Saturday, August 31, 2019

Umno sues three more who switched to PPBM

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.
PETALING JAYA: Umno has filed suits against three more of its former MPs for breach of trust after they defected to PPBM earlier this year.
Speaking to FMT, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa confirmed that legal notices had been served on Mersing MP Abdul Latif Ahmad, Sabak Bernam MP Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh and Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid.
Last month, Umno had filed suits against three other MPs who quit the party to join PPBM. They were Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli), Hamzah Zainudin (Larut) and Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah).
Annuar said the party was going after all defectors and that they would be served legal notices at different times.
“I’m not sure who will get their notice when,” he said, adding this was left to the lawyers as well as whether there was any room for negotiations.
“There is a breach of trust. We don’t challenge them on their right to move … they have the right. But they used the party name and symbol. So, there is a contract between elected representatives and the party,” he said.
(From left) Abdul Latif Ahmad, Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh and Rosol Wahid have been served legal notices.
PPBM has been the main benefactor of defections from Umno but this has led to discontent among its Pakatan Harapan partners and sparked calls for the ex-Umno leaders to be screened.
In March, eight former Sabah Umno elected representatives, led by former state chief Hajiji Noor, also joined PPBM.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is PPBM chairman, reiterated the party’s stance that it will take in Umno members who have left the party for some time.
However, those with “certain issues”, such as court cases, will not be allowed to join, he said. - FMT

No Pahang ban but Naik must meet conditions, says mufti

Abdul Rahman Osman, Mufti of Pahang.
PETALING JAYA: In contrast to several other states, the Pahang religious department has imposed conditions but no public speaking ban on Dr Zakir Naik, the state Mufti, Abdul Rahman Osman, said.
He said there was no prohibition on the controversial preacher from making public speeches but Naik must comply with the conditions set by the Pahang Islamic Affairs Department. Among them is obtaining advance approval for the event. He must also obtain permission from the police.
“Everyone who wishes to give public speeches on religion must obtain prior approval,” he told FMT.
The police have advised all state authorities against approving public speeches by Naik since a storm of criticism arose after he gave public lectures in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
He was alleged to have insulted Malaysian Hindus and the Malaysian Chinese community, and was called up by federal police for a series of interviews after more than 100 reports were lodged against him. He has since apologised for his remarks, which he said were taken out of context.
However, Pahang mufti Rahman said Naik had not sought to insult other religions in his speeches, but had only made comparisons to other religions in explaining to fellow Muslims why Islam did not accept other religious beliefs.
“Those who disagree should debate with him, not resort to emotional outbursts,” Rahman said.
He said non-Muslims should respect the freedom of Muslims to evangelise, while the freedom to practise other religions was respected.
The police advice against public speeches by Naik was based on a perceived threat to national security, to strike a balance between growing resentment among non-Muslim groups against the controversial speaker and sympathy among Muslims.

Authorities in Perlis, Sarawak, Sabah, Kedah, Malacca, Penang and Selangor have imposed a temporary ban on public speeches by Naik until the situation calms down. - FMT

Selangor flood alert for spring tide tomorrow

KLANG: Officials in five coastal districts have been told to make preparations for possible flooding because of higher tides tomorrow until Wednesday. Klang, Kuala Langat, Sepang, Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam districts are expected to be affected.
Tomorrow’s high tide is a spring tide, which a higher than usual tide occurring at full moon or new moon, when the alignment of the sun, moon and Earth exert a greater grativational force on the tides.
The tide will be at 5.42 metres high at 6.57am tomorrow; 5.42m at 7.37am on Monday ; 8:17am on Tuesday at 5.27m; and 5m at 8:58am on Wednesday, according to international tide tables. High tides for the rest of the month will be below 5m, dropping to 3.64m
The next spring tide will be at new moon at the end of the month, reaching 5.54m at 6:32am on Sept 30; 5.49m at 7.01am on Oct 1; and 5.30m at 7:45am on Oct 2.
Selangor Disaster Management Unit head Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Yusof said all the coastal districts have been instructed to be on high alert, according to NST Online.
He said the Drainage and Irrigation Department had reported that sea levees, burrow pits and river bunds have freeboard of 0.6m to 1.0m from the highest level of tide predicted.
The state government had given warning earlier about flood risks in 50 areas if rain and strong winds accompanied the spring tide. -FMT

Three held over false bomb threat at Penang Airport


Police arrested three people, including an Indonesian woman, yesterday for allegedly making a false bomb threat at the Penang International Airport on Aug 9.
Southwest District police chief Supt AA Anbalagan said the 38-year-old woman was arrested at the airport when she arrived from Medan, Indonesia at 9.10pm.
"After arresting the woman, police arrested her 38-year-old boyfriend who was waiting to pick her up at the airport’s arrival area. He is also believed to be involved in the phone call on the bomb threat," he said in George Town today.

The police also arrested a 22-year-old man in Jitra, Kedah, who is a friend of the boyfriend.
He said investigations found that the mobile phone number used for the bomb threat was registered under the Indonesian woman's name but it was used by her boyfriend.
Anbalagan said the two men were sending the Indonesian woman to the Penang airport on Aug 9 when the couple got into a misunderstanding.
"To prevent his girlfriend from returning to Medan, her boyfriend sought the help of his friend to make the false bomb threat in the hope of disrupting the flight schedule to Medan," he said.
Anbalagan said the friend admitted to making the bomb threat but it was based on personal issues and there were no other criminal elements.
He said police with the tracker dog unit had not detected any bombs or dangerous objects during an inspection in the airport area.
"The woman’s boyfriend has five criminal records while the other man has one criminal record. The three of them are now in remand," he said.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
Bernama

King alights from official car to check on accident victim


Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah alighted from his official car today to check on the condition of an accident victim, near the intersection of USJ, North-South Expressway Central Link (Elite).
This was shared by Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali on his social media page at 6pm today.
According to the posting, Sultan Abdullah was then on his way home after attending the 'Anak-anak Malaysia Walk 2019' programme at Eco Ardence in Setia Alam.

The victim, a woman, was reported to have suffered minor injuries when her vehicle skidded and overturned on the right lane of the highway.
His Majesty also ordered his police escort to send the victim to hospital for treatment.
Last June, Sultan Abdullah also assisted an accident victim in Putrajaya while going to a pre-cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Istana Melawati.



Bernama

Mat Hasan: Umno-PAS 'ummah unification' theme to be changed


Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has announced that the theme of 'unification of the ummah', which is currently being used to symbolise the Umno-PAS tie-up, will be changed to another name.
According to Utusan Malaysia, Mohamad said that the decision was made following a dispute over the theme.
He added that it was also made in order to reflect the inclusion of all races in the country.
"Some people say 'ummah' is only for Muslims but it is only the Arabic words for the people or the community. However, we are aware of this dispute and will change the theme," he said.
Mohamad said this after a ceramah tour in Rantau, Negeri Sembilan today.
Umno and PAS formed a political alliance after BN lost for the first time in the 14th general election.
The two parties, which had been rivals for the better part of 64 years, are set to sign a charter formalising their cooperation on Sept 14.
However, Umno is still in a coalition with MCA and MIC in BN.
Umno and PAS are targeting to have about 10,000 members and party supporters attend the event.
Meanwhile, Mohamad also expressed his confidence that the Umno-PAS alliance would last a long time, unlike the time when the Islamic party joined BN in 1973, only to depart acrimoniously before the 1978 election.
"PAS's participation in BN in 1973 was a mutual understanding between the two leaders, Abdul Razak (Hussein) and Asri Muda, but it was not accepted at the grassroots level," he said. - Mkini

Giving of tokens is not PKR culture, says S'gor Youth chief


Selangor PKR Youth chief Najwan Halimi has reminded members that giving tokens to encourage party members to participate in programmes is not part of the party's culture.
Najwan was commenting on claims being spread on WhatsApp that the opening ceremony of the Selangor PKR Youth annual general meeting tomorrow would be marred by the practice of giving "tokens" to members present.
"Selangor PKR Youth regrets what was being said (in the message) and would like to emphasise that this token-giving is not part of PKR culture to encourage party members to participate in party programmes.

"We should go back to the original goal of the party struggle," he told Malaysiakini.
The bribery allegation arose after an invitation was spread through WhatsApp allegedly promising a token to the AGM attendees.
"Ask all members to attend and a token will be given to the attendees. Please provide the name (attendance is mandatory for the Shah Alam PKR Youth committee members)," said a message released to Malaysiakini.
It was unclear whether the alleged token was going to be a gift or a financial distribution.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Hamzah Klang Hall at around 3pm tomorrow, with the opening ceremony being officiated by PKR Youth deputy chief Muhammad Hilman Idham.
Najwan, who is also Kota Anggerik assemblyperson, acknowledged receiving the same message about the programme.
However, Hulu Langat Youth chief Hanafi Jalalludin, who was contacted by Malaysiakini, said he did not know about the matter.
"I don't know," he said briefly.
Meanwhile, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said he was aware of the allegations.
Anwar stressed that the party would refer the parties involved to the disciplinary board if the issuing of the tokens took place.
"There are (allegations of token distribution) being spread but if it is true that there is bribery, we will bring it to the disciplinary board," he said when met at the Parliament building yesterday.
Anwar added that PKR took the matter seriously.
"We must stop the practice of buying people or bribing with money. This cannot happen in the party," he said.
Malaysiakini has forwarded the allegations to Hilman, but has yet to receive a response. - Mkini

Suhakam: Turkish asylum seeker's rights violated via deportation


The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has expressed its concern over the recent deportation of a family of asylum seekers from Turkey despite the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) classifying them as "person(s) of concern" who are at risk of harm should they be forcibly returned to their country.
In a statement today, Suhakam called it a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, or the practice of not forcing refugees or asylum seekers to return to a country in which they are liable to be subjected to persecution.
"In Section 8 of Malaysia's Extradition Act 1992, there are prohibitions against extradition in certain circumstances, which includes that the warrant for his return has been made with the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person on account of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions," read the statement.

"Those seeking asylum, particularly those who come to Malaysia where refugee status is not recognised, have limited available protection space. Asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons in Malaysia live in a state of vulnerability, which is exacerbated by the introduction of increasingly restrictive policies that continue to narrow access to asylum."
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said yesterday that the police had reason to detain and deport Turkish teacher Arif Komis and his family.
Arif Komis (centre) and family
The Turkish government claimed that Arif held a senior position in terrorist group Fetullah Terrorist Organization (Feto).
Feto and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen were said to have orchestrated the coup against Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 15, 2016, which left 251 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured.
Suhakam repeated its call for the Malaysian government to ratify the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
"This is not only to articulate minimum standards and regulations related to the status, treatment and determination of refugees so that they are able to live and work in Malaysia without persecution, but also to commit to the principle of non-refoulement provided by Article 33(1) of said convention," it said.
The group added that "while Malaysia deliberates ratification of the Refugee Convention, natural justice demands for a political response that would ensure adherence to the principle of non-refoulement".
"Suhakam hopes that the government will live up to the peoples’ hope for a nation that is compassionate and justice-based," it said. - Mkini

Dissolve Parliament if you dare, Noh tells Dr M


Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been challenged to dissolve Parliament following his claim that Pakatan Harapan would win the 15th general election if it were held today.
Tanjong Karang MP and Umno supreme council member Noh Omar claimed that he regularly met with people who could not wait to cast their vote at the next election, according to Sinar Harian.
"Only the dissolution of Parliament will give the people the chance to decide which party can best govern the country," said Noh, a former minister in the cabinets of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Abdul Razak.

"If he (Mahathir) believes Harapan can win, just dissolve Parliament. What are you waiting for?" he said.
Commenting on Mahathir's statement that Umno leaders who had left the party and who were independent representatives could now join Bersatu, Noh reportedly said it was Mahathir's right to give his views.
"There are also Umno members who joined Bersatu and have been disappointed and want to return to Umno again.
"Don't look at the former Umno members alone, Bersatu is increasingly chaotic. If you want to know if Harapan is strong, just dissolve Parliament immediately," he said.
Noh made these remarks at a function where he led a convoy of motorcyles and four-wheel drives to make donations to the poor in Tanjong Karang in conjunction with the 62nd anniversary of Merdeka.  - Mkini

Hong Kong police fire tear gas, water cannon to disperse protests


Hong Kong police fired tear gas and water cannon on Saturday as they tried to disperse pro-democracy protests that have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into its worst political crisis in decades.
Police fired round after round of tear gas as protesters took cover behind umbrellas between the local headquarters of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and government headquarters. Protesters threw bricks at police in return.
The clashes came on the fifth anniversary of a decision by China to curtail democratic reforms in the former British colony, which returned to China in 1997.

The PLA on Thursday rotated its troops in Hong Kong in what it said was a routine operation. Their Hong Kong headquarters was the former base of the British military garrison.
People took to the streets on a largely peaceful, meandering rally, many joining a “Christian march” from the Wanchai entertainment district and congregating next to the Legislative Council, stormed by activists in an earlier protest.
Other demonstrators, many wearing black and face masks, marched in the Causeway Bay shopping district.
It was the latest in a string of protests over three months, some of which have turned violent, targeting the airport, the legislature and the Liaison Office, the symbol of Chinese rule.
“Hong Kong has religious freedom,” Sally Yeung, 27, a Christian, told Reuters. “We are praying at different check points and praying for justice to arrive in Hong Kong.
“If they prosecute us simply because we are praying, they infringe our religious freedom.”
Hovering under an umbrella outside the government offices, Eric, a 22-year-old student, said telling people not to protest was like telling them not to breathe.
“I feel it’s my duty to fight for democracy,” he said. “Maybe we win, maybe we lose. But we fight.”
Police erected water-filled plastic barriers around key government buildings and two water cannon, used briefly for the first time last weekend, were parked near the Liaison Office, which was daubed with graffiti in an earlier protest.
The MTR subway suspended some services and shut station exits because of likely “public activities”.

'Be like water'
Police arrested a number of prominent pro-democracy activists and three lawmakers on Friday, seeking to rein in a movement which started with anger over planned legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China. It soon broadened into calls for democracy amid fears China is squeezing Hong Kong’s freedoms.
But the latest protests have no leaders. The slogan is “be like water”, meaning be flexible. Marchers on Saturday were marching here and there, wherever streets took them, communicating with different hand signals and chanting “stand with Hong Kong” and “fight for freedom”.
Some said roadblocks were forcing marchers to splinter.
China denies the charge of meddling in Hong Kong, which it says is an internal affair. It has denounced the protests and warned of the damage to the economy.

China is eager to quell the unrest before the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Oct 1 but protesters vandalised a long red banner celebrating the event to cheers from the crowd.
Beijing has also accused foreign powers, particularly the United States and Britain, of fomenting the demonstrations and warned against foreign interference.
Hong Kong returned to China under a “one country, two systems” formula that allows it to keep freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, like the freedom to protest and an independent legal system.
There have been frequent clashes between protesters and police, who have often fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, amid accusations of excessive force.
“A lot of people from the outside think it is the police who escalate (the violence) first,” a police officer told a media briefing. “This is not true.”
An off-duty policeman was attacked late on Friday night by three unidentified men with a knife in the Kwai Chung container port area, suffering wounds to his limbs and back, police said. The news was a top-trending topic on China’s Twitter-like Weibo.
With protesters and authorities locked in an impasse and Hong Kong facing its first recession in a decade, speculation has grown that the city government may impose emergency laws, giving it extra powers over detentions, censorship and curfews.
Lawmaker Fernando Cheung said the arrests of the three legislators were probably aimed at causing more anger and chaos to justify the use of emergency laws.
“To incite more people to come out today is totally ridiculous,” he told Reuters.
Reuters

India reminds visiting Interpol sec-gen over Zakir Naik extradition request



During his visit to India, Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock has been pressed by the Indian government to take action against fugitives on its red notice list.
According to a Times of India report, discussions include controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India on money-laundering charges, but who has so far not been added to the red notice list.
India's Home Secretary AK Bhalla met with Stock for 30 minutes yesterday to discuss the matter.
Stock then met with India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Rishi Kumar Shukla to discuss other matters of mutual interest.

An Interpol red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 
India reportedly expressed its frustration with Interpol delays in issuing the red notice after a long wait.
Sources also told the Times of India that Shukla had raised the issue of the Interpol entertaining pleas from high-profile fugitives who claimed human rights violations, which resulted in delays.
Such a description fits the case of Zakir, who has permanent resident status in Malaysia. 
Last year, CBI sent 123 red notice requests to Interpol. Only 76 of them were published. 
Till July 15 this year, 41 requests were sent to Interpol and 32 have been published. 
“Among those against whom Interpol has yet to issue the red notice include Zakir Naik,” an official said.
Two weeks ago, Malaysiakini reported that Zakir had courted flak for questioning the loyalty of Hindu Malaysians during an Aug 8 speech in Kelantan.
It was also reported that the preacher had referred to Chinese Malaysians as "old guests" at the same event.
The Indian-born preacher, who is being investigated by the Malaysian police, claimed that his remarks were taken out of context and has since apologised.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has remained firm in his decision not to deport Zakir back to India.
However, the prime minister previously said Zakir crossed the line when he touched on racial politics.
Mahathir also said the preacher's Malaysian PR status would depend on the outcome of police investigations. - Mkini

MAHATHIR TOO AMONG THE BIGOTS ‘WHO COME IN MANY FORMS & DISGUISES… OFTEN DECLARING THEY KNOW BETTER … AND ONLY THEY CAN FIX THE ILLS THAT PLAGUE MALAYSIA

Many say the May 9, 2018 witnessed the biggest event in this country’s history which saw a change of government after 6 decades, something thought of as impossible and unimaginable before.
But as once said by one of the world’s greats, it always seems impossible until it’s done.
While the May 9, 2018 will forever remain one of the greatest days in the history of this nation, it still cannot compare to the August 31, 1957 when a new nation was born, a new identity built from blood, sweat and tears, no matter the colour of the skin of those who fought so hard for it.
I might not have been born yet back then but I can imagine the euphoria at the time.
“But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future, from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility. Let no one think we have reached the end of the road: Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour ― the creation of a new and sovereign State. At this solemn moment therefore I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya, to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty ― a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.”

In crafting those carefully thought of words, the Tunku spoke of the responsibility we all have, regardless of race, colour or creed in ensuring a successful nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty.
Indeed, we are the masters of our destiny.
Today, we find some bent on creating racial unrest for their own selfish reasons, shamelessly distracting us from shaping our destiny as our forefathers had wanted. These bigots come in many forms and disguises, often times declaring that they know better and falsely claiming that the nation’s welfare is in danger.
They spew lies and hatred with the hope that people believe them, and some do. They try to divide us by claiming some of us are guests and disloyal to our leaders. They tell some of us we do not belong here, hoping for retaliation to substantiate their great lie that we are not united and in danger of becoming a failed state plagued with a list of ills only they can fix.
I firmly believe these are the actions of a minority who falsely claim to speak for the masses, to further their own agenda. They might be loud but they certainly do not represent most peace loving Malaysians.
So, let us rise above them and take the righteous path, always reminding ourselves that we are the masters of our own destiny, responsible for the direction of this beloved nation of ours.
Let us celebrate this MERDEKA as we did 62 years ago, as one.
SELAMAT HARI MERDEKA!
HAPPY MERDEKA DAY!
恭祝大家国庆日快乐!
மலேஷியாசுதந்திரம்நாள்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
* Ramkarpal Singh is the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament and Chairman of the DAP National Legal Bureau.
MALAY MAIL