulated South Pole,” added Pua.

He said the MB had no excuse to go to the land of penguins in Antarctica on claims that it was for a trade mission to draw foreign investment or to attract tourists.

Pua said a conservative estimate of the tour for a delegation of 20 people would cost the state about RM1 million without taking into account other side tours and expenses.

“Ahmad has no right to abuse the rakyat’s money on such extravagant junket trips when Terengganu remains the poorest state in Peninsula Malaysia after Perlis and Kelantan.

Pua added that Ahmad must give a full account of the expenses of the trip and provide a full report on its benefits to Malaysia, and particularly to the state of Terengganu. -FMT

NSA collects millions of text messages globally: Guardian

 
The U.S. National Security Agency has been gathering nearly 200 million text messages a day from around the world, gathering data on people's travel plans, contacts and credit card transactions, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.

Code-named "Dishfire," the NSA program collects "pretty much everything it can," the Guardian said, citing a joint investigation with the UK's Channel 4 News based on material from fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

The newspaper said the documents also showed that the British spy agency GCHQ had used the NSA database to search the metadata of "untargeted and unwarranted" communications of people in the United Kingdom.

Blackout in Sabah again despite govt promise

 
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah including Labuan was plunged into darkness earlier today following a statewide blackout at 11am.

Except for Labuan which saw power restored within an hour, the rest of the state is still waiting for electricity, although some areas reported partial supply had resumed.

There has been no official word on the blackout from Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd. But a posting by a SESB staff on social media noted that the team is still trying to locate the cause of blackout.

Businesses in the city and other parts of Sabah has come to a near standstill.

In the city centre police were seen sorting out massive traffic congestions everywhere.

Meanwhile hospitals across the state are relying on generators. State Health director Dr Christina Rundi reportedly said that the generators were activated within 30 minutes of the blackout and the situation was under control.

Seething Sabahans have taken to Facebook to vent their wrath.

Outages are not new to Sabahans especially in the east coast belt.

Barely two months ago Green Technology and Water Minister who is also Kota Marudu MP Maximus Ongkili, had promised that the situation would improve with SESB set to spend RM1.4 billion over the next five years to replace hundreds of kilometers of cables.

The move, he had said was a comprehensive effort to reduce blackouts in the state.

He said SESB was aiming to replace 80% of the distribution uninsulated high tension cable in Sabah with aerial bundles. The current cables were prone to encounter power interruptions when touched by oter objects such as tree branches.

“To strengthen the transmission component w need to complete the loop from Tawau to Keningau to enable additional additional energy to be generated from the Ulu Padas hydro electric station. It is expected to come onstream in 2019, he said.

He said these were among the measures taken to reduce disruptions. -FMT

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Bumburing to lead new party?

 
There is speculation that PKR’s Tamparuli assemblyman Wilfred Bumburing will join another party or form a new one in Sabah in the latest line of Pakatan Rakyat reps ditching their parties.

Previously DAP assemblyman for Luyang, Hiew King Chew, left the party to be pro-government independent. Soon after, Jelani Hamdan (PKR-Matunggong) and Jeremmy Ukoh Malajad (PKR-Kadamaian) followed suit.

Others say the influential Bumburing is taking over Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS), now headed by Bingkor community leader Thomas Anggan.

Bumburing was Upko deputy president before he quit weeks before the last general election in May 2013.

He managed to get PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim’s consent to stand under the party’s ticket even though he refused to become a member.

Some of Bumburing’s men, notably lawyer Maijol Mahap, almost made a giant-killing feat in the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat, losing only by a few hundred votes to PBS deputy president Maximus Ongkili.

Meanwhile, a man in Bumburing’s circle said his boss was in fact approached by PKS and when people heard of this, many joined the party.

“The PKS president had a change of heart and thought that his party can attract more people and thus decided to rescind the offer to Bumburing,” he said.

But many within the Sabah political circle believe that Bumburing would not want to be partyless forever and will join a party or form a new one.

“You can bet Bumburing will soon join a political party. He knows in the next elections, a Sabah-based party will be a good alternative and with the right leaders can even win enough seats to be used as bargaining chip with the bigger parties,” said an observer. -FMT

Thanks to Najib, kangkung sizzles internationally

 
The kangkung topic is just sizzling hot. The flaks thrown at Prime Minister Najib Razak by netizens over his kangkung remark were picked by international portal such as BBC and Kompas, a popular newspaper in Indonesia.

British broadcaster the BBC ran an article yesterday titled ‘#BBCtrending: Be careful what you say about spinach’ with a picture of a T-Shirt ‘Keep Calm and Eat Kangkung’ on how Malaysians have poked fun on Najib’s remark.

“Kangkung-gate", as it's been dubbed by some, has hit a nerve because many people are struggling with the rising cost of living, and are resentful of what they regard as corruption, and lavish spending by the government,” read the report.

The article had garnered more attention today after media highlighted complains by netizens that the article was inaccessible from Malaysia’s shore.

AFP reported that Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Telekom Malaysia’s Internet Service had denied they had blocked the page.

Accesibility to the page was recovered soon after.

Meanwhile, Kompas also reported that the sad fate that befell Najib soon after his speech complaining about Malaysians not being grateful to the government for the drop in the price of kangkung was uploaded on Youtube.

“Soon after the video was uploaded to Youtube last weekend, Malaysia internet activists started to poke fun and ridicule the speech.

There are users who made an account called ‘Hari Kangkung Sedunia’ (World’s Kangkung Day) in Facebook and upload numerous parody videos and photos on kangkung,” it reported.

The media sensation on kangkung has left the public wondering what will Najib’s bunch of expensive advisors will do the save the day?

“Next time, if you want to blame it on bad weather, just blame it on bad weather and leave the innocent kangkung alone!” perhaps the most sound advice his advisors could offer Najib now. -HD

Petrol hike has little effect on price of goods

 
Despite grumbling among consumers over the expected rise in the cost of living, the recent fuel price hike has had little impact on the price of raw foodstuff — at least at the Kuala Lumpur Wet Market here, Khairy Jamaluddin has found.

Khairy made this conclusion after spending half an hour walking through the busy wet market this morning to gauge the price of goods on sale there, just two days after the Internet exploded over the kangkung (water spinach) debacle which saw netizens lash out at a prime minister who is apparently unsympathetic towards the rakyat’s financial concerns.

Many quarters have blamed Putrajaya’s fiscal measures for the hike in prices of goods and services beginning 2014, but Khairy said there were more factors to be taken into consideration that were beyond the government’s control.

“According to the sellers here, the rise and fall of prices is mostly related to supply. This is linked to the weather conditions that may cause fishermen to avoid the sea, or a decrease in supply from exporting countries such as Thailand,” the Youth and Sports minister told reporters today after his walkabout.

“It cannot be denied that the petrol hike has a little impact as it increases transportation costs, but the main issues are supply and demand.”

With a price sheet in hand and flanked by the media, policemen, and his entourage comprising Umno Youth members, Khairy had manouvered among the stalls to approach several vendors in the market, asking them how much their goods were selling for.

This, he said, was part of the government’s initiative to monitor increase in prices of goods to ensure the cost of living among Malaysians remained at a reasonable level.

And while some goods had seen an increase in price, many of the vendors had pointed out to the Umno Youth chief during his walkabout that they could not risk drastically hiking their wares, as it would mean losing out to their competitors.

Consumers could also rest assured that the formation of Umno Youth’s Consumer Squad would ensure that their interests were protected, Khairy said.

“We will form a committee in every state to help the ministry of domestic trade, cooperatives and comsumerism to monitor the price of goods.

“We will act according to the Anti-Profiteering Act to curb unreasonable hikes in prices, the Price Control Act where several items will be enlisted under this in anticipation of Chinese New Year, and the Competition Act to ensure there is no monopoly,” said Khairy.

He said the squad would also distribute flyers to consumers revealing the recommended price of everyday goods prepared and updated every week by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

“Consumers can check the price list and make comparisons when doing their shopping. This is part of Umno Youth’s efforts to educate consumers. Many don’t know the real price of goods.”

Khairy added that the squad, which only began operating today, would work together with consumer associations to better protect consumers from sellers who may take advantage of the government-announced price increases to hike up their wares to exorbitant levels.

The Rembau MP also urged the government not to agree to price hikes unrelated to the subsidy rationalisation efforts, such as increase in school bus and toll fares. -FMT

Next election would be stolen if EC creates new seats

 
The Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to begin the redelineation exercise in March and election reform watchdog, Bersih 2.0 fears that it will be a one-sided affair again.

Bersih is against the redelinenation exercise being conducted without the amending of Article 46 of the 13th schedule in the Federal Constitution, which determines the number of parliamentary seats.

“If the EC starts the redelineation exercise without amending Article 46, Bersih will file a court injunction to stop the exercise. We will hold them accountable,” said former Bersih steering committee member, Wong Chin Huat.

He said this in reaction to EC chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof’s statement that the EC is planning to split parliamentary constituencies to ensure that there would only be 100,000 voters for each constituency, as reported in the Chinese newspaper, Sin Chew Daily on Jan 7, 2014.

“Bersih would object to any attempts to increase the number of seats since more seats only benefit BN and Umno.

“The increase would be important to maintain BN’s dominance. Of the 22 new seats in the last exercise 13 were taken by Umno,” said Wong.

He added that in the 13th general election, Umno and PBB jointly held 32% of votes but held 46% seats.

On that note he also warned Pakatan Rakyat not to be taken in by calls to increase the number of seats.

“Colluding with Umno for new seats is equivalent to allowing the next general election to be stolen,” Wong said.

He said that increasing the number seats only served to allow BN component leaders to contest for more seats.

“It is a waste of money. More seats means less time for MP’s to speak in Parliament. In 2012, an MP spoke for an average of 2 hours and 32 minutes only,” he added.

Wong was speaking at the government’s legal suit against Bersih for organising Bersih 3.0 rally in April 2012, being heard in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, today.

Justify the figures

The last time the redelineation exercise was conducted was in 2003. Once started, the EC is required to complete the exercise within two years.

Wong said that previous amendments to Article 46 was done by the EC while the redelineation exercise was ongoing. The election reform watchdog stated they would welcome efforts to redraw the constituency boundaries.

Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah had demanded for the resignation of the current EC office bearers.

She said that Bersih wants an end to the unconstitutional creating of new seats.

“The EC said that they are adjusting the number of voters from 25,000 to 100,000 voters. Justify the figures.

“Clause 2(c) Part 1 of the 13th Schedule only provides for justification in the context of transportation and it being a rural constituency,” Maria said.

Maria urged the public to form a 100 voter group for each constituency to ensure that the redelineation exercise is done in the interest of the people and not to facilitate political parties and the EC’s interest. -FMT

Allah issue: Why silence the ministers?

 
KOTA KINABALU: Bingkor assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan has questioned the imposition of a gag order on the Cabinet Ministers restricting them from speaking and commenting on the “Allah” issue.

He said such a move showed that the present Federal government under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is floundering and incapable of governing.

“The gag order means that the PM and his Cabinet is weak and unable to stand up for all Malaysians who are non-Muslims.

“This is probably the reason why the PM is unable to state his stand on the issue. He is not the PM for all Malaysians,” said Kitingan who is also Sabah STAR chairman.

He was responding to news report that the Cabinet had unanimously decided that only Najib can issue statments and announcements on the issue.

The Oriental Daily had on Jan 9 quoted Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam as saying that “since we have decided that only Najib can speak on the Allah issue, we will leave it to him to make any statements.”

Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz who was also quoted by the daily confirmed the gag order adding: “You should go ask the Prime Minister … I cannot say anything. We ministers must obey the official secrecy order. I am not allowed to leak any information from the (Cabinet) meeting.”

Responding to the status, Kitingan took to task non-Umno Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers and leaders of the BN component parties for not daring to speak out against the gag order, describing them as “spineless” and mere followers.

“They are not fit to be in the Cabinet and together with their Umno counterparts, they have no business governing all Malaysians,” he said.

Kitingan also demanded the rationale for the gag order.

“What does the gag order mean? he asked.

Cabinet no longer respects 10 points?

He reminded that in April 2011, the prime minister himself had signed the 10-Point solution in which bibles in all languages including Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia were freely allowed.

He said this means that the use of the word “Allah” was not an issue and more specifically bibles in Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia were at liberty to be used.

“The 10-Point was a decision of the Cabinet, the highest authority of government in the land.

“Is it not a Cabinet decision that was meant to be implemented and enforced and followed by the government and its agencies. Why then the raid on the Bahasa Malaysia bibles?

“Why are the bibles still retained and not returned to the Bible Society and why the gag order?

“Does it mean that the Cabinet no longer respects and will no longer honour the 10-Point?” he asked.

Kitingan said the gag order now seems to mean that the 10-Point decision is no longer valid and was a mere political gimmick in the run-up to GE-13 to hoodwink and mislead the Christian voters in Sabah and Sarawak in the election. -FMT

RM2.5bil project not in Sipadan

 
KOTA KINABALU: Sipadan island, the world famous diving spot off the coast of Sabah, is safe from any intrusive and environmentally damaging development at least for now.

Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) clarified this week that a RM2.5 billion foreign-funded tourism development project did not include the island.

After the proposed project was revealed last week, it received a storm of criticism and the Sedia issued a statement assuring the public that it would have no direct bearing on the island.

The clarification comes after a meeting last week between state government officials and Chinese investors of the project which seemed to have gained tentative approval of the state government.

In a bid to quell criticism, Sedia said the project with Chinese firm Diving Best is “an expansion of the existing Sipadan Mangrove Resort (SMR), an Entry Point Project (EPP) listed under the Regional Cities and Corridors programme with an investment of RM491 million is expected to generate RM114.9 million in GNI in 2020”.

The collaboration between Diving Best and SMR is the result of successfully matching the China investors with a local business partner, said Sedia.

The location of the proposed project was on 280 acres of private land belonging to SMR. It was chosen for its proximity to Sipadan Island which is 35 minutes away by speedboat, it added.

The agency also said it recognised the significance of preserving Sipadan Island and regrets any confusion that was caused by its previous statement.

Encouraging response

The multi-billion ringgit Chinese-funded project falls under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) blueprint which is managed by Sedia.

But critics warn that the aggressive drive by Sedia to attract investment into Sabah can give individuals with access to non-public information in such government-sponsored deals.

This is especially important since to further increase investor interest in the SDC, the Finance Ministry has also approved a tax incentive package for the SDC.

The investment tax incentive package cover activities such as those in the tourism sector, manufacturing, agriculture, and major industries located within the Strategic Development Areas of the SDC. These tax incentives are applicable for applications received by Sedia until Dec 31, 2020.

Sedia said the response from local and foreign trade missions had been encouraging.

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) announced in February last year that the Sabah Development Corridor recorded RM5 billion in investment in the manufacturing sector for the year 2012. -FMT

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Will Anwar go for PKR presidency?

 
With the PKR elections to take place in mid-May, questions are being raised as to who will be leading the party as it sets itself to face the most important 14th general election.

While there have been calls for Anwar Ibrahim to take over the presidency of PKR, he has gone on record as saying that he is happy being the de facto leader of the party.

His wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ibrahim has held the presidency since the party was formed in 1998 when Anwar was in prison.

Many in the party want Anwar to take over the mantle. The calls were the loudest at the special congress two months ago but Anwar said that he is comfortable with his de facto leader status.

“I’m enjoying myself now, why should I?” he asked during the end of the special congress.

If Anwar decides not to take up the call, chances are strong that Azmin Ali, now Wan Azizah’s deputy, will go all out for the presidency.

Azmin is the Gombak MP and the state assemblyman for Bukit Antarabangsa.

Thus far, there have been no indication that anyone else is interested in the top post but these are still early days.

There are already calls for Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah to take over from her mother. PKR leaders in Borneo are keen on seeing Nurul as party president. She is presently the vice president.

Sources there claim that they are supportive of Nurul whose stand on various issues involving Sabah and Sarawak differs from Anwar’s views and echoes theirs.

When asked to comment today, Nurul Izzah said she would be making an announcement soon. Sources close to her insist that she would stick to her vice presidency post.

Tough contest

Meanwhile, another PKR source told FMT that deputy president Azmin may not have smooth ride in defending his deputy presidency in the party polls.

The source said that Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution are also eyeing the deputy presidency slot.

“It almost confirmed that PKR president Wan Azizah will make way for her husband to helm the party.

“From what I know, Anwar is planning a major revamp in the party line-up in preparation for the next general election. So all eyes are on the coveted deputy presidency spot,” said the source.

Queried on Saifuddin’s close relationship with Azmin, the source said that the former Machang MP was closer to Khalid.

The source added that this was attributed to Khalid’s appointment of Saifuddin as his political liaison officer.

“But it may not even be a three-cornered fight for the party deputy presidency. I suspect that either Khalid or Saifuddin will make way for the other,” he said.

When asked if the duo will be a threat to Azmin, the source said that Khalid was not strong enough to undermine the Gombak MP’s influence in the party.

“There are only two people who could undermine Azmin, it is Saifuddin and Nurul.However, it is most likely that Nurul will just defend her vice presidency. So Azmin’s only threat now is Saifuddin.

“Despite losing in the general election, Saifuddin still enjoys some grassroots support in the party,” said the source.

However, the source added that despite being an influential figure in PKR, Azmin stands a higher chance of retaining his post, as he has Anwar’s support.

“Come rain or shine, Anwar will always back Azmin. The latter has been the former deputy prime minister’s hardcore loyalist from day one,” he said.

Youth post

A post that is certainly up for grabs is that of youth chief, currently held by Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

“I will forgo my position as the youth chief since the cut off age is 35,” said Shamsul, adding that he had not decided whether to run for any other post.

There is talk in party circles that Selangor deputy speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is vying for the youth chief’s post.

Nik, 31, is Seri Setia state assemblyman and formerly head of the party’s communications office. He would not confirm whether he intends to replace Shamsul Iskandar.

“I’ll make an announcement when the time comes,” he said.

The only candidate who has announced his candidacy for the top youth post is Batu Caves state assemblyman Amirudin Shari.

Amirudin is 33 and serving his second term as an assemblyman.

He said in a press statement: “Having obtained the support of friends from PKR youth nationwide, I would like to offer myself as a candidate for the PKR Youth chief’s post during party polls this year.” -FMT

Rulers must address ‘Allah’ issue

 
Syed Ali Alhabshee today urged the Conference of Rulers to address the ongoing “Allah” controversy to curb untoward disputes, especially on social media.

The Umno Cheras division chief said that only the nine rulers of the states had full power to put a stop to the dissent, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

“Only the Conference of Rulers have the ability to resolve the issue,” Syed Ali said on his blog today.

“The council must immediately take the initiative to resolve the situation to ensure the issue is not discussed openly especially on social media,” he added.

Syed Ali urged concerned parties to put an end to open discussions on the matter as it would only cause chaos and confusion among the people.

“The enthusiasm of various parties to declare their views and criticisms on the issue is only worsening the situation.

“The actions of some who deliberately politicise the matter have also led to confusion and tension among the public,” he said.

“Instead of openly dissenting, those involved should find a way to solve the problem once and for all,” he added.

Syed Ali believed that stern action must be taken by authorities against “non-Muslims who clearly disrespect the court’s decision and sensitivity of Muslims on the usage of ‘Allah’”.

“I urged the Conference of Rulers to hold an extraordinary meeting to to discuss the usage of “Allah” (term) before it leads to disunity among the people,” he said.

He expressed disappointment that such an issue could be raised despite years of harmony and respect for Islam as the country’s official religion.

“Today, many parties are bold enough to insult the sanctity of Islam,” he lamented.

The Conference of Rulers is a council comprising the nine rulers of the Malay states, and the governors or Yang di-Pertua Negeri of the other four states.

The ‘Allah’ issue has been a bone of contention between Muslims and Christians in Malaysia for decades; many Muslims believe ‘Allah’ is exclusive to their community, while Christians insist that the Arabic word for ‘God’ predates Islam and is used by non-Muslims throughout the world.

The matter was recently reignited when The Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew reportedly told news portal The Malaysian Insider on Dec 27 that churches in Selangor would still use the word ‘Allah’ in their weekend mass.

This sparked protest from several Muslim groups who saw his statement as a direct challenge to the Selangor Sultan’s decree prohibiting non-Muslims in the state from using the word ‘Allah’.

Last Friday, about 400 Muslim protesters burnt an effigy of Lawrence in front of a police station while the Klang Muslim Solidarity Secretariat intended to rally against Lawrence outside the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes during Sunday mass.

Threatened by police action, the 50 protesters eventually gathered at the car park of the nearby Stadium Sultan Sulaiman, while a small group of people of various beliefs gathered outside the church in solidarity with the Christians.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) raided the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) office in Damansara Kim last Thursday, arresting two of its leaders and seizing over 300 Bibles in Malay and Iban. -FMT

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Samsung NotePRO and Samsung TabPRO line of tablets

 
Samsung Galaxy NotePRO

Samsung chose CES 2014 to announce the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO line of tablets in Las Vegas.

Starting businesss this new year, the South Korean giant has unveiled four tablets in the new line-up which include the Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch), Galaxy TabPRO 12.2-inch, Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch and Galaxy TabPRO 8.4-inch.

The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO tablet line will be available in Wi-Fi only, Wi-Fi and 3G, or Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity options.

The 12.2-inch Galaxy NotePRO will come bundled with an S Pen, while the 12.2-inch Galaxy TabPRO, Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch and 8.4-inch will come without the S Pen option.

Samsung has not revealed the pricing for the Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO tablets line.

"We created this new series to kick-off a year in which Samsung truly establishes its leadership in the tablet market," said J.K. Shin, CEO and president of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics.

The four newly launched Samsung tablets will be available in the first quarter of 2014.

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch) and Samsung Galaxy TabPRO (12.2-inch) features
The Samsung Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch) runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features a 12.2-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) 'Super Clear' LCD display. The Galaxy NotePRO is powered by Exynos 5 Octa processor for the Wi-Fi and 3G model, while the LTE variant is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chipset.

Samsung Galaxy TabPRO (12.2-inch) and Galaxy NotePRO (12.2-inch) come with 3GB of RAM and includes 32GB and 64GB inbuilt storage variants, with an additional 64GB expandable storage via microSD card. The tablet sports an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with an LED flash and also houses a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. On the connectivity front, the tablets includes Wi-Fi, USB 3.0, and Bluetooth. The tablet packs large 9,500mAh battery, with no word on standby time. The tablet measures 295.6x204x7.95mm and weigh 750 grams (Wi-Fi) and 753 grams (3G/LTE).

Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch
The Galaxy TabPRO (10.1-inch) runs Android 4.4 KitKat and features a 10.1-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) Super clear LCD display. Much like Samsung's other high-end devices; the Galaxy TabPRO (10.1-inch) also features two different set of processors an Exynos 5 Octa processor for the Wi-Fi model, while the LTE variant is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 chipset. It comes with 2GB of RAM and includes 32GB and 64GB inbuilt storage variants, with an additional 64GB expandable storage via microSD card. The Galaxy TabPRO (10.1-inch) sports an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera with an LED flash and also houses a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet packs a 8220mAh battery.

Galaxy TabPRO 8.4-inch
The Samsung Galaxy TabPRO (8.4-inch) runs Android 4.4 KitKat out-of-the-box. It features an 8.4-inch WQXGA (1600x2560) Super clear LCD display. The tablet is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3GHz. The Samsung Galaxy TabPRO (8.4-inch) comes with 2GB of RAM and includes 32GB and 64GB inbuilt storage variants, with an additional 64GB expandable storage via microSD card. It packs a 4800mAh battery.

Both the Galaxy TabPRO 10.1-inch and 8.4-inch models, sports an 8-megapixel rear camera and also houses 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

-http://www.dnaindia.com

Sabah claims: Sultan Sulu offers ‘win-win’ solution

 
Amidst the ongoing trial against 30 terrorists involved in last February’s Sulu invasion, the Kiram sultanate has offered a “win-win solution” to the Malaysian government.

Reiterating that the sultanate ‘owned’ the North Borneo frontier, new Sulu Sultan Esmail Kiram II said he was however agreeable to granting Malaysia “sovereign” rights over Sabah.

“Malaysia is Muslim, the Sultanate is Muslim, the problem can be discussed between Muslims. If Malaysia wins, the Sultanate wins,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in the Philippines, Kiram said that he had approved a recommendation by his Council “to resolve the Sabah issue in a civilized and peaceful manner”.

He said the recommendation was also sanctioned by the Ulama Council of Mindanao.

Kiram went on to state that Malaysia can no longer shuffle over the issue of the Sulu Sultanate’s claim and that it must openly recognise its ownership of Sabah.

He said in return for this recognition, the sultanate will not withdraw Sabah from the federation of Malaysia.

Meanwhile Manila Times reported that Kiram had directed the sultanate’s legal advisors to prepare the groundwork and conduct an inventory into legal and historical documents to back its claim of “ownership” over Sabah.

He had also urged the Philippines government to support Sultanate’s case when it is filed before the International Court of Justice and other international tribunals, as the issue involved “the interest of Philippines, the sultanate and Malaysia.”

He added that the move was part of the sultanate new year resolution to “repossess Sabah through peaceful means”.

‘Sovereignity and ownership’

The sultanate’s secretary General Abraham Idjirani said the legal panel would be looking into the proprietory aspects of the Sulu-Malaysia conflict.

Idjirani said the two aspects to this were the issues of sovereignity and ownership.

The sultan’s solution, he said, was to leave the sovereignity of Sabah to the Malaysian government.

On Feb 9 last year, more than 200 soldiers of the Royal Sulu Army headed by Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, younger brother of then reigning Sultan Jamalul Kiram, occupied a portion of Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.

When they were discovered by Sabah authorities, they were asked to withdraw and return to Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao, but they resisted.

The stand-off eventually erupted into a bloody gun fight that killed 10 Malaysian security and triggered an all-out war against the sultanate’s forces and undocumented immigrants.

Yesterday, the High Court began the trial of 30 individuals arrested and charged over the Lahad Datu invasion.

Due to the nature of the case, the hearing is being held in Sabah prison.

Among those on trial is Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, a nephew of Jamalul Kiram, who recently died of various illnesses in a Manila hospital.

Beside Amirbahar, the other 29 accused are Abdul Hadi Mawan, Pablo Alie, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Kadir Uyung, Lating Tiong, Holland Kalbi, Habil Suhaili, Lin Mad Salleh, Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, Basad Manuel, Timhar Hadir, Tani Lahad Dani, Aiman Radie, Salib Akmad Emali, Julham Rashid, Al-Wazir Osman @ Abdul, Ismail Yasin, Masir Aidin, Virgilio Nemar Patulada @ Mohammad Alam Patulada, Anwar Salib Akhmad, Binhar Salib Akhmad, Norhaida Ibnahi, Rijmal Salleh, Saidili Jaharul, Dani Ismail, Basil Samiul, Rizman Gulan, Abdul Majin Jubin and Totoh Hismulah.

They are being prosecuted for various charges under the Malaysian Penal Code covering the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

These charges cover the waging of war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysian King), harbouring of terrorists, being members of a terrorist group, and recruiting of terrorists. -FMT
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