Malaysian Government English

This is the naked proof of Barisan Nasional government's educational policy.


Taken from Lim Kit Siang's Blog

====================================================

YB Lim
This is found on the pages of our National Registration Dept website. Sigh, what a sad state of affairs, when such atrocious English is held up for display, for practically the whole world to see…..

And we are proud of sending a “space man” above???? A by-product of all the years that UMNO and BN has been in charge of our Education System. Now, it’s not just us M’sians who know that the quality of our local grads is hopeless, but this is being paraded for the whole world to see.
Don’t UMNO/BN have any shame? Hope you will raise this issue up at the right forum.

Regards
Shanker

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(Note, this page have since been amended by NRD)http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/4_5_kadpengenalan.php

1. I’m 17 year old, when should I change my identity card replacement?

A person whose had got first-time identity card namely during old 12 year, are required change again his identity card when have reached the age 18 year. If this change made within life time 18 - 25 year, no any penalty imposed.

2. I already 25 year old and still not have my own identity card. What shoul I do?To them not yet own identity card although already aged more 16 year are advised to come to any nearby NRD to apply identity card past record. Applicant and promoter must showed up together to be interviewed, bringing with together following documents:-Applicant Born Certificate / AnakAngkat’s Certificate / W’s Form OrApplicant Enter Permit / Confirmation Form National Standard(if concerning)Promoter Identity Card3. I a foreign citizens and have gotten permit of entry from Jabatan Immigration Malaysia. Whether I qualified to apply identity card? What is conditions for I apply identity card.You qualified to apply identity card with permanent resident status(Red). Applications requirements is bringing with permit of entry and passport and copy both of them and application fee as many as RM 40.00. Applications can be made in NRD Putrajaya Headquarters and NRD Branches only.

4. Is there any payment am being imposed in case happened damage for chip in my identity card.

Chip damage who is not due to purposely destroyed, misuse and others within one year from the date of submission card is give replacement by free, and if card period has been held by the applicant exceeding one year, payment as many as RM 10.00 imposed.

5. How many payment am being imposed if I loss identity card?

Lost identity card would be charged follow loss number. Please see payment schedule.

6. How long MyKad’s application period can be completed?

MyKad can be completed within 24 hours as applicant whose opted to take MyKad in NRD Putrajaya headquarters. For applicant opted to take MyKad in any NRD branches office in Peninsula of Malaysia, then MyKad would be completed within 10 working day while 30 working day for applicant opted to take MyKad in any NRD branches office in Sabah, a Sarawak or Labuan. MyKad’s charter completed this only involve applications from Warganegara Malaysia and prayer not problematical only.

7. Could I change address without change my identity card?

If I can how many rates imposed?Yes. With payment RM2.00 and new address information would be updated inside chip. If you want change identity card one time, the charge is RM10.00 .

8. Is it NRD receive payment other than cash ?

Yes, NRD comply accept payment electronically namely via credit card, card debit and MEPS.However, there were limit minimum sum accept to payment via credit card there is as many as RM 50.00

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http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/3_3_1_pengenalan.php

WHAT IS MYKID
Mykid is identity card or introduction from children’s chip issued to children aged below 12 year.Mykid’s feature is the same as MyKad only it had no picture and fingerprints.
” My ” bring purpose “Malaysia” WHILE ” kid ” also is the abbreviation to ” Personal Identity Card “. Personal identification number that there were to Mykid this will be used in all business from born till the end.

Mykid contains 3 major application contain in chip namely:
* JPN’s Application (presentation data)

* Health information

* Education information

MYKID’S ADVANTAGE
* Current form ease of use deal government or private with the agency

* Are used during deal with the department or agencies as hospital or clinic supply health screening objective, schooling and others .

* Portable because miniaturized

* Have security feature to avoid from misused.

* With technology chip wherein information readable on the card or in chip. Chip in information stated also simple to be updated.

* Strikingly good-looking form

MYKID’S IMPLEMENTATION
MyKid were implemented in all NRD branches in Peninsula of Malaysia and it only to registration of birth just.
MyKid Enquiry, please contact 03-88808066

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http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/4_1_web.php

1. What is NRD’s website?
NRD website is abbreviation to official web National Registration Department. NRD website make major world to information and national registration department service through Internet.

2. Why this website been created?
Latterly, information and service majority National Registration Department has been prepared by online and NRD website been created to provide convenience to the public find information and service that are provided.

3. Whom were allowed surf and use this website ?
Generally, this website could be achieved by all society. However, there were some information and service that need registration.

4. What is privacy policy for this website? Am I been recorded or not?
All access and your use up on this website shall not be recorded. To further information, please visit to ‘Privacy Policy And Safety Policy’ in bottom of each page.

5. What method for I contact National Registration Department?
You can contact us:-Public Relations OfficeTel: 03-8880 8206 / 7071 / 7077 / 7067 / 7069Fax: 03-8880 8288 atauEmail: pro@jpn.gov.my

6. How should I sent my feedback to Goverment Agencies?
You can fill form in the division “Public Complaint System ” In NRD website. It would be channelled to the divisions relating

Iranian Muslim's doing Yoga

source : malaysia-today

THE ELEGANT SILENCE OF M.I.C

That Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) is an uncouth, crass and gutter politician is now confirmed beyond a shadow of doubt. In fact, he is not the first Barisan Nasional - read UMNO politician with a penchant for vulgarities and crude behaviour. Many other UMNO politicians before him has in the august house made similar remarks against Indians. Surf the net and you can read the miscreants profanities and racist remarks. Tajuddin is merely upholding the "proud" party tradition.

In all these instances, whenever an UMNO M.P suffering a sudden attact of contrivitis ( a sudden rush of shit into the brain), spews out profanities and makes derogatory and racist remarks against the Indians, have you heard of any M.I.C M.P standing up to chide the recalcitrant and calling him to withdraw and apologise.

It will be interesting to read the bloggers comments !

YOGA AND THE NON MUSLIMS CONCERN.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said that Non Muslims should not feel hurt or slighted by the announcement of the yoga fatwa by the National Fatwa Council, as it was only applicable to Muslims.

Yes, the fatwa is applicable to Muslims and that is comforting. Nevertheless, Non Muslims will be concerned by the implications arising from the fatwa. Though the National Fatwa Council edict is restricted to yoga excersises which involved chanting of mantras and acts of worship which is deemed haram and against Islam, the implications of the edict could result in yoga centres and particularly commercial yoga centres in the near future facing various obstacles and restrictions.

The real concern is that Local Authorities and their "little Napoleans" may soon draft new rules for compliance before licence for yoga centres and particularly for commercial yoga centres is issued. In the Auditor General's Report for Johor a new phrase has creeped in - "perniagaan sensitif'". Now with "perniagaan sensitif" appprovals and consent from various authorities is required. Would Yoga centres may be added to the list of "perniagaan sensitif" ?.

It is also possible that those who run yoga centres or intend to open up yoga centres particularly commercial yoga centres will need to first "isi borang permohonan" and then wait for the local authorities licensing officers to visit and inspect the yoga centre and wait for their "lapuran" before licence is issued. There is a real possibility that in future yoga centres applications could be rejected due to the surrounding's "sensitiviti". The operators of commercial yoga centres may have to forward "untuk diluluskan" by these "little Napoleans", the course manuals and paraphernalias to ensure that the yoga practice do not contain any religious or spiritual elements and importantly there are no chanting of mantras. Yoga instructers may even be required to attend "kursus" and obtain"sijil' before they can operate a yoga cente. There may be restrictions in how many yoga centres can be opened in one area. Lastly, yoga centre operators may be asked to put a sign "untuk orang bukan Islam sahaja or "Orang Islam Di Larang Masuk". The licence for yoga centres and particularly commercial yoga centres may contain "syarat-syarat" to be adhered.

All these may be far fetched and work of an imaginary mind but taking into account the obtacles and hurdles one has to go through before a pub can be opened, I would not be surprised if commercial yoga centres will meet an almost similar fate. I pray that I am proved wrong.

Thus, although the fatwa may be meant for Muslims only, Non Muslims still have every reason to be concerned.

A SENTENCE RIGHTLY METED OUT AND JUSTLY DESERVED

These are the shocking and horrific pictures of Nirmala Bonat, the Indonesian maid who was tortured by her employer . On Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur Session Court, imposed an 18 years jail sentence on Nirma's former employer Yim Pek Ha. That sentence is rightly meted out and richly deserved. What an evil person Yim Pek Ha is !.

Some have opined that the 18 years sentence meted out to her is excessive. Now, those who suddenly find sympathy for the employer ought to first see these pictures. Spare a moment and imagine the pain the poor maid had undergone and the mental scars she will forever carry. In fact, do surf the net and you will find more horrific pictures of Nirmala Bonat injuries. Clearly, her employer not only abused her but worst she was tortured.


A maid is not a chattel or a slave that one by virtue of paying a monthly salary can then abuse and torture her.

Let the court's sentence in this case serve as a warning to other employers that they may face a similar fate should they abuse their maid.

Tajuddin Abdul Rahman

Pasir Salak MP - 6 million dollar man Tajuddin Abdul Rahman continued his hot streak of making idiotic remarks in the Parliament, this time by making racist remarks against Ipoh Barat MP - M Kulasegaran. And as though to make sure his idiocy is not downplayed by the media, he threw in a sexist remark as well.

Malaysiakini

Vocal government backbencher Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Umno-Pasir Salak) was today accused of making sexual innuendos in the Dewan Rakyat.

According to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), who evoked the Standing Orders against Tajuddin, the BN MP had made the offensive remarks during yesterday's sitting.Section 36(4) of the Standing Orders prohibits parliamentarians from using offensive language.

Fong told the House today that Tajuddin had uttered the words when attempting to interject Mujahid Yusof Rawa's (PAS-Parit Buntar) debate on Teo Nie Cheng's (DAP-Serdang) (photo, right) motion for a RM10 pay cut for Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.She quoted him as saying, "Dia (Mujahid) tak masuk lagi, dah lama tak masuk. Main tepi saja" and "Bila nak keluar lagi air dia?"

The following is exchange between Tajuddin, Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee and Mujahid as was published in the Hansard.

Tajuddin: Oh, tak masuk lagi?
Kiandee: Dia tak bagi Yang Berhormat, tak bagi.
Tajuddin: Dia tak masuk lagi? Dah lama tak masuk-masuk. Main tepi saja.
Mujahid: Yang Berhormat Pasir Salak sabarlah.
Tajuddin: Bila nak keluar lagi air dia?

Expressing disappointment with the conduct of parliamentarians, Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Jaafar said: "From the information I got from my officers, I am very disappointed by the abusive words of the members of parliament.""But I have to refer this matter to Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee to take further action," he added.

Kiandee had presided over yesterday’s session.Tajuddin's sexual innuendo remarks were missed in the uproar he had sparked off when he called M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) “keling”, a derogatory term for Indians.Following pressure from Pakatan MPs to withdraw his remark, Tajuddin had today reluctantly obliged and made the retraction.Although Kulasegaran requested Kiandee to take stern action against Tajuddin, the deputy speaker, however, said a retraction was sufficient.

Related posts;

Benci = Ba***rd

BLOOD POLITICS

Yesterday in the Johor Legislative Assembly, Gwee Tong Hian (DAP Bentayan) asked why the Sultanah Fatimah Hospital in Muar had rejected a blood donation drive organised by the DAP. Apparently an officer from the hospital told him that the rejection came from higher authorities.

Now here comes the reply ! (as reported in today's STAR pg.29). Responding to his query State Womaen, Family, Welfare and Health Committee chairman Dr Robiah Kosai is reported to have replied:-

"it was better that blood donation drives be organised by NGO's, voluntary or religious bodies rather than political parties."

"She contended that if a blood donation campaign was organised by a political party those with a different political view might not want to participate in the donation".

"If the DAP organised a blood donation drive, those from UMNO may not donate their blood during the campaign."

This is an answer from a doctor- politician !. Abraham Lincoln once said " Better to remain silent and thought of as a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." Dr Robia Kosai's reply has no doubt removed that doubt.

It is simply amazing how low some will be prepared to stoop, to the extent that they can even politicise blood. Since UMNO members may be reluctant to receive blood from those who are not from UMNO, perhaps the members could inform the hospital authorities that should they ever need blood transfussion, the blood should come from their fellow members own.

A Somali view on Dr.Mahathir and Malaysia

Malaysiakini

Din,

I’m a Somali living in Malaysia who follows the local scene here very much. I would have to admit that Tun Dr M’s greatest disadvantage is his pure, unadulterated hatred for anyone who disagrees with him.

Never have I seen a human being whose sole motivation, drive and engine is pure hatred. Just visit his blog which is read by friends and foes, locals and foreigners and I must tell you it epitomizes him in every way.Since he started it after complaining of UMNO media strangulation, did you see an article that he has written concerning the poor, the needy, the widows, the orphans, the handicapped, the downtrodden, the wayfarers, compassion, empathy, sharing, sacrifice, charity, morality, accountability, God’s fear and Judgement, forgiveness, patience (etc)?

No.Always it is about some people, blaming others, calling them names, dishing out unvanished, pure hatred. Blaming others for this and that and exonerating himself from all blame? Surely, at this age? You can’t build a society and a nation through hate, vengeance, intense anger and mean spirit.

You would have to remind the people the higher purpose of life for them to get motivated and work harder for the less fortunate and for themselves. Finger pointing, blaming others, planting defeatist culture in the Malays, reducing them to mad people (we are sensitive, we will run amok society that makes even foreigners despise the Malays) will not help this society and nation.

My people (the Somalis) suffered from cruel leadership and when the hatred became too much, we turned to each other and till today, we the only nation with no Central govt. The Malays share with us almost every trait, very feudal, manipulated easily, territorial, misuse of Islam for expediency, rigid explanation of Islam and too much interest in outward Islam than inward Islam that strengthens the hearts, our only difference is that the Malays have the Chinese and the Indians around that make them watch out for the “enemies.”

For us, we didn’t have that and that’s why we turned to each other. If God has loved the Malays and Malaysia, it is because He brought other people here. If some Malays regret the presence of the Chinese and Indians, ask us the Somalis and you will know what it means to be an incestous (homogenous) society and you will praise the Almighty day in day out.

If it was possible, I would have shipped the Chinese and Indians to Somalia to create diversity in my nation but it is wishful thinking.

The other person who makes me cringe in shame is one Curry[Khairy] Jamaluddin. Never have I seen a more uncouth, uncultured, degenerate, pugancious, ill, nefarious and utterly infantile being than this young man. I have a big heart who tries to understand everyone and put myself in their place, but I don’t think my heart can accommodate one Curry Jamaluddin. He is a primate and deserves the worst treatment (though I hate it because we are Muslims and human beings) but honestly he is too much.

AbubakarOctober 25, 2008 at 5:43 pm

IS IT MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA OR MAHKAMAH TINGGI TANAH MELAYU ?

Is it Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya or Mahkamah Tinggi Tanah Melayu ? Perhaps someone would quickly clarify.

My attention is drawn to the legal notices placed by the Insolvency Department Negeri Sembilan as appeared in the Utusan Malaysia 22nd November 2008.

The intitulement in the notices uses the following words:-

DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI
TANAH MELAYU DI SEREMBAN
DALAM KEBANGKRAPAN No.....

Mahkamah Tinggi Tanah Melayu ? Since when ? Now, this is clearly a departure from the usual form which is:-

DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA
DI (Name of Town/City)
DALAM NEGERI (Name of State)
DALAM KEBANGKRAPAN No......

A cursory examination of all legal notices advertised in the newspapers would reveal that they are usually in the form and manner as stated above. It is always Mahkamah Tinggi Malaya and never Mahkamah Tinggi Tanah Melayu.

Thus, the legal notice by the Negeri Sembilan Insolvency Department is a radical departure from the usual.

Under the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 " High Court" means the High Court in Malaya and the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak or either of them as the case may require. Clearly the act envisages the words "Malaya" and not "Tanah Melayu'.

'local jurisdiction" means:-
(a). in the case of the high Court in Malaya, the territory comprised in the states of Malaya, namely Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, selangor, Trengganu and the Federal territory of Kuala Lumpur; and
(b). ....

Further, in respect of bankruptcy proceedings, The Bankruptcy Act 1967 states the following:-

S.1 (2) The Act (Bankruptcy Act) shall apply throught Malaysia.
S.2 "The Court" means the courts having jurisdiction in bankruptcy under the Act.
S.3 A debtor commits an Act of bankruptcy in each of the following cases:-
(a). if in Malaysia....
(b). if in Malaysia....
(c). if in Malaysia....
(d). if in Malaysia....
(e). if in Malaysia....

Note that the bankruptcy act has to be committed in Malaysia and not in Tanah Melayu.

Meanwhile, under the Bankruptcy Rules 1969, Rule 9 states:-
"Every proceeding in the bankruptcy matter shall be dated and shall with necessary additions be intutuled as in Form 1."

Form 1 states :-
In the High Court in............... at................................
In Bankruptcy( name of debtor) (NRIC) No............... of (Year)

It would be interesting to know the reason of the Negeri Sembilan Insolvency Department as to why they have changed the usual format and begun using a different form.

In any event, I have written to the Bar Council highlighting the matter and seeking a clarification.

I sincerely hope, this will not turn into a political issue but be quickly resolved. In the interim stand corrected.

FOMCA's brilliant idea : RM3 as petrol retail floor price !

The letter "M" in Fomca would fit to represent Planet Mars instead of Malaysia since they seem to be completely out of touch with the living cost of average Malaysian even with current petrol prices.

NST
KUALA LUMPUR: RM3 as the retail floor price for a litre of petrol is what the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) would like to see.

"We should set a floor price that would encourage the prudent use of petrol, promote the use of public transport and push for development in alternative energy," Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said when contacted by the New Straits Times yesterday.Sha'ani said a floor price of RM1.92 per litre was too low to regulate the price of petrol.

That was the price at the pump before the meteoric hike in price by 78 sen on July 1."Continued reductions in pump prices will only benefit those who drive their own vehicles but leave out low-income earners and the poor who do not own vehicles."At the same time, people will stop thinking about prudence in petrol use and start using their cars more, and then our roads will be jammed again."

Since the July 1 high of RM2.70 per litre of petrol, the government has been reducing prices in tandem with the fall in global crude oil prices. There is speculation that by early next month, pump prices will be below the pre-July prices.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad has proposed a price floor plan.Yesterday, Shahrir gave the assurance that every detail would be considered before the government decided whether to implement a price floor plan for the pump.He stressed that everyone must acknowledge that global oil prices were bound to go up at some point so the government would need something to fall back on.

"In the end, the money (for subsidies) has to come from somewhere."Even if we save the subsidy for petrol, it will still go to the consolidated fund, which in turn will be used for something else for the benefit of the people."Whatever the case, just wait for Dec 1 and the Economic Council will decide on it (price floor plan).

"The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) agrees that the price floor plan is workable.Cassa president Datuk Dr Jacob George, however, cautioned against imposing a price floor that was too far removed from the prevailing global crude oil price."We should not be seen as tampering with market forces because it may be viewed as Malaysians being unable to handle (the economic crisis).

"Both Sha'ani and George agreed that the crux of change lay in consumer habits.Consumers, they said, must keep tabs on their petrol consumption and avoid waste.The associations advised consumers to find an alternative mode of transport for their daily commute and consider at least a partial shift to public transport.

"Everyone is talking about saving 10 or 15 sen at the pump, but ultimately it is the millionaire who enjoys the low prices as this does not have much impact, if any, on the mid-income class," Sha'ani said.

He stressed that instead of pushing for lower prices of goods, the government should focus on bringing down the overall cost of the use of public amenities such as public transport, medical care and education.Sha'ani noted that by allowing the private sector more freedom to set their own prices, it would help spur the economy and reduce the stranglehold of a handful of companies that monopolised the sale of certain goods such as sugar and flour.

George agreed that it was necessary to "get rid" of cartels and parallel importers, who he said were stifling the development of healthy competition among businesses."We need to promote competition which is good for everyone, and this is where we all can come together and come up with a plan which is fair and reasonable for both consumers and the business community."Consumers and the private sector need to compromise and this is where the government can play its part, by helping both sides come to a consensus."This is not the time for protests. This is the time for prudent thinking and we all need to be accountable and work according to our conscience."

A case of rakyat subsidising the government ?

Gov't should profit from low fuel prices, says Shahrir
Malaysiakini

The government is justified to earn revenue from the recent drop of global oil prices as it had given out subsidies when prices were high, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad.

Speaking to Malaysiakini in Parliament yesterday, he said the government can make a profit if local fuel prices remain at RM2 per litre and global crude oil prices hover at around US$55 per barrel.Stressing that consumers were also benefiting from current low prices, he added, "Motorists have got some money in their pocket, which is the RM625 rebate we have given out."Shahrir said the government will start earning revenue with the help of the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), where all costs are fixed, including the profit margins of oil companies and petrol station operators.

"Thus the oil companies will never make money beyond what we set because we control their margins.

"The rest (of the profits) will be taken by the government, which is a fairer system," Shahrir said."The question now is whether the government plans to give away (the money).

"We gave it away in the form of subsidies when prices were high, so it's only fair that the government makes some money now when prices are low."

The minister also explained that petrol stations will not be able to profit from the current low prices as they get a fixed margin of 12 sen per litre."If the retail price is higher than the market price, it is the government that benefits because we have taken care of their margins. If the prices are low, petrol stations will still enjoy the same margins," he said.Shahrir, however, said the decision to earn revenue has not been made as the government has yet to set a floor price for fuel, in which prices are not allow to go lower than a set level.

The issue will be discussed in an economic council meeting on Dec 1. The minister had earlier said he favoured a floor price of RM1.92 per litre.Subsidy policy remainsTwo days ago, Shahrir revealed that the government had stopped paying petrol subsidies since Nov 1 when global crude oil prices dipped below US$65 per barrel."At the price today, which is at RM2 (per litre), there is no subsidy and we do not have to pay.

"The subsidy is not going to be abolished, it is just that we have stopped subsidising (at the moment)," he told reporters.He also said the subsidy policy will remain as the government is still giving out subsidies for diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as a petrol rebate for motorists."Don't forget we give direct cash benefit to the motorists through the rebate. So we are still giving the subsidy, but there is no subsidy at the pump level," he explained.

Shahrir’s statement was a departure from what the deputy prime minister-cum-finance minister had stated in his Budget 2009 winding-up speech on Nov 4. Najib Abdul Razak had then said that the government would maintain a 30-sen fuel subsidy at the pumps. Global oil prices have already fallen substantially when he made the speech in Parliament.

Related posts

Govt to make u-turn

BARKING AT THE ROAD SIGNS

Briefly this is the state of the country as at Tuesday 11th November 2008.

1.Business Times Singapore reports that according to the latest figures from Bank Negara, Malaysia's international reserve position shows a further US$7.4 Billion decline to US$100 Billion as at 31st October. That amount according to Bank Negara is sufficient to finance 8.1 months of retained imports.

For the month of October Bank Negara's reserves fell by US$9.5 Billion compared US$12.8 Billion for the month of September. In fact, Malaysia's reserves have fallen by US$25.5 Billion since it peaked at US$125.7 Billion in June.

Any Barisan Nasional politician concerned of the falling reserves ? Nope.

2.Next, The Finance Minister recently informed that the government will borrow RM5 Billion from Employees Provident Fund, yup ! Simpanan Hari Tua Anda, to fund the government investment agency Valuecap Sdn Bhd. Basically what Valuecap would do is use your money to invest in companies where the share prices are low but have strong fundamentals and potentials.

Any Barisan Nasional politician raised any objections in Parliament ? Nope. Only the Pakatan Rakyat M.P's are engaging the Government in a furious debate.

3.Next,according to Malaysian Insider, it has learned that the Finance Ministry is conducting an audit of assets that it owns or has a stake in and apparently the government is mulling the possibility of raising cash by disposing its assets. Fire sale?

Any Barisan Nasional politician concerned ? Nope.

Now, contrast that to the reaction by Barisan Nasional and UMNO politicians to the decision of the Pulau Pinang state government giving its approval to Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang,to erect multi lingual road signs. Barisan Nasional and UMNO politicians are behaving like bats out of hell and attacking the Pulau Pinang government and its Chief Mininister Lim Guan Eng.

Its not as if Lim Guan Eng has decided to make all road signs in Pulau Pinang multi lingual. But the way the issue is being potrayed is as if Lim Guan Eng has decided to errect multi-lingual road signs in the whole of Pulau Pinang. Not that Lim Guan Eng has decided to change the name Kepala Batas to Kitsiang Jaya or Bukit Glugor to Bukit Karpal. All that Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang is doing is to put up road signs in Chinese, Tamil and Arabic along with the national language in the heritage areas of Georgetown which was recently declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

In fact Lim Guan Eng has gone on record stating that multi-lingual road signs will take account of characterictic of the area. Thus if it is a Malay heritage area, the road sign will be in Bahasa Malaysia and Arabic/Jawi. Alas, Barisan Nasional UMNO politicians chose to turn the whole issue into a racial issue and try to pit the Malays against the Non Malays. Despite the clarification by Lim Guan Eng, it does not pacify Barisan Nasional and UMNO politicians who are continuing with their protest, even though it was revealed that the previous Barisan Nasional state government had approved multi-lingual road signs and had even allocated funds for the project. So why the hypocricy?

Yesterday members of UMNO Tanjung went unannounced to the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang office to hand in their memorandum. The memorandum stated that such a move would incur the anger of the Malays in the state and it warned what would happened to the state if chaos broke out. Malay anger or UMNO anger?

Prior to this, a member of the pro-tem committee of Gabungan Graduan Melayu Muda (don't they have better things to do like helping out unemployed and unemployable graduates?)filed a law suit against the Pulau Pinang state government and Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang. Apparently the roads signs are at odds with article 152 of the Federal Constitution. Of course other bedfellows like academicians, linguist and nationalists have all joined in and had their three minute fame on TV and in the newspapers particularly Utusan Malaysia, lambasting the Pulau Pinang state government and its Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Some of these creatures who find it an impossibility to articulate a sensible and valid argument,instead revert to the all encompasing and all weather war cry "mencabar ketuanan Melayu".

Funny, no Barisan Nasional UMNO politicians, academicians or any nationalist raised article 152, ketuanan Melayu or warned about rising anger and chaos, when the the Court Complex in Putrajaya was (for a long time) known as the Palace of Justice simply because it was not politically right to call it Istana Keadilan. There are no demonstation or filing of lawsuits seeking a declaration that the streets in Putrajaya remove the prefix "prescint" and "boulevard" because it is at odds with article 152 of the Federal Constitution. No one foamed in his mouth or marched into the Sarawak Chief Minister's office and demanded the Sarawak state government and Kuching City Council to remove the Chinese road signs. And what's this Ain Arabia in Chinese heartland of Bukit Bintang. No Barisan Nasional politician has objected to the Kuala Lumpur City Council bending over and pandering to the Arabs. I know of one road in Kuala Lumpur named Jalan Isfahan. I am sure that road will not lead you to Isfahan, Iran ( though some has genuine fear that's where the country is leading to).

So what's the hue and cry over the multi-lingual road signs in Penang. Why the double standard?

I must applaud Lim Guan Eng for standing firm in his decision.

rahmat bahagia.....crash...boom...bang...!!!!

Malaysiakini

Despite video evidence, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has denied that the police moved in on participants at a candlelight vigil last night while they were singing the national anthem.

"That is what they (participants) are claiming," Khalid told reporters at the Petaling Jaya police district headquarters about midnight.

According to Tony Pua, who was also arrested, the Police charged in when they were about the finish singing the Negaraku, a fact supported by Malaysiakini video.




Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar's answers the media ;


"i am denying it"
When told that there was a video recording of the police action.

“He was part of the illegal gathering.”
On why Malaysiakini videographer Syukri Mohamad had been detained when he was on duty

“That doesn’t matter. The law says that a permit must be obtained.”
When asked if the group had posed a danger to the public


By the way, Syed Hamid Albar's comment on this incident was....
Saya tak tahu pun..

What could the PM be doing ?

source

Maybe...
just maybe...
he maybe...
sleeping Zzzzzz
thinking hmmm
scheming heh...heh...heh
meditating mmmm
yoga aummmm

GONE TO HELL

Imam Samudra, Amrozi Nurhasyim and Ali Ghufron went to hell today via Nusakambangan Island, Indonesia courtesy of the Indonesian firing squad.

The evil trio were responsible for crimes against humanity and will be remembered for killing 88 Australians, 29 Britons and 8 Americans in the 2002 Bali bombing.

A welcome and induction party awaits them in hell.

More news from around the world.

Indonesia executes Bali bombers

Justice has been served

Bullets silence Bali Bombers

Survivors, families mourn Bali lost ones

Indonesia executes Bali bombers, radicals call for revenge

RPK freed

Benci = Ba***rd ?

"You bloody bastard, show me proof"

Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 – It is often referred to as “this august house” but conduct in the Dewan Rakyat today plumbed new depths with obscene language that would make even a street walker protest.
More than eyebrows were raised when a government MP called an opposition member a “bastard”.

Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) used the expletive on M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) after the Ipoh Barat member said the Pasir Salak Indian community “hated” Tajuddin.
Immediately, a furious Tajuddin yelled out “Bastard!”, and repeated the insult. “You bloody bastard, show me proof,” Tajuddin screamed. Full story here.

PS : Google's image search for Tajuddin Abdul Rahman produced an "interesting" result.

Obama wins!

The law allows detention up to 24 hours before needing to get an order from a magistrate....

even for a guy clad in a T-shirt bearing the words 'No to ISA' ?????

=======================================================

Deepavali bash: Man held over anti-ISA T-shirt
Andrew Ong Nov 4, 08 5:14pm

Malaysiakini

His curiosity piqued, KS Oliver and two friends attended a national-level open house in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

However, Oliver's festive mood came to a rude halt when he ended up being detained by the police for three hours over his 'dangerous' T-shirt.According to the 27-year-old Malaysiakini subscription executive, the police considered him a possible threat to the VVIPs present, which included Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Relating his ordeal, Oliver said he and his friends had visited the event after seeing a banner in KL Sentral regarding the bash, which was taking place at a nearby car park. The three were passing through exhibition booths when the police confronted them and escorted Oliver - who was clad in a T-shirt which bore the words 'No to ISA' - to a beat base in the vicinity. "I asked why I was detained and they asked why I wore this T-shirt. I asked what was wrong with the T-shirt and they said I could be a threat to the VVIPs present." "They gave me two options: Remove the T-shirt or remain at the police booth until the VVIPs leave. I refused to remove my shirt and chose to stay," he said.

Repeatedly quizzed during his detention, Oliver said he was repeatedly questioned by several police personnel about his background and purpose of attending the event. "I had to repeat myself like a tape recorder. At one point, one police officer asked if I was paid to wear the T-shirt," he said, adding that he wished the authorities would respect the freedom of expression.

However, Oliver said the police were professional and cordial throughout his detention.

Contacted later, Brickfields district police chief ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Ibrahim said Oliver was detained for documentation purposes and for the police to determine his reasons for being at the event."We needed to establish if he had any bad intentions," he said. On the duration of the detention, Wan Abdul Bari said the law allows detention up to 24 hours before needing to get an order from a magistrate. The national-level Deepavali open house is an annual event organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

Zaid Ibrahim's speech at the LawAsia 2008 conference

The 'Ketuanan Melayu' model has failed, declared former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim in an incisive speech at the LawAsia 2008 conference in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

"It has resulted in waste of crucial resources, energy and time and has distracted from the real issues confronting the country," said Zaid, who criticised the race-based policy despite being a member of the ruling Umno party which was set up to safeguard Malay interests.

The former minister called on the BN government to abandon its 'reworked' concept of the social contract and embrace a fresh perspective borne out of discussions and agreements made in good faith with all the communities. "It is time for us all to practise a more transparent and egalitarian form of democracy and to recognise and respect the rights and dignity of all the citizens of this country."

"We are a deeply divided nation, adrift for our having abandoned democratic traditions and the rule of law in favour of a political ideology that serves no one save those who rule."

"It makes us lose our sense of balance and fairness. When a certain Chinese lady was appointed head of a state development corporation, having served in that corporation for 33 years, there were protests from Malay groups because she is Chinese," he said referring to the controversy involving the appointment of Low Siew Moi as acting head of the Selangor Development Cooperation (PKNS).

"While I applaud the prime minister for calling upon the Indian community to reject extremism, should not a similar call be made on the Malay community and (Malay daily) Utusan Malaysia?

"They (the Malays) are not under seige. The institutions of government are such that the Malays are effectively represented, and there is no way the interest of the Malays can be taken away other than through their own weakness and folly."

The full speech can be downloaded in pdf format here

One Brave Malaysian

The NST today reported that Shahfrulnizam Abdul Malek was charged in Klang Sessions Court for robbing a Nigerian....yes a Nigerian of USD 2,000 at KLIA airport on October 22nd.

All I can say is that Shahfrulnizam is one brave and courageous man to pick on a Nigerian.

================================================================

NST

KLANG: A 31-year-old unemployed man was charged yesterday with robbing a Nigerian businessman last week.
Shahfrulnizam Abdul Malek claimed trial to committing the offence against Maxwell Nnamdi Nwanozie, 29, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 1.45pm on Oct 22.He allegedly robbed Maxwell of US$2,000 (RM7,104). Three others are still at large.Sessions court judge Aslam Zainuddin granted him RM12,000 bail in one surety and fixed Nov 28 for mention.

Govt to make U-turn on pledge of pegging petrol price to global market price?

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad yesterday began testing the ground sentiment on the plan to fix a minimum price for petrol, even if the global oil price continues to plummet. His idea is to fix the price at a minimum of RM 1.92 and maximum of RM 2.70.

This is despite their earlier pledge in August to strictly follow market price with 0.30 cents subsidy per litre.

The Politics of PKNS

Six staff bodies of state agency Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) have objected to the appointment of a senior official as acting general manager on grounds that she is Chinese.

Malaysiakini reports that Low Siew Moi was set to retire as PKNS’ deputy corporate affairs and accounting manager this month.

However, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (right) recently appointed her as acting GM to replace outgoing general manager Harun Salim.Low, 57, a trained accountant, has served PKNS for 35 years with her last post being deputy GM for corporate development.In their joint memorandum dated Oct 25 to Khalid, the staff associations said:

“PKNS was established for Malays and to fulfill the Malay agenda. Because of this, the organisation needs to be led by a Malay.”

“However, leading PKNS would need certain leadership criteria, among them, rapport with all staff and associations and ability to communicate with different levels of personnel.”

The memorandum stated that, as PKNS conducts activities that are spiritual in nature, its leader must understand and practice Islamic values. “In other words, the one who will become the general manager will be the ‘imam’ for all the staff,” the signatories said.

Harris Ibrahim pops the question if Pakatan Rakyat is perpetuating raced based politics and governance.

Meanwhile PAS has volunteered to find a more "suitable" candidate .

Happy Deepavali to all Malaysians

Going To Hell - Bon Voyage

The Star Online
Indonesia will execute the Bali bombers on death row in early November, the spokesman of the Indonesian attorney general's office said on Friday.The three men -- Imam Samudra, Amrozi and Mukhlas, also known as Ali Ghufron -- were sentenced to death in 2003 for their roles in the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings that killed 202 lives.

11 alleged Hindraf supporters held

11 people were arrested when they attempted to submit a letter at Prime Minister Department’s office in Putrajaya today.

"“We were trying to obtain permission from the security guards for Vwaishhnnavi to submit her letter. They said that we were from Hindraf, but we insisted that we were concerned Indians who were accompanying Vwaishnnavi,” said Police Watch Malaysia coordinator S Jayathas, who was also held.

Vwaishnnavi, the six-year-old niece of detained Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar was with the group when they were held.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman confirmed the arrest of eight men and three women during the incident. He clarified that Vwaishhnnavi has not been arrested and is in her mother’s care.

Details at ;

malaysiakini

ISA again

Oct 17, 08 11:56am

A 26-year-old activist has been arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) tonight following a report she made accusing the police of abuse of power in yesterday’s controversial eviction of a squatter colony in Johor.
Cheng Lee Whee, a self-employed programmer who is a volunteer for human rights group Suaram, lodged the police report at the Permas Jaya police station in Johor Bharu at about 3pm yesterday.
The report was made in response to the forced eviction of squatters in Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah - a predominantly Malay village akin to Kuala Lumpur’s Kampung Baru - and the arrest of 27 individuals for attempting to stop the demolition of the settlement.

Read the rest at Malaysiakini

HINDRAF banned

TheStar

The Hindu Rights Actions Force (Hindraf) has been declared an illegal organisation from today, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said the order was being made as a result of monitoring and investigation on the organisation’s activities by the Registrar of Societies (ROs) and Home Ministry, since Hindraf’s inception.

“The decision to declare Hindraf an illegal organisation is not based on one or two of its activities that are in contravention of the law but covers all the actions it has taken since being formed,” he said.

"....Hindraf had actively exploited the Indian community to organise illegal assemblies and street demonstrations without permits to the point of causing a segment of the community to rise up against the Government and also hatred among the Malays and Indians in the country." he added.

HISHAMMUDDIN - Pot Calling Kettle Black.



Pot calling the kettle black. This timely advice to politicians to refrain from going overboard from someone who had no qualms brandishing a kris as a reminder.

KHAN YOU BELIEVE IT, ?

Absurdity is a virtue in Malaysia. How else can one describe Malacca’s decision to confer Datukship on Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Years ago when I was at the Subang airport, a security guard beaconed a driver who had parked his Mercedes Benz right at the entrance of the main door to move on. Somehow the driver just refused to move and so the security guard walked to the driver and told him sternly to drive off. The driver protested saying that he was “tunggu Datuk” (waiting for Datuk). I chuckled pink when the guard told the driver “hello, Daud Kilau (a popular gelek singer) pun Datuk lah… jalanlah”. (Hello, even Daud Kilau is a Datuk.. just move on will ya..). The guard cared too hoots for Datuk’s.

Recently, a writer wrote in the NST, how at the waiting room of Institute Jantung Negara, when a nurse called out the patient “Datuk”, six Datuk’s actually got up !.

Malaysia, it would seem is teeming with Datuks and the running joke is if you were to throw a stone in Malacca, there is a very high possibility that the stone would strike a Datuk. I am confident sooner or later I will also obtain one (well maybe after 20 million other have got theirs).

So just what did Shah Rukh Khan do to deserve his Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka Datukship. According to Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, the decision to confer the title was suggested to the Yang di Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin. Apparently in 2001 the Bollywood heartthrob had shot a movie One Two Ka Four at A Famosa Resort, Alor Gajah Melaka. According to the Chief Minister that has resulted many people visiting Malacca.

Yesterday, was the investure ceremony but the actor did not attend the ceremony. Infact the great Khan was in Singapore for a Zee TV engagement. Apparently, Tun Daim is making arrangements to bring the actor here to receive his gong in a special ceremony. The great Khan must be really looking to the great day but before that he must once again look up in the map where the sleepy hollow is.

Now, if Shah Rukh Khan deserved the award, then other notables like Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Connery who shot the movie Entrapment against the backdrop of Petronas Twin Tower, Chow Yuen Fatt in King and I shot around Ipoh and Jackie Chan who shot among other Police Story surely also deserves Datukship.

Datukships in Malaysia are too easily dished out. Add to the annual list which seems to grows each year, some Datuk’s are known to have obtained theirs from the Sulu rulers. Now, we have Datuks who are Yoga masters, to mini market owners to “besi buruk” businessmen added to the perenial list of politicians being rewarded more often than not for service to their political masters. Just read the congratulatory advertisement which appear in the neswspapers after each investure ceremonies and you would have an idea what their day job is. Mention also must be made of many lawyers who hardly have any time for service to the BAR but are Datuks by virtue of their public service in the east coast.

I believe it is high time that members of the public should also be allowed to nominate Malaysians who have distinguished themselves in the service for the people for consideration for such awards.

HOW AIR ASIA KEEP'S COST LOW!



But still for me Air Asia is still the best.

Thank god for Tony Fernandes.

Penan girls claim abuse

TheStar Online

PETALING JAYA: School was supposed to be a way for the community to improve their socio-economic situation.

However, Penan girls hitching rides to school and back have now found themselves easy victims of sexual abuse by logging company workers.

Interviews conducted in settlements in the Middle Baram area in northern Sarawak, revealed that several students had become victims of rapes by logging workers.

The students are boarders in two secondary schools in the area and only go back to their settlements during the school holidays.

Village leaders have previously appealed to timber camp managers to provide transportation for the students so that their journeys can be cut down to several hours from up to a week if done on foot.

Last year, a 16-year-old student from Long Kawi, a settlement in the Middle Baram, became pregnant after being raped while returning to her boarding school. She gave birth recently.

Relating the incident, she said she was hitching a ride with a logging company vehicle back to her school SMK Long Lama.

When the driver reached the logging camp, he refused to continue driving although the school was not much further.

She alleged that she was dragged to some bushes behind the camp and raped by a man who she believed had been drinking.

A student from the other secondary school with boarding facilities in Long San said she knew of cases of female students being driven to logging camps when taking transportation provided by companies.

Long Belok settlement headman Alah Beling believed the known cases could just be the tip of the iceberg.

Earlier reports quoted Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohmad Salleh as saying that police were prepared to launch immediate investigations into the allegations of sexual abuse against Penan girls by logging workers.

Women, Family and Community Develop-ment Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen and the Human Rights Commission have said that the complaints would be investigated.

Allegations of sexual abuse against Penan girls came to light after it was exposed last month by local and foreign non-governmental organisations.

see also

bruno manser fund

borneo project

Zaid Ibrahim writes open letter to PM

Source : Malaysiakini

In our proclamation of independence, our first prime minister gave voice to the lofty aspirations and dreams of the people of Malaya: that Malaya was founded on the principles of liberty and justice, and the promise that collectively we would always strive to improve the welfare and happiness of its people.

Many years have passed since that momentous occasion and those aspirations and dreams remain true and are as relevant to us today as they were then. This was made possible by a strong grasp of fundamentals in the early period of this nation.

The federal constitution and the laws made pursuant to it were well founded; they embodied the key elements of a democracy built on the rule of law. The Malaysian judiciary once commanded great respect from Malaysians and was hailed as a beacon for other nations.

Our earlier prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn were truly leaders of integrity, patriots in their own right and most importantly, men of humility. They believed in and built this nation on the principles and values enunciated in our constitution. Even when they had to enact the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960, they were very cautious and apologetic about it. Tunku stated clearly that the Act was passed to deal with the communist threat.

“My cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silent lawful dissent”, was what the Tunku said.

Our third prime minister, Tun Hussein Onn, reinforced this position by saying that the ISA was not intended to repress lawful political opposition and democratic activity on the part of the citizenry.

The events of the last three weeks have compelled me to review the way in which the ISA has been used. This exercise has sadly led me to the conclusion that the government has time and time again failed the people of this country in repeatedly reneging on that solemn promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman.

This has been made possible because the government and the law have mistakenly allowed the minister of home affairs to detain anyone for whatever reason he thinks fit. This subjective discretion has been abused to further certain political interests. History is the great teacher and speaks volumes in this regard. Even a cursory examination of the manner in which the ISA has been used almost from its inception would reveal the extent to which its intended purpose has been subjugated to the politics of the day. Regrettably, Tunku Abdul Rahman himself reneged on his promise. In 1965, his administration detained Burhanuddin Helmi, the truly towering Malay intellectual, a nationalist who happened to be a PAS leader. He was kept in detention until his death in 1969. Helmi was a political opponent and could by no stretch of the imagination be considered to have been involved in the armed rebellion or communism that the ISA was designed to deal with.

This detention was an aberration, a regrettable moment where politics had been permitted to trump the rule of law. It unfortunately appears to have set a precedent and many detentions of persons viewed as having been threatening to the incumbent administration followed through the years.

Even our literary giant, ‘sasterawan negara’ the late Tan Sri A Samad Ismail was subjected to the ISA in 1976. How could he have been a threat to national security?

I need not remind you of the terrible impact of the 1987 Operasi Lalang. Its spectre haunts the government as much as it does the peace-loving people of this nation, casting a gloom over all of us. There were and still are many unanswered questions about those dark hours when more than a hundred persons were detained for purportedly being threats to national security. Why they were detained has never been made clear to Malaysians.

Similarly, no explanation has been forthcoming as to why they were never charged in court. Those detainees included amongst their numbers senior opposition members of parliament who are still active in Parliament today.

The only thing that is certain about that period was that Umno was facing a leadership crisis. Isn’t it coincidental that the recent spate of ISA arrests has occurred when Umno is again having a leadership crisis?

In 2001, Keadilan ‘reformasi’ activists were detained in an exercise that the Federal Court declared was in bad faith and unlawful. The continued detention of those that were not released earlier in the Kamunting detention facility was made possible only by the fact that the ISA had been questionably amended in 1988 to preclude judicial review of the minister’s order to detain.
Malaysians were told that these detainees had been attempting to overthrow the government via militant means and violent demonstrations. Seven years have gone and yet no evidence in support of this assertion has been presented. Compounding the confusion even further, one of these so-called militants, Ezam Mohamad Noor, recently rejoined Umno to great fanfare, as a prized catch it would seem.

At around the same time, members of PAS were also detained for purportedly being militant and allegedly having links to international terrorist networks. Those detained included Nik Adli, the son of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the menteri besar of Kelantan. Malaysians were made a promise by the government that evidence of the alleged terrorist activities and links of these detainees would be disclosed. To date no such evidence has been produced. The same formula was used in late 2007 when the Hindraf 5 were detained. Malaysians were told once again that these individuals were involved in efforts to overthrow the government and had links with the militant Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam of Sri Lanka. To date no concrete evidence have been presented to support this assertion.

It would seem therefore that the five were detained for their involvement in efforts that led to a mobilisation of Indian Malaysians to express, through peaceful means; their frustration against the way in which their community had been allowed to be marginalised. This cause has since been recognised as a legitimate one. The Hindraf demonstration is nothing extraordinary as such assemblies are universally recognised as being a legitimate means of expression. In the same vein, the grounds advanced in support of the most recent detentions of Tan Hoon Cheng, Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamarudin leave much to be desired. The explanation that Tan Hoon Cheng was detained for her own safety was farcical. The suggestion that Teresa Kok had been inciting religious sentiments was unfounded as was evinced by her subsequent release.

As for Raja Petra Kamarudin, the prominent critic of the government, a perusal of his writings would show that he might have been insulting of the government and certain individuals within it.

However, being critical and insulting could not in any way amount to a threat to national security. If his writings are viewed as being insulting of Islam, Muslims or the Holy Prophet (pbuh), he should instead be charged under the Penal Code and not under the ISA.

In any event, he had already been charged for sedition and criminal defamation in respect of some of his statements. He had claimed trial, indicating as such his readiness and ability to defend himself. Justice would best be served by allowing him his day in court more so where, in the minds of the public, the government is in a position of conflict for having been the target of his strident criticism.

Law used against dissidents The instances cited above strongly suggest that the government is undemocratic. It is this perspective that has over the last 25 plus years led to the government seemingly arbitrarily detaining political opponents, civil society and consumer advocates, writers, businessmen, students, journalists whose crime, if it could be called that, was to have been critical of the government.

How it is these individuals can be perceived as being threats to national security is beyond my comprehension. The self-evident reality is that legitimate dissent was and is quashed through the heavy-handed use of the ISA.

There are those who support and advocate this carte-blanche reading of the ISA. They will seek to persuade you that the interests of the country demand that such power be retained, that Malaysians owe their peace and stability to laws such as the ISA. This overlooks the simple truth that Malaysians of all races cherish peace. We lived together harmoniously for the last 400 years, not because of these laws but in spite of them.

I believe the people of this country are mature and intelligent enough to distinguish actions that constitute a ‘real’ threat to the country from those that threaten political interests. Malaysians have come know that the ISA is used against political opponents and, it would seem, when the leadership is under challenge either from within the ruling party or from external elements. Malaysians today want to see a government that is committed to the court process to determine guilt or innocence even for alleged acts of incitement of racial or religious sentiment. They are less willing to believe, as they once did, that a single individual, namely the minister of home affairs; knows best about matters of national security.

They value freedom and the protection of civil liberties and this is true of people of other nations too.

Mr Prime Minister, the results of the last general election are clear indication that the people of Malaysia are demanding a reinstatement of the rule of law. I was appointed as your, albeit short-lived, minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform.

In that capacity, I came to understand more keenly how many of us want reform, not for the sake of it, but for the extent to which our institutions have been undermined by events and the impact this has had on society. With your blessing, I attempted to push for reform. High on my list of priorities was a reinstatement of the inherent right of judicial review that could be enabled through a reversion of the key constitutional provision to its form prior to the controversial amendment in 1988.

I need not remind you that that constitutional amendment was prompted by the same series of events that led not only to Operasi Lalang but the sacking of the then Lord President and two supreme court justices.

Chief amongst my concerns was the way in which the jurisdiction and the power of the courts to grant remedy against unconstitutional and arbitrary action of the executive had been removed by Parliament and the extent to which this had permitted an erosion of the civil liberties of Malaysians.

It was this constitutional amendment that paved the way for the ouster provision in the ISA that virtually immunises the minister from judicial review, a provision which exemplifies the injustice the constitutional amendment of 1988 has lent itself. I also sought to introduce means by which steps could be taken to assist the judiciary to regain the reputation for independence and competence it once had. Unfortunately, this was viewed as undesirable by some since an independent judiciary would mean that the executive would be less ‘influential’.

I attempted to do these things and more because of the realisation that Malaysia’s democratic traditions and the rule of law are under siege. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with giving everyone an independent judiciary and the opportunity to a fair trial.

This is consistent with the universal norms of human rights as it is with the tenets of Islam, the religion of the federation. Unchecked power to detain at the whim of one man is oppressiveness at its highest. Even in Israel, a nation that is perpetually at war the power to detain is not vested in one man and detention orders require endorsement from a judge. If there are national security considerations, then these can be approached without jettisoning the safeguards intended to protect individual citizens from being penalised wrongfully. In other jurisdictions involved in armed conflicts, trials are held in camera to allow for judicial scrutiny of evidence considered too sensitive for public disclosure so as to satisfy the ends of justice.

If this can be done in these jurisdictions, why not here where the last armed struggle we saw, the very one that precipitated the need for the ISA, came to an end in the 1980s?
ISA was never intended to be permanent

Any doubts as to the continued relevance of the ISA in its present form should have been put to rest by the recommendation by the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) that the ISA be repealed and an anti-terror legislation suited to the times enacted in its place. Containing as it did a sunset clause in its original times, the ISA was never intended to be a permanent feature on the Malaysian legal landscape. Through its continued use in the manner described above and in the face of public sentiment, it is only natural that the ISA has become in the mind of the people an instrument of oppression and the government is one that lends itself to oppressiveness.

Its continued use does not bode well for a society that is struggling to find its place in the global arena. It does not bode well for the democracy that is so vital for us to develop sustainably.
Mr Prime Minister, I remember very clearly what you once said; that if one has the opportunity to do what is good and right for the country, then he must take on the task. I respect you deeply for that and if I were confident that I would have been able to do some good for Malaysia, I would have remained on your team.

Sir, you are still the prime minister and you still have the opportunity to leave your footprint in Malaysian history. I urge you to do so by repealing the ISA once and for all. Let us attempt to fulfil that solemn promise made by our beloved first prime minister to the people of this country.

Yours sincerely
Zaid Ibrahim

Malaysian Political Oscars 2008.


The Malaysian Political Oscars!Our political situation is like something out of a movie – so here are the awards. The envelope, please…

The Wide Angle Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, headquartered for no particular reason in Skudai, presents this year's Malaysian Political Oscars.

The most widely watched television event in Malaysia, the Political Oscar telecast reaches over 1 billion viewers, some of whom are dead, some of whom are 130 years old, and most of whom are registered at the same address.

How does it work? Members of the academy (all Malaysian taxi drivers who despite being allegedly the worst in the world at driving taxis are remarkably good at political analysis) vote on these awards, and the results are tabulated by the auditors of some large accounting firm who would rather do this sort of thing than real accounting work, which might explain the state of the economy.

Here are the nominees and winners.

Best Supporting Actor
It is a crowded field this year, with many stellar performances from both veterans and newcomers.

The nominees include private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in Missing; Pusrawi's Dr. Mohd Osman in Rear Window; Zaid Ibrahim in Gone in Sixty Seconds; and Raja Petra Kamaruddin in An Inconvenient Truth.

But the Best Supporting Actor Oscar goes to Penang Umno leader Ahmad Ismail for his controversial performance in Pride and Prejudice.

Despite his recent success, which led to him being cast in Under Siege and Raging Bull, Ahmad has flatly refused roles in the films Anger Management and Atonement.

Best Supporting Actress
For her critically-acclaimed performance in Minority Report, this year's Best Supporting Actress Oscar goes to Sinchew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.

Interestingly, immediately after that film completed principal photography, Tan was the unwitting star of Catch and Release, a film that may or may not have been directed by Syed Hamid Albar, depending on which version of the studio press kit you read.

Tan spent just 18 hours on location, before quitting, citing creative differences.

Best Cinematography
For his impactful camera work in the V.K. Lingam vehicle The Conversation, the Oscar for Cinematography goes to Gwo Loh Burne.

(Although The Conversation was shot some time ago, due to his refusal to be credited for many months, Gwo Loh Burne could not be given the award earlier. When he finally came forward, this legal thriller was re-released in some markets as The Burne Identity.)

The Conversation beat out Entrapment, starring Chua Soi Lek, which also features an anonymous cinematographer.

Best Foreign-Language Film
Agricultural Study Tour, a Taiwanese sleeper hit, was shot entirely by coincidence, supposedly with no director and no funding.

Nonetheless, a sequel, Exile on My Taiwanese Farm: Peeling my Taugeh might be filmed next year with some of the original cast.

Best Original Screenplay
Jumper, written by Anwar Ibrahim, wins this year's award. Although the film suffers from a cast of unknowns, whose number seems to fluctuate from scene to scene (though always at least 31), the script is undeniably original and exciting. It also has the potential for numerous sequels, which will prove profitable for the actors.

Best Adapted Screenplay
Written by a team of in-house screenwriters from the Attorney-General's Studios, The Accused, starring Anwar Ibrahim, is allegedly adapted from instructions given by political superiors. A remake of the 1998 flop, but with many of the same actors and production team.

Best Actress
Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok was competing against herself this year with sterling performances in a slew of releases: Election; Woman on Top; Supergirl; and, in cinemas until last Friday, the black comedy Enemy of the State.

She wins the Best Actress Oscar, however, for her most famous role, Miss Congeniality, which has earned her praise from audiences and critics alike.

Best Actor
The big stars of yesteryear dominated the Best Actor category this year.

Nominees include S. Samy Vellu in Gone With The Wind; Dr. Mahathir Mohamed in V for Vendetta; and both Najib Tun Razak and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the comedy Trading Places.
The winner, however, of the Malaysian Political Oscar for Best Actor is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for his flawless, nuanced, masterful performance in Eyes Wide Shut.

Best Picture
The nominees for Best Picture in the Malaysian Political Oscars are all gripping epics.

They include the moving story of the many members of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, The Magnificent Seven; the Khairy Jamaluddin biopic Million Dollar Baby; the Hindraf saga, Out for Justice; and the tale of Gerakan in the Barisan Nasional, The End of the Affair.

The winner for Best Picture, however, is the story of the MCA's struggle against the Internal Security Act, Look Who's Talking Now.

Lifetime Achievement Award For his astonishing film career spanning many decades, and including both commercial hits and small but critically-acclaimed art-house movies, Anwar Ibrahim wins the Lifetime Achievement Award.

His roles, in chronological order, include: Wild at Heart; The Young Guns; The Great Debaters; Sleeping With The Enemy; The Insider; The Sweet Smell of Success; Reversal of Fortune; Cast Away; The Accused; The Cell; Cry Freedom!; Into the Wild; Back to the Future; Mission: Impossible; The Perfect Storm; and, most recently, Eastern Promises.

Depending on the outcome of contract negotiations, Anwar's next movies may include The King and I; Top Gun; and Great Expectations.

Alternatively, he may take roles in Crash; The Departed; and The Forgotten. That's the thing about show business – you never know what the big stars will do next!

That's all for this year's edition of the Malaysian Political Oscars. See you on the red carpet next year!



Posted by Huzir Sulaiman at <http://huzirsulaiman.blogspot.com/2008/09/wide-angle-37-spiked-malaysian.html>

Sheikh Kickdefella returns

Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, more popularly known as Sheikh Kickdefella blogs again after being released from Police detention.

"As the reporters rushed to shoot question to me, I asked them, who is The Prime Minister, one reporter for a TV Station, smiled and said, “Pak Lah lagi”, and I said, “Kalau macam tu saya nak masuk lokap baliklah…” 

Read more at his Kickdefella blogsite.

Teresa Kok's press statement

Kok's press statement in full

Sep 19, 08 4:21pm

The following is the press statement issued by Teresa Kok who was released after being detained for seven days under the ISA.

I have been released after being detained in solitary confinement in a 6-by-8 holding cell for seven days under the Internal Security Act (ISA). I was informed by the police that they detained me under section 73(1) of Internal Security Act 1960, which means I have incited racial and religious tension and conflict.

After being detained for seven days under the guise of so-called investigations, the police failed to produce any evidence or proof of me being involved in the activities of causing racial and religious tension. They were only able to ask me few questions based entirely on the false and malicious article written by Zaini Hassan under the topic ‘Azan, Jawi, JAIS, UiTM dan ba-alif-ba-ya’ that was published in Utusan Malaysia on Sept 10, 2008.

The three main questions that the investigation officers asked me were: 

1.whether I have mobilised a group of residents at Bandar Kinrara to present a petition to oppose to the azan at the Bandar Kinrara mosque;

2.whether I have made  a statement that 30 percent of the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) allocation is to be given to other non-Islam religious bodies; and

3.whether I have opposed to the Jawi-wording road signages in Kuala Lumpur.

I denied the first two accusations as I did not do any such things as accused. I also told them that the issue of opposing Jawi road signages in Kuala Lumpur were done in January/February 2008 at the request and following the pressure of resident associations.

The resident associations, particularly in Taman Seputeh, were most unhappy because many of the road signages were changed arbitrarily by DBKL a few months before and changed again  soon after, this time with Jawi wordings. They were strongly opposed to this kind of wastage of public funds by DBKL.

I was quite surprised that there were no other questions posed to me besides these few main questions.

The ISA is meant to detain people who threaten national security. The three issues stated above have nothing to do with national security. If the police wanted to carry out investigation on me, they can always ask me to give statements in any of the police station and there was absolutely no need to detain me under the ISA for seven days. This is a phenomenal abuse of the power of police under the ISA.   

Besides, it is nonsensical for the police to detain me under the ISA merely based on the unsubstantiated article written by an irresponsible columnist in Utusan Malaysia. How can they regard that article as the gospel truth without investigating the writer in the first place? How can Utusan Malaysia publish it without verifying the facts?

I wish to ask the police whether they have called Zaini and Utusan Malaysia's editors for questioning before and after my detention.

I know that the imam of Bandar Kinrara mosque has publicly denied that I was involved in the Puchong residents petition against azan of his mosque on Sept 13. I am also quite surprised to read in the New Straits Times dated Sept 19 that the official of the Bandar Kinrara mosque was called by the Dang Wangi police for statement recording only yesterday afternoon.

Why did the police do it so late, one week after I was arrested? Why didn't they check their facts first before they arrest me and put me behind bars?

I see my detention as a ploy by Umno to try to cover up the embarrassment and the outrage of the racist statements made by (ex-Bukit Bendera Umno division chief) Ahmad Ismail in Penang. I wonder why did they choose an innocent person like me as I have never made any racist statements or racist speeches in the past?  

I have lodged the police report on Sept 17, 2008 against Utusan Malaysia, Zaini and Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for criminal defamation. I would therefore urge the police to investigate Utusan Malaysia's editors, those racist bloggers and Khir Toyo under the Penal Code.

As I have mentioned in my previous lawyer's visit, I will sue Utusan Malaysia, Zaini and Khir Toyo. I have also instructed my lawyers to sue the Malaysian government for my unlawful arrest and detention.

As I am free from ISA detention today, I also call for the release of Raja Petra Kamarudin, the Hindraf Five and all other 60 over detainees under the draconian ISA.

I would also like to thank all politicians in the ruling parties as well as in the Pakatan Rakyat, NGOs, churches and all social organisations who have campaigned and prayed for my release. 

TERESA KOK

Seputeh MP

Selangor senior exco

Kinrara state assemblyperson

Teresa Kok released

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was released from detention under the Internal Security Act at about 1pm today. Source - The Star