Mat Sabu not guilty of defaming police, High Court rules

The Penang High Court today upheld the Sessions Court decision that there were no grounds to find former PAS deputy chief Mohamad Sabu guilty of defamation.

On July 8, 2015, Mat Sabu, who now leads Parti Amanah Negara, was acquitted of criminal defamation against several policemen and their families over a communist attack at the Bukit Kepong police station in 1950.

High Court judge Lim Chong Fong said the prosecution did not provide enough grounds to satisfy the claim of defamation.

He said the speech of Mohamed, better known as Mat Sabu, should be taken in context.

He was aware that the media, namely Utusan Malaysia, had “sensationalised” Mat Sabu’s speech.

“I always hold high respect for the police force but this case involves the Federal Constitution, related to freedom of speech.

“I have to ensure justice of law for all and to ensure that the charge is beyond reasonable doubt,” he added.

Lim said he had listened to the audio recording of Mat Sabu’s ceramah, and found that he did not criticise the police.

Mat Sabu, however, had asked for all independent fighters, not only those from Umno, to be recognised during the country’s Merdeka celebrations.

That was how independence fighter Mat Indera’s name was brought up by Mat Sabu, the judge said.

In dismissing the prosecution's appeal, Lim found the two charges against Mat Sabu were "defective" as it did not disclose the full context of the politician's speech.

Mat Sabu had reportedly uttered the alleged defamatory remarks at Markas Tarbiyah PAS in Padang Menora, Tasek Gelugor, between 10pm and midnight on Aug 23, 2011.

Mat Sabu was represented by lawyer and Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin, while the prosecution was led by Ghazali Che Ani.

Hanipa expressed hope that the prosecution would not appeal the case, saying “Enough lah”.

In 2015, the Butterworth Sessions Court found that the prosecution did not provide “direct” witnesses as they were not present at the ceramah, where Mat Sabu was supposed to have uttered the remark.

Instead, they had just read the purported 'slanderous' remark and knew about it through reports published in TV3 and Utusan Malaysia, according to a Bernamareport.- Mkini

Najib’s ‘pussy cat’ diplomacy?

Najib Abdul Razak seems to have done a “wonderful” job on the diplomatic front. He has “disgraced” Malaysia and its people by apparently failing to deal with North Korea effectively.

This and other earlier episodes relating to financial and corruption scandals have called into question whether he has the legitimacy and leadership to steer the country in the future. Isn’t it time that he seriously thought about quitting the political scene?

While I am happy to note that the nine stranded Malaysians have come back to the country, but poor diplomacy has its costs.

This “squeamish” diplomacy allowing for the repatriation of 200 stranded North Koreans, embassy staff and the body of the murdered victim has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Malaysia has a long way to go in dealing with rogue nations.

More than this, Malaysia might have to swallow the “truth” was the murdered victim was not Kim Jong-nam.

Najib is not even prepared to disclose the full details about the so-called diplomacy to the public and under what circumstances that North Korea agreed to release the nine stranded Malaysians.

North Korea has clearly won on this matter. They have tarnished the image of the country. Najib has apparently lost his legitimacy over this dispute and Malaysians are not prepared to swallow any more the so-called notions of “balanced” and “reciprocal” diplomacy.

Najib has “chickened” out to the dictates of North Korea. I would call this one-sided diplomacy, the North Koreans being the clear winners.

While Malaysia can take on fourth world countries, it is terribly handicapped in dealing straight with countries like North Korea.

The question is how can you deal with North Korea, a rogue nation, when there has been so much wheeling and dealing in the past?

Initially, Najib probably thought that with the support of the international community he could take on North Korea. But this turned out not to be true.

While North Korea is regarded as a rogue nation, I don’t think that the international community wanted to step in on a matter that was considered as essentially bilateral, left best to be resolved by these two countries.

Najib even failed to take on Myanmar on the matter of the Rohingya simply because he apparently wanted to to gain public sympathy from the Muslims in the country.

But having realised his folly, he has returned to the path of diplomacy for the Rohingya issue is a lot more complicated than meets the eye.

Mahathir Mohamad might have started Malaysia’s honeymoon with some rogue nations like North Korea, but then Najib had to inherit the full and dire implications of the fall out of this relations.

Earlier Mahathir paved the way for Umno youth to develop links with the ruling party in North Korea. Following this, trade both direct and indirect, took place for many years until the recent fallout.

Securing the ‘pound of flesh’

Now, coming back to the murder that took place, all the talk of “quiet” diplomacy in terms of getting back the nine stranded Malaysians have vanished into thin air.

North Korea proved to be an extremely tough and uncompromising negotiator and they ended up by securing the proverbial “pound of flesh” from Malaysia.

Malaysia, apparently without proper leadership, has succumbed to these without realising their full implications to the sovereignty of the nation.

Now even the identity of the dead person has been called into the question. Really, who was murdered in Malaysia?

What happened all the bravado about Malaysia not giving in to the threats of North Korea and that Malaysian sovereignty will be safeguarded at all costs.

Are we to conclude that Malaysia under Najib’s administration has nothing but “pussy cat” diplomacy? Is he afraid of North Korea? Najib cannot even deal straight with Myanmar on the Rohingya matter.

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P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.- Mkini

Brother of IGP dies of heart attack

The brother of inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar died early today due to a heart attack.

Muhamad Ali, the eldest of eight siblings, 72, died at Tuanku Jaafar Hospital (HTJ) in Seremban at 1.56am after complaining of stomach pains and difficulty in breathing around midnight.

One of Muhamad’s children, Dr Noor Khalili, 41, told reporters that his father was laid to rest at the Senawang Muslim cemetary around 11.30am.

More than 200 people attended the funeral, including Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan and senior police officers.

The retired teacher is survived by his wife, Rosnah Abdul Ghani, 68, and five children.

- Bernama

Fadillah's 'out of the blue' remark on third bridge surprises CM Penang

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed his surprise over Works Minister Fadillah Yusof’s statement on the Penang third bridge, which the former described as "out of the blue".

“I am surprised he sent this statement out of the blue. Clearly it was a politically-motivated statement,” Lim said at a press conference today.

“But I do not want to harbour such negative perception about him, I will look at the positive aspect and not question his sincerity."

Lim said Fadillah can help the Penang government by approving in principle the state’s plan to build a toll-free third bridge instead of the costly RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel, linking the island to Butterworth.

He said the matter has been communicated several times to Fadillah, “but he does not seem to understand”.

“We don’t know whether the problem lies with his officers or that he simply cannot understand.”

Still, Lim said he does not wish to quarrel with Fadillah, and vowed to write to the minister to make him understand the situation.

He said he last wrote to Fadillah in May last year.

“We will write to him again, if necessary, to reset the whole relationship. We will express our willingness to meet him in person.”

In his statement yesterday, Fadillah also offered to help Lim on the feasibility and design studies for three main road projects and the undersea tunnel.

Lim said currently, 87 percent of the study on the undersea tunnel was done, while 13 percent is pending a master plan by private developer Rayston Consortium on its development plans in Butterworth.

In 1999, BN inked a reclamation agreement involving 650ha with Rayston for the Butterworth Outer Ring Road.

“We have to honour the contract signed between Rayston and the then BN government,” Lim said.

“But we must stress that this will not interfere with the completion date of the tunnel project, which is 2027. We still have time."

Adjust JKR's costing schedule

On Fadillah’s remark that the feasibility study of RM305 million being “too excessive”, Lim urged him to adjust the Works Ministry’s (JKR) specifications.

He said the cost of the study is in compliance with JKR costing.

He pointed to engineer Ang Aing Thye, who was present at the press event, saying the latter can verify that the cost of feasibility study was below JKR’s costing schedule.

“Perhaps, he should meet directly with us to get the accurate information,” said Lim.

In May last year, Lim Hock Seng, the state executive councillor in charge of infrastructure, had explained that the RM305 million included the cost for the feasibility study, environment impact study and detailed design, while the overall cost of construction for the three highway projects and undersea tunnel was RM6.341 billion.

Asked if he met Fadillah in Parliament to talk about these matters, Lim replied: “Sometimes it is hard to talk to him because he has his own set views."

Fadillah had earlier said he would not meet Lim until the study is completed, the latter claimed.

Yesterday, Fadillah had also claimed that Lim raised the issue of the third bridge without providing any details.

To this, Lim replied: “When we wanted to provide the detailed drawings on the feasibility study, we want to provide a complete one."

He said normally, ministries would agree in principle before asking for details or supporting documents.

“Designs are costly, amounting to hundreds and millions of ringgit. It is not just drawings on a piece of paper. We are not just any private institution but a state government.

“There had been incidents where 24-hour approvals were given by certain ministries, where details can be provided later."

Lim however declined to identify which ministry had given such speedy approvals.- Mkini

Najib meets 'superstar' Rajnikanth, snaps selfie

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is visiting India, met with Tamil movie icon Rajnikanth at the latter's residence in Chennai.

Najib also posted a selfie of the two, with the caption stating: "Just had a very warm and friendly meeting with Mr Rajnikanth the Tamil superstar at his home."

The caption for another photograph, which showed the pair having a discussion, read: "Who doesn't know Rajnikanth? Happy to meet the susperstar in person today."

Similarly, Rajinikanth posted a photograph of the two of them on his Twitter account.

"I am extremely happy to have met an excellent, friendly and warm person today... The honourable prime minister of Malaysia," he said.

On Wednesday, Malaysiakini quoted an Indian news portal The Telegraph as stating that Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor had requested to meet Rajnkanth during their visit.

The portal said the couple became fans of the actor, who is known as the "superstar" of Indian cinema, during his stay in Malacca for the filming of the movie "Kabali".

Following this, Rosmah's aide Rizal Mansor denied that such a request was made.

"Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor has the greatest respect for Rajinikanth and understands how huge a star that he is - both in India and in Malaysia.

"However, there is no truth in recent news reports that there was a request to meet M Shivaji (referring to Rajinikanth's real name).

"Neither is it scheduled for this visit to the country with one of the world's fastest economic growth this year.

"Speculation from unfounded sources is not helpful," Rizal posted on his Facebook page.-Mkini

Hadi must resign, says former PAS vice-president

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang must immediately resign over the latest development on the amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (Act 355), former party vice-president Husam Musa says.

Husam, who is now with the PAS splinter party - Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) - said the “shock” was expected despite BN giving the impression that the matter would be tabled in Parliament.

He was referring to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's announcement on Wednesday that the government would not be taking over Hadi's private member's bill on the amendments.

Husam said he was asking the PAS president and the committee to step down because this has tarnished PAS' name.

“He has divided the opposition pact, divided PAS and turned PAS into a political entity that the people cannot understand,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

Husam said this issue was raised when he was still with PAS, but it was not given attention.

“Suddenly, the Act 355 amendment was brought as a private member's bill, without the agreement of the PAS central committee at the time,” he added.

In a related development, PAS vice-president Iskandar Samad criticised Umno over the U-turn.

“Umno cannot be depended on to defend Islam. Does not even dare to table the Act 355 amendment.

“The Umno leadership is the weakest since BN was established. Umno members, what are you waiting for?” Iskandar asked in a Twitter posting.

Najib said the decision not to take over the bill was based on BN consensus -Mkini

MACC raids Teresa Kok's office, she calls it a 'dirty tactic'

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has raided the office of DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok in Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur.

When contacted, the Seputeh MP's aide Alice Lan said two MACC officers came to the office with a search warrant.

Kok was not present in the office at the time of the raid, which took place at 11am.

Lan said the officers wanted the original documents related to Skim Mesra Usia Emas (SMUE), which falls under the purview of Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (Yawas).

“The officers said this is based on the report by Jamal. So to be fair, they need to investigate us,” she added in reference to a MACC report lodged by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos.

Lan said the staff made photocopies before handing the original documents to the officers.

Meanwhile, Kok denied it was a raid.

"They just wanted the documents, and we gave it to them. This was not a raid," she told Malaysiakini.

In a statement later, Kok denied she had misappropriated the funds, and said she is mulling legal action against those who made the allegation.

"Jamal accused me of withdrawing RM2 million from the SMUE bank account. What a nonsensical joke. Does he think Selangor government officers are so stupid to allow me to do that?" she said.

"SMUE is a welfare scheme for the bereavement of Selangorian families by the Selangor government. The Seputeh service centre has been carrying out the disbursement of the bereavement fund of RM2,500 to the deceased’s families in my constituency since 2009.

"The false accusation by Jamal is no doubt a dirty tactic to try to defame my fellow colleagues and I prior to the coming general election," she said.

Kok said her lawyer Sankara Nair issued a letter of demand to Jamal two weeks ago over the allegation and no reply has been received from him as yet.

"So, Jamal, I shall see you in court," she added.

In an immediate response, Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong said many would consider the raid a joke.

“Especially (when it is based on a) report from Sg Besar (Jamal). His watches may cost more than her office building,” Yong tweeted- Mkini