The Cabinet has a heavy responsibility when it meets on Wednesday as a result of the extraordinary death of Teoh Beng Hock, 30, the political secretary to Selangor DAP State Exco and State Assemblyman for Seri Kembangan, Ean Yong Han Hwa who went to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Shah Alam to co-operate in its investigations but end up as a flying corpse from the 14th floor MACC Hqrs the next day.
I am not asking the Cabinet to decide on the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death as I expect the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak to announce the establishment of the Royal Commission of Inquiry tonight on his return from abroad – if he has ears close to the ground to keep close touch with the pulse of the nation.
I do expect the Cabinet to address several important issues which have cropped up as a result of Teoh’s death, the public outcry of rage and outrage as well as the reactionary reactions to such legitimate nation-wide feelings and responses.
One such reactionary reaction is the distortion, manipulation and incitement of the most racist and communal discord in the country as illustrated by articles in Berita Minggu and Mingguan Malaysia yesterday.
For instance, the New Straits Times group managing editor Zainul Ariffin in his article “Kematian Teoh timbulkan pelbagai spekulasi politik” made the most irresponsible allegation against DAP and Pakatan Rakyat of harbouring the agenda to weaken Malay-controlled institutions like MACC.
DAP has never regarded the MACC or its predecessor the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) as a Malay institution. I have always regarded it as a Malaysian institution and criticized it of any failings not because it is a Malay-controlled institution but because it is a Malaysian institution.
Is Zainul suggesting that the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal is a Chinese scandal because three MCA Ministers and four MCA Port Klang Authority Chairmen are now implicated in it?
Not at all. Just as PKFZ scandal is a Malaysian scandal and not a Malay, Chinese, Indian scandal, the scandal and outrageous death of Teoh is a Malaysian scandal and not a Chinese, Malay, Indian, Kadazan or Iban scandal.
Zainul Ariffin has made a most racist and irresponsible statement, completely unbecoming of a top journalist heading a national daily.
MCA, Gerakan, MIC Ministers must speak up to get support of UMNO Ministers in Cabinet on Wednesday to censure Berita Minggu and Mingguan Malaysia and in particular New Straits Times editor-in-chief Zainul Arifin.
As Zainul is editor-in-chief of Umno’s flagship newspaper group, the News Straits Times, Umno leaders must not only dissociate themselves from Zainul’s racist article and even take disciplinary action against Zainul, Umno leaders must publicly apologise for Zainul’s racist and communal article.
(Media Conference Statement (2) at the Teoh Beng Hock funeral in Alor Gajah on Monday, 20th January 2009 at 9.30 am)
#1 by HJ Angus on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 6:47 pm
Yes, we cannot expect too much from those CCTV records.
The building may have CCTV but in most places, it will only cover entrances, lift lobbies and stairwells.
That would be under the building management.
For the police and MACC, it is important to have secured CCTV in all areas to protect citizens from abuse/murder cases such as this.
We should demand the government to enforce the IPCMC immediatey and weed out all the criminals in the enforcement bodies.
The IPCMC is not a “nice to have” but a “must have” to protect good cops as well as ordinary folks.
Whatever the race of the victim , all Malaysians should demand justice for all.
#2 by Woof on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 6:54 pm
” …. who went to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Shah Alam to co-operate in its investigations but end up as a flying corpse …” LKS
No respect to the dead, but I never knew corpses could fly? I heard some say pigs could fly.
#3 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 6:58 pm
What?!!!! A tap on the wrist for Berita Haruan and Utusan Malaysia???!!!
They deserve a slap and a 1 week ban! That is, if najib lives true to his 1 Malaysia slogan. Otherwise, u might as well tell najib his sloganeering isn’t worth the toilet tissue it is written on. Period.
#4 by novice101 on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 7:10 pm
Nazri, Muyhiddin, Zainul Ariffin and Selagor UMNO Youth, please read this :
Monday July 20, 2009
Fatwa needed on MACC procedures
OUR nation is shocked by the death of a young man after he had undergone an interrogation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). It saddened us more as he was only a witness to assist the investigation and not even the accused.
As a practising Muslim, my heart cried for justice as prescribed by our Holy Book of Islam, the Quran. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) taught us strict principles to imagine what would we feel if such a tragedy were to happen to our own son, brother or close relative.
All Malaysians should extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of the deceased.
At the same time, it is a sin to let such an incident happen without a thorough revamp of the investigative procedures.
The investigative procedures used by MACC were professionally taught by Westerners. And it is a fact that these Westerners are godless people. They do not believe in the existence of Almighty Allah nor do they ever accept that there is a day of judgment after death.
Therefore, their ways of working are based on the ends justifying the means.
To them there is no meaning of sin. They are not afraid of accountability to Almighty Allah. This clearly is in contrast to the teachings of Islam.
I would like to humbly request the National Fatwa Council to play an active role here. The Fatwa Council should scrutinise all the procedures used by MACC and give a verdict according to the Islamic ruling. This is a huge responsibility but the nation is in need of such prompt action.
PROF DR KAMARUDDIN
MOHD YUSOFF
Deputy Nazir,
Masjid Al-Mujahideen,
Damansara Utama,
Petaling Jaya.
#5 by The Enforcer on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 7:32 pm
That damn racist editor sure is a GOON. Hope Malaysians know what to do ie to boycott all the media under their group. Remember well his name, for after GE13 we’ll throw him to the dogs!
He must remember that the majority of RAKYAT just wants to be MALAYSIANS irrespective of race or religion!
#6 by DAP man on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 7:43 pm
must boycott NST
#7 by Bigjoe on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 7:48 pm
The whole thing is blowing up and Najib response is to sent his aide and OTK to give his condolense. Other than that – he is hiding behind protocol and basically he don’t know what to do. This is the extend of his leadership ability. When it really really counts, the man folds. He does not have the stuff of true leaders.
Worst his goon-in-office Nazri is out accusing Sdr. Lim of racialising this. Forget that UMNO paper is the one racialising it, Sdr. Lim have been trying to unracialise it.
All of it points to the guilt of racism – this thing is racist and the guilt is in all their statements and faces. No one else need to racialise it. Their guilt is all over the place in their words, their actions, their denials. Its everyone else that is deracialising it.
There is a very point here in that the question to be asked is not what they are going to do but what BN is incapable of doing. They are showing they are incapable of self-reform. They are showing they don’t have the answer for the future we all want and fight for. They are showing a full future of Malaysia lie in not having BN in govt or it will never be…
#8 by tlk on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 8:26 pm
In response to “Woof” comment: Why are you so sarcastic? You sound like a pig yourself…wonder whether you can fly.
DAP man: why only the Chinese boycott NST? Stop thinking along racial line. All Malaysian should boycott NST
#9 by goldenscreen on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 8:47 pm
An open letter to the journalist fraternity in The Sun, New Straits Times, The Star, Sin Chew Jit Poh, Nanyang Siang Pau, Guang Ming Daily, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, The Edge.
Do you accept Zainul Ariffin’s assertion that the Chinese are attacking a Malay institution when MACC is supposed to be a Malaysian public institution supported by Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian, Sikh, Ceylonese, Iban, Kadazan, Bidayuh, Murut, Penan, Bajau, Melanau, Orang Asal taxpayers money? Will you go on record to condemn the racist innuendos of your esteemed colleague and boss (for New Straits Times staff)?
We are not talking about race here, we are talking about the murder of an innocent young Malaysian at the hands of law enforcement. We are talking about an unborn child being robbed of a father. Drop aside your politics and biases and prejudices for once and speak as a human being, speak as a Malaysian, speak as someone with a conscience.
#10 by passerby on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 10:48 pm
If Zainul Ariffin’s accusation that the Chinese are attacking a Malay institution, then would he in the same analogy say that the “MALAY INSTITUTION is also killing the Chinese”? and that the MALAY INSTITUTION is a racist organization.
#11 by tanjong8 on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 11:15 pm
Zainul Ariffin will get away scot-free, as usual.
The Umnoputras and the Utusans have been saying and doing these things umpteem times.
No body can touch them. No body
#12 by novice101 on Monday, 20 July 2009 - 11:25 pm
Leaders of MCA, MIC, Greakan, this is the ‘Defining Moment’. Stand out and be counted … listen to what your conscience is telling you !
#13 by m2molo on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 - 12:07 am
MCA, MIC, and GERAKAN are useless. They took days before giving their opinions about the death of Teoh. They are not “normal” human beings…
#14 by ahma on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 - 6:51 am
Teoh is a Malaysian. MACC is a Malaysian institution. Why can’t this issue be free from the usual racist innuendoes?
Nazri maybe privy to certain information so far. However, his response to date does not suggest a person befitting his position.
A man is dead and an explanation is sorely required. He was not suicidal when he walked into MACC. He should have walked out alive. But alas this was not so.
What happened? Nazri maybe privy to some information which we may not have, but his response was not befitting his position so far.
It was a known that many jumped off the twin towers in New York in Sept 2001 to escape a greater threat to life, however, little chance of survival. This was the typical flight of the fight or flight response. Nearer home, there are those who jumped too from buildings during certain raids to certain commercial centres looking for activities. This too is the flight response at work.
Mr. Teoh did not commit suicide. There was no reason to according to those who loved him and knows him. Unless Nazri knows him better, we should accept this as settled.
He might have jumped. But what was he running away from. His flight from what that was so threatening, that he needed to take the chance, just like those who jumped from the twin towers of New York. But he was not the accused, he was by admission of those who had him, just a witness. So, why his flight?
This did not exclude other possible causes for his death either.
Whatever happened to cause the death of Mr. Teoh was sad. Whatever that has been said by Mr. Nazri, even if he has privy to certain direct information, did not befit his stature.
Let us find out the truth. This issue should have been bipartisan, yet, for political expediency, a few senior politicians’ views had been rather partisan, for reasons best understood by themselves. Hopefully, these politicians do have some time to talk to their other friends, perhaps from other races, to argue their views, however convinced they are and however ridiculous these maybe. Maybe they have no friends other than those who share their similar skewed views on all political or non-political happenings in this country.
#15 by taiking on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 - 8:41 am
MCA and Gerakan must show their stand on justice by naming a hall or a library in Rahman Uni or in Wawasan Uni after Teoh Beng Hock.
#16 by i_love_malaysia on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 - 10:46 am
Some people feel that they are targetted or attacked if someone is talking about any one of these:-
1. Race
2. Religion
3. Language
4. Height
5. Look
6. Name
7. Country
8. State
9. District
10. Kampung
11. Street
12. Food
13. Drink
14. Colour
15. Attires
16. Any things that people are taking about!!!
#17 by i_love_malaysia on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 - 11:00 am
Incompetent people should step aside and let those who are more capable to lead!!! This is the natural law!!! Else the tail will become the head and snatch thief will be smarter than the IGP, so how the IGP is going to catch the criminals??? Just because one belongs to the majority does not guarantee that he must be the best!!! If we are going against the law of nature, we are bound to fail and fail terribly!!!
#18 by SpeakUp on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 - 1:08 pm
I Love Malaysia … they all think they are competent la … unfortunately.
#19 by i_love_malaysia on Thursday, 23 July 2009 - 12:03 pm
A Senior Cabinet Minister Rais Yatim thought that he is smarter than all the pro including WHO and MOH SG & Minister by saying that AH1N1 should be called swine flu and led to those who dont consume pork to have a false sense of security that only those who consumed pork will get AH1N1 something like the Nipah case. See what happended to many who dont consume pork to get AH1N1 now!!!
WHO didnt want to use swine flu for AH1N1 was exactly for the reason not to confuse the people that it only affect those who consume pork!!! But an incompetent minister tried to show that he knows more than the experts will lead certain group if not the nation to doom!!!
#20 by i_love_malaysia on Thursday, 23 July 2009 - 12:09 pm
They are waiting for the cue from their Master you know who!!! Just a phone call away, but they are so scare of his other half that they are waiting for one another to make the call, so it ended up taking so long!!!
#21 by i_love_malaysia on Thursday, 23 July 2009 - 12:13 pm
MOH should issue a statement immediately to inform the public that AH1N1 will affect every one irregardless whether one is consuming pork or not!!! Least the whole nation will be in big big trouble in the very near distance!!! I dont want to see many ignorant people die because of misleading information by misleading leader of misleading Minister and misleading BN govt!!!