My CONTACT :

Damian S. L. Yeo & L. C. Goh (DSLY)
No. 2007, Lorong Sidang Omar, off Jalan Penghulu Abbas, Bukit Baru, Hang Tuah Jaya, 75100 Melaka

Tel : 06-2347011
& 06-2347012
Fax: 06-2347022

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Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Utusan Stupid Reporting

Bodoh tetap bodoh.

That is none other than stupid and idiotic reporting by UTUSAN, the UMNO bodoh punya surat khabar. Licked a** paper of the Barisan Nasional. I hope UTUSAN is reading this. Oops maybe they fail to understand England punya language, maybe should just translate it.

Kepada UTUSAN aka surat khabar UMNO,

Mengapakah kamu ni bebal sangat. Macam mana lah nak jadi surat khabar nasional sekiranya laporan tak tetap. Oh mungkin I dah lupa, sepatutnya laporan yang tak kena barulah lapor. Saya fikirlah lebih baik masuk sekolah baliklah supaya boleh menjadi lebih tanggungjawab. Oleh kerana laporan kamu, orang yang tak bersalah kena tangkap.

Bodohnya Utusan.

---------

Utusan error sends Teoh’s best man back to cops

Lip (right) speaks to reporters outside the district police headquarters. — Picture by Jack Ooi

By Neville Spykerman

SHAH ALAM, July 25 — A witness in the ongoing investigations into the death of Teoh Beng Hock was recalled by police to have his statement recorded over discrepancies in an Utusan Malaysia news report.

Woo Chuan Sing told the media last Thursday that he last spoke to Teoh on the morning of July 15, when the political secretary asked him over the telephone to be his best man for his wedding.

However a report in Utusan Malaysia quoted Woo as saying that he spoke to Teoh on July 16, the day he was found dead at Plaza Masalam.

Teoh"s body was found on a balcony at the fifth floor of the building at 1.30pm. He was questioned earlier by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which is based there on the 14th floor.

The MACC maintains Teoh was only a witness who it had finished questioning at 3.45am.

Lawyer Lim Lip Eng, who accompanied Woo to the Shah Alam district police headquarters, told reporters the police could have clarified the point over the phone instead of making his client return.

“Police should have called in the reporter to clarify the issues since it’s the newspaper which misreported the facts,” the Segambut MP said.

According to the investigating officer, the police have completed 90 per cent of investigations into case, he added.

An inquest into Teoh’s death, which has been classified as sudden death, is scheduled to start on Wednesday.

A royal commission of inquiry is also being set up to probe MACC procedures and to determine if Teoh’s human rights were violated.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

A Piece of Good to hear NEWS

AT least news like this make me smile.

He braved himself and thus rewarded.

Good job, my friend.

------

Brave cop gets his just reward - he is acting ASP now

By NG CHENG YEE


Ang Weai Leoong

PUTRAJAYA: Despite being shot twice, police officer Ang Weai Leoong refused medical aid until he had arrested members of an armed robbery syndicate.

And yesterday, for his courage and putting duty before self, the former Chief Inspector with the Kuala Lumpur special investigation unit was promoted to acting Assistant Superintendent by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

The 31-year-old father of two was shot twice in both his legs when leading six officers in a raid at a condominium in Sungai Long on Nov 5 last year to bust the Ah Tok Gang, a syndicate that specialised in robbing luxury cars in the Klang Valley.

“Even in such a critical situation, he was still able to stand up, with the will to continue his duty, to arrest two members of the gang,” Musa said at the award-presentation ceremony here yesterday.

Ang suffered from broken bones and was bleeding profusely and was taken for medical treatment at the Kajang Hospital, he added.

Musa said Ang and his team should be given due recognition for their sacrifice and commitment.

Ang, who is still on medical leave, said he was thankful and proud for the recognition. “Criminals these days are very different. They are willing to do anything to escape from the police,” he said.

“However, I will not give up but will continue to work hard to improve the image of the police force.”

Ang’s wife Lim Koon Teem, who accompanied him, said she knew about her husband’s occupation when they first met seven years ago.

“It is his love for the country that I admire.”

Recalling the morning when she first heard of Ang’s injury, Lim said: “I was very glad that it was him (Ang) and not any of his colleagues who called me up and told me about the injury.”

She said she was worried and sad after visiting her husband at the hospital.

“However, I did not dare shed tears in front of him because that would make him feel bad.

“I went to some corner of the hospital to cry,” she recalled, adding that she was very proud of her husband’s commitment.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The day the Constitution died? — The Malaysian Insider

The day the Constitution died? — The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — They are putting up a brave front in Perak, but the chances of Pakatan Rakyat regaining control of the state legislature from Barisan Nasional is next to zero.

Without a level playing field, the DAP-PKR-PAS gang cannot hope to win this ongoing war of attrition that erupted after the power grab in February.

Speaker V. Sivakumar will do his best but on May 7 he will stripped off his position and powers by the BN team, aided and abetted by the three defectors. He may have the Federal Constitution on his side but nothing else.

Sadly, in Malaysia, the Constitution is not treated with the same reverence and deference as in the United States or India. So on May 7, the last stand by Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin to reclaim what is rightfully his and Pakatan Rakyat’s will end badly.

But should Malaysians forget this black day? Should Malaysians go back to their everyday routine and forget the main actors in the Perak crisis?

Should Malaysians just shrug their shoulders and say that it is time to move on? Don’t think so. We should never forget:

Sultan Azlan Shah — His act of refusing to dissolve the state assembly and allow the people of Perak to elect its government put the state on this divisive path.

The former Lord President knows that justice must always be seen to be done and in this episode, the court of public opinion felt that the Sultan erred by installing Datuk Seri Zambry Kadir as the Mentri Besar.

A survey by Merdeka Centre showed that majority of Malaysians disagreed with his decision as did the voters in Bukit Gantang. Yet, the ruler is ensconced in his palace in Kuala Kangsar, pontificating about certain political groups in the country sowing the

seeds of hatred against rulers.

“These groups are allowing the ends to justify the means by condoning such acts. These groups and individuals feel that they are faultless and immune from any action to the extent of disregarding the law for attaining power, ‘’ he said at the loyalty pledge and Perak awards ceremony in conjunction with his 81st birthday at the Istana Iskandariah.

Is he referring to Pakatan Rakyat? If he is, he is giving them far too much credit. The only reason why the Opposition was able to stoke up strong feelings against the royalty was that the Sultan of Perak gave them ammunition. And that ammunition was the patently wrong decision in handing over power to BN and devaluing the power of the vote.

Hatred against any individual or group cannot be sowed in a vacuum. That individual or group must have done something to provoke such a reaction. We should expect the Sultan of Perak to fire away with more statements like he did today, to justify his actions, to vilify his critics and to play the role of the aggrieved party. That is his right.

Just as it is the right of Malaysians to rebuff self-serving pronouncements and attempts to sugar coat the power grab in Perak.

Raja Nazrin Shah — Institutions are only as good as the people who inhabit it. This is true of the police force, judiciary, the Election Commission and the constitutional monarchy.

The Regent of Perak cautioned on Saturday that insulting institutions, ridiculing institutions and fermenting hatred towards institutions are early steps towards abolishing the institutions. But surely there must be a caveat to what he said.

What good are institutions which ridicule the Federal Constitution, which insult the intelligence of a more educated population and which forget that they serve at the pleasure of the rakyat.

The Federal Court — On five occasions Malaysian courts have been asked to rule on actions inside legislative assemblies. All five times, the courts said they did not have the jurisdiction, pointing to Article 72 of the Federal Constitution which says that the validity of any proceedings in the state assembly of any state shall not be questioned in any court.

Yet, the Federal Court panel of Augustine Paul, Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, Arifin Zakaria, Nik Hashim Nik Ab. Rahman, and Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin was willing to depart from this precedent, which gives respect to the doctrine of separation of powers.

The Federal Court ruled that Sivakumar had erred in declaring the seats of the three defectors vacant and also said that acted illegally in suspending Zambry and several other lawmakers for showing contempt to the House.

Both these decisions give BN the numbers they need to remove Sivakumar when the assembly meets on May 7.

Aliran’s P Ramakrishnan was amazed that the five learned judges could have overlooked important provisions under Article 72.

“And we have to ask, ‘Why?’ If they are expected to dispense justice in a fair and impartial manner, shouldn’t they have paid attention to the supreme law of the country? “We have every right to expect them to be thorough before delivering their judgment.

These five judges are responsible if Malaysians continue to be cynical and sceptical about our judiciary.

“And we have to wonder how many brave and honest judges are left in the judiciary who will respect the Federal Constitution and remain true to their conscience in delivering justice,” he said.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Class Act of Ali Last Term

Yes, I am speaking about the not-so-clever-on-the-race-of-Deputy President Ali Rustam. Hearing him speaking English over the rostrum is hilarious. Friends in UMNO call him Ali Last Term. I hope they are correct.

Anyway while PKR score a victory in Perak where one of UMNO's ADUN leapfrog to Pakatan, our dear friend in Malacca had a cross-over of some 40 members of PAS from a non-listed PAS branch in PAS kawasan Bukit Katil. In fact my comrade, Saudara Sofi Wahab (PAS Info Chief), in his blog told us that this goon, is a former UMNO member who 'lompat' to PAS is now back to his UMNO home, and a non paying PAS member. Meaning technically, he has probably a non member of PAS. So basically he would seems to be a former member of PAS and UMNO joining back UMNO. What a joke.

Interestingly, there is no PAS branch in that area. And uninterestingly, this has become a news for UMNO led spoiler Utusan Meloya to just print out a story just to please the UMNO goons. Either Utusan has no more news to print or that their editors are just plain UMNO goons.

ALI BODOHKAN RAKYAT MELAKA DAN DIRI SENDIRI ~ Ref Malaysiakini

Ternyata tindakan Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam menggembar-gemburkan berita 41 orang ahli PAS dan seorang Ketua Cawangan PAS memperlihatkan ketidakcerdikan beliau. Di samping itu beliau cuba memperbodohkan rakyat Malaysia khasnya rakyat negeri Melaka.
Ali Rustam lupa bahawa rakyat Malaysia kecuali orang Umno sudah cukup faham dengan permainan media pengampu seperti Utusan Meloya (Utusan Malaysia).
Seperti yang saya postingkan di dalam Blog ini semalam, Ismail Tompang (Senin Tompang) adalah ahli PAS yang sudah lama keluar PAS dan berminat untuk menyertai Umno. Sudah bertahun-tahun beliau tidak membayar yuran, malah tindak-tinduknya juga sudah lama diketahui oleh PAS Kawasan Bukit Katil.Beliau adalah bekas ahli Umno yang mempunyai kepentingan diri. Sentiasa bertukar parti yang disokongnya semata-mata kerana mencari habuan. Beliau pernah cenderung kepada DAP dan PKR kemudian berpatah balik menyertai Umno.
Jadi tidak perlulah dirisaukan orang seperti ini tempat yang paling sesuai untuknya ialah bersama Ali Rustam. Jumlah 40 orang lagi ahli PAS yang ikut jejak langkah Ismail adalah tidak benar kerana ahli di cawangan yang sudah lama mati inipun tidak sampai seramai itu. Mungkin Ai Rustam mengirakan jumlah tersebut dengan bayang-bayang sekali. Kalau adapun 40 orang mungkin ianya bukan ahli PAS tetapi penyokong Umno atau orang yang tidak berparti.
Saya hairan bagaimana calon Timbalan Presiden Umno cuba memperbodohkan rakyat. Dalam sedar atau tidak sedar beliau memperlihatkan ketidakcerdikan beliau sendiri.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Was it PEACEFUL? OR PEWARIS gave their piece

It was reported below in the Star that it was a peaceful gathering. I doubt that is so. Seeing a lady ran for her life and the kicking of her car in one of the news media would certainly show a 'piece' rather peace.

Anyway was wondering whether the gathering is an illegal gathering without a police permit. If it so I was also wondering will there be any arrest is made.

------ the Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Representatives from an umbrella body of Malay and Muslim non-governmental organisations lodged five police reports yesterday over several issues which they claimed would endanger Muslim and Malay unity.

The group dubbed as Pewaris or Heritage Associations, Malay Cultural Organisations and Related Bodies Cooperation Network urged the Government to act against groups which sought to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).

It also asked for action against the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), Gerakan Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe for her recent remarks on Malays and the criticism by the Sisters in Islam on the National Fatwa Council’s decision on pengkid or tomboys.

Pewaris spokesman Datuk Dr Maamor Osman told reporters that the group of 30 NGOs would form a coalition called Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah to counter criticism against the Malays and Islam.

Later, about 500 of the coalition’s members held a peaceful gathering outside their meeting place at Wisma Sejarah at Jalan Tun Razak before going to the Jalan Tun Razak police station to lodge the reports.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Not Here Not Now

An interesting piece I want to share....

Barack Obama©New Sunday Times (Used by permission)
by Chok Suat Ling

Barack Obama's victory in the US presidential election raises the question of whether someone from an ethnic minority can rise to the highest political office in Malaysia. However, for the moment, that would be an unrealistic expectation, writes Chok Suat Ling.

BARACK Obama's election as president of the United States sent people around the world onto the streets in celebration. From the plains of Kenya to the port of Obama, there was rapturous response to his promise to bring change at a time when it is direly expected and needed not just in the US, but everywhere else.

But people were also jubilating over the ascendency of a man of colour to the most powerful seat in the world. Almost immediately, parallels were drawn and questions raised as to whether what happened in the US could also happen in other countries: could a person from an ethnic minority advance to the highest political post in the land?

Singapore has already answered in the negative, at least for the near future. Its Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in remarks published last week, said he did not think a Malay would be able to become premier in the Chinese-majority city state any time soon.

In Malaysia, similar questions have also been raised in the wake of Obama's victory. Politicians and activists are among those who have commented about the significance of his victory to minorities and ethnic politics in Malaysia. They wonder whether a Chinese, Indian or non-Muslim Bumiputera, among others, could one day become prime minister.

The Federal Constitution, they stress, does not specify that the prime minister must be of any particular race.

Some recalled a statement by then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad which supported the possibility of a Chinese or Indian leading the country.

"There will come a day when Malaysians of Chinese or Indian descent are accepted by all races and then, the prime minister need not necessarily be a Malay. The process in this direction has already begun. Believe me, if we are sensitive to the needs of the Malaysian people, the issue of race and descent will no longer prevent any Malaysian from holding any post," he said when opening the 47th MCA general assembly in 2000.

But that was eight years ago. And while there have been sweeping changes in the political landscape, especially since the watershed date of March 8, the likelihood of a non-Malay assuming the post of prime minister remains remote, even implausible, for now.

Only the right candidate would be able to cross ethnic borders. This would have to be someone charismatic who appeals to all, irrespective of racial background.

Experts say the equivalent of Obama has yet to make an appearance on the public stage in Malaysia.

Obama would not have won if he were a Muslim instead of a Christian; or if he came across as speaking from the perspective of his race instead of his more inclusive language; or if he did not have the experience of growing up with his white grandparents and mother.

According to political analyst Ong Kian Ming, the Malaysian equivalent of Obama would be a Chinese Muslim who is fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, grew up with adopted Malay parents in Kelantan, obtained his undergraduate degree from a Malaysian public university and then went on to get his Masters' from Oxford or Cambridge.

He says those who tracked Obama's campaign also could not help but notice that he stayed purposefully away from issues of race.

Again, the equivalent of this in Malaysia is a non-Malay leader of a major party who does not use racially charged issues to advance his or her party's aspirations to be the leading party of the governing coalition.

That expectation is unrealistic at present, as is the prospect of a non-Malay prime minister, says Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.

"Beyond ethnicity is the issue of religion," he says. While this "requirement" is not explicitly spelt out, it is indubitably part of the social contract.

"There was a gentleman's agreement that with citizenship given to the non-Malays, the Malays would have special rights and that Islam would be the national religion. In this regard, the dominant group will not allow a non-Muslim to be prime minister. Whatever happens must be in line with all that has been agreed upon by our founding fathers."

He feels that whether or not a non-Malay can be prime minister depends on the extent to which the Malays are willing to let go of their special privileges.

Consequently, he is sure that a non-Malay will not become prime minister any time soon.

Professor James Chin of Monash University says: "It will not happen in Malaysia under the current political set-up. Large sections of Malay Muslims will not accept a non-Malay as prime minister."

There is one key difference between the US and Malaysia, Chin points out.

"In America, the constitution is followed to the word whereas here, many things which are not part of the constitution are followed as political tradition."

An example is that the prime minister must be from the majority race and religion, he says.

A non-Malay can only ascend to the post of prime minister when political parties in the country are no longer racially based and mobilised along religious lines, says Chin.

"When that happens, maybe there is a chance. But I definitely do not see it happening in my lifetime.

"Nobody takes this issue seriously anyway. People got caught up with it pursuant to Obama's win because they are sick of the racial and religious politics here.

"A more pertinent question would be whether an indigenous person, a Bumiputera from Sabah or Sarawak, can become the prime minister."

A non-Malay prime minister may be improbable but that is not to say that the Obama campaign does not hold valuable lessons for Malaysians and for Malaysian politics.

Ong says there are ideals espoused in this campaign which Malaysians can identify with and aim for.

"The vision of America as a place where every child, regardless of race or religion, can aspire to the highest office in the land is surely one which we can all support."

But for now, what the people can realistically hope for is a prime minister with a multiracial approach and who will take care of the interests of all, regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender.

It will certainly do the country much good if politicians and political parties can move away from racist rhetoric and debate policy differences based on more substantive grounds.

Friday, November 7, 2008

RPK freed....YES

A welcomed decision of the High Court to release RPK.


©The Star (Used by permission)


SHAH ALAM: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is to be freed Friday.

He succeeded Friday in his bid to obtain a release order from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) via his habeas corpus application.

The judge ruled that the Home Minister had acted outside his jurisdiction when he issued the two-year detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA.

The High Court here also allowed Raja Petra to be brought to court to be released today.

He was detained for a second time under the ISA on Sept 12.

On April 11, 2001, Raja Petra along with 10 other activists were detained under the ISA for allegedly plotting to overthrow former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Raja Petra was released 52 days later.

Friday, October 17, 2008

YB Teresa Kok versus Utusan Malaysia Newspaper Organisation (UMNO 2)

YB Teresa Kok versus Utusan Malaysia Newspaper Organisation (UMNO 2). This is the second action YB T against UMNO 2. The first was RM30,000,0000.00 for the stupid racist article, clearly mala fide with no checking of facts just intend to paint the picture of YB T as a anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

This second suit through a letter of demand DEMANDING that UMNO 2 to retract, apologise and undertake not to do any more within 7 days. Should UMNO 2 fail to do what was demanded, a writ of summons to be filed by YB T's lawyers.

There goes UMNO 2.

YB T has all the right to defend herself from the ruthless and racist organisation.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Inciting to Kill

Read the last few paragraphs .....

This is really disgusting. Inciting to kill. How can such article be written and pass censorship and self editing by the editors.

By Mingguan Malaysia (12.10.2008)

Politik baru YB J

PAGI itu resah YB Josephine, yang lebih mesra dengan panggilan YB J sukar dikawal. Sepanjang perjalanan menuju ke Dewan Perhimpunan Warga Cha di ibu kota, fikirannya terganggu. Tuduhan bahawa dia anti-Islam dan anti-Melayu sungguh-sungguh menghantui perasaannya sejak malam tadi lagi. Entah mengapa baru sekarang dia begitu, dia sendiri tidak tahu. Dia juga tidak pasti sama ada pemandunya, Ahmad, menyedari gelora jiwanya ketika itu. Kalau dia tahu pun, peduli apa, YB Josephine berbisik sendirian.

Pemandu itu memang sedia maklum pendirian politiknya tentang kepentingan kaumnya vis a vis orang Melayu. Dan dia tahu Ahmad menghormati pendiriannya, walaupun dilihat anti- Melayu, anti-Islam sebagai hak asasi tinggal dalam sebuah negara demokrasi. Bukankah kebebasan asasi itu dijamin oleh Perkara 5 hingga Perkara 13 Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Tetapi YB J akui demokrasi ada yang tidak sempurna dan kerap disalahgunakan oleh pihak yang berkuasa. Tetapi hakikat itu tidak menghalang rakyat menempatkan pembangkang di Dewan Rakyat. YB Josephine adalah salah seorang daripadanya.

Ah, tudahan dia anti-Islam, anti-Melayu tuduhan yang melulu bentak YB J seolah-olah mahu menyedapkan dirinya.. Ia juga tuduhan yang tidak berasas, hati kecilnya bersuara lagi. Dia meyakinkan dirinya bahawa kenyataankenyataan yang dibuatnya atas nama pelbagai kaum untuk memperjuangkan kepentingan kaumnya, bukan sesuatu yang rasis. Amensty International, organisasi hak asasi antarabangsa akan menyetujuinya. Begitu juga dengan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu. Ketua Pembangkang, di Parlimen pun tidak pernah menganggapnya rasis. Yang menganggapnya rasis hanya orang Melayu di dalam Parti Orang Melayu (POM).

“Aku juga bukan anti-Islam. Aku bukan anti Melayu,” pujuk hati YB J yang sudah dua penggal bergelar YB itu, mewakili Parti Bertindak Rakyat. Parti itu dianggotainya sejak berada di kampus lagi, walaupun Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti melarang para siswa membabitkan diri secara langsung dalam mana-mana organisasi siasah. Lagi pun penguatkuasaan undang-undang itu sekadar melepas batuk di tangga. Lebih dari itu, ia adalah satu lagi undang-undang lapuk, kata YB J.

Kata hatinya lagi: “Aku sekadar memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum aku, sama seperti pemimpin Melayu dalam POM memperjuangkan kepentingan bangsanya, sama seperti pemimpin Parti Orang Islam (POI) berjuang untuk bangsa menggunakan wajah Islamnya.”

Malah YB J berasakan kelantangannya memperjuangkan kepentingan kaumnya itulah yang telah membantunya menang kali kedua kerusi Parlimennya. Kali ini dengan majoriti yang lebih besar lagi. Apa yang membanggakan dia adalah perjuangan yang dianggap anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam itu kini turut disokong pengundi-pengundi Melayu di kawasan pilihan rayanya itu. Pada mulanya dia sendiri terkejut apabila dimaklumkan sebahagian besar pengundi Melayu yang merupakan 20 peratus keseluruhan pemilihan berdaftar dalam kawasan Parlimen Alam Maya telah memangkahnya.

Ini satu perkembangan luar biasa. Tidak mungkin mereka menyokong aku, bisik hatinya. Tetapi apabila dimaklumkan oleh para pekerja parti bahawa pengundi Melayu di semua peti undi telah beralih arah mendokongnya, dia menerimanya dengan fikiran terbuka. Baguslah kalau orang Melayu menerima perjuangan Malaysia Barunya.

Tidak puas hati bermonolog dengan perasaannya, YB J secara spontan berpaling kepada Ahmad, pemandunya yang sejak tadi tekun dengan tugasnya.

“Kamu fakir saya anti-Islam, anti-Melayu?”

Pertanyaan

Ahmad yang sudah menghampiri usia bersara itu tidak menjawab, seolah-olah dia tidak mendengar pertanyaan itu. Matanya tertumpu ke jalan raya. Tugasnya adalah untuk mempastikan YB J selamat ke majlis yang ingin dihadirinya. Dan tiba tepat pada waktunya. Majlis itu penting kerana YB J akan mengadakan dialog dengan generasi muda seketurunan dengannya yang belajar di luar negara tetapi kebetulan berada di tanah air kerana bercuti. Ahmad sendiri tidak pasti sama ada pelajar yang pernah mempersendakan lagu Negara Ku sewaktu menuntut di sebuah universiti di Seberang Laut turut berada dalam kelompok itu. Kalau pun ada, pemandu YB J tidak ambil pusing. Budak itu memang kurang ajar. Ada ke patut Malaysia dianggap sebagai Negara Kuku (ejaan Inggerisnya cuckoo) yang bermaksud gila. Dan kreativiti digunakan untuk menghalalkan perbuatan biadapnya itu. Cuma Ahmad berfikir kalau semua orang dibiarkan menghina lagu Kebangsaan dengan lirik yang memperlekehkan kehidupan orang Islam, dan atas nama kreativiti, maka kesannya terhadap perhubungan kaum adalah negatif.

Ahmad tidak tahu apakah yang sebenarnya mengganggu bosnya itu sejak dari tadi lagi. Dia jarang begitu. Ahmad dapat mengesan YB J lain macam sahaja pagi itu. Dia dapat membaca keresahan dan kegelisahan YB J. Seolah-olah ada sesuatu yang tidak kena walaupun apa yang sebenarnya berkocak di dalam diri YB J dia tidak pasti. Sepanjang ingatan Ahmad, YB J juga tidak pernah berbual dengannya tentang politik, apa lagi tentang isu-isu semasa - kecuali memberi arahan yang ada kaitan dengan perjalanan atau jadual kerja. YB J juga tidak bertanya sama ada dia mengundi pom atau parti apa pada pilihan raya yang lalu.

Lazimnya, sepanjang perjalanan, baik ke pejabat atau majlis-majlis rasmi dan tidak rasmi yang lain, YB J akan menghabiskan masa membaca akhbar atau membelek-belek fail. Tetapi pagi itu YB J lain macam sahaja. Dia kelihatan resah. Gelisah. Fikirannya juga seolah-olah tidak menentu. Apa yang dibuat serba tak kena. Sekejap dia membelek ucapan utama yang akan disampaikan sebentar lagi menghuraikan gagasan Politik Baru Malaysia Baru yang dipeloporinya. Sekejap dia membelek akhbar-akhbar yang memang menemani YB J ke mana juga dia pergi.

Ahmad cuba mencongak mungkin keresahan YB J ada kaitan dengan suhu politik negara sedang panas ketika itu. Bahangnya terasa di mana-mana. POM sendiri sedang menghadapi pergolakan yang hebat berkait dengan kepimpinannya. Pertarungan kepentingan puak-puak di dalam parti sedang mengambil tempatnya. Kalaulah tidak kerana kedudukan politik kerajaan agak lemah selepas kehilangan majoriti dua pertiga, sudah lama Operasi Lalang, seperti yang pernah dibuat pada 1987, dilaksanakan, agaknya. Mungkin juga tidak kerana di bawah kepimpinan sekarang, kerajaan mengambil sikap yang lebih liberal terhadap para pengkritiknya.

Ahmad juga terfikir mungkin perasaan YB J terganggu dengan tindakan kalangan yang tidak diketahui siapa mereka melempar bom petrol ke rumah keluarga ahli Parlimen Sepohon Beringin, Su Lan. Barangkali, fikir Ahmad, YB J, bimbang kejadian yang sama boleh menimpa diri atau keluarganya.

Mana tahu selepas keluarga Su Lan, bosnya YB J pula yang menjadi mangsa. Dan yang dilempar itu bom betul-betul. Meletup pula. Tidakkah nahas YB J. Sekonyong-konyong Ahmad terbayang kejadian letupan bom berani mati yang berlaku di Damsyik, Syria yang ditonton menerusi Buletin Utama di TV3 beberapa hari lalu. Kalau kejadian yang sudah menghiasi kehidupan harian di Iraq, Israel, Tebing Barat, Gaza atau Afghanistan itu menular di negara ini, alangkah malangnya bumi bertuah ini. Minta disimpang malaikat 44, Ahmad berkata sendirian di dalam hatinya.

Tetapi fikir Ahmad, amaran kalau tidak diendahkan berbahaya. Dia teringat apa yang diceritakan berlaku pada 13 Mei 1969. Bapanya menceritakan dalam tragedi selepas pilihan raya umum pada 10 Mei itu, orang Cina dan Melayu berbunuh-bunuhan. Perjuangan yang mahu menafikan hak-hak istimewa orang Melayu dan kaum bumiputera lain yang dijamin oleh Perlembagaan Persekutuan, tidak dapat diterima oleh mereka. Kata-kata kesat dan menghina orang Melayu oleh para penyokong parti-parti pembangkang sewaktu berarak meraikan kemenangan besar di Kuala Lumpur dan bandar-bandar utama lain pada pilihan raya 1969 itu tidak dapat ditelan oleh orang Melayu. Parang yang terbiar tumpul selama ini diasah tajam. Dalam keadaan itu tercetuslah pergaduhan yang dahsyat menyebabkan Parlimen digantung dan pemerintahan darurat diisytiharkan. Negara diletakkan di bawah perintah berkurung. Ahmad sendiri belum lahir ketika itu. Tidak lama selepas itu, peralihan kuasa berlaku daripada Tunku Abdul Rahman kepada timbalannya, Tun Abdul Razak.

“Mat, saya ni anti-Melayu dan anti-Islam ke?,” YB J secara mendadak mengulang semula pertanyaannya apabila tiada jawapan daripada pemandunya.

Ahmad, yang sejak tadi membisu seribu bahasa selamba menjawab: “Mungkin tidak YB.” Dia memberi jawapan berlapik. Maksudnya: Mungkin tidak, mungkin ya bergantung pada mata yang menilai.

“Apa maksud kamu mungkin tidak.”

" Ini soal persepsi YB. Persepsinya begitulah. Hakikatnya YB tidak membenci Melayu tidak juga membenci Islam. YB sekadar memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum YB. Tidak salah YB berbuat demikian. Kalau YB tidak memperjuangkan kepentingan kaum YB sendiri, siapa lagi. Tetapi cara YB itu barangkali disalahertikannya.”

“Maksud kamu?" Tanya YB J yang masih belum jelas lagi.

Bergantung

“Yalah, ia bergantung pada mata yang memandang. Bukan sahaja di kalangan orang Melayu, tetapi di kalangan bukan Melayu. YB kena ingat di kalangan bukan Melayu pun bukan semuanya menerima politik baru Malaysia baru YB. Kalau tidak masakan parti satu kaum seperti Parti Orang Cina (POC) masih boleh bertahan.”

“Apa maksud kamu. Saya tidak begitu jelas?"

“Yalah bagi YB perjuangan YB adalah pelbagai kaum. Tetapi dalam tindak tanduk, perjuangan pelbagai kaum YB itu tidak tertonjol. YB mahu menghapuskan tulisan jawi dan ganti dengan tulisan Cina . Bagi mereka itu bukan perjuangan pelbagai kaum. Ia perjuangan satu kaum. Kalau benar pelbagai kaum, YB patut mempertahankan tulisan jawi.” Ahmad memberanikan diri untuk memberikan pandangannya.

Mengesan bosnya ingin mendengar pandangannya lagi, Ahmad berkata: “Patutnya kalau YB benar-benar ingin menjadi pejuang pelbagai kaum, kepentingan orang Melayu jangan diketepikan sewaktu mengetengahkan kepentingan kaum Cina. YB perjuangkan kepentingan kedua-duanya sekali. Penerimaannya saya pasti berbeza. YB akan dilihat sebagai mahu menjaga kepentingan kaum YB, tetapi pada waktu yang sama tidak menafikan hak orang Melayu.”

Itu perjuangan POM dan POC, dengus YB J di dalam hatinya. Bosan aku dengan Si Ahmad ini, dia berkata sendirian. Aku penganjur politik baru dan tidak mahu terikat dengan kerangka politik lama, katanya lagi kepada dirinya.

Perbualan YB J dengan pemandunya habis di situ sahaja. Dia tidak mahu lagi mendengar pandangan karut pemandunya. Dia mahu terus melayan perasaan: Aku percaya pada Politik Baru Malaysia Baru, tegas YB J pada dirinya. Setiap warganegara, tanpa mengira apa keturunan mereka patut diberi hak yang sama mengikut undang-undang. Tidak ada bangsa yang patut diberi layanan istimewa. Tidak ada warga yang patut diberi darjat atau kelas kedua. Kita semua orang Malaysia.

YB J enggan melayan Ahmad lagi. Sebaliknya, dia membelek akhbar Utusan Malaysia yang secara rasmi diboikot oleh partinya. Perhatiannya tertumpu pada artikel berjudul Jangan Padam Rekod Negara yang ditulis oleh seorang generasi muda Cina yang menolak tesis politik baru Malaysia baru.

Ah, satu lagi propaganda yang memperlekehkan kaum aku, dengus hati YB J. Jangan-

jangan yang menulis artikel ini orang Melayu. Mereka masih menganggap kaum aku sebagai berketurunan pendatang. Tidak guna punya generasi baru. Dengus YB J. Bisik hatinya lagi: Betullah dulu nenek moyang aku berhijrah ke bumi bertuah ini untuk mencari kekayaan, membebaskan diri mereka daripada kemiskinan dan keperitan hidup di China. Itu dulu. Generasi Cina sekarang sudah menjadi warganegara Malaysia dan mereka hendaklah dilayan seperti warganegara Malaysia..

Dikejutkan

Sedang YB J asyik dengan lamunannya, dia dikejutkan dengan suara pemandunya yang memaklumkan, “Kita sudah sampai YB.”

Menunggu dia di luar ialah para penganjur dialog yang bakal berlangsung. Salah seorang daripada mereka membuka pintu kereta YB J, bersalaman dengannya dan memperkenalkannya dengan ahli jawatankuasa penganjur yang lain. Diiringi oleh mereka, YB J dibawa ke pentas. Menurut kiraannya ada 500 orang di dalam dewan pagi itu. Dia bangga dengan kehadiran begitu ramai anak bangsanya yang ingin bertemu dengannya. Apa yang lebih membanggakan YB J ialah mereka belajar luar negara dengan biayai sendiri, bukannya bantuan kerajaan.

Selepas ucapan-ucapan aluan oleh pengerusi penganjur selesai, YB J dijemput untuk memberi ucapannya. Inilah detik-detik yang ditunggu-tunggu oleh YB J. Gagasan politik baru Malaysia barunya akan dihebahkan kepada dunia bebas. Dia teringat buku Kee Thuan Chye yang berjudul 8 Mac The Day Malaysian Woke Up. Momentum rakyat Malaysia atau lebih tepat lagi warga bukan Melayu Malaysia yang sudah jaga dari lena itu mesti ditingkatkan. Pagi itu dia berazam untuk berbuat demikian.

Tetapi tanpa diketahui oleh YB J, di kalangan 500 orang generasi muda yang hadir pada pagi itu ada yang tidak setuju dengan pandangan politiknya itu. Salah seorang daripada mereka berazam untuk membetulkan penyimpangan politik YB J dengan caranya yang tersendiri.

Apabila YB J bangun untuk menuju ke rostrum ucapan, seorang anak muda dari belakang pentas berjalan tenang menuju ke arahnya. YB J tersenyum kepadanya. Dia menyangka anak muda seketurunan dengannya ingin mengiringinya ke rostrum atau bersalaman dengannya.

YB J menghulurkan tangan. Tiba-tiba YB J tergaman dan berdiri kaku. Dia tidak percaya dengan apa yang dilihatnya. Tergenggam erat pada tangan anak muda yang seolah-olah mahu membalas salam tangan yang dihulur itu ialah sepucuk pistol jenis Revolver yang betul-betul diajukan ke arah dada YB J.

Tanpa berkata apa-apa, anak muda itu melepaskan beberapa das tembakan. Salah satu daripadanya tepat mengenai jantung YB J. Dia rebah ke lantai.

Para hadirin menjadi panik. Mereka yang berada di atas pentas turut tergamam melihat apa yang berlaku. Kejadian menjadi hiruk-pikuk dan tidak terkawal. Pihak penganjur yang tidak menduga kejadian malang itu berlaku, tidak tahu berbuat apa-apa. Beberapa orang anggota polis berpakaian preman yang menjadi tetamu yang tidak diundang dalam majlis itu, meluru ke arah pentas. Rakan-rakan mereka yang berpakaian seragam yang berkawal di luar juga bergegas masuk ke dewan.

Tetapi belum sempat mereka berbuat apa-apa, kedengaran beberapa das tembakan lagi. Kali ini yang rebah adalah anak muda itu sendiri.

Apabila pihak polis tiba di tempat kejadian, kedua-dua mereka - YB J dan anak muda yang berpakaian kemas itu, sudah tidak lagi bernyawa.

Sewaktu pemeriksaan dibuat ke atas mayat anak muda yang tidak dikenali itu, terselit sehelai nota yang ditaip rapi, ditulis dalam bahasa Kebangsaan.

Ia berbunyi: YB Josephine adalah ancaman terhadap keharmonian. Lebih baik riwayatnya ditamatkan supaya masyarakat berbilang kaum boleh tinggal aman damai di negara bertuah ini. Saya berkorban untuk masa depan.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Boycott UTUSAN the racist Newspaper

I did a cut/paste from Kamal-talks' blog on the nationwide boycott on this racist newspaper. I think the time is now for all Malaysians, to teach this newspaper a lesson.

The nationwide Utusan Malaysia Boycott Campaign is on. This boycott is applicable to all publications under the Utusan Malaysia group of companies, with immediate effect. All right-thinking Malaysians are requested to cancel their subscription to Utusan Malaysia & related publications. The boycott campaign against any company that advertises in any Utusan Malaysia publication will take off on October 1, 2008. This is to provide some time allowance for advertisers to pull their advertisements & accounts from Utusan Malaysia. The voice of lies, deceits & bigotry must be stopped. Please help to spread the word.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

DSAI says more than 31 will Cross

More than 31 BN Backbenchers will cross over to Pakatan.

DSAI refused to disclose the names of alll intending to cross over as he is afraid that the government will harassed each member of parliament. DSAI also suggested that should the Prime Minister wishes to know who, DSAI will release the list to him. DSAI also gave the Prime Minister some time to think about the whole matter.

In fact yesterday, a letter was send to the Prime Minister's office demanding four areas i.e.

1) That BN garmendoes not hinder or prevent the MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience and judgement;

2) That the BN garman should not invoke the ISA to detain MPs (like what happen to Teresa);

3) That BN garman does not invoke emergency laws or suspend the Constitution or dissolve Parliament; and

4) That the BN garmen shall not impose roadblocks or impede MPs from going to Parliament or any institution of government.


----- Taken from Star

PETALING JAYA: Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has claimed that more than 31 Barisan MPs have agreed to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

He, however, refused to reveal the names of the 31 MPs.

Anwar told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday that he would do so when he meets the Prime Minister.

The Permatang Pauh MP also claimed that the transition to the new Government has been delayed a few days pending the meeting with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to ensure a smooth and peaceful transition.

He said it was up to Abdullah to agree to the meeting and its date.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

ISA should not be used : Zaid Ibrahim

De facto law Minister, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim have spoken. The ISA should not be used against civilians. Compare that to the Home Affair Minister who is legally trained saying that the ISA was used to protect the reporter. Now, I have read from cover to cover on the Internal Security Act and found nothing to suggest what the Home Affair Minister suggested.

Nothing short of a blatant lie to cover a fault or mistake. I think, the reporter should just sue the government for false imprisonment or something to that extent. A complete fabrication.


---- Taken from the Star below

KOTA BARU: The Internal Security Act (ISA) should not be used against civilians, de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said.

The Act should only be used against terrorists or those trying to topple the Government by force, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said at a press conference at his home here on Sunday.

He was commenting on the arrests of three people -- Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kama­rudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng -- under the ISA.

Tan has since been released.

“I will seek a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to have a frank discussion about this issue to seek his views as soon as possible,” he told reporters.

“I know I am breaking rank here ... I am prepared to face the consequences. If I am told to resign, I will do so.

"I am not a trouble maker and I don't want to cause any trouble for the Prime Minister, but I have my principles and will always be a vocal critic of the use of the ISA.

"I joined his administration to make changes and everybody knows, I am also for a more open form of media reporting," he added.

Zaid said it was time for the Federal Government to revert to the original spirit of the ISA, which was enacted to curb Communism and today should be used only on armed terrorists or those out to topple the Government by force.

“I am not calling for a repeal of the ISA, but it should only be use when there is a real threat to national security, such as armed terrorists, and not on civilians,” he said.

He said by using the ISA randomly, the Government was sending out a message that it does not trust the capabilities of its own enforcement agencies, such as the police, in maintaining peace.

There are ample punitive legislations such as the Penal Code, Sedition Act and criminal defamation to take against those who break the law or are involved in activities which may destabilise the Government, without having to invoke the ISA, Zaid said.

He said the use of the ISA also gives the impression of “selective prosecution” as the Government cannot incarcerate everybody.

“In this latest episode, we (the Government) have generated an impression of selective prosecution since no action was taken against the person who allegedly uttered seditious remarks.

“We are saying that we are only acting against those who are disloyal to us.”

“The Government needs to change and Cabinet members need to realise this -- we have to be progressive.”

Asked whether the ISA was likely used because of strained “race relations” which may undermine national stability, Zaid said that while he placed paramount importance on national stability, the role of the Government was to find solutions, not to make matters worse.

“I agree we have many issues and sensitivities to address but for me, racial disharmony is a seasonal thing in Malaysia. We must engage in open dialogues and discussions to resolve these issues,” he said.

On whether the ISA was used because the court process may be too long, Zaid noted that the Government never even attempted to use the court system first -- instead, it simply went ahead with using the ISA first.

“If our court system is too slow, we must ... make it more efficient by hiring more prosecutors, while the police must conduct proper investigation to acquire credible evidence,” he said.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

It Takes Two to Clap

It takes two to clap. In the studies of the law of evidence, we call it Corroboration. Here one reporter corroborate another on Ahmad son of UMNO 'pendatang' remarks on the Chinese. So was he telling some facts in history or is he making the statements with malicious intention.

Your pick?

--------

BUTTERWORTH: Two other reporters covering the event in which UMNO Bukit Bendera divisional chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail made the pendatng remarks during the Permatang Pauh by-election, said they clearly heard what he said, and were shocked and feeling uncomfortable with it.

Guang Ming Daily reporter Li Weihua pointed out that after covering the first event of deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on 23 August, he went on to cover the DPM's second event, in which he clearly heard the penumpang remarks made by Ahmad Ismail, and was shocked by what was being said.

He said Najib had not yet arrived when he reached Kampung Belah Dua that evening. However, Ahmad Ismail was already giving his speech. As he was not very familiar with the speaker at that time, he did not pay too much attention to what was being said.

He went on, "But later he raised his voice louder and louder, and suddenly I heard this: 'Orang Cina cuma tumpang di sini sahaja.' (The Chinese are only squatting here)"

He said after hearing this, he was very shocked and understood how serious it could be.

Nanyang Siang Pau reporter Chen Minghao also said when he was at Kampung Belah Dua to cover the event, he heard very clearly Ahmad Ismail's penumpang remarks, and felt very uncomfortable with it.

He said after covering Najib's first event, he rushed to Kampung Belah Dua to cover his second event. However, when he reached there, Najib had not arrived yet, while Ahmad Ismail was alreary talking on the stage.

He said although he did not know who Ahmad Ismail was at that time, he heard very clearly that he said, 'Orang Cina cuma tumpang di sini sahaja,' and he felt very uncomfortable with what was being said.

China Press reporter Chen Fengquan, meanwhile, said he arrived too late and missed that part on penumpang.

He said Najib was already talking on the stage when he reached Kampung Belah Dua, and he missed what Ahmad Ismail had said earlier.

- Sin Chew

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Swearing in God's name

I read the below news report by NST with a sarcastic smile on my face.

The news report had literally forgotten to quote Najib's name for swearing in God's name, I believe not once but twice on the involvement of a high profile case.

And looks like Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also had forgotten that he has stepped his boss shoes....

So is swearing now an in thing to avoid a criminal charge? Looks like many alleged criminals will take this next course of action should all legal avenues are exhausted.

©New Straits Times (Used by permission)

KUALA TERENGGANU: Do not make a trend of swearing in God's name or on the Quran as this would only serve to degrade its value, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, however, added that swearing on the Quran and in God's name had yet to become a trend.

The minister said this after attending a meeting with the National Fatwa Council here yesterday

On Saturday, Perak Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali swore in the name of God that he was not involved in any political conspiracy or plan that had resulted in the arrest of two Pakatan Rakyat state executive councilors for alleged corruption.

Tajol Rosli was also quoted as saying that he would swear as many times as Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of Pas wanted.

On Aug 15, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the former aide to Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, swore on the Quran that he had been sodomised by the latter.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

A Threat?

Is Najib issuing a threat? Saying in a press conference that the government will withdraw the fuel rebates if the people don't appreciate it. I think he really look stupid issuing such statements. The Star reported that he appeared to be annoyed. My guess is day by day, the Prime Minister-in-waiting seats gets hotter. I remember in the 90s the Deputy Prime Minister seat is the hottest and many DPM fell, started with Musa Hitam (now Tun), the late Ghaffar Baba (also Tun), and of course DSAI.

Maybe Najib should just apologise to the public. Remember the minerals and oil in the land belongs to the people, not the government. So he is rather childish for a DPM to make such statements.

The Star reported as follows :

Najib, who appeared to be a bit annoyed, said the people must understand that for every litre, the price was subsidised 30 sen.

He also said they have forgotten about the RM625 rebate given to owners with vehicles up to 2,000cc that was announced in June.

“The rebate, if translated, will cost between 35 sen and 40 sen a litre. If the people do not appreciate the rebates, it is better for us not issue any more in the future.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

PAS says OK to Bar Forum

about time....

-----taken from Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council forum on Saturday should have been allowed to proceed, said the PAS Research Centre.

“A small group of us met to discuss the forum and we were unanimous that it should have been allowed to proceed. There are valid reasons for such a forum,” said Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad, the centre director, in an interview.

“As was emphasised to us by International Islamic University constitutional law expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari and Hanifah Maidin, the head of PAS legal bureau, Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution when passed had not envisaged the circumstances that could arise, for example, the impact on people of other faiths embracing Islam.

“We don’t see the forum as non-Muslims encroaching into theological matters. The underpinning reason was for the legal, technical and procedural lacuna created by Article 121 (1A) to be ironed out in earnestness and intellectual integrity.

“Take the case of Subashini and Saravanan who were married under civil law and he later on embraced Islam.

“If the non-converting spouse does not use the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act to dissolve the marriage, what happens? These are long-standing issues that the authorities should have ironed out long ago; instead, every time a case like this raises its ugly head, it is Muslims and Islam that get bashed.”

Dr Dzulkifli, who is also the Kuala Selangor MP, said those who had united to oppose the forum had no understanding of the issue at hand.

“That's why Dr Mehrun Siraj (who was cut short from talking by the protesters who wanted the forum to end) asked for reform,” he said.

“We thought that after the March election, we had proven that we could manage dissent intellectually and discuss issues without getting emotional.

“We regret Saturday’s incident. There are some issues that should be discussed behind closed doors but this was just to plug the loopholes.”

Monday, August 11, 2008

What did I tell You....Malacca flood again

Mr. Gan Tian Loo, if you are reading this, your constituency is also flooded. Please take note. To wait for another two years or so, I'm afraid the whole kampung in Durian Daun Dalam will 'hanyut'. So please speed up.

----- Taken from the Star

MALACCA: It was sheer coincidence that the state’s flood mitigation plans dominated debate at the 12th State Legislative Assembly when several low-lying areas suffered flash floods following several hours of downpour on Thursday.

Several Barisan Nasional and Opposition assemblymen expressed concern on flash flooding in several parts of the state and wanted to know how fast the state would address the issue.

Datuk Tahir Hassan (BN - Paya Rumput) questioned how long he had to wait for the problem to be resolved in his constituency.

“We have been debating on floods since with the reply given that it is caused by the unusually heavy rains.

Helping hands: G. Arukkiasamy 16,helping her wheelchair-bound neighbour Kamala Alagan, 65, to higher ground after her home was affected by flash floods recently.

“Today, by divine providence, several areas in my constituency were hit by flash floods.

“Am I supposed to keep telling my constituents it is due to hujan lebat, hujan lebat each time it floods?” he questioned.

He said it was good the state had plans to solve the problem, noting that the plans were for the future and not immediate.

The issue was earlier raised by Hassan Rahman (BN — Sungai Rambai), who wanted to know the state’s plans to address floods at four locations along the new AMJ highway.

Goh Leong San (DAP - Kesidang) expressed concern over several areas in his constituency including Kampung Chitty where a retention pond was constructed recently.

In his answer, Gan Tian Loo (BN - Duyong), who is also state exco member for public works, said that RM128mil had been allocated by the Federal Government for flood mitigation projects in the city.

He said this included RM90.1mil to deepen Malacca River, and RM47mil for several projects in the city and the creation of a 33ha retention pond in the Krubong-Belimbing area that could hold 900,000 sq m of water.

“The various flood mitigation projects are expected to be completed within the next one to two years depending on technicalities and weather conditions,” he said, adding that the issue of floods would be fully resolved when the projects were completed.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

More than JUST A BETRAYAL

Betrayal? Exactly my feeling with the mixture of Disappointment, Outrageous, felt Offended, Aghast, Furious, Irate, Shameful, Embarrassed, Annoyed etc etc etc. Can we trust our police? More so all within the compound of the police department.

-----

©New Straits Times (Used by permission)

THIS is how defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory. What was hailed four months ago as a record-breaking success in the war on drugs -- a seizure of nearly RM50 million worth of assorted narcotics, resulting in the arrest of a dozen felons and the disruption of an international syndicate -- turns instead into another shameful embarrassment for the police. The apparent disappearance of RM1 million worth of syabu from a strongroom in the Johor state police headquarters, with evidence indicating an "inside job", sits discomfitingly among similar thefts in recent years. In each case, mid-level officers have been punished for dereliction of responsibility by being reassigned to other duties.

To an extent, the police force is granted the right to keep its own house in order -- an article of faith born on pragmatism, considering the difficulties inherent in the police being called on publicly to investigate themselves. The continuing impulse towards establishing a commission to oversee the police, however, is only accelerated by incidents such as these. This lends urgency not only to the need to solve this crime, but to ensuring there is no hint that the police would prefer to cover it up rather than get to the bottom of it.

One wonders, though, how much the general public loss of faith in the country's security forces has conduced to the sort of fatal cynicism that would have enforcers prefer to be hanged as sheep than lambs. With millions of ringgit in seized assets languishing in their strongrooms, what temptations must befall the guards? As we are at present witnessing with the Immigration Department, where the arrest of senior officers on suspicion of complicity in illegal activities seems hardly to have cowed junior ranks into sticking to the straight path, the rot may have so permeated such agencies that it hardly matters whether or not the fish rots from the head, once the entire entity is riddled with a loss of faith.

Hence, while the Anti-Corruption Agency pounds its beat with renewed resolve, picking up sundry civil servants and government contractors to examine their palms for grease, and while public opinion continues to demand that the guilty be ferreted out and punished to the fullest extent of the law, it is truly dispiriting when the enforcers themselves continue to betray what frail shreds are left of the public trust. Without that trust, it should go without saying, they do not serve the nation's security but undermine it.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

DNA is Permanent, Mr PeeeM

I wish to thank my brader, Joshua in his blog about DNA where he googled it and came up the article below that talks about DNA being a permanent in nature.

Looks like the Prime Minister just embarrassed himself in front of all MALAYSIANS. Download the YouTube taken by Malaysiakini

Below is some insight on DNA taken from the Star.

Caught by science

By RASHVINJEET S.BEDI

A strand of hair, a toothpick, a drop of blood and saliva on the rim of a cup – hardly tangible but enough to put criminals behind bars and help loved ones identify their dead next of kin. In many of the high profile crime cases, the Forensic Section of the Chemistry Department helps the police put the pieces together.

STAINED bed-sheets. These are items suspicious wives have sent to the Forensic Section of the Chemistry Department to find out if their husbands are faithful or otherwise.

It is a long and expensive process, which involves tracing the bed-sheet for seminal stains, extracting the DNA, amplifying it and testing the samples. If DNA from the seminal stains does not match the husband or wife's DNA, then very likely there is a case of infidelity.

Then there are those who seek the help of the department, which comes under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, to ascertain biological links, also done through DNA testing.

In Malaysia though, DNA testing is limited and the Forensic Section is mostly preoccupied with crime cases such as murder, rape and robbery. Many items are subject to testing – clothing, mattresses, nail clippings, firearms, bloodstains, cigarette butts and even chewing gum.

"On some occasions, robbers might have a drink after their job. We can test the cup (saliva) for their DNA," says Primulapathi Jaya, director of the Malaysian Chemistry Department's Forensic Section.

DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms (Wikipedia). A person inherits an equal amount of DNA from the mother and father. With the exception of identical twins, a person's DNA is unique.

"DNA is permanent and doesn't get destroyed," says Primulapathi.

"It (DNA testing) is applying science to law to ensure criminal justice. This evidence doesn't lie. How it got there is another issue and that is for the police to find out. Only in paternity cases are we 100% sure," he adds.

Anything that humans come into contact with have traces of DNA, including one's toothbrush. In a recent case, a toothpick found in a car used for armed robbery nailed a member of the notorious Dewa gang.

DNA is taken from every US Army personnel so if anything were to happen to them (for example, blown to pieces beyond recognition), their identity can be confirmed.

The Chemistry Department has been involved in the high profile Canny Ong and Altantuya murder cases, among others. In the Canny Ong case, the convicted killer's sperm was found on her clothing while Canny's blood was found on the killer's jeans.

For now, the Forensic Section is busy with the murder of Goh Yoke Seng, whose body was chopped into 11 pieces and found in a refrigerator in a condominium in Mont Kiara last Sunday. DNA tests confirmed the identity of the deceased.

»This evidence doesn't lie. How it got there is another issue and that is for the police to find out. Only in paternity cases are we 100% sure« PRIMULAPATHI JAYA
A blood sample from the next of kin of the deceased was used to confirm the identity of the body, says Primulapathi.

The time taken to solve one case depends on the number of exhibits received. If there are 100 exhibits, then it may take almost two months to test every exhibit, although police would recommend which exhibits were important.

"The police have improved a lot compared to when they first started. Before, they used to bring ahout 10 exhibits. Now it can go up to 80 exhibits. We try to screen what is relevant and what is urgent. If we have no further leads, then we will proceed with the next items," says Primulapathi.

Most murder cases take four to six weeks to complete but staff work round the clock when there are urgent cases.

"Some cases take time to complete. Complex cases can take a month to interpret, for example, a gang rape involving five or six people," he says.

Testing two DNA samples costs RM1,500, considered to be cheap in the region. In Singapore, it costs about S$1,300 (RM2,951).

The Forensic Section lab is state-of-the-art and has received ASCLD-LAB ("American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board") accreditation after a review by 11 experts from all over the world. It is the fourth lab outside America to gain such status.

Before the DNA testing, preliminary tests have to be done, explains forensic scientist (DNA), Noraidora Saedon. For example, the acid phosphatase test determines the presence of seminal stains. This could take a long time if the exhibit is a mattress. Blotting paper (A4) is placed on the mattress and stains are traced; every inch of the mattress has to be covered.

"Once we determine the location of the stain, the location is cut out and another test is conducted to determine if it's from a male or female," explains Noraidora.

Once that is done, DNA is extracted from the sample. The result is a clear liquid, which is then amplified before it can be tested. This process applies to all exhibits.

DNA from the exhibits is then compared with the suspect's DNA in a crime case. If there is a match, this evidence can be used to charge the suspect in court. If there is no match, the DNA profile is stored in a computer, to be used for future references. In one instance, a taxi driver was linked to six rape cases.

According to scientific officer Sharizah Alimat, DNA extraction can be a tedious process depending on the sample provided. While extracting DNA from blood is considered to be clear-cut, extracting DNA from a piece of bone (without its marrow) could take almost two weeks.

And in this nature of work, a lot of care is taken when handling the exhibits.

"We have to ensure the integrity of the exhibit. The sample must be tested without interference. We adhere to very strict procedures," says Primulapathi.

The DNA profile of staff is taken to ensure they are ruled out in case of any contamination while the exhibits have to be marked clearly so that no mix-up occurs.

"The sample that comes in may not be clean and there may be very little DNA, so we have to take extreme care. We can't rush the work and make mistakes because this involves people's life," says Sharizah.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

PI Disappeared...

Now Mr Bala aka the PI disappeared. So is it really, that threats of one's life do exists? What about the notion of beautiful and harmonious Malaysia where threats of one's life is not our culture said our DPM and PM recently. Why Mr PI disappeared suddenly?

The first Statutory Declaration as according to his former lawyer, Mr Americk Sidhu was made when he is in his right frame of mind. As stated in one news report that he believed the private eye had been coerced “by either threats or promises as I can think of no other reason” and that it was voluntarily made without duress and it was written over a a period of one and a half months in several meetings with Balasubramaniam, each lasting hours...as according to Mr Americk Sidhu.

Then come the second SD which not only shocked Americk Sidhu but I believe a right minded Malaysian that within 24 hours his client had engaged the services of another lawyer and made another statutory declaration, swearing that the first one was untrue and that he had been forced to sign it.

Mr Sidhu also said as reported in the news report, “As I am familiar with Mr Bala's character, having spent hours recording his statement, I am very sceptical that he signed the second statutory declaration on his own free will."

So can one perceived that the second SD is tainted with some form of illegality and undue influence by some irresponsible third party.

A statutory declaration is evidence given under oath which cannot be retracted. It is liken to facts stated in court under oath and if that declaration is found to be false then the person making the said declaration can be charged in court for perjury. Just saying that the first SD declared was under duress is not enough. There must be compelling evidence to suggest that there is some form of duress and undue influence.

The new SD withdrew all statements that Balasubramaniam had revealed during a press conference organised by PKR de facto leader DSAI on Thursday and this included the fact that he had informed police what political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda had purportedly told him prior to Altantuya’s murder.

So where do we go from here? Or rather where is Mr Bala now.....

PI Bala’s nephew lodges missing person’s report (Reported in the Star)

KUALA LUMPUR: R. Kumaresan, nephew of private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, lodged a police report in Brickfields here on Saturday over the disappearance of his uncle, aunt and their three children.

Kumaresan said it was unusual for calls to his uncle to go unanswered. He added that Balasubramaniam and his family had been in communicado after the private investigator made a new statutory declaration, retracting his original statutory declaration on Friday.

In the first statutory declaration, Balasubramaniam had claimed that police omitted vital information, allegedly linking Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.

On Friday, Balasubramaniam revealed in a second statutory declaration that he was “compelled to affirm the (first) statutory declaration dated July 1, 2008 under duress”.