Archive for February, 2017

Annuar Musa’s statement is an example of what a patriotic Malaysian should not be – full of venom, hatred, prejudice even lies and deceit

In my 76th birthday statement yesterday, I expressed the hope that Malaysians will try to be more Malaysian in their thinking, outlook and responses regardless of race, religion, region or culture.

This is because Malaysia’s diversity of races, languages, religions and cultures is the nation’s greatest strength and asset.

Malaysia should be the showcase of peace, tolerance, understanding, inter-action and unity of diverse races, religions and cultures in the world to build a new global civilization of justice, freedom, dignity and excellence of humanity.

I want to thank the UMNO Information chief, Datuk Seri Annuar Musa for personifying the very anti-thesis of a such model Malaysian, as illustrated by his statement rejecting my offer to speak at the UMNO/BN nation-wide roadshow on the Cabinet’s decision to set up special task force to probe Bank Negara’s forex losses more than two decades ago.

Annuar Musa’s statement is “must study” by all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation, for it is a statement no patriotic Malaysian should ever make – steeped with venom, hatred, distrust, prejudice even lies and deceit!

I do not know why the UMNO leadership is so frightened of me, that its Information Chief had to invent eight reasons why I would not be welcome on the UMNO/BN roadshow on the government probe into the Bank Negara’s forex losses more than two decades ago.

Does Annuar know that he had told eight lies in his statement yesterday? Read the rest of this entry »

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Himpunan PAS RUU 355 : A Big Flop

Koon Yew Yin
21.2.2017

The recent PAS RUU rally in support of the private member’s bill tabled by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 turned out to be a damp squib or in simple English – a big flop!

It was a flop in several ways. Firstly, although PAS had targeted a crowd of 300,000 to show the country that the Malay electorate was behind the controversial amendment, police and analysts estimated the crowd at only 20,000. The turnout – so much smaller than even Bersih or Hindraf organized past rallies – not only shows that this issue does not resonate with the Malay public. It also shows that the reputed grassroots support for PAS has been overrated.

Although in the past we have seen the organizational ability of PAS in drawing the Malay Muslim crowd to rally alongside non-Muslims in Bersih and Pakatan rallies, this time round the Malay public stayed away.

If the thinking in PAS ulama leaders led by Hadi is that his proposed amendments would serve as its main political strategy in order to attract greater support, it is clear that grassroots supporters do not want to give wider powers to shariah courts and to be made use of by Hadi in his ambition to push for an Islamic state in Malaysia.

Which Malay in his right mind wants to see an increase in maximum punishment for shariah offences to 30 years’ jail, fine of up to RM100,000 and up to 100 strokes of the cane for offences?

Which rational Malaysian wants to see the introduction of a two tier legal system in which Muslims will be discriminated against as proposed by Hadi and his men, and which could also result in hudud law being a reality in our multi-racial Malaysia? Read the rest of this entry »

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Malaysia PM stepson’s lawyers warning to DOJ: Don’t undermine 1MDB

The Independent
February 19, 2017

Lawyers of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s step son Riza Aziz taunted the American justice not to take the closure of the 1MDB case in Malaysia lightly.

In documents submitted by the lawyers Riza Aziz – to fight back against the US Department of Justice (DOJ) attempt to seize his property in the US – the lawyers said:

“Seizure of the assets would require a US court to ‘second-guess and undermine’ a decision made by Malaysia’s attorney-general.

Mohamed Apandi Ali, the attorney-general, has ordered Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency to close an investigation into the transfer of $681m into the prime minister’s personal bank account, ruling that the money was a donation.

Apandi Ali also shut down a separate inquiry into SRC International, a 1MDB subsidiary. Read the rest of this entry »

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My 76th birthday wish is that Malaysians will try to be more Malaysian in their thinking, outlook and response regardless of race, religion, region or culture

I thank all who have sent their best wishes in various forms on the occasion of my 76th birthday today.

My birthday wish is that Malaysians will try to be more Malaysian in their thinking, outlook and responses regardless of race, religion, region or culture.

Malaysia will celebrate the 60th National Day on August 31 to mark Malaysia’s independence in 1957 and the 54th Malaysia Day on September 16.
Malaysia is a nation of diverse races, languages, religions and cultures and this diversity is Malaysia’s greatest strength and asset.

Malaysia should be the showcase of peace, tolerance, understanding, inter-action and unity of diverse races, religions and cultures in the world to build a new global civilization of justice, freedom, dignity and excellence of humanity.

But we have still a considerable distance to go to reach this goal which must be predicated on the resolve and unity of diverse peoples of Malaysia to build a great Malaysian nation.

The horrific Johor Baru disaster in the early hours of Saturday, where eight teenagers died and eight were seriously injured when a car rammed into a group of some 30 to 40 cyclists out for a joyride at JB Middle Ring Road, is one example of why Malaysians need to be more Malaysian in their thinking, outlook and responses regardless of race, religion, region or culture. Read the rest of this entry »

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I volunteer to speak at the UMNO/BN nation-wide roadshow on the Cabinet’s decision to set up special task force to probe Bank Negara’s forex losses more than two decades ago

Umno information chief Datuk Seri Annuar Musa has announced that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties will be going on a nationwide roadshow to inform the public about the special task force set up by the Cabinet to probe Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) foreign exchange trading losses in the 1990s.

He said that the roadshow, scheduled to start on Feb 25, was mooted following attempts by certain parties to question the need for a task force.
Last Friday, I responded promptly to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who said that I should assist the special task force set up to probe the foreign exchange losses incurred by Bank Negara more than two decades ago as I had been so vocal in the 1990s in the Dewan Rakyat bringing up various motions to propose the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe the losses.

I declared that I am prepared to serve on a public probe into Bank Negara forex losses, but the scope of investigations should be expanded to cover the BMF and 1MDB scandals, in view of the new dimension of the country suffering the ignominy and infamy of being regarded worldwide as a global kleptocracy because of the international multi-billion dollar 1MDB money-laundering scandal touching the honour, credibility and integrity of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself.

But there is thunderous silence from Azalina in the past three days. Read the rest of this entry »

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‘Wolf of Wall Street’ Financier Challenges U.S. Government’s 1MDB Seizures

by Eriq Gardner
The Hollywood Reporter
FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Red Granite co-founder Riza Aziz says through court documents he’s an “innocent owner” of assets allegedly derived from embezzlement.

In court papers quietly filed this past week, various entities connected to Red Granite Pictures co-founder Riza Aziz are attacking the U.S. government’s attempt to seize real estate properties in the huge $1 billion action targeting alleged corruption of Malaysian public funds.

The Justice Department has touted the 1MDB case as its biggest kleptocracy case to date, but Aziz’s lawyer, Matthew Schwartz, a former assistant U.S. attorney who once prosecuted Bernie Madoff, slams the U.S. government for failing to include “essential detail” about the supposed crimes. He’s demanding a dismissal.

Aziz is the stepson of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and, along with Joey McFarland, founded Red Granite, which financed The Wolf of Wall Street, Dumb and Dumber To and Friends With Kids.

Back in July, the Justice Department made its big move by seeking the civil forfeiture of rights to Wolf of Wall Street, Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated film, as well as other assets allegedly traced to foreign corruption.

According to the government, high-level officials in Malaysia diverted assets into a fund called 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and then into shell companies with the assistance of big banks, including Goldman Sachs. Some of the money, it’ is asserted, went into Red Granite productions, and now the government is looking to claw proceeds.

Later this month, Red Granite is due to file its response to the government’s attempt to seize rights to Wolf of Wall Street, and, in advance of this, Aziz’s lawyers have foreshadowed the line of attack in motions to dismiss separate complaints filed over real estate property in Beverly Hills, New York and London. Read the rest of this entry »

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RUU355’s six intolerant and fanatical practices

— Joshua Woo
Malay Mail Online
February 19, 2017

FEBRUARY 19 — There were about 25,000 people gathered for the RUU355 rally yesterday. Non-Muslims were among the supporters for the proposed amendment.

One of the non-Muslims, who self-identified as a Roman Catholic, was recorded saying that he was there because he believed that we should “respect each other’s religion”.

(https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=2qWPAGzeTnM) One Muslim participant pleaded with non-Muslims to “respect the Muslims. Do not protest Act 355.” (https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ruu-355-rally-kelantan-mb-094420651.html)

They are right that we should respect each other’s religion. Unfortunately, supporting RUU355 is nothing of that sort. Therefore those who are pro-RUU355 have wrongly imply that anyone who does not support the motion are not respecting others’ religion.

What I want to point out here is that the support for RUU355 is not only disrespectful of Islam but actually approves and respects at least 6 extremely intolerant and fanatical practices that are detrimental to many, including Muslims: Read the rest of this entry »

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My name is Mujahidin, I am a Muslim and I reject Hadi’s bill

Mujahidin Zulkiffli
Free Malaysia Today
February 19, 2017

“Maybe many will question why I reject Abdul Hadi Awang’s proposed amendments to Act 355. If I am a Muslim, aren’t I compelled to accept shariah law?”

COMMENT

I am a Muslim. I am far from a perfect Muslim but I believe in Allah.

Maybe many will question why I reject Abdul Hadi Awang’s proposed amendments to Act 355. If I am a Muslim, aren’t I compelled to accept shariah law?

My first response is that this is not Allah’s law. It is a man-made law. It does not state in the Quran and hadiths that punishments is paid in ringgit or any currency for that matter.

There is no summons or punishment prescribed in shariah, What is prescribed is compensation in place of Qisas (law of retaliation). So my question is where does the punishment of paying a fine come from?

From Allah? Or has Hadi become God?

In the Quran, Allah says: Allah will not burden his people with that which they have no ability to bear (Surah Albaqarah).

Who can afford to pay the RM100,000 fine which Hadi is seeking? Only the rich and if the proposed amendments are passed, where is the social justice should the fine be too heavy for the poor? Read the rest of this entry »

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The most urgent task is to ensure that the horrible tragedy in Johor Baru yesterday, taking the lives of eight teenagers and injuring four others, can never recur anywhere else in Malaysia in the future

Together with DAP Johor Chairman and MP for Kluang, Liew Chin Tong, DAP Johor State Assembly representatives Cheo Yee Hau (Pengkalan Rinting), Andrew Chen (Stulang) and Liow Cai Tong (Johor Jaya), I was at the Tanah Perkuburan Bukit Alif Kempas yesterday for the burial rites of one of the eight teenage casualties of the horrible tragedy at Middle Ring Road in Johor Baru in the early hours of yesterday.

I grieved for Shahrul Izwan, 14, who was buried at the cemetery, the seven other teenage cyclists who died in the accident, Fauzan Halmijah, 13; Muhammad Harith Iskandar Abdullah, 14; Mohammad Azrie Danish Zuldefli, 14; Muhammad Shahrul Nizam Maruddin, 14; Mohamad Azhar Amir 16; Muhammad Firdauz Danish Mohd Azahar 16; Haizal Kasrin, 16; and eight other kids were injured in the horrible accident.

I grieved for the parents and family of Shahrul Izwan; the parents and families of the seven other casualties; as well as the parents and families of the those injured in the accident.

I grieved for the 22-year-old saleswoman driver who will have to live with a life-long trauma of having caused the death of eight teenagers and injuring many others, although this was never her intention whatsoever. Read the rest of this entry »

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Just as the grit, commitment and stamina of DAP members for a just, democratic and progressive Malaysia had defeated four major “Black Ops” to destroy the DAP in past half a century, the most ambitious “Black Ops” campaign underway against DAP will also fail

In a month’s time on March 18, 2017 DAP will be celebrating our 51st anniversary since the registration of the party on 18th March 1966.

DAP is today solely because of the contributions, sacrifices and selflessness of veteran DAP leaders and members of the past half a century, and today we gather here to pay tribute to these DAP veterans in Johor, which has now been transformed from a political back-water state into a front-line state for the 14th General Elections, which will decide not only who will run Johor state government but also the Federal Government for the next five years after the 14th General Elections, which appears likely to be held this year.

The following tables showing the vote-share obtained by the various political parties from the 1969 to 2013 General Elections give an idea of how the Barisan Nasional, which had won as high as 77.3% of the total votes cast in the state in 1978 GE and fallen to 53.9% in the 2013 GE, is now fighting a life-and-death struggle to retain power in the Johor State Government in the 14GE.

Johor Party Vote Share GE1969 to GE2013 Read the rest of this entry »

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I am prepared to serve on public probe into government financial scandals, provided its terms of reference includes 1MDB and BMF scandals

I arrived in Gelang Patah from Kuala Lumpur and my attention has been drawn to the statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Azlalina Othman Said, who said that I should assist the special task force set up to probe the foreign exchange losses incurred by Bank Negara more than two decades ago.

Azalina said I should be the first man to support the task force.

She said:

“This is because he was so vocal in the 1990s in the Dewan Rakyat by bringing up various motions to propose the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe the losses.

“Thus, this is the best opportunity for him to prove he had basis to bring up the motions in 1993 and 1994. He should assist the task force by reviewing thoroughly all the relevant facts. Or, was he just confusing the House at the time?” Read the rest of this entry »

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Ministers have shown that they lack Malaysian patriotism as they are indifferent and unmoved by Malaysia’s infamy and ignominy of being regarded worldwide as a global kleptocracy as a result of 1MDB international money-laundering scandal

All Barisan Nasional Ministers are not only guilty of colossal negligence and irresponsibility of the first degree when at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, they could set up a special task force (STF) to conduct a probe into Bank Negara forex losses more than two decades ago but dare not breathe a word on the monstrous 1MDB kleptocratic money-laundering scandal, they have done worse.

They have shown that they lack Malaysian patriotism, that they could be indifferent and unmoved by Malaysia’s infamy and ignominy of being regarded world-wide as a global kleptocracy.

At the last Parliamentary meeting, I had explained that kleptocracy is a government of 3Ps – Pencuri, Perompak and Penyamun.

Which Malaysian who loves Malaysia and is patriotic can be indifferent to the country’s shame, infamy and ignominy of being regarded as a global kleptocracy – when even ordinary Malaysians fight shy of admitting that they are Malaysians when abroad for they will be confronted with a load of questions about Malaysia being a global kleptocracy!

I call on all Barisan Nasional Ministers to resign as Ministers if they are not prepared to do anything to give top priority to clear or purge Malaysia of the infamy and ignominy of being regarded worldwide as a global kleptocracy.

Are there no other leaders in the 13 parties in Barisan Nasional who are patriotic enough to want to make the clearing or purging of Malaysia’s international infamy and ignominy as a global kleptocracy the top national agenda of the country?

If so, then it is a very sad day for Malaysia, when even the PAS President Datuk Hadi Awang has no problem with Malaysia being regarded worldwide as a global kleptocracy so long as Muslims are the leaders in the country – ignoring the fact that even if UMNO is ousted from Putrajaya in the next general elections by Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu, it is a Malay and Muslim who will be Prime Minister and not a non-Malay or a non-Muslim. Read the rest of this entry »

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Home Minister Zahid should propose the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) in March Parliament to end criminal police custodial deaths as the EAIC is just a toothless creature

Together with the DAP for Klang, Charles Santiago, I visited Natthanan Yoochomsook, the widow of the latest police custodial death, S. Balamurugan, 44 and his 14-year-old daughter Yanika Balamurugan at their house at Solok Bukit Mertajam off Jalan Kapar in Klang.

As Charles said, quoting Suhakam, Balamurugan is the 243rd death in police custody since 2000.

This is most shocking and outrageous, as 12 years ago, a Royal Commission was established to end criminal police custodial deaths and to create in the police force a culture of zero tolerance for criminal police custodial deaths.

But the situation has not improved and may have even worsened when compared to more than 12 years ago.

What has happened?

Why are we regressing instead of improving in good governance, accountability and transparency in all aspects of our public institutions?

Balamurugam’s death in police custody, and the latest case of official impunity for breach of the rule of law and the utter disregard for the sanctity of human life in the case of Penang prison inmate Chandran Muniandy, who nearly met death from his treatment in prison, must be the final cases of a broken-down criminal and penal system. Read the rest of this entry »

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All Cabinet Ministers guilty of colossal negligence and irresponsibility of the first degree when they could set up a special task force (STF) to conduct a probe into Bank Negara forex losses more than two decades ago but dare not breathe a word on the monstrous 1MDB kleptocratic money-laundering scandal

ll Cabinet Ministers are guilty of colossal negligence and irresponsibility of the first degree when they could set up a special task force (STF) to conduct a probe into Bank Negara forex losses more than two decades ago but dare not breathe a word on the monstrous 1MDB kleptocratic money-laundering scandal.

Only yesterday, a Swiss newspaper gave a two-page spread to what it described as “Biggest Misappropriation of Funds in History”, referring to the international multi-billion 1MDB kleptocratic money-laundering scandal, in a coverage under the headline “LA FACE SUISE D’UN SCANDAL” which is google-translated as “THE SWISS FACE OF A SCANDAL” with photographs of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the company of Justo, Sturzengger and Di Caprio, with Najib described as “L’INSTIGATUR” (“THE INSTIGATOR”).

But all the Ministers of the Najib Cabinet yesterday preferred to play the role of traditional three monkeys, with eyes that see not, with ears that hear not, with mouths that speak not what the whole world and Malaysians can see, hear and speak – to the extent that Malaysia is regarded worldwide as a new and instant “global kleptocracy” under the sixth Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Read the rest of this entry »

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Most ambitious “Black Ops” to destroy DAP in four decades, involving Ministers and the Prime Minister himself

We are seeing the most ambitious “black ops” operation by the UMNO/BN leaders and propagandists to destroy the DAP in four decades, employing the triple politics of fear, hate and lies, involving Ministers and even the Prime Minister himself.

When the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak tweeted last Wednesday, “Lim Kit Siang is Pakatan’s de facto leader. DAP should stop trying to hide it. Voters know DAP has the most opposition seats and Lim Kit Siang calls the shots”, it was all part of the “Black Ops” campaign to create panic and fear among the Malays, seeking to make them believe that if UMNO loses, I will become the Prime Minister of Malaysia and that I am anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

When the UMNO Minister for Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, issued the infamous five-paragraph statement with more than ten lies to attack me, it was again part of the “Black Ops” campaign to destroy the image of DAP.

Yesterday in Malacca, I pointed out the ten lies in the first two paragraphs of Ismail Sabri’s five-paragraph statement. There are at least another five lies in his remaining three paragraphs. No wonder, Ismail Sabri dared not accept my invitation to a joint media conference with me to expose his lies. Read the rest of this entry »

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Zahid should explain why security at KLIA is so lax that it could become playground for foreign agents to assassinate half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi should explain why security at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is so lax that it could become playground for foreign agents to assassinate North Korea leader Kim Jong Un’s half brother, Kim Jong Nam, 46.

As far as bad news for Malaysia on the world stage, the phrase “it never rains but it pours” is most apt.

Today, a Swiss newspaper gave a two-page spread to what it described as “Biggest Misappropriation of Funds in History”, referring to the international multi-billion 1MDB kleptocratic money-laundering scandal, in a coverage under the headline “LA FACE SUISE D’UN SCANDAL” which is google-translated as “THE SWISS FACE OF A SCANDAL” with photographs of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the company of Justo, Sturzengger and Di Caprio, with Najib described as “L’INSTIGATUR” (“THE INSTIGATOR”).

But all over the world, the headline news today is about the police manhunt in Malaysia after the half-brother of the North Korean leader was assassinated at the KLIA on Monday after being attacked with a chemical spray or needle. Read the rest of this entry »

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Both Malays and non-Malays must realise that Malaysia can only be saved from becoming a global kleptocracy and a failed and rogue state if they are prepared to make this issue the foremost political agenda in the 14GE

There are those who say that Lim Kit Siang has betrayed the objectives and principles of the DAP for co-operating with Tun Mahathir to save Malaysia from a global kleptocracy and a failed and a rogue state, but they have not been able to give an iota of reason to substantiate their allegations.

Recently, this was given as one of the reasons for the defection of one DAP MP and three State Assemblymen in Malacca.

Their tune and song are no different from what UMNO/BN leaders, propagandists and cybertroopers have been attacking the DAP.

For instance, the UMNO Minister for Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri issued three days ago attacking me. It was a short five-paragraph statement but should go into the “Guinness Book of Records” for it told more than ten lies in five paragraphs.

I had challenged Ismail Sabri to a joint media conference for me to expose his more than 10 lies in five paragraphs, but he has not dared to respond for the past three days. Read the rest of this entry »

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Apology to people of Malacca for the defection of one Member of Parliament and three State Assemblymen in Malacca

Firstly, I want to apologise to the people of Malacca for the defection of one Member of Parliament and three State Assemblymen in Malacca.

I started my parliamentary life in Malacca, where I contested and won the then Bandar Melaka parliamentary constituency in 1969.

I have served three terms as Member of Parliament for the seat of Bandar Melaka, later re-named Kota Melaka, in 1969, 1974 and 1982.

Although I have left Malacca for 31 years, Malacca is always a special place in my 51 years of political struggle to help create a more just, equal, democratic, prosperous and united Malaysia.

I was detained under the Internal Security Act a week after I was elected Member of Parliament of Bandar Melaka in 1969.
Read the rest of this entry »

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Has Ismail Sabri nothing to say when I charged him of making ten lies in a short five-paragraph statement attacking me?

Has the Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, nothing to say when I charged him of making ten lies in a short five-paragraph statement attacking me?

In response to his statement, which deserves to go into the “Guinness Book of Records” for telling ten lies in five paragraphs, I challenged him to appear in a joint media conference for me to point out the 10 lies in his five-paragraph statement.

But Ismail Sabri has kept a thunderous silence.

I will not let this matter rest and will pursue Ismail Sabri even in Parliament for his “ten lies in five paragraphs”, as he must accept responsibility for his statement although I do not think Ismail had written the statement – but he allowed his name to be used.

Is Ismail Sabri going to apologise for these 10 lies in five paragraphs? Read the rest of this entry »

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Is UMNO such a hegemon in BN that it could disregard MCA, Gerakan, MIC and Sabah/Sarawak BN component parties as to unilaterally support and take over Hadi’s private member’s bill in Parliament next month?

Constitutional expert Prof Datuk Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi yesterday told a forum in Kuala Lumpur that PAS President, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang’s private member’s bill is about enhancing punishments for crimes that are clearly outside the legal jurisdiction of the states and therefore unconstitutional.

Furthermore, Hadi’s private member’s bill could create inequality between Muslim and non-Muslim criminals, which would violate the equality provision of Article 8 of the Constitution.

Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainul Abidin expressed disappointment that the issue could not be properly debated as Muslims would be accused of being anti-Islam when they try to discuss the matter. Read the rest of this entry »

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