Malaysian Justice

This ain't just politics! Thay are National Issues that will effect us ALL!!!

2012-02-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

Tony Pua has been a real blessing to the Malaysian Public. He has been consistently raising national issues that effect us all!! From the Kedai 1Malaysia to the over price Military boats! He has been a thorn in BN face!

Recently he has highlighted a 3 key issue that the BN government is doing that is very worrying!

1. USING EPF Money to loan to people for political reasons!

Its national publicity secretary Tony Pua (right) blasted Prime Minister Najib Razak and Federal Territories Minister Raja Nong Chik's “feeble attempt at justifying the use of EPF funds” for the scheme, that he said abused the people’s retirement funds for political purposes.

“Firstly the prime minister must be castigated for having the cheek to claim that the RM1.5 billion is aninsignificant amount relative to the EPF fund size.

“Regardless of whether it is RM1.5 million or RM1.5 billion or even RM15 billion, the EPF funds must be managed stringently and not be subjected to abuse,” said Pua in a statement today.

He said Clause 26 of the EPF Act permitted the fund to lend money to federal and state governments as well as registered corporate bodies in the country, but not to individuals, in this case, private home buyers.

“No where in the Act does it say it can provide loans to individuals to acquire low-cost apartments using the property as a collateral.

“Despite the ‘guarantee’ from DBKL, the loans are being made out directly to the property owners who may or may not have contributed to EPF,” Pua added.

Therefore, he said, the social housing loan scheme is in breach of the Act.

Nong Chik's flawed logic

On Monday, Raja Nong Chik reportedly announced an "easy financing scheme" for 20,000 eligible PPR tenants and potential buyers who could not obtain bank loans.

The opposition criticised the government for abusing the people’s retirement savings for the BN’s alleged “vote-buying on a whim”.

Pua, who is also PJ Utrara MP, further attacked Nong Chik’s (right) excuse that EPF account holders had no cause for concern as the properties the scheme will be funding are collateral-worthy.

“If the low-cost properties are so collateral-worthy, that the market price is much higher than the purchase price, then why can't these loans be made via commercial banks and not through EPF social lending programmes?

“If DBKL is able to provide the guarantee, and the guarantee is even "better than normal corporate property", then surely, banks will be rushing to provide the loans and not shy away from them,” said Pua.

The MP suggested the government borrow directly from the EPF instead.

“The federal government if need be, can borrow directly from EPF as it does normally, for its social welfare programmes. The EPF should not, however, be directed to provide loans directly to the general public and put itself at risk of default by the individual borrowers.”

He said that while he supported the government’s move to aid the poor to own homes, it should not be “at the expense of abusing Malaysian workers' retirement savings”.

Therefore, said Pua, Najib as finance minister had a duty to ensure compliance with the EPF act by stopping the loan scheme.

EPF abuse ‘despicable and disgraceful’

Meanwhile Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar continued slamming the loan scheme as a sign of “the abject failure of the government to provide proper home ownership assistance to the needy using its own funds”.

“This is a case of blatant abuse of public funds in the form of workers’ retirement savings for political mileage especially to win votes among the urban poor and low-income earners ahead of GE13.

“The EPF is not the personal piggy bank of the BN government,” said Nurul Izzah (right), who is also PKR vice president.

“Abuse or misuse of public funds, disguised as a social welfare programme is despicable and disgraceful,” she added.

Nurul Izzah said EPF contributors had every right to question the scheme and whether the venture will maximise returns for their savings at the lowest possible risk, as the Fund has a duty to safeguard the contributors’s interests.

“Although the so-called ‘guaranteed returns’ of 5.5 percent seem rather high, do they commensurate with the risks undertaken in the best interest of EPF contributors?” she asked.

She reiterated the fact that commercial banks staying away from such loans indicated it was a high risk venture.

Present unpaid EPF loans a lesson

She further questioned if the guarantee by DBKL was sound, as it was contingent on timely repayment of the loans by the house owners.

“What will happen if a huge number of - i.e. more than 20 percent of home buyers - fail to service their loans and this shortfall exceeds the amount of the reserve redemption account?

“Will DBKL be then able to buy back all houses for resale later? In this case, will DBKL be able to offer the guaranteed returns to EPF?

“A cursory glance at past government budgets will highlight the amount of yet unpaid loans to the EPF,” she said.

2. West Coast Expressway: 134% Increase in Cost?!

3. False Sugar Subsidy

Another issue is the I Care proPublish Postposal which make for very scary reading!!

Please go read up on the I Care proposal! It will scare you to find out just how UnCaring the govt really is!

Every Malaysian must read - Very Well Written !!*

2012-02-03T23:48:00.001-08:00

This article by *By Dr. Azmi Sharom, a law lecturer, well educated, well read...a person who refuses to accept what is going on, who feels the injustice not only for the Malays as he too is a Malay but for all Malaysians ...... he is really a anak Malaysia....*

*We want PR not because We Love PR, **We just **want a** CHANGE** !*

*Actually we will vote PR because We Still Love BN. After all it was started by great and honest leaders of the past.*

*Its for the good of BN that we vote for PR and for better future for the people at the same time.*

*What happens, when PR **become** New Government:*

*We have a New Goverment with **Less Experience in **CORRUPTIONS** and **SCANDALS.....good for people*

*We have a STRONG** and** RICH Opposition with **50 years Experience in **CORRUPTIONS** and **SCANDALS. They know the ins and out of corruption and scandals, so they can better check the PR government........ also good for people and for BN*

*BN will do their BEST to EXPOSE those who **CORRUPT,**because BN has 50 years of experience in **CORRUPTIONS*

*Final Result:*

*RAKYAT** MENANG*

* **TWO** party system is........... BORN *

*We vote for** CHANGE.......** because we** LOVE**................MALAYSIA*

*"The world is a **DANGEROUS** place not because of people who do **EVIL**, but because of good people who look on and **DO NOTHING ABOUT IT**"Albert Einstein* * *

Check out my previous posting to see a Barisan National resume on how experience they are with corruption!

*All (including former) Malaysians must know - By Dr. Azmi Sharom*

*Dr. Azmi Sharom**- All Malaysians must know. Malaysia has never been an Islamic State as our Constitution is very specific on it. It was the Mental Mamak (our equivalent to Singapore 's MM) who lied all the way when he declared Malaysia as an Islamic Country and therefore State in 2001.

Lim Kit Siang immediately corrected him but he being the person he is insisted that he was right. Jokers like Ling Liong Sik, Samy Vellu and Lim Keng Yaik of course did not object and quietly agreed with him and so did the other BN leaders.

This mamak has damaged our country through and through. MM also passed the Syariah Law in Selangor in 1995 with the help of MCA, MIC, and Gerakan.

Ask MCA, MIC and Gerakan why they support an Islamic State and passed laws to support it, and now complain that DAP is supporting an Islamic State, when DAP has never ever agreed to do so.. The evidence is beyond doubt, it is in the public domain, ask them, the shameless ones, do they have an answer?*

*Worth listening to this recording. Our constitution is the most altered, amended, and modified constitution in the whole wide world.

We must never ever let UMNO get back their 2/3rds majority ever again. If they do, then our country will go to the dogs. UMNO will again start changing the constitution like there is no to-morrow. It will be changed to suit UMNO, just like they changed the constitution/rules/laws to allow for gerrymandering of the consituency, where a rural constituency with an electorate of 5,000voters is entitled to vote for one MP/DUN, whereas in urban localities, an electorate of 100,000 can only vote for one MP.

What sort of democracy do you call this? Can someone out there enlighten me.

Whether you're pro-BN or pro-opposition, please, do not, in your wildest dreams ever allow UMNO their 2/3rds majority. Don't ever let Malaysia go the way of Zimbabwe , Somali, or Myanmar .

An interesting speech by Dr. Azmi Sharom; an Assistant Professor of Law at UM. He explains the CONSTITUTION: the Malaysian supreme law.

Listen to this, it's interesting and refreshing.

For people who think that only BN can govern properly. Think again.

Once BN gets back their 2/3 in Parliament they will start amending the Constitution. Then we won't have the Constitution that protects

ALL.

Educate yourself about what the supreme law of the land says. Then vote wisely.

Please spread this like wildfire...make it one of the most viewed. *

*You will help educate people about our law. *

Jordan Lee

65 Reasons Why Barisan Nasional will be wiped out soon

2012-02-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

So much money wasted over the years! Thanks to BN! How can the Opposition do any worst?

1. PKFZ RM12bill

2. Submarine commission RM500mil

3. Sime Darby RM964mil

4. Paya Indah Westland RM88mil

5. Posmalaysia (transmile) RM230mil lost

6. Eurocopter deal RM1bil wasted?

7. Terengganu Stadium Collapsed RM292mil

8. MRR2 repair cost RM70mil

9. Maybank Overpaid BII RM4bil

10. Tourism -NYY kickback RM10mil

11. 3 paintings bought by MAS—————– RM 1.5M

12. Overpayment by Sport Ministry————- RM 8.4M

13. London 's white elephant sports complex —- RM 70M

14. MATRADE repairs ————————– RM 120M

15. Cost of new plane used by PM————– RM 200M

16. InventQ irrecoverable debt —————- RM 228M

17. Compensation for killing crooked bridge —– RM 257M

18. Lost in selling Augusta ——————— RM 510M

19. Worth of AP given out in a year ———— RM 1.8B

20. Submarines (future Muzium Negara artifacts)- RM 4.1B

21. PSC Naval dockyard ———————— RM 6.75B

22. The Bank Bumiputra twin scandals in the early 1980s saw US$1

billion loss (RM3.2 billion in 2008 ringgit)

23. The Maminco attempt to corner the world tin market in the 1980s

is believed to have cost some US$500 million. (RM1.6 billion)

24. Betting in foreign exchange futures cost Bank Negara Malaysia

RM30 billion in the 1990s.

25. Perwaja Steel resulted in losses of US$800 million (RM2.56 billion).

26. Use of RM10 billion public funds in the Valuecap Sdn. Bhd.

operation to shore up the stock market

27. Banking scandal of RM700 million losses in Bank Islam

28. The sale of M.V. Agusta by Proton for one Euro making a loss of

€75.99 million (RM 348 million)

29. Wang Ehsan from oil royalty on Terengganu RM7.4 billion from 2004 – 2007

30. For the past 10 years since Philharmonic Orchestra

was established, this orchestra has swallowed a total of RM500

million.Hiring a kwai-lo CEO with salary of more than RM1 M per annum !

31. In Advisors Fees, Mahathir was paid RM180,000, Shahrizat

Abdul Jalil (women and social development affairs) RM404,726 and Abdul

Hamid Othman (religious) RM549,675 per annum

32. The government has spent a total of RM3.2 billion in teaching

Maths and Science in English over the past five years. Out of the

amount, the government paid a whopping RM2.21 billion for the purchase

of information and computer technology (ICT) equipments which it is

unable to give a breakdown. Govt paid more than RM6k per notebook vs

per market price of less than RM3k through some new consortiums that

setup just to transact the notebook deal. There was no math & science

content for the teachers and the notebooks are all with the teachers'

children now.

33. The commission paid for purchase of jets and submarines to two

private companies Perimeker Sdn Bhd and IMT Defence Sdn Bhd amounted

to RM910 million.

37. RM300 million to compensate Gerbang Perdana for the RM1.1 billion"Crooked Scenic Half-Bridge"

38. RM1.3 billion have been wasted building the white elephant Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities on cancellation ofthe Malaysia-Singapore scenic bridge

39. RM 100 million on renovation of Parliament building and leaks

40. National Astronaut Programme – RM 40 million

41. National Service Training Programme – yearly an estimate of RM 500 million

42. Eye of Malaysia – RM 30 million and another RM5.7 million of free ticket

43. RM 2.4 million on indelible ink

44. Samy announced in September 2006 that the government paid

compensation amounting to RM 38.5 billion to 20 highway companies.

RM380 million windfalls for 9 toll concessionaires earned solely from

the toll hike in 2008 alone.

45. RM32 million timber export kickbacks involving companies

connected to Sarawak Chief Minister and his family.

46. Two bailouts of Malaysia Airline System RM7.9 billion. At a time

when MAS incurring losses every year, RM1.55 million used to buy three

paintings to decorate its chairman's (Munir) office.

47. Putra transport system bailout which cost RM4.486 billion.

48. STAR-LRT bailout costing RM3.256 billion.

49. National Sewerage System bailout costing RM192.54 million.

50. Seremban-Port Dickson Highway bailout costing RM142 million.

51. Kuching Prison bailout costing RM135 million.

52. Kajian Makanan dan Gunaan Orang Islam bailout costing RM8.3 million.

53. Le Tour de Langkawi bailout costing RM 3.5 Million.

54. Wholesale distribution of tens of millions of shares in

BursaMalaysia under guise of NEP to cronies, children and relatives of

BN leaders and Ministers worth billions of ringgits.

55. Alienation of tens of thousands of hectares of

commercial lands and forestry concessions to children and relatives

of BN leaders and Ministers worth tens of billions of ringgits.

56. Since 1997, Petronas has handed out a staggering 30 billion

ringgit in natural gas subsidies to IPPs who were making huge

profits.In addition, there were much wastages and forward trading of

Petronas oil in the 1990s based on the low price of oil then. Since

the accounts of Petronas are for the eyes of Prime Minister only, we

have absolutely no idea of the amount.

57. RM5700 for a car jack worth RM50

58. Government-owned vehicle consumed a tank of petrol worth RM113

within a few minutes

59. A pole platform that cost RM990 was bought for RM30,000

60. A thumb drive that cost RM90 was bought for RM480

61. A cabinet that cost RM1,500 was bought for RM13,500

62. A flashlight that cost RM35 was bought for RM143

63. Expenses for 1 Malaysia campaign paid to APCO?

64. RM17 billion subsidy to IPP

65. USD24 million diamond ring for Ro$mah --- cancellation of order

This is not even the full listing on all of BN corruption and inefficiencies yet! Isn't it scary?!? If we were not bless with so much natural resources such as Tin, Petrol, Oil Palm and etc we would have been bankrupt by now!

Will the Police standby and do nothing? Another Injustice in Malaysia!

2012-01-22T23:48:00.000-08:00

From Malaysiakini

Read here first to see the disgusting quotes made by the police!

A ceramah organised by Anything But Umno (ABU) was cancelled at the last minute due to a disturbance from a "rowdy" group.

According to Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director E Nalini (right), the ceramah was disrupted by several youths sporting T-shirts with BN and Umno logos.

"The ceramah was to start about 9pm last night. As we were driving to the hall, there were about six or seven men beating up a boy with sticks," said Nalini.

This was confirmed by ABU coordinator Haris Ibrahim, who added that one young man was taken to the hospital.

"Another group of some 20 people were causing a ruckus opposite the hall, waving rods and riding motorcycles," Nalini told Malaysiakini, adding that they were told the area was an "Umno stronghold".

Co-organised by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), the ceramah was to take place at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Hall on Jalan Kebun, before it was called off over safety concerns.

"I understand that the hospital had to do a CT Scan on the youth. He is out of danger but he is certainly traumatised," said Haris, who was to speak at the ceramah.

Malays told to leave

Hindraf adviser N Ganesan said in a statement that the group was making a racket outside the MBSA hall by honking motorcycle horns, and one of the group's leaders even told Malay attendees to leave the ceramah.

"Having succeeded in getting a few of the attendees to leave the hall, the mat rempit then began kicking and pushing over the publicity material and tables placed at the entrance to the hall.
"This made some in the crowd restless, and prompted the mat rempit leader to ask the crowd to 'berambus' (get lost).

"Things took an ugly turn when a mat rempit then rode his motorcycle right into the seating area, making those there scramble for safety," recounted Ganesan (left).

A scuffle then took place when one of the participants told the motorcycle group leader to leave.

They began shoving one another and it eventually ended in a fight, said Ganesan, adding that the participant was then "knocked senseless, and had to be rushed off to the hospital".

Ganesan also criticised BN and Umno, accusing them of using youths to disrupt the ceramah.

He added that despite the "brazen attempt" to thwart the gathering, Hindraf as well as ABU would continue to host forums and ceramah of such nature.

However, Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah refuted the allegations that a person was injured.

"Nothing happened, the residents were unhappy, that's all. No BN or Umno supporters disturbed them," said Tun Hisan when contacted.

"No police reports were lodged, not even by the victim who was said to be injured," he said.

Cop get shot for 'stupid' statement

Human rights commissioner Mohd Sha’ani Abdullah blew his top today over what he deemed as the “stupidity” and immaturity of senior police officers and their statements on a recent disturbance during an anti-BN ceramah in Klang.

“As senior officers, their standards are way higher. They must know their facts and know their responsibility,” he told reporters at the commission’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

“I cannot accept their statements. They should work to earn our respect and not just show that they are the boss.”

Mohd Sha’ani (right) however clarified that this is his personal viewpoint, though he will table it to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

He said the police are meant to represent all of society, not just the majority.

He chastised the police for seemingly making excuses for the aggressors, empowering them to do as they please, to the detriment of the human rights of those who are the victims of the assault.

"Malaysia's eminent institutions do not understand human rights principles," he lamented, equating any compromise on human rights for "security purposes to an abuse of power".

He contended that the police are supposed to keep the peace and prevent untoward incidents, not compromise and reduce the rights of Malaysians to free expression.

This, he said, is what happens when the police just look for an easy way out to lighten their work load, and effect "arrest without warrant, charge without proof, punish without trial."

Asked if Suhakam itself would be issuing a severe reprimand to the police over their “stupidity” and “lack of maturity”, he said this would depend on the outcome of the meeting.

“That depends on the commission. After we meet, we may issue a statement or use other means to express our views.”

One injured

He was commenting on statements by the Shah Alam OCPD and police over the incident last Saturday when about 20 youths, who may have included Umno and BN members, allegedly disrupted a ceramah held by anti-BN group Asalkan Bukan Umno-BN (ABU).

The police had reportedly commented that the ceramah, which they said started during evening prayers and contained speeches that irked the ire of over 1,000 villagers, had to be ordered cancelled in the face of mounting local dissent.

Police also maintained that they was no damage to the venue and surrounding stalls and no one was injured.

However, ABU organisers who came to lodge a report with Suhakam today disputed the statement point-by-point.

The NGO insisted that only 20 youths had rushed the ceramah at 9.15pm, before it even started. it said speeches had not yet begun and that the session had not been organised during evening prayers.

ABU also claimed that a member of the audience identified only as Krishna, of Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS, had been injured by the stick-wielding intruders.

Video footage of assault

To support their claim, the NGO presented Suhakam with two video recordings on the assault by the group.

In the video, one attacker was seen punching an organiser and several youths armed with sticks were seen rushing into the hall, knocking aside chairs and threatening those in the hall, targeting Indians in the crowd. Scuffles erupted as a result.

Some of the attacking youth rode their motorcycles close to the venue entrance, gunning the engines and honking loudly. One was seen riding his machine inside the hall.

Based on the footage, the ABU organisers appeared calm and did not react belligerently, despite the provocation.

ABU also furnished pictures of the faces and motorcycle registration numbers of the attacking group, which did not appear to be 1,000-strong in the footage, but numbering just under two dozen.

ABU urged Suhakam to investigate the matter and take stern action. Mohd Sha’ani promised to see this through.

Present to state ABU’s case were key orginisers Badrul Hisham Shahrin from Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia, S Arutchelvan from PSM, Hindraf national coordinator W Sambulingam and Haris Ibrahim of Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

Other things that are unfair in Malaysia today!

2012-01-20T23:11:00.000-08:00

1. AG still charging Kapal Singh with sedition over remarks involving the Perak Sultan

while they refuse to charge Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia for endangering the health of the normal rakyat with false information.

2. New salary scheme top-ranking government servants will be paid as much as RM80 000 a month while some drivers get just a RM1 70 increase in monthly wages earning.

AG expecting to get a big pay cheque for the great work he put in Anwar's case!

3. Teoh Beng Hock case vs NFC and Sharizat!

One was investigating corruption worth RM2400

The other was for RM300million!

One was investigated by top MACC officials and had all night interrogation!

The other had tip off that they are going to be raided! (even the news reporters were there first before the MACC officers arrive!)

Some corrupt UMNO people may have to find a new CASH COW to steal from but you can wait till the COWS COME HOME before we see any real justice here!!!

What is fair?

2012-01-20T22:44:00.001-08:00

Anwar, 64, was charged on Aug 8, 2008 under Section 377B of the Penal Code with committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature. (NOTE: This charge is with consent of the "victim" not force rape)

He was accused and acquitted by the High Court of sodomising Mohd Saiful

Is it fair that Saiful, a 20+ man that is 6feet tall get an appeal at the cost of the the reputation and funds of the Malaysian Government, just so that he can defend his dignity?

WELL HE GOT HIS APPEAL!

How about Abdul Razak Baginda? A close friend of Najib who was charge and also acquitted with the murder (blowing up with military gred C4 explosive) of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a pregnant Mongolian women!

Did her family see justice and get an appeal?

NO WAY!

Deputy public prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, who is leading the prosecution, said in a statement today that there would be no appeal because the trial judge had made a finding of fact in acquitting Abdul Razak.

Anwar's acquittal was also on point of fact! So why is there an appeal!

The answer is here!

Najib More Concerned About KR1M Profits

2012-01-19T00:15:00.000-08:00

From Tony Pua's blog

I read with both amusement and consternation the Prime Minister’s statement on Bernama yesterday that “the ridicule and criticism hurled by the opposition at the 1Malaysia Shops (KR1M) has helped to raise sales at the outlets.”

Dato’ Seri Najib Razak even goaded the opposition to make more criticisms, “I would like to encourage them (the opposition) to carry on with their criticism” when visiting his own constituency of Pekan where KR1M has been opened for a month.

It is hence clear that the Prime Minister is not the least bothered about the health and welfare of ordinary Malaysians, not even that of his own constituents.

The criticisms coming from Pakatan Rakyat on KR1M is regardless of whether the store sales go up or down. The criticisms are made on the issue of whether the Government’s subsidies are being used to profit particular businessmen, whether consumers are being fleeced or their health compromised.

The Minister of Health, Dato’ Seri Liow Tiong Lai has confirmed that the 1Malaysia Fresh Milk, which was sold significantly cheaper by KR1M compared to other retail stores, was contaminated with the Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria which is the cause of food poisoning and occasional deaths.

The Ministry of Health has also confirmed that the 1Malaysia Growing Up Milk Powder for children 1 year old and above contained excessive amount of Vitamin A, more than double the limit set by Institute of Medicine (IOM) for children 3 years old and below. Excessive doses of vitamin A may cause Hypervitaminosis A, resulting in damaged liver, asthma, skin discoloration, hair loss and other effects.

In addition, at least 2 products – oyster sauce and sweetened creamer - were confirmed to have breached health and safety regulations per the Food Regulations Act 1985. What is more, no less than 5 products were labelled wrongly, including inferior products being sold as superior goods.

Selected comparison of prices of 1Malaysia products against their counterparts in other hypermarkets has also shown that there’s little difference in prices, and certainly a far cry from the 30% to 50% cheaper claim by KR1M. This is despite a RM40 million subsidy given by the Government to Mydin to open these shops.

Yet, despite all of the above, Dato’ Seri Najib Razak has chosen not only to waive any punitive actions against KR1M for breaking so many laws, but instead decided cosy up to KR1M and its private owners. He did not even attempt to admonish KR1M owners for the above transgressions.

There can be no other conclusion from the above but to say that the Prime Minister isn’t interested in whether it is the rakyat or the businessman who is profiting from the RM40 million subsidy; that he doesn’t care if KR1M sold products which were unhealthy or of inferior quality; and that Dato’ Seri Najib Razak is only interested in KR1M making lots of sales and profits for its private shareholders.

I bet you won't read about this in the Star!!!

2011-12-29T05:15:00.001-08:00

Penang MCA Youth chief, 439 others quit party

In a surprise move last night, Penang MCA Youth chief Eng Hiap Boon resigned from all his party posts, citing disappointment with the MCA leadership.

Eng (right) said 439 members have also resigned together with him, resulting in two MCA branches in the state being shut down.

"My comrades and I are very disappointed with the party's leaders, who are currently facing immoral and unethical issues in their leadership," Eng told a press conference in George Town last night.

Infighting within the party, he added, continued to grow and the leaders have refused to engage with the grassroots or serve the people genuinely.

Eng is known to be a "hardcore supporter" of former MCA president Ong Tee Keat, but he said his departure from the party was his own decision.

He also said that he understood some 500 party members from Johor may also have resigned from the MCA about the same time (last night), causing the dissolution of five branches in the process.

"I don't know when this tide will stop, but the MCA leadership should really conduct a self-examination," Eng said.

A member of the leading Chinese Malaysian party for 18 years, Eng criticised the MCA leadership for being "disloyal, lacking in integrity, being immoral and having no righteousness".

‘Those who work are run down'

He added: "The leadership is facing some moral issues and appears ignorant about the problems faced by the Chinese community.

"The worse thing is when members committed to serving the people and initiate welfare work, but their ‘reward' is a cut on their faces."

Eng was referring to incidents where certain members have had their banners promoting their party work torn down by certain quarters, but he would not reveal those behind the vandalism.

He has held seven positions in the party, including as Berapit state constituency coordinator.

He said among the 439 members who joined him in quitting the party were five branch Youth chiefs, seven elected state Youth executive committee members and 12 Youth divisional council members.

"We are still collecting more signatures and member cards from those who have decided to quit," Eng said.

He also claimed that after the March 2008 general election, Penang MCA hired "gunners or cybertroopers" to take charge of the party's statements, but none of them were paid a single sen for their worjk.

"MCA leaders only know how to cheat and do not keep their pledges.

"The party members are ageing and incapable of fighting with the new government after the 2008 loss, especially in the area of publicity," he complained.

"Hence, they hire people to write for them. These are who we call ‘gunners', but they are not paid at all," he added.

Chua accused of vote buying

Eng also accused party president Dr Chua Soi Lek of vote buying before the last MCA election by handing out money to all veteran members, instead of spending the funds to help the public.

Although MCA is the second largest Chinese-based political party in the world, Eng said, he felt ashamed to be seen as a party member as "this is a rotten party, led by a dirty president".

He denied being disloyal to the party, explaining that he could not accept what has been done to it by the leadership.

"For many years, I can still remember all the infighting within the party. Although it is easy to avoid an open attack, it is difficult to prevent the dirty tactics.

"Sometimes, my supporters were threatened by gangsters and have been targets of malicious allegations. I experienced these as well. Is this MCA's culture?" he asked.

"It is better to leave now and explore new platforms to do some welfare activities," Eng said, adding that he was currently committed to NGO work and would not join any other political party.

On a related matter, Eng criticised Penang state MCA chairperson Dr Ng Yen Yen for her "incompetence" in not calling for a state party meeting in the last three to four months.

He said such incompetent leaders would make it difficult for the MCA to regain Penang in the coming general election, which could even be called in the first quarter of next year.

Najib should be made responsible for this!

2011-12-29T05:07:00.000-08:00

From Malaysiakini

Shares of the company behind the MyEmail email project plummeted today, after the company revealed yesterday that it suffered heavier losses than initially reported due to a typo.

The Edge reported that Tricubes Bhd shares fell by 2.5 sen to 18.5 sen today as of 12.30pm, after it told Bursa Malaysia that its accumulated losses stand at RM17.24 million for the financial year ending on March 31, 2011, not RM7.3 million as reported in its 2011 Annual Report.

This followed the company’s submission of the audit of its annual report to Bursa on Sept 7.

The financial daily cited the report as saying that there may be “material uncertainties” that cast doubt on the the company’s ability to continue.

Its survival is dependent on securing more contracts to survive, as well as the support of bankers, creditors and shareholders, it said.

“Currently, the group has secured several contracts and is planning to secure additional contracts with various government agencies and commercial banks for its existing and newly developed products,” the report was quoted saying.

Tricubes is best known for its appointment by the federal government for the email project - then known as the 1Malaysia Email project - to provide Malaysians with a secure email account for correspondences and monetary transactions with the government.

However, the project would cost 50 sen per correspondence, drawing brickbats because critics argued that there are already freealternatives. Despite that, its shares shot up from 5.5 sen to 32.5 sen over a week, after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced the appointment on April 19.

The company was thrown into the spotlight again when it was awarded a contract to collect traffic summonses for the Royal Malaysian Police on Nov 16, prompting another share spike.

Christmas Carolling affected because of the Peaceful Assembly Bill!

2011-12-09T03:22:00.000-08:00

Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing described the new conditions imposed before a police permit is granted for Christmas carolling groups to visit households as making the country "very nearly a police state".

"The Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 is vexing if things have come down to this," opined the head of the Catholic Church for the Malacca-Johor diocese, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia.

Up to now, priests of churches that send carolling groups to visit Christian homes in the prelude to Christmas are merely required to apply for a police permit for the visits. Approvals were never a problem.

However, provisions of the recently passed and highly controversial Peaceful Assembly Bill require priests to furnish the names of the main occupants of homes the carollers intend to visit.

"If parish priests have to furnish the names of the main tenants, then we have become very nearly a police state," said Tan.

"This is a bureaucratic requirement that is so vexing," added the Jesuit-trained prelate.

Buffer zone between citizens and the state

"We are a church that periodically conducts a census of our members, but we do not go around asking our members details of where exactly they stay and if they own their residences or are merely tenants," he said.

"We generally know where they stay but we don't keep a ledger of their addresses.

"We don't snoop and we respect the privacy of individual members of our congregation. We don't believe we should be Big Brother or Nanny to them," Tan said.

The prelate said a valued insight of Catholic social teaching was the necessity of a mediating space between the state and ordinary citizens.

"That space is the area in which bodies such as the church and others play a role. It's a kind of buffer zone between the citizen and the intrusions of state. The width of that space is taken to be a barometer of the heath of a society.

"With this Peaceful Assembly Bill, the government is intruding into an area that is not theirs, unduly burdening the people in the process. This is worse than the ISA that can put suspects into detention without trial," asserted the bishop.

NFC caps a long string of scandals

2011-11-30T02:34:00.000-08:00

COMMENT For weeks, just in time for Umno's annual general assembly which opened yesterday, the party has been embroiled in an embarrassing scandal involving a 2007 government decision to spend RM300 million to establish a national feedlot corporation to slaughter as many as 60,000 cattle annually under Islamic halal dietary requirements.

The scandal seems emblematic of a long series of such situations that imperil Prime Minister Najib Razak's vow in April 2010 that the government "can no longer tolerate practices that support the behaviour of rent-seeking and patronage, which have long tarnished the altruistic aims of the New Economic Policy."

The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), as it is known, has never slaughtered 10 percent of the projected total and has since scaled back its target to 8,000 head but hasn't been able to meet that target either.

Worse, the company has been losing millions of dollars every year - while pouring funds into two RM10 million condominiums in Kuala Lumpur, among other things, and spending RM800,000 for overseas travel and entertainment.

The scandal is doubly embarrassing because the agreement to establish the NFC, made when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was prime minister, went to the family of Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (right), the
minister of women, welfare and community development and head of the women's wing of Umno.

Her husband, Mohamad Salleh Ismail, is the chairman. Her three children are respectively the chief executive officer and executive directors of the company. None had any experience in cattle production or beef supply prior to the establishment of the company.

The report of the NFC's operations was contained in the 2010 report of the auditor-general, which was delayed for weeks before it was finally released. The scandal has generated tensions inside Umno, with some reformers demanding that Shahrizat be forced out of her job as minister.

However, the leadership has circled the wagons to protect her. In particular, Muhyiddin Yassin, the deputy prime minister, has said there was no case to be brought against her. Muhyiddin was the agriculture minister in 2006 when the project was approved. Others who have come to her defence are Abdullah Badawi and his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, the head of the Umno Youth Wing.

The NFC scandal is said to have the potential reformers worried because party operatives thought they had the Selangor electorate turned around and that they could take the state back from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat in national elections expected to be called early next year.

However, Asia Sentinel has been told, the refusal to hold anybody to account in the feedlot scandal could well turn the tide back against them, especially as other patronage scandals continue to bubble up.

Mahathir's cadre of 100 super-rich bumis

The depth and breadth of the scandals also calls into question moves earlier this year with Najib launching a series of programmes to develop bumiputera, including allocating an RM2 billion fund for development.

In the 2012 budget, Najib also announced the government would allocate RM200 million to guide 1,100 high-performing bumi companies with the potential for listing on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. Critics are concerned that the patronage system will continue unabated.

The current Umno general assembly was hoped to provide a dramatic backdrop for Najib to win back disaffected Malay voters.

For decades, this patronage has involved highway construction and defence contracts and a variety of other government arrangements with Umno cronies in a plan formulated by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

His ambition was to create a cadre of 100 super-rich bumis who in turn would help rural Malays into prosperity under a ‘konsep payung', or umbrella concept routed through Umno, much the way he envisioned driving the country into industrialisation through massive
projects.

However, many of the companies eventually collapsed and are being supported by government institutions such as Kazanah Nasional, the country's sovereign investment fund, or the Employee Provident Fund.

Contained in the same 2010 auditor general's report, for instance, is a passage on the decision to privatise a 77-km stretch of highway from Senai to Desaru in Johor.

The land acquisition turned out to have doubled - from RM385 million to RM740.6 million - with the road surface described as "undulating." The project completion "was not in accordance with specifications, causing damage to the road surface and endangering road users."

The company failed to complete construction within the stipulated period of the contract. However, the construction agreement didn't specify damages in the event it wasn't completed. Required maintenance is described as "unsatisfactory."

The company that won the RM1.7 billion contract is Ranhill Corp Sdn Bhd, which has long been described as Umno-linked. It is partly owned by Lambang Optimia Sdn Bhd. Both are headed by Hamdan Mohamad, described as Malaysia's ‘water baron', who operates several utilities and power companies.

He was one of several ethnic Malay businessmen who followed former PM Mahathir's vow to take Malaysian companies overseas. Another shareholder is YPJ Corp Sdn Bhd, an arm of the Johor state government, and yet another appears to be Umno itself, which owns a minority share through an account at Public Bank Bhd, according to records.

Ranhill has had a lackluster two to three years, capped by disaster earlier in 2011 when its Libyan operations were caught between the Muammar Qaddafi forces and those of the Libyan rebels aided by Nato air strikes.

Overpriced defence hardware

Also, earlier this year, Deftech, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-Hicom, won a contract without an open tender to produce and deliver 237 eight-wheeled armoured personnel carriers to the Defence Ministry.

DRB-Hicom is 55 percent owned by Etika Strategi Sdn Bhd, which is wholly owned by billionaire Syed Mokhtar Al Bukhary, one of Mahathir's targeted bumiputeras and a man who is extremely tight with Umno.

Opposition member Tony Pua (left) complained on the floor of Parliament that the average price of RM29.4 million for each unit compared unfavourably with a Portuguese Army purchase of 363 similar vehicles for the equivalent of RM4.4 million each from the Swiss MOWAG CmBH Corp, Malaysia is paying a 6.6-fold increase over the Portguese purchase.

Saudi Arabia, he said, bought 724 such vehicles for the equivalent of RM9.9 million from General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, with Malaysia paying almost three times as much government officials said the contracts don't compare with each other and that the government is getting more equipment, maintenance, etc. for its money.

"Further research has revealed that DRB-Hicom will be acquiring the AWC technology from a Turkish company - FNSS Defence Systems Inc which manufactures the Pars 8x8 AWV models," Pua said.

"With this deal, Malaysia will be its first foreign customer for this vehicle. What is perhaps of greater alarm is the fact that FNSS has announced that they have sold 257 units of Pars 8x8 AWVs to Malaysia for approximately US$600 million or RM1.83 billion or only RM7.1 million per unit," Pua said in a prepared statement - considerably different from what the Malaysians said they bought the vehicles for.

Pua also complained about the cost of six offshore patrol vessels from Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd at RM1 billion each in the aftermath of another total fiasco.

The auditor-general, in a 2007 report tabled in Parliament, alleged that a contract to build naval vessels given to PSC-Naval Dockyard, a subsidiary of Penang Shipbuilding & Construction Sdn Bhd, which was owned by another Umno crony, Amin Shah Omar Shah(right).

PSC-Naval Dockyard, which was taken over by Boustead, contracted to deliver six patrol boats for the Malaysian Navy in 2004 and complete the delivery in 2007. Those were supposed to be the first of 27 offshore vessels ultimately to cost RM24 billion plus the right to maintain and repair all of the country's naval craft.

But only two of the barely operational patrol boats had been delivered by mid-2006. There were 298 recorded complaints about the two boats, which were also found to have 100 and 383 uncompleted items aboard them respectively.

The original RM5.35 billion contract ballooned to RM6.75 billion by January 2007. The auditor also reported that the ministry had paid out RM4.26 billion to PSC up to December 2006 although only RM2.87 billion of work had been done, an overpayment of RM1.39 billion, or 48 percent. In addition, the cabinet waived late penalties of RM214 million.

Between December 1999, according to the auditor-general, 14 "progress payments" amounting to RM943 million despite the fact that the auditor-general could find no payment vouchers or relevant documents dealing with the payments.

AG: Serious financial mismanagement

The auditor-general attributed the failure to serious financial mismanagement and technical incompetence stemming from the fact that PSC had never built anything but trawlers or police boats before being given the contract.

Once called ‘Malaysia's Onassis' by Daim Zainuddin, Amin Shah was in trouble almost from the start, according to a report in Singapore's Business Timesin 2005.

Eventually Boustead PSC was born out of the Royal Malaysian Navy's dockyard facilities which were to provide ship repairs and maintenance services. Under the corporatisation programme advocated by the Malaysian government, the dockyard was set up as Limbungan TLDM, a wholly-owned government company.

It has modern facilities to meet the maintenance requirements of the Royal Malaysian Navy fleet, from hull repairs to major overhauls and from radar refitting to weapon systems refurbishment.

The six patrol boats have now cost five times what the Royal New Zealand Navy paid for its patrol vessels, bought at only RM210 million each from BAE Systems, the second largest global defence company.

The irrepressible Raja Petra Kamarudin in early November found that the Philippines was buying Hamilton-class patrol ships from the US that would be deployed to the West Philippine Sea area to secure the country's natural resources.

The latest one is to be transferred by the first or second quarter of next year, to guard energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan.

"Malaysia is going to buy six patrol boats at a total cost of RM6 billion or RM1 billion per patrol boat. Of course, Malaysia's patrol boats are going to be far advanced and more sophisticated than those of the Philippines who paid only RM31.5 million for theirs," he wrote.

"The Philippines's patrol boats can only patrol the waters. Malaysia's patrol boats can...well...patrol the waters."

- Asia Sentinel

A simple explanation on why Malaysia's Elections are unfair

2011-11-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

All Malaysian should read this article from Malaysiakini to understand why BERSIH 3.0 is crucial if the government does not reform the electoral process!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

A retiree arrested the attention of opposition members at the public hearing by the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform, when he told them to forget about marching to Putrajaya under the current electoral system.

Armed with printouts of his presentation slides, Ng Chak Ngoon (right) who described himself as a retiree, presented the panel with a graph that showed 222 lines with every one being taller than the other as it progressed.

The graph, said Ng at the hearing in Kota Kinabalu yesterday, which saw several others testifying, was plotted against the population size of all the constituencies in ascending order for the 2008 general election.

"All on the left (in blue) are won by BN, on the right (in red) are all won by the opposition. The BN constituencies are very small and the opposition constituencies are very big. So what is happening here?

"It's not by chance that all the people in big constituencies like the opposition and all those people in the small constituencies like BN. I would think there is a design here for the Election Commission (EC) to sub-divide all the BN areas into smaller areas to increase their number of MPs," he said.

Ng added that the smallest constituency, BN-held Putrajaya only had 6,008 voters but Opposition-held Kapar had a staggering 112,224 voters, 17 times more than Putrajaya.

‘Kapar can have 17 MPs'

"If we break down Kapar to the size of Putrajaya, you would have 17 MPs from Kapar instead of just one."

If all the seats are made into equal size, Ng added, the last general election would yield a result where BN and Pakatan Rakyat would only have a difference of seven seats in Parliament as opposed to the actual results of 140 to 82 seats.

He further estimated that if a party relied on all the small seats to win power, it would only require 15.4 percent of the total votes to form a majority in Parliament.

"If the opposition thinks they can march to Putrajaya, forget about it."

At this point, PSC member Anthony Loke who is DAP's Rasah MP quipped: "Very demoralising."

Explaining further, Ng said the smallest constituency in Malaysia was 13 percent of the national average while the largest was 288 percent, in contrast to the UK's which smallest and largest constituency are 77 percent and 153 percent of the national average respectively.

"If the EC is sincere, it should redraw all the constituencies, this is not gerrymandering, this is outright cheating."

PSC member Dr Hatta Ramli later concurred, pointing out that the Baling parliamentary constituency, supposedly a rural seat, had an unusually large number of constituents at around 70,000.

"This was because PAS has won the seat before," said Hatta, who then asked if Ng thought this was ethical.

"Unethical is a mild word, Can I answer outside?" replied Ng in reference to parliamentary rules that require members in the hearing to abide by appropriate language.

State by state breakdown

Ng later proceeded to present similar graphs with a state by state breakdown at which PSC member Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said: "Can you rate Kangar?", in reference to his own constituency.

"If you have Negeri Sembilan's, I would like to see my chances of winning," added Loke.

At this, Ng quipped: "I'll have to charge you for consultancy."

When asked by PSC member Fong Chan Onn (right) on how the panel can accommodate the increase of seats for Sabah and Sarawak to meet the Malaysian Federation agreement of 34 percent into his recommendations, Eng replied: "What is your objective?

"To win the election or to have an equitable dispersion of votes? If these are conflicting desires, obviously we cannot come to a compromise. BN has to answer that question, not me, I'm a retired man."

Is Najib lying about reforms!?

2011-11-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

Recent event has proven that Najib is an outright liar with regards to reforms (of the ISA and Police Act)

Recently the BN government use the ISA to catch 13 people in Sabah. Why use a law that is suppose to be done away with?? So much for your intention to abolish ISA.

Even worst is the new "Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011" the BN govt is proposing!

It is scary!! It will effective turn Malaysia into a Police State!

Among the main points of the proposed law are:

30 days' advance notice for assemblies, except for those in designated areas as defined by the home minister;

after notification, the assemblies can proceed, unless there are objections from the police;

no street protests are allowed;

no protests in or anywhere in a 50-metre buffer zone around prohibited areas defined in a list, which includes hospitals, schools and places of worship;

Section 8 allows a police officer 'to take such measures he/she deems necessary' to ensure compliance;

Section 9(5) allows the police to fine organisers up to RM10,000 if no advance notice of a planned assembly is given to the police;

Section 20(1)(c) allows police to arrest anyone who brings, allows to come or recruits children for an assembly;

Section 21(3) allows the police to fine those arrested up to RM20,000;

those under 21 years of age are not allowed to organise assemblies; and

children under 15 are not allowed to take part in assemblies, except in cultural or religious events such as funeral corteges or events approved by the home minister.

See the full Assembly Bill here!

Example of this new law being worst then the old Police act includes:

1. “Under the new law, a person can be fined up to RM20,000 as compared to RM10,000 under the Police Act,”

2. 30-day notice that organisers must give the police before holding an assembly!

3.Section 15(2)(h) allows the district police chief to decide on:

Date, time and duration of assembly;
The venue;
Manner of the assembly;
Conduct of participants;
Clean-up costs arising from the assembly;
Any inherent environmental factor, cultural or religious sensitivity and historical significance of the place of assembly;
Concerns and objections of persons who have interests; or
Any other matter that he deems necessary or expedient in relation to the assembly.

Anyone violating the restrictions and conditions will be liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000.

“It is clear that the real intention of Najib and his government is to make it as difficult and as burdensome as possible for the people to peacefully assemble.”

The Bill demonstrates that we have rogue politicians ruling the country as the stifling provisions are a flagrant breach of the federal constitution, that allows for freedom of expression and does not stipulate any age barriers.

None of these provisions are in line with Najib's promise to enable a more vibrant democratic space.

Whatever the analysis, we the rakyat simply cannot take the Bill sitting down. If we do not act now, it would send a signal to the government which would clearly translate to mean it can bulldoze into our democratic space and civil liberties.

I therefore concur with law expert Abdul Aziz Bari that this Bill must be challenged in court, for it violates the federal constitution. This would send a strong message to the government that we will not allow the ruling elite to trample on our rights.

(partly taken from...)
CHARLES SANTIAGO is the DAP member of parliament for Klang.

Another MCA Idiot!

2011-11-23T04:23:00.000-08:00

From Malaysiakini

The Health Ministry has today ordered a recall of Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia’s (KR1M) oyster sauce, for violating food safety regulations.

"We have informed the Domestic Trade and Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, which has jurisdiction over the matter to remove the product from the market.

“The product must be recalled immediately," its minister Liow Tiong Lai told reporters at a press conference at Parliament House today.

He explained that the 1Malaysia branded oyster sauce sold at KR1M outlets nationwide, recorded a lower protein content than the requirement mandated by the Food Regulation 1985, in tests conducted by the ministry's Food Safety Department.

"Two samples of the sauce obtained by the ministry recorded protein content of 0.8% protein weight for weight (w/w) and 1.0% protein w/w compared to the standard for oyster sauce which is 2.5% protein w/w specified in Rule 166A of the Act."

The sauce is one of seven products tested by the Health Ministry following claims by Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua that thequality of the products were in question.

'Pua didn't send samples'

To a question, Liow said there had been a delay in conducting the tests because samples need to be procured.

"I asked Pua (left) to send the samples to me. But since he was not forthcoming, I had to send out my officers to obtain samples for testing by the department responsible," related the minister.

Liow however cleared other products of any infringement of food regulations, which was alleged by Pua.

"We have tested samples of the sweetened condensed creamer, evaporated creamer, pure Ceylon tea, meehoon and blackcurrant fruit cordial and found them to comply with the food safety regulations," assured the minister.

He also denied Pua's claim that the Vitamin A contents of the KR1M's growing up milk formula was way above permissible levels.

Another Stupid Minister! Is it Tony Pua's job to get you the sample is the first place? You should have done your job and check it out yourself!

How about charging the KR1M for violating the Food Regulation Act?!?! Do your job Health Minister!

We still have not forgotten about your stupid lies from the BERSIH rally!

The right reaction to stupid MCA proposal!

2011-11-23T03:48:00.000-08:00

From Malaysiakini

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) today (12 Nov) took a strong stance against MCA's proposal to disallow voting for Malaysians residing overseas.

Speaking to Malaysiakini on the sidelines of the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform, its chairperson Ambiga Sreenevesan said that denying the constitutional right to vote based on logistics is “appalling”.

“It’s appalling and completely baseless, including their damage control after that,” she said, referring to MCA’s proposal to the committee on the first day of the public hearing yesterday.

“We cannot use logistics to deprive citizens of the constitutional right to vote... Overseas voters, too, are ready to assist in any way to make it work.”

MCA had yesterday told the panel that Malaysians residing overseas should not be allowed to vote as they are “out of touch” with the real situation in the country, and may rely on “doubtful, biased and wrong” information.

Its president Dr Chua Soi Lek later clarified that it is also because allowing these people to vote will pose a logistical challenge.

Count ballots at embassies

"Don't underestimate Malaysians overseas," said Ambiga.

She added that Bersih 2.0's stand is for ballots to be counted at the embassy with the results sent immediately after polls have ended.

In his submission today, Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Wong Chin Huat said that a way to address the logistical issue is to get voters overseas to conduct advanced voting.

He said they will then have to register with the Malaysian mission abroad two weeks ahead so the mission will be able to know which constituencies they will be voting for and how many ballot boxes to prepare.

Wong also suggested that 13 ballot boxes for states and 16 for parliament be provided, instead of for all constituencies and for the ballot papers be sorted when they are counted.

"It is a question of political will," Ambiga said.

Excuses excuses

Meanwhile, at the public hearing, Association for the Promotion of Human Rights’ representative Ramon Navaratnam also disagreed with MCA on the issue.

"Some say Malaysians abroad don't stay in touch, but some people say they know more than we do...they are aware and to disqualify them for being unaware is unjust," he said.

He added that such views by a party that is part of the ruling government gives rise to suspicion that the government is "willy nilly using this (reason) to maintain status quo".

Ramon also disagreed with committee member Fong Chang Onn (BN-Alor Gajah) who suggested that Malaysians should adopt practices in other countries like Australia, that disqualify its citizens who have left the country for more than five years from voting.

Read here to see BERSIH proposal to the PSC

BN leaders fighting to say the dumbest thing!

2011-11-12T00:06:00.000-08:00

Recently Malaysiakini Reported

The proposal to allow Malaysians living overseas to vote during general elections has been rejected by the MCA, which announced today that these people are "out of touch" with the country.

Presenting the party's views at the parliamentary select committee on electoral reform, central committee member Ei Kim Hock said extending the vote to Malaysians residing abroad would be unreasonable as they receive "doubtful" information. "Voters residing overseas should not be allowed to vote. We view this seriously as those who reside abroad are out of touch and do not truly understand the situation in Malaysia. "We are doubtful over the kind of information they receive... The future of the nation should be with those who remain in the country," Ei said.

In their memorandum submitted to the committee, MCA said that what Malaysians overseas read about the country is “biased” and “wrong”. “They are getting bits and pieces of news from various sources to try to form a picture of what is happening in the country,” the memorandum read.

Summary of the Auditor General's Report 2010

2011-10-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

According to Malaysiakini report, MACC has yet to resolve cases of wrongdoing in government procurement since 2006 where prices were grossly inflated,"

The Auditor-General’s Report 2006 highlighted the case of a technical pen valued at RM160 being bought by the Defence Ministry for RM1,146 and a car jack worth RM50 being bought by the Youth and Sports Ministry for RM1,664.

The following is a list of things highlighted from the 2010 Auditor General's (AG) report. Lets see if the BN govt and the MACC will do anything about this!

1. RM2.57 million was paid to 1,975 pensioners/pension recipients who are deceased!

2. RM462.46 million has been allocated to build and repair the roads from 2005 to 2010 but the roads continue to suffer from structural problems.

3. Kindergartens in Kedah and Kelantan stored dry food in toilets, drawers and store rooms. The report also noted that some of these items were found to have passed the expiry date, were exposed to insects and placed next to chemicals like paint.

4. Defence Ministry refused to take stern action against 10 errant contractors who were awarded contracts worth RM76 million for work delays despite being notified by the Auditor-General’s Office.

The 2010 AG’s Report noted that instead of severely censoring them, the ministry extended their contracts.

5. Prime Minister’s Department overpaid a tupperware supplier by RM5,584 for purchases made for a poverty eradication programme in Terengganu.

6. Six companies, awarded contracts worth RM92.04 million, had only managed to complete 19 out of the 87 clinics as of December 2010.

The ministry is unable to impose the RM3.29 million penalty for the delay because of its failure in issuing a formal notifications.

Due to the delay, the project cost had soared by RM11.27 million and medical facilities worth nearly RM2 million are not utilised till now

7. Soft loan of RM250 million and a 5 000 acre land in Gemas to set up the National Feedlot Centre NFC in 2008 failed to hit its target of breeding 8 000 cattle last year.

Under the 9th Malaysia Plan the centre is expected to produce 60 000 cattle by 2015.

An audit check found production in 2010 was only at 3 289. This project is strongly linked to minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s family

(see here for more details here)

8. The Defence Ministry Mindef overspent its budget by RM23 63 million between 2008 and 2010

The ministry made improper payments that led to the government dishing out an allowance to soldiers who skipped training while failing to pay those who actually attended.

9. RM142 million RazakSAT satellite that malfunctions barely a year after the launched. The satelite took 1328 unusable mapping images that were inaccurate by up to 37km!!

The operational lifespan of RazakSAT is three years But the RazakSAT satellite failed to function fully on August 30 2010 a year and sixteen days from launch date !

10. Mara training centre paid RM25 500 for 150kg of sugar

In addition to that they also made the following purchase!

-an Elba EO-5086 oven with the actual market price of RM419, purchased at RM1,200,

- a Trio TPM-1000 stand mixer was purchased at RM1,200 when its actual market price is RM698,

-a RM100 foldable bed was bought at RM500,

-a RM799 Cornell CSM-PH988S mixer which was purchased for RM1,560,

-Toji International gas stoves at market price of RM59.90 but bought at RM200 per unit,

>> Hair clippers purchased at RM325 each when its actual price is RM165, and

>> Pensonic blenders bought at RM140 each when its actual price is RM60.

Giatmara's main objective is to conduct technical and non-technical skills programmes to help the poor gain a steady income.

A more comprehensive list is here!

11. Tourism Ministry overpaid nearly RM270 million for advertisements

12. Tourisim Ministry also spend RM1 95 million to buy 1 000 racks — RM1 950 per rack — to hold its tourism pamphlets

13. Only two out of 300 computer laboratories for Sabah schools have been constructed since the government began its RM160 73 million project in April 2008

14. The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry has yet to pay RM110 67 million it owed to more than 70 000 farmers under a scheme to encourage a higher rice production

15. Malaysian Marine Parks Department (JTLM) spent a whopping RM56,350 for a pair of night vision Marine binoculars, 29 times more than its market value of RM1,940.

16. Marine Parks Department also purchased common items like laptops printers DVD players and LCD televisions for RM192 694 when their total value should not have exceeded RM20 193

See more details of their corruption list in the link here!

17. Universiti Malaysia Pahang's seven-year delay in the completion of Phase 1A of its campus in Pekan resulted in an additional of RM22.31 million borne by the government

The report also criticised the poor workmanship of the contractors and questioned the university's decisions which resulted in the delay and extra costs.

18. 23 specially bred horses bought by the National Sports Council (NSC) for equestrian and endurance contests failed to meet criteria set by the Federation Equestre Internationale.

The 23 horses had cost RM5.66 million when bought in 2008 via direct negotiations that did not obtain the Finance Ministry’s approval,

19. National Sport Council has used a big portion of funds allocated for the development of athletes for other purposes.
Of the RM3.65 allocated, RM2.25 million or 61.6 percent was used for advertising in the electronic and print media to promote the main sports.

20. The Health Ministry was ticked off by the attorney-general in his 2010 report for neglecting to collect RM5 million in rental for a Sabah hospital building and neglecting to account for all its equipment.

The ministry was also criticised for neglecting to keep tabs on the RM48.6 million worth of equipment bought from SMC, with some 468 including beds and sofas missing during the audit.

In addition, RM3.8 million worth of equipment purchased from SMC were found to be out of order.

21. RM165.3 million system, which was completed in March 2008, is yet to be put to use, with passengers still not able to collect their bags at KL Sentral.

22. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) spent a staggering RM770,000 to supply electricity to a single house under its Rural Electricity Supply Project (BELB),

TNB approved a RM65,193 project to supply electricity to five abandoned houses at a village in Bera, Pahang.

23. The 77km Senai-Desaru Highway in Johor found to be a bumpy and faulty because the roadworks that ‘did not meet specifications’.

24. Three districts in Terengganu were found not to have distributed school uniforms and bags to poor children because of a possible hiccup in 2010.

Further, some of the unused school uniforms and bags had been kept in storerooms and found to have been damaged by termites.

25. Sorry state are the sporting facilities at the Kuantan Gymnasium, Rompin Weightlifting Centre of Excellence and athletes' dormitories in Kuantan.

This is despite spending RM9.14 million for sports development from 2008 to 2010.
The report says seats in the gymnasium were covered with a thick blanket of dust, while the roofs leaked and grime filled the toilets.

26. Tourism Malaysia old scandal still unresolved.

27. Probably the worst and scariest of all is this!!

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) approved loans worth an astounding RM55.1 billion not backed by government guarantees.

However, the Auditor-General’s Report 2010 found only one of the 13 debtors was qualified to obtain a loan without such a guarantee. That particular debtor was extended credit worth RM21.3 billion.

Screwing up our tax money is one thing! But screwing up with our retirement fund is so much worst!!

The urgency to removed BN from power cannot be emphasize more in this area!!

Overall nine federal ministries and departments overspent last year’s overall operational allocation by a total of RM3 73 billion!!!

Lets see if the PAC or MACC will take any action!

Not surprisingly our very own DPM still see nothing too wrong with the AG report!

Let us remember this corruption acts when we go to the ballot boxes!!

Tourism Ministry's multi-million ringgit losses still unresolved!

2011-10-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

From Malaysiakini

Investigations are ongoing over the multi-million ringgit losses suffered by Tourism Ministry subsidary company, Pempena Sdn Bhd, which were highlighted in previous audit reports.

According to the Auditor General 2010 report, the cases involving Malaysian food restaurants in several destinations abroad, an e-portal and other tourism products are still under probe, although some took place as far back as 2005.

Only three cases have been brought to court, with one of them involving a civil suit against Pempena.

The cases which are still "under investigation" include the Little Penang restaurant in Hyderabad, India where renovation costs were deemed too high with suspicions of cheating involved.

"Pempena admitted to suspicious elements in the investment in Awana Hyderabad and reported the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police in March 2009.

"The restaurant was sold without approval, knowledge or profit to Pempena. The matter is under probe," the report noted.

An investigation is also underway for the Little Penang restaurant in Beijing, for which Pempena paid RM545,864 to a partner without "signing (a contract) to protect its interests".

"The restaurant has been demolished and the investigation is underway," the report said.

Pempena's venture of opening a Malaysian restaurant in London also brought dismal results, raking in only GBP13,000 in 2007, falling far behind of its annual target of GBP520,692.

"Pempena has yet to get any returns for its investments worth RM3.73 million," it lamented.

"To date, the Coca Restaurant has offered to buy over the restaurant for GBP52,000, but the offer was rejected by Pempena as it was too low."

Restaurant demolished before doors open

Pempena's attempt at the food and beverage business also flopped locally through the Sri Kebaya Restaurant, which along with a partner was paid RM720,271 to own a restaurant in Doha.

"To date, the partner has yet to transfer the equity holdings for the restaurant in Doha, Qatar to Sri Kebaya and for seven months, the restaurant operated at a loss amounting of RM316,785," it said.

A demand letter was sent by Pempena to the partner in September 2008 to regain RM520,271 paid to the person, but to no avail.
The year 2007 proved to be an especially bad year for Pempena, having again paid a significant amount for a restaurant in Melbourne, but it never opened its doors.

"Pempena paid RM114,000 to a partner to buy 30 percent of Airnett to open a restaurant in Melbourne, Australia," it said.

The company also paid RM500,000 to LinkState Catering Pty Ltd in 2008, but the restaurant failed to take off.

The matter was reported to MACC and the police's Commercial Crimes Department on the same day as the other cases, and all are under probe.

Joining the list of failed ventures which are "still under probe" is the e-Tourism portal for which Pempena parted RM2.5 million, or half of the total bill, to a company, Virtual Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

"Virtual Malaysia could not complete the portal as Pempena failed to make the rest of the payment," the report added.

The case is still being investigated despite the case of the remainder RM2.5 million being settled out of court.

Millions lost on imported branded goods

Likewise, under probe is the 2007 case where Pempena paid RM1.95 million to the company Nathena LiFZ (M) Sdn Bhd (Langkawi International Fashion Zone) for a 30 percent stake in the company.

"Pempena also paid RM1.55 million to Nathena as advance payment for imported and branded goods.

"As the partner, Nathco Index Sdn Bhd could not provide the 70 percent capital, Pempena's equity was reduced to RM30,000 while the remainder RM1.92 million was turned into advance capital," it said.

Nathena has not reimbursed part of the advance capital demanded by Pempena amounting to RM1.74 million, but its business premises was seized by the Langkawi Development Council and sold for RM300,000.

Question marks are abound over what had happened to the RM150,000 paid by the subsidiary company for a 40 percent stake in Corporate Treasures' Malaysia Pass golf programme in 2005.

Pempena has also not accepted an offer by Malaysia Tourism Executive Sdn Bhd to buy its shares worth RM478,000 in the latter company for a mere RM10 following losses amounting to more than RM400,000.

The two cases which saw the charging of Pempena personnel was the Amir Diab Concert in the Middle East, where the subsidiary company paid the company of controversial figure Umi Hafilda Ali RM169,770 for a concert that never happened.

Charged for the case is Tourism Malaysia director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg Mirza Hadi Hassan Beg (second from left).

Mirza, along with former Pempena chief operating officer, Mohammad Rosly Md Selamat, were also charged for involvement in Pempena's venture into a restaurant in Dubai, for which an investment of RM888,000 was made. The eatery never opened.

In 2008, Malaysiakini reported a series of dubious deals carried out by Pempena, which resulted in the investigations.

DPM see nothing unusual in the Auditor General's Report!

2011-10-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

Probably because he is so used to seeing corruption that he has become blind to such blatant screw uP!!!

FROM MALAYSIAKINI

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today said that there was “nothing unusual” about the Auditor-General’s Report 2010's findings on the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project.

“I don’t think there is anything unusual or anything wrong (about the findings)...the audit found weaknesses which will be explained,” he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Muhyiddin, who was agriculture minister when the RM73.64 million project was approved, however refused to comment further, passing the hot potato to Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Noh Omar.

“This will be explained by (the minister),” he said.

On Tuesday, PKR said that they will “expose” evidence to implicate Muhyiddin and another cabinet minister whose family is claimed to have benefited from the project, if no explanation is given by Oct 31.

PKR also claimed that the project only fulfilled 0.6 percent of Malaysia’s demand for beef, falling far behind the 40 percent target in the Ninth Malaysia Plan

The AG’s Report found the project a “mess” and that the project meant to meet the demand for beef in the country is more than 4,000 cows short of its obligations.

The audit also found that NFC failed to carry out an entrepreneurship programme as required by the government.

The Auditor-General noted that the project is plagued with problems, with Pemerbadanan Menteri Besar Negri Sembilan having taken back 3,000 acres of the 5,000 acres set aside for the project.

Millions disbursed

RM6.52 million of the RM13 million grant promised have been disbursed to NFC, while a RM134.72 million soft loan was also released.

The Finance Ministry deferred disbursement of the full amount until a “viability and business model project” study is completed.
The ministry is also going through a viability report it requested from UPM Consultancy and Services, received in April this year.

The project, which received a government soft loan of RM250 million, will also be probed by the Public Accounts Committee.

NFC has declined comment.

UMNO's Evil and Stupidity hits new heights!

2011-10-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

Slander and lies from Pro Umno media and their leaders has really gone up a notch recently with the wild accusation against a 16years old boy! I repeat!! 16 years OLD!!

Pro-Umno blogs had claimed that Lim Guan Eng's 16-year-old son had outraged the modesty of a fellow schoolmate, and that the DAP secretary-general had purportedly paid a large sum of money to keep the matter under wraps and had his son transferred to another school.

The Chief Minister of Penang is of course very angry at such shameful slander and attack against a young innocent child.

He condemned several Umno leaders for highlighting "this shameful episode" in their blogs, namely, Bukit Gelugor Umno division vice-chief Dr Novandri Hasan Basri and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaludin.

Khairy (right), the Rembau MP, had tweeted earlier @PapaGomo Mungkin dia roboh Kampung Buah Pala sebab nak ganti dengan Kampung Buah Dada (Perhaps he demolished Buah Pala village to replace it with ‘Boobs village’).

"I hope those poking fun and spreading lies about my young son can look at themselves in the mirror as a father, and ask whether they want their own child to suffer the trauma of such lies," said Lim.

Chief Minister of Penang's son - a school prefect who has been described as a good student - was recently transferred to St Xavier’s Institution in Penang.

The principal of his former school, SMJK Heng Ee, (on the 19 Oct) had denied that he had left due to sexual harassment complaints, as alleged by the blogs.

Goon Boon Poh (the principal) said that this allegations is "completely untrue" and that he was "shock" when he read news reports of this allegations

“The allegations are completely untrue It is very simple there’s absolutely no truth to it ” Goh told The Malaysian Insider.

The blogs said the incident occurred in May this year CM’s son has not been a student of my school since the beginning of this year ” he added

Lim clarified that his son was transferred to the school of his choice after scoring at least 6As in his PMR, as had been promised to him.

He said his son did not want to have his hair crew-cut as required for SMJK Heng Ee students, but wanted to keep his hair longer.

The girl whose photograph was used by Umno bloggers to level accusations of sexual harassment against Lim Guan Eng’s son has been identified as 21-year-old chess Grandmaster Anya Sun Corke Corke who represents England in chess.

The woman has no ties to Penang, nor has she come in contact with Lim's son, Tony Pua said at a press conference at Parliament lobby together with other MPs from the DAP.

"(She is) now a third-year student at a top liberal arts college in the United States.

"All these prove beyond doubt that the accusations by these Umno cybertroopers are nothing but barbaric lies," he said.

Pua described the bloggers' attempts to pin the molest accusation on Lim's son as a "complete disgrace to their race, religion and country".

He said these "bottom feeders of society" were "sinking to despicable depths" to wreck a teenager's life.

"These bloggers even attempted to lend credibility to the concoction by putting up the picture of a (innocent) young girl," Pua said, referring to a posting on a blog with the picture of the alleged victim.

This is not the first time this evil pro-UMNO blogger has shamelessly attack innocent Malaysian.

The blog Papagomo should be charge and brought to justice for the evil and lies he has done!!

Please kick UMNO out in the next election so that these evil blogs will be brought to justice!

We all know UMNO MCA and MIC will not do anything to these evil blogs!

Another injustice by our Courts!

2011-10-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

Dr D Jeyakumar’s bid to question the government over its annual RM1 million allocation for the Sungai Siput constituency was shot down in the Court of Appeal today.

His lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasam said it is a disappointing decision as Jeyakumar was hoping that the court would serve as a check on the government in terms of transparency, as to where the money has gone.

Jeyakumar said the court - the last bastion of justice for the people - should have been supportive of the decision to ensure that the money allocated is not wasted.

"I do not want the money for myself ... but to ensure (that whatever is allocated) is properly spent ....opposition MPs do not directly get the allocation from the federal government and this is disappointing.

“Following this decision, my message to the people is that as we cannot depend on the courts to look for transparency and it is people power (that will) decide in the coming general election."

Jeyakumar said he will consult Parti Sosialis Malaysia as to whether or not to appeal this decision.

This is because the final opportunity to go to the Federal Court could be costly although the lawyers are providing their services free of charge.

Justice Low Hop Bing, sitting with Justices Abdul Wahab Patail and Anantham Kasinater, unanimously allowed the federal government’s appeal today and dismissed Jeyakumar's application.

Jeyakumar had named the director-general of the Implementation Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, the director of the Perak Development Department and the federal government as defendants.

In February Justice Aziah Ali of the Kuala Lumpur High Court hadgranted Jeyakumar leave to apply for judicial review, to challenge the government's action not to give or provide details of its annual allocation of RM1 million to his constituency.

On Sept 23, the same High Court refused the government a stay of the judicial review proceedings, leading to the appeal being filed.

Low: Judge erred in law

Justice Low, whose decision was read out by a deputy registrar, said the appellate court is of the view the High Court had erred in granting leave for judicial review.

"We allow this appeal, set aside the order of the High Court and substitute it with an order that the Notice of Motion be dismissed," he said.

His reasoning was that the disbursement of the allocation is entrusted in the director-general and director. And this involves the exercise of discretion based on a detailed and comprehensive process of evaluation.

"The DG or director is not required to approve all and sundry applications for the allocation. The respondent (Jeyakumar) must show that there is a legal or statutory duty on the part of the DG and director as a matter of course to approve his 2010 application."

Justice Low said the respondent must establish the existence of a duty of a public nature, the performance of which is imperative and not optional or discretionary.

"The respondent has failed to do so. The notice of motion is clearly premised on the DG's and or director's discretion to approve and disburse funds. There is not an iota of law that the DG or director must do so," he said in his 21-page judgment.

Justice Low further said there can be no doubt that the approval and disbursement of fund involves the exercise of discretion.

"The DG or director must evaluate the applications for the allocation. These applications can only be decided by the DG or the director in line with policy considerations and management prerogative.

"The factual background did show that the appellants had approved (Jeyakumar’s) application amounting to RM1.72 million, while other applications are being given consideration.”

He further pointed out the Perak development department head had suggested that Jeyakumar should channel relevant applications to relevant government agencies.

He said that, in the process of evaluation, the DG or the director must ensure that disbursement of allocations is consistent with government policy.

"Our courts do not possess the knowledge of policy considerations that underlie the decisions pursuant to the DG’s or director’s evaluation.

"The issues raised in the notice of motion are issues of policy considerations and management prerogative. We find that the submission presented by the respondent is legally unsustainable.

"Therefore we are of the view that the issues raised in the notice of motion are not judicially reviewable and hence not justiciable."

The case has been watched closely by Pakatan Rakyat MPs because the federal government has been disbursing allocations to their constituencies only via BN representatives.

Jeyakumar pointed out he does not know where the allocation goes in Sungai Siput and whether the disbursements are the correct amount.

"We want to make sure that if RM5,000 is allocated for a project, (that) amount is given and the project is done properly. That is the purpose. I do not want to see someone benefitting from shortcuts or leakages," he said.

He also said that RM30 billion to RM40 billion of the RM230 billion allocated in Budget 2012 could be wasted if there is no accountability in expenditure.

The Government Transformation Programme and Economic Transformation Programme would similarly “(come) to nought if (the government) is not held accountable", he added.

Rais!? Who is defaming who now!?!?

2011-10-06T10:08:00.001-07:00

It is very dangerous to blog about Rais cause he just won a couple of defamation cases!

But reading this news from Malaysiakini, makes me wonder if this guy knows the difference between government and private?!? Read it and make your own opinion about him lah!

Don't wanna say too much less I get sued for defamation!

But I hope LGE does try to sue him back as I think there is a case here for defamation!

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim continue to argue over whether Penang has neglected the use of the country’s national language, Bahasa Malaysia.

Lim fired another salvo at Rais, urging him to stop his “dangerous game of portraying himself as a Bahasa Malaysia hero” by denying that he (lim) had also spoken in the language at a private function in Penang.

Lim (left) described Rais’ remarks as a “series of malicious lies”, saying that the latter has continued with “harsh and personal attacks” against him.

He added that Rais has no sense of right or wrong for holding the state government responsible for an event organised by a private body.

He stressed that the minister had also refused to admit that the Penang chief minister had also spoken in Bahasa Malaysia.

Lim accused Rais of lying when he first said that only he spoke some Bahasa Malaysia at the Han Chiang College dinner on Sept 29, when he represented Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“Rais’ claims that he was the only person speaking Bahasa Malaysia that night is false as I had also spoken in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin,” said Lim in a statement.

“Rais (right) also spoke some Chinese at the event.

“Why is Rais trying to portray himself as a Malay language champion by denying that I had also spoken in Bahasa Malaysia?” he queried.
Yesterday, the Jelebu MP hit back at Lim for calling him a liar for accusing the state government of sidelining the national language.

Rais said there were no grounds for Lim to say he lied like Umno-owned Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia as the presenters at Han Chiang (College) that night did not even use a word of the national language.

‘Function organised by private college’

However, Lim said Rais is wrong to treat the Han Chiang event as a Penang government event when it was organised by the private college.

He added that clearly those who wish to explain away or cover up their lies would have to make another lie.

Lim was miffed with Rais for stating that he should have advised hiskonco-konco (followers) at the Han Chiang College to respect the national language.

“The use of the words konco-konco (followers) is unwarranted because those managing Han Chiang are involved in education and not in political partisanship,” said Lim.

“Rais is not just rude and disrespectful to the organisers but has also breached protocol by asking the state government to interfere in a function meant for the prime minister,” he added.

“I wish to stress that the state government has no role whatsoever in the organisation of the Sept 29 function at Han Chiang College,” he said, urging Rais to complain to the institution instead of attacking him.

The justice we come to expect in Malaysia!

2011-10-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!! Premier Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor will not be testifying in the Sodomy II trial as they are "not material witnesses".

This follows the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision today to throw out the subpoenas served on them to testify as defence witnesses in Anwar Ibrahim's trial.

In allowing Najib and Rosmah"s application to be set aside, justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah said they are not relevant and material witnesses in the trial.

Zabidin issued the subpoenas last month but he ruled in favour of an application by the couple to strike them out, saying the defence failed to show their involvement

(even through Najib has admitted meeting Anwar's accuser Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan two days before the alleged sodomy).

IS ANYONE IN MALAYSIA REALLY SURPRISE BY THIS VERDICT!!

All I can say is that this is not COOL! on Najib's part!!

Another news that is NOT SURPRISING!!!

The police have identified a police personnel who during the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally allegedly used out excessive force on demonstrators.

Contacted yesterday, Kuala Lumpur CID chief Ku Chin Wah said that a police report was lodged against the errant officer - who was wearing a bandana across his face during the rally - but no prosecution will take place.

"The matter has been referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers and no further action could be taken against him due to the absence of witnesses," he told Malaysiakini.

I GUESS WE BETTER GET USE TO THIS LAH!

That is as long as Malaysian are stupid enough to still keep on voting for BN and still believe how efficient and good they are at running this country!

With reports that none of the 25 cases of serial acid attacks that took place in the Klang Valley this year have been solved, (Parliament was told today). How can any alternative party do any worst?

I guess we can't blame the police entirely. After all they are very busy trying to find evidence to incriminate an old man (with a bad back) with sodomizing a tall young fit guy!!

Wow! Government pampers Malaysian with lavish spending!!

2011-10-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

Malaysian must really thank Najib and his government for lavishly spending money on Malaysians!

For example this 1Malaysia Email!

(as reported by Malaysiakini)

The RM50 million Myemail email and online payment system has gathered 3,000 subscribers since going live on September 14, service provider Tricubes Bhd said today.

(If you divide RM50 million right now with 3000, each e-mail cost RM16,666. Making it the most expensive e-mail account I have ever known!)

According to Tricubes chief executive officer Khairun Zainal Mokhtar (insert)

“We are targeting as many subscribers as possible, and we are optimistic of our target, though Pemandu has set a 5.4 million subscribers target for us by year-end,” he said.

(They got only 3000 subscribers in 1 month but this prick is optimistic that he can get 5.397million new subscribers in 2 and a half months?? How did this unrealistic guy become the CEO? How did Najib choose his company??)

Worst still is that he explain that the 3,000 subscribers were recruited during two months of beta testing prior to the official launch.

Finally admitting the original target is a “stretch” for them, Khairun said the internal forecast has been readjusted to two million subscribers by 2012.

Khairun reiterated that the e-billing system would only charge the government agencies 50 sen for each bill, and there were no hidden costs for the users.

Even if they hit their target of 5.4million subscribers, it will still cost RM9.25 per e-mail! Plus 50cents for each bill!!! See how generous Najib is towards his subjects?!?! Never mind the fact that we all already have FREE e-mail accounts lah!!

I think I will do my part as a grateful and good citizen and NOT register for the 1Malaysia e-mail account in order to help Malaysia save that 50cents! Thanks anyway Najib!!

2nd Example is Najib's cousin! Hishamoodin the home minister! In a written reply given to Parliament, the Home Ministry said 226 tear smoke shells (TS shells) - which are fired with tear-gas launchers - and 36 tear smoke grenades (TS grenades) - which are hand thrown - were used against the protesters.

"The costs of the TS shell (right) and TS grenade are RM79.76 and RM135 (each), respectively," Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said.

The government spent a total of RM22,855.76 on the ammunition, he said.

RM22.855K!!!! Thank you so much for being so generous lah!!!

This is not to mention the RM2 million spend to deploy over 11,000 police personnel to clamp the Bersih 2.0 rally.

Frankly I couldn't think of a better way for the government to spend on their citizens! Can you?!?!

So with all that spending on us lowly citizens I guess he can justify spending a bit on his gang and himself.

(About 9million for their own personal plane from Jan till now)

With all that spending, the burning question still remains! WHO THE HELL WAS SO GENEROUS TO SEND A US$24million ring over to Malaysia for a few days and back??!? Was anyone in Malaysia so generous and rich enough to even think about buying the ring?!?

2million, 11,000 police to control 10,000 people? Make no sense!

2011-10-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Malaysiakini reported that the Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the government has spent over RM2 million to deploy over 11,000 police personnel to quash the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9.

So what the Homo Minister is saying... is that they spend RM2million to deploy over 11,000 police to control (what the main stream media like NST reported) only 10,000 people during the BERSIH rally!

Does that make sense?!?! Some one is lying!! Who?!?!?

Issue on Hudud Law

2011-10-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

This blog respect the rights of Muslim to freely practice their own religious laws as long as it does not infringe on the rights of the non-Muslims in Malaysia.

Malaysian should not stop other people from practicing their religious believes just because they are scare of it!

Malaysian Justice is against the Home Ministry for pursing the case of banning the use of the word Allah in the Alkitab. MJ is also against the practice of body snatching in this country!

The govt (which includes MCA) should look into this issue immediately!!

HERE IS A VERY GOOD DEBATE WITH REGARDS TO HUDUD LAW!

Please give Najib a break! RM9million is ok for flying expenses.

2011-10-04T05:22:00.000-07:00

We should defend Najib used of an Airbus A319 jetplane.

In the first eight months of the year, the government has spent more than RM9.1 million in flight costs on a single aircraft to ferry official VVIPs.

In a written response, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the government had been renting an Airbus A319 from Malaysian Airlines System (MAS) Berhad since Aug 3, 2007.

The airplane, he added was for the use of “government VVIPs” such as Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Following a tip-off from a reader, Malaysiakini had reported the premier's aides as having confirmed that Najib was away on Merdaka Day, but refused to explain the reason he was in Perth, other than to say he was on leave. However, there was no formal announcement that the premier was taking leave, as is the normal procedure. It was later confirmed that Najib had indeed flown to Perth for physiotherapy, following his knee surgery, and also for a holiday. This sparked questions as to whether it was fair of the premier to go on holiday using government funds and a government-owned plane. Aircraft owner Syarikat Penerbangan Malaysia Bhd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of federal government investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd. Private company Jet Premier One (M) Sdn Bhd is reportedly the operator of the aircraft.

Hei! Give the guy a break! He work so hard for the country. Use a bit of the govt benefits to get knee surgery is ok lah!

Afterall it is only RM9million. Not a lot what!

It is not like it is a RM74million ringgit ring! Now that is a lot of money!

Now that The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) has confirmed the existence of a RM24 million (some reports it at US$24million) diamond ring which the prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor, was said to have purchased.

The question is who brought it in?? For what purpose!! Do you buy the bullshit that came from the Prime Minister Dept?

Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nazri Aziz said in a written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP- Segambut) that the MACC, after checking with the Customs Department, “confirmed that there was no such purchase of the ring”.

“After a few days, the ring was returned to the company owner,” the reply added.

A ring like this just does not come in for a few days to Malaysia and goes out again!? Unless...someone jokingly said that it could no longer fit her finger or that it was not big enough for her finger!

I hope Malaysian will show that we are not stupid and give BN the finger too!!!

Stupid news on Malaysiakini!

2011-10-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

I mean I am gonna copy the style of one of my favorite blog.

Today I am highlighting some stupid thinks I have read on Malaysiakini!

1. MCA today called for the abolition of the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) to allow a level playing field for the mainstream media.

(Eh the last I check MCA is still in the govt. So why are they shouting like an opposition party?? Do something about it lah! U had 50 over years to fix this but only now U baru mau buat bising ah! Since they are doing such a good job at talking like the opposition, we should make sure they get the opposition job next election!)

2. Utusan Malaysia has lodged two police reports against Namewee over his tirade against the newspaper and its journalist Fauziah Arof following their criticisms of his latest movie 'Nasi Lemak 2.0'.

I laugh my head off when I read that Utusan legal advisor said that “Namewee's action is seen as (trying to) lowering the dignity of the journalist and Utusan Malaysia as racists, stupid, pulling down the image of the company, and containing extreme accusations and containing profanities,”

You can't destroy someone's reputation if the reputation has already been destroyed in the first place right???

3. The news that took 1st place for being the funniest crap today has got to be Chua Soi Lek reportedly saying...

"I consider myself a winnable candidate anywhere I go," Chua told a press conference at the sidelines of the MCA 58th annual general assembly .

The porn star should put his money where his mouth is and come to Penang and go head to head with Lim Guan Eng! Let see how winnable this arrogant porn star will be in this coming election!!

On a final note! This is a good article to help better understand the hudud law issue which stupid MCA is still barking on! Stop spreading false fear to the people of Malaysia!

Why Malaysia can't extradite Raja Petra and etc.

2011-09-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Read a recent article from Malaysia Today. Check up some of the facts on internet. Thought most Malaysian should read this.

Tan Sri Abdul Gani bin Patail the current Attorney General of Malaysia with Tan Sri Musa Hassan the former Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police.

Gani Patail’s dilemma started back in 2009 when he discovered that I (RPK) was no longer in Malaysia. He tried to track me down and found out that I was in the UK (mainly because I was not in hiding but made many public appearances).

However, he tried to hide this fact from me and announced that they know I was in Australia. Actually, this was a red herring. They knew I was in the UK but they did not want me to know that they know.

But I knew that they knew. This was because they met up with the British authorities to discuss the possibility of extraditing me back to Malaysia. They told the British authorities that I was facing four charges, one for sedition and three for criminal defamation.

What Gani Patail did not know is that the British authorities contacted my lawyers to get more details about my cases. It seems they wanted to send a report to the Home Office in case the Malaysian government files an application to extradite me.

The British authorities reminded Gani Patail that there is no extradition treaty between the UK and Malaysia. Therefore, they can’t just pick me up and send me back to Malaysia. Malaysia would have to go to a UK court to apply to extradite me. This means a sort of trial would be held where Malaysia would have to convince the UK court of my guilt.

Now this would be a problem for Malaysia. Gani Patail would not be able to manipulate the British judiciary like he does in Malaysia. The evidence would have to be very strong for them to convince the UK court that I am guilty and therefore should be sent back to Malaysia.

An even bigger problem would be the dual criminality law. The crime I am alleged to have committed must also be a crime in the UK. For example, sodomy is not a crime in the UK (gay marriages are legal in the UK). So, in that type of situation, you cannot extradite someone charged with sodomy in Malaysia.

This all happened back in 2009, mind you.

While Gani Patail was figuring out what to do, on 1st January 2010, the UK Government suddenly repealed the sedition and criminal defamation laws. That means sedition and criminal defamation were no longer crimes in the UK. And that also means that since the dual criminality rule would apply, Malaysia could no longer extradite me.

I am sure the UK government did not repeal the sedition and criminal defamation laws just for my sake. Was it a mere coincidence then? Or is this what we can call divine intervention?

Anyway, that ended any possibility of the Malaysian government applying to extradite me back to Malaysia.

Yes, nothing seems to be working in Gani Patail’s favour and he can’t figure out why. He knows that I have moles in Bukit Aman and the A-G Chambers -- people who are feeding me information so that I am always one step ahead of the government. But after two years of trying, he still can’t figure out who they are. And this is really making him mad as hell.

Now I have moles in the Customs Department as well -- the result of what the MACC did to Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed. Who do you think leaked the documents regarding Rosmah Mansor’s USD24 million diamond ring? This was the Customs officers’ revenge for what they did to Ahmad Sarbaini.

In fact, Gani Patail has many other problems as well. He went for the ex-CCID Director, Ramli Yusuff. Ramli Yusuff was charged for all sorts of things. Then the court acquitted him without his defense being called, like what happened to my son. In fact, the Sabah court even said that the ex-IGP, Musa Hassan, lied.

Ramli Yusuff

That was a double whammy for the Gani-Musa team.

Then, coincidentally, or maybe through divine intervention, Ramli Yusuff was appointed the Deputy Chairman of Ho Hup. And, lo and behold, Ho Hup’s auditors discovered that the previous Chairman had bribed Gani Patail.

Now that is what I not only call divine intervention but poetic justice. Talk about bad karma. So Ramli Yusuff now has Gani Patail’s balls in his hands. And he is squeezing them so hard that Gani Patail can’t breathe properly.

Gani Patail is still trying to get Ramli Yusuff though. He is also trying to get Ramli Yusuff’s lawyer, Rosli Dahlan, as well. However, just like what happened to Ramli Yusuff, Rosli Dahlan was also acquitted of the charges they brought against him.

Not satisfied with that, Gani Patail asked his boys to appeal the court’s decision. But his boys realised that, just like in the case of Ramli Yusuff, they had no case against Rosli Dahlan. So they did nothing.

Unknown to Gani Patail, the time allowed to file an appeal had expired. When he found out that the deadline had come and gone, and the appeal against Rosli Dahlan’s acquittal had not been filed yet, he flipped.

Gani Patail has now written to the court to apply for an extension of time to file the appeal against Rosli Dahlan’s acquittal. By right, the date to file the appeal has expired. But Gani Patail is trying to bypass the rules so that he can still file the appeal even though the date has expired.

Sigh…poor Gani Patail. Nothing seems to be going his way. He is supposed to be God where even Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is supposed to be scared of him. But everything he tries seem to have failed. Could there be an even greater God than Gani Patail who is intervening and thwarting all the AG’s plans and plots?

IS NAJIB AND THE GOVT NOT AWARE OF ALL THIS?!?!

WHY ARE THEY NOT DOING ANYTHING TO STOP THIS INJUSTICE?

MACC Gutless Sissy!!

2011-09-27T04:41:00.000-07:00

From Malaysiakini

The inquest into the death of Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed which concluded yesterday with the ruling that the customs officer had accidentally fallen to his death, bore a stark resemblance to that of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock last year.

According to PKR vice-president N Surendran (left), the obvious similarity was in the manner in which the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in which custody both men died, had behaved.

"It is noteworthy that the MACC behaved in a similar fashion during the investigation and inquiries into the death of (Teoh), who also died during MACC investigations on July 16, 2009.

"In both instances, the MACC participated in open attacks on the reputation of the deceased victims during the various inquiries," he said in a statement.

Surendran added that this went against the basic principle of the common law system "that court proceedings must never be used to unnecessarily defame absent parties."

During both inquests the MACC had produced evidence that both Teoh and Sarbaini were involved in graft "although (neither were) able to answer the charge or defend (themselves)."

"This was disgraceful and unimportant to the inquiry into how he met his death," he said.

Surendran's stand is consistent with that of Ahmad Sarbaini's widow, Maziah Manap,who has accused MACC lawyer Shafee Abdullah of defaming her late husband through media statements.

MACC tried to absolve itself

The PKR veep, who is also a lawyer, noted that throughout the inquest, MACC had not acted in a manner befitting its status as a key public institution.

"MACC's priority should have been to get to the truth of the matter, ensure punishment of those culpable and institute reforms to ensure public confidence and safety.

"Instead, the MACC acted like a private individual, trying to desperately clear their name by whatever means available," he said.

One of those means, he added, was to engage in "Umno-linked lawyer Shafee Abdullah (right) to 'defend' them during the inquest".

He added that the verdict of the inquest was also "unbelievable and inconsistent" as Ahmad Sarbaini had gone to the MACC Cheras office voluntarily on April 6, but is now said to have crawled out of the third floor window to leave.

"There is also no explanation as to how and why 22 hours of crucial CCTV footage was erased, which covered the period during which (Ahmad) Sarbaini died," he said.

As such, PKR is calling for a royal commission of inquiry into the death, with the scope of the RCI to include operating procedures, recruitment and training methods of the MACC and recommendations for urgent reforms.

See what really happen to Ahmad Sarbaini here

Prove of Religious persecution in Malaysia!

2011-09-27T04:06:00.000-07:00

The village has only two Muslims, but the authority had built a surau for them!

The area has been categorised as an Orang Asli settlement, therefore the residents have every right to construct buildings within the area.

From Malaysiakini

The Alor Gajah Municipal Council has ordered that a chapel located in the Machap Umboo Orang Asli settlement in Malacca be demolished on grounds that it is an illegal structure.

Last Saturday, chapel caretaker Puanheerby Siam was served with the demolition notice dated Sept 20 by the council's building department, stating the building was in violation of Section 70 of the Street, Drainage and Buildings Act 1974.

That particular section regulates the construction of new buildings and Pastor Joseph Boon Chai, who oversees the chapel, said no specific reason was given by the authority for its action.

According to him, officials from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Malacca Islamic Religious Council (Maim) and Department of Orang Asli Affairs informed Puanheerby two months ago that the chapel was illegal because it did not have permission from the local council.

"But why are Jakim and Maim involved in this case? We are puzzled. What is the main motive behind this?" Joseph said when contacted today.

He argued that the area has been categorised as an Orang Asli settlement, therefore the residents have every right to construct buildings within the area.

There are about 20 households in this Temuan settlement, which has been occupied by the Orang Asli since the days of the Japanese Occupation.

The Muslims there have a surau

The construction of the 20ft by 30ft chapel was completed in March this year to serve 11 Christian families from the Machap Umboo settlement and two more Orang Asli villages nearby.

It is under the pastoral care of Jus Chapel based in Kamping Orang Asli Jus in Selandar, Malacca. Jus Chapel is a registered church with the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) Malaysia, under the mission name of Jus Chapel Tribal Ministry.

To date, Jus Chapel has built five chapels in various Orang Asli settlements.

Joseph also said two of the five chapels had faced the same problem before, but after they demanded that the authority issues official letters detailing the reasons for the demolition, it kept silent and eventually dropped the matter.

The village has only two Muslims, but the authority had built a suraufor them, he said.

Joseph revealed that the matter has been raised with the NECF and a legal panel has been set up to tackle the issue.

"Depending on the situation, we plan to challenge the demolition order in court," he added.

BERSIH Demand crucial! (Media freedom!)

2011-09-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

One of BERSIH demands is to have a level playing field when it comes to the mass media. Most right thinking Malaysian will admit that this is not the case in Malaysia. And if you need prove of how paranoid the govt is in terms of controlling the mass media, you only have to see today's news.

1. An episode of Media Prima-owned television station ntv7's Chinese edition of the current affairs programme, Siasat, which is aired every Thursday, was barred from being aired last night.

No explanation was given for the sudden decision to take this particular episode, titled "I want to go to school", off the air.

An old episode of the 30-minute Siasat series was aired during the time slot for the award-winning programme, which is 11.30 every Thursday night.

The Siasatproduction team announced the change on its Facebook page last night, without giving any explanation.

Some Facebook users suspect the reason to be political interference or media control.

An ntv7 source told Malaysiakini, that the team received a directive from the TV station's "higher authorities" on Wednesday, saying the documentary "I want to go to school" should not be aired.

They gave no reason, the source added.

He believes that the episode may have been deemed "harmful to Sabah's image", since it explores the plight of Sabah's native races in the areas of education and poverty, as well as touches on the shortage of electricity and water supplies in the state.

He added that this particular episode has also faced problems with the Censorship Board, and the producers had been forced to edit out some content. Yet, it could not escape the 'don't screen it' order.

Another source said it was not difficult to imagine the ban on the "I want to go to school" segment of the Siasat series because it touched on "sensitive issues".

On the SiasatFacebook page, the production team said this episode tries to reflect on the relative slow development in Sabah and Sarawak, despite the two states having joined Malaysia 48 years ago.

The team says: "For the last decade and more, Sabah remains the poorest state. In terms of education, 21 percent of Sabahans never receive education.

"What kind of future these children will have? Why there is sharp wealth inequality in the town and rural areas of Sabah? Let us reflect this on question as we celebrate Malaysia Day."

Malaysiakini made several attempts to contact ntv7's Chinese news

2. The authorities must explain why local stations have been directed not to air a non-partisan video encouraging the public to register as voters, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar says.

“I am disturbed after reading the news that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) directed local broadcasters this week to not use the Undilah public service announcement (PSA) that was produced by Pete Teo and launched on Hari Malaysia,” she said in a statement today.

Nurul Izzah (right), who was one of the participants in the video clip that also featured BN politicians such as Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong (below), said this contradicted with the government leaders' claims that Malaysia was the “world's best democracy”.

“At a time when those leading the country clamour about making Malaysia the 'best democracy' in the world, actions taken by entities like MCMC clearly undermine such efforts and belittle the intelligence of Malaysians,” said the MP who is also a PKR vice-president.

She maintained that the PSA was a rally cry for Malaysians to register as voters to strengthen the country's democratic process.

“It is meant to rouse the democratic spirit of all Malaysians, regardless of political leanings.

“I call on the MCMC to clarify its orders to local broadcasters regarding this PSA, and in fact I urge MCMC to reverse its order and promote the video as a step to strengthening the democratic practice in our beloved country,” said Nurul Izzah.

A news website reported today that MCMC had in an email this week directed Astro and Media Prima Bhd not to air the PSA, as it featured opposition politicians as well as Tengku Razaleigh referring to problems the country was facing.

'MCMC must be non-partisan'

Tengku Razaleigh opens the four-and-a-half minute video saying, “Malaysia is a beautiful country, but there are many problems. I don't need to talk about them. We know what these problems are.

“What I do want to say is, Malaysia's future is in our hands. So if you haven't registered to vote, please do so as soon as possible...

“Remember, whatever happens, Malaysia is your country, this is our country, she has many problems. Malaysia needs us."

It also features Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Abd Rashid Shirlin (right in photo), DAP Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua, PAS Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad and PKR Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, along with artistes such as Namewee and Afdlin Shauki.

Nurul Izzah reminded MCMC that it was an independent body that should remain non-partisan in carrying out its duties.

“Let not MCMC's independence be subject to the political machinations of an archaic and dogmatic minister, who is lost in the undercurrents of partisan politics and quite out of touch with the latest developments in Malaysia's political scene,” she said.

On Malaysia Day on Sept 16, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak claimed that he wouldrepeal the draconian Internal Security Act to make Malaysia the best democracy in the world

Among the reforms he announced includedamendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA), which has been seen as the biggest obstacle to media freedom in the country.

Meanwhile, polls watchdog Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has called the ban on the advertisement as illogical as it is against the government's democratic pledge.

Bersih 2.0 steering committee member A Subramaniam Pillay, describing the video's withdrawal as defying logic, said it contradicted Najib's efforts to call for greater democracy.

“It seems as though the PM is doing something and then someone else is doing something else. The decision to ban the video completely is opposed to the prime minister's efforts for greater democracy and political liberalisation,” Subramaniam said.

“It also defies logic, as the Undilah video is seen as non-partisan.”

Another Bersih steering committee member, Maria Chin Abdullah, said the video encouraged people to register as voters, while her colleague, Arul Prakkash, said the video merely voiced a basic right of the people.

“If this is sensitive to the media, then when election time approaches, even the word undilah (vote) would be banned,” Arul quipped.

Condolence to the Family of Lawrence Selvananthan!!

2011-09-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

It it very sad when a father, a husband and a friend dies. It is a time of grief! It should not be the time for 30 strangers in enter your house and to demand for the body so that they can bury it in another religious customs!!

This is the 21st Century!! For crying out loud!!! Leave the family and friends of Lawrence Selvananthar a lone to grief!!

What benefit do they gain by doing this incredibly stupid an insensitive act!

Taken from Malaysiakini

The religious status of a recently deceased man has sent his family into a tailspin after religious authorities in Negri Sembilan went to their house to claim his body earlier today.

The body of Lawrence Selvananthan, 33, was scheduled to be brought to a church in Seremban at 3pm today for a funeral mass followed by his burial, but his family was stopped by police and Negeri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department (JHEINS) officials who claimed that he had already converted into Islam.

The deceased's cousin, who asked to only be identified as Jenny, said they were approached by police officers at the family home in Lukut, Port Dickson at about 12.40pm to inform them that they could not proceed with the burial.

She said the police officers showed them what she described as a photocopied document, detailing Lawrence's alleged conversion into Islam.

“They told us that he just converted three days ago. The name and IC number were correct, but there was no photo. We're not even sure of (the authenticity of) the signature,” she said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

It is understood that Lawrence, a lorry driver, was found unconscious in his parked lorry by family members, and declared dead on arrival at the Seremban General Hospital sometime last night. The cause of death is unclear.

Both sides in discussion

PKR's Port Dickson state assemblyperson Ravi Munusamy, who was mediating between the two parties, confirmed that there was a stand-off between the family members and JHEAINS and police officers.

He estimated at least 30 officials went to the house to claim the body, though both sides have since entered discussions, which were still ongoing at the time of writing this article.

Ravi pointed out that the family members are sceptical over the conversion claim as the witness to Lawrence's alleged conversion did not turn up despite being asked to verify the claim.

“Even the signature on the document is not his. His brother confirmed it is not his (Lawrence's) signature,” he added.

Jenny stressed that the situation is only making things worse for the family, as they cannot even grieve over their loss.

“The family is very sad. His daughter lost a father and his wife lost a husband.

"They said he had already mengucap (took his vows of conversion) at the department, but by right they should have informed his family immediately. We think this is very unfair to us,” she said.

Opps! Mahathir let it slip!

2011-09-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Today Malaysia former prime minister indirectly talk about the corruption of UMNO members.

From Malaysiakini

Addressing 400 of them in Kuala Selangor, including BN elected representatives, the veteran leader said the coalition would otherwise continue to be perceived as "disgusting".

"I find that many view (BN) as disgusting and that they openly state their rejection of the BN.

"If we analyse this, we find this is because we no longer struggle to form the government, but to reap personal benefits," Mahathir said.

Besides flashing their wealth by suddenly building "RM7 or RM8 million houses", which they previously could not afford, elected representatives also felt the need to "buy support".

Speaking at a BN State Assembly Backbenchers Club event, Mahathir said BN representatives said they needed to "get contracts and raise their income" as "their supporters demand money".

"The society then views Umno and other component parties (as) corrupt as the leaders got to where they are because of money," he said.

HOWEVER! The most telling statement was when the former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told BN leaders today to...

Change your image and do not flash your wealth in order to change the perception that the ruling coalition is corrupt, .

Notice all he mention was to tell the people not to flash their wealth and to change the perception. For me he is implying that it is ok to be corrupt and to gain wealth illegally as long as you don't flash it around. This is so that they can con the people and win the election!!

I just hope that not all Malaysian are as stupid as the former PM thinks!

Hei! We know your tricks! BN may have con many people in the past. (like this poor supplier)

We will not be fooled by your false perception!! Malaysian see the system breaking down in Malaysia and we want a CHANGE!!!

Najib's Reforms goes up in smoke with this stupid Criminal Defamation charge!!!

2011-09-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

ONLY IN MALAYSIA CAN YOU BE CHARGE FOR CRIMINAL DEFAMATION FOR HAVING A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH REGARDS TO HISTORY!!

From Malaysiakini

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu was this morning charged with criminal defamation in a Butterworth Sessions Court for challenging the official account of the 1950 Bukit Kepong incident at a ceramahin Tasek Gelugor on Aug 21.

Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, was charged under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defaming the dead police personnel who were killed while defending themselves at the Bukit Kepong police station and their families (principal charge), and the aggrieved parties (alternative charge) who lodged police reports against him.

Judge Ikmal Hishan Mohd Tajuddin fixed Oct 27 for mention of the case and Dec 5-9 for trial.

Bail was set at RM15,000.

Mohammad Hanafiah had initially asked for bail to be fixed at RM50,000 but Hanipa asked for the minimum sum of RM15,000, saying he was confident his client would be present in court whenever required.

Asked to comment later, Mat Sabu said: "This case is about the interpretation of history and should be resolved through dialogue and debate, not by the court. However, since it is a court case, we have to face it."

He said the government is losing ground among the youth and has to deal with him by using physical force and legal means.

Charge 'ludicrous'

Outside the court, Mat Sabu's deputy defence counsel Aminuddin Zulkifli said his team has yet to receive documents pertaining to the case.

"It seems that the prosecutors were more interested in trying to push up the amount of the bail," he added.

Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow(right), who was present, said the charge against Mat Sabu is "politically motivated" and has no basis whatsoever.

He said the case has dealt another "cruel blow" to democracy and that the premier's reform speech rings hollow when the promised "transformations" are blatantly contradicted and violated by actions such as the "ludicrous criminal charge" against Mat Sabu.

"How can Najib claim Malaysia to be the best democracy in the world when his government uses bully tactics in silencing people who do not agree with or offer alternative interpretations to their monopolised account of history?" he asked.

"I find this episode saddening, though not entirely shocking, and would like to offer my best wishes to Mat Sabu, who I believe will fight handsomely against this injustice."

On Aug 27, Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia published several reports that Mat Sabu had praised the communists who attacked the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950, leaving 26 people dead.

"But history has been covered up. Jins Samsuddin, who made the (Bukit Kepong) film, is an Umno (member). His story of Bukit Kepong (said that) those who attacked the police station were criminals..." Mat Sabu was quoted as saying.

The reports further alleged that the PAS deputy president had treated Mat Indera as a freedom fighter.

Mat Sabu has since claimed that Utusan had grossly distorted his words and has filed a defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia.

His speech also sparked debate between BN and the opposition on the country's independence history and whether Malaya was ever colonised.

A book published by the Johor government in 2004 names insurgent Mat Indera as a freedom fighter and lists him as a celebrated Johor hero.

Speaking to Malaysiakini today, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said this was revealed in the book titled Pengukir Nama Johor.

“The book has five pages on Mat Indera and he is essentially called a freedom fighter. It states that he is not a communist,” Mohamad, who is widely known as Mat Sabu, said.

Under fire for describing Mat Indera as a hero for attacking the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950, he said the foreword of the book was written by Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman.

Five pages of the book are dedicated to Mat Indera while the remainder are biographies of 21 other key historical figures from Johor.

These include the late Sultan Ismail and former Umno chairperson Sulaiman Ninam Shah.

Also included in the Johor Heritage Foundation published book is a biography of Bajuri Siraj, who turned Mat Indera in to the British for a reward.

Mat Indera's photograph is featured on the cover of the book

The section on Mat Indera was written by Ismail Adnan, who once served as deputy director of Institut Kepimpinan dan Latihan Semangat Dato' Onn.

The book is edited by former Universiti Malaya media studies lecturer Abu Bakar A Hamid and Teacher of the Year 2002 award recipient Md Ismail Zamzam.

'Pious and hardworking man'

Contacted by Malaysiakini today, Abu Bakar said Mat Indera is described in the book as someone who was “pious and a tahfiz” (someone who has memorised the Quran).

“The author used this as a basis to conclude that it is unlikely that he had turned into a communist,” Abu Bakar said.

He added that Ismail had written the section based on several credible sources and his own research.

Interestingly, Abu Bakar revealed that his own father had also served alongside Mat Indera at Sekolah Agama Parit Setongkat in Muar, Johor, in the 1940s.

“My father was the headmaster and Mat Indera was a teacher there. My father remembers him to be a hardworking and pious man who had a good voice,” he said.

At the same time, Abu Bakar revealed, in his memoir published by UKM, once Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) chairperson Abdullah CD named Mat Indera as one of his platoon members.

In the memoir, Abdullah said that Mat Indera had led the insurgency against the Bukit Kepong police station and was later “poisoned” before he was captured and hanged to death.

“This public and intellectual discourse about history is a good thing, but I urge politicians to stay out of it.

“There is no need to make a lot of noise for nothing. Even in academia there are differing views, so we conduct more research and present our findings. The case (of Mat Indera) is not yet closed,” Abu Bakar added.

Why BERSIH 3.0 is necessary to save Malaysia!

2011-09-20T03:07:00.000-07:00

From Malaysiakini

Leaked cable: Ex-EC chief issued 60,000 fake ICs

A leaked US Embassy cable carries an explosive charge against former Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman - that he admitted to issuing more than 60,000 fake Malaysian identity cards to foreign workers in Sabah in the 1990s on Umno's orders.

The cable, posted on WikiLeaks, quotes former Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) chief Malek Husin as claiming that Rashid confessed this to him during a private meeting at Rashid's house on Oct 25, 2006.

In the cable marked confidential, Malek is said to have told US Embassy officials that Rashid (left) also confirmed Umno's launch of a "shadowy" campaign in the 1990s to wrest political control of Sabah - held until 1994 by then opposition front PBS.

"During that decade, Umno granted citizenship and Malaysian identity cards to over 600,000 foreign migrant workers (predominantly Muslims from Indonesia and Mindanao in the Philippines) in Sabah, in exchange for their votes in state assembly elections.

"According to Husin, Rashid 'admitted to personally issuing over 60,000 fraudulent Malaysian ICs in Sabah', to help Umno assume political control there," the cable says.

Up to the time of writing, Malaysiakini was unable to get an answer to calls or a text message sent to Abdul Rashid's mobile phone.

Instant citizenship and voting rights for illegal immigrants have long been an issue in Sabah, with local leaders within and outside the BN coalition having repeatedly demanded a solution from the federal government.

However, nothing has come of their demands.

It is claimed that the situation became acute in the 1990s, with the blame placed on then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly launching what is now called 'Projek IC' - a clandestine operation said to involve the National Registration Department, related government agencies and their agents - to artificially boost votes in favour of Umno and the BN.

In the 1994 state election, PBS - which had held Sabah as an independent opposition front since 1985 - saw its majority hold of the state assembly reduced to a razor-thin margin over the BN.

Although PBS was eventually toppled with a string of defections to the BN by party stalwarts, many blamed the contentious 'Projek IC' for playing a major role in the success of BN's hostile takeover of Sabah.

Wan Ahmad is 'anti-reform'

The cable, created on March 16, 2007, also includes Malek's claim that Rashid had described EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar as "an Umno member who is anti-reform".

Malek is said to have told US Embassy officials that Rashid had intended to stay on as EC chief until "the number two is gone", with the aim of easing in then EC secretary, Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor, as his successor.

In a separate meeting with Kamaruzaman, the cable quoted him as telling US Embassy officials that the EC was not in a position to push for reforms, as each and every proposal had to go through the Prime Minister's Office for approval.

Kamaruzaman is also reported to have said that the EC has no power to investigate election day abuses, with it having to refer allegations of fraud or election tampering to either the police or the Anti-Corruption Agency, the predecessor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Battle for polls reform 'very steep'

Based on meetings among US Embassy officials and the EC, Mafrel, Bersih and several academicians, the cable summarised that electoral reforms in Malaysia faced a "very steep uphill battle" as it moved towards the March 2008 general election.

It ironically proved to be a watershed outing for opposition parties, which were able to deny the BN a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The cable described the "Umno-led BN governing coalition" as keeping a tight rein over all important levers of power, including the EC, leaving little wiggle room for any efforts to open up elections to greater transparency and fairness.

It pointed out that, despite concerted efforts by Mafrel and Bersih to push for grassroots engagement in their bid for a revamp of an electoral system heavily tilted in BN's favour, "their best efforts will almost certainly not produce meaningful reforms", at least in the medium term.

"Umno, in power since independence, faces no effective public, opposition party or internal pressure to reduce its overwhelming powers of incumbency," the cable states.

Will Najib succeed in repealling ISA?!

2011-09-19T04:59:00.000-07:00

Article 149, which is meant for national security, is the mother of repressive laws, as it enables parliament to brush aside fundamental human rights guaranteed under Part 2 of the Constitution to enact laws that grant the Executive sweeping power that includes detention without trial. The human rights so affected include those enshrined under Article 5 (life and liberty), Article 9 (freedom of movement), Article 10 (freedom of speech and assembly), etc.

By Kim Quek

Prime Minister Najib Razak’s stunning announcement of his intention to repeal the abominable Internal Security Act (ISA) as well as the three archaic Proclamations of Emergency has brought much excitement to a country long struggling to rid itself of repressive rule.

Najib said in a much anticipated speech delivered on the “historic night” of Sept 15 (as he himself described) that the lifting of these repressive legislations was meant to meet the “aspiration of the people for a more open and dynamic democracy, …..so as to be at par with other democratic systems in the world”.

The immediate emotional impact of such a momentous announcement must be one of exhilaration and euphoria for many – we are now finally on the path to regain our long lost democracy!

But are we?

OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE?

In the same breath as Najib announced the good news, he said new legislations will be enacted – an anti-terrorism act and a public order law - under the umbrella of Article 149 of the Federal Constitution to combat subversives and organized violence, so as to preserve public order and security.

But isn’t this the same umbrella Article 149 that gave birth to the detestable ISA?

Article 149 was written in such a way that it virtually gives the dominant party in parliament a blank cheque to write whatever autocratic law whenever it desires, as the grounds upon which such law can be enacted encompass a wide range of vague justifications – grounds such as any actual or threatened action that may cause citizens to fear organized violence, or to excite disaffection against government, or to promote ill-will among races, or prejudice the functioning of public service or supply, etc.

With such licence to create autocratic legislations, can Umno resist the temptation to fashion the new anti-terrorist laws after its repressive impulse for self-preservation? Considering Umno’s notorious record of contempt for the sanctity of law, as reflected in its cavalier attitude in amending the Constitution for political expediency – having made more than 600 amendments to the Constitution in the short period of the country’s independence – the answer must be an emphatic no.

NO CHANCE OF FAIR IMPLEMENTATION

Even in the unlikely event of Umno managing exceptionally to enact the replacement security laws in accord with the democratic spirit of our Constitution on this occasion, there is still the huge question of whether Umno is capable of implementing these laws with fairness and equity.

In this respect, we recall that when the ISA was enacted in 1960, our first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman gave the solemn pledge in parliament that the vast power of ISA would only be used to curb the communist insurgency, and would never be used to suppress political opposition.

But we all know that the ISA detention center at Kamunting has played host to such distinguished “guests” (detainees) as Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Mat Sabu, Karpal Singh, Lim Guan Eng (among thousands of others). Does anyone in his right mind believe that any of them could have been a communist or a subversive?

It is an undeniable fact that the history of ISA is a mirror of the relentless abuse of draconian power by the Umno led regime to oppress opponents and silence critics. Instead of using the ISA as a weapon to combat the communists as pledged, ISA has been turned into Umno’s potent instrument to keep its hegemony intact all these decades.

Umno is now facing unprecedented challenge to its political survival. Are we to believe that it will give up this potent weapon at this most vulnerable moment of its existence?

What Najib is effectively tellings us is that the anti-communist law (ISA) will now be replaced by anti-terrorist law.

Since both laws derive from the same root (Article 149), have the same power of preventive detention, exercised by the same political masters, and implemented by the same institutions (police, attorney general and judiciary), which now enjoy even less public confidence than in the past, why should one believe that history will not repeat itself?

If an anti-communist law has been persistently and unhesitatingly abused to blunt opposition challenges in the past, why should we believe that the new anti-terrorist law will not be similarly abused now that Umno is struggling desperately for its political survival?

GENUINE REFORM UNLIKELY

Even if Najib is serious about these changes this time, as he may have been persuaded to adopt this course as the best way to recoup the middle ground support he lost in the recent Bersih rally debacle, obstacles ahead abound.

For a start, Najib appears to have acted in isolation, as two key players seem to have been left out of the loop. Neither his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin nor Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein – and by extension, the cabinet – seem to have participated in the decision-making process.

The hardliner Home Minister, who is responsible for implementing the security laws, expressed ignorance, when reporters asked him about rumours of a pending repeal of ISA only two days before Najib’s speech.

While Muhyiddin, speaking at a Merdeka-Raya event in Nibong Tebal, Penang on Sept 17, said that Najib’s announcement was “unexpected and radical”, but he quickly added that Najib’s speech was “bold and courageous”. He went on to praise Najib for moving with the time and assured the people that the changes were meant for the good of the people.

Such expressions of “surprise” and “praise”, coming after keeping mum for two days, give a lot of food for thought.

A reasonable interpretation is that the staunchly conservative and increasingly more powerful deputy leader of Umno cum deputy prime minister was not happy with such a “radical” move, but pragmatism dictates that he must not show it. Instead, he must have decided over the two days of contemplation to turn an apparently unhappy event into advantage by riding on this new wave of “democratic reform” to reap maximum support at home and abroad, without the slightest intention to let go of Umno’s repressive grip. After all, there is still ample opportunity to keep Umno’s draconian power intact during the legislative as well as the implementation stage.

Indeed that seems to be the case, as unmistakably signaled by Muhyiddin when he pointed out that the new security laws will prioritize security over human rights, when answering query whether there would be true reforms with the introduction of two new security laws.

Without the prior consultation and support of Umno’s top guns for genuine reforms, and with Najib’s miserable record of flip-flops whenever opposed by conservatives, it is almost a foregone conclusion that there will not be true reforms whether there is or isn’t repeal of current repressive legislation.

ELECTORAL REFORM TOP PRIORITY

The real danger to true reformists lies in the false propaganda that can be generated from this new development, considering the immense power of BN’s propaganda machinery, which encompasses all newspapers and all TV channels.

Among the casualties of such false propaganda would be the Bersih 2.0 movement for electoral reform, as euphoria so created may deflate the immense momentum generated by the recent Bersih rally. It may even cripple Bersih’s capacity to rally another mass demonstration, if substantial section of the middle ground is doped into cherishing such false hope of democratization.

And Bersih rally 3 looks inevitable, in the light of alarming increase of discovery of frauds in the electoral roll, against the back drop of a reluctant BN to institute real reform.

This new menace of apparently systemic infestation of phantom voters in the electoral roll, unless effectively checked now, can snowball into something like ‘Project M’ (M stands for Mahathir) which had singularly propelled Umno to political dominance in Sabah in the Nineties.

We are therefore landed in the dire state of having to face new trouble spots while resolution of old issues is not in sight yet.

It is therefore imperative that we redouble our effort to press for swift and effective measures to rectify the current electoral flaws, and not allow ourselves to be unnecessarily distracted by Najib’s new initiative over democratization.

Top priority must always be electoral reform, as it holds the key to a fair chance of winning the right to administer the country. Without the mandate to rule, all talks of reforms will be in vain.

Injustice by Chief Justice for not standing up for Justice!

2011-09-09T03:58:00.000-07:00

The Federal Court has dismissed a crucial appeal by five native customary rights landowners, a decision which will adversely affect more than 100 similar cases.

The three-member panel of judges led by outgoing Chief Justice Zaki Azmi, chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richad Malanjum and Federal Court Judge Md Raus Sharif made a unanimous decision to dismiss the case, brought by Bato Bagi and five others.

Bato, along with five others, are suing the state government over the loss of their lands to the Bakun dam project.

This is also Justice Zaki's last judgment. He steps down on Monday, after reaching the retirement age of 66.

Bato, whose name is now synomous with the case, was unable to hear the judgment today, as he died two months ago.

The Federal Court today (8 Sept) refused to answer a question on whether the seizure of land by the Sarawak government for the Bakun dam was unconstitutional or not.

The decision by Chief Justice Zaki Azmi (left) and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum, both of whom refused to answer the question, was to let other pending cases deal with the issue.

The other Federal Court judge, Justice Md Raus Sharif, answered the question in the negative, and said the seizure was not unconstitutional.

However, all three judges unanimously decided to dispose of lawyer Baru Bian's appeal following the land seizure in Bakun by the state government 14 years ago to build the multi-billion ringgit dam and a wood pulp mill.

The question posed before the court was “whether section 5(3) and (4) of the Sarawak Land Code relating to the extinguishment of native customary rights are ultra vires of Article 5 (right to life) and Article 13 (right to property) of the federal constitution.”

Zaki in his 15-page judgment, which was the last to be read out, said there seems to possibly be other grounds for challenging the unconstitutionality of section 5(3) and (4) of the Code.

Unfortunately, he said as pointed by Justice Malanjum these were not raised or properly canvassed before the court.

“A lengthy part of the submission was for the case to be reverted to the High Court for a full trial, which for reasons mentioned I do not find it proper to do so. I will therefore have to decide the question based on the arguments put before us.

“Based on those arguments and after having read the grounds of the other two judgments I would associate with the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak and find I do not need to answer the question,” he said, adding the court unanimously made no orders as to cost here and below.

Following this, Zaki ruled in dismissing the appeal and upholding the orders by the two courts ie the Sarawak High Court and Court of Appeal below.

The Chief Justice, noted before the start in delivering the decision that this was one of the most difficult verdicts he had to make in his three years' tenure as the top judge in the country.

Normally the Federal Court being the highest court in the land can determine on constitutional interpretation, but it chose not to due to arguments that there is not much before them to decide.

'Bring it to arbitration'

Zaki noted that while parties are not satisfied with the amount of compensation, the matter should have been brought to arbitration.

“In my opinion during that arbitration they could have raised all the issues regarding loss of their farms, burial grounds and other matters affecting their livelihood. There is no need for this case to be sent back for trial.

“To me that wold be unnecessary waste of money and time. Bato Bagi has accepted the compensation without referring it to arbitration. How could he now come before us to review the compensation or the extinguishment of the natives rights itself?,” the parting Chief justice said in his final judgment.

Justice Malanjum, in his 37-page detailed judgment, wrote he was of the view the court was not fully assisted although the question posed was staring at the parties.

“There was no discussion on whether the courts below were correct in their approaches in construing the relevant provisions of the constitution or whether they adopted the right test in considering the constitutionality of the impugned sections.”

Not mere existence

The Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak noted that the expression of life in Article 5 (1) does not refer to mere existence.

It, he said, incorporates all those facets that are an integral part of the life itself and those matters which go to form the quality of life.

“Of these are the right to seek and be engaged in lawful and gainful employment and to receive those benefits that our society has to offer to its members. It includes the right to live in a reasonably healthy and pollution free environment.

“If indeed extinguishment of their native customary rights has an adverse effect on the livelihood of the natives in the same way as dismissal has on the livelihood of a gainfully employed person... then it is only fair in my view that before any extinguishments direction is issued the holders of native customary rights should be given the opportunity to present their case,” he said.

Malanjum said this is essential justice and procedural fairness which a public decision-maker should ensure as having been meted out.

Justice Raus in holding sections 5 (3) and (4) of the Sarawak Land Code as constitutional said he was always guided by the principle that when the court is faced with the issue of constitutionality of a provision or statute, the court should be slow in striking down the impugned provision for being unconstitutional.

“The approach of the court while examining the challenge to the constitutionality of an enactment, is to start with the presumption of constitutionality. The court should try to sustain its validity to the extent possible. It should strike down the enactment only when it is not possible to sustain,” Raus cited former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram.

Background of the suit

Bato Bagi, five longhouse residents of Uma Balui Ukap at Batu Kalo, Uma Lesong at Batu Keling, Uma Bakah at Long Bulan, Rumah Kulit at Long Jawe and Rumah Ukit at Long Ayak on June 23, 1997, claimed native customary rights over lands along Batang Balui and its tributaries in the Belaga District of Kapit division. Other claimants, Jalang anak Paran and Kamong Anak Amih, had their lands taken for the Borneo Pulp and Paper Sdn Bhd.

They were ordered to vacate the land and surrender their native customary rights for the construction of the dam.

The indigenous people wanted the order to be declared void on the grounds that:

The directive violated the plaintiffs' fundamental rights under Articles 5(1) of the federal constitution, and/or Article 8 of the federal constitution and/or Art. 13(2) of the federal constitution;

The directive was in violation of Article 39(1) and (2) of the constitution of the state of Sarawak and/or Article 153 of the federal constitution; and

The directive was made pursuant to sections 5(3) and (4) of the Sarawak Land Code, which are void and unconstitutional as being in violation of Article 5(1) of the federal donstitution and/or Article 8 of the federal constitution and/or Article 39(1) and (2) of the constitution of the state of Sarawak and/or Article 153 of the federal constitution.

Bato has since passed away.

Disappointment at decision

Counsel for the natives Baru Bian expressed disappointment at the apex court not allowing the appeal but rejoiced that there is an opportunity for the issue to be brought up again in other cases.

“There are many similar cases affecting NCR land which had been seized by the Sarawak government without considering the livelihood of the people. This cases will be coming up and it gives us another bite to challenge the constitutionality of the land grab,” Baru (left in photo) said.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia representative Mohideen Abdul Kadeer also expressed disappointment at the court not wanting to interpret the question.

He said the case took 10 years for it to come to the Federal Court, and it missed a golden opportunity to put such matter at rest and resolve other pending NCR land cases.

“Our concern is not only the livelihood of the person affected but also the ecological impact of such projects which would affect climate change,” he said.

Before the start of the case Baru led prayers in Bahasa Malaysia for a positive ruling in court but this was not to be.

Meanwhile a law professor said Chief Justice Zaki Azmi and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Richard Malanjum, could have abdicated their oath of office by their refusal to interpret the question of law posed to them.

The question posed before the court was "whether section 5(3) and (4) of the Sarawak Land Code relating to the extinguishment of native customary rights are ultra vires Article 5 (Right to life) and Article 13 (right to property) of the Federal Constitution."

Islamic International University professor Abdul Aziz Bari said by refusing to deal with the constitutionality issue, the Federal court has abdicated its duty.

"Under the Federal Constitution, the Federal Court which is the highest court of the land is essentially the constitutional court of the country; the main tribunal whose major duty is to take care of the constitution," he said.

Abdul Aziz (left) pointed out that their refusal meant that they had failed to fulfill their oath when taking office by saying "I will faithfully discharge my judicial duties in that office to the best ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Malaysia, and will preserve, protect and defend its constitution."

The don added that the court is the custodian of justice, so the judges have let the citizens down for the constitution is the supreme law of the land, one that protects them from arbitrariness whether in the form of laws passed by the legislature or through executive decisions.

"It is the duty of the judiciary to declare the rights of the citizens, being custodial of justice," he said

'Case cannot be good authority'

Abdul Aziz said from the law standpoint when the decision is not decided unanimously, then there is a loophole.

“Since there is only one judge who made a ruling (on the constitutional question) on it, this case cannot be a strong authority.

“In any case, one wonders why the two did not make up their mind? Is it a case of just wanting to let go this one and later the court can take a more restrictive approach?” he asked, adding that the bottom line is the same; that the land grab is now deemed legal and the citizens have lost.

The law expert said the right to property is guaranteed by the constitution under Article 13 of the supreme law of the nation.

“There seems to be a kind of politics or manoeuvring here,” observed Abdul Aziz.

Highway Robbery in Malaysia!

2011-09-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

The figures quoted here are shocking!

What kind of idiots working in the Government came up with such stupid deals?!?! Baffling!!!

Taken from Malaysiakini

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today questioned why major highway concessionaires were still increasing their toll rates when they have already recovered their construction costs and were raking in "exorbitant" profits.

Deputy Works Minister Yong Khoon Seng, in a parliamentary written reply to Lim, revealed that concessionaires managing 27 highways have raked in a total of RM37.7 billion from toll collections, in addition to RM2.1 billion from the government as compensation.

This is despite the total construction costs amounting to RM26.4 billion, giving the concessionaires profits exceeding RM13 billion, Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, told a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"This is a cash cow at our expense. We want to know why the toll rates keep on increasing. They are already making money. Project Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (Plus) is the most glaring example and its concession will last until 2039," he said.

According to statistics provided by Lim, the North-South Expressway was built at a cost of RM5.9 billion, but it has since collected more than RM23.5 billion in toll fees, on top of RM735.2 million in compensation from the government.

Another highway that made more than RM1 billion in profit is Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP).

The LDP was built at a cost of RM1.1 billion but has since collected RM2.1 billion in toll charges, on top of RM631 million in compensation from the government.

The amounts of toll charges collected are up to December 2010.

"They've earned enough, so stop increasing the toll. They can even afford to give it back to the people," said Lim.

The concessionaires are being paid large sums of compensation as the government was bound by its agreement with the companies.

"It is in the agreement, that's the problem. If they (the concessionaires) are not allowed to increase the toll rates, then the government must still pay them, eventhough they are already making money," he added.

While these highway operators make the lion's share of the profits, a number of minor highways have yet to recoup their costs.

Among them are the New Pantai Expressway, Shah Alam-Klang Expressway and Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway.

Malaysian Justice calls on Home Minister to Charge Sinar Harian under the PPP Act!

2011-08-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

This is outrageous!! If any newspaper were talking about Islam like this newspaper is talking about Christianity, the newspaper company would have been burned to the ground by now and the editor and his entire team be lock behind ISA!

So is the Home Minister going to do anything about it?!?

After all they hauled up the Star editor over something small for running buka puasa articles together with stories on non-halal restaurants. STAR had to make a public apology and PERKASA were yelling for their heads!!!

What will the Christian do?!?

More Importantly! What will Hishammudin as the Home Minister do?!?!

Will Malaysia see justice over this?!?!

Taken from Malaysiakini

Harping on the controversial issue of an "apostasy movement" by Christian groups, Malay language daily Sinar Harian today stepped up its criticisms and accused the movement of encouraging free mingling between the sexes and permitting prostitution.

Yesterday, the daily gave extensive coverage to a so-called "apostasy movement" in its regular Monday column, Bicara Isnin.

In the second part of the column published today, scathing allegations were levelled against the 'Christian movement' and were listed in an information text box titled Matlamat gerakan Kristian (Objectives of the Christian movement).

Sinar Harian listed four items that it said are among other programmes afoot "to destroy Muslims":

1. Social movement: encouraging free mingling between the sexes;

2. Moral degradation: damaging moral values with wild activities;

3. Permitting prostitution as a service occupation; and

4. Films and music: inserting negative or extreme elements and excessive music that leads to heedlessness and negligence.

The daily did not elaborate on these allegations.

On the same page, Sinar Harianpublished two reports quoting Islamic NGO Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) president Zaid Kamaruddin and Malaysia Syariah Lawyers Council president Isa Ralik respectively.

Zaid (left) called on the authorities to establish a research centre to detect apostasy at early stage, before it got worse, while Isa said preaching non-Islamic religions to Muslims was a violation of the federation constitution.

Yesterday the daily reported on its front page that the "apostasy movement" was getting bolder and was being done openly.

In a related development, former information minister Zainuddin Maidin, in an article published in Utusan Malaysia today, urged the Malay rulers' council to focus on the rise of proselytising by Christian groups.

Zainuddin (right) said the proselytising activities exposed recently had been done in a "subtle, intelligent, bold, aggressive and provocative" manner with the purpose of turning Malaysia into another Indonesia.

"Their objective is to erase the image of 'Malaysian Malays - One Religion' and they want Malaysia to become Indonesia, where 'one race is not one religion'."

Comparing the preaching approach of Christian and Islamic groups in the country, the karyawan tamu(visiting fellow) of Universiti Utara Malaysia said Christians were more dynamic and progressive while the Islamic groups were old-fashioned, not creative and not responsive to the current demands.

Therefore, Zainuddin added, the Malay rulers' council, which oversees the nation's religious agencies, should address the issue immediately.

UPDATE: Sinar Harian has apologies for this article but they called

what they did as "information given was inaccurate". I hardly call that a sincere apology!

Still we are waiting for the Home Minister to act!!

Will Exam's criminal act go unpunished?!?

2011-08-12T03:15:00.000-07:00

Source Malaysiakini

Umno Senator Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor said today he will wage war in defence of Islam, including burning two online news portals, which he claimed to be agents against Islam.

"We are saying here that we will launch an all-out war to defend our faith if they (anti-Islam elements) do not stop (and) use their agents -Malaysiakini and Malaysian Insider - which were biadap(rude) towards the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais).

"Malaysiakini, Malaysian Insider, we are giving you a very last warning. Our warning is a serious one. If you do not stop this rubbish, we are going to burn you down!" Ezam declared.

The former ally of PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim and now the opposition leader's bitter foe is blaming the news portals for "Jais' woes" by reporting on the Selangor religious enforcement body's raid at the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) compound last week.

Ezam said this at a highly-charged rally of some 200 people inside the compound of the Selangor state mosque in Shah Alam.

Also present were Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Nordin and Umno Youth exco member Lokman Noor Adam, who was clad in a red Patriot T-shirt.

This is such a clear threat of violence! Why no action?!?

Is Tan Sri Tajudding Ramli protected by the BN Govt?!?

2011-08-12T02:16:00.000-07:00

When Tajudin Ramli took over MAS, the national airline company had RM600 million in cash reserves. When he left MAS seven years later, the national airline company had a hole of RM8 billion, a gap of about RM9 billion!!!!

Why would the government want to drop its case against him?

Find out here!

Worst still was that Ramli Yusuff, the Director of the Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), and lawyer Rosli Dahlan, paid a heavy price for pursuing Tajudin Ramli.

Both ended up being hauled into court against trumped-up charges. While Tajudin remained free and still extremely wealthy, Ramli lost his job and his shot at being the next IGP while Rosli lost his clients.

TODAY....

KUALA LUMPUR Aug 11 — Transparency-International Malaysia TI-M president Datuk Paul Low questioned the Najib administration’s decision to settle all out-of-court suits between government-linked-companies GLCs and Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli saying today Putrajaya has a duty to protect the public’s interest.

He was responding to The Malaysian Insider’s report earlier today citing de facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s directive to all GLCs including Danaharta and Malaysian Airlines MAS to drop all claims against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s poster boy for Bumiputera entrepreneurs as the Ministry of Finance MOF has agreed to settle the payment

“When they say settle something exactly what does it mean Nobody knows how it’s to be settled or how much on what basis and justification Is the government paying on behalf of the GLCs

Is it a bailout Who are parties involved “Who instructed Nazri Was it the Finance Ministry the Cabinet or the prime minister We don’t know ” Low told The Malaysian Insider when contacted

He reminded the ruling Barisan Nasional BN federal government that it was accountable for spending taxpayers’ money He said the government could not simply step into a legal dispute that involved a public-listed company even if it had government ties and added the government must show how the country and the public benefitted from such a decision

“This arrangement does not reflect well on the government In good governance the buck stops at the CEO or the board of directors The government has to answer ” he added

The head of the local anti-graft watchdog urged Putrajaya to come clean on the decision noting that it was a “test of good governance” for the ruling political coalition Opposition lawmakers said the out-of-court settlement demonstrate yet another example of political patronage

Yet again, Tajuddin has been let off scot-free and the public, denied justice. Any court revelations now would not look good for Barisan Nasional, especially as the general election draws near.

With this latest defrauding of the public purse, how much of the taxpayers’ money has gone unaccounted for? This government is neither transparent nor accountable. It does not adhere to its own catch-phrase, “People First, Performance Now”. It doesn’t even match up to its own Key Performance Indicators.

The Najib administration’s move to settle all outstanding claims against Tajuddin appears to be an attempt to wipe the slate clean in a financial saga that goes back decades to the height of Dr Mahathir’s administration

Tajuddin was a high flyer in the 1990s along with individuals such as Tan Sri Halim Saad but the 1997 Asian financial crisis saw most of them crashing to the ground

Although Najib is expected to call a general election within the year it has been reported that BN is short of funds to fight polls nationally after committing its machinery to retain its two-thirds majority in the April 16 Sarawak state election

The ruling coalition was said to have spent over RM500 million in the closer-than-expected race after party intelligence said that victory was only assured in 25 of the 71 state seats.

Read here for a more comprehensive background to this case!

What document could they possibly have been carrying?!?

2011-08-03T05:05:00.001-07:00

Perhaps a manual on how to blow up a Mongolian lady!?

Or is it a U help me I help you book!?!

Or could it be a guide book on how to stay clean! (BERSIH!)

Goodness me I hope it is not just a book on Communism. Afterall doesn't the national library have books on Communism ideology? Will the police go and catch the librarian next?!?!

IDIOTS!!!

Taken from Malaysiakini!

The six PSM activists who were released last week from detention under the Emergency Ordinance have been charged for being in possession of subversive documents.

They claimed trial to the charge under Section 43 of the Societies Act and an alternative charge under Section 48(1) of the same law.

The activists - dubbed the 'PSM 6' - also face a charge under Section 29(1) of the Internal Security Act (ISA) for possession of allegedly subversive documents.

Butterworth Sessions Court judge Ikmal Hisham Mohd Tajuddin set bail at RM8,000 each, and fixed the hearing from Oct 10-14.

Despite the PSM defence lawyers' argument that bail should be lowered as the six had undegone physical and mental hardship under detention and would voluntarily turn up for the hearing, DPP Suhaimi Ibrahim insisted that the amount should remain the same.

The six are Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, PSM activists Choo Chon Kai, Sarat Babu, M Sarasvathy, M Sukumaran, and A Letchumanan.

They will be tried together with 24 other PSM activists who had been charged earlier.

Section 48 states that anyone who acts on behalf of or represents an unlawful society by bringing with them 600 photocopies of pamphlets is liable to a maximum penalty of five years' jail, a fine of up to RM5,000, or both.

Section 43 stipulates that whoever is a member, attends meetings of or aids, an unlawful society is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both.

The same charges were brought against 24 other activists who were detained in Sungai Dua, Penang, while on their 'Udah Bersaralah' roadshow on June 25.

All 30 activists were initially detained on suspicion of planning to wage war against the Agong.

The reason was later reduced to that of posing a threat to public order.

The police then said the six had been detained over their 'key role' in the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally.

However, they were released on July 29.

'Authorities have mishandled the case'

Meanwhile, speaking outside the courthouse, Jeyakumar said the authorities have mishandled their case as badly as they had treated the Bersih 2.0 rally.

He added that the government had “shot themselves in the foot” when they arrested the PSM activists and ordered police to treat Bersih protesters harshly.

By the government's mishandling of Bersih and PSM activists, the former had allowed the protest to benefit the opposition, he stressed.

“They could have joined the call for electoral reforms and taken the wind out of the rally,” he said.

Jeyakumar (right) also criticised the authorities for not being very “astute” when charging the six.

“This charge is keeping our issue alive; it has now given us more publicity, which we would not have been able to get in four years,” he added.

PSM lawyers are planning to submit an application for a judicial review on the EO charge to question the government's misuse of power towards its citizens.

Sarasvathy (left) said the charges on the six today will create another wave of dissatisfaction towards the government as PSM would continue to fight repression in the country.

“We always believe in people's power and today we are proven right... if we dare to be brave, the people would dare to have change, that is what we are seeing now,” she added.

Real solid proof that BN is going to rigged the up coming General Election!!!

2011-08-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

Despite repeated guarantee by the Election Commission (EC) that no foreigner is allowed to be registered as a voter, the verification system of the National Registration Department (NRD) and the EC has shown otherwise.

A permanent resident (PR) holder has been accepted as a new voter in Ijok, the state seat held by Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Malaysiakini was informed by a reader that a permanent resident named Mismah has been registered in the latest supplementary electoral roll which is now on display for public scrutiny.

A check with the online verification system of both the NRD and EC confirmed the allegation.

The NRD online verification system, which allows users to check the status of an individual by entering the PR card number, shows that Mismah (No. 640704715238) is a permanent resident.

However, when the same number was entered into the EC online verification system, Mismah appeared as a newly-registered voter.

She was registered as a voter in the Ijok state constituency and Kuala Selangor parliamentary constituency, which are respectively held by Khalid from PKR and Dzulkelfy Ahmad from PAS.

A check of the NRD online verification system twice - at 5.48pm yesterday and 11.30am today - had shown that a person named Mismah was a PR holder who had collected her MyPR card (No. 640704715238), an identification card for PR.

When the same number was entered into the Election Commission (EC) online verification system, Mismah appeared as a newly-registered voter.

However, another check with the NRD system at 3pm returned a shocking result - the same Mismah has become a citizen who has collected her blue Mykad.

According to election laws, the EC updates the electoral roll every three months with a quarterly supplementary electoral roll draft.

The names of all newly-registered voters, voters who have changed their residing addresses and voters who have been removed from the electoral roll, are compiled in the supplementary electoral roll draft.

The roll is then displayed usually for one week, for public scrutiny, before it is gazetted and used in the next election.

During the display period, members of the public can raise their objection to the names listed in the supplementary electoral roll.

Allegations of foreigners being illegally registered as voters to shore up the support of certain political parties have been continually raised by the opposition parties but constantly denied by the EC.

EC employs 33 types of vetting

In one of the latest responses in May, EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said only citizens are allowed to be registered as voters, and that verification is done through the Agency Link-Up System (Alis) of the NRD.

Through the system, the EC cross-checks with NRD and employs 33 types of vetting before any application to become a voter can be approved.

“During the registration process, the applicant's identifier will be cross-checked with the NRD through Alis. The EC will only process the application if the details tally with the NRD records," he said.

“The system will automatically reject any fraudulent attempts to register a voter."

Tipped-off by readers, Malaysiakini also found other suspicious names on the electoral rolls.

Two eligible voters - Basri Buru Bin Alimin (Mykad: 250622715425) and Soessje Scwanne Jetty Silvana Groeneveld (Mykad: 380424715016) - which appeared on the EC online verification system as voters registered in the Hulu Langat parliamentary constituency, have no record on the NRD website.

The NRD online verification system states 'no application/the number entered is not valid' when the two numbers were entered.

This raises the question as to whether the two individuals are citizens of Malaysia.

THE EC IN TOTAL DENIAL!

The Election Commission (EC) has denied that permanent residents (PR) have been registered as voters, saying that the cases exposed yesterday could be a result of technical negligence on the part of National Registration Department (NRD).

"I think the list of PR names in the NRD's website was the old one and not updated," said EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Yusof (left) in a text-message to Malaysiakini late last night.
The Election Commission (EC) has changed the status of Mismah, a 'permanent resident' whose name had been entered in the draft electoral roll.

THE EC TRYING TO COVER THIER ASS!

Based on a check of its online verification system at 2pm, under the 'record status', (highlighted in screen capture, right) it is now stated that her application to register as a voter is dalam proses pengesahan daftar pemilih (being verified for the electoral roll).

Her name had been included in the draft supplementary electoral roll that has been opened for public scrutiny for a week.

BEWARE!! THIS IS CLEARLY BN'S WAY OF TRYING TO STAY IN POWER!!!

WE REALLY NEED A CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTION NOW!!!