Why two inquiries for probe Teo’s death?

According to the BN cabinet decision, two types of inquiry would be established to probe the death of Teo Beng Hock who was found murdered in the MACC building last week.

A royal commission (RC) would be formed and assigned to find out MACC’s investigation methods while a magistrate’s inquest (MI) would be tasked to investigate the cause of Teo’s death.

First of all why would the BN federal government to establish two separate bodies to investigate this case? What was the actual motive of doing this? The BN federal government did not give any reasons on their decision to separately conduct the investigation on MACC and into Teo’s death.

Perhaps the BN federal government did not want to embarrass themselves (who earlier initiated the upgrade the entity of the MACC) and the MACC as well. And that is why they did not want an RC to probe the MACC directly on Teo’s death. So, they just appoint an inquest at magistrate level to conduct the investigation.

We are certain that once the RC and MI start their assignments, some of their reports and finding would be conflicting in a way and fact that these two entities conduct their investigations separately. And when their reports and findings are conflicting, how is the federal government going to make their decisions and what kind of action will they take as well as to base on who’s report in order to sum up their next course of action?

Just because there are two separate RC and MI to partially probe into Teo’s death, we are most certain that these two bodies would be ineffective and powerless to determine any actions on the culprits and those who are involve in Teo’s murder. And when these two entities are powerless and ineffective to come out with their solutions, then the BN federal government would step in to have their final say which of course would be in the interest of the MACC and not totally a just and fair one for Teo’s family, fiancée and our people.

Therefore, there are no clear directions and targets for both the RC and MI to begin and achieve because the responsibilities and the subject matter has been separately assigned. Is this the intention of the BN federal government that the MACC investigation method and Teo’s death would not be linked and if these two are not linked, how are they going to determine the cause of Teo’s death?

In the end, will BN say he committed suicide or he accidentally fell off while walking near the window? The question here is not only Teo’s death, because they are also others who had suffered and died while being detained or investigated before this.

We want justice and empowerment of human rights to ensure such power abuse would not repeat anymore. The problem is can BN provide us justice and human rights?

Eli Wong to remain as exco, state rep

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim today announced that Elizabeth Wong will remain as both state executive councillor as well as Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson. She will report for work again tomorrow morning after a long vacation.

'This is the hardest decision that I have to make in my life and it is with the greatest humility that I accept the Selangor state’s offer to remain in office,' says Elizabeth Wong who had just confirmed she will stay on to both of her state positions to continue serving the people and the state. Latter in her statement, she also thank the Sultan of Selangor for his guidance and advice.

Welcome back Eli !

Seven who took part in human rights march to know fate on 16 April

Seven people, including four lawyers, will know if they are to enter into defense for the charge of taking part in an illegal assembly in a human rights day march two years ago.

According to the prosecution and the police, the seven who were charged are disrupting public harmony at that time. We wish to question the authorities, what kind of activities had these people done to disrupt public harmony and did they do it? Can the authorities prove it? This is political motivated. Just because they are against BN-Umno government’s ketuanan style of reign supreme over oour people, the authorities are quick to arrest these innocent people who merely wanted their rights and voice heard. They wanted things to be cover-up from the public.

And the defense attorneys, who are representing the seven had their strong good reasons, it was a peaceful walk and did not disrupt nor provoke anyone. The gathering was merely a remembrance to those who observe the human rights day. It was the authorities who had provoked the entire situation so it became unruly and the police could march in start making unwarranted arrest.

This is clearly a violation of human rights.

Umno has keris, why not the 'clenched fist'?

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), which recently won a decade-long battle for recognition, faces a new hurdle after the election commission (EC) rejected its "clenched fist" symbol as too violent.

What sort of people in EC who made such an uncivilised decision? The "clenched first" being too violent. To us, the Umno's "keris" is the most violent. It symbolised hatred, kill, violent, threat and terrorism.

The EC decision on not accepting PSM's logo for the use in general election is clearly a political motivated one. The registrar of societies had already approved the registration of PSM, so is EC trying to sabotage PSM's existence and its rights "on behalf" of Barisan Nasional?

This action also clearly symbolised BN-Umno's ketuanan to curb human rights, freedom of speech and freedom of association.

Bar Council done a good job in upholding justice, freedom and equality

We would like to congratulate the Bar Council for their continuous effort in upholding justice, freedom and equality.

Well done and Good Job! We know some Umno leaders are now abusing the government machinery for their political gains to threaten the Bar Council to stop their quest to protect the federal constitution, the people and the nation.

We wish to remind the Bar Council not to be afraid by the cowardice act shown by these Umno leaders. Their objectives are not to protect the Malay rulers or the Malay community but they are simply doing all these provocations issuing threats in order to protect their own interest, power and wealth.

Therefore, the Bar Council is here to stay and we shall always support their effort to uphold justice, freedom and equality for all Malaysians regardless of their race, religions and backgrounds.

Let us all condemn Umno for their continuous blatant acts of violence, barbarism, racism, terrorism, corruptions, money politics and power abuses which had resulted to our people’s suffering, fear and worries on the insecurity of our nation.

Read more in our Bahasa Malaysia version.

NGOs planned protest against Bukit Aman

A coalition of NGOs consist of about 50 organizations had planned to hold a mass protest ring in front of the police headquarters in Bukit Aman to shown their dissatisfaction on certain unresolved issues.

It also shows the public discontent on the police force is also growing following the BN federal government’s decision not to establish the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) but to do with only a less effective Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC).

Besides, the highlights of the NGOs’ protest will also be focusing on the unresolved case of A.Kugan’s death while he was under investigation for suspicion in a car theft syndicate. They are now emphasizing why no action taken against Kugan’s killers from the police force.

Come on Tan Sri Musa (the inspector-general of police), it does not mean by hauling up your officers who murdered Kugan will make you or your entire force lost your faces. You have to accept that this is a process of justice and the murderers be it your policemen or whoever it is must face the judiciary process. They had murdered a guy who is under investigation.

If you keep on covering your face or being arrogant, Kugan will even become a national hero or perhaps a national statesman because he is a murder victim now. People are making a fame of him because your officers murdered him. Even if Kugan had committed a crime by stealing some vehicles to make ends meet, he should be allow to go through the judiciary process and from there he will be judged by the court if he is guilty or not.

The IGP should not blame the entire episode on Kugan. The more you blame him the more heroic he becomes and he might be turned into a Tun or Tan Sri type of guy by the people who fought for him. Those policemen who murdered him should be blamed for their impatience in their interrogations and their disrespect to the judiciary process.

If you let justice serve on Kugan accordingly, you don’t have to through such suffering situation. You asked for it, the entire police force asked for it. You cannot blame all these on the people, Kugan’s family and the whole. We did not go against you simply because we wanted to. We wanted justice, not to make Kugan a winner or you a loser. Justice means equality. You must serve everyone equally and not one-sided like what you have been doing in Perak right now.

As member of the police force, you must serve the people and preserve the nation’s security and not only serve the interest of a particular political party just because the leader of the political party is your home affairs minister.

Everyone has their right to an attorney

Because of the influence from the Perak Umno rebel state government, the Ipoh High Court had denied Perak State Assembly Speaker V.Sivakumar’s right to have an attorney to represent him in his suit against the rebel state administration.

They reason that since Sivakumar as a Speaker is a public or civil servant, he has no right to engage an attorney of his own to address his case in the court against the rebel state government led by Umno. According to Umno he could only be represented by the state legal advisor.

This ruling does not make any sense at all. In this case every public or civil servant who has a case to be heard in the court will have to engage the state legal advisor or attorney-general to act on their behalf. A teacher is a public servant, a customs officer is a public servant, a municipal council worker is a public servant, the driver of the prime minister’s official vehicle is a public servant, a clerk attached to the treasury department is a public servant, a cleaner working in the prime minister’s official residence is also a public servant.

So does the attorney-general or state legal advisor have to answer to the calls of all public servants who are in a legal tussle or whatever case they may have to face? Why can’t a public servant have their every right to choose or select an attorney of their own to represent them? What is wrong with the judicial commissioner who sat in the chambers of Ipoh High Court? Why can’t he use the common sense to make the judgment correct but choose to depend blindly on the standard proceedings of the government which applies generally to only specific application and not as the entire service?

Well, the Court of Appeal had finally given its judgment and allowed Sivakumar to have his rights back to seek his own attorneys to represent him. Sivakumar’s basic human rights had been restored after being denied by the Ipoh High Court judgment.

The Perak Umno rebel state government had tried to prevent Sivakumar from advancing his legal suit against them by misusing the stature of the state civil service for their political ends.

The federal constitution guarantees all its citizens their rights to an attorney. And by depriving one’s right to an attorney means insulting the federal constitution as well. As such, Umno had in fact insulted the federal constitution.

Respect the deceased, Syed Hamid told

The home affairs minister Datuk Syed Hamid Albar should properly respect the family members of the deceased police detainee and not condemning them as a family of criminals instead.

Syed Hamid should have acted professionally as a minister by offering condolences to the bereaved family and not branding the family as part of the crime.

By immediately passing the judgment to the deceased as a convicted criminal, when even the court of law has not even give its judgment, Syed Hamid had demonstrated his immature attitude towards a human being. He as a lawyer himself should have acted and think rationally and not emotionally.

So, what about those policemen who were now under investigation for the torture and murder of the deceased suspect? Is Syed Hamid going to hail them as not guilty and hero instead?

We want to advise Syed Hamid, the more arrogance you show in this case the more resistance you will receive from the public and even if the deceased suspect has been proven for his crimes (car theft), he will be hailed as a hero instead.

Therefore, Syed Hamid should tone down his arrogance and show his respect to the public by acting as a gentleman and inform the people and the said family that he shall not comment further until the judiciary process takes place and give its judgments.

As a minister, he should not be overly one-sided and too emotional in critical issues which had been made known to the general public.

Death of civilian under police custody, denial and cover-up

With another death as the result of police brutality, the call for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be established had once again resurfaced.

There is a need for the IPCMC to come into the picture as soon as possible because the police force had to-date yet to let seen any of its reforms or improvements as promised by the BN government earlier. In other words, nothing had really been done so far?

The assistance by the two deputy ministers in the prime minister’s department to the family of the deceased recently had also sparked protest and uneasiness from the police force for trying to seek the truth behind the cover-ups. However, the police has not being able to cover-up anymore, thanks to the fast and efficient acts of the two deputy ministers and the press as well to expose the wrongdoers who are also the murderers from within the police force.

Due to the wide publicity onto this murder, the attorney-general had no any other choice but to classify this case as murder and a file has been open to facilitate the charges onto those who involved.

And yet at the last moment, in order to avoid losing face, the home affairs minister Datuk Syed Hamid Albar try to stress that if the two deputy ministers were to be found to have been part of the group of aggrieve family members who ambushed and stormed into the mortuary to examine the body of the victim, they will be charged for the said offence.

Why did Syed Hamid trying to do something to deny the incident which had in actual fact already taken place and the truth has been established that those policemen had killed the 22 year old man while under detention. It proves that Syed Hamid is behaving like an ostrich now by trying to hide only his head under the sand thinking that nobody would ever know anything at all.

Syed Hamid also known as the “Father of Security Instability” is well known as an expert fast moving and committed liar in all areas he is involved with. Look at during the previous incident when the then Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail who uttered racist remarks on the Chinese community during an election campaign and a journalist reported his statement in the press.

Did you know what happened? Datuk Ahmad Ismail immediately admitted his racist statement and pledged to repeat his act again and called for the journalist who wrote his statement in the press to be arrested or killed. So, after that Syed Hamid immediately signed the detention order to detain the journalist who reported the incident to the press under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for the purpose of protecting her (the journalist) from any extremist threat.

So what happened is the real threat to the security Datuk Ahmad Ismail escapes untouched. Or could we say all Umno top leaders are untouchable because of their supremacist position in the party and the country.

Therefore, we need a new system of governance and a new government as well to let the truth prevail and give confidence and hope to the people and our nation.

Herald gets nod for Malay language but not "Allah"

The BN federal government will allow the Malay edition of a Catholic newspaper to resume publication, lifting a ban imposed for its use of the word "Allah," an official said today.

The Herald, the country's main Roman Catholic newspaper, will not be allowed to use "Allah" as a translation for "God," however, said Che Din Yusoh, a senior official with the Home Ministry's publications control unit.

"If they stop printing the word 'Allah,' they can publish anytime," Che Din told The Associated Press. "You can use another word. It's permissible for us," he said, adding that the decision would be conveyed to the Herald by tomorrow.

The ministry had ordered the Herald last week to stop printing its Malay edition for violating a 2007 ban on the use of the word "Allah," except to refer to the Muslim God. The government says using the word could confuse Muslims, even though the newspaper is read almost exclusively by Christians.

Malay language is widely spoken by many indigenous Christian believers in Sabah and Sarawak states, who read the Herald's Malay edition regularly. The newspaper has continued to publish its English, Mandarin and Tamil editions.

The Herald has challenged the ban on "Allah" in court, saying that the translation has been used for centuries and that the Arabic word is a common reference to God that predates Islam. It says the ban is unconstitutional and threatens the religious freedom of the minorities in this nation.

Establish State IPCMC

The BN federal government had decided not to proceed with the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill in the parliament for fear of the police would increase the crime rate in the nation, instead proposed a less effective Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill in order to ease the anger from the police force.

Since the BN federal government had failed to address the public concern on the integrity and transparency of the police force, the Pakatan Rakyat state governments of Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan should combine their efforts to establish a state level IPCMC in their respective governing states in order to address the public concerns and complaints on the police force in these states.

Under the state constitutions, the State Legislative Assemblies are also empowered to establish service commissions to investigate, address, improve and uphold public administration structures in their respective states.

By moving to establish the state IPCMC in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan would be a stepping stone to push forward for a federal level IPCMC in near future, but first these state IPCMC should demonstrate its effectiveness in managing and addressing public grievances on the police force professionally.

The police force in turn should not view the IPCMC as a threat to their daily proceedings but to accept the challenge from the public to improve their professionalism, integrity and transparency in order to regain the public confidence onto the force. The police must also understand that IPCMC is here to assist and not to put more damage on the police force and they must accept this fact with an open heart.

Therefore, if the police force still thinks conservatively and maintain their unchallenged attitude, then the entire force should be dissolved and replaced with a more people oriented Public Security Force. The people had voted the Pakatan Rakyat into governance and the police force must accept the verdict of change as well.

Indonesian parliament passes anti racial discrimination law

Reports from the Jakarta Post mentioned that the Indonesian parliament had recently unaimously voted to pass a law that will describe ethnic and racial discrimination as a serious crime in that nation.

The passing of this law ensures that racial discrimination is now a crime considered same as other crimes like corruption, terrorism, drug abuses and breach of trust of which could warrants imprisonment as a minimum sentence.

An interesting fact to note that is Indonesia now joined ranks with other nations in the "International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination" enacted in the year 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly.

It is a disappointment to say that Malaysia is not even in the list of nations that has endorsed the convention. Pretty sad isn't it so ?

So long as Umno and its window dressing Barisan Nasional coalition is still around, racial discrimination in this nation will continue.

Crime prevention is more important than politics

The police force should not waste their time to monitoring and arresting innocent civilians on passive political motives and campaign rounds to promote positive values amongst public.

We are referring to the police recent action on members of NGO called the Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) who organized their cycling tour in selected locations to promote their campaign on certain issues related to human rights, labour, freedom and justice. What wrong had all these innocent “cyclists” done? They are merely using their sporting event to promote something which needed public attention and awareness. These JERIT members are not harming anybody with its activities or events.

The police should know that, the crime rate in our nation is getting from bad to worst with crimes keep on happening in our neighborhood every minute. What had the police force done to protect our people? Where are they when we need them most and at times of emergency? Snatch thieves who had the intention to kill for the sake of some cash are now running around us like nobody’s business. We are not fully protected at all. When we make a police report, it was merely a report to formalize the role of the police. Did they really go all out and act against these criminals and murderers.

Fatwa Council banned Yoga, then take up Yogi !

As we had heard recently the announcement by the National Fatwa Council to ban Muslims from practicing Yoga exercise for fear of Hinduism influence over its Muslims practitioners which may jeopardize their Islamic faith.

What a big fuss on this? Has any Muslim converted to Hinduism after practicing Yoga? So far, we have not heard any case in relation of Muslims being converted during Yoga sessions. What is the main agenda behind such ruling? We supposed, the National Fatwa Council is practicing dogmatism !

To our understanding, Yoga exercise is practiced for natural health and healing purpose in many of its centers nationwide under full secular condition without emphasizing the need to recite any mantras nor chanting any Hindu prayers as claimed by the National Fatwa Council. In fact many surviving cancer patients or patients of other sickness had seen significant improvement in the management of their health after taking up Yoga practically by attending its session regularly.

Yoga exercises are purely to promote and enhance health of its practitioners, helps to relieve stress and even lower high blood pressure to prevent heart failure. Same goes to Qi Qong exercise it helped to relieve pain and stress of persons as well as to promote stability in body metabolism as a way to gain better health. So, let me ask, is the so-called Fatwa Council going to ban Muslims from practicing Qi Qong soon for its Taoism and Buddhism influences? Come on, talk sense and think positively! Your thinking and way of live is getting more and more backward and looks like de-civilization is coming into picture when you are practicing dogmatism in the name of a religion.

Well, we knew even if we give our facts right, they would not listen or try to understand it. Anyway, to all my Muslim friends who had long practiced Yoga and it is time to stop when a Fatwa is released. Do not give up, take up Yogi instead!

Wait! Another worry is will the National Fatwa Council ban favourable martial arts like Karate, Judo, Wushu or Silambam in future due to its foreign influence, with Silat to become a sole martial art allowed in this nation one day?

Race and Islam

By : Farish Noor, Aliran Member

A row was sparked off by the nomination of a Chinese woman – Low Siew Moi – as the head of a state institution linked to the economic management and development of the state of Selangor, the PKNS. Despite the fact that Low was selected on merit, some quarters chose to publicly disagree with her appointment on the grounds that the Malay-Muslims of the state would object to the appointment. But objection on what grounds, asks Aliran member Farish Noor.

It is odd, to say the least, that after more than 14 centuries there remain some people who claim to be Muslims but who still have not internalised the universal values of Islam. Odder still that there remain those who on the one hand can embrace Islam’s universal claim of brotherhood (and sisterhood), but still cannot get around to understanding the simple idea that Islam and racism do not mix.

Evidence of such discrepancies can be found pretty much everywhere these days: It has, sadly, become the normative cultural norm in so many Muslim societies today that those who are fair are better off and given the privileges that they feel is the natural right of all light-skinned people. It is also interesting to note that Muslims tend to rejoice whenever a white American or European converts to Islam, but seem less enthusiastic in their recognition of the fact that thousands of Africans and Asians are converting to Islam every year.Furthermore when it comes to governance and politics, it remains painfully clear that some Muslims still place blood and race above competency and merit till today; and that despite their profession of faith they remain embedded in the stagnant mode of racialised thinking that operates on the basis that some races are better than others.

One such case has popped up recently in multi-culti Malaysia , where a row was sparked off by the nomination of a Chinese woman – Low Siew Moi – as the head of a state institution linked to the economic management and development of the state of Selangor, the PKNS. Despite the fact that Low Siew Moi was selected by the Chief Minister of the state, Tan Sri Khalid, on the basis of merit; some quarters chose to publicly disagree with her appointment on the grounds that the Malay-Muslims of the state would object to the appointment. But objection on what grounds? On the basis that she is a Chinese woman?

Here the already convoluted waters of Malaysia’s racialised politics turns a shade murkier; for among those who objected to the appointment of Low Siew Moi were some members of the Malaysian Islamic party, Pas.Malaysia’s politics has been defined by racial concerns and the communitarian demands of the various religious and ethnic groups of the country since its independence in 1957. Over the past three decades, however, the tone and tenor of the country’s conservative, right-wing ethno-nationalist politics was further coloured by the Islamisation race in the country with the Malaysian government attempting to further inculcate Islamic values into the norms of governance in Malaysia as well.

Ironically however, Malaysia’s Islamisation programme seems to be more concerned with book-banning, fatwas on social behaviour (including the recent revelation that there may be a fatwa on Yoga soon, wait for it), and moral policing instead. Where, the Islamic scholar may ask, were the universal values of Islam in the midst of all this social engineering? Did the leaders of Malaysia not realise, or forget, the simple idea that Islam is an egalitarian faith that is colour-blind; and that the concept of ‘race’ is an alien idea in Islam?

The dilemma that Malaysia is facing now is the same dilemma faced by many other Muslim societies where the defence and promotion of Islam often goes hand-in-hand with the defence and promotion of the communitarian interests of Muslims. In Malaysia ’s case, where Muslims are overwhelmingly Malay, then this also translates as the defence of Malay interests – to the extent of propagating the ethno-nationalist idea of Malay cultural dominance as well. Now what on earth is Islamic about this?

Here is where orthodox Muslim scholarship has to come in and make its timely intervention: For it has to be remembered that the success of Islam and the success of Muslims are two entirely different things, that may also clash and negate each other at times. The victory of Islam, so to speak, has to be understood as the victory of universal values such as egalitarianism and equality before God. The victory of Muslims, on the other hand, may at times be understood as political victories that may or may not conform to the standards of Islamic ethics. The defeat of the Kuwaitis at the hands of Saddam Hussein, for instance, was a case of one Muslim state defeating another: but was this a victory for Islam? Likewise, when Muslims openly and abrasively demand special rights and privileges for themselves at the cost of equality and meritocracy, is this really a victory for Islam?

Those who have criticised and opposed the appointment of Low Siew Moi as the head of PKNS on the grounds that the job should have been given to a Malay-Muslim instead should therefore look closely at themselves and ask: What is it that you are fighting for? Malay-Muslim dominance or a better form of governance that is based on merit and equality? The Islamic scholar will remind you that the latter is Islamic, while the former is not.

In any case, for Muslims to even think in racialised communitarian terms is a misnomer of sorts as such modes of communitarian, sectarian thinking has no real place in Islamic orthodoxy and ethics. To quote Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, spiritual leader of the Malaysian Islamic Party Pas: ‘tell me, what race was Adam?’. ‘Nuff said I think.

Join MCCBCHST for unity, JAKIM urged

The federal level Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) and their state counterparts are strongly urged to participate and join the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and to transform it to Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islamic, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHIST) instead in order to promote tolerance and a more effective religious harmony.

The purpose of this suggestion is not to scrap the Islam's role in the federal constitution but to promote mutual understanding amongst religion and belief. JAKIM and its state counterparts therefore should not isolate themselves within their authorities and be forceful on other communities by not entertaining nor accepting their views and discussions other than Islam.

JAKIM and their state counterparts should also understand that they cannot reign supreme towards others as all religions stands equally side by side as stated effectively in the federal constitution. Everyone who are borned and grown up here, be it Malay, Chinese, Indians, Sikh, Kadazan, Muruts, Ibans or Penans are Malaysians First.

Therefore, whenever any issues or challenges brought up by various religious and communites should be seen as constructive discussions and consultation based and should be handled in a Malaysian manner professionally rather than reigning supreme towards others.

Whatever solutions and proposals for religious implementations should be of truly Malaysian concept and religious harmony should be preserved at all times.The present MCCBCHST or the future MCCBCHIST should also play their guardian role in preventing political radicals like the Umno Youth or any other religious elements from taking advantage on religious conflicts. Such conflicts should be settle amicibly in a harmonious level rather than being political motivated.

IPCMC in Cold Storage

Friday, 29 August 2008

In accordance to the findings made by the special commission to revamp the police force previously, it has been recommended that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be established to oversea the malpractice, power misuse and misconduct in the police force.

The BN federal government delayed and delayed and later came up with an idea: Special Complaints Commission (SCC) to replace the IPCMC which caused widespread protest from all corners of the nation because the SCC was out of the topic then.

After the 8 March general elections which saw the disastrous defeat of the Barisan Nasional in the hands of the Pakatan Rakyat, the federal government promised to push ahead and expedite the implementation of the IPCMC based on the people's mandate.

Today, its nearly at the end of August and the federal government had failed to come up with IPCMC framework. Looks like BN is trying to delay the IPCMC again and shift the attention to other issues. How long is the BN going to keep the IPCMC in the cold storage? Have you forgotten your promise to the people?

Action against Bar Council unjust

Friday, 15 August 2008

Minister in PM's Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call for actions to be taken against the Bar Council and its office-bearers for organizing the forum on conversion of Islam has been viewed by many as being unfair.It is not fair for Datuk Zahid to implicate the Bar Council and its office-bearers under the Seditions Act because of the forum where its objective was to help to resolve issues related to conversion to Islam currently faced many people and families.These lawyers by profession who were all well-versed in their respective legal fields are merely trying to solve problems of families affected by the Syariah judgments which are not presentable in the civil courts for appeals.

Why did Datuk Zahid said these lawyers are trying to create chaos by instigating and encouraging people to go against Islam? Where on earth did he get these information that the Bar Council’s action is against Islam and the federal constitution?

Datuk Zahid should check the facts first before making a conclusion that the Bar Council was guilty of this and that offences, as we could all see till today, none of these lawyers make any statement pertaining proposals to go against Islam or whatsoever nor having anything to do with the call to abolish Islam as an official religion in the federal constitution. Such negative response were believed to be from Umno and pro-Umno NGOs whose aimed is to serve and protect their own interest.Datuk Zahid’s call is also viewed by many as unbecoming and political motivated.

Judge's transfer, is there a motive behind?

Monday, 11 August 2008

Judge SM Komathy Suppiah who presided over PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's alleged sodomy case has been transferred.During the hearing of Datuk Seri Anwar's sodomy charges, Justice Komathy had allowed Datuk Seri Anwar to be bailed out at RM20,000. After the case was heard and the next mention/trial date was fixed, Justice Komathy was apparently transferred out from her chambers in a very short notice without any reason given whatsoever.Was this transfer political motivated, to allow a more pro-government judge to take charge of the next court hearing/trial?

As we could see, Justice Komathy did nothing wrong in allowing bail for Datuk Seri Anwar and we believed that she had carried out the proceedings in a just and fair manner.But we also must not forget that by allowing bail to Datuk Seri Anwar had also make certain BN leaders in the federal administration uncomfortable because of the upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election where Datuk Seri Anwar is expected to present his nomination form for the election candidacy.

Some poweful people were hoping for the other way round (disallowing bail to Anwar by sending him to jail awaiting trial).Who will be the next judge to chair the trial then? Will Datuk Seri Anwar have a fair trial on his case?

Why can't Bar Council organise the forum?

Saturday, 9 August 2008

The Bar Council intends to hold the forum entitled "Conversion to Islam: Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini and Shamala Revisited" within its own premises on Aug 9.However, its plans has been met with immediate protests from UMNO Youth, PAS and even the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself. UMNO Youth exco member, Datuk Pirdaus Ismail was reported to have issued the warning "Don't play with fire! Don't ever touch religious and racial (matters)!" He even asserted that "It is pointless to organise forums based on intellectualism, professionalism or controversial issues when the safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country were being compromised."

PAS party president, Abdul Hadi Awang argued that "although, PAS accepts the freedom of expression of various parties to dialogue and discuss issues of public interest, nevertheless, issues concerning Islam is something already guaranteed in the Federal Constitution." According to Hadi, any discussion pertaining Islam, said Hadi, should involve those who had sufficient knowledge and are authorities in the subject as it will otherwise "only confuse the real understanding of Islam and cause undue tension."

At the same time, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak chipped in that the Bar Council Malaysia's proposed forum entitled Conversion to Islam is unsuitable to held in an open manner. Firstly, the entire basis of such a forum being held is due to the controversies and parties victimised as a result of difference in interpretations of Article 121 (1A). Hence a forum held to discuss these differences is certainly constructive towards setting a foundation for "safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country", as opposed to the threats issued by UMNO Youth.

Secondly, the question that is discussed is a question of law and not a question of religion. This means that the status of Islam as the official religion of the Federation is unquestioned. The forum does not seek to interpret Islam which is the role of the theologians, but to understand, interpret and make constructive suggestions on the law in the interest of all Malaysians.

Thirdly, by demanding that the forum be "closed" in nature, the Deputy Prime Minister is in fact denying the rights of Malaysians to better understand the laws of the land. If ignorance of the law is not a justifiable excuse in the courts of law, then surely, law-abiding citizens must not be denied opportunities seek a better understanding of the law and its implications.

The DAP stands firm that there are probably no better party to organise and lead discussions on the Constitution and the laws of Malaysia than the Bar Council. It will make a complete mockery of our legal and judicial system if its very practitioners are denied opportunities to discuss or explain our laws.