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Singapore Free Air TV - What does RTM and Media Prima provides to Indian community?

Every day from Monday to Friday Singapore TV provides free programmes to Indian communities from 3pm to 12 midnight

Every weekend, Saturday and Sunday the programmes starts at 1.00pm to 12.oo midnight.

Look at the contribution of Malaysian government TV (RTM) serving Indian community in Malaysia.

Malaysian Monopolist Media Prima serves "0" programmes for Indian community.

How shall we deal with these racists?

They are not bothered of the existence of Indian communities in Malaysia.

How does MIC deals with this problem? As usual no issue for them.

It is high time for Indians to demand for a FREE AIR TV for their own community as they have been deprived by their own government to serve minority community.

Programmes on Tuesday, 30 June 2009
03:00 PM Kaimanam
03:30 PM Bharathi
04:00 PM Anantham Vilaiyadum Veedu
04:30 PM Dhool 2008
05:30 PM Azhagana Naatkal
06:00 PM Ariviyal Plus Plus(Science Plus Plus)
06:30 PM Nandhu Paroo (Children Animation)
07:00 PM Rekha I. P. S.
07:30 PM Sa Re Ga Mae Sr 4 (V Music)
08:00 PM Pournami (Parenting Teenagers)
08:30 PM Tamil Seithi (June 2009)
09:00 PM Vaarthai
09:30 PM Mudhal Payanam Sr2
10:00 PM Theerpugal
10:30 PM Un Paer Solla Aasaithaan
11:00 PM Kalakkal 10 Sr 2
11:30 PM Tamil Seithi (June 2009)

All Indians in Malaysia should unite to overcome the discrimation towards Indians in Malaysia.

Guan Eng: Wrong for Hindraf to blame us for Kg Buah Pala, blame Koh Tsu Koon who sold at a cheap price in 2007


Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said it was not possible for his administration to accede to the requests of the Hindu Rights Action Force, although he sympathised with the problems faced by villagers in the disputed Kampung Buah Pala area.

“Hindraf wants the state government to act against the court order obtained by the developer to evict the residents,” he said in a statement following a meeting with 10 representatives from the group.

“This the state government can not do as Pakatan Rakyat governs under the rule of law and is compelled to respect any court order issued.”

The outlawed Hindraf – an Indian rights movement – is planning to protest outside DAP offices in six states unless Guan Eng agrees to forcibly acquire the land for public purpose under the Land Acquisition Act.

“Cancelling the project would incur costs beyond the financial capability of the state government. We are not talking about millions of ringgit or tens of millions of ringgit here! Doing so would also lead to the developer reaping enormous profits without putting in a single sen.”

Tsu Koon should explain

The chief minister also reminded that it was not the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government that approved the demolition and eviction of the villagers there.

He called on former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon to give a full explanation on why he sold the land at only RM10 per square feet and without consulting the residents.

Guan Eng also pointed that while the developer has since obtained a court order for the eviction, it also offered compensation of up to RM200,000 per registered family, a sum that has been acceptable to many in the village.

“But we respect the decision of the remaining residents who choose to fight it out in court. If the state government had not been sympathetic to the plight of the residents, then the developer would have evicted the residents in the middle of last year when a court order was obtained,” said Guan Eng.

“Only the determined preventive efforts by Penang DCM2 Professor P Ramasamy and Penang State EXCO Abdul Malek stopped the developer from entering the village with bulldozers several times last year.”

Has Hindraf been infiltrated by the Umno-BN?

The DAP secretary-general also slammed Hindraf for putting the blame on his administration, which inherited the problem from Tsu Koon’s Umno-BN government.

He also raised a question that has been on the minds of many political watchers and analysts following Prime Minister Najib Razak’s sudden release of five top Hindraf leaders from Internal Security Act detention in recently.

“We regret the unwarranted, highly irresponsible and irrational action of the Hindraf in targeting us over the eviction of the residents.”

“Why is Hindraf not demonstrating against UMNO or Gerakan or MCA or even MIC who are the main culprits and perpetrators behind Kampung Buah Pala? This begs the question whether Hindraf has now been infiltrated by collaborators of MIC and BN when it should be demonstrating against those who demolish temples and not the Penang state government seeking a fair deal for the Kampung Buah Pala villagers.

“Nonetheless, they have the right to hold a peaceful demonstration no matter how unreasonable it is. I have instructed my officials to accept any memorandum submitted and urge the police not to take and action that would lead to untoward incidents,” said Guan Eng.

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Suara Keadilan appends below the full statement issued by Guan Eng on the matter.

Hindraf Must Wake Up And Realise That Kampung Buah Pala Is Still Standing Today Because The Penang Pakatan Rakyat State Government Had Successfully Prevented Them From Being Evicted In The Middle Of Last Year.

The Penang Pakatan Rakyat state government has never consented nor approved any demolition of Kampung Buah Pala. Any action taken is by the private developer via a court order issued by the relevant courts.

Up to RM200,000 per family was offered by the developer to the residents which was accepted by many families but not by those remaining in Kampung Buah Pala. The state government respected the decision of those remaining in Kampung Buah Pala to reject any compensation offer and to fight it out in courts.

If the state government had not been sympathetic to the plight of the residents, then the developer would have evicted the residents in the middle of last year when a court order was obtained. Only the determined preventive efforts by Penang DCM2 Professor P Ramasamy and Penang State EXCO Abdul Malek stopped the developer from entering the village with bulldozers several times last year.

All parties must therefore realise that it is only because of the efforts of the present Pakatan Rakyat state government that the Kampung Buah Pala residents are still living there.

Koh Tsu Koon Owes The Public A Full Explanation Why He Sold The Kampung Buah Pala At A Cheap Price Of Only RM10 Per Square Feet In 2007 And Without consulting the residents.

The state government land of Kampung Buah Pala was approved to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang twice by the BN Penang state EXCO led by Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon on 18.8.2004 and 8.6.2005 with a premium of RM6.42 million or RM20 per square feet. I can not understand neither the rationale of approving this project without consulting the residents nor selling it at such a low price.

Worse Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s EXCO reduced the premium further by 50% to RM3.21 million or only RM10 per square feet on the recommendation of the UMNO Deputy Chief Minister. Koh Tsu Koon owes the public a full explanation why he sold Kampung Buah Pala at a cheap price of only RM10 per square feet in 2007 when the market price in this prime area is many times over and without consulting the residents.

The Penang State Government Should Not Be Unfairly Victimised And Targeted By Hindraf For Helping The Kampung Buah Pala Residents.

It is BN, Gerakan, MIC, UMNO & MCA that are the main culprits for causing, abandoning and even selling out Kampung Buah Pala residents.

The Penang state government regrets the highly irresponsible and irrational actions of Hindraf in targeting the Penang state government over the actions taken by the developer to evict residents in Kampung Buah Pala. Hindraf wants the state government to act against the court order obtained by the developer to evict the residents. This the state government can not do as Pakatan Rakyat governs under the rule of law and is compelled to respect any court order issued.

On the other hand, there have been suggestions that the Penang state government forcibly acquires the land under for a public purpose under the Land Acquisition Act. Doing so would play into the hands into the developer who would be able to reap enormous profits without putting in a single cent.

Much as the Penang state government would wish to do, cancelling the project and forcibly acquiring the land would incur costs beyond the financial capability of the state government. We are NOT talking about millions of ringgit or tens of millions of ringgit here!

Clearly Hindraf is unable to distinguish who its friends are by likening such actions to UMNO’s tearing down of Hindu temple. And yet Hindraf does not organise nation-wide protests for the recent tearing down Hindu temples in Kuala Lumpur. The Penang state government should not be unfairly victimised or targeted by Hindraf when we have assisted the residents and also not involved with the tearing down of any Hindu temple in Penang.

Why is Hindraf not demonstrating against UMNO or Gerakan or MCA or even MIC who are the main culprits and perpetrators behind Kampung Buah Pala? This begs the question whether Hindraf has now been infiltrated by collaborators of MIC and BN when it should be demonstrating against those who demolish temples and not the Penang state government seeking a fair deal for the Kampung Buah Pala villagers.

Hindraf should realise what the Penang state government has done for the Indian community, temples and Tamil primary schools. Not only was the first Indian Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang appointed but the 28 Tamil primary schools were given a yearly allocation of RM1.5 million along with other Chinese primary, Sekolah Agama Rakyat, missionary schools and Chinese independent secondary schools.

Further Penang put up the FIRST Tamil road signs in the country alongside with Arabic, Chinese and English bilingual road signs in Georgetown. Even Hindraf never even raised the issue of Tamil road signs.

By going against the Penang state government, Hindraf is indirectly helping UMNO and BN and putting all the achievements made by the Penang state government at risk. There will be no Indian DCM2, no yearly allocation of funds to Tamil primary schools and no more Tamil road signs or bilingual road signs. Hindraf should use reason not emotions of rage or anger and think again who are the real opponents and the real friends of the Indian community.

Most important of all, the Penang state government treats all Indians together with Chinese and Malays as Malaysian citizens, where a Chinese leader can look after Malays a Malay leader can look after Chinese and an Indian leader can look after all citizens.

DAP and the Pakatan Rakyat government will not back down or be cowed by BN, UMNO or Hindraf who continues to look at problems from a narrow racial spectrum of Chinese, Indian of Malays. DAP and the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government believes that the issues of Indians are not Indian problems, the issues of Chinese are not Chinese problems nor the issues of Malays not Malay problems but a Malaysian issue.

We should be uniting together as Malaysians around the principles of justice, truth, freedom, democracy and welfare of the people to ensure that we fight corruption to both generate growth and prosperity as well as ensure that everyone shares equitably.

However despite regretting the unwarranted targeting of the Penang state government, Hindraf leaders have the right to exercise the basic human rights of peaceful assembly by demonstrating no matter how unreasonable they are. I have instructed my officials to respect their rights and accept any memorandum submitted in line with non-violent principles of Mahatma Gandhi that, “violence begets violence, an eye for any eye would leave everyone blind.” I also urge the police not to take any action that would lead to untoward actions.

The state government will also not be affected by the actions of the residents in suddenly turning against the state government despite all the assistance offered.

The state government will continue to assist the remaining residents of Kampung Buah Pala, including if the residents so wish, that the developer of Kampung Buah Pala continues with its offer of up to RM200,000 compensation per registered family to the residents.

The state government has also not given any consent or agreement to the developer to demolish any buildings as the developer is acting on his own under the court order from the High Court and Federal Court.

Lim Guan Eng
Chief Minister, Penang
30/06/09

Dig your grave by playing dirty, Umno warned

Umno has been warned that it would be "digging its own grave'' by resorting to slander and dirty tactics in attacking Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in the run up to the Manek Urai by-election.

PAS' newly appointed party information chief Idris Ahmad (left) said Umno and Barisan Nasional should stop such tactics unless they are not bothered about getting hit back.

"I noticed that Umno and BN have started their attacks on Nik Aziz's leadership in the run-up to the Manek Urai by-election. They are also using their party-owned media like Utusan Malaysia to do their dirty work.

"The PAS spiritual leader is very much revered by the people of Kelantan and such a move would be a big mistake. They (Umno and BN) are quickly digging their own grave if they make personal attacks on Tok Guru," he told Malaysiakini today.

Idris said the people of Kelantan had always felt that they were continuously being persecuted by Umno and BN. PAS has been governing Kelantan for almost two decades.

He warned that such 'continued persecution' by the BN-led federal government would lead to further animosity among the Kelantanese people.

"This would certainly be easily translated into votes for PAS in the by-election," said Idris.

Yesterday, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had expressed his confidence that PAS would retain the Manek Urai seat in the by-election despite an active smear campaign against Nik Aziz.

The Manek Urai nomination day is on July 6, while polling is slated for July 14. The seat fell vacant following the death of five term assemblyperson Ismail Yaacob, who is affectionately known as "Pak Su Weil"on May 23.

PAS has named Kuala Krai treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, while Umno has announced the division Kuala Krai division youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat as its candidate. Parti Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) has also relayed its intentions to contest.

Manek Urai has been a stronghold for PAS as it only fell to Umno and BN twice, after 12 general elections.

Umno is confident of winning the seat this time around but certain PAS quarters have claimed that such a confidence was based on Umno's ability to buy off voters.

MACC must probe vote-buying

Touching on this, Idris urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate into claims that Umno was offering RM300 each to the Manek Urai constituents not to come-out and vote.

"If there is any truth to such allegations, it should be investigated by MACC. The MACC should also make their presence felt to ensure a free and corrupt free election," he said.

Idris also said that PAS' election machinery was gearing up for the by-election and was ready to face the BN and Umno onslought.

"Kelantan PAS election machinery has been up and running with the support of party workers from other states," he said.

"God-willing, PAS will retain the seat despite all the expected antics put up by Umno and BN," he added.

Give us the oil royalty

On another matter, Idris also said that the oil royalty issue would be a major talking point during the campaign for the by-election.

He was referrring to Kelantan government's demand for oil royalty as was highlighted by senior state exco member Husam Musa last week.

"When Terengganu was under PAS rule, it was also denied royalty. So this is something which the people have seen with their own eyes, as to what the federal government had done," said Idris.

The Kelantan government has said that it was entitled to oil royalty amounting to RM1 billion from the federal government based on its oil production since 2004.

Yesterday, state Umno leader Alwi Che Ahmad had urged the state government to initiate proper negotiations with the federal government over its claim of oil and gas royalty instead of merely harping about it in ceramah.

Malaysiakini
30/06/09

Hindraf protests outside DAP office


GEORGE TOWN: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) members came out in force Tuesday to push the Penang government into using its executive powers to save Kampung Buah Pala.

And they plan to protest outside DAP offices in six states over the High Chapparal issue.

Some 20 members from Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Penang congregated at Komtar with about 30 village residents to hand over a letter of appeal to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and express their reproach on alleged “broken promises”.

“Before the March 2008 general election, there were so many promises but now, everybody is keeping quiet.

“They tell us to take them to the national level, but they cannot even handle state problems.

“If they fail to save the village, Pakatan Rakyat’s objective has failed and we will know what to do in the next general election,” said Penang Island Hindraf Coordinator K. Kalaiselvam, 34.

Carrying Hindraf chairman S. Waythamoorthy’s seven-year-old daughter Vwaishhnnavi who held a handwritten letter of appeal addressed to Lim, Kalaiselvam led the delegation that arrived at Komtar at about 10.40am.

The group encountered a brief confrontation with Komtar security guards who instructed them to choose five representatives to hand over the letter.

Ten representatives were eventually allowed in to meet with Lim’s political secretary Ng Wei Aik who instructed police to allow the entire group to enter the tower and proceed to Auditorium A.

Ng addressed the crowd around 11am and tempers flared among the visiting group when they were informed Lim was engaged in previously arranged appointments.

“We faxed Lim a letter yesterday (Monday) morning and got no reply. He has been given every opportunity to meet with High Chaparral (as Kampung Buah Pala is commonly known) but until now, he has not even visited the village once. Why is he evading us?

“It has been 16 months since Pakatan Rakyat took power and until now, promises remain promises,” said Penang Hindraf advisor K. Maran, 48.

On Ng’s explanation that the state exco had formed a committee to investigate allegations of foul play on the transfer of the land in Bukit Gelugor on which the village stands, Vwaishhnnavi’s mother K. Shanti, 38, said that was “the state’s problem”.

“We are not interested the state forming committees. In two days time, the developers are coming to demolish the village.

“We voted Pakatan because we believed they would be better than the previous government. But there is no difference between Barisan Nasional and you,” she told Ng.

“If Pakatan fails to save the village, we will know what to do in the next general election,” she added.

Later, Lim said that the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government had never approved the demolition of Kampung Buah Pala.

He said any action taken was done by the private developer via a court order.

“We regret the unwarranted, highly irresponsible and irrational action of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in targeting us over the eviction of the residents.

“Hindraf wants us to act against the court order obtained by the developer to evict the residents. We cannot do this as it is against the rule of law,” he said, adding that suggestions that the state forcibly acquired the land for public purpose under the Land Acquisition Act would be “playing into the hands of the developer”.

“Doing so would lead to the developer reaping enormous profits without putting in a single Sen.

“Cancelling the project would incur costs beyond the financial capability of the state government,” he said, chiding Hindraf for “not being able to distinguish who its friends and opponents are” and being blinded by rage and anger.

“Nonetheless, they have the right to hold a peaceful demonstration no matter how unreasonable it is. I have instructed my officials to accept any memorandum submitted and urge the police not to take and action that would lead to untoward incidents,” he said.

Lim said the state would not be affected by the actions of the residents turning against it and would continue to assist them.

The developer had offered compensation of up to RM200,000 per registered family which Lim said was accepted by “many”.

“But we respect the decision of the remaining residents who choose to fight it out in court. Had we not been sympathetic to their plight, the developer would have evicted them in the middle of last year when the court order was obtained,” he said.

Lim, who questioned whether the movement had been “infiltrated by Barisan Nasional collaborators”, also called on former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to give a full public explanation on why he sold the land at a “cheap price” of only RM10 per square feet and without consulting the residents.

Star Online
30/06/09

New Apartheid Policy in Malaysia: Malaysian firms seeking public listing will now have to offer 50 per cent of the public shareholding to Bumiputera.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia today made sweeping changes to its capital markets to boost foreign investments, cutting Bumiputera equity quotas for share offerings and in fund management firms while trimming the role of a powerful but conservative panel overseeing such investments.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak dropped the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity requirement for Malaysian firms seeking public listing, the cornerstone of the New Economic Policy (NEP), but they will now have to offer 50 per cent of the public shareholding spread to Bumiputera investors.

The public shareholding spread is currently 25 per cent which effectively sets the minimum allocation for bumiputeras at 12.5 per cent.

“The 30 per cent requirement remains but it is a macro objective,” the prime minister told reporters after announcing the changes while launching the InvestMalaysia week and meeting with senior fund managers.

He said the Bumiputera equity condition within the public spread will reinforce the competitiveness of Bursa Malaysia.

Najib also cut the powers of the Foreign Investments Committee (FIC), immediately repealing its guidelines covering the acquisition of equity stakes, mergers and takeovers.

The FIC will no longer process any share transactions nor impose equity conditions on such transactions — which has been its mainstay up to yesterday.

Najib also said FIC approval for property transactions will now only be required when it involves a dilution of Bumiputera or government interest for properties valued at RM20 million and above, while other transactions, including between foreigners and non-Bumiputeras, will not require approval.

“In addition, to further ease raising funds from the capital markets, post listing fund raising exercises will no longer be subject to any equity condition,” Najib said in his speech, adding this deregulation will immediately support existing listed companies seekThe audience at Invest Malaysia checking out the PM's speech. - Picture by Choo Choy May
ing to raise funds and reduce the friction cost of compliance.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, also liberalised ownership in the wholesale segment of the fund management industry, allowing total ownership for qualified and leading fund management companies seeking to be in Malaysia.

He also raised the limit for foreign shareholding in unit trust management firms to 70 per cent, from 49 per cent previously.

To boost the local markets, Najib has set up a private equity fund, called Ekuiti Nasional Berhad (Ekuinas), with an initial capital of RM500 million to invest in private sector funds, to promote genuine partnerships and a fully commercial approach.

He disclosed that Bumiputera participation through Ekuinas will be based on merit. The fund will eventually grow to RM10 billion.

“There should be no doubt that Malaysia welcomes foreign and local investors and participants. We can achieve high income by creating more opportunities for growth rather than protecting our narrow turf. We can only achieve our social equity goals by expanding the pie,” said Najib.

“A high income society must be socially inclusive. It must provide incentives to those who have a lot yet be fair to those who have a little. It must lead to high returns to companies and entrepreneurs who invest, better and higher incomes for those who are employed and greater capability for those who require assistance to help themselves or to get help from the government. Above all, a high income society must be one where every Malaysian feels they have a place and a promising future under the Malaysian sun.”

When asked about a possible backlash from the bumiputera community during the press conference, Najib later told reporters that he does not expect one. “It is a win-win situation,” he said.

“These moves are necessitated by two major factors – the economic environment has changed drastically and the FIC has not produced the desired results. Any new instruments for growth with equity must be more market friendly. The new policies will make our economy even more vibrant and put the country quite high up on the investor’s list.”

Yakcop in a press conference today. - Picture by Choo Choy May
While there is no more equity condition imposed by the FIC, there could still equity restrictions from sector regulators such as Bank Negara, the Energy Commission and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board.

While there is the condition that half of the public shareholding spread be allocated to bumiputeras via balloting, the condition will be waived if there are no bumiputeras willing or able to take up the allocation.

Najib added that the FIC can be considered retired and a new unit will be created under the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to monitor bumiputera participation in the economy as well as property transactions valued above RM20 million that involve dilution of bumiputera equity.

“You can say that the FIC no longer exists and a new unit created by (minister in the prime minister’s department) Tan Sri Nor Yackop will be created to replace it in the EPU,” he told reporters.

More details on the new private equity fund, Ekuinas, which is designed to boost bumiputera participation in the economy are expected to be announced later. But for now, the government has revealed that the initial funds will come from the budget and it will report to the prime minister with the EPU having a supervisory role.

It will be run by professionals and not civil servants but owned by the government. It will focus on nurturing bumiputera businessmen in sectors considered to be high growth such as education, tourism, oil and gas and ICT.

“We still have a number of instruments to help bumiputeras such as PNB (Permodalan Nasional Berhad), Mavcap (Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad), scholarships and training,” said minister in the prime minister’s department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop in a briefing to reporters. “What we are doing is removing the hindrances to investors. Local and foreign investors hesitate to come in because of the FIC. With higher growth, bumiputeras will also benefit.”

He also said that the FIC is a “blunt tool” for wealth distribution and noted that RM52 out of RM54 billion in shares allocated for bumiputeras between 1984 and 2005 have been “sold quickly.”

Figures provided by the government puts the bumiputera equity figure at about 19 per cent currently.

Nor Mohamed added that he thinks the new measures will make the country investor friendly and competitive overnight and that investment in the country will increase by “leaps and bounds”.

Foreign fund manager Shireen Muhiudeen of Corston-Smith Asset Management says that the announcements are a “step in the right direction.”

She approved of the elimination of the bumiputera quota when raising new capital and the higher ceiling for foreign ownership in stock broking companies saying that it may increase competition and help bring down loading charges.

She however wanted the government to provide more details on the impact of sector regulation on investors.

Head of research at OSK Research, Chris Eng says that the changes will have help market sentiment and attract new listings to Malaysia but does not see any immediate impact.

“Big companies have no problem getting bumiputera investors anyway when raising new funds,” he points out.

He expects the main beneficiaries of the new policies to be investment banks as there would be less regulation for them to deal with.

He also sees the property sector benefitting from foreign investment in the long term but not in the short term as he forecasts a property glut to happen around 2012.

In other announcements, government linked companies (GLCs), will have to focus on core activities and dispose of non-core activities and not compete in areas best left to entrepreneurs.

They will also be required to compete on a level playing field with the private sector.

“There is no issue of the government providing assistance to GLCs by virtue of its shareholding to the detriment of private sector competition,” said Najib.

The lifting of the 30 per cent quota on new public listings is effective immediately and will affect companies currently applying to list.

MI
30/06/09

With leaders like Muhyiddin, BN and other non-UMNO parties will continue to face defeats in the elections.

Muhyiddin Yassin said: "Umno will fight to the last drop of blood to protect Malay rights, the status of the Malay Rulers, Bahasa Melayu and Islam as these matters are enshrined in the Constitution."

He said they would also fight to defend the rights of other races to ensure no one community would be oppressed.

He said the election also showed that the Malays had stopped supporting Umno, the Chinese were not supporting the MCA and Gerakan and the Indians were not supporting MIC and PPP.

He said the old unity and power-sharing concept that had brought development, growth, peace and stability in the country was now taken for granted.

Amazing, if only Muhyiddin study his own statement he should be able to find out why voters deserted the BN coalition.

First, his party and himself still cannot get over with race based politics. No one is threatening the Malays in the country. Globalisation is the main threat.

Second, the party continues to put other races at the bottom. The promise not to oppress the non-Malays is the biggest joke from a joker like our deputy prime minister. We are Malaysians and we are your bosses. As a Malaysian, I will vote against any UMNO candidate.

Finally, it is precisely the old political model that we have rejected

ST
29/06/09

URGENT EVENTS LINED UP TO PROTECT KG BUAH PALA BY HINDRAF


30th June 2009. 10.00 am Penang Chief Ministers Office Komtar Building

Vwaishhnnavi Waytha Moorthy would be presenting an urgent appeal to the Penang Chief Minister to intervene and protect the poor and defenceless Indian Families in Kg. Buah Pala.

Vwaishhnnavi represents the future generation and is taking the bold step to HUMBLY APPEAL to the DAP that they should not destroy and be part of the destruction of the heritage which is very meaningful to the Malaysian Indians.

30th June 2009 4.00PM Demonstration by HINDRAF supporters and Kg.Buah Pala Residents

Venue: Penang Chief Ministers Office Bangunan Komtar Penang


At least one thousand people are expected to demonstrate to show their support, solidarity and condemn the DAP led Government which is bullying the residents of Kg.Buah Pala.

LET US UNITE TO CONDEMN THE DAP THE INDIAN VOTERS.

30th JUNE 2009 4.00 pm Simultaneous Massive protests in the States of Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Perak.

Massive protests are planned at the DAP National headquarters in Damansara by Selangor HINDRAF supporters and and at the respective State DAP Headquarters in Negeri Sembilan and Perak by our state supporters .

1st July 2009 6Pm Penang Chief Ministers Office

Burning of Lim Guan Eng's Effigy led by S.Jayathas HINDRAF Co-ordinator. This may be called off unless and until we receive a firm committment from the Chief Minister that the Kg.Buah Pala would not be destroyed on the 2nd July as planned.

In any other part of the civilised world, political parties and civil societies would scramble to protect a heritage but Malaysia being MALAYSIA BOLEH would abandon the rights of the minority especially when it involves Indians.

When HINDRAF rises to protect these defenceless people we are accused of being extreme and racist by the Government and now by the DAP which claims to represent a democratic society.

HINDRAF WISHES TO WARN THE DAP THAT WE WOULD NOT SIT IDLE AND WATCH YOU OPPRESSING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE VOTED YOU. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE US. MORE ACTIONS ARE PLANNED IF THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE ARE RAPED.

29/06/09

Hindraf turns against DAP, plans to burn Guan Eng’s effigy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hindu Rights Action Force’s (Hindraf) is organising a nationwide protest in a final bid to force the DAP-led Penang government to save what they claim is the last Indian cultural heritage village on the island.

On Wednesday, the outlawed organisation, which was credited with delivering the bulk of Indian votes to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in last year’s general elections, will mobilise its members to gather outside Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office at Komtar.

They plan to burn an effigy of the DAP secretary-general.

Others will also protest the forced eviction and demolition of Kampung Buah Pala at DAP headquarters in Ipoh, Petaling Jaya and Seremban.

National coordinator S. Jayathas told The Malaysian Insider that the drastic action was warranted as the demolition would take place on Thursday and Hindraf needed to show its seriousness in the matter.

“If PR state governments can give land to Chinese and Malays, then why not Indians? If they cannot even solve this, then what is the different between Umno and DAP?” he said.

Hindraf supporters have in recent months expressed dissatisfaction at PR due to what is perceived as broken promises.

The bulk of Indian voters had supported the fledgling alliance in hopes that it would rectify the disenfranchisement felt by the Indian community.

A number of Hindraf members led by former Hindraf leader RS Thanenthiran have also formed the Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party, a breakaway party that appears friendly towards Barisan Nasional.

Kampung Buah Pala, sits on a 2.6ha piece of prime land in the rapidly developing eastern Georgetown.

The current 300 villagers and their ancestors, mostly of Tamil origins, have been living in the village for nearly 200 years.

A few weeks ago, Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar had called on Lim to use his powers as chief minister to save Kampung Buah Pala from developers as provided in Section 76 of the National Land Code.

He said that Lim could do so “with a stroke of the pen” and provide a different plot of land to the developers should it be unable to pay compensation.

The residents association have also offered to buy the land from the state government.

MI
29/06/09

mi1: What is the point of voting the opposition if opposition party acts like hippocrites

Anwar: BN will play dirty in Manek Urai

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is confident that PAS will retain the Manek Urai state seat on July 14 by-election despite an 'active smear campaign' by Barisan Nasional (BN).

Anwar, who is head of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance, said BN has resorted to discrediting Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, in order to court voters.

"Such a smear campaign (against Nik Aziz) is not necessary but I expect it to increase during the by-election," said Anwar today.

"This means that BN feels threatened by Nik Aziz."

Yesterday BN named Umno's Kuala Krai Youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, as its candidate against PAS' Kuala Krai division treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah in the by-election.

The by-election ihas been called following the sudden death of Ismail Yaakob, who was a five-term PAS elected representative for the seat.

Anwar was talking to reporters in Putrajaya where his appeal against the transfer of his sodomy case was to have been heard this morning. However the matter has been adjourned to tomorrow.

Anwar is appealing against the decision to transfer his sodomy case from the Sessisons Court to the High Court. The matter will be heard at the High Court on July 8.

Malaysiakini
29/06/09

government used race as an excuse to scrap the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin today accused Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of playing the race card when the Parliamentary opposition leader.

While debating on the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) Bill in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar alleged that the the Barisan Nasional

(BN) government had wanted to scrap the IPCMC in order to “protect Malay police officers”.

Anwar said the government had tried to play the race card to conceal the truth behind the rejection of the idea, that the IPCMC would implicate top rank officers whom Anwar alleged were corrupt.

But Khairy denied that any BN lawmakers had ever argued that the reason for rejecting the IPCMC was because of the reason given by Anwar but was because many police officers felt the idea would demoralise them.

“You are the first to say that the IPCMC was rejected to protect Malay officers. We from the BN side have never once say that. You are the one playing the race issue here.”

Anwar, however, said he did not want to argue with Khairy but said that it was BN leaders themselves who told him about it after having conversations with them.

“I don’t want to argue with you but I spoke to some of your friends,” quipped Anwar.

While Anwar blasted the proposed EAIC as superflous, arguing that the it was not backed by the political will to tackle corruption, Khairy said Anwar’s arguments was the very reason why there was a need for the EAIC.

“What is the point of making up all this new laws if corruption among enforcement agencies are still not dealt with despite having enough laws to stop it,” said Anwar in between reading out statutory declarations made by police officers alleging corruption in the force at the highest level.

“Are you saying that the EAIC is superfluous? I disagree. The new body is necessary for the government to deal with the very points you have just raised,” countered Khairy.

Khairy, however, agreed with Anwar that the EAIC lacked the powers to deal with graft and abuse of power perpetrated by corrupt enforcement officers.

The Bill is currently is in its second reading and is expected to be made to law at the end of the current Parliament sitting.

In a press conference later, Anwar told reporters that he believed it was absurd to say that he was insulting the Malay community when criticising the police, because a majority of the police force were indeed Malays.

“We appreciate the vast majority of the police personnel including the vast majority of the Malays but we cannot condone corruption, intimidation, harassment, bullying by Malays, Chinese and Indians. I think this is really unfortunate if we have to choose to defend them just because they happen to be Malays,” he said.

Anwar believes that the IPCMC is important so that the Malays can enhance their capabilities, develop professionalism and integrity. He also rejected allegations that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had no regards for the police.

“We do recognise the importance of police personnel, we defend their rights. We understand their sacrifices and we want them to succeed but they cannot be held ransom due to the corruption and inefficiency of a few police personnel, that is the major question and we want to know why they are being protected? What is at stake? Do we want a professional police force with impeccable credentials?” he added.

MI
29/06/09

Najib is bullshitting about "1 Malaysia" with the existence of Apartheid policies

Is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak serious about his "New Deal", as shamelessly described by major Chinese-language dailies especially in Chew Daily? Or, has he been lying through his teeth about '1Malaysia'?

The arrest of Bersih spokesperson and a promising political scientist Wong Chin Huat three days ago practically broke the myth about Najib's reform agenda. It shows that the government is not hesitant to create a climate of fear when forced into a corner despite its repeated rhetoric of change to stay relevant (read: in power).

Knowing that he was burdened by allegations of corrupt practices as Defence Minister, and unable to change the public perception of his alleged involvement in the shocking death of a Mongolian national, Altantunya Shaariibu, Najib moved quickly to consolidate the media establishment in the country and endeared himself to the press in order to shift the public attention from the scandals so that more people may focus on his "reform initiatives".

Compared to ex-premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's "work with me, not for me" sound bite and his other slogans that have largely turned into jokes, Najib's swift manner in tackling some of the most delicate issues indeed looks efficient and has won praise from the mainstream media circle.

Show the real deal
But the avalanche of the propagandistic news over the last few weeks was meant to create a "feel-good" factor among the populace, and to take the wind out of the opposition's sail. The prime minister's sweeping economic liberalisation parade, as expected, delighted the business community greatly.

The cabinet's ruling against unilateral conversion of minors into Islam has managed to drive a wedge between Pas and DAP to some extent.

But what is so new about Najib's initiatives?

The opening up of the 27 sub-sectors in the services industry will only benefit the private sector, and its implementation may be plagued by bureaucratic resistance. Economy aside, Malaysia is still confronted with a host of divisive issues in ethnic relations, education, language and culture.

Whether or not Najib has a clear and definite blueprint to introduce a sea of change or paradigm shift is everyone's guess. If he does not, his '1Malaysia' concept has failed miserably to articulate it.

For instance, will the prime minister go as far as to declare the idea of ketuanan Melayu is outdated, so that the nation's ethnic relations can be restored on a healthy basis? To his credit, Anwar Ibrahim has came up with ketuanan Rakyat that continues to capture the public's imagination.

To really win the hearts and minds of the people, Najib must do better than just sloganeering.

A double handicap
Decades of discontent and dispute over the New Economy Policy (NEP) have resulted in the elusion that social equality will ensue once the race-based socio-economic engineering is phased out. This is far from the truth.

Looking back at the late 1980s, the neo-liberal economic measures taken by ex-premier Dr. Mahathir Mohamad did boost foreign investments and put Malaysia on the path of unprecedented economic prosperity.

However, the booming stock market and the vastly increased purchasing power of the average rakyat did not obscure the intra- and inter-ethnic income disparity that is widening at an even faster rate. Such inequality has contributed significantly to the breakdown of ethnic relations in the subsequent years.

Today, we only see a shrinking band of true believers in Mahathirism, who struggle to rescue their icon's name from being associated with a legacy of unbridled greed, entrenched inequality, unfettered corruption, institutional dysfunction and economic failure.

As Vidhu Verma rightly points out in her book 'Malaysia: State and Civil Society in Transition', "...Mahathir has promoted a strategy for creating a bumiputera capitalist class through the privatisation of state-owned industries ... the government bureaucracy shielded close ties between business and politics during this period and protected corporate activity from public scrutiny."

That Mahathir had no appetite for public scrutiny is beyond doubt; he even muzzled the press and enslaved the judges to ensure minimal interference. The subsequent Vision 2020 and the now virtually defunct ‘Bangsa Malaysia', which he jealously advocated, were nothing but a public exercise to re-package Umno's racist ideology, for they were not founded on the universal values of democracy, human rights and multiculturalism.

This "vision" of Mahathir, parroted by the political and media establishment at the time, lasted for several years mostly because of the breakneck economic development and the positive sentiments that it produced, which prompted the public to rally behind the "visionary" leader.

A false sense
Too bad, that the 1997 economic crisis brought all the false sense of economic prosperity and social equality to an abrupt end. As Mahathir showed his racist and authoritarian nature, the country entered a new phase in which the reawakened civil society began to challenge the encroaching state.

More and more people now recognise that economic development without distributive justice and institutional scrutiny is not sustainable.

I am not here to demonise the prime minister but his reformist credentials are conspicuously absent. As far as his "New Deal" is concerned, it remains abstract at best.

Worse, his commitment to institutional enhancement and reform is clearly lacking, as evidenced by the recent arrests of Wong and other opposition leaders and the crackdowns on dissent in Perak yesterday.

Hence, it is incumbent on each and every one of us to put pressure on the new administration and test the limits of its executive powers. Any reform must eventually hurt the interests of the ruling elite to be meaningful and substantive.

Mikhail Gorbachev was instrumental in the disintegration of the Soviet Union and remains a persona-non-grata in Russia. Kim Young-sam, South Korea's former president, had to bear the pain of seeing his son sent to jail over corrupt practices, and the Kuomintang party in Taiwan was made to transfer power to its rival in a peaceful manner.

How far will Najib go in changing the country?

He may see a possible end to the NEP as an ultimate act of his greatness, but that would merely be the beginning of a long and torturous process of reform in Malaysia.

The challenge for the civil society, the media and politicians is to present a comprehensive agenda that encompasses reform in the police, the judiciary and the bureaucracy. The reforms should be based on equal opportunity and multiculturalism while promoting free speech and thought.

Can the prime minister rise to the challenge? If he can ill-tolerate people wearing black shirts, things are not looking good indeed.
28/06/09

A larger bench will offer better protection against the undue and powerful influence of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Fed Crt refuses Nizar 11-man bench, only 5 to hear case

The Federal Court has only agreed to grant Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin a five-member bench instead of the maximum 11 that he sought to hear his case against Umno’s Zambry Kadir.

“No reasons or explanations were given as to the refusal,” Nizar’s lawyer Leong Cheok Keng said in a statement.

Both Nizar and Zambry have gone to the courts for a decision on who should be the rightful chief minister of Perak.

Given the importance of the case which can lift the state from the economic and political rut it has fallen into, many Malaysians had also hoped for a 11-member bench.

A larger bench will offer better protection against the undue and powerful influence of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The PM had engineered an unpopular coup d’etat in February that toppled the Pakatan Rakyat administration, replacing it with an Umno-BN lineup. But until now, Perakians are unhappy and still clamouring for fresh state-wide election to choose their own leaders.

“The refusal is most upsetting to all Malaysians who believe in the concept of a fair and impartial judiciary,” Leong said.

Federal Court should give reasons why it refused 11-man bench

Meanwhile, Nizar will submit a written appeal to the Federal Court to enlarge the panel and to ask the top court for its reasons in refusing an 11-member team.

“This is our client’s last avenue of appeal. If Nizar’s application for leave is dismissed by the five-man bench, this will be the end of the litigation,” said Leong.

“We therefore, in the interest of justice, fair play and good judicial governance, request that a full bench be empaneled to hear what will, most probably, be our country’s most important constitutional and landmark appeal.”

Malaysians have been shamed and angered by a string of highly controversial court decisions in relation to the Perak crisis. They point the finger at Najib for exerting pressure on the judiciary to support his political agenda.

Till now many top judges have failed to furnish written grounds of judgment for their shadowy rulings, which have been ridiculed and condemned by the legal fraternity itself.

“So long as there persists the appearance of bias, there can be no finality in the judgment of the highest court of the country,” Leong said.
SK
28/06/09

Royalti Minyak: Umno-BN tipu rakyat Kelantan!

KUALA LUMPUR: Pemimpin Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) terus berbohong dalam kempen pilihan raya kecil DUN Manek Urai dengan mengatakan tidak wujud minyak dan gas serta industrinya di negeri Kelantan.

Presiden PAS, Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang mendedahkan beliau sendiri telah pergi ke pelantar cari gali minyak dan gas di perairan Kelantan sebaik sahaja mendapat berita tentang wujudnya 'emas hitam' itu di negeri tersebut, sedikit masa dahulu.

"Kebetulan saya duduk tepi pantai, bersama orang ke laut (nelayan) (saya telah pergi) melawat pelantar minyak, tengok pelantar minyak (dan) pelantar gas di situ.

"Dalam kawasan (perairan) Kelantan, bukan dalam perairan Siam dan perairan antarabangsa,"jelasnya ketika berucap dalam majlis perisytiharan calon pilihan raya kecil DUN Manek Urai, di Kampung manek Urai Lama,kelmarin yang dipetik Buletin Online.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata, Petronas wajib membayar royalti minyak sebanyak 5% kepada negeri Kelantan sebagaimana perjanjian di antara syarikat minyak itu dengan kerajaan-kerajaan negeri pada tahun 1975.

Sebelum itu, Pengarah Pilihan raya KeADILan, Saifudin Nasution berkata pengundi Manek Urai mesti menolak Umno-BN sekiranya mereka bertanding dalam pilihan raya kecil DUN tersebut.

Beliau berkata demikian, kerana kerajaan BN bukan sahaja tidak membayar royalty minyak, malah telah berbohong dan menipu rakyat Kelantan dalam Parlimen mengenai kewujudan minyak di Kelantan.

"Kita kemudian mendapati, bahawa kerajaan Barisan Nasional tidak bercakap benar, dalam bahasa kasar, mereka telah memberikan jawapan bohong dalam Parlimen.

"Hasil kajian kita mendapati dalam buku Jabatan Perangkaan Kerajaan Malaysia yang dikeluarkan pada 2007 mukasurat 187, jadual 5.3 menyebutkan dengan jelas negeri-negri pengeluar minyak di Malaysia,"tegas Saifudin yang juga ahli Parlimen Machang.

Katanya Umno-BN hanya menipu rakyat Manek Urai dengan memasang papan tanda 'Rakyat di Dahulukan, Manek Urai Di utamakan', sedangkan mereka tidak membayar royalti minyak yang telah berjumlah RM 1bilion sejak tahun 2002.

Oleh itu katanya rakyat mesti menolak calon Umno-BN pada pilihan raya kecil Manek Urai pada 14 Julai depan.

"Rakyat didahulukan, Manek Urai diutamakan? Dia boleh pasang papan tanda banyak-banyak (dalam kempen pilihan raya),tetapi bukti ini (telah) menunjukkan bahawa kita (Kelantan) ada minyak, Umno tak bayar royalti minyak.

"Sebab itu kita mesti tolak calon mereka (Umno-BN) pada pilihan raya kecil Manek Urai pada 14 hari bulan nanti,"katanya.

Harakah
28/06/09

HINDRAF’s briefing at the UN Headquarters in Geneva on 23rd June 2009


The HINDRAF Chairman, Mr Waytha Moorthy attended a meeting at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva to update the UN officials on the current position of the ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia.

At the meeting, which lasted over an hour, Mr Waytha Moorthy took the opportunity to stress on the continued plight of the marginalised ethnic Malaysian Indians and the exacerbated human rights issues, which remains unabated and unaddressed by the Malaysian government. Mr Waytha Moorthy was in particularly encouraged by the positive response from the UN officials who had requested further information on the human right violations suffered by the ethnic minority Indians in their socio-economic development in Malaysia.
The UN officials indicated that they would continue to focus and monitor several issues of concern raised by Mr Waytha Moorthy. They also assured Mr.Waytha Moorthy that the information and evidence submitted by HINDRAF is of value to them and this would enable them to take the necessary proactive actions available within the working parameters and procedures of UN.

On the same day, Mr Waytha Moorthy also attended a separate meeting with the designate officer at the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) based in Geneva.

At this meeting, Mr Waytha Moorthy highlighted the position of the five released HINDRAF officials as well as commented on the continued incidents of deaths in police custody resulted from unlawful violence and torture against detainees by police officers.
The OMCT 2009 review of Malaysian’s human rights record was damming in its findings. The OMCT designate officer gave an indication that the OMCT would continue to observe the government’s poor human rights record on use of torture by state agents ie the Royal Police Force. OMCT also raised concern on the safety of Mr.Waytha Moorthy upon his inevitable return to Malaysia.

R.Shan
HINDRAF CO-ORDINATOR
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
NEW YORK.

Makkal

when one spouse converts to Islam: What are the solutions?

Islamic law cannot be implemented on those who do not profess Islam. Islamic law and the Syariah Courts must never interfere in any matter in which a non Muslim is involved or which involves non Islamic law matters.

Syariah Courts must only exercise jurisdiction where

ALL parties are persons professing the religion of Islam, and the matter is a matter of Islamic personal law as expressly legislated by State Assembly, AND the State Assembly has the power to make such legislation under Item 1 of the State legislative list in the 9th Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

In my view, the Federal Court decisions in Latifah bte Mat Zin v Rosmawati binti Sharibun & Anor [2007] 5 MLJ 101, FC and Abdul Kahar bin Ahmad v Kerajaan Negeri Selangor (Kerajaan Malaysia, Intervener) & Anor, [2008] 3 MLJ 617 have confirmed that the above is the law. Arguments that Syariah courts somehow have jurisdiction over everything and anything so long as it touches on Islam must now be rejected. We shall see if that actually happens.

Civil courts must be restored their full judicial power. Civil court Judges must be especially careful to show that they are deciding these cases without a bias towards the Islamic authorities. The perception now, rightly or wrongly, is that a non Muslim does not get a fair hearing in these situations.

The civil courts must exercise their supervisory jurisdiction over Syariah courts who transgress their boundaries. Due respect must be accorded to Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution in cases where the Syariah courts are genuinely vested with jurisdiction and have made a decision. The intention of Article 121(1A), according to Tun Mahathir when moving the Constitutional amendment that gave birth to it, was to prevent Muslim couples who were dissatisfied with Syariah court orders running to the civil courts to challenge it. It was not meant to immunize the Syariah court and to allow it to run roughshod over the Constitutional limits on its jurisdiction.

Marriage rights
Either party should be able to petition a civil court for divorce if one converts to Islam. This is a huge concession by the non Muslim community, given that it is now an easy way for a husband to get a divorce and given the cultural stigma attached to divorced women.

All relief due to a non converting spouse must be determined by civil courts according to civil law and not Islamic law. There should be no attempt to introduce Islamic law through the back door by making amendments in the civil law, e.g. by creating different provisions or different limitations for women whose husbands convert to Islam. Creating a situation where different rules apply to divorces where a husband converts to Islam will certainly be interpreted as meaning that different principles apply, and it will be a short step to then say Islamic law principles are to be applied. This will then be an incentive to recalcitrant husbands to convert to Islam, and therefore avoid their obligations. It will also not provide a just solution to the families involved.

Children
Both parents must decide religion of children until the child attains 18 and can decide for him or herself. It must be clearly stated that there can be no ‘automatic’ conversion, and it must be clearly provided for that both parents must consent if a child is to be converted to Islam, with explicit recognition that the child can choose his or her own religion in due course.

In many matters relating to the custody and care of children, the discretion is ultimately left to the Court to decide in situations where the parents cannot decide. But in this case, if the Court orders that the child be raised a Muslim or be converted to Islam, under Malaysian law as it now stands the child will never be able to revert to his or her former religion and the other parent will not be able to give the child instruction in their own religion, negating their parental rights.

The position in international human rights law can also be considered. That is that the child decides in accordance with his or her evolving capacity, subject to the right of the parents to give instruction in their own faiths. But this can only work if there are no prohibitions on the child changing his or her religion later in life.

Inheritance rights should not be lost just because of conversion.
The Baitulmaal (the fund kept by the Islamic authorities to be distributed for the general welfare of Muslims) or certain Muslim family members alone cannot unjustly enrich themselves. That this is the current position is seen in the case of Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan v Lim Ee Seng & Yg Lain [2000] 2 AMR (20) 2062, HC.

The Distribution Act 1958 should be reformed so that it applies, subject to Muslim family members of the convert taking their share and then distributing it according to Islamic inheritance laws (called faraid).

The convert can make a will disinheriting his non Muslim family. However, this must be subjected to the Inheritance (Family Provisions) Act 1971, which must be amended to allow non Muslim dependant family members to apply to Court for monies out of the estate of the deceased convert.

EPF & Insurance nominations and Pension rights must not be lost just because of the conversion

Conversion into and out of Islam should be a painless process, without the requirement of permission or any penal sanction

There should be a simple notification procedure under National Registration Act for notification of conversions.

No permission from any party should be required either for conversion into Islam or conversion out of Islam. However, a procedure requiring a notification to family members is welcome.

Safeguards must be put in place within the civil law and through the civil courts to ensure that all obligations of the convert are fulfilled.

However, conversion either way cannot be an excuse to evade one’s obligations under the previous law governing your personal status.

The Federal Court refused to allow the 4 followers of Ayah Pin to escape criminal prosecutions in the Syariah courts because they had renounced Islam, ruling that at the time they committed the offences there was no dispute that they still professed themselves to be Muslim: Kamariah binti Ali & Lain-lain lwn Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan & Satu Lagi [2005] 1 MLJ 197, FC

Similarly, converts into Islam should also not be allowed to evade their obligations under the law.

LB
27/06/09

With Pakatan rejection, Najib has to turn to market reforms

Scandal-hit and underperforming Prime Minister Najib Razak has tried to shrug off a rejection from the Pakatan Rakyat to unity talks, a decision that also scuppers his proposal to form a Malay power-pact with PAS.

According to him the idea had initiated from PAS, so his Umno party was merely reacting to it.

The 55-year old however omitted to mention that it was him who revived interest in the matter by inviting the Islamist party to talks and likening it to a courtship.

The proposed marriage, which if consummated, would have sidelined non-Malay BN components like MCA, MIC and Gerakan, although they have been to docile to protest.

Nevertheless, Najib told reporters after receiving news of the rejection that the Umno-BN would do fine on its own, denying reports that his grip on power was weakening, hence the push for unity talks.

The Pakatan coalition of PAS, PKR and DAP had earlier in the day voted against forming a unity government with Najib. Instead, they pledged loyalty towards each other, reiterating their resolve to form the next federal government together.

Said Najib: “We are consistent in our stand. Anything for the good of the country must be worked on together, even if the proposal comes from an opposition party.”

A return to the left with more market liberalisation

The PM also tried to reassure that he had the economy under control by promising further market liberalisation measures.

After the Pakatan rejection, followed by a similar one from PAS later in the night, Najib may have no choice but to return to a left and more liberal stance after failing to knock together a Malay power pact.

This would actually augur well for the country as financial experts have long pointed out that Malaysia needs long-term structural reforms and not political short-cuts that only masked the underlying problems dragging down the real economy rather than solving them.

Although Najib did not furnish details, there is speculation that it involves dismantling protective barriers to foreign ownership in assets currently regulated by the Foreign Investment Committee, which includes equity and property.

“I will be making a number of other significant announcements with respect to our liberalisation agenda in the coming weeks,” Najib said.

“Our objective is clear: to ensure that Malaysians – our people and our companies – benefit from the competitive dynamics that are shaping the global marketplace for ideas, talents and funds, so that Malaysian companies and Malaysians can emerge stronger, become more globalised and ultimately thrive in this new world order.”

The announcement is expected to come on June 30, ahead of the completion of his third month in office, for which he is expected to get a bad report card from all round.

Did not ‘kow-tow’ to Kuan Yew

Najib also denied accusations, which came from even his own mentor ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad, that he had ‘kow-towed’ to Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew when the latter arrived for an eight-day official visit earlier this month.

“His visit was a fact finding tour of the situation in Malaysia, so we allowed it. We don’t think we have, in other words, given him more than he deserves,” Najib said.

He defended Kuan Yew, who has attracted negative reaction for trying to endorse the Umno-BN at the expense of the Pakatan with wide-ranging comments including scathing remarks on the Pakatan-led Penang government.

“I don’t think he wants to interfere. I think he knows that any suggestions that he tries to interfere would be counter productive,” said Najib.

Kuan Yew also stirred up a storm, particularly amongst the Malays, by saying in no uncertain terms that Singapore would only go ahead with a third bridge project mooted by Najib, if a 12-year ban on sand sales was lifted.

Horrified at the prospect that Najib might agree in order to get his first mega-project off the ground, Malay leaders even from within his own Umno party, came out strongly to condemn Kuan Yew’s suggestion.

The Sultan of Johor has already declared that he is against the project, which will link a point in Johor Bahru, probably nearby Pasir Gudang to the eastern part of Singapore near to Changi.

SK
27/06/09

Nik Aziz unfazed by police report, denies seditious claims

PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat is unfazed by a police report lodged against him by Umno, denying that a speech he gave in Laloh, Kuala Krai last week was seditious.

“It is okay, it is fine with us. We are ready to answer,” the Kelantan Menteri Besar was quoted as telling Bernama.

Kelantan Umno Youth chief Anuar Safian had lodged a report at the Kota Baru police station claiming that Nik Aziz should be charged under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Internal Security Act 1960.

He accused the PAS leader for likening Umno to the deviationist Ayah Pin and the Sky Kingdom cult and branding Umno as a communist and a socialist party that was anti-Islam.

The Youth leader backed up his allegations by saying that the speech was also reported in an English daily, Kelantan TV and other publications. According to the Umno-owned daily Utusan, this is what the PAS spiritual adviser had allegedly said.

“Umno is a deviant organisation just like Ayah Pin. Umno and the communist are the same. Umno is a socialist party because it rejects Islam. Umno is a Malay party, not an Islamic party,” Utusan reported Nik Aziz as having said.


However, Nik Aziz – who is the senior-most PAS leader – denied his comments were seditious.

“It is the same with deviationist teachings, (to me) all concepts that reject Islam, we call it deviationist. Not only now, during the time of Prophet Muhammad, his companion Abdullah Bin Ubai was not given the honour of being a Muslim brother because he did not have faith in Islam,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Expect an all-out dogfight at Manik Urai

In the weeks leading to the July 14 Manik Urai by-election, the going is likely to get even tougher in politics-crazy Kelantan.

Umno is expected to launch all-out attacks against the revered Kelantan MB, whom it blame for scuppering unity talks proposed by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Last week, the PM had suddenly U-turned from previous indifference to unabashed eagerness for a Malay power pact between Umno and PAS.

In ambiguous comments, he also kept the door open for a unity government to be formed at coalition level between Umno-BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

This was also echoed by his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin who was reported by Bernama as saying that ideally talks should initially be between the two Malay parties and later on extend to the other coalition partners.

Muhyiddin also took care to say that Umno would not set any conditions but accept all terms PAS might set, even though PAS had already said it would not leave Pakatan.

“We will not impose any conditions and we accept whatever terms set by PAS. As far as I am concerned, we have to be open,” the DPM said.

Nevertheless, the Pakatan partners of PKR, DAP and PAS rejected the proposal of a unity government, saying that they would however be open to discussion and co-operation on national issues.

PAS too followed through with a statement that it would adhere to the Pakatan decision and stop all unity talks with Umno.

The Islamist party is due to name its Manik Urai candidate tonight, while Umno will announce on Sunday.

SK
27/06/09

State government acts on Kampung Perepat land-grab issue

THE Selangor government has initiated its own investigations into the Kampung Perepat land-grab issue.

A spokesman from the Menteri Besar’s office revealed that officers had started gathering information on the matter.

KHALID: Had promised earlier that illegal structures would be demolished

“The officers have requested for, among others, files from all the involved parties and are going through them. Once this is done, the State government would proceed with the next course of action,” she said.

It was learnt that the State has given the Klang Land Office, which had transferred plots of Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) land in Kapar to a Datuk, his relatives and business associates, one week to submit related files on Kampung Perepat.

Pioneers of the Kampung Perepat Green Revolution programme, who had been allegedly displaced by the action, have been requested to submit related documents on the issue to the State government.

“The State views this matter seriously and we promise a fair and honest investigation,” the spokesman said.

Last Friday, Malay Mail had front-paged a report on the 17 families who had yet to get back the plots despite the Selangor government admitting in 2005 that the Klang Land Office had erred in transferring the titles to the Datuk, his family members and friends.

The State government had also, in April the same year, revoked the titles awarded to them.However, our checks revealed that the plots were still under their names.

Terrace houses and a bungalow stand on the land meant for agricultural use. A small stream is channelled to a lake with water lilies within the bungalow’s compound. The Klang Municipal Council had since confirmed that the structures were illegal. Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had also promised that the structures would be demolished.

Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, who is assisting the Kampung Perepat pioneers, lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) last Friday, the fifth since 2003

27/06/09

Najib tries again to sell his 1 Malaysia despite his dishonest action

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s concept of 1 Malaysia, disparaged so relentlessly by the opposition since its introduction, was distilled this morning into a cultural song-and-dance.

In a seven-minute speech at Dataran Merdeka this morning at the launch of the 1 Malaysia logo, the prime minister made fleeting reference to the difficulties his administration has faced in pitching the 1 Malaysia concept to ordinary Malaysians.

“When 1 Malaysia was introduced many were asking what does it mean, but I found out generally people have accepted the 1 Malaysia concept,” he said in his speech before thousands of colourfully dressed Malaysians brought in by the Information Ministry to help launch the 1 Malaysia logo.

“Our assembly this morning, an assembly of people in red, in blue, in yellow and in white, although we are in different colours, but we are here today aiming for the same objective,” added Najib in explaining the 1 Malaysia concept.

The prime minister’s well-worn remarks did not offer much more beyond the message of national solidarity.

“It will be of little use to have intellectuals, abundant natural resources and the highest of technology if the people are not united,” he said.

After unveiling the giant logo, Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor accompanied by some members of his Cabinet, including Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, joined the crowd for a specially-choreographed group workout called the ‘Malaysian cultural workout’.

The workout, which lasted for 30 minutes, was a combination of traditional dances from all major ethnic groups in the country.

The crowd, largely made up of civil servants, was also entertained by six songs on 1 Malaysia, one of which will be chosen by the ministry to be the official theme for 1 Malaysia.

Ultimately, the event which was the brainchild of Information Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, suggests the beginning of a public relations and publicity campaign to ensure Malaysians buy in to the 1 Malaysia concept.

The 1 Malaysia theme song is expected to be played regularly on all government television and radio stations.

The Malaysian Insider understands the chosen song will also likely be played at most government functions, in the same vein as the indoctrination campaigns made popular by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 1980s.

Private radio and television stations would also be expected to do their part in the 1 Malaysia campaign.

Since introducing it as the platform of his new administration, Najib has been struggling to explain and defend the 1 Malysia concept, which he said was formulated to forge unity among Malaysians.

He has denied that the concept is similar to Malaysian Malaysia, introduced by the opposition in the 1960s and which is opposed by the strong right-wing faction in Umno who champion the idea of Ketuanan Melayu, or Malay Supremacy.

His party’s recent overtures towards PAS over the idea of Malay unity has also put the spotlight on his 1 Malaysia, attracting attacks from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and concern even from among non-Malay BN component parties.

Najib has said that 1 Malaysia does not deviate from the Federal Constitution, which provides for the special position of Malays and other bumiputeras, without providing details of how his administration plans to address race relations.

MI
27/06/09