National Express Malaysia

Waytha: ‘Give me five years’

2013-05-18T17:53:00.000+08:00

The newly-minted deputy minister in the prime minister's department vows to prove his critics wrong and solve the problems plaguing the Indian community in the next five years.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy today said he would prove himself a capable deputy minister and solve all the problems plaguing the Indian community in the next five years.

Describing his appointment as a “historic opportunity to change the fortunes of the Indian community”, Waytha said his appointment has been consented to by the Hindraf leadership and state leaders.

“In a war, the object should be victory. Ours is the acceptance of Hindraf’s blueprint by the government and the responsibility given to us to implement socio-economic programmes in the blueprint,” he told a press conference today.

Waytha said his detractors such as Anwar Ibrahim, his subordinates, DAP and the party’s cybertroopers were unfit to criticise his appointment as they have ignored the Indian problems.

“To those critics, we say, go ahead and say whatever you want. We will prove all of you wrong and make you eat your words in time and people will take care of you in the next elections,” he said.

He also refuted his brother P Uthayakumar’s notions his appointment has nothing to do with Hindraf because he has been expelled from the movement, saying that it was the other way round.

“In Hindraf we’ve always maintained that we are not a political party, but some of them have gone to form a new political party. Uthayakumar has set up his Human Rights Party Malaysia. He has left us, and he has no right to criticise us,” said Waytha.

Waytha to head a new unit

Waytha and Uthayakumar were instrumental in mobilising thousands of Indians to take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on the eve of the 2008 General Election to protest against the alleged decades of discrimination by the government against the Indians.

However, in the aftermath of the rally, the brothers were at odds on how to implement the Hindraf’s five-year blueprint to uplift the Indian community.

Waytha embarked on 21-day hunger strike to get political parties to endorse the blueprint prior to the 13th general election.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak subsequently inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hindraf and pledge to improve the socio-economic status of the Indians.

Waythamoorthy today denied that a deal struck between Hindraf and the government to make him a minister when the MOU was signed.

He said it was only agreed upon then that a new unit would be set up by the PMD to look into the Indian affairs.

“Now that the unit would be setup, we are pleased to head the unit,” he said.

Asked if he would emulate Pakatan Rakyat’s promise to resolve the stateless Indian problems within 100 days of taking power, Waytha said he would focus on permanent solutions rather than short-term measures.

“We have a mechanism, and the government has agreed in principal. We believe we would be able to solve the entire Indian problems within the next five years,” he said.

Accept PM's appointment of Waythamoorthy, Dr Subra tells MIC members

2013-05-18T14:47:00.006+08:00

Dr Subramaniam (left) and MIC president Datuk Seri G Palanivel with Najib after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

PUTRAJAYA: MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S Subramaniam has urged members to accept the prime minister's decision to include Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P.Waythamoorthy into the Cabinet.

He reiterated that the party, however, held a different view from the prime minister.
He said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak must have certain reasons to bring in the Hindraf leader who was once a strong opponent and vocal critic of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government and MIC for purportedly not looking after the lot of the Indian community.

"The matter (Waythamoorthy's appointment) was not discussed with us (MIC) and it came as a surprise news.

"Well, he (Najib) had made the decision, although our views are different (and) there have been reactions from the Indian community.

"So, we have to honour and respect him (Najib), and we need to accept Waythamoorthy," Dr Subramaniam said after attending a farewell reception for him and former human resources deputy minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan, hosted by the ministry.

Dr Subramaniam retained the Segamat seat in the 13th general election, has been appointed Health Minister.

Maznah retained the Muadzam Shah state seat in Pahang.

Dr Subramaniam said what was important now was Waythamoorthy's willingness to work as a team with MIC in the interest of the Indian community in particular, and the people as a whole.
"It is very important that we can work as a group. I hope the MIC members too will accept the PM's decision (on Waythamoorthy)," he added.

The Kelantan-born Waythamoorthy is the first leader from an Indian-based civil society organisation to be appointed deputy minister.
On April 18 this year, Hindraf and Barisan signed a memorandum of understanding covering six main issues with the aim of bringing poor Indians into the country's mainstream development. - Bernama

Waythamoorthy says he’s a ‘performer

2013-05-18T13:06:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P. Waythamoorthy has dismissed criticism following his government appointment last Wednesday.

He was named deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, despite being head of the Indian rights movement that organised a mass protest in 2007 against the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, leading to the community’s rejection of the ruling coalition in Election 2008.

“Let them talk. I’m a performer,” Waythamoorthy (picture) was quoted as saying by English daily New Straits Times today.

Waythamoorthy’s appointment appears to be reward for his role in returning Indian support for BN.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Indian vote in Election 2013 was evenly split between BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties.

Less than three weeks before the polls, Waythamoorthy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the BN government headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, purportedly to improve the Indian community’s economic standing after negotiations with PR failed.

Just days after the signing of the document, his brother and Hindraf co-founder P. Uthayakumar said that Waythamoorthy has been sacked as the movement’s chairman.

Hindraf’s 2007 protest before the Election 2008 “political tsunami”, where BN lost its customary two-thirds majority in Parliament, had led to the group being banned.

However, earlier this year in a strategically-timed move, the Najib administration agreed to lift the ban in anticipation of the 13th general election.

The Indian community makes up about 950,000 of the country’s 13.3 million registered voters and is a significant minority in 60 of the 222 federal seats.

Shut up, Hindraf tells Mohan and Uthayakumar

2013-05-17T18:29:00.000+08:00

Hindraf has told MIC Youth chief T Mohan and Hindraf de facto leader P Uthayakumar to “shut up” and cease their criticism of the appointment of its chairperson P Waythamoorthy as a deputy minister by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“Continuing to harp on this moot point only will make their individual incompetence and the incompetence of their respective organisations more visible and more pronounced,” Hindraf adviser N Ganesan (left) said in a scathing response to statements made by the two since Waythamoorthy's appoinment was announced two days ago.
“Reading between the lines (of Waythamoorthy’s appointment), the conclusion that one comes is this - there obviously are no other equally capable individuals or organisations to deliver the transformation needed for the Indian community.
“So, Mohan and Uthayakumar should shut up, just keep their peace and mull over the implications of this message to them in more productive ways,” he said in a statement.
Ganesan added time would prove the wisdom of Najib’s choice.

Mohan and Uthayakumar were among those who are not taking Waythamoorthy’s surprise entrance into the cabinet kindly.
Uthayakumar (right), who is Waythamoorthy's elder brother, referred to Waythamoorthy as the “latest Indian mandore (head coolie)” and the “new Samy Vellu”.

The MIC Youth and BN-friendly Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) have also expressed dissatisfaction with Najib for picking Hindraf over those who have long been loyal to the ruling coalition.

This is especially so since, they pointed out, Waythamoorthy had sullied the country’s image through Hindraf's infamous 2007 rally, which saw him go into exile, while Uthayakumar was incarcerated under the now-repealed Internal Security Act (ISA).

However, Waythamoothy returned to the country on Aug 1 last year and actively led a faction within Hindraf, which last month signed a memorandum of understanding with BN for “uplifting of the Indian Malaysian community”.

In exchange, Waythamoorthy’s Hindraf pledged its support for BN and urged Indian Malaysians to return its two-thirds majority in parliament.

‘Imams promote grooming rings’, Muslim leader claims

2013-05-17T03:59:00.003+08:00

The Oxford grooming ring was promoted by imams who encourage followers to think white women deserve to be “punished”, an Islamic leader has claimed.

Oxford sex gang. Left to right, top: Akhtar Dogar, Anjum Dogar, Kamar Jamil, Assad Hussain. Bottom: Mohammed Karrar, Bassam Karrar and Zeeshan Ahmed Photo: PA

By Hayley Dixon

Dr Taj Hargey, imam of the Oxford Islamic Congregation, said race and religion were inextricably linked to the recent spate of grooming rings in which Muslim men have targeted under-age white girls.

Earlier this week seven members of a child sex ring from Oxford were found guilty of forcing under age girls to commit acts of "extreme depravity".

Their victims, aged between 11 and 15, were groomed and plied with alcohol and drugs before being sexually assaulted and forced into prostitution. They targeted "out of control" teenagers.

Dr Hargey said that the case brought shame on the city and the community and is a set back for cross community harmony.

But worse still is the refusal to face up to its realities, he wrote in the Daily Mail.

The activities of the Oxford sex ring are “bound up with religion and race” because all the men - though of different nationalities - were Muslim and they “deliberately targeted vulnerable white girls, whom they appeared to regard as 'easy meat', to use one of their revealing, racist phrases”, Dr Hargey said.

That attitude has been promoted by religious leaders, he believes. “On one level, most imams in the UK are simply using their puritanical sermons to promote the wearing of the hijab and even the burka among their female adherents. But the dire result can be the brutish misogyny we see in the Oxford sex ring.”

People tiptoe around the issues and refuse to discuss the problems exposed by the scandals such as those “from Rochdale to Oxford, and Telford to Derby”, he wrote.

In all cases the perpetrators were Muslim men and the victims were under age white girls.

To pretend it is not a problem is the Islamic community is “ideological denial”, Dr Hargey said.

“But then part of the reason this scandal happened at all is precisely because of such politically correct thinking. All the agencies of the state, including the police, the social services and the care system, seemed eager to ignore the sickening exploitation that was happening before their eyes.

“Terrified of accusations of racism, desperate not to undermine the official creed of cultural diversity, they took no action against obvious abuse.”

The men were allowed, he said, to come and go from care homes by the authorities, and if the situation had been reversed with gangs of white men preying on Muslim teenagers ”the state's agencies would have acted with greater alacrity.”

True Islam preaches respect for women but in mosques across the country a different doctrine is preached - “one that denigrates all women, but treats whites with particular contempt,” the Imam said.

The men are taught that women are “second-class citizens, little more than chattels or possessions over whom they have absolute authority," he claims in the column.

“The view of some Islamic preachers towards white women can be appalling. They encourage their followers to believe that these women are habitually promiscuous, decadent, and sleazy — sins which are made all the worse by the fact that they are kaffurs or non-believers.

“Their dress code, from miniskirts to sleeveless tops, is deemed to reflect their impure and immoral outlook. According to this mentality, these white women deserve to be punished for their behaviour by being exploited and degraded.”

Such cases can only be prevented in the future if Britain abandons the blinkers of political correctness, he concludes.

'GE13 exposed elements of PKR being a US puppet'

2013-05-17T03:56:00.002+08:00

The 13th general election has elements fitting the hypothesis that Pakatan Rakyat, or PKR in particular, is a foreign stooge working to change the regime for the benefit of the United States of America.

However, whether PKR is indeed on the US payroll to do its bidding can only be confirmed by the party itself.

This is the argument put forth by blogger Ruhanie Ahmad (left) at a forum in Universiti Malaya today that discussed the way forward for the BN and Pakatan after GE13.

According to Ruhanie, who authors the socio-political blog Kuda Kepang, geo-political readings would make US interference not entirely surprising.

He told a packed lecture hall at the main campus in Petaling Jaya that this was because the US has been sore with Malaysia for blocking its control of the Malacca Straits.

"If they can control (the Malacca Straits), they can transport energy from the Middle East to East Asia.

"Control of sources of energy and transportation routes will make the US the ultimate superpower," said Ruhanie, who is a doctorate candidate in geo-politics and security studies.

Malaysia's prime ministers from Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Najib Abdul Razak have been clear that no global superpower will have a stake in the maintenance of the straits.

This makes Malaysia the last elusive jigsaw piece in the US bid to control the Southeast Asia maritime channels, after successfully forging agreements with the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

"I see the 13th general election as the climax to an attempt by a superpower to put its proxy against the ruling government. That is my initial assumption. Is it true?" asked the former BN backbencher.

Ruhanie said question marks over foreign influence also extended to NGOs such as electoral reform group Bersih, which has admitted to receiving funding from US sources.

He said that this argument was also put forward by "authentic" sources like socio-political portal Global Research writer Tony Cartalucci, who said that Wall Street was disappointed that its "proxy" lost in the Malaysian election.

"For the BN, this exection exposes two security problems - national security and societal security - and this must be corrected by the BN as a government's role is to safeguard security."

Hypothesis failed peer review?

However, Ruhanie's views were challenged by members of the audience, made up largely of post-graduate students and doctorate candidates.

One doctorate candidate from Akademi Tentera Malaysia Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (ATMA-UTM) - who stood up during the question-and-answer session - even went as far as saying that if he were Ruhanie's supervisor, he would not give the former MP a passing mark.

"As a doctorate candidate, what framework did you use to come to that conclusion?

"The Global Research writer Cartalucci had also written that the Lahad Datu intruders were part of the Free Syria army, which is absolutely absurd," the UTM student said.

To this, Ruhanie replied that he did not make a conclusion, but merely raised a hypothesis for further study.

"My hypothesis is based on the new classical realm... that everything that happens in a country is a causal effect of something else that happens outside the country," he said.

Another postgraduate student also asked how was it that supporters of Bersih and Pakatan have to often fork out their own expenses to attend events if the two groups were so flushed with cash.

However, the former Parit Sulong MP did not respond to this.

To another question, Ruhanie admitted that he had been very supportive of Bersih in 2007, but "the objectives and perceptions were different then".

"The first Bersih is not the same as the second and third Bersih (rallies)," he said, admitting that he was also very critical of the Abdullah administration, but that he was okay with the Najib administration.

Also on the panel were Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian and Keevan Sivarajah (left), who coordinated the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) election observation mission.

In response to Ruhanie, both started their presentations by admitting that they are foreign funded.

Ibrahim said he received US$60,000 in foreign grants, while Keevan said the entire election observation mission was funded by foreign missions and most controversially, by the George Soros-funded Open Society Institute.

"We wrote to the Pakatan and BN governments, as well as the Prime Minister's Department for funding, but no one wrote back," Ibrahim said.

Although not taking Ruhanie head on, Ibrahim said one needed to truly question if funding of US$60,000 for Merdeka Centre and US$20,000 for Bersih was as big a security threat as the thousands of foreigners flooding Sabah, as was revealed to the royal commission of inquiry on illegal immigrants.

Shades of Mahathirism in new Cabinet will hamper reforms, say Pakatan leaders

2013-05-17T03:54:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — The appointment of Umno’s old guard including former Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor shows the influence of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders said today

They said the remnants of Mahathirism will also likely hamper Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s reform plans.

“You don’t see any intention of breaking away from the past,” DAP strategist Liew Chin Tong (picture) told The Malaysian Insider today.

“The appointment of Shahidan furthers the Umno agenda... there is no intention to reform,” added the Kluang MP.

Shahidan was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, while Tengku Adnan was awarded the Federal Territories minister post.

Umno took 18 ministerial positions in the 32-man Cabinet, most of whom were old government hands being switched around or promoted with the exception of new faces like Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

Candidates from Chinese-based BN parties MCA and Gerakan were not named for any Cabinet post, but sources have told The Malaysian Insider that Najib was reserving two seats for MCA leaders once the party completes its elections and reverses its stand to opt out of the government due to its poor election showing.

PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said the lack of government representation of the Chinese community would prevent reforms on issues that non-Malays considered important like corruption, race-based policies and education.

Dr Dzulkefly said the new Cabinet was dominated by Umno veterans.“Any open discussion with the aspirations of non-Malays would be seen by the Umno die-hards as an affront to Malay rights,” the newly-elected Pandan MP said.

Najib said in 2011 that Bumiputera quotas needed to be eliminated eventually, but stressed that the government must continue to support the community’s best talent to ensure a more competitive business environment.

He has pointed out that the New Economic Model (NEM) promotes affirmative action based more on meritocracy, saying: “We must promote the right Bumiputera.”

Critics, however, have accused Najib of diluting his NEM by creating pro-Bumiputera agencies like Teraju and failing to focus on needs- and merit-based affirmative action policies.

Rafizi also pointed out that Najib did not campaign on reforms in Election 2013, but ran a racial campaign instead.

“Umno’s only campaign in the last general election is predicated on race-mongering,” he said, adding that the BN lynchpin had tried to scare Malay voters by telling them that PR would trample on Malay rights if it won federal power.

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, executive director of PAS’s research centre, told The Malaysian Insider that the “long shadow of Tun Mahathir” was cast over the new Cabinet.

“This Cabinet is Mahathir’s Cabinet,” said Dr Dzulkefly.

“He’s always stifled and confronted by the Malay agenda of Umno,” he added, referring to Najib.

Dr Dzulkefly noted that except for Khairy, who was focused on promoting Middle Malaysia, it was “business as usual” with Umno veterans dominating the Cabinet.

“This Cabinet is not exciting at all,” he said.

Haris: Street rally will go on

2013-05-17T03:52:00.001+08:00

It does not hinge on Pakatan Rakyat's support, says ABU's Haris Ibrahim.

PETALING JAYA: Anything But Umno (ABU) spokesperson Haris Ibrahim said that a street rally against the Barisan Nasional federal government will go on with or without Pakatan Rakyat’s support.

When asked if he will call off the rally following Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s objection to it, he said: “This is not Pakatan Rakyat’s initiative, rather, it is the rakyat’s initiative.”

“The rally is not hinged on Pakatan’s support. The latest announcement by Anwar yesterday that Pakatan does not condone streets rallis has no bearing on our initiative,” he said.

Haris, however, said that no date has been set for the street rally.

Social activist Hishamuddin Rais echoed Haris’ view by saying that the decision to go on with the street rally will be taken by the rakyat and not Pakatan Rakyat.

Haris told a forum on Monday that pro-Pakatan NGOs would topple the BN federal government through massive street rallies in protest of irregularities during the 13th general election.

“We will take to the streets and take over Putrajaya. If we really want to overthrow them, there is no other way. Democracy does not work.

“The people cannot wait anymore. We don’t want to wait another five years. We will take the streets,” he said.

Police to take preventive steps

Pakatan, however, said that it does not condone overthrowing Barisan Nasional through mass street demonstrations.

“The proposal has never been submitted to us, it has never been discussed by Pakatan. Those are the views of some NGOs,” said Anwar yesterday.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said his party too, rejected the call for street protests to overthrow the BN government.

While he commended Haris for opposing violent demonstrations, Karpal warned that a street protest may cause unrest if it was not handled properly.

Police on the other hand, have warned against holding a street rally and said they will take preventive measures ahead of the event.

Outgoing Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar said the statements by the organisers on the rallies were dangerous and provocative.

“Nobody should try to change the government through undemocratic means.

“It must be done only through democratic means. Let the people make their choice through the voting system,” he said.

Rift appearing in MIC over party polls

2013-05-17T03:50:00.004+08:00

While G Palanivel-led Selangor MIC wants a "no-contest" ruling for the party top post, vice president Saravanan calls for elections for all positions in the party.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor MIC through a resolution passed today wants a no-contest for the MIC presidential post at the party presidential elections, expected to be held this year.

While the Selangor MIC, headed by party president G Palanivel, made the decision public after a meeting at the MIC headquarters this afternoon, party vice-president M Saravanan wants all positions in the party open for contest.

“Although we cannot stop anyone from contesting, we 22 division leaders in the state have taken a resolution that there should be no contest for the top post,” Selangor MIC secretary K Partiban told a press conference after the meeting. Palanivel did not attend the meeting.

“Apart from that, we also urge the party to initiate action against party leaders who worked against the Barisan Nasional in the recently concluded general election,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saravanan speaking to FMT said all positions in the party must be contested if there is challenge.

“Firstly, we should have held elections at all levels in the party last year but the central working committee postponed it due to the general election.

“Although the central working committee is empowered to make such a decision, it has not set a time frame as to when the election should be held. So, to avoid the party from being deregistered, we need to hold elections as soon as possible,” he told FMT.

Saravanan further said Palanivel too needs a strong mandate through elections as he was still the party acting president after taking over the post following the resignation of the then president S Samy Vellu in 2010.

“I am not saying anyone should contest the top post. All I am saying is that in line with introducing greater transparency and democracy in the party, all positions should be up for contest.

“Barring people from contesting or making a mockery of the presidential election should not be allowed. Let us be open about things. I do not mind if other leaders want to contest the vice-presidency or other important positions in the party,” he said.

“I feel all positions (in the party) must be up for elections,” he added.

Palanivel under pressure

The MIC presidential election must be held as soon as possible as the term of the current president has already expired. The party held presidential election in March, 2009 and four years have passed since.

MIC has an unique system where the presidential election is held three months before the election for other top national positions — deputy president, three vice-presidents and 25 central working committee members. Before this the party must hold elections at the division level.

In the March 2009 presidential election, then party supremo Samy Vellu retained the presidency for a record 11th consecutive term. He won the top post uncontested.

Under the party constitution, a presidential aspirant needs to obtain 50 nominations, with each nomination needing one proposer and five seconders, to be eligible to contest. All proposers and seconders must be branch chairmen.

The MIC president would be picked by about 3,700 branch chairmen nationwide in the event of a contest compared to other top national posts which are decided by some 1,500 divisional delegates who attend the party’s annual general assembly.

Samy Vellu, who was works minister before his defeat in the 2008 general election in his parliamentary constituency of Sungai Siput, had been at the helm of the largest Indian-based political party since 1979, when he became the acting president after the death of then president V Manikavasagam.

He stepped down in December, 2010 paving the way for current party chief G Palanivel to become MIC’s acting president.

Since the last presidential election was in March 2009 and the term came to an end in March 2012, Palanivel’s critics claim that his presidency is now null and void.

Waytha’s appointment denounced

2013-05-17T03:49:00.002+08:00

Brother Uthaya calls him the “latest Indian mandore” and the “new Samy Vellu”.
UPDATED

PETALING JAYA: The appointment of Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy as a deputy minister has drawn condemnation from his activist brother P Uthayakumar, an MIC leader and a businessman claiming to represent Indian entrepreneurs.

“Congratulations to Waytha as the latest Indian mandore, otherwise known as the new S Samy Vellu,” said Uthayakumar, who heads a faction of Hindraf and also leads the unregistered Human Rights Party.

“Mandore” is a word that Malaysian Indians use pejoratively to refer to an Indian who oppresses his own people to please his non-Indian master. S Samy Vellu is a former president of MIC.

Uthayakumar said his younger brother was a “political opportunist” who had been diverted from Hindraf’s cause by a personal agenda.

“Waythamoorthy’s involvement in Najib’s cabinet has nothing to do with Hindraf,” he said. “He was sacked from Hindraf on April 25 by the Hindraf supreme council for being a traitor.”

Waythamoorthy is chairman of the newly registered Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia. His appointment as a senator and a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department came close on the heels of his rapprochement with premier Najib Tun Razak.

Last month, in return for Waythamoorthy’s declaration of support for Barisan Nasional, Najib agreed to accept the Hindraf blueprint of policies to help poor Indians.

This came after Waythamoorthy had embarked on a hunger strike until either BN or Pakatan would sign the Hindraf blueprint.

Fast and become a deputy

MIC Youth leader T Mohan meanwhile made his criticism through Twitter.

“Did a hunger strike, condemned BN and Malaysia all over the world,” Mohan tweeted yesterday. “Yet he becomes a deputy minister! So easy.”

In a statement today, Mohan said Waythamoorthy’s appointment to the BN administration would further weaken the Indian support for the government.

“His 21 days of fasting only worked to his advantage and not for the community.

“My question now is if someone fasts for more than 21 days, will he get a full minister’s position?” asked Mohan.

He said that the only way to oversome issues pertaining the Indian community was to strengthen MIC as well as BN.

“We should focus in creating a strong MIC and BN instead of bringing someone from outside,” he said.

Protests planned

Meanwhile, businessman N Kuppan, 57, told FMT that a group of Indian entrepreneurs would protest in the streets against Waythamoorthy unless he rejected his appointment as deputy minister.

“He has betrayed the 1.8 million Indians who were behind him during the Hindraf rally in 2007,” Kuppan said.

“He and his family can enjoy the perks of a deputy minister, but this generation will forever remember him as a traitor to his own community.

“We Indians were the ones who put him at the top and it is not a big issue for us to throw him into the streets.”

Waythamoorthy, who was appointed as a senator today before he took his oath as a deputy minister, could not be contacted for comment.

NGO reps, technocrats add value to cabinet

2013-05-17T03:48:00.001+08:00

Analysts praised the prime minister's move to include NGO leaders and technocrats in the cabinet line up, saying it will help facilitate the government's transformation agenda.

PETALING JAYA: Several analysts lauded Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s decision to bring in NGO leaders and technocrats into the cabinet line up.

“These individuals will carry strong weight in the administration and help in Najib’s transformation agenda,” said Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political analyst Mustafa Ishak.

Yesterday, Najib unveiled his post general election cabinet line-up, which saw Maybank president Abdul Wahid Omar and Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Paul Low appointed as Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Hindraf supremo, P Waythamoorthy was also appointed as a deputy minister in the PMO.

Heaping laurels on the appointment, Mustafa said that individuals such as Wahid is a well respected corporate individual in the region who had played a major role in making Maybank an established bank in Malaysia.

“His track record says it all. Wahid is one man who knows what the economy and the market need. He will definitely add value to our administration,” he said.

On Waythamoorthy’s appointment, Mustafa said that it showed that the prime minister is concerned on the well-being of the Indian community and other minorities in the country.

“Waythamoorthy knows the need and the aspirations of the Indian community. He will be helpful in coming up with ideas to address the plight of the Indian community.

“Not only can we apply his ideas to bring Indians back to mainstream development but also use the same thoughts to help other minority communities in Malaysia,” he said.

As for Low, Mustafa said that the TI-M president’s appointment into the cabinet showed that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is serious in eradicating corruption in the administration.

“If the government can curb corruption, we can bring more foreign direct investment to the country and help strengthen Malaysia’s integrity in the international arena,” he said.

Check and balance

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Mohamad Zaini Abu Bakar also shared Mustafa sentiments, saying bringing these non-political leaders into the administration would certainly help in Najib transformation agenda.

“It’s good to bring in NGO leaders and technocrats. We definitely need these people’s expertise in their respective fields,” he said.

Zaini added that the trio could also act as a “check and balance” from within the system and they would help facilitate the much needed reforms for the country.

Citing Wahid as an example, Zaini said that the former could bring in corporate style of administration into the public sector in order to improve efficiency.

Zaini was also particularly in favour of Low’s appointment into the cabinet and even called the latter an icon of integrity.

“Corruption can weaken governance. With a man of Low’s stature in the system, we can definitely curb leakages and facilitate in the nation’s growth.

“On top of that, the trio can also help bring the government and the people closer by improving on the delivery system,” sai Zaini.

Analyst Khoo Kay Peng also lauded the trio’s appointment into the Cabinet but warned that their image would in tatters if they failed to initiate reforms in the government.

“It’s going to be a challenge to people like Waythamoorthy. If he can’t fulfill the pledge made with Najib recently, it will not bode well for his image,” he said.

He also described Low’s appointment as a strategic move in order to show to the public that the government was serious in fighting corruption.

“But it will be tough for Low to monitor everything as a lot of procurement deals are done within the respective ministries and not necessarily scrutinised by the PMO.

“So if Low becomes another Koh Tsu Koon, then it will be another problem,” said Khoo.

‘Racial polarisation no surprise’

2013-05-17T03:47:00.000+08:00

It has been with us a long while and we should admit that it is a potent factor in Malaysian politics, says Chandra Muzzafar.

PETALING JAYA: Political analysts are not surprised with the country’s distinct racial polarisation following the results of the recent 13th general election (GE13).

Political scientist Chandra Muzzafar said that there has always been “a certain degree of polarisation” throughout history, however, in Malaysa, this was made more distinct in GE13.

“Ethnic consciousness has always been strong in society so it should not surprise us. People sometimes attribute to political parties based on ethnicity,” he said.

“It has been with us a long while and we should admit that it is a potent factor in Malaysian politics,” he added.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) associate professor James Gomez said the re-emergence of racial polarisation “shows that Malaysia is unable to evolve politics into a more policy-centered approach”.

“There was a positive indication in the run up to the election where different parties put out their manifestos which were very much policy-centered,” he said.

“But soon it degenerated from a policy-centered approach and now after all the race-based talks, we have lost the plot. It has just gotten worse,” he added.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) associate professor Andrew Aeria agreed that racial polarisation “certainly exists within Malaysian society”.

He accused ruling Barisan Nasion of making it worse by “not making much effort in closing the ethnic and religious divides”.

“Fanning ethnic supremacist positions has only made ethnic/religious relations worse,” he said. “In contrast, Pakatan Rakyat has achieved much more in closing this ethnic and religious divide.”

Aeria further described Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak as a “lame-duck, wishy-washy PM” who “continues to pander and appease the racist fringes of Umno and BN”.

“The racism that has emerged post-GE13 is reprehensible,” he said.

Anwar has been giving false hopes

Chandra believed “false perceptions” that the Chinese were “marginalised” by Umno-BN played a key factor in determining the Chinese vote.

“These are all false perceptions that have become widespread. It was effectively built up, especially after the 2008 general election when DAP did well,” he said.

Chandra pointed out that the Chinese dominated the upper strata of the Malaysian economy and those at the bottom were mostly of other races.

He added that in terms of politics, “Chinese participation is quite remarkable”.

“The Chinese felt they could bring about change. And (opposition leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) has been giving false hope to them,” he said.

“He says he would get rid of Malay supremacy and racial discrimination without specifying how he is going to do it. However, these factors explain why the Chinese voted for DAP,” he added.

Asked what would be a solution to this problem, Chandra said: “The solution has always been engagement. It is important for individual groups and politicians on both sides to engage.”

“There is no need for grand seminars and conferences as even small meetings between various groups which are influential will be just as effective.

“We don’t really engage, that is our problem. A lot of Chinese youths have taken part in demonstations and rallies.

“One should reach out and try to engage with them of their concerns… we have not made any attempt to reach out to them.

“Likewise, one should reach out to young Malays and find out what are their reasons why feel certain way,” added Chandra.

Gomez reiterated it was important for political parties to eliminate racial sentiments and adopt a clear, policy-centered approach.

“That would be more meaningful and is a reflection that Malaysian politics is moving forward,” he said.

BLACK505 DI NEGERI SEMBILAN, KEDAH, TERENGGANU DAN MELAKA

2013-05-17T03:37:00.001+08:00

Gelombang #black505 demi menzahirkan suara bantahan rakyat menentang penipuan pilihanraya diteruskan di negeri-negeri Kedah, Terengganu, Melaka dan Negeri Sembilan.
#black505 yang seterusnya akan diadakan di Negeri Sembilan pada hari Jumaat 17 Mei 2013, bertempat di kawasan parkir Jalan Haruan 4/7, Pusat Komersial Oakland, Seremban. Orang ramai dinasihatkan hadir awal untuk mengelakkan kesesakan.
Tarikh-tarikh bagi #black505 yang seterusnya adalah seperti berikut:
                        21 Mei 2013 (Selasa) – Kedah
                        23 Mei 2013 (Khamis) – Terengganu
                        24 Mei 2013 (Jumaat) – Melaka
Tempat akhir perhimpunan akan dimaklumkan melalui laman media sosial dan kenyataan rasmi yang akan dikeluarkan oleh PKR.
Semua perhimpunan telah berjalan dengan aman dan mematuhi nasihat Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) walaupun beberapa tempat perhimpunan terpaksa diubah di saat akhir. Penganjur telah menghormati nasihat PDRM untuk menukar tempat perhimpunan di Pulau Pinang, Pahang dan Johor walaupun ia dibuat beberapa jam sebelum perhimpunan.
Ini tidak sedikit pun melemahkan semangat rakyat terutamanya orang muda untuk turun menyuarakan bantahan dalam simbolik #black505 ini. Mengikut anggaran kasar penganjur, seramai lebih 400,000 rakyat Malaysia telah menyerti #black505 setakat ini (120,000 – Kelana Jaya, 120,000 – Batu Kawan, 60,000 – Ipoh, 60,000 – Kuantan dan 60,000 – Ulu Tiram).
Saya yakin menjelang minggu depan apabila gelombang #black505 tiba di Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu dan Melaka, lebih setengah juta rakyat Malaysia telah turun menyatakan bantahan terhadap penipuan pilihanraya dan menolak kerajaan tidak sah yang diterajui Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Semangat kerjasama dengan pihak PDRM demi menjamin kelancaran dan keselamatan rakyat akan diteruskan. Oleh itu, saya menyeru seberapa ramai rakyat untuk turun menyertai #black505 sebagai bantahan terhadap penipuan pilihanraya dan sokongan kepada reformasi pilihanraya yang perlu diadakan segera.

RAFIZI RAMLI
Pengarah Strategi
16 MEI 2013

Najib names new Cabinet with old-timers, some new faces

2013-05-17T03:36:00.000+08:00

The Malaysian Insider

Most disappointed over UMNO betrayal of Ghani Othman who was completely by-passed instead of being appointed Senator and Minister in new Cabinet line-up

2013-05-17T03:34:00.002+08:00

By Lim Kit Siang

I am disappointed over the UMNO betrayal of former Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Ghani Othman who was completely by-passed instead of being appointed Senator and Minister in the new Cabinet line-up announced by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.

The UMNO leadership had praised Ghani sky-high during the 13th General Election campaign when fielding him as a parliamentary candidate for Gelang Patah against me, and it is most unfair and ungrateful for UMNO leaders to drop Ghani like a ton of bricks after Ghani failed to defeat me in Gelang Patah in the May 5 polls.

General elections should not be regarded as a zero-sum game, and in the case of Ghani, whom I had openly acknowledged as having made invaluable contribution to the development and progress in Johor, his talents and experience should be tapped by the Federal government as Ghani can have still many years of national service and contribution in him.

I am surprised that Ghani is facing so much resistance in UMNO as there are powerful forces who object to his return to national politics, to the extent that MUBARAK, the association of former Barisan Nasional wakil rakyats, have come out with a statement opposing any UMNO candidate who lost in the 13GE being appointed a Senator and a Minister – clearly targetting at Ghani.

It would be interesting to know who are the UMNO leaders behind the MUBARAK statement for it would throw an interesting light on the UMNO power tussle which has started escalating after the 13GE preparing for the “royal battle” in the UMNO party elections at the end of the year.

One criticism of the Cabinet announced by Najib yesterday is its distinct lack of “star” or “wow” quality.

The only person who stands head and shoulder over the rest of the Cabinet line-up in intellectual prowess is the Oxford graduate, UMNO Youth leader, Khairy Jamaluddin, but who had stepped on too many toes in his heyday as the son-in-law to Tun Abdullah in the brief period his father-in-law as the Prime Minister in Malaysia.

I had in fact had occasion to castigate Khairy in Parliament as the “richest unemployed youth in the world” when he was too big for his boots. I hope that in his many years in “wilderness” eating humble pie although he has UMNO Youth leader, conspicuously sidelined from government front-benches although his deputy was made Deputy Minister, have taught him the qualities of humility.

His final rehabilitation in being appointed to the Cabinet is however a great let-down, as his appointment to the comparatively minor Cabinet portfolio of Minister for Youth and Sports is a great injustice when he should be appointed to more substantive responsibilities.

PM Stresses Importance Of Transparency In Govt Administration

2013-05-17T03:33:00.001+08:00

PUTRAJAYA, May 16 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Thursday stressed on the importance of transparency in government administration as this aspect had been exploited and blown out of proportion by the opposition regardless of whether it was real or mere perception.

He said now, the opposition seemed to know how perception could overcome reality.

Chairing the first Cabinet meeting after the 13th general election in Putrajaya, Najib said he wanted members of the government's administration to respond faster and more assertively on any issue raised by the opposition.

The Prime Minister said he also stressed on the importance of ministers to be prepared to face more intense public scrutiny.

"It means the people have high expectations on our behaviour, whether ourselves personally or our family members. As such, we must be aware of what we are doing, how we carry ourselves and our way of life so that the people will not question anything involving our integrity as a member of the administration," he said.

Thursday morning, all members of the new Cabinet took their oaths of office, loyalty and secrecy before Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at Istana Negara in the capital.

The new Cabinet held its first meeting Thursday for about two hours moments after taking a group picture on the first floor of the Putra Perdana building in Putrajaya at 3.15pm.

Referring to members of the new Cabinet, Najib said he saw their enthusiasm and readiness to shoulder their responsibilities as a team.

"God willing, we will do our best to fulfill all the pledges we made to the people," he said.

The Prime Minister said in Thursday's meeting, he also stressed on the importance of trust and confidence the people gave to the government.

He emphasised that whatever that was raised by Cabinet members, was not in the name of the individual but something that represented the government and it was their common stand.

"Whatever do we, it must be in the name of the government, we do not move in compartments or our respective silos. I want make it clear that we are a strong and well-coordinated team both locally and abroad, whether we are talking to the local or international media," he said.

He said each member of the Cabinet must add value their services by not protecting one's own ministry or area.

"In fact we must be willing to do more than that including participating in forums with the people, face-to-face or through social or traditional media," he added.

The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India.

2013-05-16T05:16:00.003+08:00

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION PRESENTS:

Watch HAF’s Newest Documentary
The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees

May 14, 2013

“Hindus were not only restricted from openly practicing their religion in his neighborhood, but were also attacked for publicly celebrating their festivals.” – HAF’s Victims of History Report on Hindus of Pakistan

Namaste -
To believe that one’s faith cannot be openly practiced is unthinkable. However, for many Pakistani Hindus, the slightest acknowledgement of their Hindu faith can endanger their lives.
“There is fear 24 hours a day…Hindus see themselves as helpless,” Chetan Ram states. Young girls are ripped from the arms of their mothers, married off to strangers, and forcibly converted to Islam; never to see their families again.
Families live in utter poverty. Even if they are employed; they are at the mercy of the jagirdars, or landlords. The Muslim jagirdars pay Hindu workers at their own accord, leaving many of the already impoverished Hindus unpaid.
In order to escape the dire fate they face in Pakistan, many flee to India for safety.
In January of 2013, a team from the Hindu American Foundation, traveled to Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Over five days, the team visited three Pakistani Hindu refugee camps, providing medical aid to over 400 refugees. During their time there, the team listened to one heartbreaking story after another. Here is just one story:



Amar Lal migrated to India in April 2009 from Bahawalpur after his unmarried sister-in-law was kidnapped and the family never heard from her again. He also noted that he knew of four to five additional Hindu girls that had been kidnapped in Bahawalpur. – HAF’s Victims of History Report
Despite fleeing from religious persecution, these individuals are still not formally recognized as refugees by the Indian Government or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Watch their harrowing story by clicking here.
For more in depth coverage of the situation, read the full report written by HAF’s Senior Human Rights Fellow, Samir Kalra, Esq.: “Victims of History: The Untold Story of Pakistani Hindu Refugees in India”. HAF premiered the documentary and presented the report findings at a Congressional Hearing held on April 25, 2013, in Washington D.C.
How can you help?
1. Educate yourself by watching the documentary.
2. Create awareness by sharing the documentary and report with friends and family
3. Give a voice to these refugees by donating to HAF today.
Sincerely,
The Hindu American Foundation Team.

Horrific ordeal of 'Girl D' who was raped injected with heroin, branded and sold for sex at £600 an hour

2013-05-16T05:15:00.001+08:00

Mohammed Karrar plied girl with drink and drugs and raped her
She then became his ‘property’ and a sex slave
Was loaned out to abusers around the country for up to £600 an hour

Abuse: Mohammed Karrar, 38, left, and his brother Bassam Karrar, 33, right, forced the young girl to have sex with one of them while she performed a sex act on the other

The ordeal for one of the victims began after she became desperate for love and attention because she was forced to care for her sick parents.

So when Mohammed Karrar entered her life, bought her perfume and treated her like an adult, she believed in him. But the ‘nicey-nicey honeymoon period,’ as she described it, would last barely a year.

After grooming her, Karrar made sure she was ‘out of it’ on drink and drugs before raping her on his sofa.

From that moment she became his ‘property’ and a sex slave loaned out to abusers around the country for up to £600 an hour.

Over five years she was repeatedly attacked in what she described as ‘torture sex’. Injected with heroin, she was sold to groups of Asian men who violently gang-raped her in bedsits and guesthouses around Oxford and elsewhere.

The victim identified as Girl D for legal reasons, frequently broke down in tears giving evidence via videolink as she described her horrific ordeal.

Following the rape, Karrar’s sadistic attacks became commonplace and sometimes he made ‘porn’ movies of her.

If she refused, he would beat her up and threaten her with weapons, once beating her with a baseball bat.

He even raped the girl, who came from a troubled family, at the home she shared with her parents.

Abuse was carried out at the Nanford Guest House in Oxford. Pictured is a room at the guest house

Karrar and his brother Bassam, who have been found guilty along with five other men of a string of sex crimes, forced her to have sex with one of them while she performed a sex act on the other.

Sobbing as she recalled telling Karrar about her pregnancy, she said: ‘He was f***ing fuming. He said I should have been a bit more responsible.’

Given two ‘ecstasy-like’ tablets, she was driven to a house in Reading where she was forced to undergo an illegal abortion using a long hook.

The teenager said she could not remember much of the procedure, but believes it took place on a hard living room floor. No doctors or nurses were present, there were no painkillers or medication.
On one occasion, Karrar branded her flesh with hot metal.

‘He was branding me so that if I ever had sex with someone else, people would know I was his,’ she said.

Convicted: Seven members of a paedophile ring were found guilty at the Old Bailey yesterday of a catalogue of charges involving vulnerable underage girls who were groomed for sexual exploitation

Over the following four years Karrar took the girl around the country and sold her for ‘£600 a time’.

She was made to wear short skirts and bikini tops before being repeatedly raped. Parties were held at which she was asked to meet the sexual requirements of up to 15 ‘important guests’.

She later moved into a foster family away from Oxford and the nightmare stopped.
Two years later she met Karrar after he convinced her he had changed.

During a conversation at his home she demanded to know why he had abused her and sold her for sex. He became angry and raped her a final time.

One victim said she had been so brainwashed by her abusers that even now she sometimes failed to see the evil in the men who had raped her.

Known only as ‘Girl Three’, she endured three years of abuse at the hands of the gang.

‘It was brainwashing. Even to this day I can almost say, “They were OK”,’ she said. ‘It’s delusional.

They turned me against my mum. They knew everything that they had to say to get a vulnerable person, a young person, on their side.’

Like many of the victims, she had experienced abuse as a child and was in care.

She was later adopted but rebelled by running away and drinking.

New cabinet list – who’s in and who’s out

2013-05-16T05:11:00.001+08:00

New cabinet - Waytha, Khairy, Paul Low in; MCA out

2013-05-16T05:09:00.002+08:00

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak unveiled his "transformation cabinet" this evening, which included a P Waythamoorthy (below) of Hindraf as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

It also included Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin who was overlooked in the last cabinet - he is tapped as sports and youth minister.

No one from MCA and Gerakan has been included in the new cabinet. However, Najib said that the door is still open to MCA participation if the party amends its decision not to participate in the cabinet.

Another surprise was the appointment of Transparency International-Malaysia president Paul Low (below) as Minister in Prime Minister's Department.

Maybank Berhad chief executive officer Abdul Wahid Omar was roped in as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, and most probably will be in charge of Economic Planning Unit.

However, Najib did not name the responsibilities of the six ministers in his department, an increase of one compared to his previous cabinet.

The Transport Ministry is understood to be the ministry allocated for MCA, which will be helmed by Hishammuddin Hussein.

Another new face in the cabinet is Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who has been named local government and housing minister.

This cabinet also sees a merger between the education and higher education ministries.

Najib unveiled his cabinet at his office at 5pm. The announcement, Najib’s first official action as head of government following the May 5 general election, was telecast live by local TV channels.

Najib had earlier submitted the cabinet list to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and said his majesty had given his approval to Najib's cabinet list.

"I believe this is a balanced cabinet. It's a balance between the experienced, technocrats and young leaders," he said.

As for MCA's resolution not to take up government positions, Najib said that MCA has to amend its resolution before it can participate in the cabinet.

"If they re-consider later, we have a ministry post ready for them," he said, referring to the Transport Ministry.

Najib's new cabinet is heavily dominated by Umno with 20 ministers, while PBB (Sarawak) has 4, MIC, 2, PRS (Sarawak), PBRS, PBS and Upko (Sabah), 1.

Three ministers, all of whom are in the PM's Department, have no party affiliation.
FULL LIST
Prime Minister and Finance I: Najib Abdul Razak (Umno)

DPM and Education I: Muhyiddin Yassin (Umno)

Ministers in Prime Minister's Department:

Jamil Khir Baharom (Umno)

Idris Jala (no party affiliation)

Abdul Wahid Omar (no party affiliation)

Joseph Kurup (PBRS)

Nancy Shukri (PBB)

Joseph Entulu (PRS)

Paul Low Seng Kuan (no party affiliation)

Shahidan Kassim (Umno)

Deputies - P Waythamoorthy (no party affiliation), Razali Ibrahim (Umno)

Finance II: Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (Umno)

Deputy - Ahmad Maslan (Umno)

Education II: Idris Jusoh (Umno)

Deputies - Mary Yap (PBS), P Kamalanathan (MIC)

Defence: Hishammuddin Hussein (Umno)

Deputy - Abdul Rahim Bakri (Umno)

Transport: Hishammuddin Hussein (acting) (Umno)

Deputy - Abdul Aziz Kaprawi (Umno)

Home: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Umno)

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (PBB)

Works: Fadillah Yusof (PBB)

Deputy - Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin (Umno)

International Trade and Industry: Mustapa Mohamed (Umno)

Deputy - Hamim Samuri (Umno)

Foreign Affairs: Anifah Aman (Umno)

Deputy - Hamzah Zainudin (Umno)

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs: Hasan Malek (Umno)

Deputy - Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (senator) (Umno)

Communications and Multimedia: Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Umno)

Deputy - Jailani Johari (Umno)

Human Resources: Richard Riot Jaem (SUPP)

Deputy - Ismail Abdul Muttalib (Umno)

Rural and Regional Development: Shafie Apdal (Umno)

Deputy - Alexander Nanta Linggi (PBB)

Urban Well-Being, Housing and Local Government: Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno)

Deputy - Halimah Mohd Saddique (Umno)

Youth and Sports: Khairy Jamaluddin (Umno)

Deputy - Saravanan Murugan (MIC)

Health: Dr S Subramaniam (MIC)

Deputy - Hilmi Yahaya (Umno)

Federal Territories: Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (Umno)

Deputy - J Loga Bala Mohan (senator) (PPP)

Plantation Industries and Commodities: Douglas Uggah Embas (PBB)

Deputy - Noriah Kasnon (Umno)

Energy, Water and Green Technology: Maximus Ongkili (PBS)

Deputy - Mahdzir Khalid (Umno)

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries: Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Umno)

Deputy - Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Umno)

Tourism and Culture: Nazri Abdul Aziz (Umno)

Deputy - Joseph Salang Gandum (PRS)

Science, Technology and Innovation: Ewon Ebin (Upko)

Deputy - Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah (Umno)

Natural Resources and Environment: G Palanivel (MIC)

Deputy - James Dawos Mamit (PBB)

Women, Family and Community Development: Rohani Abdul Karim (PBB)

Deputy - Azizah Mohd Dun (Umno)

Uthaya: Waytha is the new Samy Vellu

2013-05-16T05:08:00.000+08:00

P Waythamoorthy's appointment as a deputy minister has drawn scorn from Hindraf de facto leader P Uthayakumar, who insisted that the former no longer represented the Hindraf movement.

“Congratulations to Waytha as the latest Indian mandore (head coolie)! A new Samy Vellu,” said Uthayakumar in a text message to Malaysiakini.

Uthayakumar, who is Waythamoorthy's elder brother, said the latter had been sacked by the Hindraf supreme council on April 25 for betraying the movement's 18-point demands and for joining BN.

“Waytha (in orange T-shirt) was diverted by his personal agenda and is a political opportunist,” said Uthayakumar.

Uthayakumar said that he was the legitimate leader of the Hindraf movement and not Waythamoorthy, who only took charge of the movement while the former was incarcerated for 514 days under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He stressed that the Hindraf rally on Nov 25, 2007 – Hindraf's most iconic moment – was held under his orders and not Waythamoorthy's.

In view of this, Uthayakumar said that he will continue to lead Hindraf and its “anti-BN crusade”.
Kimma also upset

After going into exile before Uthayakumar was incarcerated in December 2007, Waythamoorthy returned on Aug 1 last year and actively led a faction within Hindraf.

His activities culminated with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BN and the Hindraf faction led by Waythamoorthy.

BN had endorsed a “blueprint” for the Indian community, prepared by Waythamoorthy's faction, prompting Uthayakumar to break his silence on his younger brother's actions.
Meanwhile, Kimma Youth chief Muhamad Johan also questioned Waythamoorthy's appointment because Hindraf was involved in street demonstrations before.

"He is someone who caused chaos in the country and sullied Malaysia's reputation abroad," he said on his Facebook page.

Muhamad said that Kimma had been loyal to BN for a long time but their efforts are not being recognised.

"Do we have to do street demonstrations for Kimma to be recognised?" he asked.

New cabinet list – who’s in and who’s out

2013-05-16T05:05:00.003+08:00

Surprises emerged when Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the cabinet list today.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today unveiled a slew of fresh faces among old names in his new cabinet lineup, and among them were Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy and Transparency International Malaysia president Paul Low.

Waythamoorthy and Low were both made senators, with the Hindraf leader named deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, while Low is made a minister in the same department. Joining them as minister in the department is former Perlis Menteri Besar, Shahidan Kassim.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin now heads the newly merged Education and Higher Education Ministry (renamed Education & Higher Learning Ministry) with former MB of Terengganu Idris Jusoh joining him as the second minister.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin Hussein is moved to the Defence Ministry while Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is now Home Minister, a swap between the two Umno vice presidents. Former Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is appointed as Zahid’s deputy.

Other new faces in the cabinet include Rembau MP and Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is now Youth and Sports minister, and Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan who is now appointed Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister.

Ministers Anifah Aman, Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, and Mustapa Mohamed are retained in the Foreign Ministry, Finance Ministry and International Trade and Industry respectively.

However, Umno’s Hamim Samuri replaces Mukhriz Mahathir as Mustapa’s deputy. Mukhriz contested in a state seat in Kedah and is now the Kedah menteri besar.

In what is seen as a ‘demotion’, former de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz is minted as the new Tourism and Culture minister. Former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry minister and Tanjung Karang MP Noh Omar is dropped altogether.

MIC president G Palanivel is made the Natural Resources and Environment Minister while his deputy Dr S Subramaniam is now the new Health Minister, replacing MCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai.

P Kamalanathan, a MIC central working committee member is now Deputy Minister in the Education Ministry while MIC vice president M Saravanan is now Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Ministry.

Noticeably absent from the list are MCA members and former cabinet ministers who lost in the May 5 general election, such as former Deputy Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and former Federal Territories and Well-Being Minister Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin.

10 ministers from Sabah, Sarawak

Speaking at a press conference later, Najib said MCA’s participation in the cabinet would be decided later due to the party’s resolution of not accepting cabinet posts should they fare badly in the general election.

“That is why I have retained the Transport Ministry [to be handled temporarily by Hishammuddin] so that MCA may take over if they decide to take the post after their annual general meeting,” said Najib.

With the absence of both Gerakan and MCA, there are only two Chinese representatives in the cabinet – Senator Paul Low (minister) and Mary Yap (deputy minister).

Najib also pointed out that he had downsized the cabinet by 11 deputy ministers, from 38 previously to 27.

“The number of ministers remains almost the same to reflect the Barisan Nasional family,” the prime minister explained.

Sabah and Sarawak which both gave a large chunk of MP seats to BN were rewarded with 15 parliamentarians being named in the cabinet, of which 10 were full ministers.

Prior to unveiling the list, Najib had said: “I describe this cabinet as a balance between the experienced, technocrats and representatives of the youths.

The Pekan MP also said that the new cabinet line up would contribute positively to the administration based on their vast experience, especially those who are made or retained as ministers or deputy ministers

“The technocrats will contribute based on their specific expertise and the youths, aside from their capabilities, will bring us the views of the younger generation for the government’s consideration.”

Najib also promised that the new cabinet would focus on issues of integrity and corruption, and would help continue the country’s national transformation agenda.

Palani plots to keep his post

2013-05-16T05:04:00.004+08:00

Palanivel is apparently making his moves to ensure that he remains the MIC president for another term by plotting a 'no contest' resolution.

PETALING JAYA: Selangor MIC will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to pass a resolution calling for a ‘no contest’ for the party’s top post in the upcoming MIC elections.

Sources revealed that party president G Palanivel, who is also the state MIC chief, had directed all state office-bearers to pass the resolution sensing that he would be challenged at the party’s presidential election slated for later this year.

“Palanivel is taking a preemptive measure to ensure he remains the president after the presidential election. The meeting is called so that the Selangor MIC can come up with a resolution wanting a no-contest for the party top post.

“Palanivel knows that there are leaders who would definitely take him on in the election. He tried postponing the polls but this did not materialize. Now he has resorted to this. The president fears losing the top post,” said the source.

Party insiders also claimed that Palanivel has been asking leaders to issue statements in Tamil dailies supporting him and asking him to continue as the top-man in the party.

The MIC presidential election is long overdue and must be held as soon as possible as the term of the current president has expired.

MIC held its presidential election in March, 2009, and four years have passed, although it is only a three-year term.

MIC has a unique system where the presidential election is held three months before the polling for other national positions in the party.

Elections for the posts of deputy president, three vice-presidents and 25 central working committee members can only be held after the presidential election. Before this the party must hold elections at branch and division levels.

The party’s internal election process, like all other peninsular based Barisan Nasional component parties, came to a standstill due to the 13th general election.

The presidential election should have been held in 2012 but was postponed due to the general election.

In the March 2009 presidential election, then party supremo S Samy Vellu retained the presidency for a record 11th consecutive term. He won the top post uncontested.

Under the party constitution, a presidential aspirant needs to obtain 50 nominations, with each nomination needing one proposer and five seconders, to be eligible to contest. All proposers and seconders must be branch chairmen.

The MIC president would be picked by about 3,700 branch chairmen nationwide in the event of a contest compared to other top national posts which are decided by some 1,500 divisional delegates who attend the party’s annual general assembly.

The new challengers

Samy Vellu, who was works minister before his defeat in the 2008 general election in his parliamentary constituency of Sungai Siput, had been at the helm of the largest Indian-based political party since 1979, when he became the acting president after the death of then president V Manikavasagam.

He stepped down in December, 2010, paving the way for current chief Palanivel to become MIC’s acting president.

Since the last presidential election was in March 2009 and the current term came to an end in March 2012, Palanivel’s detractors claimed that he is now the “illegitimate” leader of the party.

The date of the election can only be extended by the central working committee, the party’s highest decision making body.

Even if this is done, the presidential election must be held by September this year.

Speculation is rife that party deputy president Dr S Subramaniam and vice-president M Saravanan are eyeing the party top post in the upcoming presidential polls.

“While Subramanian is a natural choice to fight the top post, many in the party feel Saravanan can bring a breath of fresh air to the party. He is a proven leader, young, able to connect with young voters.

“Saravanan and Subramaniam are also prominently given coverage by the Tamil papers. Palanivel knows that both are threats to his position.

“This matter is further complicated by Samy Vellu who has sent out feelers with the intention of contesting the MIC top post.

“Samy Vellu feels let down by Palanivel. He wanted the party to be vibrant and lively but this has not happened. If Samy Vellu does not contest and throws his support for either Subramaniam or Saravanan, then Palanivel will surely lose. Samy Vellu still commands at least 45% support from grassroot leaders,” said the source.

Anti-Xavier group threatens protests

2013-05-16T05:03:00.004+08:00

According to Dr Xavier Jeyakumar's detractors, PKR had received 29 memorandums of his wrongdoings and mismanagement during his tenure as state exco.

KLANG: A large group of PKR Indian leaders today unanimously rejected the party’s decision to submit Sri Andalas assemblyman Dr Xavier Jeyakumar’s name for executive councillor position in the Selangor state administration.

They’re also planning for a series of protests against PKR if Jeyakumar gets the nod for a second term as an exco member.

In the last state cabinet, Jeyakumar helmed the Health, Estate Workers, Poverty and Caring Government portfolio.

“We were told that Jeyakumar’s name is in the PKR’s exco list for a second term which really shocked the Pakatan Indian leaders in Selangor,” said Dr S Streram from Petaling Jaya Selatan PKR division.

Speaking to reporters here, Streram added: “We are here today and want to send a strong message to PKR’s top leadership not to pick Jeyakumar for the exco post.”

Also present were several PKR grassroots leaders such as ‘OMS’ P Thiagarajan, who is a close ally to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, P Krishnasamy (Klang), S Murali (Puchong), M Jayabalan (Lembah Pantai), Anthony Dass (Kota Raja), S Balan (Subang), P Maniam (Hulu Selangor) and Dr Neduchelian from Kapar.

Streram said if the PKR leadership was adamant about pushing ahead with Jeyakumar, then they should be prepared to face massive protests.

“We are not threatening the party, but we want the leaders to listen to our suggestions,” said Streram.

He said there was a general consensus among PKR Indian leaders to have DAP’s V Ganapathi Rao as the Selangor exco for Indian affairs.

“We Selangor Indians are disappointed with Jeyakumar’s quality of leadership. Apart from being a ‘postman’ on delivering Tamil schools allocations, he has done nothing for the Indian community,” said Streram, adding that Jeyakumar had failed to empower the Indians in Selangor.

29 memorandums of wrongdoings

He said, on the other hand, Ganapathi Rao, a Hindraf activist and former ISA detainee, was well aware of the real situation of Selangor Indians.

Sharing Streram’s view, Murali and Anthony Dass claimed that so far PKR had received 29 memorandums of alleged wrongdoings and mismanagement on Jeyakumar during his tenure as state exco.

“But, it is a surprise to know that until today there are no actions against him,” said Murali.

Jeyakumar who is a second term Seri Andalas assemblyman is facing a tough time within PKR.

But his increased majority win at the 13th general election has made him a key contender for a second term as Selangor exco.

Pakatan retained Selangor with a two third majority in the GE13 .

Speculations are rife that DAP may be alloted the Indian quota hence Ganapathi’s name. Ganapathi won the Kota Alam Shah state seat. Another possible candidate is Bukit Gasing DAP assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran.

Meanwhile the anti-Jeyakumar group is planning to hold a press conference on the issue tomorrow.

According to Krishnasamy, they have invited PKR leaders Anwar Ibrahim, party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, deputy president Azmin Ali and Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim for the press conference.

DAP rejects street protests to topple BN

2013-05-16T05:02:00.002+08:00

DAP chairman Karpal Singh says such protests, as proposed by Haris Ibrahim, could turn unruly if not handled properly.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP chairman Karpal Singh today rebuked activist Haris Ibrahim for calling for street protests to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Speaking at a press conference today, Karpal said that he could not accept the call for street protests despite agreeing that the recent general election was marred with irregularities.

“I agree there were fraud during the general election but we must address this using the court process,” he said.

Yesterday, Haris was reported as saying that pro-Pakatan Rakyat NGO’s would topple the federal government through massive street rallies.

He said that the people could not wait for another five years to dislodge BN as democracy is not working in Malaysia.

However, Haris qualified his statement by saying that he was not talking about violent street protests against BN.

Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, said that his party is against street protests to topple a government.

Although he commended Haris for opposing violent demonstrations, Karpal warned that a street protest may cause unrest if it was not handled properly.

“I know Haris is a good man. Probably he got carried away by anger on the fact that Najib (Tun Razak) is leading a minority government,” he said.

Karpal also commended PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim for holding indoor rallies to create awareness among the masses on the electoral fraud that transpired during the general election.

“What Anwar doing is understandable and the police should cooperate by providing security to the participants, not like what happened in the Kelana Jaya rally where there were no police presence at all,” he said.