WHITHER UMNO?

UMNO'S POPULAR SUPPORT AND BACKBONE -- 1957



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UMNO'S POPULAR SUPPORT AND BACKBONE -- 2011

THE END FOR POWER CRAZY TYRANTS IS VERY NEAR.

MACC's Attempt To Boost Its Image Doomed To Fail

There is an interesting report in today's NST that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's 13-member Anti-Corruption Advisory Board has made two recommendations to turn it into a more credible institution.

One is that the Federal Constitution be amended to pave the way for the creation of an Anti-Corruption Service Commission for the appointment, confirmation and promotion of members of the anti-graft body.

The other is for the top graftbuster to be accorded a position equivalent to the inspector-general of police.

But these are merely cosmetic changes that benefit the MACC staff and will in no way lead to improvement in their dismal service. What does it matter if the head of the MACC is accorded a higher rank? Will it make him less subservient to the Umno leadership? Or will he suddenly develop larger testes to take on government-sponsored corruption? It is a fallacy that creating an Anti-Corruption Service Commission which will result in a better deal for MACC staff will in itself cause the officers there to suddenly become more efficient. On the contrary a sudden infusion of 'goodies' will have the undesirable effect of making the already pliant MACC thugs more beholden to Najib and gang.

The NST further reported that the board, chaired by former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, said despite a credible performance last year, the MACC’s biggest challenge was to rectify the negative perception the public had against it.

"The long-term goal should be to make the MACC one of the leading anti-corruption bodies in the world and for Malaysia to be seen as a corruption-free country," it said.

As everyone knows, former chief justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad is himself a disgraced and discredited figure having bent over backwards to help former PM Dr Mahathir oust the then Lord President in a government backed coup d'état against the judiciary. This man should first be removed as chairman of the board.

The only recourse for the MACC to become more credible and help repair their battered public image is:

1) Be made answerable only to Parliament. This will at least limit the level of executive interference somewhat.

2) Remove as many of the deadwood from the highest ranks to the lowest officers as possible and recruit a more ethnically balanced force.

3) Stop sourcing completely from the morally and ethically challenged Royal Malaysia Police.

4) Endeavor to employ highly qualifed and experienced foreigners such as those from the Independent Commission Against Corruption Hong Kong who won't be easily susceptible to licking the rears of government leaders.

Of course none of this is going to happen until Umno is blown away in the next G.E. Hopefully the Pakatan federal government which will take over can preside over the creation of a genuine anti-corruption force we can be proud of.

Al-Islam Apologises To Christians. Catholic Church -: 1; Umno, Attorney General -: 0

From today's The Star:

The Al-Islam magazine has apologised to the Roman Catholic Church and Christians for publishing a special report which involved the desecration of a religious rite.

The apology was posted on the website of its publisher, Utusan Karya.

The controversy began after the magazine published a report, Tinjauan Al-Islam Dalam Gereja: Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad in its May 2009 edition

In the apology, Al-Islam said it had “unintentionally hurt the feelings of Christians especially Catholics” with its report.

It said in a three-paragraph statement that the report was to investigate allegations of apostasy and the actions of its journalists were never intended to deride the Christian faith nor desecrate their house of worship.

The magazine also stated that the apology would be published in next month’s print publication.

Two reporters from the magazine attended and participated in the religious rite.

They admitted to receiving Holy Communion and actually spitting the wafer out, an act Catholics consider desecration.

After police reports were lodged against the journalists and the magazine, they were investigated under Section 298A (1) of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion.

However earlier this week, it was announced that the Attorney-General had decided not to pursue the case because of “public pressure.”

Speaking on behalf of Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam, Catholic Lawyers’ Society Vice President Joy Appukuttan said Pakiam expressed his happiness over the move by the magazine to apologise.

***** It is indeed a magnanimous gesture by the Roman Catholic Church to have so quickly accepted the 'apology' by Al-Islam. While the so-called apology came across as contrived, insincere and probably given under pressure by Umno bigwigs, the happiness expressed by the Archbishop shows that the Church believes it's time to put and end to this unfortunate fiasco and move on. This is definitely a big win for not only the Catholics and Christians but also for those of all faiths who believe in equitable and fair justice.

However Umno, its leaders and the Attorney General come out of this mess of their own creation looking very, very bad. They have been exposed as desperadoes who will go to any length and lie to any extent to justify the unjustifiable. The Attorney General's attempt in particular to explain why no action was taken against the two fanatic culprits will rank for a long time as the most egregious decision by a legal officer in our country's history. By right he should resign in shame. But then again he and his ilk have either never heard of or believed in words such as shame, accountability or resign. These people are the real pengkhianat whom Malaysians should condemn and shun.

This Is Umno's Malaysia

With the way that Umno is misusing the police, MACC, the Attorney General's chambers, the judiciary and other government institutions on a daily basis, the above cartoon may well describe the situation in Malaysia today. Very sad.

Malaysia Muslims Urged To Shun U.S. Goods Over Gaza. Colgate, Starbucks, Coke Targets

A Malaysian Muslim group began a boycott of top U.S. products on Friday as protesters demanded a halt to the Gaza conflict amid growing anger in the Muslim world over Israel's 14-day offensive.

The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia said Muslims in the Southeast Asian country would not buy goods produced by U.S. toothpaste manufacturer Colgate-Palmolive Co, soft drink maker Coca-Cola and coffee chain Starbucks to protest U.S. inaction against the attacks.

"We urge Muslim consumers internationally to unite so that we can teach a lesson to Israel and its allies," Ma'amor Osman, an official with the association, told reporters in the compound of the national mosque after Friday Muslim prayers.

"This is to object to the arrogance and cruelty of Israel and its allies towards the Palestinians."

He urged the Malaysian government to end all its contracts with U.S.-owned firms.

The United States is among Malaysia's single largest export markets, absorbing more than a tenth of its total shipments.
Read the whole story HERE.

***** What about the employees of the above companies, both Muslims and non-Muslims? Aren't they the ones who would be really affected by the boycott move if it ever succeeds? Why should this consumer group try to flex muscles it does not have? After all our government has already pressed the UN as well as the OIC for action over the Gaza issue. We can however be sure that the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia's protests would not have even the remotest of response from the Israeli aggressors. So why announce boycotts which won't work and have the end effect of hurting our own people? Perhaps the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia could not be bothered with such consequences as long as their religio-political agenda gets its fifteen minutes of fame.

As it is many of our workers are being laid off due to the economic downturn in the US. Why stupidly invite more trouble for ourselves?

ISA Stays Despite Strong Protests

Despite deafening calls to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA), there was no indication at all in 2008 that it will be abolished or replaced with a new law.

The detention of several individuals under the ISA sparked debate on the act, with many claiming it restricted freedom as enshrined in the federal constitution and was misused for political interest.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has also proposed that the ISA be replaced with an anti-terrorism law, stressing on the rights of detainees like appointing lawyers and the right to judicial review.

Calls to abolish the ISA gained momentum after several Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders were detained on Dec 13, last year for demonstrating in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 and making slanderous statements against the government.

The Hindraf leaders include lawyer M. Manoharan, state assemblyman for Kota Alam Shah, lawyer P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and former bank officer K. Vasantha Kumar.

Efforts to get them released from Kamunting Camp, Taiping, proved futile when their habeas corpus (writ) application was rejected three times by the Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur high courts.

Their appeals have yet to be heard by the Federal Court.

Matters came to a head when Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng were detained under the ISA on Sept 12.

Raja Petra, who is also a blogger, was detained for an article with elements deemed insulting to Islam that could spark anger and affect the peace.

Kok, who was detained under section 73 (1) of ISA for sparking racial and religious conflict over the controversial mosque azan issue was released a week later.

Tan was detained by police in Penang for her report on a speech by Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail who had allegedly said "the Chinese are passengers." She was released, a week later.

Their detentions, particularly Tan's, were strongly criticised by various quarters prompting Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to say she was detained to "protect her from death threats".

The Bar Council Malaysia held an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and passed six resolutions, asking the government to abolish the ISA and other laws allowing detention without trial.
Read the whole report HERE.

***** It looks like the ISA is here to stay until the day the people decide to abolish Umno once and for all.

New Syaria Law Marriage Contract Gives Muslim Women Equal Rights In Britain

Hailed as the biggest change in Sharia law in Britain for 100 years, a married Muslim couple will now have equal rights. A husband will have to waive his right to polygamy, allowed under Islamic law, in the new contract which has been described as "revolutionary".

Currently Muslims in Britain have an Islamic ceremony called a nikah (a non register office marriage) which, although it is guaranteed under Sharia law, is not legally binding and does not provide a woman with written proof of the marriage and of the terms and conditions agreed between the spouses.

Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Director of the Muslim Institute and author of the contract, told The Daily Telegraph: "It will challenge various sharia councils who don't believe in gender equality but the world has changed and Islamic law has to be renegotiated."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, was criticised earlier this year when he called for greater recognition of Sharia in British civil legislature, a view that was echoed recently by the Lord Chief Justice Phillips.

Ann Cryer, a Labour MP who has campaigned for the rights of Muslim women, welcomed today's change, saying: "This document has been carefully researched over a four year period and I feel confident in recommending its findings to women (and men) of the Muslim Faith contemplating Marriage."

In cases of divorces, the absence of such proof, has meant that many Muslim women have been denied financial rights.

The new Muslim marriage contract does not require a 'marriage guardian' (wali) for the bride, and also makes delegation of the right of divorce to the wife (talaq-i-tafweeed) automatic.

This right does not affect the husband's right of talaq but enables the wife to initiate divorce and retain all her financial rights agreed in the marriage contract. These provisions reflect a recognition of changes in the Muslim world, including women's greater public roles, educational achievements and financial autonomy.

Read the whole story HERE

***** Indeed this may be considered as a great act of reform for some but for others it could be the thin end of the wedge. If such proposals were to be made in Malaysia what are the chances that some terminally backward, medieval-minded chauvinistic nitwit in Umno could be screaming, "DON'T PLAY WITH FIRE"!

Treat Anwar With Respect, Says Najib

Police must treat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with the degree of decorum and respect that he deserves so that the people are assured that the police are acting appropriately, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

When asked if the police's manner of handling Anwar's arrest reflected badly on Malaysia in the eyes of the world, Najib said: "As long as the police follow the procedures. They must be very particular about following the procedure and necessary protocol. And we should be transparent so that there will be no apprehension about what the police are doing."

Asked if it was necessary for the Special Ops Units to wear balaclavas when arresting Anwar on Wednesday, he said the Government did not give any instruction to the police on how they should conduct the arrest.

On why Anwar was arrested an hour before he was to report himself to the police, Najib said the police had already explained this. "Does it make so much difference, another half an hour, 45 minutes?", he asked. (The Star Online)

***** One can infer by his statement that the DPM is distancing himself from the unfortunate way in which Anwar was arrested. It is highly probable he didn't have a hand in that decision. In fact I wonder if the top political leadership actually gave the approval for such a hurried police action which logically could have waited another hour for Anwar to turn himself in.

It was a public relations disaster to say the least and our nation had its image further tarnished worldwide yesterday. I doubt if Pak Lah or Syed Hamid were party to the police move. No sane minister could have made such a decision. Only an unthinking nitwit of a politician could have allowed it. Nazri would have permitted such an action if he had a say but he's too embroiled in parliamentary wheeling and dealing and doesn't have the required authority to compel the thugs in blue.

It looks more like the handiwork of the top goons in the police force who want to flex their muscles. After all they have a big stake in keeping Anwar on the defensive and prevent his rise to power. Many police heads would role if the PKR adviser were to assume the PM's post and the top cops know it.

China Demolishes Mosque For Not Supporting Olympics - Exiled Group

Chinese authorities in the restive far western region of Xinjiang have demolished a mosque for refusing to put up signs in support of this August's Beijing Olympics, an exiled group said on Monday.

The mosque was in Kalpin county near Aksu city in Xinjiang's rugged southwest, the World Uyghur Congress said.

The spokesman's office of the Xinjiang government said it had no immediate comment, while telephone calls to the county government went unanswered.

"China is forcing mosques in East Turkistan to publicise the Beijing Olympics to get the Uighur people to support the Games (but) this has been resisted by the Uighurs," World Uyghur Congress spokesman Dilxat Raxit said in an emailed statement.

Beijing says al Qaeda is working with militants in Xinjiang to use terror to establish an independent state called East Turkistan.

Oil-rich Xinjiang is home to 8 million Turkic-speaking Uighurs, many of whom resent the growing economic and cultural influence of the Han Chinese.

Dilxat Raxit added that the mosque, which had been renovated in 1998, was accused of illegally renovating the structure, carrying out illegal religious activities and illegally storing copies of the Muslim holy book the Koran.

"All the Korans in the mosque have been seized by the government and dozens of people detained," he said. "The detained Uighurs have been tortured."

The Olympic torch relay passed through Xinjiang last week under tight security, with all but carefully vetted residents banned from watching on the streets and tight controls over foreign media covering the event, reports Reuters.

Torture Widespread In Indonesia Says UN Committee Against Torture

Indonesia's police, armed forces and intelligence services routinely torture and degrade criminal suspects to extract confessions, with almost total impunity for those responsible, a United Nations rights body says.

The UN Committee Against Torture says it is "deeply concerned about numerous ongoing credible and consistent allegations" of abuse in the Indonesian justice system.

Military officials and "morality police" were also found to use disproportionate force and violence, particularly against women, in the Aceh province and other areas of conflict, the 10 member independent panel says in the report released in Geneva.

It cited "grave concerns over the climate of impunity for perpetrators of acts of torture, including military, police and other state officials, particularly those holding senior position."

"No state official alleged to have perpetrated torture has been found guilty," the committee said.

Its 14 pages of findings are not legally binding but do carry diplomatic weight.

The report expounded upon the concerns raised in November by UN torture expert Manfred Nowak, who said torture of detainees in Indonesian police custody was rife despite efforts to combat rights abuses after the ousting of autocratic former president Suharto.

The UN panel calls on Jakarta to take immediate steps to uphold legal safeguards for those taken into custody, including ensuring all detained suspects get the right to access a lawyer, notify a relative, be informed of the charges laid against them and be brought before a judge in a timely manner.

Particular concern was raised about "morality police" in Aceh - split by separatist violence for decades before a peace pact in 2005 - which the panel says has an undefined jurisdiction and unclear supervision by public or state institutions.

"The necessary legal fundamental safeguards do not exist for persons detained by such officials, including the absence of a right to legal counsel, the apparent presumption of guilt, the execution of punishment in public, and the use of physically abusive methods (flogging, caning, etc)," it said.

"The punishments meted out by this policing body have a disproportionate impact on women," the committee added, also raising alarm over a high incidence of rape and sexual violence committed by the military in conflict areas, and sexual abuse and forced labour against female migrant workers in the country.

It further called on Jakarta to fully cooperate with international efforts to investigate, prosecute and extradite those responsible for abuses in East Timor, a former Indonesian territory that became independent in 2002. (ABC News)

***** The abang2 there practise torture while the adik2 here use the sedition act and the ISA to cow their citizens. Oh what happy siblings we are!

Govt To Retain ISA Without Amendment. This Govt Won't Change, So We'll Have To Change The Govt

The government reiterated Wednesday that the Internal Security Act (ISA) has to be retained, not for any political purpose but as a preventive measure to curb and handle activities threatening national security.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said that as such the government had decided to retain the ISA in toto without any change despite pressure from certain quarters including the Opposition.

"Malaysia is a cosmopolitan country comprising various races, religions and cultures, and this law has to be retained to thwart any threat before it emerges. As such, for the moment, the government has no plan to abolish the ISA," he said when winding up debate for his ministry on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat.

Records show that the ISA had been used to contain threats posed by militant terrorism, falsification of Malaysian travel documents, smuggling by illegal immigrants, spying by foreign agents operating in Malaysia, and racial extremism.

Syed Hamid said detention under the ISA was not aimed at penalising but to rehabilitate the detainee.

He also said that the ISA was not a draconian law because it did not deny the detainee his or her fundamental rights.

Syed Hamid said the ISA had helped the country thwart activities threatening national security, which enabled the people to enjoy peace, economic growth and intensive development.

He also said that the government had no intention yet to release the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) held under the ISA.

He said the government had not prevented any group from championing the rights of any specific community so long as it was done according to the law.

"Allegations of the government discriminating against any community are untrue. It has to be emphasised that there has been no marginalisation of any community, including the Indian community.

"The term 'marginalisation' has been intentionally used with a political motive and opposition party leaders have garnered support by tarnishing the image of the government. The accusations against the government smacked of falsehood, emotion and racism," he said. (Bernama)

***** Syed Hamid is either totally clueless, mentally ill or he's lying through his teeth. Look at the amount of mistruth in his short defense of the ISA:-

1) the Internal Security Act (ISA) has to be retained, not for any political purpose!

2) the ISA was not aimed at penalising but to rehabilitate the detainee!

3) Allegations of the government discriminating against any community are untrue!

4) The accusations against the government smacked of falsehood, emotion and racism! (The racists are calling others racists now!)

It's clear that this government is beyond change or redemption. So if they won't change, we'll have to change the government at the next elections. Good riddance to those who will divide the nation in order to perpetuate their rule. Enough is enough.

Internal Security Act Not Cruel, Says IGP!

Dismissing the notion that the Internal Security Act (ISA) is cruel, the inspector-general of police says it is still needed to safeguard national security.

Tan Sri Musa Hassan also rejected charges by some quarters that detainees held under the ISA were given no opportunity to defend themselves in court.

"ISA detainees can still obtain their defence by providing evidence of prima facie in court.

"There is an advisory panel which re-evaluates cases of ISA detainees. If the panel says the detainees do not threaten the country's security, we will free them," said Musa, adding that members of the panel were former judges.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the first meeting of the Asean Regional Crime Prevention Foundation (ARCPF) here Wednesday.

Answering a question from an Indonesian journalist who was covering the ARCPF event, Musa said among the ISA detainess were 13 Indonesians who enjoyed permanent resident status here.

He said they were being detained in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.

The three-day meeting which began Wednesday focusses on the establishment of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation by emphasising on aspects of crime prevention in drug smuggling, human trafficking and police enforcement.

Also present was acting ARCPF chairman Tan Sri Da'i Bachtiar of Indonesia. (Bernama)

***** This must be the lamest defense of the ISA ever recorded. Is the ISA still needed to safeguard national security or Umno's security?

The IGP should try explaining to the families of those still under detention and see what response he gets. Dumb ass.

Hindraf Supporters Protest ISA In Johor Baru, Demand Release Of Detainees

About 50 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters held a gathering in the city demanding the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The group, carrying a banner and placards along Jalan Ungku Puan, also demanded the release of the five Hindraf leaders being detained under the ISA, and asked for one of the five, P. Uthayakumar, to be given proper medical attention.

The 11am gathering on Sunday caused a massive traffic jam around the city centre but the supporters dispersed after 40 minutes.

A police official, when contacted, said that the supporters were given 10 minutes to disperse.

He said no arrests were made as they dispersed peacefully. (The Star)
Image - Source

City Hall's 'Gangsters In Uniform' Strike Yet Again With Impunity

Restaurant operators in Sentul alleged that City Hall officers were unnecessarily high-handed when conducting raids last night. Following the raid, six police reports were lodged by both the operators and customers.

The operators, as well as some customers, claimed that a group of 100 City Hall officers smashed several glass panes at the stalls, pulled out the electrical wires, damaged water pipes and even poured food all over the floor during the 11pm raid.

In the chaos, one customer had curry splashed on his clothes.

The officers’ alleged highhandedness had allegedly caused a near riot, claimed Batu MP Tian Chua, who was at the scene last night.

"This is not an isolated case. We have discussed the rough tactics of City Hall enforcement units with the mayor, but nothing has been done to rein them in," said Chua, adding that he would be bringing the matter up with City Hall today.

Angered by the treatment, restaurant operators and customers described the City Hall officers as "gangsters in uniforms".

"We were given no warning, no explanation, no notice. We tried to talk to them but they came in suddenly like gangsters. They shoved tables and chairs where our customers were eating. They chased our customers out. The children were all crying too," said D.Nanthakumaran, a manager of Seri Makhota mamak restaurant.

Nanthakumaran said that he had permits for his business and had applied for permits to put tables on the pavement outside his outlet.

One stall owner at another restaurant, Ariffin Abdul Majid, said: "These people should have come and talked to us. This is against basic human rights. People were eating and they acted harshly." The customer, who had curry splashed on him, said he came to watch the Chelsea-Newcastle match like many others in the large crowd last night.

"It happened so fast. The waiter was coming with my roti canai. The next thing I knew, I was wet," said Low Weng Foon, 52. "Everyone was scared." A mother, whose 11-year old girl had her arm placed in a cast earlier, had been waiting for her food when the raid occurred. "We were so afraid they would knock her arm. The plaster had not even dried," said the mother, adding their food was thrown away as they ran to hide in a corner. (Malay Mail)

***** What a bunch of vicious bastards. They behave as if they are above the law and despite so many complaints and reports, no one wants to take responsibility or rein them in.

No Need To Increase Non-Bumi Enrolment In Government Residential Schools, Says Hishamuddin

There is no need to increase the enrolment of non-Bumiputra students into government residential schools, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said it was difficult to produce a formula that could please everyone and that the present arrangement would remain.

"If we talk about residential schools, then people will start talking about the exclusivity of the agama schools and the SJKC and SJKT schools.

"I, for one, am happy with the diversity as this is our strength ... we should celebrate this diversity," he said Saturday after visiting SM Sains Tuanku Ja'afar, near here.

Hishammuddin was asked if more non-Bumiputras should be allowed to study in residential schools which normally did better than regular schools in the academic field.

Of the country's 54 residential schools, only the Mara Junior Colleges reserved 10% of its seats for non-Bumiputra students.

Hishammuddin said what was more important was that all schools taught the same values to all students so that they could continue to live in harmony and remain tolerant.

"We must tell our children that although we are of different races, we are still Malaysians. As long as we can do this, I don't see why we cannot continue with the present system," he said.

He said the system, which had been in place before Independence and way before he was Education Minister, was working well.

On a separate matter, Hishammuddin said his ministry would consider providing financial aid to Parent Teacher Associations to reduce the burden on parents when it came to paying certain types of school fees.

"Let me make it very clear here that as far as the Government is concerned, school education in this country is free. There isn't any compulsory fee.

"If parents feel they can't afford a certain type of fee, they need not pay.

"However, we will help the PTAs to pay for certain types of fees imposed by schools that cannot be done away with," he said. (The Star)

***** Such perverse logic in his lame arguments not to include non-bumis in residential schools. The education minister needs to be educated on his portfolio and be continuously reminded that his sworn duties and responsibilities encompass all Malaysians and not just those whom he has a preference for or is biased towards.

There should be no room for overt or covert racism in deciding the education of children. If he feels that he is not up to it, the public would not fault him for tendering his resignation at the earliest. In fact the grateful nation will accept it with delight.

Umno's Election Loss Benefit To Public - Govt To Sponsor ALL Students Obtaining 9As In 2007 SPM

The Public Service Department (PSD) will sponsor all students who obtained 9As or better in the 2007 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

This is in addition to the 2,000 students under the Overseas Degree Programme and 10,000 under the Local Degree Programme, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan says in a statement.

The sponsorship will be given to students undergoing Form Six at government schools and matriculation centres under the Education Ministry, Universiti Malaya's Pre-Science Centre and International Islamic University Malaysia's Matriculation.

It will continue up to the first degree-level at local universities and extended to those who have obtained seats at Ivy League universities overseas and foreign university campuses in Malaysia like Monash University, Nottingham University, Curtin University of Technology and Swinburne University. (Bernama)

***** So the racists in government must have 'seen the light' or at least realised that the average Joe is pissed off with the pejuang2 in Umno for discriminating even schoolkids. Not that the bastards have changed or have become insaf all of a sudden. They basically have no choice but to be a little less discriminatory in these times of uncertainty for them. If they keep on with the racism they have been indulging in all these decades, the chances of them being permanently booted out of the Malaysian political scene is pretty high and they know it.

Thus the Umno racists leaned on the PSD racists and together the scum decided to open up a teeny weeny bit and give the 'others' a little more. That's all, a little more. But much, much more has to be done or undone before the people even think of trusting and voting for them again.

Malaysian Government Must Recognise Sarawak Indigenous People’s Land Rights

The International Fact Finding Mission (IFFM) for Indigenous Peoples'' Land Rights has demanded that the continued arrest of indigenous community leaders by the police, acting in collusion with plantation companies in Sarawak must stop immediately.

The recent arrests of five community leaders in the Kg. Wawasan area with trumped up charges organized by the company with the support of the police reflects the high handedness in which plantation companies violate the native customary rights to land by the indigenous communities.

The International fact finding team consisting of Justice Pana Chand Jain of Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (CECOEDECON) from India, Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk of Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) from Thailand and Debra Erenberg of Rainforest Action Network (RAN) from the United States visited over 19 communities consisting of 70 villages and long houses and met with about 825 people from the north to central and south of Sarawak and found that there was continued and systemic organized aggression on indigenous peoples land and rights.

The IFFM team established through interviews with the people, through documented evidence provided by the people and through evidence found in the form of graves, fruit trees and cultivated land that the land areas claimed by the people are native customary rights to land (NCR). There is a pre-existing right.

The team is of the opinion that since the lands are native customary lands through continuous customary practices of cultivation for generations, the land cannot be taken away from the indigenous peoples by the state government nor be leased out to private companies for plantations. This strategy and action constitutes gross violation of indigenous peoples’ rights to NCR land.

The Sarawak Land Code [CAP81] clearly recognizes the NCR lands and has defined the elements that give recognition to native customary rights to land. Further to this the Federal Court decision of Madeli Salleh vs government of Sarawak states very clearly that the customary rights of inhabitants were recognized and accepted by the British crown when it governed Sarawak . It became part of common law. These customary rights therefore are part of common law and thus must be recognized and protected.

Land is life and guarantees the peoples livelihood. The Federal constitution ensures the right to life and livelihood. Thus when the land of the indigenous people are taken away, then their livelihood is gone. As a consequence, it violates the constitutional rights of the indigenous peoples.

Therefore, the IFFM team reiterates that the indigenous peoples struggle to their land is legitimate. It is the responsibility of the state and federal governments to recognize the NCR to land and livelihood. The state can no longer lease indigenous peoples land to plantations or contract farming to companies.

The current intensive and extensive violations of the NCR land is bringing about devastating impact on the lives of the indigenous peoples. The development of oil palm plantations at a rate of 7% covering more than 40% of land in Sarawak has tremendously reduced food production; destroyed the rivers where communities depended on the fish; the pollution of the rivers, particularly with highly hazardous pesticides and the environment has affected the health of communities with increase in diseases.

The insatiable expansion of this monocrop has destroyed the forests with the resultant loss of biodiversity that has even further affected the dependence of the indigenous communities for their livelihood. With the imminent global crisis on food, the indigenous communities will further face impoverishment and poverty.

The use of palm oil for agrofuel is a threat to food production and is one of the contributing factors of the current global food crisis. The increase demand for agrofuel has led to intensive expansion which has brought about deforestation, consequently impacting on climate change. It is crucial that Sarawak protects the rainforest as the last few rainforests left in the world.

We are very concerned about the increased violence and harassment on the indigenous communities especially on the leaders by the companies involved in expanding the plantations. Such form of violence can only intensify the conflict without a due process and a people centered conflict resolution. It therefore demands people’s participation through a democratic process for peaceful resolution. (MyNews.in)

***** We should be ashamed that such cruelty is being perpetrated in our 'democratic' nation. The money hungry politician-businessman-police nexus is evil and should be exposed and destroyed. But who can do it? The federal government does not have the political will, the Sarawak state government leaders are probably active participants in this fraud and the cops are as guilty as hell.

Only by continually highlighting the brutality of the authorities and plantation owners, especially on the Internet, can the greedy power brokers there be prodded to cease and desist.

"ISA Will Not Be Abolished," Says Syed Hamid

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar in no uncertain terms today declared that 'preventive laws' such as the Internal Security Act will not be abolished because they 'help to maintain' public order!

The much hated and dreaded law has been severely criticised and condemned over the years but the government has held steadfastly to its unconvincing mantra of maintaining public order.

The 'Abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Malaysia' Petition to The Prime Minister and Government of Malaysia, had this to say about the draconian act -

"No law in Malaysia shames the country or undermines its democratic system of government more than the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows indefinite, arbitrary detention without trial.

The ISA stands out as a barbaric law that goes against all our notions of what law and justice should mean. The ISA is an evil, anti-democratic law that can have no place in a country that upholds the Rule of Law.

The ISA subverts natural justice. Natural justice demands that any person accused of a crime should have the right to due process and to be presumed innocent unless and until he or she is convicted in an independent, open court of law.

Without due process and legal checks and balances, ISA detainees are left at the mercy of their captors. In the past, detainees have complained of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment while under detention."

Yet Syed Hamid still persists in protecting, supporting and retaining the ISA as part of the government's armoury of dirty tricks, citing public order. Whom do you want to believe? The sceptical, worried and concerned public or your Home Minister?

Enough Misguided Maligning Of China

By Antoine Halff and Shalom Solomon Wald

It is fitting that Jews should speak up against injustice, whoever its victims may be, and rise to their defense. With a history that includes centuries of religious persecution, Hitler’s Final Solution and repeated assaults on the State of Israel, Jews have a special affinity for the victims of prejudice and genocidal violence.

Lately, though, rightful concerns about Darfur and Tibet have given rise to a fast-growing campaign of prejudice — with a few well-known Jews in the vanguard — that singles out Chinese policies for criticism and threatens to derail China’s Olympic dream in retaliation.

A wellspring of anti-Chinese sentiment is being stoked by ill-informed attacks by politicians on the campaign trail, sanctimonious denunciations by celebrities and mass demonstrations along the path of the Olympic torch. Not only are such efforts of dubious effectiveness in solving the problems at hand, they are outright counter-productive, morally questionable and, from a Jewish standpoint, strategically suicidal.

In targeting China, Jewish critics are also perpetrating against Beijing the very kind of fear-mongering of which the Jewish people themselves have all too often been victim.

Take, for example, the protracted, self-congratulatory and ultimately ineffective movement for peace in Darfur. Jewish personalities and organizations, including the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the American Jewish World Service, figure prominently in the campaign. In March, director Steven Spielberg, revered in China for his film “Schindler’s List,” resigned as artistic advisor to the upcoming Olympic Games to protest Chinese involvement in Sudan.

The Save Darfur campaign has increasingly identified China’s oil stake in Sudan, as well as its trade, diplomatic — and, yes — past military ties with Khartoum as key factors facilitating the atrocities of the Janjaweed militia. Undoubtedly, Beijing holds a position of influence in the country, and as such can be part of a solution to the tragedy.

But in the last 16 months or so China has come a long way, deeply amending its Darfur and Sudan policy and leaning on Khartoum to accept peacekeepers — long before Mia Farrow started campaigning on the issue.

And let’s not forget that China is far from Khartoum’s only friend. India, a close ally of Washington, has almost as much at stake in Sudan as China does. Rarely, though, is Delhi targeted by those trying to help Darfur.

Moscow, for its part, is a major military supplier. And last year Japan emerged as a major importer of Sudanese oil. It also helps that Khartoum’s African neighbors, as well as Arab and Muslim allies like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, turn a blind eye to the atrocities in Darfur, or even provide active support to the government. How can we expect China to solve Darfur alone when the others get a free pass?

In short, to pillory China alone for the horrors in Darfur is naive, ill informed and disingenuous.

The knee-jerk outrage to recent reports of Chinese repression in Tibet has been equally ill advised. Elie Wiesel, perhaps the world’s most famous Holocaust survivor, got 25 fellow Nobel laureates to join him in a forceful condemnation of the Chinese government’s violent crackdown.

Such humiliating attacks on China on behalf of the Dalai Lama, however, may backfire. Senior Chinese policymakers reportedly are discussing whether they have given Tibetan Buddhism too much freedom.

Never mind the television footage of violent Tibetan assaults on ethnic Chinese and their properties, or the fact the Dalai Lama appeared to have little if any control — Chinese allegations to the contrary not withstanding — over the demonstrators. What really seems to bother those in the West agitating for a free Tibet is the “cultural genocide” they and the Dalai Lama himself accuse Beijing of carrying out.

Official discomfort with religion is widespread in China, and is not specifically targeted at Tibetan Buddhism, which has consistently enjoyed much more freedom and protection than, for example, Christianity and Islam. And while China’s crackdown on media coverage of the unrest clearly is a concern, so is the lack of press freedom in China in general.

Actually, the main threat to Tibetan culture may come from its exposure to the winds of modernity, not from Chinese policies.

Demonizing China will not achieve much in Tibet and Darfur. But it is an irritant that could cloud our relationship with a great power — one that in its 5,000 years of history has never showed an ounce of antisemitism.

Jewish expressions of anti-Chinese sentiment and threats to derail the Olympics have not escaped Beijing’s notice. A paper just released by a Chinese academic institute identifies American Jewish organizations as being among the main culprits in the anti-Chinese part of the Darfur campaign in the United States. Meanwhile, a new book blaming Jews for China’s problems with the yuan is selling like hotcakes.

It would be unfortunate, to say the least, if Jews came to be seen as an enemy of Beijing. China is today an economic powerhouse, and its diplomatic clout is quickly growing. Furthermore, it has the ability to play a major role in the Middle East, where to date its foreign policy has been remarkably balanced and much friendlier toward Israel than is generally recognized.

The potential cost of anti-Chinese sentiment among American Jews is dear indeed. But it is not just from a realpolitik standpoint that the Darfur and Tibet campaigns are misguided.

Under a veneer of political correctness, such efforts are threatening to become a major moral failure on our part. For all the obvious differences between China and the Jewish people, it is hard not to notice the similarities between today’s anti-Chinese feeling and the antisemitism that first emerged in the late 19th century, when Western Jews threatened Christian domination by moving into positions of power.

Our insistence on holding China to higher standards than other countries reflects our concerns about how its rise is reshaping our world and challenging Western supremacy. Outrage at Chinese policies is in style and uncontroversial because it gives those anxieties — about losing jobs, about Chinese takeovers of Western companies, about China’s competition with the West for scarce energy resources — a respectable cover.

As a rising power with roots as deep as ours, China has a role to play for the good, and it is open to influence if it is not publicly insulted. We would do well not to try to stifle China’s rise or seek to disrupt its cherished Olympics.

Screaming at China may be a great way to feel good about ourselves or get political mileage, but it is not going to get us anywhere on Darfur or Tibet. Not all is perfect about China, and there is no point in denying it. But neither should we mindlessly howl with the anti-Chinese wolves. (Forward.com)

Shalom Solomon Wald is a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute in Jerusalem. Antoine Halff, an adjunct professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, is an energy analyst in New York.

Malaysian Police Detain Japanese Family Protesting Torch Run

Malaysian police detained a Japanese family of three who unfurled a pro-Tibet banner just before the first runner took off with Olympic Torch Monday.

Witnesses said the adult couple and a boy were heckled by bystanders, who appeared to be Chinese, during the confrontation, which occurred at Independence Square where the 10-mile relay began.

About an hour later, the president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, Imran Jaafar, set off with the torch, the first of 80 who will carry it through the capital.

Thousands of bystanders - many of them wearing red - were gathered to watch the send-off. Some carried Chinese flags and Chinese language banners that read: "The Torch will spread around the world," and "No one can split China."

The witnesses said some of the bystanders shouted "Taiwan and Tibet belong to China" when they saw the family revealing the pro-Tibet banner. The witnesses couldn't recall the exact wording on the banner because of the commotion. They all declined to be named, citing reluctance to be associated with a foreign media organization or involved in a police matter.

A police official at the scene said the family was "taken in for documentation." He did not give any details and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information to the media.

Criticism of China's human rights record has turned the Olympics into one of the most contentious in recent history.

Protests have dogged the torch relay during its stops in Paris, London and San Francisco, with demonstrations over China's crackdown in Tibet where it forcefully put down anti-government riots.

Fear of further disruptions has triggered unprecedented security for the Malaysian leg. Some 1,000 policemen and commandos were deployed along the route in Kuala Lumpur even though police have not received reports of any planned protests, said a police spokesman who declined to be named, citing protocol.

The flame arrived Sunday from Bangkok, where its relay was unmarred by demonstrations.
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Related news: Japan changes Olympic torch relay route