The matter became viral when his second wife posted photographs of the man and the young girl and their alleged solemnisation with the caption: “Selamat pengantin baru suamiku. Suami 41, Maduku 11 (Congratulations on your wedding, my husband. Husband 41, Another wife 11)”.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
NAJIB’S INFAMOUS RM2.6 BILLION ‘ARAB DONATION’ RETURNS TO HAUNT UMNO: RM600 MILLION ‘CHANNELLED’ INTO UMNO’S ACCOUNT – INVESTIGATORS NOW PROBING TO FIND ‘WHAT COULD BE LEFT OF THE FUNDS,’ CLAIMS REPORT
KUALA LUMPUR – THE freezing of Umno’s coffers at the central and state chapters has been linked to an alleged RM600 million that was deposited into the party’s account.
The New Straits Times has learnt that investigators were seeking to prove that the money trail came from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
It is also understood that the authorities were also seeking to establish and secure “what could be left of the funds”.
The NST’s front page yesterday highlighted the authorities’ move to freeze 900 accounts belonging to individuals and organisations, including Umno and other parties, to facilitate its probe into the 1MDB case.
The 1MDB Special Task Force, in a statement yesterday, confirmed the NST report. It also said the move was done over alleged irregularities and misappropriation of funds in 1MDB.
The NST has learnt that among the frozen individual accounts, one belonged to a prominent lawyer.
The task force said the bank accounts of associations and companies under investigation had also been frozen.
It assured that the investigation was conducted fairly and professionally, and in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, a senior Umno leader confirmed with the NST that a huge sum of money had been channelled to the party “several years ago”. It was a lump sum totalling millions.
The leader also confirmed that at the height of the 1MDB probe under the previous administration, investigators did look into the party’s accounts.
The 1MDB Special Task Force comprised former attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, former MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, who is National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption director-general, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull and Bukit Aman Special Branch director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.
– NST
MACC DROPS BOMBSHELL ON UMNO POLLS – ‘TOP UMNO LEADER CONTESTING FOR KEY POST USED RM800K FROM FOUNDATION TO PAY CREDIT CARD BILLS FOR HIMSELF & WIFE’: IS THIS WHY THEY DEFENDED NAJIB AS IF THEIR LIVES DEPENDED ON HIM
An ex-Umno minister will be summoned to the Malaysian Anti-Commission (MACC) for questioning over allegations of misappropriation of funds from a foundation, said MACC investigation director Simi Ghani.
The individual was a senior minister of Najib Razak’s administration and one of Umno’s top leaders, reported Sinar Harian today.
“An Umno leader is being probed,” he was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.
He, however declined to reveal the identity of the leader or divulge any details about the said foundation.
Highly placed sources told the daily that the leader being probed is among the contenders for one of the top posts at today’s Umno elections.
Sinar reported the sources as saying MACC had initiated the probe early this year, after receiving information the leader allegedly misappropriate funds of a foundation where he was the president.
He had allegedly used over RM800,000 from the foundation to foot credit card bills of his wife and himself. The alleged misappropriation had started since 2014.
The leader was was reported to have misappropriate approximately RM800,000, and his wife about RM55,000.
MACC was said to have traced several documents related to the alleged transactions.
According to the sources, MACC is also probing misappropriation of funds and abuse of power involving several other leaders, including several former ministers and a division chief.
Party polls under way
Sinar said five leaders are running for presidency, two for the deputy president post. Seven are vying for the vice president post.
Among the hopefuls for president are Bagan Datuk MP Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, party vice-president currently acting for the president, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Rembau MP and former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
The two other are Bandar Tun Razak Division member Mohamed Iqbal Maricair and Iskandar Puteri Division member Mohd Yusof Musa @ Jamaluddin.
The contest for deputy president is a straight fight between supreme council member and former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan and Umno information chief Annuar Musa.
Seven are contestsing for the three Umno vice-president posts: Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Mohamad Khaled Nordin, Sheikh Razali Sheikh Hamad, Mahdzir Khalid, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Johari Abdul Ghani and Ahmad Said.
Ismail Sabri, Khaled, Mahdzir, Tajuddin and Johari are incumbent supreme council members. – M’kini
It has always been about preserving brand Najib, even in defeat
After all these weeks for reflection. After the reams of survey findings laying the blame for Barisan Nasional’s defeat squarely at his feet.
And even after watching how his policies and scandals have hurled the party of his father’s into an abyss of despair.
Amazing that after this and more, all that former prime minister Najib Razak could muster was a muddled admission of sorts that he was partly to blame for BN’s defeat at GE14.
This is what he said at the Pekan Umno meeting today: “While I accepted the moral responsibility for our loss by resigning, there were shortcomings at every level of the party.
“I took responsibility, but others stayed quiet. But it’s ok. They don’t have to resign from their posts. If everyone did that, where would the party be? So let me be the one to resign.”
Actually, on closer reading, his statement is not a partial admission of fault. It is self-serving drivel. It is the statement of someone still wanting to play the victim.
He wants to be remembered as a heroic Umno leader who fell on the sword for his party. In his mind, he took one for Umno.
The charitable view about Najib Razak is that he remains in self-denial and that he cannot accept the events of May 9. And he cannot accept that the 1MDB scandal and the excesses of his and his wife turned millions of Malaysians against BN.
That’s the charitable view.
Najib Razak is not in denial. From day one, everything has been about him. He has been fixated with promoting, nurturing and now defending brand Najib.
He has been ready to claim credit for improved ties with the Trump administration, Beijing and the Middle East. Heck, even when Malaysia did well in the Sea Games, his handlers wanted to make sure that he received the kudos.
But don’t ever try to attach his name to failure. He doesn’t want a share of that negative stuff.
Amazing to think that even in defeat, he doesn’t have the magnanimity to say sorry to his party and Malaysians.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
Serambi Mekah Imam Marries 11 Year Old Child In Golok.
Authorities investigate marriage 40 year-old man and 11-year-old
after news became viral on social media
Gua Musang Social Welfare Department notified
three officers investigating marriage in Thailand
Cases like these not new but only sensationalised without addressing it
M'sians outraged woman congratulating husband on marriage with 11-yr-old
man is a religious leader at village mosque, respected by many
the man has two wives
new bride’s parents rubber tappers who sell rubber to new son-in-law
man discovered dating 11-year-old in March
they got married without knowledge of two wives
marriage not registered in Malaysia
Unicef rep Marianne Clark-Hattingh expressed fury
urged Pakatan govt review legal age for marriage
shocking, unacceptable, not best interest of child, she said
violation of her rights
reform law to set legal age for marriage at 18 without exception
should be priority of the new Parliament
Joint Action Group (JAG) for Gender Equality also condemn the marriage
child marriages hindered girl’s formal education
gross violation of Articles 3 and 24 of Convention on Rights of the Child
govt (must) pledge legislative action to end child marriage
raise marriageable age for all M'sians to 18-yrs, with no exceptions, JAG
My comments : Will the PAS State government be sending the happy couple any flowers?
Posted by Syed Akbar Ali
Brader Anwar Defends His Praise For Erdogan
The Australian paper "The Australian" has picked up on Brader Anwar praising Erdogan.
The Australian newspaper says : Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s democracy champion and the country’s most famous former political prisoner, had barely tasted five weeks of freedom when he flew to Ankara last week and stood beside Turkey’s strongman President Recep Tayipp Erdogan to praise his “commitment to democracy”.
My comments : So Brader has defended and praised Erdogan's commitment to democracy. Lets see.
The young man in the picture here is Selahattin Demirtas (Salahuddin Demirtas) the Co Chairman of Turkey's Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
For the past 20 months he has been thrown in jail by Erdogan for political reasons. In the recent presidential polls Demirtas ran for elections from inside prison.
Selahattin Demirtaş born on April 10, 1973 in Diyarbakır.
Co Chairman of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) since 2014
Jailed by Erdogan for the past 20 months.
Ran for presidency of Turkey from prison.
Graduated from Ankara University’s Faculty of Law.
Diyarbakır chairman, Human Rights Association (IHD).
Founder of Human Rights Foundation and Amnesty International Turkey.
Demirtaş is married with two children.
Lets make a comparison between Brader Anwar Ibrahim and Selahattin Demirtas.
Anwar Ibrahim leader of PKR : Good.
Selahattin Demirtas, Co Chairman of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) : Bad
Anwar Ibrahim, Victim of Political Conspiracy : Bad
Selahattin Demirtas, Victim of Political Conspiracy : Good, Padan muka.
Anwar Ibrahim, jailed by Najib : Bad
Selahattin Demirtas, jailed by Erdogan : Good. Let him rot in jail.
Anwar Ibrahim, political prisoner : Bad
Selahattin Demirtas, political prisoner : Good. Let him rot in jail.
So this is Erdogan's commitment to democracy which Brader Anwar has praised and tried to defend.
I think he has failed badly. No one believes Anwar when he says that Erdogan is committed to democracy. That is why the newspaper The Australian has picked up the story. They cannot believe this either. I think they will be thinking about chameleon's again.
There are other reasons why Brader Anwar visited Erdogan.
Posted by Syed Akbar Ali
I told you so, Malays ‘bangsat’ under PH, says Najib
The former Umno president says the Pakatan Harapan government derives its support from the non-Malays.
PETALING JAYA: Former Umno president Najib Razak today launched a stinging attack on the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, accusing it of sidelining Islam and the national language.
In a call to Umno members to unite following party elections which saw his former deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi taking the top post, Najib said the Malays could not depend on the present government whose “strength comes from non-Malay support”.
“So far, the PH government has allowed Bahasa Melayu to be violated, while the agenda for Islam and the Bumiputera has no place in their administration.
“I have said before that Malays would be bangsat (damned) in their own land should Umno lose power. We have lost power and we must firmly face God’s test,” he said in a message posted on his Facebook page.
He was referring to his speech at the Umno general assembly in December last year, where he said the Malays would lose their special rights if the opposition took over.
The Umno presidential race today saw Zahid winning comfortably, leaving his closest rivals Khairy Jamaluddin and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah far behind.
Former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan is expected to win the deputy president’s race, defeating former Umno information chief Annuar Musa.
Ismail Sabri, Khaled Nordin and Mahdzir Khalid are in the lead for the three vice-president posts, while 25 others will be appointed as members of the Supreme Council. -FMT
Ex-MB Khaled attacks Najib for forcing loyalty from members
Khaled Nordin says he once asked Najib to face the problems posed by 1MDB and not live in denial.
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Umno chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin claimed he was attacked and targeted by the “people” and stooges of Najib Razak when he criticised the former prime miniser over 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Khaled, who is vying for the Umno vice-presidential contest, said the “people” included those in the Pasir Gudang division.
“I remember when the stories of 1MDB first cropped up.
“When the president came to Pasir Gudang, I clearly reminded the president that Umno was problematic and we could not live in denial.
“After that, I was attacked and targeted by the president’s people and the stooges, including those in the Pasir Gudang division.
“Finally, I decided not to reprimand the president. Just supported him,” he said when opening the Pasir Gudang Umno division delegates’ meeting here.
He said Najib used “all manner of tactics to extract members’ loyalty”.
“He used all sorts of Islamic concepts to protect his personal interests. So, this is another mistake. A mistake that should not be repeated.
“We must dare to reprimand the president and any of our leaders. Reprimand with truth. Live with the truth. And fight with the truth,” he said.
Khaled said that Umno’s approach in choosing to insult statesman Dr Mahathir Mohamad was also among the factors for the fall of Umno and Barisan Nasional in the election.
He said they took the easy way by attacking, insulting, raking up old deeds and mocking the descendants of Mahathir but forgetting the fact that Mahathir had served the nation.
“Because of our stubborn and arrogant attitude, the people become increasingly angry with us.
“Because of our stubborn and arrogant attitude too, Mahathir finally got the opportunity and avenue to return to the people and was given the honour and trust to re-helm Malaysia.
“We admit we do not really know how to deal with him in a mature and strategic manner.”
He said Umno also failed to adhere to the value of serving the nation and often claimed that the Malays should thank Umno for all the goodness done.
“We used Umno as a way to seek influence, name and wealth, not to make Umno a charity and service movement for the Malays,” he said.
Khaled reminded Umno members that it would take a long time for the party to recover.
“Here is our destiny. We are destined to undergo an ordeal to carry out this task. We are destined to restore Umno. Perhaps as a penitence for our mistakes for neglecting the trust of the race.
“Then now, we have to choose. Want to continue this Umno, or let it disappear from Malaysia’s politics.
“Whoever chooses to leave Umno, we respect the decision.” -FMT
Girl’s parents okayed marriage to 41-year-old man, probe finds
Putrajaya forms special task force to look into the problem of child marriages.
PETALING JAYA: Initial investigations have found that the marriage between a 11-year-old girl and a 41-year-old man, seen in a social media picture which has sparked outrage among Malaysians, was done with her parents’ consent.
In a statement, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said an application was submitted to register the marriage, which was solemnised in Golok, Thailand.
The ministry’s probe also found that the girl’s parents are from southern Thailand.
“The agreement between her parents and the husband was that she would only go to live with him after she turns 16,” it said.
Earlier reports said the marriage took place in Gua Musang.
“To date, there are no records either in court or the Gua Musang Religious Office allowing the marriage,” the ministry said.
It said a girl under the age of 16 years must get written consent for marriage from the shariah court, under Section 40 of the Kelantan Islamic Family Law Enactment. Offenders could be sentenced up to RM1,000 or six months’ jail.
The ministry also announced a special task force to be formed by the National Council for Children and Child Welfare, comprising government agencies, academics and child activists, to look into the issue of underage marriages.
A photo of the marriage ceremony which made the rounds on social media has renewed the debate on child marriages in Malaysia.
The photo was believed to have been posted by one of the wives of the man who took the girl as his third wife.
The man reportedly said the girl would continue to stay with her parents as his marriage was just a “nikah gantung” (suspended marriage). -FMT
Death penalty should be abolished on principle, not just to extradite Sirul
The confirmation by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at a function yesterday that the government is mulling the abolishment of the death penalty in Malaysia is most welcome, and certainly a step in the right direction.
However, it is unclear if the deputy prime minister was advocating the abolishment of the said death penalty for the purpose of extraditing Sirul Azhar Umar, who was convicted for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2015 and now currently being held in Australia.
It must be stated at once that the death penalty ought to be abolished as a matter of principle, and not merely to facilitate the return of Sirul, as it is an inhumane form of punishment and numerous studies have found it to be an ineffective deterrent.
I have been a staunch proponent of the abolishment of the death penalty and debated the bill to remove the mandatory death penalty in drug related cases intensely in Parliament last year.
Unfortunately, although the said bill was passed, its scope is very limited and applies only in certain restricted circumstances which I do not wish to touch upon here.
The government must have the political will to completely abolish the death penalty and impose a moratorium on pending death row cases during that process.
There are currently various crimes that impose the death penalty, and each of them should be amended in the next Parliament sitting to expedite the process of the total abolishment of the death penalty in this country.
Of course if the death penalty is abolished, it is very likely that Sirul will be extradited as there would no longer be any reason for Australia to hold him there.
Indeed, if Australia continued to hold him despite the death penalty being abolished, it may be seen as harbouring a convicted murderer without justification, which can strain bilateral ties between the two countries and tarnish the image of Australia in the eyes of the world.
I look forward to the government announcing its intention to abolish the death penalty soon, and hope that the necessary bills to do so will be presented in Parliament for debate this coming parliamentary sitting which commences on July 16.
RAMKARPAL SINGH is the MP for Bukit Gelugor. -Mkini
Proposal to allow electronic gadgets in schools to be reviewed
The Education Ministry will review the proposal by the previous government to allow students to bring electronic gadgets and devices to school as aids in the teaching and learning process.
Its minister Maszlee Malik said the proposal must be studied in detail, including its safety aspects and existing technological infrastructure.
“The ministry does not want to stress only on gadgets because the (software) contractor will benefit but the students won’t.
“So this proposal must be looked at in a holistic and comprehensive manner,” he told reporters after attending the Education Minister’s gathering with polytechnic and community college students and the pre-launch of the Malaysian Polytechnics Golden Jubilee held at Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) today.
His predecessor Mahdzir Khalid had announced that the proposal to allow students to bring electronic gadgets and devices was in line with the current technological development.
Earlier, in his speech, Maszlee said the concepts of happiness, love and mutual respect must be incorporated into the national education system in order to build Malaysia up as a developed country and prevent conflicts.
He also said polytechnics must think of the best ways to ensure its graduates could not only meet the demands of the local job market, but also penetrate the global arena.
“I understand that the teaching and learning process in polytechnics is conducted in English. This is a step for the graduates to enter the international arena,” he said.
PUO, which was set up in 1969 and is the first polytechnic in the country, will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.
- Bernama
Women's Affairs Ministry to investigate K’tan child marriage case
The Women's Affairs and Welfare Ministry will conduct a study and thorough investigation into the issue of a girl, 11, who is alleged to have married a 41-year-old man in Gua Musang, Kelantan.
Its minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she had received a report on the case and asked the Welfare Services Department to meet with the girl’s mother to get more information.
“A thorough investigation must also be conducted because it involves the state Syariah Enactment.
“We also have to look into why it happened. Was it caused by poverty, education, family issues or other problems,” she told reporters after visiting the Sungai Kedah/Anak Bukit Flood Mitigation Plan project here today.
The case of a 41-year-old man marrying an 11-year-old girl went viral on the social media yesterday after it was shared by the man’s second wife.
The man is said to have married the child in Thailand, and the 34-year-old wife only found out about it after a friend showed her the man’s marriage photograph.
Meanwhile, in Putrajaya, a statement from the ministry said it viewed the case of the marriage of an underaged girl in Kelantan as serious.
It said initial investigations found that the girl and her 41-year-old husband had applied for the marriage to be registered voluntarily and without force.
However, the ministry said, if a girl under the age of 16 years was married without a written consent from the Syariah Court judge, it would be considered an offence under Section 40 of the Kelantan Islamic Family Law Enactment.
“To date, there are no records either in court or the Gua Musang Religious Office allowing the marriage,” it said.
If found guilty, the individual concerned could be sentenced up to RM1,000 or imprisonment up to six months or both.
The statement also said investigations found that the marriage was held in Golok, and the girls’ parents were Thai citizens.
“The agreement between her parents and the husband was that she would only go to live with him after she turns 16,” it said.
The statement also said the National Council for Children and Child Welfare had formed a task force comprising related government agencies, academicians and child activists to look into the issue of underage marriages.
In a statement, Wan Azizah said she was felt moved to see that Malaysians were sensitive and responsive to the issue.
Stressing that the government would study the loopholes under the existing laws to ensure the rule of law in the country was the best legislation for all, she said the government would also ensure there was no discrimination or oppression against any parties, including children.
“The government is committed to ensuring the legal system in our country is fair and protects the rights and honour of all parties,” she added.
- Bernama
Azizah ready to step down as DPM when Anwar becomes PM
Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today she was prepared to step down as the deputy prime minister when her husband Anwar Ibrahim becomes the prime minister.
“I will step down. Let’s not make it an issue. It has indeed been my intention from the beginning,” she said after a visit to the Sungai Kedah/Anak Bukit Flood Mitigation Project site in Alor Setar.
Wan Azizah said that right now, in accordance with an agreement, Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the prime minister and she was the deputy prime minister.
She was commenting on a statement by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng that Wan Azizah would resign as the deputy prime minister once Anwar became the prime minister, but the question of who would fill the vacancy had yet to be determined.
Asked whether the transition period for Anwar to become the premier would be expedited, she said what was important right now was to provide the best service to the people who had given their mandate to the new government.
On a flood mitigation project, Wan Azizah said it was 70 percent complete and would be fully completed in 18 months.
"Since 2010, some 46,000 flood victims had been evacuated and there have been many problems such as damage to paddy fields and property as well as loss of lives. That’s why we want to expedite the project which is expected to be completed in 2020.
"The federal government will help to realise the project. A supplementary budget totalling RM62 million was approved last year,” she said, adding that the budget would be used to build a diversion road for two bridges – on Jalan Alor Setar-Kangar and Jalan Alor Setar-Gunung Keriang.
Once completed, the flood problem would be resolved, she said.
- Bernama
Marriageable age must be raised to 18 without exception
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) strongly condemns the marriage of an 11-year-old girl as the third wife to a 41-year-old Malaysian man that went viral on social media yesterday, and strongly calls for the authorities to investigate this matter.
Child marriage is not an obligation (not wajib) nor encouraged by Islam (not sunat). The tradition ( sunnah) often quoted is the practice by the Prophet Muhammad on his marriage to Aishah.
There is no concrete evidence that Aishah was nine years old at the point of her marriage, and there have been other studies that assert that she was much older (19 years) when she was married to the Prophet.
In the modern Malaysian context, this marriage does not detract from the fact that sexual relations with a child below 16 years is statutory rape.
Child marriage has significant consequences on the child’s health and overall psyche and further exposes girls to dangerous violence and abuse.
More importantly, child marriage places obstacles to a girl’s formal education with the expectation that she will take care of the household and start a family.
This is in gross violation of Articles 3 and 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which call for the best interests of the child to be the primary consideration in any action by the authorities.
Additionally, there are other Muslim-majority countries that have raised the minimum age of marriage including Algeria (19 for both men and women), Bangladesh (18 for women and 21 for men), Morocco (18 for both men and women) and Turkey (which raised the minimum age of marriage from 15 to 18 for women).
The solemnisation of marriage, which allegedly took place in Thailand, also demonstrates serious loopholes in our legal system that can be taken advantage of by men to take on more wives without the consent of their previous wives. This must also be reformed.
It is appalling that this case has surfaced barely days after the Girls Not Brides, an international conference held right here in Kuala Lumpur, calling for a global ban on child marriage.
Immediate action must be taken by the government to condemn this action and pledge legislative action to put an end to child marriage in Malaysia once and for all.
This must be done by raising the marriageable age for all Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims whether male or female, to 18-years-old, with no exceptions.
This statement is endorsed by the following JAG organisations:
All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
Association of Women Lawyers (AWL)
Justice for Sisters
Perak Women for Women (PWW)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
Sisters in Islam (SIS)
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) -Mkini
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