Sabah govt cautioned over village reserves plan

Parti Bersatu Sabah’s secretary-general Johnny Mositun says the issue of village reserves was never discussed in the state assembly. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has hit out at the Warisan-led government’s plan to gazette several areas alleged to harbour illegal migrants as village reserves.

Its secretary-general Johnny Mositun claimed that many migrants in these areas had acquired Malaysian citizenship through the back door.

Sepangar MP and Deputy Home Affairs Minister Azis Jamman had said on Tuesday that the Kota Kinabalu City Hall had identified 30 squatter settlements in the state capital to be gazetted as village reserves.

According to Mositun, the areas include Gaya Island just off Kota Kinabalu, which is inhabited by foreigners who greatly outnumber locals.

“I am apprehensive about the process, especially the secrecy and the sudden announcement by the deputy federal minister.

“Why was there no prior announcement by City Hall about this plan? I don’t know if it was even discussed by the state cabinet.

“The matter had also never been mentioned in the state assembly. Isn’t it only proper for City Hall to be open and transparent about such a major programme?” he asked.

Mositun said many Sabahans were worried about the arbitrary nature and secrecy behind recent actions involving land and foreigners in Sabah.

“Usually, the people are not told about anything until the matter is at an advanced stage.

“It was the same with the plan to provide a temporary stay pass to 600,000 foreigners, the construction of the Papar Dam and the revival of Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED).”

He questioned the state government’s emphasis on migrant issues when it should be focusing on developing programmes.

Mositun called for transparency in ensuring that non-eligible foreigners could not take advantage of the gazetting exercise.

He said it was already difficult to ensure that foreigners in Sabah had proper documentation, without adding the issue of land ownership through gazetting to the mix. - FMT

India’s boycott of palm oil not likely to last long, says Azmin

Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali says he is confident India and Malaysia can resolve the palm oil boycott issue amicably.

KUALA LUMPUR: Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said the palm oil boycott by India will not last long as Indonesia may not be able to meet the entire needs of the country.

“It will not prolong. Indonesia does not have enough for the Indian market and we are confident we can settle this issue amicably.

“At the same time, we are in discussion with other countries to sell our palm oil,” he said while wrapping up his ministry’s debate on the 2020 Budget today.

However, Azmin said Putrajaya will continue to speak up on the issue of human rights.

Indian traders are reported to be sourcing for more palm oil from Indonesia following a recent advisory by the country’s top vegetable oil trade body to its members to refrain from importing the commodity from Malaysia.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had, in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month, said that despite the UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the region had been invaded and occupied.

This caused an outrage among Indian citizens, who called for a boycott of Malaysian products.

Azmin was replying to Awang Salahudin Hashim (PAS-Pendang), who said India was the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil and asked what the government planned to do if the boycott continued.

Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin) also raised concerns over the boycott and advised the government not to take it lightly.

Azmin said Putrajaya viewed the matter seriously but the government needed to handle it carefully “so that it will not worsen”.

He said the Malaysian high commissioner to India was also trying to resolve the issue.

To a suggestion by Edmund Santhara (PH-Segamat) to place a special ambassador to India – since Malaysia’s special envoy to China had benefited trade – Azmin said there was no need to do so at the moment as all ministries could help to sell palm oil to other markets.

Data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council shows that Malaysia shipped 3.91 million tonnes of palm oil to India in the first nine months of the year.

Last year, India bought RM6.84 billion worth of palm oil and palm-based products, making up 10% of total exports. - FMT

We Are NOT ‘Pendatangs’ In Malaysia!

What we have today are not ‘pendatangs’ but full-fledged bona fide citizens of Malaysia who are guaranteed their legal status under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution

P Ramakrishnan

Those who speak of ‘pendatangs’ – in referring to the Chinese and Indians – in this age and time must be really stupid. There are no more ‘pendatangs’ in Malaysia as far as the Chinese and Indians are concerned. They must get this through their thick heads!

Our ancestors and forefathers forged a workable and acceptable understanding referred to as the “social contract” to achieve our Independence. Without this “social contract,” Malaya would not have attained nationhood on 31-8-1957.

This is not to deny that eventually we would not have obtained Independence – when and at what price is a matter of speculation.

But the three major communities, to their credit and commonsense, arrived at a solution for Independence through give-and-take compromises. Those Founding Fathers were sensible people and leaders who trusted each other and worked together for the common good.

But today we have bigots and idiots still harping on ‘pendatangs’.

They don’t – and they are not expected to –  realize the reality of history. With the demise of these brave and visionary leaders and their people from the pioneering days of the struggle for Independence, the ‘pendatangs’ ceased to exist. This is a fact of history.

With the demise of that generation, the “social contract” also ceased to exist. It was binding on them.

What we have today are not ‘pendatangs’ but full-fledged bona fide citizens of Malaysia who are guaranteed their legal status under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution;

(1)            All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.

We are bound by the Federal Constitution.

But, unfortunately, we have dim-witted extremists who, for their own political gains, keep harping even to this day that the Chinese and Indians are ‘pendatangs’.

These provocative statements are allowed to be uttered because there is no political will to stop this. These are seditious statements and action should have been taken against these unscrupulous and selfish politicians who are bent on destroying our peace and harmony.

Why has no action been taken against these politicians? Wasn’t the question of citizenship put to rest on our return to parliamentary democracy following the May 13 tragedy? When the National Operation Council (NOC) was abrogated paving the way for the democratic way of life, wasn’t a caveat placed on the question of citizenship making it illegal to question it?

It is the earnest prayer of well-meaning citizens of this nation that the government will deal with these half-baked politicians with a stern hand and bring the full weight of the law to bear on them. Their commitment to the rule of law is of paramount importance to the success of Malaysia.

Only then justice will be served!

P Ramakrishnan

Former President of Aliran

Anwar Calls For Zakat Reforms, Says Include Non-Muslim Recipients Too

(FMT) – Anwar Ibrahim has called for the reform of Malaysia’s institutions of zakat, the Islamic wealth tax to help the poor, while calling for it to be extended to the non-Muslims.

Speaking at an international conference on zakat organised by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) and UiTM, the PKR leader cited an opinion by prominent Muslim jurist Yusuf al-Qaradawi.

He said in the context of a multi-racial society, Islam encouraged the distribution of zakat funds to non-Muslims, adding that this should not sideline the needy among the Muslims.

Anwar however said the proposal could be considered, and would require fatwa and policy changes before it can be implemented.

He said zakat institutions in the country should be an example to other public institutions.

“The zakat institution has a big responsibility. They need to prove that they are excellent in management, accountability and responsibility compared to other institutions in the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, a speaker at the conference, Muhamad Rahimi Osman from UiTM said separation of powers between state and federal authorities was the biggest challenge in the administration of zakat and waqf, or endowment.

“Due to certain restrictions, the federal government cannot enforce certain laws such as tax laws and etc, because of the states’ limited powers,” he said.

The conference, on the topics of zakat, waqf and Islamic philanthropy, is organised by MAIWP’s Zakat Collection Centre (PPZ-MAIWP) and UiTM’s Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies.

Rahimi said the issue of double taxation is another problem, as Muslim-owned businesses would also pay zakat in addition to the income tax.

Zakat is a religious obligation for Muslims who meet several criteria of wealth, where 2.5% of one’s total savings and wealth above a minimum amount is collected annually.

The Mahathir-Anwar “Secret”

Anwar is waiting to see what move Mahathir is going to make. If Mahathir tries to get rid of him, Anwar will have to hit back with a vote of no confidence in Parliament. That would be the only way to get rid of Mahathir and take over as prime minister. And rumour has it, Anwar has the numbers needed to pass a vote of no confidence against Mahathir.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

I have said this many a time before. In Malaysia, rumours normally get proven true in the end. It may take years, but finally the rumour proves to be fact.

Take the rumour of Bank Negara’s RM31.5 billion loss incurred while gambling in the foreign exchange market back in 1990. In 1993, Lim Kit Siang raised this matter in Parliament but Anwar Ibrahim denied it and brushed it off as “malicious opposition rumours”. The following year, Kit Siang raised the matter again and this time Anwar confirmed it but said it was just a “small paper loss”.

Finally, it was proven that the loss was not small nor mere “paper loss”. It was huge and it was real.

It stayed a rumour for 25 years but finally proved to be true

When Tun Dr Mahathir’s buddy, Abdullah Ang, was jailed for CBT in 1986, it was rumoured he was not actually in jail but could walk in and out of jail quite freely. Of course, this was denied until a journalist managed to get a photograph of Abdullah Ang leaving jail to go to office every day. And when the photograph was published all hell broke loose.

“The case of Abdullah Ang, the former managing director of the Malaysian Overseas Investment Corporation, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for criminal breach of trust in December 1986, comes to mind. Instead of living the life of a regular inmate, Ang was accorded special privileges to attend to his family businesses while serving time, freely walking in and out of prison. Even his cell was similar to a luxurious hotel room, replete with a custom-made water bed. His luxurious prison life came to an end following a newspaper expose. Malaysians want to believe that public service is a noble calling, not an opportunity for those in power to enrich themselves.” (NST, 1st October 2015).

The rumour of Muhyiddin’s affair with Nika Gee was proven true in the end

The rumour that Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s wife, Endon Mahmood, was dying in a US hospital was denied. The rumour that Abdullah Badawi was having an affair with Jeanne Danker was denied. The rumour that Muhyiddin Yassin was having an affair with Nika Gee, wife of a former deputy public prosecutor, Stanley Clement Augustin, was denied. The 1998 rumour that Mahathir was going to sack Anwar as his deputy was denied. The 1998 rumour that Mahathir was going to arrest Anwar for sodomy was denied

All these rumours proved true in the end.

There are tons of rumours over the last few decades that were denied but which in the end were proven true. Anyway, all that is in the past and what matters now is the latest hot rumour. And that latest hot rumour is regarding Mahathir making his move on Anwar to block him from becoming PM8.

Mahathir is never going to allow Anwar to become PM8, says the latest hot rumour in town

Yes, it seems Mahathir has finally had enough of all this nonsense regarding he must make way for Anwar by or before May 2020. There is so much pressure being placed on Mahathir — about when he should retire and should hand over the post of prime minister to Anwar — that the old man wants to end it all as soon as possible.

Mahathir already said he is not going to remain prime minister for more than one term and that he will step down at a suitable time and hand over the post of prime minister to a suitable candidate.

But Anwar’s supporters are not happy with that. Hand over the post of prime minister at a “suitable time” to a “suitable candidate” is just too vague. Mahathir has to say “hand over the post of prime minister to Anwar Ibrahim on or before May 2020”.

Lim Kit Siang told his assassin, Ronnie Liu, to shoot Mahathir for stalling the handing-over of the PM post to Anwar

But Mahathir will not say that because he does not intend doing it. And Anwar knows this. Hence Anwar is asking his people to apply pressure on Mahathir to force him to say he will “hand over the post of prime minister to Anwar Ibrahim on or before May 2020”.

If Mahathir wants to get the pressure off, he has to get Anwar classified as an “unsuitable” candidate for prime minister. Once Anwar is no longer qualified or suitable to become prime minister, then the pressure would be off. And if Mahathir wishes to make that move it has to be very soon.

Anwar is waiting to see what move Mahathir is going to make. If Mahathir tries to get rid of him, Anwar will have to hit back with a vote of no confidence in Parliament. That would be the only way to get rid of Mahathir and take over as prime minister. And rumour has it, Anwar has the numbers needed to pass a vote of no confidence against Mahathir.

Yes, rumours only. But in Malaysia rumours are normally facts yet to be confirmed.

Malaysia forced to close Iranian bank accounts due to 'strong pressure' - Dr M

Malaysia has faced very strong pressure from certain quarters to close the bank accounts of Iranian individuals and companies in this country, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In fact, Malaysia was also threatened with closure of its banks abroad should it fail to do so, he said, without naming the parties involved.

“Our ties with Iran are good, but we face some very strong pressures from certain quarters, which you may guess.

“We are forced to do it because, if we don't, they will close our banks abroad.

“This is the kind of bullying by very powerful people,” he said in response to the report that banks in Malaysia are closing the accounts of Iranian individuals and companies.

The prime minister was met after chairing the National Student Consultative Council meeting in Putrajaya today.

When asked how the Iranians in Malaysia were going to move around after their bank accounts were closed, Mahathir said the purpose of the action was to make it difficult for them.

“We are not helping (in closing the bank accounts), we are forced to do it,” he said.

On today's meeting, Mahathir said some students had raised brilliant proposals not only for the Education Ministry but also for other ministries to improve the government's delivery system.

“They (students) were concerned about the issues of mental health and about places where people can walk around with a lot of trees and greens.

“They were also interested in the value system of our students and our people to ensure that Malaysians will continue to be known not only fo being well-educated, but also for their good character," he said.

- Bernama

UK traveller not missing, was robbed but now safe in Bali

Briton Dina Ramadan is not missing as feared but is now safe in Bali, Indonesia, after encountering an unfortunate incident there.

Contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday, Dina confirmed that she had travelled by flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bali on Oct 17, before she was robbed.

She had been in a taxi in Bali when her mobile phone and iPad were stolen, causing her to lose contact with her kin and miss a conference she had been scheduled to attend.

Dina has remained in Bali and stated that she was now safe.

“The man stole my stuff but (there was) no fight. It was calm.

“I wasn’t able to call my family as I didn’t have any luck with getting a new phone until payday.

“All is ok. I’m safe and Bali has been kind to me,” she said.

Indonesian police have since managed to recover some of the items that were stolen from Dina.

Last Friday, British charity Lucie Blackman Trust put out a missing persons alert for the 30-year-old, saying Dina’s family members were concerned about her wellbeing after last hearing from her on Oct 17. - Mkini