The ‘battered’ and ‘roller coaster ride’ of 2007….

The 2007 had been a very long year indeed. Too many political ups and downs, boons and banes. Certainly, 2007 will not be easily forgotten for its ‘colourfulness’, which in time, will shape the Malaysian political landscape and decorate the plural history. This blog will attempt a brief re-cap of the major highlights for the year.

New Year saw Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with his family and close personal friends, having a ball of time of their life in ‘down under’, against the sensitivities of ten of thousands of Malaysians living in appalling distressed conditions, due to the massive floods that hit the country, especially in the South of the Peninsular. He even officiated a nasi kandar restaurant in Perth in this year end-new year visit.

Then former Malay Mail Executive Editor, Ahirudin “Rocky” Attan was officially served his summons paper on 18 January 2007 by Kalimullah “Riong Kali” Hassan and three other executives in NST for the earlier’s postings in his blog, “Rocky’s Bru”.

The nation was shocked with the scoop about a wholly owned GLC Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, the holding company of Malaysia Airlines taking delivery of a brand new intercontinental very large and luxury executive jet, even though the TUDM is currently operating three other luxury executive jets.

Perdana Global Peace organized the third Perdana Global Peace Forum 5-7 February 2007 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, where former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad called Western leaders, especially President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair as “War Criminals” and strongly urged the world to ‘criminalize war’.

 

Then former Prime Minister and UMNO President Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, made a landmark call for UMNO members whilst in Johor Bahru on 10 February 2007 (his first political engagement after his 8 November 2006 ‘mild heart attack’) to have a leadership, even though it is premature. He also added that UMNO had seen several premature leadership changes and it brought progress to the Malays and the nation.

A lot of attention was placed on the Public Accounts Committee, head by then BN backbencher Chairman, Johor Bahru MP Dato’ Shahrir Samad and consist of both BN and Opposition MPs, such as YB Salahuddin Ayub, YB Dr. Tan Seng Giaw and YB Datin Seri wan Azizah Ismail. PAC is plagued with expectations to solve ‘scandals’ which involve public funds such as the ‘merger’ of Avenue Capital to ECM Libra.

March saw the much awed statements from politicians against bloggers, which drew a lot of flak in the bloggosphere. First it was Tourism Minister Tengku Dato’ Adnan Mansor. Then it was Information Minister, Dato’ Zainuddin “Zam” Maidin, who was a one time for Chief Editor of Utusan Malaysia and long time journalist. Then were was this report on the Malaysian Government’s intention against bloggers.

Tun Dr. Mahathir again repeated this call in Kulai, on 29 March 2007. The next day, he openly demonstrated his support for once arch political-enemy Tengku Tan Sri Razaleigh Hamzah openly, during the latter’s lecture on former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s legacy in University Malaya (although some other politician openly claimed that he is the ‘political son’ to the Bapa Pembangunan Malaysia!). Certainly, this ‘renewed association’, gave a lot of Malaysians, especially the Malays some glimmer of hope for things to be made better.. So many issues that still have not been settled and rectified, nor explained, which include the nineteen points raised when the former Prime Minister met his successor in Seri Perdana Complex in a four-eyed-engagement, two days before Hari Raya Aidil Fitri 1427H.

In late March also saw the sensation of the expose’ of Prime Minister Abdullah’s family own a RM 60 million property in Perth, Australia.

In April, the Malaysian political scene saw the formation of the practitioners of newest medium of information dissemination, ‘Blogs’, an alternative to mainstream media, came into crystalization. The new ‘cyber-warriors’ of the “information-age-war” came forward to unite under a formal organisation, National Alliance of Bloggers (All-Blogs). This new alternative and efficient medium of information dissemination, which is growing and exponentially getting attraction, was seen as something ‘prickly’ by some Government and BN leaders.

The same month also saw how former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was a convicted criminal and a ‘sandiwara’ performer, trying to make a political comeback and defeated humiliatingly, despite so many of his own PKR strong supporters exodus far away from him, which include his able lieutenants. Another major Malaysian ‘sandiwara’, also was revealed in the same after these men purported to have “sold of the holdings in ECM Libra”, after the scandal attracted too much attention and attacks, which include the Malaysian Minority Shareholders Watchdog Group Bhd. The plot thickens as the new ‘player’ revealed explained the amazingly seamless meteoric rise of a low cost carrier.

 

The 13th Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmood of Terengganu was sworn into office and coronated in a regal and highly illustrious ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on 26 April 2007. This coronation made history as it will be the last coronation and swearing in ceremony in the current Istana Negara. The next Seri Paduka Yang DiPertuan Agong will be expected to be sworn into office and coronated in the new Istana Negara Complex, on Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur. For the first time, the coronation of the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong was encapsulated in a full length documentary by the renowned National Geographic channel.

In May, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi concluded an understanding and agreement with Singaporean Prime Minister in Langkawi on Singapore’s involvement in the IDR. A special joint task force will be formed to look into areas which the Singaporeans have a ‘direct’ interests into Johor, namely environment (particularly water), immigration, tourism and transportation.

Later, Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, announced a handsome pay package increase for the civil servants. This 21 May 2007 announcement drew so much happiness from the over the one-point-two million civil servants although many other questioned the pay hike without attaching any productivity and efficiency condition to it.

 

The same month saw the editors of major mainstream news papers made some really major ‘boo-boos’. One was exposed on plagiarism. The other one, who practiced gross biasness in journalism, was highlighted on his ‘ass-kissing’ism. Another one, lied! (He definitely lied a year ago!)

The champion of socialism through democracy, now clearly proven themselves ‘undemocratic’, despite their vehement viscious attacks on another political party in 1999, when the latter deferred their party elections in anticipation of an upcoming ‘rough’ General Elections. One of their leaders, tried to ‘revisit’ on old wounds, from a skewed but narrow-angled perspective.

The trial of Azlina “Lina Joy” Jailani, to tried to omit the word “Islam” from her official identification records drew so much attention, local and abroad. The Federal Court decided at the end of May that she must obtain a decision from the Syariah Court. The Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Halim made a vehement call against ‘infidels’ in his judgment of the case. The case was a test against the Judiciary, especially with regards to the interpretation of the freedom to embrace any faith. Later, another ruling against a high profile case, Subshini created a precedence against any future non Muslim appeal in the Syariah Court.

In June, the nation saw the widowed Prime Minister wed again. Many hoped this will create more stability in the Prime Minister’s personal life (which somewhat affected his professional life). As a wedding gift, a balanced score card was republished.

The elusive and much misunderstood Iskandar Development Region (IDR) drew so much attention as the mega development plan went radically against Government’s own agenda and national development policies.

Proton was a dog of different fleas. The once highly profitable high technology company, which had enough reserve to develop their own huge industrial complex on its own internal funds, is now on a systematically slow death. A lot of bet was put on the possible merger with either VW or GM, for a credible technological provider. However, both negotiations failed.

The trial of a former strategist with the Deputy Prime Minister and two Policemen for the alleged gruesome high profile murder Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu started in mid June. The case drew too much attention and speculation that it became a major ‘item’ in Anwar Ibrahim’s and PKR’s campaign in the April Ijok by-election.

July, saw a blogger was detained and investigated, purportedly for his involvement in the fake photo which depicted the Deputy Prime Minister and the dead Mongolian model. He was allowed to go away after three nights and until today, he has yet to be charged with anything.

A TUDM helicopter went missing and later found crashed on the side of a mountain, near Genting. All seven crew died and the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister announced the replacement program for the fleet of air force vertical transporter which has been in service since 39 years ago. An inquiry board was formed where ‘human error’ was concluded as the cause of accident.

UMNO Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd. Taib made a Police report against online political portal Malaysia Today and its editor, Raja Petra Kamaruddin on 11 July 2007. The latter was later called by Dang Wangi Police for an interview and his statements be recorded. His wife, Marina was called too. Several active commentators were also questioned by the Police to the report made remarks posted against Islam and defamation of the King.

Another ambitious economic development project was launched, this time in the North called Northern Corridor Economic Region, on 30 July 2007. The focus will be on industrialization and ‘revolutionization’ of the agriculture industry, on top of physical development synergize by the high growth Penang metropolitan to be extended into Northern Perak, Kedah dan Perlis.

August saw the delivery of the first six of Russian made Su 30 MKM multirole combat aircraft, in an acquisition deal comprising of 16 aircraft. Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak offciated the delivery in a ceremony at TUDM Subang on 11 August 2007. During LIMA ’07, Prime Minister Abdullah officially graced the new first line of defense squadron of TUDM.

15 August 2007 saw the former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad went on a further sting against the Prime Minister Abdullah’s management of this country, at an event organised by PRIMA. On top of the that, former IGP earlier published his own opinion on the deterioration state of Police. Few days previously, a mainstream daily published a story that illustrate UMNO Youth Vice Head Khairy Jamaluddin as a “young Dr. Mahathir”.

An article was published that stated the mysterious Malaysia foreign policy shift, after four different Prime Ministers. The shift was first detected in November 2005, when Malaysia hosted the ASEAN leaders summit. In this summit, Malaysia bowed into Western flavour and took lead of “pressuring” against Myanmar to ‘democratize’ their political system.

A young girl Nurin Jazlin went missing on 20 August 2007 which attracted so much attention, especially she was discovered dead four weeks later. She was laid to rest in an emotional episode that drew so much sympathy, anger and dismay. UMNO Youth Exco in charge of public complaints Dato’ Subhan Kamal later criticized the Police for their slow progress on the case.

Synergy Drive Bhd., a creature created from the merger of Sime Darby Bhd., Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd. and Golden Hope Plantations Bhd. is undoubtably the largest palm oil estate corporation in the world.

All-Blogs hosted a forum on Bangsa Malaysia, the first in the newly operationalised Blog-house. Amongst the panelist were UMNO MP for Kota Bahru, lawyer Dato’ Zaid Ibrahim, civil rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar dan law lecturer and activist, Azmi Shahrom.

Pelabuhan Klang ADUN Dato’ Zakaria Deros, who gained national attention with his 2 room mansion, was dropped from an earlier 27 charges violating companies commission ruling by 23 August 2007. In October, he was arrogant enough to hold a boastful and ambitious Hari Raya Open House for 60,000 guests. Whether they really support him as their wakil rakyat or completely oblivion and don’t care about what have been said about him is not clear enough.

31 August 2007 saw the 50th celebrations of the Independence of Malaya (later Malaysia), in the most glorious pomp and pageantry. Foreign Monarchs and head of Governments attended. UMNO founder Dato’ Onn Jaafar, was selected as the most prolific personality in commemoration on these celebrations. He was instrumental in galvanising Malay NGOs all over country to fight against the formation of Malayan Union, which saw UMNO being born.

September was another colourful month. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, 82, underwent a second coronary arterial by-pass graft surgery in IJN on 4 September 2007, after the first one over eighteen years ago.

September is a also month of defiance. It started with the pig rearing community in Alor Gajah, Melaka vehemently rejected the authorities’ attempt to cull their over-excessive and illegal farming, which has proven to be detrimental to the environment.

 

Two illegal assemblies were held within this month, although one turned violent, which include the burning of the Malaysian flag “Jalur Gemilang” and one Policeman opened fire on the mob. One of the illegal assembly was actually organised by the Bar Council and attended by hundreds if not thousands of legal practitioners, as a reaction to Anwar Ibrahim’s revelation of ‘Judiciary rigging’.

An inquiry was formed to investigate on the alleged corruption and abuse of power and later a Royal Commission with specific powers and objectives was formed.

 

The Angkasawan Negara, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie, 35, was announced to be the crew of ISS 16 mission after a year of careful and meticulous evaluation and selection process. He was blasted off into space on 10 October 2007.

Prime Minister Abdullah, who is also the Finance Minister I announce the 2008 budget on 7 September 2007, with a three prong concentration approach; to improve Malaysia’s competency, to strengthen and enrich the ‘human capital’ and making Malaysians more compassionate society.

Telekom Malaysia will be demergered into highly subsidised domestic and internet operations, which is deemed as “national service” and profitable international operations.

1 October was Malaysia Airlines 35th anniversary in independent operations, a transformation from a Government agency into a corporation, listed on the bourse and now a Tier 1 intercontinental carrier in over six continents.

The Perdana Menteri Class Scorpene diesel-electric conventional submarines, which currently are under fitting out at the DCN shipyard in Cherbourg, France was officially named in an illustrious ceremony which marked a new notch in the armed forces history. Named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, it was launched by the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister. A second boat, named KD Tun Abdul Razak will launched in 2008 at the Navantia dockyards in Cartagena, Spain. This blog also made history when its article on the launching on the submarine was translated and uploaded in the French Navy website.

November started with the much awaited annual event after ‘Budget Day’, the UMNO General Assembly. As per the previous, years, the Deputy President UMNO’s speech has more ‘meat’ in it, as compared against the UMNO President’s.

This year’s UMNO General Assembly was ‘bland’ like expected, as the delegates have been limited on the issues they could raise and debate. Despite the UMNO President’s call against corruption and his vow to combat the ‘crime against society’ in the 2004 BN manifesto, it was not raised at all by any of the delegates throughout the four days annual convention.

During the UMNO General Assembly, one UMNO member from Sekijang UMNO Division, near Segamat, Johor, former Bernama journalist and MB Johor Press Secretary Johari Ismail, made a Police report against the UMNO President during this year’s UMNO General Assembly. He asked the Police to investigate the allegations against the UMNO President’s instruction to expunge three pages from the 28 August 2006 UMNO Supreme Council Meeting which discussed in details the ‘conspiracy’ to stop former UMNO President Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad from being elected as UMNO Kubang Pasu delegate at the Division’s annual general meeting on 9 September 2006.

Despite Prime Minister Abdullah stern warning against illegal assemblies stated explicitly in the President’s rebuttal speech, November saw another month of political discontent and more defiance. A massive street demonstration was organised by Opposition leaders, who fronted several NGOs united as ‘BERSIH’ to complain to HM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong on the 10 November 2007 against the unfair and biasness of ‘un-free’ elections conducted by the Elections Commission. It was rumoured that the street demonstration received the blessing of HM SPB YDP Agong. However, it was vehemently denied.

Two weeks later, another massive street demonstration was organised, purpotedly to handover a memorandum to the British Government. It turned violent (later found out they actually ‘planned’ it to turn violent!) and after constant vile attacks issued by the Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) leaders against the Government, alleging ethnic cleansing and other unsubstantiated malicious and inciteful charges and attempting to instigate racial and religious anger. This drew a lot of flak from the various facets of society, including HRH Rulers. Some were persistent in asking the Government to act sternly against them, who have been described as ‘extremist militants’ and ‘guilty of high treason’ to the country and its people.

 

HINDRAF leaders and other opportunistic leaders, went abroad to further narrowly discredit Malaysia. It almost caused a diplomatic row. After stubbornly unheeded to stern warnings against making for making statements that will cause anger to certain quarters in the society, five of its leaders were arrested under the ISA law.

 

In December, the Bursa Malaysia composite index (KLCI), reached a new record high of 1440 points on 6 December 2007. Despite many corporations still are in the reds, it managed to breach a new record because of several GLCs and Bluechips were doing amazing well and announced record profits. A lot analysts and critics question why TNB made over RM 2.2 billion in profits and still plan to increase tariffs. It is part of the Khazanah Holding Bhd. long term strategy to hold the KLCI at a handsome position and psychologically create an artificial “Feel good” factor.

The month also saw more defiance against the law of illegal assemblies. This time it was the lawyers again. Bar Council already failed to get a Police permit for a planned ‘walk’, in commemoration of the world human rights day. Instead, some lawyers went against the ban and some were arrested.

Later, the nation saw an undoubtedably really disappointing decision made by the Prime Minister. 31 youth and men were charged for “attempting murder on a Policeman on duty” during the HINDRAF organised illegal street demonstrations that turned violent. The Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail personally took to task in charging them in court and argued against the bail on them, citing the severity of the case. A week and half later, 13 Indian NGOs met the Prime Minister and he asked the AG to consider withdrawing from the case, which saw the Shah Alam Sessions Court discharged these men. This ‘Flip-Flop’ decision was a major disgrace and utter humiliation, especially for the AG’s Chambers and Police.

The 2007 curtain was closed with UMNO Secretary General Dato’ Radzi Sh. Ahmad openly lambasting Perlis UMNO and BN Chief, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Shahidan Kassim on national tv. This ‘unhealthy’ bickering in the open, which include the Gerakan Youth Vice Head S. Paranjothy statement to Malaysiakini clearly proven that PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s control and his management of everything is falling out of place.

Certainly, 2007 will always be remembered for its ‘roller-coaster’ ride through out the year. By far, Malaysians will make their decisions when the go to the much anticipated polls soon (just around the corner after the new year).

Good bye 2007 and welcome, 2008!

 

 

Anwar: ‘Raja’ dan ‘dalang’ budaya demonstrasi haram di jalanan

Kebelakangan ini, kekerapan dan saiz ‘tekanan’ yang demonstrasi jalanan tanpa permit Polis makin banyak dan intensif. Setelah ‘budaya’ mengunakan jalan sebagai medan meluahkan perasaan ini lama hilang dan seolah olah ‘dilupakan’, kini ianya timbul semula, semacam ada usaha berstruktur untuk ‘merancang’ dan ‘menganjurkan’ perarakan orang ramai, yang kadang kala berakhir dengan keganasan.

Bermula dari “Walk for Justice”, yang dianjurkan oleh Majlis Peguam pada 26 September 2007, kerana percubaan mendesak Kepimpinan Kerajaan untuk mengujudkan satu Suruhanjaya DiRaja untuk menyiasat pembabitan Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Halim dalam perbuatan ‘lobi-melobi’ dan ‘percaturan’ oleh seorang pengamal guaman ternama.

Kemudian perarakan dan demonstrasi jalanan tanpa permit Polis 30,000 warganegara dari Dataran Merdeka ke Istana Negara, dengan niat menghantar satu memorandum kepada SPB YDP Agong mengenai aduan atas keperluan pilihanraya bebas dan tidak bias. Program yang kunun kunun anjuran sebuah NGO ini akhirnya jelas terbukti bahawa Pembangkang men’dalangi’ usaha ini.

Akhir November pula melihatkan Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) menganjurkan perhimpunan dan demonstrasi jalanan yang tidak berjaya mendapatkan permit Polis, untuk kunun kunun menghantar memorandum kepada Perdana Menteri Britain (melalui Pesuruhjaya Tinggi British ke Malaysia).

Perhimpunan ini bertukar menjadi ganas dan kemudian didapati ianya dirancang terlebih awal sedemikian.

Kenapa kekerapan perhimpunan dan demonstrasi jalanan tiba tiba sahaja muncul kebelakangan ini? Sejarah telah menunjukan bahawa dua zaman dimana perhimpunan dan demonstrasi jalanan tanpa permit Polis begitu rancak dianjurkan; 1974 dan 1998-1999.

Benar, isu isu yang diketengahkan dalam demontrasi demonstrasi jalanan ini berbeza mengikut zaman dan keadaan. Namun begitu, terdapat satu kesamaan dalam kekerapan demontrasi jalanan tanpa permit Polis ini; Anwar Ibrahim!

Tahun 1974, Anwar dilihat sebagai pemimpin militan pelajar yang kunun kunun begitu tegas membidas Kerajaan Tun Razak Hussein, dalam perlaksanaan dasar dasar Kerajaan dan melibatkan orang orang Melayu, terutama diluar bandar dan desa, tatkala Dasar Ekonomi Baru dan Projek Buku Hijau telah dimulakan, secara spesifik untuk membantu kumpulan sasaran yang sama.

Tahun 1998 pula, melihatkan Anwar Ibrahim menyerang Kepimpinan Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad meng’aniaya’ dirinya semata mata kerana memperthanakan ‘kronisma’ dan “ketamakan untuk terus berkuasa”. Ini dipersembahkan dalam siri siri demonstrasi haram “Reformasi”. Yang nyatanya, antara 1982-98, semasa Anwar diangkat sebagai sebahagian dari anggota pentadbiran dan akhirnya mencapai kedudukan kedua terutama Negara, tiada langsung demonstrasi jalanan ini.

Budaya demonstrasi jalanan (selalunya, berubah kepada keganasan) yang Anwar cuba ‘hidup’kan kembali ini tidak setakat dijalanraya dan padang padang awam, malah beliau tergamak mencemari kesucian masjid, sebagaimana yang berlaku di Masjid Negara, Kuala Lumpur pada 4 September 1998, dua hari selepas dipecat dari Kabinet dan UMNO.

Hari ini, kita masih lagi melihat ‘sejarah’ berulang. Kes V. K. Lingam, yang menjadi asas dan modal utama Majlis Peguam menganjurkan demosntrasi tanpa permit Polis dari Palace of Justice ke Perdana Putra, Putrajaya itu lahir setelah Anwar Ibrahim membuat siding media ‘membongkar’ satu rakaman video perbualan seorang pengamal guaman ternama.

Pada perhimpunan haram 10 November 2007 pula, walaupun BERSIH begitu tegas mengutarakan bahawa aktiviti itu anjuran pelbagai NGO bergabung. Namun begitu, Anwar Ibrahim telah memberikan ucapan kepada peserta peserta dan media, terutama luar negara yang memberikan liputan intensif. 

Dalam kes HINDRAF pula, Anwar Ibrahim telah mengeluarkan kenyataan media semasa di India, menyokong usaha HINDRAF. Dipercayai, Anwar timbul kesedaran kunun kunun ‘membela nasib keturunan India’ ini semasa dan selepas kekalahan memalukan calon ‘gergasi’ PKR mantan tokoh korperat Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim kepada seorang mantan guru di Ijok. HINDRAF merupakan badan dan peluang terbaik bagi beliau ‘mencucuk’, agar emosi golongan India dibangkitkan dan sebagaimana biasa, menimbulkan kekacauan dikalangan masyarakat. Mebangkitkan emosi, kemarahan dan kekacuan dikalangan segmen segmen terpilih rakyat merupakan ‘kepakaran’ dan ‘operasi piawaian biasa’ (standard operating procedure) Anwar.

Perarakan dan demonstrasi jalanan yang pada asalnya dianjurkan oleh Majlis Peguam pada 9 Disember 2007 dan dibatalkan kerana dinafikan permit Polis, tetapi masih lagi diteruskan juga atas nama memperingati “Hak asasi manusia” dan berakhir dengan tangkapan termasuk empat orang peguam, sebenarnya mendapat sokongan terbuka dan kuat Anwar.

Yang nyatanya, semenjak kebanjiran pemimpin pemimpin PKR seperti Dr. Chandra Muzaffar, Marina Yusuf, Nell Onn, Ruslan Kassim, Zainur Zakaria, Jomo K. Sundram, Lokman Noor Adam, Hanafiah Man, S. Nalla Karupan dan terbaru, Abdul Rahman Osman lari keluar meninggalkan perjuangan yang sia sia itu, Anwar Ibrahim dan PKR perlu kekal ‘relevan’ sebagai satu parti politik yang mempunyai objektif dan sasaran pencapaian.

Anwar Ibrahim kini terdesak setelah ‘bankrap’ modal politik, hanya mempunyai pilihan terakhir untuk kekal relevan menerima ‘perhatian’ masyarakat Malaysia; iaitu kembali kepada modus operandi yang amat beliau pakar dalam menarik perhatian politik, setelah cara lain gagal – Demonstrasi haram dijalanan!

Jelas mantan banduan Anwar Ibrahim ialah ‘Raja’ dan ‘Dalang’ untuk menghidupkan budaya yang sebenarnya tidak diterima majoriti rakyat Malaysia, iaitu demontrasi haram di jalananan. Samada ujud agenda berpaksikan dari ‘luar’ dalam usaha terancang dan berstruktur ini, ialah atas penilaian masing masing. Yang nyatanya, dari liputan yang diberikan pihak pihak ‘tertentu’, menunjukan Anwar merupakan “Ayam Tambatan” !

A day of majority, by the bench

Yesterday saw an unusual day at the courts. Two ‘high profile’ cases, which drew the attention of many, especially those who regard themselves as “like minded” people, as both cases involve the issue of integrity of the Judiciary, human rights and the outcome of the judgment, can be ‘capitalised’ to portray how the majority Malay-Muslim care little for “infringements” against the minorities of the populi.

First it was the case of Bar Council’s objection against the appointment of former Universiti Malaya Dean of Law Faculty Dr. Badariah Sahamid as the Judicial Commissioner. The Federal Court ruled that her law knowledge and experience is adequate to qualify her for the Judiciary post and one Federal Court Judge argued on this point from the “wider sense”.

The 3-2 majority in favour of Dr. Badariah’s 1 March appointment was achieved even though the newly appointed Chief Justice Dato’ Abdul Hamid Mohamad gave a dissenting judgment against the majority of the panel of this Federal Court. The judgment over turned the current ruling that a law practitioner needs a minimum of 10 years before one could be considered into a bench position. 

The Star has the stories:

Friday December 28, 2007

Badariah’s appointment declared valid

By M. MAGESWARI and PAUL CHOO

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court ruled in a 3-2-majority judgment that former law lecturer Dr Badariah Sahamid is qualified to be a judicial commissioner (JC).

The rather unusual judgment saw the current Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad and another Federal Court judge dissenting strongly on the issue.

The three judges who declared Dr Badariah’s appointment valid were Federal Court judges Justices Nik Hashim Nik Ab. Rahman, Hashim Yusoff and Azmel Maamor.

The trio, therefore, dismissed the application by the Malaysian Bar, which named the Government as the sole defendant, with costs yesterday.

Justice Nik Hashim ruled that Dr Badariah could be considered practising “in a wider sense” as she was teaching law at Universiti Malaya before her appointment as a JC.

“In my view, the main criterion for the appointment as a JC or a Judge of the High Court is that the candidate must have been called to the Bar and admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor for 10 years and it does not matter if the candidate, like Dr Badariah here, did not possess a practising certificate preceding the appointment,” he said.

In a separate written judgment, Justice Hashim said the definition of “advocate” in Section 3 of the Interpretation Acts 1948 & 1967 did not appear to apply to the meaning of the word “advocate” in the Federal Constitution.

“Similarly in Article 123 of the Federal Constitution, if Parliament had intended that only legally qualified appointees who had actually practised for 10 years to qualify for appointment as a High Court judge or JC, the draftsman would have used the words ‘a practising advocate’ or ‘legal practitioner’ instead of the word ‘advocate’ in Article 123 of the Constitution,” he said.

Justice Azmel, who described Dr Badariah’s legal qualification as impeccable, echoed the sentiment.

In his judgment, Chief Justice Abdul Hamid ruled the appointment invalid as he considered an advocate as a person who works as an advocate or who practises law.

“By looking at the provision of the Constitution itself, in my view, the more reasonable meaning that should be given to the word ‘advocate’ is a practising advocate,” the top judge said.

He said this was further strengthened by the requirement that an advocate or a member of the judicial and legal service must have been so for 10 years.

“That requirement can only mean to enable the advocate or the officer to gain experience at the Bar or in the service before he is appointed. Otherwise, the requirement serves no purpose whatsoever,” he said.

He said the time may have come for other categories of persons such as academicians to be included as persons qualified to be appointed judges, especially in such areas of law as intellectual property, conventional and Islamic finance and banking.

“But that is a matter of policy for the Government. It is not right for the court to rewrite the Constitution under the pretext of interpreting it to sneak in someone under the two existing categories when he or she does not really belong to either of them,” he said.

He said Dr Badariah, not having practised law at all since her admission to the Bar, does not qualify to be appointed a JC.

“I hold that even though the appointment of Dr Badariah is invalid, all her judgments and orders handed down by her as a JC are not a nullity by reason of defect in her appointment.

“As it is a matter of public interest, I would order that no order for costs be made in this court,” he added.

Federal Court judge Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, who agreed with the top judge, said Dr Badariah’s appointment as JC with effect from March 1 was null and void.

“In my view, an advocate can only gain experience by being in practice.

“It is to be noted that under the same Article 123 of the Federal Constitution even a member of the Judicial and Legal Service of the Federation must have the requisite number of years of working experience to be eligible for appointment as a judge or a JC,” he added.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said he did not think anything strange about the decision.

“It is a majority decision. It shows total independence,” he added.

This judgment certainly anull the ruling and thus recognize Dr. Badariah’s long academic exposure, which include thesis, papers presented and books published, throughout after being called to the Bar twenty years ago. She  was also member of the qualifying board.

The Star has more:

Dr Badariah – from dean to JC

DR BADARIAH SAHAMID, 52, is former dean of the law faculty at Universiti Malaya (UM) where she also lectured and was associate professor.

Her field of expertise is banking law, jurisprudence and legal theory.

She graduated from UM with a law degree in 1978, and received her Masters from the University of London a year later.

In 1987, she was called to the Bar and was a member of the professional qualifying board.

Dr Badariah received her law doctorate from UM in 2001 and was appointed judicial commissioner on March 1, 2007.

Judicial commissioners are appointed for a term of two years and have the power to perform the same functions of a High Court judge.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong appoints JCs on the advice of the Prime Minister, who consults the Chief Judge on the appointments.

 

Then there was the other ‘high profile’ case. The Federal Court again gave a 2-1 majority decision for the divorce and child custody “Subashini” case is for the civil court to decide and the husband’s conversion into Islam does not warrant an automatic annulment or dissolution to the union, which was bound by the Marriage and Divorce Act.

Friday December 28, 2007

Judges: Go back to civil court

By M. MAGESWARI

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court ruled that the dispute between secretary R. Subashini and her Muslim-convert husband T. Saravanan over the dissolution of their marriage and child custody will continue to be under the jurisdiction of the civil court.

In the 2-1-majority landmark decision yesterday, the three judges agreed on this point with the third judge dissenting on all other issues raised.

Federal Court judge Justice Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman said a non-Muslim’s marriage did not automatically dissolved upon one of the parties’ conversion to Islam.

“Thus, by contracting the civil marriage, the husband and wife are bound by the 1976 Act (Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act) marriage in respect to divorce and custody of the children of the marriage, and thus, the civil court continues to have jurisdiction over him, notwithstanding his conversion to Islam,” he said.

In his judgment, Justice Nik Hashim said by embracing Islam, Saravanan and his eldest son were subject to Muslim personal and religious laws.

“It is not an abuse of process, if he, being a Muslim, seeks remedies in the Syariah High Court as it is his right to do so,” he said.

Justice Nik Hashim, who sat together with Federal Court judges Justices Abdul Aziz Mohamad and Azmel Maamor, said this:

“To my mind, the dissolution order of the civil marriage by the Syariah High Court by virtue of conversion would have no legal effect in the (civil) High Court other than as evidence of the fact of the dissolution of the marriage under the Islamic law in accordance with Hukum Syarak.

“Thus, the non-Muslim marriage between the husband and wife remains intact and continues to subsist until the High Court dissolves it pursuant to a petition for divorce by the unconverted spouse under Section 51(1) of the 1976 Act.”

He said there was no impediment for the converted husband to appear in the divorce proceedings in the civil High Court.

“The wife, being a non-Muslim, has no locus in the syariah court,” he said.

Both judges also agreed that although the syariah courts are state courts, they are not lower in status than the civil courts.

Justices Nik Hashim and Azmel, who threw out Subashini’s appeal, said the divorce petition filed at the High Court by Subashini was premature and invalid as it was filed two months and 18 days after the husband’s conversion to Islam.

The judge ruled that the petition should have been filed after three months.

Justice Nik Hashim said it was his view that Subashini was entitled to proceed with her application for custody rights of her children but it would be most appropriate if she filed her petition for divorce afresh.

He said the conversion of the elder son to Islam by the husband, albeit under the Selangor Enactment, did not violate the Federal Constitution.

He added that either spouse had the right to convert a child of the marriage to Islam.

“The word ‘parent’ in Article 12(4) of the Constitution, which states that the religion of a person under the age of 18 years shall be decided by his parent or guardian, means a single parent,” Justice Nik Hashim said.

Justice Azmel concurred with him on those points.

In September last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed Subashini’s application to stop Saravanan from resolving their marital problems in the syariah court.

On March 13, Court of Appeal had, in a 2-1 majority judgment, said Subashini had recourse to seek in the syariah court for divorce and child custody.

Subashini, 29, and Saravanan, 32, have yet to finalise their divorce.

They have two children – Dharvin Joshua, four, and two-year-old Sharvin.

Justice Abdul Aziz’s dissenting judgment is 112 pages.

One of the Judges who sat in this proceeding gave a dissenting view that Muslim convert T. Saravanan’s attempt to obtain a custody order of his elder son from the syariah court amounts to an abuse of the court process, the Federal Court ruled in a dissenting judgment.

The interpretations of the judgment of both case are subjective, depends on the side of spectrum that one sits. The Bar Council will certainly welcome this decision, as some of its activists are of the opinion that the ‘Syariah court is “inferior” to the High court’. On the other hand, it is expected the Bar Council appalled with the judgment on the Dr. Badariah’s appointment as a Judicial Commissioner. Surely, the Federal Court Judges have interpreted the law and translated into the judgment in both cases.

So it was a day of landmark decision for the Malaysian Judiciary and the decision by the majority, prevails.

Saifuddin Nasution: ‘Anwarista’ kini mencari peluang politik dalam medan PAS

Mantan ADUN Lunas, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail kini menempa sejarah baru sebagai ahli politik Pembangkang, dalam politik Kerajaan Pembangkang. Sebagai personaliti pilihan Exco Kanan Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan Dato’ Husam Musa, anak kelahiran Perlis Saifuddin dilantik Pengurus Besar Yayasan Tabung Tok Kenali selama dua tahun itu, kini telah diangkat sebagai Penasihat Strategik PAS, walaupun masih menjadi ahli dan penasihat strategik PKR.

Ini mengundang banyak kontroversi, samada dalam parti PKR dan PAS sendiri. Pada konvensyen tahunan PKR diSeremban Mei lepas, penasihat PKR Anwar Ibrahim terpaksa menjelas dan pertahankan kepada perwakilan tentang kedudukan Saifuddin sebagai ahli PKR dan mantan Naib Presiden PKN, yang kini dilantik kejawatan PAS itu. Biasanya, dalam amalan sebarang parti parti politik, seorang ahli ditegah mengambil bahagian, jauh lagi menduduki apa apa jawatan dalam parti politik lain, terutama yang berbayar. Tiada tindakan diambil oleh PKR, malah ianya mendapat restu dan pembelaan penasihat PKR Anwar Ibrahim, yang sememangnya ‘merajai’ parti yang ujud kerana objektif sempit beliau semata mata semenjak tahun 1999.

Pengambilan Saifuddin keatas peranan strategik dalam PAS itu juga tidak disenangi beberapa kumpulan dalam parti Pembangkang yang satu satunya masih berjaya mengekalkan sebagai Kerajaan Negeri, terutama dikalangan ‘Old Guards‘. Walaupun beliau seorang orator yang bagus, terutama dengan maklumat terkini mengenai isu isu semasa dan pengetahuan mengenai ugama Islam yang boleh dimodalkan dalam percaturan politik, namun begitu ada pemimpin PAS sendiri yang sangsi mengenai personaliti yang beberapa kali ‘melompat’ parti ini.

Saifuddin mula mula menerima perhatian awam apabila pada 9 November 1996, beliau telah ditahan Polis kerana menyerbu masuk persidangan Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor II (Apcet II) diKuala Lumpur. Ketika itu, beliau merupakan Setiausaha Kerja Pemuda UMNO dan Setiausaha Politik Menteri Pertahanan ketika mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Timbalan Presiden UMNO Anwar Ibrahim dipecat. Kedudukan politik Saifudin kini bertambah rumit, kerana adinda beliau, Shazlan kini bertugas dengan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak.

Kini beliau memainkan peranan stategik dalam ‘perkongsian rapuh’ parti parti politik Pembangkang, yang sebenarnya mempunyai terlalu banyak kelemahan dan ketidak-sesuaian, samada prinsip, ideologi maupun pendekatan politik mereka. Beliau dikatakan telah ‘renggang’ dengan kepimpinan Anwar Ibrahim dan Azmin Ali, semenjak kempen pilihanraya kecil Ijok April lepas.

Anwar Ibrahim dan PKR, yang kini dilihat sebagai sanggup membuat apa apa ‘stunt’ politik sekali pun kerana ‘sedang lemas’ (desperate) dalam dilemma antara ke’bankrupt’an modal politik, masalah dalaman PKR yang meruncing dan penerimaan dikalangan rakyat yang sedang menurun, disamping masih lagi kuat menerima sokongan agensi asing dan sangat akrab dengan pemimpin Yahudi Barat. Mantan peguam bela Anwar Ibrahim sendiri yang sanggup dijatuhkan hukuman kerana menghina mahkamah dan kemudian dimalukan dan kecewakan apabila kalah di kerusi Lembah Pantai pada Pilihanraya Umum November 1999 itu, kini mengecam beliau sebagai kuat menyokong “pengkhianat Negara”!

Semakin ramai orang orang Melayu yang sedar akan keadaan ini akan menyukarkan segala apa ‘sandiwara’ yang Saifuddin cuba persembahkan, yang akan dilihat sebagai satu lagi Anwarista yang cuba mengujudkan ‘pementasan bagi pihak Anwar Ibrahim’, tatkala begitu ramai pemimpin PKR dan orang orang kanan Anwar Ibrahim sendiri kecewa dan lari meninggalkanya.

Difahamkan Saifuddin kini giat aktif dalam siri siri ceramah PAS, terutama seluruh Kelantan dan sedang ‘melobi’ agar diberikan tempat dan peluang untuk bertanding dalam pilhanraya umum akan datang dalam Kelantan atas tiket PAS.

Apakah sekarang ini, Saifuddin akan berusaha untuk meng’Anwar Ibrahim’kan PAS, sedangkan ramai ahli ahli/penyokong PAS amat ‘alah’ (allergic) kepada nama “Anwar Ibrahim” dan “PKR” itu sendiri? Atau ahli ahli, penyokong dan pengundi PAS menerima personaliti politik ante-PAS mantan UMNO dan Keadilan ini? Tidakah Saifuddin dilihat sebagai personaliti politik yang tiada pendirian tetap dalam politik dan begitu mudah ‘beralih selera’? Tidakah akan berlaku konflik dalaman PAS antara ‘Old Guards‘ dan ‘Young Turks‘, yang sememangnya payah untuk mendapat ‘keseimbangan’ itu? Dimanakah kareer politik Saifuddin ‘dalam’ PAS, apabila Murshidul Am PAS Dato’ Nik Aziz tidak lagi sebagai Menteri Besar Kelantan dan ‘Young Turks’ seperti Dato’ Husan Musa sendiri tiada ‘perlindungan’/’naungan’ dalam politik dalam PAS? Sekiranya ini berlaku, apakah Saifudin akan ‘melompat katak’ lagi, setelah pernah duduk atas ‘teratai’ politik dalam ‘danau’ UMNO dan PKR?

Persoalan persoalan ini perlukan jawapan dan ini adalah perkembangan menarik yang wajar dilihat.

Reaksi angkuh Paranjothy melambangkan jelas ketirisan Kepimpinan PM ‘Flip-Flop’

Hari ini, Utusan Malaysia menyiarkan laporan bahawa Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan S. Paranjothy yang diselar kerana membuat kenyataan liar dan melulu, kerana menyalahkan UMNO kerana masalah sosial rakyat Malaysia etnik India dan menyinggung pelbagai pihak, tidak berasa gentar dan sedikit pun risau berkenaan perbuatan itu dan tindakan yang bakal diambil keatasnya.

Malah beliau dengan angkuhnya menyatakan kesediaan untuk menanggung risiko tindakan Jawatan Kuasa Disiplin dan Jawatan Kuasa Kerja Pusat parti agar digantung sebagai ahli Gerakan dan menjejaskan karrier politik dalam parti pelbagai etnik BN itu.

Saya tidak menyesal – Paranjothy

Oleh SAIFULIZAM MOHAMAD

S. Paranjothy.

KUALA LUMPUR 24 Dis. – Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan, S. Paranjothy sedia menerima apa jua bentuk hukuman berikutan kenyataannya bahawa kaum India di negara ini terus terpinggir.

Bagaimanapun, beliau tidak menyesal dengan tindakan itu kerana ia merupakan usahanya untuk meluahkan perasaan rakyat di peringkat akar umbi.

Sebagai seorang ahli politik, katanya, beliau harus menanggung risiko terhadap tindakannya itu termasuk dikenakan hukuman oleh Jawatankuasa Kerja Pusat (CCC) dan Jawatankuasa Disiplin Parti Gerakan.

‘‘Saya tertakluk kepada perlembagaan parti dan saya juga tertakluk kepada undang-undang negara. Jika parti mendapati saya telah melakukan satu kesalahan yang bertentangan dengan perlembagaan, saya sedia dikenakan tindakan.

“Saya tidak akan menyalahkan Pemangku Presiden (Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon) sekiranya saya dikenakan hukuman ini kerana beliau telah melakukan perkara yang sewajarnya,’’ kata Paranjothy kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Semalam, parti Gerakan telah memulakan tindakan tatatertib terhadap Paranjothy kerana mengeluarkan kenyataan yang boleh menyinggung perasaan masyarakat majmuk di negara ini.

Baru-baru ini, satu laporan dalam laman web Internet memetik Paranjothy sebagai mendakwa UMNO merupakan salah satu punca mengapa kaum India terpinggir di negara ini.

Dalam reaksinya, Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein meminta Tsu Koon bertindak terhadap pemimpin muda Gerakan itu kerana mengeluarkan kenyataan yang tidak berasas dan boleh merosakkan hubungan dalam Barisan Nasional (BN).

Ketika ditanya kemungkinan beliau dipecat daripada parti akibat perbuatannya mengeluarkan kenyataan kontroversi tersebut, Paranjothy berkata, beliau tidak pernah terfikir hingga sejauh itu.

‘‘Saya yakin Pemangku Presiden, Jawatankuasa Disiplin Gerakan dan semua yang akan terlibat dalam mengadili saya akan membuat keputusan yang adil dan terbaik,’’ ujarnya.

Paranjothy memberitahu, beliau terdorong mengeluarkan kenyataan untuk memaklumkan bahawa masyarakat India di Malaysia memang memerlukan pembelaan sewajarnya.

Katanya: ‘‘Saya juga ingin tegaskan bahawa saya tidak pernah menyatakan UMNO menjadi punca kaum India terpinggir tetapi apa yang saya ingin beritahu ialah kedudukan kaum India yang kini berhadapan dengan banyak masalah.

‘‘Saya bukan sengaja mahu mengeruhkan keadaan tetapi keadaan ini adalah hakikat yang sedang berlaku. Siapa yang banyak menjadi ahli kumpulan samseng gengster – kaum India. Siapa yang banyak terlibat dalam gejala sosial yang memalukan – orang India.’’

Tegas beliau, isu orang India adalah isu nasional dan ia perlu diberi perhatian sepenuhnya.

‘‘Jangan nanti negara kita menjadi tidak selamat kerana kita gagal menyelesaikan masalah orang India,’’ ujarnya.

Menurut Paranjothy, beliau langsung tidak berniat untuk menjadi popular tetapi apa yang diperjuangkan itu adalah berteraskan kepada kepentingan orang ramai.

Katanya, setakat ini beliau masih belum dipanggil menghadap Jawatankuasa Disiplin Parti Gerakan.

‘‘Saya jangka mereka akan memanggil saya tidak lama lagi kerana ramai di kalangan anggota jawatankuasa itu sedang bercuti ketika ini,’’ tambahnya.

Reaksi ini menunjukan Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan ini ialah seorang yang angkuh dan degil dengan kedudukan kenyataan beliau, walaupun dibidas oleh pelbagai pihak termasuk Kepimpinan parti sendiri keatas satu tindakan yang membelakangkan ‘semangat menyelesaikan masalah dalam konteks kekeluargaan’ yang dipraktikan Barisan Nasional (BN) semenjak sekelian lama.

Pemangku Presiden Gerakan Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon dalam sidang media khasnya menjelaskan bahawa kenyataan Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan yang disiarkan dalam akhbar politik siber Malaysiakini itu merupakan pandangan peribadi dan bukan ketetapan parti. Namun begitu, Ketua Pemuda UMNO Dato’ Hishamuddin Hussein, yang juga Ketua Pemuda BN menyifatkan Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan perlu ada sifat ‘kepertanggung jawaban’ apabila mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan dan ianya melambangkan kedudukan dan sentimen parti yang mereka pimpin.

Apakah ‘keangkuhan’ boleh ditafsir sebagai seorang pemimpin, PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sudah hilang kawalan, kewibawaan sebagai pemimpin telah mula tiris dan menunjukan kegagalan dan tidak lagi dihormati oleh pucuk pimpinan menengah parti komponen?

Jika ini merupakan senario yang ‘sebenarnya lebih buruk dari rupa’ (a tip of the iceberg), bagaimana sentimen sebenar 13 parti komponen selain dari UMNO dalam BN? Mampukah BN mengharungi cabaran Pilihanraya Umum ke XII akan datang ini dengan semangat, sentimen dan senario ‘hilang kawalan’ dan tiris dikalangan pucuk pimpinan menengah parti parti komponen yang mula mempersoalkan pelbagai perpesktif terlalu banyak perkara, yang sebenarnya sudah lama di’selesai’kan dan dipersetujui oleh pemimpin pemimpin Tertinggi BN?

Merry Christmas and good tidings

It’s 25 December, again. Today is Christmas Day for 2007.

Merry Christmas, everyone and have a good tidings holiday.

There are surprises for this year’s Christmas. It seems that Queen Elizabeth II of England, has embraced cyber technology to reach out her subjects and for the first time in her 50 year reign, her Christmas message was presented on You Tube format. The objective is her effort is to reach the growing younger segment of her subjects. Included in the “Royal Channel” is her first televised Christmas message exactly 50 years ago and a rare footage of her parents’ wedding.

We hope she will be blogger one day.

UMNO Youth questioned slow progress on Nurin Jazlin case

UMNO Youth today questioned the Police on the lackluster progress of the Nurin Jazlin murder case investigations, despite getting assistance from foreign law enforcement agencies’ experts. UMNO Exco in-charge of Public Complaints and Consumer Affairs. Dato’ Subhan Kamal expressed this view today. He urged the Police to explain to the public on the progress of the murder investigations which drew so much attention.

He also added that the Police should not depend on the society to provide them when the necessary information when doing an investigations on a criminal case. Instead, he expected the Police to organise themselves to look for the necessary and mitigating information and not wait until they are offered.

Currently, there is almost 100,000 men and women serving the Police force, in various law enforcement, prevention of crime, public order and safety and internal security capacities, covering a population of 27 million inhabitants over 330,000 sq. km. of territory and thousand of KMs of borders and coastlines. They have been supplied with equipments which include helicopters, patrol vessels and sensitive surveillance and communication apparatus. 

On the other hand, IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan when asked to respond, said the Police was still investigating the case and he felt its in appropriate to discuss the development of the case, especially through media. “I cannot be revealing my investigations to you”, he said when raised by TV3.

There have a been a lot of talk about how some cases have been investigated and prepared to be charged in court and in some, they were freed because of investigations and procedural failures. Infact, in Nurin Jazlin’s case, Attorney General Tan Sri Gani Patail will be furnished on the reason why the suspects were freed. Presently, media recorded some of cases still unsolved. This dissatisfaction on the Police force’s productivity and efficiency was also expressed by a long time former IGP Tun Mohamed Haniff Omar four months ago.

Kepimpinan PM ‘Flip-Flop’ LEMBIK: Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan berani menyalahkan UMNO!

Naib Ketua Pemuda Gerakan S. Paranjothy yang baru baru ini dipetik sebagai secara terbuka menyalahkan UMNO sebagai secara terancang punca segala masalah masyarakat etnik India Malaysia, seiring dengan tuduhan liar pemimpin Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) menerima pelbagai reaksi negatif dan keras, terutama dari pemimpin pemimpin UMNO.

Ketua Pemuda UMNO Dato’ Hishamuddin Hussein, yang juga Ketua Pemuda Barisan Nasional (BN) mengeluarkan satu ‘ultimatum’ keras, agar Gerakan bertindak keatas pemimpin Pemuda mereka atau risiko dipecat dari BN, yang secara jelas sengaja menghina dan menyinggung rakan kongsi BN. Tindakan Paranjothy ini disifatkan sebagai tidak wajar dan membelakangkan prinsip ‘menyelesaikan masalah semasa sendiri secara keluarga’ yang selama ini dipraktik BN, satu formula perkongsian kuasa yang berjaya semenjak 1955.

Utusan mempunyai laporan:

Kata dua Hishammuddin kepada Gerakan

Oleh HERMAN HAMID

MACHANG 22 Dis. – Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO mendesak Pemangku Presiden Parti Gerakan, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon segera memberi penjelasan berhubung kenyataan Naib Ketua Pemuda parti itu, S. Paranjothy yang mendakwa UMNO adalah salah satu punca mengapa kaum India terpinggir.

Ketuanya, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein menegaskan, sekiranya penjelasan tersebut gagal diberi atau tidak memuaskan, tidak mustahil hubungan Pemuda UMNO serta Barisan Nasional (BN) dengan Parti Gerakan akan putus.

“Buat masa ini kita tidak mengeluarkan sebarang pendirian berbentuk mengutuk dan sebagainya tanpa terlebih dahulu mendapat penjelasan Gerakan kerana bagi BN, apabila timbul isu dari kalangan parti komponen, kita perlu dengar penjelasan.

“Namun ini bukan bermakna Pemuda UMNO beralah. Sekiranya penjelasan tidak memuaskan, kita sanggup putuskan hubungan. Hal ini bukan main-main,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan Program Korban Perdana anjuran pergerakan tersebut di sini hari ini.

Pada program yang memasuki edisi keempat itu, sebanyak 160 ekor lembu dikorbankan untuk diagih-agihkan kepada penduduk Parlimen Machang dan kawasan sekitarnya.

Hadir sama ialah Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Kelantan, Datuk Seri Annuar Musa, Pemangku Ketua UMNO Bahagian Machang, Ahmad Jazlan Yaacob, Ahli Parlimen Machang, Datuk Sazmi Miah dan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Induk Korban Perdana, Datuk Pirdaus Ismail.

Menurut Hishammuddin, menjadi tanggungjawab pucuk pimpinan Gerakan untuk memberikan penjelasan berhubung kenyataan Paranjothy itu.

Katanya, walaupun Paranjothy hanyalah pemimpin di peringkat Pemuda dan kenyataannya itu disiarkan di Internet, ia tetap melibatkan barisan kepimpinan parti itu sendiri.

“Dalam keadaan sekarang kita memerlukan kepimpinan yang tegas dan jelas bersandarkan perjuangan yang telah diwarisi. Bukan untuk kepentingan agenda sendiri,” katanya.

Dalam sidang media khas Pemangku Presiden Gerakan Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon pagi ini, perkara ini akan dirujuk kepada sebuah Jawatankuasa Disiplin Gerakan yang akan diketuai oleh Tan Sri Soong untuk menyiasat dan mengambil tindakan. Paranjothy ada kemungkinan digantung keahlianya sekiranya didapati bersalah.

Untuk rekod, Gerakan yang pernah menjadi Pembangkang telah menganggotai BN semenjak ianya ditubuhkan pada Ogos 1974 oleh Perdana Menteri Ke II Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. BN ditubuhkan mengantikan Parti Perikatan, yang ujud semenjak Pilihanraya Umum Persekutuan Tanah Melayu pertama, 1955.

Dalam kenyataan berlainan, pemimpin MIC berikrar akan berkerja keras untuk memberikan penerangan dan menafikan segala pembohongan dan fitnah berniat jahat yang dilakukan oleh pemimpin HINDRAF, semenjak pertengahan November lalu.

Dasar ‘keterbukaan’ PM ‘Flip-Flop’ kini sudah beberapa kali menjadi “Senjata makan Tuan”, terutama apabila “kerjasama, kesefahaman, kesopanan dan kesusilaan dalam satu pasukan” sudah mula terjejas. Mula mula Timbalan Menteri Sumber Alam dan Alam Sekitar Dato’ S. Sothinathan digantung selama beberapa bulan kerana di’disiplin’kan akibat tindakan bertelagah dengan sesama MP BN dalam Dewan Rakyat. Kemudian baru baru ini Ahli Parlimen Cameron Highlands K. Devamany ‘menyokong’ tuntutan HINDRAF dalam Dewan Rakyat sehingga ‘terpaksa diselamatkan’ oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak.

Tahun lepas, Naib Ketua Pemuda UMNO Khairy Jamaluddin sendiri, yang juga menantu PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah membuat kenyataan yang menyinggung perasaan masyarakat Cina Malaysia, termasuk reaksi negatif negatif MCA dan Gerakan. Dato’ Hishamuddin, selaku Ketua Pemuda BN dituntut untuk memperjelaskan keadaan yang mungkin menjadi genting ini.

Apakah ini menunjukan dengan jelas bahawa PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sudah hilang kewibawaan memimpin dan tidak lagi dihormati oleh kepimpinan parti komponen BN, sehinggakan pemimpin parti rakankongsi sesama BN sanggup menghina UMNO sebegitu rupa?

Tun Dr. Mahathir: ISA is a law enacted by the majority

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad said in not so many words that the Internal Security Act (ISA), a law enacted by Parliament can be used, if and when necessary, to detain persons who are threats to national security, which include causing disharmony, instability and incite racial and religious hatred between the multi ethnic Malaysians.

 

Since ISA was enacted by Parliamentarians, who have been democratically elected by the rakyat themselves, it was deemed all along as a law that can be used to protect in the interests of the majority. This is within the context of practice of ‘democracy’. “Its up to the Government and the people to decide. This is a democratic country”. Tun Dr. Mahathir also stressed that if the rakyat feels that this law is no longer good and valid for Malaysia, then they should vote the Parliamentarians who are against such laws. Otherwise, the decision made by representative of the rakyat must be respected.

Tun Dr. Mahathir also added that there are proper and more appropriate ways to views grouses and illegal street demonstrations are definitely not the prescribed way. On the “ethnic cleansing” issues against the Malaysian Indians as per claimed by Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF), he said that it is completely not true and nothing like what happened in places like Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia.

He said this at the launch of Tunku Sofea Jewa’s new book “Third World and International Law” and Perdana Leadership Foundation this morning. It was his first official appearance since his multiple cardiac arterial by-pass graft (CABG) surgery on 4 September 2007.

As the Prime Minister of Malaysia for 22 1/4 years, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s administration had used the ISA law, upon the advice of the Police and Ministry of Home Affairs. Also, the first act upon assuming the Premiership on 17 July 1981, Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad instructed the immediate release of 200 detainees under ISA, which include former NST Group Editor A. Samad “Pak Samad” Ismail, former Political Secretary to Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Abdullah “Dollah Kok Lanas” Ahmad, former Deputy Minister Abdullah Abdul Majid, former Parti Sosialis Boss Syed Husin Ali, Kassim Ahmad and former Sin Chew Jit Poh editor, Chan Ken Sin.

Recently, too many attention, diverse expressions and stance were explicitly focused and drawn on the arrest of the five HINDRAF leaders.

*Photo is courtesy of photo-journo-blogger, Jinggo

*An update as of 8.10pm, Saturday 22 December 2007

Mean while, the planned illegal assembly by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) and NGOs for the candle light vigil against ISA for 8.00pm at Dataran Merdeka was canceled by the organisers. Deputy Internal Security Minister Dato’ Fu Ah Kiow said this and also cited that they did not even apply for a Police permit.

*An update as of 8.00am, Sunday 23 December 2007

The Police will be willing to consider a Police permit for the GMI’s intention hold an assembly if its was applied and willing to adhered certain conditions stipulated.

Bernama.com has the report:

December 23, 2007 00:02 AM

Police Willing To Consider Issuing Permit For Gathering     KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Bernama) — Police are willing to reconsider the application by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) for a permit to hold a gathering here on January 5. The gathering which was to be held at Dataran Merdeka here tonight was cancelled by the organisers. “We will review the application and issue a permit if we are certain it will not disturb the peace,” Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zulkarnain Abd Rahman told Bernama. Checks by Bernama found the square to be what it usually is on a Saturday night without signs of any illegal gathering taking place. The GMI had wanted to hold the gathering to call for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA). — BERNAMA

Apakah pendemontrasi haram akan hormat dan akur kepada penguatkuasa undang undang selepas tindakan mengecewakan PM ‘Flip-Flop’?

Besok (Sabtu, 22 Disember), Gerakan Menentang ISA (GMI) dan beberapa NGO diberitakan sedang merancang untuk menganjurkan demonstrasi jalanan dan perhimpunan haram menentang Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) di Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Perkara ini menarik banyak perhatian, terutama baru baru ini lima orang pemimpin HINDRAF ditahan tanpa bicara selama 2 tahun dibawah undang undang tersebut kerana tindakan membuat kenyataan fitnah dan berundur hasutan, membangkitkan kemarahan orang ramai, menganjurkan perhimpunan haram bertukar menjadi ganas dan percubaan untuk menghina nama baik Negara diluar negara, sebagaimana yang diperuntukan dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Sepertimana beberapa perhimpunan haram sebelum ini, Polis akan menutup beberapa laluan ke pusat bandaraya dan menyekat semua pengunjung ke Dataran Merdeka. Ketua Polis Daerah Dang Wangi ACP Zulkarnain A Rahman menjelaskan dalam sidang media tengahari tadi bahawa tiada sebarang permohonan untuk mendapatkan permit bagi perhimpunan yang dirancang esok telah dikemukakan oleh mana mana pihak. Beliau mengatakan sesiapa terlibat dalam sebarang perhimpunan tanpa permit akan ditahan dibawah Sect 27(5) Akta Polis.

Bernama.com mempunyai laporan:

21 Disember, 2007 17:33 PM

 

Jalan Ke Dataran Merdeka Ditutup Pagi Esok Halang Perhimpunan Haram     KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Dis (Bernama) — Polis akan menutup jalan menghala ke Dataran Merdeka di sini pagi esok bagi menghalang satu perhimpunan haram yang dirancang di situ pada malamnya. Ketua Polis Daerah Dang Wangi ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman memberitahu pemberita hari ini bahawa polis akan juga membuat sekatan jalan raya sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga. Beliau memberi amaran kepada orang ramai supaya tidak menyertai perhimpunan itu kerana penganjurnya tidak mendapat permit. “Kita tak akan teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap mereka yang berdegil,” katanya. — BERNAMA

Persoalanya sekarang, apakah rakyat Malaysia kepala batu dan degil ini akan akur dan menghormati perintah Polis, setelah PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dilihat sebagai pemimpin ‘LEMBIK’ apabila melakukan keputusan amat mengewakan dengan ‘mengarahkan’ Peguam Negara, selaku agensi penguatkuasa dan penjamin undang undang dipatuhi laing utama negara ini untuk menarik balik tuduhan berat “cubaan membunuh seorang anggota Polis semasa bertugas” keatas ‘HINDRAF 31’?