Breaking news: Najib Abdul Razak arrested under the sedition act because he made a statement that the dissolving of the Perak State Assembly is wholely up to Sultan Azlan. The Malaysian Royal Police treated that as an incitement to stir hatred against the Perak Monarchy and thus is sedition.
Sigh. If only that is true. Unfortunately, it is only a joke.
Showing posts with label Monarchy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monarchy. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Shocking News from Perak's Palace sources... Could This BeTrue?!!
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:49:21 +0800
Below are a mixture of what is claimed as fact plus conjecture.
NEWSBREAK
Here's a dramatic twist to the Perak Conundrum…
HRH SULTAN AZLAN SHAH DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE – IT WAS EITHER ACCEPT NAJIB OR LOSE THE THRONE OF PERAK IN A FEW MONTHS.
There was controversy when Azlan was elected as Raja Muda (Crown Regent) because his mother is a commoner and was therefore considered an outsider.(FACT) In fact it is believed that he lived outside the royal community when he was growing up.
It is now understood that hrh Sultan Azlan Shah was put to the throne by Mahathir since there were claims for the throne of Perak from the descendants of Sultan Idris, uncle of Sultan Azlan. Azlan is in other words not fully of royal blood since his mother was but a mere commoner.(FACT)
Further his wife, mother to Raja Nazrin, is a well known commoner (a former teacher at the Raja Perempuan School, Ipoh) and so by being half diluted by commoner's blood himself, his son Raja Nazrin is three-quarters diluted again.
The fact we're facing now is that Nazrin faces the risk of not being able to ascend to the state throne. (FACT) The inside story is that Najib held a gun (figuratively speaking, that is) to hrh Sultan Azlan Shah's head, saying, "either you follow what I say or I swear on the Quran that Raja Nazrin will never be the next monarch."
There is also the case of the recent murder of the princess that will likely implicate the royal household not to mention the sales of the datukship titles. Let us be clear that the Sultan had no choice – he was indeed blackmailed.
There was controversy when Azlan was made sultan and now if he chooses Pakatan's call for dissolution, his son Nazrin, will be the sacrificial lamb, facing the humiliation of losing the throne altogether. It will then be said that Nazrin is not 'Keramat' pure royal blood. And don't forget that UMNO is already incensed with Nazrin whom they widely regard as a 'big mouth' for talking about justice and the rule of law.
We understand that all these had come from within the palace grounds.
Below are a mixture of what is claimed as fact plus conjecture.
NEWSBREAK
Here's a dramatic twist to the Perak Conundrum…
HRH SULTAN AZLAN SHAH DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE – IT WAS EITHER ACCEPT NAJIB OR LOSE THE THRONE OF PERAK IN A FEW MONTHS.
There was controversy when Azlan was elected as Raja Muda (Crown Regent) because his mother is a commoner and was therefore considered an outsider.(FACT) In fact it is believed that he lived outside the royal community when he was growing up.
It is now understood that hrh Sultan Azlan Shah was put to the throne by Mahathir since there were claims for the throne of Perak from the descendants of Sultan Idris, uncle of Sultan Azlan. Azlan is in other words not fully of royal blood since his mother was but a mere commoner.(FACT)
Further his wife, mother to Raja Nazrin, is a well known commoner (a former teacher at the Raja Perempuan School, Ipoh) and so by being half diluted by commoner's blood himself, his son Raja Nazrin is three-quarters diluted again.
The fact we're facing now is that Nazrin faces the risk of not being able to ascend to the state throne. (FACT) The inside story is that Najib held a gun (figuratively speaking, that is) to hrh Sultan Azlan Shah's head, saying, "either you follow what I say or I swear on the Quran that Raja Nazrin will never be the next monarch."
There is also the case of the recent murder of the princess that will likely implicate the royal household not to mention the sales of the datukship titles. Let us be clear that the Sultan had no choice – he was indeed blackmailed.
There was controversy when Azlan was made sultan and now if he chooses Pakatan's call for dissolution, his son Nazrin, will be the sacrificial lamb, facing the humiliation of losing the throne altogether. It will then be said that Nazrin is not 'Keramat' pure royal blood. And don't forget that UMNO is already incensed with Nazrin whom they widely regard as a 'big mouth' for talking about justice and the rule of law.
We understand that all these had come from within the palace grounds.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Karpal Singh hopes Council of Rulers will review Zaki Azmi's position as Chief Justice
Photo of Chief Justice Zaki Azmi courtesy of Malaysiakini
On November 18, 2008, Karpal Singh, in his capacity as the chairperson of the newly-formed parliamentary caucus on judiciary independence and integrity, challenged Zaki Azmi to resign as Chief Justice of Malaysia within 7 days. "In the event Zaki does not step down as CJ within seven days from today, I will have no alternative but to move a motion against him under Article 127 of the federal constitution for having misled the country with his so-called clarification," said Karpal further. "There is an audio recording (to prove that he lied), I think you can take my word for it what has been quoted in Kuching. There is no doubt about it."
The above was related to a report in the New Straits Times which quoted Zaki Azmi as having committed corruption. Zaki delivered a speech at a convention in Kuching on Nov 7 which he recalled an incident in 1987 and allegedly said the following:
"It took me six months to be nice, to bribe each and every individual to get back into their good books before our files were attended to. That was my personal experience, and I am telling this to all the clerks and all the registries to stop this nonsense".
Zaki however issued a clarification later, saying the reporter has misinterpreted him. Karpal Singh claimed to have an audio recording of Zaki Azmi's speech and now challenged the Chief Justice to sue him for defamation. Karpal Singh had moved a motion in the Parliament to debate the matter but was turned down twice by the Speaker. Now Karpal Singh has resorted to appealing to the Agong and the Council of Rulers to remove Zaki Azmi as Chief Justice of Malaysia.
Source: Malaysiakini
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Ahmad Said to be Terengganu Menteri Besar (Chief Minister or MB)
According to theStar Online, the UMNO Supreme Council meeting has given its support for Ahmad Said, the Terengganu Kijal State Assemblyman, as the new Menteri Besar (MB or Chief Minister) of Terengganu, which hopefully now has helped avert a Constitutional crisis. The Terengganu Palace's choice for the post of Menteri Besar was Ahmad Said while initially, the other UMNO state assemblymen and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was Idris Jusoh, the former Terengganu Menteri Besar who was reported as having incurred the wrath of the Terengganu Palace.
Hopefully, the swearing in of the Terengganu Menteri Besar will take place soon, followed by the appointment of the State Exco (Executive Committee) and the formation of Terengganu State Government.
Hopefully, the swearing in of the Terengganu Menteri Besar will take place soon, followed by the appointment of the State Exco (Executive Committee) and the formation of Terengganu State Government.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Isn’t a peaceful assembly within the law?
This is a response to a speech by Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech urging Malaysians to respect law and order. It was in regards to the provision in the Malaysian Constitution for free speech, free expression and free assembly, and a further clause that says any law or regulation that goes against the spirit of the Constitution is invalid. So is the requirement to get a police permit to hold a peace assembly valid or not valid? The response was an attempt to get an answer. Here is the response to Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech in theSun:
Both Raja Nazrin and Sultan Azlan are highly qualified lawyers and are highly respected (Sultan Azlan was a former Lord President), so would be eminently qualified to clarify the issues I hope to raise.
The Constitution provides for free speech, free expression, free assembly and any law or act which goes against the spirit of the Constitution is invalid. I had the opportunity to ask former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas if the requirement for a police permit for any assembly of five or more is valid.
His response was "it is dicey". He cited some amendments and some clause in the amended Constitution. Asked for Tun’s opinion: "The police have the right to regulate, but not to prevent."
Now, when Malaysians participate in a peaceful assembly, are they respecting or not respecting the law?
I hope to get some answers through your now highly respected newspaper. If not from the royalty, then hopefully from the Malaysian Bar or its members or any lawyer.
Malaysians have to resort to peaceful assemblies and protests because numerous attempts to change things and right wrongs have not met with the desired action.
by
Loyal but concerned Malaysian, PJ
Isn’t a peaceful assembly within the law?
I refer to your report on Perak Raja Muda Raja Nazrin Shah’s speech (front page, Dec 30) urging Malaysians to respect law and order. However, I would like to ask this question which has troubled me for a long time, and I fervently hope that Raja Nazrin and his father Sultan Azlan read this.Both Raja Nazrin and Sultan Azlan are highly qualified lawyers and are highly respected (Sultan Azlan was a former Lord President), so would be eminently qualified to clarify the issues I hope to raise.
The Constitution provides for free speech, free expression, free assembly and any law or act which goes against the spirit of the Constitution is invalid. I had the opportunity to ask former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas if the requirement for a police permit for any assembly of five or more is valid.
His response was "it is dicey". He cited some amendments and some clause in the amended Constitution. Asked for Tun’s opinion: "The police have the right to regulate, but not to prevent."
Now, when Malaysians participate in a peaceful assembly, are they respecting or not respecting the law?
I hope to get some answers through your now highly respected newspaper. If not from the royalty, then hopefully from the Malaysian Bar or its members or any lawyer.
Malaysians have to resort to peaceful assemblies and protests because numerous attempts to change things and right wrongs have not met with the desired action.
by
Loyal but concerned Malaysian, PJ
Thursday, December 20, 2007
BERSIH: Was an alternative site for Bersih November 10 rally offered?
Now it looks like there are 2 versions of what happened when BERSIH, a coalition of a huge list of NGOs and a few political parties, applied for a police to hold a
Rally for a clean and fair Election on November 10, 2007 (now fondly referred to as our version of the series of elevens. USA have their Seven-Eleven, 10/11 (the attack on the Twin Towers), and now Malaysia have our 10/11 too (11 November 2007), a significant event where a huge turn out of marchers turned out to participate in a march from 4 alternative gathering sites (the original assemble point, Dataran Merdeka, was expected to be inaccessible as the police had already issued stern warnings that anyone found within the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka on that day will be arrested. Despite many serious warnings by many people in authorities, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia himself (don't challenge me), and despite many road blocks set up days before the planned rally, the rally still ended successfully with a very satisfactory turn up.
According to a newspaper report I read some time ago, someone, either the IGP (Inspector General of Police) or the PM (Prime Minister) of Malaysia himself, was reported to have said that they offered Merdeka Stadium as an alternative place for the rally, but BERSIH, but BERSIH rejected it. I immediately emailed my contact at BERSIH to verify, but was told they are in the process of preparing a press statement regarding this so called offer. I now read in AWSJ (Asian Wall Street Journal) what seemed to be the press statement released by Sivarasa Rasiah of the Steering Committee Member of Bersih, Kuala Lumpur.
Sivarasa was reported to have said: "The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) would like to respond to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's recent op-ed ("Malaysia's Democracy is Strong," Dec. 7), in which the Prime Minister alleges that police
had offered us an alternative venue for our rally in Kuala Lumpur on November 10, 2007. I am unaware of any such offer. Upon the advice of the police, Bersih representatives met with the Chief Police Officer of Kuala Lumpur and 14 other senior officers on Nov. 1. No options for an alternative venue were discussed. We submitted an application for a permit on November 3. On Nov. 5, we met again with the police to discuss our program -- and again, no change of venue was offered. The next day, our
application to protest was denied. We filed a written appeal, as provided for under the law. On Nov. 9, a day before the rally, the appeal was turned down by letter."
Now we have two versions. One said an alternative site was offered. The other said no alternative site was offered. Both cannot be telling the truth. One must be lying. Who to believe? Well, I dare not offer a public opinion as I am do not have access to facts to venture a public opinon and have no wish to be sued for voicing an opinion which in the end proved to be wrong. Of course I have my own private opinion based on how the main stream media report events, but those are my own private thoughts not to be shared with others. You will have to judge for yourself. One must be lying. Who? It is your call.
Rally for a clean and fair Election on November 10, 2007 (now fondly referred to as our version of the series of elevens. USA have their Seven-Eleven, 10/11 (the attack on the Twin Towers), and now Malaysia have our 10/11 too (11 November 2007), a significant event where a huge turn out of marchers turned out to participate in a march from 4 alternative gathering sites (the original assemble point, Dataran Merdeka, was expected to be inaccessible as the police had already issued stern warnings that anyone found within the vicinity of Dataran Merdeka on that day will be arrested. Despite many serious warnings by many people in authorities, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia himself (don't challenge me), and despite many road blocks set up days before the planned rally, the rally still ended successfully with a very satisfactory turn up.
According to a newspaper report I read some time ago, someone, either the IGP (Inspector General of Police) or the PM (Prime Minister) of Malaysia himself, was reported to have said that they offered Merdeka Stadium as an alternative place for the rally, but BERSIH, but BERSIH rejected it. I immediately emailed my contact at BERSIH to verify, but was told they are in the process of preparing a press statement regarding this so called offer. I now read in AWSJ (Asian Wall Street Journal) what seemed to be the press statement released by Sivarasa Rasiah of the Steering Committee Member of Bersih, Kuala Lumpur.
Sivarasa was reported to have said: "The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) would like to respond to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's recent op-ed ("Malaysia's Democracy is Strong," Dec. 7), in which the Prime Minister alleges that police
had offered us an alternative venue for our rally in Kuala Lumpur on November 10, 2007. I am unaware of any such offer. Upon the advice of the police, Bersih representatives met with the Chief Police Officer of Kuala Lumpur and 14 other senior officers on Nov. 1. No options for an alternative venue were discussed. We submitted an application for a permit on November 3. On Nov. 5, we met again with the police to discuss our program -- and again, no change of venue was offered. The next day, our
application to protest was denied. We filed a written appeal, as provided for under the law. On Nov. 9, a day before the rally, the appeal was turned down by letter."
Now we have two versions. One said an alternative site was offered. The other said no alternative site was offered. Both cannot be telling the truth. One must be lying. Who to believe? Well, I dare not offer a public opinion as I am do not have access to facts to venture a public opinon and have no wish to be sued for voicing an opinion which in the end proved to be wrong. Of course I have my own private opinion based on how the main stream media report events, but those are my own private thoughts not to be shared with others. You will have to judge for yourself. One must be lying. Who? It is your call.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Can the Star redeem itself?
I published a post Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary reforms (click BACK button to get back to this page), complaining about the Star not putting Sultan Azlan Shah's speech at the Law Conference on its front page, and instead chose to put a full page on Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi smiling away and officially opening the Eastern Corridor. I understand that Petronas, our national oil company is involved in this corridor. Our Prime Minister had said that the savings from increasing the petrol and diesel prices will be used for improving the public transport, which is in urgent need to improve if Malaysia is to wean our residents from using their own transport. Have the public transport improved? I don't know. You judge for yourself. Perhaps you may even do a little digging to see where the savings went to. Will the savings from the next inevitable petrol price increase be used to fund the Eastern Corridor? Time will tell, but I do not know if I would be privy to the information.
Back to the Star. I said I will copy-paste the post Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary reforms (click BACK button to get back to this page) and send it to the editors of the Star and MCA, the owner of this newspaper. The email to MCA bounced. To my surprise, I got a response from the editor of the Star, saying that it was an editorial judgment mistake, and they will try to rectify it, plus put the full speech of Sultan Azlan Shah online. I decided to do a little checking.
I found this on thestar.com.my:
The article was titled "Rulers to discuss CJ’s position" by Dato WONG CHUN WAI. I dare not put the URL as an active (clickable) link to that page because I think online articles in thestar.com.my get shoved into the archives eventually, and if I make it an active (clickable) link, one day the link will become a dead link and the search engines will get sore at me. Also, if I just paste the long URL into the post, it will become a long unbroken line and can cause problems. That is why I put it into a scroll box.
If you want to read the article, you got to click on the inside of the scroll box, press the ctrl+A keys to highlight the whole URL and then press ctrl+C to copy it into clipboard. Then, preferably, using a browser like FireFox with tabbed browsing, open a new tab, and paste the URL from the clipboard into the address bar and press ENTER.
Here are others:
There are others. If you want, you can search for them yourself. There is a site seach box at thestar.com.my and then make your own mind if theStar have done enough to redeem themselves from their horrible oversight at our best hope for bringing positive changes to Malaysia.
Back to the Star. I said I will copy-paste the post Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary reforms (click BACK button to get back to this page) and send it to the editors of the Star and MCA, the owner of this newspaper. The email to MCA bounced. To my surprise, I got a response from the editor of the Star, saying that it was an editorial judgment mistake, and they will try to rectify it, plus put the full speech of Sultan Azlan Shah online. I decided to do a little checking.
I found this on thestar.com.my:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/1/nation/19347283&sec=nation
The article was titled "Rulers to discuss CJ’s position" by Dato WONG CHUN WAI. I dare not put the URL as an active (clickable) link to that page because I think online articles in thestar.com.my get shoved into the archives eventually, and if I make it an active (clickable) link, one day the link will become a dead link and the search engines will get sore at me. Also, if I just paste the long URL into the post, it will become a long unbroken line and can cause problems. That is why I put it into a scroll box.
If you want to read the article, you got to click on the inside of the scroll box, press the ctrl+A keys to highlight the whole URL and then press ctrl+C to copy it into clipboard. Then, preferably, using a browser like FireFox with tabbed browsing, open a new tab, and paste the URL from the clipboard into the address bar and press ENTER.
Here are others:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/31/nation/20071030170340&sec=nation
Sultan Azlan Shah's Address at the Opening of the 14th Malaysian Law Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 29 (full speech).http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/31/nation/19327719&sec=nation
Judging the judges (COMMENT BY DATO WONG CHUN WAI)There are others. If you want, you can search for them yourself. There is a site seach box at thestar.com.my and then make your own mind if theStar have done enough to redeem themselves from their horrible oversight at our best hope for bringing positive changes to Malaysia.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary Reform
I just got the newspapers from the newspager vendor and Seven-Eleven this morning. The headlines that stared at me in the whole of front page the Sun was "Sultan Azlan speaks out". This place is normally reserved for a full page advertisement which theSun sacrificed to put this very significant speech and thus lost advertising revenue. The Sun is a free paper which depend only on advertising revenue to survive, and perhaps to thrive.
In the front page of New Straits Times was "Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary Reform" sharing half of the front page with a report of our Prime Minister opening what I think is the Eastern Corridor.
In In the Star? I think it was something about the Eastern Corridor" or something taking up the whole front page. No sign of that very significant speech by a highly respected former Lord President, former Agong, and current Sultan of Perak.
Why only "I think"? From habits of old, I have been buying the Star, and also some of my children wants to read the printed newspapers. I have resisted the temptation to boycott the Star for a long time and have resisted it because of my children, but this morning was the tipping point. Here is the most important issue of our country today and the Star chose not to put it on its front page. Is it inside? I don't know. I didn't buy the Star as usual. I bought New Straits Times instead. I hope someone who reads the Star tells me if it is there inside relegated to a tiny obscure column or not there at all.
I would like to know so that I can update this post, but I don't want to do that by buying the Star. I want to try to make this my small contribution to making my unhappiness with the Star known to the editors and/or the owners. In fact, I am going to copy-paste this and send it to the editors of the Star and probably MCA as well if I can find the proper email address to send it to.
The Star started out like the Sun these days. It has changed tremendously since. The New Straits Times lost its readers leadership by doing about the same thing as the Star today, and I look forward to seeing the advertising revenue of the Star and its readership falls. Here is my small contribution goes towards that end.
Now on to my other tasks as I am not really a political blogger.
Update 1.01pm 30 October 2007: Someone did respond saying now the speech by Sultan Azlan is neither in
http://thestar.com.my (the Star online)
http://www.nst.com.my (New Straits Times online)
See comments.
Looks like a cat and mouse game and someone using some strategy to boost the readership of the New Straits Times. Now got to decide what I should do
In the front page of New Straits Times was "Sultan Azlan Shah calls for Judiciary Reform" sharing half of the front page with a report of our Prime Minister opening what I think is the Eastern Corridor.
In In the Star? I think it was something about the Eastern Corridor" or something taking up the whole front page. No sign of that very significant speech by a highly respected former Lord President, former Agong, and current Sultan of Perak.
Why only "I think"? From habits of old, I have been buying the Star, and also some of my children wants to read the printed newspapers. I have resisted the temptation to boycott the Star for a long time and have resisted it because of my children, but this morning was the tipping point. Here is the most important issue of our country today and the Star chose not to put it on its front page. Is it inside? I don't know. I didn't buy the Star as usual. I bought New Straits Times instead. I hope someone who reads the Star tells me if it is there inside relegated to a tiny obscure column or not there at all.
I would like to know so that I can update this post, but I don't want to do that by buying the Star. I want to try to make this my small contribution to making my unhappiness with the Star known to the editors and/or the owners. In fact, I am going to copy-paste this and send it to the editors of the Star and probably MCA as well if I can find the proper email address to send it to.
The Star started out like the Sun these days. It has changed tremendously since. The New Straits Times lost its readers leadership by doing about the same thing as the Star today, and I look forward to seeing the advertising revenue of the Star and its readership falls. Here is my small contribution goes towards that end.
Now on to my other tasks as I am not really a political blogger.
Update 1.01pm 30 October 2007: Someone did respond saying now the speech by Sultan Azlan is neither in
http://thestar.com.my (the Star online)
http://www.nst.com.my (New Straits Times online)
See comments.
Looks like a cat and mouse game and someone using some strategy to boost the readership of the New Straits Times. Now got to decide what I should do
Friday, October 26, 2007
Citizens of Malaysia support Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to extend term of Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz
Here is a short report of the gathering in front of the National Mosque of Malaysia to show support to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia not to renew the term of service of the current Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz when he retire.
Here is the photo of Malaysia's National Mosque:
The gathering was a little bit further inside, after the staircase. Here is Lau Tek Hai of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party), Information Head, giving a speech using a loud hailer with others holding the banner imploring our Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act in the interest of the Rakyat (citizens) and not extend the term of the retiring Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz:
Here is the photo of Malaysia's National Mosque:
The gathering was a little bit further inside, after the staircase. Here is Lau Tek Hai of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or Peoples' Justice Party), Information Head, giving a speech using a loud hailer with others holding the banner imploring our Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act in the interest of the Rakyat (citizens) and not extend the term of the retiring Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz:
Friday, September 21, 2007
Yang di-Pertuan Agong: Hope for Malaysia?
If you only have time to do your duty as a citizen of Malaysia, skip the rest and go straight to the bottom of the post.
As I have said in earlier posts before, I set up this blog for the purpose of helping promote Malaysia, the country in which I was born, of which I am a citizen, and in which I will 99% likely live the rest of my life. This post is not a post I like to publish here, but I as a citizen of Malaysia, is concerned at many developments in my country such as the actions and lack of actions with regard to the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco, the huge burden that the tax payers probably have to bear, the squandering of public funds, the lack of actions or the very light penalties imposed after various wrong doings and scandals have been exposed, etc. Port Klang state assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros got land meant for the poor alienated to his wife Zizah Ngah for a song and build a mansion (palace) on it without first obtaining planning approval, the withdrawal of 37 charges against Datuk Zakaria Md Deros under the Companies Act 1965 by just payment of a RM1,400 fine to the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Very harsh actions are taken against lesser beings. The law says if you build without planning approval, the building will be demolished. Extensions built by ordinary citizens without first getting planning approval because getting approval takes so long, are demolished without mercy. In Datuk Zakaria Md Deros case, his mansion remained and he was only slapped with a paltry (they say maximum) fine. Clearly a case of unequal treatments for different people under the law in the "most developed state of Malaysia". I think I read somewhere that when informed of the situation, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was evasive, saying that he would only comment after reading the report. Anything happened after that? They say "no one is above the law". But maybe they are right in some sense (but I still think many people of influence are protected). Most are subject to the law but different people get treated differently according to who they are or who they know.
More crucial, many lawyers and the Bar Council (Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan: "We have gone from one crisis to another since the 1988 judicial crisis; it is time to confront fully and completely all the issues that have arisen since then with a view to strengthen the administration of justice.") say that since the former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad interfered with the independence of the judiciary in Malaysia, the previously much respected judiciary independence is now in question. This was recently reinforced by the release of a video showing a prominent lawyer speaking to a person who seem to be a senior judge purportedly fixing judicial appointments. Datuk Seri Anwar who released the video named the lawyer and the senior judge during a press conference and said that a report would be lodged with the government-backed Anti-Corruption Agency. We are now eagerly awaiting the outcome, if any.
Update: Many other things are acted upon without having to be studied thoroughly first, but regarding such a highly crucial issue, statements like we have to see if the video is genuine or not, etc., are made. Anyone said that VK Lingam would be questioned? Any comment on the "coincidences" regarding the dates judges were appointed and the time frame mentioned in the video, plus which judges were appointed? Such a video demand a Full Royal Commission of Inquiry, but the Government turned that down as expected. You can view the video at Malaysia Bar Council website at Video links CJ to 'appointment fixing' scandal You can read the transcript of the video at Transkrip Perbualan Telefon VK Lingam (it is in English. I think Parti Deadilan Rakyat also have one in Bahasa Malaysia.
We can use our vote to try to change things, but with the advantages of incumbency, the monopoly on the mainstream mass media by the ruling coalition while denying access to the oppositions, the selective approval for ceramahs, the removal of the 15% limit bias for the rural constituencies and the redelineation of electoral constituencies making a rural vote worth 10 to 20 times more than that of an urban vote (just a guess but which should not be too far off. Anyone with more accurate estimate please comment, will be highly appreciated), doubts in the independence of the Electoral Commission (the Government poured huge funds to improve infrastructures and others in 2 constituencies involved in recent bye-elections to influence the voters, but the Election Commission ruled that it is not bribery as long as the funds are not disbursed by the candidate) and many other issues that I consider as irregularities, our votes will not likely change things.
There had been many complaints of phantom voters in the electoral roll but Rockybru (Ahirudin bin Attan who suprisingly admitted he never register as a voter before) said he had doubts, but not until he tried to register recently. He found that he was already registered in Perak!!! His address in both his old Identity card as well as the new MyKad is in Puchong. His kampong is in Malacca. So how did he got registered in Perak? If you want to confirm regarding his registration, view a screenshot at Phantom voter?. He said he will go make enquires at SPR (Election Commission of Malaysia) and here are the questions he asked and the answers he obtained:
When was I registered?
1999.
How was I registered?
Someone filled up the form.
How come?
Before July 2002, political parties were allowed to register on behalf of constituents who had not been registered.
Some questions they couldn't answer.
Was it the BN or the Opposition that registered me?
We don't know.
Did I "vote" for the 1999 and the 2003 general elections?
We have no idea.
How did this political party in Taman Rapat Setia register me when I never lived there?
We can't tell.
Malaysia's only hopes is the Monarchy and the conscience of the leaders of the ruling coalition, if they have any. Raja Petra has started an online petition to plea for the Monarchy to use whatever power they have left to help change things. I have signed the petition and hope that you will do so too. You can view and sign the petition at Citizens In Solidarity with Raja Petra and Freedom of Speech !. Raja Petra is of Royal lineage and seem to have very good connections and sources of information. You can read about the latest development at Yes, we are embroiled in a Constitutional Crisis.
I hope you will do your duty as a citizen of Malaysia and sign the petition. The outcome we do not know, but at least we would have done our part.
As I have said in earlier posts before, I set up this blog for the purpose of helping promote Malaysia, the country in which I was born, of which I am a citizen, and in which I will 99% likely live the rest of my life. This post is not a post I like to publish here, but I as a citizen of Malaysia, is concerned at many developments in my country such as the actions and lack of actions with regard to the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco, the huge burden that the tax payers probably have to bear, the squandering of public funds, the lack of actions or the very light penalties imposed after various wrong doings and scandals have been exposed, etc. Port Klang state assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros got land meant for the poor alienated to his wife Zizah Ngah for a song and build a mansion (palace) on it without first obtaining planning approval, the withdrawal of 37 charges against Datuk Zakaria Md Deros under the Companies Act 1965 by just payment of a RM1,400 fine to the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Very harsh actions are taken against lesser beings. The law says if you build without planning approval, the building will be demolished. Extensions built by ordinary citizens without first getting planning approval because getting approval takes so long, are demolished without mercy. In Datuk Zakaria Md Deros case, his mansion remained and he was only slapped with a paltry (they say maximum) fine. Clearly a case of unequal treatments for different people under the law in the "most developed state of Malaysia". I think I read somewhere that when informed of the situation, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was evasive, saying that he would only comment after reading the report. Anything happened after that? They say "no one is above the law". But maybe they are right in some sense (but I still think many people of influence are protected). Most are subject to the law but different people get treated differently according to who they are or who they know.
More crucial, many lawyers and the Bar Council (Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan: "We have gone from one crisis to another since the 1988 judicial crisis; it is time to confront fully and completely all the issues that have arisen since then with a view to strengthen the administration of justice.") say that since the former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad interfered with the independence of the judiciary in Malaysia, the previously much respected judiciary independence is now in question. This was recently reinforced by the release of a video showing a prominent lawyer speaking to a person who seem to be a senior judge purportedly fixing judicial appointments. Datuk Seri Anwar who released the video named the lawyer and the senior judge during a press conference and said that a report would be lodged with the government-backed Anti-Corruption Agency. We are now eagerly awaiting the outcome, if any.
Update: Many other things are acted upon without having to be studied thoroughly first, but regarding such a highly crucial issue, statements like we have to see if the video is genuine or not, etc., are made. Anyone said that VK Lingam would be questioned? Any comment on the "coincidences" regarding the dates judges were appointed and the time frame mentioned in the video, plus which judges were appointed? Such a video demand a Full Royal Commission of Inquiry, but the Government turned that down as expected. You can view the video at Malaysia Bar Council website at Video links CJ to 'appointment fixing' scandal You can read the transcript of the video at Transkrip Perbualan Telefon VK Lingam (it is in English. I think Parti Deadilan Rakyat also have one in Bahasa Malaysia.
We can use our vote to try to change things, but with the advantages of incumbency, the monopoly on the mainstream mass media by the ruling coalition while denying access to the oppositions, the selective approval for ceramahs, the removal of the 15% limit bias for the rural constituencies and the redelineation of electoral constituencies making a rural vote worth 10 to 20 times more than that of an urban vote (just a guess but which should not be too far off. Anyone with more accurate estimate please comment, will be highly appreciated), doubts in the independence of the Electoral Commission (the Government poured huge funds to improve infrastructures and others in 2 constituencies involved in recent bye-elections to influence the voters, but the Election Commission ruled that it is not bribery as long as the funds are not disbursed by the candidate) and many other issues that I consider as irregularities, our votes will not likely change things.
There had been many complaints of phantom voters in the electoral roll but Rockybru (Ahirudin bin Attan who suprisingly admitted he never register as a voter before) said he had doubts, but not until he tried to register recently. He found that he was already registered in Perak!!! His address in both his old Identity card as well as the new MyKad is in Puchong. His kampong is in Malacca. So how did he got registered in Perak? If you want to confirm regarding his registration, view a screenshot at Phantom voter?. He said he will go make enquires at SPR (Election Commission of Malaysia) and here are the questions he asked and the answers he obtained:
When was I registered?
1999.
How was I registered?
Someone filled up the form.
How come?
Before July 2002, political parties were allowed to register on behalf of constituents who had not been registered.
Some questions they couldn't answer.
Was it the BN or the Opposition that registered me?
We don't know.
Did I "vote" for the 1999 and the 2003 general elections?
We have no idea.
How did this political party in Taman Rapat Setia register me when I never lived there?
We can't tell.
Malaysia's only hopes is the Monarchy and the conscience of the leaders of the ruling coalition, if they have any. Raja Petra has started an online petition to plea for the Monarchy to use whatever power they have left to help change things. I have signed the petition and hope that you will do so too. You can view and sign the petition at Citizens In Solidarity with Raja Petra and Freedom of Speech !. Raja Petra is of Royal lineage and seem to have very good connections and sources of information. You can read about the latest development at Yes, we are embroiled in a Constitutional Crisis.
I hope you will do your duty as a citizen of Malaysia and sign the petition. The outcome we do not know, but at least we would have done our part.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Sultan of Selangor: More hope for Malaysia?
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has called for immediate action to be taken to check corruption, bureaucratic red tape, race problems, religious intolerance, the brain drain and crime, issues which are troubling many concerned Malaysians these days. While much of the power of the royalties had been taken away, I think they still command much respect especially among the rural communities. Plus many of the royalties are now very highly educated.
The Sultan of Selangor said that corruption is still a problem and that people are very concerned about it, echoing the thoughts of many Malaysians. He called for more effective actions to be taken.
He also expressed concern over the country's brain drain, pointing out Singapore as the greatest benefactor of the brain drain. I can vouch for that for the former CEO {Chief Executive Officer} of SIA {Singapore Airlines} one of the most successful airlines in the world, Dr. C.K. Cheong, was my former statistic lecturer and a Malaysian citizen, although I do not know if he had taken up Singapore citizenship. The Sultan of Selangor pointed out as examples a highly qualified Malaysian academic could not get an appointment in any of the Malaysian universities, but was appointed as a department head at the NUS (Natioinal University of Singapore), and the Malaysian architect who designed the Singapore National Library.
The Sultan of Selangor indicated that the Palace is taking the lead in caring for the environment by committing to plant 5,000 trees on its ground.
He called for respect for each other's religion, national unity and racial harmony.
Related post: Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perak, hope for Malaysia
The Sultan of Selangor said that corruption is still a problem and that people are very concerned about it, echoing the thoughts of many Malaysians. He called for more effective actions to be taken.
He also expressed concern over the country's brain drain, pointing out Singapore as the greatest benefactor of the brain drain. I can vouch for that for the former CEO {Chief Executive Officer} of SIA {Singapore Airlines} one of the most successful airlines in the world, Dr. C.K. Cheong, was my former statistic lecturer and a Malaysian citizen, although I do not know if he had taken up Singapore citizenship. The Sultan of Selangor pointed out as examples a highly qualified Malaysian academic could not get an appointment in any of the Malaysian universities, but was appointed as a department head at the NUS (Natioinal University of Singapore), and the Malaysian architect who designed the Singapore National Library.
The Sultan of Selangor indicated that the Palace is taking the lead in caring for the environment by committing to plant 5,000 trees on its ground.
He called for respect for each other's religion, national unity and racial harmony.
Related post: Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perak, hope for Malaysia
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perak, hope for Malaysia
As mentioned, this blog is meant to promote Malaysia, and I am very happy to publish this post as the speeches by Raja Dr Nazrin Shah gave us loyal Malaysian some hope for the future of the nation. Unlike others who are privilaged, he declined using state funds for his recent wedding. The Perak State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim (I presumed taking the stand from Raja Dr Nazrin Shah), said that people should not use government allocations for the purpose of buying gifts for the wedding.
"The departments are however allowed to donate and hold thanksgiving feasts at welfare homes by organising the event themselves or to channel their contributions through the palace," he said in a statement.
Raja Dr Nazrin Shah is the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perak and also the son of the current Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yusuff Izzudin Shah Ghafarullahu-lahu and the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Bainun Binti Mohd. Ali. I have great respect for Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. I is my fervent prayer that one day he may become the Prime Minister of Malaysia rather than the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (roughly equivalent to King). Raja Petra has an interesing article on that. It is the weird incidence of the successions of the Prime Ministers of Malaysia following in the order of RAHMAN, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. If you want to read about it, surf over to Who comes after A?.
Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah, the father of Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, was the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from April 26, 1989 to April 25, 1994. A lawyer by profession, he was a judge, and previously served as the Lord President of the Federal Court. I also have great respect for him too.
Sources: Wikipedia
I and I am sure many other loyal but concerned Malaysian got their hopes raised from the speeches Raja Dr Nazrin Shah made rather than the many unbecoming speeches of some Members of Parliaments who makes seditious and sensitive speeches, and then label the responses of loyal and concerned citizens as seditious or sensitive, lies or stupid. Not only that, one such sensitive speech that Malaysia has always been an Islamic state and never a secular state drew great concern from non-muslims citizens who naturally try to rebut his uncalled for speech. A Minister then gave a directive that the mainstream media should not publicise any (valid)discussions by the public and that only the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister can make statements on the issue. I was glad to read a statement by our honorable Prime Minister that Malaysia is neither an Islamic state nor a secular state. However, he has not acted on many of the statements he made and I hope this will not be one of them.
Regarding the call for Malaysians to not make sensitive statements, there was the case of the current head of the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) youth, Hishamuddin Hussein, who waved a kris (Malay dagger) at last year’s national UMNO convention and offered to bathe it in Chinese blood to the loud cheers from the delegates, but was not hauled up for making sensitive statements. Why should the obligations of some Malaysians have to be adhered to and made accountable for, but others are not?
For more information on related post, refer to (click BACK button to get back to this post)
Flag of Malaysia and Flag of the United States of America (note particularly the updates at the bottom of this post).
There are many events which got many loyal but concerned non-Muslim Malaysians and also some Muslim Malaysians greatly disturbed. One was the case of Revathi who was born a Muslim, but brought up as a Hindu and married a Hindu. She got detained by the Islamic authorities for a long period of time and was forceably separated from her husband and children. She was only released just before a court hearing to try to free her, thus making that court hearing irrelevant and the concerned parties unable to bring up issues they want to raise. Refer to (click BACK button to get back to this page):
Candlelight vigil for Revathi (and for Malaysia)
Candlelight vigil for Revathi (and for Malaysia) Part 2
Unity Threatened by Continuing Infringements of Religious Freedom booklet
"The first is the Rule of Law and the inviolability of the constitution. The constitution is the supreme law of the country which guarantees fundamental liberties to every citizen. A cleverly crafted document, it clearly provides for adequate checks and balances against excesses through the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches -- with each protected from encroachment by the other."
""We must be the protectors of those who are vulnerable to abuse. We have to stand up and be counted. We have to protect the things that make our nations great..."
"Opportunities in the global world reward those with ability, regardless of colour or creed."
"As I have said elsewhere, to ensure sustained success at nation-building, Malaysians of all races, religions, and geographic locations need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun." But
"Upholding the Rule of Law is paramount."
"Only those who are capable, responsible and scrupulously honest should be allowed to serve in positions of leadership. Those who are inefficient, incompetent and, most importantly, corrupt should be held in absolute contempt. There must also be concrete anti-corruption measures and management practices based on efficiency, transparency and accountability. It is also very important that we have leaders who are earnest in maintaining unity, never resorting to religious or ethnic posturing to further their political careers at the expense of peace and security. Should they fail in this respect, they must be held accountable and answerable before the law."
"Third, you must take personal ownership over the wellbeing of the country. Do not succumb to indifference and apathy. Hold on to your ideals. Do not give way to cynicism and opportunism. Believe that you can make a difference. Channel your energies in a constructive manner to bring about positive changes around you." (This is what I am trying to do by publishing posts like these, but my family hoped it will not get me into trouble like Nathaniel Tan, Raja Petra, Jeff Ooi, Rockybru. However, I don't think this blog will draw the amount of traffic they attract, so probalby, I am safe, as I don't think I pose much of a threat. I also refuse to publish seditious posts or posts insulting the Agong and Islam, nor allow comments of such nature. I hope to promote unity in diversity, not disunity, chaos and trouble).
"Political, social and economic incentives must reward good behaviour and penalise bad." I wish this is happening especially when the current Honorable Prime Minister vowed to fight corruption among various other election promises in the last election. But what we are seeing is bloggers like Raja Petra who made corruption allegations backed by documents according to him (some of them appear as screenshots in his blog Malaysia Today), but are being harassed (and apparently now extended to members of his family who have nothing to do with his blog) while those who are accused are either not investigated or not thoroughly investigated.
Then there is the case of Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop’s evasive but technically-correct replies to the Public Accounts Committee over the ECM Libra-Avenue Capital merger. Nor Mohamed kept repeating the technically-correct answer that the Securities Commission had approved the merger. What the public wants to know is who in the first place within Government gave the initial approval or the first green light to sell Avenue Capital? Nor Mohamed, according to Raja Petra of Malaysia Today, is being very evasive about this simple question.
(may be continued)
"The departments are however allowed to donate and hold thanksgiving feasts at welfare homes by organising the event themselves or to channel their contributions through the palace," he said in a statement.
Raja Dr Nazrin Shah is the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Perak and also the son of the current Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yusuff Izzudin Shah Ghafarullahu-lahu and the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Bainun Binti Mohd. Ali. I have great respect for Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. I is my fervent prayer that one day he may become the Prime Minister of Malaysia rather than the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (roughly equivalent to King). Raja Petra has an interesing article on that. It is the weird incidence of the successions of the Prime Ministers of Malaysia following in the order of RAHMAN, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. If you want to read about it, surf over to Who comes after A?.
Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah, the father of Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, was the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia from April 26, 1989 to April 25, 1994. A lawyer by profession, he was a judge, and previously served as the Lord President of the Federal Court. I also have great respect for him too.
Sources: Wikipedia
I and I am sure many other loyal but concerned Malaysian got their hopes raised from the speeches Raja Dr Nazrin Shah made rather than the many unbecoming speeches of some Members of Parliaments who makes seditious and sensitive speeches, and then label the responses of loyal and concerned citizens as seditious or sensitive, lies or stupid. Not only that, one such sensitive speech that Malaysia has always been an Islamic state and never a secular state drew great concern from non-muslims citizens who naturally try to rebut his uncalled for speech. A Minister then gave a directive that the mainstream media should not publicise any (valid)discussions by the public and that only the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister can make statements on the issue. I was glad to read a statement by our honorable Prime Minister that Malaysia is neither an Islamic state nor a secular state. However, he has not acted on many of the statements he made and I hope this will not be one of them.
Regarding the call for Malaysians to not make sensitive statements, there was the case of the current head of the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) youth, Hishamuddin Hussein, who waved a kris (Malay dagger) at last year’s national UMNO convention and offered to bathe it in Chinese blood to the loud cheers from the delegates, but was not hauled up for making sensitive statements. Why should the obligations of some Malaysians have to be adhered to and made accountable for, but others are not?
For more information on related post, refer to (click BACK button to get back to this post)
Flag of Malaysia and Flag of the United States of America (note particularly the updates at the bottom of this post).
There are many events which got many loyal but concerned non-Muslim Malaysians and also some Muslim Malaysians greatly disturbed. One was the case of Revathi who was born a Muslim, but brought up as a Hindu and married a Hindu. She got detained by the Islamic authorities for a long period of time and was forceably separated from her husband and children. She was only released just before a court hearing to try to free her, thus making that court hearing irrelevant and the concerned parties unable to bring up issues they want to raise. Refer to (click BACK button to get back to this page):
Candlelight vigil for Revathi (and for Malaysia)
Candlelight vigil for Revathi (and for Malaysia) Part 2
Unity Threatened by Continuing Infringements of Religious Freedom booklet
Celebrating 50 Years of Nationhood
However, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah has given us some hope. At the Keynote address by him at the first annual Student Leaders Summit 2007 - "Celebrating 50 Years of Nationhood" on Aug 5, 2007, at Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. He said, among other statements:"The first is the Rule of Law and the inviolability of the constitution. The constitution is the supreme law of the country which guarantees fundamental liberties to every citizen. A cleverly crafted document, it clearly provides for adequate checks and balances against excesses through the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches -- with each protected from encroachment by the other."
""We must be the protectors of those who are vulnerable to abuse. We have to stand up and be counted. We have to protect the things that make our nations great..."
"Opportunities in the global world reward those with ability, regardless of colour or creed."
"As I have said elsewhere, to ensure sustained success at nation-building, Malaysians of all races, religions, and geographic locations need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun." But
"Upholding the Rule of Law is paramount."
"Only those who are capable, responsible and scrupulously honest should be allowed to serve in positions of leadership. Those who are inefficient, incompetent and, most importantly, corrupt should be held in absolute contempt. There must also be concrete anti-corruption measures and management practices based on efficiency, transparency and accountability. It is also very important that we have leaders who are earnest in maintaining unity, never resorting to religious or ethnic posturing to further their political careers at the expense of peace and security. Should they fail in this respect, they must be held accountable and answerable before the law."
"Third, you must take personal ownership over the wellbeing of the country. Do not succumb to indifference and apathy. Hold on to your ideals. Do not give way to cynicism and opportunism. Believe that you can make a difference. Channel your energies in a constructive manner to bring about positive changes around you." (This is what I am trying to do by publishing posts like these, but my family hoped it will not get me into trouble like Nathaniel Tan, Raja Petra, Jeff Ooi, Rockybru. However, I don't think this blog will draw the amount of traffic they attract, so probalby, I am safe, as I don't think I pose much of a threat. I also refuse to publish seditious posts or posts insulting the Agong and Islam, nor allow comments of such nature. I hope to promote unity in diversity, not disunity, chaos and trouble).
Young Malaysians’ Roundtable Discussion on National Unity and Development in Malaysia: Prospects and Challenges for Nation Building
This Roundtable Discussion was organised by the Bar Council and Transparency International KL Chapter. Statements made by him at this Rountable Discussion include:"Political, social and economic incentives must reward good behaviour and penalise bad." I wish this is happening especially when the current Honorable Prime Minister vowed to fight corruption among various other election promises in the last election. But what we are seeing is bloggers like Raja Petra who made corruption allegations backed by documents according to him (some of them appear as screenshots in his blog Malaysia Today), but are being harassed (and apparently now extended to members of his family who have nothing to do with his blog) while those who are accused are either not investigated or not thoroughly investigated.
Then there is the case of Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop’s evasive but technically-correct replies to the Public Accounts Committee over the ECM Libra-Avenue Capital merger. Nor Mohamed kept repeating the technically-correct answer that the Securities Commission had approved the merger. What the public wants to know is who in the first place within Government gave the initial approval or the first green light to sell Avenue Capital? Nor Mohamed, according to Raja Petra of Malaysia Today, is being very evasive about this simple question.
(may be continued)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)