S'gor nets RM2.5bil investments for first 5 months, beats S'wak

Malaysia Chronicle

Selangor senior executive councilor for investment Teresa Kok said the Pakatan Rakyat-run state received the highest amount of investments totaling RM2.47 billion during the first 5 months of this year, beating previous leader Sarawak.

The data sourced from the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority debunks the rumors of a badly-run state facing an exodus of investors and plunging investments. In fact, despite the continuous bad press from the BN-controlled media, Selangor along with Penang are two of the best governed states in the country.

“This shows that local investments…are still investing in Selangor under the Pakatan Rakyat administration,” Teresa, who is also the MP for Seputeh, said in a press statement.

According to her, 62 percent of the inflow or RM1.52 billion came from local investors while the balance 38 percent or RM942 million were from foreign investors.

120 industrial projects accounting for 36 percent of all projects in the country were launched in Selangor in the first five months alone, creating some 7,600 new jobs.

Japan was the state's biggest foreign investor with RM366 million, followed by Singapore with RM121 million and Germany with RM116 million.

“The high number of industrial projects in Selangor shows the state’s economy is still steady and that it is an attractive investment destination for foreign and local investors,” said Teresa, who is also the Kinrara assemblywoman.

There are 13 states in Malaysia. According to MIDA, Selangor attracted RM6.76 billion last year compared to Sarawak's RM8.5 billion in industrial investments.

Happy Birthday, Rosli Dahlan : TRUTH AND JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

August 18, 2010

Happy Birthday, Lawyer Rosli Dahlan : TRUTH AND JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL

by Din Merican

On Sunday August 8, RPK (Raja Petra Kamaruddin)s Malaysia Today ran a piece The Ramli Yusuff Story; the real reason why he was brought down. That was very frightening and sent chills down the spine. That article gave vivid description of IGP Musa Hassans complicity with the Tangkak (Johor) crime syndicate controlling the loan shark or Ah Long activities the Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Gohs case. Dato Ramli was brought down when he was closing in on the links between that syndicate and the highest hierarchy in the Malaysian police force or PDRM. That matter climaxed with the criminal going scot free while six rank and file policemen were charged for purportedly fabricating evidence against IGP Musa Hassan (see http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/33666-the-ramli-yusuff-story-the-real-reason-why-he-was-brought-down).

As a matter of national shame A traitor is a traitor, with or without a uniform.

Last Sunday August 15, in another article titled Abu Kassim Mohamed, are you now going to resign?, RPK revealed that MACC had failed to investigate the MAS losses of RM 8 billion and thus challenged the MACC Chief, Dato Abu Kassim, to live up to his promise (see http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/33828-abu-kassim-mohamed-are-you-now-going-to-resign).

The Real Reason to discredit, vilify and eliminate Datuk Ramli from PRDM

It appears that the reason why Dato Ramli had to be totally discredited, vilified and permanently eliminated from PDRM stems from his stand to rid criminals in the underworld and the corporate world. It appears that he treated both the blue collar criminals and the white collar criminals with equal disdain. RPK is still running his story on MAS and there may be more interesting revelations coming. However, in Malaysia Todays earlier postings in 2009, it was already disclosed that Dato Ramli had recommended that Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli and his accomplices be charged. This was against the wishes of AG Gani Patail who wanted the case to be NFAd.

Bekas PM dengan Bekas CEO MAS Bekas pengerusi MAS Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli mungkin dilindungi pihak tertentu menyebabkan beliau bebas daripada pendakwaan akibat kerugian didakwa sebanyak RM8 bilion yang dialami syarikat GLC itu.

When Dato Ramli was charged, all probe on the Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Goh case ended, so also did the probe on the MAS case. Interest in the MAS case resurfaced recently when YB Salahuddin Ayub, the PAS MP for Kubang Kerian, questioned why MACCs Abu Kassim failed to investigate the MAS case in breach of the pledge that he had made at the recent 15th Malaysian Law Conference.

Siapa dalang lindungi Tajuddin sebabkan MAS rugi RM8 billion

Tun Ling charged, not Tajuddin Ramli

If Tun Ling Liong Sik was charged for cheating the Cabinet in the PKFZ scandal, why was Tajuddin Ramli not charged for cheating the MAS Board of Directors? After all, the auditors in PKFZ did not identify Tun Ling Liong Sik as the culprit, whereas in the! MAS cas e, Dato Ramli had not only recommended to AG Gani Patail but also to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi that Tajuddin Ramli be charged. Was it because PKFZ was an MCA- Chinese scandal whereas MAS was an UMNO- Malay thing? Is it part of the Dasar Ekonomi Baru (NEP) that even Malays crooks must be supported and protected! Was that why CIMB boss Nazir Razak said that the NEP had been bastardised? Then surely, his brother, Dato Seri Najib Razak, as Prime Minister, could purge these crooks and cleanse the good name of the NEP which was the brainchild of their father, the second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak. Does PM Najib have the political will to do that? Will MACC Abu Kassim live up to his pledge?

Will TDM and his 2002 crew take the stand?

What is most frightening and alarming is that, in the end, it was Dato Ramli who was charged! But only after he was discredited by being vilified by the MACC which leaked untruths to the mainstream media that he was the RM 27 million Cop. Can you see how they destroyed a man in the pinnacle of his a career? At that time, Dato Ramli was slated to become the next IGP. After all, he was Musa Hassans superior for 6 years until the Anwar Ibrahim case which catapulted the Mattress/Tilam Carrier Musa Hassan to what he is today.

The courtroom in central Kuala Lumpur fell silent as four policemen brought in the mattress, wrapped in brown paper in Sodomy I

Since it is the Holy Month of Ramadan, I will not go further and will try to guard my mouth (or my pen really) from making deductive an! alysis. Lets just wait and see what else RPK will reveal in the next few days. Since it is Ramadan, I will ask Muslims and Non-Muslims alike to join me in prayer that on Friday August 20, Judge SM Komathy will acquit Dato Ramli just as he was twice acquitted previously by Judge Supang Lian of Kota Kinabalu and Judge M Gunalen of Kuala Lumpur.

Ramli has a law degree from the International Islamic University and a Masters law degree from the University of London.

Dato Ramli has gone through a baptism of fire to seek his vindication in the courts of law. He was a victim of the Unholy Trinity of the AG, the IGP and the MACC and yet he has been repeatedly vindicated by the courts with the grace of God. God willing, he would again be vindicated next Friday (August 200 and I will be there to see that justice is being delivered.

Lawyer Rosli Dahlan is not a threat to anyone yet he is being prosecuted

But what about Lawyer Rosli Dahlan? Was it not in Ramadan of 2007 that the MACC stormed his office and brutally arrested him? Was it also not during the last three nights of Ramadan, which Muslims believe to be malam Lailatul Qadr, that he was locked up in the MACC dungeon? He was prohibited from having food brought by his wife for iftar or buka puasa; forbidden from meeting his three children who waited through the night to see their father; deprived from sleep the whole night and then dragged in handcuff the next day to court.

Rosli Dahlan is a Malaysian professional who had stood true to the oath of his profession will be kep! t langui shing waiting for his full vindication. That is the cruelty one faces in this country when one seeks justice from the courts!

The way Rosli was being paraded before the mainstream media reporters was a treatment worse than meted out to a rapist or murderer. What cruelty! And all that happened during Ramadan. And all that perpetrated by enforcement agencies headed by supposedly pious Muslims!

I used to wonder if Dato Ramli was to be eliminated because he posed a threat to Musa Hassans extension, what threat did Rosli Dahlan pose? Was he a threat to anyone? In fact, why was Rosli charged first? After all, wasnt he just a witness that they needed against Dato Ramli? Why charge a witness first when the principal actor was still not accused of anything yet? The saddest part is that Dato Ramlis case will end on August 20, but Roslis case will continue till god knows when.

What we know is that the MACC witnesses lied in court. What we know is that they kept disrupting the trial to mend their case. What we know is that they tried changing the judge just when it was about to end. What we know is that Roslis trial is now fixed on 6-9th September, just three days before Hari Raya. What is the MACC trying to prove? Is the MACC deliberately forcing him to remember the incident that befell him in 2007? Deja vu!

A Victim of Oath of His Profession

Yes, we should ask the MACC now- what did Rosli do to deserve all that? As I reviewed all my research notes, it now come so clearly to me that Rosli is a victim of the oath of his own profession. As a lawyer, he took an oath to act for and defend his clients to the utmost of his ability without fear of any personal retribution. It seems that in acting fearlessly in these matters, he has been made to suffer personal retribution. I have decided to analyse what Rosli did, and! see if that was justification for the IGP, the MACC and AG Gani ganging together to brutalise and charge him:

1. In the Goh Cheng Poh @ Tengku Goh case, this self confessed criminal had specifically stated that IGP Musa Hassan should have been informed about his detention but was not. Why would the IGP be interested in the detention of a known criminal unless that criminal is his friend or had kept his darkest secrets? Thus Tengku Goh filed an application for habeas corpus to seek his release after Dato Ramlis CCID refused to release him. In a fait accompli, the AG Chambers then refused to advise and prepare affidavits for the CCID officers. So, Rosli took over that role and rendered free service to the CCID PDRM and also the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato Johari Baharom, to prepare the affidavits. Rosli did that in order to keep this Ah Long criminal behind bars. Enraged, the IGP charged six rank and file policemen for detaining his friend, the criminal Tengku Goh, and asked his accomplice, AG Gani Patail, to advise Dato Johari Bahrom to release Tengku Goh unconditionally;

Former IGP Tun Hanif Omar, who has led Malaysia for 20 years police have written an article that describes: "Police were divided into two. One is led by IGP; another by Director of Police with the Deputy Minister "

2. In the MAS case, Tajuddin Ramli took over the national airlines from the government in 1994. At that time, MAS had RM600 million in cash and other assets. By the time he left MAS in 2001, MAS had debts of RM 8 billion. MAS internal audit disclosed various conflict of interests and breaches where Tajuddins family companies were awarded contracts. Rosli was engaged by MAS to pursue criminal and civil actions against Tajuddin and his cronies. That was where Rosli, as a private! sector lawyer, assisted Dato Ramlis CCID to investigate and recommend that Tajuddin should be charged for various offences.

Mega-financial scandals like the RM8 billion MAS-Tajudin privatization scam.

Roslis Service to MAS

Roslis role in saving MAS from huge liabilities is well documented, even by the main stream media. In 2009, Bernama reported that Roslis legal team succeeded in reducing MASs liability from Euro 63 million (RM 300 million) to just Euro 5 million (RM 25 million) in respect of an arbitration claim by a German company, ACL GmbH. It is this case that is now attracting attention. YB Salahuddin Ayub, MP of Kubang Kerian, has given a press conference demanding to know why the MAS case was not investigated by the MACC in light of the collusion between the Police and the AG Chambers to close the matter.

MAS settles with Government of Maldives over claim of US$90million caused by JV entered by Tajudin Ramli which bankrupted Air Maldives. Picture in Male at the Maldives A-G's office:"Rosli Dahlan standing beside MAS's Dr Wafi Nazrin Tan Sri Abd Hamid. Next to Dr Wafi is the Maldives Attorney-General Us. Husnu alSuood and the Maldives High Commisioner in Malaysia H.E. Mohd Zaki. Signing for MAS is Dr Amin Khan with the Maldives Minister of State for Finance."-From MAS newsletter

Early this year, BERNAMA reported that Rosli had saved MAS from a US$90 million (RM 315 million) liability by settling a claim with the Government of Maldives in the Air Maldives fiasco. Rosli managed to do that without MAS having to pay a single cent f! or his s ervices. All these liabilities that MAS faced were the doings of Tajuddin Ramli. Yet today, Tajuddin lives in absolute luxury at his horse ranch residence called Al Raudah (Gardens of Heaven). Yes, who wouldnt live in a heavenly garden with RM 8 billion in the bank!

So, if that was all that Rosli did, wasnt he then helping the Police and the country? You would think so. Yes, in other countries, they would probably give Rosli a medal for services to King and Country. But not in Malaysia. In Malaysia, we always do things differently. We would rather give Datoships to dubious characters and crooks. In fact, it is already a joke that most of our top criminals are titled persons. So what did our government do to honest professionals like Rosli who rendered his time, effort and expertise to help the Police and a troubled GLC? They used the MACC to brutalise and charge him in court! They did all that to him because he was an honest and dedicated professional who wanted to do the right thing. They did all that because he was about to spill their can of worms. So that is what you get for going against those in the corridors of power.

contributions to the country: Do not use it to get anything done, whatever you do in life should be due to your own merit

The reason I am writing this is because I have been trying to get to Rosli to clarify certain things that was disclosed by YB Salahuddin Ayub in the press conference. But I am told that Rosli has gone on leave. That Rosli did not want to speak to anyone. Anyway, I already know that he would not talk about his work. He is strict about such professionalism.

Happy Birthday, Rosli from Your Friends and Admirers: Q! uitting is not an Option

I also had another reason for calling his office I wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday as I have since come to know that his birthday is on August 19. I wanted to tell him that he should not despair. The last time I saw him in court for Dato Ramlis case, I saw him carrying a book La Tahzan (Dont Be Sad) by Dr Aidh Al Qarni, which is a best seller in the Islamic literary world. From his body language, I could see that Rosli has become tired of all the things that befall him. From his former colleague, the prolific blogger, Art Harun, I am told that Rosli has been talking about quitting practice. It would appear that he is disillusioned.

For those who think they've reached the end of the world or the deepest pit on the earth.

To Rosli, I would like to say this you have fought a hard battle and not an ounce of your effort is wasted. Every fight by the small man against oppression by the institution is a fight for ideals.To all my readers, I ask that we wish Rosli a Happy Birthday and that he does not walk away from a challenge.That he may be fortified in his resolve to see this through. That we let him know that we pray he get his justice and vindication. In this Holy Month of Ramadan, may God show compassion to Rosli, as he epitomises our hope that Truth and Justice will prevail eventually.

Laa Tahzan (Do Not Grief), Dont worry/Grief...Allah is with us

Letter & Opinion From! Joe Pub lic

TBH: Suicide revisited

I have lost count on how many articles I wrote related to the sudden death of Teoh Beng Hock. I believe it could have easily crossed 20 articles. A doctor friend once called me and asked why I kept on writing about this chinaman whom you dont even know and challenge the argument of your own college mate (Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim). My answer is that I am not so here to offend anyone professional integrity much about offending but to defend what I believe is right. Today it can be a chinaman; tomorrow it can be me or any of my family members. What is wrong cannot be right.

Off late people seems to be fixated on the probability of TBH committing suicide based on a note which was declared by the AG and the post mortem findings of Dr Pornthip. It seems that suicide is being decided based on purely the findings of pathologist. Right now a kwailoh (white man) pathologist finding is being pitted against funky Thai woman. Typical of Asian mentality many think very highly of a white man than an Asian though many of us can do a better job, anytime.

I thought it is probably good that I write something about the crime triangle. In any crime, there must be motive(s), I/O crime scene findings and the forensic findings. The forensic findings are not limited to the autopsy but also to other forensic DNA, chemical and physical analysis. Only after all these information are collated then a conclusion can be made whether it is homicide, accidental or suicide. Some how I got a feeling that the cause TBH death has been concluded and the subsequent chain of events is presented in a way to support the desired conclusion. Those who read my
CSI series would appreciate what I meant.

For discussion sake let us hypothesize that TBH committed suicide. Then we evaluate all the facts on using the triangle and see how many of the ar! guments support the hypothesis. I would like to start with the MOTIVE. Why would he commit suicide on the morning that he was about to register his marriage with his pregnant wife? A baby is on the way. Could it be that he is not up to it to face marriage and being a father? Is there any argument to support this possibility? From my various reading since the incident took place, I have not found anything to support the ideation of suicide. There has been no credible motive to support this theory. To say that he commit suicide under duress as a result of the intensive investigation is also not right as MACC has not charged his so called associates till today. He might be under pressure but it is probably not enough pressure that would lead him to commit suicide. Furthermore MACC says he is a cooperating witness. Based on this alone the theory of suicide should have been dispelled.

In assessing a crime scene we need to look for evidence of supporting a suicide theory. A crime scene assessment can conclude that the fall is from height or the body was placed there. At the moment as per my earlier writings and also supported by the police investigations, he ejected through the window. My own assessment is that he was either dead or unconscious at the time he exited the window. Right now it appears that he did not die immediately after leaving the window. He died slowly from bleeding from the head injuries as well as other parts of the body. Several things from the picture below that have always bothered me which has not been addressed by either party. The first being the torn jagged pant which is located perpendicular and away from the stitching line as well as the laceration on the right palm. I read somewhere that the police have matched a broken window latch with the fibre of the pants and the window from where he had ejected himself. I think the experts has not fully appreciated this small cl! ue which could suggest that he was carried by two person and dished out thorough the window sideways. In the process the pants was caught at the window latch that broke it in the process. We must not forget about the stretching marks found on the belt which could suggest that he was carried by the belt. I hope someone will look into this in greater detail.

The pathologist and forensic findings would provide the final touch to the theory. It carries weight but it cannot weigh more than the findings of the crime scene as well as the investigators findings. Assuming that there is a stalemate on the opinion of the pathologist, then on the basis of motive and crime scene investigation, suicide theory can easily be debunked. The motive is weak and the crime scene investigation has not supported any suggestion that he jumped. From a pessimist point of view it merely points to a fall from height but if one takes into account the stretching belt, the pattern of the torn pants the view of the pessimist can easily be challenged. I believe I dont have to repeat my views about the suicide note. Dr Pornthip is the first to highlight how such crucial evidence has not been handled professionally from the day it was found. I must say, I agree with her. What ever possible little DNA, chemical or other type of clues on the notes is now loss or has been contaminated. Dont tell me the I/O is not trained to handle evidence properly. What an embarrassment.

Right now, I believe it is time to end the charade. The investigation must focus on the potential perpetrators. This area has been left out cold as every one is focussing on the inquest. In the mean time potential clues may be lost. We must strive to uncover the truth. It is important for the sake of the nation. TBH death is no longer about his death and MACC. The system which comprised of police, AG and the courts are now being viewed globally on a microscopic basis and nations worldwide a! re judgi ng us Malaysians. The cartoon by Zunar below says a lot.

See What Barisan Nasional Gotta Say?

Only way for MCA, Gerakan to teach Umno respect is to leave BN

Malaysia Chronicle

As civil society leaders and business groups call on Prime Minister Najib Razak to stop the public wrangling between MCA and Umno, pundits are privately betting it is a waste of time and the only way to teach Umno a lesson is for BN components like MCA and Gerakan to leave the coalition.

“The time has come to put or shut up. Too many hurtful things have been said by the likes of Utusan, Perkasa and even Muhyiddin himself. If Najib steps in now and they all do a group hug and make up, it only confirms what everyone is thinking - stop the sandiwara,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Indeed, in the past few days the Umno-owned Utusan and Perkasa have gone on rampage, flinging one insult after another at MCA president Chua Soi Lek. They jeered to his face - the leader of the Chinese community in this country - his sex DVD past and minced no words calling him a pornographic actor.

Perhaps Soi Lek deserved a lot of the mudslinging for trying to beat Umno at the race and religious-championing game. But even so, he and his 78 newly-appointed cyber-troopers must have been unsettled by the ferocity of the Malay onslaught.

It is time that MCA and Gerakan leaders - cushioned by decades of privileged high government office - realize that this is the sort of treatment ordinary man-in-street non-Malays experience on a daily basis, whether directly or indirectly.

Malaysian society has changed since independence in 1957 and the transformation has been for the worst. In 1957, the world was Malaysia’s oyster. In 2010, there are just 9 years to go before our coffers go bust and we end up bankrupted by the excesses and the corruption of the BN elite.

William Cheng, the president of the Chinese commercial grouping ACCCIM, was the latest to urge Najib to speak up.

“If every day they quarrel - federal government and the state government, even the state government itself internally has problems, then among the Barisan also quarrel, between the Chinese, Indian, Malay also quarrel - then who wants to come to Malaysia? Government should put a stop to this,” said Cheng.

His observation is astute and naive at the same time. Quarrels that drain both public and investor confidence are erupting on a daily basis but “Government” will not be putting a stop to it. If anything, “Government” is actively fanning the fire, sowing the seeds of racial and religious hatred in order to cling to power.

A patriot Cheng may be, but he must acknowledge that throughout the past 53 years it is exactly this sort of divide-and-rule race-based politicking that has typified Malaysia's “Government”. Without these policies of hatred, Umno would have to reinvent itself, a task that may be too strenuous for it as it has become too used to the good and easy life.

A two-party or multiparty system is now inevitable in Malaysia - not really because of the Pakatan’s strength but more so because of Umno’s own shocking weakness. In the current times of stress, it has shown itself to be much weaker than anyone had ever expected or feared.

The political pundits are right. There is nothing Soi Lek and Tsu Koon to lose. If they are sincere, they should withdraw and take their followers to safe and higher ground.

There is no such thing as “it is not so simple as you think”. It is really quite simple and was done spontaneously by Yong Teck Lee’s SAPP in 2008. In 2010, let Soi Lek and Tsu Koon lead the way - not just for the non-Malays in this country but also for the Malays. More than the Chinese, Indians, Kadazan-Dusun-Murut and other races, the Malays need to be saved from Umno and Perkasa.

Ronnie Liu under pressure to resign as exco member

PETALING JAYA (Star) - DAP leader Ronnie Liu is under growing pressure to resign as Selangor executive councillor after being let off with a severe reprimand over the controversial letterhead issue.

The pressure is coming from his own party leaders who are of the view that the party’s image can only be redeemed if he takes full responsibility for the questionable use of support letters in securing state contracts.

DAP life adviser and a co-founder of the party Dr Chen Man Hin said Liu, who is in charge of the state local government, study and research committee should ask his conscience and act accordingly.

“As the head of the local government (study and research) committee, he should know if there has been a wrongdoing. I leave it to his conscience to act as he sees fit,” he said adding that the issue had affected the party’s image and that the people felt there was something very wrong with the disciplinary committee’s decision.

The disciplinary committee issued a strong reprimand to Liu for the poor management of his portfolio and sacked municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock for misusing the letterheads.

Liu has since pledged to exert greater control over the use of support letters for state contracts.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi said the “repair work” for the damage done has to come from Liu who is also Pandamaran assemblyman.

“Our share market has dropped because of this. The ball is in his court, he has to bear the consequences and take concrete steps to correct things.

“If we want to be seen as sparkling clean, we must walk the talk,” said Ooi who is also chief-of-staff in the Penang administration. Ooi said online opinions have been very negative on the matter.

“It matters to us because online opinion helped shape the politcial mileage for DAP in 2008,” he said.

Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim, who made headlines for his “OMG, the real culprit let off” tweet, said the honourable thing for any professional who has been accused of wrongdoing was to resign.

“You don’t need to be a fortune teller to foresee how this will damage the party,” said Teng , who was the first to call for both Liu and Tee to resign.

However, Dapsy chairman Anthony Loke said the question of Liu quitting did not arise at the moment but that he should buck up in terms of performance.

Party sources said Liu’s survival would depend on whether secretary- general Lim Guan Eng continued to stand by him.

Lim’s silence on the issue has been read as tacit support for Liu who is his long-time loyalist.

The party’s state elections have also been pushed from October to December for things to settle down before the contests for posts.

No reason to sack Ronnie Liu, says Selangor MB

SHAH ALAM (Star) There will not be any pressure to sack exco member Ronnie Liu from the state executive line-up, said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

“Based on our findings, we do not see the reason to sack Liu as there was no misconduct pertaining to the support letter issue,” Khalid told a press conference Wednesday after chairing the weekly exco meeting.

Liu has been under extreme pressure to resign as an exco member due to his alleged involvement in former Klang councillor Tee Boon Hocks support letter fiasco.

Tee, who was also the Selangor DAP organising secretary, had been expelled from his party and sacked as a councillor for issuing support letters for his family and friends’ businesses.

The letters carried Lius letterhead and seal.

In relation to this, Khalid said that audit reports have been sent out to all Klang councillors.

Khalid said the auditing process, which had begun two weeks ago, would probe all councillors and reveal those involved in issuing support letters without the state government’s knowledge.

“And since we practice transparency, the reports will be made known to the public,” said Khalid.

Apart from this, he said the effort by the state government would warn councillors to not simply issue support letters without the approval of the town council and state government.

However, Khalid said the issuance of support letters by councillors had dropped after Tee was sacked.

“It is up to the councillors if they want to issue support letters as long as they abide by the rules set by the state government,” Khalid said when asked if councillors were still allowed to issue support letters.

Speaking on another matter, Khalid said an expert has been engaged to investigate the hidden recording device found in his office last week.

Khalid had discovered the recording device hidden behind his window drapes last Tuesday after he heard some strange beeping sounds in his office.

Checks would still be carried out until the culprit is found, he said.

Khalid, however, ruled out that the measures taken to spy on him was an inside job.

DAP's Putrajaya sweeteners not cleared yet by Pakatan

(Malaysiakini) - PKR and PAS leaders today admitted they were not consulted about the Putrajaya promises pledged by the DAP should Pakatan capture Putrajaya.

Pakatan coordinator Zaid Ibrahim said he himself is in the dark about the matter.

"I don't know for sure if those measures were agreed to at the (Pakatan) leadership level. But it's unlikely DAP would make the announcement without the agreement of PAS and opposition leader Anwar.Ibrahim," he said.

Asked if DAP should have focused on more important matters instead of the promises some deem populist, Zaid said that Pakatan remains committed to more serious pledges like eradicating corruption and abuse of power.

"However, some populist ones (promises) can do no harm," said Zaid.

Similarly, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution made it clear that DAP's announcement last Friday has not yet been finalised or approved by the opposition coalition.

"As of now it remains the DAP's suggestion," he clarified.

Looking at DAP's promises however, Saifuddin said that he does not see any hurdles in Pakatan adopting those recommendations.

'Did not deviate'

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayob concurred, saying that the principle of 'negeri berkebajikan' or a state which takes care of the people's welfare, has remained a core Pakatan philosophy.

"While the details have not been finalised yet, DAP's promises did not deviate from that Pakatan principle."

walkout suhakam 120606 salahuddin ayobIn fact, Salahuddin (right) added, should Pakatan be allowed to rule the country, they would be able to do more to help the people as they will be able to save more money by eradicating leakages and corruption prevalent in the BN government.

Another PAS vice-president, Mahfuz Omar, while admitting to Malaysiakini that the Islamic party was not consulted by the DAP about their announcement, said that it was nothing to shout about.

'No controversy'

"This is no controversy, it is not like the proposal to abolish the 30 percent bumiputera requirement as proposed by MCA president Chua Soi Lek."

"Umno was sweating when the MCA president made the proposal," he sniped.

He explained that whatever that DAP promised tallies with PAS's principle of helping the people, and all that is done to help the people is good.

However, he said that for an announcement such as this, which reflects on Pakatan's commitments as a whole, a consensus should have been reached first.

"It would have been better if an announcement like this which affects Pakatan as a whole be made by the top Pakatan leadership together," concluded Mahfuz.

Last Friday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng (left) announced that should Pakatan capture Putrajaya in the next polls, the party promises to give RM1,000 to senior citizens, provide free Wi-Fi access and abolish the saman ekor and Road Transport Department blacklist.

However, despite the consternation of PAS and PKR leaders over the promises, Lim said that he had cleared things with Anwar before making his announcement.

Anwar: What new constitution? Utusan, Umno, Zahrain are lying

Malaysia Chronicle

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibahim denied the Pakatan Rakyat had drawn up a new federal constitution, slamming Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Umno party for using Utusan to spread lies and hatred to the Malay community.

“This is the final attempt by a dying party to use racial sentiment. If the constitution exists, they should investigate. It is their tactic to cover up corrupt practices and oppression,” Anwar told a press conference on Wednesday.

According to him, Pakatan parties – PAS, DAP and PKR - had already reiterated their commitment to the special position of Malays and Islam as provided in Malaysia's federal constitution.

“For us in Pakatan Rakyat, I along with Tok Guru Haji Hadi, Lim Guan Eng have signed an agreement accepting the existing provisions in the constitution,” he said, referring to the coalition’s Common Policy Framework which was launched in December 2009.

Quoting PKR's notorious defector Zahrain Hashim, Utusan had reported that Anwar was behind a "new constitution". According to the Malay daily, the new constitution was drawn up to catch Chinese support in the wake of the Pakatan’s sweeping success in the 2008 general election.

“Various parties are trying to instigate one racial group against the other. This includes attempts to amend the federal constitution into a new constitution,” wrote senior editor Zaini Hassan.

Pornthip: Investigator didn't follow protocol on 'note'.....

Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand today testified that, in the event of a crime scene investigation, any notes found should be immediately sent for forensic examination. Questioned during the inquest into the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, she said this is the protocol for investigations into death, especially for suicide.

In answering lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, acting on behalf of Teoh's family, Pornthip drew from 25 years of experience as a forensic crime scene investigator. She said notes at the scene of a death investigation can prove scientifically if a homicide had occurred, as the identity of the person who leaves the note is verifiable through DNA testing (through saliva on the envelope), and finger- and palm-printing.

Last week, the inquest had been postponed when it was revealed that the Attorney-General's Chambers had in its possession a note said to be Teoh's 'final testament'. This had been found two months after his death on July 16 last year. Teoh, 30, was found dead on the fifth floor service landing of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam. He had been questioned all night as a witness at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office located on the 14th floor of the building.

'Note circulated on Internet a prank'

Speaking to reporters later, Gobind said the family and their lawyers have yet to decide what to do about the note, which has not been tendered for evidence. We need time to do the groundwork to certify the fact before we decide, he said.

The family has engaged a handwriting expert to ascertain the veracity of the note. However, according to Teoh's sister Lee Lan, the handwriting does not resemble her brother's. Lee Lan, who has seen the note which the attorney-general had kept for about a year, also said it is not the four-part note currently circulating on! the Int ernet.

That is a prank, she said.

She expressed her disappointment over the attorney-general's handling of the matter.

Why didn't the AG let us know? Instead Umno members knew (about the note) and even lodged a police report. Why should they know more than us?

What if the murderer and the murder weapon emerged after a year? Would the rakyat still believe the AG?

'Exhumation worth it'

Lee Lan also thanked Pornthip for testifying that Teoh did not commit suicide.

She came here for justice and she has done her job," said Lee Lan.

From the second autopsy report we at least know that the exhumation was worth it. It was not a waste."

However, she slammed MACC prosecution head Abdul Razak Musa for harassing Pornthip during cross-examination.

I am really sorry that Malaysia has a lawyer like this, she said.

Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who is representing the Selangor government, said Abdul Razak's tactics were embarrassing.

I'm not sure why he had to stoop to that level, he said, referring to the often absurd questions and remarks directed to Pornthip during cross-examination today.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.
Letter & Opinion From Joe Public

Perkasa fomenting tension for ISA crackdown :Khalid Samad

SHAH ALAM (Malaysian Insider) — Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad has warned that Perkasa is deliberately trying to whip up religious and racial tension to give Barisan Nasional an excuse to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the opposition.

The Malay rights group has been at the forefront of warning off those who question affirmative action policies for Bumiputeras and recently a Shah Alam church that wanted to hold a Christian play during the Ramadan fasting month. The church had called off the play before Perkasa lodged a report two days ago.

“I fear it’s an overall strategy that BN is implementing now in the run up to the next general elections and it will culminate in another Operasi Lalang,” the PAS lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider.

Khalid was commenting on Perkasa’s move to lodge a police against the Grace Shah Alam Church and its pastor here, comparing it to the 1987 security crackdown where 106 opposition leaders and social activists were detained without trial under the ISA.

Perkasa wants the church and Pastor Joseph Marcose investigated for planning to stage a Christian play in Muslim-majority Shah Alam during the Ramadan fasting month.

Petaling Perkasa chairman Zainal Abidin Ahmad lodged a police report against the Protestant church and Marcose for sedition.

Khalid believed the BN government was looking for an excuse to crackdown and appealed to all Malaysians to ignore “the ship which is sinking.”

“They have demonstrated once again that they are incapable of uniting the nation, behaving maturely and responsibly,” he said.

Khalid said Perkasa was driving another nail into BN’s coffin by exploiting the racial and religious issue which will also serve to disunite Malaysians.

He said Christians had every right to use the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC), which it in the middle of the Selangor state capital.

Khalid pointed there should not be any problem so long organisers clearly state that the programme is for non-Muslims, so that Muslims can stay away.

“It’s not like they are hiding in the shadows to fool authorities,” he said.

Khaild also pointed out that Muslims were mature and strong enough in their own faith and would not be threatened by a Christian event.

Zainal Abidin told The Malaysian Insider yesterday that Perkasa wanted the church and pastor to be investigated for sedition and for insulting the Sultan.

He said the church was being insensitive for planning to stage the play “There is Hope” at SACC during the fasting month.

Although the play is not meant for Muslims, he expressed fears the church was deliberately attempting to propagate Christianity to Muslim

He pointed out that a Ramadan bazaar is held around SACC and buka puasa buffets are held in the premises

Zainal Abidin said his concerns were not unfounded and referred to an article written on the Internet by Marcose entitled “Kenapa kita berada di Shah Alam” (Why we are in Shah Alam) which shows that the church’s plan is to propagate Christianity to everyone in Shah Alam.

However, Marcose said the September 4 play has been cancelled due to the long holiday break, with many worshippers away during that time.

He also explained the play was planned in conjunction with National Day and meant only for non-Muslims.

Marcose also pointed out his article, which was posted on a church website, was meant only to encourage church members.

“It’s just a church bulletin for our members. We did not publish it anywhere,” he said.

Marcose said the church was fully aware of the law and denied it had intended to propagate its faith to Muslims.

Besides the police report, Perkasa has also submitted a memorandum to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and SACC.

He has urged MAIS to advise the church that its play is against the Selangor Islamic Enactment and the Constitution, which restricts the spreading of other religions to Muslims.

Mismanagement and fraud in Felcra exposed

KUALA LUMPUR (Harakahdaily) - After exposing widespread wastages and mismanagement in Felda, the National Felda Settlers’ Children’s Association (ANAK) today revealed at least 22 cases of mismanagement by Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) and its holding companies.

The cases include mismanagement in the agency's Koperasi Peserta-Peserta Felcra Berhad (KPFB), Special Business Unit and a scam worth RM17 million of investments in unauthorized purchase of bonds.

Among others, the latest exposure relates to misappropriation of the supply of Keiserite fertilizers which did not comply with specifications.

Speaking to the press at the PAS headquarters today, ANAK chairman Mazlan Aliman said more revelations were forthcoming and would be done in series to allow Felcra answer the allegations.

Also present were chairman of the Felcra Task Force, Akmaluddin Mohd Noor and Lenggong PAS chief, Razman Zakaria.

Mazlan said his team would require a week to prepare and compile documents relating to complaints about “fraud, mismanagement and abuse of power” in Felcra schemes to be circulated to the press.

He also called for a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations against Felcra, and urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to speed up its investigation on reports lodged against the agency last January.

According to Mazlan, ANAK had formed a new non-governmental organisation to help Felcra settlers to air their complaints as well as a task force to submit evidences to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

Felcra is the latest government agency to come under scrutiny over allegations of graft and abuse of settlers' funds. The latest allegations come hot on the heels of revelations that Felda squandered billions of ringgit in cash reserves.

Earlier this month, a gathering by Felcra settlers in Pasir Salak, Perak was ambushed by police, and ended with the arrest of 30 people including 10 from PAS's Welfare Unit.

Felcra is a government agency established in 1966 to improve standard of living among rural people and reduce income disparities through land consolidation and rehabilitation programmes. Among its main activities is develop idle land found in villages all over the country.

Pakatan rallying for Student Power

The decline of the student movement

By Gan Pei Ling | The Nut Graph


IN the second of a two-part interview, self-taught people’s historian Fahmi Reza tells The Nut Graph more about the 1960s student movement, why their history has been under-documented, and what happened to it after its climax in 1969.

(All images courtesy of Fahmi Reza)

TNG: Is there a particular reason why you named your lecture Student Power?
Fahmi Reza: Yes, Student Power means “mahasiswa ada kuasa dalam pentadbiran universiti”. The students knew [and asserted] their rights in the 1960s and demanded for the democratisation of university.
You see, near the end of the 1960s, the university management was still divorced from the students. So even though the students were the majority in campus, they had no voice in the university’s running. That’s why they started pushing for representation and participation in the decision-making process of the university – in the administration of residential colleges, faculties, the library, and later at the highest level of university administration, the University Council and Senate.
The students fought for real student power back then. And I think this has always been the case with rights – if you don’t push and demand for it, the people in power are not going to give it to you for free.
Were the majority of university students active in the movement in the 1960s?
In any student movement, only around 5% will be the activists at the forefront. The difference is whether you have the critical mass to back your movement. Key student activists like Khong (Kim Hoong) and Syed Hamid Ali were, of course, more active than the rest of the student body. But they had the majority support of the students.
Even though the majority were not be at the forefront of the movement, they would still join in if there were demonstrations against injustice.
And bear in mind, these students were not blind followers. The students’ political consciousness was higher back then. They knew about the issues, and they were informed and exposed to different perspectives and ideas through the speaker’s corner, political forums, student newspapers, etc.

The student activists employed a multilingual strategy in their election rallies: Syed Hamid Ali would speak in Bahasa Malaysia, Khong Kim Hoong in English, Yoong Suan in Mandarin, Chong Lai Huat in Hokkien, and Justin Chang in Cantonese. Rex Michael wasn't at all the rallies, but whenever he was present, he would speak in Tamil

It seems the student movement was really quite radical and influential in those days, but their history is somehow under-documented?
Unfortunately, most of the student activists from the 1960s are not writing about their experience. [I also noticed that] the student movement’s history was omitted from (Tan Sri Prof Emeritus Dr) Khoo Kay Kim’s book 100 years the University of Malaya (2005) on UM’s history. Even though he was teaching history in UM in the 1960s and 1970s and he knew what happened, he didn’t mention the student movement in his book at all.
When I confronted him about it, he said the students didn’t do anything significant, that they were just a bunch of left-wing troublemakers. People always think historians were or should be neutral, but clearly they’re not. [Some of them only] look at history from above, from the ruler’s point of view. I’m more interested to look at history from below, from the people’s and students’ perspectives.
So I’m doing what I can to document these stories [of the student movement] before they are lost. The movement’s history and tradition are actually very rich, and I think the students deserve to know that, because it’s part of their history.
We once had a student movement that was politically conscious and alive and kicking in the 1960s. What happened to it in the 1970s?
UM was set up by the British in 1949 during the colonial days, so it followed the established Western university system and tradition. Education was left in the hands of educators. The government didn’t interfere with university administration, and the university administration didn’t interfere with student affairs. So the students enjoyed a lot of freedom and autonomy back then.

Clipping dated 11 May 1969 (Click on image for bigger view)

However, when the students started taking up issues outside campus, like when they held protests and stood up for the poor Malay peasantry and took part in the 1969 general election, the government began to feel threatened.
Also, the 1960s was a period of student uprising all over the world, and at the forefront were left-wing student leaders and organisations. In Paris during May 1968, students joined forces with workers and trade unions in the largest hartal (strike) in history that brought Paris to a standstill. They almost toppled the oppressive right-wing French government under General De Gaulle. In the US and Europe, students led protests against the Vietnam War. The power of these worldwide student movements was real. I’m sure the Malaysian government realised it.
So the government responded by enacting Auku (Universities and University Colleges Act 1971) to curb the autonomy of the students union and the power of the student movement. But of course, the students resisted. There was a clause in Auku that said exemption could be given by the (Yang di-Pertuan) Agong to certain universities. So Umsu (University of Malaya Students’ Union) fought for it and was exempted from Auku’s claws.
When the students took up the issue of poor Malay peasantry again in 1974, the government felt seriously threatened. So they banned Umsu, the Socialist Club in UM, and the National Union of Malaysian Students. They replaced powerful student unions like Umsu with the [comparatively] inferior students’ representative council (Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar), [which practically] had no power, no say, no independence or autonomy to handle students’ affairs. Badan Hal Ehwal Pelajar (Student Affairs Department) was set up and university administrators took over students’ affairs.

Fahmi

Reflecting on the current situation of student activism in Malaysia, do you think there will be a time when the student movement becomes as, if not more, vibrant as it was in the 1960s?
Yes, if the students want it. I see change coming from below; it’s all about building a critical mass.
If the students were aware [of the freedom and autonomy their predecessors in the 1960s enjoyed], would they choose the present system, or would they choose what the students used to have in the 1960s? Which one would you choose?

Selangor in anti-zina campaign to stop baby-dumping

By Rahmah Ghazali

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government will be launching an anti-zina (anti-illicit sex) campaign at the end of the month in the wake of the recent baby-dumping cases.

State exco Halimah Ali said the campaign, aimed at Muslims, will be launched by state-sponsored organisation Generasi Idaman Selangor (Gems). Its purpose is to create public awareness of the problem, especially the youths who "accidentally got pregnant.

"We also want those who end up up pregnant (out-of-wedlock) to be given shelter and protection until their illegitimate babies are delivered," she said when the announcing the campaign here today.

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, who was also present, said there was no need to introduce sex education as part of the campaign.

"As far as Gems is concerned, there will instead be discussion on the proper conduct for intimacy," he said.

Meanwhile, Halimah said that sex education is being taught in schools, adding that seeking a solution to baby-dumping is more important.

"But if you are talking about sex education as taught in the West, we are not using that approach yet.

Halimah said sex education is not a "100%" answer to baby-dumping. Instead, an overall solution is needed.

On the campaign, she said one of its objectives is to help find adopted parents for illegitimate babies.

"We do not want youths who got pregnant (illegitimately) taking desperate measure by abandoning the babies. We hope everyone in Selangor, especially the local leaders, will look at the matter in a positive light.

"We also hope that with this campaign, youths will think twice about it (getting pregnant out of wedlock) and stay away from it," she said, adding that the campaign will also provide a rehabilitation programme for the youths.

"This way, those who are saddled with this social problem will have a second chanc! e to lea d a more productive life later," she said.

With the rising incidents of baby-dumping, Malacca too has taken action by setting up a school for pregnant teens to combat it.

Recently, CID chief Bakri Zinin was reported to have said that widespread access to pornography and "weakened family ties have led to an increase in baby-dumping cases in the last five years.

But women groups countered, saying the youths are ignorant about sexual issues.

Letter & Opinion From Joe Public

Malaysia's Uneasy Dance with the Web

Are authorities about to start to filter Internet journalism?

On July 31, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is rapidly becoming the stormy petrel of Malaysian politics, made a tough, uncompromising speech to the annual Malaysian Student leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The 72-year-old Razaleigh, an elder statesman of the United Malays National Organization, called for the abolition Malaysia's Internal Security Act, the Official Secrets Act, the Printing and Publication Act and the Universities and Colleges Act, which circumscribes the freedom of expression of students and professors and which, Razaleigh said, "has done immense harm in dumbing down our universities."

It was a major speech on an important occasion to Malaysia's future leaders. Other speakers included members of the judiciary, presidents of bar councils and many others. (It can be found here in its entirety)

"Billions have been looted from this country, and Billions more are being siphoned out as our entire political structure crumbles. Yet we are gathered here in comfort, in a country that still seems to 'work': Most of the time," Razaleigh said. "This is due less to good management than to the extraordinary wealth of this country. You were born into a country of immense resources, both natural, cultural and social. We have been wearing down this advantage with mismanagement and corruption. With lies, tall tales and theft. We have a political class unwilling or unable to address the central issue of the day because they have grown fat and comfortable with a system built on lies and theft."

Razaleigh's speech, controversial as it was, was not mentioned anywhere in the nation's mainstream press, despite the fact that among other things, he said that "over the! last 25 years, much of the immense wealth generated by our productive people and our vast resources has been looted."

Despite the fact that no newspapers printed any of the speech, Rejal Arbi, the former editor of the Malay languageBerita Harian who is now a columnist, thought it merited exposure. However, Mior Kamarulbaid, the editor of the paper, thought otherwise. He spiked Rejal's column.

Berita Harian is owned by UMNO, which is increasingly unsettled by Razaleigh's calls to clean out the endemic corruption in the party. Likewise, The Star, which is owned by the Malaysian Chinese Association, the second-biggest component of the Barisan Nasional, the ruling national coalition, didn't carry Razaleigh's remarks, nor did the New Straits Times, which is also owned by UMNO. Nor was it carried on the party-owned television stations.

However, it was carried widely on Internet news sites, including being streamed on the independent Malaysiakinitelevision. It was carried verbatim on the Internet-based news portal Malaysian Insider, among other Internet sites.

This has assumed increasing importance because of an Aug. 16 report in the independent Internet news site Malaysian Insider that the administration of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is evaluating the feasibility of putting an Internet filter in place to block so-called "undesirable websites."

According to the report, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission commissioned the Malaysian arm of KPMG, the accounting and advisory firm, to carry out a "'Study on Positive and Safe Use of the Internet' in early August to evaluate, among others, "the implementation of Internet Filter at Internet Gateway level" and "the impact of the various methods to Malaysian Internet users and Malaysia economy.'"

A year ago, the government backed away from a similar plan for a filter to block websites it considered undesirable. After the story became public, Najib denied there wa! s any pl an to police the Internet. Although the rationale cited for such a filter is usually to keep pornography away from the nation's youth, it can be used to block undesirable political comment as well. In Thailand today, for instance, at least 13,000 websites have been blocked by the government, ostensibly to block unfavorable comment about the country's monarchy. But in fact, it is being used extensively to block political comment as well.

It isn't clear what the KPMG study will be used for by the government. But when Internet journalism was just getting started in the late stages of the reign of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the government took a decision not to place the same kinds of controls on websites that it maintains for the print media, which are onerous indeed.

The Printing and Presses Act, passed in 1984, has been used repeatedly against such publications as The Rocket, the vehicle of the opposition Democratic Party, and others. Human Rights Watch reported from New York in July that "the government has effectively suspended indefinitely publication of Suara Keadilan, the paper of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat" and severely circumscribed the circulation of Harakah, published by the opposition Parti Islam se-Malaysia, or PAS.

As a result of the fact that political parties control the mainstream media, the Internet in Malaysia has come alive, not just with opposition blogs and comment about the government, but with some solid and some not so solid journalism. But backing away from total internet freedom today is a difficult thing for any government to do and would generate considerable embarrassment, if not public outrage. In Malaysia, the Internet is broadly regarded as having played a major role in 2008 national elections that cost the Barisan Nasional its two-thirds majority in the parliament for the first time in the 50-year history of the country and delivered several states into the hands of the opposit! ion.

More lately, the Internet has carried extensive and embarrassing reports by The Sarawak Report, a Sarawak-based NGO, of the astonishing international holdings of the chief minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud, in Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, which the NGO claims were built on the ravaging of Sarawak's vast natural resources, particularly timber. Not a word of Taib's holdings has been carried in Malaysia's press.

"We must have freedom as guaranteed under our Constitution," Razaleigh told the student leaders. "Freedom to assemble, associate, speak, write, move. This is basic. Even on matters of race and even on religious matters we should be able to speak freely, and we shall educate each other."

courtesy of asia sentinel
See What Barisan Nasional Gotta Say?

Terimakasih

Yesterday, I wrote about the problem of traffic jam along the MRR2 which was highly unusual. The matter was raised to the Ampang Police as well as to Tan Sri DIGP where I highlighted the need to bring back the measures that was in place before it was removed 6 weeks ago.

This morning, I was elated to see that Ampang Police has deployed several personnel along the MRR 2 between Bukit Antarabangsa to JKAL/AKLEH interchange. As a result there was no jam within Bukit Antarabangsa. I could drive out with ease at 0800 am. The congestion began only on MRR2. Some other residents who left earlier then me said there is a minor crawl downhill along Jalan Wangsa 1. Overall, I think we are making progress despite having timber laden lorry stuck on the side of the road.

It will take a few days for the road users to get use to the presence of police and their coordination along the stretch. Once people are use to it again then I believe we can expect a better travel time in the morning.

I wrote an email to the Ampang IPD chief and DIGP thanking them for their assistance. In the email I also suggest that maybe the police could use their network that the road is close to heavy vehicles during the peak hours as being done in other major highways in the Klang Valley.

May I suggest that all road users who are happy with arrangement to drop a note of appreciation to the Ampang OCPD (ajalil63@yahoo.com) and next time if you see a cop on the street in the morning do give him a thumbs up and a smile. On your way home, buy a can of drink and a burger and pass it to the cop on duty that had to stand there in the sun and rain so that we can reach home and office on time. Dont take their presence for granted. From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.

This morning again, I exchange text messages with Tan! Sri DIG P and IPD Ampang chief. I gave to him a 5 minute interval report from the time I left my house till I reach my office at Sultan Ismail. It took me 52 minutes today compared to my usual trip of 28 minutes. This cannot continue. I sent a strong email appeal to DIGP and the OCPD requesting that he place back all the measures that was in place previously. I dont know whether he is going to do it. One thing for sure I will not stop pushing for it until it is done.

0.0000000.000000
See What Barisan Nasional Gotta Say?

When Malay Leaders fail....

These Malays who are the leaders in UMNO....they were once decent people. There were once Malays who had the well-being and welfare of other Malays in their hearts. They wanted the Malays to succeed in education, in business and they wanted the Malays to be able to stand with pride amongst the other races in Malaysia. They started their life in politics with these thoughts.
It changed when Mahathir took his place as Prime Minister. This was no ordinary man. He had intellect. He had intelligence. He worked hard and he knew exactly what he wanted and how to go about getting it. He was a man who had the power to do much. If only he had used his power for good rather then for evil.
As he was talking about racial harmony he understood the need of the racial divide to keep the people off balance and he used the racial divide to weave his politics of divide and rule. As he consolidated his hold on his cabinet he understood the need to have Minister who were corrupt, weak of the flesh and susceptible to the lure of money and every other imaginable persuasion so that he could use these weaknesses to exert control over them. Truly Mahathir is a disciple of Machiavelli - adept in using cunning and deceitful tactics in politics!
What happened with Pak Lah totally defined Mahathir. Nothing matters except what Mahathir wants. Not what UMNO, Barisan Nasional, the people or what the country wants. He will have his way no matter what. God did not give him the grace to understand that others are different in thoughts and deeds to him. In the end that will be the epitaph of this man.
And now to where we are at now. Does Najib ever stop to look at the people in the country that he is Prime Minister of! as indi viduals? Does this Din who is so fond of issuing threats and ultimatums from his Ministry of Home Affairs ever stop to think that these people that he issues those threats and ultimatums are made up of individuals Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Ibans, young and old, men and womenthat each and every one of these individuals are able to think for themselves and decide what they want to do with their life and their votes? Or are all these leaders on an ego trip?
Ego: The fallacy whereby a goose thinks he's a swan
For me the spectacle of Najib trying to impose some semblance of dignity and authority to the position of Prime Minister of our country is sad because:
The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply Kahlil Gibran.
Najib you cannot build a house on sand. It is futile for you to expect the people of this country to allow you to govern them until you have earned that right.
For one you were not chosen to be Prime Minister of this country by the people Pak Lah did! So you came into office with blood on your handsPak Lahs blood. It was a well-organized assassination. UMNO at its best. Not only were Mahathir and you able to turn UMNO against their own President but also you even managed to get the people of Malaysia to come along for the ride.
At that point of time Najib presented a clear break from the excesses of Pak Lah and the excesses ! we most disliked was the power (real or imagined) then being wielded by Khairy Jamaluddin. We would even have accepted Mahathir back as Prime Minister if it meant we could rid ourself of that young upstart call KJ!
So that alone meant that Najib came in as Prime Minister on a high. But wither goes Najib after that? The growing unpopularity of a once much loved and popular Prime Minister affectionately called Pak Lah had propelled Najib, albeit with much help from Mahathir, into a post he badly needed to ensure his political survival even as another potentially deadly threat looms -ALTANTUYA!
In my humble opinion where Najib erred was in his handling of the Altantuya situation. His early appointment as Prime Minister was not, as he thought, the solution to this problem. It merely gave him time to regroup. He should have used his entry into office to sit down quietly and figure out what he could do to diffuse the Altantuya problem not use the Prime Ministers office as a refuge from it.
Yes there were questions about his past judgement in his days as MB of Pahang and in Federal Politics that could embarrass him on a personal and political level but who in UMNO did not have skeletons in the closet? There were worries about the propensity of Rosmah to act more Presidential then Najib but even this, with common sense, could be managed.
In other things political Najib had vision but lack substance. He was unable to maintain the mood of the people. When Pak Lah took over from Mahathir there was much hope for change for the better and this was reflected in the results of the emphatic 2004 election victory that the people gave to Pak Lah.
But this mood changed quickly when promises are not followed by action especially in todays over wired news availability through the Net. As impressive as Pak Lahs Work with me! not for me utterances werecakap bukan serupa bikinand his inability to rein in KJ costs him the Prime Ministers job.
But Najib was unable to build on this. What he has done quite well without help from any quarters is to dig a hole too deep for him to climb out of and there is nobody around willing to give him a helping hand to escape oblivion. Ahhhh the arrogance of power overcomes all of usnot just the strong and powerful, not just the little Napoleonsbut also even those Mata Mata in uniforms on their money seeking beats around the streets of our towns and cities! They fail to understand that Malaysia belongs to many who are already dead, the few that are now living and the countless numbers that are still unborn!
For over fifty years you leaders in UMNO have been beating this country of ours to near death. It would do you all good if you stop to understand that we are all individuals amongst the faceless masses that you see. Go listen to what they have to say. Go understand what they aspire to. Or, better yet, understand that like you, they simply want the right to earn a decent living, a roof over their heads and the freedom to live their live to the best of their ability in peace.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle, 1855
If you understand this, then maybe you will understand the need to have compassion, decency and aspire to do well to others in your time as Prime Ministerin your time in life. .but maybejust maybeit might be too much to ask of you and of those in Barisan Nasional.
courtesy of steadyaku47
L etter & Opinion From Joe Public

'Revamp BN power-sharing concept'

By Michael Kaung

KOTA BELUD: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) wants Barisan Nasional to restructure and develop a fairer and more equitable power-sharing concept at all levels for its own political survival.PBS vice-president Herbert Timbun Lagadan said BN must reform its existing concept to correct anomalies or weakness in the current practice to strengthen the coalition.

The key to BN success is fair and equitable power sharing, without which BN is weak due to internal dissatisfaction and discontent.

"PBS is ready to engage in a comprehensive discussion on the issue of power sharing, especially fair and equitable distributions of appointments as well as fair and equitable access to economic opportunities by all communities in Sabah," he told delegates at the 25th PBS Kadamaian annual general meeting.

Addressing calls by BN leaders for PBS to revamp the appointment system in his Kadamaian constituency, Herbert said he was ready to comply but on condition that other BN component parties do the same.

"It does not work if only Kadamaian is asked to change and accommodate more BN component political parties, while the other state assemblymen keep their appointment structure unchanged, he said.

Look at the bigger picture

Meanwhile, on the Kampung Tambatuon Dam controversy, Lagadan asked the affected villagers to consider the larger picture which would bring benefits the Kota Belud farming community.

He said the Kampung Tambatuon dam project has something to do with the BN plan to develop Kota Belud as the rice bowl of Sabah in order to alleviate the shortage of rice in Sabah.

"Sabah is facing acute food shortage and the fact that Kota Belud has been identified as suitable for rice farming, water is critically needed to ensure rice cultivation can be carried out all the year round."

He sa! id, Kada maian, in particular, Kampung Tambatuon will be helping the country to avert a food shortage in the event of a natural disaster or war, as there would be enough rice to feed the people.

He said PBS is not forcing the people to accept the dam project as it is still at the feasibility stage and there is still uncertainty as to whether the site is suitable or not.

However, he said the villagers must think and see the larger picture and the long term benefit of the dam to the entire Kota Belud community.


Letter & Opinion From Joe Public

Happy Birthday, Indonesia

My wife, Dr Kamsiah and I extend our warm good wishes to the President and People of the Republic Indonesia on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Indonesian Independence. May you continue to prosper in the years to come and continue to regional peace and security in ASEAN.Din Merican

Indonesia Marks Quiet Independence Day

Camelia Pasandaran, Banjir Ambarita & Aidi Yursal | August 18, 2010

Despite a warning by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of possible terrorist attacks, Independence Day celebrations on Tuesday were peaceful.

While security was tight during the official ceremony at the State Palace to mark the 65th anniversary of Indonesian independence, celebrations elsewhere across the country were more subdued because most people are observing Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month.

Yudhoyono led the ceremony at the State Palace, which was attended by top government officials, foreign envoys and other public figures.

Read Morehttp://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/indonesia-marks-quiet-independence-day/391585

Letter & Opinion From Joe Public

Economy grew at slower 8.9 pct in Q2, signalling clear downtrend

Malaysia Chronicle

UPDATED Malaysia’s economy expanded by 8.9 per cent in the second quarter from a year ago, but although it beat market forecasts, the writing is on the wall for an entrenched downtrend in the second half of this year.

“In the January to March period of 2010, GDP was 10.1 percent year on year. It is now 8.9 percent for April to June,” an economist at a foreign bank told Malaysia Chronicle.

“The full year forecast is about 6 to 6.5 percent. So all you need to do is average out and you can straightaway tell that from here on, GDP will fall even below 5 percent and it can get even worse if business conditions deteriorate and the government can’t even maintain 6 percent full year growth.”

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the finance minister, had warned of slower growth in the coming months due to the contagion effects from the Greece and Dubai financial debacles.

Malaysia’s economy emerged from recession in the fourth quarter of 2009 when it grew by 4.5 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2008. For the full-year of 2009, it had contracted by 1.7 per cent in 2009 overall from the previous year.

Manufacturing, services, construction still strong

On Wednesday, Bank Negara said higher private and public sector spending had boosted growth while expansion in external demand spurred domestic production.

"On the supply side, major economic sectors continued to record strong growth during the quarter, led by the manufacturing and services sectors," Bank Negara said in a statement announcing the GDP data.

"Going forward, the domestic economy is expected to remain strong, sustained by robust private sector demand."

However, it acknowledged that external developments could result in a moderation in the pace of growth.

The central bank also said the manufacturing sector expanded 15.9% although it was lower compared to the first quarter's 17%. The services sector recorded a positive 7.3% versus the first quarter's 8.5% supported mainly by the strong performance of the wholesale and retail, finance and insurance, transport and storage sub-sectors.

Construction, the other key sector, expanded by 4.1% compared with 8.7% in the first three months, supported mainly by the strong growth in the non-residential sub-sector.

However, the agriculture sector moderated to 2.4% versus 6.8% in the Jan-March period due to lower production of industrial crops, while the mining sector registered a growth of 1.9% (1Q 10: 2.1%) supported by higher production of natural gas amid lower production of crude oil.

Net direct investments still weak

Headline inflation, as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index, increased by 1.6% on an annual basis in the second quarter (1Q 10: 1.3%). The increase in consumer prices was due to the rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages (2Q 10: 2.4%, 1Q 10: 1.4%).

In the external sector, the trade surplus narrowed to RM23.4 billion in the second quarter (1Q 10: RM38.9 billion) as gross imports increased faster than gross exports.

Gross exports grew by 21.7% (1Q 10: 30.7%), supported by robust demand for E&E products and sustained demand for non-E&E exports and minerals, particularly from the regional economies.

Meanwhile, gross imports expanded at a robust pace of 30.3% (1Q 10: 35.1%), driven mainly by strong growth of imports of intermediate and capital goods.

On a cash basis, gross inflows of foreign direct investment amounted to RM4.7 billion in the second quarter (1Q 10: RM4.9 billion). After adjusting for gross outflows due to repayment of inter-company loans, net FDI recorded a larger net inflow of RM1.8 billion (1Q 10: +RM0.2 billion).

Bank Negara also said during the April to June period, FDI was channeled mainly into the electrical and electronics as well as petroleum-related industries. Net direct investment abroad by Malaysian companies amounted to RM2.5 billion in the second quarter (1Q 10: -RM3.2 billion), largely for investments in the services and oil and gas sectors.

Meanwhile, there were further inflows of portfolio investments of RM6.6 billion in the second quarter (1Q 10: +RM3.8 billion) due to strong foreign participation in debt securities.

The international reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia amounted to RM309.8 billion (equivalent to USD94.8 billion) as at 30 June 2010, and RM310.6 billion (equivalent to USD95 billion) as at 30 July 2010. It also said its reserves position is sufficient to finance 7.9 months of retained imports and is 4.3 times the short-term external debt.

Teoh inquest: It was not suicide, says Pornthip

Renowned Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand is testifying at the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, to share her findings after observing the second autopsy procedure.

Pornthip, who had previously claimed that political aide's death was 80 percent homicide and 20 percent suicide, caused a stir when she entered the court room as Teoh's supporters in the packed gallery began applauding.

Activists have been rallying the public to attend the inquest to show support for Teoh, as not only to hear from Pornthip, but also to express displeasure at the Attorney-General's Chambers over the 'mystery note'.

Amidon Anan, former forensic chief of police Crime Scene Investigation Unit, is also in the gallery. He is observing the inquest in his personal capacity.

'Live' reports follow:

9.30am: Coroner Azmil Munthapa Abas kicks off proceedings by calling Pornthip as the first witness. She is questioned by Malek Imtiaz Sarwar, who represents her and the Selangor government.

He takes her through her report and photos based on the second post-mortem.

9.55am: Pornthip says she found deep haemorrhage on Teoh's neck reaching to the muscle. The area affected is larger than if there had been manual strangulation, as the force was more than that exerted by a physical grip on the neck.

But based on reviews she had done on 34-35 fall-from-height cases previously, none had that sort of wound. She thinks it's not possible that the bruise was caused by impact with the ground.

10am: Pornthip also rules out the possibility that the bruise was caused by fracture of the spine. She maintains her observation that it was a pre-fall injury with "more force and more weight" than caused by manual strangulation.

She concedes she has no experience on neck holds. She says it c! ould be that "someone put something on Teoh's neck or pressed his head on something".

Referring to the first autopsy report, she cannot exclude that Teoh was unconscious before falling, as the report shows cerebral edema.

It shows that Teoh experienced hypoxia, where brain does not receive oxygen, for at least 5 minutes. Hypoxia is due to a blocked vein, artery or trachea.

10.10 am: Pornthip disagrees wtih Dr Peter Vaneziz that the mark on the neck was due to fracture of the chin. She says a chin fracture area is small and hemorrhage does continue to the chest. Also there are no blood vessels on the chin to cause excessive bleeding.

10.20am: She says there was no fracture to the wrist, which would have been the case if someone protects themselves from a fall with their hands.

There was a fracture and external wound above one ankle, but none at the base of the skull. So she disagrees with Vaneziz that Teoh had landed on his feet and that he was concious when he fell.

10.30am: Pornthip says the anal tear and injury to the buttocks was caused by the fall and not by beating as she had previously thought.

10.43am: She maintains her opinion about the pre-fall injury, but cannot confirm that Teoh was concious during the fall, She declines to go into the percentage of her certainty on the cause of death, because has had to base this on a report. But she is sure it was not suicide.

10.45am: Malik completes his examination. Gobind Singh Deo, who is representing Teoh's family, begins questioning the witness.

[More to follow]

Letter & Opinion From Joe Public