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T-shirts: free and unfree

2011-07-03T19:11:00.001-07:00

T-shirts: free and unfree

T-shirts: free and unfree
Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #72
King’s concern most welcome – call on Najib to meet with Berish organisers as the first positive government response to popular concerns for free and fair elections
BERSIH dan Respon Dari Kerajaan BN
Veto the Bersih ban, Mr PM
Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #72
Awake & fight!
BERSIH 2.0 ~ Halal atau Haram? Hukum berjuang dibelakang Ambiga
King wants Putrajaya, Bersih 2.0 to hold talks...
"Yang dikejar tak dapat, Yang dikendong berciciran"
How China Conquers The World
POLIS ...ingat Ngeh cakap? Apa lagi, kasi tangkap!
Tourism player could suffer from Bersih 2.0 rally
Orang Hotel dah ngamuk dengan Bersih 2.0
What Is This Country Coming To?
Lift ban on Bersih, urges Kit Siang
Lift ban on Bersih, urges Kit Siang
Bakri MP, 5 others held over yellow gotong-royong T-shirts
LKS backs Sabah Speaker on education autonomy
Patriot and Bersih: A tale of two rallies

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 06:39 PM PDT

This entry was posted on Monday, 4 July 2011, 9:39 am and is filed under Bersih, Police, Zunar. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.

Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #72

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 06:32 PM PDT

By M. Bakri Musa

Chapter 9: Islam in Malay Life

Authoritative Versus Authoritarian Ulamas and Scholars

Then there are such irrelevant issues as who can and cannot partake in these debates. There are those ulamas and scholars who feel that only they are qualified enough to partake in such heavy issues. There rest need merely follow their dictates. They are not so much authoritative as much as authoritarian, to use Khalid El Fadl's words.

It reminds me of the bad old days of imperious doctors who behave like Gods; their utterances and decisions cannot be challenged, least of all by the laity. Thank God, those days are gone. Today physicians fully engage their patients and they in turn participate fully in decisions affecting themselves. The seeking of second and alternate opinions is now standard practice.

Take the issue of Islamic scholars, another very contentious one. Much of the confusion and the ensuing controversies revolve around the different meanings of basic terms. I can best illustrate this by using the example of surgical scholars. In the academic department I was once associated with, among my colleagues were a veterinary doctor, a biochemist, and an engineer. In standing, pay and prestige, these professors of surgery were no different from the other "operating" professors of surgery, the clinician surgeons. They taught medical students and would-be surgeons, and published in surgical journals. But if one were to have appendicitis, one would not ask these "non-operating" professors to operate. If someone were stupid enough to do so, he or she would be politely if not embarrassedly referred to the "real" surgeons in the department.

Similarly there are Islamic scholars and there are ulama. One can learn a lot about Islam – both the discipline as well as the faith – from Islamic scholars; but in performing funeral rites or reciting the Surah Yaseeen (requiem), one needs the ulama. In medicine there are strict rules as to who can treat patients. Apart from specific training, he or she has to be properly licensed. Anyone not so licensed, no matter how competent, could be charged with fraud and criminal assault were they to practice as physicians. This is to protect the public.

No such statutory delineations occur in the practice of Islam, and rightly so. Islam, unlike other religions, lacks a proscribed clergy class. In Islam it is we mortals and Allah, there being no need for an intermediary. There are no priests, bishops, or pope in Islam. Sure we have an imam, but to paraphrase an ancient saying, he is imam because we, the flock, call him so. His power and prestige are derived from and not imposed upon the congregation.

The present heavily bureaucratized Islam, with ulama placed on salary schemes and acquiring all the other accouterments of the civil service, is purely a Malaysian phenomenon. No surprise then that these modern day ulama behave like their petty counterparts in the civil service – very conscious of their turf. Thus, instead of engaging in a scholarly fashion with those who disagree with them, these ulama treat new ideas as potential threats. Hence the ugly specter of the president of the Muslim Scholars Association filing a police report against writers he disagreed with, instead of publishing his own scholarly rebuttal!

This is not a surprise considering the training these ulama had undergone. They are not so much being educated as being indoctrinated. The quality of their scholarship, certainly when viewed from the vantage point of Western scholarship adept at critical thinking and "deconstruction," is severely wanting. Their training is akin to that of students of classical music. Classical musicians are trained not to interpret but simply to follow the path of their masters before them. Improvisations or novel interpretations are not expected or welcomed. If you do, you may end up playing for the local jazz band instead. Only when you have become a Glenn Gould could you establish your own style. Until then, no fancy incidental notes or flourishes in phrasing. Follow the score as it is written.

Likewise the ulama; they are not expected to put forth any new thought or to question. Indeed such critical thinking and novel interpretations are viewed suspiciously as the devil's machinations. Occasionally one may get an alim, who, having mastered the existing state of knowledge, goes on to make his own seminal contributions. There were many such outstanding individuals in the history of Islam. Some were successful in blazing new trails in the understanding of our faith, but most ended up being marginalized or worse, labeled as apostate –and treated accordingly.

What is threatening the world of the traditional ulama today is not the "orientalist" secular Islamic scholars like Patricia Martinez and Farish Noor, rather the emergence of ulama trained in the traditional madrasah system who then went on to be exposed to the rigors of Western scholarship. In the past such scholar-ulama were denigrated back in their native lands, but with the heightened interest in Islam in the West, these individuals are now eagerly sought after by leading Western universities. From their vantage point there, with its superior supporting structures and generous funding, this new breed of scholar-ulama are spreading their views onto the wider Islamic world. With their madrasah credentials, they are as erudite and exquisite in their tajweed (rendition of the Qur'an) as the best of Al Azhar.

The Islamic faith is invigorated with this new breed of scholar-ulama like UCLA's Khaled Abou El Fadl and Duke University's Ebrahim Moosa. These distinguished scholars, steeped in the traditional as well as Western scholarship and well versed in Arabic (the language of Islam) as well as English (the language of technology), will take Islam to greater heights. El Fadl is also remarkable in that he has a personal library of over 6,500 Islamic texts and manuscripts, some dating as far back as the 13th Century. More importantly, these enlightened scholars present a refreshing face of Islam to the modern world, a view more in consonant with the ideals of the faith as revealed to our prophet (pbuh) – a much-needed antidote to the rabble rousing and fatwa-issuing likes of Osama bin Ladin. These modern scholars spread the word of Islam not by issuing endless edicts but by the power of their intellect and the logic of their arguments. As the Iranian scholar Abdoolkarim Soroosh noted, the Qur'an is divine; its interpretation is human. The text of the scripture is silent; it is up to us to make it speak. These enlightened scholars have given a fresh voice to the Qur'an.

Much of the present understanding of Islam comes from the works of dedicated scholars, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. All Muslims should value their contributions. They complement our ulama. Confusion arises only when scholars try to assume the trappings of an alim, or when ulama take on the pretensions of a scholar.

For Malays, Islam is the central element of our culture; it also defines Malayness. Legally, a Malay is someone who regularly practices the Malay culture and professes Islam. Malays belong to the mainstream Sunni sect. But what is more important at the daily level is that Islam in Malaysia is what the government bureaucrats deem it to be. Anyone straying from this "straight path," as defined by the government's ulama, risks being branded as a subversive or "deviationist," and will suffer the worldly consequences (like being incarcerated under the ISA).

Islam arrived in the Malay world in the 15th Century by way of Muslim traders. It did not land on a cultural vacuum as Malays then were already steeped in Hindu beliefs and animist traditions. Many Malays today would want to deny this aspect of our past, to wipe the slate clean. This tendency to overlook what present-day Islamists view as less-than-pristine "unIslamic" past is not an affliction peculiar only to Malays. The Japanese have yet to come to terms with their role in World War II. Thus the preoccupation of Malays today in trying to "cleanse" and "purify" the faith, while misguided, is understandable. The difference between the Talibans blasting to smithereens the ancient Buddhist monuments and Malaysian Islamists desecrating Hindu temples is only a matter of degree.

Sadly, much of the world today view Osama bin Ladin and his band of the Talibans as representing the essence of Islam. Unfortunately many Islamic leaders and scholars implicitly encourage this misconception by not condemning unequivocally the criminal activities of these extremist Muslims. As the late Sudanese reformist Mohamad Taha observed, religious fanaticism is inalienable from religious ignorance. It is out of ignorance of the basic tenets of Islam that these fanatics view this world as hostile, and not as God's wonderful gift to mankind. The challenge is to enlighten Muslims especially those in Malaysia to the pristine message of Islam.

Next: Shari'a in a Plural Society

This entry was posted on Monday, 4 July 2011, 9:32 am and is filed under Bakri Musa, globalisation. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.

King’s concern most welcome – call on Najib to meet with Berish organisers as the first positive government response to popular concerns for free and fair elections

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 06:28 PM PDT

BERSIH dan Respon Dari Kerajaan BN

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 06:46 PM PDT

Kelam-kabut dan gundah-gulana merupakan dua perkataan yang barangkali boleh menggambarkan serba sedikit keadaan UMNO/BN dalam usaha mereka menangani perhimpunan BERSIH 2.0 sebagai Pembuka Jalan Politik Baharu pada 9 Julai ini. Berbagai propaganda telah dilancarkan untuk menghalang perhimpunan tersebut dari terus berlaku. Berdasarkan ucapan, tingkah laku dan riak wajah mereka, 1mesej jelas terpampang, iaitu 'BERSIH' akan mengakibatkan UMNO/BN tersungkur dalam pilihan raya ke-13. Maka mesej inilah yang ingin mereka sampaikan kepada para penyokong atau golongan CARMA supaya BERSIH dihalang dengan sedaya upaya.

Walhal segenap lapisan rakyat Malaysia yang mengikuti perkembangan semasa memahami bahawa BERSIH hanya sekadar menuntut pilihan-raya yang bebas dan adil. BERSIH mengemukakan hanya 8 tuntutan yang kesemuanya selari dengan prinsip-prinsip demokrasi. Melalui pilihan-raya yang bersih, maka pilihan rakyat yang sebenar akan dimartabatkan dan kerajaan yang terbentuk akan benar-benar merupakan kerajaan pilihan rakyat. Oleh yang demikian, BERSIH tidak bertujuan menjatuhkan BN mahupun PR, atau menaikkan BN atau PR. Ia bertujuan untuk menentukan rakyat dengan sepenuhnya diberi kuasa untuk memilih kerajaan yang diinginkan mereka dengan menjamin tiadanya penipuan dan penyelewengan semasa pilihan-raya.

BN TERSUNGKUR KALAU PILIHAN RAYA BERSIH DARI PENIPUAN!
BN memahami hakikat sebenar usaha BERSIH. Namun mereka tetap berusaha keras untuk menfitnah usaha BERSIH dengan bermacam-macam tohmahan dan dakwaan palsu. Mengapa? Jawapannya mudah sahaja. BN sedar bahawa pada hakikatnya rakyat sudah tidak bersama mereka dan pilihan-raya yang bersih, tanpa penipuan undi pos, kad pengenalan palsu, monopoli media dan sebagainya, akan menghasilkan kekalahan bagi BN!

Dalam erti-kata yang lain, pilihan-raya bersih = BN kalah!

Maka itulah sebabnya perhimpunan BERSIH telah difitnah dengan dakwaan kononnya BERSIH ingin menjatuhkan kerajaan melalui huru-hara dan keganasan. Oleh itu ianya diharamkan. Sedangkan himpunan BERSIH adalah himpunan aman yang bertujuan untuk menzahirkan sokongan rakyat terhadap tuntutan supaya pilihan-raya bersih dari penipuan. Ianya bertujuan untuk menganjurkan perarakan aman dari SOGO ke Istana Negara demi menyerahkan memorandum BERSIH kepada DYMM Yang Di Pertuan Agung.

Sebenarnya perarakan sebegini amat mudah untuk dikawal, sekiranya pihak berkuasa menghormati hak rakyat berkumpul dan berhimpun secara aman. Apa yang perlu dilakukan hanya sekadar menjaga lalu-lintas dan laluan kenderaan sepanjang perjalanan dari SOGO ke Istana Negara. Dalam masa tidak lebih dari 2 jam, semuanya akan selesai. Malangnya, UMNO/BN meyakini bahawa pilihan raya yang bersih dari penipuan akan menyebabkan mereka tersungkur. Oleh itu mereka akan terus berpegang teguh kepada kekuasaan dan bertindak untuk menundukkan rakyat.

TINDAKAN UMNO/BN LEBIH DAHSYAT DARI TINDAKAN ISRAEL
Tindakan kerajaan BN memfitnah BERSIH boleh disamakan dengan tindakan kerajaan Israel memfitnah Flotilla LL4G sebagai Flotilla perang yang membawa senjata. Ini sebenarnya tidak menghairankan kerana Tok Guru mereka adalah sama. APCO penasihat kepada kedua-dua kerajaan. Malahan, tindakan UMNO/BN lebih dahsyat dari tindakan kerajaan Israel dalam dua aspek seperti berikut:

a) Mencemar Kesucian Agama Islam

Tindakan UMNO/BN mengatasi tindakan kerajaan Israel apabila pada hari Jumaat yang lalu, khutbah di Masjid-masjid di sekitar Wilayah Persekutuan mengharamkan ummat Islam dari melibatkan diri dalam perhimpunan ini. Hujjah untuk mengharamkannya adalah berdasarkan fitnah UMNO/BN bahawa perhimpunan ini bertujuan untuk melakukan huru-hara, tumpah darah, membawa kerosakan dan berniat untuk menjadikan keadaan Negara lebih teruk dari yang sedia ada. Amat malang apabila mimbar masjid digunakan untuk menyebar fitnah dan tohmahan kerana pada hakikatnya BERSIH inginkan suatu pembaikkan kepada yang sediada melalui satu perarakan yang aman.

Kalau ada yang inginkan huru-hara, ianya bukan BERSIH. Kalau ada yang inginkan tumpah darah, ianya bukan BERSIH.

Amatlah sedih apabila khutbah dipergunakan sebegini rupa. Amat sedih melihat mimbar digunakan untuk menabur fitnah dan dakyah demi kepentingan politik UMNO/BN. Sebenarnya ummat Islam sepatutnya yang pertama bangun untuk menjadi pejuang keadilan dan kebenaran, penentang penipuan dan kezaliman. Tetapi oleh kerana UMNO/BN berkuasa, maka ummat Islam didorong untuk menjadi pembela penipuan dan kezaliman.

Merosakkan agama sehingga diperalatkan untuk membela sesuatu yang jelas songsang dan bercanggah tidak dilakukan oleh mana-mana kerajaan walaupun oleh kerajaan Israel terhadap agama Yahudi. Pilihan raya Israel dilakukan secara telus dan adakalanya parti Likud menang, adakalanya parti yang lain membentuk kerajaan. Tetapi UMNO/BN ingin terus memerintah dan mereka pada awalnya memutar-belitkan undang-undang pilihan-raya. Sekarang mereka sudah mula memutar-belit ajaran agama Islam untuk membela penipuan dan penyelewengan.

b) Mengasari Rakyat Sendiri

Tindakan kerajaan UMNO/BN mengatasi tindakan kerajaan Israel dari satu aspek lagi. Dalam isu Flottila, kerajaan Israel berjanji tidak akan melakukan tumpah darah. Walaupun anggota Flottila terdiri dari warga Negara asing, mereka tidak akan dikasari, menurut Israel. Percaya atau tidak itu soal kedua. Paling kurang Israel mengakui anggota Flottila ada hak dan tidak boleh dikasari atau ditembak sewenang-wenangnya.

Kerajaan UMNO/BN sebaliknya. Melalui polis dan samseng yang bertopengkan NGO, mereka secara terang-terangan mengugut untuk melakukan tumpah darah dan kegansan terhadap rakyat sendiri! Di sini APCO sendiri mungkin terkejut dengan 'kehebatan' UMNO/BN. Kesediaan mereka untuk mengasari rakyat sendiri mungkin tidak disangka tetapi pasti merupakan sesuatu yang menggembirakan APCO.

KESIMPULAN
Ini semua merupakan bukti akan betapa terdesaknya UMNO/BN. Mereka tahu rakyat tidak bersama mereka tetapi mereka akan mempertahankan kedudukan mereka walau apa sekalipun yang akan berlaku. Inilah jenis pemimpin yang mementingkan kedudukan dan jawatan mereka lebih dari nyawa rakyat sendiri. Inilah jenis pemimpin yang perlu kita jatuhkan melalui PRU ke-13 kelak.

WaLlahu 'Alam
KHALID SAMAD

www.khalidsamad.com

Veto the Bersih ban, Mr PM

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 05:37 PM PDT

by Thomas Lee Seng Hock
Malaysiakini
Jul 3, 11

COMMENT

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has been declared an illegal organisation effective 1 July 2011.

A statement issued by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) says that the declaration was made by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (right) under Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966.

According to the ROS statement, Bersih is not a registered organisation.

The statement claims that Bersih has been actively creating confusion and causing anxiety among the people.

It says that Bersih has been distributing handbills containing propaganda aimed at toppling the BN federal government.

The ROS statement says that Bersih has undermined the nation's sovereignty and disrupted the harmonious environment among the country's multi-racial population, and also caused disrepute to the country's image, and is a threat to public order, security, and economic development and prosperity.

Bersih had earlier announced plans to hold rallies in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak on July 9 to mobilise concerned citizens to demand for a clean, fair and transparent electoral process.

Unilateral decision

The home minister's unilateral decision to ban Bersih is certainly something any right-thinking and fair-minded believer in democracy and the rule of law will not be able to accept as just and constitutionally valid.

The rights to freedom of expression and assembly are enshrined in our federal constitution, and embraced as essential fundamental divine rights of all peoples in all democratic nations of the world, and revered in the Charter of Human Rights of the United Nations, of which Malaysia has been a proud member since it gained its independence on 31 August 1957.

The home minister's action in declaring Bersih an illegal organisation is a direct violation of the human, civil and constitutional rights of the country's citizens.

Human rights are the fundamental foundation upon which the total life, life-style and well-being of a human person is built and developed upon.

Human rights ensure that the spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional, physical, social and cultural aspects of an individual's existence is treated appropriately with value, dignity, honour, respect, and affection, and any violation of the basic human, civil and constitutional rights of any citizen of the nation should be regarded with contempt and condemnation.

Not a subversive movement

Bersih, which means "clean" in Bahasa Malaysia, is not a subversive movement out to create a violent revolution to overthrow the government of the day.

It is simply a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and certain political parties to seek and promote a legal reformation and transformation of the current very unsatisfactory and unacceptable electoral process in the country.

The allegations that Bersih is being funded by foreign sources, in particular by Christian interests, to destabilise the nation, and is a movement to bring about the resurgence of communism are uncalled for and unwarranted, and a real despicable attempt to create hatred and contempt among the various races.

Those who made such allegations should be the one arrested and charged for sedition, not the Bersih advocates.

Bersih has specifically demanded that several changes be instituted for the present election laws and practices to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair, just and transparent manner.

Among the reforms Bersih proposed are (1) a complete and thorough cleaning of the electoral rolls to remove entries that are no longer valid such as names of dead persons, (2) all political parties and their candidates be allowed and provided with equal access to the print and broadcast media, (3) the campaign period be extended to allow all parties and their candidates more time to reach out to the people to promote and explain their views. (4) abolish postal voting in view of the high probability that it is easily abused and manipulated, and (5) using permanent ink to ensure that each voter may only vote once.

Such proposals are not unreasonable or impractical, and any government professing to practise democracy and rule of the laws should surely has no genuine ground to reject them.

And the promotion of a fair, just and transparent electoral process should not be considered a subversive plot to overthrow the government of the day.

In fact, it is a joke to suggest that Bersih is out to grab political power by illegal means, especially the use of violence.

The mobilisation of concerned citizens in a peaceful assembly to exercise their rights to seek changes for the betterment of the nation is surely not a sin, not indivisible to the pursuit of a holistic, righteous, fair, just and dignified nation-building process.

It is the inherit divine right of a citizen to express his views vocally, visibly, and vividly, the government has no moral right to deprive and curb such rights.

Reformation of electoral process

The stated ultimate goal of Bersih is just the reformation of the nation's electoral process to ensure that the human, civil and constitutional rights of the legitimate citizens are protected and respected, and not any evil political agenda as insinuated by the mercenary spin writers of the mainstream media, and certain former opposition politicians who had sold their souls, betrayed their constituents, and manoeuvred themselves into favoured and profitable positions in the establishment.

Such despicable persons should be dismissed with scorn, and their views discharged with disbelief and disparagement.

Meanwhile, the police force should consider the fact that all forms of peaceful expression and assembly by the people should be respected and allowed to take place without any enforced restraint and forceful intervention by them.

Bersih should be allowed to hold its civil rights assembly so long as no violence or chaotic disorder are intended.

The Bersih rally organisers have never attempted any incitement to riot and chaos, and the police should not take any unilateral action that may possibly cause confusion and provoke an unpredictable disorder with people scattering in various random directions.

The police should not use canes, tear gas or water cannons on the crowd, but should provide proper crowd and traffic control to ensure that no untoward and adverse situation could develop.

Any suspected trouble-maker should be stopped and detained, but no use of force should be made on the peaceful assembly.

The Bersih ban is surely a dark blot on the image of the nation, and I appeal to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to use his wisdom and good office to stop further damage to the country by vetoing the foolish action of the home minister, and also allow the peaceful assembly to take place as scheduled.

If he does that, I will salute him for his statesmanship.

This entry was posted on Monday, 4 July 2011, 8:37 am and is filed under Bersih, Elections, Human Rights, Thomas Lee. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.

Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #72

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 02:14 PM PDT

Chapter 9: Islam in Malay Life

Authoritative Versus Authoritarian Ulamas and Scholars

Then there are such irrelevant issues as who can and cannot partake in these debates. There are those ulamas and scholars who feel that only they are qualified enough to partake in such heavy issues. There rest need merely follow their dictates. They are not so much authoritative as much as authoritarian, to use Khalid El Fadl's words.

It reminds me of the bad old days of imperious doctors who behave like Gods; their utterances and decisions cannot be challenged, least of all by the laity. Thank God, those days are gone. Today physicians fully engage their patients and the y in turn participate fully in decisions affecting themselves. The seeking of second and alternate opinions is now standard practice.

Next: Shari'a in a Plural Society

Awake & fight!

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Darkness has descended upon our nation sadness has overwhelmed our hearts madness has seized the minds of our leaders it's time to wake up & fight. Empty the closets of apathy bring forth the weapons of courage gather all ye soldiers of peace arise for the monster is nigh! Awake! tarry no more! fight with … Continue reading →

BERSIH 2.0 ~ Halal atau Haram? Hukum berjuang dibelakang Ambiga

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 11:38 AM PDT

Aa'uudzu biLLah himinasy Syaitan nir rajiim
Aku berlindung diri dengan Allah dari syaitan yang direjam!

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Dengan nama Allah, Maha Pengasih, Maha Penyayang.

Apa pandangan Ustaz Fathul Bari? Seorang ilmuan Salafi tentang perancangan puak puak yang kebanyakannya terdiri dari ahli ahli dan penyokong parti berlabel Islam turut sama mahu berdemonstrasi menentang Kerajaan Malaysia sekarang ini dengan berpimpinkan seorang kaffir harbi ~ Ambiga Sreenevasan!

Ambiga Sreenevasan yang terkenal dengan perjuangannya menentang kerajaan berteraskan umat Islam dan memperjuangkan kebebasan untuk murtad dikalangan umat Islam yang jahil atau lemah didalam aqidah mereka seperti didalam kes Azalina Jailani @ Lina Joy.

Takkan sebegitu jahil puak puak ini yang tidak menghiraukan sejarah permusuhan Ambiga dan kelompoknya terhadap kita, umat Islam di Malaysia?

Apakah sudah kemaruk sangatkah mereka ini yang berlabelkan parti politik Islam sehingga sanggup berpakat dengan golongan manusia kaffir harbi sama serupa dengan perangai Syaitan Laknatullah untuk menjatuhkan Kerajaan sedia ada tanpa menunggu peluang mereka didalam pilihanraya umum yang ke 13 tak berapa lama lagi?

Saya cuma boleh memperingatkan sesama Muslim melalui laman blog ini supaya mengambil kira akan segala kemungkinan yang akan berlaku nanti bilamana ratusan ribu manusia membanjiri jalan jalanraya di-ibunegara kita Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur ini jika pada tanggal 9hb Julai ini berlaku juga perhimpunan haram BERSIH 2.0?

Apa natijahnya nanti pada mereka yang turut berdemo membuta tuli tanpa mengetahui agenda sebenar Ambiga Sreenevasan dan Mat Sabu serta pucuk pimpinan PAS serta rakan sepakat mereka didalam Pakatan Pembangkang?

Penggunaan istilah 'Pakatan Rakyat' itu adalah haram dari segi undang undang negara kita kerana mereka tidak mendapatkan izin penggunaan istilah tersebut dari Pendaftar Pertubuhan, Kementerian Dalam Negeri, Kerajaan Malaysia.

Tidak semua rakyat berpakat dengan puak puak ini yang memperjuangkan agenda kaffir harbi harami Laknatullah!

Agenda Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Teresa Kok dan segala mereka yang memerangi Agama dan umat Islam secara halus dan terbuka sudah sekian lama didedahkan oleh para pejuang Islam melalui media perdana dan sosial seperti didalam blog blog dan portal maya.

Sepertimana dijelaskan oleh Ustaz Fathul Bari dan kebanyakan ilmuan agama kita yang lain bahawa adalah haram bagi mana mana umat Islam bersekongkol dengan puak kaffirin untuk menjatuhkan dan menghapuskan kuasa kepimpinan Islam didalam Kerajaan Malaysia.

Hadis Sahih Riwayat Ta'rif Abi Tamima bahawa Jundab Radhiallahu Anhu menyampaikan bahawa ia telah mendengar Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wassallam bersabda:

"Barangsiapa yang menyusahkan masyarakat dengan membuat angkara dan menimbulkan kesusahan, maka ianya akan disusahkan dan disulitkan keadaan nya oleh Allahu Ta'ala!"

Mereka yang berbuat demikian adalah menjadi pencacai Ambiga Sreenevasan dan gerombolan IFCnya yang senantiasa berusaha untuk menjahanamkan kuasa dan kedudukan umat Islam seMalaysia.

Semenanjung Tanah Melayu ini sahaja yang masih tinggal sebagai benteng terakhir untuk umat Islam kekal hidup bebas aman selesa menjalani kehidupan secara Muslim dirantau Asia ini.

Walaupun agak ramai yang sudah hanyut leka didalam kehidupan yang jauh dari tuntutan Ad Deenullah didalam suasana kehidupan moden berciri cirikan kebebasan cara hidup Barat kerana sudah kaya raya dan bersenang lenang hasil pencapaian mereka di alam duniawi kapitalis, masih kukuh institusi keagamaan didalam hati dan sanubari kebanyakan umat Islam di Tanah Melayu ini.

Sepatutnya umat Islam seMalaysia bersatu teguh membangunkan tamadun Islam berciri cirikan warisan Melayu yang bersejarah tetapi hari ini sudah ramai yang termakan umpan dan hasutan Iblis Iblis Laknatullah didalam bentuk golongan manusia manusia kaffir seperti Ambiga dan sekutu sekutu nya didalam gabungan haram BERSIH 2.0.

Pihak Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya @ SPR sudah menjelaskan dengan panjang lebar akan hakikat ketelusan sistem pilihanraya negara kita sehingga membolehkan Pakatan Pembangkang berjaya mempengaruhi para pengundi warganegara Malaysia untuk beralih memilih mereka didalam 5 buah negeri di bumi semenanjung ini.

Masih mahu menuduh SPR tak bersih ke?

Hanya mereka yang tamak gelojoh kemaruk gila babi untuk berkuasa dan menyapu bersih segala perwakilan diperingkat DUN dan Parlimen sanggup menjayakan agenda kaffir laknatullah sahaja yang akan terus menuduh SPR begitu!

Apakah mereka yang mahu melembukan diri sendiri bersedia menjadi pencacai penyebab kehancuran negara kita dengan membuta tuli memenangkan agenda jahat Ambiga dan sekutu sekutunya?

Hayati pesanan bernas dan tepat didalam lagu nyanyian Datuk M.Nasir didalam video khusus ini yang amat relevan dengan suasana sekarang:

Demi Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala dan Rasul Sallalahu Alaihi Wassallam, setiap Muslim yang waras sepatutnya memerangi mereka ini dengan segala kudrat yang ada!

Jangan sekali kali kita sanggup untuk menjadi talibarut kuffar!

King wants Putrajaya, Bersih 2.0 to hold talks...

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 09:12 AM PDT

Istana Negara tonight issued a special statement by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on the planned rally by Bersih.

Below is the translated full text of the King's statement.

"I am following closely the developments of the proposed gathering and procession by Bersih with the aim of handing over a memorandum to me as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and how the government, particularly the agencies and departments concerned, is handling the issue.

"However, I believe that the nation's leadership under Najib Abdul Razak is capable of handling this problem in the best possible way.

"I urge that amid the political fervour of a section of the people to bolster democracy in our country, it must also be ensured that this demand on democracy does not bring destruction to the country.

"Generally, we cannot be following too much the practices in other countries, as harmony and stability are vital foundations for a country and which all quarters must protect.

"I also urge the government to carry out everything that is entrusted to it by the people in a just and wise manner, and it is important that I as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong do not want to see this country with a plural society in a situation where there is animosity among them or a section of the people being enemies with the government, on whatever grounds.

"When any problem arises, we as a civilised society must resolve it through consultations and not follow our emotions, as the Malay saying goes, 'Yang Dikejar Tak Dapat Yang Dikendong Berciciran'" (Not getting what we chase after and spilling what we carry).

"The fact is, street demonstrations bring more bad than good although the original intention is good. Instead, we should focus on our main objective to develop this country, and not create problems that will cause the country to lag behind.

"Remember that there is no land where the rain does not fall, there is no ocean that is not turbulent. That is how important moderation and compromise is, which has been long been in practice by our nation's administration."- Bernama

Titah Khas YDP Agong di sini.

source:malaysian insider

King intervenes, tells Putrajaya, Bersih 2.0 to hold talks

Bersih 2.0: Agong mahu isu diselesai secara rundingan

Titah Agong Mendalam Maksudnya - Bersih 2.0

cheers.

"Yang dikejar tak dapat, Yang dikendong berciciran"

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 08:17 AM PDT

The Agong has spoken. Lu orang baca sendiri lah. Yang tak faham simpulan bahasa, Bernama ada bagi terjemahan tapi mungkin tak berapa tepat ...

How China Conquers The World

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 09:12 AM PDT

Many things have been said about how China is going to dominate the global economy for the next 50 years. This in a nutshell, is how they go about laying the groundwork. China already is a player in the commodities side of things, they are laying the groundwork for the rest of the jigsaw puzzle.

The first question to entertain is why are they keeping the yuan low while they keep registering tons of surpluses. This is key to buying up the world. Some may say that although they have surpluses, a lot of that are in US Treasuries. If USD falls, they stand to lose a lot. That is B.S. ... I think even a second year economics student at Beijing University would be able to see through that.

Although China has a lot of Treasuries, their buying has decelerated substantially. Some think that they cannot ever dump the Treasuries - yes they do not dump, they cannot even afford to dump as the derailment of the global economy can have massive ramifications.

Instead, they basically recycle the surpluses by lending or pumping funds into state-controlled firms, buying up anything and everything related to commodities and even ports related entities to ensure the logistics chain are under their control. That being the case, many have been wondering if the Chinese have been over paying, yes they have been and they know it, but they rather have it than to see their surpluses dwindling 20% every 2 years in value.

Next, is to make their big companies become global players. China Development Bank, which is not really a commercial bank but a sovereign entity, issues bonds and lends aggressively to help China companies to frog leap the rest. The prime example had been the phenomenal growth of ZTE and Huawei, ask any telco vendor person, they were also-rans 5 years ago. Now they are the top few in the world.

Back in 2004, CDB provided a $45 billion line of credit to Huawei and ZTE. Yes, $45 billion of vendor financing. This basically meant that if you were Singtel and Huawei tries to sell you their products, if you were mildly interested but may lack the necessary funding/budget this year ... Huawei will say no problem, 100% financing can be provided at attractive rates. These type of export financing schemes are done all the time by the more enterprising governments, but certainly not in the scale of China. Naturally the other global players are crying that these are unfair advantages.

Next, is cementing the global economic and political ties. You cannot be just owing and running businesses, you need to be needed as a major player all corners of the world. China owns Asia already, but they have gone out of their way to go big into Africa and South America, investing big bucks, cementing political ties, granting loads of loans to various governments. Plus increase trade with them, China needs everything anyways .... What a friend.

Unlike the US or EU, China does not (yet) have a political agenda in doing all these, they are not aiming to protect the sanctity of the democratic world or pushing some political ideaology, which makes them easy to befriend the usual enemies of the Americans. China couldn't care less about the atrocities or dictatorships in other countries - you don't criticise my ways, I don't criticise yours ... (unless they get really really bad ... I guess.

Even now, China is making inroads into the troubled Greece, and possibly soon to Portugal and Spain, buy assuring them that China will buy their bonds.

It does not take a smartass to note that gradually China will own probably the top few players in every significant industry in the world. They tried doing that with banking and failed miserably, the timing was off and they made huge losses, but they can afford to make these kind of losses anyway.

So, you can shake your heads, but we all will have to work with them, one way or another, cause soon we all will be working for them, one way or another

POLIS ...ingat Ngeh cakap? Apa lagi, kasi tangkap!

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 03:09 PM PDT

Tourism player could suffer from Bersih 2.0 rally

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 01:01 PM PDT

Orang Hotel dah ngamuk dengan Bersih 2.0

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 11:00 AM PDT

What Is This Country Coming To?

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 03:55 AM PDT

by Kee Thuan Chye
Malaysian Digest
01 July 2011 WHAT is this country coming to? Many Malaysians are asking this question in view of the numerous actions taken by the police over the past week. First, they arrested 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including MP for Sungai Siput Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, and are now investigating them for resurrecting Communism and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. While on their way to a Bersih roadshow in Penang, they were arrested in Kepala Batas and found to have in their possession T-shirts bearing faces of Chin Peng and Rashid Maidin. They have been remanded for seven days. Communism? That's crazy talk. The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) is long dead and gone. Chin Peng is a geriatric and Rashid Maidin is dead. The party disbanded in 1989 after signing a peace treaty with the Malaysian Government, and its members were allowed to reside in Malaysia if they chose to do so. After 22 years of its being defunct and virtually forgotten, why is Communism still a threat today? And if it were – by some stretch of the imagination – are we to believe that this threat is manifest in these 30 PSM members among whom 14 are women, the oldest aged 64? A friend of mine who was at the court in Penang when the 30 were brought in told me they were just "a motley crew" of people who didn't look like they would carry a stick to fight, much less wage war against the Agong. "When I saw that, my faith in the system hit rock-bottom," he said. "And to see Jeyakumar in handcuffs was too much," he added. "He alone is worth many of our people in power put together. Top scorer in exams, a doctor, a man who has dedicated his life to helping poor people – he doesn't deserve this." Like my friend, I too knew Jeyakumar while at school. He was one year my junior at the Penang Free School, and I remember him well as a thoughtful, gentle person. He was soft-spoken, cerebral, and humble despite his well-to-do background. I find it hard to believe that someone like him would wage war against the Agong. Only someone stupid or deranged would consider doing that. He might be a socialist, but that's a far cry from being a Communist. Don't the police and the Government know the difference? To all intents and purposes, he is probably someone who transcends labels and merely cares for the poor. And why remand him and the others for a week? The High Court has since upheld this decision and said it is correct. Justice Zamani A Rahim said the case was serious. "It involves the security of the country, of everyone – you and me and our children." These 30 people are so dangerous that they are a threat to us and our children? Case number 2: Sasterawan Negara (National Laureate) A Samad Said was called in by the police and told he was being investigated for sedition because he had read part of a poem at the Bersih launch on June 19. When has reading a poem been seditious? In any case, did it provoke an uprising afterwards? Look at the poem. Can it threaten national security? Unggun-bersih Semakin lara kita didera bara –
kita laungkan juga pesan merdeka:
Demokrasi sebenderang mentari
sehasrat hajat semurni harga diri. Lama resah kita – demokrasi luka;
lama duka kita – demokrasi lara.
Demokrasi yang angkuh, kita cemuhi;
suara bebas yang utuh, kita idami! Dua abad lalu Sam Adams berseru
(di Boston dijirus teh ke laut biru):
Tak diperlu gempita sorak yang gebu,
diperlu hanya unggun api yang syahdu. Kini menyalalah unggun sakti itu;
kini merebaklah nyala unggun itu. Translation: Cleansing Fire Even as we are lashed by the sickening fire,
we still shout out the message of Merdeka:
Democracy as brilliant as the sun,
united in purpose as pure as self-worth. Long have we been restless – democracy is wounded;
Long have we been sad – democracy is ill.
Democracy that is arrogant disgusts us;
We dream of a free voice that is full and strong! Two centuries ago Sam Adams declared
(in Boston while tea was being poured into the blue sea):
No need for noisy, trivial cheering,
all that's needed is a serene bonfire. Light now that magic fire;
illuminate to others the flame of that fire. Samad Said was prompted to say to the media afterwards that instead of intimidating writers, the action the police had taken against him could spur fellow writers to use the power of literature to state their views openly. Indeed, it is time for Malaysian writers to come forward and defend what is right. All those who have been conferred the Sasterawan Negara award, like Shahnon Ahmad, Abdullah Hussain, Muhammad Haji Salleh, Noordin Hassan, Anwar Ridhwan and the newly installed Kemala should use their pen to "menyala unggun sakti" and "merebak nyalanya". Case number 3: More than a hundred people have been arrested for wearing Bersih T-shirts. Eight of them were among 14 people giving out the national flag at a wet market in Sungai Siput. All 14 were arrested. But what is the offence? Which part of the law says it is an offence to wear Bersih T-shirts in public? Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has come up with the justification. "If the Bersih T-shirt is related to an illegal activity, then wearing it is illegal," he said. Is that logical? What "illegal activity"? The Bersih rally hasn't happened yet. Until the rally is carried out, no illegal activity has been performed yet. So how could he declare it illegal? On that score, why should it be illegal to wear a Bersih T-shirt? As an analogy, if I were to express an intent to do something illegal, like smoking marijuana openly in public, but I haven't done it yet, would it make sense for the police to arrest me? If they should do so, the case would be thrown out of court straight away. Doesn't Hishammuddin, who is a lawyer himself, know that? Case number 4: The police raided the Bersih secretariat and detained its staff members. According to Bersih, the cops did not produce a search warrant. They confiscated Bersih T-shirts, leaflets and other paraphernalia. Why raid only the Bersih secretariat? Why not raid those of Perkasa and Umno Youth as well since they will also be holding rallies? And why did the cops not produce a search warrant but instead threaten to break open the gates? Later that day, the announcement came from the Inspector-General of Police, Ismail Omar, that the police would not only arrest those wearing Bersih T-shirts but also those using any medium to promote the Bersih rally. "Not just T-shirts but shoes, cars, buses. If these are the tools used to encourage people to gather (illegally), this amounts to sedition," he said. Shoes too? Sedition? For dressing as one likes? Aren't Malaysians allowed the freedom to dress as they like? Are there new laws that have come into place without our knowing? Gopeng MP Lee Boon Chye was arrested for wearing a yellow T-shirt the next day. It did not even have "Bersih" printed on it, it was just a plain yellow collared T-shirt. The police told him he was arrested for illegal assembly as he was with three other people at a wet market. Two of them wore Bersih T-shirts and the third a white shirt. Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Azisman Alias said, "The shirts are evidence that they are trying to get people to take part in the illegal rally." Is that all it takes? What is happening to our beloved country? Is it all turning into a farce? Do we laugh or cry? My friend in Penang was full of admiration for the 30 PSM members arrested in Kepala Batas. He said when they were marched out to face the music, they were not cowed by it. "I tell you, I never thought I would have lived to see this. Despite the situation they were in, they were shouting, 'Hidup rakyat! Hidup rakyat!'," he said. "I'll never be able to forget that." Now the question is, will the rakyat be able to survive the power of the police? And also that of the State?

Lift ban on Bersih, urges Kit Siang

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 02:21 AM PDT

Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini The PM, Najib Abdul Razak, should overrule Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and lift the ban on Bersih said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang. He said in a statement today the three grounds given for the ban under the Societies Act do not stand scrutiny and will only expose the government and country to public disdain and international scorn. Bersih is not guilty of the first ground, "Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country," he added. "Those guilty are Perkasa and Umno Youth, with the former even threatening another May 13 what with the warning to the Chinese to stay indoors and to stock up food, and Umno Youth in front of PKR headquarters threatening violence and chaos." He asked why had Hishammuddin acted against Bersih, the innocent party, while the culprits, Perkasa and Umno Youth, seem to enjoy immunity and impunity. He also argued against Reason 2: "Spreading propaganda to incite the people to topple the government by distributing certain leaflets," saying that in the first place, how could a government be toppled by the distribution of leaflets. "This is a baseless and groundless charge as could be established in any challenge to the authorities to produce evidence to back up this ridiculous allegation." As for Reason 3: "Its activities have given a bad image to the country, which can threaten and undermine public order, security, economy and the country's sovereignty and affect the harmony of the multiracial community," he said it was Perkasa and Umno Youth which must plead guilty to this charge not Bersih. "Now, with the outrageous ban on Bersih, the Home Minister is himself guilty of giving Malaysia a bad image which will cause great loss of public and investor confidence in Malaysia detrimental to Malaysia's economic interest and national unity. "Will Hishammuddin ban himself from committing such disservices to Malaysia?" concluded the MP for Ipoh Timor.

Lift ban on Bersih, urges Kit Siang

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 02:17 AM PDT

Bakri MP, 5 others held over yellow gotong-royong T-shirts

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 02:09 AM PDT

By Clara Chooi
July 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider JOHOR BARU, July 3 — Six DAP members, including Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa, were hauled up by the police this morning during a gotong-royong exercise, on suspicion that it was part of the now-outlawed Bersih 2.0's activities. The six, wearing yellow T-shirts bearing designs different from that of the Bersih 2.0 logo, were picked up at the Taman Pelangi market as they were distributing leaflets to the public. Despite trying to explain to the cops that their walkabout this morning was part of a community cleanliness campaign themed "Negara Bersih, Rakyat Bertuah", they were still hauled up to the Taman Pelangi police station. Er managed to post an update on his Facebook profile page, writing, "BN (Barisan Nasional) government should make new announcement — cleaning street campaign is prohibited in Malaysia." He claimed the cops had told them that if they had not invited the media to cover their arrests, they would have been freed immediately. The six were later led to the Sentral police station for questioning. They are being represented by PKR lawyer Hassan Karim. "PKR lawyer Hassan Karim is now dealing with police. Lawyer said they might be charged under sedition act but dont not know yet," Er wrote on Facebook at about 1.30pm. The six include Er, Johor DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) chief Tan Hong Pin, Johor DAPSY vice chief Jason Josob, Johor DAP committee member Chen Kah Eng, Taman Bukit Indah DAP branch secretary Yan Boon Meng and Johor DAP assistant political education director Tang Chee Kia. Police have arrested more than 100 people over the Bersih rally and have detained six under the Emergency Ordinance for 60 days. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein has outlawed both Bersih 2.0 and the movement's yellow T-shirts, saying it is related to illegal activities. But Bersih has vowed to go ahead with its planned July 9 rally asking for free and fair elections.

LKS backs Sabah Speaker on education autonomy

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 02:06 AM PDT

Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang voiced support for Sabah Speaker Salleh Said's call for the state education department to be given more power and autonomy. Salleh had said reportedly said that many school buildings in Sabah are in a state of disrepair and educational projects are carried out only haphazardly due to the need to refer even simple matters to the education ministry headquarters in Putrajaya. This, said the speaker, was jeopardising the government's efforts in developing education in Sabah. Sabah education director Muhiddin Yusin had also backed Salleh's call for the state authorities to be given greater decision-making autonomy and powers in the implementation of development projects, especially maintenance, training and recruitment of teachers. In a statement, Lim (above) said Education Minister Muhyiddin should fully devolve powers to the Sabah education department in the interests of autonomy and efficiency, and for Sabahans' general educational interests. Litany of education woes Lim listed as some of "weaknesses, anomalies and downright abuses" by the education authorities in Sabah as being: - the lack of safety in some 90 schools against floods, such as the SMK St Peters in Telipok; - 'Cabin' classes in rural areas where lessons are being conducted in sub-standard and poorly-constructed classrooms where gaps not properly sealed and zinc roofs are not properly placed, posing dangers to students and teachers; - 'Computer labs' that are without computers, or computers that cannot be turned on due to absence of electricty: Most of the 300 computer labs for secondary and primary schools in Sabah are 'white-elephants' and are not being used for their intended purpose. - The abandonment, after three years, of a RM7 million project to elevate SMK Peter Mojuntin in Penambang into a sports school; - The payment of school contract works by Putrajaya, not by the state education department; and - Inordinate delay – ranging from six months to two years – in the promotion of teachers in Sabah as these are decided by Putrajaya, resulting in some 22 schools in Sabah that are without principals. Describing the state of Sabah education as "topsy-turvy", he urged Muhyiddin to "reduce politicking inside and outside the country" and tackle the problems faced by Sabahan children seeking an education. "Who must bear responsibility (for the problems) – the Education Minister in Putrajaya or the state education director in Kota Kinabalu?" asked the veteran opposition politician.

Patriot and Bersih: A tale of two rallies

Posted: 03 Jul 2011 02:00 AM PDT

By Hazlan Zakaria
Jul 3, 11 | MalaysiaKini COMMENT Growing up, Charles Dickens was my favourite author. He still is. His stories are exciting, insightful, witty and rich of sobering social commentary. His tales tell of the wealthy and poor alike, of the arrogant all-powerful and the disenfranchised powerless. But for all his seriousness, he had a great sense of humour, if a little moribund. Nothing perhaps illustrates his dry tongue-in-cheekiness than the first paragraph of one of his most revered classic, 'A Tale of Two Cities':

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on it being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

Splendidly done, spectacularly written, the passage is a clever way to place his tale into any time, any place. They speak of truths evident still, such is the timelessness of his work. Sadly, its echo is heard loudly in our age, in our beloved land. Not as a lesson nor precautionary tale, but a reality that we now face first hand, if we but observe the twin dualities of the rallies; Patriot and Bersih. Perhaps never in Malaysian history, have the lines been drawn so clear, between the dual truths of unselfish nobility and crass ignoble behaviour. There exist two rallies hence, one of Bersih's, a mass movement of Malaysians made up of many ilks and colours, and the other Patriot – made up of Malay rights group Perkasa and their colleagues in Umno Youth. One seeks clean, free, fair elections. While the other sought to preserve that which authorities hold absolute; Their grip on power. I think I need not explain which is which. 'A Marquis of our own' Bersih has promised peace, while the other warned of violence. The Patriot group spoke of chaos, seething members they can't control, whilst those marching for electoral reforms, have made good conduct their motto. But the government's spiel and response, is at inappropriate if not strange – punishing the meek with out-of-date powers and letting the belligerent walk free. "Foreign agents" and "Communists", such bogeymen they resurrect, but the truth is self evident, it is they who initiated misconduct. A movement for reforms they outlawed, while the champions of divisiveness they greet. It seems like pre-revolution France, we too have a Marquis of our own, whose actions this past few weeks demonstrate more than just mere disregard, to the plight and voice of the rakyat. What we oft see is the image its likeness paints in our hearts of hearts; A tyranny. "Repression is the only lasting philosophy. The dark deference of fear and slavery, my friend," observed the Marquis to his nephew Charles Darnay, "will keep the dogs obedient to the whip, as long as this roof, shuts out the sky." How true and how apt, an intractable authority that refuses to give up the reins nor change. Like the Bastille, our future's safekeeping, may perhaps require the storming of our own castle of arrogance. Figuratively, if not literally. Is it time to bring down the house of cards? As I pen these words, I cannot but feel a twinge of regret, at the life choices I made. My decision to take on the mantle of observer and join the cadre of journalists. To man the watchtowers of an alternative press, one that is as free and objective, as we can make it. 'Rakyat's hopes and sacrifice' For as my duties hold, I cannot take to the streets with my brothers and sisters. Such is the curse of my profession, for the privilege of commenting, I must enact boundaries and recuse myself from those that I observe. But I do have opinions and a clear realisation of what is wrong and right. For that and in this commentary, is my balm to setting things right. In so far as words have power, as breath of spells can kindle magic, I give my spirit to their cause and bend my mind to their noble deed, for that freedom that well nigh fifty years, have the tentacles of oppression denied us. For those of us in the free press, we shall do our best to record this momentous time, the hopes and sacrifice of the rakyat. Turning our objective glare unto a government desperate to stop the inevitable. May we be the bulwark against their agenda of untruths. But be all forewarned, we shall record the misbehavior or appropriateness of each. As Dicken's also warned us, the oppressed can also oppress. This is why we are the fourth estate, for ours is to watch and tell. I shall end my tale with another quote from Dickens. Quite appropriately from the ending of A Tale of Two Cities. May it be for the activists on the streets and the honest journalists on the ground, that our deeds on that day measure up with the best that we can. These are the last thoughts of the lawyer Sydney Carton whilst alive, before the greatest act of his sacrifice. As Carton's did, may our deeds birth a better brighter future. For our nation, our brethren and our children, if not ourselves.

"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."

Mengecam Penahanan Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput

2011-07-02T19:37:00.001-07:00

Mengecam Penahanan Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput

Mengecam Penahanan Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput
The Police-State Has Begun!
Najib, is your AG anti-Islam? Does your administration condone the vilification of Islam?
Where’s the 1 Malaysia, Datuk Seri?
Pakatan condemns Bersih 2.0 ban
Hisham outlaws Bersih 2.0
Sungai Siput MP, five PSM members held under emergency law
Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally
Usah berdalih Black Iskandar ... NIEI pun ada kaitan CIA
Pembangkang demo depan di Bukit Aman malam ini?
Waris Rashid Maidin kesal heret namanya diheret dengan perhimpunan haram Bersih
Najib,outlaws Bersih...
Najib’s ‘Ali Baba’ government
Bersih and the aftermath
“Yellow, Yellow, Dirty Fellow.”
Where’s the 1 Malaysia, Datuk Seri?
Pakatan condemns Bersih 2.0 ban
Hisham outlaws Bersih 2.0
Sungai Siput MP, five PSM members held under emergency law
Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally

Mengecam Penahanan Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 05:27 PM PDT

Kenyataan Media

Saya mengecam penahanan Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput, Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj bersama lima yang lain di bawah Seksyen 3(1) dan Seksyen 4(1) Ordinan Darurat. Selain Ahli Parlimen Sungai Siput, turut ditahan adalah M Saraswathy, Choo Chon Kai, M Sukumaran, A Letchumanan dan Sarat Babu. Peruntukan tersebut membolehkan pihak berkuasa menahan individu terbabit selama 60 hari tanpa bicara.

Sebagai Ketua Pembangkang Dewan Rakyat Malaysia, saya menegaskan penahanan Dr Michael Jeyakumar di bawah Ordinan Darurat merupakan suatu penghinaan terhadap amalan Demokrasi dan Institusi Parlimen negara ini. Beliau selaku Ahli Parlimen yang dipilih berhak menyuarakan hasrat rakyat yang mahukan pilihanraya yang bersih dan adil.

Beberapa hari ini pihak pemerintah cuba memintal fitnah dengan mengaitkan tuntutan Pilhanraya yang bersih dan adil dengan gerakan subversif. Sedangkan sudah beberapa kali Sekretariat Bersih menegaskan perhimpunan yang bakal diadakan pada 9 hb Julai 2011 ini merupakan perhimpunan aman. Malah Sekretariat Bersih sedaya upaya berbincang dengan pemerintah agar tuntutan berkaitan pilihanraya dapat dilaksanakan. Akan tetapi gesaan dan tuntutan itu ditolak dengan penuh keangkuhan. Sewajarnya pemerintah tidak perlu gentar dengan tuntutan yang berharap membawa kebaikan buat rakyat dan negara Malaysia.

Saya menggesa pemerintah dengan segera membebaskan semua yang ditahan kerana dituduh terlibat dengan Bersih termasuk Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj dan lima yang lain. Saya juga menuntut pemerintah menghormati dan mematuhi prinsip Kedaulatan Undang-Undang serta Perlembagaan sepertimana yang termaktub dalam Perkara 10 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Ketua Pembangkang
Dewan Rakyat Malaysia

The Police-State Has Begun!

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 12:38 PM PDT

Good news to foreign tourists/funds/investors that stayed away, you were right.

Najib, is your AG anti-Islam? Does your administration condone the vilification of Islam?

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 11:28 AM PDT

Malaysianinsider reported yesterday that, whilst speaking to a large crowd in Pasir Putih, Kelantan, Najib said that BERSIH 2.0 chairperson Ambiga was 'the one who threatened Islam'. No elaboration on when and how she is supposed to have made the threat. A vile and unsubstantiated allegation. I've known Ambiga for over a decade now and [...]

Where’s the 1 Malaysia, Datuk Seri?

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 08:00 AM PDT

The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011 JULY 2 — Of course, any visit to Kelantan makes a politician a bit more religious in his outlook. Datuk Seri Najib Razak is no exception. But Kelantan doesn't make anyone less Malaysian or less inclusive. Yet the prime minister chose to use his visit to Kelantan today to lash out at Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan in a very base way. The kind of attack one expects from others but not the political aristocracy that has given us two Umno presidents and two prime ministers. "Who doesn't know Ambiga. She's the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu," Najib told a 20,000-strong crowd here, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. The prime minister's remarks were carried by Radio Malaysia news at 1pm. The station also played public service clips against the rally and praising the prime minister as leader of all Malaysians. What happened to duelling over policy and issues that matter rather than dwelling on personalities? Why go down this low road of talking about people rather than confront the issue? Such methods are more suited for the likes of Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali. The only difference today is that the Umno president is a lot more eloquent. His attack betrays the ideals he has espoused in 1 Malaysia, of a united country where economic and social reforms will make us a developed nation by 2020. What use is all these potential wealth and unity when we talk about people in such a derisory tone? It might be a crowd of Muslims in Kelantan but that doesn't mean one should put down a person as an enemy of the faith. This country is secular. This country tells the world it's polite, that Malaysia is truly Asia. But our prime minister today showed an unpleasant side of stooping so low to make a personal attack. A side that betrays his own ideals and casts a shadow on our international image. What a pity. He was doing so well to charm Malaysians to support his government and its policies.

Pakatan condemns Bersih 2.0 ban

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 07:52 AM PDT

By Clara Chooi
July 02, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders expressed outrage tonight at the Home Ministry's decision to outlaw Bersih 2.0 ahead of its rally next week, but declared that the clampdown has not spooked them into withdrawing their support. Electoral reforms coalition Bersih 2.0 has invited all political parties to join its march for free and fair elections but the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) have snubbed them, saying PR's victories in Election 2008 is proof there is no fault with the current system. "We are more determined now to demand for more democratic space in society. I do not see any reason whatsoever for the minister or Umno to crack down on the people just because they are demanding free and fair elections," PKR deputy president Azmin Ali told The Malaysian Insider. He pointed out that Bersih 2.0 was a loose coalition of "legal and registered" civil society groups exercising their rights to call for electoral reform and, as such, there was no reason for the movement to call an end to its July 9 rally. The Gombak MP also told Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who issued the order to outlaw Bersih 2.0 effective July 1, to stop turning the administration into a Middle Eastern-style dictatorship. "We have made clear our position that this rally must be a peaceful one. But Perkasa and Umno Youth, their reasons are just to provoke and create chaos," he said, agreeing that the government was practising double standards by failing to outlaw the latter two groups. Malay rights group Perkasa and Umno Youth, led by its chief Khairy Jamaluddin, plan to take to the streets on July 9 in two separate protest marches. The home ministry issued a four-paragraph statement today outlining the reasons for its banning of Bersih 2.0, including that the coalition had sparked an atmosphere of unrest in the country, that it was spreading propaganda to incite the people to topple the government and that its activities was tarnishing the country's image. PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub today denied all three allegations and challenged Putrajaya to prove its claims. "Where does it say that Bersih is unlawful? This so-called propaganda are merely lies, we have even raised this (Bersih's requests) in Parliament before. This is merely an act of desperation by Umno-BN," he said. In an SMS tonight, PAS central working committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said "definitely no" when asked if the ban would deter party members from participating in the rally, adding that Hishammuddin should instead order the police to direct traffic and ensure public safety on July 9. DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang described the ministry's decision tonight as politically motivated and questioned why an identical clampdown was not imposed to thwart Perkasa and Umno Youth's rally plans. "Why no similar declaration on Umno Youth and Perkasa who were even more irresponsible in provoking a situation of tension and hatred? I do not think any right-minded person can accept this declaration," he told The Malaysian Insider. He added that by banning Bersih 2.0, the government was declaring to Malaysians that fighting for free and fair elections is an unlawful act. PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said it was no surprise that Hishammuddin had decided to ban Bersih 2.0 since the latter had already declared the coalition's signature yellow T-shirts as illegal earlier this week. "The T-shirt ban was using Section 7 of the ISA (Internal Security Act) and needs gazetting before it can be enforced. Clearly, the ministry has no regard for the laws in this country. "[Hishammuddin] and (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) might as well declare Malaysia a police state since they are allowing mindless zealots — Perkasa and various other Umno-sponsored silat groups — to run amok all over the country while blatantly clamping down against any related Bersih individuals using all state apparatus and agencies at their behest," she said in an SMS to The Malaysian Insider.

Hisham outlaws Bersih 2.0

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 07:47 AM PDT

The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011 KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Electoral reforms movement Bersih 2.0 has been declared illegal by the Home Ministry effective July 1 for causing "an atmosphere of unrest," a week before its planned July 9 rally. The ministry issued a four-paragraph statement outlining the reasons for the ban by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. It gave three reasons for the banning of the movement, adding it was an unregistered group despite fulfilling all criteria to form an organisation under the Societies Act 1966. The reasons given for the ban are: i) Being active and sparking an atmosphere of unrest and worry among the multiracial community in the country; ii) Spreading propaganda to incite the people to topple the government by distributing certain leaflets; iii) Its activities have given a bad image to the country, which can threaten and undermine public order, security, economy and country's sovereignty and affect the harmony of the multiracial community. "Because of this, the home minister has declared the Bersih 2.0 organisation as going against the law under Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966 effective July 1, 2011," read the statement signed by Registrar of Societies Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman. Shortly after the declaration, PKR vice-president N. Surendran came out to condemn Hishammuddin's action as unlawful, and added that it was also unconstitutional as the Federal Constitution allowed the freedom of association. "How can a movement for fair elections be a threat to security? How can a peaceful assembly with a noble, democratic purpose be a threat to public order?" he asked in a statement tonight. The human rights lawyer then said PKR wants the government to revoke the order and free all those held for involvement in Bersih. Bersih 2.0 is a coalition of 62 groups seeking electoral reforms to provide for free and fair elections. It has planned a rally on July 9 in the capital city to press for its eight demands, but police have said it will not allow any demonstrations on the day. At least two other groups — Perkasa and Umno Youth — have said they will mount counter-protests against the Bersih rally. The Najib administration has used state-run media and special sermons during Friday prayers at mosques yesterday to criticise the Bersih rally, which is the second such demonstration asking for electoral reforms. The first in 2007 saw an estimated 50,000 people take to the streets in the capital city before they were dispersed by riot police armed with water cannons and tear gas. Bersih 2.0 expects a higher turnout this year due to more widespread publicity courtesy of social media. Pakatan Rakyat parties have ordered their members to support the rally, with PAS asking its one-million members to turn up on July 9. Several rallies in support of Bersih are also being planned in major cities across the world on that day.

Sungai Siput MP, five PSM members held under emergency law

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 07:44 AM PDT

By Shannon Teoh and Melissa Chi
July 02, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Police have re-arrested Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar and five other Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members for 60 days under the Emergency Ordinance, which allows for detention without trial. The six were due in the Butterworth courts this morning as a seven-day remand order had expired after their arrest for promoting the Bersih rally last week. It is understood that the six have been sent to the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters. Twenty-four others held with them were brought to the courts today. They are being represented by senior lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah, a former Bar Council president. Police have arrested more than 100 people this past week in connection with the Bersih rally, declaring its yellow T-shirt illegal. The latest to be arrested was Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu last night. PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan told The Malaysian Insider that the six individuals were immediately re-arrested following their release from the Kepala Batas police station earlier today, and claimed they are being held on "fabricated charges". "This is a Bersih clampdown. I think the arrest of the six shows that this is the consequences for people doing a normal campaign. This is how the government uses this draconian law," he said. He said several lawyers have volunteered to file habeas corpus writs on behalf of the detainees, with some already waiting at the Bukit Aman police headquarters. On its website, PSM also listed the litany of allegations arrayed against its member, holding these as evidence the police were being used as a political tool by the government. These ranged from minor infractions such illegal assembly to allegations as grave as "waging war against the King". "These highly inconsistent charges only go out to show mala-fide behind the arrests and subsequent detention of the PSM political activists," it said. The party then demanded the unconditional release of all its arrested members

Najib blasts Ambiga, PAS over Bersih rally

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 07:38 AM PDT

The Malaysian Insider
July 02, 2011 PASIR PUTIH, July 2 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak lambasted Bersih chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and PAS for the planned July 9 rally, telling people here the Islamist party will do anything to capture Putrajaya. The electoral reform movement has called for a rally to press for free and fair elections but the Najib administration is taking all measures to stop the demonstration which is a repeat of a 2007 rally that drew some 50,000 people in Kuala Lumpur. "Who doesn't know Ambiga. She's the one who threatened Islam. And below her is Mat Sabu," Najib (picture) told a 20,000-strong crowd, referring to the Bersih chief who once took up a case involving the faith and the new PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu. The prime minister is in Kelantan for a day-long visit. Najib's remarks were carried by Radio Malaysia news at 1pm. The station also played public service clips against the rally and praising the prime minister as leader of all Malaysians. Najib said Mohamed was willing to be deputy to Ambiga as a means to get power for PAS, which has ruled Kelantan since 1991. The PAS No. 2 is no longer in Bersih although the party supports the movement. Bersih, comprising 62 groups, has vowed to continue with the rally although police has said it will not issue permits. The government has also issued a special sermon for Friday prayers yesterday to criticise the rally apart from state-run media castigating the protest without specific reference to Bersih or the rally date. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday there would be no more room for discussions, and warned the organisers — Bersih, Perkasa and Umno Youth — to be prepared to be arrested if they did not abort their respective rallies. Bersih has asked the police to suggest different routes and directions for the three groups on July 9 to ensure that its rally goes off without a hitch. Among others, the group is demanding that the government ensure a clean and fair general election, reforms in the postal voting system and an extended campaign period of at least 21 days. The first rally, also organised by Bersih, was held in 2007 and saw some 50,000 people take to the capital's streets. The gathering eventually descended into chaos when the police deployed tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators.

Usah berdalih Black Iskandar ... NIEI pun ada kaitan CIA

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 03:25 PM PDT

Pembangkang demo depan di Bukit Aman malam ini?

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 12:32 PM PDT

Waris Rashid Maidin kesal heret namanya diheret dengan perhimpunan haram Bersih

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 11:32 AM PDT

Najib,outlaws Bersih...

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 10:11 AM PDT

The Registrar of Societies has declared Bersih - or The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections - an unlawful organisation effective from Friday, said ROS director-general Abdul Rahman Othman.

According to Abdul Rahman, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had made the order under Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966.

In a statement out on Saturday, Abdul Rahman said Bersih had been creating unease and tension amongst the people. He accused Bersih of spreading pamphlets urging Malaysians to topple the BN government.

The ROS also said Bersih's activities were harmful and had dented the country's image, threatening public order, security, economic prosperity and national sovereignty.

Afraid of the people, ban is unconstitutional and void

In an immediate reaction, Pakatan Rakyats leader slammed the order. "This shows how afraid BN is of the people," said PKR vice president Tian Chua. Unlike BN, Pakatan supports the rally and have been accused of hiding behind Bersih to further its political cause.

Bersih is actually an umbrella body of 62 NGOs, each registered in its own capacity.

According to human rights lawyer N Surendran, the ban was void and unconstitutional and Hisham had abused his powers. Surendran, also a PKR vice president demand the order be revoked immediately, and all who had been arrested for Bersih-related activities be released.

"We strongly condemn the act of the Home Minister in declaring Bersih unlawful under s.5 Societies Act 1966. How can a movement for fair elections be a threat to security? How can a peaceful assembly with a noble democratic purpose be a threat to public order?" Surendran said in a statement late on Saturday evening.

"The order made by the Minister is void and unconstitutional. S.5 Societies Act is in flagrant breach of Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution which guarantees the rakyat's freedom of association. The Minister also abused his powers in issuing the order as his motives were political and intended to stifle criticism against the BN govt. We demand that the order be revoked immediately and all those arrested in relation to Bersih be released at once."

Fears a people's uprising especially amongst the Malays

Bersih, an elections watchdog body, had planned to gather citizens in a march on July 9 to deliver a memorandum to the King, demanding the implementation of 8 electoral reforms before the next general election.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, however, fears the rally may spark a people's uprising against his BN coalition, especially amongst the Malays, the BN's traditional voter base. There is also speculation that he is unwilling to make any electoral changes as he believes BN may lose federal power if the free and fair elections were carried out.

This is not the first time that BN has resorted to outlawing a people's movement to cut down on political dissent. In 2008, it outlawed the Indian Hindraf movement and detained 5 of its leaders under the Internal Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

source:malaysia chronicle

Hisham isytihar BERSIH 2.0 pertubuhan haram

Pakatan condemns Bersih 2.0 ban

Pakatan: Fitnah KDN mahu halang Himpunan Bersih 2.0

Mungkin Bomoh Siam Akan Diguna Untuk Halang Bersih

cheers.

Najib’s ‘Ali Baba’ government

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT

"Ali Baba" in the Malaysian business world is a term normally used to describe main-contractors who grab contracts and then pass them down to other companies, normally after pocketing a nice profit without lifting a finger.

And Najib Razak is arguably the biggest "Ali Baba" practitioner in Malaysia.

It is not just the dirt flying high and low from the purchase of the Scorpene submarines, for which French authorities are now investigating kickbacks to his his friend Razak Baginda's Perimekar but the "Ali Baba" practice also extends to the way he governs Malaysia.

Right now, Najib Razak has sub-contracted the governing of Malaysia to his cousin, Hishamuddin Hussein, UMNO roughneck-groups such as Perkasa, and the Inspector-General of Police.

In Najib's ying-and-yang concept of reality, only good things should be associated with him. All the rest of the manure and faeces should be thrown over to the 'hired help'.

More likely than not, Najib learnt this skill during his days of thunder in 1987-1989, when as UMNO Youth chief, he led an illegal assembly in Kampung Baru. And to his everlasting shame, it was there that he uttered the promise to "bathe this Keris with Chinese blood".

Not the sort of press you would want when you are prime minister. And Najib has learnt through the years to hunger for the limelight. His ego, never small, has ballooned thanks to encouragement from his equally wants-to-be-loved spouse, Rosmah Mansor.

During the Sarawak Election of April 2011, whenever Najib was in town, the authorities went to great pains to maximise his airtime without Chief Minister Taib Mahmud in the picture. On most walk-abouts and BN rallies, Taib was intentionally left out so that Najib could be the people's hero.

This preoccupation with maintaining a "good" image has hampered his inability to lead as a leader. Of course, there are those who say it is not just about good image but that it only shows Najib is a political coward and incapable of making decisions.

Be that as it may, Najib will only be seen making the 'good' and 'right' decisions. He can only be seen playing 'good guy' and no viliian roles for him. Hence, the directive by the authorities to tar the Bersih march as an "illegal rally".

Wilder than Bigfoot

Bersih 2.0 can be credited for letting loose some of the wildest and most absurd stories imagNot even inable, even outshining the one-time idea that Bigfoot was running wild in the wilderness of Johor.

The nation has gone crazy under the weight of the UMNO 'spin' and its media apparatus have released just about everything it has to demonize and paint the Bersih march black.

The Malaysian police have cooked up a story that Communist elements are making a comeback to mainstream politics in Malaysia. Cuba would be happy to hear this. It is also worth noting that China, which Najib now professes to admire, has just celebrated the 90th anniversary of its communist party. So what sort of mixed signals is Najib sending?

Really, it is waste of time figuring out because it is just an excuse. Who wants to be slowed down by being a Commie in this day and age? Only Cuba is still staunchly holding onto the idealism of Communism to the hilt. Even China has converted itself into a form of Capitalistic-Communism whereby they now have a growing number of filthy rich businessmen eager to take on the world economy. But really, that is not the point for Najib and the Malaysian authorities.

The fact is they really lack the grey matter that usually resides in the cranium. Penang police grabbed whatever excuse they could lay their hands on and to make it even more offensive, the court upheld their decision to save them embarrassment. Not a thought was spared to the 30 ethnic Indian activists who have to suffer the rotten conditions of the police lock-ups. Is this not institutionalised bullying and racism?

The real bad guys

Then, the questioning of national laureate A Samad Said by the police under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 27(5) of the Police Act 1967, which relate to unlawful assembly. Such a move should be viewed as an attempt to gag all writers in Malaysia.

So far, the actions taken by Najib, his cousin Hishammuddin and the police mirror those by Communist forces in Russia, China and the Khmer Rouge, which went to great lengths to imprison and murder not just writers and poets. But also thinkers, political activists, dissidents and basically anyone who got in their way.

At a time when Malaysia is going through intellectual-bankruptcy, censorship will only backfire. It won't help in the efforts to build a knowledgeable and smart society. Instead, the Government of Malaysia has created an environment that repels intellectuals and induces fear in all artisans.

And a nation that stifles and kills its artisans is a nation without a soul.

A nation that confines its writers, poets and thinkers is a nation empty and void of any substance.

It is an empty shell of a society, without any sparkle of ingenuity or inspiration.

Tell us if we are wrong. Is it not then, the supporters of Bersih who are not acting like Communists but rather the police under instructions from a running-scared prime minister and UMNO-BN government.

Yoda from the Jedi Council and Harry Potter's twin brother

UMNO-owned Utusan newspaper has found it convenient to blame Christians for supporting Bersih 2.0. After demonizing Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan as anti-Islam, the UMNO-owned newspaper reported that the group calling for electoral reforms was being funded by foreigners such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation from Germany and the Canadian Allied Foundation.

How Utusan made the connection between Christians and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Canadian Allied Foundation is beyond reason. It is like saying Yoda from the Jedi Council in Star Wars was Harry Potter's twin brother.

Yet, the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre too had strong ties with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The MSRC was formed by Razak Baginda, Najib's good friend and alleged proxy in the purchase of RM7 billion Scorpene submarines. He was also controversially acquitted of abetting in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a beautiful 28-year old translator who allegedly was also mistress to both the men.

Once again, Utusan and Najib have shot themselves in the foot. From stirring racial and religious tensions to spinning outright lie, both are now disgraced. At least Utusan is just a tool, a hireling. Whereas Najib is the the PM, the leader of the nation. Who should be responsible when the chips are tallied up.

The same goes for IGP Ismail Omar and Hisham too, despite the blood ties. For should there be tragedy or bloodshed, Malaysians won't allow anyone to get away anymore. So think carefully, do not blindly follow orders. And to those who issue, do not be too sure you won't be held be responsible just because you delegated the bad-guy role to your juniors.

Monsters in just 2 years

And while the nation crashes and burn under all the UMNO madness, where is Najib Razak the Prime Minister who spun the 1Malaysia slogan? Where is Najib Razak as the Prime Minister for all Malaysians?

Sad to say, he has disappeared amid the madness. The Najib administration has effectively removed all forms of civil rights belonging to the citizens of Malaysia as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

In his by-now twisted mind, Najib feels justified to take away these liberties in exchange for his stay in power. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Imagine, it only took 2 years or so to create such monsters in Najib and Rosmah. What would happen if they were allowed to stay on?

- Malaysia Chronicle

Bersih and the aftermath

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Vetrivel

These are the events surrounding Bersih and the aftermath that we expect will happen.

As with my previous experience during the Hindraf rally, here are few tips and information on how the government will handle the rally, the participants and public relations as well as conclude it.

Buses were stopped by the numbers all over Malaysia. Any bus moving out from south or north were held and checkpoints by police from various states and taken away from questioning. Even those who were heading for weddings and receptions were not spared.

People were checked randomly and even police checked handphone messages and SMSes as well as bags, and in some cases harassed people into admitting they are attending the rally.

Newspapers/media go to extreme conclusion to vilify anything to do with the rally.

The police will appear like clowns as they start random arrest of people and give the most ridiculous reasons: This time they have already started the circus with trumped-up charges which will not stick. (Remember the terrorist link to Hindraf which was supposed to be part of the LTTE in Sri Lanka?)

Massive roadblocks not only to KL but the whole of Malaysia as well. All highway entry points around Klang Valley will be monitored, KTM stations, LRT stations (maybe even shut down). Minimum three blocks for a 45km distance (for example, Kesas — one block per toll).

Frighten, create fear, chaos, use all means necessary till the day of the event.

On the day of event (which happened on November 25, 2007):

1. People started to move one night before but were stopped from entering KL. People denied stay in hotels and all cars were checked, people patted down and phones checked.

2. The group that decided to go and wait in Batu Caves (as a sanctuary waiting for dawn) were the most unfortunate. They were locked inside the temple gates and sprayed with chemical water. Over 2,000 of them were stuck inside and even after the rally they were not released till nightfall!

3. Divide and rule: Police swarming all over the city to block groups gathering and becoming bigger. This will be used again. Those who tried to reach KLCC were blocked at Jalan Ampang and never could join the main rally.

There were two versions of the rally — one on the other side of the city (Jalan Ampang/Jalan Tun Razak/Gombak/Sentul/Jalan Pudu/Jalan Cheras) and the other which was at KLCC and areas surrounding it. The cops and Rela manage to break the crowd into even smaller crowds and attacked them easily. The cases of those arrested were from the Jalan Ampang side (which was the smaller group) and easy to handle. The KLCC side had hardly any arrest being made due to the sheer size of the crowd.

The bigger crowd around KLCC was broken up by chemical water and the best weapon was teargas. Hundreds of teargas canisters were fired which make people run helter-skelter and easily broke them up.

4. Not to forget, the helicopters flying extremely low to intimidate as well as give information to the cops/Rela on best locations to attack and disperse the crowd.

5. Provoke first blood. The rally was extremely peaceful and people sat down near KLCC by the thousands and patiently listened to speeches when sudden showers of teargas fell onto a peaceful crowd. Menacing batons, AK47s and marching police armed to create violence among a crowd with old people, women as well as handicapped people. Do they care?

6. Time and again the organisers controlled the crowd and got them back into submitting peacefully to walk and give the memorandum. But every time they gathered the people, they became easy targets for water cannons and teargas. Teargas stung like crazy. It choked the people like inhaling fireworks and caused nausea, difficulty in breathing as well as lots of tears and phlegm. Those sitting were stampeded upon and became easy targets again.

7. How or why police got hurt as claimed? Nobody knows but be prepared for gory pictures of policemen being hit by stones or any retaliation by the rakyat to make the news.

8. No damage at all. But be prepared for news claiming millions were lost to damage and even more due to loss of business. Get ready for images of massive damage for the government to claim: " I told you so."

9. Eventually it may take hours for the rally to be over: But expect mass arrests, do not retaliate against the police, surrender peacefully. They are looking for people who fight back, they want to provoke and will provoke.

10. Take photos. These are evidence. We had Lau Weng San (now assemblyman for KampungTunku) who did maverick work and had excellent proof of police brutality.

11. International news networks and journalists will cover this event, nevertheless the government will give say everything is "OK".

12. Special Branch infiltration. There will be many Special Branch officers who will be part of the rally and even may get arrested and go to jail. That's their job, to gather information and infiltrate. Be prepared for these people. They maybe of any race. Hindraf claims one such person even became one of the main leaders who headed the group and was ready for even ISA.

Aftermath

• Expect the government to claim victory because i) the memorandum not delivered ii) a smaller crowd than expected iii) only some people from a certain community came for the rally iv) participants were unruly v) haram is the keyword

• Expect massive arrests and expect people to be charged unscrupulously

• Expect the ISA

• Expect demonisation of rakyat

• Expect the unexpected.

* Vetrivel reads The Malaysian Insider.

“Yellow, Yellow, Dirty Fellow.”

Posted: 02 Jul 2011 08:24 AM PDT

Yellow washes whiter than white. So why are some people turning it into a dirty colour?

Some two decades ago, I was in high school. And in my school, houses were named after past headmistresses who had greatly contributed to it. If you were in the red house, for example, you were Shirtliffe. If you were in the yellow one, you'd be Cooke. There were also Maclay for blue, Prouse for purple and Green for, well, you know.

Being competitive when it came to sport, each house would have a specially prepared jeer or taunt reserved for the rest. For instance, detractors of Shirtliffe — the house I was undemocratically shoved into — would chant this at members of that house:

"Red, red, botak head."

And if you were a Cookie, you'd get this gem instead:

"Yellow, yellow, dirty fellow."

I can't speak for the rest of the students but I actually wanted to be in Cooke house because the jeer was so… nothing. I mean, if this was all about sport, what was so nasty about being dirty? In fact, if you were dirty, you were probably good at sport.

Cooke House cheerleaders, back in the day. | Source: Wikipedia

Yellow is a great colour. It's bright. It's happy. It's classic and tasty. Pacman is yellow. The smiley icon is yellow. For crying out loud, nasi kunyit is yellow. At my wedding, I had sunflowers everywhere and everybody knows they're yellow. My invites were a mustard shade. Actually, so was my son when he was born. Nothing some ultraviolet light didn't fix, of course, but he didn't look too bad, jaundiced.

When Coldplay first burst into the music scene with "Yellow", I had it playing on loop for almost two weeks. In fact, I decided to eat only yellow foods for a week after that. You know, durian, egg noodles, yellow peppers and zucchini, egg yolk, bananas. My then-boyfriend was very quiet that same week. Must have been racking his brain for a covert way to halo out of this psycho's apartment.

But if you think I was bizarre, what do you call all that fanfare surrounding the Bersih rally? How about Cirque De Strange? Because for a movement whose objective is to ask for fair elections, there sure is an excessive amount of artillery directed at it. First, the police was summoned to crackdown on ground activities leading up to the rally. Then the army was suggested. Round about the same time, the ISA was hinted at.

Then it got exponentially stranger even as it got a lot scarier.

Suddenly, Mao Sze Dong was behind the rally with Jesus funding it from abroad. Then the YPDA was under attack with possibly self-detonating pamphlets and t-shirts that fired implosive bullets. Meanwhile, the Goldsteins of the world were dragged into the fracas when the Head of the Organising Committee was labelled an anti-Islamic agent of Jews. Even the Silat body of Malaysia decided that Malaysia needed saving from the Yellow Shirt Brigade and offered to do a silat demonstration on participants of the rally.

To be honest, I had to sit down for a while to figure out how everything linked and why scaremongering tactics were being employed to such a feverish extent. After a quick search on the Internet, I came to this:

"Politicians, more than anyone else, understand this [read: Fear] as a fundamental characteristic of human beings. They cultivate it and exploit it as fully as possible. Whether we speak of a Warfare State, like the United States, or of a Welfare State, as exists in France and Quebec, both types use fear to keep their populations in check. If it is true that modern democracies are dependent on public opinion, it is equally true that public opinion in turn is largely dictated by fear." [Source]

After a few ohms, however, I arrived at this:

"Fear trips up those with much to lose, and logic becomes collateral damage."

In other words, even as politicians choose to utilise Fear to control the population, they are themselves victims of Fear itself. And it all comes down to Power. Fear wants to retain Power in the grip of its Master, so Fear over-cranks the Accusation lever to destroy its Master's nemesis. What is good is heavy-handedly painted out as bad. What is clean, painted black. What is a t-shirt, tagged seditious. "Yellow, yellow, dirty fellow!"

Along the way, every little thing related to the object of Fear would be subjected to an overly fertile imagination. Bringing about hallucinations that could make a hardcore druggie proud. I for one am personally waiting for an announcement that beyond yellow shoes, buses, cars and t-shirts, grass is banned because anything green has components of blue AND yellow in it.

The thing is, Fear is what needs to be kept in check before it breeds a kind of addictive greed for continuous power. Before it births Fascism. Before it transforms into an unforgiving Bully and a desperate and blind one at that. Oftentimes in its desperation, Fear can forget to make sense. In its blindness, it can fail to see that the common Man still has its faculties intact, and can reason things out. It ignores the fact that even as it causes its host to lose its marbles, it compels others to pay special attention to bullshit.

If Wisdom still lurks somewhere in the cavities of their heads, leaders will rise above Fear and use this moment of truth to prove their worth. To do this, sacrifices must be made. To accomplish this, admissions must be made and fuzzy logic, abandoned. Take for example, the popular argument in Malaysia that the EC is fair as it is because the Opposition won a few states with the current system in 2008. This is fuzzy logic in sheep's skin. Just because the Opposition had won, it doesn't mean cheating hadn't occurred. In fact, victory was achieved despite fraud at play. Wisdom would see that this is true.

Any ruling party that feels, after decades of power, that it's still the best choice for the people compared to the Opposition, needs to let go.

Yes, let go.

Stepping down defies the Ego but it is cleansing, humbling and ultimately empowering. For years, now, we've heard about internal factions plaguing our very own ruling party from the inside. Here's the deal though: You can spend an obscene amount of money on PR to try and cover up the flaws but the Truth always finds a way to creep out. It's the same with products. If you're a car that doesn't run well, no amount of advertising dollars is going to prop you up. As more and more people experience you, they'll conclude for themselves that you're a dud and duds just don't live very long in a free market economy. Think of it this way — the Rakyat is there to keep the government honest just as Consumers are there to keep a product or service honest. Wisdom, would appreciate this.

I personally feel that any ruling party that has ruled for a long time and is losing its potency, should allow itself to crumble. This way, the bad apples can make way for sincere nation-builders to rise to the top, whatever rot there is can be arrested, and the party, healed.

Sacrifice the limelight if only to regroup and give others a chance to make a difference until you're ready to come back.

Admit to your faults and take that first step towards healing.

Rise out of the pit that has darkened your vision and noble manifesto over time.

Reject the Black of self-deception and return to the light.

That bright, yellow light.

Pemandu Teksi Menanti PM

2011-07-01T19:33:00.001-07:00

Pemandu Teksi Menanti PM

Pemandu Teksi Menanti PM
Najib’s Sledgehammer Approach To The Bersih Rally
Sistem Baru SPR Terus Lindungi Pengundi Hantu
SMEs
Khutbah Kecam Bersih Seret Masjid Dalam Politik, Kata Penganalisis
Tun Daim- The Game has changed: The real game.
SPR malu kot sebab tu tutup websitenya....
Dialog Peserta BERSIH 2.0 Dengan Polis Di Sekatan Jalanraya
Reserve Bank of Australia “Dirty Money” arrests: Can MACC confirm whether husband of alleged “high official of Bank Negara” a possible party to bribery scandal?
Blind Bloke Christian and His Agenda
MBA Bloggers attended EC's Luncheon Talk hosted by INMINDS.
Ambiga takut dalam degil ... masih nak putarbelit
Jangan tak ngaku nak jatuhkan kerajaan ala Timur Tengah
AMK retaliating? Unit Amal beat up cop? Time for ISA
Endangered species…
Dedicated to all Malaysians, especially MCMC
How do we deal with Anwar....
Bersih rally a turning point for democracy
Emergency – the BN’s final frontier and what happens next
Hindraf and Bersih: Last chance to unite

Pemandu Teksi Menanti PM

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 07:13 PM PDT

Pemandu teksi dan kereta sewa Jajahan Pasir Puteh Kelantan sedang menanti untuk bertemu Dato' Seri Najib Razak di sebelah pejabat UMNO Parlimen Pasir Puteh. PM Najib tiba di sini sebentar tadi dalam rangka lawatan sehari ke Kelantan. Pemandu Teksi ini telah berkumpul seawal lapan pagi lagi. Mereka mahu mengadu tentang tindakan Kerajaan PAS Kelantan mahu [...]

Najib’s Sledgehammer Approach To The Bersih Rally

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 06:05 PM PDT

Malaysia Chronicle
By Matthias Chang

Prime Minister Najib will be the ultimate loser in the coming General Election and will be ousted just like his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Badawi.

There are four main factions in UMNO, three of which are determined to prevent the PM's faction from gaining an overwhelming upper-hand and a repetition of "Pak Lah's political theatrics" – when the family, in-laws included ruled supreme.

This is so typical of "Malay politics". Can you imagine the wannabes waiting for 15 years or more to have a bite at the political cherry?

The era of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was an exception and only because he was a visionary and a pragmatic leader, and an act that is hard to follow. The trend for all future leaders will assuredly be one term, as there are just too many in the queue to be the next prime minister.

The Prime Minister is a seasoned politician, adept at surviving the back-stabbing and double-dealings inherent in all political power-grabs. So why is he reacting in such a high-handed manner to the Bersih challenge?

A heavy-handed reaction – threats of incarceration under the Internal Security Act, threats of unleashing sectarian / racial violence by the likes of Perkasa, the unnecessary posturing by UMNO Youth and its irrelevant leader, Khairy (off to join the Gaza Flotilla to get some brownie points where he has no credibility in advancing the just struggles of the Palestinians), the raid of Bersih's office and the confiscation of its materials etc., but no police action against UMNO Youth's disorderly conduct outside PKR's headquarters even when they threatened to burn down the building – indicates the administration's one track mentality in solving problems, not that the Bersih Rally is a problem.

The hype and exaggeration of the consequences of the Bersih Rally – civil commotion, financial losses in the RM billions, the takeover of the government, the revival of communism etc. – is another symptom of an administration under siege and devoid of any creative response to what is otherwise a non-issue.

To declare that it is a crime and or illegal to wear any clothing in yellow bearing the logo "Bersih" is sheer stupidity. And the Home Minister is a lawyer by training! If such clampdown is to demonstrate the power of UMNO and nothing else, then the year long campaign that we are "1Malaysia" rings hollow and that the Barisan Nasional government has no faith in its policies especially its "Economic Transformation Programme" (ETP), the political crown jewel of Najib's dministration.

If Barisan Nasional needs brute force to cow the people to vote for it, as opposed to using rational arguments and sound policies, it will be the end of the Barisan Nasional. The Barisan Nasional would be giving the Opposition a walk over in the next General Election.

The Election Commission is an independent agency. This is the mantra that the BN government never ceases to affirm.

Everyone is for a free and fair election.

The 2008 General Election is the best evidence that elections were conducted fairly, as the Opposition took over five state governments and reduced the BN two-thirds majority in Parliament, a historic achievement by the Opposition Coalition.

Bersih has assured the nation that the rally would be peaceful and its intention is to deliver a memorandum for a fair and clean election to the King. We shall hold them to their word and promise.

How long would the Bersih Rally be, in the absence of any police action? At the most, one and half hours, and thereafter, they would have to disperse, again peacefully. End of the story. Nothing happens, no news worthy of a headline in the front page of the local mainstream media or for that matter the foreign media.

The police can agree to a pre-designated route to avoid creating traffic jams and unnecessary inconvenience to the public.

There is no need for the deployment of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) or the military. What is needed is traffic police to assist the organizers.

This is all that is required.

Any leader associated with the Bersih Rally would lose credibility if they allow the rally to turn ugly or violent. In those circumstances, the security forces would have every justification to take stern action and they can be deployed quickly.

Let us not make a mountain out of a mole-hill!

My advice to the Prime Minister is simple. Be at the gate of the Agong's palace to stand in solidarity with the participants and show support for their civic-mindedness and assure all those peaceful participants that every effort will be made to ensure a fair and clean election as was the case in 2008 and all previous elections.

Why is there a need for Perkasa to have a counter-rally, when it is not even part of the Barisan Nasional? Whether BN likes it or not, Perkasa is perceived as being thuggish and provocative. It may have a role in serving a Malay agenda (rallying Malays to vote for UMNO), but it will not be able to deliver the Malay votes. It is a sad reflection of UMNO that it needs Perkasa, an external force to rally Malay voters and when its leader is not even a member of UMNO, but an "independent" Member of Parliament. This is really pathetic!

Why must UMNO Youth behave in a manner that is perceived as racial and repugnant?

Perkasa undermines the Barisan Nasional. It cannot deliver on its own merits and has no mass following, if UMNO members do not join its ranks.

I challenge Perkasa to deliver 50,000 members to march peacefully to the Agong's palace to assure the entire nation that they too are for fair and clean elections, not on the 9th July 2011 but on a separate occasion so that we can see for ourselves the true strength of Perkasa and whether it genuinely reflects the aspirations of the Malay community and the Barisan Nasional.

If Barisan Nasional wants to commit suicide and lose the next General Election, then follow Perkasa's sectarian bravado and Khairy's infantile opportunism.

If Barisan Nasional insists on adopting the sledge hammer approach to the Bersih Rally, they will lose the next election. The blowback will be intense and unforgiving. And if Najib is naïve and foolish enough to declare an emergency and launch another Operation Lalang, the Chinese and Indian voters will abandon Barisan Nasional in droves and whatever efforts thus far to win back their allegiance will go up in smoke. This is a given.

Remember also that as a Muslim country, we are also a target of the neo-cons' agenda. Those outside forces who are hell bent to destabilize Muslim countries are waiting for an excuse to subvert Malaysia.

The Bersih Rally is a non-issue and can be diffused quietly and without any fanfare.

I trust common sense will prevail.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Sistem Baru SPR Terus Lindungi Pengundi Hantu

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 05:51 PM PDT

Malaysiakini

Sistem baru online Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) tidak mampu mengesan pengundi hantu yang didaftarkan di sesuatu alamat, sebagaimana yang dijanjikan oleh badan itu.

Khamis lalu, Timbalan Pengerusi SPR Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar mendakwa sistem baru itu membolehkan seseorang pengundi memantau sama ada alamat rumahnya digunakan untuk mendaftar pengundi hantu.

Jika wujud kes sedemikian, katanya, pendaftar yang sah boleh mengemukakan aduan untuk tindakan lanjut SPR.

Bagaimanapun Malaysiakini mendapati sistem baru yang dicanang oleh SPR itu hanya membolehkan lebih daripada satu pengundi memeriksa butiran pendaftaran mereka dengan menggunakan nombor kad pengenalan mereka.

Sistem itu tidak akan memberikan maklumat mengenai jumlah pengundi dalam sesebuah rumah jika hanya alamat rumah disertakan dalam carian.

Penyelaras Jaringan Pemantau Pilihanraya Malaysia (MEO-Net) Ong Boon Keong berkata sistem carian baru SPR tidak menunjukkan sebarang kelainan berbanding kaedah sebelum ini.

"Apa yang kami perlukan ialah sebuah sistem yang membenarkan butir-butir tempat mengundi diperolehi berasaskan maklumat seperti alamat rumah dan bukan hanya dengan nombor kad pengenalan," katanya.

Menurut Ong, SPR sebelum ini juga telah menolak cadangan itu beberapa tahun lalu kerana mendakwa ia membabitkan kos yang tinggi.

"Sebenarnya ia tidaklah mahal atau sukar dilaksanakan. Ia lebih kepada sama ada SPR mempunyai iltizam untuk berbuat demikian. SPR lebih cenderung untuk mengekang penyaluran maklumat kepada pihak awam," katanya.

SMEs

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 05:24 PM PDT

In terms of its importance and market size, SMEs at the moment contributes about 32% of the country's gross domestic product and makes up 59% of total employment. In totality, this segment accounts for 99% of business establishments and contributes 19% of Malaysia's exports.

Sourced from here.

Khutbah Kecam Bersih Seret Masjid Dalam Politik, Kata Penganalisis

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 05:44 PM PDT

Malaysian Insider

Langkah menjadikan isu Himpunan Bersih 2.0 sebagai fokus khutbah Jumaat di Wilayah Persekutuan dan beberapa negeri lain semalam secara langsung menunjukkan masjid turut diseret ke dalam politik, demikian menurut penganalisis politik Prof A. Aziz Bari.

Katanya, beliau juga tidak fikir wajar isu Himpunan Bersih 2.0 diseret ke dalam khutbah kerana ia sebenarnya usaha masyarakat sivil untuk membersihkan sistem pilihan raya daripada penipuan dan selaras dengan tuntutan perlembagaan.

"Khutbah Jumaat hari ini (semalam) menghentam Bersih. Ini membawa politik ke dalam masjid. Masjid perlu memperkatakan yang benar dan seimbang, bukan yang berat sebelah dan mungkin, palsu.

"Saya tak fikir apa yang disebut oleh Datuk Che Mat Che Ali, Pengarah Jawi wajar. Beliau sepatutnya tidak menunjukkan bahawa Jawi yang sepatutnya di bawah Yang di-Pertuan Agong selaku ketua agama Islam Wilayah, memihak kepada Umno-BN," kata Aziz yang juga pakar perlembagaan.

"Kita semua tahu Umno-BN takut perhimpunan Bersih. Saya juga tidak fikir wajar isu Bersih diseret ke dalam khutbah kerana ia adalah usaha masyarakat sivil untuk membersihkan pilihan raya daripada penipuan dan selaras dengan tuntutan perlembagaan," katanya.

Selepas dikecam hebat dalam media arus perdana, Himpunan Bersih 2.0 yang akan diadakan pada 9 Julai turut menjadi fokus khutbah Jumaat, termasuk di Wilayah Persekutuan semalam, dengan menyifatkan penganjurnya sebagai gerakan pelampau.

Malah, ketika dihubungi The Malaysian Insider, Che Mat mengesahkan perkara itu dan berkata sebanyak 150 masjid termasuk di Putrajaya akan membacakan khutbah bertajuk "Memelihara Nikmat Keamanan". "Ya…ya… kita akan gunakan khutbah khas itu sebab penting satu keamanan yang kita kecapi tidak mudah kita musnahkan," katanya.

Teks khutbah itu berkata memelihara keamanan adalah satu perkara yang dituntut dalam semua agama.

"Sejarah telah membuktikan Nabi Ibrahim semasa meneroka pembukaan Mekah sebagai pusat ibadah dan tanah suci telah mendoakan agar Mekah dikurniakan Allah SWT dengan keamanan dan kemakmuran. Kita juga telah menyaksikan betapa rugi dan malangnya negara-negara yang dilanda kekacauan, persengketaan dan perpecahan," katanya. "Negara-negara berkenaan bukan sahaja ketinggalan dan mundur dalam aspek kemajuan dan pembangunan, malah keselamatan hidup seharian pun sentiasa terancam," kata khutbah khas itu.

Keseluruhan teks khutbah yang diperoleh memfokus ke atas Himpunan Bersih 2.0 anjuran Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih), yang mendapat sokongan padu Pakatan Rakyat dan lebih 60 pertubuhan bukan kerajaan.

Aziz yang juga ahli akademik Universiti Islam Antarabangsa menambah, khutbah kali ini juga jelas mengajak atau mengelirukan umat Islam, yang "saya fikir tidak sebodoh itu."

Justeru kata beliau, Yang di-Pertuan Agong boleh bertindak ke atas Pengarah Jawi yang peranan politiknya telah banyak diperkatakan.

"Yang di-Pertuan Agong perlu bertindak kerana baginda sebagai ketua agama tidak perlu ikut nasihat kerajaan.

"Jika tidak, kita bimbang imej baginda akan tercemar kerana apa yang disebut di atas menunjukkan yang pentadbiran agama dikawal oleh orang politik. Ini yang hendak dielakkan oleh perlembagaan," katanya lagi.

Sambil berkata "cukuplah mereka gunakan RTM dan media milik mereka" untuk mengecam Himpunan Bersih 2.0, Aziz juga berkata menggunakan masjid akan memalukan umat Islam khususnya apabila majlis perundingan agama bukan Islam juga telah menyokong langkah Bersih.

"Tidakkah itu memalukan? Seolah-olah Islam tidak prihatin kepada keadilan dan kebersihan pilihan raya," kata Aziz lagi sambil bertanya "siapa yang membuat huru-hara?" "Semua orang tahu jawapannya. Tapi bukan peserta perhimpunan seperti yang kita lihat di Pulau Pinang (semalam)," katanya lagi.

Tun Daim- The Game has changed: The real game.

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 04:53 PM PDT

Former Cabinet minister Tun Daim Zainuddin today said the obstacles facing the present day government are far removed from those just a decade ago, and old strategies are unlikely to find the success they once did.Now, I have no direct access to Tun Daim but am in constant contact with his alter ego- someone who I characterized as The Oracle of Syed Putra. This shadowy figure has the inside track

SPR malu kot sebab tu tutup websitenya....

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 04:00 PM PDT

Kelmarin Timbalan Pengerusi SPR, Wan Ahmad Wan Omar dengan bangga berkata, "BN sudah mula menang... (saya rasa) mereka sudah mula risau, trend (kemenangan dalam pilihan raya) sudah berubah (memihak kepada BN)," kata beliau pada sesi dialog forum makan tengah hari bertajuk "Tuntutan Bersih — Apa Penjelasan SPR?" anjuran Institut Perkembangan Minda (Inmind) di sini hari ini.

Sehubungan itu kata beliau rakyat Malaysia perlu faham "apa agenda mereka", dilihat merujuk kepada perkembangan semasa menyaksikan sokongan penyertaan komponen Pakatan Rakyat ke atas Himpunan Bersih 2.0 pada Julai ini.

Wan Ahmad juga mendakwa isu-isu yang dibawa Bersih dan parti-parti sokongan mereka bertujuan menimbulkan kebencian ke atas SPR dan institusi kerajaan, yang mana suasana itu akan diterjemahkan ke dalam bentuk undi ketika pilihan raya umum.

Kata Wan Ahmad, mereka akan pergi ke kawasan-kawasan kampung menyebarkan isu-isu yang tidak tepat untuk mempengaruhi pengundi di kawasan luar bandar. "Sampai kakak saya pun kata apa yang dikatakan mereka itu betul," katanya lagi.

SPR sering berkata bahawa daftar pemilih mereka adalah bersih dan tidak dicemari dengan pengundi2 hantu. Sungguhpun YB Azmin Ali menunjukkan bukti bahawa ada 11 pengundi hantu yang didaftarkan dengan menggunakan alamat rumah ibunya. SPR masih menolak tuduhan tersebut.

Kelmarin beberapa orang blogger yang mendapati 88 penggundi menggunakan 1 alamat, dan minta SPR memberi penjelasan.

Sebaliknya bukan setakat SPR membisu, tapi lebih malang lagi bila website daftar pemilihnya tak boleh diakses.

SAh!!!! SPR Menipu..!! Kami Sudah Buktikan!!!

(video ehsan dari blog Anak Sungai Derhaka)

Beberapa pengunjung Malaysiakini berkata.....

"Why should the EC be worried about Pakatan Rakyat taking over Putrajaya? EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, are you a stooge of the BN? The EC should be an impartial. Wan Ahmad should not be taking sides. What is wrong with Pakatan's goal of taking over Putrajaya? All politicians want to be in power. Our only request is that the EC conduct elections fairly.- Anonymous_4031

So what if Bersih is a stooge for Pakatan - EC has been known to be a stooge for BN all these years. Bersih's demands are the result of EC's non-performance in tying up the loose ends.- Anonymous_3e97

The EC has been playing the stooge for Umno for too long a time that it is now beyond the capability of the EC chief to fathom anything that is independent. Since Bersih is not beholden to Umno, so naturally Wan Ahmad would come to the conclusion that Bersih is a Pakatan cat's paw.- DannyLoHH

cheers.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dialog Peserta BERSIH 2.0 Dengan Polis Di Sekatan Jalanraya

Posted: 01 Jul 2011 02:09 PM PDT

BERSIH 2.0 Bersatu Teguh | Souce: Lot 1699 http://bit.ly/kCvi7p

Soalan: Saya berasal dari Pulau Pinang dan saya dalam perjalanan untuk ke perhimpunan aman BERSIH 2.0 di Kuala Lumpur. Tiba-tiba, saya ditahan di sebuah sekatan polis dan diarahkan untuk berpatah balik ke rumah. Apakah yang patut saya buat?

Jawapan: Perkara 9(2) Perlembagaan Persekutuan menjamin setiap warganegara bebas untuk bergerak ke mana-mana di dalam Malaysia. Oleh itu, saudara boleh meniru dialog berikut:

Saudara: Saya ingin teruskan perjalanan saya ke Kuala Lumpur.

Polis: Apa tujuan kamu ke sana?

Saudara: Saya ingin melawat kawan / Saya ingin hadiri kenduri / Saya ingin shopping

(pilih mana-mana jawapan, tetapi jangan nyatakan saudara ingin berpesta demo)

Polis: Tidak boleh. Saya arahkan kamu berpatah balik.

Saudara: Saya berada di Malaysia dan saya sebagai warganegara bebas ke mana-mana dalam Malaysia. Tuan tiada hak untuk arahkan saya pulang. Jika Tuan ingin tahan saya, sila bawa saya ke balai polis.

Polis: Errmm… OK, saya tahan kamu dan bawa ke balai polis.

Saudara: Sebelum Tuan bawa saya ke balai polis, saya mahu dapatkan nama penuh, nombor badan dan alamat tempat kerja Tuan. Saya juga ingin tahu mengapa dan atas alasan apa saya ditahan. Saya akan arahkan peguam saya untuk saman Tuan, pegawai Tuan dan Kerajaan Malaysia kerana menahan saya secara salah dan melanggar hak asasi saya.

Sila catatkan:

(1) nama penuh anggota polis itu;

(2) nombor badan;

(3) alamatnya;dan,

(4) apa-apa alasan yang diberikan untuk menahan saudara.

Sila maklumkan ahli keluarga bahawa saudara dibawa ke balai dan sila saudara menghubungi peguam atau minta ahli keluarga menghubungi peguam.

Setelah saudara dibebaskan, serahkan butir-butir yang dicatatkan kepada peguam BERSIH (0163126463 / 0163126473 / 014-6451753 / 012-3928379) untuk proses saman dengan butir-butir tarikh, hari, masa dan tempoh saudara ditahan.

Saudara juga perlu dengan segera membuat laporan polis. Saudara boleh menggunakan format berikut untuk laporan polis:

Pada … hari … jam … hingga jam … , saya ditahan oleh anggota polis bernama …. nombor badan … (masukkan semua nama pegawai penangkap) di …. Pegawai polis tersebut enggan membenarkan saya untuk meneruskan perjalanan ke Kuala Lumpur tanpa sebarang alasan / tanpa alasan yang munasabah (pilih yang mana berkaitan). Saya buat laporan ini supaya tindakan undang-undang diambil ke atas pegawai terlibat kerana telah melanggar hak asasi saya untuk bergerak bebas.

FDI Figures: What's The Real Thing?

2011-06-30T20:07:00.001-07:00

FDI Figures: What's The Real Thing?

FDI Figures: What's The Real Thing?
Open Letter – Cabinet should end the “madness” unleashed in past week
Bumi Armada, Badass Or Goodfella
Sinohydro admits flaws in Bakun Dam construction procedures
In The Global Eye, Najib Throws The Buck To Police: Emergency Rule Possible
Dimana Akta Yang Melarang Rakyat Memakai Baju Kuning?
BERSIH: Tentukan Laluan Ke Istana, Kita Akan Patuhi
Leadership to save this country
Tak Seindah Wajah
Kredibiliti SPR: Wan Ahmad Harus Meletakkan Jawatan
Freedom, Imagined
I Confess. Not All Lawyers Are Self-Centred. Now Protest! [w/VIDEO]
Green Ink: Ayah, Anda Wira Saya Membantah Lynas!
‘Datuk T’ Sex Video: T For Travesty & Tragedy
Bersih rally a turning point for democracy
I’ll wear yellow baju raya
Malaysia’s season of fear
Bersih rally a turning point for democracy
I’ll wear yellow baju raya
Malaysia’s season of fear

FDI Figures: What's The Real Thing?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 07:45 PM PDT

It has been widely reported in the media that International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said he is confident that the country's foreign direct investment (FDI) will exceed RM30 billion in 2011 as FDI for the first quarter of this year has topped RM11 billion.

This compares against the achievement in 2010 of RM29.3 billion. The Minister had further confirmed the 1st quarter achievement in his parliamentary response to me on 16th June where he stated that:
Dari segi pelaburan asing, saya ingin berkongsi maklumat Ahli Yang Berhormat bahawa untuk tiga bulan pertama jumlahnya RM11 bilion berbanding RM29 bilion tahun lepas. Bermakna pada tahun ini prestasi pelaburan asing adalah amat menggalakkan berbanding dengan prestasi tahun lepas. (source: Hansard)

However a check on the MITI website revealed a completely different set of numbers.

While the statistics provided confirmed that "approved" FDI totalled RM29 billion in 2010, the "approved" FDI for the first 3 months of this year showed only a figure of RM4.6 billion, a far cry from the RM11 billion boasted by the MITI Minister.

In fact, based on the latest updates from the website, which included the April FDI figures, the amount "approved" was only RM9 billion, still lower than then figure cited by the Minister for the first 3 months. Datuk Mustapa Mohamed should clarify the glaring difference in numbers so that Malaysians and foreign investors will not be confused with the conflicting numbers, while policy-makers are able to measure the progress of the Malaysian investment climate more accurately.

In addition, MITI should not only provide numbers for "approved" FDI, but also a comparative set of numbers for "actual" FDI brought into the country post-approval. Over the years, the government has announced many "approved" investment projects which did not materialise.

The difference between the 2 sets of numbers is most glaring for the year 2009 where UNCTAD had reported a steep fall in FDI for Malaysia to only US$1.38 billion (RM4.3 billion), only a fraction of the figure provided by MITI which showed US$6.48 billion (RM20 billion) in "approved" investments.

The Minister had then admitted that the UNCTAD figure was accurate as it was measuring "actual" investments, as opposed to "approved" investments as published by his Ministry.

We look forward to improved FDI performance by Malaysia in the interest of all Malaysians. However, in order to objectively assess our performance, the Government needs to be consistent and transparent in providing all relevant figures. Any attempts to skew our investment figures or provide a less than accurate picture of our climate will only lead to poor policies and ultimately a long term decline in our economic attractiveness.

Open Letter – Cabinet should end the “madness” unleashed in past week

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:00 PM PDT

The Prime Minister,
Deputy Prime Minister,
Cabinet Ministers.

Cabinet should end the "madness" unleashed in past week with police required to arrest those wearing the Bersih 2.0 T-shirt, yellow virtually becoming a colour of crime and "Bersih" a dirty word

I am writing this short Open Letter to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and all Ministers to ask the Cabinet at its meeting this morning to end the "madness" unleashed in the past week with the police required to act unlawfully to arrest those wearing the Bersih 2.0 T-shirt, yellow virtually becoming a colour of crime and "Bersih" a dirty word.

The statements firstly by the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar warning that lives might be lost despite firm assurances and commitment by Bersih 2.0 organisers and supporters of a peaceful and orderly rally while ignoring the inflammatory incitements and provocations of UMNO Youth and Perkasa and secondly by the Deputy Election Commission Chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar castigating Berish as stooges and "catspaw" of Pakatan Rakyat have raised serious questions in Malaysia and internationally that the two national institutions of the police and the Election Commission could be independent, impartial and professional in dealing with Bersih 2.0 call for free, fair and clean elections in Malaysia.

This is the last opportunity for the Cabinet to end the "madness" where the police are required to act unlawfully to arrest those wearing the Berish 2.0 T-shirt as well as other related Bersih 2.0 paraphernalia,virtually criminalising yellow as a colour as well as rendering "Bersih" as a dirty word.

The slogan used at the beginning of the Mahathir premiership, which went on for 22 long years, was "Berish, Cekap, Amanah". How low Malaysia has sunk that exactly 30 years later, the word "Bersih" is justification to trigger police repressions!

Malaysians and the world are watching. Let not July 9 come to symbolise the degeneration of the Prime Minister's Government Transformation Programme into a repressive regime even worse than the worst of the Mahathir administration with Operation Lalang as its notorious trademark.

Bersih Chairman Datuk S. Ambiga has undertaken "to do everything we can to make sure it is peaceful", inviting the police to suggest the route for Bersih 2.0 and "we will follow their directions".

The police should extract similar pledges of peaceful and orderly rallies from the Umno Youth and Perkasa counter-protests firmly holding their organisers to their commitments.

Let us show the world that Malaysia is capable of holding peaceful and orderly assemblies and rallies without creating any law-and-order problem to demonstrate that under the Prime Minister's GTP, Malaysian democracy has come of age as other developed democracies.

Bumi Armada, Badass Or Goodfella

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:29 PM PDT

Valuation and prospects wise, the new owners of Bumi Armada have done well to instill both in the company. Those with better memories know that minorities got the raw end of the deal when it was privatised. We can sit and complain or reassess the Bumi Armada that is in front of us.

FinanceAsia: Bumi Armada, a Malaysian oil and gas services company, has started bookbuilding for what looks set to become the country's biggest initial public offering since Petronas Chemicals raised $4.15 billion in November last year. It will also be the second-biggest listing in Southeast Asia this year after the Singapore IPO of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, which raised $5.45 billion.

The company and its existing shareholders are seeking to raise between M$2.46 billion and M$2.77 billion ($802 million to $903 million) from the sale of a 30% stake, ignoring a challenging market environment that. The shaky markets have forced the withdrawal of 19 IPOs in Hong Kong, Europe and the US during the past month.

But sources say there is significant domestic interest for the transaction, which is backed by Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, and this might convince international investors to take part as well.

"Domestic funds pretty much have to buy this," one banker said, citing the size of the deal and the fact that the company is the country's largest provider of ships and floating platforms used by the energy industry.

The list of cornerstone investors shows demand from non-Malaysian funds as well. As per the term sheet, Singapore's Great Eastern and UK-based Prudential, both life insurance companies with a large presence in the region, have joined Malaysia's Hong Leong Group, HwangDBS and state-owned investment company Permodalan Nasional in buying a combined 300 million shares. Based on the mid-point of the price range, their investment amounts to about $291 million, or about 34% of the total deal size. The cornerstones will be locked up for six months.

Also supporting the deal is the fact that equity investors generally like Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Together with Indonesia and the Philippines, Malaysia's stock market is one of the best performers in Asia year-to-date and Dealogic data show equity issuance from Southeast Asia up 21% to a three-year high of $11.2 billion in the first half. Malaysia accounts for 17.2% of the total issuance. Notably, six of the 10 companies that have debuted on Malaysia's main board this year have also gained from their IPO price. By comparison, 12 of Hong Kong's 18 IPOs above $100 million are still under water.

Investors who bought into the $269 million IPO of Malaysian sugar refiner MSM Malaysia Holdings, which closed two weeks ago, will most certainly have no regrets after the stock surged 39.7% on its first day of trading Tuesday. It gained another 3% intraday yesterday before easing back to finish 3.8% lower.

Bumi Armada is a classic Ananda Krishnan deal in that the company has already been listed once. It was privatised by Krishnan in 2003, one year after he bought control of the company together with a partner — a business model favoured by the Malaysian tycoon as he seeks to grow his companies without having to answer to minority shareholders. The idea is that once a company has reached a decent size, or after it has been restructured, it will be relisted.

The initial intention was to relist Bumi Armada in 2008, but the IPO was delayed due to the financial crisis.

The company has set aside 9.1% of the offering for retail investors, while the remaining 90.9% will be offered to institutional investors. Approximately 42.2% of the institutional tranche will go to ethnic Malay investors, also called Bumiputera investors, leaving 57.8% for other buyers. That latter portion also includes two-thirds of the cornerstone tranche, however, which means only 261.9 million shares, or about $254 million (at the mid-point of the price range) of the deal, will be available for other institutional investors, including international accounts.

Some 73.3% of the deal is made up of new shares, while the rest are secondary shares sold by existing shareholders. The company will use the proceeds to repay bank borrowings, for capital expenditure and for working capital requirements.

The order books will remain open until July 8 and the final price is due to be fixed on that same day. The trading debut is scheduled for July 21.

CIMB, Credit Suisse and Maybank are joint global coordinators as well as joint bookrunners together with CLSA, RHB and UBS.

--------------------------------------------------

Upcoming IPO Ratings

Too many IPOs in such a short time. I can only gauge their business model, prospects, follow through investors after IPO. 10 is the best upside potential.

Bumi Armada: 8/10

Inari: 6/10 (solid business, not terribly large float, management looks OK)

OldTown: 4/10 (very low barriers to entry, everyone can rattle off at least 3 names doing similar stuff, first mover advantage yes but the other similar players are basically cannabalising the market for all, dubious business plan sustainability)

Peter Labs - 6/10 (in the right industry, the group makes and trades animal health and nutrition products which include animal feed additives, environment maintenance products, biological and veterinary pharmaceuticals)

Hibiscus Petroleum: 3/10 (let the rating speaks for itself, or do more research on it yourself)

Catcha: 3/10 (I rather not say all bad things in one posting, the rating will suffice for now)

NOTE: The above opinion is not an invitation to buy or sell. It serves as a blogging activity of my investing thoughts and ideas, this does not represent an investment advisory service as I charge no subscription or management fees (donations are welcomed though). The content on this site is provided as general information only and should not be taken as investment advice. All site content, shall not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any security or financial instrument. The ideas expressed are solely the opinions of the author. Any action that you take as a result of information, analysis, or commentary on this site is ultimately your responsibility. Consult your investment adviser before making any investment decisions.

Sinohydro admits flaws in Bakun Dam construction procedures

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:55 PM PDT

Sinohydro admits flaws in Bakun Dam construction procedures

Asian Power

Sinohydro denied accusations it used unsafe construction methods to build Malaysia's Bakun dam.

Nonetheless, it acknowledges that its construction processes it implemented was not in accordance to correct procedures.
NGOs have alleged that Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned enterprise China's biggest dam builder, improper construction practices in the dam were widespread and pose concerns for its future safety.

Malaysia-China Hydro, a joint venture between Sinohydro and Malaysian firm Sime Engineering, is the biggest contractor engaged in building the dam, which will be Malaysia's largest when it is completed next year.
The Sarawak Report by environmental journalist Clare Rewcastle alleged the practice of adding excessive water to cement, regarded as unsafe by the construction industry, was endemic in the building of the dam.

"It is well-known that the Chinese contractors were under extreme pressure from the Malaysian government during the period up to 2009 to get the dam finished as quickly and cheaply as possible, after a series of delays and cost overruns," the Sarawak Report said.
"It's all supposition," a Sinohydro spokeswoman was quoted saying after seeing the video and photos. "The pictures show workers washing the silo of the machine. We can admit the cleaning process is not correct and doesn't follow instructions," she said.

Raymond Abin, national co-ordinator of the Sarawak Conservation Alliance for the Natural Environment, said: "The unsafe practices outlined by the Sarawak Report are true. The group is fighting dam construction in Sarawak, one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo."

No comments yet.

In The Global Eye, Najib Throws The Buck To Police: Emergency Rule Possible

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:10 PM PDT

Malaysia Chronicle

As expected, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has passed the buck to the police, saying it was up to them to impose Emergency rule as they see fit.

With the global spotlight intensifying on the way he was handling a citizens' march calling for free and fair election, the 58-year career politician appeared to have buckled to pressure from right-wing factions within his UMNO party.

However, pundits say he is still there holding the steering wheel and pin the responsiblity for any "untoward" incident squarely on him. Pakatan Rakyat leaders urged Najib to issue an immediate clarification so as not to unsettle the people or the financial markets.

"He is being very irresponsible to even suggest such a thing? Are we a police state? How can the police bypass a civilian government? Does it make sense and worse of all, doesn't he think about the impact his words as PM will create with such a statement," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Not the PM's responsibility

At a function in Sabah state, the PM said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the police and it would be up to them to decide the action to take.

"That is up to the police to consider according to the situation. It is their responsibility," Star reported Najib as saying.

The PM was asked to comment on speculation that has buzzed around the nation that his BN coalition planned to impose Emergency law to stop the Bersih rally slated for July 9.

A day ago, the police chief had warned of the possibility of "loss of life" if the rally was not cancelled, sparking immediate concerns that Najib might use government agents to provoke unrest and pave the way for him to install Emergency rule and cling to power.

Najib and the BN coalition fear the rally will spark a wave of social consciousness across the country, much like the Arab Spring had in Egypt and Tunisia. His comments on Thursday suggested as much.

"Rallies have the tendencies to bring about mob psychology. That is why we cannot take it lightly. This is something we will find hard to control and if this happens, it will jeapordise the people and country," said the PM.

Think carefully, repercussions very serious

But civil society leaders, even those who tend to walk on the BN side of the fence, immediately condemned his comments.

They urged the PM to stop the 'scare-mongering' which they said was causing great harm to the nation's image and could leave a long-lasting scar on the financial markets and economy.

"Unfortunate to even have to reach a stage of thinking about an Emergency. Emergency rule must be out of the question, we would be going back to the days of the Malayan Emergency where the country was fighting the Communists. Then briefly in the May 13, 1960 racial riots," past president of Transparency International Ramon Navaratnam told Malaysia Chronicle.

"I urge the PM to seriously reflect. Emergency is not just about security. It will create tremendous and long-lasting repercussions for Malaysia. It signals the death knell for democracy and we could see huge capital flight if he does not immediately correct the impression that he is giving. This is no longer funny. And the solution is not in blaming the opposition or forcing the Bersih to cancel the rally. It is for the government to knuckle down and accept that Malaysia has transormed. The Najib administration must trust its own citizens and not threaten something as serious as Emergency just to hold onto the upperhand."

Meanwhile, religious leaders also urged Najib to allow the citizens' march, pointing out that peaceful assembly was a right enshrined under the Constitution.

"Any pre-emptive banning of proposed peaceful assemblies would mean that one has no right to peaceful assembly, making the fundamental guarantee illusory. The police have the duty and the capacity to control such assemblies and can designate routes and separate the different groups as has been done during the recent by-elections," the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said in a statement.

Najib chided for irresponsible behaviour

The Bersih organisers – made up of 62 of the country's top NGOs – are unlikely to be browbeaten into cancelling the march. To do so would be akin to selling out the citizens who form their members' list and entrust into them the task of fighting for greater democratic rights and space.

Bersih chief Ambiga Sreenevasan has assured the police the march will be peaceful and are agreeable to gather at any route suggested by the authorities. Nonetheless, despite the concessions made and repeated invitations to the BN to join the rally, Najib has turned a cold shoulder.

He has blamed his archrival Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Rakyat coalition for stirring up the Bersih rally. However, his government has refused to accede any of the 8 election reforms asked by Bersih. (scroll below)

"The BN's reasoning that this is an opposition ploy doesn't work. If this is an opposition ploy, anything is an opposition ploy. What is obvious is that the people want this march. They want the election reforms. Now, how difficult is it for Najib as the PM to talk to the Bersih. The people behind Bersih have been NGOs heads for years. We know them for years," said Ramon, a retired top civil servant.

"How difficult is it for Najib to agree to some of the reforms. Seriously, some of these are quite good. Things like indelible ink, these are very small requests and yet the BN seems ready to plunge the country into something as serious as Emergency rule. My fervent wish is that the PM takes serious stock of what has happened. Malaysia is at the brink and BN must come to its senses." - Malaysia Chronicle

Overseas sister-rallies to the July 9 Bersih Walk for Democracy

Date: 9 July 2011 Time: 3pm Venue: Malaysian High Commission, 4-1 Hannam-dong, 140-210, Seoul

Date: 9 July 2011 Time: 12.00pm Venue: Malaysian Consulate in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney (simultaneous)

Date: 9 July 2011 Time: 3.00pm Venue: Tower of the Sun, Osaka

Date: 9 July 2011 Time: 10.00am Venue: Consulate General of Malaysia,550 South Hope Street,Suite 400, Los Angeles

Date: 9 July 2011 Time: 9.30am Venue: Chrissy Field Picnic Area, Presidio, San Francisco

Date: 9 July 2011 Time: 10.00am Venue: Consulate General of Malaysia, 313 East 43rd Street, New York

Malaysia Chronicle appends below the 8 reforms drawn up and demanded on behalf of Malaysians by the Bersih committee:

1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these 'phantom voters'. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.

In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.

2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.

The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.

3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.

BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.

4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.

5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.

6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.

In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.

7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.

8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.

- ENDS

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dimana Akta Yang Melarang Rakyat Memakai Baju Kuning?

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:39 PM PDT

Harakah

AJK PAS Pusat, Hanipa Maidin berkata, memakai baju kuning berlambang Bersih adalah tidak haram kerana tiada mana undang-undang yang melarang pemakaian baju kuning.

"Yang salah dan haram adalah tidak memakai baju dan seluar di khalayak ramai," katanya kepada Harakahdaily.

Katanya, polis yang menangkap mereka yang memakai baju kuning berlambang Bersih telah bertindak di luar batas undang-undang dan boleh disaman kerana melakukan tangkapan yang tidak sah.

Jelasnya lagi, Perkara 5 [1 ] Perlembagaan Persekutuan secara jelas melindungi mana-mana orang dari dilucutkan kebebasannya (deprived his liberty) kecuali menurut undang-undang.

"Menangkap mana mana orang yang memakai baju Bersih sedangkan memakai baju tersebut tidak dilarang oleh mana-mana undang-undang adalah melibatkan pelucutan kebebasan seseorang dan yang demikian ianya melanggar Perkara 5(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan," ujarnya yang juga pengamal undang-undang.

Beliau menyatakan demikian sebagai respons kepada portal Malaysikini semalam yang melaporkan kenyataan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein yang menyokong tindakan polis menangkap mereka yang memakai baju kuning berlabelkan Bersih.

Ini kerana ujar Hishamuddin adalah haram memakai baju kuning tersebut.

Kata Hanipa, bagi Umno dan Hishammuddin janganlah terlalu paranoid dengan warna.

Menurutnya, jika satu waktu dulu Umno takut dengan warna hijau Petronas kerana warna hijau Petronas dilihat sama dengan warna bendera PAS, kini warna kuning pula yang ditakuti.

"Sampai bila Umno nak takut dengan warna?" soalnya.

Mengenai hujah Hishamuddin adalah jika aktiviti Bersih adalah haram, maka memakai baju kuning Bersih juga adalah haram, beliau bekata malang sungguh bagi rakyat Malaysia kerana mempunyai menteri yang ada kelulusan undang-undang tetapi jahil undang-undang.

"Saya mengesyorkan kepada Hishammuddin jika pun kamu benci sangat dengan Bersih janganlah sampai menggadaikan maruah dan integriti kamu.

"Ada masanya elok juga untuk kita menyembunyikan kejahilan kita," ujarnya.

Beliau berkata, haram atau halal sesuatu perkara baik dari segi agama atau undang-undang adalah berdasarkan dalil dan bukannya berdasarkan kenyataan menteri.

Mungkin, katanya Hishammuddin boleh tunjukkan kepada kita di bawah peruntukan mana dan di dalam undang-undang mana memakai baju kuning berlambang Bersih adalah satu kesalahan.

"Jika kita menerima hujah Hishamuddin memakai baju kuning Bersih adalah haram kerana aktiviti Bersih adalah haram maka secara logiknya jika seseorang terlibat dengan berlumba motor secara haram, maka segala peralatan yang beliau pakai termasuklah helmet, seluar, jacket kulit dan motor yang beliau tunggang adalah kesemuanya haram," katanya lagi.

BERSIH: Tentukan Laluan Ke Istana, Kita Akan Patuhi

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:35 PM PDT

Malaysiakini

Di sebalik segala hambatan dan tekanan ke atas penganjuran BERSIH 2.0 pada 9 Julai ini, jawatankuasanya masih berusaha mencari jalan perdamaian dengan pihak berkuasa.

Menurut pengerusi BERSIH 2.0, Datuk S Ambiga, mesyuaratnya dengan Tan Sri Ismail Omar berjalan dalam suasana 'mesra' meskipun Ketua Polis Negara itu melahirkan kebimbangannya jika perhimpunan aman itu diteruskan.

"Kami maklumkan kepada beliau, kami akan melakukan sedaya upaya bagi memastikan perhimpunan itu adalah aman… Sebab itu, kami cadangkan kepada polis untuk memutuskan jalan yang patut kita lalui dan kita akan ikut semua arahan mereka," katanya kepada wartawan di Bukit Aman selepas mesyuarat berkenaan.

Ambiga, diiringi ahli jawatankuasa pemandu BERSIH, Maria Chin Abdullah semasa pertemuan itu berkata Ismail membisu mengenai cadangan itu tetapi tetap optimistik.

Katanya, mereka juga meminta Ismail mempertimbangkan cadangan berkenaan dan meminta pertemuan kedua dengan ketua polis negara minggu depan bagi mendapatkan maklum balas berhubung permintaan mereka.

"Beliau tak kata tidak dan saya fikir saya agak kelapangan untuk membuat temujanji untuk berjumpa IGP minggu depan.

"Kami buat cadangan dan minta polis mempertimbangkannya.

"Kami minta mereka, polis… Awak pilih satu lokasi di KL ke Taman Jaya atau mana-mana. Awak pilih, kita akan patuhi."

Jaminan BERSIH 2.0 aman

Ambiga, yang sebelum ini menerima ugutan bunuh menerusi khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) berhubung BERSIH berkata ancaman itu tidak ditimbulkan dalam pertemuan tersebut, mahupun hambatan dan tekanan pihak berkuasa ke atas penganjur perhimpunan itu.

Sebaliknya, mesyuarat mereka tertumpu pada perhimpunan berkenaan dan beliau berulangkali memberi jaminan akan memastikan ia diadakan secara aman.

Penyokong BERSIH 2.0 dijadual berkumpul di pusat membeli-belah Sogo, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur dan masjid Kampung Baru sebelum berarak ke Istana Negara.

Perarakan ini bagi menyampaikan memorandum kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong untuk memohon campur tangan Seri Paduka supaya memastikan pembaharuan dalam sistem pilihan raya negara dilakukan. Ia termasuk melanjutkan tempoh berkempen kepada sekurang-kurangnya 21 hari dan penggunaan dakwat yang tidak boleh dipadam.

Kumpulan pendesak Melayu – PERKASA pula mengesahkan empat lokasi berkumpul bagi perhimpunan 9 Julai bagi menolak perhimpunan yang menuntut supaya reform pilihan raya.

Mereka akan berkumpul di perkarangan Masjid Negara, Dataran Merdeka, perkarangan Stadium Merdeka dan Istana Negara.

Selain itu, Pemuda Umno juga telah meluahkan hasrat mereka untuk mengadakan perhimpunan. Namun lokasi dan jalan bagi perarakan mereka belum diumumkan.

Leadership to save this country

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:07 PM PDT

Each time I write something uncomplimentary about Anwar, some people will say I have a blinkered view of the man. Sorry boys- never met him. Know of him, but never met. So I have no value judgment of the man.
I am afraid such counters are manifestation of empty hopes rather than hard-nosed realistic assessment. We hope somehow, through some miraculous and fortuitous turn of events, Anwar can

Tak Seindah Wajah

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:52 PM PDT

Sementara menanti video-video terbaharu Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, kita nikmati dulu senikata lagu ini. Filed under: Current Affairs

Kredibiliti SPR: Wan Ahmad Harus Meletakkan Jawatan

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:28 PM PDT

– KENYATAAN MEDIA UNTUK EDARAN SEGERA –

30 JUN 2011

Saya merujuk kepada kenyataan Timbalan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), Dato' Wan Ahmad Wan Omar yang dilaporkan oleh laman portal Malaysiakini.com bertarikh 30 Jun 2011 bertajuk "SPR: Ambiga diperalat, BERSIH kian kusut".

Menurut laporan tersebut, Wan Ahmad mendakwa bahawa Pengerusi Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih & Adil (BERSIH), Dato' Ambiga Sreevenasan telah diperalatkan oleh pemimpin politik pembangkang untuk membantu Pakatan Rakyat menawan Putrajaya dalam Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang.

Kenyataan Wan Ahmad adalah tidak bertanggungjawab dan menzahirkan watak sebenar beliau yang selama ini dilihat sebagai alat kepada pimpinan UMNO dan sistem yang rosak. Kenyataan sebegini tidak mengambarkan sikap profesional seorang pegawai yang memegang amanah dan tanggungjawab untuk menjamin institusi SPR kekal sebagai badan yang bebas.

Adalah malang apabila Wan Ahmad gagal memperlihatkan profesionalisme sebagai penjawat awam yang seharusnya bersifat berkecuali. Ketaatan membuta-tuli beliau kepada UMNO jelas membuktikan beliau gagal membezakan keperluan untuk setia kepada 'government of the day' dengan taat kepada 'governing party'.

Beliau turut dilaporkan oleh laman berita The Malaysian Insider sebagai berkata komponen Pakatan Rakyat sudah mula risau dengan kebangkitan Barisan Nasional yang memperlihatkan kemenangan dalam beberapa pilihan raya kecil sejak tahun lalu.

Pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil tidak memungkinkan seseorang itu mengetahui siapakah yang akan menang dalam sesuatu pilihan raya. Sebaliknya, apabila Wan Ahmad menzahirkan kenyataannya bahawa Barisan Nasional semakin kuat, maka timbul persoalan apakah beliau sudah merancang sesuatu bagi menjamin kemenangan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional? Kalau inilah peranan yang dicatur oleh Wan Ahmad, maka pilihan raya di Malaysia sememangnya tidak lagi bebas dan adil!

Wan Ahmad seharusnya faham dan menghayati peranan SPR yang termaktub dalam Perkara 114 Perlembagaan Persekutuan, di mana SPR merupakan sebuah suruhanjaya yang bertanggungjawab bagi menyelia dan mengelola pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil di Malaysia. Asas utama dalam mengendalikan pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil ialah daftar pemilih yang bersih untuk menjamin tidak berlaku pengundian berganda oleh seorang pemilih berdaftar termasuk undi pos.

Saya telah menyahut cabaran Wan Ahmad dan telah membuktikan secara berfakta bahawa Daftar Pemilih Induk 2010 yang diwartakan pada Mei 2011 adalah daftar pemilih yang terkotor dalam sejarah pilihan raya dan dakwaan saya telah diakui benar oleh SPR dalam kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Setiausaha SPR, Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria bertarikh 24 Jun 2011. Wan Ahmad harus memikul tanggungjawab ini dan meletakkan jawatan serta merta. Beliau tidak lagi punyai maruah dan kredibiliti untuk memimpin SPR.

Wan Ahmad juga sewajarnya mengetahui bahawa SPR sama sekali tidak boleh berpihak atau mencampuri urusan mana-mana pertubuhan sama ada pertubuhan yang berkaitan dengan kerajaan atau pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) seperti BERSIH.

Lapan (8) tuntutan BERSIH iaitu (i) pembersihan senarai pengundi; (ii) reformasi undi pos; (iii) penggunaan dakwat kekal; (iv) tempoh kempen minima 21 hari; (v) memperkukuh institusi awam; (vi) menghentikan rasuah pilihan raya dan; (viii) menghentikan politik kotor; adalah bertujuan untuk menyuburkan demokrasi dalam negara dan memperkukuhkan sistem pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil.

Tuntutan-tuntutan ini sewajarnya dipandang serius dan positif oleh SPR dalam usaha untuk memastikan perjalanan pilihan raya di negara ini dapat dilaksanakan secara telus, bebas dan adil. SPR harus berlapang dada untuk menerima dan melaksanakan cadangan-cadangan yang dikemukakan oleh rakyat demi memperbaiki imej dan kredibiliti SPR yang dilihat sebagai tidak berwibawa dan bersikap berat sebelah.

KEADILAN dan Pakatan Rakyat senantiasa mendukung sebarang usaha yang proaktif demi rakyat dan demi menjamin satu sistem demokrasi yang menjanjikan pilihan raya yang telus, bebas dan adil.

Sehubungan dengan itu, saya mewakili Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) dengan ini menuntut supaya Timbalan Pengerusi SPR itu menarik balik kenyataan beliau atau meletakkan jawatan serta merta kerana telah menjejaskan kredibiliti SPR. Saya juga mencabar beliau supaya masuk dalam gelanggang politik UMNO dan menyertai Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13!

MOHAMED AZMIN ALI
Timbalan Presiden

Freedom, Imagined

Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:00 PM PDT

A glimpse of ideals.

Why can't we be friends? | Source: flickr.com/aalim

Imagine this.

Tens of thousands of us came from all over to exercise our fundamental rights. In our midst were foreign elements; their presence threatening and encouraging at the same time.

The organisers of the event gave us clear instructions: Wear shirts of a certain colour. Be at the designated staging sites at the appointed time.

Alternative routes were suggested in case the authorities decided to block access to the sites. Many arrived hours ahead and camped inside their vehicles, counting down the hours to the event we'd all anticipated for so long.

And when the time came, friends, families, strangers — Malaysians and, yes, even foreign instigators — all moved in unison, in a sea of one colour. We were determined to get past all the obstacles and challenges that were put in our way.

It was a huge event. Traffic came to a standstill. Commuters were affected and businesses no doubt suffered too.

At major intersections and roundabouts, we'd come face to face with hostile forces. Car drivers gave us disapproving looks. I personally saw men on motorcycles cussing at us, trying to instigate an incident that would spark a flashpoint.

Some of us lost our nerve and fell out of formation.

But through it all, from our staging sites to the end of our route, were the men of the Royal Malaysia Police. On their bikes, putting themselves between us and impatient motorists; standing in the middle of intersections, holding back heavy traffic with nothing but their bare hands; walking along with us side by side, making sure we kept within the safe lanes.

They encouraged us, smiled and gave us friendly nods as we moved past them. A few asked us to keep up the pace and gently moved us in the right direction.

We came together in this movement because of our belief in the cause of freedom. The freedom to express ourselves, to join with others who shared this passion, and to exercise it knowing no one could deprive us of this deep-rooted desire to be free.

In so many ways, it was us having a say in where we were headed. We all had different motivations for participating but shared a common destination.

And so we moved, all of us wearing our green jerseys as participants of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon. Different events and categories, and for different reasons — a cure for diseases, in memory of loved ones, advocating civil liberties, or just simply to beat last year's personal finishing time.

A myriad of causes but the same finishing line. All 22,500 of us — men, women and children.

Early last Sunday morning was the first time in a long time that many of us actually felt the police were our guardians, keeping us safe and facilitating that fundamental expression of our humanity.

For a while, at least, we didn't have to imagine it. It really did happen.

This article was previously published in The Malaysian Insider.

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