Sack This Unabashed Cop Lover

From today's TheStar.

Cuepacs has called on politicians, non-governmental organisations and the public to stop bashing the police and be fair to them.

Its secretary-general, Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin, said of late the police had been under relentless criticism from various quarters over isolated incidents.

“Certain quarters just jumped on the bandwagon to pour out a barrage of hatred against the police for which they do not really deserve. Most of the time they are doing a great job, but hardly honoured,” he said.

He hoped Malaysians would refrain from unfair criticism of the police as it would demoralise them without any mention of the gratitude so many feel for their work.

***** What is wrong with this guy Ahmad Shah Mohd Zin? Who is he to advise us about whether we should criticize the cops or not? Is he saying that the police is above the law and therefore have some sort of immunity? Or is he simply currying favour with the authorities as it is perhaps time for his next promotion? If the cops behave like thugs then they should be publicly berated and brought to book. THAT is accountability and not what this rear licker is advocating. Cuepacs should sack this self serving slime ball.

Police Lockups - Malaysia's Mini Guantanamos Where Cops Beat, Abuse & Splash Hot Water On Suspects

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or individuals should not politicise the issue of police personnel allegedly abusing and pouring hot water on carpark attendant B. Prabakar.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Director Datuk Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin made this appeal after 35 people from certain NGOs and political parties came to the Brickfields police headquarters with Prabakar to lodge another report this morning.

He said the man complained that police had not taken action on his earlier report and did not inform him of the development of the case.

"Today, Prabakar submitted 10 names said to be involved in the incident and we will call them to give statement.

"Yesterday alone the police had called him to make six identification sessions involving hundreds of police personnel," he said at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters.

He said that so far, the police had recorded 22 witness statements regarding the case including from two doctors, one from a government hospital while the other a private hospital.

Bakri said the allegation by some NGOs that police had their own agenda was not true because the police had to fair in their investigation and they must be given space to conduct the probe.

"If Prabakar has new issues, he can see the investigating officer but he does not need to bring along NGOs and politicians," he said.

Prabakar was picked up by police at his work place in Sri Hartamas about 9.30pm on Dec 23 to assist in the investigation into a robbery and taken to the Brickfields police headquarters for questioning.

While in custody, he was allegedly beaten up and splashed with hot water by 10 police personnel including a sergeant.

Two days after his release on Dec 28, he lodged a police report, claiming among others that he was offered RM500 to keep his mouth shut but he did not take the money. (Bernama)

***** How does the government expect the average citizen to have any respect or trust for the police as long as torturers and thugs are part of the force?

Parliament: Cops Scared Of Crooks, So Police Beat Base Closed! Malaysia Boleh!

A police beat base in the Chow Kit area of downtown Kuala Lumpur was closed down because it was in a location that was considered unsafe, said Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

In a written reply to Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohamad Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa), Syed Hamid said the beat base was located in a dirty area where there was a possibility of being exposed to contagious diseases.

The presence of criminals also posed a threat to the safety of police officers, he said.

Lo’ Lo’ had asked why the beat base on Jalan Haji Taib was closed considering the high number of vice-related activities in the area, as well as what kind action had been taken by the police to curb such activities.

Syed Hamid said that the police were looking for a new location to build a police beat base that would be able to give “guaranteed and continued service to the public.”

Lo’ Lo’s was the 30th question in the Order Paper and hence did not get a mention in the House during the daily one-hour Question Time. However, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) managed to raise it when he interjected during Azmin Ali’s (PKR-Gombak) speech during the debate on Budget 2009.

Dr Mohd Hatta said that if the police themselves felt unsafe in a beat base, then it would be even worse for the public.

“The minister has to resign if he is worried about the safety of police in that area. Maybe it would be better to put the beat base in army barracks,” he said.

Dr Mohd Hatta then managed to raise the issue again during his own debate on Budget 2009 saying that Syed Ali’s response was not rational.

“The police are there to make a place safe. If they themselves are scared and run away, then how can we hope for others to want to be there?

“It is embarassing and that is why the criminals will always be there,” he said.

Dr Mohd Hatta said if the place is dirty, then it is up to the police to organise gotong-royong activities to clean it up or if they did not want to then they should move to Putrajaya or Parliament.

“And what is this about contagious diseases on Jalan Haji Taib? The only kind of contagious diseases that are present there are sexually-transmitted ones.

“Is the minister scared that his charges will contract such diseases? That kind of thing is a matter of choice. In any case, if this is what he is worried about then we are worried that the police are not above this.”

Dr Mohd Hatta added that the police had to be brave people and that they were a different breed altogether when facing demonstrators. He said he hoped that the minister would clarify his written answer in the House as this is not the kind of police that the people want. (The Star Online)

***** A totally idiotic explanation by Syed Hamid. I wonder if he's been smoking anything strong lately. Will the cops agree with his findings? Or are they too busy trying to demonize Hindraf? Or perhaps they simply don't care what the public think of them anymore. Pathetic.

Depressed Malaysian Policeman Detained After Firing 58 Shots

A Malaysian policeman, who is believed to suffer from depression, was detained after he fired 58 shots into the air, a news report said Thursday. The 22-year-old officer fired the shots near a cemetery early Wednesday, said Abdul Razak Hassan, district police chief of central Pahang state.

"No injury was reported as it is a remote area," he told the official Bernama news agency.

Abdul Razak said the officer, who has been in the force for three years, had taken home his pistol after his shift, which was against regulations.

He said the suspect has been detained to facilitate further investigations.

***** There are mentally disturbed people in every profession but the danger they pose, especially if they come from the ranks of the police or the army, cannot be overemphasised. Needless to say the pressure that the cops face on a daily basis is daunting and more attention should be given to their emotional wellbeing and welfare. However a situation where shots have been fired must and I'm sure will be taken very seriously by the authorities. Unlike that mentally unstable teacher who preached racism in a school in Selangor and was surprisingly rewarded with a transfer to a smart school nearer her home, the police don't have that luxury.

Zaid Ibrahim To Resign. Keeping An Open Mind On Leaving Umno And Joining PKR

HOUSE OF CARDS
De facto Law Minister Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim at a press conference this morning said that he has not made a decision to leave Umno and join PKR, adding that he will keep an open mind.

He had yesterday submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister. In his letter, Zaid enumerated his frustrations in achieving the reforms he had been tasked with doing; the straw that broke the his back was the arrest of three civilians under the Internal Security Act on Friday.

He was called to a meeting at Seri Perdana with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 3pm to 5pm yesterday. At the meeting, the Prime Minister rejected his letter and told him to take two weeks’ leave instead.

No doubt this is just the beginning of a larger exodus to come. Umno's house of cards is ready to collapse and not many will mourn its demise.

Malaysian Cops Accused Of Assaulting Disabled Driver

A 29-year-old Malaysian lorry driver with a disabled left hand has accused two off-duty policemen of physically assaulting him for allegedly grazing their car with his vehicle, news reports said Sunday.

In the Saturday afternoon incident, Mohamad Azlan Hashim said he was driving a 10-tonne lorry in the central state of Selangor when a car with two men overtook his vehicle and made him stop.

Fearing they were loan sharks, Azlan alleged that, when he refused to obey their instructions to alight from his vehicle, the two men, who identified themselves as police officers, dragged him out after smashing the lorry's windows and assaulted him, the Star daily reported.

'The car was behind my lorry and I did not even know that I had grazed their vehicle as the vehicle I was driving was very big,' said Azlan, who suffered head and arm injuries from the assault.

District police chief Noor Azam Jamaludin has confirmed that both Azlan and one of the accused policemen had lodged reports. (Monsters & Critics.com)

***** While foreigners may be surprised or shocked by the above report, Malaysians are by now used to news like this. The cops here are really getting out of hand and nobody seems to be in a position to set them straight. What a shame.
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Anwar Prepares To Stand In Elections & Hey Presto, The Cops Suddenly Complete Probe On Sodomy Case!

From The Star Online

Police have completed investigation on PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case and have sent the investigation paper (IP) to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the police notified him that the investigation has been completed.

"Once they have submitted the papers, it is up to the A-G to see if there are any charges to be made against (Anwar).

"Under the law, Anwar is innocent until proven guilty, there is no talking about charges until charges have been preferred against him," he told reporters Thursday after addressing staff of the Immigration Department here.

Syed Hamid, however, said he did not know the contents of the IP or the outcome of the investigation.

On Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail quitting as Member of Parliament of Permatang Pauh to make way for her husband to contest in a by-election, Syed Hamid said it was expected.

"I think it shows the love of the wife for the husband - that is very good," he said.

When asked if this posed a threat to the Barisan Nasional government, Syed Hamid said it was not and that it should be accepted, as it was a democratic process.

He added that Barisan would worry about it when the time comes.

"We are not worried ... we expected him to make this announcement; in fact, I was informed much earlier he was going to make an announcement," he said, adding that he wished Anwar good luck.

***** Well, well, well. Only yesterday Syed Hamid was boasting about how the police will be meticulous in their 'probe' and will not be hurried into completing their investigations, while asking them to speed up the siasatan. Two days ago Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said that the police had been 'relentlessly' seeking relevant and the latest information while the investigating officer is 'constantly' looking for new leads.

However suddenly after the announcement of Wan Azizah's resignation, the cops mysteriously have successfully completed their probe and have even sent the investigation paper (IP) to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action! My what efficiency! And oh what a coincidence in timing! Let's see what other government orchestrated sandiwara follows.

Allegations Of Abuse Of Power By 6 Police Officers In The Award Of Nearly RM98 Mln Contract

The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Tuesday claimed it received documents alleging abuse of power by six police officers pertaining to award of contracts worth nearly RM98 million.

MCPF executive council member Tan Sri Robert Phang said the documents, received on Wednesday, showed abuse of power in the award of contracts involving the police's logistics department during the 12th general election.

"I will hand over the document to the Anti-Corruption Agency tomorrow for further action," he told a news conference.

He said he would also extend copies to Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Home Ministry's Secretary-General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

Asked who sent him the documents, Phang said, he did not know the person as the sender's name was not stated in the documents and the address used was non-existent.

Transparency International Malaysia President Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said the allegations were serious and should be investigated to safeguard the credibility of the police force. (Bernama)

***** How many more cases of abuse of power and outright corruption must be revealed before Pak Lah wakes up and smells the kopi Tongkat Ali? It's a terrible disgrace.
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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.

Government Says It Will Clamp Down On Today's Fuel Hike Protest

Malaysian authorities vowed to stop an opposition rally on Friday against a sharp fuel price rise that has stoked public anger and handed a poltical weapon to Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi's rivals.

Protests have so far been small and scattered, but on Friday after Muslim prayers, the opposition plans to draw 20,000 people in a march from a mosque in a poor part of Kuala Lumpur to the iconic Petronas towers in the city centre to underline anger against the state energy giant.

Police have urged people not to join the rally, termed illegal because no permit has been issued, and warned they would arrest protest leaders.

"Demonstrations and illegal assemblies only disrupt public order and cause traffic chaos," the pro-government New Straits Times quoted city police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman as saying. We are not sure how many protesters will turn up and which routes they will take. But we are taking all precautionary measures," a police spokesman told Reuters.

There are tight restrictions on public gatherings in Malaysia, but the opposition has said it will go ahead anyway.

"The people are angry. They say the fuel price is very high so they want to say something," said Safarizal Saleh, a leader of the youth wing of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), the main Islamist party and one of the organisers of the rally.

Petrol prices were raised by 41 percent and diesel 63 percent in line with a global surge in oil prices, a measure that would drive inflation to a 10-year high of 4.2 percent in 2008.

The government says it will save 13.7 billion ringgit ($4.2 billion) as part of a broad overhaul of its heavily subsided energy pricing system.

Trying to assuage public anger, Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi has said there will not be any more fuel increases this year and announced a cut in the allowances of ministers as part of measures to cut government costs.

Despite the rises, pump prices for petrol in Malaysia are still among the cheapest in Asia.

But critics led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim have rejected the measures as too little and questioned why Malaysia, the largest net oil exporter in Asia, should face the fuel hike when the country earns 250 million ringgit ($76.76 million) a year in revenue for every $1 rise in crude prices.

"Although Petronas is estimated to have earned RM2trillion over the last 34 years ... its accounts are not accessible to (the) public nor by the people's elected representative in Parliament," said Waytha Moorthy, chairman of HINDRAF, a group campaigning for the rights of ethnic Indians which is supporting the fuel protests.

Petronas posted a record profit of $12.9 billion for the year ended March 31 2007, helped by a boom in crude oil prices. The state oil firm is expected to release its 2008 earnings at the end of June.

***** Petronas' earnings over the years have been siphoned off by various government 'policies' and we can forget about getting even an estimate of where it all ended up. When the government can't even give us a proper accounting of the KL Commonwealth Games expenses do you think they'll budge on the Petronas billions?

Police Deny Rumours Of Karpal's Arrest

Penang Acting Police Chief Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid on Tuesday denied rumours that DAP Chairman Karpal Singh had been arrested.

"Don't listen to rumours, we've not arrested him," Salleh told Bernama when contacted.

Text messages had been going around in Penang today claiming that the police would arrest the Bukit Gelugor member of parliament.

Meanwhile, Salleh said the investigation papers pertaining to Karpal's statement, questioning the right of the Sultan of Perak in ordering the reinstatement of Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury, had been handed over to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Salleh said the case was being investigated under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Police recorded Karpal's statement for about two hours at his office in Jalan Green Hall here on Saturday.

***** Many have opined that arresting Karpal Singh or in any way intimidating him over the issue would be counter-productive for the nation's image and Umno's already sullied reputation.

Malaysian Police Warn Against Anwar Rally

Malaysian police have threatened stern action against participants in a rally marking the end of a ban that prevented opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim from running for political office, newspapers said on Monday.

Police said Internet messages had urged Anwar's supporters to gather in the Malaysian capital in a show of support on Monday night, the Star newspaper said.

Malaysia's ruling coalition, which suffered the worst election setback in its history at polls in March, used tear gas and water cannon last year to disperse two large anti-government protests in the capital.

Anwar's Keadilan party is part of an opposition coalition that rules five of Malaysia's 13 states, but he himself can only run for office again on April 15, after the official ban, imposed following an earlier conviction for corruption, expires.

"We have not issued a permit for the gathering and neither was a permit requested, so I advise all those planning a gathering not to do so as they will be severely dealt with," the Star quoted Muhammad Sabtu Osman, the capital's police chief, as saying.

Anwar, who was in the political wilderness after being dumped in 1998 by his former mentor, ex-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has seen his political fortunes revived after the opposition pulled off a surprisingly big victory in last month's poll.

For the first time in 40 years, the opposition denied the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition a two-thirds parliamentary majority and seized control of five states.

Barisan's poor showing has sparked some calls for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign, although Abdullah has insisted he will not step down.

Anwar has said he is in no hurry to contest a by-election, preferring instead to focus on building an effective and credible opposition, media reported last week. (Reuters India)

***** Let's see if the police actually go ahead with their threats and engage in more violence like they did at the Bersih and Hindraf rallies. If the cops brutally prevent the gathering, either of their own accord or more likely at the behest of the Umno-led government, then Umno can kiss its future goodbye. The public will not accept anymore intolerant and undemocratic decisions and actions of the increasingly unpopular government in Putrajaya. Heed the peoples' voice or risk being forcibly dragged into oblivion.
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What the Devil Is Going On In Prai?

From a report in The Sun.

A series of violent incidents between two ethnic groups has occurred in the last 48 hours following a misunderstanding over a road accident in Prai on New Year's eve.

Police said it all started when a drunk motorcyclist, in his 40s, was involved in a minor accident with another motorcycle ridden by two youths, in their 20s at about 10.30pm on New Year's eve.

The accident, in front of a place of worship in Kampung Manis, Prai, was witnessed by two groups of people and a fight broke out between them. The fight resulted in two people being hospitalised for injuries and two others receiving outpatient treatment. The two men who were hospitalised are reported to be in stable condition.

Penang police chief Datuk Koh Hong Sun told a press conference today 16 people, aged between 16 and 30, had been arrested for being directly involved in the fight.They have been remanded until next week while police are still tracking down others involved in the fight, he said.

Several vehicles along Jalan Utama in Prai were also damaged during the incident.

However, the misunderstanding was far from over as more "violent incidents" occurred between 12.30am and 2.30am today, said Koh. However, he declined to divulge details of the incidents, saying only that cars and motorcycles were damaged in the incidents in several places in central Seberang Perai and in one location in north Seberang Perai near Kepala Batas.

"One person was injured in one of the incidents but he is in a stable condition," Koh said.

"We have determined that the main cause of these incidents was the misunderstanding between the parties involved and also because of the influence of alcohol during the New Year celebration."

He stressed that it had nothing to do with any racial or religious dispute and that it did not involve any organisation.

"All these incidents are being investigated and we will take appropriate actions according to the law," Koh said.

"We urge the public to avoid speculating on the incidences and spreading rumours through the SMS or other methods."

He said such rumours may be misconstrued and threaten the peace of the country. "It is an offence to spread such rumours, so we will not hesitate to take action against those found committing the offence," he said.

Koh urged the public to remain calm and to avoid taking any drastic action which may worsen the situation.

He said police had contacted political and religious representatives in the areas to mediate and calm the situation.

***** What contradictory statements from the Penang police chief. At first he claims that the 'misunderstanding' had nothing to do with any racial or religious dispute, but then he quickly adds that political and religious representatives have been asked to mediate and calm the situation!

This was the same bullshit that was given during the Kampung Medan massacre. With an almost homogeneous police force can they be expected to exercise reasonable neutrality in handling inter-ethnic strife?

I hope that the Umno-led government is very happy at the brittleness of our 'stability' as a result of their strategy of divide-and-rule and playing off one race against another by indirectly encouraging religio-racist feelings and animosity from their 'target' group. Let's hope that at least the CPO Datuk Koh Hong Sun can bring a quick end to the explosive situation there.
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IGP Lies Through His Teeth About Hindraf

The IGP perhaps to repay the kindness shown by the government in granting him an extension of service, gave a remarkably stupid display today of his gratitude to the ruling Umno party. In what was claimed to be a 'startling revelation' he accused the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) of trying to 'solicit help and support from terrorist groups'! His wild claim which has no basis is suspiciously similar to the usual Umno strategy of badly discrediting someone before going in for the kill. This has all the ingredients of a malicious attempt to rubbish Hindraf prior to justifying the use of the ISA to quell genuine calls for justice and fair play. The government is increasingly proving itself to be a fascist one and by indiscriminately misusing the police, the courts and the mainstream media, our pemimpin are doing a good job of it all by themselves. They really don't need Hindraf to bring down their reputation and standing in the world. Our kerajaan has achieved that and more by their blatantly unjust and criminal acts.

According to a Bernama report, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had reportedly said that Hindraf had made 'false, baseless and slanderous allegations' that the government had marginalised the Indians, had deprived them of their rights in the economic and education fields and positions in the government to the extent that the community was backward even after 50 years of independence.

The Inspector-General of Police said Hindraf had defied the law and went ahead to stage the Nov 25 street protests because its real motive was to create chaos in the federal capital. "But instead they 'twisted' the incident and accused the police of using force on their supporters.

Adding to the demonisation which Hindraf has been subjected to by all and sundry, from mainly within Umno, the IGP even outdid the more rabid among the umnoputeras by making sweeping allegations and innuendo-filled speculative generalisations. He showed clearly that he knew which side of his bread is buttered and had no qualms about exposing his total partiality on the issue.

For him to blame Hindraf for 'twisting' the incidents that took place during the rally and accusing the police of using force on their supporters is an unbelievable assertion! Unlike the doctored visuals on Malaysian TV, the rest of the world had witnessed unedited videos of the unprovoked brutality displayed by our cops who incidentally were the main culprits who did most of the rioting. This bluff which the IGP is trying to pull on locals is a pathetic attempt to salvage the tarnished reputation of the police while at the same time deviously putting the blame on those who have little avenue to rebut him.

His conscienceless accusations that claims of Indians being marginalised, discriminated against and impoverished by government policies are ' false, baseless and slanderous allegations, ' without doubt or question indicates his lack of integrity and honesty. That such a self-serving statement comes from the nation's top cop is both shameful and an utter disgrace. He has very clearly demonstrated that he is unfit to hold the post of IGP and should instead resign and contest in the coming election as an Umno candidate.

Read of the gross untruth propagated by Musa HERE.
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Government Using Police To Create Traffic Jams in KL To Provoke Public Anger Towards Protesters

As you may be aware the cops have set up road blocks all over KL and Selangor since yesterday resulting in traffic jams in an ostensible bid to prevent people from entering the capital to attend the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally scheduled to take place on Sunday at the British High Commission.

Another 'reason' given by the police is they have 'received information' that there will be criminal activities taking place right up to Sunday’s gathering. From the wonderfully efficient police intelligence gathering, the cops have found that riots and fights had been planned and are therefore taking 'precautionary' measures.

For those of you who had been caught in these jams did you notice any thugs being arrested or at least being held for questioning? Were cars carrying several Indian adults stopped and their occupants thoroughly checked and interrogated?

The situation today is very much the same as yesterday and reportedly there are massive traffic jams again in various parts of the Klang Valley.

More than merely trying to keep the influx of protesters into KL to a bare minimum or fulfilling a sudden honourable desire by our men in blue to 'prevent crime', the apparent police strategy is to cause as much inconvenience to the public in general so that they would reflexly condemn and abhor protests of whatever nature. It is probably their hope that in artificially creating such jams, thereby raising temperatures and blood pressures, the organisers of this and future protests against government corruption and abuse would be considered as troublemakers by the public.

It is an age-old dirty trick employed by unpopular and shrewd dictators - if the people do not act in a manner which pleases the ruler, then the ruler will make things so stranglingly difficult and unbearable, without the obvious use of brute force, that the average citizen is coerced into behaving as the dictator deems fit. Our kerajaan is no different. This is their tactic, to wear down the peoples' patience and put a full stop to public expression of the citizens' anger and disappointment.

Sometimes such a sneaky strategy will succeed admirably, especially when the average citizen would rather fight a ghost than protest against official abuse and corruption. In our context, hopefully the public would not be deterred by this nuisance the cops are creating in the form of unnecessary traffic jams.

The police, under orders from 'above' are at the same time desperate to make an example of those responsible for this Hindraf protest. In fact a few minutes ago the cops announced that they have a court order to restrain anyone organising or participating in Sunday's gathering. The police have also arrested lawyer P. Uthayakumar, Hindraf legal advisor under the Sedition Act and he will be charged in court this afternoon. What is the point though? The nation's reputation has already been torn to shreds by the earlier protests and by the increasingly forthright and accurate reports from here and abroad about government sponsored racism and discrimination.

Of course the danger always remains in Malaysia that in the event such dirty tricks don't produce the desired results, government leaders or those holding extra-constitutional authority like a certain son-in-law, would unleash the thugs from Umno youth along with illiterate kampung boys who would do their bidding for a small monetary incentive. Manufacturing a crisis is the easiest and most effective way to temporarily or permanently shut the avenues available to those who can think and express clearly on what is terribly wrong with this country.
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Zainuddin Maidin Lies Through His Teeth

Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin has refuted satellite television station Al Jazeera's claim that police had used force on hundreds of protesters here today.

He told the station that police had tried to disperse the protesters by using water cannons as the gathering was illegal. "When they refused to disperse, the police allowed them to march to Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum demanding for a clean and fair election.

"The police managed to handle the situation as best they could," he said over the phone in a live interview by Al Jazeera here.

He was responding to the illegal assembly organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections or "Bersih" comprising 26 non-governmental organisations and which also involved opposition parties, to hand over the memorandum containing their demands, to Istana Negara.

Asked why Malaysia did not allow such gatherings, Zainuddin said they were unnecessary because general elections had been held without fail in this country and according to the scheduled dates.

The minister also hit out at Al Jazeera for having the wrong perception when posing questions.

Al Jazeera reporters had their own perceptions about Malaysia before coming here, he said, adding that "Malaysia is not Myanmar or Pakistan; it is a democratic country".

Zainuddin said many television viewers in Malaysia were laughing at the antics of the Al Jazeera reporter who seemed to be trying to portray the situation as ugly. "The reporter was seen shouting, so much so the situation seemed unreal to the viewers."

He also criticised Al Jazeera for only interviewing journalists known to be pro-opposition but not getting the government's views. (Bernama)

***** Lord Zam said, "general elections had been held without fail in this country and according to the scheduled dates." What he did not comment about was the fraud perpetrated by the ruling party with the active connivance of the boot licking Election Commission in every G.E. over the past few decades.

Zam also denied that the cops used force on the peaceful assembly. Then how would he wish to explain this video?

"Malaysia is not Myanmar or Pakistan; it is a democratic country," says the info-dictator. Only those in Umno will believe that poppycock claim. Most of the population is convinced that with the strategy the government employed in handling this issue, we are far, far away from being termed or even considered a true democracy. A 'shamocracy' is more accurate a description.

And for the information of this pathological liar called Zam, the people were not laughing at the Al Jazeera reporter. Why should they? He was after all depicting the truth. But right now they are guffawing at the pathetic lies spun by this aging and decrepit Umno warhorse who should have been put to pasture years ago.
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Police Turn Water Cannon On Protesters

Police in the Malaysian capital used water cannon on Saturday to disperse crowds gathering for a banned opposition rally demanding changes to the electoral system, witnesses said.

Police had effectively shut down the city centre to try and foil the rally, with hundreds of policemen, including riot police equipped with shields and batons, standing guard at Kuala Lumpur's landmark Merdeka (Freedom) Square.

"Police sprayed water cannons twice to disperse a crowd of about 500 protesters chanting slogans," said a Reuters witness who watched the incident outside a mosque guarded by about 50 riot police, while helicopters hovered overhead.

The crowds were among the tens of thousands of people who had planned to gather in the capital's city square in one of Malaysia's biggest anti-government rallies since 1998.

At another mosque nearby, a second group of around 500 protesters, mostly teenagers in yellow T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Bersih", or "Clean" in Malay, marched in heavy rain towards the city's colonial-era railway station.

The demonstrators chanted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) and carried banners reading "Save Malaysia" and "Abolish postal voting".

Police had mounted roadblocks along the main roads to the city centre and erected barricades nearby, checking on cars and turning away protesters, witnesses said.

"We will not hesitate to take action against those who defied our orders," state news agency Bernama quoted Kuala Lumpur police chief Zul Hasnan Najib as saying. The police had refused to grant a permit for the rally.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who oversees the police, said on Friday the government would not tolerate street demonstrations. "They are challenging the patience of the people who want the country to be peaceful and stable. That is what they are challenging, not me," he told a meeting of his ruling party.

Opposition parties and rights groups have vowed to defy the police ban on the rally, which is expected to be led by opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim.

It could be one of Malaysia's biggest demonstrations since unprecedented anti-government protests in 1998 that led to Anwar's arrest and jailing.

The protest is being organized by Bersih, a loose coalition of 26 opposition parties and non-governmental organizations demanding reforms in the electoral process that they say heavily favors Abdullah's ruling coalition.

Abdullah, who won a record victory in a 2004 election, is widely expected to call snap polls in early 2008.

In September, police opened fire to disperse rioters at a Bersih rally in the northeastern state of Terengganu, seriously injuring two people.

Saturday's rally was due to culminate in a march to the nearby National Palace to present a written appeal to the King calling for electoral reform, Anwar's Keadilan party said.

"Our appeals to the government for reforms of the electoral system have fallen on deaf ears and as such it has abdicated its responsibility to safeguard the democratic institutions of the nation," Anwar told reporters on Thursday. (Source - Agencies)

***** Oh Umno must be so proud! Now we rank along with fellow Asean member Myanmar and fellow Islamic brother nation Pakistan, as states run by despotic madmen. And surely we must be considered as an internationally certified beacon of banana republic democracies. Tahniah Umno - you have done yourselves proud and put our country on a new level of world interest.

Our Indonesian neighbour must be laughing at us; the rest of the world is.
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CCID Chief, Commissioner Ramli Yusoff Suspended From His Duties

Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff has been suspended from his duties pending the trial into the three charges against him. This was announced by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Najib Abdul Aziz.

Datuk Ramli Yusoff had been charged yesterday with not disclosing information about two office units belonging to his sisters and on shares which he owned.

Comm Ramli, 55, in his capacity as a public servant, was also charged with being involved in business as a company director.

He claimed trial to all three charges at a Sessions Court here yesterday.

It is understood that Ramli could be facing several further charges.

Comm Ramli was alleged to have failed to comply with the terms of a notice dated July 17 issued by the Public Prosecutor to give a written statement under oath on all his assets under Section 32(1)(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

Ramli was accused of not revealing information on two office units in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng which belong to his elder sister Rohmah @ Hasmah and younger sister Roslina. The two units are worth RM1mil. The two sisters were directors of an investment holding company, Bonus Circle Sdn Bhd.

The senior police officer, who is married to Sessions Court judge Datin Anita Harun, was said to have committed the offence at the Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office in the Anti-Corruption Agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya on Sept 17.

As for the second charge, Comm Ramli had allegedly failed to disclose information on 154,000 units of shares worth about RM200,000 in a property company, Permaju Industries, Bhd at the same place and time.

If convicted, he can be sentenced up to 20 years’ jail and fined a maximum of RM100,000 for each of two charges under Section 32(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

On the third charge – a summons charge, where Comm Ramli stood outside the dock – he was accused of unlawfully engaging in business in Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd on April 25 last year.

If found guilty, he can be sentenced up to a year's jail or fined, or both, under Section 168 of the Penal Code.

Looks like the screws are being tightened. Let's wait and watch as the drama unfolds.
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UPDATE: The Deputy IGP has clarified that the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff's suspension pending trial will be decided by the Police Force Commission! It gets a little confusing now doesn't it?

Police Commercial Crime Director Ramli Yusuf Admits He Is The "RM27 Million Cop". Denies Having Such Assets

A senior police officer at Bukit Aman, Commercial Crimes Department director, Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusuff who was being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for abuse of power and failing to declare RM27 million worth of assets has finally admitted that he is the one who had been mentioned in press reports as the 'RM27 million' cop. However he has denied having such assets. (This news was received via news alert by The Sun.)

The senior cop who is in his 50s, is a director of a company which was awarded a project in April to develop an area in Lahad Datu.

Problems cropped up for him when several villagers voiced their opposition to the project when the company staff went to the area to do surveying work.

Datuk Ramli allegedly ordered the villagers to be arrested.

The ACA had started its investigation following an anonymous telephone call.

Let us wait and see how this story unfolds. Going by past experience everything will be coolly swept under the permaidani and semuanya will be OK!
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Two More Suspects, A Man And A Woman, Identified In Nurin's Murder

Police have identified two more suspects whom they believe can assist in investigations into the brutal murder of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin. CID Director Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee said the suspects, a man and a woman, were identified based on their photofit from public information.

He said the 168cm tall male suspect, aged between 30 and 40, is believed to be looking for a room to rent for his daughter when Nurin was reported missing. "The man was spotted several times a housing estate around Bangsar," he told reporters.

The 153cm tall female suspect, in her 20's, clad in a red dress, was seen on Sept 16, near the place where the sports bag containing Nurin's body was found the next day, said Wan who heads a special team investigating the murder. The bag was found at a shoplot in Petaling Utama on Sept 17.

Wan urged the public who saw the two Malay suspects, whose nationalities are unknown, to contact investigating officer ASP Loh Pei Pei at 03-79662222.

On the Indonesian woman suspect arrested in connection with Nurin's murder, Wan said police were still questioning her. He said the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card which she swallowed while being taken to the Petaling Jaya Magistrate's Court on Saturday has not been ejected from her body. The 23-year-old woman has been admitted to the University Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya after she swallowed the card. Police believe the SIM card can shed light to solve the murder of eight-year-old Nurin.

On the closed-circuit television camera recording sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) laboratory in Washington, Wan said Malaysian police officers sent there are still analysing the recording. (Bernama)
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