Najib rejects local council elections.

PUTRAJAYA: 09 MAR 2010 - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today he felt it was unnecessary to reintroduce local government elections as they would only give importance to politicking among members of the local councils.

“We are of the opinion that the local government elections were abolished long time ago, so there is no need to restore it,” he said.

He also said the federal government felt that the local councils should focus more on improving their services to the people.

"The focus should be on providing the best service to the people instead of giving importance to the political process," he told a news conference after addressing the 11th National Civil Service Premier Gathering, here.

Local government elections would not necessarily improve the services local councils provided to the people, he said when asked to comment on the intention of the Penang and Selangor state governments to reintroduce local government elections.

Local government elections in the country were abolished in 1965.

The reintroduction of these elections in Penang was promised by the opposition parties during the 2008 general election campaign.

Penang govt baffled by Najib's argument

In an immediate reaction, the Penang government rejected Najib's argument that local government elections were unnecessary because it would cause politicking.

State executive councillor in charge of local government affairs, Chow Kon Yeow said that Najib’s argument was a lame duck excuse to avoid making local councils more accountable to the public.

Chow said that if that was the reason for not holding council polls, Najib should then to away with federal and state governments.

“Even without elections, politicking would exist anywhere. Politicking cannot be used as an excuse to avoid local council polls,” he told journalists in George Town today.

Penang government has written a letter of request to the Election Commission to conduct elections for council members, including presidents. Penang has two municipal councils, each on the island (MPPP) and mainland Seberang Perai (MPSP).

Chow said local government elections were imperative to give more public say on administrations of councils.

“Elections will compel councils to be more accountable for its performance to the public,” he said.

Besides the letter to the EC, the state government had already passed a House resolution calling on the Barisan Nasional’s Putrajaya administration to make the necessary legal amendments to restore council elections.

The Penang government has also written to the Housing and Local Government Ministry to restore the elections.

Chow aims to bring up the issue as a major agenda in the next Local Government National Council meeting. However, he is not putting much hope in succeeding.

“To restore the third vote, the government must have both the authority and political will. However, the federal government does not have the political will though it has the authority,” he said.

- By FMT staff

Khalid Selar Najib Keluar Kenyataan Mendahului SPR

Anwar kalah, Muhyidin kecut teloq.

Mar 8th, 2010    |   Perakexpress 

Mahkamah Rayuan hari ini membuat keputusan bahawa tindakan Mahathir menyingkir Anwar dari jawatan Perdana Menteri adalah sah. Perdana Menteri mempunyai hak untuk melantik atau menyingkir sesiapa saja kerana yang Di Pertuan Agong tidak mempunyai hak tersebut mengikut Perlembagaan.

Anwar Ibrahim’s dismissal as deputy premier and finance minister on Sept 2, 1998 was lawful, as the prime minister has absolute power to appoint or revoke the appointment of its minister, the Federal Court unanimously ruled this morning.

“If the Prime Minister has decided that a particular minister should cease from holding the office, the Yang diPertuan Agong would not be able to say otherwise as a constitutional monarch,” said Alauddin, adding that under the Federal Constitutional, the King’s function was purely ceremonial.

Mampuih la Muhyidin lepas ni. Baru-baru ni, dia melancarkan blog sendiri, my-malaysia.com.my. Tak sampai sebulan, blognya kena hack sebab dianggap cuba melawan populariti Najib. Lepas tu, Muhyidin terus diam..tak berani bersuara.

Sekarang, Mahkamah rayuan memberikan kuasa sepenuhnya kepada Najib untuk melantik atau menyingkir sapa saja yang dia mahu.

Keputusan hari ini bertentangan dengan keputusan yang dibuat ketika kes Nizar dulu dimana Mahkamah memutuskan bahawa Sultan mempunyai hak untuk melantik atau menyingkir Menteri Besar.

Keputusan Mahkamah yang lalu juga menyebut bahawa Agong mempunyai hak untuk menyingkir Perdana Menteri, tetapi dalam kes Anwar…keputusan mahkamah sudah terbalik.

Inilah mahkamah Malaysia. Semua keputusan hanya memihak kepada Umno / Barisan Nasional.

Did Dr Tun Mahathir lied ?

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal   |  malaysianinsider  |  PUTRAJAYA, 8 March 2010

Federal Court upholds Anwar’s sacking as ‘constitutional’

Malaysia’s highest court today ruled that Anwar Ibrahim’s sacking from the government in 1998 was constitutional.

Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff led a three-man bench which affirmed that the High Court and the Court of Appeals were correct in their earlier decisions.

The other judges were Datuk Abdull Hamid Embong and Datuk Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusof

“Under the Federal Constitution, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is a constitutional monarch… as a constitutional monarch he has a limited role in appointment of ministers it is decided by the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister has decided that a minister should cease to hold office, the Agong would not be able to do otherwise,” said Alauddin, who explained that the Agong’s role in appointments or revocations of ministers was merely a “formality.”

In the suit filed on Nov 13, 1998 against Dr Mahathir and the federal government, Anwar was seeking a declaration that his sacking by the then prime minister on Sept 2, 1998 was unconstitutional and of no effect.

The president of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff who led the three-man team of Federal court judges which included Datuk Abdull Hamid Embong and Datuk Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusof affirmed that the High Court and the Court of Appeal were correct in their earlier decisions.

“Under the Federal Constitution, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong is a constitutional monarch. As a constitutional monarch he has a limited role in appointment of ministers and it is decided by the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister has decided that a minister should cease to hold office, the Agong would not be able to say otherwise,” said Alauddin who explained that the Agong’s role in appointments or revocation of ministers was merely a “formality.”

The judge went on to state that Anwar’s sacking by the former prime minister was in fact lawful as it was done in accordance with the rules of the constitution and that “requirements had been met.”

Shortly after being removed from Cabinet, Anwar was tried and convicted of sodomy and corruption, spending six years in jail until the Federal Court overturned his sodomy conviction in 2004.

Both teams had presented their submissions to the Federal Court on Dec 3 last year.

Anwar’s lead counsel Karpal Singh had argued that Anwar’s Cabinet appointment could not be revoked by Mahathir without prior consent of the king.

The veteran lawyer’s contention was that Mahathir’s actions had contravened Article 43(5) of the Federal Constitution which stated that the appointment of any minister may be revoked by the king on the advice of the prime minister.

Quoting the dismissal letter signed by Mahathir, Karpal had noted that it was clear that he had revoked Anwar’s appointment and then informed the king of the dismissal.

In reply, Senior Federal counsel Datuk Kamaludin Md Said then argued that Mahathir’s dismissal of Anwar had followed legal procedure, stressing that the king’s role in the matter was purely formal as the king was a constitutional monarch.

It is understood that Kamaludin, who was representing Mahathir and the Federal government, had stressed that there were no legal provisions that specified how the revocation of a minister’s appointment was to be effected or gazetted.

Anwar appeared cynical when he spoke to reporters outside of court. ”What did you expect? A surprise?” said the one-time deputy prime minister and former right-hand man of Mahathir in jest.

He explained to reporters that he had decided to pursue the case because he knew for a fact that the late King did not sign the letter of consent on September 2 when the letter was first issued to Anwar.

Anwar claimed that the then-Agong, the late Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman and his wife, Tuanku Najihah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin had visited him in hospital in Munich, Germany shortly after his back surgery and informed him of the matter.

“Tuanku Jaafar told me that he was not informed on the morning of the sacking, and did not sign on the second of September.

“My wife as well as Tuanku Najihah are witnesses. They were there,” claimed Anwar.

Meanwhile, Karpal told reporters that the judgment effectively meant that the former Prime Minister had the powers of a “dictator.”

“We are not disputing the fact that the Agong acts on the advice of the Cabinet... I just can’t understand how such a judgement could have been passed,” said Karpal.

Harussani mufti atau mufta?

Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat | malaysiainsider - 7 MAC,2010

Terkilan saya apabila Mufti Perak, Sahibus Samahah Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria menyebut nama saya secara terbuka di khalayak. Samada di dalam mesyuarat atau persidangan dewan, menyebut nama seseorang dalam ucapan secara terbuka biarlah dengan kehadiran tuan punya badan.

Sekurang-kurangnya, bolehlah kata-kata tersebut disahkan atau dinafikan. Mufti bukan orang politik yang terdedah dengan kaedah menyerang atau diserang. Mengaitkan nama saya dalam kenyataan politik seorang yang bukan tokoh politik merupakan satu tingkah laku yang tidak beretika. Justeru, apabila mufti mengambil tindakan melagukan nama saya dengan irama politik, saya harus memberikan jawapannya.

Adil juga jika saya menukilkan dahulu sebahagian ucapan beliau di program Dialog Za’ba, Perpaduan Melayu: Cabaran dan Realiti di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), minggu lepas. Antaranya beliau berkata,

“Kenapa PAS tidak boleh bergabung untuk membentuk kerajaan yang sudah pasti akan memperoleh majoriti 100 peratus Melayu memerintah.

“Saya telah berjumpa dengan Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat di Kelantan dan berbincang hampir dua jam, pada awalnya beliau tidak bersetuju tetapi akhirnya dia kata idea itu bagus tetapi tidak dapat memberi keputusan kerana ia bergantung kepada Presiden, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“Saya maklumkan bahawa tidak berapa rapat dengan Hadi, jadi jika cadangan itu baik saya minta beliau (Nik Aziz) maklumkan kepada Hadi. Semasa dalam perjalanan balik iaitu berada di Cameron Highlands, Hadi telah hubungi saya dan bersetuju dengan cadangan itu.

“Tetapi Hadi kata dia tidak boleh buat keputusan kerana ia bergantung pada negeri iaitu Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri (Ahmad). Saya juga telah hubungi Timbalan Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Dr Haron Din dan dia juga bersetuju.”

Saya ingin menyentuh berkaitan kenyataan yang menyebut beliau dating ke rumah saya. Benar atau tidak, terserahlah kepada khalayak. Bagi saya, ini di antara beliau dan saya. Cuma pertanyaan saya, tidakkah itu satu keterlibatan dengan politik? Sedarkah beliau bahawa kerajaan Perak yang dirampas dari tangan rakyat hari ini didokong oleh Umno, sebuah parti yang meyakini bahawa politik dan agama tidak boleh bercampur? Dalam bahasa mudahnya, politik suku agama suku.

Jika mufti sendiri sanggup turun melaksanakan urusan berkaitan politik, ertinya beliau beranggapan tugasnya sebagai mufti meliputi tugas politik. Adakah bagi beliau, politik dan agama mesti selari, tidak boleh berpisah? Jika demikian, beliau telah mengiktiraf perjuangan PAS adalah benar. Jika tidak, kenapa libatkan diri dengan politik? Bukankah itu salah mengikut akidah Umno?

Inilah yang diperjuangkan oleh PAS. Tegak berdirinya PAS dengan perjuangan menjadikan Islam sebaagai cara hidup. Tidakkah al-Quran sebuah kitab yang syumul? Isinya bukan sahaja akidah, bahkan soal ekonomi, politik, rumahtangga, psikologi dan kaunseling, semuanya ada di dalam al-Quran. Tidakkah ini merupakan tiang seri perjuangan PAS sejak sekian lama? Jika mufti Perak beranggapan politik dan Islam perlu selari, selangkah kaki beliau sepatutnya sudah berada di dalam PAS!

Jika beliau tidak berpandangan Islam dan politik perlu selari, tetapi terus terlibat dengan politik dengan jubah seorang mufti, maka dengan sendirinya beliau telah menjadi ejen. Dalam kes ini, beliau telah menjadi ejen Umno. Hilang luruh kemuliaan seorang mufti kalau merelakan diri menjadi ejen. Apatah lagi menjadi ejen sebuah parti politik sekular.

Saya kira, jika seorang mufti yang menjadi ejen parti politik sekular, itu bukanlah lagi al-mufti (yang memberikan fatwa) tetapi al-mufta (yang diberikan fatwa). Cukuplah sekadar itu respon balas saya terhadap kenyataan beliau.

* Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat ialah Menteri Besar Kelantan. Siaran berita ini dikeluarkan oleh Pejabat Menteri Besar Kelantan.

* This article is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

Mercedes Benz - Car Of The Future!

Feb 20th 2010 - The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style concept car that'll debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month is highly-touted by Mercedes-benz's press release scribes for its green-car tech, but what's probably of greater interest to most of you is its styling, which is everyone's first peek at what the next-generation CLS-Class sedan is going to look like. 

To that end, get ready for a nose section whose grille apes that of the SLS AMG, plus enough flame-surfaced bodywork to make one envision Chris Bangle, sporting a set of Groucho glasses to mask his true identity, clandestinely moonlighting at Benz. The rear doors are sliders, because it's a concept, and you need to give the people a clear view into the swoopy, sci-fi passenger cabin. Props to Mercedes PR for gamely making it sound as if there's an actual practical application for those doors, though (see the attached press release).

Mercedes-Benz also touts the concept's flexible powertrain platform. The realistic option is a plug-in hybrid system that's basically an offshoot of the V6 light-hybrid setup found in the S400 sedan. Mercedes says this new plug-in gas-electric system, which is good for over 400 combined horsepower, gives the car an EV-only driving range of 18 miles. The automaker has announced that a new plug-in system is headed to the next-gen S-Class, so don't dismiss the F800's hybrid setup as trendy green pandering. Save that cynicism for the concept's other powertrain option: a compact fuel cell/electric setup evolved from the one used in the current F-Cell cars. We have no doubt that the technology itself is genuinely impressive, and we're sure news of its development will be a hit with all the jet-setters at the next snowbound global warming conference. From a mass-production, real-person's-car standpoint, expect to see the fuel cell system in Benz showrooms right after Mercedes intros a 700-horsepower inline 3-cylinder that runs on unicorn milk. Alas, we digress.

The F800 concept also introduces two new technologies that will doubtless appear in upcoming models. Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant is an enhanced version of Mercedes' active cruise control system, which can now steer the car through curves as long as it's traveling under 25 mph. Neat. Also new is the Pre-Safe 360-degree system, which expands the existing Pre-Safe collision detection/mitigation system to the rear of the car. Now, if Pre-Safe senses that a rear-end impact is imminent, it'll apply the brakes in a bid to keep the car from getting into an additional chain-reaction accident involving other cars or pedestrians.

We'll be in Geneva to see the sheet come off the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style in person, and will have plenty of firsthand observations and live photos then. For now, feast your eyes on the gallery below, and check out the Mercedes PR included after the jump.

Conduct local government elections request by the Penang state government.

EC unsure if law allows it to hold local elections  

By G Manimaran - malaysiainsider

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 — The Election Commission (EC) says it is unsure if the law allows them to conduct local government elections as requested by the Penang state government.

“From what I know we only conduct elections for Parliament and state assemblies. We have no experience in conducting local government elections,” EC Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof told The Malaysian Insider today.

“As Chairman I have no experience. I have to look at the Constitution and discuss the matter with legal advisors,” he said.

The Penang Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government has decided to ask the EC to conduct local government elections for two municipalities in the state this year, sticking to its campaign promise to restore the third vote just days shy of its electoral victory two years ago.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (picture) said today the local election will involve two local councils: the Municipal Council of Penang Island (MPPP) and Municipal Council of Seberang Perai (MPSP).

If held, the elections will be the first in the country in more than 40 years since the federal government banned them in 1965.

The EC chairman said, however, that his office had not yet received the official request from Lim.

“I have not received any letter. I have to look at the contents first.

“I was in the office yesterday and my officers did not inform me of any letter from the Penang chief minister. The Penang EC office has also not informed me of anything.

He said that he would study the Constitution once he receives the letter to ascertain if the EC could conduct the local vote.

“It appears they are now beginning to trust the EC,” he said.

According to Lim, his letter to Abdul Aziz informed the EC it was asking the commission to conduct the local government elections under Article 113 (4) of the Federal Constitution.

The Article reads that federal and state laws can confer power to the EC to conduct any other elections apart from those in Schedule (1). Lim’s letter said the federal laws that allow the state government to be a competent authority include Local Government Elections Act 1960 and the Local Government Act 1976.

The chief minister also hoped for a meeting soon to get the EC’s views on the local government elections, which it hoped would be held soon.

The DAP secretary-general had proposed the third vote campaign in 2007, a year before then-prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for elections on March 8, 2008. But the federal government had refused the proposal to restore the elections.

He also pushed for it in the Common Policy Framework of the Pakatan Rakyat unveiled last December, but the coalition pact opted to go for the phrase “strengthening local government democracy”. Pakatan now comprises PKR, DAP and PAS.

It is understood the main fear of the allies was losing to the ruling Barisan Nasional federal government if such elections were held. There was also a fear that non-Malays would swamp Malays in the vote, particularly in urban areas, but several Pakatan strategists had pointed out that there have been shifts in population demographics.

Why BN need two-thirds majority.

By G Manimaran | malaysianinsider - KUALA LUMPUR, 6 March 2010

The Elections Commission (EC) said a two-thirds majority was required in parliament or state assemblies to approve new constituency re-delineation or expand the number of seats.

The EC told The Malaysian Insider that it has yet to discuss the matter, as the term from the last re-delineation will only end in March 2011.

Considering that term, EC deputy chief Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said a decision will be made only after the eight-year period for the current constituency re-delineation ends.

“We have yet to talk on matters related to the re-delineation of constituencies. It is still too early to talk about it as the current term ends in March 2011,” he said.

“Whether or not we would revise the current constituency borders will only be decided after the eight-year term ends. We will meet on this matter only after March 2011.

“If the EC decides to revise the borders, this must be finalised within two years from the date the re-delineation is proposed,” he added.

However, Wan Ahmad revealed that the state ECs have begun collecting data that would assist future constituency re-delineation plans should it be conducted.

“These early works involve aspects like infrastructural developments and progress, population growth, movements and so on... that will assist the EC in deciding on whether or not a revision of the constituency borders is necessary,” said Wan Ahmad.

The last constituency re-carving occurred in 2003, when the number of parliamentary seats were increased to 222, and were used in the 2004 and 2008 general elections.

Works on the re-delineation began in 2002 and was gazetted two years later.

Based on past practice, constituency borders derived from a re-delineation would be used for two general elections.

Hence, observers note the possibility of another re-delineation proposal soon but the execution depends on when the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government plans to call for the 13th general elections.

The mandate of the federal and state governments, excluding Sarawak, ends in May 2013.

Political watchers claimed the defection of PKR lawmakers may just give BN the two-thirds parliamentary majority it needed to approve any constituency re-delineation proposals.

BN currently have 137 seats, while rivals Pakatan Rakyat have 79. There are four independent seats while Parti Maju Sabah has two.

Wan Ahmad said the EC must inform the prime minister, the Cabinet, Parliament and state assemblies of any proposals pertaining to the constituency re-delineation.

“If we want to maintain the current constituency borders, including the amount of seats without any studies, the EC must inform the Parliament and state assemblies,” he said, reiterating that proposals can be done any time beyond 2011.

He added that although all matters concerning constituency re-delineation must be finalised within two years as stipulated in the Federal Constitution, it usually took between 12 to 18 months to complete.

Based on the current political scenario, the approval process will be difficult as BN does not command the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed, while four states were also controlled by the federal opposition. [malay version]

SPR Mula Kerja Awal Persempadanan Semula

Clashes erupt at al-Aqsa mosque.

AlJazeeraEnglish | March 05, 2010 - Israeli police have fired tear gas at Palestinian protesters in the latest clash between the two sides at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Israeli police said they moved into the compound following Friday prayers after receiving reports that stones were being thrown at the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites.

As Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports, the clashes are linked to Palestinians' anger at what they see as Israel's attempts to lay claim to sacred Islamic sites.

jerusalemonline.com

Islamic Human Rights Commission, UK : PRESS RELEASE

"The attack on IFE is indicative of the witch-hunt against Muslim civil society participation."

1 March 2010   |    Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is deeply concerned with the current witch-hunt on Muslim organizations. Jim Fitzpatrick, the Environment Minister, accused the Islamic Forum for Europe(IFE) of infiltrating the Labour party. 


IHRC is concerned that Muslims are being seen as the despised ‘other’ and legitimate methods of political participation are described as ‘infiltration'.[1]


IHRC has advised, in its study on citizenship[2], that the two important factors for feelings of citizenship are a ‘need for recognition’ and ‘some emotional element to citizenship'. The ongoing marginalisation of Muslim participation, be it in the recent harsh ‘deterrent’ sentencing of protestors[3] or attacking Muslim civil society organizations, clearly signals to Muslims that their aspirations and rights as citizens are not equal to other citizens. 

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh said:

“The attack on IFE is indicative of the witch-hunt against Muslim civil society participation. Muslims are constantly asked to be active participants in civil society and when they do so they are viewed with mistrust and suspicion.” 

Notes to the editor:

[1] The infiltration of Labour,  Andrew Gilligan, TELEGRAPH.CO.UK 

[2] Dual Citizenship: British, Islamic or Both? — Obligation, Recognition, Respect and Belonging, A report by Saied Reza Ameli and Arzu Merali for the Islamic Human Rights Commission, 84 pp, £8.50, ISBN 1-903718-25-2

[3] To download a copy of the IHRC report on the protest click link 

For more information please contact 

the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222 

or (+44) 7958522196, 

email:info@ihrc.org . 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission

PO Box 598

Wembley

HA9 7XH

United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222

Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183

Email: info@ihrc.org 

Web: www.ihrc.org

Hundreds of students arrested in U.S

March 05, 2010 | RT - Hundreds of students have been arrested in the U.S. after nationwide protests over cuts in education funding turned violent. The demonstrators were angered at a steep hike in tuition fees and teachers being laid off - measures the government says are necessary to tackle the budget deficit.

Students vs State: US budget too cool for school?

Terrorists 'target oil tankers' in the Malacca Strait

Published: 5/03/2010 | Bangkok post - SINGAPORE : An unidentified terrorist group is planning attacks against oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, a shipping association said Thursday.

The Singapore Shipping Association said it had received an advisory from the Singapore Navy Information Fusion Centre about "an indication that a terrorist group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the Malacca Strait."

It said "this does not preclude possible attacks on other large vessels with dangerous cargo."

"The terrorists' intent is probably to achieve widespread publicity and showcase that it remains a viable group," the navy said in its advisory.

It reminded shipping operators that the militants could use smaller vessels such as dinghies and speedboats to attack oil tankers.

Pirates and robbers have also used small fishing vessels to board ships during previous attacks in the Malacca Strait.

More than 30 per cent of world trade and half the world's oil shipments pass through the strait, which is shared by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

The navy recommended that ships should "strengthen their onboard security measures and to adopt community reporting to increase awareness and strengthen the safety of all seafarers," according to the association.

One of the plots foiled by Singapore authorities was a plan by Islamic militants to hijack an airliner in Bangkok and crash it into Changi airport in 2001 following the September 11 attacks that year in the United States.

Singapore has also arrested several militants involved in a plot to bomb the US embassy and other targets in the city-state.

KDN: Organ rakyat Malaysia dijual ke luar negara.

2 Mac 2010 | Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) hari ini mendedahkan wujud kegiatan menjual organ membabitkan mangsa rakyat Malaysia ke luar negara.

Ketua Setiausaha kementerian, Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi, berkata kebanyakan mangsa yang dilaporkan adalah terdiri daripada wanita dan kanak-kanak.

"Mereka ini ada yang diculik dan dibawa ke negara asing sebelum organ mereka dicuri dan dijual kepada yang memerlukan," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui selepas pelancaran kempen Anti Pemerdagangan Manusia di Padang Besar hari ini.

Beliau yang tidak mendedahkan tahap keseriusan kegiatan itu berkata ada juga mangsa yang diperdaya untuk menjual organ mereka di negara asing tetapi tidak dibayar seperti dijanjikan.

"Penjualan organ ini yang berlaku sama ada dalam bentuk paksaan, tidak sedar atau dalam keadaan sedar adalah salah dan tertakluk kepada Akta Anti Pemerdagangan Orang 2007," katanya.

Mengulas mengenai kegiatan pemerdagangan orang di negara ini, Abdul Rahim berkata dalam tempoh 28 Februari 2008 hingga 7 Februari lalu, seramai 186 orang telah didakwa mengikut akta berkenaan.

"Kebanyakan yang menjadi mangsa adalah kaum wanita dan perangkaan menunjukkan daripada 231 mangsa kes itu sejak dua tahun lalu, 154 orang adalah wanita," katanya.

- Bernama

Is Awang Adek a full-fledge sore loser?

Sabotaj elak MB lepaskan pelumba LTdL

Mohd Nor Yahya | harakahdaily - KOTA BHARU, 1 Mac 2010 : “Kami telah berbincang dan bersetuju memberi penghormatan kepada Menteri Besar bagi melepaskan pelumba basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) seperti tahun-tahun lepas. Namun malangnya ada sabotaj di saat-saat akhir apabila Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin (gambar) pula diminta penganjur melepaskan peserta, sedangkan Menteri Besar ada pada majlis berkenaan,” kata anggota Exco, Abdul Fattah Mahmood (gambar).

Menurutnya, tindakan pihak penganjur itu secara jelas telah memperlekehkan Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz sebagai ketua kerajaan negeri.

“Sedangkan sejak peringkat awal lagi perlumbaan LTdL diadakan kita memberi segala kerjasama sebaik mungkin,” katanya pada persidangan media di sini hari ini.

Upacara pelepasan pelumba ke Kuala Berang, Terengganu diadakan di Dataran Rehal pagi tadi.

Dan tengah hari semalam, Menteri Besar hadir pada program pengenalan pasukan bertanding yang diadakan di sebuah hotel.

Abdul Fattah yang juga Pengerusi Jawatakuasa Pembangunan Insan, Belia, Sukan dan NGO negeri telah memberi kerjasama sepenuhnya bagi menjayakan program tersebut.

Malah katanya, persetujuan telah dicapai di mana acara pelepasan dilakukan Menteri Besar, namun apa yang berlaku pagi tadi begitu mendukacitakan.

Oleh itu, beliau berkata kerajaan negeri akan mengutus surat kepada pihak penganjur bagi menyatakan kekesalan terhadap insiden terbabit.

LTdL tahun ini buat pertama kali dianjurkan Kementerian Belia dan Sukan dengan kerjasama Persatuan Kebangsaan Berbasikal Malaysia (PKBM) dan disertai 20 pasukan.

Perlumbaan melibatkan tujuh peringkat sejauh 1,013.9 km bagi merebut hadiah keseluruhan bernilai RM710,650.

LTdL 2010 menjadikan Kelantan sebagai tempat pelepasan pertama peserta bagi memulakan cabaran Kota Bharu ke Kuala Berang sejauh 174.5 km.

Abdul Fattah juga mendakwa tindakan Awang Adek dianggap biadap kerana semasa ketibaan Menteri Besar beliau tidak bangun, sedangkan VIP menghormati kehadiran Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz.

1 year of Obama's Flip Flop.

Defending the 'Enemy': Gitmo lawyer speaks out

RT | February 28, 2010 - interviews Kristine Huskey, a lawyer for Gitmo detainees, on what makes a beautiful woman quit her modeling career, go to law school and eventually represent the interests of so-called terrorists. Some people have accused her of being unpatriotic because of her work. Kristine Huskey thinks it was understandable after 9/11, as people were inspired by fear.

Ku Li: Even Malays leaving Tanah Melayu.

Umno veteran and Gua Musang MP, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah laments the state of affairs in the country. - Picture by Choo Choy May

By Neville Spykerman | malaysianinsider   (dlm B. Melayu)

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is concerned that even Malays are getting disillusioned with the state of the nation and leaving the country.

“Something must be wrong in this so-called Malay Land (Tanah Melayu) when they (Malays) are leaving.” said the Kelantan prince during an interview with The Malaysian Insider.

The Umno veteran and Gua Musang MP said people, especially the young, are feeling uneasy over developments in the country and didn’t mince his words when he pointed out that there are signs of decline everywhere.

“There are many Malays in London who are professionals, making good money, who will not return because the environment is not right in Malaysia.”

He added that the negative publicity generated by the caning of three Muslim women and controversy surrounding the use of the word “Allah” is not helping the country.

While the caning may have been in accordance to Syariah laws, Razaleigh said it still negatively impacts the country when it makes headlines around the world for the wrong reasons.

“Investors and tourists are wondering what’s happening in Malaysia, at a time when we need investments, capital and jobs for our young who are also increasingly finding it difficult...”

He said even the non-Muslims are being hauled up for holding hands and cited a case where Islamic authorities barged into a room where a foreign couple was staying.

Razaleigh also decried that race relations are getting increasingly strained because of divisive policies.

He said the government can stage as many open houses as they like but there’s no warmth.

“Of course people will come if there’s free food but it’s not genuine.”

He pointed out that despite the recent assurances on the crime rate coming down, people are still insecure about their safety.

“Even my wife is afraid to go out. Why should we be afraid in our own country?

”He lamented the corruption in the country and how Air Force jet engines that weigh a ton can go “missing” or how the nation’s first submarine, which cost billions, could not initially dive.

“Now that it can dive, we’re not sure if it can come up again.” he said, adding that it may sound comical but it is alarming.

On the streets, he said, corruption have allowed drugs to flow in.

“Malaysia is only a small market compared to New York, but because people are corrupt they allow drugs to flow in.” he said, adding that young minds and lives are lost because of it.

“These are signs of decline which were never here before,” he concluded.