Malaysiakita

Malaysia is not ‘going bankrupt’

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 20:41:00 +0000

BATU PAHAT (The Star Online 5/2/11): The Opposition’s claim that the Government is going bankrupt due to its huge deficit is unfair, as a country’s wealth should not be measured in terms of its debt but ability to service it.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said that Malaysia’s budget deficit to GDP ratio was 5.4%.

“For countries like Greece, the percentage was 12%,” he said when met at his Chinese New Year open house here yesterday.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had promised to reduce the deficit to 5.2% this year.

Dr Chua further reiterated that Malaysia was not facing bankruptcy due to the strengthening of the ringgit as well as the huge inflow of foreign direct investment into the country last year (More).

Beaten and robbed by cops over expired road tax

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 16:31:00 +0000

For being frank with the police, 34-year-old Chia Buang Hing was detained for five days and beaten up until he vomited blood.

The businessman, who is frame-maker, narrated the "horrific" incident today, saying that the police bashed him up, threatened and robbed him of RM13,000 in cash he was carrying - all for the expired road tax of his wife's car that he was driving.

Chia's nightmare began about 11pm on Dec 18, as he was driving from his house in Tropicana to Kota Damansara, where traffic police had set up roadblocks.

Having spotted the expired road tax, one of the police officers asked for his driver's licence and identification card.

It was then, he said, that the officer spotted stacks of RM50 notes, totalling RM7,000, sticking out of his pocket and demanded that he hand them over (more at Malaysiakini 24/12/10).

Kota Damansara, Selangor’s new Sin City

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Local council enforcement officers in Petaling Jaya have told me that they are often stopped dead in their tracks in the course of carrying out their work by Pakatan Rakyat politicians. These loud-mouthed, arrogant and bullying lawmakers, or more correctly, lawbreakers, with their own personal political agenda give direct operational orders to enforcement officers who are answerable, in any case, to their career local government officers.

Enforcing municipal or city council laws in these circumstances takes on a bizarre tug of war aspect when politicians, often from the same party, descend on the scene issuing diametrically opposed instructions. Interfering to the extent of ordering enforcement officers to leave unlicensed food traders well alone for fear of losing their votes is considered, in their circle, as politically savvy and chic. No doubt all part of their ticket to Putrajaya.

The fact that this is blatant abuse of power, or not to put too fine a point on it, corruption, seems to escape them completely as they set about, single-mindedly, to develop popular ground support, for future parliamentary elections. They studiously look away from breaches of the rules and regulations of their own making, committed by MCA supporters who might, just might, change their political allegiance if they were allowed to continue to trade illegally. Why not help them to become “legit”? In this way MPPJ will earn some revenue (More).

BN gearing for snap polls, says Anwar

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:54:00 +0000

The government's latest postponement of the goods and services tax (GST) is a 'major' indicator that snap polls are around the corner, said PKR de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim.

There is a major possibility of snap general elections and I anticipate that tomorrow's budget is going to be an election budget," he told a press conference at the Parliament House lobby today (Read more in Malaysiakini).

Umno is beginning to look better than PKR

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:13:00 +0000

(Malaysia Today 13/10/10) These shenanigans have got to stop. PKR is starting to look like a party of slime-balls and scumbags. Are they so scared of Nurul Izzah that they need to play dirty to disqualify here?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Nurul fails in bid for PKR deputy presidency

(Free Malaysia Today) - Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar was unsuccessful in her bid for the PKR deputy presidency when she failed to get enough nominations.

She needed two nominations to pull through but had only one nomination to contend with.

Confirming the nomination results, PKR election committee member Wong Hoy Cheong said candidates must obtain at least two nominations but Nurul Izzah had obtained only one -- from Keningau, Sabah, at the close of nomination on Sunday.

The PKR Lembah Pantai division had nominated PKR central committee member Zaid Ibrahim for the deputy presidency.

Wong said according to the nomination list, three candidates will vie for the PKR presidency and seven for the deputy presidency.

He declined to disclose details.

Twenty-seven candidates have enough nominations for seven vice-president posts and 209 for 20 central leadership council posts, he said.

The list of those who qualified to contest party top posts are being filtered before their names are announced on Saturday, he added.

Besides Nurul and Zaid, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice-presidents Mustafa Kamil Ayub and Mohamed Azmin Ali, and Zaid have entered the fray for the deputy presidency.

The party polls will be held from Oct 31 to Nov 21 while the national congress from Nov 26 to 28.

***************************************

PKR announced that Nurul Izzah obtained only one nomination. And since she requires at least two she is therefore not eligible to contest the party deputy presidency. What they did not announce is that she obtained another two nominations on Monday. So that makes three nominations that she obtained.

The party also announced that she received the one nomination as at the closing date on Sunday. Therefore, the two that she obtained on Monday, which the party did not mention, does not count.

But who decided that nominations close on Sunday? Was this a party supreme council decision or was it the decision of an individual or ‘committee’?

I suppose they will now say that the supreme council decided to give the mandate and sole discretion to one person or to the election committee. Therefore, whatever this one person or committee decides becomes ‘law’.

Alright then, if this is the case, was this ‘law’ gazetted? All laws must be gazetted before they become law. In other words was an announcement made informing everyone that the closing date for all nominations is Sunday and that all nominations received after this date will be rejected and will regarded as null?

A check with a few divisions reveals that they never received any gazette or circular from the party headquarters informing them that the closing date for nominations is Sunday.

Was it a ‘silent law’? Or did they expect everyone to read the minds of the people in the party headquarters? Mental telepathy maybe?

And when did they decide that Sunday is the closing date for nominations? Was this decided the following day, on Monday, after two more nominations for Nurul Izzah came in? In other words did they decide on the Sunday closing date on Monday when they realised that Nurul had received an additional two nominations and that this would therefore qualify her to contest the party deputy presidency?

I smell a rat here, a dead rat. And the smell stinks to high heaven. It appears like PKR is even dirtier than Umno. Now, even Umno is looking better than PKR.

These shenanigans have got to stop. PKR is starting to look like a party of slime-balls and scumbags. Are they so scared of Nurul Izzah that they need to play dirty to disqualify here?

Rules are fine. We need rules or else all hell will break loose and chaos will reign. But changing the rules, practicing unwritten rules, not informing players of the rules and then catching them unexpectedly, and moving the goalposts halfway through the game to win by fraud is just not on.

Play fair. Let Nurul contest. If she losses she must learn how to manage defeat. That would be a good lesson for her. And if she wins then it is the members’ choice. But disqualifying her because of a rule that no one knew about are things Umno does and not something that PKR should ape.

Sigh…I expect when ex-Umno people head PKR then we should not be surprised when they use Umno tactics in PKR. A leopard never changes its spots. So why should the ex-Umno people in PKR change their Umno habits as well?

I suppose we can always just sit back and watch PKR self-destruct. Then, come the next election, we can choose either DAP or PAS to vote for. Of course, there is always PSM or PRM in the event that DAP or PAS are not contesting in that particular constituency. Or we can persuade Gerakan to change its outdated and expired shelf-life leaders and then leave Barisan Nasional whereby we can all rally behind Gerakan as the new Third Force and multi-racial party like how it started out back in 1968.

I think I will go join Gerakan if they promise to revamp the party and change its leaders and leave Barisan Nasional to start life anew as a Third Force for all Malaysians fed up of both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

Azmin shocked that Khalid wants in (Malaysiakini 13/10/10)

Anwar dan Azmin berbincang di Jakarta (Ureka 12/10/10)

10th October deadline? Since when? Yesterday? (Haris Ibrahim 12/10/10)

Mengapa Khalid bertanding? (Ureka 11/10/10)

Dr M wants BN to learn from LDP lesson

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Malaysian Insider (11/9/09): Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the man who asked Malaysia to look east, and he now believes the sun could be setting on the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

In a posting on his blog today, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister warned that it was not entirely impossible that the next election could see the same phenomenon in Japan happen to BN.

“The only thing that could save the BN is the lack-lustre performance of the opposition. The alternative is not a real alternative”.

“But if the performance of the BN government and parties fail to gain confidence, the frustrated voters might just do what the Japanese voters did — dump the party they had supported for more than half a century.”

Japan’s LDP recently lost the elections, ending more than half a century of nearly uninterrupted rule, and observers here have begun to draw parallels with political developments affecting BN.

BN lost its traditional two-thirds majority in last year’s general elections and has been struggling with attempts to reform.

Dr Mahathir, who was a trenchant critic of Tun Abdullah Badawi’s administration, has warmed to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government. But he continues to be critical of the corruption and lack of direction that has beset Umno and other BN parties.

He wrote in his blog today that based on his assessment of the current situation, it was likely BN and Umno could share the same fate of parties like Japan’s LDP.

The Malaysian Insider reported today that according to a new poll of voters in peninsular Malaysia, power still hangs in the balance with BN having a slight edge.

A significant number of voters still appear undecided, and their backing remains up for grabs between BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties.

“In just three years time the new elections will be held. Time is obviously running short.”

“Unless some drastic change is shown in the way the country is run and the people are served, BN will join the other grand old party in the rubbish heap of history,” said Dr Mahathir.

He said that there was no doubt the rot had set in and that corruption was now rampant in Umno and other component parties.

Without naming anyone, Dr Mahathir said that power had emasculated many BN leaders, and pointed out that many of them were clinging on to power even though they had outlived their usefulness.

The former PM did however criticised his old friend and ally Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu a day earlier in an interview with a Tamil newspaper, and called for the MIC president to make way for younger leaders in the party.

“Malaysia’s voters, especially the Malays, have always been strongly loyal. Yet there is evidence that in 2008 many of these loyalists had voted for the opposition.

Perak Regent admonishes Nizar to respect royal address

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:48:00 +0000

NST (7/5/09): After a chaotic morning and an equally confusing and tiring afternoon in the state assembly, Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah was finally able to deliver his opening address — five hours after its scheduled time. Raja Nazrin, the Raja Muda of Perak, was still not spared the peace to deliver his speech when, upon taking his seat with his wife Raja Puan Besar Tuanku Zara Salim, ousted menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin requested to raise an objection on the allegedly forceful and illegal means employed by the Barisan Nasional to remove speaker V. Sivakumar.

Raja Nazrin, who had been delayed since the morning by the disarray in the assembly, then asked Nizar and ousted senior exco Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham to approach him. They did their sembah and kissed the regent’s hand.

While Raja Nazrin took care to speak to them away from the microphone, his advice, which sounded more like an admonishment, was audible over the hall’s speakers.

The Raja Muda told the duo: “I don’t want to get involved in this. I just want to give my speech, so respect my speech, when I am giving it. You understand that? If you want to work with me in future, you have to respect my speech. Understand?

“So go and tell that (to the Pakatan Rakyat state assemblymen who had stood together in front of the royal dais to take their seats).”
Nizar then told the PR state assemblymen to sit so that Raja Nazrin could deliver his opening address for the first meeting of the second session of the 12th state assembly.

However, just before Raja Nazrin could begin speaking, Nizar once again pointed out to the regent that there were unauthorised people present in the state assembly.

Nizar was referring to a group of more than 50 policemen who were earlier brought in at the request of the BN. Despite protests from PR state assemblymen, the policemen continued to remain in the House.

Shortly afterwards, the police personnel, who had formed a barricade between the royal dais and the assembly floor to keep Pakatan members from approaching the royalty, left the assembly after Nizar made his request to the regent.

In his speech, the regent reminded the state government that the tourism and services sectors in the state could be affected by the uncertain global economic climate and the A (H1N1) influenza outbreak.

“The state government is advised to take proactive measures to tackle the current concerns as well as prepare plans to achieve the Developed Perak 2015 agenda.

“The move by the state government to set up the Perak Economy Council is a good one. I believe that this consultative council, with economists, academics and industry experts as members, will be able to give rise to new ideas in the effort to confront the current economic crisis,” he said.

Raja Nazrin, who was originally due to give his opening address at 10am, also thanked the federal government for the RM10.05 billion development allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and RM297 million provided for Perak under the second economic stimulus package.

He said besides encouraging downstream activities and creating spillover effects, the state administration should implement programmes that had already been approved.

Raja Nazrin also welcomed the federal government’s two stimulus packages to pump-prime the economy, pointing out that big countries like the United States, China and Japan had similarly boosted spending against the worldwide recession.

Five-hour wait for Raja Nazrin

The Star (8/5/09): Thanks to the chaotic scene at the Perak state assembly, the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah had to wait five hours before he could officially open the meeting at 3.15pm.

Raja Dr Nazrin, who was accompanied by his consort Raja Puan Besar Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, arrived at the Perak Darul Ridzuan building at 9.20am yesterday to perform the opening ceremony but waited in the royal holding room after a commotion broke out involving Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional assemblymen.

When the royal couple walked in, Pakatan assemblymen stationed themselves in the middle of the hall before them as a sign of protest.

As Raja Dr Nazrin Shah took his seat, former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin requested leave to address him.

The Raja Muda then summoned Nizar and Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP – Setiawan) to approach him on the royal dais.

Leaning towards them, the Raja Muda of Perak was heard whispering to the two that he did not want to interfere in the political dispute.

“I just want to give my speech. Respect my speech when I am giving it, you understand? If you want to work with me in the future, respect my speech. Tell them that,” murmured Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.

Bowing, both Nizar and Ngeh returned to speak briefly to the Pakatan assemblymen, who then resumed their seats for the royal address.

The Raja Muda left at 3.50pm after delivering his speech. He did not touch on the chaotic situation in the House.

Earlier, Sivakumar was taken out by several people who had entered the House before former Sungkai assemblyman, Datuk R. Ganesan, who was elected Speaker by the Barisan assemblymen and three Independent assemblymen, was escorted to the Speaker’s Chair.

In his 20-minute speech, Raja Dr Nazrin touched on the economy, administration and development of the state.

He advised the state administration machinery to be brave and open in exploring new ideas and innovation in order to optimise productivity and cut costs.

The Raja Muda also viewed seriously incidents of crime, drug addiction and the Mat Rempit culture which was becoming more prevalent now.

“The firm action taken by the authorities in enforcing the laws should be supported and the principle of the rule of law should be held dear,” he said.

Thanks, we know what to do

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Malay Mail (14/4/09): You do something for people because you are paid to do it. It’s a job.

You do something for the people because you say you care for them, you feel for them, you know their plight.

It’s more than a job. It’s a noble calling. Good. Surely, the act itself is reward enough. You want gratitude?

The Deputy Prime Minister’s moan over the weekend about the seeming (or unseemly) ingratitude of Chinese voters sounds the patronising tone that answers his puzzlement over the sentiments of the Chinese community.

“Gratitude” is inextricably meshed into the Malaysian racial Gordian knot of pendatang and ketuanan and now, now, don’t be greedy, give thanks for what you have been given.

Thank you. Thank you. No thank you! Anyway, isn’t it the “job” of a public official to provide efficient service?

From my observation of the post office I use, many of us terminate transactions with a Terima kasih, Thank you, and a smile.

You want my “grateful” vote? Sorry, I’m holding out for more work, lots more, than taking money from me and issuing a receipt, and stamping documents and mail.

As for the allocation of resources for Chinese schools – sorry again, the issue leaves me cold. I was enrolled in a national primary school.

I lucked into Victoria Institution (VI). I can’t be grateful for an experience that is alien to me. On the same grounds the MCA does not speak for or to me.

It is speaking to its power base, fine, but sorry, I was not born in a new village; as a kid my best game was badminton, not basketball; this ignoramus cannot tell a strong brush stroke from a splodgy one; the clan association was just a place I went to as a kid, following my cousins, to pick up uncle after his mahjong.

The MIC has gone through a year of re-branding. Anybody seen any change? Stupid, I again can’t read Tamil, maybe all kinds of things are afoot in the Indian community that I’m not aware of. My loss. I’ll have to live with it.

The King is going… soon, not yet. Long live the King! Decades ago, I watched a production at the British Council that had a ham actor climax his histrionics by dying and then going through two resurrections to gasp his interminable last words.

He saved an excruciating night. My friends and I were in hysterics over his milking of the character’s death throes. It was supposed to be a comedy, but we hadn’t seen the humour in it till the end. (I can’t figure why I brought up this story.)

That’s what many Barisan component parties have become over the decades – insular country clubs that strictly vetted membership applications.

Those who make it into the inner sanctum would have been (must be?) profuse with their gratitude, in one form or other.

And they were all telling each other what they wanted to hear, and they were telling the country what they thought it should hear.

Last year, the country spoke. Did the government hear? I am patient.

I believe rehabilitation is possible for anybody (though my experience, of drug addicts among university mates and my students and from a deeply felt visit to a rehab centre while doing research for a play, tells me that for every one who kicks the habit, many more just succumb; it’s the easier way out, by their chemically mutated logic).

And how long do I have to wait to see results? Three years or so. Hey, at my age, three years will go by in a blink, and before you know it, I’m handing my IC over to be checked against the electoral rolls. I am grateful that as a warga mas, I don’t have to stand in line with the hundreds of younger citizens, but when I step into the classroom to have my name and IC number read out loud, I don’t have to acknowledge any tuan in return.

● Thor Kah Hoong (khthor50@ gmail.com) is grateful this country is so racially harmonious, even all our racists swear they have good friends of other races.

50 Putera members hold protest

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:26:00 +0000

NST (30/1/09): At least 50 members of Umno Youth and Umno Putera from the Federal Territory division demonstrated at Menara Dato Onn yesterday against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's probe into vote-buying in the party.

The protesters gathered about 8pm yesterday prior to the Umno supreme council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The protesters also carried placards decrying the Umno disciplinary board as "senile".

A few policemen stood by the entrance to monitor the situation.

50 stage protest outside Umno HQ

The Star (30/1/09): About 50 people gathered outside the Umno headquarters where the party’s supreme council was meeting to stage a protest against the Umno disciplinary council and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) arrest of party members.

The group, said to be Umno Youth members, arrived at 8pm holding placards and banners at the main entrance of Menara Dato’ Onn and shouted their demands as party leaders arrived.

The placards and banners read: “Lembaga disiplin sudah nyanyuk,” “Jangan ambil hak ahli Umno” and “Kami menolak SPRM, boleh blah.” (Disciplinary board is senile; Don’t usurp Umno member’s right: We reject the MACC: butt out)

When Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived at 8.35pm, the group presented a memorandum to him.

Among its contents was a protest against Umno disciplinary board chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen’s suggestion that the main wings of the party be abolished and on the alleged beating of Umno members during interrogation by MACC officers.

Zuraidi Abd Rahim, who claimed to be a delegate from Baling, said the group represented about 2,500 Umno Youth delegates nationwide.

He claimed that 39 party members in Pahang were called for interrogation by the commission, alleging that some of them were beaten.

“Two or three of them have lodged police reports,” he said, adding that the reports were attached to the memorandum.

Zuraidi said party grassroots were hoping the leadership would listen to their plea and make the necessary changes.

Azeez's words speak louder than action

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:52:00 +0000

Who is "babi negara"?

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:13:00 +0000

(Courtesy of Ramadhan84)

Where is the food?

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Sat, 03 May 2008 09:25:00 +0000

The Economic Times (3/5/08) reported, Malaysia delays public projects to use money for food. Excerpts:

The Malaysian government will delay nonessential public projects and use the money instead to build up food stockpiles amid a global food crisis, the prime minister said on Saturday.

If measures are not taken now "it will be difficult later," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

He said a 4 billion ringgit ($1.3 billion; euro1 billion) plan announced recently to guarantee food supplies can be funded adequately only if money is diverted from non-urgent public projects.

MySinchew has this question to ask: Would RM4 billion be able to achieve 100% of self-sufficiency? The Second Finance Minister just said recently that the government needs RM6 billion to meet 90% of the domestic demand for grain.

When the government syphoned RM4.4 billion from oil subsidies (please refer Malaysiakini, Fuel hike: Najib no economist), Bernama reported the Prime Minister "has asked the people not to question the government's efforts to use the RM4.4 billion savings from the reduction in oil subsidy to improve the public transportation system".

Anybody sees any improvement in the public transportation system?

And now, with another RM4 billions announced recently to guarantee food supplies can be funded adequately, hopefully no one will ask, "where is the food?"

Related:
Are BN MPs - subsidy MPs from a subsidy generation – speaking for the people or representing the government against the people? (Lim Kit Siang)
Revamp the national treasures (Gerak)
Petronas is world’s least transparent (Gerak)
The RM4.4 billion test (Jeff Ooi)
The RM4.4 billion test... 2 (Jeff Ooi)
Fuel vs Wallet (Jeff Ooi)
Idiot's guide to public transport (Aisehman)
Najib, Petrol, PKFZ, Sukhois, Scorpenes & Viable Alternatives (Nathaniel Tan)
Interview with DPM on hike in fuel petrol price (Bernama)
Oil price hike, subsidy and alternative fuels take centre stage (Bernama)

It doesn’t surprise me, YAB!

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:36:00 +0000

Please click the image (Courtesy of Vernon)

i always cherish my little than brief moments with YAB Lim Guan Eng - a late lunch with him (i never knew he likes kari kambing) and Haji Mohamad Sabu. If i'm not mistaken a day before they haul him to Kajang Prison. Dearest Ning Baizura, that doesnt surprise me. Really!

Bullyboys on rampage again

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:07:00 +0000

From Rocky:

Spoke to RPK. He's at home. They confiscated his desktop and laptop. And he has been summoned to Bukit Aman (CCID, near the Bank Negara NOT the one near the old British Council, just in case you want to turn up and show your support) to give a statement.

Update by Rocky (7.30 pm):

RPK, who runs the Malaysia Today on-line, said the Commercial Crime Division of Bukit Aman had asked him to make a statement with regards to his posting headlined "Let's send Altantuya murderers to Hell".

He refused to make that statement, of course.

The cops gave up (for now, at least) after two hours.

RPK was accompanied by his lawyer, YB William Leong, the MP of Selayang.

Scores of journalists, bloggers and Malaysia Today supporters waited at the entrance of the Bukit Aman.

The MP of Wangsa Maju, YB Wee Choo Keong, arrived just after 5pm. After a brief discussion with Marina, RPK's wife, Wee told her he would try and meet the cops. He asked me to accompany him. Wee took offence when the sentry on duty stepped in front of him and blocked his progress with an elbow.

"Wah, is this a police state now? I don't think we are a police state. Are we a police state?" Wee challenged the sentry's superiors. He said the sentry treated him like a criminal.

"If you can do this to an wakil rakyat," he continued, "what chance does the average citizen," he said, pointing at me, "your guard there will kick him out, hah?"

That's YB Wee for you!

Raja Petra said the cops still had his lap top and computer. He confirmed that he was being investigated under Sedition Act.

"For two hours they tried to make me make a statement. I refused. They threatened to charge me for refusing to make a statement. I told them, go ahead and arrest me or release me right now. And i told them that if they let me walk, I don't want to see their faces again."

Go to www.myblog-tv.com for our own Yew-Tube.

From a former victim (and still a victim actually), Nat:

There are unconfirmed reports via KeADILan’s sms service that RPK’s house was searched by the police and his computers confiscated (these dumbos never seem to get the point with the computer confiscation), over articles concerning Najib and Altantuya.

Susan Loone says:

Keep close watch. Keep your fingers cross. For those who pray, pray for Raja Petra.
We are with you.

Police call in Raja Petra for questioning (Malaysiakini 2/5/08)

Cops investigating Raja Petra under Multimedia Act

The Star (2/5/08): Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 4C of the Seditious Act for an article he wrote recently titled Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell.

It is learnt that eight police officers from the Federal Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID) visited Raja Petra’s house in Sungai Buloh here at about 9am on Friday.

They seized a laptop and a CPU (central processing unit) before leaving at about 11am.

Raja Petra was summoned to the Federal Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID) department at 4pm Friday after initially being told to report there at 11am Saturday.

He was allowed to leave at about 6pm after he refused to give a statement on the article he wrote and posted on the Malaysia Today online news portal on April 25.

His lawyer William Leong, who is also the Selayang MP, accompanied him.

More than 20 people including his wife and Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong, who was disallowed entry into the CCID building to see Raja Petra, waited outside the building and cheered when he walked out.

Speaking to reporters outside the department building, Raja Petra said that he was summoned to the department to give a statement under Section 4C of the Seditious Act for the article that he wrote in his blog on murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He said that the police officers were trying to persuade him for two hours to give a statement on the article.

"They told me that they wanted to take down my statement but I told them that I refuse to answer any questions or for my statement to be taken.

"I also told them that this is the fourth time they are calling me to give a statement under the Seditious Act where the first one was in 2001, the second in November 2004, the third when (Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad) Muhammad Taib lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi police station in 2007 and this is the fourth time," he said.

Raja Petra claimed that the police told him that they would arrest him if he refused to give a statement as they were supposed to question him under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

When asked why he had refused to give a statement, Raja Petra replied, "Because this is political prosecution. I refuse to play their political game.''

He also said that the police officers had refused to reveal the name of the person who had lodged a report against him.

"They only told me that it was a police officer,'' he said.

When questioned whether he would need to be present at the CCID department at 11am Saturday, based on a notice served by the police officers who had gone to his house Friday, Raja Petra replied, ''I don't know. Maybe they will charge me for refusing to make a statement and arrest me,'' he said, adding that the laptop and CPU which were taken away by police officers earlier Friday were not returned to him.

Under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998:

1) A person who

a) by means of any network facilities or network service or applications service knowingly —

(i) makes, creates or solicits; and

(ii) initiates the transmission of,

any comment, request, suggestion or other communication which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person; or

b) initiates a communication using any applications service, whether continuously, repeatedly or otherwise, during which communication may or may not ensue, with or without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person at any number or electronic address,

commits an offence.

2) A person who knowingly

(a) by means of a network service or applications service provides any obscene communication for commercial purposes to any person; or

(b) permits a network service or applications service under the person 's control to be used for an activity described in paragraph (a),

commits an offence.

(3) A person who commits an offence under this section shall, on conviction,be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction

Police questioned Raja Petra over Altantuya article

NST (2/5/08): Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was questioned this morning by the Federal Commercial Crime Cyber Crime Unit for an article he posted in his blog that referred to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder. A seven-men team led by Deputy Superintendent Victor Sanjos spent two hours at Raja Petra’s home- cum-office in Bukit Rahman Putra in Sungai Buloh at 9am.

He also went to Bukit Aman at 4pm after he was ordered to do so.

When contacted, Raja Petra, 58, said he was being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 for an article titled “Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell” that was posted on his blog website www.malaysia-today.net on April 25.

In the article, were listed allegations quoting names of people as well as events that took place prior to Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu murder. “The police officers questioned me and later took my laptop and my personal computer,” he said.

This was the fourth time that he was investigated by police under the same Act. The first was in March 2001 followed by November 2004 and in July last year.
it is understood that police are investigating Raja Petra under the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Those found guilty under Section 233 may be be liable to a fine up to RM50,000, maximum jail sentence of one year or to both.

Walk with RPK!! Let's send Altantuya murderers to hell!

Dont "terforget" to visit Dr M

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:10:00 +0000

Please click the image (Courtesy of Ahirudin Attan)

(Courtesy of Dr Halimah Ali)

I Joined Bloggers' World On People's Request, Says Dr Mahathir (Bernama 2/5/08)
Malaysian former PM starts own blog (People's Daily Online, China 2/5/08)
Mahathir starts blog, joins growing band of Malaysian netizens (Hindu, India 1/5/08)
Former Prime Minister Mahathir starts blog (IHT, 1/5/08)
Dr M starts his own blog

The Star (1/5/08): Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined the swelling ranks of politicians going online with his own blog simply named “Dr Mahathir Mohamad,” at www.chedet.com.

“This site is dedicated to publishing my writings as and when I am able to pen my thoughts and opinion,” he says.

In his first posting The Appointment of Judges on Thursday, he tackles the issue of judicial reform, noting that there have been no details on how the recently announced Judicial Appointments Commission will work.

He also notes that the Constitution would have to be amended to validate any changes in how judges are currently appointed.

Any such Constitutional amendment would require a two-third’s majority ruling in Parliament, and Dr Mahathir also questions if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government would be able to gather support from the Opposition to make this a reality.

Dr Mahathir, 82, was Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003.

Mahathir Mohamad has a blog (Foreign Policy Passport 1/5/08)
New Kid On The Blog: Dr Mahathir @ www.chedet.com

NST (1/5/08): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today joined the blogging community with his own blog accessible at www.chedet.com.

In its preface, Dr Mahathir said the site “is dedicated to publishing my writings as and when I am able to pen my thoughts and opinions.” Introducing himself as the Malaysian prime minister from 1981 to 2003 in his “about me” column, his first article touched on the appointments of judges and the proposed Judicial Appointments Commission, which he posted at 1.27am today.

In it he said the appointment of judges is provided for in the Constitution and therefore if changes are to be made, the Constitution needs to be amended.

C.H.E. Det, was Dr Mahathir’s pseudonym for his articles submitted to the Sunday Times between 1946-1950, which mainly touched on Malay economic and political predicaments then.

Dr Mahathir, 82, has been known for his passion for writing and has written several books including the controversial Malay Dilemma published in 1970.
He now joins his daughter, Datin Paduka Marina who has been blogging a few years with her www.Rantings.com blog (Bernama)

Dr Mahathir the blogger (Kak Ton)
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad started a BLOG...... (Jacss)
The Chair (Zubli Zainordin)
3 Days of Exam & Blog of TDM (=Azam=)
Dr Mahathir, The Statesman Blogger Has Finally Arrived! (A Voice)
Tun Dr. Mahathir begins to blog (The “thirteen million plus Ringgit” guy)
Blog Tun Mahathir (Lilian)
Mahathir Sudah "Go Blog"! (Norizan Sharif)
OF DR. MAHATHIR’S BLOG (Akula)
Tun Dr. Mahathir's Blog (Thoughts and Ideas)
Dr M, welcome to blogsphere! (The Writer)
Che Det is BACK !! (Syedz)
Tun Mahathir joint blogger (hard-T)
Apabila Tun Dr. M ber'blog' (Khairusy Syakirin Has-Yun)
Dr Mahathir Mohamad: The Appointment of Judges (The Lost Soul)
Tun Mahathir Menjadi Bloggers ? (Edy)
Mahathir buka blog, persoal PM (Iskandar Zulkarnain)
TUN M (Gaydar L)
Mahathir buka blog sendiri (Tugu Bangsa Tembok Negara)
Neo-blogging (Hamdi Hanapi)
TUN M KE ALAM BLOG (Ipoh Malay)
Dr M has started his own blog (Daphne)
Che Det Is Back! (Lawyer Kampung)
Dr M joins the blogging community (Jaxon S)
Dr M joins the blogging community (Kah Joon)
Tun Dr Mahathir pun ada blog???? (Dasenson Sez)
Dr Mahathir starts blog (BaLaN@பாலன் )
Dr. Mahathir - the latest blogger (James Ooi)
Tun Dr Mahathir start blogging! (Faizal)
Mari BerBlog (Ayah Sofea)
Dr Mahathir Mohamad's blog (d'Lion)
TUN DR MAHATHIR SEORANG BLOGGER (Ibrahim Yahaya)
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad BLOG: The Finally (Sarjan low)
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s Blog (Nadlique)
Labour Day’s suprised (|1f34|-|1r3 )
Selamat Datang, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Wei Liang Goh)
Other postings (Google)

This jakun thinks "his live telecast" is everything

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Please go, Lah!

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:35:00 +0000

Please click the image
"Today we have a President of Umno, a Chairman of Barisan Nasional, and a Prime Minister. What we lack is leadership" - Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah
Ku Li's speech at Umno Gua Musang EGM

Study shows why BN lost media war

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:47:00 +0000

In her posting "Now They Tell Themselves...", Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir said:

I love all these retrospective studies! This one (Study shows why BN lost media war) is reported in the NST today without the slightest touch of irony.

The predicament of Kelantan Chinese

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:42:00 +0000

The predicament of Kelantan Chinese (Please click).

What is wrong with sending roses, whoever they are..

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:12:00 +0000

Tear gas scatters Malaysian 'flower power' protest

Reuters (16/2/2008): Malaysian police used water cannon and tear gas on Saturday to break up an anti-government protest by ethnic Indians carrying roses to symbolise a peaceful demand for justice.

With the Malaysian government concerned about street protests in the run-up to early general elections on March 8, around 100 policemen, including riot police with helmets and shields, turned out to disperse a gathering of about 300 men, women and children.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling coalition is widely expected to retain power at the polls, although with a reduced majority, but many Indians accuse his multi-racial coalition, dominated by ethnic Malays, of racial discrimination.

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hinraf) first announced the protest in January as a way to press its demand for the release of five of its leaders jailed under tough internal security laws.

The Malaysian government detained the men without trial soon after more than 10,000 ethnic Indians marched in the capital last November to complain about a lack of job and education opportunities, in response to a call from the group.

"I want the five to be released," said Parvathy Raman, a 30-year-old accounts executive from Kuala Lumpur, who joined the protest. "I want the government to hear our problems. Everyone knows there is discrimination, but the government denies it."

Children as young as 10 were among the demonstrators at Saturday's protest, where some people carried yellow and red roses, while chanting slogans such as "We love Badawi". Others wore orange T-shirts printed with the slogan "People Power".

The protesters aimed to march to the Malaysian parliament to give the roses to Abdullah, but were halted by police a short distance away after being refused a permit to assemble in public.

The red roses symbolised love and peace, while the yellow roses symbolised the group's demand for justice and the release of the jailed men, Hindraf said.

"We want our rights and justice," said one demonstrator, Tamilarasu, 21, a casual labourer at a golf resort who rode a bus for several hours from his home on the northern island of Penang to attend the protest in the capital. "We're not happy with the government."

Police helicopters hovered overhead as protesters waved the Malaysian flag, portraits of the Malaysian king, and orange banners that read, "We want our rights, No to the Internal Security Act".

Protesters defied police orders to disperse, but scattered when sprayed with tear gas and water laced with chemicals.

"Police were too rough," said S. Manikavasagam, a spokesman for the ethnic Indian group that organised the protest. "They used their power."

He said police had arrested 20 protesters, but police officials at the site could not confirm the figure.

Malaysia police fire teargas at flower protest: witnesses

AFP (16/2/2008): Malaysian police Saturday fired teargas and water cannons to disperse ethnic Indians clutching flowers and gathered in the capital, in the latest crackdown on public protests, witnesses said.

Some 300 people defied a police ban and attempted to gather in Independence Square in downtown Kuala Lumpur to protest alleged discrimination, before police moved in, an AFP correspondent witnessed.

"It is an embarrassing attack on the Indian community and on people who just wanted to hand over flowers to the prime minister," said R. Thanenthiran, one of the rally organisers.

The flower protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations in recent that have rocked the multicultural nation, which is now gearing up for general elections on March 8.

More than 20 people were detained, police said, after supporters of Indian rights group Hindraf turned up near Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square. Police had earlier refused a permit for the gathering.

Indian youths dressed in saffron coloured t-shirts with the Tamil words "Makkal Sakti", or People's Power, chanted slogans calling for justice and an end to alleged discrimination against ethnic Indians in the country.

More than 200 police approached the crowd before spraying them with water cannons and firing tear gas shells above their heads, the AFP correspondent witnessed.

"We wanted to have 200 children also peacefully give Abdullah flowers but we were tear-gassed and water-cannoned by police," Thanenthiran said, referring to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Thanenthiran said organisers decided it was unsafe for the children to take part in the protest and they were bused away from the scene.

"We came with a gesture of peace and love and the Malaysian government did not have the courage to accept the roses," Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy told AFP. Prime minister Abdullah had not indicated before the protest that he would accept the flowers.

The protest comes after the detention of five Hindraf leaders who enraged the government in November by leading a mass rally protesting alleged discrimination against minority Indians.

The protest highlighted the grievances of Malaysia's Indians -- descendents of labourers brought over by British colonial rulers in the 1800s -- who say they are marginalised in terms of education, wealth and opportunities.

Abdullah has said that street protests and anger within the Indian community could have an impact on how the government fares in the general elections.

Abdullah is head of the United Malays National Organisation-led coalition government of race-based parties that have ruled Malaysia since it gained its independence from British rule in 1957.

Although Abdullah's party is expected to win the March election, analysts say a slew of issues including rising prices, corruption and religious as well as racial tensions could cut the government's majority in parliament.

Ethnic Indians make up 7 percent of Malaysia's 27 million population with Malay Muslims forming 60 percent and ethnic Chinese at 26 percent.

Malaysian police break up protest

BBC (16/2/2008): Malaysian security forces have used tear gas and water cannon to break up a protest by ethnic Indians in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

More than 20 people taking part in the banned march were detained by police.

The demonstration was organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force, which is demanding the release from jail of five of its leaders.

Activists say policies granting economic advantages to the ethnic Malay majority discriminate against Indians.

The Malaysia government has rejected claims of unequal treatment.

Detention without trial

Some 2000 protesters defied a ban on public gatherings, and carried roses to symbolise what they said was a peaceful demand for justice.

A heavy police presence kept them in the city centre - preventing their planned march to parliament to give the flowers to the Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi.

The protest was meant to be led by a group of about 200 children. There were no reports of any children being injured.

Police used water canons thought to be laced with chemicals and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The group behind the demonstration has become increasingly effective at rattling the government, says the BBC's Robin Brant in Kuala Lumpur.

It was behind a large demonstration on the streets of the capital last November which saw 10,000 people gather.

That rally exposed increasing unhappiness among some of Malaysia's minority Indians who feel they have fallen behind after decades of government policy which gives preferential treatment to the majority Malays, our correspondent says.

Five rights activists were arrested at that rally - the biggest protest involving ethnic Indians in more than a decade.

They are being held under a rarely used security law that allows indefinite detention without trial.

Hindu protest broken up in Malaysia

Al Jazeera (16/2/2008): In the run up to elections any gathering of more than four people requires a police

Police in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur have used tear gas and chemical-laced water to break up an anti-government protest by ethnic Indians demanding racial equality.

On Saturday about 300 men, women and children were dispersed by about 100 policemen, including riot police with helmets and shields.

"Police were too rough" said S Manikavasagam, a spokesman for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), the ethnic indian group that organised the protest.

"They used their power," he said.

Since Friday about 60 people, including two leaders of Hindraf who organised the protest, have been detained in a police crackdown, said N Surendran, a lawyer and Hindraf member.

Protesters were carrying roses to symbolise a peaceful demand for justice.

The Malaysian government is concerned about street protests in the run up to early general elections on March 8 and any gathering of more than four people requires a police permit.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian prime minister, is widely expected to retain power at the polls with his ruling party coalition, but with a reduced majority.

Many Indians accuse his multi-racial coalition, which is dominated by ethnic Malays, of racial discrimination.

Police crackdown

Hinraf first announced the protest in January to press the government to release five of its leaders who have been jailed under tough internal security laws.

The men were detained without trial after more 10,000 ethnic Indians marched in the capital last November to complain about a lack of job and education opportunities.

The protesters on Saturday planned to gather outside parliament to hand a protest note and roses to Abdullah, but they were halted by police a short distance away.

"I want the five to be released," Parvathy Raman, a 30-year-old accounts executive from Kuala Lumpur, said.

"I want the government to hear our problems. Everyone knows there is discrimination, but the government denies it."

Hindraf said the red roses symbolised love and peace, while the yellow roses symbolised the group's demand for justice and the release of the jailed men.

Protesters defied police orders to disperse, but scattered when sprayed with tear gas and water laced with chemicals.

Ethnic Indians Rally in Malaysia Demanding Rights, Defy Police

Bloomberg (16/2/2008): About 200 Malaysian ethnic Indians defied a police order and rallied in the capital today demanding equal rights and the release of supporters held without trial as tensions rise three weeks before the country holds elections.

Carrying banners and roses, members of the Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf, gathered near the city hall in Kuala Lumpur at 9 a.m. local time. Fifteen minutes later police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the group and arrested dozens of participants.

Hindraf, which is holding its second rally in three months, is demanding an end to alleged racial discrimination in a country where the government gives the ethnic Malay majority preferential treatment for jobs and homes. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has struggled to contain racial tension in his first term, and is targeting a smaller parliamentary majority at the March 8 ballot.

Authorities on Dec. 12 arrested five members of the group under the Internal Security Act, a law that allows for indefinite detention without trial. The order was signed by Abdullah.

``While the yellow roses are a symbol of our cry for justice, we seek the immediate release of Hindraf's five leaders,'' the group said in a statement before today's rally. ``We are going to Parliament as it is a symbol of justice.''

Use of Force

Today's peaceful rally follows a demonstration by the group on Nov. 25 last year, when about 10,000 Malaysian ethnic Indians gathered to demand equal rights. Human Rights Watch has asked Malaysia to investigate the ``unwarranted'' use of force by police at public rallies.

``We just want to hand over the flowers to the prime minister,'' said R. Thusimala, who attended the rally. ``I don't understand why the police are looking at us as a threat.''

Indians account for less than 10 percent of Malaysia's population of 27 million people. Ethnic Chinese make up about 20 percent and ethnic Malays about 60 percent.

Public demonstrations by racial groups are rare in Malaysia, where Abdullah's ruling coalition includes Indian, Chinese and Malay parties. Still, the premier has faced protests since September last year, from lawyers demanding an independent judiciary to groups seeking free and fair elections.

Wo Men Du Shi Yi Jia Ren

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Wo Men Du Shi Yi Jia Ren

Important notice for Malaysiakita visitors

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:08:00 +0000

Dear Malaysiakita visitors

i am not updating other blog updates manually. i dont have time. Anything comes in my Google Reader will appear here automatically. Did i censor any update from any blog? i have proven i did not (and now i have taken out that blog feed from my list).

yet, i received these messages in my mailbox from this taliban (Hey taliban! Come out in the open and face me!) :

u PIECE OF SHIT. dont want to update my post n also dont have the decency to give me a reply.

while on the other hand, u update posts that speak in favour of islam, eg:

http://sanasini-kelolo.blogspot.com/2008/01/do-not-insinuate-unfairness-in-islam.html

http://mahaguru58.blogspot.com/2008/01/jawi-please-return-insurance-money-to.html

your action has PROVED that ISLAM/MUSLIMS CAN NEVER BE FAIR to non-muslims. NEVER. u piece of SHIT.

look at Mahaguru - he allowed my comments to appear as the FIRST comment to his post:

http://mahaguru58.blogspot.com/2008/01/jawi-please-return-insurance-money-to.html

show some class, u PIECE OF SHIT.

hey, have u forgotten or just simply REFUSED to update with my post????

please b INDEPENDENT. let people hear what i have to say, let the readers judge, NOT U.

if an ordinary muslim/malay cant b independent on a free speech issue like this, i wonder how could we trust the muslim judges in the syariah n civil courts!!

i hope u only forgot about this, not trying to censor me...

--- Juslo wrote:

> hi, just to remind u. please update my post in case u forgot, bcos i havent seen it in your list...
>
> thanks so much!
>
> --- Juslo wrote:
>
> > thanks.
> >
> > Wednesday, January 30, 2008
> > Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong Declared a Muslim, Children ‘Disinherited’
> >
> >
>
http://juslo.blogspot.com/2008/01/tan-sri-lim-goh-tong-declared-muslim.html

Justice is denied?

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:06:00 +0000

Quotes:

"There are features in these cases which are disturbing enough to show, (at this point, he referred to the transcript) which states, "Yeah, Eusoff Chin in power, I can straight get Pom, Pom, Pom, Pom." - Bar's Robert Lazar.

"So, now we are going to the …Pom, Pom, Pom, Pom." - Commission member Datuk Mahadev Shankar.

"The focus here was more on whether Lingam should be allowed to be questioned on the New Zealand holiday. There has been a miscommunication; I did not think you would be going further than that." - Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor.

The Sun (Jan 24, 2008): The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the controversial video clip today barred the Malaysian Bar from questioning lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam on alleged fixing of judgments in several cases handled by the lawyer over which former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin had presided.

Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, who made this ruling, said the questions posed to Lingam cannot go beyond issues related to his trip to New Zealand in 1994, which the Bar was trying to prove was arranged together with Mohamed Eusoff to establish their "closeness".

Haidar said: "We will not allow the line of questioning which falls outside the Commission’s terms of reference, in particular on the identity of the person speaking on the phone in the video clip allegedly discussing the appointment of judges, to be continued."

Malaysian Bar’s representative Robert Lazar, who handled the questioning, immediately sought clarification.

Lazar: Is the Commission saying the fixing of cases and their outcome is outside the terms of reference?

Haidar: Yes, its outside.

Lazar: Does this also mean our earlier submission on the alleged fixing of cases is disallowed?

Haidar: Yes, it is disallowed. We hope with the decision, it will now enlighten the counsels the direction that they should take.

Lazar then sought an adjournment to obtain further instructions on this matter.

The Bar representative found himself in quicksand when, after earlier questioning Lingam on his New Zealand trip, he started highlighting several cases, including the M.G.G. Pillai vs Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Insas Bhd vs Megapolitan Nominees Sdn Bhd in which Ayer Molek Rubber Co Bhd was the first defendant.

These cases were handled by Lingam, and the judgments were in his clients' favour.

Haidar stopped Lazar from going further.

Haidar: You have gone beyond the New Zealand trip. What is your objective in pursuing this line of questioning?

Lazar: Our objective is to show the witness (Lingam) appeared before Mohamed Eusoff after the holiday in New Zealand.

Commission member Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong asked if Lazar was trying to establish if Lingam should have discharged himself due to his closeness with Mohamed Eusoff and if so, the proposition had been objected to by Lingam’s lawyer R.Thayalan.

He suggested Lazar discontinue with the questioning on the matter until the Commission decided on it.

Another Commission member Datuk Mahadev Shankar said Lazar’s line of questioning has got nothing to do with the issue of appointment of judges, as what transpired in the video clip.

Lazar: There are features in these cases which are disturbing enough to show, (at this point, he referred to the transcript) which states, "Yeah, Eusoff Chin in power, I can straight get Pom, Pom, Pom, Pom."

Mahadev Shankar: So, now we are going to the …Pom, Pom, Pom, Pom.

Shim: We have not made a decision on that, we have to look at the submissions made by Thayalan and the others.

Haidar: The focus here was more on whether Lingam should be allowed to be questioned on the New Zealand holiday. There has been a miscommunication; I did not think you would be going further than that.

The Commission took a brief break before making its decision that effectively prevents Lazar from continuing his line of questioning.

Lingam denies NZ trip jointly arranged

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24, 2008): Lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam today denied that his trip to New Zealand in 1994 was arranged together with former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin but could not explain why reservations of the flight tickets were faxed to the joint attention of two persons, Rohani and Jayanthi.

Malaysian Bar representative Robert Lazar, who was questioning Lingam on the trip to try and show his closeness with Mohamed Eusoff, said the then top judge had earlier testified that Rohani was his secretary.

He then asked Lingam whether he knew anyone by the name of Jayanthi, and the latter replied that he had a secretary by that name.

Lingam said he was not aware of the reservation and added: "There are many Indian women with the name of Jayanthi."

Lazar: Can I suggest to you, Rohani and Jayanthi’s name were there because you and Mohamed Eusoff planned the New Zealand trip together?

Lingam: That is not true.

Lazar: So you are telling this Commission that it is a coincidence that you and Mohamed Eusoff used the same travel agent?

Lingam: There is nothing unusual about it. It was not pre-planned, it was a coincidence.

Lazar: Are you saying that your meeting with Mohamed Eusoff at Changi airport (Singapore) was a chance encounter?

Lingam: That is correct.

Lazar: Can I suggest to you, one more reason why it is not a coincidence? The first flight, from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Mohamed Eusoff and his family left on a Malaysia Airlines flight while you and your family left on a Singapore Airlines flight, because you did not want anyone to spot you and Mohamed Eusoff boarding the same flight.

Lingam: That is not true.

In a reply to another question on the trip, Lingam said he booked the flight to New Zealand through a travel agency named Udara Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd.

But when Lazar showed him a copy of a Dec 21, 1994, Bank of Nova Scotia cheque for RM24,912, issued by Lingam to Holiday Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, the lawyer admitted he had an account with the bank.

This exchange took place on the eighth day of the inquiry into a video clip allegedly featuring a senior lawyer brokering the appointment of judges.

Earlier, to a question from Lazar, Lingam said he and Mohamed Eusoff’s family were not on the same flight to Auckland, New Zealand, when they boarded the plane in Kuala Lumpur.

But Lingam agreed he and Mohamed Eusoff’s family were on board the same business class flight to Auckland from Singapore.

Lazar: In Auckland, did you and your family and Mohamed Eusoff’s family stay in the same hotel?

Lingam: That is not true. We never stayed in the same hotel.

Lazar: You are positive Mohamed Eusoff’s family was not in the same hotel as your family?

Lingam: To the best of my recollection, not in the same hotel. It had been 13 years now, I cannot remember.

Lazar: Did you meet up with Mohamed Eusoff and the members of his family while you were in Auckland?

Lingam: To the best of my recollection, I first met him and his family at a zoo in Auckland and later went to the bird park.

Lazar: Was that the only occasion you and your family were with Mohamed Eusoff or were there other occasions?

Lingam: We did not tag along with him.

Lazar: It will not be right to say that you spent most of the time with Mohamed Eusoff and his family?

Lingam: That is correct.

Lazar continued questioning Lingam on the itinerary of his visit to Auckland, Christchurch and Queestown and whether Mohamed Eusoff also went to the same locations.

Lingam agreed Mohamed Eusoff also travelled to the same spots, but he had a separate itinerary of places to visit during the trip.

He admitted that besides his family and Mohamed Eusoff’s family, his bodyguard Tan Chong Paw, also accompanied them to New Zealand.

He said the trip was pre-planned by him and Mohamed Eusoff separately and it was a coincidence they met in the Changi airport in Singapore before traveling together to New Zealand.

Lazar asked Lingam about the ride in a van together with Mohamed Eusoff to another tourist attraction site in Queenstown from Christchurch.

Lazar: To say that you tagged along with Mohamed Eusoff is not true?

Lingam: The ride in the van is coincidental. He decided to tag along with me.

Earlier, when the day started, Haidar had asked lawyers representing Mohamed Eusoff for their stand on the questioning of Lingam on the New Zealand holiday.

Lawyer Zamani Ibrahim said they would align themselves with Lingam’s lawyer, R.Thayalan’s stand and also that of lawyer Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin who represents former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Both Thayalan and Kamarul Hisham had objected to the line of questioning against Lingam on the aspect of closeness of Lingam with their clients.

The Commission also said they would allow lawyer Wee Choo Keong and his co-counsel John Fan to submit on behalf of V.Thirunama Karasu, the younger brother of Lingam, who ahd offered to testify as a witness.

Lingam: I was bulshitting and bragging

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24, 2008): Lawyer Datuk V.K Lingam told the Royal Commission today he may have been "bullshitting and bragging" when he told businessman Loh Mui Fah that he was speaking to former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

"I do not recollect I said that (it was Ahmad Fairuz). Even if I did say, I was - I’m sorry for the word - bullshitting and bragging," he said, in reply to a question by Malaysian Bar Council representative Ranjit Singh.

"This was in my house, in the privacy of my room. My house is my castle. I am the king of my house. I can talk whatever rubbish I want in my house as long as I (don’t go out) and get drunk and don’t misbehave."

When Ranjit asked why he chose to speak on judicial appointments in Loh and his son’s presence, Lingam said: "I can choose whatever topic I like. I can even pretend to talk to President Bush if I like."

This drew laughter from the courtroom.

Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor also asked Lingam why he thought his social friends – Loh and his son – had gone against him.

Lingam said he could not think of a reason, adding: "If they believe the video clip was true, they wouldn’t keep it for six years. They would have gone to the police and the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) and say ‘Charge him! Investigate!’ (But) they kept it for six to seven years."

Commissioner Datuk Mahadev Shankar also sought Lingam’s clarification pertaining to his identity in the video when he did not dispute that he was in the photographs taken on the day.

Mahadev: When it comes to the video your evidence is that it might not have been me, it could be me, it might be somebody else?

Lingam: No, no my learned commissioner. I think you’ve not got it right. I said it looks like me, it sounds like me but I did not say it is not me. I don’t want to say it’s 100% me. The authenticity must be established by my two experts.

Mahadev: How many percent would you say (it is you) then?

Lingam: I don’t want to get into a mathematical debate with my learned commissioners. My experts (say) the local experts’ report is fundamentally flawed and defective. (If my experts) say it’s me 100%, I’ll be the first one to say it.

Ranjit also submitted 33 photographs of Lingam’s New Zealand trip with Tun Eusoff Chin to the Commission, establishing that it took place and both families went on excursions together, including a fishing trip on a lake during a visit to Queenstown.

Lingam testified he could not remember the locations where the photographs were taken as "it was over 13 years ago."

Fifteen ticket stubs were also submitted as evidence, prompting commissioners Mahadev and Tan Sri Steve Shim to ask him how he obtained the tickets and pictures. Ranjit replied lawyer Datuk Shafee Abdullah gave them to him.

Lingam also said he told the ACA he did not have records of the numbers for his mobile and house phones for 2001 and 2002, during questioning by Bar representative Robert Lazar.

Lingam said he changed his prepaid mobile number every time he lost his phone and changed his home number as "many prank calls" were made to him and the maids.

On why he volunteered Ahmad Fairuz’s name during questioning, Lingam said: "Because it is so widely reported. Malaysiakini said it must have been Tun Ahmad Fairuz. It was in the public domain since Sept 19, 2007. This is a few months down the road. I want to tell the truth and make it clear."

Related:
Former top judge grilled on overseas trip with Lingam
Prepaid card used, no trace of Lingam's phone
'It was Ahmad Fairuz'
Lingam Tape inquiry begins with controversy
Lingam Tape commission identifies 16 witnesses
'Lingam tape' inquiry in open court
Haidar heads six-man Royal Commission on Lingam Tape
ACA: No Anwar arrest yet
ACA cancels date to collect video clip
Cops want to quiz lawyers over 'Walk for Justice'

A rare Thaipusam

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:40:00 +0000

Happy Thaipusam, albeit belated. To all my Hindu friends, allow me to believe this news. Wow!! Call to boycott Thaipusam in Batu Caves ignored, one million turn up!

I wonder why there was no brutal traffic jam... And, my nest is just three of four kilometers from Batu Caves. A rare Thaipusam, i think.

"I don't think religious people pay any attention to naughty SMSes," MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

Hello! Do religious people pay any attention to naughty ministers?

Samy Vellu also urged the Indian community to unite in support of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, which had protected the rights of all races in the country.

"Don't be hoodwinked by the opposition," he said. Support Barisan Nasional just because the Prime Minister declared Thaipusam a public holiday?

Well, if i go to Prime Minister's Hari Raya open house, does anybody think i will vote Barisan Nasional? God forbid, thou shall not die as not-an-astute-Prime Minister’s supporter!!

Related:

Hindu devotees boycott Batu Caves (Malaysiakini)
A different Thaipusam (Jeff Ooi)
Politics and Thaipusam (Ahirudin Attan)
Samy Pohchee: Your Waterloo in Batu Caves tomorrow? (Bernard Khoo)
Thaipusam turnout distinctly smaller at Batu Caves (Anil Netto)
Thaipusam public holiday annoucement: say thanks to HINDRAF leaders and protesters (Malaysian Unplug)
Thaipusam Holiday - Thank you Hindraf (IslandMiss)
Indian votes cannot be bought with Thaipusam holiday...psssttt try harder...!!! (YennaMike)
Malaysian Indians mark Hindu festival amid boycott call (Press Trust of India)
Malaysian Indians boycott Hindu festival (AFP)
Malaysian Hindu festival marred by race dispute (Reuters)
Malaysian Indians mark Hindu festival amid boycott call (Daily News & Analysis, India)
Hindu festival marked protest in Malaysia (Telegraph, UK)
Malaysian Hindus celebrate religious festival amid political protest (PR-Inside.com - Pressemitteilung - Austria)
Partial boycott effective on 2008 Thaipusam at Batu Caves; 1 million visitors failed to show; stall paying RM3 -6K reported losses (Multimid)
Lower Thaipusam turnout leads to wasted food (NST)

Excerpts:
For the first time in 40 years, the Divine Life Society (DLS) has actually been forced to throw away the free food it gives out during the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves. The DLS ashram, located next to the Batu Caves temple, prepared food for 20,000 people but the lower-than-expected turnout meant some of the food would have been wasted.

DLS Malaysia branch president Swami Guhabhaktananda said the ashram prepared only 1,800kg of vegetables from its usual allocation of 4,500kg.

“It left us with a large balance of unused vegetables which we then distributed so that it would not go to waste,” he said.

Guhabhaktananda said he estimated that there was a 25 per cent drop in the number of people who attended this year’s celebrations.

Vet Khairy!

noreply@blogger.com (bakaq a.k.a ~penarik beca) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:38:00 +0000

Barisan Nasional Youth Chairman, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said, it is important that all Barisan Nasional Youth candidates for the coming general election be vetted properly via the various channels.

He said the candidates had to be qualified to face the close scrutiny of the people (The Star, 22/1/2008).

Just two questions, why didn't Hishammuddin properly vet Khairy Jamaludin before he accepted him as the candidate for UMNO Youth Vice Head?

Will Khairy be vetted properly before Umno Youth accept him as one of Barisan Nasional's candidates in the coming election?

If only Hishammuddin was not lying, didn’t he the one who wanted Khairy ("Pak Lah jangan kacau")?

Hey Hishammuddin, did you not risk the future of this country?

Related:
Now now, young man... (Marina Mahathir)
Ministers, please be forewarned! (Politica)
Percaturan politik Malaysia kotor dan semakin kotor? (Ruhanie Ahmad)
Menantu PM sedang susun senarai calon pilihanraya umum ke 12 (Anti Khairy)
Father-in-Law & Son-in-Law Berhad (Jeff Ooi)
Khairy Jamaluddin - young man making millions (Malaysiakini)
Probe Khairy’s ECM-Libra share purchase (Malaysiakini)
Dr M: Khairy and 'Patrick Badawi' rule Terengganu (Malaysiakini)
What do you think of Khairy Jamaluddin? (derkeiler.com)
Khairy Jamaluddin for PM?!!! Hell no~! (Achmed Rauff)
Khairy Jamaluddin admits to cronyism (Kenny Chan)
Khairy Jamaluddin is a piece of shit (Corgan Sow)
Looking at the real Khairy Jamaluddin (Oon Yeoh)
Paranjothy's courageous exposure of UMNO's racism (S Kalyanaraman)
News about Khairy
Malaysia Today on Khairy
Jeff on Khairy
Rocky on Khairy