The Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim is taking his idea of internationalizing the Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II charge by organizing a series of information sessions by the Foreign Ministry overseas “to give a true picture so there will be no misconceptions that can hurt Malaysia’s image” one step further.
Yesterday, he announced raising the issue to the United Nations level through a letter to the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to explain Malaysia’s view on what it sees as American interference in the Anwar Sodomy II charge.
Is Rais banking on the support of rogue states like Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Sudan by taking the Anwar Sodomy II issue to the United Nations?
Instead of accusing the United States of violating international law and “meddling in Malaysia’s international affairs”, Rais should lead the charge in the Cabinet on Wednesday to demand the dropping of the Sodomy II charge against Anwar especially as a recent opinion survey has shown that only 11% of the respondents believe in the Sodomy II allegation made against Anwar.
Rais said Malaysian diplomats overseas had been instructed that they should defend the country against any negative perceptions arising from Anwar’s Sodomy II charge – starting with a series of meetings with foreign governments to explain what is going on, the first will be in Washington at the end of next month, to be followed by the European countries.
Before Rais goes international to justify the government’s handling of the Anwar Sodomy II charge, the government should first convince Malaysians that the government had acted fairly, justly and honourably in accordance with the principles of the rule of law in the Anwar Sodomy II charge.
This should be done when Parliament reconvenes next Monday on August 18 when MPs reassemble for the first day of the budget meeting of Parliament, with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi presenting a ministerial statement to justify the government’s handling of the Anwar Sodomy II charge as fully in accord with justice, fair play and the rule of law – devoid of any political persecution or selective prosecution.
This ministerial statement, which should be the first official business of Parliament on August 18, should be followed by a full parliamentary debate.
If the Prime Minister is not prepared to present such a ministerial statement to Parliament to be followed by a debate, what is the use of the government referring the issue to the United Nations by writing to its Secretary-General and organizing a series of information sessions in the foreign capitals of the West?
#1 by boh-liao on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 3:22 pm
Y is Rais so intent in making a fool of himself?
Zimbabwe? Don’t worry, MM will be migrating to Zimbabwe soon as MM said yesterday he would rather migrate if the former deputy prime minister succeeds in toppling the Barisan Nasional government.
#2 by izrafeil on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 3:45 pm
makan free le pergi overseas…on taxpayers money tu
also why would Khazanah invest in China’s renewable energy sector when others have failed…. sounds fishy, also why is there middleman?
#3 by Mr Smith on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 3:49 pm
If he can’t convince Malaysians how on earth can he convince Foreigners who have have a more stringent view of freedom and justice. Rais is another idoit.
#4 by yhsiew on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 3:51 pm
Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim should not waste his time and taxpayers’ money to go overseas to justify the government’s handling of the Anwar Sodomy II charge. If 90% of Malaysians do not believe Sodomy II charge, how can he expect foreigners to believe?? In fact, people get more suspicious the more he forces them to believe.
#5 by I Malaysian on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:00 pm
“Don’t play the fool with Rais Yatim”
Rais holds doctorate in Law. He is the walking English Dictionary of Malaysia. He knows more English than anyone in Malaysia. He also could “gore” people who want to play words with him; those include the Englishmen and Americans.
Frankly I feel he is nothing more than a “dunce” who has memorized more English words without knowing their true meaning. His political wisdom is almost zero as we have noticed in his reaction recently. I’m perplexed how a senior minister who has doctorate in LAW could be so personal with Mr.Gore, the former VP of US. In fact what Mr.Gore had stated is nothing more but a reflection of majority Malaysians sentiment toward the sodomy charge of Anwar.
As minister of the Malaysia government, if Rais had differed in opinion, he could have argued more intelligently than uttering words such as “Gore should stop goring in internal affair of Malaysia” so on and so forth. This inappropriate attitude of Rais only reveals the miserable ability and his inferiority complex in dealing with international personalities.
In fact it reminds me of Malik Imtiaz call in his Disquiet, “Is there a Statesman in the House?”. A Statesman in Malaysia, from BN..? No chance. Maybe Kampungman got la!
#6 by ahluck on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:00 pm
Jihad
written by MightyDonkeyKong, August 10, 2008
Yet another incident of jihad in Malaysia.. Jihad by Muslims against the rights of the non-Muslims.
From the activities of these Muslims, almost every non-Muslim in Malaysia can summarize a few things:
1) Islam is NOT a religion of peace. Non-Muslims have to make peace with Muslims, OR ELSE.
2) Islam is a religion of tolerance – you have to tolerate Muslims, OR ELSE.
3) Islam supports freedom of speech – for MUSLIMS ONLY. Non-Muslims have no right to speak of religion, particularly to question Islam.
4) Islam is the superior religion because MUSLIMS SAID SO. If you don’t agree, Muslims will gladly prove their point through violence.
5) Islam supports injustice as long as it translates to justice to the Muslims.. who gives a damn if it’s unjust to the non-Muslims
6) Islam supports the suffering of non-Muslims as long as Muslims are not affected, or better yet, as long as Muslims and the Islamic authorities benefited from non-Muslim sufferings.
To me as a non-Muslim, it’s clearer than ever that Islam is a long way from the truth. By the fruits you shall know the tree.
#7 by yhsiew on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:10 pm
If Malaysia can interfere in Palestinian affairs, surely the US equally has the right to interfere in Malaysian affairs.
#8 by monsterball on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:22 pm
Let him do it,
Good for Malaysians…to let the whole world know…UMNO is the clown and culprit.
#9 by melurian on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:23 pm
“Instead of accusing the United States of violating international law and “meddling in Malaysia’s international affairs”, Rais should lead the charge in the Cabinet on Wednesday to demand the dropping of the Sodomy II charge against Anwar especially as a recent opinion survey has shown that only 11% of the respondents believe in the Sodomy II allegation made against Anwar.”
YOU MUST BE JOKING !!!!!!
#10 by monsterball on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:27 pm
Come to think of it…Rais is using this excuse….to travel and enjoy himself.
UMNO is very good to enjoy….talk big…no work.
#11 by hope for futre on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:33 pm
Rais should go back to law school as he has just
lost our island ti s’pore.
Now he wants to face the UN.
Msia has already lost face n he wants to add much more to it.
#12 by pulau_sibu on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 4:40 pm
The problem is all countries know what is happening here. No explanation is needed. If sessions will be held, the attendance will be zero. We should discourage any one from attending it.
#13 by wanderer on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:02 pm
This bloke Dr stupidlogy, stay home, try convincing us first. Going overseas, try convincing foreign govts, you have to do hella of lot of talking to look real, I hate to see foam forming on both sides of your mouth….Rais, you not, only have lost your principle, you are getting more dumb by the day. Better use our money, do more shopping and less talking…at least the world would not think sodomy is the only thing, we are capable of doing.
#14 by vyti on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:09 pm
Rias is no fool. This is the way to spend hard earned tax payers money. Travel the world to explain Sodomy II and have a party at our expense. Who will not go when its on the house (Malaysian). How to explain lah, please don’t make youtself and BN a laughing stock when sodomy is not even an offence in the west
#15 by boh-liao on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:13 pm
Maybe Rais is using this opportunity to seek mental or political asylum overseas, perhaps together with MM in Zimbabwe. By the time just before he completes his mission, the politicial scenario here might have changed colour.
Singapore’s LKY said if Singapore can move on in the next 43 years like what it did in the last 43 years, then he is confident that Singapore will do well.
Of course if Malaysia carries on in the next 51 years like what it did in the last 51 years, then we will be doomed to become jiat sai hu and bottom feeders.
#16 by cheng on on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:20 pm
These ppl taking the chance to “makan angin” oversea lah, otherwise, they can do so only in ASEAN officially. Consensual sodomy is no offense in the West. Hope he don’t make Msia more “siasuey” (hokkien lost face).
#17 by boilingmad on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:28 pm
Maybe he wants to be the next PM. He goes to those cities, and instead of the relevant ministers granting him audience, they may decide to sent in their secretaries (the last thing they want is to be mocked by other dignitries about listening to all this sodomy crap) who would merely nod their heads to what he’s saying. And of course, Rais will be happy, comes back and reports that he was granted an audience. So UMNO will be happy and think that he has done a great job and since he was able to get foreign audiences, he should be elected as potential candidate for PM. End of story.
#18 by pkrisnin on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:28 pm
Yeah go ahead and tell the UN how the Malaysian gov. is going after the opposition leader without any proof.
From forced sodomy to consensual anal sex.
On top of that only charging 1 person and not the prick that made a false claim and report.
#19 by KennyGan on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:41 pm
Rais will first have to explain why we still keep such archaic laws with 20 years imprisonment for consensual sodomy.
Next he will have to explain why nobody else has been prosecuted under this law except for Anwar Ibrahim.
Then he will have to explain why the consensual partner is not charged.
He will also have to explain why the government is taking such a huge interest in one case of consensual sodomy with huge investment of time, money and manpower when there are far more serious crimes around.
He may also be grilled on why the police and A-G are ignoring Dr. Osman’s medical report and SD stating that no sodomy occurred.
Rais may not even get past the first explanation demanded. The problem with these Umno goons is that they are arrogant enough to think that the public and the world at large are so stupid that they can be hoodwinked with any blatant lies.
Their mentality is still stuck in the old days when the population consisted of simple kampung folks who believe everything their leaders tell them.
Times have changed, but Umno’s mentality haven’t.
#20 by GodFromHeaven on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:45 pm
Anything Boleh in Malaysia.. Hidup Boleh, Hidup Malaysia
#21 by justice6 on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:46 pm
send rais to Mongolia la… . ask him to explain the murder trial….
#22 by GodFromHeaven on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:46 pm
lowest class MP in the world
#23 by pulau_sibu on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:47 pm
It may be more important to explain about the Mongolian lady case!
#24 by GodFromHeaven on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:49 pm
from sexual attack to consensual sex… how can this Rais to explain? don’t he feel shame?
#25 by boh-liao on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 5:50 pm
MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat, said: “We have the ability and I hope more fashion designers could help develop the industry to go into international markets with our own brands.”
Yes, we already have The Emperor’s New Clothes brand. Coming soon, the popular Sodo Mi brand!
#26 by Jeffrey on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 6:57 pm
“Sub ju·di·ce”, a latin term bandied constantly enough by govt ministers to warn those commenting about the Altantuya’s case “means that a particular case or matter is currently under trial or being considered by a judge or court” – courtesy of Wikipedia.
When a case such as charge against Anwar for sodomy is “active” in the sense of it being pending trial, then any reference to the State having sufficient justification for the prosecution and trial would be sub-judice.
Any material broadcast which would create “a substantial risk of serious prejudice” to the proceedings in the sense of affecting the judgement of the following categories of person – jurors, witneses and judges – and causing them to prejudge, especialy adverse against the accused would be subjudice and contempt of court!
Even though government is prosecuting the case, government representatives, like media, are not exempted from complying with the sub judice rule.
Dato’ Seri Dr Rais Yatim said “There will be a series of meetings with foreign governments to explain what is going on, and the first will be in Washington, DC, at the end of next month. Then we will move on to European countries.” The Foreign Ministry will also send a letter to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to explain Malaysia’s view on what it sees as American interference in the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim case. Ref: NST Online 2008/08/10
[According to NST Report “Rais said the US government was surprised that Anwar was granted release on a personal bond and his passport not confiscated, the opposite of what they thought would happen”. Clearly this suggests the decision of judge Puan S M Komathy Suppiah in granting bail on personal bond without taking his passport was not expected by the government].
A road show by government internationalising the Malaysian govt’s case against Anwar will prejudice in sub judice sense Anwar’s trial not just nationally but internationally.
Is the sub judice rule of no more relevance and application in Malaysian trials?
Now that Anwar has his passport, can he be permitted to do an international road show – as Hindraf did – to garner international support that his prosecution is political persecution since the other side the State has taken off the glove and taken on this move to take his case international against?
#27 by haris01 on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 8:14 pm
yes lah makan freeee with our money…go to overseas
#28 by Old.observer on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 11:32 pm
Jeffrey,
Good points as usual.
It is “sub-judice” when RPK commented upon the Altantuya’s Murder.
However, it is NOT “sub-judice” when Rais Yatim goes around the entire world commenting upon DSAI’s trial.
Either this is “double-standard” by the BN government, or
RPK should have gone on a roadshow internationally to comment on Altantuya’s Murder and then it wouldn’t be sub-judice! :-)
Sheeesh!
Does the government really think Rakyat is this stupid for not being able to recognize double-standards?
Old Observer.
#29 by cinta Malaysia on Sunday, 10 August 2008 - 11:36 pm
I think Rais should first lead a delegation to Mongolia to explain to them why it take so long for our court to conclude Altantuya’s murder case.Explain why our court cannot admit as evidence Balasundram’s
Statutory Declaration.Explain why Najib and wife cannot take the witness stand.
#30 by pulau_sibu on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 1:22 am
Can the Mongolia bring the assassination trial to courts outside Malaysia? If there was something between the VVIP and the Mongolian lady in another country, can action be taken based on the legal system of that country? Then the VVIP witnesses will be called.
#31 by undergrad2 on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 2:03 am
“Rais Yatim is taking his idea of internationalizing the Anwar’s charge by organizing a series of information sessions by the Foreign Ministry overseas…”
What better way can you spend all that money overseas making last minute arrangements like opening numbered accounts in tax free havens then to have your trips paid for by taxpayers’ money?
#32 by undergrad2 on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 2:07 am
“However, it is NOT “sub-judice” when Rais Yatim goes around the entire world commenting upon DSAI’s trial.” Old.obeserver
Technically speaking it is not, since the trial has yet to commence. The sub judice rule prohibits you from commenting on an ongoing trial. It also depends on what his comments woud be on.
#33 by doggone on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 4:01 am
Rais cooked a Southern Indian curry fish-head dish for the masses. Not only did they NOT enjoyed his preparation, many puked while the rest got sick. Instead of tasting his own cooking and apologize to those who succumbed to his terribly repelling culinary concoction, he took a trip to Kerala in southern India to explain to the people that there was nothing wrong with his cooking. On the contrary, it was very good. It was the Malaysian people who didn’t know how to appreciate fine cuisine.
He forgot to tell them he used turd instead of curd when he mixed the spices !!!
#34 by taiking on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 9:00 am
Sub-judice?
Apa ini?
Rais in on a Public Relation mission to do damage control.
Apa sub-judice?
This is serious business.
More serious that anwar becoming pm.
You see the world must know that kita ada cara kita sendiri.
Kerajaan akan ensure that the trial is fair.
That the judge is impartial.
That all necessary witnesses will be called to show that anwar sodomised the boy.
That all material evidence will be tendered to show that anwar sodomised him.
And most important, that a judgment will be delivered.
The government will make sure that the prosecution delivers all the above and that the judge will come to a correct decision.
When the correct decision is made, then mereka semua akan faham.
Kita bukan main2.
Itu dia cara kita.
Kita memang tak suka buat yg bukan2.
You see kalau salah, pasti kena punishment.
That was what Rais is trying to tell the world.
Apa sub-judice?
Anwar is guilty and if Rais cuba influence judge otherwise, dia memang salah sebab sub-judice.
Kalau dia tidak influence macam itu, apa sub-judice?
Mana dia sub-judice?
Kuan Yew insist that all singapore ministers and high ranking government officers must be intelligent. This simple policy is begining to appear logical to me.
#35 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 9:32 am
Funny, first he accused the US of meddling in Malaysia’s affairs.
Now, he wants to bring this fiasco to the United Nations.
Isn’t this asking the whole world to meddle in Malaysia’s affairs – foreign, local, extra-marital, sordid, and whatever affairs…
#36 by rockethead on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 10:07 am
Al Gore only commented that the Malaysia Government was involved in “character assassination to silence an effective leader of the political opposition”.
But the smart Rais instead of answering that went on to say “Why should Gore and the US President give their evaluation of a country; does he not know the meaning of the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the UN Charter – respect for the internal affairs of a country?”
There are two flaws in this. First, why is it so hard to rebut Gore’s question?
Second, does Rais understand the significance of UDHR? I read through the UDHR and pertinent to what Gore said, there is nothing in the UDHR that spells Gore is “interfering”. In fact, after reading this UDHR, we are technically a fascist state! Now that is another big problem altogether.
Going overseas to talk about the goodness of our country is not the solution. If your house is dirty clean it first. Furthermore, answer Gore’s remark! Even a fifteen year old will know that Gore’s statement needs to be rebutted rather than to go on the offensive. Surely something smell fishy, isn’t it? Don’t need a fifteen year old to tell you that.
To go on the offensive is like this – If someone makes a remark that your mother does not teach you how to brush your teeth every morning. Your immediate remark is “Why you insult my mother?”.
The point is if you do not brush your teeth and that your mother did not teach you, you will be in defensive mode. If it is not true, just argue with facts and nobody can prove you wrong!
So by merely reading Rais’ comments in reply to Gore, it is rhetoric. Why go overseas to clear your name with a smelly breath! Clean your house and brush your teeth man!
#37 by i_love_malaysia on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 10:35 am
“The Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim is taking his idea of internationalizing the Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II charge by organizing a series of information sessions by the Foreign Ministry overseas “to give a true picture so there will be no misconceptions that can hurt Malaysia’s image” one step further.” – YB
———————————
The FM should think of ways to improve the productivity and efficiency of the foreign ministry instead of wasting precious resources to organise info sessions to give a “true” picture!!! If he really wanted to do this in today’s world, he should just create or use an existing govt website for this for all to see!!!
#38 by ktteokt on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 5:37 pm
Besides “bishop’s nose”, the only “ass” in Malaysia that is worth mentioning is SAIFUL’s!
#39 by boh-liao on Monday, 11 August 2008 - 5:58 pm
Rais will take with him a a Krispy Kreme doughnut, pisang tanduk, a pack of condom, and Saiful to demonstrate sodomy in front of the United Nations assembly in New York. He will be extremely delighted to educate all the officials there on sodomy, Malaysian style.
#40 by undergrad2 on Tuesday, 12 August 2008 - 2:30 am
Please don’t insult the New Yorkers! Every few seconds, someone somewhere in New York is getting sodomized. It is their way of life!
#41 by parameswara on Saturday, 16 August 2008 - 10:38 am
some people are desperate enough to lie on the Holy Book, to hide their crimes, and to save themselves.
is this a proper and valid way for religion to save people ?
should religion offer itself to be abused this way?
#42 by parameswara on Saturday, 16 August 2008 - 10:41 am
Malaysiakini: “Saiful told reporters that he had waited to garner courage before swearing on the Quran.”
he was gathering courage to tell a lie? what a woman!
#43 by parameswara on Saturday, 16 August 2008 - 10:50 am
should religion offer an easy, convenient way for criminals to cover their misdeed by a simple lie ?
mind you, this is not an act of asking for forgiveness, but a continuation of the crime at the expense of the Holy Book.
for desperate people, religion makes it so easy and convenient.