SAMBUTAN LUAR BIASA UNTUK KETUA UMUM DAN PRESIDEN DI PULAU PINANG

LAWATAN KERJA 1 FEBRUARI

Lawatan kerja sehari Ketua Umum dan presiden PKR ke Pulau Pinang mendapat sambutan yang luar biasa.Lawatan muhibbah bersempena Sambutan Tahun Baru Cina dan sambil bekerja Ketua Umum ke Permatang Pauh menjadi lebih meriah apabila ribuan orang hadir dalam setiap ceramah dan lawaatn beliau ke majlis jamuan dan sambutan Tahun Baru Cina diadakan.

Beliau bermula dengan menerima kunjungan seramai 13 orang pekerja perpustakaan negeri yang di berhentikan dan menyelesaikan masalah mereka di Yayasan Aman dan kemudian ke majlis kenduri kahwin di dewan Kim Seng.Majlis kenduri anak kepada seorang penyokong diawal perjuangan reformasi dulu berlangsung di dewan di Bukit Mertajam.Dato seri Anwar adalah tetamu khas pada majlis perkahwinan pasangan tersebut

Anwar kemudiannya ke kawasan ladang penternakan kambing yang di usahakan oleh seorang anak tempatan yang mengusahakan ladang ternakan dan restoran di kampong Pelet Kubang Semang dimana beliau menternak kambing import dan juga tempatan selain megusahakan restoran yang berkonsepkan hasil kambing dan susunya.Ladang yang di beri nama Mutiara Kristal ini diusahakan beliau bersama isterinya.

MELAKUKAN LAWATAN KE LADANG DAN RESTORAN CRISTAL MUTIARA

DSAI BERJALAN BERSAMA ORANG RAMAI KE DEWAN MACHANG BUBUK

Pada sebelah petangnya Dato seri Anwar menghadiri Majlis jamuan sambutan Tahun Baru Cina di dewan St Ann Bukit Mertajam dimana majlis yang dihadiri lebih 5000 orang didalam dan luar dewan ini adalah majlis jamuan negeri yang turut dihadiri oleh Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan para barisan EXCO kerajaan negeri .

Anwar kemudiannya ke perkampungan Machang Bubuk dimana beliau juga di raikan di satu majlis sambutan tahun baru Cina disamping merasmikan cawangan baru dan menerima ahli baru PKR seramai 200 orang .Machang Bubuk adalah kerusi PKR di bawah YB Tan Hock Leong.

Anwar kemudiannya bersama rakyat berjalam sejauh 150 meter ke dewan dan di iringi ra 1500 orang ke dewan di mana jamuan di adakan.

Acara kemuncak ialah pada sebelah malam di taman Chai Leng Park dimana sambutan majlis diadakan di restoran Wellesly dimanabeberapa persembahan, tayangan berkaitan dengan nasib rakyat Palestin, persembahan dan juga pentomen ,pukulan gendang cina dan ucapan diberikan.

Persembahan nyanyian lagu negaraku oleh kanak-kanak tadika dan nyanyian lagu PKR bersama kanak-kanak tadika dan juga wanita PKR di adakan.selain hidangan dan juga jamuan makan malam.

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PKR AKAN TETAP DI TERIMA RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Dalam ceramahdi dewan St Ann Dato Seri Anwar menjelaskan bahawa PKR akan tetap di terima rakyat kerana konsepnya yang bebilang kaum dan kerana ianya tidak berasaskan kepada perkauman bagi membantu rakyat. Membantu rakyat adalah adalah perjuangn PKR tanpa mengira kaum.

Beliau menjelaskan bagaimana kerajaan di Perak di bawah pimpinan Dato Seri Nizar yang memberi tanah kepada kaum Cina di perkampungan baru di jadikan isu oleh Umno Perak.malah menurut Dato Seri Anwar lagi Umno memberi sebuah bukit kepada seorang Cina yang kaya , untuk di jadikan pusat judi , tidak pula dibantah oleh oleh ahli Umno Perak yang lain dan pimpinan Umno Perak.

“Bila kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat memberi tanah kepada penduduk Cina di perkampugan baru di negeri Perak oleh Dato Seri Nizar, pimpinan Umno membantah kononnya ianya hanya mementingkan kaum Cina, Anwar hanya menyokong cina, Tetapi apabila Umno memberi sebuah bukit kepada seorang tauke Cina untuk pusat judi,pimpinan Umno yang lain tak pula membantah, Kita akan tetap memberi kemudahan dan keperluan kepada rakyat tanpa mengira kaum jika ianya di fikirkan sesuai untuk rakyat.jika Melayu kita tolong, Cina juga kita tolong , India juga kita tolong.Ini adalah negara untuk rakyat bukan untuk satu-satu kaum sahaja “ demikain jelas Dato Seri Anwar di sambut dengan tepukan gemuruh lapisan rakyat yang memenuhi dewan St Ann.


Berhubung dengan keadaan ekonomi yang lembap pula, Anwar membidas kerajaan Bn dengan menyatakan pimpinan seringkali memutarbelitkan kenyataan fakta berhubung dengan keadaan ekonomi.banyak yang dibuang kerja, namun ada inisiatif kerajaan pakatan Rakyat cuba membantu.Beliau memberi contoh di Singapura dimana kerajaan negara tersebut seringkali membuat penggumuman kepada rakyat dalam negara berhubung dengan status ekonomi agar rakyat sentiasa bersedia.Kerajaan harus telus kepada rakyat dan bukan sebaliknya.

“Maka sebab itulah apabila rakyat di Cherok To Kun dan di Bukit Mertajam ke kedai membeli barang keperluan, harga barang meningkat , tetapi kerajaan BN kata harga murah.Inflasi tak naik .Cuba lihat di negara jiran kira Singapura, setiap 2 kali dalam seminggu kerajaan negara tersebut menjelaskan kepada rakyat berhubung dengan situasi semasa keadaan ekonomi dalam negara mereka“ , demikian jelas Dato Seri Anwar lagi dalam ceramah beliau.










Berhubung dengan 2 adun PKR yang di katakan melompat parti, Dato Seri Anwar menjelaskan bahawa jika dulu Perdana Menteri menjelaskan bahawa melompat parti adalah perbuatan yang tidak bermoral, namun jika berlaku kepada dua adun PKR ianya dilihat sebagai satu perbuatan yang juga tidak bermoral. Kononnya ada ura-ura wakil rakyat kita akan melompat, Perdana Menteri mengeluarkan kenyataan bahawa mereka sedia untuk melompat kepada Umno , namun sehingga kini kerajaan pakatan Rakyat Perak masih kukuh.

“Dulu masa ada ura-ura wakil Umno nak melompat, mereka kata perbuatan melompat parti adalah tidak bermoral, namun kini PM kata wakil PKR akan lompat masuk Umno,mahzahab mana yang Pak Lah pakai? Sekejab boleh sekejab tak boleh .”demikian jelas beliau disambut dengan tepukan gemuruh dan ketawa orang ramai yang hadir.


Oleh yang demikian rakyat melihat semua ini sebagai satu perbuatan yang dilihat lebih mementingkan diri mereka semata-mata(Umno/Bn) untuk kepentingan mereka dan bukan kepentingan rakyat.PKR dan barisan Pakatan Rakyat telah berjanji untuk membantu rakyat dan rakyat harus yakin dan perlu berubah seberapa segera bagi mengangkat martabat rakyat dan bukan martabat pemimpin .Rakyat harus sedar bahawa BN bukan lagi sebuah parti yang dapat membantu menyelesaikan masalah rakyat tetapi masaalah untuk mengekalkan kuasa pimpinan mereka semata-mata. Negara kita kaya namun kita menjadi miskin akibat salah pengurusan.Kita mahu negara kita menjadi lebih baik untuk tahun ini dan tahun yang akan mendatang. Kita mahu kerajaan telus dan lebih adil kepada rakyat . Jika semua rakyat macam masyarakat Permatang Pauh dan Bukit Mertajam, negara kita telah lama berubah.Mereka adalah masyarakat yang bijak.


“Untuk nak mengharapkan berita, kita langsung tidak punya peluang.Misalnya pilihanraya di Kuala terangganu.Saban hari menunjukkan kempen yang dijalankan oleh BN dalam televisyen.Seolah-oleh calon Umno yang bertanding.namun bila keluar keputusan PAS menang.Ini menunjukkan rakyat telah hilang keyakinan kepada kerajaan”

“Malaysia adalah sebuah negara yang hebat, jika diuruskan dengan cara yang baik dan teratur,namun kita dapati banyak berlaku kekejaman dimana kematian dalam lokap,penipuan dan banyak lagi kes yang boleh diubah .Misalnya 3 buah negeri yang kaya dengan minyak iaitu Sabah ,Sarawak dan Terengganu adalah antara negara yang kaya dengan hasil minyak, namun ketiga-tiga buah negeri ini adalah negeri yang paling miskin di dalam Malaysia”, demikian jelas Anwar lagi.

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PKR NEGERI ANJUR BENGKEL PENGURUSAN PUSAT KHIDMAT ADUN

PERMATANG PAUH- Satu bengkal pengurusan dan pemantapan untuk petugas-petugas pusat khidmat ADUN telah diadakan di banggunan Yayasan Aman pada 31 Januari baru-baru ini.

Majlis yang dianjurkan oleh badan latihan PKR dibawah pejabat PKR Negeri di pengerusikan oleh Tn Hj Idrus Ibrahim ini adalah bertujuan untuk memantapakan lagi khidmat-khidmat para YB-YB PKR di Pulau Pinang.

Dalam ucapan penutup yag disampaikan oleh Dato Zahrain selaku Pengerusi perhubungan negeri, beliau menegaskan bahawa kursus dan bengkel seperti ini adalah begitu penting dan bermakna kerana ianya membuktikan bahawa PKR bukan sahaja ingin memenangi kerusi tetapi memberi khidkat terbaik dan layanan terbaik kepada masyarakat.

Menurut Tn Hj Idrus selaku pengerusi majlis latihan PKR negeri, tujuan kursus ini diadakan ialah untuk mengadakan pasukan petugas parti yang mempunyai komitmen kearah mencapai matlamat dan visi parti berdasarkan deklarasi Permatang Pauh dan agenda reformasi.

Beliau juga menjelaskan bahawa dengan terbentuknya pasukan petugas ini , ianya memberi PKR peluang untuk menilai prastasi pusat-pusat khidmat dan jika adanya kekurangan dan masaalah ianya akan dapat diatasi dengan seberapa segera.

Ini memberi peluang kepada rakyat dan masyarakat di bawah ADUN agar dapat menilai dan melaporkan masaalah mereka dengan lebih cepat sama ada datang sendiri ,menelefon,fax atau email.Dengan cara ini semua ADUN PKR akan mendapat maklumat terkini sebarang bentuk aduan, permohonan atau bantuan yang di perlukan oleh rakyat.

JAMUAN TAHUN BARU CINA TAMAN INDERAWASIH

Jamuan sempena menyambut Tahun Baru Cina anjuran Penaja PKR Cawangan Taman Inderawasih pada hari Sabtu 31 Januari 2009, waktu: 6:30ptg hingga 9:00mlm.

Dalam petang yang sama juga sumbangan bantuan persekolan YB Law Choo Kiang melalui Dr. Joyce Lee, Ketua Penaja PKR Cawagan Taman Inderawasih telah diberikan kepada 2 keluarga Melayu:

(1) Mohd Fazly Bin A Bakar, dan

(2) Norazuan Bin Ibrahim.

Tetamu Yang Hadir:

(1) YB Law Choo Kiang (Exco Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang & ADUN Bukit Tambun)

(2) YB Ong Chin Wen (ADUN Bukit Tenggah)

(3) Hjh Chek Wa bt Hj Harun (Pegawai Khas Presiden PKR, Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah)

Top Malaysia banker wants review of race policy

LSE.co.uk
Macroeconomic News


Tuesday, 3rd February 2009



3-FEB-2009 08:26


By Julie Goh KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Malaysia must review its race-based economic policies if it hopes to rein in political discontent and regain competitiveness, according to a top banker who is the brother of the country's incoming premier. Nazir Razak, the brother of incoming prime minister Najib Razak, said the New Economic Policy (NEP) which favours the majority Malay population, had damaged national cohesion and hindered investment in this Asian country of 27 million people.


'It is timely to examine the NEP, look at how the NEP retards national unity, investments and economic efficiency and develop a new, more relevant framework for economic policy-making,' said Nazir, who is chief executive officer of Malaysia's second largest bank CIMB. The policy gives preferential treatment to Malays who account for around 60 percent of the population in business, education, and home ownership.


It was designed in 1971 after race riots to narrow the wealth gap between the majority Malays and the richer ethnic Chinese. Critics say the NEP has enriched those businessmen who are politically connected and encouraged cronyism and corruption in the coalition that has ruled Malaysia for 51 years. Political analysts said Nazir's comments would carry weight with his brother, but questioned whether Najib, who is currently deputy prime minister and finance minister, would be able to act. Najib is set to take the helm of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the leading party in the National Front coalition, after party polls in March.


The coalition is still reeling from losses in elections last year when it lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time in almost 40 years forcing incumbent premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to say he would stand down in March. It recently lost two by-elections to the opposition alliance, led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.



'The question is how to convince the people who have a vested interest in keeping the status quo to review the NEP,' said Lee Hock Guan, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. 'The answer is not in dismantling the NEP, as it is very difficult because of the way it has been established, but to get away from the abuse, which is at present disproportionately benefiting a select few, whereas the majority of the Malays remain poor,' said Lee. He said the policy could be reviewed so that it was based on income rather than race, a move that has been suggested by Anwar who held government office until he was jailed in the late 1990s.

(Reporting

by Julie Goh; Editing by David Chance and Sugita Katyal) Keywords: MALAYSIA POLITICS/ (julie.goh@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: julie.goh.reuters.com@reuters.net; +603-2333 8036)COPYRIGHTCopyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.

Perak political theatre escalates

[Photos: Mr Osman Jailu (above) and Mr Jamaluddin Mat Radzi (below) apparently decided to quit the Pakatan Rakyat.]

IPOH,MALAYSIA: It could end up dealing a major blow to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition he heads.
After the March general election last year, Perak was tenuously controlled by the three-party PR.

Its wafer-thin majority of three in the State Assembly rose only recently to five, after a member of the Barisan Nasional coalition - in power nationally but in opposition in Perak - jumped ship.
However, now two state ministers - Mr Jamaluddin Mat Radzi, 52, and Mr Osman Jailu, 57 - have apparently decided to quit PR.

With rumours in the wind that others may join them, the state government might not survive.
Moves and countermoves to foil any defection are now the talking point among Malaysians.
Yesterday, the Speaker of the State Assembly informed the body that regulates polls - the Elections Commission - that the two men have "resigned" their seats.
This would pave the way for fresh by-elections, which the PR - having handily won the last two such contests - would be tipped to win.
But the two men insist they have no wish to quit, saying they were forced last March to sign undated resignation letters.
Mr Osman has even filed a police report denying any resignation.
Adding spice to the mix is the fact that both face corruption charges.

Some have suggested that they are hoping to save their own skin by switching allegiance now.
The two men called press conferences yesterday, but failed to show up: Representatives read out statements, in which they said they were not quitting and had vanished from public view because they were on "medical leave".
So what's next?
Even if the Elections Commission decides on a by-election, some observers think the matter will end up in the courts.

Both men have already spoken of consulting their lawyers over the undated resignation letters.
"In 1992, the Supreme Court had ruled that using such undated letters was not valid as it was against the freedom-of-association provision under the Federal Constitution," commented Mr Wong Sai Wan in The Star, a Malaysian daily.
And there is still the "nuclear option": The PR may move to dissolve the entire state assembly and hold statewide polls.

For now, that's not on the cards, said senior state executive councillor Ngeh Koo Ham, one of the key PR leaders.
But as the drama drags on, it's hard to say what will happen next.

Kes dua Adun KeADILan, Anwar dakwa Najib terbabit

Anwar Ibrahim

Mon Feb 02, 09 4:20:56 pm MYT

SEMALAM saya di Bukit Mertajam, Machang Bubok, Penanti dan Seberang Jaya. Ada majlis Kong Xi Fa Cai, pelancaran cawangan parti, majlis perkahwinan dan jamuan.
Iklan


Pastinya sibuk lantaran drama "kehilangan" dua ADUN Perak. Maka majlis terganggu dengan deringan telefon dari pimpinan KeADILan Perak, Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Nizar Jamaluddin dan pimpinan PAS serta Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng dan pimpnan DAP.
Semua keenam-enam ADUN Perak termasuk Dato' Nasaruddin menemui saya di Yayasan Aman, Penanti. Sikap dan pendirian tegas mereka dihargai.

Ulasan saya mengenai episod terbaru:

Pertama, babak kehilangan menggerunkan kerana mengingatkan tragedi Altantuya dan detektif Bala yang ada kaitannya dengan tokoh yang sama. Dalam babak terbaru ini, Dato' Seri Najib terlibat secara langsung!

Malah dalam ucapan menyambut kemenangan calon PAS Kuala Terengganu, saya telah menjangka tindakan lebih ganas oleh pimpinan Umno-BN. Jika ikhlas dan benar pendirian mereka, mengapa harus menghilangkan diri? Bedakan dengan pendirian Dato' Nasa di Bota!
Kedua, Perdana Menteri Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kongkalikong mengalu-alukan kehadhiran mereka ke dalam Umno walhal beliau dan kelompoknya membebel soal tidak bermoralnya langkah tersebut!

Ketiga, apakah lompatan terbaru melibatkan sogokan wang dan ugutan pendakwaan rasuah yang terdahulu? Dato' Seri Najib perlu menjawab kerana penglibatan beliau memujuk kedua ADUN tersebut.

Akhirulkalam, kita yakin insya-Allah dengan suara rakyat. Jentera kita harus bersedia bertarung di gelanggang Perak. _

Malaysia's Anwar prepares for new by-elections

: 02 February 2009 1522 hrs





KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Monday said his party was gearing up for two local by-elections seen as a further test of the political mood weeks after the opposition snatched a parliamentary seat from the ruling coalition. The seats in the northern state of Perak were vacated after two legislators from Anwar's Keadilan party who face trial on corruption charges resigned.

The opposition alliance made huge strides in general elections last March, winning five states including Perak and a third of parliamentary seats from the National Front coalition which has ruled for half a century. Since then, the National Front led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has lost two parliamentary constituencies, the most recent last month. The results, which did not alter the balance of power but showed the government had failed to claw back support after the disastrous general elections, triggered calls for sweeping reforms from within the coalition.

Anwar said he was waiting for the Election Commission to fix the polling date for the new by-elections. "The state speaker V. Sivakumar has declared the two state seats in the northern Perak state as vacant after receiving resignations letters from the two state councillors," Anwar told AFP.

"The opposition is drawing up the election strategy now. We hope to win," he added. The two state cabinet ministers who stepped down -- Jamaludin Mat Radzi, 52, and Osman Jailu, 57 -- were last year charged with taking bribes and are due to appear for a court hearing on February 10. The resignations have thrown politics in the fragile opposition-held Perak state into disarray.

The opposition alliance led by Keadilan controls the 59-seat state assembly with a slim majority. With the two vacant seats, the opposition now holds 30 while the National Front coalition has 27.

Anwar's party gears up

Seats in the northern state of Perak were vacated after two legislators from Mr Anwar's Keadilan party who face trial on corruption charges resigned.
Mon, Feb 02, 2009AFP



KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Monday said his party was gearing up for two local by-elections seen as a further test of the political mood weeks after the opposition snatched a parliamentary seat from the ruling coalition.

The seats in the northern state of Perak were vacated after two legislators from Mr Anwar's Keadilan party who face trial on corruption charges resigned.
The opposition alliance made huge strides in general elections last March, winning five states including Perak and a third of parliamentary seats from the National Front coalition which has ruled for half a century.
Since then, the National Front led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has lost two parliamentary constituencies, the most recent last month.
The results, which did not alter the balance of power but showed the government had failed to claw back support after the disastrous general elections, triggered calls for sweeping reforms from within the coalition.

Mr Anwar said he was waiting for the Election Commission to fix the polling date for the new by-elections.
'The state speaker V. Sivakumar has declared the two state seats in the northern Perak state as vacant after receiving resignations letters from the two state councillors,' Mr Anwar told AFP.
'The opposition is drawing up the election strategy now. We hope to win,' he added.
The two state cabinet ministers who stepped down - Mr Jamaludin Mat Radzi, 52, and Mr Osman Jailu, 57 - were last year charged with taking bribes and are due to appear for a court hearing on Feb 10.

The resignations have thrown politics in the fragile opposition-held Perak state into disarray.

The opposition alliance led by Keadilan controls the 59-seat state assembly with a slim majority.
With the two vacant seats, the opposition now holds 30 while the National Front coalition has 27.

Speaker: Dua Adun PKR Perak letak jawatan

Feb 1, 09 8:15pm
Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak, V Sivakumar berkata beliau telah menerima surat peletakan jawatan dari dua ahli dewan undangan negeri (Adun) Perak pada kira-kira jam 5.45 petang tadi.LAGI
Berkuatkuasa serta merta
Dua p'raya kecil

assemblymen accepted, returns mandate to the people

, 1 Februari 2009 • Kategori: Berita Semasa, Berita Utama, English News, Mahkamah, Nasional, Parlimen, Perak, Politik


The Pakatan state government has little choice but to put into effect the resignations of two KeADILan assemblymen, who have been ‘missing’ for five days, with deputy premier Najib Razak accused of enticing them to defect.


Umno has also begun pumping up financial incentives - including digging into the nation’s RM7 billion economic stimulus package - to stop its unhappy state reps from leaving ….


By Wong Choon Mei



In a dramatic turn of events, Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said this evening the speaker of the state assembly has accepted the resignations of KeADILan assemblymen Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu.
The 52-year old Jamaluddin is the state representative for Behrang, while the 57-year old Mohd Osman is the assemblyman for Changkat Jering.
V Sivakumar, the speaker of the state assembly, has confirmed receiving their letters. Both men had in accordance with KeADILan policy pre-signed and deposited their resignation letters with Nizar for use in events of emergency.
The decision means that both state seats will become vacant, and barring any undue influence from the federal government, the Election Commission is expected to call for by-elections and return the mandate to the people.
In the meantime, it is business as usual for the Pakatan coalition, which would still have a majority of 30 to 27 in the Perak state assembly, versus 32 to 27 perviously.
“It is important to go back to the people because right now, nobody knows where the two are and what has happened to them,” said KeADILan information chief Tian Chua.
“This is completely different from Bota, where the assemblyman, Nasarudin Hashim, openly declared his intentions and then went to his constituents to seek their support. The reception Nasarudin got at the Bota stadium on Friday clearly shows his constituents supported his decision to join KeADILan.”
Political skullduggery
The Pakatan state government had earlier planned to lodge a police report over the mysterious disappearance of the pair, who have been un contactable by even their own families for the past five days.
Nizar had urged them to come out of hiding, even if they had decided to defect to another political party.
It has been widely speculated that incoming Umno president Najib Abdul Razak was in the last lap of negotiations with both men to get them to defect, in a bid to make up for the recent loss of Bota assemblyman Nasarudin Hashim to KeADILan.
Even Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has admitted that Umno was in talks with several Pakatan assemblymen. Najib, his deputy, took over from former chief minister Tajol Rosli as Perak chief on Friday.
Said a political analyst: “This is the difference in style between Najib and Tajol Rosli. Tajol wouldn’t push like this, but Najib is quite ruthless. For him, the end justifies the means. It is just like the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case, when the private eye P Balasubramaniam suddenly went missing after implicating him and his wife.”
Digging into the nation’s economic stimulus package
Umno has also begun pumping up financial incentives to keep its disgruntled state reps from leaving the Barisan Nasional coalition. 26 of the BN assemblymen in Perak are from Umno, and one from the MCA.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Zahid has promised all 27 that they will soon get development funds of RM300,000 each from the BN federal government.
Additionally, each constituency would also receive RM1 million in public amenity projects from the RM7 billion economic stimulus package announced in November by Najib, who is also Finance Minister and Deputy Premier.
“The allocation has been approved and will be distributed to the 27 assemblymen,” said Zahid.
However, his comments have drawn fire from both the public and civil groups.
Malaysians have become more watchful after Najib promised Kuala Terengganu voters hundreds of million of ringgit in election goodies during a recent by election.
Transparency International Malaysia too has urged the federal government to breakdown in detail how it plans to spend the RM7 billion package, rather than provide broad outlines.
It also asked why only 70 percent of the package has been disbursed, and why the balance 30 percent is delayed.
“The public need to be assured that the due processes of good governance are being observed to raise confidence and credibility in the governance especially at this time of economic and financial strain and stress,” said TIM president Ramon Navaratnam.
Umno has grown too corrupt and elitist
Meanwhile, Bota assemblyment Nasarudin Hashim has urged his former colleagues at Umno to join Pakatan, saying that the once mighty Umno was too corrupt and could no longer command the respect of the Malays.
“I believe they are matured enough to think for themselves,” said the 58 year old former Felcra chairman, who shocked Umno by resigning to join KeADILan a week ago.
Eight Umno branches in the Bota constituency have shut down, with the members resigning to follow Nasarudin into KeADILan.
They handed over their application forms to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at the Bota stadium on Friday night, where a huge crowd turned up to hear him speak.
“I have never seen such a large crowd not even for my ceramah during the general election last year. It is clear that the people support me and they are happy,” said Nasarudin.
Hijacked amid looming corruption trial
The Bota assemblyman’s switch to KeADILan has thrown Perak politics into disarray.
Accusations and counter accusations have rained down thick and heavy from both sides of the political divide, with Najib accused of ‘hijacking’ the Behrang and Changkat Jering assemblymen in an all out bid to get them to defect to Umno.
Both men are due to stand trial on Feb 10 on corruption charges over a RM180 million housing project in Sri Iskandar. If convicted, they face a maximum 20 years’ jail, and a fine of not less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
“We believe their disappearance is closely linked to the corruption charges they are facing. Since the beginning, we have been confident that the allegations against them are false and cooked up by Umno and Barisan Nasional as political blackmail,” said Perak KeADILan chief Osman Abdul Rahman.
Snap election still unlikely
KeADILan’s Tian said with the resignation of Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman, the situation in Perak had stabilised. He does not see the need for the Pakatan state government to call for a snap election.
“Let’s get through the by-elections first. The BN might appeal to the EC and try to force a court case against the Pakatan. That could suspend everything for months or even years,” Tian said.
Nizar too dismissed claims by the BN that several Pakatan MPs would soon hop over to their side.
Said Tian: “We are confident of being able to continue ruling Perak well, even with a one seat majority. This is what happened in Kelantan in 2004, so it is not a problem even if Jamaluddin and Mohd Osman had defected. We are also confident a few more BN assemblymen will be joining us soon.”

KENYATAAN MEDIA

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia

Januari 2009

Kes Kematian A. Kugan Dalam Tahanan Polis Mesti Disiasat Tanpa Selindung

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) melahirkan rasa kesal dengan insiden seorang suspek bernama A. Kugan yang telah meninggal dunia semasa berada dalam tahanan polis pada 20 Januari 2009. Peguam Negara telah mengklasifikasikann ya sebagai kes bunuh di bawah Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan mungkin setelah mengambilkira kesan luka yang serius kepada badan mayat A Kugan yang didedahkan oleh keluarga mangsa.


JIM memandang serius insiden tersebut kerana ini bukanlah kali pertama tahanan yang ditahan dalam lokap polis di dapati mati ketika dalam tahanan. Sekiranya benar apa yang didakwa iaitu pihak polis sendiri telah bertindak menyeksa tahanan sehingga menyebabkan kematian tahanan, maka JIM melihat ini sebagai satu pelanggaran besar terhadap kepercayaan rakyat kepada institusi keselamatan negara, Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM). Ia juga merupakan satu tindakan kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan walaupun terhadap individu yang disyaki sebagai penjenayah.


JIM menyanjung tinggi usaha dan peranan pihak polis dalam membanteras jenayah namun pelaksanaan penguatkuasaan undang-undang mestilah berpandukan kepada prinsip kedaulatan undang-undang atau rule of law dan keadilan. Selain daripada itu, pihak polis mestilah akur dengan prinsip hak asasi manusia sejagat mahupun apa yang digariskan dalam prinsip hak asasi manusia dalam Islam yang mengiktiraf bahawa seseorang itu tidak bersalah sehingga dibuktikan bersalah (innocent until proven guilty).


JIM mengetahui bahawa kes seksaan secara fizikal dan mental serta kes kematian ketika dalam jagaan polis telah banyak dilaporkan sebelum ini samada ketika direman atau ketika ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA). Namun kes-kes tersebut samada tiada tindakan lanjutan, siasatan masih berterusan atau masih dalam sesi perbicaraan mahkamah. Dewan Rakyat pada tahun 2008 telah dimaklumkan seramai 1,535 orang mati semasa dalam tahanan polis dalam tempoh antara 2003 hingga 2007.



Pada masa yang sama, dua Suruhanjaya Diraja berhubung perkara ini telah ditubuhkan sebelum ini dengan pelbagai saranan namun keberkesanan saranannya masih dipersoalkan ramai khususnya berkenaan dengan kegagalan penubuhan Suruhanjaya Bebas Aduan dan Salahlaku Polis (Independent Polis Complaints and Misconduct Commission – IPCMC). JIM menegaskan bahawa dalam konteks masyarakat berbilang bangsa dan agama seperti Malaysia, insiden seperti ini tidak seharusnya berlaku ke atas mana-mana individu, bangsa atau agama sekalipun.


Oleh yang demikian, JIM tidak melihat ini sebagai isu perkauman dan menyarankan semua pihak untuk berpendirian sama kerana prinsip keadilan merentasi sempadan bangsa, kaum dan agama. Sehubungan itu, JIM sebagai sebuah badan bukan kerajaan Islam yang amat prihatin dalam isu keadilan dan urustadbir yang baik menyarankan kepada Kerajaan untuk:-

1. Mengambil langkah serius mengarahkan dan memastikan siasatan yang menyeluruh, adil dan telus dilakukan berikutan kematian A. Kugan dalam tahanan polis dengan kadar segera tanpa melindungi atau menyembunyikan mana-mana fakta dan pihak, demi menegakkan keadilan. Adalah sewajarnya siasatan tersebut dilakukan oleh sebuah Suruhanjaya Bebas DiRaja yang ditubuhkan oleh Kerajaan.


2. Menyemak dan meneliti saranan yang telah dibuat oleh dua Suruhanjaya Diraja sebelum ini serta melaksanakan saranan-saranan mereka. JIM bersimpati dengan keluarga A Kugan dan seterusnya menyeru semua pihak untuk bertenang dan bertindak mengikut lunas undang-undang.


Keadilan bukan sahaja terlaksana tetapi mesti dilihat dilaksanakan.


Hj Zaid Kamaruddin


Presiden

Lompat parti: Pas syor pilihan raya semula

01/02/2009 4:43pm
KOTA BAHARU 1 Feb. - Pas mencadangkan agar Parlimen dibubarkan bagi membolehkan satu pilihan raya umum diadakan semula daripada memperkenalkan undang-undang melompat parti.
Naib Presidennya, Datuk Husam Musa berkata, UMNO tidak perlu mengadakan undang-undang itu semata-mata untuk menghalang mana-mana wakil rakyat daripada melompat parti.
“Pada asasnya saya setuju, tetapi lebih baik mereka membubarkan Parlimen dan mengadakan pilihan raya semula bagi menentukan integriti UMNO dan Barisan Nasional di mata rakyat,” katanya kepada pemberita di pejabatnya di sini, hari ini. - Bernama

ANWAR:DULU KATA LOMPAT PARTI TAK BOLEH SEKARANG BAGAIMANA??

Beliau menyatakan demikian kepada wartawan yang mengerumuni beliau di Yayasan Aman sebentar tadi.Menurut Anwar,Jika dulu Pak lah kata lompat parti tak ada moral, jadi bagaimana pula dengan kes dua orang EXCO PKR yang dikatakan kini akan melompat parti.

Anwar kemudiannya menjelaskan bahawa kedudukan kerajaan Perak masih lagi kukuh.Belum ada ura-ura yang meyatakan adanya lompat parti sehingga kini.

DATO NASARUDDIN BERJUMPA ANWAR DI YAYASAN AMAN

Updates 340 ptg 1 Feb

Buat masa ini Dato Nasaruddin bersama DSAI di yayasan aman.sumber menyatakan bahawa beliau membawa berita dan berbincang denagn DSAI.Anwar dalam rangka lawatan ke Permatang Pauh hari ini.

Malam ini di dewan Chai Leng Park DSAI dan Dato Nasaruddin akan memberikan ucapan dalam satu ceramah.

maklumat dan gambar menyusul kemudian...........

EH YA LA...SEWAKTU KENA TAHAN DI SABAH DULU......

PKR hanya berangan-angan
31/01/2009 5:01pm


TAIPING 31 Jan. - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) hanya memasang angan-angan jika mengharapkan ada lagi wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional (BN) di Perak yang akan menyertai parti itu mengikut jejak Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, penghijrahan sekumpulan anggota UMNO di kawasan Bota untuk menyertai parti pembangkang itu juga hanya sesuatu yang bersifat sementara.



“Mereka (PKR) bercakap kedudukan semakin kukuh dan ada yang akan lompat lagi.. itu semua kenyataan politik, tetapi tidak melihat kepada hakikat dan realiti,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan program Mesra Rakyat anjuran Majlis Tindakan Persekutuan Negeri Perak di sini hari ini.

Ahmad Zahid yang juga Timbalan Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Perak berkata demikian semasa diminta mengulas pembubaran lapan cawangan UMNO di Bahagian Parit ekoran penyertaan mereka ke dalam PKR.

Penyerahan borang keanggotaan menyertai PKR dilakukan oleh anggota-anggota daripada lapan cawangan itu di Bota semalam pada program ceramah Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Nasaruddin.........




Ya la sewaktu di tahan di Sabah dulu tengah kaya-raya..mana mungkin nak jadi pejuang kan....susah.... kadang kadang angan angan jadi kenyataan jugak tu...

DUA ADUN PKR HILANG ???BELOT ATAU SEMBUNYI

Ref : Malaysiakini

Jika belot sah anda akan disumpah oleh rakyat sebagai petualang yang cuba mencari kesenangan hidup hanya untuk kehidupan anda sendiri atau anda hanya akan di pergunakan

Maklumat yang diterima Datin Umi dikatakan ditawarkan RM3 juta bagi memujuk Dato Nasaruddin kembali kepada Umno,namun di tolak kerana prinsip perjuangan.

Reps: PKR agents approached us

Several Umno assemblymen claimed that PKR agents had tried to entice them into crossing over.

Sat, Jan 31, 2009

IPOH ,MALAYSIA: The heat has risen a notch in the Perak political scene with claims by several Umno assemblymen that PKR agents had tried to entice them into crossing over.
Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman said that she received a call from a "PKR agent" shortly after Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim left Umno.

"The person called me while I was in the midst of work and initially requested to meet me in person," she told The Star yesterday.
"I told the agent that I was too busy to meet and said that we could speak over the phone."
The agent, she added, then asked her to leave Umno and join PKR, adding that she would be given a position in the state executive council if she did.

Hamidah claimed the person told her that a meeting with PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could be arranged if she agreed to cross over.
She declined the offer immediately.
"I still believe very strongly in the Umno spirit and I am firm in my convictions," she said.
Lintang assemblyman Datuk Ahamad Pakeh Adam too claimed attempts had been made to lure him, adding that those who had approached him were PKR strongmen who promised to arrange a meeting with Anwar.

On whether he planned to leave Umno for PKR, Ahamad vaguely replied:
"We will look at the situation. Not yet, there are more stories to be discussed."

PROGRAM LATIHAN UNTUK PEGAWAI PUSAT KHIDMAT PKR

Permatang Pauh-Satu program memberi bimbingan kepada pegawai Pusat Khidmat YB PKR berjalan siang tadi.Semua pegawai Pusat Khidmat hadir untuk mendengar taklimat bagi memantapkan lagi urusan antara masyarakat dan orang ramai.Tujuannnya adalah untuk memberi khidmat kepada masyarakat dengan lebih efisyen lagi.

KHIDMAT KESIHATAN PERCUMA DI PUSAT KHIDMAT DSAI

PERMATANG PASIR-Khidmat kesihatan percuma di pejabat DSAI di Permatang Pasir siang tadi.3 doktor dari sebuah hospital swasta terkenal di Pulau Pinang memberi khidmat pemeriksaan kesihatan percuma.

Sah Najib ganti Tajol...Zahid timbalan

Majlis Tertinggi (MT) yang bermesyuarat hingga tengah malam Jumaat membuat keputusan melantik Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak sebagai Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri Perak menggantikan Datuk Seri Mohd. Tajol Rosli Ghazali yang meletakkan jawatan itu berkuasa kuasa serta-merta. Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi turut mengumumkan Timbalan Pengerusi UMNO negeri itu akan disandang Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Najib juga akan memegang jawatan Pengerusi Barisan Nasional (BN) negeri itu, kata Abdullah dalam sidang media selepas mesyuarat yang bermula jam 9 malam selesai kira-kira jam 12.30 tengah malam. Bagaimanapun, kedua-dua pemimpin itu hanya akan memegang jawatan tersebut sehingga perhimpunan Agung UMNO pada akhir Mac ini selesai. “Pelantikan baru akan dibuat selepas Mac, siapa kita belum tahu,” katanya. Menurut Perdana Menteri, sebelum itu MT mendengar laporan daripada Tajol Rosli mengenai situasi politik di Perak termasuk berkaitan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Bota yang menyertai pembangkang. Berita sebelum ini: Najib Pengerusi Perhubungan UMNO Perak ganti Tajol...?

MANSUHKAN PPSMI ESOK

Pelancaran Mansuhkan PPSMI, esok!
Harakahdaily Fri Jan 30, 09

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Jan - Gerakkan Memansuh Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains & Matematik Dalam Bahasa Inggeris(PPSMI) atau ringkasnya GMP akan mengadakan pelancarannya esok (31 Januari ) jam 3 petang di Pusat Perniagaan SOGO, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.

Perlancaran ini akan dipimpin oleh Pengerusi GMP sendiri yang juga bekas Ketua Pengarah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka malah bakal hadir adalah pejuang-pejuang bahasa, pimpinan politik dan dari pelbagai NGO.


Setiausaha GMP Hasni Abas berkata keputusan perlancaran ini telah diputuskan pada mesyuarat Badan Induk GMP pada 20 Januari lalu yang dipengerusikan oleh Dato Dr Hassan Ahmad yang juga Pengerusi GMP.

he..he..he..Malayu tak hilang.Yang hilang tanah Melayu,bahasa Melayu,....bla..bla....KTM ada lagi.....

MB Perak nafi dua exco sertai BN

30/01/2009 5:14pm

IPOH 30 Jan. - Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin hari ini menafikan laporan mengenai anggota exco kerajaan negeri, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi dan Kapt (B) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, kedua-dua daripada Parti Keadilan Rakyat, akan menyertai Barisan Nasional.
“Spekulasi mengenai Jamaluddin dan Mohd Osman itu adalah tidak benar. Saya berusaha untuk berhubung dengan mereka,” katanya kepada pemberita bagi mengulas laporan sebuah akhbar berbahasa Inggeris semalam bahawa terdapat dua wakil rakyat daripada PKR akan keluar parti dan menjadi wakil bebas sebelum menyertai UMNO. - Bernama

Menteri-menteri besar di bawah Bn jaga-jaga.Mungkin akan ada wakil di tempat anda yang nak lompat....Sebentar tadi MB Negeri Sembilan kata tak ada di negeri beliau...Johor amacam?ada ka? Terangganu? apa khabar ? ada lagi ka?he..he...

YB HAMDAN SAMPAIKAN SUMBANGAN KEPADA MASJID PERMATANG KRIANG

YB Hamdan menyampaikan sumbangan Quran dan peralatan sembahyang dan elektronik kepada surau Kg Permatang Kriang,Tasek Gelugor yang terbakar pada tahun lepas.Sejumlah RM13000 sumbangan YB Hamdan melalui ADUN Permatang Pasir melalui pejabat PUZ di berikan sementara menanti pembinaan masjid Jamek kampung Permatang Kriang sebagaimana yang dijanjikan oleh Ahli Parlimen Tasek Gelogor Tan Sri Nor Mohammad Selaku menteri kewangan ,pihak Qaryiah mengambil inisiatif melakukan ibadah di sebelah surau berhampiran.

How Raju is Raja in Malaysia

User Rating: / 0
Friday, 30 January 2009

Poor Best

Hyderabad, January 30:

Barely two days after Ramalinga Raju confessed to his fraud,
the Malaysian human resource minister S Subramaniam who was attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai was compelled by the Malaysian press to make a statement on the Satyam issue. The minister restricted himself to say that how Raju's fraud was a great matter of concern for Malaysia.

But if you are wondering why this pressure on a minister from Malaysia by his own local press on this matter, then don't be surprised: Ramalinga Raju's name in Malaysia is as well known as those of key businessmen and ministers there. The creator of jobs, the best paymaster and the man playing a key role in Malaysia's IT story, are among the many identities Raju has in the country.

Satyam associates who have visited Malaysia say they were surprised at how Raju's name commanded respect. "The government, the people, they all looked up to him. Raju was treated as god there,'' said a senior associate.

Raju's Malaysian connection is not a recent one. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahthir Mohammad visited the Satyam campus in Hyderabad in 2002. The next Prime Minister, Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, followed suit in his appreciation of Raju, gracing occasions such as signing of agreements between the government and Raju with his presence.

"This is because Raju created a huge Satyam name there. He picked up the best SAP talent and Satyam was considered as a good paymaster,'' says a senior Satyam associate.
The Satyam founder famously recruited fresh graduates from over 20 universities in Malaysia and even carried out a nationwide plan to develop IT talent under the `Campus Link' programme, a government initiative there.

The Malaysian government had even given the firm various SOPs for the IT facility Raju was creating for the country. Small wonder then that ever since the news of Raju's fraud broke out, Malaysian newspapers have been following the developments very closely, reporting extensively on the issue much like the Indian media.

In February 2008, Satyam had announced that the firm would be setting a 15-acre campus in Cyberjaya, about 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur which would be the largest campus in Malaysia and would provide high end services to a range of customers. The firm already has an office in Cyberjaya.

Raju consistently maintained his commitment to the Malaysian community through Satyam's website and messages such as, "Satyam believes in nurturing local talent to catalyze IT progress in Malaysia''.
And barely two months before his inflated balance sheet confession, Raju acquired a software development centre of Motorola in Malaysia.

Apart from expanding Satyam's IT empire, Raju also found a `land' connect with Malaysians who share the same passion for land as Indians and this was possibly another reason why Raju connected with the country and its people so effortlessly, say industry observers. They say it is hardly surprising to find Ng Ching Meng's name figuring in the Income Tax department's list of individuals in the Satyam group as they speculate whether Ramalinga Raju could have used Ching Meng's local identity for land dealings there.

Not denying the possibility of any such arrangements some, however, observe that Ching Meng, who is country director with IJM (India) Infrastructure Limited, was perhaps only used for these dealings that were otherwise finalised by Krishnan Tang, head of the Malaysian multinational IJMII, that IJM is a subsidiary of.

"A position of country head in India means nothing for a firm like IJMII and the chief is expected to have not much authority. So it is hard to believe that Ching Meng could have been involved in any dealings with the Rajus independently. He probably was used as a dummy by Krishnan," said the head of an infrastructure firm in the city.

Najib appointed Perak Umno liaison head

(Updated)


30 Jan 09 : 2.12AM


(Updated 2:59am, 30 Jan 2009)


KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Jan 2009: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has been appointed chairperson of the Perak Umno Liaison Body and Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson.

He succeeds Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali who has resigned from both positions with immediate effect.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was appointed deputy chair of the Perak Umno Liaison Body and deputy chairperson of Perak BN.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Najib and Ahmad Zahid would hold the positions until the Umno general assembly in March and a new appointment would be made after the general assembly.


"Who will be appointed (the Perak Umno Liaison chairperson later) is yet to be known," he said at a press conference after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting that lasted more than four hours, here tonight.
Abdullah, who is also Umno president, said he accepted Tajol Rosli's decision to resign to give an opportunity to a new leader to head the state Umno.
"We respect his wish and decision to retire. It is felt that it would be better that someone else leads the Perak Umno," he said.


Meanwhile Mohd Tajol Rosli, when met by reporters, said the decision was the best as he conceded that he did not have the necessary strength to win back the Perak state government for the BN.
"This is the best decision that I can make for Perak to wrest back the state government in the next general election," he said.
He said his desire to step down had been conveyed much earlier after the 12th general election but the party leadership had asked him to reconsider his decision.
"I had informed Datuk Seri Najib (about the decision) on 26 Jan. This time around, I informed the MT directly and they have agreed. I did not hold a state liaison meeting on the matter because I did not want the others to plead again," he said.


The meeting tonight also discussed the post-mortem report on the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary by-election on 17 Jan which would be scrutinised further by the Umno management committee.
In the by-election, BN candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Ismail lost to the PAS candidate, Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut, by a majority of 2,631 votes.
Meanwhile, Abdullah said all suggestions submitted at the party's retreat recently would be implemented immediately, especially matters pertaining to the party's election process in March.


"Everyone must also remind party members against the evil of money politics which must be avoided.
"The existing Disciplinary Board specifically focuses on cases pertaining to money politics and we must increase the number of personnel so that cases reported could be looked into, considered and a decision made as soon as possible," he added

How many deaths does it take?

Thursday, 29 January 2009 19:59

The death in police custody of Kugan Ananthan, a 22-year old who was arrested on suspicion of being part of a luxury car-theft racket has eroded the credibility of the police force among a significant section of the Malaysian people. Unless there emerges the political will to deal with the record of abuses in the police seriously and openly, this credibility is not about to be recovered soon, observes Farish Noor.

Commenting on the loss of credibility and legitimacy of the Burmese state security forces in the eyes of the Burmese people and the international community, the Burmese activist leader Aung San Su Kyi once said: “All they have left are their guns”.Indeed, if the possession of a badge is the only thing that differentiates a law enforcement officer from the ordinary public or the criminal fraternity, then it can be said that the line between law enforcement and the absence of law and order is a fine one.

It has become a truism worldwide that once that line is fatefully and fatally crossed, it would be next to impossible to redeem the reputation and standing of any law enforcement agency again. This was the case of the police in South Africa during the days of apartheid, whose job it was not to protect all South African citizens but rather to prop up the apartheid regime at the cost of the freedom of others. The same applies to the stained reputation of the security forces of many other developing countries, from Zimbabwe to Pakistan to Sri Lanka to the Philippines, whose job it seems is to protect the ruling parties and the political elite rather than to provide for the safety of the population at large.

Today Malaysia seems to be heading down the same path as more and more revelations of misdemeanours among the state security forces come to light. The most recent case being that of Kugan Ananthan, a 22-year old who was arrested by the Malaysian police on suspicion of being part of a luxury car-theft racket. Kugan was later found dead at the Subang Jaya police station, and the initial explanation for his death was ‘water in the lungs’.However the relatives of Kugan were able to get photographs of the young man’s body that showed signs of physical abuse and fresh wounds.

Once again the Malaysian police is in the limelight for the wrong reasons, and several police officers have been called to an inquiry.What is deeply troubling about the death of Kugan is the fact that there seems to be a pattern of young Malaysian men of Indian descent dying under police custody for some years now. Among the other notorious cases that have made the headlines are that of B Prabakar, who reported that he was not only beaten and kicked by policemen but also had boiling water thrown upon his body. Then there is the case of Sanjeev Kumar who alleged that he was not only forced to drink urine but was also sodomised with a broom. Deaths in custody have now become a regular occurrence, and other Malaysians of Indian ancestry like K Letchumanan and Uthaya Chandran were found dead in their cells.Coming at a time when race relations are at a low point in the country, the death of Kugan in police custody has presented the administration of Prime Minister Badawi with another problem.

With less than two months at the helm to go before his declared date of retirement, Prime Minister Badawi’s action over the Kugan case may well determine his fate and how he will be judged in the months and years to come.But the Malaysian government’s official position thus far has been to maintain that order must be maintained and that there should be no outpouring of support for Kugan.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Syed Hamid Albar has taken the line that Malaysians "should not regard criminals as heroes or the police as demons". Though in this case the controversy lies not in the arrest of Kugan, but what was done to him and the circumstances of his death.For politicians on the opposition benches, the case of Kugan’s death under police custody marks yet another dip in the reputation of the Malaysian government and its capacity to maintain law and order. For Parliamentarian Sivarasa Rasiah of the People’s Justice party (PKR), "Kugan’s shocking death by torture has unleashed an unprecedented level of outrage" among the Malaysian public, notably the Malaysian Indian community.

Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad of the Malaysian Islamic party (Pas) noted that "this must be the last case of police brutality and death in custody. Our civilised society can no longer stomach this". The final judgement, however, will fall on the performance of the Badawi administration during its last weeks in power, according to Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action party (DAP), for "Kugan’s death marks the abysmal and final failure of Abdullah (Badawi’s) reform programme – standing out as a tragic symbol of the pathetic end of his pledge for police and institutional reform".Just how the Badawi administration will handle the outpouring of grief, anger and frustration from the Malaysian public – and the Malaysian Indian minority community in particular – remains to be seen, but for the moment it can be concluded that the death of Kugan in police custody has once again driven a wedge among the communities in Malaysia and has emphasised the marginalised position and status of the Indian Malaysian minority especially.

With a weakened Badawi about to exit the stage of politics for good and hid deputy Najib Razak poised to take over control of a ruling Umno party in disarray in March, the ship of the Malaysian state is in choppy waters for certain. Coupled with the global economic downturn that will also contribute to further demands from the Malaysian public for state assistance and protection, whoever runs Malaysia will have to cater to a myriad of needs; all of which are equally urgent and all of which need to be satisfied now.But one thing is certain at this juncture at least:

Whatever the state of the Malaysian economy and government may be in the months to come, the state-apparatus will only work if it has credibility in the eyes of the Malaysian public. At the moment the institution of the Malaysian police force has lost credibility and standing among a significant section of the Malaysian people, and unless there emerges the political will to deal with the record of abuses in the police seriously and openly, this credibility is not about to be recovered soon.

By then, as Aung San Suu Kyi once said, "all they will have left are their guns".

Rule of law being compromised

Thursday, 29 January 2009 20:52

Unless we take notice of the spreading epidemic of lawlessness, rising vigilante crime, mob mentality and arbitrary punishment that comes in the wake of the undermining of the rule of law, Malaysia is in danger of becoming a police state, warns Angeline Loh.

The 23 December 2008 police torture of car park attendant, B Prabakar during interrogation at the Brickfields police district headquarters reported by Malaysiakini on 31 December 2008, is an incident all citizens should be warned of. B Prabakar was taken in for interrogation and remanded for five days. He was asked to identify certain photographs by the police.

For his failure to answer their questions, his body was scalded with boiling water, “ repeatedly beaten, kicked and stepped-on by at least 10 police personnel” apart from being verbally abused and threatened with death. (Malaysiakini, 31 Dec. 2008)Moreover, the police took B Prabakar to a private clinic to treat his injuries where a doctor treating him only communicated verbally with the police officer accompanying him. According to Prabakar, the doctor did not even ask his name while giving him treatment.

The police also withheld the medicine dispensed to him by the doctor. (Malaysiakini video) Despite S Manikavasagam, MP supporting his case and submitting a memorandum to IGP Musa Hassan, to be followed by a copy to Suhakam, there are no guarantees that any individual member of the general public will not at any time be faced with similar police brutality that may not be accounted for by the police or justified with concrete evidence. A similar instance is seen in Francis Udayappan’s death allegedly by drowning in the Klang River while escaping custody from the same police station.

G Sara Lily, Francis Udayappan’s mother still holds the police responsible for her son’s death and that the coroner’s decision that the police were not in any way responsible, should be overturned by the High Court. (Malaysiakini 20/6/08)As incidents of police brutality, unjust and unlawful arrest and detention increase in number with the cruel and inhuman ISA more flagrantly wielded by the Federal Government to suppress legitimate freedom of expression and assembly, the personal security of Malaysians as well as others in this country is compromised.
The continuance of this situation of blatant and open human rights abuse could ultimately turn into chaos and result in a complete breakdown of the rule of law and society in this country.

In an intensifying global economic downturn, the erosion of the rule of law, denial and violations of human rights, and suppression of democracy work to further destabilise already fragile social, economic and political structures in Malaysia.Not only has the Federal Government ‘thumbed its nose’ at the international community, tarnishing Malaysia’s image and bringing down the nation’s prestige globally, it apparently persists in ignoring the deepening urgency to deal with fundamental economic and human rights issues in the country.

If nothing is done and neither sense nor reason prevails the descent into the pit of totalitarian tyranny could result. Malaysia may become like Myanmar, making us a contributor to political instability in Asean and Southeast Asia.The region has been persistently plagued by such instability, yet Asean governments have been tardily slow in making democracy, justice and peace a priority. The out-dated principle of ‘non-interference’ continues to be common political currency amongst Asean governments. (Forum-Asia). Unless we take notice of the spreading epidemic of lawlessness, rising vigilante crime, mob mentality and arbitrary punishment that comes in the wake of the erosion of the rule of law and the consequent non-protection of human life and dignity, Malaysia is in danger of becoming a police state where brutality, arbitrary punishment and violation of the person will be permitted, rationalised and justified.

We urge Malaysian politicians of every political complexion, the judiciary, and the government of the day to seriously consider the current crisis faced by the people in this country, without deflecting or evading the issues using external comparisons of situations in other countries which are handled differently by other governments in dissimilar political and social environments. What is needed is concerted political will to take positive, definite and decisive action to stop corruption, lawlessness, denial of and violations of human rights.

We need to facilitate the reinstitution of the rule of law, justice and democracy.Malaysia should become a protector and promoter of peace in the region in keeping with its treaty obligations under the UN Charter and other international treaties it has ratified and become party to, in keeping with the Federal Government’s frequent boast that Malaysia is a model multi-ethnic and pluralist society. This boast should be made a reality for the people of Malaysia as well as serve as a shining example for international relations in the region and amongst the wider family of nations.

This article was written before the death of A Kugan.