Citizen Times

The Cantankerous Ex-PM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 04:36:00 +0000

Tun Dr Mahathir will go down the corridors of history, not for being the longest-serving Prime Minister of Malaysia, but as the sole leader in the planet who handpicked two successors and then unabashedly went on to force them to resign. His tagline is possibly, ‘I select, I establish and I destroy Prime Ministers of Malaysia’. Has this man no sense of shame?

Malaysians are a funny lot. Many jump at TDM’s current pet peeve i.e. toppling PM Najib as evidence that our PM is weak without realizing how the scriptwriter is the one who should cower in shame for failing to stick to his personal decisions.

Wavering like the British weather, TDM’s whims and fancies are typical of a cantankerous old man in the prime of his sunset years.

Riding on the glory of his perceived achievements, TDM is proud that he has persistently backtracked in his judgement of his successors.

At a recent public forum titled ‘The Malaysian Dilemma’, TDM said, “If the public think you are not performing and start criticizing you, please make things easy for the country. Nobody pushed me out when I resigned, just thought 22 years was too long.”

For a man of his stature, it is baffling how he can on one hand trumpet about his fault that he chose poor successors, and then on the other hand admit “that he never thought his successors would fare so badly when they assumed power”. Can he not see that such a public admission of his poor judgement also tells all and sundry that his judgement does not hold a single drop of water at all?

Hence, he should keep his opinion to himself instead of ramming it down websites and his scriptwriters and try to justify by declaring his love for Malaysia and claiming his right as a citizen to criticize when in the past, he robbed citizens and the media of the right to air dissenting views. Ops Lallang seems to be an alien event to him.

His authoritarian personality surfaces with such self-righteous words, which fan his ego big-time. However, he forgot the real resign why he himself resigned. He has forgotten that when he stepped down in 2003, the entire world witnessed evidence that he failed to organize development as effectively as the peasant-born Park Chung Hee of Korea. This is because Malaysia’s GNI per capita was no longer the same as Korea’s – it was USD 4160 versus Korea’s USD 12, 680.

Against that backdrop, he certainly does not have any license, authority, or right to preach to PM Najib or anyone for that matter. He patented the art of directionless government and if anyone should be blamed for the state of Malaysia today, all fingers and toes should point to Mahathir – the cantankerous old man who can never ever stop behaving as though he is STILL the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Mahathir’s criticisms remind us of how no one, not even himself is infallible. Despite his perceived weaknesses, PM Najib has been a very caring and responsible PM who tries his best within his abilities to deliver his promises to the rakyat. His management style opposes that of Mahathir but that does not make him any weaker or less qualified.

Issues such as threats by extremist groups in the country have not pushed the PM to be more aggressive because it is not his nature to be so. He is more concerned with growth that matters and economic and financial achievements in the last quarter of 2014 have been largely ignored and unacknowledged. Hence, the myth that the PM is weak is untrue. It is just that he is more concerned with the long-term haul rather than hankering for public validation via populist statements or policies.

With no understanding of the PM’s mind, Mahathir and other spin-masters continue to weave of web of deceit regarding our PM, and with complete disregard to his achievements.

The record shows that economic and financial developments in the last quarter of 2014 have been very favorable.

Inflation rate averaged lower at 2.8% in the fourth quarter (3Q 2014: 3.0%).

Why can’t Mahathir announce that the trade surplus was higher at RM21.5 billion (3Q 2014: RM16.8 billion)?

Mahathir has also chosen to remain silent regarding the international reserves of BNM amounted to RM405.5 billion (equivalent to USD116.0 billion) as at 31 December 2014.

Total gross financing raised by the private sector through the banking system and the capital market amounted to RM309.8 billion (3Q 2014: RM302.1)

On a net basis, outstanding banking system loans and PDS expanded by 8.8% as at end-December (end-September 2014: 8.9%).

Regardless of what Mahathir may say, the Malaysian economy is expected to remain on a steady growth path. The gradual recovery in global growth will lend support to manufactured export performance, although overall export growth would likely remain modest amid lower commodity prices.

Clearly, things are not as complicated as seen through Mahathir’s myopic eyes.

After all, he is but a cantankerous man who is accustomed to attention, much of which he lost when he stepped down.

As it stands, Mahathir must realize that he no longer has the powerful influence over people such as what he enjoyed before.

Being cantankerous is one thing, being a nosey parker and wet blanket is another.

Mahathir and spin-doctors must stop their assault on the PM and his cabinet. Malaysians must take cognizance of how Mahathir and his band of writers, together with writers from opposition portals, have been in overdrive and synchrony in their daily rituals to run-down the PM.

Mahathir must realize curtain call for him came almost twenty years ago and he should just let go, and let Najib do what is best for the country. Every leader has his/her own leadership style. Mahathir should remember that he has this habit of dropping his deputy prime ministers including Tun Musa Hitam (July 18, 1981 to March 16, 1986), Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba (May 10, 1986 to October 15, 1993), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (December 1, 1993 to September 2, 1998), Tun Abdullah Badawi (January 8, 1999 to October 31, 2003) and now that he is no longer the Prime Minister, he expects the nation to drop our Prime Minister. Is that the ultimate faux pas, Mahathir? After all, you did say Najib is your choice of successor.

Respect the Sovereign Nation of Malaysia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:14:00 +0000

Has our Cabinet ever voiced objections to the decision made by the judiciary of another country?

Has our Prime Minister or any of our sovereign heads or even any citizen ever voiced their dissatisfaction to the rulings passed in the court of law on any of their friends?

The answer to both questions is a firm ‘No’.

It is a different story for the United States.

True to its ‘Big Brother’ persona, the United States government finds it extremely difficult NOT to poke its nose into the affairs of other countries, especially Malaysia.

Following the ruling on Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II case on February 10th 2014, the White House issued a statement expressing its "deep disappointment" with Anwar’s conviction saying the decision to prosecute Anwar and the conduct of his trial raised serious concerns about the rule of law and the fairness of the judicial system in Malaysia.

Referring to Anwar Ibrahim as a longtime friend of the United States, a petition was started by an individual named J.M. Alexander in Virginia, who referred to Anwar as a political prisoner. JM alleged the future of democracy in Malaysia is at stake and that securing Anwar's release from prison must be a top priority in US policy towards Malaysia, to be advanced in every way possible.

It defies any logic as to how an ordinary person can speak with such ‘authority’ and demand the release of a man who has been convicted of a crime by the court of law in Malaysia, a sovereign country independent of United States.

Such a move is highly suspect as it indirectly implies there could be in insidious relationship between Anwar and American individuals.

With its inherent inability to tame its own cabinet members as seen in a recent report citing how the U.S. congressional panel investigating the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya wants to interview former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other Obama administration officials, JM Alexander would achieve more political mileage by taking care of things in his/her backyard.

As it stands, it is shocking that people can actually sign such a petition. To counter such moronic activity and to salvage national pride, concerned Malaysians have started a petition to for the Obama Administration to respect the sovereign nation of Malaysia.

All concerned Malaysians and citizens of any other countries are invited to sign the petition asking U.S. to not to interfere with our judiciary and respect our sovereignty that we found, to counter the Anwar's petition to ask for US' interference. Do share it out and sign up to support our country's sovereignty. We need 100,000 signatories in one month to counter the other one.

Please visit and sign the petition at THIS LINK.

Do share via social media. Thank you

Wan Azizah: A Sacrifice for the Future

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 07:56:00 +0000

Anwar Ibrahim's imprisonment beginning today was a "sacrifice for the future of the country", his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.

Speaking to reporters after Anwar's conviction by the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Wan Azizah said that the family now hopes to find strength "in the people".

"What Anwar says is to be strong, this is a sacrifice for the future of this country," she stressed.

Anwar's five-year jail sentence would be his second stint in prison after his previous six-year stint between 1999 to 2004.

[More to follow]

Malaysiakini

IGP cracks down as Anwar’s backer vows fight

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 07:49:00 +0000

As Anwar Ibrahim’s supporters vowed to fight a “cruel regime” for jailing the opposition leader, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar responded that the police will come down on them with the Sedition Act.

In a Twitter posting, Khalid took aim at Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming for his remarks on social media.

Nga had tweeted: “The rakyat’s prayer did not come true. It is time to oppose a cruel regime.”

Khalid, who reproduced Nga’s comment, said the politician was courting trouble.

“This person is deliberately courting action from the police. We will take action under the Sedition Act,” said Khalid.

Nga had made the remark shortly after the Federal Court today upheld Anwar’s guilty verdict for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

The Federal Court also maintained his five-year jail sentence.

Anwar was brought to Sungai Buloh prison where he is expected to serve his sentence.

Source: Malaysiakini

UPHELD: Anwar's Five-Year Jail Sentence

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:42:00 +0000

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sentence of five years' jail was upheld by the Federal Court today, ending his public office as oppositon leader and Permatang Pauh MP.

The Federal Court dismissed applications by the defence to lessen the five-year jail sentence imposed by the Court of Appeal and also rejected prosecution's appeal to enhance the prison term.

Earlier, before sentence was passed, Anwar attacked the five-man bench which convicted him today accusing them of "bowing to their political masters and becoming partners in crime in the murder of the judiciary".

Anwar told the bench led by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria that a full statement was issued by the Prime Minister's Office barely minutes after the judgment was delivered.
"In bowing to political masters they have disgraced themselves and have become partners in crime in the murder of the judiciary," Anwar said, before Arifin asked lead defence counsel Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram to tell Anwar to stop.

But Sri Ram told Arifin that his client had the right to address the court, to which Arifin retorted, "yes, on the appeal but not to condemn the court".

But the opposition leader continued attacking the judiciary, adding "you had the opportunity to right the wrong but you chose to remain on the dark side".

At this juncture, Arifin and the rest of the bench walked out.

Anwar continued to speak and shouted into the microphone: "I will again, for the third time, walk into prison but with my head held high.

"I will not be silent and will fight for freedom and justice and will never surrender," Anwar said.

Lawyers had earlier said Anwar could even be sentenced to just one day in jail or bound over, as provided under the punishment for Section 377B of the Penal Code.

The prosecution led by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was appealing for a longer jail sentence, which can go up to 20 years.

Mitigation and sentencing for Anwar, who will turn 68 this August, had begun with Sri Ram telling the Federal Court bench there was no good reason to enhance Anwar's sentence.

Sri Ram also said that the court could use its discretion to give the opposition leader a lighter sentence under the law. "He is not an ordinary individual. His contribution when he was with the government to this country is numerous and far reaching.

"Even in the opposition, he has made significant contributions to advancing democratic principles and awakening the conscience of the majority of Malaysians," Sri Ram said in pleading for a lighter sentence.

Get updates here (latest at the top):

* Anwar carries his one-year-old grandson and kisses him. The police take Anwar into custody but allow his family to have lunch with him.

* Anwar's father in law wipes away tears while his brother Idrus said: "This kind of court, no need to comment lah. I dare not hear what Anwar is going to say."

* Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali cries as Anwar hugs him.

* Siren from riot police could be heard as supporters outside shout "reformasi".

* Anwar looks cheerful, so does his daughter Nurul Izzah.

* Shouts of "reformasi" in court.

* When the judges returned, they upheld Anwar's sentence of five years' jail meted out by Court of Appeal.

* Anwar continues to speak from dock as judges leave courtroom, after Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria asked him to stop condemning the judiciary.

* Judges walked out as Anwar attacked judiciary from the dock. "This is a complete fabrication and a political conspiracy to stop my politcal career. A full written statement was available on PM's office website minutes after you delivered the judgment even before the sentencing."

* Anwar stands up to speak from the dock. "I'm shocked with this decision," he said. "I maintain my innocence."

* Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said that a five-year sentence was wrong in principle, adding that the sentence imposed on Anwar cannot be lesser that his six-year sentence for his first sodomy charge. – February 10, 2015.

MORE TO COME

- See more at THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER.

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT'S STATEMENT ON THE CONVICTION OF ANWAR IBRAHIM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 04:37:00 +0000

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT'S STATEMENT ON THE CONVICTION OF ANWAR IBRAHIM

Following today’s conviction of Anwar Ibrahim, a Malaysian Government spokesperson said:

“The judges will have reached their verdict only after considering all the evidence in a balanced and objective manner. Malaysia has an independent judiciary, and there have been many rulings against senior government figures.

“The police report against Anwar Ibrahim was brought by a private individual – Anwar’s employee and personal assistant – not by the government. As the victim of a serious sexual assault, he had every right to have his case heard in court.

“In this case, exhaustive and comprehensive due process has been followed over many years. That process is now complete, and we call on all parties involved to respect the legal process and the judgment.”

ENDS

Anwar Ibrahim Verdict: GUILTY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 04:17:00 +0000

12.10PM: Defence seeks short adjourment before sentencing.

12.05PM: After reading for two hours, Justice Arifin arrives at the guilty verdict.

The judge says there is overwhelming evidence that Saiful was sodomised by the accused because there is overwhelming scientific and corroborative evidence.

12.00PM: Based on the facts of the case, Justice Arifin holds that Dr Mohd Osman Abdul Hamid from Pusrawi Hospital was not telling the truth when claiming in his medical report that plastic objects were inserted into Saiful's anus.

The judge said the Kuala Lumpur general hospital doctors did not draw similar conclusions.

11.55AM: Justice Arifin says Anwar did not dispute that he was in the condominium and that Saiful was also there.

"We hold there is no merit in the complaint of political conspiracy. A mere denial (from Anwar) does not mean it could be accepted. A political conspiracy allegation remains unsubstantiated," he adds.

11.52AM: Justice Arifin touches on the allegation that Saiful met Najib, who was then deputy prime minister, and the latter’s special officer Khairul Anas.

11.50AM: Justice Arifin focuses on other defence witnesses, including Anwar’s former aide Najwan Halimi’s testimony that he was surprised to see Saiful, known to be a BN sympathiser, working for the opposition leader.

MORE HERE

The Anwar Trial: Main Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 04:07:00 +0000

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court is delivering the much-awaited verdict on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s final appeal against his conviction and five-year jail sentence for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Following are the who’s who in the trial:

FIVE-MEMBER PANEL OF JUDGES
Arifin bin Zakaria : Chief Justice of the Federal Court
Appointed as Chief Justice on September 12, 2011, Arifin read law at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and upon graduation, joined the Judicial and Legal Service of Malaysia in September 1974. In 1979 he pursued the Master of Law course at the University College, London and the Bar Final Course at the Council of Legal Education.

Md Raus Sharif : President, Court of Appeal
Appointed as President of The Court of Appeal on September 12, 2011, Md Raus obtained his Bachelor of Law from the University of Malaya in 1976 and his Master of Law from the London School of Economics in 1987. His career started in the Judicial and Legal Service on July 1, 1976.

Abdull Hamid Embong : Federal Court Judge
He was admitted as a Barrister-at-Law of the Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London in 1976 after completing his secondary school education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. On October 14, 2009, Abdull Hamid was appointed as a Judge of the Federal Court, Malaysia. His career in the Judicial and Legal Service began on October 18, 1976 when he was appointed as a temporary Legal Officer in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Tan Sri Suriyadi Halim Omar : Federal Court Judge
He obtained his Bachelor of Law at the Warwick University and Barrister at Law at the Lincoln’s Inn, London. He began his career in the Judicial and Legal Service at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. In 2006, he was appointed a Judge in the Court of Appeal, Malaysia.

Datuk Ramly Ali : Federal Court Judge
He obtained his LL.B (Hons) at the University of Malaya in 1978. Between 1978 and 1982, he served as a Magistrate in Perak. From 2001 to April 2009, Ramly served as a High Court Judge before being officially appointed a Judge in the Court of Appeal, Malaysia.

DEFENCE TEAM
1. Gopal Sri Ram, was the Federal Court Judge from 2009 until February 16, 2010. He has the distinction of being the first lawyer in private practice to be appointed straight to the Court of Appeal when it was set up in 1994, having never served as a judicial commissioner or a High Court judge before.

2. Gobind Singh Deo, is a prominent Malaysian lawyer and politician and also the Member of Parliament for Puchong, Selangor. He is the second son of DAP politician and lawyer, the late Karpal Singh. Gobind was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1996, a year after returning from Lincoln’s Inn.

3. Ram Karpal Singh Deo, is a Malaysian lawyer and politician. He is a son of the late Karpal Singh and brother of Gobind Singh Deo. He was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 2000. Currently, he heads his late father’s law firm in Pudu Lama, Kuala Lumpur.

4. N Surendran, 48, served as a lawyer for 20 years since 1994. He is the Member of Parliament for Padang Serai, Kedah from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

5. R Sivarasa is a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Subang, Selangor from the PKR who has frequently represented Anwar in civil suit cases. He was the co-founder of Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) and a Human Rights activist.

6. Sangeet Deo Kaur
7. J Leela
8. Latheefa Koya
9. Lim Choon Kim
10. Eric Paulsen
11. Michelle Yesudas
12. Sahid Adli Kamaruddin
13. Zaleha Al-Hayat
14. Jeremy Vinesh Anthony
15. Mohamed Aliff Bolkin

PROSECUTION TEAM
1. Muhammad Shafee Muhamad Abdullah is a leading lawyer in Malaysia. He obtained his law degree from the University of Malaya in 1977. Shafee has also pursued further studies at the London School of Economics and holds a Masters in Law in 1984. In July 2013, he was appointed by the Attorney-General to lead the prosecution team in the appeal against Anwar’s acquittal from a sodomy charge.
2. Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria, holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from the University of Malaya and is Deputy Head of the Prosecution Division (Operations) of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. He started service as a magistrate in 1985 and has over 20 years of experience as a Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Bernama

Anwar Ibrahim Judgement: Live from Court

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 02:56:00 +0000

CJ reads judgement.

Please CLICK HERE for live reporting on Judgement for Anwar.

The Consumer's Lost Sovereignty

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 02:21:00 +0000

The Consumer's Lost Sovereignty
By Haden Hoo

Let us face it. Malaysians are a difficult lot who are seldom happy with whatever befalls them.

When petrol prices increase, protests would be the name of the game. When the reverse happens, many go on tantrum outbursts demanding for the sun and the moon.

Selfishness, self-centeredness, and greed hinder development of ethical practices in pricing.

Whenever convenient, business folks play the blame game to the hilt with much reluctance to acquiesce to public pressure.

In response, consumers demand a reduction in the prices of food and drinks in tandem with current trends in fuel prices.

Our wallets are getting lighter because the cost of living has been escalating in the last few years.

Whenever a price increase hits any important item such as petrol, sugar, flour etc, almost all are ready to justify a price increase. Yet, with prices go down such as in the sudden reduction in fuel prices, retailers and food sellers are not lowering their prices. This trend has prevailed for decades and seems to be typically a Malaysian malaise.

This time round, both greed and genuine fears about the impact of the GST implementation seems to have robbed many of rational thinking.

Ignorance about the workings of GST has filled the hearts of many with fear. In an attempt to soften the impact of perceived drops in losses in the event GST triggers a contraction in market demand, many are going for short-term profits to reduce their losses.

Hence, consumers suffer, especially the unemployed, elderly, or pensioners who are on fixed income.

Whilst there are those who still shop as if there is no tomorrow, the truth remains – theoretically, consumers are sovereign but realistically, they are being held ransom by those who fix prices.

In a country which has so many ministries to govern more efficiently, the time has come for the authorities to really monitor businesses and pricing so that the ordinary rakyat do not lose out and those such as Ismail Sabri do not take the rap for speaking up sincerely, albeit with much exasperation at the impossible situation.

Businessmen must realize that price hikes in essentials, such as food and daily household items, have eaten up all the savings from petrol expenses.

If our Prime Minister Najib Razak could cut 2% from the 273.9 billion ringgit in 2015's budget, which was drafted based on an oil price of $100 per barrel, why can’t businesses, especially those who have experienced reductions in variable costs, pass on these savings to consumers in terms of lower prices? Such a noble move can go a long way in fending off inflationary effects of high prices and reduce the burden borne by ordinary folks.

One may question why Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri spoke so passionately in his recent Facebook posting; many could be unaware that he has served as Minister in three portfolios.

While in the cabinet under the leadership of Abdullah Badawi, he was the Minister for Youth and Sports. In April 2009, he became the Minister for Domestic Trade, Co-operatives, and Consumerism under new Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. After the 2013 election, where he retained his parliamentary seat, he was appointed as the Minister for Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry.

Under such circumstances, it is understandable that he spoke up tersely albeit some chose to underscore the perceived racist overtones. With his vast experience, Datuk Seri has amassed in-depth practical experience with a good record of achievement in all the ministries he served. Perhaps now you can understand how, not only is the average layman frustrated, but also a very seasoned political leader – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri. Yet, many are going for the jugular when criticizing him. Is it fair?

As it stands, our government is really trying their utmost to find the best solutions for this country. Are the rakyat ready to rally to support our government, especially when the going gets tough? What will it be in the months to come? We will see.

Also featured in The Malay Mail.

Police report against FMT columnist

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 07:22:00 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: An NGO called Semut has lodged a police report against columnist Mariam Mokhtar for an article that FMT published last Friday.

Semut Chairman Zaparuddin Abdul Rahim alleged that the article, titled “Allah ruling reveals Malay weakness”, was seditious and could threaten harmony among Malaysians.

Semut (Sensible and Ethical Malaysian United Troopers) is a group that monitors social media.
“I fear that more fomenters of hatred will emerge if the work of people like Mariam is not controlled,” Zaparuddin told reporters after lodging the report at the Dang Wangi police station. “Action must be taken before the situation gets more serious.”

He said Mariam had gone overboard in questioning the restriction on the use of “Allah” as a reference to God, adding that the issue should no longer arise now that the courts had decided the matter.

He also accused Mariam of inciting hatred towards Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak with her allegation that he was dancing to the tune of extremists.

“Most dangerous of all, she has connected the local situation to the killings in France over the cartoon issue, as if Malaysia is no longer safe and is involved in the tumult of war,” he said.

He also criticised Mariam for allegedly saying that Malaysians practised Wahhabism, which he said was a false statement that could confuse Muslims and cause non-Muslims to see them in a negative light.

“This is not the first time that Mariam has written a baseless article,” he added.

FMT spokesman Shahrom Shahruddin said the company would cooperate with the investigating authorities if the need arose, adding that it published Mariam’s article without any malice towards any person or group.

Source: FMT

Hasut: Aktivis media sosial dakwa penulis portal ada agenda jahat

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 05:28:00 +0000

Aktivis media sosial Zaparuddin Abdul Rahim meminta pihak berkuasa menyiasat penulis portal FreeMalaysiaToday (FMT) bernama Mariam Mokhtar berikutan artikel yang berunsur hasutan.
Dalam laporan polisnya, Zaparuddin mengepilkan tulisan bertajuk 'Allah ruling reveals Malay weakness' yang ditulis Mariam dan siarkan tarikh 23 Januari lalu.

Menurut Pengerusi Pemantau Media Sosial Pasukan SEMUT Malaysia itu, Mariam kerap mempersoalkan isu kalimah Allah telah melampaui batas dan pertikaian ini akan melaga-lagakan orang Islam dengan bukan Islam di Malaysia.

"Hujah dangkalnya yang kononnya kaum Melayu adalah lemah sehingga kononnya terpaksa mengharap kepada larangan kalimah Allah ini adalah amat tidak berasas sama sekali," ujar beliau kepada pemberita di perkarangan balai polis Dang Wangi pada Isnin.

Katanya, Mahkamah Persekutuan telah memutuskan hal berkenaan isu-isu yang sensitif seperti keagamaan dan perkataan suci demi memelihara kesejahteraan rakyat, jadi isu Kalimah Allah ini tidak sepatutnya di bangkitkan lagi.

"Mariam menghasut rakyat membenci Perdana Menteri Dato' Sri Najib Razak dengan menuduh beliau bermain dengan api dan menari mengikut rentak ekstremisme. Paling berbahaya sekali apabila dia mengaitkan isu kartun dan pembunuhan staf Charlie Hebdo di Prancis dengan keadaan yang sama di Malaysia. Seolah-olah Malaysia ini tidak selamat dan menuju ke arah kancah rusuhan dan peperangan.

"Selain itu, Mariam menuduh kerajaan Malaysia mengamalkan fahaman Wahhabi sedangkan kita semua tahu Malaysia mengikut mazhab Shafie dan berpegang kepada Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Tuduhan sebegini memburukkan lagi keadaan dan mengelirukan umat Islam di Malaysia serta memberikan persepsi negatif di kalangan bukan Islam.

"Di dalam artikel tersebut juga dia ada menuduh dan membuat tanggapan buruk kepada Islam dengan mengatakan seolah-olah Islam melarang golongan wanita untuk keluar bekerja. Dan ada yang terpaksa menjadi pelacur kerana tidak boleh mengharap kepada sistem kebajikan di Malaysia. Jelas ini adalah satu penyelewengan fakta dan berniat jahat.

"Ini bukan kali pertama Mariam menulis artikel tanpa asas dan bukti yang kukuh. Telah beberapa kali dia memfitnah Perdana Menteri dan Kerajaan Malaysia tanpa apa-apa bukti yang sahih," ujarnya.

Zaparuddin mengharapkan polis segera menyiasat Mariam dan mengambil tindakan tegas kerana mendakwa penulis FMT itu mempunyai agenda jahat untuk menghasut dan melaga-lagakan rakyat Malaysia.-26/1/2015

PUNCA: Agenda Daily

Special Feature by Guest Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 04:48:00 +0000

七年之涨

505大选刚结束时，“暗中来”这三个字特别红，尤其是Astro 主播顏江瀚先生在其面子书上发表贴文，內容为「以后我的孩子出世，我会叫他写一篇作文，题目是停电的夜晚。开头是，2013年5月5日，文冬战区激烈，有人说，输了他要割耳朵，然后算票的时候，停电…」。

连强调中立、讲求公信，站在镜头前的电视主播都这么说了，这“暗中来”先生想不红都难咯；而当事人黄德先生及邹宇辉州议员事后虽然出面澄清并无“文冬停电算票”或“天外飞箱”事件，也坦然承认或败在国州选票分裂；但，“谣言一出，驷马难追”，到了今时今日，还有一些思想极度单纯的朋友，坚持要为马华廖总宣传这“暗中来”外号！

故事讲完，回到主题，话说槟州水供机构（PBA）过去备受赞扬，在许子根执政时代更荣登吉隆坡股票交易所主板贸易组，多年来极少调整水费，也不曾听闻将收费代理的处理费转嫁到人民头上，直到日前民政党居民代表委员会（JPP）捅破，才知道自今年1月开始，PBA不再吸纳邮政局的9毛钱代收费而让州内用户自行承担。

乍看这9毛钱为数不大，但仔细计算一下才知道影响深远，试想想，若您是5令吉最低消费用户，平时捏着喉咙提着裤头省喝省用唯恐超过规定用水量，这个9毛钱就是您水费的18巴仙，想要省下9毛也不是不可以，您可以舍弃临近的邮局，到城镇里的水供机构办事处、槟威两地市政局、槟州发展机构、国能及电讯局缴付账单，这一来一往的巴士车票交通费加泊车费，肯定多过9毛钱许多倍！

根据槟州水供机构董事林峰成行政议员说，若每年缴付邮局100万代理费，供水机构将面对亏损！还真要感谢林先生说明，大家才知道向来管理完善、虽然水费全国最低也都能获取利润成功上市的槟州水供机构，在短短六年就沦落到只差100万就变成亏本生意，难怪水供机构主席兼首席部长不得不再三调涨水费，这叫苦水往肚子里吞，伟大得不得了啊。。。

但实情是这样吗？若一家公司会已经来到亏损临界，是不是会想尽办法瘦身节流呢？槟州水供机构有这样做吗？大家看到的似乎不是这么一回事喔。

就以伊斯兰党全国署理主席莫哈末沙布先生来说吧，末沙布先生是吉打州港口国会选区选民，却被委为PBA董事，在槟州民联的胜选赏罚制度下，就算你为槟州、为国家，打生打死出过半条老命，只要你不是槟州选民，你就连区区100令吉的乐龄回馈金都没有资格领受！我不知道末沙布先生为槟州水供贡献过什么，在连槟州选民资格都没有的情况下，却能够在这家林峰成先生口中面临亏损的公司里当个摇脚董事，这还不算，末沙布先生于2011年到都门参与净选盟709集会游行时遇车祸，获得水供机构近万令吉的医疗补偿！

这家林峰成先生口中面临亏损的公司除了为董事提供优厚福利，于奖赏得奖运动员方面也不落人后，如壁球皇后、羽球一哥等都获得以十万计的赏金，而槟州足球队也获得水供机构的400万赞助费，槟州政府还承诺，如果球队表现杰出，还有200万等着他们。

这为天王天后级运动员锦上添花，相信大家也与荣有焉，毕竟这些哥姐级人物为咱槟城人争气，若不是州内政府地已被卖得七七八八，林首长登高一呼送上三两依格，相信也没谁会反对，而赞助足球队更无可厚非，毕竟再穷也不可穷面子，球员们要是都饿到面黄肌瘦，又怎样踢出东南亚、迈向世界杯？

问题是，大家不反对在机构盈利充裕下回馈社会、奖赏运动员，董事福利再怎么优厚，也可以闭上一只眼，但不是靠一再的涨水费来打肿脸皮充胖子，也不应该在经营不善、面临亏损的情况下还挥霍无度、把营运费用转嫁州内食水使用者，更不应该“暗中来”、只在水费单上印上老花眼先生要用放大镜看的小字眼；最不应该的，莫过于要用水量最少的用户承担最大百分比的“暗中来”收费！

大家知道林冠英先生的执政理念是钱省钱、钱筹钱、钱生钱、钱赚钱、钱钱钱钱，但无论是受环保美名掩护的塑料袋罚金，还是解决交通阻塞大名堂下的拖车锁车，除了让州政府日入斗金之外，塑料袋有减少吗？堵车现象有舒缓吗？

所谓7年之痒是7年才痒，槟州却是7年不断涨，从水费、泊车费、巴刹租金，商贩营业执照费、地税门牌税、土地转换费、到治水献金，无一不涨，可否高抬贵手缓一缓、以民为本让大伙喘口气？别像咖啡店老叔说的：许子根是前朝政府，林冠英是钱财政府！# #

The PM's Special Address in PICC

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 10:11:00 +0000

The following are the links to PM's full speech on the special address this morning in PICC, for your consideration.

1) NajibRazak.com (Malay)

CLICK HERE to read.

2) NajibRazak.com (English)

CLICK HERE to read.

‘I am not aware of it’, Lim insists of pledge to save village

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:14:00 +0000

The Chief Minister says he had no knowledge Anwar Ibrahim had promised Kampung Buah Pala villagers land titles should PR win the state.

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told the High Court today that did not know that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had once pledged to save the Indian village, Kampung Buah Pala.

Guan Eng said he never knew that prior to the 2008 general election Anwar had made the pledge to the village residents.

“I am not aware of it,” was Guan Eng’s reply to a question by defence counsel Baljit Singh during a cross-examination in the chief minister’s defamation suit against heritage activist Professor Dr Jimmy Lim Cheok Siang, FMT and journalist Athi Shankar.

Baljit, who was representing Jimmy Lim, asked the chief minister whether he knew of Anwar’s pledge to save Kampung Buah Pala, a 200-year-old Indian village once commonly known as “Tamil High Chaparral.”

Baljit refreshed Guan Eng’s memory, saying that Anwar had promised Kampung Buah Pala residents that they would be delivered land titles for their village homes within two weeks if the then opposition coalition of PKR–DAP–PAS wrested the state government from Barisan Nasional in the 2008 polls.

The opposition alliance, which later came to be known as Pakatan Rakyat, won the state government in the general election.

But the land titles were never delivered as promised.

Anwar’s pledge became a major public issue during the height of the Kampung Buah Pala fiasco in 2009 with video footage showing the PKR supremo making his promise by putting his hand on an elderly villager’s head.

Guan Eng is represented by lawyer N Murali, while Baljit, V Amareson and Rowena Yam represented the first defendant, Jimmy Lim.

Legal counsel Clement Lopez acted for the second defendant M-Today News Sdn Bhd, the holding company of FMT, and third defendant Athi Shankar.

In his suit, Guan Eng claimed that an article titled: “Guan Eng has failed, says NGO” that appeared on FMT on December 6, 2013 carried unadulterated malice to destroy his image and reputation as an elected representative, people’s leader and politician in Penang and Malaysia.

Guan Eng, who is also DAP secretary-general, claimed that the article, which reported a statement by Jimmy Lim at a press conference, had alleged that he was an incompetent chief minister and not qualified to be a leader.

Guan Eng is demanding a public apology from the defendants as well as general and exemplary damages and other damages deemed fit by the court.

The suit is being heard before High Court judicial commissioner Nordin Hassan.

To another question from Amareson, Guan Eng testified that his state government had not finalised the gazetting and implementation of the Penang Island Local Plan, which was passed in 2008.

He revealed that the main reason for the delay was because his state government had not finalised the local area development plan for heritage zones even after Pakatan’s seven years in state power.

George Town and Malacca were listed jointly as Unesco International Heritage cities in July 2008.

Lim also admitted the all his claims and pleadings made in his suit did not exist in the said FMT article.

Source: FMT

No Such Interview at All

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 09:49:00 +0000

Malaysian Digest carried an article HERE alleging the Nepali Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Dr. Niranjan Man Singh Basnyat, had openly criticized the working conditions for Nepalese workers here.

1. The Nepali Ambassador never gave that interview. Please refer to this letter:

2. Nagrik News never carried any such report.

3. A Google Search shows HERE that Malaysian Digest first carried that article.

Please set the record straight.

Floods, Hudud and Whatever!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 05:30:00 +0000

Idealistic Malaysians still cannot see how Pakatan Rakayt leaders have an unholy and disunited coalition their forced marriage of convenience – a mockery of the word ‘Pakatan’.

Never before has it being as glaringly clear as it is today that DAP, PAS and PKR have their own agendas and never have they agreed to disagree or to find middle ground.

The country is now facing floods in many areas and the status quo are trying their best to help the rakyat as effectively as they can but all Pakatan Rakyat leaders can do is to hide behind their party flag and condemn the government and worse still, condemn their supposed partners in PR as well.

Lim Kit Siang was born with one mission – to spew filth and to deride anyone who is not on his side.

Donning the thickest blinkers ever created, Lim Kit Siang has bungled big time with his senseless tweet about KLIA2 and despite facing the wrath of netizens, has continued his merry way to castigate anyone but his own party members.

As long as anything can put the status quo in bad light, LKS will jump at the opportunity to make baseless accusations, which supporters will cling to as if it were messages from heaven.

Today, LKS amplified the problems in Manek Urai, Dabong, Kuala Krai and many other places in the east coast. At no point in time, has Lim Kit Siang or his party leaders ever outlined or announced what DAP has done for flood victims. No and NEVER. They are NOT concerned about the victims.

Their main concern is two-fold – magnify the problem and to accuse the government of doing nothing or to put the Prime Minister and his leaders in very negative light.

DAP specializes in SPINNING myths and distorting reality via misperceptions. They are experts in diverting attention from real problems that DAP is facing – such as how they are losing the hudud war against PAS and how Chinese will finally realize that DAP is ever ready to make friends or enemies as long as they can reap benefits and mileage.

For example, when the CEC issue exploded and DAP faced the prospects of being deregistered, they were ready to contest under the PAS flag. DAP even convinced Chinese voters to support PAS using the rationale that PAS would not forge ahead with its hudud plan. In addition, what have we today?

PAS has announced its hudud amendment in Kelantan on Dec 29 and there has been little news about what it is doing in Kelantan for the flood victims.

In that respect, PAS and DAP are similar – both are not concerned about the rakyat, only about themselves. Both are ready to be friends today and enemies tomorrow whenever it suits them.

PAS is not ashamed that Kelantan is one of the poorest states in Malaysia nor are they worried about imposing gender segregation or how tourism and investments in the state have been dwindling.

As for PKR, where was the Kajang adun Dr. Wan Azizah when the flood broke out and what has she done since?

Conveniently, Lim Kit Siang chose to keep a holy silence about this because he needs to warp the perception of citizens. Truth, justice, being concerned and doing what they were ELECTED to do is never a priority. DAP supremacy is THE one and only priority.

Therefore, whether it is floods, hudud or whatever issue plagues the country, you can bet PR leaders will throw temper tantrums because each leader wants to be Frank Sinatra – to do it THEIR way, not the coalition’s way. No wonder, LKS threatened to quit Pakatan meetings if PAS insists on hudud.

However, why didn’t people ask – why quit meetings only? Why not quit the whole coalition and go solo if they always want things their way, if they always feel DAP is THE best party in this nation?

Why are they playing to the galley whenever it suits them? Why are they diverting attention from their failure in the hudud wrangle by slamming the government when DAP has done nothing for flood victims?

It is because they cannot do anything else as it is beyond their ken.

It is time Lim Kit Siang takes lessons from IKHLAS that has achieved milestones in the way they have helped flood victims in Pahang. Scolding, cursing and blaming is not the IKHLAS way (pun intended) – that is reserved for DAP. Real citizens reach out, turun padang and help victims but alas, Lim Kit Siang cannot get his shoes dirty – his mouth is dirty enough and he would like to keep it that way.

Najib: Malaysia Strong to Weather the Sluggish Global Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 07:59:00 +0000

BY AZURA ABAS
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s economic fundamentals are still strong to weather the sluggish global economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight.

The country, he said, should focus more on these strong fundamentals to ensure fast recovery from the backlash of weakened Ringgit and slow global economic trend nowadays.

"By focusing on these fundamentals, sentiments eventually will improve and we can recover fast.

"However, if (economic) fundamentals are weak as what is happening in Europe and at other countries, a nation can suffer a fate far worse," he said this at a dinner to appreciate those involved in preparing the 2015 Budget and the retirees from Treasury.

Malaysia, Najib, added had made the right move to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by April next year in view of the uncertainties in the global economy.

He said GST could give the much needed support should the country's revenue is affected.

Asides from working on expanding the country's economy, Najib wants more to be done to help the people.

He urged the Finance Ministry to focus on two other aspects — namely to decrease the country's Gini coefficient gap between the poor and the rich and to boost the country's revenue based on higher productivity.

Source: New Straits Times

Buku Jingga? PR leaders please explain!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:23:00 +0000

An open letter to Pakatan Rakyat representatives in Selangor from an angry PJ resident.

by Michael Kum

Dear Yang Berhormat ADUNs and MPs,

About a month ago, we attended DAP’s fundraising event at MBPJ’s Civic Centre, where DAP leaders, new Menteri Besaar YAB Mohd Azmin Ali and a Selangor PAS ADUN spoke. A host of “legacy issues” from BN’s administration of the state were brought up, including corruption and the slow decision-making that resulted from the ineffectiveness of federal-state processes.

We want to ask, are PR lawmakers following their Buku Jingga manifesto? It says, “No Highway, No Tolls.” We, the rakyat, paid attention to this rhetoric and we voted Pakatan so that some wrongs under BN could be rectified.

How do resident organisations convey news to members when developments are kept in the dark?

These cover complex matters such as Petaling Jaya’s One Way Loop (OWL), the Kidex highway and the Mangkubumi sewarage project as well as day-to-day issues such as theft, rubbish collection and traffic displacement.

Moral concerns

PR reps, please do not just talk about civic and political concerns, but speak also of moral concerns. We find that Pakatan Rakyat’s “moral obligation” is not up to par.

Now, this is not a complaint, but an effort to encourage PR lawmakers to improve their trustworthiness. For example, YB Tony Pua, you talk about 1MDB and its corruption, but what are you doing about the very state that your people are governing?

We feel betrayed by PR. We want to be heard, but our needs are ignored.

For example, when MBPJ held the “OWL Public Hearing” last Tuesday, 200 angry residents showed why they want the project scrapped. The spoke of road accidents, some leading to death, and said these and other problems were due to poor planning and lack of road design management. MBPJ spent RM2 million, based on the ideas of Mayor Datin Paduka Alinah. What do we do now that the money is burnt? Will MBPJ listen? Will PR reps help? Or will there be “no further action”?

No public consultation

According to a Say No to Kidex official, “public consultation” is “totally unheard of”. This is true. When have the local councils and PR reps ever consulted the rakyat?

Selangor Pakatan Rakyat reps, we need you to quickly focus on these issues and take action. Why are our local councils, after so many years in service, still need 10 people to fix a light bulb? Don’t write-ups on potholes and lives lost due to accidents cause any anger?

Also, why are ADUNs focused on domestic issues such as drains and gardens? Why not instead focus on the larger issues like local council management and the performance of elected councillors?

What will PR representatives and MB Azmin do about all this?

PR reps, we hope you will work to make the state a better one. We are well informed, and if you do not change your attitude, especially in honouring your moral obligations, we will change you.

Thanking you, with sincere regards,

Michael Kum, Assistant Chairman, Resident’s Association, Section 14A, Petaling Jaya.

The Killing House in Cherok Tekun

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:42:00 +0000

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police have detained two Myanmar nationals and located the house in Cherok Tokun here where the recent killing and butchering of Myanmar nationals were carried out.

State police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the two Myanmar nationals, aged 30 and 40, were detained in a raid at the village where they had been living in two rented units for the past four months.

It is learnt that the duo had been living in one unit and carried out the killing and butchering at another unit six doors away.

Dismissing communal hatred among Myanmar nationals as the cause of killings, Abdul Rahim explained that the killings were more revenge attacks mainly over debts and jealousy among them.

On November 24, a human head wrapped in a package was found outside a restaurant in Taman Impian Ria here.

Residents in Sungai Bakap meanwhile found a headless torso and a hand inside a gunny sack in a canal on Thursday.

On Monday, a human head and left arm were found in a plastic bag in Machang Bubok. Police have so far detained 15 Myanmar nationals to facilitate investigations.

FMT

2014 in Review: Top 5 Events for U.S. Foreign Policy in Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:31:00 +0000

So it’s the end of the year: time for lazy bloggers and writers everywhere to crank out a “clip-show” column to prioritize events of the year. I actually rather enjoy these exercises. At first blush, “top five” lists seem rather facile. They leave far too much room for the writer’s personal preferences; it’s all-but-impossible to agree on a metric that would fairly rank events, personalities, and so on.

But on the other hand, trying to assign priority or causal weight is central to good social science, and hopefully, punditry. Every time you read someone say, X was “more” important than Y, or A was “of greater significance” than B, those locutions implicitly assigns weights. We do this all the time in common speech, even if we don’t admit it.

So here is a list of five major 2014 events that impacted the U.S. position in Asia, specifically events that are likely to increase or decrease the U.S. level of commitment to the region. In so far as a looming Sino-U.S. (or Sino-U.S./Japan) regional competition is becoming the conventional wisdom, it is helpful to take such measures occasionally.

1. The Unwanted War Against the Islamic State

The troubles of the U.S. pivot to Asia are a regular theme in my writing for The Diplomat. While I personally strongly support the pivot, I remain deeply skeptical that the U.S. can actually do it, given its range of other commitments, weak domestic knowledge of East Asia, and strong cultural and religious interests in Europe and the Middle East.

My November column for The Diplomat argues that the war against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) is precisely the sort of open-ended, vague, exit strategy-less Middle East conflict that makes it so hard for the U.S. to pivot to another region. This may not matter, if the U.S. can dominate the Middle East and simultaneously block Chinese regional hegemony. But at this point, only neoconservatives must believe that is possible, or desire to so inflate the defense budget that it might be. For the rest of us, it is obvious that there are genuine opportunity costs to America’s long, frequently fruitless engagement in the Middle East.

The U.S. maintains four regional hegemonies – in Latin America (the erstwhile “Monroe Doctrine”), Europe (through NATO), the Middle East/Persian Gulf, and East Asia. In the last three, it faces serious challenges: Vladimir Putin (arguably the flimsiest and where U.S. allies could do much more), Islamist jihadism, which has proven remarkably resilient to American power, and China. Unipolarity does not mean omnipotence, so the need for the U.S. to rank these commitments grows with each new challenge. And each new war the U.S. fights in the Middle East pushes Asia further toward China.

2. China’s South China Sea Belligerence

There is a raging debate over whether China’s behavior in the last years is newly assertive or not. Some have noted, for example, that China’s claims in the South and East China Seas are not new, only the strength with which it is pursuing them. But I find in Asia, where I work, that the debate is increasingly been resolved with the Xi Jinping presidency. As I and a number of other observers argued earlier this year, China under Xi’s new leadership managed to pick three major fights in less than a year. Japan particularly seems to tilting against China. The Abe-Xi handshake was about as grim as one could imagine.

Much of the pushback notes that the Chinese are cautious and that the conflict over these islets is being “fought” by fishermen and coast guards. And so it is, but this is almost certainly craft on the part of Beijing. It is widely known that the Chinese Communist Party has studied the collapse of the USSR intensively. Beijing will not make the same mistake – alienate its periphery into a harsh encircling coalition, or bankrupt its smaller economy trying to match the Americans dollar for dollar. Instead, the Chinese stratagem in the South China Sea is regular if mild pressure, leap-frogging claims, land-reclamation to generate new claimed spaces, and so on. If the U.S. is going to pivot, southeast Asian nations will be looking for some kind of response to this “death by a thousand cuts” approach to maritime disputes, and the U.S. does not have one yet.

CLICK HERE for more.

Penang : Slaughterhouse of Grisly Murders Discovered!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:15:00 +0000

Penang has been rocked by a series of gruesome murders over recent months, with the police recovering dismembered body parts and headless corpses.

And now the police have discovered a "slaughterhouse" at a kampung house located in Bukit Mertajam.

The "slaughterhouse" is believed to be the site for the spate of killings involving Myanmar nationals.

News tweets quoted Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi as stating that two people have been arrested.

Among the recent cases was the discovery of a decapitated head near a coffeeshop in Taman Impian on Nov 24.

The head, believed to be that of a foreigner, was found in a plastic bag left under an open umbrella.

The area is a colony for workers from Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Source: Malaysiakini

[More to follow]

Proper Internet Governance is Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 05:19:00 +0000

Formed on 1 November 1998, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission MCMC) regulates the communications and multimedia industry according to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act (1998), the Communications and Multimedia Act (1998), and the Strategic Trade Act (2010). It also implements and promotes the Government's national policy objectives for the communications and multimedia sector.

The official website gives the impression that it is a very structured, organized, and efficient. However, far beyond reading the history, vision and mission, organizational members and leadership, the section on responsibility is mind-boggling.

Clearly, if MCMC had been fulfilling its responsibilities, mission and vision to the tee, our country would not be as fragmented and divided today as freedom of speech has been exploited to the max by irresponsible citizens who have filled net space with virulent comments, insulting graphics, a free-for-all for anyone, anywhere at any time.

In writing, MCMC seems to have it all in place but in practice?

Obviously, they startlingly lack a coherent strategy to monitor contrarian views, seditious or dangerous comments, especially those that directly or even indirectly threaten the moral fabric of Malaysia, our royalty and the security of this nation in a responsible, consistent, and accountable manner that reflects how it is ‘people first’ always.

As an institution, MCMC has failed miserably to play a constructive and watchdog role in supporting government via proper internet governance.

If it did, innocent girls would not be recruited for bizarre missions in the Middle East.

If it did, we would not see an outpouring of hate comments, insulting graphics and Alvin Tan or Namewee would not have achieved the fame they enjoy today.

MCMC lacks the motivation and commitment to engage in long-term strategic thinking or planning to fulfill its functions especially to:

· Advise the Minister on all matters concerning the national policy objectives for communications and multimedia activities;

· Implement and enforce the provisions of the communications and multimedia law;

· Regulate all matters relating to communications and multimedia activities not provided for in the communications and multimedia law;

· Consider and recommend reforms to the communications and multimedia law;

· Supervise and monitor communications and multimedia activities; (Source: HERE)

If MCMC has a dedicated team dedicated to their mission and vision and possess or know how to use sophisticated software, it would strike fear or self-regulatory feelings into groups and individuals so that one would automatically think a few times before posting anything defamatory, libelous, scandalous or damaging to this nation.

In the absence of commitment and responsible ethics, we have seen the rise of cyber anarchy, misuse of net space for all kinds of propaganda, crimes etc leading to a proliferation of negative and subversive elements, ethics and ethos in almost all sectors of this country.

When brickbats come their way, MCMC lamely proposes absurd suggestions including the registration of social media users with MCMC.

Consider the recent laughable report that “The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is ready to discuss with social website owners in the United States to close accounts suspected of inciting violence and those touching on racial and religious sensitivities.”

Seasoned social media users know that all it takes to close an account is a barrage of complaints against that particular account and social media such as Facebook will suspend it immediately after it requests that owner to provide identity details such as IC No, jpeg file etc. So what meeting is needed? A holiday in US?

Time and time again, it is shameful to read how individuals have called on MCMC to take action against offenders including banning Facebook (here).

Many times, MCMC only took action after concerned individuals lodged police reports for offensive content. If their inertia can only be healed by police reports, then MCMC should be completely revamped for more empowerment and stricter enforcement or dissolved completely if it has no moral courage to fulfill its duties responsibly!

If they had been diligently carrying out their duties and responsibilities, PM Najib would not have had to announce his recent decision about the Seditions Act. Our PM has taken the fall for MCMC's failure to do their work.

The power over politics behind the mask of anonymity cannot be underestimated. The need for responsibility in all we say and post is vital for the peace and harmony of this nation. Hence, it is imperative that MCMC gets down to the brass tags of serious business or else they might as well ‘tutup kedai’ once and for all!

As it stands, the government must appoint capable personnel who are well-versed in digital and social media to be in positions of leadership in MCMC. Perhaps then MCMC can finally come of age and we can have a better Malaysia.

In Defence of the Sedition Act

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:59:00 +0000

Whilst many lambaste the government for the latest decision over the status of Sedition Act, few have stopped to question why our Prime Minister announced the rationale behind his decision to retain and to strengthen this act.

Every now and then we read nonsensical and divisive comments about races, religions or even leaders. Truth be told, the Sedition Act is the last bastion that the government can use to exercise control over citizens misuse of freedom of speech. More importantly, the move will safeguard the sanctity of Islam and other religions.

In recent years, there are those who have been inciting others to advocate the separation of Sabah and Sarawak from the Federation.

Never has this nation ever been as divided nor embroiled in such turbulence. As we approach the end of the year, it is crystal clear to me that despite whatever arguments about Machiavellian grips the government has over citizens, the Sedition act is definitely needed at this point of time to safeguard and protect race relations.

For far too long, too many in our society have been in overdrive mode to undermine the peace and harmony enjoyed by this nation for over half a century. If this continues, I cannot imagine how people would be suing or slapping one another in disagreement over the minutest details. We see a barrage of insulting comments with much bravado by netizens – either brainwashed, blinded, baited or paid to divide people.

For sure, I give the Prime Minister a standing ovation for his firm resolve to protect the sanctity of all religions, especially Islam.

Take a look at US. It is the big brother and yet because of freedom and liberty, we see the Ferguson riots that erupted when details of the original shooting event emerged from investigators. Since then, police have established curfews and deployed riot squads to maintain order. From initial peaceful protests, the world has seen looting and violent unrest in the vicinity of the original shooting.

Together with concerned Malaysians, especially PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak, I am sure we all do not want this to happen in our nation. For that reason, I implore Malaysians to stop griping, to put a stop to divisive comments and to work towards building a nation where we all can live and thrive in peace and harmony.

It is a must to retain and to strengthen the Sedition Act.

-Selamat Ajang in The Malay Mail-

‘Without Sedition Act, anarchy could reign’

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 12:17:00 +0000

THE decision to retain the Sedition Act should be applauded by all, says former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

“The decision is right as it protects all citizens from racial disharmony, safeguards the royal institution and the social contract,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

He said matters agreed upon by all races had to be protected as “this was crucial to prevent security breaches and public disorder”.

Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said anarchy could reign in the country if the Sedition Act was repealed.

Describing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s announcement that the act would be retained and strengthened as timely and laudable, he said the legislation was the last line of defence for the government to ban any act, speech or publication that jeopardises harmony or the royal institution.

He said the act would serve to deter people from inciting hateful behaviour between different races and religions, or question the special position of the ethnic Malay majority as well as cement Sabah and Sarawak position as Malaysian states.

“To remove this act would be akin to giving citizens the free reign to inflict damage and cause disunity,” he said yesterday.

Huan said since the last two general elections, the opposition had been preaching a gospel of hatred, which had corroded public opinion and created hostility towards the ruling government.

“These reasons, and the many unfortunate events that occurred in the last two years, must have spurred the prime minister to bolster the Sedition Act, even adding a special clause to protect the sanctity of Islam and protecting other religions from being insulted.”

Huan said a second clause would also make it illegal to call for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak.

Huan said he disagreed with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s accusation that Najib had buckled under pressure to make a U-turn on the act.

“It took true grit for our prime minister to go against public opinion before the Umno General Assembly. Making such a stand showed he was taking the bull by the horns when dealing with subversive elements, which have been invoking anti-establishment sentiments to the highest degree.

“It is not a question of bypassing the cabinet, as alleged by some. Rather, it is getting the support of Umno members so that he will have the mandate to bring it up in Parliament.

“The motive is sincere as the prime minister stated clearly that enforcement of the act would be fair to ensure a more stable, peaceful and harmonious nation for all.”

NST