3-0

Yup that is the score in Subashini. Started in the High Court then to the Court of Appeal and as we reached the end of 2007, the Federal Court gave the decision on a 2-1 majority even though it is now settled law that the convert husband should seek divorce in the Civil Courts so that the non Muslim wife can seek legal redress, however what is more problematic now is that the Husband can now convert his son without informing the mother. This Federal Court's decision is absurd and without any basis and must be condemned.

In order to set things right, the Malaysian Parliament must addressed and debate this issue of conversion of one parent converting a child against the will of another or it will continue to be unfair to the other party. Or a review by a full court of seven justices in deciding something that is so fundamental on religious conversion.

Blessed Christmas

A blessed Christmas to all and a happy new year.

The Politics of Biasness

The spat between UMNO Youth and Gerakan*... my personal observation is simply that of political biasness by UMNO. UMNO as all Malaysians know is ARROGANT and proud. This is evidenced of the recent remarks made by their Senior Vice President Ali Gostan who arrogantly declared that UMNO can run the country without help from anybody and that PPP can just pack it's bag and leave the Barisan coalition.

Such statements is definitely uncalled for and should be rejected by UMNO whether he is the most powerful Vice President in the most powerful party in Malaysia. He must be disciplined regardless of his position. This in my opinion is nothing short of biasness.

As such Gerakan should be commended to reject UMNO Youth Chief statement. However Tsu Koon, should further demand that Hisham to apologise Gerakan and not just disciplined S. Paranjothy for a statement he made that is nevertheless REAL that the Indian community is a marginalised community in Malaysia.

My opinion is that NOBODY will simply go to the street and voice their dissatisfaction unless they do not have a choice. There are no avenue for them to voice as nobody is listening to their cry as such the streets are their only choice. NOBODY in their right mind wants to be arrested or stand in the front of the FRU trucks UNLESS there is no other way to go about it. Perhaps the government should wear their shoes and see the things they see instead of shutting them up and sweep it under the carpet and say we are all OK.

------

*UMNO Youth Chief threatens to sever ties with GERAKAN provided the latter gave an explanation on its Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy's recent remarked about UMNO side lining the Indian community.

Can We Get TOGETHER

So we expect to be bullied by all those in power and the rich. What is happening to Malaysia? Can't we voice our dissatisfaction and unhappiness over what had happened to us? It is certainly outrageous to note that we can't go out to show our dissatisfaction and express it since the constitution allow us to do so....

I am more perplexed and surprise that since when gathering together to show our dissatisfaction whether to claim for more wages or to to demand for a clean election is a threat to national security that warrant the ISA.

I think in Malaysia anything and everything is a threat to National Security including picketing.

------ below from the Star

Cancel illegal gathering, say city police

KUALA LUMPUR: Those taking part in today's illegal gathering to protest the Internal Security Act (ISA) should follow the example of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and call it off, say police.

The gathering organised by several NGOs is expected to begin at 8pm at Dataran Merdeka.

City deputy police chief SAC I Patrick Jiges Sijore said NUBE had called off its second nationwide picket last week after being advised by the police.

“They held a national picket in front of Menara Maybank in Jalan Pudu early last month but cancelled their plans to hold a second national picket after we spoke to them.

“They agreed to co-operate in the interest of national security. This is an excellent example that others should follow,” SAC I Patrick said.

More than 10,000 NUBE members gathered in front of Menara Maybank early last month to show their disappointment over the deadlock in their collective agreement dispute.

SAC I Patrick said that even though police have not obtained a court order, the gathering was illegal and police would make arrests if necessary.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said the demonstrators should already know that the gathering was illegal and that they should not go against the law.

“It is the police’s job to ensure peace and order in the country at any time,” he said.

Police are expected to close a few roads tomorrow, including Jalan Raja, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Kinabalu, Lebuh Pasar Besar, Jalan Medan Pasar, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Sultan Ismail, and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Ikut Suka Hati AG

Either it's "ikut suka hati" or "cin cai"... depending on how you interpret the judgement of the Attorney General (AG) when he withdrew the charges against the 31 Hindraf supporters for attempted murder. Why charge them in the first place?

After putting them in the lock up for more than 14 days, he suddenly had a change of heart to withdraw the charge against them. Though I welcome his sudden change of heart but still I call it MALICIOUS INTENTION by the AG in charging them initially. He should known better the difficulty in establishing the elements of attempted murder under the Penal Code. More so he has to prove beyond reasonable doubt. I bet you all first year law students would understand the difficulty in establishing the element of such crime.

So what can I say except a "cin cai" or tak apa attitude by the highest ranking legal officer of the government. Such a pathetic threats against Malaysians by those in powers. What an abuse of power...

Support Me and I will not Disappoint you....

I have taken this part from the Star. This is what our PM says....

"PETALING JAYA: Support me and I will not disappoint you, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi."

Yes, the election is nearing. This is the time everybody will promise the moon and the stars and everything under the sun. So much so, that the garmen got to send somebody to the moon so as to claim it.

I must say that this phrase will continue to be paraded up to the coming election.

Way to go Karpal

... may the force be with you, Karpal. Lead the rebellion to show our disgust to the Empire. May you have the strength to take on Darth Lah and policetroopers...

NO TO ISA

----
Writ of habeas corpus filed for Manoharan

IPOH: A writ of habeas corpus for the release of lawyer M. Manoharan from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been filed.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, who is acting as lawyer for the detainee, said the application was filed at 4.30pm at the High Court here Friday.

The High Court here fixed next Wednesday to mention the case, in which the Internal Security Minister and head of the Kamunting detention camp have been named as respondents.

Karpal Singh said the two-year detention order issued by the Internal Security Ministry was unconstitutional and invalid.

He said the detention order was not done in accordance with Section 73 of the ISA, which requires police investigations and recommendations to be given to the Internal Security Minister within a period of 60 days before a detention order is issued.

During the 60-day period, he said, a detainee would be allowed to put up his defence before the Minister made a decision on the detention order.

Manoharan, who was detained at 2pm on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, is already put under a two-year detention order, which was handed to his wife V.N.S Pushpaneela when she visited Manoharan at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping Friday morning.

“For the first time in the legal history of the ISA in Malaysia, a two-year detention order has been issued against a detainee without the initial 60-day period,” said Karpal Singh.

“The order made by the Minister is defective,” he added.

Manoharan and V. Ganabatirau, who are DAP members, are among five who were detained under the ISA on Thursday.

The other three are lawyers P. Uthayakumar and R. Kenghadharan, and Hindraf coordinator T. Vasanthakumar.

Earlier at 10.30am yesterday outside the gates of the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Karpal Singh was denied entry to visit the detainees as their lawyer.

Ikut Suka Abdullah (Badawi)

YES, the draconian ISA is now used to curb what the government see as a threat to national security. The way I see it, is none other than the threat to the government and not it's people or the country. The PM should be ashamed. Let us rally each other and say NO TO BN in the coming general election.

---

Five Hindraf leaders detained under ISA (updated)

PETALING JAYA: Police said they have detained all five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) under Section 8 (1) of the Internal Security Act.

The five are P. Uthayakumar, M. Manoharan, R. Kenghadharan, V. Ganabatirau and T. Vasanthakumar. They were picked up at various locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Seremban.

They will be detained for two years, Inspector-General Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said in a statement.

On Wedensday Uthayakumar was released on police bail after having been arrested on Tuesday for a second sedition charge.

He was among three Hindraf leaders who were charged at the Klang Sessions Court on Nov 23 for allegedly making speeches to incite hatred at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai, Selangor, on Nov 16.

Is the Police just merely doing the Job?

I beg to differ the views by Menteri Cuci Tandas Parliament in the Sun today (Cop just doing their job : Nazri). Nazri says that the police were just doing their job and defended the police presence and action on the grounds of Parliament, including the roads leading to Parliament. He also says that it is the responsibility of the police in upholding the law and were executing it in professionally.

This is utterly bull shit and disregarding the sanctity of Parliament being the august house of the highest law making body in the country. I simply don't understand the rationale of Nazri that the demonstrators pose a threat to national security. What national security is Nazri or the government so afraid? What is the government trying to hide from members of the public? A denial syndrome? What happen to parliament liken to a rape of it's sovereignty.

Parliament is a place where hope of the people are placed. Parliament is a place where polices and laws are debated and minorities are protected. It is a place where democracy is seen to be practised. Parliament is to serve the people and not be served. It reflects accountability, integrity and responsibility to the people. AS SUCH LET THE RAKYAT VOICE BE HEARD...

Royal Commission established....

I have cut-paste from Malaysiakini on the report on the Royal Commission. The much awaited news, which is supposed to be a ray of hope, was dashed by the appointment of Haidar as Chairman and the limited terms of reference. Am I surprise? I must say I expected it as this is a norm of our government propaganda of a denial syndrome. Reference only on LINGAMGATE with only a limited terms of reference and touch NOTHING on the much battered Judiciary. What a news? What a breakthrough or rather is there one? Sighhhhh

Again, a black eye on the judiciary...

----Malaysiakini reports

A five-member royal commission headed by former Chief Judge of Malaya Haidar Mohamed Noor has been announced today by the government to look into the Lingam tape.

Other members of the commission are former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Steven Shim, former Court of Appeal judge Mahadev Shankar, former Solicitor General Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and academic Khoo Kay Kim.

Prime Minister Deparment's Legal Affairs Division head Abdullah Sani Hamid will act as the commission secretary Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the formation of this commission in a statement today.

Terms of reference

The following are the commission’s terms of reference:

1) to enquire and ascertain the authenticity of the video clip

2) to enquire and identify the speaker, the person he was speaking to in the video clip and the persons mentioned in the conversation

3) to enquire and ascertain the truth or otherwise of the content of the conversation in the video clip

4) to determine whether any act of misbehaviour has been committed by person or persons identified or mentioned in the video clip

5) to recommend any appropriate course of action to be taken against the person or persons identified or mentioned in the video clip, should such person or persons be found to have committed any misbehaviour.

Intimidation by Police and Government

The recent arrests of members of the NGOs and Opposition leaders are uncalled for and unreasonable act of the police and government. It is definitely an intimidating act by the powers that be. It is indeed an act of desperation by the government and the police. I don't understand what wrong did they commit?

Is it wrong to give memorandums? Is it so wrong to show our dissatisfaction against the government? Can Malaysians in general raise their voice against the government? Why can we? Isn't it not that Malaysia is a democratic country that subscribed to the spirit of democracy? Too many questions and unfortunately are not answered by the government

Blackest day for Parliament in 50 years - Kit

by Lim Kit Siang, Parliamentary Opposition leader

This is the blackest day for Parliament in 50 years.

In utter contempt of the sanctity of Parliament and the honour and dignity of Members of Parliament, the police arrested over 20 people in the parliamentary precincts.

Among those arrested were PAS leaders Mustapha Ali and Dr. Hatta Ramli, Parti Keadilan Rakyat secretary-general Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Information chief Tian Chua, Parti Sosialis Malaysia protem chairman Dr. Nasir Hashim as well as activists from the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) including Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng, Centre for Independent Journalism executive director V Gayathry, Pusat Komas programme director Mien Lor, Writers Alliance for Media Independence chairperson Wong Chin Huat, PAS Research Centre director Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad and Harakah advertising manager Mokhtar Rosaidi.

I was eye-witness to the police arrest of Mustapha, Yap Swee Seng, Wong Chin Huat and Gayathry within the precincts of Parliament. In fact, I was accompanying Yap, Wong and Gayathry out of Parliament when the police abused its powers to effect the arrest within parliamentary precincts during lunch-break.

I protested strongly against such a most shameful episode in the annals of Malaysian history in 50 years when Dewan Rakyat resumed sitting after lunch recess, proposing a privilege motion to direct the Police to release all arrested within parliamentary precincts - as the police arrests should have been made outside Parliament. However, there was no support whatsoever from any Barisan Nasional MP or Minister.

Nine DAP MPs and one PAS MP also met the Speaker, Tan Sri Ramli Ngah to lodge the strongest possible protest and he said he would seek clarification from the Inspector-of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

The blackest day for Parliament in 50 years after the Black Sunday of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his fifth year as fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Malaysian style mafia

This is what happen to Edmund.....gangster, mafia-type. What is the rationale for all the bullying tactic of desperate intimidation and abuse of power.

The charge against Edmund should drop and action of abuse of powers should be directed against DBKL.

Again on Ali Gostan

Sometimes I don't understand the mentality of UMNO senior vice president, Ali Gostan. Revoking a citizenship of a person is not an answer. So as a call for the use of the infamous ISA (detention without trial) for the lawyers that marched on Sunday morning, and worst still for Edmund Bon who merely explaining to DBKL officers who could never understand an explanation.

The lawyers and Bon, did not any time breached any laws that warrant an expulsion/revocation of their citizenship or a detention without trial under the ISA. They are not and never a threat to national security. It was a walk of peace and an explanation. As such this is something I don't understand the arbitrary powers of the authorities. There were no force used by the lawyers and Bon. What they did was to celebrate human rights in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day on Monday.

As such, Ali Gostan statement in Bernama is deplorable, unacceptable and SHOCKING showing a lack of understanding on the constitution, laws, accountability, integrity and transparency, responsible government and simply...MALAYSIAN

What wrong Bon committed?????

Edmund before the arrest

Bon explaining to DBKL officers

Bon Arrested

So if Khairy and UMNO can, why can't the Bar?
Double standard?????? OF COURSE, without a doubt.
Why don't arrest him too since there is no limitation period for a criminal wrong

What wrong did Edmund committed?

Something is so wrong with the authorities. Something is so wrong with DBKL and the POLICE. Between Khairy and Bon, Khairy did a CRIMINAL ACT whereas Bon did nothing WRONG....

I urged the authorities to arrest Khairy for illegal demonstration....

*All pics from Bar Council's website

It's confirmed MALAYSIA is a POLICE STATE

I'm utterly disgusted and embarrassed by the unilateral and arbitrary abuse of police power in arresting my friend, Mr Edmund Bon, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Bar Council. He was arrested in a mafia-style Hollywood type by the police. I, together with all right minded Malaysian, am ashamed of this abuse of police powers. It was a total disregard of the constitutions, and any laws of this country. What Bon did was explaining to DBKL officers that the banners were in private property and subsequently a senior police personnel arrested him. This is definitely a coward act by the powers that be.

As a concerned citizen, right minded Malaysian and a fellow member of the Bar, I call upon the immediate release of E. Bon and all members that were arrested together.

I now call upon the resignation of the Inspector General of Police for his failure to uphold the constitution and protecting the innocence.

I further call the resignation of the the Internal Security Minister and the Home Affair Minister for their failure to uphold the constitution and carry out the duties of their high offices.

Enough is enough

Hindraf = Terrorist?

“As we know, the LTTE has been declared a terrorist group by the United Nations and the United States...." per Nazri the 'damn-smart-he-thinks' so-called minister of law. Or rather minister without portfolio. What a damn position. Some says that he is a minister of parliament's table and chair. ToiletLAH.....

So he says that. Suddenly we follow the US which our garmen had in almost every occasion condemned. Now our garmen declare them as a terrorist group just because Hindraf hantam the garmen. Sometimes I just don't understand the definition of 'terrorist'. Does Hindraf asking their members to take arms against the government? As far as I know and have read, I don't think Mr. Utayakumar is damn stupid to take arms against the government. I know sometimes that he can be a pain in the toot and emotional or maybe passionate with the things he does BUT to be part of a terrorist link, that is so absurd.

I seriously taktau how Tan Sri Musa (IGP) got his information from. Maybe just acah acah, diverting the very intention of Hindraf and wanting to let the whole country to be mad with Hindraf

Jeff Ooi kena Questioned pulak

This is something I don't understand with our police and garmen. Instead of fighting crime and all, the police have no other better things to do but to tangkap and to soal Jeff. I simply don't understand the rationale of our Royal Malaysian Police. Our crime rates are up and instead of protecting society, our Malaysian police is playing dirty politics.

Jeff, be strong. You are not alone in this war.

I can't wait......

Oh dear I can't wait. The suspense is killing me. Hearing the news that the names for the Royal Commission for the VK saga has already being submitted to the Agong...... I am so impatient. I want to know the names..... I want to know who........... and who sits where... I want to know the terms of references....OH GOD I CAN'T WAIT

Hindraf....AG prosecuting

I was in Shah Alam High Court on Thursday morning for a case (nope, me not involved in Hindraf's case). While waiting for my case to be called, I heard loud cries downstairs (btw I'm at the 7th floor) by members of the families of the NOW-detained 31 so-called Hindraf's supporters. YES, their bail application were all denied by the Session Court judge. Meaning they would have to wait until trial and that is fixed in January 08. How long more after that, I don't know.

That aside. I am more perplexed with the overzealous prosecution by the Attorney General himself. I know that Article 145(3) confers upon the AG the power to institute proceedings. But never have I expected that he himself would do the prosecution in the Session Courts. I am sure the judge sitting on the bench would be very uneasy that her boss is prosecuting.

I am more shocked to learn that all 31 men were charged under attempted murder and not for illegal assembly. I must cautioned the AG that though he is so over zealously behaving like a little Napoleon, the law of evidence clearly states that the burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt every element stated in the charge. For him to frame such a charge (attempted murder), I now doubt the AG's office motive and direction for prosecuting all 31 people on the same type of offence. Suddenly I was reminded by the notorious decision of Sim Kie Chon who was sentenced to die under the ISA even though there were no evidence to suggest that he was a threat to national security. Why can't he be charged under the Arms Act or under the Fire Arms (Increase Penalty) Act?

Just like Mahatir.....

KNN...this is too much

URGENT.....

Ketua Umno Putrajaya bagi maklumat untuk semua malam tadi, polis menjumpai 1 kontena senjata di batu caves. Hari ahad ni mungkin akan berlaku rusuhan atau darurat di KL. BERHATI-HATI, dan sebarkan pada saudara-mara’ Hak melayu islam malaysia dipertikai oleh HINDRAF> (The Hindu Rights Action Force). Kaum Hindu akan mengadakan rusuhan pada AHAD> 16/12/2007 930pagi berkumpul di Kg Bharu. Sebarkan berita ini kepada bangsa melayu yang lain> tak kira UMNO,PAS dan KEADILAN.> Apa-apa kene standby..TANAH KITA HAK KITA...

THIS IS TOOOOOOOO MUCH.... hello Mr. Policeman and Mr. Minister of Law (De facto) ini sudah jadi seditious...boleh investigate ini tak?????? URGENT

Not all BN people are IDIOTS

This is somebody I respected. The same for Dato' Shahrir Samad and Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon. Here is Zaid's piece....

©The Sun (Used by permission)
by Giam Say Khoon

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5, 2007): The government should manage demonstrations properly and not use force, as this will not help to solve the real problems at hand, said Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

Zaid, the Barisan Nasional member of Parliament for Kota Baru, said he expected ethnic and religious issues to be among the serious issues to be discussed in the next general election.

He said that among them would be the issues raised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25.

He said this in his talk on the issues to be expected in the next polls, presented in the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting today.

Zaid observed that peaceful demonstrations were part of the democratic process.

"It is actually a small thing to me and I wish that after 50 years of independence, we will be able to manage this thing quite easily. To demonstrate and protest in a peaceful way is part and parcel of a democratic country," he said.

He added that the police could have told the people which road to take and how the organiser should control and limit the crowd so that the demonstration can be properly managed.

"But our response has always been 'No', even the Bar Council has abandoned the walk to celebrate International Human Rights Day (Monday, Dec 10).

"I was part of the walk last year and the year before. It was just a walk. We were just walking around the Lake Garden and it was good exercise," he said.

Zaid also said sensitive issues such as the demolition of temples must be handled with care, and overlooking that would risk provoking extreme reactions from the people who were affected by it.

He said "using force and power", the Internal Security Act or revoking the protesters’ citizenship would not help the situation or address the real issues faced by the people.

"We have to remember that we are a multi-cultural and multi-racial country and if we, all the time, see it as a Malay, Chinese or Indian issue, we are not going to see the real problem.

"Somebody said the Malays are worse than the Indians as only 2.9% of the Indians are poor, compared with 8% of the Malays who are poor. It is not going to help to say who has the problems. So why are we are still responding to the issues in such a negative way, why do we need to remind ourselves and start comparing ourselves as Chinese, Indians and Malays?" he asked.

"Let's not talk about race and religion. Let's just see things as what they are, economic issues and the sensitivity of the people."

Zaid said the nation needed a people-oriented government, which he described as one which would listen to even the most ridiculous demand from the people.

"Some even said we need new faces in the cabinet and I think so too," he added.

He said he was often asked why he joined the BN, and his reply was that the BN concept to get all the people together was a wonderful concept although it was not easy to achieve.

"You have a wonderful model and you just need to think, to adjust and change from within. So I criticise the BN because I want it to become better," he said, adding that the BN should be driven more as a coalition and not by one party or Umno.

Leap Frogging in the Federal Court

Y.A.A. Tan Sri Dato’ Zaki Bin Tun Azmi has being appointed as President of the Court of Appeal. What a far difference. His predecessor, the late Tan Sri Abdul Malek Ahmad has always being a man of integrity and honesty. Wrote excellent judgements even when he was a judge in the High Court. Cases like Mohd Ezam Md Nor & Ors v Ketua Polis Negara, Mohd Amin v PP, Anwar's sodomy trial and others. Truly a man whom I know tested in his views on justice.

Now what about Zaki? That, I am not so certain..... I have my deep reservation due to his UMNO connection. Prior becoming a judge of the federal court*, he was not just an UMNO member but he holds many important UMNO position as well as an UMNO lawyer. His appointment, I must say is tainted with much suspicion and I believe people of all walk of life will question his appointment and that includes old ah mah and ah pek in the streets whilst buying vegetables in the wet market.

The position of the President of the Court of Appeal is the second most senior position within the judiciary. It is therefore very surprising to see a junior federal court judge to be in the position of the second most senior position in the judiciary. This appointment is definitely out of the ordinary and I must say unprecedented. Congratulations?? Maybe I should just wait and see... to see justice prevailed. Be that as it may, let me congratulate Y.A.A. Dato’ Abdul Hamid Bin Hj Mohamad on his appointment as Chief Justice of Malaysia. AND it is my hope that Y.A.A will do his very best to see that the dignity of the judiciary is restored...

*a leap frog to the Federal Court without being appointed in the judiciary.

Press Statement from KIT on MISSION SCHOOL

EXTREMIST DEMANDS FOR REMOVAL OF CROSS AND DEMOLITION OF CHRISTIAN STATUTES IN MISSION SCHOOL

There is growing intolerance and increasing extremism in Malaysia which are inimical to successful nation building and the latest instance is the demand for the removal of the Christian cross and the demolition of Christian statues in mission schools.

I raised this issue in Parliament this morning during the winding-up of the Education Ministry in the 2008 Budget committee stage debate by the Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Noh Omar and expressed my concern why the Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had not said anything to dissociate the government from such extremist demands.

During the policy debate on the 2008 Budget on Oct. 29, 2007 the Barisan Nasional Member of Parliament for Parit Sulong, Syed Hood bin Syed Edros, supported by the BN MP for Sri Gading, Datuk Haji Mohamad bin Haji Aziz called for the removal of the Christian cross and the demolition of Christian statues in the mission schools.

The loyalty of mission schools was questioned, with the baseless allegation that they refuse to observe Aidilfitri public holiday and close the schools. There was even the preposterous accusation that the mission schools were administered by churches outside the country, including the Vatican.

I asked Noh Omar whether he is aware that the extremist demands by the two BN MPs have created a furore, particularly on the Internet, and why the Education Ministry was condoning such extremism by its silence when such statement should be denounced without equivocation.

I also reminded the Deputy Education Minister that it is wrong and mischievous to assume that Muslims studying in mission schools are potential apostates, when mission schools had made great contributions in nation-building and produced many Malay leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the Education Minister himself, the Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrain Shah and the Sultan of Selangor who had been products of mission schools.

There was no satisfactory reply from Noh Omar.

Pegang Kuda Kau........

Literal translation to mean HOLD YOUR HORSES, Mr. Uthayakumar... Reading this letter (below) makes me wanna puke. Mr. Uthayakumar must prove all allegations in the said letter. If he can't prove any of it, then he must not only apologise to the Malaysian government but also to all Malaysians. This is really embarrassing. I just felt that what Mr. U did was embarrassing. However having said that, the Malaysian government too must do much to see to the Indian community's plight and difficulty.

(The said letter)

HINDRAF
Hindu Rights Action Force
No. XXX, Jalan YYY,
Kemayan Square,
70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Malaysia. Tel : 06-XXX
Fax: 06-XXX Emai XXXX

15.11.2007
The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown
Prime Minister of the United Kindom
10 Downing Street, Fax: +442079250918
London, URGENT
SW1A 2AA

Dear Sirs,

RE: 1. COMMONWEALTH ETHNIC INDIAN PEACE LOVING SUBJECTS IN MALAYSIA PERSECUTED BY GOVERNMENT BACKED ISLAMIC EXTREMIST VIOLENT ARMED TERRORIST WHO LAUNCHED A PRE DAWN VIOLENT ARMED ATTACK AND DESTROYED THE KG JAWA MARIAMAN HINDU TEMPLE AT 4.00 A.M THIS MORNING (15.11.2007).

2. APPEAL FOR U.K TO MOVE EMERGENCY U.N RESOLUTION CONDEMNING “ETHNIC CLEANSING” IN MALAYSIA.

3. APPEAL TO REFER MALAYSIA TO THE WORLD COURT AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT FOR CRIMES AGAINST IT’S OWN ETHNIC MINORITY INDIANS.

We refer to the above critical matters in Malaysia but which generally gets the least attention locally even by the Opposition parties, NGO’s, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission and the media for this community is generally regarded as politically insignificant, do not draw local or international funding and are deemed not pressworthy. To the contrary the Malaysian government has successfully projected itself to the world as a modern Islamic thinking country which is not true.

The ethnic minority Indians in Malaysia were brought in to Malaysia by the British some 200 over years ago. Since independence in 1957 the Malaysian Indians have been permanently colonialised by the Islamic fundamentalist and Malay chauvinists UMNO led Malaysian government.

Among the recent atrocities committed by this government are as follows:-

1.100 over Indians were slashed and killed by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government in the Kampung Medan mini genocide. Despite numerous appeals, the Malaysian Human Rights Commission has refused to hold a Public Inquiry. The UMNO controlled Malaysian courts struck off a victim’s public interest civil suit for a Public Inquiry to be held without even the said UMNO controlled government having to file in their defence. The UMNO controlled Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police refused to investigate and / or initiate an inquest into the death of at least six Indians in this tragedy despite.

2. Every week one person at average is killed in a shot to kill policy and in every 2 weeks one person is killed in police custody. About 60% of these victims are Indians though they form only 8% of the Malaysian population.

3. In every three weeks one Hindu temple is demolished in Malaysia.

The latest being the demolishment of the Mariaman temple in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam, Selangor early this morning (15.11.2007) and the next being the (Mutaiya) Hindu temple in Sungai Petani scheduled for the 29.11.2007.

A violent armed pre down attack at 4.00a.m this morning was launched by the UMNO controlled Malaysian government backed by about 600 police, riot police, Islamic extremist and armed terrorists which completely destroyed this temple.

In an attack two weeks ago, uniformed police, riot police and city Council officers hurled rocks and attacked unarmed Hindu devotees with knives, sticks and iron rods.

At least 20 Hindu devotees were seriously injured and 19 arrested including 4 of their United Kingdom trained lawyers in direct violation of Article 5 (Right to life) Article 8 (Equality) Article 11 (Freedom of Religion) Section 295 (defiling a place of worship), Section 296 (disturbing a religious assembly), 298A(causing racial disharmony) and Section 441(criminal trespass) of the Malaysian Penal Code.

These authorities are plagued by an above the law mindset and in fact liberally take the law into their own hands. These atrocities however does not happen to almost all Islamic places of worship. Please visit www.policewatchmalaysia.com for further and better particulars.

4. State sponsored direct discrimination against the Indians in Public University intakes, Indian (Tamil) Schools, skills training institutes, civil service and private sector job opportunities, business and license opportunities and in almost all other aspects of daily life.

Despite our hundreds of letters, appeals and pleas to the Malaysian King and Sultans, the Prime Minister, Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Ministers, Chief Ministers and the latest being our letters to the Prime Minister dated 29.10.2007 and 30.10.2007 and to the Attorney General dated 1.11.2007 the Malaysian authorities are only proceeding with greater ferocity and with impunity with very little regard for the Federal Constitution and laws of Malaysia. So please help us.

CONCLUSION

We fear that this peace loving Indian community of Tamil origin having been pushed to the corner and the persecution getting worse by the day may be forced to into terrorism in a matter of time as what has happened to the Sri Lankan Tamils.

APPEAL

On our part we are committed to a peaceful and lawful struggle and pray and appeal that the Government of the United Kingdom:-

1. Moves an emergency United Nations resolution condemning these state sponsored atrocities and persecutions of Malaysian Indians in Malaysia.

2. Refers Malaysia to the World Court and the International Criminal Court for Crimes against it’s own ethnic minority Indians

Thank You,

Yours Faithfully

P.Uthayakumar
Legal Adviser

ABIM call HINDRAF to be CALM

"The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) urges Malaysians of all races and religions to remain calm following street protests by a group Indian Malaysians led by Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) on Sunday (last Sunday)".

Haha-Haha. I can't stop laughing. AND I still remember when the country is rocked by the Lina Joy saga when it is ABIM and PEMBELA that was never seen to be calmed. Pot calling the kettle black.....maybe?

SPR playing Dungu.....

I read this with anger in kickdefella's blog about our electoral register. Unfortunately all this allegation was brush off without any investigation by the appropriate authorities including the Election Commission. What is more unfortunate and irresponsible, the statement made by the Commission Chief, Tan Sri Abdul Rashid who said, “Do your own post mortem and stop making the EC the scapegoat for your own shortcomings."

Looking at the electoral register from kickdefella's blog, it is definitely QUESTIONABLE. AND the EC should come up to explain the so-called illegality.

That is why BERSIH (a coalition of NGOs and Opposition parties seeking for a fair and clean election) marched to the street on one Saturday wearing yellow requesting the YDP Agong to intervene as the electoral roll is tainted with illegality

The Malaysian Leaders Mentality

It is disheartening to note that our leaders are not behaving like matured men. Being a leader of a multiracial and religious country is never easy but on the same note should continue to listen to the complaints and grouses of the people. There is no short cut to hard work and that means if you have to work the ground.

As such when our leaders uttered words of despair such as the use of ISA and revoking of citizenship (by Ali Gostan), it does not reflect good on the present administration. I feel that the current leaders should go one step further to probe and probably meet the leaders in Hindraf. Anyway that is what they want.... so hear from them and note their request. There must be a meeting of the mind, instead of cutting the line of communication.

Pak Lah, should continue to hear them and not hearing from only one source i.e. MIC. It is quite certain that members and the leadership of Hindraf refusing to even establishing a communication line with MIC. They felt that they have been cheated by MIC one way or another. Thus it is time for the PM personally to go down to the ground and to work harder and listen to their demand. As I believe there are always ways to deal with it without the need to pressed the alarm.

-------

©The Star (Used by permission)

MALACCA: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has rebuked Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders for their “outrageous actions” and urged the Government to revoke their citizenship.

He said Hindraf’s claim that the country was involved in ethnic cleansing was slanderous and very serious.

“There is no such thing. They should be in jail for saying that,” he said at the launch of the Federation of Malay Economic Bodies (Gabem) southern region and Federal Territory here yesterday.

Mohd Ali said he would fully support it if the Internal Security Act was used against those who organised the illegal Hindraf gathering.

“They are going to send their memorandum to India, Britain and even the United Nations. These people are betraying their own country,” he added.

Who says that the DAP cannot run the garmen...

The BN government had always ridiculed and criticised the Opposition for not having the experience to run the country. Well it may be true as the Opposition in the last 50 years were never given the chance to run the government be that in the state or federal except for PAS in Kelantan and Terengganu. The DAP went quite close in 1986 and 1990 in Penang. However I'm a bit to sceptical about our current electoral mechanism as the Opposition do have quite a strong popular vote compared to the BN component parties. Hopefully the Opposition this time led by the DAP will be a force to be reckoned with in this coming election.

Anyway, I'm glad to have looked at the first DAP budget presented two days to the public before BN's budget presented in Parliament. It came with a 52 pages (you can download here), well researched and informative budget written by Tony Pua, Economic Advisor to the Secretary General.

The goal and objective of the budget is set out in page 15, which emphasizes on the need:
1. To Build New Capacities & Capabilities for the Future;
2. To Strengthen our Social Security System;
3. To Improve Productivity & Competitiveness of Existing Delivery System

This are all important to meet the trend of globalisation so that we will be ready to accept the challenge face by all Malaysian. We cannot be totally reliance on the NEP which we all know creates wealth ONLY to a certain group of people. There must be a call for change of a new agenda for all Malaysians.

I must applaud the DAP Budget for allocating research and development for public universities so as to build a first and world class institution of higher learning. The present government unfortunately fail to see the importance in creating a competitive environment. I don't understand why is there a need to build more university comparing with the strengthening the quality our existing universities by expanding the intake of the current university concern.

Another interesting point made for catching up with globalisation, the budget also focus on the need for liberalisation of the financial services progressively but decisively, so that this sector would be vibrant and dynamic global financial hub in East Asia so as to compete the likes of Singapore and Hong Kong.

In strengthening investor's confidence, the budget also spelt the need for an independent judiciary. As such there is a clear call for reforms in the judicial system to ensure that foreign investors will have the necessary confidence in not just justice meted out but also the speed and efficiency at which disputes can be resolved. There are thousands of cases in backlog, and often it takes more than five years before commercial disputes are even brought to court for trial at the High Courts.

The budget reinforce that the Government do more to attract more experience legal practitioners as well as legal-mind industry players into the judicial profession to resolve the twin problems facing the Courts, a shortage of judges as well as a lack of professionals to manage
the mounting backlog of cases. Having said that salary and remuneration for judicial officers are to be reviewed to match their peers in the private sector. In addition, experienced professionals which are recruited into judicial service shall be remuneration at the same or near their last drawn wages.

The budget also justified that whilst this may involve substantial cost for the Government, its returns via a more professional, enlightened and efficient legal system will be immeasurable from both an economic and social perspective. This in short will enhance credibility and confidence to the system thus would invite more foreign investment into the country.

There are many and I hope I am able to compile and give a little opinion on DAP new budget... who says we can't run the government......

Malaysian Minister of Information talking CRAP

Al Jazeera: Here is now joining us on the phone is Malaysia’Information Minister Zainudin Maidin. There were very violent scenes we saw earlier today. How can you justify your strength of response to peaceful protests?

Zainuddin Maidin: That is your interpretation of violence is not violence. Your man, your journalist trying to project, exaggerate more than what actually happened; that’s it. We are laughing; congratulate your journalist behaving like an actor, very good actor.

Al Jazeera:: As you are saying that so, we are watching scenes of protesters (Interrupting: Yeah, I am watching, I hear) being sprayed with Chemical filled water?
Zainuddin Maidin : It is not as what you have been trying to do this, to do it everywhere but in Malaysia people are laugh you, We know our Police at last have allowed the procession to go to Istana Negara, you know. Do Police, First Police might be handled them with tear gas. Police don’t, don’t fire anybody.

Al Jazeera: Our correspondent came back to our office with chemicals in his eyes
Zainuddin Maidin : This is the way, your idea is that what you are trying to project what is your mind, you think we Pakistan, we are Burma, we are Myanmar. Your thinking

Al Jazeera: Well unfortunately when you refused to let people to protest, it does appear so
Zainuddin Maidin: That is why we are not like you. That is why you have early perception. You come here and you want to project us as like undemocratic country. This is a democratic country.

Al Jazeera: So why can’t people protest then if it is a democratic country?
Zainuddin Maidin: People protest. First they protest. We are allowing protest and they have demonstrated. But when we try to disperse them, and then later they don’t disperse, later our Police compromise. They have compromised and allowed them to go to Istana Negara. Police, our Police have succeeded in handling them gently, right? Why don’t you report that and you take the opposition, someone from the opposition party, you asked him to speak; you don’t take from the Government, right

Al Jazeera: Why did you not break up these protesters more peacefully?
Zainuddin Maidin: Pardon, pardon

Al Jazeera: Why did you not break up these protests more peacefully?
Zainuddin Maidin: I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.

Al Jazeera: Why did you not break up these protests more peacefully?
Zainuddin Maidin: No, we are, first this is illegal. We don’t want, normally this demonstration..

Al Jazeera:: OK, let me return to my former question: why is the protest illegal?
Zainuddin Maidin: Yeah it is illegal. First is because (Why?) we have the election in Malaysia. No point of having a protest. We are allowing, we have an election every five years, never fail. We are not like Myanmar, not like other country. And you are helping these. You at Al Jazerra also is helping these, these forces. You know these forces who are not in fashion, who don’t believe in democracy

Al Jazeera: Many thanks for joining us.
Zainuddin Maidin: Yes that is Al Jazeera Attitude, right

(transcript taken from Norman Fernandaz, Deputy Chairman of DAP Johor)