DPM: I will never eat pork to get votes from Chinese

TAMPIN, Aug 16 — While maintaining a healthy relationship between Malaysia’s different races is important, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Umno delegates today that there were some lines which he would not cross like eating pork to gain votes from Chinese voters.

In his opening address at the Tampin Umno division meeting here, the Deputy Prime Minister said that he is well-versed with the Chinese culture, especially Chinese opera as he took up four minor subjects in Chinese which included writing and Chinese literature.
“I believe in cross-culture. Though we are Malays, we must respect the Indians and the Chinese cultures.
“I only don’t eat pork to get votes from the Chinese… that I will never do,” Ahmad Zahid said.
The Home Minister said that though he has always defended the Malay community, he has also not deprived fair opportunities to other races.
“Yes I defend the Malays, but I never deprive opportunities of other races.
“Since Umno’s formation… we never deprived others races. Why? Because Umno is led by credible and rational leaders,” Ahmad Zahid said to cheers from the crowd.

In Terengganu, inertia rolls over Umno’s political storm

Rohaida Yasin sits on a high platform, patiently peddling keropok lekor to customers at the Pasar Besar Kedai Payang.
The 42-year-old has been selling the traditional fish snacks since leaving school.
Her mother, Ramlah Hassan, 72, who has been selling various wares including the current keropok for about three decades, sits at the next platform.
“Those days you can be well-off if you had such a business. Now, what you earn is just enough to get by,” said Rohaida.
“I really don’t care who is in power. I malas nak tau (I don’t want to know). Even this time around, it’s just political play. People like me can’t do anything. If they really cared, they wouldn’t be doing this.”
She is, of course, referring to the recent political drama that has once again brought nationwide spotlight to the east coast state.
Once led by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad of Barisan Nasional (BN), his 25-year hold on the helm ended when the state fell to PAS in 1999 but regained it in 2004.
BN won back the state in the 2013 general election with a lesser majority, winning only 17 of the 32 seats. PAS has 14 seats while Parti Keadilan Rakyat has one.
A little more than a year after the general election, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said resigned following an agreement that he would do so and more drama ensued.
This is not the first time Ahmad has been drawn into controversy. In 2008, he wrangled the position after Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin swore him into the post.
Then prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s choice of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh was rejected. Ahmad went ahead and started his job and after a standoff between Umno and the palace, he kept his job.
Kuala Terengganu Umno division chairman Datuk Mohd Sabri Alwi lamented that the state is Umno’s to lose citing the in-fighting between the upper echelons of leadership in the state.
“It was stable under Wan Mokhtar and Idris. But now it isn’t. We need to be united. And it is up to YB Razif to bring us together. He needs to do and not just talk,” he said.
He said the political scenario was such that while there were PAS supporters, it was the fence sitters that one had to fight for.
“You see even now PAS is not making much noise. It is a problem for us when Umno fights,” he said.
A local political observer said cracks were deepening and the state BN, specifically Umno, had the next three years to improve matters.
“Razif, as head, should drive the state into boosting the economy for the urban, rural and suburban people,” he said, adding that oil royalty should be used to this end.
Former politician Tan Sri Wong Foon Meng said BN’s declining popularity had caused the current situation.
“In Terengganu, the opposition is not strong. In a way, it is the factions within BN. It was not that serious in the 1970s, 80s or 90s,” said the former Bandar assemblyman.
The former MCA secretary-general added that the state fell to PAS in 1999 due to events like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim getting a bruised eye while detained.
He added that PAS had made some inroads in the last general election.
The state, he said, had come a long way from being the poorest to having development.
“Improve the livelihood. Development should be for all across the board,” he said. 
Audrey Edwards, Malay Mail Online

Terengganu a storm in a teacup

The opposition is trying to paint the recent Terengganu episode as a crisis. In fact, they are even labelling it a Constitutional Crisis and are equating it to the Perak crisis of five years ago when the Pakatan Rakyat state government lost power due to three crossovers, two from PKR and one from DAP.

Actually, it was merely a storm in a teacup and a minor misunderstanding that was easily resolved.
What happened was that it was agreed a year ago soon after the 5th May 2013 general election that the Menteri Besar, Ahmad Said, would stay on for just another year and then resign to make way for his replacement. And that would make his resignation affective from 5th May 2014.
Mat Said, as he is popularly called, however, had scheduled his daughter’s wedding for 10th May 2014. Hence Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak postponed his resignation to the day after that.
What the Prime Minister did not realise is that there was to be as second ceremony a week later, that is on 17th May 2014.
For Malays, a daughter’s wedding is very important, as the girl’s family must ‘play host’. It is not so crucial for the boy’s family and they can also hold a second ceremony later or not hold one at all if they so wish.
Hence many would regard Mat Said’s resignation as a slap in his face because it happened in between the two wedding ceremonies. For that matter, any Malay would view this as a form of insult.
The prime Minister has since apologised for confusion in the date of wedding and has, in fact, indicated that he would be attending the wedding. There is no better gesture than this and the Prime Minister acted in a most diplomatic manner, contrary to what some say in that the Prime Minister had not acted diplomatically enough.

NEW PRIME MINISTER FOR M'SIA if T'ganu falls to Pakatan: Red alert on Ahmad Said,Umno reps ww.malaysia-chronicle.com

Pakatan Rakyat leaders were optimistic that the Terengganu state government could return to Opposition hands after deposed chief minister Ahmad Said and 2 other Umno state assemblymen quit Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling party in an escalating power tussle.
"It's possible, it all depends if the Independents will align themselves to Pakatan or at least support a Pakatan rep to be the Mentri Besar over the Umno candidate," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.
However, Tian expects 'massive horse-trading' to take place which might make it tough for coalition-mate PAS to seal a deal.
PAS, one of the 3 Pakatan component parties which include DAP, leads the Opposition in Terengganu.
"If Terengganu falls to Pakatan hands, it's curtains for Najib. He will be forced to step down, especially with the Umno general assembly around the corner, I think you can expect him to do everything he can to stop an exodus. He has huge resources and that can work wonders."
New prime minister for Malaysia: Huge stakes , big money
But should the 60-year-old Umno president fail in knocking a deal with the irate Terengganu reps, then Malaysia will have a new prime minister.
Already, Najib is facing strong criticism from Umno elders such as Mahathir Mohamad and Daim Zainuddin for mismanaging the economy and for not giving enough 'carrots' to their factions in the party.
"For Najib's foes in Umno, this is the perfect storm. Some of his enemies have been using hardliners and extremist groups like Isma and Perkasa as a way to create instability to force him out of the Umno presidency and PM's chair," an Umno watcher told Malaysia Chronicle.
"This is now their golden opportunity but Najib also has a lot of money. It will be an interesting fight and the winner will be who pays more."
Disappointment in Najib may spark mass resignations
According to PAS news portal Harakahdaily, a few hours after his resignation as Terengganu Menteri Besar, Ahmad Said dropped his quit bombshell declaring himself an Independent rep with immediate effect.
Not only that, Ajil state assemblyman Ghazali Taib also followed in Ahmad’s footsteps resulting in PAS and Umno having an equal number of 15 state assemblymen each in the Terengganu state assembly.
Hot on the heels of the defiant duo was Bukit Besi state assemblyman Roslee Daud. According to Astro Awani, Roslee has now declared himself an independent.
Roslee's resignation  effectively makes BN a minority in the Terengganu state assembly, with Umno's seat count whittled to 14 while PAS remains at 15.
In explaining his move, Ahmad Said expressed disappointment with Najib and warned that other Umno assemblymen may quit too.

"I have worked in Umno for a long time. I told the PM that my daughter's wedding reception is on May 17 and asked for the change of MB to happen after that," Ahmad, who is the Kijal rep, was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
"He told me that was a personal matter, so I told him not to blame me if I quit the party."

Shortest-lived MB either way?
Earlier, Prime Minister Najib Razak had announced in a statement that Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin had approved Ahmad Said’s resignation as well as the appointment of Seberang Takir state assemblyman Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman as the new Terengganu Menteri Besar.
Ahmad Razif his oath of office before Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Syarqiyyah near Kuala Terengganu last night in the presence of all state exco members minus Ahmad Said.
Ahmad Razif may turn out to be the shortest serving Menteri Besar in history if Ahmad Said and Ghazali became Pakatan Rakyat-friendly independents.
If so, then the state government would fall to Pakatan and a new MB, most likely from PAS, would replace Razif.
Nonetheless, political insiders believe a "desperate" Najib was fully aware of the consequences of Ahmad's pull-out to his own political survival in Umno.
They expect him to pull out all the stops in enticing the other Terengganu Umno reps to stay including the offer of 'cushy packages', 'goodies' and even reinstating Ahmad as the MB. - Malaysia Chronicle

Ruslan Tsarni Married to CIA family – Confirmed by Graham Fuller

Graham E. Fuller, former top CIA operative, confirms that his daughter was married to Ruslan Tsarni, uncle of Boston Bombers.  Note:  Tsarni has changed his name at least once already, graduating from Duke Law in 1998 as Ruslan Tsarnaev.  One of Graham Fuller’s books, Three Truths and a Lie: a memoir,mentions the day of his daughter’s wedding to Ruslan Tsarnaev (Tsarni).

See Rozen’s full article here: Former CIA officer: ‘Absurd’ to link uncle of Boston suspects, Agency  Rozen currently writes for al-Monitor with past stints at Politico and Yahoo News.

It is “absurd” to believe that Graham Fuller would ever be allowed to retire from CIA. He was Vice-Chair of National Intelligence Council, and as such was responsible for national level midterm and long-term strategic planning for the U.S. Intelligence Community.

The Washington Post has reported that there are 1,271 government organizations and 1,931 private companies in 10,000 locations in the United States that are working on counterterrorism, homeland security, and intelligence, and that the intelligence community as a whole includes 854,000 people who hold top-secret clearances.

Those top-level CIA guys never retire, except to cushy academic ‘jobs’ at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, where Fuller ‘teaches’ and the CIA spied on anti-war profs in the 60 and 70s  in an operation code-named “MH Chaos,” and maintains covert operations to this day.  Top FBI, CIA and intelligence agents have buildings, airports and courthouses named after them, out of respect and out of fear.

No accident that Graham’s son-in-law, Ruslan, lived across the border in Ferndale, WA for a spell.

Ruslan Z. Tsarni aka Ruslan Z. Tsarnaev

Graham Fuller

Former Sabah Pakatan reps face hostile reception

By Roy Goh THREE assemblymen will be seated with different views when the Sabah 2014 Budget is presented at the state legislative assembly this Friday.

After their unceremonious departure recently, they will not be sitting with the opposition Pakatan line-up and surely not with Barisan Nasional backbenchers.

Despite claiming to be government or BN-friendly independents, Hiew King Chiu, Jelani Hamdan and Jeremy Malajad will be on their own.

How they plan to support BN is anybody's guess, but they can expect a hostile reception from Pakatan lawmakers.

Hiew was the first to leave DAP in September, followed by Jeremy and Jelani from PKR on different days last week.

This sparked strong protests from the parties they represented in the May 5 general election this year, apart from showing cracks in the loose alliance. It also exposed undelivered promises that were eventually used by the trio as part of their excuse to leave the opposition pact.

Following the election, Pakatan reasoned it needed to provide greater recognition to Kadazandusun leaders to hold on to its support in Sabah. Leaders from the community were promised key positions but were left out.

Former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin was made Sabah PKR chief and opposition leader in the state assembly. Hiew disagreed, however, on how Lajim was picked as the leader while Jelani and Jeremy felt the Kadazandusuns were marginalised by PKR.

Pakatan is now left with eight assemblymen -- five from PKR and three from DAP. Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitin BN can also make do without the three independents as they still command a big majority or 48 of the 60 seats in the state assembly.

Some of the BN component parties would not be too excited if their coalition partners roped in any of the three under their wing.

Hiew was Kota Kinabalu member of parliament after the 2008 general election and Luyang assemblyman after May 5, defeating candidates from PBS and MCA respectively.

Jeremy, the Kadamaian assemblyman, was with Upko but jumped ship to PKR to contest against PBS incumbent Herbert Timbun Lagadan.

As for Jelani, who was once a rising star in Umno before being suspended for money politics, his return to BN would likely not be welcomed. PBS deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili made it clear recently when he said BN would need to be wary of their intentions.

"Direct acceptance of opposition representatives into a BN component party is essentially party hopping and unprincipled political behaviour.

"It is gratifying that members of the opposition and their elected representatives have realised that only BN can deliver for the people. PBS welcomes new BN supporters but, as a principle, it prefers to be cautious of elected representatives who have jumped parties.

"It is important to know if those who left the opposition were sincere in their actions," said Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP.

As a rule, former BN members who contested for the opposition could not be accepted without full consent from coalition members.

Upko secretary-general Datuk Donald Mojuntin said it was only fair for the coalition partners that were affected in the elections.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had lambasted the three party hoppers and blamed the BN for enttheir respective parties.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, however, said Anwar should look within the opposition alliance before pointing fingers at others.

"There are certain leaders in Pakatan who have come to realise that to stay on with the coalition would be futile.

"They are moving on to serve their constituencies. Instead of blaming others for its weaknesses, Pakatan should examine itself."

Read more: Former Sabah Pakatan reps face hostile reception - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/former-sabah-pakatan-reps-face-hostile-reception-1.399132#ixzz2kUQazgcI

Pas pays price for political exigency

 By Zainul Arifin Md Isa  | zainul@nst.com.my

IT would be rather mean to suggest that Pas has sold its soul in its pursuit of political goals. Nevertheless, it would not be too off the mark to suggest that it has compromised its raison d'etre in politics, which is the setting up of a theocratic state.

At least for now, it eschews being overtly religious in the public sphere, perhaps leaving the brimstone and fire to party meetings.

Perhaps it is the case of the end justifying the means -- Pas 2.0 in the 21st century has surprisingly adopted pragmatism beyond what was expected a couple of decades ago when its leaders declared an edict of apostasy against Umno for working with "infidels" via Barisan Nasional (BN).

Present-day Pas seems more at ease moving with the flow of realpolitik -- it is more likely to link arms with its infidels in DAP, for instance, than to sit at the same table with fellow Muslims from Umno.

This rather amphibious political duality -- the pursuit of an Islamic state and yet in bed with DAP whose leader suggests that it would be over his dead body for it to happen -- is almost gravity defying in its ability to adapt and prosper.

For its leader, it is a rather amazing political dexterity, and for, its supporters, the ability to suppress idealism for political exigency.

This political high-wire act began in earnest perhaps four elections ago, when it rode the wave of reformasi following the sacking and arrest of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Such pragmatism has been fruitful these past few elections, but in the last polls, it emerged poorer among the Pakatan trio that included DAP and PKR. In the battle of who rules the roost in Pakatan, it came out short against DAP.

While DAP, for instance, galvanised Chinese voters to overwhelmingly vote against returning BN, Pas seemed to have lost what it might have cherished the most -- its Islamic credentials. Suddenly, its dalliance with Pakatan turned it into just another political party.

Its heavenly pursuit compromised by its earthly desires?

Among many Malay Muslims, Pas is a sort of fallback party -- if one is a Muslim, one would work towards the advancement of Islam. While Umno was born out of nationalism, Pas professed Islam to be its reason for being.

Over the years, however, Umno has embellished its Islamic credentials -- it now works on Agama, Bangsa dan Negara or Islam, Malay/Bumiputera and Malaysia.

This brand of Umno politics is anchored to Islam, yet still pursuing development and progress of the ummah. This has proven to be effective in getting Malay and Malaysian support.

Pas' previous dogmatic religious stance made it rather inaccessible to non-Muslims, but recent-day pragmatism, especially starting with the general election of 1999, saw Pas warming up to other political parties, including to seemingly obvious incompatibles.

It began to warm up to PKR initially, and later with DAP. Its liaison with DAP is as unlikely as it is natural, especially with the common enemy of Umno and BN. But its dalliance with Pakatan is not without self-inflicted wounds.

There have been uneasiness among some members, especially when it switched its religious hat, keeping its hardcore politics in its back pocket, for one that is more appealing to the public.

Its on again-off again stand on the use of the word "Allah" for non-Muslims is also causing concern to some members.

In the last party election, it seemed that political exigency, or the prospect of Putrajaya, saw the ulamas pushed to the back for another group that seemed more cut from the political cloth.

These politicians have been described by many names, including the professionals, presumably as opposed to the theologians; the Erdogans, after  Turkey's prime minister; and Anwarinas, for their seeming affinity to Anwar.

At the end of this month, Pas will have yet another party election. By the reports going around, it is seen by some to be something like a referendum of its recent political pragmatism over its religious core.

The proxy battle would be for the post of deputy president where incumbent Mohamad Sabu, representing the professionals' corner, is up against  Mohd Nik Amar from the ulama' corner.

The ulama are said to be trying to recapture Pas' soul.

Read more: Pas pays price for political exigency - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/pas-pays-price-for-political-exigency-1.399136#ixzz2kUPsMhMU

PAS wants fake MyKad masterminds caught

KUALA LUMPUR : PAS is urging the Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate a thorough investigation to identify the mastermind or masterminds behind the creation and distribution of fake identity cards (MyKad) given to illegal immigrants.

Tumpat parliamentarian, Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said, the number of cases involving security guards who were holding fake Mykads alone, were numerous.

"There have been many reports of security guards being arrested and were proven to be holding fake identity cards and it is a big risk to the nation.

"We want the government to study this issue in depth so that it can be halted, in addition to finding who is behind it," he said at the parliament lobby.

These syndicates have affected the lives of Malaysians and even taken a life.

"What is happening should not be underestimated, it cannot be solved through normal administration efforts such as checks and inspections at security companies.

He also urged the government to create a special tribunal to study the issue and so that it could be solved immediately.

Kamarudin also hoped that the government would allow parties from outside the ministry to give their input and ideas.

Ibrahim Libya: The Star given three days to retract article

Hanin Fadiyah,

12 November 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS Youth urges The Star newspaper to apologize and withdraw the article that linked the late Ibrahim Libya as terrorist within three days.

PAS Youth chief, Nasrudin Hassan said, The Star needs to act immediately in the period given before legal action is taken as it has slandered an ulama respected by the people.

"Labelling Ustaz Ibrahim as a criminal and is slander and unfounded.

"We condemn The Star for broadcasting such an article that can be seen as insulting a respected scholar.

"For its action, we urge The Star to retract the story and publicly apologize to the family and all the people of Malaysia within this three days, failing which legal action would be initiated, "he said in the parliament lobby.

Also present during the press conference were Pasir Mas parliamentarian, Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz Mohamad and Kuala Nerus parliamentarian, Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali.

PAS president denies accusation, to take action

Hamzah Fahmy,

12 November 2013

KUALA LUMPUR : PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has today denied reports by Al - Wathan newspaper that alleged he is now the Muslim Brotherhood's international secretary-general.

He said , although he and PAS supports democracy and opposed the illegal coup in Egypt, the claim that he has been sworn in as the Muslim Brotherhood's international sec-gen was totally absurd.

"I strenuosly deny this, and this news is false and extremely saddening. I t is impossible for me, who is based in South-East Asia to be directly involved in what is happening in Egypt.

"We do not go interfering (in the Egypt crisis), we are only fighting for the rights of the people, which is being fought for by not only PAS but many other parties in West who wants democracy returned in Egypt.

"They want to link us to Ikhwan, and it could not be true as Ikhwan is involved in the affairs of the Middle East, whereas I am not based there, so the allegation is unrealistic," he said in the parliament lobby today

PAS: Ibrahim Libya mati syahid

PAS membela Ibrahim Libya yang terbunuh bersama 13 pengikutnya semasa tragedi Memali 1985 sebagai seorang pejuang anti Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) dan Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah pernah mengunjungi pusara guru agama itu.

Timbalan Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu (gambar), berkata parti Islam itu tetap menganggap Ibrahim sebagai seorang yang mati syahid dan pejuang rakyat.

"Itu tafsiran mereka. Kami menganggap Ibrahim sebagai seorang yang syahid malah Sultan Kedah sendiri pernah hadir ke kuburnya untuk merenjiskan air mawar.

"Jika pengganas, sultan tidak pergi. Kami tetap menganggapnya seorang pejuang rakyat dan agama Islam yang menentang kezaliman Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA)," katanya ketika dihubungi oleh The Malaysian Insider.

Akhbar milik MCA, The Star semalam dalam satu artikelnya bertajuk “Major Cases Involving Violant Deviant Groups in Malaysia” menggelar Ibrahim atau nama sebenarnya Ibrahim Mahmud sebagai seorang pengganas.

Mohamad yang dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu berkata, pihak yang harus dipanggil pengganas adalah pihak menyerang Ibrahim kerana pada waktu itu Ibrahim adalah guru agama dan tidak terlibat dalam aktiviti gerila.

"Apa yang menarik tentang Ibrahim ialah dia tidak terima ISA namun tidak menolak undang-undang lain. Itu janjinya menentang keganasan.

"Kita tahu dia seorang guru agama bukannya gerila melatih orang mengangkat senjata. Maka kita tidak boleh menggelarnya pengganas," katanya.

Sementara itu, Senator Datuk Yusof Husin yang rapat dengan Ibrahim pada ketika itu menyatakan kekesalan atas dakwaan seumpama itu kerana tragedi Memali merupakan kezaliman Barisan Nasional (BN).

Katanya, dakwaan ke atas Ibrahim tidak timbul kerana bekas Ketua Polis Daerah Baling sendiri pernah menulis dalam bukunya bertajuk "Memali Dalam Kenangan" yang menafikan dakwaan Ibrahim sebagai pengganas.

“Peristiwa Memali adalah kezaliman BN untuk melaksanakan ISA. Kenyataan akhbar tersebut tidak berasas. Ibrahim mahu ditangkap di bawah ISA tetapi apabila tidak berjaya, timbullah peristiwa itu.

"Ibrahim tidak mahu tunduk kepada undang-undang yang tidak memberi pembelaan dan penangkapan tanpa bicara," katanya.

Calon Ketua Pemuda PAS, Suhaizan Kaiat semalam mendesak The Star menarik balik berita yang disiarkan dan mengemukakan permohonan maaf secara terbuka kepada seluruh ahli keluarga dan kenalan Ibrahim khususnya atas laporan yang amat meleset itu.

Katanya, beliau tidak teragak-agak untuk memanggil rakyat untuk menyatakan bantahan sekiranya tiada sebarang tindakan menarik balik dan permohonan maaf dibuat oleh akhbar milik MCA itu.

Beliau berkata, sebahagian ahli sejarah dan penganalisis politik menyatakan tindakan yang dilakukan oleh pihak berkuasa melalui arahan mantan Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir ketika itu memiliki agenda tersembunyi.

Katanya, status Ibrahim dan beberapa rakannya yang ditembak disahkan sebagai syahid oleh bekas Ahli Majlis Fatwa Kedah, Yahya Junid pada ketika itu.

Pada 19 November 1985, Ibrahim dan 13 pengikutnya terkorban di Kampung Memali di Baling, Kedah dalam satu pertempuran dengan pasukan polis selepas guru agama itu enggan menyerah diri untuk ditahan mengikut ISA.

Kerajaan mendakwa Ibrahim mengamalkan ajaran sesat berbahaya, akan tetapi ia dinafikan oleh pemimpin PAS dan beberapa tokoh agama. – 13 November, 2013.

Hadi’s son sees no advantage in polls

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Being the son of a well-known cleric and president of an Islamist party is no advantage when it comes to contesting for positions in the party headed by the father.

Mohd Khalil Abdul Hadi, son of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, considers himself as just a party member seeking to contribute in a higher capacity if given the chance.

Currently the party’s Terengganu Youth vice-chief, he is is contesting the PAS Youth deputy chief’s post.

Mohd Khalil, 36, who holds two degrees — Syariah (Islamic Law) and Islamic Studies from two universities in Yemen and a Masters in Islamic Studies from Portsmouth University, England — has been a PAS member since a teenager.

He does not see his father’s position influencing delegates in any way.

“I have to be professional and will separate family relationship from party affairs,” he said.

“However, I see this as a challenge as every one will try to relate me to my father and make comparisons.

“I cannot predict the future but I will stick to the right principles in my climb to the top. Talking about comparion, I have a long, very long way to be on par with him.

“Let the delegates decide.”

On talks of the factions in the party — comprising liberals and fundamentalists — Mohd Khalil said the terms were just gimmicks played up by the media.

He said the second oldest party in the country had been in existence with the combination of all genres comprising professionals, ulama and activists.

The combination of theologians and liberals should be seen as a balance “as PAS adopts the amilin or activist style which is more suitable.”

“On the outside,  PAS is a political party but on the inside, it should be viewed as an Islamic movement,” he said.

On his chances in the party elections, he said he would let the delegates decide and would continue to contribute to the party whatever the outcome.

Rejuvenation is key, says Ambiga on giving up Bersih co-chair

“Bersih 2.0 is all for change and rejuvenation, and people should not stay in power forever,” said the outgoing co-chair of the electoral watchdog steering committee, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider in a phone interview soon after the Bersih Election Committee announced its first-ever elections for a new steering committee slated for the end of this month, Ambiga, who has been synonymous with the movement for free and fair elections, admitted to a tinge of sadness at relinquishing her position.

"But there is more joy knowing that Bersih has inspired good people to lead it. It is in good hands. Rejuvenation is key," she said.

Stressing that she would continue her advocacy work with Bersih 2.0, she revealed that she and co-chair Datuk A. Samad Said, who took on the posts in 2010, have been prepared for this for a while now.

"Three years is long enough. We must give new leaders a chance. And remember these are voluntary positions.

"Bersih was never about me or Pak Samad, it is bigger than any individual," she pointed out.

Ambiga also expressed confidence in all those nominated for the posts of vice-chair, treasurer and committee members in the upcoming elections.

"And I want to congratulate Maria, she will make a great leader," Ambiga said, referring to Maria Chin Abdullah who will assume the chairperson post as she was the only person nominated.

Ambiga, a prominent lawyer, also paid tribute to Samad, whom she called a true hero.

"It was my honour to have led Bersih and a greater honour to have led it with my hero Pak Samad.

"He is a true Malaysian who used his talent to help fellow Malaysians no matter the consequences to him personally. Truly, this country could do with more leaders like him," she added.

Meanwhile, Samad said that he did “what was necessary as co-chair”, adding that “most of the time, it was Ambiga doing the job”.

"I do not know how much I have done, but I think I did alright.

"I was there when anything happened, especially when it was about race," he added, speaking slowly.

Samad said that he had never been in an organisation like Bersih before this, which he described as “harder” than being in the literary organisations he was used to.

"Literary is very simple, but Bersih was difficult, so I'm happy to have been part of it because I've learnt a lot," he added.

When asked if he would also be participating in future Bersih events, Samad paused before saying: "I have no answer for that. I will be 82 next year, so I'm thinking more of the hereafter rather than here."

Ambiga, meanwhile, said she will follow through on the Bersih People's Tribunal on the 13th general election, from which a full report is expected early next year.

"We have a plan of action for what happens after the report," she added.

The Bersih People's Tribunal was held in September and heard evidence from members of the public on election fraud and irregularities during the 13th general election.

Bersih was officially launched on November 23 2006 and re-launched as Bersih 2.0 in 2010, when Ambiga and Samad were chosen as co-chairpersons. - November 12, 2013.

Kenyataan rasmi Abdul Hadi berkaitan laporan akhbar El-Watan.

It’s not our area, up to MACC to investigate Attorney General’s alleged misconduct, says IGP

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) said it is not for the police to act on the allegations of misconduct by Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

He said the allegations had to do with the misuse of power so it would be up to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to initiate a probe.

"This is not for the police to handle. You should ask the MACC," he said today before delivering a lecture on Futuristic Policing at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang.

Khalid said the claims against Gani had to do with several cases that had been settled long ago, including the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

"They have been repeated over and over again. What more do they want?

"There must be a limit to everything. You cannot politicise everything and confuse the people," he said.

It was reported last week that former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim and prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah met former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in August to discuss Gani's alleged wrongdoings.

Also at the meeting, which was at Dr Mahathir's residence, were his former political secretary Matthias Chang and former Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Datuk Ramli Yusoff.

Ramli was said to have briefed Dr Mahathir about his run-ins with Gani. The meeting also touched on alleged wrongdoings by Gani, such as the fabrication of evidence in the famous "black eye" case involving former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 1998.

On claims that Gani hired two American agents in his office and if the police was looking into it, Khalid said "he did not know about it".

Khalid said that was for Gani to answer.

On a separate matter, Khalid denied that police had done nothing about reports alleging that plantation and logging firms in Melikin and Serian in Sarawak had hired gangsters to threaten native landowners.

He confirmed that there were fights and said two people had been detained in relation to the incidents.

"We have investigated the matter and there is no gangsterism involved. But we will still watch them closely.

Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing had earlier told The Malaysian Insider that the threats against the native customary rights (NCR) landowners in Melikin, Serian, had prompted him to submit a "detailed account" to Bukit Aman and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to enable them to investigate further.

Masing had claimed that there was non-action on the part of the police and it was worrying him.

The NCR landowners have claimed that two companies operating there have encroached on their land and the thugs silenced their protests.

Online news portal Sarawak Report had reported recently of “political interference” leading to the police inaction.

The portal claimed it could “reveal” how four gangster leaders, who were arrested “after the discovery of an enormous illegal arms cache at the disputed logging and plantation concessions at Melikin”, were freed “on instructions from ministers”.

Sarawak Report claimed the two companies - United Teamtrade Sdn Bhd and Memaju Jaya Sdn Bhd - had been granted controversial licences on NCR lands in the area.

The portal also claimed that the companies have strong ties to “powerful Barisan Nasional political figures in Sarawak”. - November 11, 2013.

Dr M to keep mum until reading Mat Zain’s statement

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 11 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed said today that he will only comment on claims of a high-powered plot to remove Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail from office after reading the sworn statement by former senior police officer Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim.

He said it was difficult for him to respond to the allegations made by Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Mat Zain in the latter’s statutory declaration as he did not know what these included.

“I haven’t seen it so I am not prepared to comment, because when reporters ask me, sometimes they do not get the facts right,” he said at a press conference here.

“After I have seen the SD, I will be prepared to answer your questions at length,” he added.

Last week, Mat Zain was cited by news portal Malaysiakini as saying he was part of a dinner meeting with Dr Mahathir, prominent lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah and former Commercial Crimes Investigation Department chief Datuk Ramli Yusoff on August 10.

Mat Zain, in his SD, claimed that the meeting discussed the AG’s handling of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s black eye incident, which happened when the latter was being questioned by police on charges of corruption and sodomy in 1998.

Also allegedly discussed was Malaysia’s loss of Pulau Batu Puteh, alternatively known as Pedra Branca, to Singapore at the International Court of Justice.

The new portal reported that the SD stated that Shafee informed Mat Zain of Dr Mahathir’s displeasure with Gani, who lead Malaysia’s legal team in the case, for allegedly concealing some vital facts.

Earlier today, Shafee denied claims of a conspiracy to remove Gani from office, but declined to comment further on Mat Zani’s allegations until he has gone through the SD himself.

Dr Mahathir sidestepped a question on whether he was unhappy with Gani’s performance, saying that there is no guarantee of success in the courts.

“I regret very much when he fails because he represents the government, but sometimes people fail in the courts.

“Innocent people have been sentenced to death and guilty people have gone scot-free when you go to the courts. It depends on how the case is presented to the judge,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, meanwhile, laughed off a recent report claiming that he had met with Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over allegations that CIA agents have set up office in the AG’s Chambers.

“I heard about this. I have no proof, of course, but I heard that CIA agents have actually got an office in the A-G’s office. Maybe it is true, maybe not, I don’t know. The A-G has not confirmed it,” he said, in trademark sarcasm.

Last week, news portal The Malaysian Insider reported that Dr Mahathir had allegedly pressured Gani and Ahmad Zahid for a meeting, during which the former prime minister was said to have claimed that the AG’s Chambers had two CIA agents under its employ.

The news portal claimed that the home minister has since agreed to launch an investigation into the allegation.

Ambiga says Isma’s claim ‘mischievous’, will seek legal advice

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 — Prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said that Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma)’s attempt to paint her as a “mastermind” behind a human rights coalition is “very mischievous”, saying that she will seek legal advice over the Islamist group’s claim.

When asked about Isma’s accusation, Ambiga clarified that she was not involved in the report prepared by Coalition of Malaysian NGOs in the Universal Periodic Review Process (Comango).

“I have nothing whatsoever to do with Comango report. Very mischievous,” the co-chairman of polls reform group Bersih replied in a text message to The Malay Mail Online.

“As to Isma, I am seeking legal advice as they have maligned me extensively by naming me in leaflets,” she added, referring to the flyers in which Isma had named her as one of the individuals behind Comango.

On Friday, Isma distributed 70,000 leaflets at mosques throughout the country after Friday prayers that slammed Comango for calling for the freedom to renounce Islam; the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) rights; the removal of Malay privileges; the freedom to embrace Syiah teachings; and the right for Catholics to refer to God as “Allah”, among others.

The Islamist activist group also named Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and several others as Comango’s masterminds, besides claiming that 54 “anti-Islam” non-government organisations supported the movement.

Last night, Marina demanded that Isma rescind its “defamatory” allegation linking her to Comango  or face legal action over the claim.

Marina, the eldest daughter of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, described Isma’s allegation that she was one of the masterminds behind Comango as “wholly untrue”.

“Although I am a board member of Sisters in Islam, one of the NGOs in the coalition, I was not involved in any way in the Comango process.

“Therefore I view this allegation by Isma as defamatory and demand that Isma and its office bearers withdraw it immediately with a public clarification in all media, including social media, on my terms. Failure to do so will result in my taking legal action against them,” Marina wrote in a brief statement in reply to The Malay Mail Online’s query.

Marina also said the republication of Isma’s claims by news agencies was also “defamatory”, adding that legal action will be taken if they did not publish her clarification.

Isma has been at the forefront of attempts to discredit Comango, which has also come under fire from other Muslim activists here who claim the group’s human rights recommendations to the United Nations ran counter to the “true” teachings of Islam and the sovereignty of the Federal Constitution.

Isma, which has since signed on with a coalition of Muslim NGOs called MuslimUPRo, also accused Comango of attempting to spread “liberalism teachings” backed by Western powers.

Comango countered that their report was merely an effort to encourage Malaysia to prove its commitment towards improving the lot of all Malaysians via the UPR.

Shahrizat Jalil menarik balik saman RM100 juta

Shahrizat Jalil menarik balik saman RM100 jutanya terhadap dua pemimpin PKR Rafizi Ramli dan Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Langkah mengejutkan itu dibuat tanpa apa-apa syarat.

Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur Hakim Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera membenarkan saman itu ditarik balik selepas bertemu peguam kedua-dua pihak di kamar.

Shahrizat tidak hadir. Rafizi dan Zuraida berada di mahkamah.

Di luar mahkamah, Rafizi bertegas langkah itu tidak akan menamatkan isu NFC, bahkan berazam untuk terus menyiasat perkara itu.

Katanya, keputusan Shahrizat hari ini membuktikan bahawa mereka mendedahkan perkara asas berhubung kepentingan awam.

Peguam kanan Muhammad Shafee Abdullah berkata, mereka telah menetapkan perkara itu sejak pernyataan tuntutan oleh Shahrizat, dan tuntutan balas Rafizi dan Zuraida .

"Beliau berpendapat kenyataan itu dibuat untuk mempengaruhi keputusan pilihan raya. Itulah sebabnya dia terpaksa memfailkan secepat mungkin.

"Sekarang bahawa pilihan raya itu sudah selesai, tidak ada gunanya untuk meneruskan perkara itu lagi. Saya rasa ia adalah lebih bijak untuk mereka untuk menarik balik kes-kes mereka tanpa sebarang kos, " kata Shafee.

Saya Maafkan Orang Yang Memfitnah – UstaZ Satiful Bahri

DUNGUN -   Timbalan Pesuruhjaya PAS negeri Terengganu, YB UstaZ Satiful Bahari Mamat berkata, pihak yang menyebarkan berita palsu mengenai dirinya itu berniat jahat dan bertujuan untuk ‘menjatuhkannya’.

Namun begitu, beliau tetap memaafkan ‘berita bohong’ yang tersebar di alam ‘maya’ itu.

“Saya maafkan orang yang mendoakan saya sakit dan mati. Dia buat fitnah, saya yang dapat pahala,” katanya.

Beliau yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Paka, berkata demikian ketika mengulas ‘fitnah’ yang tersebar di internet bahawa beliau kini tenat kerana menderita barah hati tahap empat.

 “Saya memang tidak ada penyakit kanser hati, tetapi sakit hati dengan orang yang buat fitnah ini. Bab sakit mati ini tidak boleh dibawa bergurau apatah lagi jika pembawa fitnah itu orang Islam.

“Saya perasan berita palsu ini disebarkan sejak pilihan raya kecil (PRK) DUN Sungai Limau, Kedah untuk mengalih tumpuan dan perhatian orang ramai terhadap PRK itu.

 “Saya sangkakan ia akan berakhir selepas tamat PRK, namun ia ternyata meleset malah berita saya tenat dan hampir mati semakin hebat disebarkan,” katanya yang baru pulang menziarah kematian di Paka ketika dihubungi di sini, semalam.

Satiful Bahari berkata, penarikan dirinya daripada pencalonan sebagai Ahli Jawatankuasa PAS Pusat pada pemilihan parti itu akhir bulan ini juga menyebabkan pihak tertentu menyebarkan dakwaan tidak benar mengenai kesihatan dirinya.

“Saya dicalonkan untuk bertanding jawatan itu, tetapi saya menarik diri kerana sudah memegang banyak jawatan di peringkat negeri dan DUN. Oleh itu saya mahu menumpukan perhatian kepada jawatan dan tugas sedia ada.

“Penarikan diri saya bukan kerana saya menderita barah hati seperti digembar gemburkan. Tetapi tak mengapalah, saya terima saja orang fitnah saya dan saya tidak berhasrat membuat laporan polis,” katanya yang turut mengakui tidak mengenali individu yang menyebarkan berita palsu itu.

Laporan di beberapa laman blog mendakwa Satiful Bahari kini berada dalam keadaan tenat dan boleh mati pada bila-bila masa akibat penyakit barah hati tahap empat.

Laman blog itu turut menulis kenyataan yang mempersoalkan bagaimana PAS memilih seseorang yang menghidap penyakit dan tenat sebagai calon bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU-13), Mei lalu dan Barisan Nasional (BN) serta PAS kini perlu bersedia untuk menghadapi PRK.http://www.buletinonline.net

Perasmian Kecemerlangan Akademik SK Sultan Omar oleh Ketua Perhubungan UMNO Bahagian Dungun