Showing posts with label protest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protest. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Used car dealers protest against new inspection requirement
Frustrated car dealers nationwide are protesting against the 18-point inspection requirement that was included in the amendments to the Hire-Purchase Act 1967.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Kuantan MP to fight rare earth plant in two parliaments
Minerals refined from rare earth are used in a wide range of consumer electronics
As Australian mining giant Lynas Corp readies to fire up its rare earths refinery in Kuantan, lawmakers here and Down Under are joining hands to halt its progress and prevent a potential environmental and health disaster.
Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh has said she is working together with her counterparts in Australia's Green Party to pressure their respective governments to look deeper into the environmental and health risks posed by the US$230 million (RM700 million) project and set up safeguards before Lynas starts operations at the Kuantan facility.
Rare earths are a group of minerals that are increasingly vital to the manufacture of high-technology products — ranging from mobile phones and televisions to energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs — and contain low-levels of radioactive material.
“The Green Party MPs in Australia are going to pressure their Australian government to tell Lynas not to dump their waste in Malaysia,” the opposition MP told The Malaysian Insider yesterday.
Friday, October 15, 2010
On Twitter, scorn for 100-storey skyscrape
Malaysians following the Budget 2011 announcement today via the Twitter micro-blogging service were confounded when the prime minister revived a proposal to build 100-storey tower between the historic Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara.
Many labelled the RM5 billion Warisan Merdeka project as a frivolous and unnecessary part of the Budget, which also failed to specify how developers Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), would be funding the project.
“Does KL need a 100 storey building? Ridiculous,” exclaimed Klang MP Charles Santiago (@mpklang) on his Twitter account, a sentiment shared by many others who “tweeted” on the subject as Datuk Seri Najib Razak unveiled his second Budget since taking office in April 2009.
Santiago expressed his thoughts on the Warisan Merdeka in this succinct post.
Many labelled the RM5 billion Warisan Merdeka project as a frivolous and unnecessary part of the Budget, which also failed to specify how developers Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), would be funding the project.
“Does KL need a 100 storey building? Ridiculous,” exclaimed Klang MP Charles Santiago (@mpklang) on his Twitter account, a sentiment shared by many others who “tweeted” on the subject as Datuk Seri Najib Razak unveiled his second Budget since taking office in April 2009.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Angkasa to help bust boycott by Saundry Shop boycott sales of subsidised sugar because of burden getting new license
Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia may boycott over the new government new license requirement for sugar selling
Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants the co operative association to help distribute sugar if boycott occurs.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek .
Some 7,000 co-cooperatives nationwide will be mobilised to distribute the controlled items of sugar, flour and cooking oil if the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia stops selling these items on June 15 over the issue of licensing.
National Co-operative Organisation of Malaysia (Angkasa) deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah said the organisation was ready to help ensure uninterrupted supply of these items by setting up a distribution network.
He said the decision was made following the statement on Tuesday by Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who wanted the co-operative sector to distribute these items in the event the sundry shops refuse to budge from their stand.
Privileges committee denies Anwar legal counsel
The parliamentary rights and privileges committee has convened its meeting to consider the propriety of specific remarks made in the House by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Wearing a beige suit and brown-and-yellow tie, Anwar (left) entered the room about 12.35pm, a little over an hour after the session was scheduled to start.
However, he was asked to leave the room while the committee decided on his formal requests for an open hearing and legal representation.
No lawyer for Anwar- Not allow for legal lawyers in Right and Privileges hearing.MPs not allow to view the processding also.
Denied legal representation in Right and Privilege hearing.MPs also denied to view the processding.
OPPOSITION Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was denied the right to have his lawyer Datuk S. Ambiga present during a Rights and Privileges Committee hearing which started this afternoon.
Anwar, who is accused of misleading the house over the Apco Worldwide issue, attended the first part of the meeting but was asked to leave shortly afterwards.
Committee members Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) said it was disappointing the majority of the members voted against Anwar having legal representation during the hearing.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia chaired today's meeting. The committee members present, besides Karpal and Sivarasa, were deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah), Datuk Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) and Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong).
Saturday, June 5, 2010
KJ: If there hundreds of ships, what can Israel do? UMNO youth protests of Isreal embargo
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin led the BN Youth anti-Israel protest after Friday prayers at the National Mosque.
Some 200 people, Umno Youth leaders and members and NGOs attended the protest.
Khairy told reporters later that his group will not join the rally at the US embassy as it is billed as an opposition event.
He adds that it is better to have multiple protests.
Rachel Corrie seized by Israeli navy
The MV Rachel Corrie, the last of the humanitarian aid flotilla to Israeli-blockaded Gaza and with six Malaysian peace activists on board, was seized by Israeli naval forces at about 2.45pm (Malaysian time) today, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
According to a Wisma Putra spokesperson, the vessel is being escorted to Ashdod port in Israel.
The 19 activists on board the vessel were reported unharmed, the spokeperson said.
Pakatan flays Vincent Tan’s ‘charity’ move
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders scoffed at Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s gesture to donate RM525 million profit from selling part of his sports betting company and justification for legalising that business.
The tycoon announced yesterday that the entire payout from selling 70 per cent of Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd to his listed Berjaya Corp Bhd will be donated to his Better Malaysia Foundation.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Pakatan Youth: Sever ties with Apco now
Pakatan Rakyat youth wings today demanded that the federal government terminates its contract with public relations firm Apco Worldwide, following Israel's deadly assault on the Gaza-bound flotilla to distribute humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Flotilla attack: Don't just condemn, says Dr M - Isreal are rogues without human feelings.They just don't care.
More could be done by the world's nations, including Malaysia, to help activists detained from the Mavi Marmara ship than to just condemn the brutal aggression by the Israeli regime on the flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I think something more is needed than just condemnation by the governments of the world. You can condemn...but the Israelis just don't care," he said here today at a press conference on the upcoming "Structural Transformation of the Malaysian Economy" roundtable and public dialogue organised by the Perdana Leadership Foundation and the New Club of Paris.
BN Youth burn Israeli flag .Sent in Memo to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
While other groups protested and delivered memos to the US embassy, BN Youth, led by Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin delivered their memo to the Secretary-General to the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon.
Friday, January 8, 2010
4th Church Attach in protest against non Moslem usageo of Allah.
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.
Got a great travel photo? Can it win this photo contest?
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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Sunday, January 3, 2010
Najib ask citizen whether sugar subsidy should be removed? Cost RM 1 billion.
Suzana Mohammad, an employee of a mini market ini Taman Jaya, Cheras, putting an out-of-stock sign on the sugar shelf.
The prices of food and drinks at Pak Su Mak Su’s stall in Tanjung Lumpur, Kuantan, stay the same despite sugar now costing 20 sen more per kg. Many other restaurants and stall operators also say they will not be increasing prices, at least for now
SUGAR-LESS: Mariah Yanti, 47, staring at an empty shelf where sugar in normally stocked in a hypermarket in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Many shops ran out of sugar after shoppers started hoarding it in anticipation of raised sugar prices.
"There's no logic in the government spending almost RM1bil yearly to subsidise a food product that can bring harm to the people," Najib told reporters after handing out awards to students who excelled in the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) in the Pekan parliamentary constituency, here, Sunday.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Prime minister has called on the people to think if the subsidy for sugar should continue as the government has spent some RM1 billion annually on it. On top of that, the number of diabetics in Malaysia remains as one of the world’s highest. He said "What we should do is change our dietary habit by reducing our sugar intake. I myself drink tea without sugar.
This means we can change; we don't need so much sugar.” Tying in the subsidy with diabetes, he added that "There's no logic in the government spending almost RM1bil yearly to subsidise a food product that can bring harm to the people. The price of controlled items cannot be raised....we will monitor this.
We will also study the price of some commodities from time to time. What we do is in the interest of the people. The people should also view the sugar price increase positively, that is, by changing their dietary habit for their own good health. Despite the sugar price hike, the commodity was still cheaper compared to its price in other Asean countries.”
Asked about the effects of the sugar price hike on the prices of other goods, Najib said the government would be monitoring the situation.
“The price of controlled items cannot be raised....we will monitor this. We will also study the price of some commodities from time to time. What we do is in the interest of the people,” he said.
Najib said the people should also view the sugar price increase positively, that is, by changing their dietary habit for their own good health.
He said despite the sugar price hike, the commodity was still cheaper compared to its price in other Asean countries.
Malaysia’s battle for ‘Allah’ goes online facebook-Herald online get hacked-PM ask for calm govn will appeal against decision.
International Trade and Industry deputy minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is against the ruling.Allah word should be wholly owned by Muslims.
A jubilant Father Lawrence holds up an Arabic version of the Holy Bible, said to contain the word Allah
Malaysia’s battle for ‘Allah’ goes online
Like-minded Muslim Malaysians are banding together online in social network groups such as Facebook to oppose a High Court decision that allows Catholics to describe the Christian God as “Allah” in the national language.
As of 8am today, 10,000 accounts have signed up in the Facebook group page titled “Menentang Penggunaan Allah Oleh Golongan Bukan Islam” (Against Non-Muslims using the word Allah) to protest the Dec 31 judgment in favour of the Catholic weekly, Herald.
Among its members are International Trade and Industry deputy minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, a cross-section of youth members from political foes Umno and PAS and university students. Its adviser is controversial Mingguan Malaysia columnist Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah who has riled up non-Muslims with his idea of using population figures to determine benefits.
In the group description, it stated its objective is to oppose the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims which it alleged is an attempt to confuse Muslims.
“For the awakened Muslims, this is a propaganda by them (Christians) to confuse the Islam Ummah (community) now and in the future,” read the group description.
Just as in the group’s description, Umno hawks and Muslim conservatives alike have used similar arguments in their bid to put pressure on the relevant authorities to reverse the High Court decision and maintain exclusivity on the word “Allah” for Muslims.
Leaders like former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Khir Toyo and Umno Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil have also said that the court decision will create uneasiness among the different races.
Mukhriz — Dr Mahathir’s son — is known for his far-right controversial political stand while Ridhuan is a household name among conservatives
Though the group did not state its political affiliation, it is clear that its creators who uses the pseudonym “Ali Baba Bujang Lapok”, are inclined to Umno judging from how Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have been targeted and blamed for the controversy.
Progressive Islamist leaders like PAS Shah Alam and Kuala Selangor MPs, Khalid Samad and Dr Dulkefly Ahmad, have been derided as traitors to Islam for agreeing with the court decision.
PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have also been accused of “gambling the sanctity of Islam” for his alleged support of the High Court decision.
An online research by The Malaysian Insider also found that various pro-Umno blogs have begun exploiting the sensitive controversy to underscore their tactics of portraying PR as anti-Islam.
This is however not entirely true. Known Islamic hardliner like PKR’s Zulkifli Noordin have openly voiced out his disagreement with the court decision.
The Malaysian Insider also understands that conservative camps within PAS are also at odds with their more progressive peers but have so far remain silent, presumably in an attempt to avoid confrontation with the more liberal elements within PKR and DAP.
The controversy over the word “Allah” has stirred huge debate among Christians and Muslims alike in Malaysia and attracted international attention as well.
The Home Minister, who controls giving the annual mandatory publishing permits in the country, had banned the church from using the word “Allah” outside the Muslim context.
But some questioned if there can be a copyright over the word “Allah”, which Muslim representatives say is a special word reserved to refer to the Muslim God, meaning “the one and only Almighty”.
Herald website hacked as ‘Allah’ battle intensifies
The online version of the Catholic weekly Herald was hacked twice since last night, two days after a High Court decision allowing Catholics to use “Allah” to describe the Christian God in the national language.
Father Lawrence Andrew, the priest-editor of the weekly, told The Malaysian Insider today that they first discovered technical disturbances on their website at 1am today.
“My technician had it sorted by this morning but then the problem started again early this evening. I can’t really tell you what the problem is but my technician confirms that we were hacked,” he said.
Andrew also disclosed that the website is now operating normally after the last attack was successfully neutralised.
Asked to comment on the incident, the St Anne Churh parish priest calmly replied it was best that he kept silent.
“I don’t want to say anything. I don’t want to add to the tension as this issue is a very sensitive one,” he said.
“It has been a long day,” he added in reference to the intensifying uproar over the court ruling.
Earlier in Penang, some 250 Umno Youth members took to the street to protest against the court ruling in front of the state’s High Court building.
Observers told The Malaysian Insider that protestors shouted “seditious” obscenities in protest against a ruling they described as an attempt to confuse Muslims.
In the virtual world, groups opposing the ruling have begun using popular social networking website like Facebook to rally support and call for the ruling’s reversal.
Muslim politicians from both sides of the divide are also up in arms over the Dec 31 decision by Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan, expressing worry it could confuse Muslims who make up the majority of Malaysia’s 27 million population.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has appealed for calm, saying the Home Ministry will appeal against the ruling, indicating that the fight for Christians to use ‘Allah’ is far from over.
For Andrew, all this will only make his work to serve his community more difficult.
“So it’s best to keep silent,” he added.
PM Malaysia Najib will appeal against the decision of High Court.
PM Najib will see the Yang Dipertuan Agong and also the Council of rulers for their opinions, since the Agong and Sultan Sultan of Malaysia are in head of Islam in the country and their respestive states. Meanwhile the governement will appeal the decision.
As is known, an appeal can be made on the High Court decision to the Appeal Court and the Federal Court, he said when asked to comment on the various reactions to the High Court decision last Thursday that allowed Herald-The Catholic Weekly to use the word “Allah” in its publication.Najib said the Home Ministry will forward an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Muslim protests court decision to allow Allah in Catholic magazine.
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Pas National to decided their stand soon.
The PAS national leadership will meet tomorrow night to decide on their stand regarding the controversial High Court ruling that has allowed the Catholic weekly, Herald, to use the word “Allah” in its national language publications.
Party vice-president Salahuddin Ayub tonight confirmed the special meeting, saying it was urgent as it involved an important public issue.
“Yes, we are having a meeting tomorrow as this is an important issue and we need to discuss to make a stand,” Salahuddin told The Malaysian Insider.
“After the discussion, the president (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) will issue a statement on our official stand,” he said.
The special meeting will be held at the party’s headquarters to arrive at the party’s official stand following differing opinions expressed by several PAS leaders over the usage of “Allah” by the Roman Catholic Church in its publications.
On Dec 31 High Court judge Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan made the decision that the church had a constitutional right to use the term “Allah” and the Home Ministry was wrong to prohibit its usage.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also confirmed that the meeting would involve the political bureau and central committee members.
“The main agenda is related to the use of ‘Allah’ following the court judgment,” he said.
Earlier, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat came out in support of the Herald’s use of “Allah” to describe the Christian God in the national language, saying it was permissible for those following Abrahamic faiths.
But the popular cleric expressed worry that the word “Allah” could be abused by certain quarters, echoing a growing sentiment among Muslim Malaysians aghast at the ruling.
“It’s just a fear it can be abused. That’s the worry,” the Kelantan mentri besar said today when commenting on the landmark ruling.
The government has said it will appeal against the ruling. A group opposed to the decision has started a Facebook group to get the government to reverse the ruling.
However, others including influential cleric and former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin, have supported the ruling, saying all are encouraged to follow Allah.
Speaking to reporters after launching the state Women, Family and Health Development Secretariat, Nik Aziz said the authorities, such as scholars, should have a dialogue with the Christian clergy over the issue.
“This is so that there is no confusion among the society.
“In fact, Islamic philosophy itself can be spread through such events,” he added.
The PAS Kelantan commissioner also said he was willing to attend such events if it was organised.
Nik Aziz: Non-Muslims can use ‘Allah’
PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat has come out in support of the Catholic weekly Herald use of ‘Allah’ to describe the Christian God in the national language, saying it was permissible for those following the Abrahamic faith.
But the popular cleric expressed worry that the word “Allah” could be abused by certain quarters, echoing growing sentiment of Muslim Malaysians aghast at the Dec 31 High Court ruling that permitted its use.
“Its just a fear it can be abused. That’s the worry,” the Kelantan mentri besar said today when commenting on the landmark ruling.
Justice Datuk Lau Bee Lan said in her oral judgment that the Herald had a constitutional right to use the word, touching off a controversy that has led some Muslim groups to protest the ruling.
The government has said it will appeal against the ruling. A group has already started a Facebook group to get the government to reverse the ruling.
However, others including influential cleric and former Perlis mufti Dr Asri Zainal Abidin, have supported the ruling, saying all are encouraged to follow Allah.
Speaking to reporters after launching the state Women, Family and Health Development Secretariat, Nik Aziz said the authorities, such as scholars, should have a dialogue with the Christian clergy over the issue.
“This is so that there is no confusion among the society.
“In fact, Islamic philosophy itself can be spread through such events,” he added.
The PAS Kelantan commissioner also said he was willing to attend such events if it was organised.
However, PAS Kelantan Council of Religious Scholars chief Datuk Mohammad Daud Iraqi declined to comment on the issue.
Instead, he said it was weaknesses in the government in monitoring the issue that has led to the controversy.
“This is not a new issue, it has gone on so long. The government should have looked specifically into the laws earlier on,” he added.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Attempt to prevent MACC officials from being called to testify in Teoh's death inquest
File picture of Teoh’s family. They received a perplexing text message last Friday.
Gobind (right), Teoh’s parents and today’s witness Woo Chuan Sing (in black), Teoh Meng Kee (blue) and Tan Boon Wah (white) arriving at the Shah Alam court.
The Attorney General (AG) appears to be closing doors today in an attempt to bring a quick end to the high-profile inquest of a DAP political aide, Teoh Beng Hock, which started three months ago.
A private lawyer hired to act on behalf of the AG raised more than eyebrows today when he tried to limit the witnesses which lawyers representing Teoh’s family and the state government want to bring in.
Former deputy public prosecutor, Tan Hock Chuan who is assisting the coroner’s court, had argued that there was no need to call senior graft busters, Hishamuddin Hashim and Hairul Ilham Hamzah, into the witness box, despite testimonies from the MACC rank-and-file that they had got their instructions from the two.
Gobind Singh Deo and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, lawyers for the Teoh family and Selangor respectively, were outraged at what they claimed was a gross injustice preventing them from finding out what had really happened to Teoh.
Malik stressed that both Hishamuddin and Hairul Ilham were the most senior MACC officers involved throughout the investigation and would be the best men to shed light on several puzzles, especially as their junior officers had clearly said they got orders from the duo.
The argument went back and forth, with voices getting progressively louder.
The magistrate finally said he would decide on the matter when the inquest resumes tomorrow morning.
Mystery DNA man in Teoh belt.
Tan had earlier told the court that the mystery of the unknown male DNA found on Teoh’s coat and belt had been solved.
Government DNA expert, Dr Seah Lay Hong, will be recalled to the witness box to reveal the identity of the mystery man.
Teoh family asked to go for ‘mental test’
In another twist to the ongoing drama surrounding Teoh Beng Hock's mysterious death, the young political aide's family and friends recently received a perplexing text message asking them to go for a psychiatric evaluation at a government-run hospital in Selayang this morning.Speaking on behalf of the family, Teoh's younger sister, Lee Lan, 28, told The Malaysian Insider that her father, Leong Hwee, and would-be sister-in-law, Soh Cher Wei, both received a similar text message last Friday afternoon.
The family members and friends decided against going to the hospital after being advised by lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, who is acting for the Teoh family.But he stressed that it is rightfully the magistrate who is acting as coroner in the inquest who must decide on the need at this late stage in the inquest.
“The prosecution must be very careful,” he warned.
He pointed out that two pathologists had already given evidence in the coroner's court and concluded that Teoh had committed suicide even though they admitted they did not question Teoh's family to find out the deceased's state of mind.
“Is the prosecution saying they will recall witnesses and change their stand?” Gobind challenged.
Teoh family and employer claim foul play and not suicide.
“He’s a very loving and helpful person,” Teoh’s elder brother, Meng Kee, 33, told the coroner’s court today when he stepped into the witness box.And when lawyer Gobind asked him point-blank if he knew of any reason that would push his baby brother to suicide, Meng Kee said: “No, sir!”.Two pathologists who carried out the autopsy on Teoh had previously said that the signs point to suicide.
MACC lawyer, Datuk Abdul Razak Musa, who crossed-examined Meng Kee after Gobind, hinted that Teoh,who was pressed to hold a shotgun wedding because his girlfriend was two months pregnant then, may have faced money woes.
He suggested that traditional Chinese weddings were costly affairs running into the tens of thousands, and Teoh could have hardly afforded it on his political secretary pay of only RM1,800 a month.
But Meng Kee disagreed. He said his brother had savings and that Chinese weddings could cost under RM20,000. He added that the siblings would also help Teoh out financially.
Teoh’s friend, Woo Chuan Sing, who had been invited to be the best man at the wedding planned for Oct 3 that will now never be, told the court that he was unaware that his best friend had faced any recent problems.
He had last spoken to Teoh over the phone on the morning of July 15.
Lawyer Malik has been struggling for the past month to bring in a Thai forensic pathologist to support their theory of possible homicide in Teoh’s inquest. He finally succeeded today.
Magistrate Azmil fixed Oct 20 and 21 to hear Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand’s testimony.--------------------------------------
More than 2,000 people gathered for the funeral of Teoh Beng Hock in Alor Gajah, Malacca. During the funeral rites, which began at 9.45am, Teoh's pregnant fiancee Soh Sher Wei read out a moving tribute.
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Lim Guan Eng spoke about MACC, Police and the controversial death of Teoh Beng Hock, who was a special assistant to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.
Teoh's body was found on Thursday sprawled on the roof of an adjacent building after he had undergone questioning late into the night at the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
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More than 3,000 people have packed the Kelana Jaya stadium in a two-hour gathering to mark the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock. Pakatan Rakyat top brass, including Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, took turns to address the crowd.
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Thursday, September 3, 2009
Four Kampung Buah Pala Houses Demolished In Third Attempt
Residents and their supporters stand off with riot police as they tried to prevent a demolition team from pulling down their homes
Plans foiled: Villagers being prevented from entering the state administration office at Komtar yesterday.
-Police personnel trying to restrain angry Kg Buah Pala residents on Thursday.
Police detained 18 people, including three women and the villagers' lawyer Dharshan Singh.
The tractors finally moved in and four houses came down.
It was D(emolition)-Day again at Kampung Buah Pala on Thursday with the villagers realising it would be futile to stop their houses from being torn down.
They, however, managed to take out their frustrations at developer Nusmetro Ventures Sdn Bhd director Gary Ho over how many houses would be demolished.
Policemen had to escort workers from house to house to carry out the demolition as earlier the villagers blocked tractors from entering the village.
Below is an account of what transpired:(Source the star)
2.02pm: Workers and light strike force team start to leave village. Only three houses and one room of the fourth house were demolished.
1.50pm: Gary Ho says that only four houses will be demolished today while the rest would be demolished in the coming week.
1.20pm: Workers move on to house No 481, which has been vacated. The owner allows them in without incident.
All three houses were vacated by the owners earlier.
Demolition work starts on the fourth house 473 where the residents have not vacated.
Only a room located outside the house has been torn down.
1.16pm: Workers move out of house No 486, stopping to break down the gate with sledge hammers on their way out. Third house to be demolished now.
1.03pm: The rain peters out to a slight drizzle.
12.58pm: They arrive at House No 486 and workers begin demolishing the house.
12.55pm: Police and the light strike force advance up the road, escorting demolition workers. They meet little resistance because of the rain.
12.50pm: Heavy rain begins, curious onlookers disperse. Those who remain are mainly police and media.
12.45pm: Police stay put on road to village while residents retreat into the village.
12.40pm: At least 14 people were detained including lawyer Darshan Singh and three women.
Light strike force team escorting court officials was obstructed by the people.
12.30pm: The villagers, supporters and MIC youth members are lining up at the entrance of the village obstructing the light strike force team.
One person has been detained by police for obstruction.
12.20pm: Villagers release goats and gather to block the entrance chanting anti-DAP slogans as they blame the state government for their demolition.
12.10pm: Crowd gets restless as police try to restore order. They start chanting “developer balik” as their representatives, developer and bailiff hold discussions in police mobile station on more demolitions.
Villagers’ lawyer Dharshan Singh arrives telling the crowd that the developer has no right to demolish the houses and the crowd gets more worked up.
11.20am: While demolition of house number 467 continues, other villages who fear their homes would be demolished next, appeal to Thomas Chan who is standing outside a mobile police station to save their homes.
10.36am: House 467 is believed to be demolished as sounds of house being broken can be heard by press members who are barred from entering the village.
10.31am: Police lead five contractors with sledgehammers into the village to house number 467 to demolish it.
10.20am: Police discuss with Sugumaran and resident association assistant secretary C. Tharmaraj and urged villagers to keep to their word given to the developer.
The police also asked MIC youth chief T. Mohan to stop party youth members from creating further fracas such as stopping the tractors.
10.15am: Gary Ho is rescued by the police.
10.10am: Tractors start to move in after several villagers agree for the developer to help in the demolition works.
However, due to ignorance about an agreement made to demolish the houses, some other villagers and supporters tried to stop the tractors.
Some also wanted to attack Gary Ho. The police light strike force steps in to maintain order.
10.07am: Villagers outside house number 467 come to an agreement with the police on the demolition.
Still unclear who will break the houses as the police ask reporters to leave the area.
9.55am: Nusmetro director Gary Ho arrives with house keys. He appeals to the residents not to delay the demolition process.
Residents and developer are still debating on who should conduct the demolition of the two houses.
9.30: Sugumaran said the villagers want to demolish the two houses themselves.
They marched to the houses. Villagers and supporters blocked the press entering the village and a scuffle breaks out.
9.20am: Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairman M. Sugumaran met Nusmetro Venture executive director Thomas Chan and later informed the press that two families had agreed for their homes to be demolished as they had accepted compensation and handed over their house keys to the developer.
8.30am: Two mobile police stations and three police vans arrive at Kampung Buah Pala.
Demolition of houses stated to take place today.
7.30 am: MIC youths and residents line-up to block entrance.
More than 20 contractors with hammers and crowbars ready to move into the village.
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The highly controversial eviction of Kampung Buah Pala villagers started today as developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd moved in to tear down houses of owners who had agreed to relocate.
The demolition job started with a house whose owner had accepted compensation in the form of an alternate house and a relocation cost. The owner voluntarily handed over his house keys to the developer.
Under the watchful eye of the police and the residents association committee, the demolition team moved in to tear down this house. Some hours later, a second house was also torn down.
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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Kg Buah Pala residents seek police protection as deadline passes
An aerial view of Kampung Buah Pala.
Just another day of everyday chores in Kampung Buah Pala.
Where motorbikes and cows roam for now, maybe not for long - Kampung Buah Pala.
Draviam Arul Pillai, he wants to know where gets to live now if evicted.The oldest resident in Kg Pala.85 years old cattle herder who owns a little grocery shop. Father was bought in by Brown Family in 1920s.
Family in Kg Pala . Will this be their last Merdeka Celebration in Kg Buah Pala?
Village people: Family members and supporters waiting for the trio to be released at the Jelutong police station Sunday.
The Kampung Buah Pala residents and media members waiting outside the the
administration lobby of Komtar on level 3 with police personnels as the former
were not allowed to enter into yesterday.
Several Kampung Buah Pala residents sitting at the public lobby of Komtar while
holding up banners as part of their hunger protest yesterday.
Twenty-three families in Kampung Buah Pala who are supposed to vacate their houses handed a memorandum to the police on Tuesday, seeking assurance of their safety in the village.
The two-page memorandum was handed over by Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairman M. Sugumaran to the Head of Management of the Penang police headquarters, ACP Zakeri Kamaruddin, at 10.30am.
Sugumaran said the residents had sought police assurance of their safety as they were firm on staying in the village until a consensus was reached between the residents and the developer.
"Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's attitude towards this issue has left us in a lurch.
"We want to move but refuse to do so due to the loose offer and unkept promises by the developer. Until the problem is solved, we won't budge," he told reporters after handing over the memorandum, here.
Meanwhile, Penang acting police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah refuted the allegations that the police favoured the developer and the state government in the issue.
The majority of the villagers, about 300 ethnic Indians, have resisted all attempts by the developer to get them out. They have even threatened to go on a hunger strike on Tuesday.
All is quiet at the village with a few residents keeping vigil at the entrance, local online reports said.
The Kampung Buah Pala villagers will have to vacate their land by Wednesday following the Federal Court's decision on August 20 which rejected the appeal of the 23 families to stay on the prime land.
The developer had failed in its two attempts to demolish the village due to protests by the affected families.
Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd executive director Thomas Chan had said the company would take vacant possession of the land any time after September 1.
The developer had offered the residents a double storey house in return of their vacating the premises. However, most of them have rejected the offer.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says the state government had nothing to do with the recent arrest of three Kampung Buah Pala residents committee members.
Lim said he did not control the police, and thus had no knowledge of why they were detained.
“Since the residents have sought the help of Umno, they should ask Umno for an explanation.
The state government has no idea about any action taken by the police (against them),” he said after visiting a Merdeka baby at KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital in Bandar Perda here Monday.
On Saturday, police detained the committee’s chairman M. Sugumaran, secretary J. Steven and assistant secretary C. Thamaraj at about 10pm on grounds of criminal intimidation.
They were arrested over an Aug 4 police report lodged against them by several contractors who claimed that the three men had threatened them.
Lim said it was clear that there was an attempt by certain quarters to undermine the state government.
“But, I am certain they will not succeed because the people of Penang are solidly behind the Penang state government.
The villagers had been locked in a protracted battle to save their homes from being demolished after the land was sold to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang (KPKPP) by the previous state government.After the villagers lost a court battle against the sale of the land, Nusmetro, under pressure from the Pakatan Rakyat state government to reach an amicable settlement, offered link houses to the residents.
But many of the villagers rejected the offer, and claimed the agreement presented to them by Lim was full of loopholes and placed them at a disadvantage.
Chief among the restrictions was that the residents were required to drop all legal action filed against the landowner, KPKPP, and relevant parties, and to refrain from filing any new suits.
The agreement would also be automatically cancelled if the project was not approved by the authorities, putting residents at risk of being left high and dry.
Lim however has dismissed the concerns, saying the clauses are part of a “standard agreement.”
What Penang People feel now?
Public sentiment has clearly turned against the residents of Kampung Buah Pala and they know it.
Any sympathy for the community, which trace their roots back to the colonial Brown Estate over 150 years back, was lost after news spread that they had rejected an offer for double stories houses from developer, Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd.
However residents claim they were being given a raw deal and have been unfairly maligned in the press.
Why reject the link house deal by the developers?
Draviam Arul Pillai, the oldest surviving villager whose father was first brought to Kampung Buah Pala in the 1920s by the Brown family ,acknowledged himself they had no documents giving them rights over the land.
But he said he refused to take the offer because no mention was made about when and where the new houses would be built or what would happen to the villagers in the meantime.
“There was nothing in black and white, all we had were promises.” He said, insisting that he would have taken the deal if it was more concrete.
He argued that today’s DAP government could be gone tomorrow and there was nothing in the document to ensured the houses would be built.
Besides a brief description on size of the houses, there was little else in the offer letter.
There was also a requirement for the villagers to drop all their legal claims while the houses would be built subject to approvals from the local government, failing which the villagers would have no legal recourse.
The concerns of the villagers were relayed to the state government after the offer by Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj.
When contacted Dr Jeyakumar said the concerns of the villagers were legitimate and not unreasonable.
“They wanted safeguards because the company could go bust and then they would be left with nothing.”
Who resposible for this problem face by Kg Pala people?
Originally Brown family in 1920s bought in the Kg Pala people here to management the estate.Later the land was given to the government of that time and the people are issued Temporary Occupation License. However , under the BN government Tun Koh Tsu Koon sold off the land and let the developer deal with the settlements.
Draviam blames both the present and past state governments for the dilemma but is more bitter with the DAP, who he said had made the plight of the village an election issue.
“We had always supported BN until they sold our land so we voted for the opposition because they promised to help us, but they have forgotten this,” he said.
He also lashed out at the MIC as well as other political parties and Non Government Organisations (NGO) which he said were trying to get political mileage but have done nothing to solve their problem.
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Hindraf, previous Barisan Nasional state government and the current Penang state government under Pakatan Rakyat are involved in the Catch 22 situation faced by Kampung Buah Pala villagers. Hindraf is reported to organize a demonstration nationwide, burning of Lim Guan Engs effigy at Komtar, Penang and defend the villagers of Kampung Buah Pala. Meanwhile, the Pakatan Rakyat state government under CM Lim Guan Eng are looking for an amicable solution for the villagers. Barisan Nasional is blamed for the sticky mess .
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The mainstream media reported that MIC President, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is working with CM Lim Guan Eng to resolve the Kampung Buah Pala issue. Datuk Samy Vellu is said to have spoken to CM Lim. However, CM Lim revealed in a press conference in his office on 27 July 2009 refuting the claim and even remarked that, "It is all a big bluff by MIC. " Further, CM Lim said the biggest bluff of all is the Maika Holdings shares where shareholders have been cheated of their savings and have not got a single cent in return.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Shah Alam MP blames Umno for cow-head protest
Khalid claimed that the brother of Shah Alam Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Nawawi was one of the two men who were caught on video carrying the cow head.
Khalid claimed that the brother of Shah Alam Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Nawawi was one of the two men who were caught on video carrying the cow head.
Datuk Noh Omar, the Umno state deputy liaison chairman and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, accused by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (below) as the catalyst to the protests.
Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (PAS)
Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad has blamed Umno for the shocking display of bigotry two days ago, saying the brother of the local Umno chief was one of those carrying the cow’s head to protest relocating a Hindu temple.
The PAS man’s allegation comes in the wake of accusations by other Pakatan Rakyat leaders that Umno is trying to destabilise the state government by using race baiting tactics such as painting the Malay-Muslim community as under siege from non Malays.
A group, claiming to be Muslim residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam, the new site of the temple which is to be relocated, held a demonstration outside the Selangor state secretariat, dragging a severed cow-head, an animal sacred in Hinduism, which they stomped and spat under the gaze of the riot police.
He cited the actions of Datuk Noh Omar, the Umno state deputy liaison chairman and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, as the catalyst for the residents’ recent inflammatory protest. Noh had made at least one visit to the proposed temple site in August and told the media that he would seek an injunction to stop the relocation adding that the Selangor government was going against the Federal Constitution by ignoring the sensitivities of Muslims, who make up the majority of residents in Section 23.
Asked about some residents who claimed that he had lied to them, Khalid replied that he had in fact not lied when he ran for election saying that he had always insisted on being fair, including to the Hindus even though they were a minority.
“They have rights too,” he said, pointing out that the 150 year old temple was not relocated earlier when PKNS had developed a housing area all around it and that there is only one temple for Indians living in Sections 19, 20 and 23.
“They don’t have a right to reject a Hindu temple. Their right to have a surau has been fulfilled. Hindus also have a right to have a temple for the 3 sections and we also want to fulfil that right.
“The Hindus also don’t have the right to reject a surau and each community has a right to have a place if worship. We have fulfilled the right of the Muslims,” he said.
“If the temple was placed in their backyard or smack in the middle of their community, I can understand if it feels awkward. But now it is far from their houses. There is no infringing on rights of Muslims. I take into account distances. They assume too much and feel they have more rights than what they have,” the PAS leader added.
He added it was not true that the state government was not willing to meet residents and when he met them in June, the requisite approvals for the relocation were still pending from PKNS, the owner of the land, the Shah Alam city council and the state government itself.
He also said that he will attend a meeting between the state government and residents on Sept 5 to discuss the burning issue.
“We are willing to listen to reason but the reasons must be sound. However, I don’t think we will entertain racist or prejudiced views.
“We should condemn prejudices and move to be more tolerant. There is a lesson to be learnt otherwise there will be another round of racist talks, speeches and acts. It’s unfortunate that after 52 years of independence, this is the kind of situation we have,” he said.
Umno has often been accused by Pakatan of trying to use race, religion and other tactics to frustrate the Selangor state government. Just weeks after Pakatan swept into power in Selangor last year, some Muslim residents in Kuala Langat made an issue over a centralised pig farm, a project that was actually mooted by the former Barisan Nasional state government.
Most recently, a controversy erupted over the aggressiveness of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) in wanting to grill Pakatan Selangor state lawmakers while former mentri besar, Datuk Seri Khir Toyo who has been accused of corruption over the cost of his palatial Balinese style mansion, has not been probed.
The controversy took an ugly turn when Teoh Beng Hock, a DAP political aide! Was found dead just outside the MACC headquarters in Shah Alam on July 16 after he was brought in for questioning.
Khalid delivered a parting shot at MACC, referring to comments by Section 23 residents action committee chairperson Mahyuddin Manaf, who said he was mystified by the appearance of the cow head at the protest.
“There are a lot of mysteries in Shah Alam. Nobody knows how Teoh Beng Hock died. If you ask MACC, they will probably say that the cow committed suicide,” he quipped.
-Source Malaysia Insider, The Star , Nst
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