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‘Lucky’ Mat Sabu aims to take PAS to wider audience

By Kow Gah Chie & Salhan K Ahmad
Jun 4, 11 | MalaysiaKini

Newly-elected PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said that he will take the mandate to place the Islamic party in the national mainstream by appealing to non-Malays and non-Muslims.

This, he said, is especially important in light of the upcoming general election.

“You can’t win elections just on the back of Malay support. I will endeavour to garner more support from non-Muslims using the Pakatan Rakyat platform,” said the popular grassroots leader.

Considering himself “lucky to have garnered grassroots support” in the three-way fight, the Penangite believes that he can strengthen the Islamic party’s relationship with Pakatan Rakyat. Continue reading “‘Lucky’ Mat Sabu aims to take PAS to wider audience”

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Consideration for the Construction of Dam in Kota Belud

By Iskandar Basha Abdul Kadir
4 June 2011

Dear Yb Rahman,

Thank you for writing about the Jelapang Padi Initiative in your blog.

The key objective and the Complimentary/Spin-Off objectives that you have stated in your blog are as follows:

Key Objective

To become self sufficient in rice production for national security. This includes price control and distribution within Malaysia.

Complimentary/Spin-off Objectives

Flood control n mitigation, hydro power, clean water for consumption, tourism, multiplier effects, jobs, etc Continue reading “Consideration for the Construction of Dam in Kota Belud”

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There should be a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Sarbaini’s death at MACC

The authorities concerned should learn from the unsatisfactory outcome in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest and have a Royal Commission of Inquiry straightaway into senior Customs officer Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamad’s death – second fatal fall-from-height incident at MACC premises in the short history of MACC.

The conduct of the MACC, the police, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Cabinet have been most unsatisfactory to date – taking two long months for the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers to recommend that an inquest be held.

Clearly, the inquest proposal is strongly opposed by the MACC, which had right from the beginning disclaimed any responsibility for Sarbaini’s death – just as it had disclaimed responsibility for Teoh Beng Hock’s mysterious death falling from 14th floor of MACC hqrs at Shah Alam on July 16, 2009 – even suggesting that Sarbaini had committed suicide, just like in Teoh Beng Hock’s case: that Beng Hock committed suicide, or “honour suicide” and even making the outrageous suggestion that DAP had murdered Beng Hock at the MACC hqrs! Continue reading “There should be a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Sarbaini’s death at MACC”

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Hadi spurns cooperation with Umno-BN

By Aidila Razak | Jun 3, 11
Malaysiakini

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today made it clear that any bid to forge cooperation between PAS and Umno in the name of Malay unity is an effort in futility.

Not mincing his words during his keynote speech at the Muktamar in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur today, Abdul Hadi (right) said that Umno had forsaken the Malays and bumiputera by plundering wealth through dubious means.
Continue reading “Hadi spurns cooperation with Umno-BN”

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PAS vows to defend Pakatan states

By Aidila Razak | Jun 3, 11
Malaysiakini

PAS today vowed to use “every ounce of their energy” to defend the four Pakatan Rakyat states from returning to the BN in the next general election.

“Let us all vow to defend Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor and Penang which we have governed together, with every once of our energy; let our sweat soak the earth, with high spirits and through God’s will, we will defend our victory,” said its president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Continue reading “PAS vows to defend Pakatan states”

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The 100 apologies that immortalised Blu Inc

By Nathaniel Tan
June 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 3 — Malaysia makes the big news: “Social activist forced to tweet apology to corporation 100 times.”

I think that’s up there with the other international coverage we get — churches burned down, detaining parliamentarians without trial and banning yoga.

What actually happened

So this all began with a tweet by Fahmi Fadzil dated January 25: “My friend’s wife, who works at Female magazine, has tendered her resignation because they’re giving her so much shit because she’s pregnant.”

Female magazine is owned by Blu Inc Media and Magazines, who apparently got their knickers all in a twist upon learning of this tweet.

It sounds like some pressure was applied to all the parties involved, resulting in a follow-up tweet from Fahmi that very same day: “I would like to formally & unequivocally apologise to Blu Inc and Female mag for my tweets earlier today. All inconveniences are regretted.” Continue reading “The 100 apologies that immortalised Blu Inc”

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RM450m Tambatuon dam controversy – Why MP Kota Belud never visited kampong? (3)

Twitter sequel Part 3
Part 1 & Part 2

limkitsiang Jun 02, 6:07pm
YB where is yr blog 2champion RM450m Tambatuon dam? >24 hrs oredi. Cld not even convince yrself after reading it in cold print? @mpkotabelud

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 8:27pm
My rebuttal of @limkitsiang >>> http://mpkotabelud.blogspot.com/2011/06/to-dam-or-to-be-damned-question-to-lim.html

mpkotabelud Jun 02, 8:31pm
Read http://bit.ly/k1akKq RT @limkitsiang: where is yr blog 2champion RM450m Tambatuon dam?
Continue reading “RM450m Tambatuon dam controversy – Why MP Kota Belud never visited kampong? (3)”

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I’m no expert in Islam but…

By Zan Azlee
June 03, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 3 — Religion seems to be quite a hot topic whenever it is discussed. This is especially so when it comes to Islam. And even more so when it challenges conventional thought.

I’ve learnt this over the course of writing my thoughts and opinions openly and frankly all this while and receiving the opinions and thoughts of the readers as well.

Sometimes the comments that I get are just okay and sometimes, they can be quite passionate. The latter is when I feel obligated to respond.

My column last week received quite a range of comments that I felt warranted a proper response from me this week.

There were many that concurred with my thoughts, but no point responding to them. That would just be preaching to the converted.

What I really want to do is to respond to those who disagreed with me. Everyone is definitely entitled to his or her opinion, but right now I have the pen in hand! Continue reading “I’m no expert in Islam but…”

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The clueless person’s guide to Sarawak

By Erna Mahyuni
March 30, 2011 | The Malaysian Insider

MARCH 30 — Hello, West Malaysians! Most of you have not visited the lovely state of Sarawak though you at least know that it’s not in the peninsula.

If you don’t know that, I am afraid there is no help for you so stop reading.

For the rest of you, you first need to know the following fact. Remember it. Commit it to memory.

Kota Kinabalu is not in Sarawak. No. It is the capital of Sabah so please get your geography straight. There is no faster way to alienate an East Malaysian than by mixing up Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is in Sabah; Kuching is in Sarawak.

If you still find that hard to remember, imagine a big smiling fat cat in the chief minister’s office when you think of Sarawak. Geography teachers, feel free to thank me.

On to other essential facts for you West Malaysians to know so the natives will dislike you less. Continue reading “The clueless person’s guide to Sarawak”

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Polls to decide PAS’ future and Pakatan’s fate

Bridget Welsh | Jun 2, 11
Malaysiakini

COMMENT

Islamic party PAS is at a critical juncture in its history. The decisions at the party polls of the 57th Muktamar will – at least in the short term – resolve some of the conflicts that have been brewing within the party over its political direction and engagement.

The party delegates have a clear choice – to either transform PAS’ identity and embrace a bolder vision within multiethnic Malaysia or continue the current trajectory of limited dynamism and a conflicted direction.

It is likely that when the results are tallied in typical PAS fashion, some sort of compromise will be reached to accommodate the different groups.

Yet, what will be interesting to see is whether PAS’ rank-and-file gives the party greater clarity, that allows for the party to play a more prominent and dynamic national role, or whether they make a conservative turn that would be a serious blow to the future of Pakatan Rakyat, and arguably, PAS itself. Continue reading “Polls to decide PAS’ future and Pakatan’s fate”

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Will we vote for Ibrahim Ali?

– Lucius Goon
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 02, 2011

JUNE 2 — This is a serious question. Will we vote for Ibrahim Ali?

I believe this is a relevant question for Malaysians to ponder because with each passing day this Perkasa mouthpiece seems to have pushed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other Cabinet ministers from the mainstage of decision-making and politics.

After watching the local political scene for a few months, we can conclude a few things: Ibrahim is Umno and Umno loves Ibrahim.

Najib is scared of upsetting Ibrahim and Perkasa, probably out of some fear that the right-wing group can influence the outcome of how Malays vote and/or concern that not bowing to Ibrahim’s wishes will upset Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, supporter and patron of Perkasa. Continue reading “Will we vote for Ibrahim Ali?”

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Perkasa, you have done enough

– Dr Kamal Amzan
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 02, 2011

JUNE 2 — As a man of science, I am a sceptic and don’t believe in many things.

But I believe in the spirit of being a true blue, white and red Malaysian, not differentiated by skin colour or religion.

I believe that Malaysians should only be recognised by their citizenship and contribution to the country and not where our forefathers hail from, who’s equal rights are protected and upheld in the constitution.

I believe that this country is blessed and rich enough to be shared by all Malaysians who are mature enough to live together, without being antagonized by politicians every day. Today, politicians appear as a group of selfish, hypocrite Malaysians who lives like a king amongst paupers, burning racial sentiments that brings no benefit to the masses or the nation.

A group that never seems to learn who are the masters and who are the servants in a democratic society. Continue reading “Perkasa, you have done enough”

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Nakhaie buries Najib’s 1 Malaysia!

– P. Ramakrishnan
The Malaysian Insider
Jun 02, 2011

JUNE 2 — If an ignorant man talks nonsense we can easily forgive him for you don’t expect any spectacular wisdom from an ignoramus. But when a person who is perceived as educated and scholarly speaks rubbish, you are rightly outraged.

This is exactly what happened when Mohd Nakhaie Ahmad, the former president of the Islamic Da’wah Foundation Malaysia (Yadim) and one-time lawmaker-turned-traitor to the voters who elected him, came out with statements which are clearly scandalous, seditious and atrocious regarding the non-Malays in this country.

Nakhaie questioned the loyalty of non-Muslims in the country, declaring that the community’s rights must be re-evaluated — obviously forgetting his own shameful past when he showed no loyalty to the party that sponsored him as a candidate and those who elected him. He had displayed a total absence of integrity without any qualms when he became a frog and leaped over to the Barisan Nasional. He is not in the least qualified to talk about loyalty. Continue reading “Nakhaie buries Najib’s 1 Malaysia!”

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NEP or meritocracy?

By Fazly M. Fauzy | June 01, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 1 — The New Economic Policy has often been described as biased to Bumiputeras in terms of education and economic rights given to them under the policy. Critics of the NEP believe that it is crippling Malaysia by rewarding those who they feel to be “undeserving” of these rights because it is not based on merit but instead on their preferential status as Bumiputeras.

I would contend, however, that while meritocracy is a noble ideal in that it rewards those who have truly earned their due but at the same time, it also unfairly undermines those who they have deemed unworthy due to their perceived lack of merit.
Continue reading “NEP or meritocracy?”

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Brain drain and migration, so who’s left to save Malaysia?

By Yee Ziherng | June 02, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

JUNE 2 — My name is Yee Ziherng and I am a Malaysian. I stand firmly on the ground that I am a Malaysian first, Chinese second. So there are no debatable issues about races and religion here.

I have been gravely disheartened by the recent deluge of stories of Malaysians migrating. More and more people are jumping on the bandwagon of supporting the move while enumerating lists of alleged flaws and problems facing those who choose to remain, all the while without providing viable solutions to the problem.
Continue reading “Brain drain and migration, so who’s left to save Malaysia?”

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A twist of fate…

By Kedah man in Japan | May 30, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

MAY 30 — Like AC who penned “First love, long lost”, life just happened and before I knew it, I found myself enjoying life outside of Malaysia.

I am but a padi farmer’s son. I was working in a construction site after obtaining three Ds and one O for my Higher School Certificate in 1979. One day, my older brother handed me an advertisement by Singapore Airlines calling for pilot trainees. Fate had it that it was the last day for the application. It was a Friday and the post offices in Kedah were closed. My nephew drove me all the way from my village to Butterworth on a 100cc motorbike just to post the application letter. I can still recall how my buttocks hurt.
Continue reading “A twist of fate…”

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Umno has lost Malay middle class, says EIU

By Shannon Teoh | June 02, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Despite continued support from rural voters, Umno appears to have been rejected by urban Malays, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Its latest country report on Malaysia said that the “decline in support may have intensified” among middle-class Malays due to Internet sites “exposing government corruption and political intrigues of individual members of the ruling administration.”
Continue reading “Umno has lost Malay middle class, says EIU”

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Our health and lives in exchange for FDIs

Malaysiakini Your Say | Jun 2, 11

‘We sometimes marvel at how parents in some Asean countries are willing to sell their daughters into prostitution in return for a few dollars. Now we know.’

Panel: Waste won’t be 100% radiation-free

Swipenter: “It is not easy to do a study on the impact of health from a rare earth plant as it requires a large number of samples and a long duration of study to demonstrate statistically significant results.”

The rare plant in Bukit Merah is not proof or good enough to show the negative effects on health on a long-term basis? This panel is just a eyewash – they cannot even name one safe rare earth plant anywhere in the world.
Continue reading “Our health and lives in exchange for FDIs”

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Perlis issues fatwa against 1M’sia structures

By Norsyafinas Ahmad Sukri | Jun 2, 11
Malaysiakini

The ubiquitous structures or monuments in the shape of the Najib Abdul Razak administration’s 1Malaysia logo is haram (forbidden), according to a fatwa (edict) by the Perlis Fatwa Council.

When contacted, Perlis Mufti Dr Juanda Jaya said that the council was of the opinion that such structures may be subject to pemujaan al-Ansab (idolatry).

This was decided during the council’s meeting on April 18 and 19 and it was approved by the Perlis Islamic Council (MAIP). Consent from the Raja of Perlis has also been obtained.
Continue reading “Perlis issues fatwa against 1M’sia structures”

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Now, Kit Siang calls MCA biggest block to 1 Malaysia

By Debra Chong | June 02, 2011
The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang added today the MCA to a growing list of what he termed the “greatest obstacles” in the way of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia dream as he questioned the Chinese party’s relevance to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

The opposition leader continued to fire shots at its political foe over the controversial award of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships to deserving students, blaming the MCA for frustrating the aspirations of the nation’s best and brightest and leading to the drop in public confidence in the Najib administration’s national reforms.
Continue reading “Now, Kit Siang calls MCA biggest block to 1 Malaysia”