The VellfireHellfire-breathing ignorant but bigoted PAS Kedah MB

FMT:

This is what happens when you pick an ignorant man to be MB, MIC says after ban remark

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said MIC should be banned if the party incited people to break the law. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: MIC president S Vigneswaran today slammed the Kedah menteri besar for saying the party should be banned if it is inciting people to break the law, on the back of an issue of a temple demolition and lack of funding for non-Muslim places of worship in the state.

Yesterday, Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, commenting on the MIC questioning the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kuala Kedah by the city council, said the party was merely trying to gain popularity by inciting others to go against the law over illegally built places of worship in the state.

Vigneswaran said: “This is what happens when you pick an ignorant man to be the MB. We have the right to ask because freedom of worship is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“If defending the rights of our community can be considered instigation, then PAS should be banned, judging from the number of demonstrations they have held on international issues and claims of some of them being linked to terrorists.

“PAS is showing its true colours and it is not surprising that the DAP could not work with them because of their arrogance.

“Go ahead, try to ban us and see. But if he (Sanusi) does not manage to ban us, then he should step down as MB,” he said when contacted.

MIC president S Vigneswaran says that if Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor fails in getting the party banned, he should resign.

Vigneswaran said the issue raised by the MIC over the demolition of the temple should have been treated civilly, instead of Sanusi going on a tirade against the party.

“This is what you get when immature people become MB. Does he remember his party president previously vowing not to demolish any temple?” he asked.

Vigneswaran said PAS should realise it was a “nobody” six months ago, prior to the formation of Perikatan Nasional.

Separately, the DAP’s P Ramasamy said Sanusi’s reaction to a simple question over the demolished temple showed the PAS-led government was keen on causing misery among non-Muslims in Kedah.

He said it was wrong to say any group or party, in this case the MIC, was inciting people to break the law or gain popularity when it was just demanding fair rights for ethnic Indian citizens.

“This is simply the wild and careless imagination of Sanusi who has proved to be an ineffective leader in Kedah.

“Indians are upset and angry simply because more temples have been demolished in the state in comparison with the earlier BN and later PH governments.

“If the authorities can demolish temples, some of them more than hundreds of years old, you expect Indians to offer the proverbial other cheek? Sorry, Indians are not the reincarnation of Gandhi.”

FMT has contacted the MB and his office for comment.

*********

kt notes:

Also read my related previous post regarding the Hindu-shrine-demolishing PAS Kedah government in
PAS' Muhammad Sanusi the smiling carnivorous tiger.

I've also commented on FB that the current oppressive behaviour of the PAS Kedah government demonstrates the dangers to non-Muslims (and even Muslims) of ever trusting PAS to govern Malaysia as the major ruling political party. It's a brutally oppressive political party, with inclination towards dictatorship. PAS must be politically destroyed if possible or kept to the sideline preferably.

Non-Muslims take note of the Islamic Party smiling Tiger as it's still a very ferocious carnivorous predator, especially to non-Muslims, as Hindus in Kedah have experienced. Don't ever support such a smiling predator.

The PAS MB Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is not only a smiling tiger but now when in power, with fangs bared and claws unsheathed, but also a Vellfire ... ooops ... I mean ... hellfire-breathing bigot - he'll eat you and your rights up. Just imagine he wants to ban MIC just for speaking up for Hindus. Watch out for more of his ignorant oppressive kerbau.

Yes, as Vigneswaran said, Sanusi might be an ignoramus insofar as democracy is concerned but he is an ignoramus with taste, for as the chairman of SADA who must have surely oversighted or approved (directly or indirectly) SADA Asset Acquisition Committee in acquiring the luxurious Vellfire MPV for the SADA vehicle pool, and making that vehicle "available for the shared use of Sada’s board members and senior officials" (wakakaka)

what an impressive SADA Chairman merangkap MB Kedah (wakakaka) for acquiring a Vellfire costing half a million ringgit and with the licence plate of KEP 5000 for the use of the SADA senior officers 

So what if the MB couldn't solve Kedah's water problems

Yalah, eff SADA (wakakaka) 

The fate of those nons who work with (or under) PAS 

Venomous "King Cobra" bit Apandi

Malaysiakini:

Dr M ignored Agong’s role in sacking Apandi as AG, claims court filing

Then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had ignored the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the removal of Mohamed Apandi Ali as Attorney-General (AG), a court filing alleged.

The reply court filing was made by Apandi in response to a Statement of Defence by Mahathir and the government against the former’s suit challenging the sacking.

Apandi’s lawyers from the firm Messrs Shukor Baljit & Partners filed the reply at the High Court Registry in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26.

Among the main issues raised by the suit was whether the consent of the Agong is required for a person’s removal from the post of Attorney-General, per the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

“Further, the plaintiff (Apandi) will lead evidence to establish that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s role and satisfaction and or pleasure was not taken into account and or brushed aside by the first defendant (Mahathir) at all material times and hence there is a constitutional failure in the process of termination of the plaintiff’s position as the Attorney-General for the Federation,” claimed the court document sighted by Malaysiakini.

On Oct 13, Apandi filed the legal action over his alleged unlawful termination as AG by the then Pakatan Harapan federal administration a short while after the 14th General Election (GE14) in mid-2018.

On Nov 12, defendants Mahathir and the government filed their Statement of Defence, claiming that the termination of Apandi’s contract as AG was valid in law, as well as alleging there had been no abuse of power by Mahathir in the termination.

In response to the two defendants’ contention that the termination was legally valid and that Mahathir had not abused his power, Apandi claimed these were “bald statements callously made from misapprehension of facts and/or are at variance with facts and evidence which the defendants are fully cognisance of”.

The plaintiff also alleged that Mahathir had formed a “venomous” view against him prior to the latter’s purported invalid termination as AG.

“The plaintiff avers and will contend and will lead evidence that the first defendant had formed a venomous and thus negative view against the plaintiff and was driven to remove the plaintiff in any event from the position as the Attorney-General and, imbued with that determination, the plaintiff was unconstitutionally and unlawfully terminated,” Apandi claimed through the reply.

When contacted by Malaysiakini today, Apandi’s counsel Baljit Singh Sidhu confirmed the filing of the reply.

The lawyer explained that his client will file a discovery application to compel the two defendants to reveal crucial documents relevant to the suit.

Baljit added that following e-review (online) case management of the matter with the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today, the court has fixed the next case management on Dec 11.

“The next date of Dec 11 is for us to file a discovery application for purposes of certain documents,” he said.

Under civil litigation, a plaintiff may file a discovery application to obtain documents relevant to their legal action, but which are in the possession or custody of the defendant.

Biggest King Cobra in the World

Found in Kerala 

Indira Gandhi versus IGP tok-kok continues

FMT:

We have not given up looking for fugitive father, say cops

Muhammad Riduan Abdullah fled with daughter Prasana Diksa, who was supposed to be reunited with her mother, M Indira Gandhi, in 2009. (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Police said efforts to execute a court order to track down Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, the former husband of kindergarten teacher M Indira Gandhi who fled with their daughter, are ongoing.

In their defence filed against a lawsuit by Indira, they said Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador and other officers had taken measures to track down Riduan and return Prasana Diksa to her mother.

“The IGP has never neglected his duties in executing the court’s order as we are still looking for Riduan,” the defence statement said.

They said the police action included placing Riduan on the wanted list, seeking an Interpol alert and getting assistance from other countries to track him down.

Indira filed the lawsuit against the IGP and the government last month, claiming inaction in executing a warrant of committal to arrest Riduan and return Prasana to her.

Riduan had absconded with Prasana in 2009.

In her statement of claim, Indira said the IGP had committed tort of misfeasance in public office when he “knowingly and/or recklessly disregarded the mandamus order from the Federal Court”.

The court had in 2016 instructed the IGP to execute the warrant of committal against Riduan after he was found guilty of contempt by refusing to hand over Prasana to her mother.

Police also said 72 police reports had been lodged to ask them to track Riduan down, with some providing some information.

“However, he could not be located and we believe Riduan was constantly moving from one place to another to avoid being tracked down,” they said.

They said a task force, known as Special Task Force on Organised Crime, was set up where they enlisted help from various agencies and ministries to obtain information on Riduan’s movements.

The IGP, in his press event this year, stood firm on his promise to obtain a ‘happy ending’ for Indira.

“He also stressed that police are looking for Riduan but do not publicise their work to the media on grounds of public interest,” they said.

pro-Whoever Warisan eff-ing up Anwar's parliamentary strategy against Budget

MM Online:

Pundits suggest Opposition find alternatives to Plan B after repeated failures against Budget 2021 at committee stage

Opposition MPs’ current behaviour in the Dewan Rakyat is destabilising not only Anwar’s position as Opposition leader, but also the entire bloc’s ability to check and balance the government. — Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the rest of the Opposition bloc should seriously reconsider their options, including preparing for general elections, several political analysts said.

They noted that the attempts by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its cohorts to vote down Budget 2021 at the committee stage has not worked in the past week as the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) easily cleared the hurdles with the full support of its Barisan Nasional (BN) allies.

Analyst Shazwan Mustafa Kamal observed that the Opposition has stumbled and dropped the proverbial ball.

“The narrative has shifted from the Perikatan Nasional government and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's support amongst MPs to questions surrounding the fractious nature of the Opposition, and why they are not united,” said the senior associate with political and policy risk consultancy Vriens & Partners.

He noted that the Opposition MPs’ current behaviour in the Dewan Rakyat is destabilising not only Anwar’s position as Opposition leader but jeopardising the entire bloc’s ability to check and balance the government.

“Warisan's absence this week during bloc votes at the Committee stage is a clear sign that Anwar does not command support from all parties, and that there are issues that still need to be ironed out in detail.

“At this point, the Opposition should do its best to highlight issues of concern for each ministry so that there is at least some dissonance on the issue. But opposing the Budget at this stage is a very tall order,” Shazwan told Malay Mail.

So far, the allocations for seven ministries under Budget 2021 have sailed through the committee stage in Parliament; four through voice votes and three through bloc voting.

Since Monday, the Opposition has consistently topped out at 95 MPs at each division voting.

As another analyst Oh Ei Sun sees it, PN’s maiden Budget clearing any obstacle is largely a done deal, unless as he said, some government backbenchers change their minds again.

“The Umno backbenchers have indeed flipped back to supporting the Budget despite their initial flirting with opposing it, at least partly due to their budgetary demands having been substantially met,” said the senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

He added that this means there is further doubt to Anwar’s claim of commanding “a formidable and convincing” majority in Parliament when the Port Dickson MP gained an audience with the King and sought permission to form a new government to replace PN.

“Sure, that majority was effectively over as the Umno backbenchers flipped back to supporting the Budget with real reasons known only to themselves,” Oh said.

But analysts whom Malay Mail spoke with contended that the Opposition still have other options in their current predicament.

One of them is to again push for a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Muhyiddin in Parliament, noting that some Umno MPs, including its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has openly called for it.

To Oh, this is the safest bet for Anwar.

He said the Opposition should exploit the clear discomfort between Bersatu and Umno MPs.

However, he also cautioned that there is a likelihood the no-confidence motion may be defeated if Umno and PAS choose to team up as the two parties who have their Muafakat Nasional agreement form a formidable pact.

Another alternative is to start preparing for the 15th general election, which could happen soon, once the current third wave of the Covid-19 epidemic in the country is under control again.

Awang Azman Awang Pawi from the University of Malaya pointed out that the Opposition’s strategy to oppose Budget 2021 not at the policy stage but at the committee stage was only one plan.

“The plan to reject the Budget is a plan. If it fails, Anwar should continue with his plan to table a vote of no-confidence in Parliament that must be convincing with the support of Umno MPs who are dissatisfied with PN,” he said.

“If this fails as well, then they must focus on election preparations by strengthening their party machinery to court more support,” Awang added.

***

kt notes:

As expected, "unseen" hands control Warisan into eff-ing up Anwar's parliamentary strategy.

In my previous post Idiotic Sabah DAP slams Boo over budget vote row I wrote (extracts):

Dr Boo was right, that Warisan played dirty in not voting against the component budgets for both the PM Department and Finance Ministry, just to vent personal grudges against Anwar.

Indeed, Razeef Rakimin, Sabah PKR Youth information chief, said PKR did not rule out the possibility that Warisan MPs had been directed by Mahathir to sabotage opposition efforts in retaliation for Mahathir’s failure to muster the support of 15 MPs to force a vote by division on the second reading of the Supply Bill last Thursday.

High time the DAP wises up to the reality that Warisan will always be against Anwar because Warisan's Boss Shafie Apdal harbours ambition of being Pakatan's nominee for PM, thus a competitor against Anwar a la Assbinte&Mamak ... unless the Lim's and Loke are covertly still coveting majority rule under Atuk again?

   

PAS' Muhammad Sanusi the smiling carnivorous tiger

Malaysiakini:

MIC should be outlawed if it 'instigates' lawbreaking: Kedah MB

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said MIC ought to be outlawed although it is a BN component party, if it is found to have instigated members of the public into lawbreaking.

Amid a dispute over the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kuala Kedah, Sanusi (above) "advised" that a registered political party should not defend those who have run afoul with the law.

“I wish to advise Kedah MIC and the central MIC, especially since we are participating in politics through political parties… Our parties have a constitution, a constitution that is approved by the Registrar of Societies.

“For example, on temple issues, if the temple is built on land where it is not allowed to do so, then it has broken the law.

“Was MIC founded as a political party to instigate the people to break the law?

“If it is founded to instigate the people, then MIC should be outlawed in this country. It cannot be allowed to move freely,” he told a press conference today.

Sanusi said this when asked to respond to Kedah MIC’s condemnation that the state is no longer a harmonious place for a multicultural society to live in.

In an immediate response, MIC president SA Vigneswaran (below) slammed PAS and said it is PAS that ought to be outlawed for supporting certain international organisations.

“If defending the rights of their respective community and religion is interpreted as instigation, then PAS is the one that should be banned.

“We have heard many complaints about them when they were in the opposition, (for example) their frequent demonstrations on international issues.

“Since long ago, many people have considered PAS to have supported international organisations linked to terrorists," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

“PAS also likes to intervene in national issues that run against Malaysia’s stance of not interfering in other countries’ sovereignty,” Vigneswaran added.

The former Dewan Negara president also told PAS not to be an "ingrate" and emphasised that MIC does not depend on PAS in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

“Don’t forget your condition just six months ago. This is PAS’ true face, friendly before becoming government.

PAS smiles when not in power 

PAS shows its real face when in power 

the fate of those who works with PAS 

“Previously it was with Umno, and now it is with Bersatu. It seems DAP cannot be faulted when PAS left Pakatan Rakyat because now we can see PAS’ actions,” he said.

Vigneswaran also challenged Sanusi to ban MIC and promised to accept the outcome if the latter succeeds.

However, he questioned Sanusi if he is prepared to step down as menteri besar if he fails to outlaw MIC.

In addition, he accused Sanusi of lying by claiming that the federal government and the state government did not allocate any funds for temples.

“We have proven that he is lying, though he refuses to apologise.

“When you demolish a temple without any compensation, can’t we (MIC) question it? Who else can raise questions if not MIC?

“The Kedah menteri besar should either answer our question or provide a replacement site for places of worship. The Kedah menteri besar is not mature and this is what happens when immature leaders become menteri besar," Vigneswaran said.

“Go ask what has happened of PAS president (Abdul Hadi Awang’s) guarantee not to demolish temples if PAS forms a government together with PN,” he added.

For the record, the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) had demolished a temple at Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah yesterday to make way for development.

The 30-year-old Sri Raja Muniswaran temple is situated on land owned by the state government.

Apart from the temple, a silat hall and five parking areas were also demolished to make room for a futsal court.

Following the demolition, MIC Youth Public Complaints Bureau chief Sasitharan Samugam Pillai claimed that freedom of religion was no longer "harmonious" in Kedah.

“When the MBAS was asked, they said this was ordered by the Menteri Besar’s Office. But when referred to the Menteri Besar’s Office, they said there is a postponement order but the enforcers insisted to proceed with the demolition.

“This is a tactic of changing stories, and in the end, it is Hindus who suffer.

“It seems the Indian community is not valued as Kedah citizens. The practice of freedom of religion is no longer harmonious in Kedah,” he said in a statement.

Relations between Sanusi and Kedah MIC have been tense following the demolition of a temple at the Alor Setar train station early this year.

The situation worsened when Sanusi said there is no allocation for temples and non-Muslim places of worship under the state’s Budget 2021 proposal.

Idiotic Sabah DAP slams Boo over budget vote row

FMT:

Sabah DAP slams Boo over budget vote row, says it hurts opposition unity

Sabah DAP leader says opposition ties in the state may be damaged due to comments from a Johor DAP leader 

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah DAP has come to Warisan’s defence over the budget vote row, calling out former Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau for damaging ties between the two Sabah opposition parties.

In a statement today, Sabah DAP publicity secretary Phoong Jin Zhe criticised Boo for his outburst towards Warisan, calling it unwarranted.

“His comments have caused unjustified damage to opposition unity in the state.

“He should have channelled his views, opinions and complaints via internal opposition channels first, or perhaps through Sabah DAP,” Phoong said in a statement today.

The Luyang assemblyman added that Boo’s views were purely his own and did not represent the party.

“By making such a demand for apology from Warisan out of the blue and bypassing Sabah DAP, he not only put us in an awkward position, but he is also threatening opposition unity at the federal level.”

Phoong also called out Boo for deflecting the blame to Warisan MPs on the budget vote, when it was opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who was responsible.

“It is morally wrong to divert the responsibility to Warisan for being absent at the committee stage bloc voting while conveniently ignoring the fact that Anwar as the opposition leader had failed to achieve the majority to turn down the budget based on his claim of having a strong, formidable and convincing majority last September,” he said.

He added that it was not the time for finger pointing anymore but instead, to fulfil the wishes of Malaysians who want to see a united and progressive opposition camp.

“And we urgently need a strong opposition leader that can offer alternatives to revive the ‘New Malaysia’ dream.”

Earlier today, Warisan treasurer-general Terrence Siambun also hit out at Boo, who had reprimanded MPs from his party for sitting out the budget votes in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

Siambun had said it was pointless to debate further on the 27 supply bills at the committee stage when Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders themselves had already agreed to allow the budget to pass on Nov 26.

“Boo should instead pose the question to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as to why he failed to perform his fiduciary duty to object to the budget last week,” he said.

Yesterday, Boo said Sabahans had voted for Warisan to represent them in Parliament and that the party was not elected just to vent personal grudges against a single leader or PH itself.

Boo added that the Warisan MPs had failed taxpayers by not voting against the budgets for the Prime Minister’s Department and finance ministry which were passed on Monday in the Dewan Rakyat by slim majorities in a bloc vote.

***

kt notes:

Dr Boo was right, that Warisan played dirty in not voting against the component budgets for both the PM Department and Finance Ministry, just to vent personal grudges against Anwar.

Indeed, Razeef Rakimin, Sabah PKR Youth information chief, said PKR did not rule out the possibility that Warisan MPs had been directed by Mahathir to sabotage opposition efforts in retaliation for Mahathir’s failure to muster the support of 15 MPs to force a vote by division on the second reading of the Supply Bill last Thursday.

just because Dr Boo is in the DAP top leaders' black book his criticism of pro-Mahathir Warisan wasn't well received, hence Sabah DAP publicity secretary Phoong Jin Zhe acted as the party's head kicker.

High time the DAP wises up to the reality that Warisan will always be against Anwar because Warisan's Boss Shafie Apdal harbours ambition of being Pakatan's nominee for PM, thus a competitor against Anwar a la Assbinte&Mamak ... unless the Lim's and Loke are covertly still coveting majority rule under Atuk again?

 

Temple demolitions - Kedah PAS government & its version of Islamic Oppression

Malaysiakini:

Temple demolitions - history repeats often

by P Ramasamy

LETTER | The loud boasts of the Minister of National Unity Halimah Mohd Saddique recently in Parliament that the demolition of non-Muslim places of worship in Kedah would cease was rather premature.

During her visit with others including the Minister of Human Resources M Saravanan, she was assured by the Kedah PAS government that the demolition of non-Muslim places of worship would stop.

Thus, with another demolition of a Hindu temple on Dec 1 and other non-Muslim places of worship earmarked for demolition, Halimah's assurance in Parliament remains a farce.

As a representative of the Indians, Saravanan remains a mute spectator to the tragic events in the Indian community. Hardly a few months after the infamous destruction of a temple in Alor Setar, another has taken place.

The Majlis Bandaraya Alor Setar (MBAS) took advantage of the Covid-19 lockdown to destroy another Hindu temple - the Sri Raja Muniswarar Temple -which is more than 50 years old in Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah.

I understand from reliable sources that the authorities in Kedah taking advantage of the pandemic are planning further demolitions of non-Muslim places of worship.

I further understand that since the PAS government came into office several non-Muslim places of worship have been demolished in the name of road expansion, their illegal status, the encroachment of state land and other excuses.

A few months back MBAS with the strong backing of the Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammed Sanusi Mod Nor, demolished a century-old Hindu temple opposite a railway station in the name of road expansion.

The temple was destroyed in the early hours of one morning and subsequently, a majestic tree, hundreds of years of old, was cut down to ensure that the demolished temple would not take shape under the tree.

There was no road expansion whatsoever and the place was converted into a parking lot for motorcycles. So much for the honest and integrity of government officials in Kedah.

Apparently, among other municipal and city councils, MBAS has proven to be the most active when it comes to the demolition and removal of non-Muslim places of worship.

It cannot be denied that these agencies have the support of the overzealous PAS government in Kedah.

The destruction of the temple in Taman Bersatu was by MBAS. Although notice was given before the action, the absence of an alternative place made it not possible for the temple to be relocated.

If the Sri Raja Muniswarar Temple could exist for more than 50 years, why has it been suddenly destroyed? The land on which it was situated might have been state land but does this warrant destruction?

Recently, the menteri besar said in the Kedah state assembly that the government might not give financial assistance to temples and non-Muslim places of worship but nonetheless, the state government would be fair to them.

So the indiscriminate demolishing of this temple was it an act of fairness as assured by the menteri besar?

On Hindu religious matters, PAS depends on Indian members who have some kind associate membership with no voting rights. In the case of temple destructions, these so-called “Indian advisors” have hardly any role.

For some pittance thrown at them, they are more than prepared to justify the actions of the PAS in temple demolitions. Yet they have the gall to define themselves as “Indian representatives”.

Despite the charade and propaganda of tolerance, democracy and justice, PAS is a party with powerful ambitions. It’s religious and political agenda is clear with regards to non-Muslims' way of life, culture and religion.


The writer is deputy chief minister (II) of Penang and state assemblyperson for Perai.

Nasruddin dikecam isu mata yang tidak disentuh api neraka

Malaysia Dateline:

Nasruddin dikecam isu mata yang tidak disentuh api neraka

Lagi kecaman orang ramai menghujani Ahli Jawatankuasa Kerja Pas Pusat, Nasruddin Hassan yang juga Yang Dipertua Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM).

Kali ini susulan catatan ringkasnya tentang jenis mata yang tidak akan disentuh oleh api neraka.

“Nabi SAW bersabda: Dua mata yang tidak akan disentuh oleh api neraka.

“Mata yang berjaga kerana perjuangkan Islam dan mata yang menangis kerana takutkan Allah SWT,” katanya dengan perkataan ‘mata’ ditulis dalam semua huruf besar.

Walau bagaimanapun, selepas 18 jam dimuat naik di Facebook dan menerima lebih 3,000 tanda emoji dan 300 komentar, lebih banyak sindiran dan kecaman diterima berbanding sokongan atau pujian.

Paling menonjol apabila mereka mengaitkan sikap mesra Pas dengan Umno yang kemudiannya membentuk kerajaan Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Kesemua 18 Ahli Parlimen Pas juga menyokong penuh Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin sebagai Perdana Menteri yang memimpin kerajaan ‘tebuk atap’ PN.

“Mata yang nampak kuasa sanggup ikut atap?” tempelak Wfauzdin Ns.

Begitu juga Kamarul apabila mengimbas kembali Langkah Sheraton yang menamatkan hayat 22 bulan pentadbiran kerajaan Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“Bagaimana mata yang mengejar rasuah jawatan politik hingga menyokong pengkhianat mandat rakyat. Azab Allah itu pasti,” katanya diikuti banyak tanda suka daripada warganet lain.

Lontaran kecaman sama daripada Azman Harun yang menyoal Nasrudin sama ada api neraka akan menyentuh orang yang berjuang demi habuan dan jawatan.

“Kalau mata yang berjuang untuk habuan dan jawatan walaupun bersama penyamun, perompak dan seangkatannya, agaknya api neraka sentuh atau tidak?” bidasnya.

Hantaran Nasruddin yang mendapat lebih 100 perkongsian itu juga menerima reaksi mengingatkan tentang cakap tidak serupa bikin.

“Bukan susah untuk berkata-kata atau pun menulis teks. Yang susahnya pelaksanaan dengan perbuatan,” tegas Aziz Nawawi.

Dalam masa sama, ada juga komentar dipercayai penyokong Pas menempelak kembali lautan sindiran itu.

“Ramai juga syaitan yang kepanasan di sini. Itu belum dibacakan lagi ayat-ayat al-Quran,” perli M. Sahlan.

Mahathir, the Monster which keeps coming at you

Malaysiakini:

Mahathir's way or the highway

YOURSAY | 'Dr M is like a horror movie monster, he just keeps coming back.'

ADUN SPEAKS | Let us say farewell to Mahathir for the misery he has caused

Apa Nama: This ultra-Malay called Dr Mahathir Mohamad started his plan, or what I call as "spewing his racial venom", since his Umno days.

Thus, the sayings “a leopard never changes its spots” and “you can't teach an old dog new tricks” suit him very well. The older generation who are commenters here may agree with me, since many of them had observed his behaviour over the past few decades. This includes Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.

Mahathir became worse and worse since publishing his “The Malay Dilemma”, followed by his sacking by Tunku Abdul Rahman back in 1969, and he screwed up Malaysian education back in 1974 as education minister under Tun Abdul Razak's administration. The education system has not recovered since then.

One could blame Abdul Razak and Hussein Onn for not stopping this ultra-Malay, but Malaysian voters should also shoulder part of the blame as many kept voting for BN until 2018.

All Malaysians, here and abroad, should totally disown and ignore him until he stops issuing statements.

Cogito Ergo Sum: Unable to see anyone but himself at the nation’s helm, Mahathir will be a persistent obstacle to anyone harbouring ambitions to be prime minister. At 95, he is like a child who can’t share or even let someone else have his favourite toy - the top political post in Malaysia.

While he must be credited with helping Pakatan Harapan overthrow Umno/BN, Mahathir also must be blamed for Harapan’s unexpected and premature demise. Why he is still on the Malaysian political landscape is, to a large extent, because he has managed to thwart any meaningful leadership succession plan.

We must move on. We need to ensure Anwar Ibrahim is the next PM so that he can dismantle Mahathir’s disgraceful legacy and pull us out of this downward spiral.

OrangeViper4306: According to Mahathir, Anwar is not fit to be prime minister but what about all those he appointed as deputy prime ministers and prime ministers? He brought them in and he cut them down.

In his mind, only he is capable despite all the major scandals, starting from Maminco, and the list goes on till his children are super tycoons. With three MPs backing him, he still says he should become prime minister for the third time. What a joke.

Ahmed: Mahathir has declared that Anwar is not suitable prime minister material. Personally, I wouldn’t give his view any weight, if you consider his appalling record in judging people.

He fell out with Musa Hitam (the best deputy prime minister Malaysia never had) and with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, another talented politician. And don’t forget it was he who strongly endorsed Najib Abdul Razak and made it possible for him to become a prime minister.

Given Mahathir’s record of bad judgments, his rejection is an excellent reason for supporting Anwar for the top post.

Dato Ganesan: Don't blame others. In 2018, Ramasamy, Anwar and the Lims (Kit Siang and Guan Eng) made use of Mahathir as a stepping stone to get to the positions they all wanted.

Malaysians had high hopes that 2018 was the year for ‘Merdeka’. Did you voice your objection against Mahathir as prime minister in 2018?

P Ramlee: Ramasamy, I am not interested in talking about his first term in office, but Mahathir has done many good things for us after 2018. So, I would appreciate it if you can be a bit more objective and also critical about Anwar when necessary. Some facts to refresh your memories:


He led Harapan and the rakyat to bring down the 60-year BN/Umno government while Anwar was still inside Sungai Buloh. Do you think Anwar can achieve this?

PKR held unnecessary party elections just four months after the 2018 general election and the subsequent infighting forced the winning faction to leave Harapan and form Perikatan Nasional (PN). Why didn't Anwar postpone the elections?

When our beloved king gave all MPs a second chance to prevent the backdoor guys from forming the government, all 92 Harapan MPs voted for Anwar when Mahathir already had 66 votes. Why can't you vote for him?

When Mahathir claimed that he had the numbers to regain control a few months ago, Harapan/Anwar refused to endorse him, why?

Anwar claimed that he had the solid majority a few weeks ago (with the ‘thief’?), what happens now? Are you happy to work with the thief?

A Malaysian: @P Ramlee, could the old fox have done it without the original Harapan components?

With only 66 votes compared to Anwar's 92, why didn’t he support Anwar, instead of selfishly wanting to be prime minister for the third time?

Why did he resign in the first place and demand the post this time with only a handful of supporters? Use your brain a little.

Appum: This old fox thinks he is equal to Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew.

But compare the factual situations of both countries, one is stagnating and still trying to move to developed status, whereas the other one is far ahead (despite not having any natural resources).

Mahathir could have done better than Lee, but he chose to follow his narcissist path, creating racial and religious divisions, pitting bumiputera against non-bumiputera, and coining terms like ‘pendatang’.

As a result, he has caused this nation to regress, rather than progress. Of course, he has gone to build grand projects like the Petronas Twin Towers and Putrajaya to reinforce his legacy. What legacy has he achieved for the people compared to Lee?

Are there any mass housing schemes and a high-quality education system? Playing up to race and religion to get support is the easiest and most degrading effort a leader can do. What happens to the state in the end? Stagnation, regression and doomed to failure.

IndigoTrout2522: Yes, say goodbye to Mahathir. He cannot be trusted in any way because he is power-hungry. The only thing he cares about is his own agenda and personal ambition. To him, no one is capable of being prime minister except him.

Just look at his record. It is his way or the highway for all those who had worked with, or for, him. Anwar is no exception and so the issue is not Anwar but Mahathir. Harapan just needs to move on.

Just a Malaysian: Mahathir is like a horror movie. Just when you thought you had defeated the monster, it comes back again to bite you. You keep fighting to kill the monster but it just won't die. It keeps coming back in different forms and keeps spewing the same poison.

Even when you think the movie is over, just before you leave your seat, out he comes again.

Backdoor Senator narrated Backdoor-loving Minister planned Backdoor govt to eff Anwar

FMT:

Azmin planning ‘coup’ against PH since Oct 2019, claims Chin Tong

DAP’s Liew Chin Tong claims Azmin Ali believed that the moment DAP and Amanah were out of the equation, nobody would back Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Liew Chin Tong alleged today that Senior Minister for Economy Azmin Ali had been planning a “political coup” to break up the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration since October last year.

Liew claimed the minister was aided by current Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin and Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein in the move to form a new government.

He said the primary objective of the plan was to prevent opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim from becoming prime minister.

“Their plan in October 2019 was to engineer a Malay unity government with the addition of Hishammuddin’s group (17 MPs), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (18) and PAS (18) to bring their numbers to 53 MPs, the exact number needed to replace Amanah (11) and DAP (42),” he said in a blogpost.

“Azmin believed that the moment DAP and Amanah were out of the equation, he would be able to control most of the PKR MPs, or that nobody would back Anwar as prime minister.”

Liew said the first part of the plan was Hishammuddin’s announcement of his idea to build a “Bangsa Malaysia” without the DAP and Amanah, but that the rest of the “coup” failed then as the PH secretariat had exposed their plans just in time.

However, he said PH had failed to avert the Sheraton Move in February when current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin gave his support for this move and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi brought over the entire Umno bloc for the coup.

“As the nation continues to be affected by the Sheraton coup, more stories to whitewash the conspiracies would emerge. It is time for us to recognise and document what had actually happened,” Liew added.

Previously, Azmin had claimed that the formation of Perikatan Nasional was Mahathir’s idea to ensure he would remain prime minister with the support of MPs from all parties.

He said Mahathir’s resignation as prime minister had thrown the nation into a political crisis.

Gombak voters sue Azmin for deceit

FMT:

Gombak voters sue Azmin for deceit, breach of fiduciary duty

Mohamed Azmin Ali, who won the Gombak parliamentary seat on a PKR ticket, is now a minister in Muhyiddin Yassin’s PN government.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ten Gombak voters have filed a suit for deceit and breach of fiduciary duty against their MP, Mohamed Azmin Ali, nine months after the “Sheraton Move” which led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

The plaintiffs want a declaration that the senior minister for economy, as trustee, owes them a fiduciary duty as an elected representative.

In the suit filed by Messrs Yohendra Nadarajan at the High Court last week, the plaintiffs also want a declaration that Azmin committed the tort of deceit against them.

They also want a declaration that Azmin had violated his constitutional oath under Article 59(1) read together with the 6th Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

The plaintiffs are also seeking damages and other orders deemed fit by the court.

In their statement of claim sighted by FMT, the plaintiffs’ bone of contention is that Azmin made a representation that he was standing for election in 2018 to oust the then Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and to free Malaysia of corrupt officials.

They said Azmin caused the collapse of the PH government in February and joined the Perikatan Nasional administration, which included the BN, and persons Azmin himself had acknowledged were “credibly accused of corrupt practices”.

The plaintiffs said Azmin, the former PKR deputy president, had pledged to abide by the PH 2018 election manifesto, to address, among others, the wrongdoings of BN when it was the federal government.

They also said that Azmin announced on his Facebook page on April 27, 2018 that the 14th general election was important so that the people could inherit a leadership that was responsible and accountable.

In one of his campaign rounds, they said Azmin told voters that they should vote for PKR to ensure a competent and stable government.

“He also said that his enemies were those who supported the then prime minister, Najib Razak, Umno and BN. He labelled such supporters as traitors,” they said.

Further, they said, Azmin made representation that he would remain in PKR and PH to ensure that promises in the manifesto would be fulfilled in the event they formed the government.

On Feb 23, there was a change in government where some leaders from BN, PAS, PPBM and PKR, including Azmin, met at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, which resulted in prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation.

Azmin and several other PKR MPs were among the central figures in the political crisis that culminated in a power grab.

PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed as prime minister on March 1, and Azmin, who has been appointed a PPBM supreme council member, was later made a minister.

"Bangladeshi" voted in passing Budget Bill??

MM Online:

Parliament in uproar over phantom voting on Budget 2021 yesterday

Members of Parliament are pictured in Dewan Rakyat as the 2021 Supply Bill for the Prime Minister's Department is approved at committee stage through bloc voting November 30, 2020. — Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — Federal lawmakers broke out in argument today after it was revealed that one among them voted on Budget 2021 yesterday despite being absent from the house.

Earlier, Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon read out a declaration from Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun that Noor Amin Ahmad (PH-Kangar) informed him Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) had been included in approving side of yesterday’s division when he was not present.

“So, for the Finance Ministry vote today it is 106 MPs agreeing, 95 disagreeing and 19 absent,” Rashid told the Dewan Rakyat and stressed that it did not alter the result

Datuk Shabudin Yahya (PN-Tasek Gelugor), who counted for the supporting side of the division, apologised to the Speaker and insisted he did not mean to mislead the house.

Instead, Shabudin asserted that he counted Nazri by mistake.

“A few minutes before that (the division) I saw Padang Rengas, but then I am not sure if Padang Rengas was still there.

“I have no intention to deceive the Dewan. I have sincerely informed the Speaker of this and apologised,” he said when the Opposition began demanding an explanation.

Noor Amin, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) and RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) rose to press the Deputy Speaker for a ruling to ensure that any of today’s divisions would be done accurately and transparently.

They said this development exposed a fundamental flaw in the way divisions were conducted, which required a measure to ensure it was not repeated.

Fuziah Salleh (PH-Kuantan) then rose and cited Standing Order (SO) 47 (1) and 47 (2), which stated that MPs who acted as vote counter must clearly ask each lawmaker on their side of the division whether they were for, against, or abstaining from voting on any specific motion.

Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) then repeated the call for Rashid to make a ruling to ensure there was no recurrence of the phantom voting.

However, Rashid only said he would raise the matter with Azhar and that any lawmaker who took issue with this should formally notify the Speaker under Standing Order 43.

He also assured lawmakers that SO 47 that required each MP to expressly state their position during bloc voting would be employed.

Yesterday, the Opposition failed to block the Ministry of Finance’s expenditure under Budget 2021 that was approved with 107 votes for and 95 against. It was the second division the Opposition lost yesterday.

Rashid, who was presiding over the matter then, had agreed to call for a division vote when nearly all Opposition MPs stood up requesting one because the outcome of the earlier voice vote was unclear.

However, just before voting started, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun stepped back into the House to oversee the process, which enabled Rashid, who is also Batu Pahat MP, to vote.

Azhar then told the Dewan Rakyat that no lawmakers would be allowed to enter the House once voting begins.

The RM21 billion allocation for the Ministry of Finance under Budget 2021 was then passed.

Did Mahathir sabotage opposition efforts in retaliation for Mahathir’s failure to muster the support of 15 MPs earlier?

FMT:

PKR man lashes out at Warisan for sitting out budget vote

Sabah PKR’s Razeef Rakimin singled out Warisan whip Rozman Isli over the absence of Warisan MPs at two divisional votes at the Dewan Rakyat.

PETALING JAYA: A Sabah PKR Youth leader has slammed Warisan after its MPs sat out a budget vote on Monday to show their dissatisfaction with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Razeef Rakimin, Sabah PKR Youth information chief, singled out Warisan whip Rozman Isli, saying the excuse given by the latter was childish.

“This isn’t the first time I have reprimanded Warisan leaders for their arrogance and in fact I was told that such behaviour would be their downfall. And this is what happened in the last state election,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, Rozman, who is the Labuan MP, told Malaysiakini that their absence was deliberate to “send a signal” to Pakatan Harapan, saying Warisan was tired of the infighting in the opposition bloc.

He also said the party was frustrated with Anwar over the “last-minute instructions” to opposition MPs last week when a vote was taken on the federal budget at the policy stage.

“We are still in the opposition bloc but we want to send a signal to our opposition leadership that we don’t want to be pushed around and I don’t think they are doing the right strategy (or) the right moves,” Rozman was quoted as saying.

Rozman added that Warisan MPs would continue to sit out on the bloc votes “for an unstipulated time frame.”

But Razeef said it was not the time for politicking just because one is unhappy with their ally. “You were voted for by the people to represent them in the Dewan Rakyat so carry out your responsibility.”

He said that they did not rule out the possibility that Warisan MPs had been directed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad to sabotage opposition efforts in retaliation for Mahathir’s failure to muster the support of 15 MPs to force a vote by division on the second reading of the Supply Bill last Thursday.

“I would like to remind them to prioritise the people instead of the interest of certain individuals,” Razeef said.

The estimates for the Prime Minister’s Department were approved by a division vote of 105-95 with 20 MPs absent, while the finance ministry estimates were approved, also in a division, by 107-95 with 18 absent.

Warisan has eight MPs.

Does Muhyiddin have absolute prerogative to appoint cabinet?

Malaysiakini:

Does Muhyiddin have absolute prerogative to appoint cabinet?

by Kim Quek

In an effort to shield Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from Umno’s pressure to appoint someone from Umno as deputy prime minister, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had asserted that the appointment of ministers, including deputy prime minister, is the absolute prerogative of the prime minister and as such, no one should exert pressure on Muhyiddin over such appointments.

I disagree with Zahid on such a simplistic view of the prime minister’s power in the context of a democracy, particularly with a multi-party ruling coalition.

Yes, the Federal Constitution may have mandated the prime minister to appoint his cabinet, but he cannot make such decisions in solo with no regard to others’ views.

In a dictatorship, yes, he can do so. But not in a democracy, which upholds the will of the majority as the supreme arbiter of power.


No such absolute prerogative in a democracy

Muhyiddin would not be able to get away with a cabinet unacceptable to his party Bersatu even if the latter were to govern the country alone, not to mention he is now heading a coalition government consisting of many political parties of diverse political ideologies and conflicting self-interests.

Even in a mono-party government, the prime minister can still be easily unseated, if his party decides to remove him as the party’s choice of premier through a party resolution.

Whereas in a multi-party government, the prime minister is even more prone to be toppled, if only one or more of the component parties decide to leave the coalition.

And Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional government of razor-thin majority is most unstable from this point of view.

The slightest defection or switch of sides by individual members of Parliament from any component party, not to mention departure of an entire party, would cause the collapse of the government.

Hence, in recognition of such political realities, a wise politician in Muhyiddin’s position would have accorded equitable weight in line with the relative strengths of the various component parties when he structured his cabinet.

That is, if he cherishes fair play and democratic values and wishes to have a stable and enduring partnership within his coalition.


Inequitable cabinet begets instability

Muhyiddin has obviously not done that, hence, the incessant murmur of discontent from Umno, which is many times more powerful than Bersatu in terms of grassroots organisation and electoral support.

But despite such superiority, Umno has to suffer the humiliation of being led by Bersatu which now dominates executive power and dictates major policies.

It doesn’t help their peaceful co-existence, from Umno’s point of view, that these two parties share the same electoral support base.

Such inherent structural weakness of the PN coalition, compounded by its wafer-thin majority, makes this backdoor government the most vulnerable to failure in the country’s history.

Such instability augers badly for the coalition’s future which is already starved of good political leaders.

I don’t see any future for the country under such a shoddy government at this time of unprecedented double-hitting pandemic and economic crisis, unless a capable and vibrant political leadership takes over the helm of the country now to lead the country out of the woods and embark on a robust recovery.

PAS grabs Moo-Moo by his guli's, 'Nons' lose their constitutional rights

Malaysiakini:

ADUN SPEAKS | It’s not just alcohol, but the constitutional rights of non-Muslims

by P Ramasamy

The new guidelines of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) forbids sundry shops, convenience stores, grocery and Chinese medicine shops to sell alcohol to the public, with effect from Oct 1, 2021.

Under these measures, alcohol will not be sold in shops that are near schools, hospitals, places of worship and police stations.

Furthermore, shorter operating hours will be imposed on bars, restaurants and pubs serving alcohol to their customers.

Chinese medicine shops selling medications with alcohol content will need to get the special permission of the Ministry of Health.

There is growing fear that the imposition of these new guidelines would represent slow but sure curbs on the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.

A number of persons, including Amanah’s former deputy minister has questioned this move as a curb on the rights of the non-Muslims.

Even the leaders of the country’s veterans association, Patriot, have taken DBLK to task force being insensitive to the constitutional rights of non-Muslims.

Some associations, like the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), have welcomed the move by DBKL.

For them, the control on the sale alcohol would be significant to resolve social problems among the poor and the means to reduce accidents resulting from the unregulated consumption of alcohol.

The Federal Territory MIC also lauded the move as a way to reduce alcohol consumption among the Indian working class.

The points raised by CAP, the MIC and others might be valid in some aspects.

But then, these organisations do not examine the reasons why the new guidelines were introduced, whether there is a political motive and whether the restriction and control of alcohol consumption can reduce fatalities from car and motorcycle accidents.

Just a few high profile vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities do not necessarily means that drink driving is the major cause of all accidents in the country.

The Minister of Federal Territories Annuar Musa defended the guidelines as something universal and that Malaysia is not the only country that have introduced these.

However, to date, Annuar has failed to mention in detail about the regulation of the sales of alcohol in other countries.

Annuar makes the same mistake by linking the high rate of motorcycle accidents leading to fatalities with alcohol consumption.

Apparently, it seems he was also influenced by some high profile cases where fatalities occurred due to drink driving.

However, consideration of facts surrounding the cause of accidents might reveal a different picture totally.

It has been found that more than 60 percent of motorcycle fatalities occur in rural areas, mainly resulting from not wearing helmets, riding without licence and not following rules.

More than two-third of all fatalities are from riding motorcycles. More than 89 percent of the motorcycle fatalities consist of youths.

If DBKL’s new guidelines is based on the need to curb accidents, then the information provided is simply not sufficient.

Just like the appearance of a swallow does not make summer, a few high profile fatalities resulting from alcohol consumption do not make drink driving the major cause of road fatalities in the country.

Well, if there is no conclusive evidence of the link between road fatalities and drinking driving, why the eagerness to clamp down on the sale of alcohol in the above premises.

The chairperson of the Excise and Licensing Board, DBKL, Lau Beng Wei, said that the new measures were aimed at regulating the sales and not curbing them.

But isn’t the restriction on the sale in sundry, convenience, grocery and Chinese medicine shops an outright ban? Is Lau an apologist for DBKL?

Before the new guidelines were passed, what was the nature of consultation? It appears that it was a one-sided affair.

The consultation was mainly with government agencies and a few members of civil society, organisations that uncritically went along with the views of the DBKL.

Chinese and Indian businesses and commercial groups were not invited in the so-called stakeholder engagements.

There are already existing rules that forbid the selling of alcohol to students and minors from these premises.

But the authorities have failed to enforce the law. So, what is preventing effective enforcement?

Maybe Annuar should reflect on this matter before moving further to place curbs on non-Malay traders.

Maybe we should ask the question to Annuar himself, as to why he is not an effective minister for the Federal Territories.

Failure in law enforcement cannot be used to punish the owners of small premises.

Why is there a class bias in the new guidelines by allowing well-capitalised establishments having a non-restrictive atmosphere when comes to the sale and consumption of alcohol?

While it is plainly obvious that drink-driving might have caused some accidents in the past, it definitely is not the major cause of fatalities.

There is no conceivable need for the new guidelines to be imposed, other than some ulterior political motive on the part of this new illegal backdoor government.

If I am not mistaken, Annuar has come under pressure from the religious leaders in PAS to adopt pro-Islamic measures.

In this country, unfortunately, pro-Islamic measures must be seen in relation to stifling the rights of non-Muslims.

These rights cannot be stifled by coming out with pro-Islamic narratives, for this might have high political costs or implications.

In this respect, ways and means have to be found as to what is more in territory with the considerable presence of non-Muslims to experiment the latest initiative.

This is where unreliable statistics were manipulated to justify the latest guidelines.

Unfortunately, given the lack of foresight of some non-Muslim organisations like MIC and others, the government’s argument about the “alcohol threat” was taken seriously.

What a shame on MIC for forsaking the rights of non-Muslims!

This forgotten party of Indian Malaysians cannot simply say yes, without realising the larger effect of these guidelines on the rights of non-Muslims.

It is without question that the constitutional rights of non-Muslims have been infringed and made a mockery of under the new Malay-only government.

It is obvious that there is a sinister PAS agenda behind these new measures.

Is it surprise that some PAS leaders have not only welcomed the new guidelines but encouraged their adoption in other states.

Well, if a non-Muslim area can accept the new anti-alcohol measures, why can’t states with substantial Malay-Muslim populations not follow upon the example set by the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur?

Let us not be mistaken, the constitutional rights of non-Muslims are not just about the sale or consumption of alcohol, they are much more than that.

It is about respecting their rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution - the right to own property, to sell products and to engage in legitimate business activities.

Alcohol is a small item in sale and consumption; so why use the oppressive arm of the state to deny this?

Not all non-Muslims drink alcohol. There are many of them who do not drink and to some, alcohol is as objectionable as it is to Muslims.

If the earlier measures are not working, it could be due to lack of enforcement or the endemic problem of corruption in some circles.

But why punish the petty traders and shopkeepers?

It might be the new guidelines on the sale of alcohol now, but what is to stop the DBKL - under its over zealous minister - to go for further measures to curb the rights of non-Muslims?

PAS leaders must be all in smiles.

They have succeeded in something that long remained elusive for Umno.


P RAMASAMY is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister (II) of Penang