Our ties with Warisan are tense, admits DAP’s Loke

Our ties with Warisan are tense, admits DAP’s Loke

Loke Siew Fook says Pakatan Harapan will welcome any move by Muda to join the coalition.


PETALING JAYA: DAP’s newly-elected secretary-general Loke Siew Fook admitted that ties between his party and Warisan are tense at the moment.

Speaking at an online forum entitled “Anthony Jawab Jujur”, Loke pointed out the recent Johor state elections, where Warisan adopted a “confrontational approach” by contesting in seats that DAP won in the last general election (GE14).


However, the Seremban MP hopes that the state election results would have given some hints and signs to the top echelons of the party, especially its president Shafie Apdal that when opposition parties clash against one another, it only benefits Barisan Nasional (BN).

“I hope Warisan would come up with more practical and realistic political strategies in the future by discussing with Pakatan Harapan, and come up with a formal or loose pact for GE15.

“They have their own strengths in Sabah. But they need to remember that DAP helped them to form the state government after GE14 as they could not form one by themselves.

“So, it is best to have an electoral pact, even if it is a loose one,” he said in the online programme that was moderated by Syahredzan Johan, the political secretary to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

Warisan was one of five parties that lost in all seats it contested in the Johor polls, with all its candidates losing their deposit as well.

Loke also spoke about certain leaders in Warisan who had taken a confrontational stance with PH.


“I don’t know their agenda, but it seems like they want to langgar us,” he said without mentioning any names.

When asked by Syahredzan on whether Muda should join PH, Loke said that it is up to the young party to make the call.

“Whether or not Muda wants to join PH, it is up to the party’s top leadership. If they do, we (PH) will welcome them with open arms.

“But if they want to cooperate with PH in any other way, including working with PH outside the coalition’s framework, we can always discuss it,” he said.

Loke also highlighted Muda’s win in the Puteri Wangsa seat in Johor, which he said was only made possible thanks to its collaboration with PH.

Political parties face shortage of credible candidates for future PM

TwentyTwo:13

‘Political parties face shortage of credible candidates for future PM’

Political parties in the country are in dire need of a transformation as they have failed to groom new leaders to lead the country.

With a general election on the horizon, it appears that both the government and opposition do not have the right candidates to push for the position of prime minister. Parties are banking on the same candidates, over and over again.

Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said Malaysia needs energetic and progressive leaders. The need for them to be properly groomed and moulded to lead the country is more pressing, now than ever.

“If you look at countries like New Zealand and Canada, you have young people running the country. In Malaysia, those who are in their late 40s are nowhere to be found,” he said.

“We have had the same people helming political parties for a long time. (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been in politics since the 1960s … And then you have (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim, who came into the fray in the 80s. Even (Lim) Kit Siang (who recently retired) has been there since the 60s.”

Azeem, who is director of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research and International Studies, says Umno is plagued with the same problem, with no solution in sight.

“(Datuk Seri) Ismail Sabri Yaakob himself is just an interim Prime Minister. His approval rating is not known, as no polls or surveys had been carried out to measure how popular the current government is. Unless we know how he is perceived by the people, he will only continue his term as PM up until Parliament is dissolved.”

He said while current “poster boys” Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are popular within the party, they are both facing charges in court.

“He (Najib) is definitely not the choice for urban voters. But at the same time, you cannot rule out the fact that he could be Umno’s trump card as he is popular in rural areas. Judging by the behavioural patterns of the electorate in Johor and Melaka, it appears that they are unfazed by the court charges levelled against Najib, and his conviction. It no longer matters,” he said.

Azeem added that while other Umno leaders like Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin are both potential PM material, they have been sidelined by their own party.

“Hishammuddin, despite his previous keris-wielding incident, is a moderate leader. He is not a racial, or religious hardliner. But he does not hold any position within the party hierarchy and is not in the good books of (Datuk Seri) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.”

Azeem said the same goes for Khairy.

“He (Khairy) is a very progressive man and could be among our next generation of leaders. He has what it takes to be accepted by all, not just the Malays. But despite being very urban, sharp, and hardworking, he is just not trending within Umno.”

Even opposition parties are guilty of not wanting to let go, or simply not having enough young leaders who can lead the country.

“While Anwar will remain PKR president, I am not sure if he will still be seen as a ‘PM in waiting’. Prior to GE14, the opposition had always touted him as their PM candidate, but it has never worked out in their favour, especially among the Malay voters.

“Anwar’s aura is no longer what it used to be. Look at how he had campaigned in Melaka and Johor. Look at the end results. But who else does PKR have right now?”

He added that Nurul Izzah Anwar, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, nor Rafizi Ramli of PKR had what it takes right now to be the prime minister candidate for Pakatan Harapan.

“Realistically speaking, Pakatan Harapan will have a tough time nominating a PM candidate in the next GE. No one is going to vote for the opposition if (Amanah President) Mohamad Sabu or (DAP secretary-general) Anthony Loke were to be named PM candidate for Pakatan.”

Azeem said Dr Mahathir too, had completely lost the plot, as evidenced in the Johor election when Pejuang was roundly defeated.

He added that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu too, is at risk of facing a wipeout in the next GE.

“It is a sad situation that the political parties in the country have failed to groom future leaders who can take over.

“As such, it is going to be interesting to see how things will play out in the next GE, because no one can say with a high degree of certainty who is the PM in waiting.”

‘Find roubles’ if you want Russian oil, grain or metals, top lawmaker says

Malaysia Now:

‘Find roubles’ if you want Russian oil, grain or metals, top lawmaker says

After the West imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that natural gas exported to Europe or the US should be paid for in his country's currency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP


Russia’s top lawmaker warned the European Union on Wednesday that if it wanted Russian natural gas then it would have to pay in roubles, and cautioned that oil, grain, metals, fertiliser, coal and timber exports could also soon be priced the same way.

After the West imposed crippling sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that natural gas exported to Europe or the US should be paid for in his country’s currency.

Europe, which imports about 40% of its gas from Russia and pays mostly in euros, says Russia’s state-controlled gas giant Gazprom is not entitled to redraw contracts. The G7 group of nations rejected Moscow’s demands this week.

“European politicians need to stop the talk, stop trying to find some justification about why they cannot pay in roubles,” Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, said in a post on Telegram. “If you want gas, find roubles.”

“Moreover, it would be right – where it is beneficial for our country – to widen the list of export products priced in roubles to include: fertiliser, grain, food oil, oil, coal, metals, timber etc.”

If was not immediately clear whether such a move could become official Russian policy, though Putin, when announcing the rouble decision for natural gas, said it was only the start of the process.

Russian officials have repeatedly said the West’s attempt to isolate one of the world’s biggest producers of natural resources is an irrational act of self harm that will lead to soaring prices for consumers and tip the economies of Europe and the United States into recession.

Russia says the West’s sanctions – and in particular the freezing of about US$300 billion in Russian central bank reserves – amount to a declaration of economic war.

Putin says the freezing of central bank reserves was a default on the West’s obligations to Russia that would torpedo confidence in the US dollar and the euro.

“Through these sanctions, through your attempts to isolate us, you have isolated yourselves,” Volodin said.

“They have done everything they could to undermine confidence in the US dollar and the euro so that Russia now refuses to settle in these currencies,” he said.

Why we must never ever vote PAS into power

Unravelling PAS’ political absurdity on underaged conversion case




PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin issued a stern warning against anyone trying to change the religious status of single-mother Loh Siew Hong’s three underaged children.


He said that since the children converted to Islam based on their understanding and awareness as free human beings, the status quo must be maintained.

He further elaborated that the high court order that granted custody of the children to Loh did not touch on religious issues as it was a mere recognition of the right of the mother to be united with her children.


For PAS to champion Islam is one thing but to be absurd on the matter of the religious conversion of Loh’s three children is another thing. It was not adults who were converted but underaged children.

The conversion was done by the Perlis religious authorities with only with the consent of the father Nagahswaran Muniandy and not the mother, Loh.


As PAS leaders like Khairil is fully aware, unilateral and illegal conversions of children are prohibited in the country.

Therefore, the conversion of Loh’s three children was illegal and unconstitutional and there are no two ways about it.

Loh was happily reunited with her children until the Perlis religious authorities sought a court order by way of third-party intervention to ensure that children status as Muslims will be maintained.

This is a frivolous and vexatious intervention and I hope the court dismisses this application.

Upon the intervention of the Perlis religious authorities, Loh had no choice but to seek a judicial review of the conversion of her three children.

Among other things, she is seeking a court order for her children to be registered as Hindus which is their original religion.

PAS leaders being in the Government seem to not have any respect for the law or court decisions.

They seem oblivious to the constitutional decision on illegality of unilateral or one-sided conversion.

It is all right to champion Islam but it is another thing to warn or threaten those who are challenging the illegal conversion of the three children.

I would like to ask Khairil whether his stern warning is also applicable to the judiciary so as to not interfere on matters of religious conversion.

In other words, is he telling the court to reject Loh’s judicial review application and to deny her the right to challenge the Perlis religious authorities on the unconstitutional conversion of her three children?

PAS being a component of the Government must respect the adjudication process of the judiciary. It is not necessary to apply veiled threats against anyone including the courts to not interfere and change the religious status of the three children.

The application for the judicial review has yet to be heard by the court. It is not necessary on the part of PAS leaders to influence the decision-making process as this is tantamount to a serious contempt of the court.

Given the decline in PAS’ political popularity, there seems to be serious attempt to grab even a straw to gain political mileage. Such is the nature of the decadent and obscurantist politics of PAS. – March 30, 2022



Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.

A worthy Goddess for Singapore schoolgirls to worship 😁😂😃😅😆

From Wikipedia:

In May 2006 an Athens court granted official recognition to the veneration of the Ancient Greek pantheon. Soon afterwards, on 22 January 2007, the Hellenist group Ellinais held a ceremony at the historic Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens.

Temple of Olympian Zeus - Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, some 638 years after the project had begun.

During the Roman period the temple, which included 104 colossal columns, was renowned as the largest temple in Greece and housed one of the largest cult statues in the ancient world.

Likely appearance of the temple during antiquity

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was a giant seated figure, about 12.4 m (41 ft) tall, made by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BC at the sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, and erected in the Temple of Zeus there.

The statue was a chryselephantine sculpture of ivory plates and gold panels on a wooden framework. Zeus sat on a painted cedarwood throne ornamented with ebony, ivory, gold, and precious stones. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The statue was lost and destroyed during the 5th century AD; details of its form are known only from ancient Greek descriptions and representations on coins.

It was the first such rite performed at the temple since the ancient Greek religion was outlawed by the Roman government in the late 4th century. [...]

The event caught the attention of the Greek Orthodox Church. Reporters at the event suggested the church might step up their opposition to the legitimizing of Hellenism. Father Eustathios Kollas, who presided over a community of Greek Orthodox priests, said: "They are a handful of miserable resuscitators of a degenerate dead religion who wish to return to the monstrous dark delusions of the past."

Despite the 2006 court ruling, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports continued to disallow ceremonies of any kind at archaeological sites, and some early 21st century Hellenic rituals therefore took the form of protests. [...]

In 2017, the Greek government finally recognised Hellenism as an official religion, over 1600 years after the Ancient Hellenic religion was banned by Emperor Theodosius I.

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Yahoo News:

No punishment against RGS girls who ‘prayed’ to Athena statue in school

Greek goddess Athena symbolises 'qualities crucial for daughters of a better age', according to a blurb on RGS' virtual campus tour. (SCREENCAPS: RGS website, Twitter)


SINGAPORE —No disciplinary action was meted to a group of Raffles Girls' School (RGS) students who were captured in photos allegedly "dancing, chanting and praying" to a statue of Greek goddess Athena located on the school's premises.

In response to media queries by Yahoo News Singapore, RGS principal Haslinda Zamani confirmed that an incident involving a "small group" of Year 1 students had caused some disruption to ongoing classes at the end of term 1 of the school year. The first term of the school year began on 4 January and ended on 11 March.

"Following this, the (head of year) sent an email to the Year 1 cohort on the incident, to encourage the students involved to take responsibility," Haslinda said.

The head has since spoken to the girls and listened to their explanation, the principal added.

"On the part of the girls, they reflected with maturity and have benefited from hearing from different perspectives. There was no disciplinary action meted," Haslinda added.

She also said that the school's approach has always been to have "open and honest conversations" with its girls, and to support "reflection and learning in a safe space".

Last week, screenshots of an email, as well as a photo attachment depicting the incident, purportedly circulated to all first-year RGS students and form teachers went viral on social media.

The screenshots of the alleged correspondence – which was not dated – showed that it was signed off by a Kamsir, who identified as the school's head for first-year students, and attached with a photo of the incident. The school's website listed a "Kamsir" as its head for first-year students.

In them, the school staff member purportedly wrote that a group of students had chosen to act on their "frustrations and anxiety over the pen-and-paper assessments (PPAs) by dancing, chanting and praying" to the statue of Athena.

The "inconsiderate acts" had disturbed their seniors who were still having their PPAs, the screenshots added.

Haslinda did not confirm the content seen in the screenshots, the nature of the incident, or whether similar incidents had happened in the past.

The alleged email continued to say the "unbecoming behaviour" had tarnished the reputation of all RGS students, noting that the group had not demonstrated the school values of "Principled" and "People Centredness" and "have instead demonstrated Self Centredness".

"'Praying' to the statue of Athena, even if done in jest, is unacceptable. If you do subscribe to a religion, let me remind you that your action is sacrilegious," it said.

"If you do not subscribe to a religion, your action is still unacceptable as it offends the school community that expects our school to be a secular environment for learning."

Athena is said to be associated with wisdom, and highly skilled in handicraft and warfare. The outdoor statue symbolises "qualities crucial for daughters of a better age", according to a blurb on the school's virtual campus tour.

The goddess is not the only symbol of Greek mythology adopted by RGS.

Its school song, "From High Olympus", is a reference to Mount Olympus, one of the most important sites in ancient Greece. Mount Olympus is said to be the home of the 12 Olympian gods, such as Zeus and Athena, and a meeting place of heaven and earth, according to Greek mythology.

Kamsir also purportedly called for the students involved in the incident to write a letter of apology explaining their actions by a deadline and why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.

The students would face an immediate booking if they did not respond to the order or if their replies were "insufficient".

"Know that pictures of your actions have gone viral online and have caused the online community to have a negative impression of all RGS girls. This is unfair to RGS girls past and present," the screenshots read.

The head also allegedly praised the students who witnessed the incident but did not join in.

"I hope that in future, you will go one step further in immediately telling off the girls who behave inappropriately. Let us help each other to be guided in behaviour that is not just acceptable but also commendable and admirable," the screenshots said.

The alleged email ended with a request to the students against circulating photos of the incident "online or otherwise" as "enough damage has been done".

The alleged email went viral on social media. (SCREENCAPS: Twitter)

Wakakaka - c'mon lah teacher, shouldn't there be freedom of religion in Singapore?

Athena - the daughter of Zeus, produced without a mother, so that she emerged full-grown from his forehead. There was an alternative story that Zeus swallowed Metis, the goddess of counsel, while she was pregnant with Athena, so that Athena finally emerged from Zeus. Being the favourite child of Zeus, she had great power. Born in Libya (now-Africa), she was the most courageous of Zeus' children. A worthy God (or Goddess) to worship, wakakaka.

It would seem that both Greece (at least until 2017) and Singapore (as witnessed in her Raffles Girls' School) both don't practise that much vaunted Western value of "freedom of religion", wakakaka.

What about the genocide in Iraq?

I posted this on 30 Mar 2008 - republishing now

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Ramzy Baroud is a Palestinian-American author and editor of PalestineChronicle.com. His work has been published in numerous newspapers and journals worldwide, including the Washington Post, Japan Times, Al Ahram Weekly and Lemonde Diplomatique.

His latest book is The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People's Struggle (Pluto Press, London).

Read more about him on his website: RamzyBaroud.net

********

30 March 2008

Five years after the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, mainstream media is once more making the topic an object of intense scrutiny. The costs and implications of the war are endlessly covered from all possible angles, with one notable exception - the cost to the Iraqi people themselves.

Through all the special coverage and exclusive reports, very little is said about Iraqi casualties, who are either completely overlooked or hastily mentioned and whose numbers can only be guesstimated.

Also conveniently ignored are the millions injured, internally and externally displaced, the victims of rape and kidnappings who will carry physical and psychological scars for the rest of their lives. We find ourselves stuck in a hopeless paradigm, where it feels necessary to empathise with the sensibilities of the aggressor so as not to sound "unpatriotic"*, while remaining blind to the untold anguish of the victims.

* Ramzy Baroud wrote as an American

Some actually feel the need to go so far as to blame the Iraqis for their own misfortune. Both Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have expressed their wish for Iraqis to take responsibility for the situation in their country, with the former saying, "we cannot win their civil war. There is no military solution."

It would have been helpful if Clinton had reached her astute conclusion before she voted for the Senate's 2002 resolution authorising President Bush to attack Iraq.

For the sake of argument, let's overlook both Clinton's and Obama's repeated assertions that all options, including military ones, are on the table regarding how to "deal" with Iran's alleged ambition to acquire nuclear weapons. But to go so far as blaming the ongoing war on the Iraqis' lack of accountability is a new low for these "antiwar" candidates. Is it still a secret, five years on, that the war on Iraq was fought for strategic reasons, to maintain a floundering superpower's control over much of the world's energy supplies and to sustain the regional supremacy of Israel, the US's most costly ally anywhere? 

Of course, there are those who prefer to imagine a world in which a well-intentioned superpower would fight with all of its might to enable another smaller, distant nation to enjoy the fruits of liberty, democracy and freedom. But it is nothing short of ridiculous to pretend that Iraqis are capable of controlling the parameters of the ranging conflict, that a puppet government whose election and operation is entirely under the command of the US military is capable of taking charge and assuming responsibilities. 

 Equally absurd is the insinuation that the civil war in Iraq is an exclusively Iraqi doing, and that the US military has not deliberately planted the seeds of divisions, hoping to reinterpret its role in Iraq from that of the occupier to that of the arbitrator, making sure the "good" guys prevail over the "bad".

The idea of the US making an immediate exit from Iraq or taking full financial and legal responsibility for the devastation and genocide - yes, genocide - that occurred in the last five years is simply unthinkable from the viewpoint of the corporate US media, which still relates to the war only in terms of American (and never Iraqi) losses. There are very few commentators who are actually arguing that the reasons for war were entirely self-serving, without an iota of morality behind them.

Would Bush employ the same logic he used to justify Saddam Hussein's execution - suggesting this was warranted by the Iraqi president's violence against his own people - when dealing with those responsible for the deaths of over a million Iraqis as a result of this war?

And indeed Iraqis are dying in numbers that never subside regardless of the media and official hype about the "surge". Just Foreign Policy says the number of dead Iraqis has surpassed one million, while a survey by the British polling agency ORB estimates the number at over 1.2 million. 

But the plight of Iraqis hardly ends at a death count, since those left behind endure untold suffering: soaring poverty, unemployment rates between 40-70 per cent (governmental estimates), total lack of security in major cities and, according to Oxfam International, four million in need of emergency aid.

"Baghdad has become the most dangerous city in the world, largely as a result of a US policy of pitting various Iraqi ethnic and sectarian groups against one another. Today, Baghdad is a city of walled-off Sunni and Shia ghettoes, divided by concrete walls erected by the US military," reports Dahr Jamail, one of the few courageous voices that honestly relayed the horrendous outcomes of the war.

Indeed, there seem to be no promising statistics coming out of Iraq. Even under the previous regime and the debilitating sanctions imposed by the US and the UN, Iraqis were much better off prior to the war. Now, Iraqis are relevant only as pawns of endless US government propaganda. 

From the viewpoint of Bush, McCain and Cheney, they are the victims of Al-Qaeda, which must be fought at all costs. From the viewpoint of Clinton and Obama, they need to fight their own wars and take responsibility for them, as if Iraqi "irresponsibility" is the main problem. In yet another "surprise visit" to Iraq by a US official, Vice-President Dick Cheney declared that Iraq was a "successful endeavour".

Considering the exorbitant contracts granted to selected corporations, the war has indeed succeeded in making a few already rich companies and individuals a lot richer.

Meanwhile, Shlomo Brom, a senior fellow at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies and former head of the Israeli army's Strategic Planning Division, sees things from a slightly different angle. "Any Iraq will be better than Iraq under Saddam, because the Iraq of Saddam had the ability to threaten Israel," he was quoted as saying in the Christian Science Monitor. In considering such skewed logic, one can only hope that Cheney's successful experiment will end soon, and that Israel's desire for security is now sated. The people of Iraq cannot tolerate any more "success".

Law minister lists three criteria for anti-hopping law, applicable on indie reps who later join parties

MM:

Law minister lists three criteria for anti-hopping law, applicable on indie reps who later join parties

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar in Parliament November 16, 2021. — Bernama pic


KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar today clarified to the Senate the three main criteria, as contained in the in the administrative draft of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, that define party hopping by a Member of Parliament.


He said the first criteria is when a member of parliament announces leaving the political party he/she contested for in an election to be an Independent member or join another political party.

“The second is when a Member of Parliament is expelled from the political party. This is for the purpose of ensuring that MPs abide by the constitution, as well as the party rules and regulations.


“The party that sacked the Member of Parliament concerned will face the risk of losing the seat and an election will have to be held again," he said in response to a question from Senator Datuk John Ambrose.


Ambrose wanted to know the action taken and plans that had been drawn up for the implementation of the anti-hopping law.

Wan Junaidi said anti-hopping law would also be applicable to Independent MPs who announced to join any political party after their victory.

He said this was because the action by the MP is considered a breach of the trust given by the people because during the election, the people voted for him/her because he/she was an independent candidate, instead of the other contenders.

“If a Member of Parliament is free to join any party, an election must be held again and the individual is not disqualified from contesting on behalf of the new party within 60 days of his dismissal (as a Member of Parliament) and the matter will be announced by the Dewan Rakyat as required under Clause 1 Article 54 of the Federal Constitution,” he added.

Wan Junaidi said with the enforcement of the anti-hopping law, party hopping could be prevented with the requirement for re-election to ensure the mandate is returned to the people in the event of a party hopping by by MPs.

However, he said, in a situation involving a dissolution of a political party, its Member of Parliament would not be considered party-hopping when joining another party. — Bernama

Tough battle for DAP to win over Malays after latest party polls

Malaysia Now:

Tough battle for DAP to win over Malays after latest party polls

But a Malay DAP leader says the issue of attracting support from the community was not a question at the party's recent central executive committee election.

arty leaders and delegates stand at DAP's 17th national congress in Shah Alam on March 20. Photo: Bernama


An analyst says the results of DAP’s election for its top decision-making body are likely to complicate efforts to win the support of the Malays, with the majority of those appointed seen as maintaining the party’s “Chinese” image.

At the central executive committee (CEC) election on March 20, only one Malay assemblyman – Ketari rep Young Syefura Othman – was voted in.

Other Malays, even those seen as party heavyweights such as Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Abdul Aziz Bari, former Johor exco Sheikh Umar Ali, and Syahredzan Johan, did not make the cut.

Meanwhile, two other Malay reps who formerly sat on the CEC – Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji and Zairil Khir Johari – were defeated this time around.

Tengku Zulpuri was however appointed to the committee alongside Syahredzan who is Lim Kit Siang’s political secretary.

Sarawak-based political observer Jeniri Amir said the results portrayed DAP’s dilemma in promoting the image of an inclusive Malaysia.

“It looks like after 10 years, the party’s efforts to attract the support of more Malays have not borne fruit,” he told MalaysiaNow.

“Instead, it appears to have regressed.”

While Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo received the highest number of votes at the CEC polls, Jeniri said the Malays had yet to be accepted in DAP.

DAP’s efforts to win Malay support began in the 1960s with personalities such as Ibrahim Singgeh and Ahmad Nor representing the party at the general election.

The party redoubled its efforts to attract and highlight young Malay leaders like Zairil and Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud after the 13th general election.

Dyana contested the 2014 by-election in Teluk Intan but lost to Mah Siew Keong of Gerakan.

For Tebing Tinggi rep Aziz, a former law lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia, the issue of attracting Malay support was not a question at the CEC election.

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said the Malays were not DAP’s “power base”.

“As a party, we have many issues to tackle,” he added. “This is a small matter.”

The former Perak exco also said that the CEC election was a “party race” and could not be viewed from the perspective of a Malay or non-Malay dichotomy.

Even if many Malays were elected to the CEC, he added, this did not necessarily mean they would win in elections.

“In party elections, Chinese compete with Chinese and Indians compete with Indians. This is an open competition,” the former PKR member said. “There is no question of the Malays being marginalised.”

Jeniri meanwhile said DAP would face challenges achieving the image of an inclusive party.

He said this was part of the bigger picture of Malaysian politics which is still segregated according to race.

“The Malays will be more cautious, and it’s almost a given that they will not support this party.

“DAP will have bigger problems to deal with,” he said, adding that the party’s slogan of “Malaysian Malaysia” would be difficult to materialise.

Here’s why Najib has become the ‘de facto opposition’, say analysts

Here’s why Najib has become the ‘de facto opposition’, say analysts

Najib Razak has a “superior” team that knows how to voice out the concerns of the people. (Facebook pic)


PETALING JAYA: Two analysts say Najib Razak’s social media team and Pakatan Harapan’s reliance on the 1MDB scandal have transformed the former prime minister into the “de facto opposition”.

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Najib had a better social media team, while Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the opposition coalition had neglected bread and butter issues.

Oh said the Pekan MP had a “superior” team that knew how to voice out the concerns of the people.

The self-proclaimed ‘King of Trolls’ also had a better public relations machine compared to that of PH, he said.

PH on the other hand relied heavily on volunteers, whose work had been hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Najib was able to tour the country and observe the difficulties faced by the people,” Oh told FMT, adding that it was crucial for PH to acquire these abilities in order to ascertain what was most needed socioeconomically for the country and to remain relevant to the voters.

Najib had built a narrative to ensure that he was not only politically indispensable but to also overshadow his legal troubles, Oh said, referring to the former prime minister’s corruption cases.

Azmi, meanwhile, said PH was too focussed on the 1MDB scandal.

“Regular folk cannot relate to the 1MDB issue in their daily lives, especially during the pandemic when they are struggling to keep food on the table,” he told FMT.

Recently, former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said Najib had “hijacked” PH’s ability to connect with people, especially on social media.

Rafizi, who earlier this month announced his return to active politics, said he was ready to take back the narrative from Najib to boost PH’s appeal to voters in the upcoming general election.

Both analysts felt that in order for Rafizi to be successful in retaking the narrative from Najib, he must demonstrate the ability to create a new narrative that showed PH cared about the well-being of the people.

“I hope the rest of the opposition can catch up with Rafizi or be even willing to listen to him to build the new people’s narrative,” Oh added.

US 1MDB trial: Fengshui master warned ex-Goldman banker Leissner of ‘bad karma’ ahead of scandal

MM:

US 1MDB trial: Fengshui master warned ex-Goldman banker Leissner of ‘bad karma’ ahead of scandal

Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng (second from left) exits after the first day of his criminal trial, at the United States Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York February 14, 2022. — Reuters pic


KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 — Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner had been forewarned that “bad karma” would be coming his way from his own doing ahead of the 1MDB financial scandal that shook the world, a US jury in the trial of his former Malaysian subordinate Roger Ng heard yesterday.


Bloomberg reported that Ng’s wife, Lim Hwee Bin, who was called to the witness stand this week told the US court in New York that she and her husband consult a fengshui master known as “Master Pang” annually and had arranged readings for Leissner between 2015 and 2016.

In one of the readings, she said “Master Pang” had cautioned Leissner.


“Don't cause bad karma.


“Whatever bad is coming is coming out of your mouth,” Lim, the defence witness, was quoted saying.

Ng, 49, was Goldman’s former chief for Malaysia. He is charged with conspiring with Leissner to embezzle, bribe, and launder money from the Malaysian sovereign investment fund in violation of US anti-corruption laws.

Leissner, who had been Ng’s supervisor at Goldman, had pled guilty to receiving kickbacks from flamboyant businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, for helping embezzle funds Goldman raised for 1MDB through three bond sales but was never charged.

He is now cooperating with the US government as its key witness against Ng.

According to the Bloomberg news report, Leissner previously testified in the US court that the fengshui master told him a “female” would “be helpful to him in the future”.

But Lim testified that the “female” was actually Leissner’s daughter.

Leissner had previously told the US court that he, Ng and Lim had agreed to create a “cover story” for the authorities for a US$35 million (RM160 million) kickback for Ng.

Umno leader: Guan Eng rattled that Chinese favour Najib over him

Umno leader: Guan Eng rattled that Chinese favour Najib over him


Penang Umno Wanita leader Norliza Abdul Rahim has laid into former chief minister Lim Guan Eng as part of a growing war of words after ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak visited the state.

She hit out at Lim (above, left) after he “defended” a Penang business group for being critical of the welcome Najib received during his trip.

“I am surprised that he (Lim) quickly jumped to defend the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC). It just confirmed that I was right.

“PCCC is the mouthpiece of DAP and now he is acting as the spokesperson for PCCC,” Norliza (above, right) said.

She was responding to a post by Lim on Facebook yesterday in which he said, “Whether there is a right to representation or not, it is decided by Chinese society, not by extreme racist political parties. I also hope that Umno will not bully the Chinese leaders.

“Umno has not yet run in the national general election, and it has already attempted to bully the Chinese society and the Chinese social interests.”

Norliza questioned if Lim wanted to be the spokesperson of PCCC. She also advised the organisation to focus on business-related matters for the Chinese community, rather than on politics.

She then claimed Najib is now more popular than Lim among the Chinese.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s Penang visit last week.


Two days ago, Norliza said she was disgusted with PCCC president Hong Yeam Wah and Komtar assemblyperson Teh Lai Hin who issued statements against Najib's visit to Penang last Friday (March 25).

Hong rejected the notion that the Chinese community welcomed Najib's visit to the state after Federation of Malaysia Zhang Clan Association president Anthony Chang Wei Loon said he received Najib with open arms on behalf of Penang Chinese.

Norliza also slammed Lim for making his Facebook post only in Mandarin.

She was not amused, retorting: “His post is only in the Chinese language. Why? He targets the Chinese audience as he knows well that Najib has a stronger appeal than him in the Chinese community now.

“The reason behind his statement being issued only in the Chinese language is to break Najib's growing appeal in the Chinese community,” she added.

She also needled Lim and said he changed his tune when he was appointed finance minister under ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Guan Eng declared himself as not a Chinese to please Mahathir.”

“It is laughable that Guan Eng is now having sleepless nights over Najib’s visit!” she added.

Blame Dr M, not me, for Penang Bridge toll, Najib tells Guan Eng

Blame Dr M, not me, for Penang Bridge toll, Najib tells Guan Eng

The former Pakatan Harapan government gave an 18% discount on the Penang Bridge toll but the concession period was extended by another 20 years, says Najib Razak. (Bernama pic)


PETALING JAYA: Najib Razak has rubbished claims by Lim Guan Eng that he was responsible for implementing the Penang Bridge toll.

He also reminded the DAP national chairman that it was Dr Mahathir Mohamad who did it in his first stint as prime minister.

“The one who implemented the toll was your boss ‘Atok’ (Mahathir). He even drove his Proton Saga across the bridge when he officiated the bridge,” Najib said in a Facebook post today.

He was responding to the former Penang chief minister’s claim that Najib had implemented the toll without taking any steps to reduce the toll charges.

Najib suggested that Lim may have been unhappy with him for mocking DAP’s efforts in giving an 18% discount for the Penang Bridge toll but having extended the concession period for the bridge and highway tolls from 18 years to 38 years.

“When I was prime minister, the government had given a 20% discount for all Penangites who paid the toll charge using Touch ‘n Go cards.

“I also abolished 11 tolls and built two major highways without tolls during my time,” he said.

“How many tolls were abolished and how many major highways without tolls were built when Pakatan Harapan (PH) was in power?”

Recently, Najib claimed that DAP had betrayed the people of Penang over its promise to abolish the toll on the Penang Bridge if PH won the 2018 general election (GE14).

He pointed out that Lim had instead allowed the toll concession period to be extended by another 20 years, until 2058.

“The PH-DAP government gave an 18% discount on the bridge toll in 2020 and asked the people of Penang to praise them.

“But do the people of Penang know that this 18% discount was given on the condition that the PLUS concession on bridge and highway tolls is extended for another 20 years from 2038 to 2058?

“The people of Penang (and their grandchildren) have to pay tolls for another 38 years,” he said, adding that the discount was small but the concession period has been doubled.

PRIBUMI Bersatu panicked liao

We’re open, but some parties don’t want cooperation, says Wan Saiful

Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan before the meeting of Bersatu division information chiefs in Kota Kinabalu.


KOTA KINABALU: Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan has taken a swipe at Umno, saying his party is ready to work with its allies ahead of the 15th general election (GE15) but there are parties that do not want such cooperation.

Asked whether he thought Bersatu and Umno should continue working together under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-BN (GRS-BN) pact for GE15, Wan Saiful, who did not mention Umno by name, said his party had been clear that it wanted to maintain its partnership with other parties.


“But at the same time, we can see that there are certain parties that insist they do not want to have that unity among political parties,” he said before a closed-door dialogue with Bersatu division information chiefs here tonight.

“We are consistent in wanting to build a stable and cohesive partnership with others, so we hope they feel the same way.”


Bersatu is a component in the GRS coalition, along with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

Meanwhile, Sabah Bersatu information chief Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan agreed that the GRS-BN relationship should be maintained.

“The relationship between GRS and BN is intact because our main focus is to develop the state and look after the people’s welfare,” he said.

Multi-faith group slams ‘seditious’ call by PAS over conversion case - where is the police?

Multi-faith group slams ‘seditious’ call by PAS over conversion case

Loh Siew Hong has filed a judicial review in the High Court for leave to seek a declaration that her ex-husband was legally unfit to convert their children to Islam.


PETALING JAYA: A group representing non-Muslim faiths has defended a single mother’s bid to nullify the unilateral conversion of her children to Islam, saying it was her constitutional right to do so.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) also said PAS’ warning against such attempts were not only “extreme and seditious”, but contravened the Federal Constitution as well as the Penal Code.

MCCBCHST said it was Loh’s right to file an application in the High Court to seek remedy for the alleged illegal conversion of her three children by their father to Islam.

This, it added, was purely a civil matter between the mother and father of the three children.

“Khairil Nizam Khirudin is unlawfully and unconstitutionally imposing his view on the matter and trying to usurp the power of the courts,” it said, referring to the Islamic party’s information chief.

They also accused Khairil of criminal intimidation and causing disharmony, saying that both are offences under the Penal Code.

Earlier today, Khairil issued a “stern warning” against those trying to nullify the children’s conversion, saying it was based on their “understanding, awareness and willingness as free human beings (to be converted) as a result of their Islamic studies and education”.

In response, Loh’s lawyers said any attempt to prevent their client from nullifying the conversion would be considered an interference with the administration of justice and constitutes contempt of court.


MCCBCHST went on to add that if Khairil had any interest in the civil matter he should file an application to intervene, instead of threatening to take “unlawful extra-judicial steps against a lawful action by the mother”.

“Khairil should accept the reality that Malaysia has a written constitution which is the highest law in the country and all people, regardless of the religion they practice, are subject to it.”

Last week, Loh – who obtained custody of her children from the Perlis religious authorities in February – filed a judicial review in the High Court for leave to seek a declaration that her former husband was legally unfit to convert their children to Islam.

She is also asking for a declaration that a provision in the Perlis state enactment that allows for a parent to unilaterally convert minors is unconstitutional.

Tangan ghaib di belakang tabir yang menyekat dari tindakan diambil terhadap bekas gabenor Bank Negara Zeti Akhtar Aziz - Siapa dia?

Sebab Apa PDRM Sekat Tindakan Terhadap Zeti Aziz?

By Raja Petra Kamarudin On Mar 29, 2022

Nampaknya ada tangan ghaib di belakang tabir yang menyekat dari tindakan diambil terhadap bekas gabenor Bank Negara Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Why Israel is Pressing Washington to Sell F-15s to Egypt: Eliminating Cairo’s Military Options [Her sinister motive]

Military Watch:

Why Israel is Pressing Washington to Sell F-15s to Egypt: Eliminating Cairo’s Military Options

F-15EX Eagle USAF/Ethan Wagner


Following reports on March 15 that a contract for the sale of American F-15 fighter jets to Egypt was under consideration, it emerged nine days later that Egypt’s neighbour and longstanding military rival Israel had not only given its approval to but was actively urging Washington to approve a deal.

While Egypt has since the 1980s deployed the F-15’s cheaper lightweight counterpart the F-16, it has been denied permission to acquire the more advanced heavyweight aircraft for over four decades while Israel has since the late 1970s operated the F-15 as its primary air superiority fighter.

Although Israel initially opposed F-15 sales to Egypt, which helped to ensure a military advantage, an Egyptian F-15 acquisition will likely take considerable pressure off Israel’s eastern borders and ensure a balance of power in the region more favourable to Israeli interests.

The cause of this is twofold. The first is that versions of American fighter aircraft built for Egyptian use, much like those built for the Iraqi Air Force, are very heavily downgraded providing a negligible capability to seriously threaten those used by Western or Israeli units. Perhaps the most notable example is Egyptian F-16s do not carry any viable standoff air to air missiles, and are rarely seen equipped with any thing other than defensive visual range missiles. The most capable missile made available is the AIM-7 Sparrow, which relies on semi active radar guidance and was considered obsolete by the mid-1990s.

This combined with downgrades, and close American control on how and where Egyptian F-16s fly, ensure that they pose no challenge to the Israeli Air Force in the event of conflict.

Egyptian Air Force F-16s with Short Range Missiles


The second reason for Israeli support for an F-15 sale is that the Egyptian Air Force has since 2013 sought to look away from a reliance on Western armaments, and in 2015 signed a $2 billion contract for 46 MiG-29M medium weight fighters.

It remains no exaggeration to say that these MiGs are significantly more potent in air to air combat or in standoff air to ground or anti shipping missions than all 200 or so heavily downgraded and underarmed F-16s, and are the only fighters in the Egyptian inventory which can seriously challenge Israeli air power. 

The MiG-29M deal was followed in 2018 by another $2 billion contract for an estimated 24-26 Su-35 heavyweight fighters, which are not only more sophisticated but also much heavier and represent the most capable fighters Russia has ever exported. Like the MiG-29M, Russia does not downgrade hardware meant for Egypt treating it as equal to its other defence clients, and does not impose strict controls on how its fighters can be used. The result is that an Egyptian Su-35 acquisition would place significant further pressure on Israel’s western borders which until the late 2010s were for decades considered almost totally secure from the air, and while relations between Cairo and Tel Aviv remain relatively positive the latter consistently plans contingencies for potential changes.

Egyptian MiG-29M with R-77-1 and Kh-35 Missiles


Where the MiG-29M deploys the R-77-1 active radar guided missile with a 110km range for air to air engagements, on par with if not surpassing the AIM-120C used by most frontline Israeli units, the Su-35 can deploy the K-77M and R-37M with 200km and 400km ranges. Combined with the fighter’s reduced radar cross section, triple radars, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and powerful sensors, the aircraft could pose a formidable threat if equipping elite Egyptian units.

Israel has notably encountered Su-35s in the past, with Russian Air Force fighters escorting Israeli F-16s out of Syrian airspace to prevent attacks on the country. The F-15 by contrast would ensure an Israeli advantage, with not only heavily downgraded avionics but also extensive American control over its operations to ensure it is never used in a way that is contrary to Western interests.

Even if F-15s sold to Egypt are equipped with downgraded variants of the AIM-120C, these will be unable to compete with Israel’s growing numbers of AIM-120D missiles or the upcoming AIM-260 which Israel is expected to be one of the first clients for - with Washington’s propensity to deny these to Egypt ensuring an overwhelming Israeli advantage is perpetuated. 

Israeli intelligence sharing with the U.S. will also ensure that the right electronic warfare measures needed to nullify the F-15 or its missiles will be well known to the Israeli Air Force well ahead of any possible clash.

No similar relationships exist with non Western arms suppliers such as Russia. Thus an F-15 sale to Egypt remains highly favourable, not only because it will deny funds to the Russian defence sector and finance that of the U.S., but also for Israeli interests by ensuring that the Egyptian Air Force remains tightly under Western control and incapable of challenging its neighbours in the air.

Cairos’ decision over the F-15, Su-35, and more broadly the future of its fighter fleet at a time of tremendous Western pressure, remains to be seen.

PAS Hidung Tak Mancung, Pipi Tersorong-Sorong

TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2022



PAS Hidung Tak Mancung, Pipi Tersorong-Sorong

By Raja Petra Kamarudin On Mar 21, 2022

Cukuplah PAS berkelakuan hidung tak mancung, pipi tersorong-sorong. Tunjuklah sikit yang PAS ada maruah dan tidak gila jawatan dalam kerajaan.

S’pore court decision to proceed with the execution of Nagaenthran a violation of UN convention, says lawyer

S’pore court decision a violation of UN convention, says lawyer

Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam should be spared the gallows because he is mentally impaired, his family lawyer says. (AP pic)


PETALING JAYA: Singapore has violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities following its Court of Appeal’s decision to reject Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam’s bid to overturn his death sentence for drug trafficking, a lawyer says.

N Surendran, the Malaysian lawyer for Nagaenthran and his family, said this morning’s decision was a violation of Singapore’s treaty obligations under the convention.


“It’s a revolting (and) disgusting decision because the Singapore courts have essentially said that it’s all right to execute a mentally disabled person,” he told FMT.

“No civilised country or person can accept this. The court has obediently echoed what the Singapore government has been saying on this case since last year.”


Nagaenthran, 32, was sentenced to death in November 2010 for trafficking 42.72gm of heroin into Singapore in 2009.

He was scheduled to be hanged in November last year but managed to get it postponed following an 11th-hour challenge at the Court of Appeal on the grounds that he is intellectually disabled.

His mental capability diagnosis is said to have shown that he has an IQ of 69 which translates into being mentally impaired.

His case had led to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob urging Singapore to commute his death sentence. Human rights activists and British billionaire Richard Branson have also voiced out against the sentence.


Surendran, who is also the adviser to rights group Lawyers for Liberty, urged the Malaysian government to take Singapore to the International Court of Justice over today’s court decision.

Pak Hadi's peaceful Islamic solution???

MM:

After PAS’ warning, Loh’s lawyers condemn intimidation ahead of challenge against her three kids’ unilateral conversion

In a statement issued by the law firm Srimurugan & Co representing Loh Siew Hong, it noted that PAS had been reported to have issued a stern warning against Loh for filing a lawsuit to seek to nullify her three children’s unilateral religious conversion. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin


KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 ― Hindu mother Loh Siew Hong’s lawyers today condemned any attempts to threaten or intimidate their client for pursuing a court challenge against her Muslim convert ex-husband’s unilateral conversion of her three young children to Islam.

In a statement issued by the law firm Srimurugan & Co representing Loh, it noted that PAS had been reported to have issued a stern warning against Loh for filing a lawsuit to seek to nullify her three children’s unilateral religious conversion.

“We are of the view that any form of threat, expressly or impliedly, or even a warning, discouraging a litigant from pursuing his or her legal right in court, amounts to serious interference with the administration of justice and constitutes criminal contempt of court.


“We condemn any form of intimidation, pressure or smear campaign against Madam Loh Siew Hong,” the law firm said.


Loh’s law firm also asked religious figures to not further comment against their client or on the case, as it is a matter that has been brought to the courts.

“We urge all parties to refrain from making any statements pertaining to the case, as it might incite hatred and cause unnecessary tension among various races in the country.

“While we respect the freedom of speech and expression of every citizen in this country, we urge religious figures not to produce any more videos or make any further comments pertaining to the case or against Madam Loh Siew Hong, as the matter is already pending before the Court,” it said.

“We hope that this case will not be politicised and the legal process be allowed to take its own course. We believe in the legal process and we place our trust in the judiciary to resolve the dispute between the parties amicably,” it added.

Earlier today, the online mouthpiece of Islamist party PAS, HarakahDaily, posted an article where the party urged politicians, intellectuals, Islamic preachers, non-governmental organisations and all Muslims in Malaysia to unite in securing the faith of Loh’s children.

HarakahDaily had also quoted PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin as saying that PAS wants to give a stern warning that there should be no one who wishes to change the religion of the three children who had been converted to Islam.

The warning came a few days after Loh’s filing of a lawsuit to challenge the conversion of her three children to Islam without her consent.

On March 25, Loh had filed her judicial review application in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, naming the four respondents as the Perlis Registrar of Muallaf or Muslim converts, the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, Perlis mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin and the Perlis state government.

In her lawsuit, Loh had sought for eight court orders, including a declaration that her three children are Hindus, and a declaration that her Muslim convert ex-husband is not legally capable of allowing the Perlis registrar of muallafs to register the three children as Muslim converts without her consent.

She is also seeking for court orders to quash the conversion of the three children to Islam and to cancel or stop the issuing of official cards stating the three as having converted to Islam, as well as an order to the Perlis registrar of muallaf to delete or remove the three children’s names from its register of Muslim converts, and to stop the Perlis mufti from making any statements that claim the three children to be Muslim converts or Muslim children.

The hearing of Loh’s application for leave for judicial review is scheduled to be heard by High Court judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh on May 17.

Loh’s children were taken away from her in 2019 while she was hospitalised with injuries she claimed were inflicted by her former husband, who has since converted to Islam and who was said to have secretly converted the couple’s children.

In December 2019, she obtained interim custody of her children pending her divorce, but her court case was delayed when the country went into Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020.

She finally obtained a court order granting her full and sole custody of all three children in March 2021, but was unable to find them and had later lodged a police report in December 2021 in her bid to find them.

It was only on February 14, 2022, that she was finally able to see her children, and on February 21 won a court order for her three children to be immediately released to her from alleged unlawful detention as the order granting her sole custody was still valid.