PKR's strategy chief disclosed today he had met with R. Sri Sanjeevan last week to talk about a possible expose on dirty policemen with underworld links in the wake of yesterday's shooting incident that has the MyWatch chairman now fighting for his life in a Negri Sembilan hospital.
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, 35, revealed this afternoon in a series of posts on his Twitter account, @rafiziramli, that he had met with Sanjeevan last Friday after the 29-year-old had asked for help to bring to light several policemen who allegedly had links with drug syndicates.
"I met @SanjeevanSS on Friday night. He talked abt a list of drug related offences, wanted me to expose. I said will look at it later.
"I am extremely shocked to find out he was shot. @SanjeevanSS was on the right trail of something and information he has is genuine," the opposition lawmaker tweeted.
The Inspector General of Police, wishing critically injured MyWatch chief R Sri Sanjeevan a speedy recovery, has vowed to launch a thorough probe into his shooting and Bukit Aman will be ordered to monitor it.
Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director will personally supervise the investigations.
“Bukit Aman will be closely monitoring Sanjeevan’s shooting case in Bahau. Director CID will personally supervise,” Khalid tweeted in this twitter handle @KBAB51 today.
Mywatch president R. Sanjeevan undergoing treatment at Jempol Hospital.
Gunmen targeting on the chairman of anti-crime watchdog, MyWatch, made an attempt on his life yesterday.
R. Sri Sanjeevan, who was shot at close range at 4.30pm yesterday at Taman Cempaka, Bahau, was at press time was in a critical state.
Jempol police chief Supt Hamzah Alias said Sanjeevan had gone out with his friend, Ramesh Balakrishnan, 35, for a drink after picking up the latter at his house.
“The two were in Sanjeevan’s silver BMW when he (Sanjeevan) stopped at a junction near Taman Awana Indah and wound down the car window for a smoke.
“Two assailants on a red motorcycle rode up next to him. The pillion rider then fired a shot at Sanjeevan’s right rib,” he told the New Sunday Times when contacted last night.
He said the pillion rider then got off the motorcycle and walked towards Sanjeevan but Sanjeevan managed to speed off despite having sustained a gunshot wound.
Family members and relatives of anti-crime activist R. Sri Sanjeevan are keeping vigil at the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital here, The Star Online reported today.
The news portal added that Sanjeevan (picture) was moved to the hospital just after midnight from the Kuala Pilah Hospital where he underwent surgery earlier yesterday.
State CID chief ACP Hamdan Majid also confirmed to The Star that a press conference will be held at 11am today at the state police contingent.
The head of the MyWatch crime watchdog was shot by a man riding pillion on a motorcycle that pulled up beside his silver BMW when he wound down his window to smoke a cigarette while at a junction near Taman Awana Indah in Jempol, Negri Sembilan at about 4.30pm yesterday, several news portals reported.
“Two assailants on a red motorcycle pulled up next to him. The pillion rider then fired a shot at Sanjeevan’s right rib,” Jempol police chief Supt Hamzah Alias was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen visiting the Metro
Tabernacle church at Desa Melawati which was hit by an arson
attack. The administrative office was destroyed in the midnight
attack.
IGP Malaysia Tan Sri Musa Hassan,Chief Police Malaysia, said the attacks are done by individual group and are not coorinated.
A fourth Klang Valley church, this time in Kampung Subang, was reportedly attacked with Molotov cocktail which failed to explode while police have dismissed reports that cars with Christian symbols having their windscreens smashed in the Bangsar suburb today, hours after arson attacks on three churches.
Police have sent a team to investigate the latest church attack in Kampung Subang which is linked to the controversial High Court ruling allowing “Allah” to be used by Catholic weekly Herald in its Bahasa Malaysia section that has outraged Muslim groups.
Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the Molotov cocktail failed to explode.
City police have also increased patrols in the middle-class Bangsar suburb after people reported cars with Christian symbols such as crucifixes and rosaries had their windscreens smashed. However, police say no cars have been found smashed.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said in the morning three churches were attacked from midnight - the Metro Tabernacle in Desa Melawati, the Church of Assumption in Petaling Jaya Old Town and the Life Chapel in Section 17, Petaling Jaya.
Pak Lah,and leaders condemns church attacks,
Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today added his voice to a small but growing section of leaders straddling the political divide who have come out to openly condemn the anonymous attacks on several churches in the Klang Valley.
"Two incidents happened last night, which were attempts to burn a church in Taman Melawati and Petaling Jaya, are very regretful. The act to pollute and desecrate any houses of worship must be strongly condemned by all parties," he said in a statement.
"The police and all levels of society must jointly take responsibility and work together so that such incidents do not spread and jeopardise the stability and security of the country," he added.
Abdullah, who is better known by his moniker Pak Lah, urged all citizens to work together and "protect and preserve freedom of religion as it is stated in the Federal Constitution."
"We must always safeguard the harmony and good relations among the races and religions," he said.
The former premier, whose father-in-law was Catholic and whose funeral service had taken place at the Church of the Assumption next to the Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya barely a week ago, was very upset with the spate of attacks.
A Molotov cocktail was lobbed into the Assumption grounds at about 4am today but failed to explode, police officials confirmed.
Two other churches were not as fortunate. The Metro Tabernacle in Desa Melawati here and the Live Chapel in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, were torched.
More groups have condemned the spate of church attacks in the Klang Valley today, saying it smacked of intolerance and also a low point in Malaysia’s history.
The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) called the spate of fire-bombs as “the irresponsible actions of certain extremist elements”.
“These actions display their immaturity and intolerance towards others within a multi-racial society,” the NECF said in statement issued by secretary-general Sam Ang.
“We call on our government to take the necessary steps to educate those who lack understanding and are ‘easily confused’ to be mature minded in a progressive democratic society.
“With the Prime Minister’s national agenda of 1 Malaysia, we regret to note that these irresponsible actions will bring much setback to the desired goals and derail the country’s effort to move out of recession,” it added.
It appealed to all communities to exercise practical rationality and to listen to the “voice of reason” and strive to make all efforts to foster a sense of greater unity and harmony within all races and religious community groups.
The NECF also called on all parties to learn to respect each other’s basic constitutional and human rights to practise one’s faith and religion, recognising the fundamental boundaries in not interfering with the Scriptures of other faiths.
The Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) also expressed sadness over the burning of Metro Tabernacle and the attempted burning of Assumption Church and Life Chapel.
“These criminal and religiously-motivated incidents mark a low point in our nation’s history where houses of worship are violently attacked and desecrated,” CPPS chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said in a statement issued here.
“This is a troubling trend that started with cow-head protest where religious sensitivities of the various communities are ignored and issues of religion are not discussed openly. The strong dissenting voices and misguided violent actions indicates disagreement and points to the dire need of readdressing the issue in a civilised fashion to ensure the preservation of freedom of religion,” he said.
He pointed out the government should bring the culprits to justice, show zero tolerance towards extremists and extremist acts that causes terror, and accord greater priority to religious freedom and fundamental rights as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara.
The Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) human rights group condemned the attacks and urged all parties immediately refrain from all forms of violence in reaction to the ongoing controversy.
It also questioned the police’s ineffectiveness in dealing with violence when they had often stopped candlelight vigils and peaceful protests with lightning speed.
“Suaram urges the police to act immediately, stressing that Malaysia has ample laws to deal with such violence and destruction of property without having to resort to repressive laws like the Internal Security Act (ISA), the Police Act and the Sedition Act,” said coordinator John Liu in a statement.
He pointed out the heightened intolerance in the country had been going on for some time and included the August 2008 cow-head protest and groups that have broken up the Bar Council events that relate to inter-faith efforts.
“In some of the most blatant examples of religious intolerance, there have been involvement of some leaders of political parties both from the ruling BN as well as the opposition Pakatan Rakyat. And these have been largely tolerated,” he added.
“These latest incidents once again prove that ‘national security’ cannot be guaranteed by merely threatening actions using repressive laws, such as the ISA, the Police Act and the Sedition Act. Invoking such laws does not adequately address the matter at hand, especially those pertaining to religious intolerance.
“The government’s decision to charge the cow-head protestors, for example, clearly did not deter further similar, and even worse, actions as were seen early today,” Liu said.
The Yayasan 1 Malaysia also condemned the arson attacks, calling them “morally reprehensible, despicable acts”.
“Yayasan 1 Malaysia appeals to the authorities to apprehend the culprits and to take stern action against them in accordance with the law,” said its chairman Dr Chandra Muzaffar.
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The Malaysian Bar also denounced the violence and said the attacks against at least three churches were “deplorable and, along with other assaults in recent times that exhibit intolerance, demonstrate a very negative and worrying trend towards extreme disrespect and prejudice”.
“Such behaviour is shocking and offensive. Right-minded Malaysians must condemn it as indecent and unacceptable,” its president Ragunath Kesavan said in a statement.
“We remain firm in our view that the most effective and progressive way of resolving disputes is to promote dialogue and an understanding of dissenting views amongst all the parties involved, regardless of how complex the issue is.
“Any reactionary behaviour that encourages any form of disorder must be censured in the strongest terms,” he added.
Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail urged Malaysians today to come together and resolve conflicts peacefully following the arson attacks on three churches today.
The PKR president said her party was appalled and saddened by the attacks, and condemned the acts of violence which she said could cause irreparable harm to religious and racial ties in the country.
“Especially since the dispute about the use of the term ‘Allah’ by non-Muslims is a matter of religious concern, we should all heed the religious teachings of practising tolerance and respect towards all other religions.
“We sincerely appeal to all quarters to remain calm and approach this issue in a wise and peaceful manner. In light of the emotional nature of this debate, all religious and political leaders, in particular, must act responsibly and not try to score points at the expense of another community.”
She said that while PKR respected the right to freedom of assembly and expression, it believed that all parties should exercise these freedoms responsibly and not use them to fuel religious or racial animosity, or hurt any community.
In a separate statement, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also condemned the attacks.
He pointed out that such acts were condemned by the Quran.
Islam, he said, encouraged its believers to respect the houses of worship of other religions.
“I urge all parties to remain calm and not descend into hatred. I am confident the people of Malaysia can resolve this issue without conflict.”
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A church has been fire-bombed in an attack that gutted its ground floor, church officials said, escalating a dispute over the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims.
The three-storey Metro Tabernacle church in Desa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, part of the Assemblies of God movement, was set ablaze in the attack which took place around midnight.
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PM Najib strongly denied UMNO is responsibe flaming the Allah issue causing 3 church been attacked.Advise people to protest inside Mosque compound and not outside. Believe the police will know how to control the situation.
Chief Police Malaysia Musa said no permit has been given for Friday demostration after Friday Prayers.Hence no gathering is allowed. Prostester has been seen gathering inside the mosque compounds.
Home Minister Hishammudin denied that he said people are allowed to demostrate about Allah issue.He said the police will know what to do to control the situations.
Stern action will be taken against those who demonstrate over the Allah issue, if they threaten national security.
This was the warning issued separately by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan today.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the first 1Malaysia Clinic at Lembah Pantai here, Najib said the government will not stop any demonstrations on the Allah issue as long as they are confined within mosque compounds.
"We cannot stop the people if they want to congregate within the mosques’ compounds," he said, when asked if the government was practising double standards in handling protests.
"However, it is important that they confine it within the mosques’ compounds," Najib said, adding he hoped there will be "minimal protests", if any.
"We should take it with the attitude that this matter should be resolved through the courts in an amicable way."
Several Muslim-based organisations plan to stage demonstrations after Friday prayers today, to protest against the High Court’s ruling allowing Catholic publications to use of the word Allah.
"Whatever it is, the authorities are prepared even if there are people who want to protest," Najib said, adding the government will take whatever precautions needed to prevent such gatherings from "spilling over to something serious".
"Hopefully it does not spill over to something more serious."
Asked what if the protesters become unruly, Najib said: "If they become unruly, the police will know what to do. I don’t have to tell them what to do."
Asked to comment on former premier Tun Dr Mahathir’s view that the Allah issue cannot be resolved through the courts, Najib said: "Well, there are all kinds of views, but as I said, one is that the appeal has been filed in courts but at the same time the issue requires us to have a lot of dialogues with various groups."
Yesterday, the High Court granted a stay of execution on its Dec 31 ruling, pending the appeal hearing.
The stay of execution was recorded by consent after the attorney-general made a request to the Catholic Church in the national interest.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin denied having said on Wednesday that the government would not prohibit people from expressing their views over the use of the word Allah.
"I didn’t say that. The way it was reported and spun in the blogs is very mischievous," he said yesterday, adding he leaves it to the police to do whatever is necessary to control the situation.
Meanwhile, Musa warned that police will not hesitate to take action against any group that plans to carry out demonstrations over the Allah issue. He said the police had not issued any permits for such demonstrations.
Musa said a cool head must prevail in all those planning to gather at mosques today after the Friday prayers in protest of the court decision.
"People go to mosques to pray and not to protest. They will have to be cool on this matter and let the court proceedings take its course. They should not do anything which may spark off problems as this is a sensitive matter.
"I will monitor this personally to ensure no untoward incidents occur." he said, quashing rumours that police had issued permits to such groups to gather and carry out the protest.
On another matter pertaining to the probe into the theft of two jet engines belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force , Musa said police do not expect to charge any others apart from the RMAF personnel and a businessman who were charged on Wednesday.
"We did not find the involvement of anybody else apart from the two men who were charged."
-Stepping at the cow head.Protesting at the construction of a Hindu Temple in Shah Alam.-
Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Razak has ordered the police to take swift action against a group that brought a cow's head to Shah Alam to protest a Hindu temple relocation in a bid to calm swirling racial tensions.Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan after Selangor police stood by in the after Friday prayers protest were given the instructions by the outraged PM.
The group of Malay-Muslim protesters claiming to be residents of Section 23 had dumped the severed cow's head outside the Selangor state secretariat and threatened bloodshed unless the state government stopped the construction of a Hindu Temple.
The "residents" said that the construction of a Hindu temple in a 90 per cent Malay- Muslim neighborhood was insensitive because activities there would disrupt their lives.
A group of Malay-Muslim protesters claiming to be residents of Section 23 have threatened bloodshed unless the state government stopped the construction of a Hindu Temple.
“I challenge YB Khalid, YB Rodziah and Xavier Jeyakumar to go on with the temple construction. I guarantee bloodshed and racial tension will happen if this goes on, and the state will be held responsible,” shouted Ibrahim Haji Sabri amid strong chants of “Allahu Akbar!” as he referred to Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his state administration.
Reasons for protests. Mohd. Zurit Bin Ramli, who claims to be the secretary of the "Coalition of Malaysian NGOs" echoed Ibrahim’s stand on the matter, saying that it was irresponsible on the part of the state government to approve the construction as there was apparently a “90 per cent” majority Muslim population in Section 23.
“With a temple on our residential area, we cannot function properly as Muslims. The temple will disrupt our daily activities like prayers in the Surau. We cannot concentrate with the sounds coming from the temple,” stated Zurit.
When asked whether members of the protest were affiliated with any organisations or movements, Ibrahim claimed that the people present today were members of PAS, PKR as well as Umno who are “united in the name of Islam and the Malay spirit.”
The issue first cropped up when the Selangor government proposed that the Sri Mariamman temple be relocated from Section 19 to Section 23.
Section 23 Shah Alam has a 90% Muslim populations.
Responds from Leaders Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin condemned the protest, calling it insensitive and disrespectful to another religion.
“This kind of emotional and insulting action can wreck the country’s peace,” the Rembau MP said in a statement.
National Unity and Performance Management Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon also called for calm and asked the state government resolve the issue.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu called the group extremist but asked Indians in the state to be calm.
"It is the right of Malaysians of any faith, including Hindus to build temples and other places of worships. I am very sad that this group had paraded the cow's head on their way to the state secretariat building," he said in a statement."I am worried that this action may lead to retaliation from the Hindu community. However, I wish to urge the Hindus especially to be calm and let the authorities deal with it," he added, saying the protesters must be punished for endangering racial harmony.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy who called the protest a "disgraceful" act" while Human Rights Party leader P Uthayakumar was disappointed that the police did not arrest those involved in the protest.
In a statement, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism & Taoism (MCCBCHST) called for calm to enable the authorities find a “peaceable agreement and understanding”.
“Nothing can be gained by provocative action on the part of any side. MCCBCHST regrets that a severed cow’s head was brought along in the demonstration,” said president Reverend Dr Thomas Philips, noting the cow is sacred to the Hindu religion.
A symbol of objection?... The cow's head being paraded by the protectors in their march.
The group making their way to the Selangor secretariat building after their prayers.
Amid chants of "Allahuakbar," the group also left the severed head of a cow at the entrance of the State Secretariat here as a warning to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
Ibrahim Haji Sabri,deputy chairman of the Sec 23 resident's committee speaking at the protest today. Some 50 residents enraged with the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple to their area staged a noisy protest with a severed cow's head this afternoon.
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Some 50 residents enraged with the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple to their area staged a noisy protest with a severed cow's head this afternoon.
The residents - from Section 23 in Shah Alam - who gathered after the Friday prayers, placed the head outside the gates of the state secretariat building for a short period before removing it.
"Where is Xavier? This head is for him," shouted one of the protesters in reference to Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jeyakumar.
